There’s great research in this book and the author did a great job of incorporating it into the story. Her writing style is beautiful. Her characters were well-defined and I appreciated the strong, intelligent, and compassionate women who were the main characters in this story. I had a little trouble following the storyline with the flashbacks, but this is still a good novel. It represents the Christian historical fiction genre very well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I put this novel down because I felt as though it was just filled with too many historical details for my brain to take in. But since I hadn't been feeling well while reading, I decided to give it another shot. Beautifully written, but I feel as though historical description should never take over the plot. I found myself skimming and although the characters were intriguing, this book just didn't do it for me. The author's research was impeccable and I regret deeply that I didn't enjoy the novel more.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.

One thing you can always expect from Jocelyn Green’s novels is the attention to historical detail. That goes for her newest book Between Two Shores. This book is about a woman named Catherine. She is both Mohawk and French. It is the year 1759 and her world is in the midst of the French and Indian War. When she was a child, she decided to leave her village and care for her father. She helps run trade throughout the area with both the French and the British. When the man she loved randomly appears after being gone for years, it flips her world upside down. She is torn between helping and ending the war or ignoring him and going on with her life. That is until someone tries to have him killed. Will she risk her life to help him escape? The more important question is, how will she protect her heart from being broken again?

Like I said earlier, the historical detail in this book is absolutely extraordinary! Readers can tell that the author devoted so much time into studying the history of this time period. The characters are fantastic as well. They are all so complex! Especially, Catherine. She spends the entire book trying to figure out where she fits in this world. I love how the book goes into depth about the Mohawk culture and her transition to French life. My only issue is that most of the story is detail and backstory. The real plot really doesn’t start until more than halfway through the book. I do love the detail but I was hoping for more plot development.

However, once the plot picks up the book is difficult to put down! I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. The characters are phenomenal and really showcase the strength of women. The ending is unusual for this genre but completely satisfying!

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for a copy of the book!

Jocelyn Green’s exquisite descriptive prose never ceases to delight and amaze me. Between Two Shores is another fantastic story that drew me right in and kept me captive to the end. The rich historical detail and beautiful descriptions, along with the magnificent complex characters, made for a riveting read. Green captured the essence of Catherine Duval’s experience in living between different cultures, and her search for belonging and fulfillment. The other characters were also vividly drawn and layered, and it was fascinating to delve into their personalities and interactions with others.

I admired the courage of Catherine and Samuel. “What is courage,” he said, “but moving forward in the face of fear? If there was nothing to be afraid of, we would have no need to be brave.” Their bravery astounded me at times, and made me realize all the sacrifices the early settlers of this continent made for their freedom. I learned so much about the history of Canada and America during the French and Indian War while I was reading this story.

This is a tale of courage, faith, forgiveness, and importance of family. Family relations and obligations are a compelling force in the story, and Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and Joseph, along with other characters, are confronted with hard decisions in balancing love and duty in their families. I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction. It’s an excellent read and is bound for my keeper shelf. It will definitely be among my top reads of the year.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley/author. All opinions are my own.

If you love historical fiction that really grips the emotions, make sure you get yourself a copy of this book. You will NOT be disappointed. Catherine Duval—or Catherine Stands-Apart, as she is known to her Mohawk sister and brother—is a compelling character in every circumstance of her life, and she lives at a time when war is having a devastating impact on soldier and civilian alike.

As if that weren’t enough, Catherine not only undertakes a perilous physical journey; she also embarks on a gruelling emotional journey as she works through the sudden reappearance of her ex-fiancè, the ongoing tension within her own family, and the ache of trying to work out where she truly belongs. I definitely pulled out the tissues a couple of times in this one—and actually felt like I’d had my own heart cut out at one point—but there is something incredibly satisfying about walking alongside a character who faces all of that and comes out stronger for it.

And Catherine’s wasn’t the only story that touched me. There were several secondary characters in this novel who had also suffered loss—often in extremely traumatic circumstances—and it was impossible not to become invested in their stories, even though they’re only experienced from Catherine’s point of view. How do you learn to forgive the people who killed your parents in one of the most brutal manners possible? How do you continue living when so many you love are taken away? And how do you go on when you’ve lost everything you hoped for?

“Healing comes with a price, and I’m afraid the price is pain. Beyond that, however, is wholeness.” That is the truth that’s woven through this story and lived out by its characters. And in Jocelyn Green’s hands, you’re also guaranteed a well-researched and gripping historical read. I’m not sure what else you could ask for.

