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Exiled south by Harriet Cannon – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lizbeth Gordon is a woman with two sons, a husband and a family she adores, that is until one day when she recovers the terrible news that her husband has died in a car accident. She is devastated and so are her sons, but as she is trying to come to terms with it and sort out what she needs to organise she receives more news which leaves her reeling. As she explains to her sons what has happened, she makes a drastic decision which leads to leaving everything behind and moving forward with a return to her childhood home, as well as dreams she had once left behind. It was something she never thought she would do, but what she doesn’t expect is that she finds out about a family history she never wanted to consider before.

As she listens to the history of her relatives, she discovers information she never truly considered as no more than tall tales, but it leads her to search for whomever she can find and their stories. This journey takes her through South Carolina and the Civil War where the family lived in Charleston and how they survived it all, as well as the Reconstruction which followed. There are tales of blockade runners who learned about their trade in Scotland and how the Civil War affected the types of trade and transportation and how it lead some of them being stopped from ever returning to their homeland.

Meanwhile, as Lizbeth follows this trail, she receives a request from a Brazilian school who need someone with her skills and accepts the job offer, what she doesn’t expect is that she meets someone with the same surname as her. It is while she is there that she discovers the lost family she never knew she had and that the stories are even more harrowing than the ones she has just learned about. This is a story of historical prejudice, racism and despair where one family is torn apart by institutional bias and harrowing sacrifices and the hope that one woman holds that she can reunite them through love and friendship. It is an emotional ride as you learn about history through the eyes of a fictional family which will lead you to think about the hard questions and what digging into family history may lead to.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Jennifer Gordon

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable and engaging novel which had me gripped from start to finish. This historical novel is centred around Lizbeth Gordon, who returns to her childhood home following her husband’s death. Wanting peace and quiet Lizbeth spends her days at her family’s cottage, however when her elderly aunt tells her about some troubling family secrets, she can not help but look into her family’s past. Lizbeth wants to discover the truth behind the rumours, that include, a blockade runner who was hunted as a traitor after the fall of Charleston. Although Lizbeth’s research draws a blank, her interest is renewed when she takes a job at an international school in Rio de Janeiro.

Here she meets a multiethnic descendant of Confederate exiles, who have the Gordon surname, and are able to show Lizbeth some nineteenth-century documents, including letters and a diary. She hopes that her findings will result in a family reconciliation and ultimately healing. This is a wonderfully written novel with a strong, likeable and relatable main character in Lizbeth. The descriptive narrative brought the settings vividly to life making me feel immersed in the story. The historical details added to the sense of the era and show that the novel is well researched. The storyline was intriguing and the exciting plot kept me happily turning the pages, as I could not put this book down.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Amanda Glaspie

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a delightful read of a woman who suffered great tragedy and ended up finding herself and so much more. Lizbeth, after losing her husband, moves back home to the south where she embarks on quest to find her long lost relatives; little did she know she would be solving a 100 year old mystery. I found myself wanting more, wondering what the next piece of information Lizbeth would find, and finally cheering with excitement as all comes to together. The way this book was written was wonderful. I loved being transported backs to the 1800s and how they may have done things in Charleston and then back to present day to connect the pieces. I am finding myself wanting to know more about Lizbeth and what her future held as I was truly rooting for her. All in all, a very good read.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Ashley Westerman

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Phew! What an emotional ride this was! This is a wonderful debut book! I really enjoyed how well history was mixed into this story. The talk of all the yummy southern food made me hungry and wanting to make some. The characters, especially Lizabeth were so well written and relatable. I felt like I really got to know her and was on this journey with her to find her family’s history. I would definitely recommend this book, it was excellent!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Katie Kearney

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I kinda went out on a limb when I got this book but the blurb had me intrigued. And I’ll be honest it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. This author is new to me but I’ll definitely be looking for more. From page one I was sunk into this emotional and surprising storyline. There’s definitely things I hadn’t expected which I love. Any book that keeps me going and doesn’t spell it all out so easily is a winner in my view. The characters were all so well written and each brings something unique to the storyline. This story pulled at my heart and I know it’ll do the same for you. Four stars and highly recommended!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Jasmin Marie

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a wonderful story! This story features Lizbeth as she discovers her family’s history, secrets, and past conflicts. The twists and turns were unexpected (in a good way), I could not stop thinking about what might happen next when I put my book down! I love how the author touched upon serious topics such as racism and slavery. Overall, the novel was thought provoking. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to more reading more by this author!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by La Toya Lewis

