Cover Image: My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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The book My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania starts with a young girl named Clarissa Avery who is leading slaves to freedom as part of the Underground Railroad. The beginning paragraphs hooked me into a story that told of the Civil War and how it affected families, soldiers and people searching for freedom. Of course there is romance and a wedding to round things out. The author, Murray Pura, has done his research as he includes plenty of Civil War research adding color and history to his book.

Recommend.

Book review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

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This book is one of a kind! I really enjoyed reading about the Revolutionary War from a woman's perspective, and not your average woman, at that! Clarissa truly is a spitfire and in a league of her own. She's portrayed as a redheaded sass who won't be told by ANYONE what to do. She comes go her own conclusions and sticks to her guns, her beliefs, and her faith.
Mystery and intrigue run rampant in this story with one situation after another taking the characters through a myriad of experiences. I loved the writing style and the descriptions of the situation the characters were facing as well as the environment they found themselves moving through.
These things brought my rating from a 3 to a 4. The female protagonist was enough to drive me crazy. Her attitude and responses were unruly and ill mannered at best. Remember, she's not a 15 or 16 year old going through puberty but a 19 year old who should know better.
Some triggers for me were the excessive descriptions of kissing scenes and maybe even the allusion of premarital sex. Overall, though, the book had me hooked and it never showed down. One thing after another continued to take the characters down different avenues, and because the female protagonist was willing to risk her life for the greater good, the reader is able to be a party to it. And for that, I'm thankful for her personality traits, good and bad.

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I believe My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarissa’s Conflict is my favorite that I have read from the My Heart Belongs in series. It has everything that I love to read most – history, strong heroine, action, romance, adventure and faith. I had no problem what so ever to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I give My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Clarissa’s Conflict a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Murray Pura is a fictional account of
activities that occurred during the Civil War era. Clarissa lives in Gettysburg and is a
conductor for the Underground Railroad using the code name Joshua and dressing like
a man. She has a love/hate relationship to the man called Liberty; his real identity is
hidden by a mask he wears. Clarissa is dating Kyle, a seminary student though she
often wonders about Liberty. Who is he really? Will his identity ever be revealed?
I liked this book the least of all the books I have read in “My Heart Belongs…” series.
There was so much focus on the Railroad and later the war that I felt it took away from
the romance and mystery surrounding Liberty. At times I felt bogged down in the
negative aspects of our history. I give this book 4 of 5 stars. It is well-written and the
characters are mainly realistic. I found Clarissa a bit spoiled expecting everyone to
accept her many times poor decisions.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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I really enjoy historical fiction and stories about early America and the civil war. This book, My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a good book with a lot of history woven in and I did like it. It was a little hard for me to read in some areas because the language was more Old English style, but other than that it was a good story. I enjoyed Clarissa, the fiery red headed heroine who knows what she wants and goes after it. I also enjoyed meeting Kyle Forrester and Liberty, the two men that have confused Clarissa and made her wonder what she wants in life and relationships. The story takes you through the Underground Railroad and right into the Battle Of Gettysburg, where you meet brave soldiers and learn about the battle. For people who enjoy history, this story will be a good one!
I received a free copy of this story for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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This is the first book I have read in the My Heart Belongs series. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next between the two main characters. I really enjoyed the book so much that I started looking into reading more of the Underground Railroad and Gettysburg (I was never a fan of history back in the school days). Even though it was fiction, I was checking the internet for more information on the real history of the Underground Railroad, Gettysburg and the Civil War. The author did an excellent job on researching for this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a good historical romance, you won’t be disappointed.
I received an ebook copy of this book through Net Galley from Barbour Publishing. This is my honest opinion.

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Pura creates a sweet romance that portrays the struggles women must face back in the 1800's. Our main characters will struggle to overcome the obstacles put in their way, not only from their families but from society as well. With well written characters and descriptive scenes, the readers will get a clear mental picture as well as emotions.

It is 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the eyes of the community, Clarissa Avery Ross is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by Kyle Forrester, a man following God. But when no one else is looking, she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with someone named Liberty. She desperately wants to tell Kyle about what she does but has doubts about where God is leading her.

