Review:
Life got increasingly hectic these last few weeks, so I was not able to finish this book. I will post my complete review when I do! But for now, you should all know that from the first page of this book I was drawn in and forced to fall in love with the characters. In the beginning the foundation for a pivotal relationship is laid and I have to say I was right along side Rulon's family telling him that Mary was FAR to young and he needed to just leave her alone. But then you get to know Mary a little bit, and she isn't quite your average almost 15 year old. I'll tell more when I'm done!
Back cover Blurb:
Rulon Owen loves two things more than
life---his country and Mary Hilbrands.
When Virginia secedes from the Union, Rulon enlists, and finds himself
fighting foes both in battle and in his own camp. He struggles to stay
alive against all odds, with a knife-wielding tent-mate and a Union
army that seems impossible to defeat. It will take every ounce of
vigilance he has to survive and, with a little luck, he might make it
home to his wife and the son he's never seen.
Forced to live with her parents for the duration, Mary faces a battle
for independence. With a mother whispering that her husband won't come
home to her and a son who needs her to be both father and mother, Mary
has to dig deep for strength to overcome her overwhelming loneliness
and the unknown future ahead.
Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not
all enemies wear the Union blue.
When Virginia secedes from the Union, Rulon enlists, and finds himself
fighting foes both in battle and in his own camp. He struggles to stay
alive against all odds, with a knife-wielding tent-mate and a Union
army that seems impossible to defeat. It will take every ounce of
vigilance he has to survive and, with a little luck, he might make it
home to his wife and the son he's never seen.
Forced to live with her parents for the duration, Mary faces a battle
for independence. With a mother whispering that her husband won't come
home to her and a son who needs her to be both father and mother, Mary
has to dig deep for strength to overcome her overwhelming loneliness
and the unknown future ahead.
Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not
all enemies wear the Union blue.
Author Bio:
Marsha Ward was born in the sleepy little town of Phoenix,
Arizona, in the southwestern United States; and grew up with chickens, citrus
trees, and lots of room to roam. She became a storyteller at an early age,
regaling her neighborhood friends with her fanciful tales during after-school
snacks. Her love of the 19th Century Western era was reinforced by visits to
her cousins on their ranch, and listening to her father's stories of
homesteading in Old Mexico and in the southern part of Arizona.
Over the years, Marsha became an award-winning poet, writer
and editor, with over 900 pieces of published work, including her acclaimed
novel series featuring the Owen family. She is the founder of American Night
Writers Association, and a member of Western Writers of America and Women
Writing the West. A workshop presenter and writing teacher, Marsha makes her
home in a tiny forest hamlet in Arizona. When she is not writing, she loves to
spoil her grandchildren, travel, give talks, meet readers, and sign books.
Visit her at either her website or one of her blogs!
Buy links:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469074
Author Marsha Ward's Top 10 List
1. I once went on a monkey-watching hike up a river in
Venezuela. When I say “up a river,” I mean mostly “in the river.” We never saw any monkeys.
2. The first piece of writing that I remember completing was
a one-page play about the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada.
3. When I was a teenager, I was in a movie-making club. I
did publicity, made two booklets as the programs for two films, and wrote the
script of a movie. One of our participants was Steven Spielberg.
4. I auditioned for and won a spot in Arizona’s All-State
Choir when I was a freshman in high school, which was unheard of in that time.
5. I had an imaginary friend when I was little. He was—you
guessed it!—a cowboy.
6. I sang a solo with the Tempe Symphony Orchestra in a
performance of John Rutter’s Requiem.
7. My first experience of flying was in a small plane. I
loved the feeling of freedom. Now I won’t fly because of bad experiences with the
TSA.
8. In college, I majored in vocal performance, a.k.a. opera.
9. When I was young, I built a fort with sawhorses and
burlap bags. Don’t tell my mother, but it had a fireplace, and I actually lit a
fire in it one time. It didn’t draw very well.
10. One summer I drove to Montana by myself. Folks thought I
was nuts, but I loved that trip!
Snippet:
Rulon awoke to the touch of a
pinching hand over his mouth and the prick of a knife to his throat under one
ear.
"Get outta yore cot, sissy
boy. We're packin' up to move outta here."
Rulon scarcely breathed. The
knife's tip moved fractionally. Then it lifted a bit, but still made contact
with his skin as it traced a line across his neck toward his other ear. Lovell
hadn't been joking about the danger of this man.
"Von! Leave the man be!"
Lovell's voice barked. "Put that hog-sticker away and prepare to strike the
tent."
The man named Von growled an
obscenity and removed the knife. "He's not our kind. Look at that damned
feather," he said, but backed away, left the tent, and made his noises
outside.
"Whew!" Lovell expelled a
gusty sigh. "I couldn't be sure he would obey me," he said, approaching
to eye Rulon's neck.
By this time, Rulon had arisen and
was dressing in haste.
"He didn't leave you any
permanent damage," his new friend observed. "The sooner we can put him
on a patrol against the Yankees, the sooner he'll be able to do what he loves
best."
"What's that?" asked
Rulon, dreading the answer as he struggled to recover his dignity.
"Killin' folks."
Character Casting
Rulon Owen
Mary Hilbrands
Shailene Woodley
Ben Owen
Liam Hemsworth
Ella Ruth Allen
Dove Cameron
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Thank you for this splendid post, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteLove the actress choices for Mary and Ella Ruth!
DeleteI really searched to get the right ones, Jan.
Delete