Yankee in Atlanta

Some of the best historical novels I've read are built around historical facts with some liberties taken to enhance the story to gain the reader's heart and soul and that is just exactly what Jocelyn Green does in the latest novel, Yankee in Atlanta. This is the third novel in her Heroines Behind the Lines Series which I have been a part of since the beginning. This time she utilizes the American Civil War as her setting and places our heroine Caitlin McKae at the forefront of the battle where she was disguised as a man and enlisted in the Union army. Little did she believe that she would be shot by the enemy. When she wakes up from her injuries, she is immediately questioned as being a spy since when would a woman want to disguise herself as a soldier and go to war. This is based on the fact that hundreds of women did just that by disguising themselves as men and enlisting in the army on both sides of the war.

Noah Becker represents another minority, the German immigrant living in the Confederacy with more of them fighting on the North than on the South. His relationship with Caitlin is to hire her as a governess for his children before he heads off to war. Yet before he leaves, he cautions Caitlin to assist any women or children in Atlanta that need help as war refugees remembering what that was like for him in Germany. It is his way of paying it forward. But just like Gone with the Wind, soon soldiers find their way into the house and soon take what they need from food, fuel and animals not caring what the women or children need. This is war, and everything must be done to ensure their side has an advantage in the war.

The best part about this novel is that is defines for the reader by involving them in the story of Noah and Caitlin, how difficult it was for families that were torn apart by the war, from often times fighting against one another and then coming to terms with not knowing what happened to those that were left to fight, not knowing if they were wounded or killed or even if they were coming home at all. For those that love American history and novels involving the Civil War, then this is the perfect novel to settle down with. The characters and their stories are enough to gain your sympathy and have you turning pages as fast as possible to learn their fate as soon as it is revealed. There is a great section at the end where the author shares how she formatted the basis for this novel and the historical facts from the Civil War as well as a compelling discussion guide that is perfect for book clubs!

I received Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green compliments of River North Publishing and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I would rate this Historical Christian Novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars and this is the third novel in the series with Wedded to War and Widow of Gettyburg being the first two in the Heroines Behind the Lines Series. Word has it that a fourth novel is coming soon!

For more information about Yankee in Atlanta, Jocelyn Green or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green

You can find Jocelyn Green on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Yankee in Atlanta, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa

In Amana, Iowa in 1863, there waits a man by the name of Friedrich Vinzenz. He's been working as a clockmaker in the Kolonie as his beloved, Amalie Wiese who is headed by wagon train to make a new life together after being separated for almost a year. In order for any of the Inspirationalists men to marry, they have to wait until they are twenty-four and then be separated for a year before they can marry. Just knowing that Amalie will soon be here and has waited for him since he had left, is more than he can bare.

While they are working on the final harvest a Union General arrives bearing letters for Friedrich and Matthias Roemig to be conscripted in the Union Army. Fortunately for them the elders of the town will pay their commutation fees so that they won't have to serve after all. They are told the reasons for this war is to free the slaves from the South since they don't have anyone to fight for them. When Friedrich meets Joseph, a former slave, who shows him the scars of what he had to endure as a slave, Friedrich believes God is calling him to serve. Fearing his friend Matthias will only succeeding in talking him out of joining, he leaves while it is still dark outside and leaves to where he believes God is calling him. He only hopes the letters he leaves behind for his family, Matthias and Amalie will explain it for him.

While Amalie is riding with her best friend Karoline in the wagon train headed towards Amana, they are faced with the horror of meeting the up with the Confederates and Rebels as they are battling in the town of Lisbon. The Rebels have burned the bridge leading to Amana and have burned the buildings in town leaving no where for them to rest before their final leg on the journey. When the are confronted by soldiers when their guide, Mr. Faust leaves, Karoline falls and hits her head. With no doctor aboard, Amalie does what she can to care for Karoline but isn't sure she will make it without a doctor.

While she heads into town with Karoline and Mr. Faust in search of a doctor, Amalie learns that just because their Kolonie keeps to themselves, it won't prevent the war from coming to her town in Amana. When Amalie arrives in Amana, she learns from the men, that Friedrich has joined the war. Now she isn't sure if he will be the same man when he returns if he returns at all.

In the newest novel Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa by Melanie Dobson, the readers become a silent character in seeing both sides of the Civil War. We get to see the struggle Friedrich faces when he believes God has called him to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. We also see the struggle of the worried wife to be, with Amalie's fears of trusting God enough to take care of Friedrich even though she fears she may never see him again. She learns that God will never allow her to be alone and though she may have questions that can never be answered, she learns that you can't be angry at God.

I received this book compliments of Christian Blog Alliance for my honest review and have been a huge fan of the Love Finds You Series of books for many months now. This one defines the power of learning to trust God's will for you in your life, even if the path you wanted isn't the one He has in store for you. I highly recommend this book with a 5 out of 5 star rating. It will captivate you and capture your heart!

Here's even more great information about the book, the author and where to get a sneak peek into the book.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa Summerside Press (June 1, 2011) by Melanie Dobson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good, and she has now authored nine contemporary and historical novels including Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which releases in November 2011.



Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.



Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.



Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.





ABOUT THE BOOK

With a backdrop of the community of The Amana Colonies, the Civil War, and a great love story, Melanie Dobson’s new historical fiction title LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA both enlightening and entertaining.



The novel is set in the United States during the turmoil of the 1860s. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace with a strong faith in God and pursuit of community, intertwined with hard work, family life and the building of their colony.



Amalie Wiese is travelling to the newly built village of Amana in 1863. When she arrives in the colonies she finds that her fiancée, Friedrich has left to fight with the Union Army. Amalie fears for his safety as she also struggles with his decision to abandon the colony’s beliefs. Matthias, Frederick’s friend, stays back in Amana to work in the colonies. But there is something wrong with Matthias; he always seems angry at Amalie when there is no simple explanation for him to act that way.



The goods that colonies manufacture are much needed supplies for the war effort and Matthias decides to deliver the goods to the soldiers. When he leaves, Amalie realizes that her fear for Matthias’s safety is equally as strong. What will become of Friedrich, will Matthias return safely, and will Amalie marry Friedrich? LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a richly told story of life in the Amana Society and the people who live and love there.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, go HERE.