Measure of Devotion, Nell Joslin’s fantastic novel, is the sweeping grandeur of the mountains, the intense action of battle, and the struggle of a mother and son to survive.
Yay LitStackers! Get ready to add another title to your “TBR” list! Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin is in presale and generating serious buzz. This historical novel from Regal House Publishing set for publication May 20, 2025, has early readers buzzing. We’ve sneaked in through the basement to show you what’s on the book cover, from the publisher’s official description to the early reviews that suggest this book is one you want to pre-order today. Here we go!
In This Spotlight On Measure of Devotion
About Measure of Devotion
Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, Measure of Devotion, an intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents’ wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord. In October 1863, devastating news arrives: Francis is critically wounded near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Susannah embarks on a perilous journey to bring her son home, finding Francis delirious with fever and haunted by the horrors of battle. Their reunion is overshadowed by the conflicts at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, culminating in Francis being captured as a prisoner of war.
As the war exacts its toll and tensions escalate between mother and son, Susannah confronts impossible choices amidst harrowing revelations from home. This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds, painting a vivid portrait of one woman’s relentless fight for survival and reconciliation in a time of unprecedented turmoil.
Praise for Measure of Devotion
“[Measure of Devotion is] an intense, addictive drama with a hint of light at the end of the tunnel.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Nell Joslin’s accomplished debut novel explores the loss and destruction of war; through her protagonist, Susannah, the reader witnesses the moral depths of what unites and holds people together as well as what tears them apart.”—Jill McCorkle, New York Times best-selling author
“A female-centered Cold Mountain, Measure of Devotion chronicles a woman’s excruciating journey to save her son during the Battles for Chattanooga and her desperate efforts to retain some remnant of home in a country strewn with war. Brilliantly conceived, exquisitely written, Nell Joslin’s debut novel heralds the emergence of a major new voice in Southern letters.”—Elaine Neil Orr, author of Swimming Between Worlds and Dancing Woman
“[In Measure of Devotion] Joslin’s eye for detail immerses you in the Civil War years so completely, you feel the lurch of a wagon on rutted roads, the weight of mud coating dress hems and boots, and a hunger so deep a half-eaten apple is a Godsend. As I read, the scent of woodsmoke and blood seemed to rise off the page.”—Patricia L. Hudson, author of Traces
“This Civil War-era novel is a richly textured, heartfelt portrait of a mother on a mission. It will leave you with a greater understanding of the issues that divided our country, resulting in profound loss on both sides. Honest and affecting.”—Susan Rivers, author of The Second Mrs. Hockaday
“With her debut novel, [Measure of Devotion] Nell Joslin proves herself as fearless as her heroine, Susannah Shelburne, a Southern abolitionist whose devotion to her son, a wounded Confederate soldier, propels her directly into harm’s way. In vivid, absorbing prose, Joslin brings to life a narrator as steely and resourceful as she is spacious-hearted. Susannah’s story—compelling, unforgettable, wholly original—is a brilliant and necessary addition to American Civil War literature.”—Kim Church, author of Byrd
“I entered [Measure of Devotion]’s world thinking, well, this is yet another Civil War novel. I was wrong. [Measure of Devotion] will deserve accolades and prizes. Despite the grim wartime story, I left it with hope for the characters’ future. Pay attention to Ms. Joslin—she is a fine writer.”—Wayne Caldwell, author of Cataloochee, Requiem by Fire, and Woodsmoke
About Nell Joslin, Author of Measure of Devotion
Nell Joslin is a fiction writer with deep roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was born and currently lives. She holds an MFA from North Carolina State University and brings a wealth of experience to her writing, having worked as a public school teacher, journalist, and attorney.
You can connect with Nell Joslin at Regal House Publishing, and on Instagram.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
ISBN: 9781646036127
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Other Similar Titles
Other LitStack Resources
Be sure and check out other LitStack Spotlights that shine a light on books we think you should read.
As a Bookshop, Malaprop’s, BAM, Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Amazon, and Envato affiliate, LitStack may earn a commission at no cost to you when you purchase products through our affiliate links.
