Wedded To War by Jocelyn Green - REVIEWED

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.

MY THOUGHTS:

“What if your stepping out of formation was actually a step in the right direction?...What a shame it would be if you were always confined to a prescribed number and pattern of steps?”  (p. 258)

Oh dear reader! Don’t miss this phenomenal book!! Journey with Charlotte as she steps out of the formation of affluence into the scene of Civil War. She not only steps into war, she steps into a role historically held by men – the role of a nurse.  That’s right, a nurse.  To be a nurse in the Civil War meant verbal, emotional and sometimes physical abuse as you attempted to care for men with horrific wounds with horrifically little means.  That facet of this story alone is enough to render your heart full of thanksgiving.

But Charlotte’s journey is one of faith, sacrifice, hardship, and trust.   Her needs are not immediately satisfied as she patiently waits on the Lord’s direction in her life.  She steps out of earthly formation to walk in the God ordained path for her life, and God blesses that obedience and changes the course of women in history.  You HAVE to read this story!! You will be so encouraged!

Not only that, you will learn many facts and facets of life during the Civil War that will keep you glued to the pages.  And the prose that Jocelyn Green has mastered in her writing will place you squarely in the moment  in every way – physically, emotionally, spiritually – she can put words on paper that take you into the moment! It is absolutely amazing!! You just HAVE to read this story!

And the exciting thing is, this is the first in a most excellent series! Jocelyn Green is writing fiction that sets a high standard folks!  Her heart is focused on God, and that is evident in her writing! I can’t wait to see what God has planned for her!

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