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Rated of 5 by Jayda Justus, The History Mom
Amazing tale of courage and adventure
I love when historical fiction opens up a new world to me. Diane C. McPhail’s new book, Follow the Stars Home, does just that.

I love books where women break out of the mold expected of them and defy societal norms to follow their heart. Lydia is a formidable woman - taught to be that way by her famous father, Benjamin Latrobe - and her intellect and skill shines brightly throughout the book. I enjoyed the interactions between her and her little family, especially her daughter. I cannot imagine taking a toddler on a boat down the Mississippi in modern times, much less in the early 19th century! And to start the trip eight months pregnant, knowing you would have to give birth along the way seems foolhardy but also brave.

McPhail’s writing shines in the small scenes with great historical details and the exciting scenes of near-death and danger. I felt like I was riding on the boat with them, smelling the thick smoke and seeing the wide-eyed settlers pass by on the shoreline. As the first steamboat down the Mississippi, I can only imagine how scary it must have been for those who saw it go by.

The book’s title is a little deceiving and the cover made me think it was a historical fantasy rather than fiction. But overall this book was exceptional!

I enjoyed getting to know Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt and believe her story should be one that every American should study! What an amazing woman!

Rated of 5 by Donna S. (Virginia Beach, VA)
Follow the Stars Although It Should Be Follow the Comet
If you're looking for a book that tugs at your heartstrings and keeps you hooked, "Follow The Stars Home" by Diane C. McPhail is a gripping historical fiction novel based on a true story of Nicholas Roosevelt's first maiden steamboat voyage on the New Orleans. The fictional narrative is written through his wife's Lydia's perspective. She is truly a remarkable, courageous woman, whose strength and determination shine through in every chapter.

Set during 1811 in the American South, McPhail brings the era to life with her vivid writing. You can almost feel the fear that the river presents and hear the echoes of bravery of the crew and Lydia's husband. Lydia's story is one of incredible resilience and courage as she faces challenges protecting her children and deeply loving her husband, although the love theme is a little overdone.

Lydia is a character you can't help but root for. She's strong yet vulnerable, and her journey is both inspiring and relatable. As she navigates her way through the rivers' challenges, the relationships she forms with those around her add depth and authenticity to the story. Readers will find the details about the natural disaster they face incredible.

McPhail beautifully explores themes like family, love, and courage. The emotions are raw and real, capturing what it means to hold onto hope and strength even in the toughest times.

I think a book club would enjoy this book, but I would suggest using an atlas as it is read, as I didn't know the geography. A book club would enjoy discussing the strength that women have in times of distress.
"Follow The Stars Home" is more than just a historical novel; it's a powerful story about hope and resilience. Diane C. McPhail has crafted a tale that's both moving and uplifting, perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction with a strong, relatable heroine.
Lydia's journey of courage and finding her way through chaos is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

My only suggestion would be to not name it after another book already published.

Rated of 5 by Ricki A. (Enfield, CT)
Historical Fiction at its Best
As always, I'm forever amazed at the untold stories I did not hear in my history classes. Gratefully, now they are being told in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening. The story of Nicholas Roosevelt and his wife, Lydia, is both a beautiful love story and a revelation into, yet again, a strong and accomplished woman who helped change the advance of transportation. The characters are richly crafted to help move the story forward. Steam engines and travel on major waterways like the massive Mississippi River might have been delayed were it not for the efforts of this committed couple and their engineering skills. Add the harrowing moments of danger, seismic shifts, and the stresses of raising a family and you have a winning novel. Well worth the read.

Rated of 5 by Rosanna H. (Tuckahoe, NY)
Travel Down the Mississippi with this Compelling Book
"Follow the Stars Home" is a compelling saga of the first voyage down the Mississippi by a steam-powered ship. The danger, challenges, and successes of this maiden voyage are brought vividly to life, as told by Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of the captain of the ship. Among the highlights of the story are the birth of Mrs. Roosevelt's son onboard, and the dangerous trip through the rapids of the river. Throughout the events of the voyage, we get to know the characters and root for their success. The author has a good feel for period detail and creates a compelling narrative of this historic trip.

I would recommend this novel for book club members who enjoy well-crafted historical fiction.

Rated of 5 by Lynne B. (Somersworth, NH)
Follow the Stars Home by Diane McPhail
This is the story of the first steamboat to travel down the Mississippi River in 1811. Lydia is the main character and you will quickly grow to love her as a strong and courageous woman. She wants to support her husband Nicholas who engineered the construction of this steamboat and now will make the risky trip down the Ohio and Mississippi River to advertise the new method of travel. Not only is the trip adventurous for any woman but Lydia is supervising her toddler daughter and her nanny and about to deliver a second baby on board this boat. This follows the true history of the New Orleans, the first steamboat to travel on the river.

