After losing a client in childbirth, midwife Julianne Chevalier is branded and imprisoned for life, a criminal beyond redemption. However, in spite of her condemned status, she is given the opportunity to sail to the Louisiana colony, where her brother was stationed with the army. However, nothing is as she imagined: the price of passage is forced marriage to a convict before sailing, and the arrival in a primitive settlement proves disillusioning. Her only dream is to find her brother in this hostile land, but even that proves beyond her grasp. Even in this new place, will she ever be free of the king's mark on her shoulder?

As I've come to expect from the author, this book layers an inspiring story over some intense, meticulously researched history, and she doesn't sugar-coat the reality behind the story. I can't imagine how the women must have felt when offered the "freedom" of forced marriages to convicts before being shipped, starving, to a miserable land that couldn't support them.

Looking at the history of New Orleans, it's hard to credit any people group with noble intentions and actions, other than the native peoples who early on graciously kept the colonists from starving. But by the time this story takes place, France didn't even care about her starving, deserting colonists; the local government, in squabbles with the British, played one Indian tribe against another. The tribes were growing disillusioned with the French, and less likely to keep the peace. It is hardly a proud moment in American (and especially French) history.

Depressing history aside, the story was inspiring. I love the author's use of symbolism; though the mark of the French king condemns Julianne, she has also been marked as a child of the true king, God, in whom there is no condemnation. There's a lot of loss and sorrow, but there's hope too. It's an excellent book--highly recommended!

I received a free e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. No review, positive or otherwise, was required; all opinions are my own.

Oh, that I were as gifted a wordsmith as Jocelyn Green, to adequately convey the beauty of this novel. Green's many gifts as an author blend together seamlessly into a compelling story rich with meaning. Impeccably researched, this tale brings to light a little known (to me) aspect of the settlement of New Orleans in the early eighteenth century. Authentic and at times heart-wrenching to read, The Mark of the King sweeps the reader across the centuries into the primitive swamp of Louisiana. The harsh realities that Julianne faced broke my heart. A veritable artist with words, Green brings each of the characters to life, and the pages pulse with emotion. Nuggets of truth tucked into the pages add depth and significance to this amazing story. A great start to your 2017 reading list, The Mark of the King is a must-read!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced digital copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House Publishers and Jocelyn Green via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jocelyn Green makes history come alive in ways that cause the reader to rethink what was learned in history class. When I read her books, my eyes are opened to aspects of life that are almost incomprehensible -- the smell of death on a battlefield, the gut-wrenching hunger of a famine, the reality of people who will stop at nothing to get ahead, the cries of those who have gone insane from captivity. But she doesn't stop with the dire realities, her characters demonstrate the American spirit that allows us to overcome even the worst atrocities to live meaningful lives.

The Mark of the King follows the life of Julianne Chevalier, a midwife who is wrongfully imprisoned and is given the 'opportunity' to travel from France to begin populating the new territory of Louisiana, specifically New Orleans. Long before there was a town, she arrives and works to build a life in this new world.

Green creates a story based on historical facts, many not told in our generic history books. She's searched records and journals to find out what really went on in those early days and she's created characters who robustly recreate those humble beginnings.

This book was really hard to put down -- I wasn't interested in taking a break to eat or sleep! It is a fascinating story that left me wanting to find out more about the lives and times of the development of New Orleans. Each of Green's books has had this effect on me -- awakening a renewed love for the early history of our country.

I have read some of Jocelyn Green's previous novels in her Heroines Behind the Line series (Civil War). Her attention to detail in that series carried over to this novel. One has a sense of stepping right into a place and time in history. I personally didn't know much about the settling of Louisiana, so that was a definite point of interest for me as I read the novel. I appreciated that although the characters were fictional, Green based her story on true events. 

This novel was action-packed. From Julianne's experience that branded her a murderer to the events surrounding her marriage to a convict, there is constant transition from one event in Julianne's life to another. Life in Louisiana was nothing like she thought it would be; it was much more difficult and filled with the constant fight for survival. Many did not make it through the hardships. Julianne's strength and will to survive helped her to persevere through severe emotional and physical traumas. 

My impression from the book summary was there would be a romantic element, and there was. The romantic tension in the novel did build at times, but then fell a little flat for me. Especially her marriage to the convict. I couldn't quite grasp how she truly felt about this man. There was a moment in their first meeting that was very high tension, and emotionally traumatic for the characters, but I was left hanging....wondering how Julianne or her husband felt about that initial encounter. That aspect, as well as future moments of romantic tension, seemed to build and then come to a stop. I wanted to get into the characters' heads a little more.