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This book is a romance set in 1860 to 1863 in Gettysburg. In the first half of the book, the scenes where Clarissa led escaped slaves along the Underground Railroad were exciting. But it seemed like most of the scenes were of her 'normal' life, like her romantic walks with Kyle. When war broke out, we got a lot of "I hate you" and "I love you" scenes and love letters while her fiance's at war. Excitement returned when the war came to Gettysburg (and they still managed to spend time kissing intensely).

My main problem was with the hussy...er, heroine. She was extremely forward about embracing and passionately kissing a man, even before he was officially courting her. They also had premarital sex (implied rather than described). She justified this to herself--that God would bless this--because they love each other. She even called herself by his last name and called him her husband before the actual wedding.

I was continually annoyed by her spoiled attitude. She was hateful to people who hurt her pride--for example, Liberty scared her when trying to save her life and even apologized for it, but she basically cursed him to hell for doing so. She was impulsive plus often jumped to wrong conclusions. She's a red head, so she feels that passion, a quick temper, and tantrums are alright. One minute she hates a man and the next she's attracted to him. Even with her beauty and kisses, I can't understand why any man was attracted to her. But they all were.

There were no graphic sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I enjoy actual diaries from this time more than this story, but people who enjoy impulsive, passionate heroines may enjoy it.

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The setting in My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was descriptive in such a way that I, although having never been there myself, was easily transported to Gettysburg and back in time to the events that took place in this book. I avoided history in school yet I was so drawn into this book and interested in the Civil War that I found myself researching it on the internet. The characters are very well developed. You truly feel like you know them. I got drawn into this book and did not want to put it down. For me it was a nonstop page turner. I eagerly look forward to more books from this author.

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I love stories that capture some of the fall out from the civil war and slavery. This one does a great job. This book offers a compelling look at the underground railroad, and of course..a bit of romance.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! After a slow beginning, the plot picked up dramatically and I was hooked. The author, Murray Pura has done a good job at describing the scenery and characters.

The book centers around Clarissa Ross, a young woman doing her part to end slavery. She takes runaways through her town on the Underground Railroad and passes them off to the Amish. Along the way she meets Liberty, a respected conductor on the Underground Railroad and highly praised by Harriet Tubman, herself. The two don't hit it off very well, and their working relationship seems to come to an end. Or is it?

I love historical fiction, and this one should definitely be on your reading list!

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I have thoroughly enjoyed the My Heart Belongs series. This rendition by Murray Pura was extra special for me. I have read several books about the Underground Railroad and I am fascinated by them. I only wish I could be as brave as Clarissa, the heroine in this story. Mr. Pura did such an excellent job on his historical research.

The story contained a lot of death and dying. I believe Mr. Pura did an excellent job of covering such a hard subject. This story is about the Civil War. There were estimated to be 750,000 soldiers who died in this, the bloodiest and most devastating conflict in American history. Half of those dying off the battlefield from disease or festering wounds. Many losing one of more limbs.

I loved the sweet, faith based thread throughout the story. I found his writing to keep my interest from the first page. He created such strong likable characters.

Here is a couple of my favorite quotes from Murray, “I don't want an angel in heaven. I want the man. I want the man I love. I want him real and I want him here. Oh, my treasure, I love thee with every ounce of blood in my heart and every light of spirit in my soul. Without you I cannot live. With you I can never die.”

Mura was able to bring light in the darkness, fun and laughter, even in times of trouble.

“You ride like a demon,” the captain said to her. “I wish we had time for horse races. I'd bet money on you.” She saluted. “Yes, sir. Thank you sir.” Her mouth was full of tobacco juice, but she wasn't going to spit with him there. “Do you fight like a demon too, Corporal?” She grinned, knowing full well the effect was gruesome, for in addition to a muddy, lacerated face and her matted hair, stiff with dried blood, she was confident half her teeth were black with tobacco stains. The way the captain practically winced when she bared her teeth confirmed this opinion.”

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

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I just finished My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania By Murray Pura. This book held my attention from the beginning to the end. I was fascinated with the events in Gettysburg during the Civil War. The characters were equally fascinating and I caught myself thinking about this book long after I put it down. If you are looking for a good historical fiction book, I highly recommend this one.

