"5.5 Stars!—A Gold Medal Winner!...This is a powerful book. I have read both John Jakes's North and South and of course Gone with the Wind, but this was a different kind of Civil War book. The details were realistic, from the smells and carnage and devastation of war, to the trip to Atlanta...The most moving thing in this book was watching Jeb begin to question the values that were instilled in him by his father...This is well-written book. As a matter of fact, I stayed up all night to finish it. The action moves at a pace that keeps the reader involved and doesn't get bogged down. This is a wonderful, wonderful book and I would definitely recommend [it] to anyone."—Chere, Timeless Tales Book Reviews

"5 Angels!...Let Trace Edward Zaber take you back in time on a trip through the Civil War...I have to say very rarely do I like historicals, I almost never love them, but the way this author pens this story is both intriguing and educational. I loved how this author weaves history together and makes it a 'fun' read. He also shows that war and its aftermath is not pretty and he describes it as such. You can actually feel the heartache of all involved in this war. This author made the Civil War come alive for me. I was there when the men were getting ready for battle. I felt the despair and frustration of knowing many men were going to die and not being able to do anything about it. I sat down and wept with a mother when she received news she had lost her son. I sat up all night and cared for the wounded and comforted men that had lost their limbs. I have come to love Jeb and Faith and at times I've cried for them both. She stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid to go after her destiny. Jeb, poor Jeb, what he has been dealt in life is more than anyone should have to deal with. First the murder of his brother, then a betrayal and losing someone very important to him, before he gets a chance to say everything that needed to be said. The paths that Jeb and Faith must take are never easy and at times, horrible. I don't want to give away the ending so I will just say that this reviewer is both thrilled and saddened by how the author ended this book. Thank you Mr. Zaber for taking me on this ride, I know I'll never forget it."—Jill, Fallen Angels Reviews

"...A vivid historical that takes you back to the Civil War era. Zaber's characters and imagery swirl around you in mist and transport you back in time as his words seem to leap right off the page. Rarely am I in awe of one’s talent, but with Sins of the Father it is obvious Mr. Zaber is one author to keep your eye on and watch his rise to the top."—Patricia A. Rasey, author of Deadly Obsession and Kiss Of Deceit.

"...Meticulous attention to detail, impressive historical accuracy, and a keen sense of drama make this a highly entertaining and educational read. Mr. Zaber has scored a major salvo in his debut book. This is no Gone With The Wind ‘wanna be.’ This is a fully-crafted novel that stands on its own considerable merit. Civil War buffs will be in heaven! Those unfamiliar with this niche of historical fiction will be hooked for a lifetime. The only detail left dangling is the release date for Mr. Zaber’s next book. We can only hope it is close at hand."—J. L. Abbott, author of The Bluecoat Affair and The Third Corner.

"...A brilliant synthesis of a war novel, a romance novel, a murder novel, and a conspiracy novel."—KnowBetter.com

"Historical fiction has a hero in Trace Edward Zaber...Trace depicts the conflict between families during the Civil War in such a realistic fashion to make one pine to see it depicted on screen...one of those rare stories this reviewer would revisit to see what phrase, nuance, or action was missed the first time around. Such is the richness of this saga, and such is the lyrical wording of this tale."—C. Hope Clark, Word Weaving Ezine

"...A moving, wonderful account of a man’s self-discovery in time of war. That it is also a romance is a wonderful plus to readers of romantic historical novels...Sins of the Father is worth the time spent reading it. Be prepared to enter Trace Edward Zaber's rich, tumultuous world of the Civil War."—Defelah Morgan, Scribes World Reviews

"...Civil War buffs who crave accurate detail with devour this book whole. Those who simply love language will revel in Zaber's poetic voice, and applaud his efforts to make not only the spoken dialogue but each character's internal musings authentic with the lexicon of the times...Sins of the Father shines with terrible beauty."—Lee Padgett, The BookNook and Compuserve Romance Reviews

...The teamster smirked in sadistic pleasure. “Well, Johnny Reb, welcome to your new home.”

The red brick house stood isolated. Placed back from the road and shaded by oaks and walnuts, it would have had the air of peaceful solitude if not for some telltale signs of strife. A red flag—actually a vermilion shawl—clung to the front door, signifying a hospital. The brick walls displayed pockmarks of bullet holes. Windows bore shattered glass. The splintered remnants of a fence lay about the yard amidst several fallen horses. And, as Jeb had observed in every direction from the time his wagon ride commenced, bloody rain puddles stained the white-stoned path.

The reek of disinfectant, festering wounds, and fecal matter fouled the air, expunging all traces of sweet summer fragrances. Kettles and caldrons, suspended from cross pieces on upright poles over open fires, added pungent vapors into the mixture.

Rain-spattered, mud-covered, half-naked Confederates confused the lawn. From privates to colonels, they waited with terrorized faces for a surgeon’s examination. Others with oozing stumps, deprived of so much as a straw pallet, waited for their turn to die.

War’s babble wafted from the house, not the pandemonium of an actual battle, but war just the same. Articulations of agony clogged the air, sobbing, moaning, dying. Hideous shrieks forced Jeb’s attention to the house’s open windows, and what he saw, more bloodcurdling than the sounds, sent chills up his spine.

A collection of human body parts—legs, feet, arms, hands—had formed Shastas of bloody flesh in crushed flower beds. Jeb took a deep breath of the rank air and prayed.

Here it was, the place he would die, or worse, suffer amputation. Soldiers were being mutilated by men who deemed themselves surgeons. More like butchers. If they didn’t know how to mend it, they cut it off. Yes, he thought, the ravages of war had found this once-peaceful home.