To be completely honest, when I discovered Between Two Shores was listed as Historical fiction and not solely labeled a love story, my romance-addict brain entertained some doubts. But then, I considered the author. I trusted Jocelyn Green’s storytelling panache. I knew she would take me on an incredible journey that would be as memorable as it is engaging. And at the risk of sounding smug, I have to say I was totally right! This story is achingly beautiful.

I’ve never really struggled writing reviews for stories, but this one, oh this one made me pause. I can easily rattle off the standard—It’s fabulous! Glad I read it!—but Between Two Shores isn’t your standard story. No, there’s something about it. The prose is lyrical, the descriptions are vivid, the characters burrow into your heart and remain with you. It’s like the moment you reach The End, you realize you’re not the same as when you had started reading—your soul’s refreshed. Yes, it’s fiction, but the strokes of grace are indelibly brushed on your heart.

Catherine is a character not to be forgotten. Her journey is an emotional experience, much more than just words on a page. It’s felt. The reader feels her self-sacrifice, bears the depths of her wounds, but also lives that pivotal moment where unconditional love—one that’s greater than any hurt —becomes the pillar of her existence. Oh this story!!!

Samuel is the epitome of loyalty. One who always endeavors to protect, to accomplish what is right even to his own momentary pain. He has some beautiful lines of wisdom, such as:

“God is not hemmed in by church or chapel. He does not belong to priests alone. He is no respecter of the lines drawn between nations, armies, or empires, but lives within you, wherever you are. You cannot get away from Him. He is here because He dwells in you. Do not be afraid.”

These characters, friends!!! Each carry their own story. Their own scars and victories. I’ve learned so much from each of them.

I’m grateful for authors who take risks with their storytelling because it’s between those pages where we, as readers, grow. Develop right alongside the characters. Thank you, Jocelyn Green, for penning another novel that nestled its way into my heart.

*I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

Jocelyn Green’s meticulous historical research meets with lush prose in her latest release, Between Two Shores. Catherine Stands-Apart Duval makes the choice as a young girl to live with her French father when her Mohawk mother dies. She often regrets her decision.

Her choice alienates her from her siblings and her mother’s people and although she yearns for the Papa she knew as a child, she seldom sees him. He sends her across the river to Montreal to a school that promises to take the ‘savage’ out of her. When that fails, he begrudgingly allows her to stay home and help him at his trading post.

The one person who makes life bearable, Samuel Crane, understands Catherine’s balancing act between two cultures. His life changed forever when raiders kill his parents and carry him off captive to Canada—where Catherine’s father pays a ransom for him. Over the years, he and Catherine become soul mates.

But then he disappears, taking all of Catherine’s dreams of love and family with him. When he shows up again, France and England have turned the area into a battlefield. But this time, he wants Catherine to guide him on a journey that turns her into an enemy of the state.

I found this story compelling for so many reasons. First of all, Green challenges the notion that Native Americans were the only ‘savage’ people living during this time and place—a more realistic view of history than many books about this era present. She teaches readers about the different customs and ways of seeing that different Native tribes embrace.

For the most part, she identifies Native Americans by their tribe name rather than the general term ‘Indian’ (which would be akin to thinking that everyone from the European continent has a ‘European’ passport).

Furthermore, she avoids the epic love story trope while at the same time presenting the readers with the most epic love story of all.

A brilliantly colourful narrative, Green proves once more that there is no genre or time period she cannot hold ransom with her distinctive ability.

Ambitious and bold, Between Two Shores employs the literary sensibilities of Lori Benton and the sweepingly epic tendencies of Laura Frantz. The Canadian wilderness in all of its elusive, craggy and harsh beauty is mined with grace and colour, surrendering itself as easy canvas to Green's adept prose.


This is a treatise on the many forms of love and resilience. It takes the CBA historical tropes and turns them on their ear. A fascinating and dimensional character, Catherine is the stronghold of a plot at times treacherous and hopeful. A magnificent feat, Green has (yet again) carved herself a place as one of the most dimensional, surprising and worthy wordsmiths in the inspirational industry.

"There are many kinds of hurt. What you're describing now is the hurt of healing. when the body knits itself back together, it's a kind of magic no surgeon can reproduce. But there is pain in the process. It will pass. Healing comes with a price, and I'm afraid the price is pain. Beyond that, however, is wholeness."

