Thursday, September 20, 2012

Giveaway: Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

I am giving away my gently used copy of this fabulous Civil War novel to a random name draw. Leave a comment with your name and email addy. Contest ends Wednesday Sept 26th.

Jocelyn Green is on my figurative dart board. She has written the consummate portrait of a Civil War nurse, and that riles me, as a long-time student and writer of Civil War era fiction. Her attention to detail and stellar research truly saturate each page of this story. Her debut fiction novel is based on the diary of Georgeanna Woolsey, a young lady of privilege from Manhattan who leaves behind her posh salons and world-class dining and theater to forge the way for women to serve the war effort. So my first dart aimed at this author is, I admit, aimed in pure jealousy, because I long to write with that level of immersion.

But the next dart I aimed, instead of jealousy, is all admiration. She has set the bar high, and I aim to meet it. Her heroine Charlotte Waverly has all the pluck necessary to not only leave her pampered life behind, but to take on the most odious work for the Union Sanitary Commission, all under intense persecution from men who view women like her as interlopers, inept and easily dismissed. the background story of love interests, courtship, social and gender prejudices, and of course epic war, keep the tension sizzling on every page.

My dart arsenal fires again for the romance thread--a dead bullseye. She creates a wonderful hero in Caleb Lansing, Charlotte's long-time friend who now serves as a Federal army surgeon. Though we don't get to see him much due to Charlotte's engrossing story and a full cast of characters and subplots, Caleb's presence is felt throughout. He is the one she longs for, the one who represents comfort and goodness and the pursuit of her dreams. His acceptance and encouragement of her avocation in a world dominated by men makes him truly heroic--the reader will keep going to the very end to see how they overcome courtship rivalry, war logistics, sickness, and their own insecurities to find their happily ever after.

And finally, one last dart aimed at Ms. Green's way of making each character three dimensional and sympathetic--even the antagonistic Mr. Phineas Hastings. I loved her treatment of the Irish immigrant, Ruby, whose husband serves in the NY "Fighting" 69th. Since my own great grandfather John Cronin served in the 69th it held personal interest to me. Glimpses into Frederick Law Olmsted, the head of the Sanitary Commission, and also the hospital chaplain Edward Goodrich add dimension to the story.

This really is a must read for any student of the Civil War, of women's rights, and of the advent of modern medicine. Meticulously researched and engaging, Wedded to War hits the mark on every score.

CONGRATULATIONS, Jes, your name has been drawn by random.org generator to win our giveaway! I will be emailing you shortly.

32 comments:

  1. I really enjoy Civil War stories. This sounds like a wonderful read.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for visiting, rubynreba! I hope you get a chance to read this. you won't be sorry!

      Delete
  2. Kathleen, your review was both generous and creative! :) And I just read in your profile that you have two Newfoundland dogs... there is a Newfoundland dog named Major in Widow of Gettysburg, a rescued regimental mascot! Your home sounds lovely, I wish I lived closer because I would love to come visit and chat about all things writing and Civil War. :) Thanks again so much for the wonderful review and for hosting a give-away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ahhhh, a Newfie! We have GOT to get out of each other's heads! heehee this is getting scary. Civil War and now my favorite breed. :D I hope if you ever do make it up this way, you'll come and we'll have that cup of coffee together. And I'll show you all the cool historical sites. No darts. Pinky promise!

      Delete
  3. I also enjoy civil war stories and I love finding new authors! I'd love to win this one!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. so glad you found us, Liz. This book has it all--you'll be so glad you read it. Good luck!

      Delete
  4. Nice Review, although a there are a few darts... :-) Sounds like an interesting story.

    tina_pinson@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for stopping in, Tina. We're having a Civil War jamboree, between you and Jocelyn and me. EVERYBODY--check out Tina's books, set during the CW, too. I have them reviewed on other posts here. :)

      Delete
  5. Oh I am SO HAPPY for any civil war fiction. :Lovely to see this, Kathy. Thank you. I'm putting it on my wishlist so please put me in the drawing as well!

    debraemarvin (at) yahooooo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you've got it, Debra. Much of this book deals with New York state history, so it's one you're definitely not going to want to miss!

      Delete
  6. I have been wanting to read this for a while now!!! I have heard it's good.

    Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez

    amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com

    Acts 16:31 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for entering, Amada. Best of luck to you!

      Delete
  7. I love historical fiction that has anything to do with the Civil War, that it is connected to medicine is a great bonus. I am thrilled to hear about this book and especially that it is so well researched!!!


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you came, Carol. CW is my all-time favorite period, and historical fiction is such a great way to bring it to life. I know you will treasure this book, as it does indeed breathe life into that great chapter in history. Good luck to you!

      Delete
  8. I love Civil War era books. I live in Springfield, Mo and the 1st battle west of the Mississippi was fought a few miles from here and the battlefield is now a National Battlefield Park. I'd love to win Wedded to War. Count me in! spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, spangldlady. My husband went to Evangel College out in Springfield back in the day. Some day I want to go out and visit his old stomping grounds. :)
      Thanks for visiting the blog, and best of luck to you in the drawing.

      Delete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This book sounds wonderfully intriguing. You always write such captivating reviews! I've been wanting to pick up a copy of this first in her series.

    Carlagade@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, Carla! you talented girls make it so easy to write fun reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  12. My grand daughter loves history. I would love to win this for her and also read myself. Love the cover.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan, so glad to have you stop in! That's wonderful that your granddaughter appreciates history. What a treasure she must be! Wishing you good luck! :) And it is a nice cover, isn't it? That heroine just speaks to you, doesn't she?

      Delete
  13. This sounds good, and I like the cover photo. Hoping I can win.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Maxie! So nice to have you visit. Yes, the cover phot looks so authentic, almost like she traveled in time to tell us her story. :) Good luck!

      Delete
  14. Any story set in the Civil War is a must read! I would loved to have a chance to win :)
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Samantha. This one, especially. Good luck!

      Delete
  15. I know if you loved it that this is a great story. thanks for the great review. As always you do a super job. AND congratulations on your Genesis win!!!! Another Civil War novel that I expect to see in print very soon!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. thank you for that shout-out, Debbie Lynne! I'm floating on cloud ninety-nine. <3

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm still trying to win this, hehe. I think I should get an extra entry, Kathleen, just because, well, you know, LOL. :-p Congrats again!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Welcome, Nancy! Thank you for visiting, and I'm sure you deserve a great deal more than that. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a wonderful read! Thanks for your review - it certainly has made me want to read this novel!

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jes I do hope you get a chance to read it.

      Delete
  20. CONGRATULATIONS to Jes, who has been selected by random.org name generator as our winner as of 3:30 this afternoon. I will be emailing you shortly, Jes with details.

    Thank you all for visiting, and happy reading to you!

    ReplyDelete