Murray Pura continues the My Heart Belongs series, all stand-alone novels, with the story of Clarissa in the mid-180s, during the time period surrounding the Civil War. With tales of the Underground Railroad and the battle of Gettysburg, this novel is full of edge-of-the-seat scenes, courageous and heroic characters, and of course, romance. The author has done a great job of drawing the reader into the characters' lives and emotions, expressing the heartfelt fears and anguish of family and friends at home praying for and awaiting news about their loved ones. And illustrating the battles of a war that ended up on their streets, on their doorsteps and eventually changed everything, churches and schools turned into hospitals, the town reduced to burial plots and memorials and even changing the names of favorite landmarks. The book is rich in great historical detail, danger, battles, love, family, and friends and threaded throughout faith in God who can bring strength and comfort through the difficult times of war. It is another engaging addition to the My Heart Belongs series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Every time I read a book that tries to share with readers the absolutely heartbreaking horrors of Gettysburg I am overwhelmed. Murray Pura takes me on a new road by creating a fictionalized main female character who is a resident of the famous Pennsylvania town itself. He really brought forth just how the civil war changed some towns in the United States forever.
Clarissa is a headstrong, self motivated nineteen year old at the start of the story. She is a secret and very brave conductor in the Underground Railroad group. I'm going to go a bit against popular review opinion here and write that at times the character irritated me. I thought she would draw attention and get someone captured or killed with her argumentative attitude at the worst possible times when journeying with escaped slaves. She was a pain in the neck who was truly being watched over by God. I suppose during the time period a woman would be considered an irritant to accomplish what this character pulled off. I did notice as the plot continued that she matured as she grew older and more experienced in life. She is a strong character as is the men in her life. Kyle Forrester is a seminary student who holds fast to his belief that he can best serve the country by being a strong voice for God and against slavery. Clarissa sets her heart on him while also being drawn to the secretive Underground conductor, Liberty who is a larger than life figure that is brave and strong. The Amish also have a place in this story.
This is such an intense story. Readers experience the horrible days of risking lives to help newly escaped (brave) peoples to reach "heaven" on to the battlefield descriptions which had to be a major research and writing project for the author. The subjects were tastefully handled and the characters are intense as they told the story.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. These are my own opinions about the story. I certainly want to read more from the author.

Many aspects of “My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg” reminded me of “Gone With the Wind,” one of my favorite classics. The Civil War setting drew me in, especially since it was set in such a renowned location. In fact, that was one of the striking parts of the reading experience because most of the action took place prior to the famous Battle of Gettysburg, when the town was just a quaint place that outsiders would never have heard of. The heroine, Clarissa Ross, points this out herself, commenting that she does not want her idyllic town and its environs to be remembered for death and destruction. Given all of the tragic events that have occurred even recently in the U.S., this was a reminder that disasters can happen anywhere, and this is where faith comes in as we trust God that He is ultimately working all things for the good of His children.

Clarissa was a distinctive character, to be sure. In some ways she reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara, with her stubbornness and her temper. An inimitable redhead, Clarissa was very strongminded and outspoken, which I think was due in part to her being an only child and also to her living in the North. Had she been raised in the South, I think that the patriarchal society there would have had a deeper influence on her and she may have been somewhat more submissive. At first I found her character to be off-putting, but I soon grew to admire her and her antics. The romance, which is usually my least favorite part of a story, was very engaging because it was fraught with both danger and surprises. From a historical viewpoint, I was pleased that this novel pointed out that the Civil War was about much more than just the issue of slavery; states’ rights and the economy were at the forefront of the fighting, especially in the beginning. The many different levels of conflict in the book were well balanced by the Christian and romantic aspects, and I only wish that the story had been a bit longer in order to fill out some of the details more fully and allow for the plot to play out more slowly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Didn't finish the book after about the first 100 pages. I don't care for the heroine and couldn't get past her personality & attitude. She was spoiled, brash, prickly, way too negative, much too forward for a lady of that era, got furious at the drop of a hat and most of her inner dialogue I felt was unnecessary; I skipped way too many paragraphs to be an enjoyable read. Don't get me wrong, while I don't mind a strong female lead, I just felt Clarissa was a little over the top for my taste. Sad too, since I love historical fiction about the Underground Railroad and have thoroughly enjoyed all the "My Heart Belongs In series" books. I also don't like love triangles, so that was another strike against it. I've read some well-written ones and I've read some horrible ones; and have come to the conclusion they aren't my forte and avoid them altogether.

