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| GIVEAWAY |
THE MARK OF THE KING
Life in this new world requires more strength than she ever imagined
After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.
New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?
With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace -- and love -- can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.
My Review:
Wickedly intense. Enthralling. There were times I had to set this book aside because I just couldn't take any more. But I always returned to it after a few fortifying breaths because how could I leave Julianne in that predicament? Or the next one? Or the next?
Mercy, but I'm amazed that this area got settled. Still confused as to why the French wanted to claim it in the first place when they didn't support their troops. The historical information is intriguing and frustrating and unbelievable. How did women survive childbirth? (beware to the faint of heart -- the midwifery details are...detailed!) Only the strong survived -- and then by the grace of God! And don't get me started on the lack of women's rights and the barbaric actions of some of the soldiers. Goodness, but my emotions were all over the place as I devoured this book.
Marc-Paul stands out as a man of dignity and honor. Strict, legalistic, he serves his country devoutly. But he also learns the true meaning of grace as he draws closer to the Lord. And that softens him in delightful ways.
Julianne is strength personified. Defiant. Determined. Unstoppable. She is a survivor -- and the things she survives -- truly unimaginable. How a loving author could treat a heroine so...it's shameful, that's what. :-)
Rife with drama, heavy with sorrow but lifted by faith, The Mark of the King a sweeping tale of love and loss and second chances.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publications and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
Giveaway Opportunity:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Mark of the King please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 12 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!
I was SO looking forward to your review on this one Kav! I've seen all the buzz about it on social media and blogs galore...to say the least, it's on my most wanted list...and I'm not talking criminal either...haha!! Unless you consider it criminal to NOT read this of course ;-)
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
This is another one that caught my attention during Reader's Choice week. And yes, it would be criminal for you not to read it. Good luck, Trixi.
DeleteI'd love to win Mark of the King!
ReplyDeletemisshoneybee AT gmail DOT com
Good luck, Melissa.
DeleteIt's fantastic, Kate. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteIf it's got remotely the detail that Wedded to War and her other Civil War books have, it has to be amazing!
ReplyDeleterachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com
I've never read anything by this author before but yes, incredibly rich in detail. Good luck, Rachael.
DeleteLove, loss and second chances....I'm all in on this one! Great review, Kav!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Melanie. Good luck.
DeleteTo begin with, what an interesting setting which becomes of even more historical significance through the 1700's and 1800's. I have touched on this a little bit through genealogy research. I have not read this author, either, but this sounds a wonderful opportunity and excellent book. Thanks. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteIt's a really interesting setting. The land was so inhospitable and so foreign to what the French immigrants knew. It just boggles my mind. But I guess once you get all the way there on a ship for however long it takes it's not like you can just turn around and go back because you don't like it. :-) Good luck, CC.
DeleteCool new author to check out. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDefinitely check her out, Kim. I'm going to be looking into her backlist. Good luck.
DeleteSounds intense! Good review.
ReplyDeletedianemestrella at gmail dot com
Good luck, Diane.
DeleteI want to win this one so bad I can hardly stand it! :) Thanks, Kav, for offering it!
ReplyDeleteckbarker at gmail dot com
YOu reall do, Cheryl. LOL Good luck.
DeleteWould love to win this!
ReplyDeleteThanking you,
Lydia
littemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom
Good luck, Lydia.
DeleteSounds like an amazing read. Thanks so much for your review.
ReplyDeletepwestfall7 at hotmail dot com
It really is, Pam. Good luck.
DeleteTotally on my must-read list.
ReplyDeletemindyhoungATmsnDOTcom
Good luck, Mindy.
DeleteJocelyn Green's books are excellent, so rich with historical detail and complex characters. Since I really loved her Civil War series, I had to read The Mark of the King. I certainly was not disappointed. No need to enter me in the drawing since I already have the book. It's a keeper for sure.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to hunt down that Civil War series. Thanks for the recommend, Pam, and your chiming in on this book.
DeleteI have not read any books by this author. This sounds really intense and I would like to read it. Good review.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Thanks, rubynreba. Good luck.
DeleteWow! What a review! I was one of those who had entered this book as a reader's choice during your giveaway. I follow Jocelyn's blog and have for awhile, because of her military (enlisted and vets) ministry. When I saw that she was writing this new book, I was blown away by the synopsis alone. The only reason I haven't yet read it yet is reviews like yours stating the emotional intensity. I know I will like it, but I have to be ready. I got it from the library once, but I wasn't ready to read it before it had to go back. This is one of those books that I want to own so that I have the freedom to pick up and read whenever the mood strikes. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI get where you're coming from. I had to take breathers after some scenes or dreading where things were going to go next. The author doesn't pull any punches and she doesn't sugarcoat history. Good luck, Terrill.
DeleteAbsolutely loved this one. Good luck ladies.
ReplyDeleteYay -- another fan.
DeleteI'm sold! SO looking forward to this!
ReplyDeleteElly -Indiana-
Good luck, Elly.
DeleteIt sounds fantastic, hope to get a chance to read it
ReplyDeletejslbrown2009 at aol dot com
I hope you do too, Lisa. Good luck.
DeleteThis sounds like a really good historical fiction. And very well research too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!
samanthabis23 at gmail dot com
It's incredibly well done. Good luck, Samantha.
DeleteLove her writing. teshaw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Tammie.
DeleteThis book looks so good! I've got to read it this year. :)
ReplyDeletevisionwriter2 at gmail dot com
Good luck, Amber.
DeleteI'm so excited to read a book about history in the southern U.S! I admit that I haven't had a chance to learn much about what was going on in the south during the 1700s. I think that it would be so fascinating!! Mylittlebirdie (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteFascinating but mind-blowing too. I just can't fathom having that kind of gumption. Good luck, Karen.
DeleteLooks wonderful truckredford (at)Gmail Dot COm
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Truck.
DeleteI have heard awesome things about this book! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteduhpaynes(at)gmail(dot)com
You're welcome, Anne. Good luck.
DeleteI have been hearing about this book quite a lot. I would love to see if it is as good as I keep hearing. Thanks for the chance to win Kav. iamabho (at) gmail (.) com
ReplyDeleteIt's created quite a stir in cyberspace, hasn't it? Good luck, Linda.
DeleteYes It Has. Thanks
DeleteThe historic detail in this novel was so impressive. I learned a great deal!
ReplyDeleteDianna
I know -- amazing stuff. The author must have a time travel machine.
DeleteHello everyone! First, thanks for reading, reviewing, and holding a give-away for The Mark of the King! I'm busily writing the next novel right now, but what a delight to find this post this morning! I wish you all luck, and may I suggest that if you don't happen to win and you can't buy it for yourself, feel free to request that your library purchase a copy. I hope you all can read it!
ReplyDeleteYes -- it would make a great addition to a library collection! Thanks for stopping by, Jocelyn.
DeleteI've read this book, and I agree with you in wondering how this area ever got settled!
ReplyDeleteI loaned my copy of this book to my mother and she already seems to have misplaced it=(
I would love another copy for my keeper shelf#
Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh dear that's where the proverb "neither a borrower nor a lender be" holds true. This is definitely one for the keeper shelf. Good luck, Patty.
DeleteKAV, I love your review! This on is on my must read list. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Good luck, Caryl.
DeleteI can hardly wait to read this one! Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Donna. Good luck.
DeleteSounds like a great read, and a quite intense one! I was nervous for Julianne just from reading your review! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway.
melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com
Oh my goodness -- you have every reason to be nervous! Good luck, Melody.
DeleteSounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteCount me in, please.
janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Janka.
Delete