Hope Rising (Of Love and War Book 2) by Stacy Henrie
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published
December 16th 2014
by Forever
My Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Description: In France at the height of World War I, American nurse Evelyn Gray is
no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier,
but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be
broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined
to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn
child. Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he
can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts
that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets
Evelyn. Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an
unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them
irrevocably. Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front,
these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the
miracle they've been looking for.
My Review: I read Book 1, Hope at Dawn, about six months ago and really enjoyed it, so I was excited for the chance to read Book 2. To see my review of Hope at Dawn, click here.
Each book in this series can stand alone, which is something that I really enjoy. I haven't read a lot about WWI and enjoyed getting a feel for what that war was like through the eyes of these fictional characters.
Evelyn is a strong woman. Raised by elderly grandparents, she has a knack for nursing and is determined to do what she can to support her country in the war. She is serving in France and finds herself in a forbidden situation--pregnant and unwed. She finds a way out by proposing to an injured solider, Joel, but he's not convinced this is the best solution.
I liked how resourceful Evelyn is. She makes a mistake, but doesn't use her pregnancy as an excuse. She works harder than ever to do her share and does her best to relieve the suffering of injured soldiers. She's very committed to her job and takes her position seriously. She suffers a lot but shows such strength.
Joel is very family-oriented and he doesn't make rash decisions, which is what makes him a good leader. I love the bond that he forms with Louis and the way he is able to find the good in others. Joel isn't one to shy away from a challenge and when he receives devastating news, he takes a few days to take it in and then moves on.
It's hard to find home in times of war and I really enjoyed the way the characters were able to do so. The story was woven together in a very engaging way. The secondary characters were as endearing as the main characters. I'm definitely looking forward to more by Ms. Henrie!
Content: no language; war violence and death that is matter of fact and isn't graphic; unwed pregnancy with no details, kissing. Clean!
Each book in this series can stand alone, which is something that I really enjoy. I haven't read a lot about WWI and enjoyed getting a feel for what that war was like through the eyes of these fictional characters.
Evelyn is a strong woman. Raised by elderly grandparents, she has a knack for nursing and is determined to do what she can to support her country in the war. She is serving in France and finds herself in a forbidden situation--pregnant and unwed. She finds a way out by proposing to an injured solider, Joel, but he's not convinced this is the best solution.
I liked how resourceful Evelyn is. She makes a mistake, but doesn't use her pregnancy as an excuse. She works harder than ever to do her share and does her best to relieve the suffering of injured soldiers. She's very committed to her job and takes her position seriously. She suffers a lot but shows such strength.
Joel is very family-oriented and he doesn't make rash decisions, which is what makes him a good leader. I love the bond that he forms with Louis and the way he is able to find the good in others. Joel isn't one to shy away from a challenge and when he receives devastating news, he takes a few days to take it in and then moves on.
It's hard to find home in times of war and I really enjoyed the way the characters were able to do so. The story was woven together in a very engaging way. The secondary characters were as endearing as the main characters. I'm definitely looking forward to more by Ms. Henrie!
Content: no language; war violence and death that is matter of fact and isn't graphic; unwed pregnancy with no details, kissing. Clean!
Buy links for HOPE RISING:
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1pnwQLn
Books-A-Million: http://bit.
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/
Excerpt:
Evelyn lowered her gaze to the root she’d tripped over rather than continue to stare at her gallant rescuer. “It’s mostly Louis and Pierre who’ve been interested in reading, but they’ve caught on well.” She slid a few more inches away from him, finagling her feet around the gnarled roots. Breathing was difficult with Joel so close.
He shifted to lean his shoulder against the tree trunk. “Is something wrong?”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Are you angry at me? For coming over to the group, instead of staying away like we talked about?” Evelyn flicked a glance at those hazel eyes.
“No, not at all.”
Silence reigned for several heartbeats, then she felt his finger beneath her chin. He gently prodded her head upward until she had to look at him. Her stomach flip flopped as she peered fully into his handsome face. Light fuzz covered his chin and jaw. He needed another shave. A strange, irrational thought that she must be the one to do it filled her mind.
“Are you afraid of something, Evelyn?”
You.
She kept the word sealed inside as her thoughts spiraled like a tornado. What if he didn’t reciprocate these growing feelings? What if he decided not to marry her next week? There’d been times over the last few days when she thought Joel was beginning to soften toward her, even like her. She’d notice a lingering look from him or a smile, but they would disappear as quickly as they came and his manner would return to its usual, kind aloofness. Perhaps she ought to be asking him a similar question. What was he afraid of?