Oh, this book. Such a masterful storytelling of the heartbreak, suffering, and poignant ache of loss during war. And yet, there is much tenderness as the story unfolds to reveal maturation of faith and outlook on life and focuses on the strength in love and forgiveness. Jocelyn Green brings the latter part of the Seven Year War between France and Britain to life with great historical detail and the research that went into creating this story is quite impressive. As expected from the author, the writing is exquisite, the plot and flow of the narrative are flawless, the integration of faith into the story line is seamless, and the characters are unforgettable even long after the last page has been read.

Catherine Stands Apart, the heroine, is half Mohawk and half French. She's a strong, independent, loyal, intelligent, skilled, and compassionate woman who tries to bridge the gap between the Mohawk and French cultures. Samuel is someone whom Catherine loved a long time ago when he was an indentured servant in her father's employ. He becomes a British prisoner of war and becomes indentured again to Catherine's father when he begs Catherine to help him get intel to his British army to try to end the war. Samuel, despite his past mistakes and failings, is faithful, loyal, and true to himself. Even though the reunion is difficult emotionally and demands more than Catherine thinks she can sacrifice, Catherine does what she believes is the right thing and becomes a woman she didn't think she could be at the end of the journey.

From the title to the epilogue, the beauty and soul lessons found in the pages of this book will grip your heart and not let go. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This was one of my favorite books I have ever read. I love the history and the strong female characters. This book has some surprising twists to it. I did not want to put this book does. This was a time period that I had not read too much about and found very interesting. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I have enjoyed Jocelyn Green’s books in the past—they are often unique in their settings, characters, and time periods. This story is no exception; it is beautifully written and speaks to the deep emotional need we all have to feel like we belong somewhere, and the painful places we sometimes visit in the quest to find home.

The characters are vivid, layered, and drastically imperfect. I swear they take on flesh and bone within these pages and evoke emotions so strong that my heart wrenched with the sorrows and betrayals that Catherine experienced; I wanted to defend her from those who would harm her, avenge the wrongs she endured, give the poor woman a hug and cry with her as her life was reduced to ashes around her, not once but multiple times.

There are no easy answers within these pages, including spiritual questions about why God doesn’t always protect those we love from suffering terribly. The realism is often harsh and uncomfortable, but those who have experienced difficult things will likely appreciate that the author never tries to offer cliché platitudes that often do more harm but are the only words we can find to comfort those in pain. It is relatable, even though most of us will thankfully never experience this degree of it.

Set against the backdrop of war and hunger, this book is a difficult read and one I recommend for those 16 years and up due to the thematic elements. This book remains clean of language and non-graphic in even in battle scenes, but the content can be disturbing, especially for those who have suffered abuse or experienced battle.

This novel is a heartbreaking exploration of family, the good and the bad, the expectations and duties, the knowing and acceptance. Setting it during a difficult period in history only serves to heighten the internal anguish the characters experience. It is a book about healing old wounds even as new ones try to scar the soul, forgiving the past and living in the present. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially to those who have an interest in the Seven Years’ War or the French and Indian War.

I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

Time for another disclaimer — I do not have adequate words to describe just how amazing Between Two Worlds is. This book is nothing like what I thought it would be — it is BETTER! Between Two Worlds is a phenomenal Christian, feminist, historical novel that absolutely must be experienced. It does NOT follow the Historical Romance pattern. It beautifully and masterfully turns that pattern on its head.

What makes a hero a hero? To me, a fictional hero is a male character who represents some of the best aspects of manhood. He is completely realistic and deals with actual flaws, but he is a man who behaves the best a man can. For me, a hero is a man who is strong in his moral/ethical views, he loves God with his whole heart, he knows he has flaws and wants to work on them to better himself, he pays attention to details and then acts on those details, he protects others even at cost to himself, and he genuinely cares. Regardless of the man’s physical features, these characteristics make the hero the handsomest of men. In Between Two Shores, the hero seems to be Samuel Crane. He is handsome, he has a goal he needs to meet, and he does seem to care about others. And, at the beginning, it appears that Samuel is the heroine’s love interest. I will admit though that Samuel frustrated me hard! Meeting his goal, no matter the cost to anyone, is Samuel’s main prerogative. As I was reading, I kept waiting for Samuel to be that true hero, but I never felt he reaches this status. In fact, he is awfully selfish and self-focused. Then I was stumped. What is Green doing in this book, and what is she saying about heroes? And, who is the hero of this story?