If you love historical fiction you will definitely enjoy this book and the chance to experience what river travel was like in its early days. This is a subject that I knew little about and was pleased to have the opportunity to discover this story about the early steamboat travel and what life was like in the early 1800s in this part of the country.

Rated of 5 by Becky S. (Springfield, MO)
Original Historical Fiction
Follow the Stars Home was a book based on a true story that I had never heard about before. Its a story of Nicholas Roosevelt's first steam boat, the New Orleans, and its maiden voyage in which he brought his young wife Lydia, who was 8 months pregnant, and their toddler along for the journey. Along the way, they meet much adversity which also included one of the biggest earthquakes in history. It is an interesting read and I enjoyed learning something new, however, there was a lot of repetition and I felt Lydia's prose was a little dull. I enjoyed the book for the most part however, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Rated of 5 by Karen S. (Allston, MA)
Unusual times and protagonist in need of deeper exploration
I love historical fiction when it finds the perfect balance between well researched history and the fictional narrative. "Follow the Stars Home" introduced me to an amazing woman in American history and facts about the Mississippi that I had not heard about.

The fictional narrative was entirely Lydia's perspective — almost a diary in that the daily details of her child and musings about her husband were a bit repetitive. Despite the repetition, that did not add to understanding Lydia or her husband or their relationship.
A bit more of the American history, information about the towns they visited, and more of how she came to be such a remarkable person at such a young age in harsh times would have added to the tale and the historical depth.

The title of this book also seemed a bit more fanciful than relevant. I assume this is more about the editors than the author.

That said, I am likely to read more of McPhail's work.

Rated of 5 by Mary L. (Greeley, CO)
Intrepid, Indeed
This historical novel introduces the reader to Lydia and Nicholas Roosevelt on their daring trip in 1811 to prove a steamboat could navigate the Ohio and, especially, the Mississippi River. Focused on Lydia's viewpoint the reader is taken on the perilous trip with many challenges, including Lydia being 8 months pregnant with their second child, giving birth, and also mothering their preschool daughter during the trip. Lydia's courage and her deep love and partnership with Nicholas enrich the historical aspects of the novel. I got a little bogged down in some of the details, though overall it is a book well worth reading.

Rated of 5 by Janet T. (Westford, MA)
Follow the Stars Home
This book was a unique experience for me presenting a time period and events in history which I had littlle to no knowledge of. I enjoyed the book, altho I found there was some repetition of information which wasn't required, but was already gatherer when it was mentioned the first time in the book. I found the main women character to be a little bit unbelievable given that time in history. Her priorities made her a bit annoying to me and some of her behavior was foolhardy. Those comments aside, it was a good read, and factually diligent. I. would recommend it to my bookclub.

Rated of 5 by Maryanne H. (Delmar, NY)
High Adventure on the Water
Diane C. McPhail plucks from history an audacious young woman, and using the available historical record, brings her to life in the novel FOLLOW THE STARS HOME. Lydia Roosevelt, née Latrobe, daughter of prominent DC architect Benjamin Latrobe, wife of inventor Nicholas Roosevelt, narrates her life-defining adventure story, accompanying her husband, along with their toddler and newborn, on the first steam-powered paddle boat trip from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. 

Will they make it, unscathed? Will a successful trip revolutionize travel and trade in the young nation, eager to grow? Will their collaboration, Lydia's ingenious practicality and intimate involvement at every turn, and Nicholas' determination and engineering genius, change history? Even though we know the answers, the author maintains a high level of suspense. ??

Given the enormity of the challenges they face, everything from childbirth to navigating through the famous New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12, readers can expect to learn a lot and experience vicariously, along with historical figures, moments of grace under pressure. That's the beauty of historical fiction, especially ones that are based on real people whose stories might otherwise be lost. ??

In choosing to use first person narration, the author made another style choice, to adapt a style of writing that we might find in letters from that time period. While this helped Lydia come across as an early 19th Century character more realistically, it also at times felt overly sentimental and repetitive. She revisits the tension between her father and husband multiple times, almost to the point where I wondered if readers were being asked to distance themselves from Lydia. ??

Overall, the writing is excellent, and Lydia's philosophical musings, her metaphorical likening of the river to the passage of time, and especially the high level of excitement so deftly conveyed made this book enjoyable to read. Much to discuss for book clubs.

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Diane C. McPhail is an artist, minister, and acclaimed author of Follow the Stars Home, The Abolitionist's Daughter, and The Seamstress of New Orleans, which was a finalist for the Thomas Wolf Fiction Award and the Mississippi Institute of Arts & Letters Award. A graduate of Ole Miss, Duke Writers, University of Iowa Distance, and the Yale Writers' Conference, she is a member of NC Writers Network and the Historical Novel Society. She was born and raised in Jackson, MS only miles from the Mississippi River and now lives in Highlands, North Carolina with her husband and dog. For more information, please visit Diane online at DianeMcPhailAuthor.com.