“I’m fine, really.” She swallowed hard. “Just a bit tired is all.”
Instead of releasing her chin as she expected, Joel lowered his gaze to her mouth. The rush of sound in Evelyn’s ears grew as thunderous as a windstorm. Was he going to kiss her? Should she let him?
Yes, her heart cried.
She wanted him to kiss her, had dreamt of this moment She held her breath as Joel leaned forward. Closing her eyes, she waited for his lips to reach hers. Would his kiss be as glorious as she’d imagined? Or better? She felt his breath brush her chin, sending her stomach into another frenzy of flutters.
The sudden blare of horns dropped like a bomb into the quiet of the trees, obliterating their shared moment. Evelyn opened her eyes and turned toward the hospital. “More wounded soldiers.”
Joel straightened, robbing her of the warmth of his closeness. “Which means more surgeries.”
His disappointed tone had her hopes soaring heavenward again. Did it mean he cared? “Yes, it does. Will you watch after Louis for me?”
“I don’t profess to be as good a teacher as you, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
She turned to go, but Joel caught her hand, stopping her retreat.
“Evelyn?”
“Yes?” She wished she didn’t sound so breathless.
Wished she didn’t have to leave him.
He released her hand to brush her cheek with his thumb, heating her skin with the tender touch. “Good luck.”
He shifted to lean his shoulder against the tree trunk. “Is something wrong?”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Are you angry at me? For coming over to the group, instead of staying away like we talked about?” Evelyn flicked a glance at those hazel eyes.
“No, not at all.”
Silence reigned for several heartbeats, then she felt his finger beneath her chin. He gently prodded her head upward until she had to look at him. Her stomach flip flopped as she peered fully into his handsome face. Light fuzz covered his chin and jaw. He needed another shave. A strange, irrational thought that she must be the one to do it filled her mind.
“Are you afraid of something, Evelyn?”
You.
She kept the word sealed inside as her thoughts spiraled like a tornado. What if he didn’t reciprocate these growing feelings? What if he decided not to marry her next week? There’d been times over the last few days when she thought Joel was beginning to soften toward her, even like her. She’d notice a lingering look from him or a smile, but they would disappear as quickly as they came and his manner would return to its usual, kind aloofness. Perhaps she ought to be asking him a similar question. What was he afraid of?
“I’m fine, really.” She swallowed hard. “Just a bit tired is all.”
Instead of releasing her chin as she expected, Joel lowered his gaze to her mouth. The rush of sound in Evelyn’s ears grew as thunderous as a windstorm. Was he going to kiss her? Should she let him?
Yes, her heart cried.
She wanted him to kiss her, had dreamt of this moment She held her breath as Joel leaned forward. Closing her eyes, she waited for his lips to reach hers. Would his kiss be as glorious as she’d imagined? Or better? She felt his breath brush her chin, sending her stomach into another frenzy of flutters.
The sudden blare of horns dropped like a bomb into the quiet of the trees, obliterating their shared moment. Evelyn opened her eyes and turned toward the hospital. “More wounded soldiers.”
Joel straightened, robbing her of the warmth of his closeness. “Which means more surgeries.”
His disappointed tone had her hopes soaring heavenward again. Did it mean he cared? “Yes, it does. Will you watch after Louis for me?”
“I don’t profess to be as good a teacher as you, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
She turned to go, but Joel caught her hand, stopping her retreat.
“Evelyn?”
“Yes?” She wished she didn’t sound so breathless.
Wished she didn’t have to leave him.
He released her hand to brush her cheek with his thumb, heating her skin with the tender touch. “Good luck.”
About the Author:
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Stacy Henrie has always had an
avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in
public relations from Brigham Young University and worked in
communications before turning her attentions to raising
a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an
entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the
chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while
enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st
century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast
and a novice interior decorator.
Stacy’s SM:
@StacyHenrie
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Thanks for reading and reviewing the book, Katie! Loved what you said about the characters finding "home" even in the midst of war.
ReplyDeleteI love your books!! Keep writing! :)
DeleteI'm glad you liked this one! I've been wanting to read it since I first noticed the blog tour.
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything by Ms. Henrie, but that will have to change soon!
Ally @ The Scribbling Sprite
You will love her books! She has a fantastic way of writing that really draws you in, but isn't heavy and depressing. I can't wait to see what you think!
Delete"Lady Outlaw" is the only one my library has, so it looks like I'll start with that one!
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