For Love or Honor Bound

About the Book

This Civil War novel follows the lives of Countess Isabelle Sophia Bario, a Brazilian noble-woman recruited by the Confederacy as a spy, Robert George Norton, a Confederate cavalry officer facing Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Ian Norton, his estranged brother, who commands the Union blockader, USS Superior. These three lives are interwoven against the backdrop of war, when the tide has swung against the South. Sophia is young, beautiful, and bored. So with her husband, Count Marco Gregorio Bario, she sets out on a dangerous and romantic adventure as a spy for the Confederacy, sent to uncover the secret routes of the Federal whaling fleet. What she finds instead is a country divided not only by the issues, but also by wealth, power and culture. Into the military encampment of the North, Sophia ventures to discover her quarry. Instead, she is involved in murder and must escape with her family to the South. Robert Norton rides with a South Carolina cavalry brigade, on loan to shore up the undermanned forces protecting Georgia. As Sherman begins his bold strike towards Atlanta, Norton saves the Bario family from capture. Thus begins his involvement with Sophia, when they both desperately fall in love. As Norton fights rearguard and delay actions, outnumbered and outgunned, he also tries to protect Sophia. In the middle, of course, is Count Bario, who has killed before to safeguard his valuable wife. Robert can’t prevent Sherman’s burning of Atlanta, or his infamous march across Georgia to Savannah, but he can help Sophia and her family escape to Galveston, Texas. Into the middle of this struggle sails Commander Ian Norton and his warship USS Superior. Entwined from the outset, Ian is continually cast as a vital player, at first innocently, then because he too is taken with Sophia Bario. At odds with his half-brother over the issues leading to war, Ian is a fervent Federalist, even though he harbors constitutional questions concerning state’s rights. USS Superior is a deadly ship, destroying or capturing countless blockade-runners. In spite of this, Ian follows his brother’s exploits for the Confederacy with secret devotion. The year is 1864, the high-water mark of the Confederacy. For Love or Honor Bound is a historical novel concerning three young lives and how the American Civil War changed them. With exhaustive research and famous personalities throughout, Derek Hart has written a story about war, loyalty and how love can change all the rules. Amidst cavalry charges, high-sea chases, spies and intrigue, lives are challenged by the bloodiest conflict in American history. One question remains. Would you hold the same values, under the same conditions? For love or for honor? Which one would you feel bound by?

About the Author

Derek Hart’s passion is writing action/adventure tales, with over 10 novels, 3 screenplays, and hundreds of short stories to his credit. Derek resides in Atlanta, GA, with his wife Kathy and son Ian, where he is the Director of Training & Development for a major corporation. For Love or Honor Bound is Derek’s first historical romance, set during the American Civil War and relying heavily on family diaries. Any feedback from his readers is solicited and you may reach Derek Hart at derekhart59@juno.com.