This week, the
is introducing
Wedded to War
by
Jocelyn Green
Wedded to War
by Jocelyn Green
Heroines Behind the Line, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Historical
Available July 1, 2012
River North
400 pages
When war erupted, she gave up a life of privilege for a life of significance.
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.
My Thoughts
Charlotte, raised amongst the high-society of New York, decides she can't just sit idle while the rest of the country is at war. Her family disapproves of her independent streak, but Charlotte convinces her sister to accompany her to Washington City as a nurse for the Union troops. Torn between her desire to be useful and her family's demands for her to return home, she must make some difficult decisions.
I'm fascinated by the Civil War and love strong female leads, so Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green was a perfect fit for me! This was one of the more fascinating historical novels I've read recently. Jocelyn must have done a tremendous amount of research in order to write such a detailed novel, and the finished product pulled me into the story and allowed me to feel as though I were in the thick of things. Whether in the tenements of New York City, on the battlefield, or in a makeshift hospital, I could imagine everything about the setting—sights, sounds, smells. So descriptive!
I really liked Charlotte as well. She's such an independent woman who defies cultural norms while relying on God to guide her. I didn't think I was going to like her sister Alice at first, but she definitely grew on me. Jocelyn also did a great job of developing a nasty antagonist who was easy to hate.
While this novel isn't for the faint of heart (with a "mild" description of a rape and multiple descriptions of wounds and other medical scenarios), I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! [4 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from River North and the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Charlotte, raised amongst the high-society of New York, decides she can't just sit idle while the rest of the country is at war. Her family disapproves of her independent streak, but Charlotte convinces her sister to accompany her to Washington City as a nurse for the Union troops. Torn between her desire to be useful and her family's demands for her to return home, she must make some difficult decisions.
I'm fascinated by the Civil War and love strong female leads, so Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green was a perfect fit for me! This was one of the more fascinating historical novels I've read recently. Jocelyn must have done a tremendous amount of research in order to write such a detailed novel, and the finished product pulled me into the story and allowed me to feel as though I were in the thick of things. Whether in the tenements of New York City, on the battlefield, or in a makeshift hospital, I could imagine everything about the setting—sights, sounds, smells. So descriptive!
I really liked Charlotte as well. She's such an independent woman who defies cultural norms while relying on God to guide her. I didn't think I was going to like her sister Alice at first, but she definitely grew on me. Jocelyn also did a great job of developing a nasty antagonist who was easy to hate.
While this novel isn't for the faint of heart (with a "mild" description of a rape and multiple descriptions of wounds and other medical scenarios), I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! [4 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from River North and the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in exchange for my fair and honest review.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Wedded to War, go HERE.
About the Author
Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.
Jocelyn Green Online
Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review the book! Yes, it did take quite a bit of research, but that part was really fun for me. The hard part is always deciding what to use and what to leave out. :) I'm glad Alice grew on you, too-that's what I wanted. :) Alice grew up a little during the war, didn't she? Thanks again for the review!
ReplyDeleteJocelyn - I told my husband as I was finishing the book that the only "bad" thing about such a well-researched novel was that it would probably be a while before I got to read another one by you! :) Thanks so much for stopping by!
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