There are some books that are so rich in detail and so moving, they require savoring. Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green is one of those.

Catherine Stands-Apart is aptly named as she straddles two worlds. With a Mohawk mother and a French-Canadian father, Catherine is already torn between the two. When the man she once loved—the one who had asked her to marry him then disappeared—returns to her life, Catherine once again has to make a difficult choice. A choice that could lead to prison…or death. One that is made all the more difficult with the bitter news Samuel delivers.

Set during the Seven Years’ War (aka the French and Indian War), readers are immersed in Catherine’s world, given an inside look at both Mohawk customs and life and Canadian life. The vivid details of the land, the rivers, the battles, and the trade world that are all pieces of Catherine’s life come to life within these pages.

Catherine is a strong woman, living with a father who repeatedly disappoints her but caring for him and running their trading post, nonetheless. Yet, there is a vulnerability to this woman that made me sympathetic for her situation (and that continued to build throughout this book).
This is not an easy read. Green does not diminish the realities of war or life. But is a beautiful one that should not be missed.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Review Between Two Shores
Great story. Great characters. Rich in history. Rich in truth. Loved the way the title perfectly fits the story. Catherine, daughter of Mohawk mother and French Father, is named Stands Alone by her mother. Her alcoholic father names her Catherine. The setting is Quebec during the French and Indian war 1740-1760. When her mother dies, Catherine goes to help her father, leaving her brother and sister in the Indian Village, not far from her Father’s trading post. Thus, she begins to stand between two words. Two worlds that are at war. She could have been named Stands Strong too, since throughout the story she remains resilient, by faith she is steadfast- Catherine is genuinely standing on two shores and standing fast. The focus becomes a trio of women, all with different challenges that work together to accomplish a task. There are some brutal descriptions of war, yet the author does not send you to bed nauseous, but aware of how dangerous life was during those times. My favorite aspect was the author’s ability to craft words with beauty. I went back and studied how she made a sentence ”sing” as it painted a picture of the times. If you are looking for a romance, you might be disappointed. If you are looking for character-driven historical novel you will enjoy. Write on Jocelyn Green! Beautifully done. This book was provided by the publisher. No review required. Review Between Two Shores

If you love historical fiction you will like this book. Some chapters take place years before others but you know exactly what year it is before you begin that chapter.

Catherine Duval is half Mohawk and half French. She is a contrast in many ways. She stands apart and strong in many areas yet is so soft hearted and loving in others. While she does not want to pick sides in a war, she does not understand, that is exactly what she must do.

There is action, history, forgiveness, and heartache in this book. Tough decisions and those consequences as well.

Wow!! What an amazing book!
I loved this story.
This story takes place during the Seven Year's War in Kahnawake, Quebec. This story follows the life of Catherine Stands-Apart. Catherine's character immediately pulled me into this story. She shows her strength of character in the first few pages. With the death of her mother at a young age she leaves everything familiar and her tribe to go live with her father. This was her choice and she did it because she didn't want him to be alone. Catherine is a woman who lives in two very different worlds. She chose to live in her father's world, but easily moves within her mother's world. She has essentially taken over the running of her father's trading post and with that it has become more profitable. Catherine is a hard worker, but she has a tender heart. As the story progresses Catherine must finally make a choice, British or French side. All she knows is that she wants the war and strife to end. Life is hard enough just living day to day, but add war into that and it's so much harder. Choices can make life not only hard, but also deadly. Catherine's choice shows her as not being a victim, but as being a survivor.
This story is not a romance, but more of a drama as it centers around Catherine and her life choices. It brings complex and engaging characters that will tug on her heart strings. It brings elements of mystery, suspense, turmoil, romantic tension, and a rich backstory. This historical captures time and place accurately. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves historical or just a good clean read.
**I received this book from the author via the publisher. I was not expected to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I will admit I tend to read books on the lighter side and less historically based. It took a me about a third of the way through the book for me to get into it and finally finish it. In the end I'm glad I did. It was a very moving book at the end. I was very moved by a scene in Chapter 32 between Bright Star, Catherine and Thankful... brought me to tears! I would read another book by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Between Two Shores is my third Jocelyn Green book, having loved The Mark of the King and A Refuge Assured I was giddy with anticipation to read this one. To further my excitement this is Canadian HF, a favorite genre of mine and one I want to read more of.