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Exiled South by Harriet Cannon is a story about Lizbeth Gordon, a high school counselor that loses her husband in an accident and decides to take a trip to find out what happened to her long-lost family members as a way of distracting herself. The story has a great setting in South Carolina where Lizbeth is originally from. I loved all the mentions of southern cuisine and locations. The book really excels during the second part that takes place in the past. I could read an entire book just about the civil war era Gordan family; especially Laurette. Like Lizabeth, I really bonded with her. I liked the strong bond between Lizabeth and Charlotte. It would have been good to see some character development with Lizabeth. I was left feeling like she didn’t really learn anything and there was plenty for her to learn. I also loved all the historical information. All in all an engaging story.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Megan Pesek

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great mix of history, fate, and self-discovery! Tragedy and grief can lead people to make serious changes in their lives, and Lizbeth is no exception. In her quest to begin living again, Lizbeth is forced to face her family history, even if it’s uncomfortable. Only fate can can explain the connections she finds.
Harriet Cannon makes you question everything you thought you knew about the American Civil War and leaves you wanting more. You will find yourself eager to learn more about the Confederate exiles!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Kaitlynn Taylor

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Exiled South by Harriet Cannon

3 stars

This was my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I dove in. While I originally thought I would love this storyline it sort of ended up missing the mark for me. I found that the storyline was sort of all over the place, though filled with lots of detail, made it hard for me to follow.

In saying that, I liked the premise of the storyline as generational trauma and family history is something that I firmly believe should be talked about more openly. Each generation has much to learn from the previous one so I did enjoy that part.

Though this book wasn’t for me I would definitely try more from this author in the future.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Katie Matthews

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

This was such an interesting story to read. After I had read the synopsis something about the story had me intrigued, it’s not usually something I would read but I thought I would give it a go and I really did enjoy it. The author’s writing was brilliant, really engaging and I found that the characters were really relatable. The main character, Lizbeth, had a real determination about her and I was really willing her to overcome the obstacles in her way to find out what she wanted to find out about and fill in some of those important family missing blanks.
Overall, this was a lovely read, somewhat unexpected and one that I would highly recommend.

@katiem
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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Mandy Ott

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exiled South started off a little slower and different than I imagined. However, the hardships the main character, Lizbeth, faces in the beginning of the book help push her to continue her journey later in the story. Harriet Cannon delivered wonderful characters and amazing settings from around the world! I enjoy genealogy and familial history so this was definitely a book I could got into. I found Lizbeth a little too sensitive during some of the more tense situations, but it made her character that much more believable. I enjoyed the author’s use of illustrative writing when describing the various places in the story, from the shoreline of South Carolina, to the beaches of the Bahamas and Rio de Janeiro. I look forward to reading more from Harriet Cannon in the future.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Betsy Melano

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by this author. Like many people, I’d love to know more about my family history and this story sure stirred up some interest in looking into things. I really connected with Lisbeth as she digs into her family’s past, finding interesting details in her family history, what it was like during and after the civil war for them. The author did a wonderful job of showing how our choices lead to unexpected consequences. The story covered multiple generations and was easy to read and kept my interest. There are some tough points in the book that may be uncomfortable or may trigger some readers.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Mikaela Insinger

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Exiled South” starts as a devastating loss that turns into a narrative of reconnecting with the self. The story is full of rich knowledge, depicting the history of the Southern states. The changing narratives and timelines brought an impactful force to the reader, giving feelings to the facts of history and a face to the people who lived during that time. An easy and good read for historical fiction junkies. My only qualm is some of the language the author used and the implied sympathy for the colonizers. Otherwise, great novel!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Tausha Treadway

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exiled South by Harriet Cannon. I loved this book. Its a different kind of read for me but it kept me turning pages late in the night. It’s the story of Lizabeth Gordon who is a school counselor in Washington where she moved with her husband Dan. When Dan suddenly dies Lizabeth is thrown off her axis. Her twin boys are in college 2 hours away in Washington so she decides to move back to South Carolina. where her family has a vacation cabin. While she is there she visits with family and friends and it doesn’t take her long to get back into the old town’s ways. While visiting with family she discover lots of secrets and mysteries in her family tree so she decides to do some digging. While digging she learns a lot of stuff about missing family members but hits a dead end. Feeling like her time in South Carolina is done she accepts a job in Rio de Janeiro and crazy as it seems she meets someone with her family name there. Could this person be the key to all her families mysteries? I loved this book and can’t wait to read more for this author.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Lyndsay Withey

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was such an awesome way to end my year and kick off the start to 2022! The writing style allowed the book to flow like a conversation between friends. I could not put this book down. It was a quick read and I can’t wait to see what else this author writes.

