Yankee in Atlanta,Heroines Behind the Lines #3, by Jocelyn Green

About Book

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta.

Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta. Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she breaki  them?

For more information on this series, visit www.HeroinesBehindtheLines.com.

About Author

Award-winning author Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage in her readers through both fiction and nonfiction. A former military wife herself, she offers encouragement and hope to military wives worldwide through her Faith Deployed ministry. Her novels, inspired by real heroines on America’s home front, are marked by their historical integrity and gritty inspiration.

Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She is an active member of the Christian Authors Network, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Military Writers Society of America.

She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two small children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

 Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.


My Thoughts

I read this book back in September and just now getting around to writing a well earned five star review.

I found book three to be as intriguing as the first two books in this series.

Women like Caitlin McKae took on roles they never expected to have to take on especially with no men to direct them in this mans world.  Most of the women were treated as if they were fragile, that is before their men set off to fight in the Civil War. So much to deal with on such fragile shoulders. Women like Caitlin turned out to be a very strong force on their homefronts and frontlines during the war as they tried to preserve what they had left, not just themselves but for their children and also in hopes of having a home for their sons and husbands to return home to.

We learned much about the roles men held in wartime and finally we are learning about the roles women took on during these times in our history. Women can be heroes too!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:

I received a free copy of this book from MP Newsroom and Netgalley for an honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.   This review is my honest opinion.

Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love ~ Litfuse Group Tour & Giveaway 1/3 – 1/14

About the book: 

The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father's once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick's quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery---and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter,Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love's winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman's struggle to restore her ruined world.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/s2Q5l

About the author: 

A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee.

After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.

When she isn't busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

To keep up with Dorothy Love, visitwww.dorothylovebooks.com, become a fan on Facebook(Dorothy Love Books) or follow her on Twitter(@writerDorothy). 

Landing page and Tour Schedule: 

  http://litfusegroup.com/author/dlove

Don't miss Dorothy Love's latest historical novel, Carolina Gold. Fun news: The release of Carolina Gold coincides with Dorothy's birthday. Celebrate with her by entering the Southern Essentials Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on January 14th!

 
Between January 3–14, visit Dorothy Love's Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win the $100 Visa Cash Card grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 14th! (Don't have a Facebook account? Enter here.) RSVP today for Dorothy's Carolina Gold Author Chat Party on Facebook.

During the party Dorothy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Southern Essentials Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at her next book!

So grab your copy of Carolina Gold and help Dorothy celebrate her birthday on the evening of January 14th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 14th!

My Thoughts 

Charlotte Fraser returns  home to Fairhaven determined to bring the plantation back to life. She was taught well by her father as to the running of a plantation and growing rice.  There were many obstacles in her way.  She listened to the advice of other plantation owners who were loyal friends of her father's. The widower neighbor Nicholas Bentancourt was the new heir of Willowood Plantation had become intrigued with her fortitude and courage.  She even agreed to tutor the widower's two young daughters to help support her plantation and put food on her table.  

Nicholas leaves on a business trip and is feared sick or possibly dead leaving the girls in Charlotte's care. What is she to do?  If he does not return, the girls will be left orphans.  She decides she must go in search of Nicholas for the girls sake, of course.  Could she be falling in love with Nicholas?

It was sad to read about the death and destruction caused by the Civil War leaving people to start almost from scratch to feed and house their families.  Many did not succeed and had to give up the life they lived before the war.  The author drew me into the story with Charlotte's determination to keep a promise to made to her father.  She pulled facts from historical events to write this novel giving us a glimpse into the rebuilding of South.  My heart ached for the loss of lives and livelihood.  This was an amazing and realistic read!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

WIDOW of GETTYSBURG by Jocelyn Green ~ MP Newsroom Review Request

About Book

For all who have suffered great loss of heart, home, health or family; true home and genuine lasting love can be found.