Then, it dawned on me! Catherine is both hero and heroine in this fabulous story. Catherine is one of the most amazing characters I’ve ever read. She is beautiful, intelligent, resilient, and strong. Catherine is the kind of strong that is both physical and mental, but she is also incredibly vulnerable. There are several moments in this novel that broke me, and my mom-heart desperately wanted to hug Catherine hard and fix all the broken things for her. Have tissue when you read this book. But I digress … back to my hero topic. Catherine is literally everything I defined in the paragraph above. She has a strong code of ethics, she loves God and tries to follow His path for her even when she is not sure about herself or God, she pays attention to details and then acts accordingly, and she genuinely cares about the lives of others (sometimes to her detriment, but isn’t that what we women do?). I love that Catherine is the hero, but what is Green trying to teach us readers through this fact? Here’s the BEST part of this book! Many times in this story, it’s just Catherine and God. There is no one else to help her or save her. I believe this is the number one goal of this fabulous book: with God, we women are the heroes in our own stories. No woman needs a man, BUT we all need God. With God by our side we can truly accomplish ANYTHING, even being the women our men need! I cannot tell you how refreshing it was for me to read a book that gives women back their true power. And the best part, it’s not at the cost of men. Too many “feminists” today want to hurt men. This novel celebrates women. It does not tear men down.

I once heard an American Lit professor say, “America was founded on the backs of women, slaves, and indigenous peoples.” This statement has stuck with me ever since, and I believe it is true for pretty much every community and country on this earth, especially Montreal in 1759. The sheer amount of back-breaking work Green illustrates women doing in order to provide for their families and survive the harsh realities of life during this time is exceptionally eye opening. Everything was put on the shoulders of women, and this workload seems to triple with war occurring. I was exhausted going through a single day with Catherine, and then subsequently grateful that my day is nothing like hers. What I really love in Between Two Shores is the picture of female solidarity and strength. Knowing that there is another woman to count on for physical, emotional, and mental help means being able to get through really hard events. Watching Bright Star, Thankful, and Catherine support one another in various and unique ways is beautiful. It made me even more grateful for my personal female friends. Each one of my dear friends has a unique strength, intelligence, and beauty that I know I can draw from through good times, bad times, and in-between times. Between Two Shores made me realize how blessed I am in my female relationships.

I legitimately could go on and on for days talking about this novel. I haven’t even brought up Joseph Many Feathers — arguably the BEST male character in this beautiful novel. But, I am so giddy about this book I know I am bound to spoil something. So, I will just add that I highly (times infinity) recommend this FANTASTIC novel. I believe Between Two Shores is a #MustRead for 2019 and every other year after that. Purchase a copy of this stellar novel today. You will not be disappointed that you did.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook and paperback form from the author via her publisher, Bethany House Publishers. The eBook was supplied via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Between Two Shores is rich in historical details and diverse characters. It is a book that makes you think about the realities of war, sometimes with grisly details. I never knew who I could trust with the secondary characters, so it kept me guessing of what was next throughout the whole story. I did struggle a bit in the first half to get my bearings where the story was and what was actually happening and when, since it alternated between the current story and a couple back stories with the same characters. The characters were so well done that I really dislike some and others I want to know more about and hope they get their own stories some day! The settings were described so well, I felt like I was out in the wilderness and on the rivers with Catherine. This is not a love story, this is a powerful story of life and hardships during war.

Jocelyn Green takes us back to the 18th century, when America was split between France and Great Britain and the two countries fought over the land. Between Two Shores is set entirely in the land we now know as the province of Quebec, in Canada, and covers a period of time leading up to the pivotal Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. At this time, the Mohawk were still allied with France although the people were beginning to distrust the French. Catherine Duval is undoubtedly caught between her French and Mohawk families, but she isn’t the only one. Her father owns a young man and a girl – both English – that he redeemed after they were captured by Indian raiding parties and the French.

There’s a fair old chunk of history within these pages. As someone born and raised in England, who never knew about this time period, I didn’t know that the French and Indian War (to which I was introduced when living in western Pennsylvania) was part of the larger Seven Years War. The struggle between the British and the French would ultimately involve numerous land swaps around the world, but the focus here is purely on Quebec, the effects the larger war had on the area, and the difficulty in staying neutral. Catherine’s wish of wanting the war to end will force her to make hard decisions and re-evaluate the importance of various people in her life.