Overall, this what I would call a historical Christian fiction novel with elements of romantic tension. There is never a dull moment as there were many twists and turns in the story. If you are a fan of this genre, Jocelyn Green is definitely an author to take notice of.

*I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.*

A young, unmarried midwife, imprisoned and branded as a murderer, requests to be sent to New Orleans in 1719 with hundreds of other convicts to populate the new colony for France, just to escape the prison she would spend the rest of her life in. What she didn't know what that she was expected to marry another convict before even setting sail. How will she learn to love and respect her new husband, will she find her brother who left for New Orleans at the age of 15, and what other mysteries and expectations does the New World hold?

I have to be honest. I was excited to read this book, based on the Title, description and the cover design. I enjoy historical fiction and don't know much about the French or New Orleans, so I was hopeful this book would bring it to life.  However, once I got just a few pages in, I was slightly turned off by the graphic descriptions of childbirth and several being forced to wed, not just in the ceremonial sense, but the physical sense while soldiers watched. I realize it was likely realistic, it was just too much for me and something I wouldn't really want my teen daughters to read.
Because I agreed to read this book and write a review, I felt I needed to keep going. I got 30% in and it was just dragging for me. The scenery wasn't much to imagine, I couldn't keep the extra characters straight, I just wasn't emotionally invested in the main characters. Some exciting events started happening about 40% in, but I'm just not sure I'll be able to finish it.

I received an ARC from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

Oh, I love when something new, different and interesting comes up for review. This book is all of those things! The characters are strong, well-developed and engaging. The story is deep, difficult and full of real life. I love how history was blended together with enough fiction to really keep the reader interested in every page. This is a book I continued to think about long after closing my kindle. Very worth-while read!

The Mark of the King

I highly recommend this new book by Jocelyn Green. I loved the setting and the characters. You don't get a lot of historical fiction set in the deep south. This one is set during colonial times in New Orleans. Lots of swamps, mosquitoes, and gators. It's also very hot. The author does a great job of setting up the exotic atmosphere.

It is set during a fascinating time in history. France is trying to colonize their part of the new world, and they're using convicts to do it. The main character finds herself in a difficult situation. She chooses exile and marriage to a complete stranger to start a new life. I love marriage of convenience stories. This one has a lot of hope and heart break. There is also a mystery surrounding the main character's brother that adds a lot of suspense to the plot. 

The faith elements are woven in very well. Redemption and forgiveness are important themes, as is prayer and sacrifice. I would recommend this books to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Jocelyn Green is hosting a giveaway. Check it out here. 

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

A story rich in details and full of intrigue and hardship. One doesn't often equate New Orleans with mud, mosquitos, and murder--but during the city's formative years as a colony of France, that's exactly what one could expect.  The author chronicles Julianne Chevalier's fall from grace as a skilled midwife to a prisoner forced to marry the convict of her choice to a perilous journey to New Orleans, where she hopes to find her long-lost brother. Along the way Julianna learns about grace--both giving it and receiving it.

A sumptuous, spell-binding evocation of life in 1720's Louisiana will keep you riveted. The compelling characters and alluring plot take as many twists and turns as jutting river. I truthfully didn't know what to expect. Each third of the book pivots in another direction with a welcome surprise. This is far more than a run-of-the-mill CBA historical romance: Green puts poetic pen to an oft-forgotten seminal part of American history. To add, she infuses history with a natural sense of verisimilitude. Everything from dialect to circumstance will have you living and breathing the 18th Century in its rough-and-tumbly rudimentary world.

But more than just the pitch-perfect historical realization, Green proves adept at weaving a story defined by stark emblemization. Recalling Dickens or Hugo, Green does well at influencing her characters with a swift and soft encounter with Christianity and there is not one paragraph that smacks of inaccessible evangelism.

Gorgeous language, a stirring romance ( fully realized with all of highs and lows of human fallacy), forgiveness, redemption and a chilling villain, The Mark of the King is one of the finest reading experiences I had in 2016.