This book is the story of a mid aged lady who has found herself suddenly widowed and her entire life as she knew it shattered. In order to find herself again, she decides to return to her roots, to learn more about the heritage she came from and discover who she truly is. There is raw emotion and not everything she discovers is positive.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by S. Bittles

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Author has a unique writing style, blending multiple POVs smoothly, giving an enjoyable page-turning read. I found the plot intriguing and I was drawn in by the end of the first few chapters, bonus that we get a strong female lead!

I’m glad I choose to start my year off by reading this book, it was compelling and I would like to read more by this Author.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon- Reviewed by Angela Hayes

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

3 Stars

 

Exiled South is the debut novel by Harriet Cannon. It is an interesting and emotional journey through history- a quest for healing and understanding- this story delves into secrets, family, generational divides, conflict, racism, slavery, trauma, discovery, the civil war, sacrifice, healing, ancestry, and new beginnings.
The story spans history, continents, and time as Lizbeth delves into her family history to uncover the shocking truth hoping to find a way to bring about family reconciliation and healing.
Thought provoking and emotional.

Thank you Harriet Cannon!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Amber Poole

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book touched me on such a deep level. As an African American woman with a multicultural family that I’m still learning about, going in Lizbeths journey with her resonated with me. What I enjoyed most is that she didn’t shy away from her families past. Although that would have been the easiest route. Family trauma is hard to repair and it’s not easy. What touched me even more was learning about the Author. I am so impressed with this book.

Both sides of my family have ties to the south. Both sides are multicultural. A lot of our history is lost and there are many questions that may never be answered. After reading this story I’m going to keep trying. Maybe I’m my discoveries I can bring some healing and understanding to my family as well.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Gillian Fawell

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have always been a history buff and loved reading historical fiction but I must admit as an Australian my knowledge of the American Civil War is somewhat limited. That being said, this story provided so much historical (and other) information, it helped me to learn a great deal. It stirred my interest so that I was Googling any terms I didn’t know (as a foreigner) and also looking up recipes for some of the dishes mentioned!
And Lizbeth, the main character is so passionate about social justice and equality, just like me – although I must admit she’s braver than I am! Definitely a great book to read and I would recommend it!

 

Review by @sparkinside

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Melissa Collins

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed stories that are second coming of age and this was one of them. The main character has to start all over and decides to seek solace in a new state but instead she finds a new adventure.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Brittany Angel

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lizbeth Gordon is a school counselor who experiences a major life event when her husband unexpectedly dies. She decides to leave Washington where she has spent the last 20 years to return home to South Carolina. There, while trying to navigate the loss of her husband and her children’s grief in the loss of their father she uncovers a possible family member lost during the reconstruction of Charleston. This sends her on a journey to discover her roots and uncover family secrets.

This multi-generational novel was a wonderful read. I really appreciated the multiple POV and how fast paced it was without rushing. I enclosed Lizbeth’s and her family story the more I read. I wish there was a follow up!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon- Review by Lauren West

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fascinating story! Lizbeth was such a strong and intelligent woman. Losing her husband, and being alone she finds solace in researching about her family’s culture and history. The information she stumbles upon takes her on journey of self exploration as well as opens her eyes to her ancestors lives before her. The emotions that she experiences as she finds out intimate family history, and secrets that were unexpected are intense. This is such a good story that spoke to me on many levels, and something I felt easily able to relate to.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by stephanie nicole

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was just simply amazing. I picked this book purely because of its beautiful cover and synopsis, but I had no idea what I was in for. Full of drama, deception, secrets, and a woman who just wants to put her life back together, this book was just full of twists and turns. Lizbeth is facing her worst nightmare, and the secrets that follow it could be her undoing. But when she moves back home she uncovers more family secrets, including some about a family slavery connection that she would rather not explore. Full of wonderful characters, a complex and intriguing plot, and more, I definitely recommend you pick up this book today.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Erica Fish