I was blessed to receive an electronic copy via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
By Murray Pura
Clarissa Avery Ross lives passionately for the cause of freedom. She bravely sneaks away to be an underground railroad conductor in Gettysburg, PA. Along the way she becomes intertwined with two men who steal parts of her heart. Fate has a hand though in revealing who she loves and when she discovers for herself who it is she is very surprised. Although this sounds like the end of a wonderful love story the battle of Gettysburg brings its self to her doorsteps.
This lovely story is an adventure for sure. I am from Lancaster county, PA and reading about such a familiar place and significant part of history was so much fun. I admired the characters and enjoyed the unexpected of this tale. If you enjoy historical romance this is certainly a book to read.

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Clarrisa Avery Ross leads a seemingly full life in Gettysburg, PA but she is not ignorant of the current racial injustices. Hence, she becomes a conductor for the Underground Railroad. Her world is turned upside down when she starts courting seminarian Kyle Forrester who does not seem to share her zeal for freeing slaves from the South and refuses to enlist for the war. Her heart situation gets further complicated when she meets mysterious fellow Railroad conductor Liberty.

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, PA seems to be well -researched given the amount of detail divulged in the characters' conversations. Murray Pura also does a good job playing with the elements of time and memory. Readers will be transported to Clarissa's time and will be able to feel the tension of wars and rumours of wars. They will be challenged by Clarissa' s strength and "getting things done"attitude as she was not only vocal about the ongoing racial injustices but she also played her role regardless of the consequences. One lesson that readers can glean from Clarissa's love triangle is the importance of having a spouse that supports the causes you are passionate about. There is no greater joy than being able to serve God and your community with your life partner.

Read My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, PA: Clarissa' Conflict if you are curious about the socio-political landscape that led to the Battle of Gettysburg. It will be interesting to learn the role and participation of different Christian denominations in the war.

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My Heart Belongs in Gettsbury, Pennsylvania tells the story of a young lady who works as a conductor for the Underground Railroad. Her hometown is Gettsburg and while much of the story takes place there, the story also follows some of her adventures while helping slaves escape to the north. Romance, confusion, excitement, and Civil War battles are included in this historical romantic adventure. Great book! Started out a bit slow & seemingly predictable, but quickly became anything BUT slow and predictable. There are enough twists and turns in this story to hold your attention to the very last page. Well worth reading!

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I have been following the "My Heart Belongs" series from it's onset. I doubt that I have missed any of the books, so far. I hope that I am able to read them all.

This one grabbed me right away from page 1. It takes place during the Civil War period. Clarissa is a strong fiery character with red hair to go along with that personality. She is a member of the Underground Railroad, actively helping the slaves. She's pretty amazing.

You can tell that the author was well versed historically and this made the book more interesting to me as I love history. Kind of goes hand in hand with my occupation of genealogist!

The book flowed and read well. Enjoyed it and it keeps me wanting to read more of this heartwarming series!

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my review. I received no monetary compensation. All thoughts are my own.

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Worth the read for the accurate portrayal of that time period. That was more interesting than the romance. The heroine was determined, yet somewhat sacrificial at times and the hero was well written. I would recommend this book to read just for the historical events and places. Well researched. It should be taught in public schools for the value of the history lesson. The author brings it to life very well.

I was given this book through netgalley from the publisher for my voluntary review.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

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The title of this book does not do it justice. I have read the whole series of “My Heart Belongs In…” They have all been sweet, uplifting stories and I enjoyed each one, but when I got to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this series went to a whole new level.
I was riveted to this story from page one as the heroine, Clarissa, was introduced. She was spoiled, feisty, opinionated, courageous and enchanting. The rich history of Gettysburg was not sacrificed for the sake of a novel as the characters faced the dangers of secreting people away in the Underground Railroad and later faced the conflict at Gettysburg with its staggering death toll.
As the story closed, the portrayal of time following the battle at Gettysburg was masterfully done.
A quote from the book that sticks with me is, “…God remains in Heaven. The poor choices men make will not force Him out of office.”

Thank you, Murray Pura for a very well written book.

I received an advance copy of this book through Net Galley from Barbour Publishing.

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Civil War, 1863 history, events, people, that happened during that time. We hear about the Underground Railroad, and in this we meet Clarissa a conductor at night. The description of her, feisty, red haired, and wanting somebody, like Liberty to work along with her. That believe in her cause of what she was doing. The author did a beautiful job, with the romance, along with the details of the history. Making that time period come alive for us, and what people did. Given ARC by Net Galley and Barbour for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

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