This book takes place in the year 1759 as the British and French fought, taking place on the Canadian side, it’s a time and place I haven’t seen much of. I loved this book, it had the historical elements that I love - from the author’s notes it’s easy to see to what extent she went in her research and it shines through. The way of life, the struggle to survive in the harsh environment, the relationship between Mohawk, French and British, both good and bad shined through.

There were twists and turns in the plot that took me by surprise and I love it when a book does that. The authors writing style weaves a wonderful story of adventure, emotion, and faith, of relationships and finding oneself. Definitely a book I highly recommend.

Jocelyn Green’s latest historical novel Between Two Shores captures the essence and the rich historical details of the Seven Years’ War in the 1700s in Montreal. Readers are immediately drawn to this book by its beautiful and captivating cover. Green tells the story of Catherine Duval who is “caught between two worlds” being the daughter of a Mohawk mother and a French father. In addition to her heritage, her former fiancé is a British prisoner who was purchased by her father to work for him. Suddenly they both find themselves in danger and in the midst of the conflict.

Green created a well-researched novel filled with history, heartbreak, and courage that readers of historical fiction will find interesting. She does not shy away from the pain and cruelty that many faced as victims of war. Readers will learn a lot of history that they did not know before. This book is a longer read and switches back and forth between different time periods in the characters’ lives. It is not a historical romance novel, but I would recommend it for readers who enjoy historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

What a poignant, heart-stirring book. Words are always hardest to find for the stories that I love most. Catherine Duval is such an inspiring character, both for her admirable qualities, but even more so for her flaws. As one that has moved easily between the worlds of her French father and her Mohawk mother, Catherine seeks the peace that comes with remaining neutral. However, neutrality is becoming a dangerous place to be on both shores, so she must decide what is more important - choosing a side may ultimately mean peace and survival for many, but the revelations that come along with it may mean discord, not peace, for her inner world.

What else to say about this beautiful book? The secondary characters, of which there are several, are layered and oh so human. Even the antagonists of the story have backgrounds and pasts, and in war, it's hard to know who the real enemy is when both sides are hurting. The details of the wilderness, trading posts, the grim realities of war, the tender relationships between sisters by blood and sisters by choice, these aspects all provide the reader with scenes that captivate and compel.

I think what I loved most about this book is that it is not a romance. Indeed, though the cover is beautiful, I wonder that it doesn't quite convey the gravity and complexity of this story. This is a discourse on what it means to be family, both the family that you're born into, and the family that circumstances choose for you. It's a testament to forgiveness and healing and doing the right thing to great personal detriment. It's about knowing when to lean in and when to finally walk away. And you may think that with all these lofty words I'm using that the story is dramatic, and at times, perhaps it is, but on the whole, it is nuanced, beautifully paced, and at times completely surprising. In my opinion, this is Green's best work to date.

Full of vivid imagery, rich historical details, and ultimately an abundance of hope and redemption, Between Two Shores is on my list of favorites for 2019.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not required to post a review, positive or otherwise.

Between Two Shores
by Jocelyn Green

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 05 Feb 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Between Two Shores through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

Catherine Duval is the daughter of a Mohawk Mother, and a French Father In Montreal, the year is 1759. Catherine finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart.

Catherine is content to trade with both the French and the British. She soon finds herself pulled into the fray against her will when her ex-
fiance, a British man named Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeal to Catherine but helping the man who broke her heart is not so appealing. Catherine delays trying to help Samuel. Until attempts on his life convince Catherine that Samuel truly is in danger.

Going against her better judgement Catherine helps Samuel flee by river using her knowledge of the landscape to creep closer to freedom. The time they spend together rekindles the feelings she thought she had buried a long time ago just as danger seems to hound them every step of the way. She’s risked become a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost more than she thought?

I give Between Two Shores five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Ms. Green has done it again. I love reading her books both fiction as well as nonfiction. Her creativity and the characters she writes about is amazing. I really have enjoyed Between Two Shores and even bought a copy for my mother in law. This is definitely one I will find myself reading again.

Book Summary (Amazon): The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated?

