Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green ~ Review


I’m a bit of a Civil War junkie. I’ve studied that particular battle for several years in school and love learning more. So when this novel came up for review, nurses on the front lines of the war, I was immediately raising my hand in request.

            The research that went into this novel would have been extensive, and I could appreciate the time it must have taken. The novel covers the first two years of the war and its destruction, but also the very strong bias on the part of the needy doctors who weren’t willing to work with women nurses. Charlotte is not your weak heroine and her take-charge, won’t-take-no-for-an-answer made me want to send a “you go, girl!” her way. She did so in a simple, wanting to help way which makes her a very likeable character.

            I actually would have liked to see more of the actual nursing happening in the novel. I thought the opportunity for those scenes of character strength showcased in our heroine’s actions in the wards were missed. The many historical facts were great, but did detract from the main story. I liked seeing the varying aspects of society and people’s choices at their time, I just wished I had seen more of that and their individual stories and not so much historical documentation.

            It’s not a romance, but rather a love story and a novel of overcoming and hope for a new future. I’d be interested in knowing if the following novels are sequels which characters that carry over…

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review. 



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
More info about the novel and author...



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wedded to War
• River North; New Edition edition (July 1, 2012)
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.




ABOUT THE BOOK


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.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Wedded to War, go HERE.


**Cover used by permission from Moody/River North Publishers**

10 comments:

  1. Great, well-rounded review, as always, Casey. I've got a bit of a fascination with the Civil War Era, too--partially, I'm sure, because of my love for Gone with the Wind...the movie. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That probably precipitated your love, I'm sure. ;-) This war has always fascinated me. Have you read Lynn Austin's Fire by Night? One of my FAVORITE Civil War books!

      Delete
  2. I imagine this is a powerful novel. Thanks for telling us about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It covered so much I wasn't truly aware of, like that bias from the doctors.

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the honest review, Casey. I'm a huge Civil War junkie. I'm very interested to read the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I remember right from your blog, don't you participate in a Civil War reenactment? Or am I thinking of someone else? It's a fascinating time period.

      Delete
  4. Greatly enjoyed perusing your blog this afternoon - I'd love for you to join my book blog hop whenever you have a chance on Thursdays if you're interested

    Marissa @ forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting, Marissa! I might have to check that out. :)

      Delete
  5. Hi Casey! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review my book. I appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. :)

      Delete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)

FTC Rules

According to new FTC rules I must let you, the reader know, that all views shared on this blog are strictly my own. Books to review are either provided for me by the author, publisher or ones I have purchased and I am under no obligation whatsoever to present anything, but my true opinion on any product. I receive no monetary compensation for anything written on this blog. Any giveaways on this blog are provided by the author/ publisher and I am not responsible for any views they express in their work or on this site. Giveaways are void were prohibited and chances of winnng are based on the number of applicants. A random winner is draw when a book is given away.

 
Blog Design by Imagination Designs all images from the Country Wildflowers kit by Laurie Ann