The third book of Martha Hall Kelly’s about the Woolsey family, Sunflower Sisters is truly a masterpiece. I feel that Kelly’s storytelling ability only improved from great to incredible from the first two novels to the third. In reading each book in the series (which can each be read individually), I found myself most excited for the Author’s Note chapters, so that I could learn exactly which elements of the story were drawn from real events and people in history and which parts were fiction. I am always left awe-struck at how many aspects are from real events, down to the smallest details. I love hearing about Kelly’s extensive research process which usually includes traveling to distant places in order to fully experience the places which would become the settings of the novels. I truly fell in love with the characters in Sunflower Sisters; I feel inspired by them. And I was captivated once again by a novel which reads like a thrilling story while being heavily based on truth. I also learned so much about US history. Sunflower Sisters is an amazing read which I recommend to anyone.

There was great detail about the people, homes & circumstances of the time. It’s a history & story book in one! This was a wonderful read. I now have a better understanding of the times & how they lived & all reacted to the the changing events. The Civil War truly changed our Country!

Beautiful story of history

Absolutely loved the stories of the women in this book.

Loved it. I loved the other two books in this series, this book did not disappoint.

Sunflower Sisters is a beautifully written story of three women - a slave owner, a slave and an abolitionist nurse. This book concludes the Lilac Girls series and does not need to be read in order to understand and enjoy. So much of this story is built around actual facts from the time period and war which makes it incredibly engrossing for the reader. Jemma, a teenage slave who works a plantation in Maryland suffer cruelly at the hands of the owner, Anne-May. All Jemma craves is freedom for herself and her family. After being sold and recruited into the war, Jemma crosses paths with Georgy, a war nurse in Gettysburg. She soon finds herself a guest in the Woolsey family home in NYC and in the care of Georgy. What transpires in the pages is a story of greed, compassion and lasting love in times of extreme peril during the Civil War. This book is filled with wrenching details of slavery, the war and challenges women faced to be seen as equal in knowledge to the male counterparts in nursing. Thank you PRHA for the courtesy copy for an honest review.

The Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly takes us back to the mid-nineteenth century and tells the story of the War Between the States from three perspectives using three women. Georgeanna Woosley is the main sister, of the seven Woosley sisters, in the story. All of the Woosley children did their part to free the slaves and save the Union. Georgie became a nurse and was at the battle of Gettysburg. Anne-May is the character you love to hate. She is the mistress of the Peeler Plantation in Maryland, and is selfish and self-absorbed. Jemma and her family are Anne-May's slaves. The author has done extensive research. The Woosley family actually existed and some their letters are quoted in the novel. At the end of the novel, Kelly give factual information about the Woosleys and there are photos of them. I'm not going to hint about the story line, but I will say if you like historical fiction, you will want to read this book. It is fantastic! I was able to read it on #netgalley.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly is a Historical Novel set during the Civil War period. Georgeanna Woolsey, a Union nurse during the Civil War is the ancestor of Caroline Ferriday, a character from the book Lilac Girls. Sunflower Sisters was influenced by true events of the Civil War period. It is the story of a war torn country from various viewpoints Union, Confederate, slaveholders, slaves and abolitionists. There are appearances of historical characters that take a part in the story. I found the historical medical treatments for injuries and illnesses well detailed and very interesting. Sunflower Sisters is heartwrenching story of human frailties,family divisions for the cause, war, the evils of slavery, medicine during war and on the battlefield. I loved the reality and history of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

This book is told in three story lines. I found the book a little depressing and sad at times. Some parts were more interesting than others. I did think the book was too long and drawn out. I do like books with strong female characters and this one had that. Thanks to the publisher for granting my wish for an early copy