Conecuh by Herb Hughes | Book Review ~ Trailer ~ Author Guest Post ~ Win a Signed Copy | #HistoricalFiction #CivilWar @iReadBookTours
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
Conecuh by Herb Hughes
Published by Books From The Pond on 04/25/2019
Genres: civil war era, Historical Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 338
Source: Amazon Purchase, iRead Book ToursBronze Medal Winner in Historical Fiction - 2020 eLit Awards for Literary Excellence
Emily Rose roamed through a country ravaged by war, a damaged land where the very grass blades drank the blood of brothers, cousins, and friends. Protected only by her growing wits and Nathaniel Whiteeagle, a slave with Cherokee blood, Emily swore she would find her fiancé and buy his freedom. But every clue she followed left her a step behind.
Facing danger at each turn, would she ever find Caleb? Or would she and Nathaniel meet a violent end? And could Caleb endure the unthinkable cruelty of civil war prisons long enough for her to rescue him?
Conecuh (Cah-NECK-ah ) is a story woven around and through the actual events in the mysterious and ironic life of Private Caleb Garner, CSA. Whatever happened to Caleb? History has left us blind, but there are clues. Conecuh explores one very real possibility.
Conecuh was rated FIVE STARS by Reader's Favorite: "I enjoyed Conecuh, and it is clear that this author has quite a talent for writing historical fiction!"
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. There is mild profanity. There is a rape scene that is handled without vulgarity.
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Purchase Links for Conecuh
Amazon-OneLink for all countries BookShop/IndieBound
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Conecuh Book Trailer
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My thoughts on Conecuh
Title: Conecuh Author: Herb Hughes Genre: Historical Fiction (Civil War Era)
Conecuh, penned by Herb Hughes, takes readers on a gripping journey through the harrowing and tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War. Set in a ravaged land where the very earth seems to thirst for the blood of brothers and friends, the novel follows the determined Emily Rose and her unlikely ally, Nathaniel Whiteeagle, a slave with Cherokee heritage. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to find Emily’s fiancé, Caleb, and secure his freedom.
As Emily navigates the treacherous terrain of a war-torn nation, danger lurks at every turn, and each clue she uncovers seems to push her further away from her ultimate goal. The central question lingers throughout the narrative: will Emily ever reunite with Caleb, and can Caleb survive the unimaginable horrors of Civil War prisons long enough for her to rescue him? Or will their journey end in violence?
Conecuh weaves its narrative around the enigmatic life of Private Caleb Garner, CSA, during this turbulent period in American history. The mystery of Caleb’s fate is a compelling thread that drives the story forward, offering readers a fresh perspective on a lesser-known aspect of the Civil War. Herb Hughes’s commitment to historical accuracy shines through, as his meticulous research forms the foundation upon which this enthralling tale is built.
One of the novel’s standout features is its vivid portrayal of Emily Rose, a character whose fortitude and determination are reminiscent of Scarlett O’Hara from the classic Civil War-era novel “Gone with the Wind.” Emily’s resilience and unwavering commitment to her mission make her a captivating protagonist who leaves a lasting impression on readers.
While Conecuh delves into the darkest aspects of war and human suffering, the author handles these heart-wrenching passages with great care and sensitivity. This balance between historical accuracy and emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making it a truly immersive reading experience.
In Conclusion
Conecuh is a meticulously researched and compelling work of historical fiction that transports readers to the turbulent era of the Civil War. Herb Hughes’s skillful storytelling and the resilient character of Emily Rose breathe life into this captivating tale. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply a lover of well-crafted historical fiction, Conecuh is a novel that should not be missed.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Herb Hughes
Author Herb Hughes, an Alabama native, worked in the computer industry for over two decades before leaving to create a successful private business. He later sold his business to focus on writing novels.
From Mr. Hughes:
"Since the time I was a teenager, stories have swirled around in my mind. It was embarrassing when called upon in a business meeting, and I was so deep into my imagination I had no idea what the group had been discussing or what they wanted me to contribute.
Now, several novels later, I find the process of creation more compelling and more interesting than ever. I write in the present, but my stories are about the past and the future: historical fiction and science fiction. I find both fascinating.
For historical fiction, I enjoy most eras but prefer the civil war. It is such a profound part of our past. The chasm that was created still features prominently in our thinking today.
My science fiction is not the typical galactic shoot-'em-up. I prefer to explore the paths less traveled.
If you are looking for something a little different, and if your interests are as varied as mine, I invite you to join me on one or more of my adventures."
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Guest Post from Herb Hughes, Author of Conecuh
While most novels require at least some research, historical novels are beasts. If you want your novel to be historically accurate, a significant amount of research is usually required. This is especially so when one of the main characters was an actual person.
My award-winning novel, Conecuh (Cah-NECK-ah), is based on the life of Caleb Garner from Conecuh County, Alabama. A cousin interested in genealogy related his story to me, saying it would make a good book. I went through the research material she had received from a professional genealogist and additional research she and her daughter had performed. After reviewing it, I was hooked. His story needed to be told!
The hardships Caleb endured were incredible but not uncommon for the civil war. Something else was needed to elevate the story to the next level, so I created fictional characters Emily Rose, his fiancé, and Nathaniel Whiteeagle, a part Cherokee slave.
As a writer develops the plot for a historical novel, research needs to be done at virtually every point in the story. For instance, in their search for Caleb, when Emily Rose and Nathaniel Whiteeagle arrive in Washington D. C., research is necessary to see what the capital looked like at that time, to understand how blacks were treated in D. C. during the war, and for things as simple as what hotels were available for travelers of both races.
Even after all the initial research I performed, there were dozens of points throughout the writing of Conecuh where I had to stop writing and conduct further research to ensure historical accuracy. The train schedules, fares, and railway lines mentioned in Conecuh are all accurate, as established by extensive investigation during the writing process.
As a result, I have well over two thousand hours in the novel, about half of which is research. And this doesn’t count the hundreds of hours of additional research performed by my cousin, her daughter, and the professional genealogist.
An interesting sidebar to this happened when my cousin told me the genealogist had made a mistake, that she was not related to Caleb after all. At that point, the rough draft was halfway written. I was in love with the story. Nothing was going to stop me from finishing!
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Purchase Conecuh online from your local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Win a signed copy of Herb Hughes’ CONECUH (one winner) (USA only) (ends Oct 2)
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Conecuh
Full Tour Schedule:
Sep 5 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlights / guest post / giveaway
Sep 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books– book review / giveaway
Sep 6 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Sep 11 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 12 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Sep 12 – Bigreadersite – book review
Sep 13 – Pick a Good Book– book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 14 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review
Sep 15 – The Sexy Nerd Revue – book spotlight
Sep 19 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Sep 20 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 22 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Sep 25 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
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Book Title: CONECUH (A Civil War Novel) by Herb Hughes
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 340 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Books From The Pond
Release date: April 2019
Tour dates: Sep 5 to Sep 25, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. There is mild profanity. There is a rape scene that is handled without vulgarity.
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
You had me at Gone With the Wind 🙌
I thought about you when I wrote that line!
🙌 I’ve always been afraid of a reread because I know it would be a different reading experience through 2023 eyes. So it lives in my memory.