This is what I call a thinking person's romance. Not to cast a slur upon lighter fare, but there is real history in here along with a greater depth of emotion than mere attraction or lust. There aren't many books that deal with the awkward and painful period of Reconstruction after the war, but this one gets right under the skin of what it meant to everybody. Once again this isn't a story that takes sides, and there is good and bad not only on each side but also within most of the characters. We still know more about Wil than Sam, who never quite came to life for me, but both the sisters make strong, practical heroines without this diminishing their femininity. This trilogy has had the lot really - plenty of historical detail, lots of authentic blood and guts, adventure and romance, but above all a story about how people cope and evolve in extraordinary circumstances. More, please!