Between Two Shores

Jocelyn Green is the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King and A Refuge Assured.  Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award and the Golden Scroll.  Jocelyn lives with her family in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

She has always moved between worlds, but now she must choose a side.

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

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not.  But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine.  When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France.  She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

My Thoughts:
Green is an author who caught my attention with her Heroines Behind The Lines (Civil War) series.  Previous to discovering Green's writing I was never a really big fan of historical fiction, but she made me a believer and I have read everything she has written since that series.
Green's latest release, Between Two Shores, is timed during the 1700's surrounding the Seven Year's War.  Green utilizes a bit of time-slip technique to tell Catherine and Samuel's backstory.  This adds such depth to the story.  And while Green does not focus on the romance aspect, Catherine and Samuel's history adds a richness to the overall arc of the story.

"What does it matter what what we are called, when God alone can judge the heart?  Catherine asked.  So she wishes to be called Thankful, the name her parents gave her.  It is all she has left of them.  It is a good name.  Show me the man who would deny her that, and I will show you one who grasps for what is not his to take."

I appreciate the depth of research that is apparent in Green's writing.  This story is told with rich detail in the era culturally, the history of the time period, as well as the thoughts, feelings, and struggle of the characters.

"You lie!"  He reeled the whip back over his shoulder.  Catherine turned her face to the wall, gritting her teeth.  She heard a menacing snap, then another, but felt nothing.  A sharp intake of breath sounded in her ear.  Sam's arms braced on either side of her.  He stood at her back, absorbing the blows that were meant for her.  A scream struggled up her throat but collapsed when another crack split the air.  Sam fell to his knees.  With one yank on her waist, he pulled her down, too, and arched himself over her curled-up form.  His limbs shook as they covered her.  "Stay downn," he whispered, while his blood spilled instead of hers."

So many parts of Between Two Shores resounded the gospel but the one quoted above has played over and over in my mind. Green's writing carries a depth for any lover of historical fiction.  And if you aren't a lover of historical fiction, Green might just change your mind!

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions stated here are my own.

Happy Reading Ya'll,
Jennifer