We follow Julianne Chevalier from the prison in Paris to the shores of Louisiana, as she journeys with her new husband, a man she has just met. Made me think of Nazi Germany, trying to make a pure race, Aryan for Germany and French for the King of France.
Julianna has been marked by the King of France, on her shoulder, as a murderer, which we witnessed and saw the injustice, made me glad I didn’t live in the 1720’s, and I don’t think it was much better in America, or the territories.
When she and her new husband arrive in New Orleans, they meet evil head on, and it continues through out the book, and though the action, we wonder if anyone is going to survive. We also experience a hurricane, as if these poor starving people needed more devastation, but greed is in control, or so it seems.
A page-turner for sure, as there is non-stop action from the beginning to the end, and you find yourself walking in the new French colony in American, and traveling the bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the marshes. Will the people that we have started to care about be able to survive, and what will become of them all.
A great insight into the early people who lived in this unsettled country and helped make it what it is today. Highly recommended.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love learning history through fiction, so this novel went on my TBR list as soon as it made a blip on my radar.  And in no way did it disappoint!  It is impossible not to get caught up in Julianne’s story from the moment she finds herself wrongfully convicted, through to her forced marriage, and then the trials she endures once she reaches Louisiana – both physical and emotional.  And it’s beautifully written, in such a way that the words themselves fade into the background and you become immersed in the details and emotion of the story.

And what a story it is.  The reality of Louisiana is far different from what was promised, and rebellion is in the air for Europeans and natives alike.  Food shortages, mosquito-born illness, and tropical weather are just some of the physical hardships confronting them.  But it was Julianne's emotional journey that really kept me hooked into the story.  Forced to wed a stranger – a fellow convict – she struggles to save her new husband from himself even before they reach their destination.  But nothing prepares her for the heartbreak and test of loyalties that awaits her on Louisiana’s far shores.

It’s difficult to say much more without giving spoilers, but there is a beautiful quote that captures the heart of Julianne’s emotional journey:  “We all have scars, my beautiful one.  They make us who we are, and if we let them, they bring us together.”  It is a difficult – and at times agonising – journey before Julianne can truly rest in that truth, but it is illustrated beautifully in this novel, perhaps most poignantly in Julianne’s relationship with the young half native/half French girl, Lily.  However I will leave you to discover that for yourself.

And just a warning:  The last quarter of the book is absolutely riveting.  It took me completely by surprise, and I’m telling you now, you will not want to put it down – especially since you will be holding your breath until you reach the end!

If you love historical fiction with a compelling character journey, this is a novel you really shouldn’t pass up.  And there is a beautiful element of romance to sweeten the deal.  What more could a history lover ask for?

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher.  This has not influenced the content of my review.

What a great history lesson and writing. I never knew some of the things and how New Orleans began. And the main characters and what they went through! I can not even begin to imagine the humiliation and suffering. Just to be marked is bad enough. But the things she suffered through. And the beginnings of New Orleans and Louisiana. The Indian wars. Without giving more away I can tell you I did not want this book to end. It is beautifully written and well told! Highly Recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this book. It was very different than I was expecting. I liked the interesting, little known historical facts and details. I've actually never read anything about the French colonization of America or New Orleans history, so I found it all incredibly intriguing. 

I thought the setting and historical aspects of this book were extremely well done, especially in the first half of the novel. I learned a lot more than I was expecting. I felt immersed in the world Jocelyn Green created, and I was interested and engaged. Toward the end I felt like this faltered a little. I felt like we were being told how things were in the colony, but nothing was actually impacting our characters. They were mostly wrapped up in the their own small personal dramas, and I didn't enjoy that quite as much. I wanted to experience more of the settlement as a whole and the culture and struggle. 

My connection to the characters seemed to fall off about the same time, about two thirds of the way through the book. I was still interested but I wasn't quite as invested. I felt like Julianne, although she did go through a lot, was pretty cloistered compared to the average settler's experience. I was a little annoyed that with everything else going on and everything she'd survived, she couldn't just be happy with what she had instead of constantly yearning for more. She did come around, but that and the conflict with Marc-Paul was difficult to get through. I also wanted more from their relationship. It almost felt like they had more chemistry when she was married to her first husband than they did once they were together. They had their moments, but, again, after all they'd been through I guess I just wanted more. 

I was surprised at the nonstop action and upheaval in this book. You definitely can't call it slow or uneventful. It felt like some new conflict was popping up at the beginning of every chapter. That did make for a quick, intense reading experience. 

Overall, I'd say I liked it but didn't love it like I wanted to. If I hadn't started feeling disconnected and annoyed with Julianne and Marc-Paul toward the end, I probably could have given this four stars. I would still highly recommend this to historical fiction fans. I will probably check out some more of Jocelyn Green's books in the future. I also have to say that the paperback of this book is gorgeous. I love the design so much. Not only is the picture beautiful, but it has pretty little details on the cover and spine that really make it stand out.