There are incidents in the narrative that will make the reader recoil or shudder. The Mohawk were brutal to their perceived enemies. But the actions of the French and British soldiers don’t make for pleasant reading at times either. Then there is the description of the battle, and battles are never pretty. Jocelyn Green has created characters that will surprise and shock you with their behavior. Just when you think you have someone figured out, they do something to throw you off. There was one character I never warmed to; a tribute to Green’s writing skill. I was also surprised by the non-traditional ending. Skip ahead to it and you’ll be disappointed. You might not even want to read the entire book, which would be a shame. Personally, I’d like to see more of Catherine’s life after the epilogue.

Thank you to Bethany House and Jocelyn Green for my complimentary copy of Between Two Shores.

Caught between two worlds

My rating is 4.5 stars

Between Two Shores is a rich historical tale of a woman who has never quite fit in. I was touched by her desire to be enough, to be loved for who she was and respected for the choices she made. After the death of her mother, she chose to live with her father and thus alienated her sister. Her feelings of inadequacy were compounded by the realization that her father always compared her to a daughter he had lost - one who was wholly French and wholly loved. His cruel treatment of her when he was drunk was endured by this tenderhearted woman who held on to a handful of moments when he showed her kindness.

I loved Catherine's younger brother, Joseph, who showed such deep love for her as he continued to seek after her protection and care. As a full-blooded Mohawk, he made for a very interesting secondary character.

Though they were not mentioned in detail, I was reminded anew of the sacrifices that the Jesuit priests made when they came to the wilderness of North America amidst the savage tribes who inhabited the land. The image of the mission in the midst of a camp with streets lined with poles proudly displaying scalps gave me a new appreciation of the things they would have seen an endured as they sought to bring the Gospel to a people who had never heard.

As Catherine navigated the waters of a country at war, she learns the need for forgiveness and that love is not a trade. And she comes to realize the love of ""the Great Good God"" has made her complete.

The battle that she fought regarding the choices she was faced with was intense — is it right to help the enemy in order to end suffering?

Readers should be aware that as a war story, some gruesome situations are described, though not in great detail. The cruel practices of the tribes in this area are also described, again, not in great detail. It is not a pretty story and yet it is beautiful with a satisfying conclusion.


Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House, for the read of Jocelyn Green, Between Two Shores.

Between Two Shores is a heart-homerun for me. What a journey through time.

I am very familiar with Quebec. It has an incredible history, so I appreciated the very accurate historical details depicted of the time of the French and Indian War, and the gruesome realities of it. They were almost too realistic. Kudos.

Catherine Stands-Apart, half French Canadian and half Mohawk, is brave, proud and torn between her two cultures. Neither accepts her. Deciding to live with her more-drunk-than-not, French Canadian father, sets her on a life path that is at times dangerous, almost always heart-wrenching, yet her bravado is to cheer for.

Samuel is not the typical love interest. Does he deserve the choice she makes to help rescue him? I was torn in so many ways. As in, talking to the book torn.

There are many worthy, genuine characters. Excellent world building. Story lines that just twist and turn and take you by surprise.

If you’re a historical fiction lover, you must read this book.

If you’re not a historical fiction lover, you must read this book, regardless.

Loved it. Highly recommended.

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in my review are my very own.

Jocelyn Green masterfully makes history come alive. In this story of Montreal in the mid 1700's, she brings the sights, smells, and sounds of the fur trade to life. The tension between the French, the British, the natives, and others is not well understood by most today. Shows like Frontier have helped, but Green makes the story much more personal.

This book features Catherine Stands Apart Duval, a woman with a French father and Mohawk mother, as she tries to find her place in a world that is hostile to those with mixed heritage. After her mother dies, she goes to live with her father (a mean drunk) to help him manage a fur trading post. The truths Green has discovered about life on the Canadian frontier are both fascinating and at times horrifying. From beatings to 'remove the savage' at a boarding school to the enslavement of people caught up in the wrong side of the war, this is a raw story that demonstrates the true grit and courage of people of the time.

Green never sugar-coats history -- she portrays the difficulties of life in a way that transports the reader to the center of a battlefield, the middle of a suffering town, or even down the river in a peaceful early morning canoe trip. She highlights the ways God provides opportunity to find joy and repair broken relationships in the midst of devastation.