When a horrific battle rips through Gettysburg, the farm of Union widow Liberty Holloway is disfigured into a Confederate field hospital, bringing her face to face with unspeakable suffering-and a Confederate scout who awakens her long dormant heart.

But when the scout doesn't die she discovers he isn't who he claims to be.

While Liberty's future crumbles as her home is destroyed, the past comes rushing back to Bella, a former slave and Liberty's hired help, when she finds herself surrounded by Southern soldiers, one of whom knows the secret that would place Liberty in danger if revealed.

In the wake of shattered homes and bodies, Liberty and Bella struggle to pick up the pieces the battle has left behind. Will Liberty be defined by the tragedy in her life, or will she find a way to triumph over it?

Inspired by first-person accounts from women who lived in Gettysburg during the battle and its aftermath, Widow of Gettysburg is the Book 2 in theHeroines Behind the Lines series. These books do not need to be read in succession.  For more information & resources about the Heroines Behind the Lines series, visit www.heroinesbehindthelines.com.

• ISBN-13: 9780802405777
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Publication date: 5/1/2013
• Series: Heroines Behind the Lines Series , #2
• 
  

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristiaBookDistributors

About Author 

JOCELYN GREEN is an award-winning author, freelance writer and editor. A former military wife, she authored, along with contributing writers, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2008) and Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2011). Jocelyn is also co-author for Battlefields & times Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers 2009), which won the Gold Medal from Military Writers Society of America in 2010. She maintains her own award-winning Web site for military wives at www.faithdeployed.com. She holds a B.A. in English from Taylor University, and is an active member of the Evangelical Press Association, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Christian Authors Network. She and her husband have two children and reside in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

My Thoughts

Liberty Holloway is a young Union widow she was fortunate to inherit a farm in Gettysburg from her aunt. Liberty was raised by her aunt but was shown no love .  She was a burden to her aunt, at least that is what her aunt  told her so many times.  Now Liberty is in charge of her own life and her own farm.  Her husband was one of the first casualties of the war between the north and the south making her a widow at the age of seventeen.  

The war is rumored to be making it closer and closer to Gettysburg.  Surely they would not bring the battle so close to a town of women and children. People cried wolf so many times  that when the battle arrived at their doorsteps they were not prepared.

The home Liberty hoped to turn into an Inn was now a makeshift hospital for wounded and dying rebel soldiers. Liberty was forced to help the doctors with the wounded.  One rebel soldier that had stopped for food at the farm returns again after the rebel hospital took over the farm . Why was she so drawn to this man, as far as she knew he was the cause of her being a widow, when in truth all he wanted to do was protect her.

The author writes using facts and fiction to tell the story of the Widow of Gettysburg.  She writes it in the minds eye of the widows. things they never thought they would see, wound soldiers, amputations and horrific unsanitary conditions. So much loss of life and limbs. Most of the people had faith in God and lived His Word to show love toward their enemy in such a devastating war.  It is amazing that some even found love, romance and hope for the future.

Book two was not a disappointment and I look forward to the next book in this series.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers Newsroom for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. 

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Road To the Christy's 2013 ~ Wedded to War ~ Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War, Book 1, by Jocelyn Green

WEDDED to WAR by JOCELYN GREEN

A 2013 Christy Award Nominee

for 

First Novel and Historical

Visit the Christy Awards Website

About Book

Tending to the army's sick and wounded meant leading a life her mother does not understand and giving up a handsome and approved suitor. Yet Charlotte chooses a life of service over privilege, just as her childhood friend had done when he became a military doctor. She soon discovers that she's combatting more than just the rebellion by becoming a nurse. Will the two men who love her simply stand by and watch as she fights her own battles? Or will their desire for her wage war on her desire to serve God?

Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured. This is the first in the series "Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War," a collection of novels that highlights the crucial contributions made by women during times of war. 