Sorry, but this just didn't do it for me. I rarely, if ever, put a book down without finishing it, but I just couln't stand to read any more of it. If you are a fan of historical & like stories about the Underground Railroad, you will most likely enjoy this one.

*I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

I was not a fan of this book at all, from the get go the main character was hard to take and so thoroughly modern in her behavior and attitude, it really was hard to get through! I doubt her parents would be allowing her to traipse around the countryside. Not a very likable read at all

I have loved the, My Heart Belongs series from the very first book. I think the books have been well written, well researched and I’ve loved the characters. I’m pleased to say that this book definitely met my expectations and is a wonderful addition to this series.

I was pleasantly surprised with Clarissa and her passion for her work with the Underground Railroad. I admired her for her bravery, compassion and her sense of fairness for all of mankind. I have to admit that some things were easy to figure out early on but I liked that she didn’t which added to my enjoyment of the storyline.
There are several things I liked about this book, including the historical war, some Amish characters, a little bit of danger, faith, family and a sweet romance

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania can be read as a stand alone and I recommend this book to fans of Historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

I was so wanting to love this book. I enjoy historical novels. For the most part, I liked the story, but it was twice as long as necessary.

The story was well researched with a lot of interesting details about the underground railway, BUT, Clarissa did too much talking to herself. Her reminiscing was like re-reading the book. I did not enjoy this and started to skip a lot of that.

Other than that, the characters were fairly well developed. The story covered a few years of time and sometimes flowed well and at other times seemed to drag.

I give this a 3-star rating because of it being too wordy. I asked to read and review this book through NetGalley.

Filled with Civil War historical detail that brings the Battle of Gettysburg to life, this My Heart Belongs was another good read in this series. This book had it all: the Underground Railroad, battles leading up to Gettysburg, Gettysburg, and wonderfully realistic characters. Clarissa was an interesting young lady: daring, brave, adventuresome, opinionated, and courageous. Playing a double role as either a man or a cultured young lady came second nature to her. Liberty was a perfect foil to Clarissa and played many roles as well. Overall, a well done read.

I would have given it a 5 but felt that the romance eclipsed the historical at times.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the My Heart Belongs series and this one was no exception! I live 40 minutes from Gettysburg and have enjoyed going there many times. We get right into the thick of things with the battle ranging around us. The author's descriptions and research are much appreciated and made me feel as though I was right there with the scrap of a red-headed heroine. She's a brave oneand won't back down from anyone. Mentions of Quakers,Amish,quilts,abolitionist,Underground Railroads and faith fill the book. I love how faith was immersed in the writing. The author really brings this time period to life!
Pub Date 01 Nov 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Heart Belongs in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Murray Pura is full of history about the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Clarissa is a young women who helps slaves get through her county and on to the next. There is excitement, danger and rescues by Liberty, a masked man who also works for the cause. She is being courted by Kyle, a seminary student whom Clarissa believes is a coward. She must decide what she will do and who she really loves. This story has some great scenes and the history is good but I didn't really connect with Clarissa. I have read all the My Heart Belongs books and recommend them.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