Please note this is NOT historical romance, and that makes the book even better! There is no typical sense of who will woo whom that is predictable and sappy. This story is about the difficulties of family life in a frontier world, the joys found in hard work and companionship, and moving beyond heartbreak to make a difference in the world.

This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in strong female characters, accurate historical accounts, and an understanding of what life was really like in a complicated period of time. I really appreciated Green's appendix that gave more background to the time and clarified the truth from fiction in her book.

Between Two Shores, written by Christy Award winner Jocelyn Green, takes place in Canada during the Seven Years' War, and the battle for Quebec. This book intrigued me from the beginning as I loved Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green and being Canadian I was eager to learn more about a time in my Country's history. I had a hard time getting into it. It didn't grab me from the start like Mark of the King and I wasn't truly invested in the story until Part 2. Parts of the story are downright gruesome, but they needed to be in order to accurately depict the time period and circumstances surrounding the battle for Quebec. Although I didn't always enjoy reading these portions of the story I appreciated that Jocelyn Green included them in such detail because they added authenticity and depth to the story. War isn't pretty or romantic.

Between Two Shores is not your typical historical romance. Instead of romantic love the theme is sacrificial love. Sacrificial love between families, between friends and between God and those He created and chose as His own. Relationships in this story did not turn out the way I had anticipated, everything was not wrapped up with a neat little bow, but that is also what makes this story so authentic - real life is definitely not neatly wrapped. Catherine was a was woman caught between two shores, forced to make difficult choices and challenged to love, forgive and serve her family and her country even when it was not a "fair trade". A great writer writes hard things and allows hard things to happen to their beloved characters. Jocelyn Green is one of the greats! I can't wait to read more from Jocelyn Green!

Between Two Shores will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer February 5, 2019.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of Between Two Shores. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book was everything and nothing that I anticipated. I’ve come to expect great stories and beautiful writing from Jocelyn Green and she delivered, but she also gave me such a wonderful surprise along the way. This book veers away from the pattern of its genre and was all the more beloved for that reason.

Catherine-Stands-Apart was a character that I could root for. She experiences many of the same struggles that people still face today. Pleasing others to the detriment of yourself, the heartache that can come with love and acting for the greater good. The motivations that drive her felt east to relate to. I understood her reactions to the world around her and the actions of others. As a woman of the fur trade she was afforded greater independence without sacrificing historical accuracy and that was a selling point for me. Nothing takes me out of a story faster than modern thoughts or actions imposed on a historical situation.

Relationships between women, and especially sisters can be some of the most complicated. This book placed great importance on this, and watching the bonds between Catherine, Bright Star and Thankful grow and change was a pleasure. No one develops more than Catherine though as she experiences love in all its different forms. The love of siblings, love for a parent, romantic love, loving oneself and most importantly God’s love.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love history. I love bits of French. Combine the two into a most compelling tale of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War), and I was caught more efficiently than a beaver or fox in a trap. Jocelyn Green unfolds her tale, Between Two Shores in alternating time swatches. Green starts when Catherine, part Mohawk, part Canadian- French, accepted by neither nation, is ten. Then, suddenly like rapids on the rushing river, the novel skips ahead to the “present time” of the narrative, 1759; then, like the river meandering and curling back on itself, retreats back to an earlier essential era, only to repeat this ebb and flow several times throughout the novel. A little truth here, a little more here, too much at one time could perhaps be overwhelming. It seems this could be symbolic of the way Catherine has to slowly piece together her life and how her faith will affect her actions toward her father, Bright Star, Joseph, and eventually two nations.
My heart hurts for Catherine as she searches for a hero and true love. She seems to think love is an equal trade of sorts until finally faced with the question of whether she can love for love’s sake alone.
I did not cry during this novel, but I wanted to. At times, I, too, wanted to wretch, or faint, or plan an escape. NOT for the faint of heart. Bravo to Jocelyn Green for writing a different kind of historical romance, one that surprised me around every bend of the river, and certainly had me talking back to her!

Great Quotes:
“What is courage... but moving forward in the face of fear? If there was nothing to be afraid of, we would have no need to be brave.” ~ Samuel


…"But she was wholly who the Great Good God had made her...”

There are discussion questions at the end. Also included are author’s notes about what events and people included are factual. This book comes highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review.