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harriet Cannon is a new author to me. Her storytelling is a refreshing read. Her story plot keeps my attention from the first page until the last page. Her characters are realistic. This story is about Lizbeth. She is looking for some relief after her husband’s death at the family cottage. Then her aunt spoiled that for her with the story of her ancestors. Her stories had Lizbeth seeking across the continents and finding herself a job in Rio de Janeiro. Will she find the answers she is looking for? Can her past secrets be healed by her family’s path and healing? I highly recommend this book. It is an emotional read so make sure you have kleenex close by.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Amy Brennan

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I couldn’t tell you if it’s due to the fact that my family and I just lost one of our own just before Christmas, or if it’s because I needed a reflective novel to occupy my thoughts, but this author really did accomplish just that. I allowed myself to feel that despair, and with that, the loss that one feels not only from losing the person, but to have to try and figure out how you can move forward. Not everyone is the same, and Lizbeth really brings forward some of the emotions and inabilities I must let go of things that we (I) cannot change. The novel definitely takes a positive turn as our main characters dig deeper into their own family history, mixing some brilliant history into the mix for those of us that aren’t as educated in US History, or at least wasn’t the focal, that made the story even more intriguing.

The reason I rated this four stars rather than the five I do believe it could achieve, is that I do personally prefer to be reading from a first person narrative, and find the switching between characters to be a little sudden at times. However, the third person narrative, the world building and the sense of peace the reader gets from her writing style is spot on. I am thinking a reread will be in the cards once I have my own loss sorted out. Great debut novel, I do recommend a read!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Shannon Fowler

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This genre, women’s historical fiction, isn’t new to me even though this author is. This author has a very easy writing style. I found this story very entertaining and rich in history. It was also informative with just enough history that I didn’t skip pages like I might have during my history class in high school.

Lizbeth is the main character and she is a curious busy body, in my opinion. Which helps while she is discovering all there is to learn about her ancestors. Her good intentions make her an easy character to love. Following Lizbeth on her adventure to discover the truth about her family is far from easy, as racism is never easy.

Take a chance on this book and you may just find a new author to one click as well.

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Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks

Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Desiree Ottinger

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It takes tragedy striking for Lizbeth Gordon to seek out more information on her ancestors. She knew her family hailed from the Charleston area but didn’t really know much more than that. This is a story of how she went about tracking down information on her family with the added bonus of a fortuitous meeting of distant relatives when she takes a new job in Rio de Janeiro. Can she find information on all of them? Will her relatives be happy to help or wish she’d leave it all alone?

This was an enjoyable read! Having lived in South Carolina for 4 years, it was fun to know exactly where Lizbeth was driving to, visiting, and living. I enjoyed learning about the Gordon family, and the Civil War. The author did a wonderful job of including letters and then following it up with what was going on around the time it was written. The characters were all wonderful, relatable, and extremely brave. This is a great historical/contemporary read!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lizbeth Gordon suddenly becomes widowed and has to explain to her twin boys that she is in debt. Dependable, reliable, financially secured dead husband ends up that he had a gambling problem. Influenced by best friend and cousin who comes to visit and offer moral support. She decides to move back to her hometown to start anew. Now she is hooked onto her families drama.

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Chrissy Spulak

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a budding genealogist, I must say this book was wonderful. I thrive on the retelling of family tales (good or bad), and never pass up an opportunity to tell or listen to one. History and great story-telling combine in this book to bring Lizbeth Gordon’s family to life as we navigate hard truths along with her. After her husband dies, she travels home and ends up researching her family’s past. Then, her work takes her to Rio de Janeiro and the people she meets along the way help her piece together the puzzle of her ancestors. I seriously devoured this book, and it has inspired me to continue on in the research of my own family’s past. Also, this book is rich in multicultural perspectives and lessons in diversity and is a great eye-opener. Highly recommend it!

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Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Jessica Heatherly

Exiled SouthExiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exiled South is such a refreshing read and different from any book I’ve read. The lengths Lizbeth goes to to find out more about her family tree is truly astounding. The sudden death of her husband turns her world completely upside down but allows her the opportunity to research more into her past. Even her short-term trip to South America answers questions she’s had her entire life. The author does an amazing job painting the landscape of each scene in this novel, it’s as if I was standing next to Lizbeth watching her journey as she made it.

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