A wonderful historical fiction with just the right amount of Romance to keep it enjoyable. I highly recommend

I simply could not get into this. It's definately Christian Fiction, which is not my thing. For those who like strong Christian themes in their fiction this book is for you. For those who get turned off by that, consider this your warning that this book is not for you.

I was so excited when I found that this book focused on the story of Pocahontas. I knew a little bit of her story, but I loved learning more about her and her story as it fits in history. I never knew that she was abducted by the English at one point, and I will warn you that this book does mention some terrible things that they did to her. It did not go into detail, but if even the mention of this bothers you here’s your heads up. I find this to be a great way to learn more about our history, I know some of the details are added for the story, but I love learning about the historical facts that I might not have known before. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book.

**I received this book for review as part of the CelebrateLit blog team. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

For those who know the story of Pocahontas—and for those who don’t—this is both an eye-opening read in the historical sense and an imaginative tale in the fictional sense, of what may have transpired in her life. I was carried along into the fascinating portrayal of this remarkable woman, and while we can never know certain personal details, McNear sets the Powhatan princess’s world of 1607 before our eyes in rich and vivid rendering. In the fictional sense, McNear does a fabulous job of tying the possibility of lineage of Mato’aka/Rebecca/Pocahontas to the lost colony of Roanoke. It is provocative to imagine, whether such a thing may have happened or not. The story is compelling, at times heartbreaking, and at other times inspiring. One thing is sure. God used this native woman, in her time, to do courageous things and accomplish His plan. Lovers of history and a good story will want to read Rebecca, and readers of the earlier books in the series will enjoy seeing the pieces come together in this moving conclusion.
I received an advance copy of the book and opinions are my own.

A more realistic Pocahontas story.
Definitely not one for those who want happily ever afters, like me. But a very interesting read and I'm sure many would be interested in this one!

I found this book very challenging to read. I respect the author's attempts to use real native names and titles, but I found that I could not always figure out contextually what the word meant, and I spent way too much time and energy trying to get the words to make sense that I kept losing track of the narrative.

This is a shame because I liked the narrative as far as I could tell, and it is a time period that I am very interested in. Unfortunately, this would not be the first title that I would recommend for my patrons who are interested in historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC. My opinions are my own.

I loved this book. The romance was so sweet. I absolutely love historical romance and this book was no exception. I would highly recommend this book!

A poetic, compelling story, rich in history.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well written. An interesting take on a less written about part of history. Unique and delightful. I can't wait to read the other books in this collection.

What a fascinating book! What a great way to learn history! Most of us are familiar with Princess Pocahontas and John Smith. I am impressed with the author's research of historical facts. Some new information is horrifying. Most give insight. Of course, this is a fictional account of historical events, and the imagination needed to tell the story that is what makes a good author! There is even a fictional link to the lost colony of Roanoke! The account of how Pocahontas grows up, meets the settlers, learns of Christianity, realizes her personal link to God, how she marries, adjusts to a new way of life and sails to England are just remarkable and worth reading!
I appreciate being able to read this book, compliments of the publishers. The thought expressed are my own.

Well Written and so Moving!

Oh How This Book Broke My Heart



I have not read the first two books in the series. This book is not a nice Disney movie, not that I expected it to be. So much was hard to take in. The brutality. Yes, I know this was fiction based on historical data.
Let me say I’ve read many books that have had both sides of this great tragedy surrounding the Native Americans. Being 1/4 Native American it breaks my heart. This will sit with me for awhile.

I felt Shannon McNear did a great job at writing a hard story. I will be seeking out the other books in the series.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Rebecca is a fascinating, complex story of the Indigenous woman known as Pocahontas. Drawing from Indigenous history and records in addition to the English documentation, Shannon McNear draws on myth and record to create an accessible and accurate-adjacent narrative about this historical Indigenous woman. McNear’s interest in including several perspectives and documentation, then fictionalizing the account and drawing inferences to make this story accessible to readers. McNear does not shy away from the previously sanitized and romanticized accounts of Pocahontas and her encounters with Jamestown, John Smith, and John Rolfe, and McNear, while discussing these challenging topics, does so in a graphic, realistic, yet moderate way. The characters and the multiple perspectives draw the story forward; while Pocahontas’s narrative and perspective are the central focus of the story, the perspectives of Rolfe and Pocahontas’s mother and father provide further clarification and a larger scope to the narrative. McNear’s characters evolve, and their experiences shape their growth over the course of the novel, making them realistic and fascinatingly complex. McNear also uses the Powhatan language throughout the book in what appears to be a respectful and enlightening way, adding to the atmosphere of the book, which is an emotional, educational, and complex novel.

I am a huge fan of history, so absolutely love a good historical novel- what better way to learn about a period of time or historic event? I am fascinated by Pocahontas and the lost colony of Roanoke, so this novel was right up my alley! Shannon McNear did a fantastic job bringing a difficult chapter of history to life. The characters were brilliant and the whole thing was so well researched. Definitely keen to read more by this author in future!
A big thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy I received in return for my honest review.

Her story is that of history...