My thoughts... This novel is rich in historical detail from page one. I knew almost nothing about the physical or political landscape of 1700s Canada. The way that Jocelyn Green described it, I could picture many things down to specific detail. This is definitely a strength of this novel. Even the fictional characters could fit right into the pages of history.
As far as the plot of the story, it is also quite intense as the characters face very difficult choices and situations, quite like real life. I would definitely characterize this novel as realistic historical fiction. In real life, things don't always come together and work out like you might wish they would. Each character had to work through some emotional trauma and wounds that in some cases led to taking a difficult path, risking their hearts and lives. There is also an aspect of this novel that involves physical and emotional abuse, which I found somewhat disturbing at times, particularly in the way that Catherine's father treated her. His manipulation and abuse led her to stay with him and make excuses for his behavior. This also carried over to the romantic relationship she had with Samuel. He also manipulated Catherine to accomplish the mission he was passionate about. Even though Samuel had good intentions overall, he was not completely honest with Catherine.
I certainly credit the author with a well-written novel. The spiritual journey the characters take is engaging without having the "preachy" feel that many readers dislike. I appreciated the historical detail, however {**slight spoiler alert** } I was frustrated with the way that Samuel treated Catherine. This novel is not one that I would consider romantic. I went into it thinking that there would be romantic tension between the two main characters. When they had a few moments together that gave me those butterflies, I later felt a bit cheated when things were not as they seemed. One may consider this a love story as the characters, especially Catherine, learn to love who they are and who God created them to be, but the romantic love story isn't there. To be honest, that was kind of a bummer. (3.5 stars)

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

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green is one of those novels. Those meaning it is almost beyond description how much I loved this book! Those meaning it is difficult to put into a brief review how much it touched me. Those meaning this one really deserves more than the 5 stars allowed. Set during the what Americans call the French And Indian War, it visits a time and place that I knew nothing about. Its is full of adventure. It’s characters are unforgettable. The truths expressed resonate. And it is a book I just could not put down! It really does have it all. Very highly recommended.

Green brings to life the uncertainty and danger of living in the border country of Canada. The Seven Years War has been raging across the globe, but the conflict becomes personal when the British are within striking distance of Quebec and Montreal. In this world lives Catherine Stands-Apart, a woman who spans the French and native cultures, yet feels like she belongs in neither. She is a trader who believes she can remain neutral in the conflict between New France and New England. But as the people of Canada starve, the war comes to her doorstep and she is forced to make choices that will impact both the nation and those she loves.

Catherine is a very complex character. She is half Mohawk, half French. Her heritage puts her in a unique position to work with both native and colonist, yet she is part of neither community. She abhors the practice of captive ransom, yet has a young woman living under her care that she bought from raiders. She loves a father who is abusive and negligent, and she loves a man who has left her behind. She longs for connection with her sister, yet cannot live with her Mohawk mother’s people. And she lives a life built on trade — in commerce and relationships. Her story unfolds over the few weeks leading up to the battle between British and French forces to take Quebec. There were times when I loved Catherine’s courage and independence, and times when I wanted to shake some sense into her! 😉 Her character is one of most well-written I have come across in a long, long time. Other characters do not suffer from the time spent on Catherine’s development. All were given the same care to allow the reader to come to know them. The structure of Between Two Shores is complex as well. It is told in present day narrative with complimentary recollections to achieve a complete backstory. The pacing is perfect, revealing the right amount of story at just the right moment. It is evident that Green did her research homework with this book. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you are in for a treat. I loved finding out in the author’s notes just what (and who) was real. There are a number of themes that run throughout the novel — identity, forgiveness, sacrifice. The historical practices of ransoming and adopting captives by the native peoples are deftly integrated to point to the truths of God’s ransom and adoption of His people.

Between Two Shores will definitely make my best of 2019 list. I just wish it was on my book club’s list for this year, because this is a book I want to talk about! And you will too. So grab a couple of friends and read this book together. I promise you will love it!

