Shannon McNear Books In Order

Publication Order of Daughters of the Lost Colony Books

Publication Order of Daughters Of The Mayflower Books

Publication Order of True Colors Books

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

Shannon McNear
Shannon McNear is a best-selling American author of romance, historical fiction, and Christian books. She has written a few historical fiction pieces, but her current publications are more of self-help books centered on real issues like loss, cancer, and domestic violence. While her dream was to write children’s books on horses, McNear’s works appeal to adults from all walks of life. Her first novella Defending Truth was nominated for the RITA award in 2014. McNear is a member of the RWA and ACFW.

A Pioneer Christmas Collection
A Pioneer Christmas Collection is an assortment of nine Christmas romance stories of the first settlers in America. The brave pioneers have just set foot in the untamed lands of America where they have to stay in primitive lodgings as they look forward to their new lives with fear and hope. Life is anything but comfortable in the beginning, but the pioneers are determined to thrive in the new land. Most of them have gone through hardships to get here and are happy to inhabit the untamed areas.

This book brings to life the delights of a first Christmas in a land where the settlers have learned to call home. Sure, there are challenges, but the pleasures come in equal measure. The stories highlight different situations of the first settlers between 1781 and 1897. The areas highlighted in the stories are real making it perfect for readers who want to get a feel of the settlers’ life and how things were handled during those times.
All nine stories are written by different female authors based in different regions in the US. Each of these stories is short and can be enjoyed in a single sitting. A Pony Express Christmas is one of the most notable stories in this book. The tale stars Ellie-Mae Newman, a woman who has left home in search of her twin brother. Ellie’s brother did not along well with his father, who is the reason why he runs away from home. Despite her efforts, Ellie gets stuck with a broken wagon and stubborn mules who are not ready to work with the broken cart. This story by Margaret Brownley is funny and a perfect read for the holiday season. Another exciting tale is The Calling. This bittersweet tale by Kathleen documents the life of Milly Kent, a tavern girl, and her family. Milly’s father has great dreams for his daughter, but she has enough distractions not to care too much about her disadvantaged life.
Other stories in the book are Defending Truth written by Shannon McNear, A silent Night by Ana Urquhart, A Christmas Castle, The Cowboy’s Angel, A Badlands Christmas Buckskin Bride, and The Gold Rush Christmas. Some of the stories in pioneer Christmas collection are heartwarming, while others will move you to tears.

All in all, the stories are centered on Christmas in an era when Americans did not have many resources. A Pioneer Christmas Collection is perfect if you are looking for a book that will instantly put you in the mood for Christmas. The book is also ideal for historical fiction lovers who want to get a feel of the pioneer’s lives when modern amenities were unheard of.

The Cumberland Bride
The Cumberland Bride is the fifth book in the Daughters of Mayflower series. The story stars Kate Gruener, a young woman who finds herself in unfamiliar territory when her father decides to move the family into the wilderness. It is 1794, and there are many untamed lands to explore in Kentucky. Kate’s father decides to move the family there from Virginia. The young lady is excited about the move as the promise of unlimited adventure awaits. She is also curious to know Thomas Bledsoe better.

Thomas is the family scout charged with getting the settlers to their destination safely. The young man has gone through this journey numerous times, and he knows that nothing is guaranteed. Many have set on this journey, and they did not complete it. Thomas takes an interest in Kate, and as the journey continues, he feels like she is the one for him. Kate is a curious girl, and this does not make Thomas happy at first, as he has no idea what the future holds for him. Thomas is not ready to have a woman crying over him, but he is beginning to like Kate. However, he cannot promise her anything as the life he leads comes with numerous uncertainties. Could there be a dark secret that Thomas is keen to keep from the world? Why does Kate’s inquisitive nature have him so bothered?
There are many trials along the way with enough dangers lurking in the Cumberland Gap. At some point, Thomas is challenged by Swanee Indians, and it seems like they are not having interactions with Thomas for the first time. Despite the challenges, the family makes it to Kentucky. The encounters along the way seem to have made the bond between Kate and Thomas tighter, and it appears that the young scout is just about to break a vow he made in the past. Will Kate and Thomas end up together? What about Thomas’s job? Will, he quit and settle for a quiet time in the wilderness?

The author has done an excellent job of describing the journey and what it would have felt like to travel the lands then. The dangers that await the settlers become real as the journey continues, and it is impressive to see how the travelers overcame them. The author also gives the reader a peek into Shawnee town and the lives of its inhabitants. There is also enough info on the lifestyles of the early settlers.

The Cumberland Bride is an interesting historically accurate story that documents a journey that many settlers took in the past. The story mentions enough historical events, and the vivid descriptions make it feel like this is a true story. Get to meet interesting characters who live in a bygone era where land is in abundance, but the settlers have to start life with little if any resources. The story is engaging, and the pace is consistent from cover to cover.