Publisher: River North/Moody Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-8024-0576-0
Publish date: June, 2012
Page Count: 400
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Format: Paperback

Where to Buy: Amazon, CBD, Barnes&Noble

About Author

JOCELYN GREEN is an award-winning author, freelance writer and editor. A former military wife, she authored, along with contributing writers, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2008) and Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2011). Jocelyn is also co-author for Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers 2009), which won the Gold Medal from Military Writers Society of America in 2010. She maintains her own award-winning Web site for military wives atwww.faithdeployed.com . She holds a B.A. in English from Taylor University, and is an active member of the Evangelical Press Association, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Christian Authors Network. She and her husband have two children and reside in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jocelyn's Website: http://www.jocelyngreen.com/


My Thoughts

Charlotte wants to become a nurse as her part in serving God and her country.  It has nothing to do with money or status, far from it.  She has to go against her mother, her beau and just about everyone that crosses her path in the struggle to become a nurse.  The Army and the medical field do not want women in any way involved the war.  The nurses were treated without respect by the majority of the doctors and at times to the point of putting there lives in danger.  Women were suppose to stay at home and wait for the men to return and they were allowed ready supplies like bandages, socks, blankets and such to send to the soldiers.  

Charlotte is one determined head strong woman and will not let anyone or anything stand in her way to become a nurse even if it does mean to be sent into the fields of battle to care for the wounded soldiers.  Her childhood friend is a physician in the Army. He encourages her to go where God leads and to listen to God's voice.  But her beau will stop at anything to bring her back home even if by force.

This book gripped my heart and angered me at the disrespect these devoted and loving women went through to help care for the soldiers.  I could not put the book down.  It was riveting!  The author gives us intrigue, adventure, mystery, suspense, romance and a commitment to oneself and God.  

I wanted to read more about these women that served with all there heart and soul, putting their lives on the line.  I commend these steadfast loyal women that served and suffered during the Civil War.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishing Newsroom for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Chief Camp Diseases of the Civil War

Love Stays True, The Homeward Journey, Book One by Martha Rogers ~ A Booketeria Review

About Book

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY, Book One

It is April 1865, can Sally and Manfred overcome the distance that the war has put between them and find love?

Three strong women from the South forge ahead to new territories to establish a new life and find happiness through their staunch faith. Related not only by blood but also by courage, they prove that love knows no boundaries, and when all else is gone, love will be there. Covering the themes of family, loyalty, belonging, and the journeys we take to find love, this new series by the popular author of Becoming Lucy will be sure to please her many fans.

• ISBN-13: 9781621362364
• Publisher: Realms
• Publication date: 5/31/2013
• Series: The Homeward Journey , #1
• Pages: 304

Where to purchase: Amazon, B&N, CBD

About Author

Martha Rogers is a freelance author of both fiction and non-fiction and a speaker. Her stories and articles have appeared in a number of compilations and magazines. Her first fiction novella released in 2007.

Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, First Place leader, Mom and Grandmother give Martha a unique field of ministry.

Martha is am alumni of CLASS and is available to speak at Women's Retreats, conferences, and luncheons on topics of interest to women of all ages.

As an author, she is available to speak at writing conferences and workshops on a variety of topics of interest to writers.

Visit Martha's website here. 

You can also find her on her blog Martha Writes.

My Thoughts

Sallie Dryer has been through a traumatic time during the war between the North and the South. She fears God has turned away from her.  In her mind she has done the unforgivable. What if her childhood love, Manfred Whitman is not able to forgive her either?  Sallie watches for her sweetheart to return.  He is the first thing on her mind when she awakes and then dreams of him through the night.  What if he never returns?  What if he has been killed?  All of these things among others is what go through her mind day in and day out.

Manfred along with his brother Edward, unbeknownst to his loved ones, have just been freed from being imprisoned by Union soldiers.  They have a long journey before they reach the their home. They have been through bad and good on their journey home but God has guided and protected them every step of the way. He is anxious to see his family but most of all he wants to see his sweetheart Sallie Dyer. Will she feel about him as he feels about her after all this time apart?  