Very Highly Recommended. (my highest rating)

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

What I Loved: Green is one of those historical authors that I always look forward to reading and never regret picking up. Between Two Shores was a stunning novel. Green’s understanding of the history, setting, and the various cultures help the story to leap off the pages. She’s a very gifted historical author and I highly recommend her work if you haven’t picked up one of her novels yet.
I’m gonna be honest, this was not a fluffy story. Far from it, actually. But it’s the sort of story that causes the reader and the character to grow. Now, when I say this wasn’t fluffy, I don’t mean that it was graphic or outside the Christian bounds. I only mean that there was a plot twist that I found as painful as the character did. Readers don’t need to proceed with caution, but they should expect a heavy, yet beautiful, story when they pick this one up.

Rating and Recommendations: I recommend this one to Christian Historical fiction fans, those looking for a deep, challenging story, and for those wanting to delve into the British, Native American, or French conflicts in the 1700s. I’m giving it 5 stars.

~I received a copy from Bethany House. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

What an awesome book ….Greene has written a book filled with rich historical details that are heart wrenching. This book will definitely tug on the heart strings. The setting is in the year 1759 and the war is raging between the French and the British over the cities of Canada and also war against the Indian tribes. The people of all races are starving as most of the food is confiscated to feed the armies and yet it is not enough, so the armies of both sides are also going hungry. Catherine Duval—or Catherine Stands-Apart, as she is known to her Mohawk sister and brother is running the trading post for her father Gabriel as he loses himself in drink to forget his first wife’s death and ignores his half Mohawk children. She is such a strong woman who has a tender heart and loves deeply. She is loyal to her father in spite of the way he treats her. She has love for a young American girl who was being sold as a slave whom she purchased. She also loves the young man who is her father’s captive slave. There are so many unexpected turns in this book that will keep you turning the pages into the night. Greene has certainly done her research on this war and has created strong characters. At times you will be holding your breath in suspense and at other times trying to hold back the tears as you are right in the midst of the perils of hardship, sadness and death. Through all the strife in her life, Catherine learns to lean on the Lord. Wow, what a book……..I received a copy from Bethany Publishers and I am so happy to leave this review for this great book.

Between Two Shores is an historical fiction novel written by Jocelyn Green, set during The French and Indian War.
Summary: Catherine Duval lives in between two worlds-her mother's Mohawk heritage and her father's French roots. While she tries to stay neutral-not just between races, but between countries during the war-the reappearance of an old flame threatens to pull her right into the middle of the battle. Will her choices pull her family apart for good?
My Thoughts: I didn't like this book. It is well-written, the characters are interesting, but I didn't like it. The entire first part seemed to be how Catherine's sister disapproved of her choices, and Catherine justifying staying with an abusive father. It was kind of depressing, and it seemed to go on for a very long time.
If you can get past part one, the action does pick up the pace and make it more interesting, but it just wasn't my favorite.
That said, if you really enjoy this time period in history, you might enjoy this book.
As always, I thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for my unbiased review.

While I have read a few books set during the French and Indian War, I am less familiar with Canadian history that sees that war as part of a larger conflict called the Seven Years' War which involved the Americas, Europe, Africa and India. In Between Two Shores Jocelyn Green focuses on the war's impact on Quebec, Montreal and the surrounding area. While most of the characters are fictional, most of the details are firmly based on history.

While I want to be careful not to include any spoilers, I will say that Bright Star's remark that, “Some stories don't end the way you want them to,” certainly applies to parts of this story. However, Green demonstrates that forgiveness can lead to acceptance and contentment with the reality of how some of life's stories do end. Coming to this realization is often painful, but to quote another character, “Healing comes with a price, and I'm afraid the price is pain. Beyond that, however, is wholeness.” I believe most readers will find the healing that comes in a variety of ways to a variety of relationships in this book quite inspiring.

I thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Catherine is torn between so much. Her father, her sister and brother, her country, war and the prospect of peace. Throw into the mix Samuel and there’s a deep beautiful story here. One of love but not the romantic typical type of story one usually expects. It’s a thought provoking one that is unpredictable on many levels. It is definitely a page turner and will keep your interest going page after page. Catherine is a complex character. This is definitely a keeper and one I want to re-read again. This period of time isn’t one I’ve read much about or the area. So I like that it was an original idea as well. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Between Two Shores was a story of bravery, loss, and heartbreak that a young Mohawk/French woman must face as all around her battles for the New World has erupted. This novel is chock full of history about the French and Indian War, specifically the Battle of Quebec, and the relations between the Native Americans, British, and the French. It was a very tense and dangerous time to live, and yet the heroine Catherine Duval embodied the free spirit of North America today.
She was a strong and capable woman, bridging the gap between the three nations that were bent on destroying each other for the coveted land. She wanted acceptance and belonging and most of all an unconditional love. She was searching for love in the wrong places -which should have been loving relationships especially with her father and unfortunately later in the perceived abandonment of her fiancé Samuel.
Throughout the story I was impressed with the way she handled the problems that arose, the love and care she generously gave to her sister, brother, Thankful, and her father. Catherine was a character that kept things close to her chest and when the pivotal point of the story came when she found out the truth of a certain matter, I felt gut punched along with her.
This was an engrossing, rich historical read. Author Green brought the past and a battle I did not know a lot about to life. Though I would have liked a different outcome, I feel thankful to have read such a novel and to have met such a character as Catherine.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I love the detail Jocelyn puts into her books, so rich with history.

From the beginning we are tossed into the life of Catherine and her father and this odd relationship.

I appreciated Catherine’s spirit and Samuel’s desire to protect her.

I so wanted the misunderstanding that happened between them to be cleared up, but that isn’t easily done of course, that wouldn’t make an interesting book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and history we got a taste of.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

I’m a fan of the Historical genre and this is one of my favorite novels until now!
Jocelyn Green is an excellent author of historical novels. I have to admit I didn’t know that much about the French and Indian War in Canada during the mid 18th century, but her narration so vivid and rich in details that it seems totally realistic and accurate. I loved that she explains at the end what part was real and what was fiction.
Catherine “Stands Apart” Duval is half French (by her father) and half Mohawk (by her mother). Her mother divorced her father due to his drunkness and abusive behavior. A few years later she passed away and Catherine decides to go back to live with her father and help him out, against the advice of her sister Bright Star, who stays with her brother Joseph. Her father is very limited after his accident while tramping and, in spite of his abusive ways when he’s intoxicated, Catherine loves him and wants to be the daughter he can be proud of. After escaping from her boarding school where her father sent her so they would “take away the savage from her”, she wants nothing more than to belong... to her father, even if he’s abusive and selfish, and in their Mohawk village, Kahnawake. Her life is full of struggles, hunger being just one of them, but she dedicates fully to her work at the fur trading post, content with being neutral in the midst of a war between New England and New France that doesn’t seem to end. She trades with British as well as French...
But things change quickly when her ex-fiancée returns after years of not knowing anything from him, and he needs her help. He says he has information he has to deliver to a British soldier that could finally end the war... After much debating, when she sees his life is in mortal danger, she decides to help him flee. But what will the consequences be? She risks losing, not only her family, but her roots, as she will be targeted as a traitor... Will love and honor prevail in the end?
The characters in this story are so well portrayed. I particularly loved Catherine’s character. She was the true hero of this story.
Her kindness and compassion, her selflessness, her tenacity and perseverance, and finally, her loyalty. I loved that she put God first above all other things. And that she discovers her worthiness, not by her father’s appreciation, but by the eyes of God’s infinite love.
I loved this quote I read from the author at Allison Pittman’s blog, about the spiritual message of this story:
“The spiritual parallel I hope readers take away is that of God’s ransoming us from what holds us captive (sin), and adopting us into His family, not because we’ve earned it but because of His great love for us. Secondary spiritual themes include forgiveness and self-sacrifice”.
The plot of the story kept me completely engaged. It’s true that there is quite more emphasis in the historical part than the romance. And the romance is definitely not the typical happily ever after we might expect but it was completely realistic and inspiring.
There are deep issues in this book: family relations and loyalty, forgiveness, duty and unconditional love.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes the historical genre with strong characters an uplifting message. This story touched me and even made me cry. I would totally read it again.
There were also secondary characters that were strong too, like Bright Star, Catherine’s sister, or Thankful, who was British and raised with Catherine’s family. I would love for Thankful to have her own story.
Congratulations Jocelyn on this masterpiece of historical fiction!
I received a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley but wasn’t required to review. All opinions are completely my own.