The Metropolitan Affair Review

 

 About the Book

 For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

In this rich 1920s tale, bestselling author Jocelyn Green invites you into one of New York City's most esteemed museums, where a young woman discovers secrets, betrayal, and romance. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

Jocelyn Green has written some terrific historical fiction so I knew that this story would be a well researched adventure. I LOVED visiting the Met when I was in New York and while this is set in a much different time it still helped me visualize it more clearly. It is an incredible place and it was really interesting to read about a very small part of the Egyptian history and imagine the inner workings of the museum. The setting is fantastic and the central mystery that runs throughout the story is well done. I did have a hard time connecting with the main characters. Lauren is an independent woman and I appreciate her perspective. The relationship with her father is a key part of the story and I found that to be interesting. I enjoyed the history and much of the sleuthing for counterfeit art. While this isn't my favorite book by this author I know many will love it!

 

Three Stars.

 

"I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Veiled in Smoke Review

 

 About the Book

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago's business district, they lose much more than just their store.

The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire--he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father's innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad. (Goodreads)

BUY HERE

My Thoughts

 Jocelyn has such a way with writing historical stories. I have read a few books about the Chicago fire but this one is my favorite. I loved the characters and probably my favorite thing about this book is Stephen's story. I can not even imagine what it must have been like to come home after fighting in the Civil War. It is really awful to think that people who clearly would be suffering mentally and emotionally after the war, would be committed to an insane asylum. Most historical novels take you into the battle or the time during the war, many don't describe the realities after such horrors. I love that Jocelyn brought this to light in this story. I was also fascinated with the historical tidbits that involve the fire. This book takes you right into the chaos of the ashes. I felt like I was there in the middle of it all. 

I am excited to read the next book and if you enjoy reading historical fiction I recommend you pick this one up!

Five Stars.

"I received this book from Bethany House for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Between Two Shores Review

 

About the Book

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-
fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I love reading Jocelyn's books because you really never know what you are going to get. It took me a few days to digest this novel, there is a lot in between these pages and I had mixed feelings at the end. I love the setting and the history is fascinating. Catherine is a very strong character and really who makes the book as good as it is. There is a lot of honesty in how people lived and acted during this time. Jocelyn doesn't sugar coat things in any book she writes and this one is no exception. Which really is best for historical fiction! I struggled with the secondary characters and had a hard time understanding them and how they were going to be used throughout the story.  Some of the people in this book I really disliked and others I wanted to cheer on. This isn't what you would call a happily ever after book. The ending I had to mull over awhile, honestly the last part of the book I had to consider before I decided how I felt on this novel. I think my conclusion is that this story shows how a woman can survive and how strong people can be in the worst of circumstances. I liked reading characters that were independent women and while times have changed, many truths in this book are relevant today. I think Jocelyn Green did an excellent job and I am anxious to read her next book. 

Five stars.
If you are a history fan you will enjoy this book. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

A Refuge Assured Review

About the Book

Vivienne Rivard fled revolutionary France and seeks a new life for herself and a boy in her care, who some say is the Dauphin. But America is far from safe, as militiaman Liam Delaney knows. He proudly served in the American Revolution but is less sure of his role in the Whiskey Rebellion. Drawn together, will Liam and Vivienne find the peace they long for? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I so enjoyed Jocelyn's last book the Mark of the King. This book I was super excited about and I really did enjoy the overall story line. At times this book moved terribly slow for me, and to be honest was difficult to completely get into in the middle. BUT I loved the history and I really liked the secondary characters. And of course Liam. Vivienne was a difficult character for me to love and I am not sure why. The setting is wonderful and I learned more about lace making which is totally fascinating.
If you like history you will enjoy this book.


Three stars.


"I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review."

Yankee in Atlanta Book Review

VIA

About the 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 break them?

Id you would like to read the first chapter of Yankee in Atlanta, go HERE.

My Review

I have read all of the books in this series but they can be read separately. I really enjoyed the characters in this book more so than the other books. I felt like I understood them better and as a reader was able to get more into the story line. Caitlin is quite the gal and I loved the parts of her being a governess. This helps the reader see this time period through different eyes. There is romance but it's war time, so it makes things difficult.

Full of historical details, history lovers will enjoy!

Five stars for the historical aspect.

"I received this book from CFBA for free in exchange for an honest review."

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Yankee in Atlanta River North(June 1, 2014) by Jocelyn Green

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.

Widow of Gettysburg Book Review

via

About the 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 the Heroines Behind the Lines series. These books do not need to be read in succession. (Goodreads)

 My Review

I have read the first book in the series and it's true, you do not need to read them in any order. I like Jocelyn Green because she writes with incredible detail and history. I liked this book because most books written during the Civil War are about being in the battle or field. This takes you into the town and people who were effected from the war and the battle. Liberty is a strong woman who has been in mourning and even continues to wear black because of the war. She is thrown into being a part of the war by helping the wounded and dying. She meets a young man who claims he is someone but happens to be somebody else. 

The ending is not unexpected and neither is finding out about the man. This book did get a bit long for me and slightly drawn out but I did love Liberty and the historical aspect.

If you like reading historical fiction you will enjoy this book from a different perspective. 

 To learn more about this series stop over here.

Read my review of Wedded to War. 

"I received this book from Moody Publishers/River North for free in exchange for an honest review."

Wedded to War Book Review



Picture Credit



Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green is the first in the new Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War Series.

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. (Goodreads)

Jocelyn creates a lovely historically accurate story about young women nursing on the battle lines. Charlotte is sick of her entire purpose in life being about marriage and children, she is unmarried and ready for a change. This takes her on quite an adventure during the Civil War. She faces a lot of criticism and blood. To add a twist, her suitor is very full of himself and involves himself in shady dealings without her knowing. At the end of the book I discovered that everything had been researched to the smallest details and was loosely based off of Georgeanna Woolsey's life during that time.

This book is written a lot like Jane Kirkpatrick's books with tons of history and fun fictional additions.

I highly reccomend to those who don't mind reading about bloody battles and like historical facts.

"I received this book for free from Moody  in exchange for an honest review".