My Heart Belongs In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
By: Murray Pura
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc
Published Date: November 1, 2018
256 pages Christian, Romance
#MyHeartBelongsInGettysburgPennsylvania
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I greatly enjoyed this book. I gave this book 4 stars. I love history and this book was about the civil war one of my favorite subjects.
Clarissa is a 19 year old girl who has a lot of spunk and energy. She is a conductor on the underground railroad. She has a love interest in Kyle and Liberty. She doesn't know which one to choose. She likes both in different ways. Liberty is also on the underground railroad but she doesn't know what he looks like because he always wears a hood over his head. Kyle is studying to be a clergyman. When the war breaks out she is upset that Kyle won't join the army instead he stays behinds and helps the head clergyman.
During one of the underground escapes with Liberty they are caught and Liberty gets hurt. Who is Liberty? Why does he hide his face? What happens to Kyle? You need to read the book to find out.
Clarissa has some more adventures during the war. At the beginning of the book I didn't like her but throughout the story she grows and learns, which makes her a better person.
I was able to figure out a few things that happen in the book fairly quickly so it brought down my rating just a little. The author did a great job on the history. I would recommended this book for those who love history and a romance story.

I read this book because it was about Gettysburg. I have been to the hallowed fields many times and am awed by the beauty and sacredness and the haunting peace I find there. This book has a sweet romance, and a lot of history of the war and the underground railroad. I liked it very much. Thank you netgalley and Bourbor publishing for the arc of this book, the opinion are my own

I enjoyed this read, but I figured it out early in the book, but wanted to know how everything unfolded.
The author has us riding into the full battle of the civil war, and seeing such horrors, with the solace that we know how things ended, but what a high cost.
This story does have a bit of everything, including the War, Underground Railroad, church and family, and a bit of sweet romance.
A glimpse into life in the 1860’s in Gettysburg PA, and we are there!

I received this book through Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

An amazing addition to My Heart Belongs series. Clarissa Avery Ross love her town and all people. She has a passion to help free slaves and at first is more than ready for the war that is soon to come. She struggles to grasp who is more dear to her between 2 men she is drawn to. This book covers the whole of the civil war, with lots of action due to that and much determination on the part of Clarissa. A book you won’t want to put down, that will grab hold fast and not let go.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided courtesy of Barbour Publishing. A review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

Very well researched book with lots of action. I enjoyed reading about the underground railroad and wish there has been more stories about the passengers. Clarissa was a difficult character to relate with. She was really irritating at times and just talked too much. As soon as the character Liberty was introduced I knew his identity and found it difficult to believe Clarissa didn't know since she was so knowledgeable about other things. This is a good book for those who enjoy reading about the Civil War era.

This book is part of the “My Heart Belongs” series. Although this book does have a sweet romance as part of the story, it could stand alone very well on its own as a Christian historical novel. This book has an absorbing storyline. The author has done an excellent job of presenting Gettysburg as a town that was well loved by its citizens before it was changed forever after the major battle took place there. The battlefield scenes were moving and showed compassion for those on both sides of the conflict.

The characters of Clarissa and Iain are some of my favorites in this series. Clarissa is everything you want in a heroine: Feisty, beautiful, compassionate, and brave. Iain is a strong and honorable man. The scenes in which they are working together to help the Underground Railroad are some of the best in the book. Glad I read this one and will probably read it again.

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

Honestly, I was surprised by this My Heart Belongs Book. It has much more drama and gritty details than the others in the series. I really enjoyed all the historical details, it is obvious Mr. Pura has done excellent research.
The story was riveting! I had a hard time putting it down.

When War Reaches Clarissa’s Back Door, the Trustworthy Become Even Fewer.
Journey into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, of 1863 where Clarissa Avery Ross lives a full life. By day she is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by seminary student Kyle Forrester. But by night she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with a mysterious man called Liberty. She would like to share her work with Kyle, but he refuses to enlist when the war breaks out. How can she remain true to a man being labeled a coward? When the war comes to her back door in an epic battle, the greatest challenges to her faith and love are yet to come.

I just finished reading this book and have mixed emotions about it. I was excited to read about the battle at Gettysburg since I had recently visited there. It seemed to me the book could have used less about the characters inner thoughts. They seemed to go on and on sometimes. To be it was more a filler. Once you've stated your opinion go on. I found myself skimming some of these parts. That said I did enjoy the action parts about the Underground Railroad. I must confess I had Liberty's identity figured out before it was revealed in the book. All this being said, it was a good book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

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.

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.