I have no doubt that the author writes from her heart.  She gives us many life lessons be learned from reading this story.  Most importantly is trust in God which the character Sallie was unable to do therefore it instilled her with doubt and fear.  The author is a wise woman in that she creates stories that will encourage the weary and downtrodden soul to turn to God with our every need.  I love an inspiring historical romance and that is exactly what the author has given us with much to ponder on in our daily walk with God..

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Booketeria/Realms for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

If you found this book helpful vote yes or no here.

Wedded to War ~ Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War, Book 1, by Jocelyn Green

About Book

Tending to the army's sick and wounded meant leading a life her mother does not understand and giving up a handsome and approved suitor. Yet Charlotte chooses a life of service over privilege, just as her childhood friend had done when he became a military doctor. She soon discovers that she's combatting more than just the rebellion by becoming a nurse. Will the two men who love her simply stand by and watch as she fights her own battles? Or will their desire for her wage war on her desire to serve God?

Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured. This is the first in the series "Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War," a collection of novels that highlights the crucial contributions made by women during times of war. 

Publisher: River North/Moody Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-8024-0576-0
Publish date: June, 2012
Page Count: 400
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Format: Paperback

Where to Buy: Amazon, CBD, Barnes&Noble

About Author

JOCELYN GREEN is an award-winning author, freelance writer and editor. A former military wife, she authored, along with contributing writers, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2008) and Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2011). Jocelyn is also co-author for Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers 2009), which won the Gold Medal from Military Writers Society of America in 2010. She maintains her own award-winning Web site for military wives atwww.faithdeployed.com . She holds a B.A. in English from Taylor University, and is an active member of the Evangelical Press Association, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Christian Authors Network. She and her husband have two children and reside in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jocelyn's Website: http://www.jocelyngreen.com/


My Thoughts

Charlotte wants to become a nurse as her part in serving God and her country.  It has nothing to do with money or status, far from it.  She has to go against her mother, her beau and just about everyone that crosses her path in the struggle to become a nurse.  The Army and the medical field do not want women in any way involved the war.  The nurses were treated without respect by the majority of the doctors and at times to the point of putting there lives in danger.  Women were suppose to stay at home and wait for the men to return and they were allowed ready supplies like bandages, socks, blankets and such to send to the soldiers.  

Charlotte is one determined head strong woman and will not let anyone or anything stand in her way to become a nurse even if it does mean to be sent into the fields of battle to care for the wounded soldiers.  Her childhood friend is a physician in the Army. He encourages her to go where God leads and to listen to God's voice.  But her beau will stop at anything to bring her back home even if by force.

This book gripped my heart and angered me at the disrespect these devoted and loving women went through to help care for the soldiers.  I could not put the book down.  It was riveting!  The author gives us intrigue, adventure, mystery, suspense, romance and a commitment to oneself and God.  

I wanted to read more about these women that served with all there heart and soul, putting their lives on the line.  I commend these steadfast loyal women that served and suffered during the Civil War.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishing Newsroom for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

Chief Camp Diseases of the Civil War

Sweet Glory by Lisa Y. Potocar

About Book

Reluctant to shed her riding trousers and fully submerse herself in her role as a growing woman, Jana Brady joins the Union army in the fight for her country. Hoping for Sweet Glory, she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a young cavalryman, eager to fight the Rebels, aided by Leanne Perham, another girl from town who has donned the Union blues. Disguised as Johnnie and Leander, Jana and Leanne form a close connection with other misfits in their unit, twelve-year-old Charlie, who’s hidden his age to provide for his ma, and Irishman Keeley, who inspires men to abandon their inner conflicts and band together. Jana comes to greatly admire Keeley, who frequently needles Johnnie about the occasional appearance of feminine attributes.