Like millions of others I have been fascinated by the lost colony of Roanoke and by the tragically short – but eventful – life of Pocohontas. In this third Daughters Of The Lost Colony novel, Shannon McNear takes on the what ifs and might-have-beens with both stories and the fictional thread that binds them together in Rebecca.

I can tell you straight out that this story ain't no Disney film. There is no colorful animation or catchy songs. No, Rebecca is a look into the past with all of its warts. Just as the real people would have been, Shannon McNear's characters deal with fear, prejudice on all sides, and there are good and bad people in all colors. Those who strive for good lean on faith and family to see them through dark times while others give into their own darkness and do the unpardonable. The toughest part was really liking some of the characters and knowing what was going to eventually happen...

There were times that this Daughters Of The Lost Colony was a bit hard to read, but, then again, history so often is just that. However, it is also a story of love and hope. Two things that have allowed people to overcome the most insurmountable of odds.

Rebecca is quite the story and if you have read the previous Daughters Of The Lost Colony it's one you won't want to miss. Great for fans of history and historical fiction, Shannon McNear has done well with it, just as she did with the first two...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Rebecca is a novel filled with historical facts mixed in with a perspective of real life people we have read about in textbooks. McNear brings to life the pages of a history book to get to know these people firsthand. It helps the reader to get a first hand look at the New Colony and the struggles of the people, both the English and the natives already present near Jamestown.

The book is about more than Pocahontas. The book includes the perspective of so many characters which helps the reader to become fully immersed in the world around them. There were many events over a long time span within the book. There were times that I forgot I was reading a fiction book because it was so well-researched. While reading the book, I looked into some events and characters for more information. I love when the book leads me to my own research.

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

Another incredible story full of suspense in the New World and the clashes of two cultures and two faiths. I loved how well-researched it is and thought the characters were wonderful, Rebecca ( who we know as Pocahontas ) is such a unique historical figure and worthy of having her story told over and over. I love how this book is connected with the Roanoke mystery! Excellent historical fiction!
Thank you to the publisher for this arc.

Do you enjoy a good historical fiction novel? I do. Though I have to say I don’t often read a lot of historical fiction novels about the Revolutionary War era or before. This is well before as it’s about the time of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Not much is known about this colony. This author has several books about it and really seems to dive in deep and research the time. In this book, we grab a glimpse of Jamestown and the famed princess Pocahontas.

This is book three in this series, the Lost Colony series. You really should read the series in order. However, if you don’t have time you can read this as a stand-alone novel without much difficulty.

Rebecca is a wonderfully written novel. You get history and speculation mixed together with some pure fiction that ties it all together into a spectacular example of what might have happened and what the day-to-day life might have been. The book flips from the perspective of one character to another several times throughout. So make sure you try to keep everyone straight!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

This is an alternate view of the life of Pocahontas using known history of the settling of the new world in the 1590’s. In this third book of The Lost Colony of Roanoke, McNear writes a very interesting book on what Pocahontas’ life was from childhood as a princess daughter of a Powhatan Chief until her death and burial. It is hard to imagine the struggles of these brave men and women of both peoples. Each doing what they felt was best for their own people. I can say here in 2023 that the English won. But oh the cost of victory for both the natives or naturals as they were referred to. Rebecca/Pocahontas was instrumental in helping to navigate the turbulent waters between Native culture and that of the English. It has a bittersweet ending but I certainly enjoyed the reading of how all this came to be, as I know you will also. Lots of action and glimpsing into the lives of our forefathers as they bravely risked their lives for religious freedom and the great life we now have in The New World….I was graciously gifted a copy by the publisher, Revell and this my review of this most interesting book

This third story in the Daughters of the Lost Colony continues the What if? possibility and connects the story of Roanoke with the story of Jamestown. Particularly the historical figure of Pocahontas.

I will admit this story was difficult to read as the Native names were hard to pronounce and remember. And they had different names for the same person as well, sometimes bestowing a new one on someone. However, the author notes on this story are quite helpful and do help with the understanding of this unique culture.

One thing I will note as I was reading was all the historical detail that was described. From the Native America camps to the Jamestown settlement. The people and the trouble were both rounded out. So, while at times this was a more difficult read with the names and customs, it was interesting and gave me more to think on about this lost colony of Roanoke. I would like to visit both Roanoke and Jamestown sometime for my own walk through. What if? My thanks to the author for her imaginative story.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Rebecca
by Shannon McNear
Pub Date 01 Jul 2023
Barbour Publishing,Barbour Fiction
Christian| Historical Fiction


As a member of the Netgalley review team, I am reviewing the book Rebecca by Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction.



You'll be transported to Roanoke's Lost Colony by reading this book:


Mato'aka is the daughter of a Powhatan chieftain and a woman of unknown descent. Initially, she regards the strange men from across the eastern waters as mere curiosity. After a while, though, she finds herself torn between fascination with one of their leaders and her own people's opinions and ways, becoming a pawn in their delicate and dangerous game of politics. Having shared the grief of a husband and baby daughter who have sadly passed away, she is drawn to a young Englishman, John Rolfe.



Is it possible for her to live among the English of Jamestown, accepting their ways and even changing her name? Could her destiny be linked to the Lost Colony of Roanoke?


Authenticity and vividness are hallmarks of Shannon McNear's portrayal of history.


I give Rebecca five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!