Source: Night Owl Reviews
Date: 29.03.2010

Top Pick!

I thought Conflict showed how war could split families, loved ones, friends, and a nation up brilliantly. It also showed how differing loyalties could not only split people up, but how they could help the same wounds heal.

This book, as well as its prequel Cane, is a wonderful story about love, friendship, loyalty and not only finding your way back to the one you love, but having the choice to do so.

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=5777

Source: Whipped Cream
Date: March 2009

4.5 Stars!

Two men, one war. Can love survive when each takes a different side?

Leaving his lover behind to support the abolitionist cause, Piet Van Leyden finds himself leading one of the first all-black Union troops into the heart of battle. Reuniting with free slave and former love Joss brings some comfort, but will his presence tempt Piet into forgetting the love waiting for him at home?

Sebastian Cane wonders how he's able to go on without Piet by his side. When a series of unfortunate events lands him a prisoner of the Union, Seb knows he must rely on his wits and his love for Piet to survive...and get home to him.

In this moving sequel, two lovers face each other on opposite sides of the civil war and must face the troubling questions both refuse to think about. After so many years apart, the war having changed and hurt both men, is there something to come back to? Is the relationship they both yearn and desperately wish for still there for them after such a long separation and hardship?

This is not so much of a love story as a look at two men involved in the end of the civil war and the events surrounding their separation and reunion. There is a smattering of sex, just a hint really and a thread of romance amongst historical highlights from the war. Pieter and Sebastian are apart for the majority of the story and their love affair and determination to get back to each other is based largely on a short six-month relationship that clearly cemented their feelings for each other. Their separation is hard with numerous obstacles between them and no shortage of problems and difficulties thrown at these men to test their lingering devotion.

Both men are irrevocably changed from their wartime experiences, gaining hindsight and wisdom through bloody battles and arduous trials testing their loyalty, fidelity, and confidence. Each man slowly is exposed to the large-scale destruction and waste the war has caused, even if both believe in abolition of slavery. Their backgrounds, priorities, and morals have Sebastian and Pieter on opposite sides though their goal is ultimately the same – to survive and reunite once more. Although at times, Sebastian and Pieter make mistakes, their struggle against the war and to balance their responsibilities with their loneliness and longing for each other is compelling, as are the men themselves.

The author has delivered a well-written and vivid book with complex characters set in the backdrop of a brutal war. The honest emotions and engrossing storyline had me unable to put this book down once I started reading it. While it wasn’t always an easy book to read, it managed to pull a range of emotions from me as I read it and the ending scene was heart breaking as the cost of the five years the men have been apart was apparent, yet they were simply happy to be together at long last. This is a stand-alone title and those who have read the first book will enjoy the happy ending for these complicated and wonderful men. This is not a book for everyone, but for anyone wanting a raw, genuine romance amidst the backdrop of the end of the civil war should pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.

http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2009/03/conflict-by-stevie-woods.html

Source: Literary Nymph Reviews
Date: January 2009

Sebastian Cane remains at his plantation after his lover, Pieter Van Leyden, travels north to support the abolitionist cause during the start of the Civil War. Understanding the sentiments that drove Pieter, Sebastian agreed with him but felt it was his duty to stay and protect his slaves. Joss, ex-slave to Sebastian and former lover to Pieter, also made his way to New York where he joined the first all-black Union troops, a unit of soldiers that was under the command of Pieter, who had earned the rank of Captain. After a passing of time, Sebastian was forced to join the Confederate army, a decision that leads to years spent in a northern prison. Through all the turmoil of war, one thought remains constant with Sebastian and Pieter and that is the love they share, even when apart.

Conflict is the sequel to Cane. Stevie Woods continues the story of Pieter, Sebastian and Joss in this powerful sequel highlighting the historical events of the Civil War and presenting the intricate views of both sides, mainly the fact that many failed to distinguish slaves as people rather than property. Conflict is an excellent illustration of social attitudes and how lives were devastated fighting for their beliefs. My thanks to Stevie Woods; I enjoyed this historical journey immensely.

http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blogspot.com/2009/01/conflict.html

Source: Rainbow Reviews
Date: March 2009

4½ Stars!

Conflict continues the story of Joss, Pieter and Sebastian from the book Cane. But from the beginning of the story the three main characters are separated from each other.

Pieter has joined the Union army one and a half years prior and has already become a Lieutenant. Joss has traveled to New York as a free man. He has worked there for some months but then decided to join the Militia. Sebastian is still on the Morning Star, his cane plantation, desperately trying to keep his business together with most of the workforce gone.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm no expert in this regard but I think the story is very well researched. It just feels authentic and is a pleasure to read. Stevie Woods also has created three very unique characters. Even though these characters have already been fully introduced in the first book Cane, she's able to develop all three of them further, each one in a unique way. And each one has it's own voice, too, as the story is told in turns from the perspective of all three characters.

http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=1055

Source: Fallen Angel Reviews
Date: February 2009

RECOMMENDED READ!

Pieter Van Leyden knew he could not remain on the plantation with his lover Sebastian Cane. He travels to New York to support the abolitionist cause during the start of the Civil War, and discovers his only option will be to join the Union Army. Joss has found a home in New York, learning skills not afforded to slaves. He misses his friend and finds a way to honor one of the only men to show him kindness. Sebastian has tried to be patient and await his lover’s return. However, with little contact, and then a letter that spells out the worse, Sebastian is at the end of his rope. Pressed to join the Confederate army, Sebastian decides to enter the ranks. With his lover gone, he feels he has nothing left to live for.

Stevie Woods highlights some pertinent events of the Civil War with this power sequel to Cane. Watching these three men come face to face after such a long absence truly made me smile. Stevie Woods doesn’t just deliver a fantastic love story in Conflict. The passion not just relationship wise but also the passion about what is right and wrong leads these three characters throughout this story. They will have countless obstacles in their way, socially and economically, but they never stray from the path they must travel. Conflict brings home what each side was fighting for, but at the same time, it proves the points missed by everyone. That the “property” fought over was actually members of society who deserved fair and equal treatment. I enjoy how Stevie Woods gives you a history lesson and a lesson in love rolled up into one.

Reviewed by: NeNe


http://fallenangelreviews.com/2009/February/NeNe-Conflict.htm