Where to buy:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble

About Lisa

Lisa Potocar lives in Upstate New York with her husband and two cuddly keeshonds. Her passion for writing and research stems from her former work in health care administration and as a professor.

When not tracking some morsel of history to shape into a story, she is a tomboy at heart who loves to hike and bike and has traveled the world to do it.

Lisa’s book is published through Tate Publishing, a mainline publishing house dedicated to working with aspiring authors and giving their book its best chance in the marketplace. If you’ve ever thought about publishing a book, you should visit Tate Publishing.

Memberships:

Crested Butte Writers (Membership Chair)

Historical Novel Society

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

* * *

An interview about Sweet Glory and Lisa on an author friend's blogspot at:   http://getlostinastory.blogspot.com/2...

* * *

AUTHOR EVENT: A Book Cover Art’s Impact on Sales

Come Celebrate My Milestone! For having reached 200 “friends” on Goodreads, I’m giving away a signed copy of Sweet Glory (open to the world wide). To be eligible, leave a comment to my blog-challenge. One lucky winner will be randomly drawn from the pool of comments and announced on December 21, 2012. (Note: If you aren’t my “friend” on Goodreads, you will NOT be able to leave a comment there. Feel free to leave one on my website or my other links listed at the end of this blog-challenge).

Ready for some fun? A wee bit of background first……

Author-Friend L.A. Sartor (aka Leslie Ann Sartor) boldly redesigned the cover of her debut novel,Dare to Believe, after it was on the market for only three months. But first she sought guidance from a former marketing executive who has over 3,000,000 advertising words in print around the world. Vince Mooney well understands “A Book Cover Art’s Impact on Sales.” He asserts:

The cover art missions are very similar to the missions an advertising headline must accomplish: (I mention this because millions of dollars have been spent testing direct response headlines and what makes them work.)

1. Get the favorable attention of the best prospects for the product.

2. When possible make the cover art persuasively promise believable benefits.

3. The cover art should entice the reader to read the blurb and hopefully the first line of the story.\

Your Challenge: What do you think of Sweet Glory’s cover based upon the following?

1. What audience is it trying to reach?

2. What immediate thoughts do you have about what the story will involve?

3. Does the cover make you want to explore the story further, such as reading the blurb or the opening lines—why or why not?

Want a really cool visual explanation of the above? Check out L.A.’s November 1, 2012 blog interview of Vince at http://bit.ly/PJPqLV. Then follow it up with her December 18, 2012 blog in which she walks us through the makeover of Dare to Believe’s cover art based upon Vince’s teachings at http://bit.ly/XyMODS. Trust me, it is exciting stuff!

Do you crave more on this subject? Vince blogs regularly at: http://vmres.blogspot.com/.
I hope you found my first blog to be “artful and colorful!” (Pardon the pun).

Lisa’s other links for commenting & learning more about her and Sweet Glory:

Sweet Glory Website: http://bit.ly/THj2pw

Lisa on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Uj5vTZ

Lisa on Amazon: http://amzn.to/11RyJAS

Lisa on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/UjqHZK

View more on Lisa Potocar's website »

* * *

My Thoughts

Sixteen year old Jana Brady had grown up listening to war stories and adventures from her grandfather.  She soaked up these stories and yearned to live the adventure herself.  She wore trousers like a man and could out shoot most men.  Hunting and fishing was her sport, not housework.  The most important times were spent with her father picking up runaways for the underground railroad.  Helping them to the best they could on their journey to Canada and freedom.  But when she did put a dress on she attracted attention of young men. Yet she had not found the right man to complete her knowing she was still young and had plenty of time to start a family.

Speaking with Leanna a girl from town Jana decided she would join Leanna, disguised as young men, and signup with the Union Calvary.  Now dressed in Union blues Jana now known as Johnnie and Leanna known as Leander would move out with the rest of the Union soldiers to fight the Rebels.  They made friends with a 12 year old Charlie and an Irishman by the name of Keeley.  This would be the ultimate adventure for Jana.  

