JocelynGreen.com Logo

RSS  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  | Contact

Civil War fiction

Give-away: Civil War novel Patriot Heart

Mon, 2015-08-10 07:20 -- Jocelyn Green
Today I'm delighted to share with you a brand new Civil War-era novel by Diane Kalas: Patriot Heart. Here's the blurb: May 1865. All Dan Goodman wants is to marry an uncomplicated girl and have a family, but the war interfered and he became a POW who now believes he’s losing his mind and unfit for marriage. He dreams of Oregon to put the memories behind him. The problem is he owes a debt of gratitude to the beautiful songstress. In addition, Clara Barton wants him to be a witness for the prosecution in the first trial for war crimes in American history. Letty Talbot is a world-weary steamboat songstress, and wants a new direction after sudden loss. Letty decides to run a supply depot for emigrants going out West, and talks Dan into a partnership where he builds the prairie schooners. Letty won’t admit she wants to keep Dan from leaving. Even though they butt heads a lot, no man ever interested Letty as this one did. If Letty marries Dan she loses her depot, because married women have no property rights. Letty must learn to trust God with her future. Dan must forgive fellow Union inmates who killed for selfish reasons, and face the commandant of Andersonville Prison in a court of law. Allowing his Oregon dream to fade, he can then embrace the future God planned for him. I love Diane's purpose behind the book. Here's why she wrote it, in her own words: [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1304", "attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-3401", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"272", "height":"300", "alt":"Diane Kalas"}}]] Diane Kalas   "Back in 1990-91, a US military operation called Desert Storm took place in the Middle East. Not long afterward, the veterans involved came back with invisible scars that later became known as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The heartbreaking stories about the men and women who couldn’t keep jobs or relationships soon became a regular feature on the nightly news. The startling numbers of vet suicides have increased over the years. "I write historical fiction and wanted to know how Civil War veterans who suffered with the same symptoms of PTSD were treated. Nineteenth century doctors diagnosed those afflicted with the condition as Soldier’s Fatigue. They offered bed rest in a soldier’s convalescent home, or recommended a discharge and a train ticket home. "As my story idea came together, I especially wanted to write my hero as a strong Christian and show how he dealt with the horrors of Andersonville Prison and kept his faith, both inside the prison and afterward through his recovery. Perhaps a 21st century veteran’s spouse, mother, sister, or girlfriend will read Patriot Heart and see there is hope for their loved one. Hope for the future in God, the Father, and salvation through Jesus Christ, His son." Read the first chapter of Patriot Heart here! And now, for the give-away! This one is so simple--just leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing! If you subscribe to this blog, tell me so, and I'll give you an extra point. A winner will be selected at random at midnight on Tuesday, August 18.

Spy of Richmond Launches! 5 FREE Ways to Help

Mon, 2015-03-02 07:48 -- Jocelyn Green
At long last, the Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War series is complete! Sophie Kent, Spy of Richmond, joins her "sisters" Charlotte, Liberty, and Caitlin. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning." As much fun as it is to start writing a new series or new book, I must say I agree with this verse--bringing a project to completion is even better. There were times I thought writing this series would kill me (more on that in a separate blog post), but look, I'm still here! Whew! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1152", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2802", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"400", "height":"800", "alt":"completefeaturingspy"}}]] My prayer for you The theme verse for Spy of Richmond sums up my hope and prayer for each one of you readers: "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:24). I wrote the Heroines Behind the Lines series because I was so inspired by the faith and courage of real women who lived and made a difference during the Civil War. I pray these stories inspire faith and courage in you as well. The book blurb Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can’t do it alone. Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie’s home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk–but is conscripted to defend the city’s fortifications. As Sophie’s spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father’s position as newspaper editor and a suitor’s position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble. Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything–and everyone–she holds dear?       [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1153", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignnone wp-image-2768 size-full", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"134", "height":"45", "alt":"add-to-goodreads-button"}}]] Want to help? Several of you have asked what you can do to help launch Spy of Richmond. First of all, thank you so much for asking! Now, to answer your question: buying the book, either through the links above or through your local bookstore, is the most obvious help, and SO appreciated! But I realize not everyone can do that right now. So here are five free ways you can still help generate some buzz. If you're a Goodreads user, simply add Spy of Richmond to your "want to read" list on Goodreads. Use the Goodreads button provided above. Share a graphic on Facebook. I've already created one so all you have to do is go here, and click the "share" button. Here's another option for a graphic to share, which features 4 new Christian historical novels that released this week. Or if you see one floating around FB, just like it and share it. Tweet to your followers about #SpyofRichmond. Here's a couple suggestions you can copy and paste--or make up your own! #AmReading #SpyofRichmond by @JocelynGreen77! http://wp.me/P1bLl3-Jk #civilwar #christianfiction #goodreads NEW in #christianfiction: #SpyofRichmond by @JocelynGreen77! http://wp.me/P1bLl3-Jk #civilwar #HeroinesBehindtheLines Pin something on Pinterest. Pinning the book cover is an obvious choice, but I have lots to choose from on my Spy of Richmond board so hop over and click away! This last one is a huge help but does involve a little more of your time. Here's the deal. If someone who has never read my books sees a share, a tweet, or a pin about Spy of Richmond, if she's smart, she's going to look at the online customer reviews for my previous books to see if it's worth investing her time and money. SO if you haven't already, and feel like you could honestly post a positive review for Wedded to War, Widow of Gettysburg, and/or Yankee in Atlanta, would you consider taking a moment and doing so? More than a million books are published in a year. It's hard to stand out--customer reviews REALLY help! (Amazon, Goodreads, BarnesandNoble, ChristianBook, DeeperShopping...) More new releases this week! Spy of Richmond is not the only new Christian historical novel to hit the bookshelves this week! I'm pleased to celebrate the launches of three other fantastic books. Dauntless and An Uncertain Choice are young adult medieval novels, and The Outlaw Takes a Bride is 19th-century Western. Congratulations to Dina L. Sleiman, Jody Hedlund, and Susan Page Davis! Are your to-read piles growing or what? [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"1154", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter wp-image-2806", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"600", "height":"226", "alt":"newthisweek"}}]]   Happy reading!
Subscribe to RSS - Civil War fiction