After a face to face with Johnnie, Keeley was not convinced that Johnnie was a guy.  He kept trying to trip Johnnie up hoping for the soldier to reveal his real self, which was surely a female.  

The troop spent so much time training that  it had all of them in a sore mood because they wanted to fight the Rebels now.  But when the killing started and it was time to recover the injured and dead they were ready for the war to end. All the while the foursome, Johnnie, Leander, Charlie and Keeley were there for each other and became close friends.  

I think I went through this book faster than I have read a book in a long time.  So I guess you can say I enjoyed the book and that is stating it mildly.  The book brought up things about the Civil War to the point I had to keep a box of tissues in my lap.  I did not want to take a break or go to bed.  I stayed up until I had read the whole book.  

The author pointed out how badly women in the medical field other roles in the war were treated by men.  But being tough women they usually were able to put the verbal abuser in their place. It angers me that women had so little rights even then. This was the later of the 1800's not that long ago. This was when my great-grandmother lived and I do remember her.

I am hoping there will be another book about Jana and her friends as they build their lives after the war was over.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure 

I received a free copy of this book from Lisa Potocar/Tate Publishing for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

All Things New by Lynn Austin

About Book

The war is over. The South has lost.

Josephine Weatherly struggles to pick up the pieces of her life when her family returns to their Virginia plantation. But the realities of life after the war cannot be denied: her home and land are but a shell of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken.

Her life of privilege, a long-ago dream.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak--but a bitter hatred fuels her.

Can hope--and a battered faith in God--survive amid the devastation?

All Things New

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0897-3  

ISBN-10: 0-7642-0897-7

Paperback: 5.5 x 8.5

Number of pages: 416

Publication Date: Oct. 2012

Where to buy: 

• Baker Retail
• Amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble
• Christianbook.com

About Author

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois. 

Visit Lynn's Web site at www.lynnaustin.org


My Thoughts

The Civil War has ended and now Josephine, her mother and younger sister are ready to go home to White Oak Plantation after a long stay with her Aunt.  She is not even sure what condition the plantation will be in when they arrive.

She was surprised to find a few slaves had stayed even though they had been declared free of slavery.  The house was a shambles but it was still standing. It just needed some cleaning and she was sure her mother would make sure things were put in order.  Josephine was shocked by her mother's attitude that she was going to make everything the same as it was before the war.  As far as Josephine was concerned nothing would every be the same again.

With the one male ex-slave whom now is to be called a servant there was no way to get the fields planted with cotton.  His wife, two young sons and daughter were taking care of the cooking, cleaning and the other chores that Mrs. Weatherly expected to be done daily.  Yet there still was not enough hands or time in a day to get everything done according to Mrs. Weatherly's liking.  Mrs. Weatherly seemed to treat the servants as if they were still slaves. Josephine tried to help with some of the gardening and chores but it just angered her mother. So Josephine took to doing the chores around the time her mother was napping.

Then things really got out of sorts when Josephine's brother, Daniel came home from the war.  It was hoped that he would be able to take over running the plantation.  But he was never trained for that position.  He had not excepted the fact that the war was over.

Why is it that some people are so focused on the past that they can't seem to go forward?   Most wanted to blame God for the war and loss of loved ones.  When they lost the war they also lost their faith in God.

The story brought out how wealthy women in the South were so sheltered they had no skills other than how to catch a husband and keeping the servants in line.  They had no idea how the clean clothes appeared or the silver polished, etc.

The author wrote of their lack of money, food, clothing, shoes especially trust and they were too proud to ask for help from their new government.

In this book you will see the Post Civil War through the lives of ex-Slaves, southern land owner and Union soldiers.

It was a hard book to put down.  I want to say so much more about this book but then you wouldn't have to read it.   I really want you to read this book.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Baker/Bethany House Publishing for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

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