Between Two Shores

Compelling characters, engaging plotline, and beautifully captured setting. I was captivated by the story, the history, the characters throughout. Highly, highly recommended.

Quebec 1744. Nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter entscheidet sich die 10-jährige Catherine nicht bei den Mohawk zu bleiben sondern zu ihrem geschiedenen, französisch-kanadischen Vater Gabriel Duval zu gehen. Sie lässt ihre ältere Schwester, die gegen ihre Entscheidung ist, und ihren jungen Bruder beim Stamm zurück. Ihr Vater hat bei einem Unfall mit einer Falle eine Hand eingebüßt und trinkt seitdem zu viel. Sie will ihn unterstützen und hofft auf Besserung.

August 1759. Schon seit Jahren führt Catherine für ihren Vater den Handelsposten, auch wenn sie dafür von ihm kaum Anerkennung erhält. Es herrscht Krieg zwischen Frankreich und England. Mit ihrem Pelzhandel lebt und arbeitet sie zwischen den zwei Fronten des Krieges. Sie bleibt neutral und will keine Seite wählen, doch dann quartieren sich zwei französisch Soldaten ein, die Befehl haben die Kornernte zu beaufsichtigen.

Eines Tages taucht ihr Vater mit ihrem gefangengenommenen, britischen Ex-Verlobten Samuel Crane auf. Er bittet sie um mithilfe bei der Flucht, da er wichtige Informationen, die den Krieg beenden könnten, weitergeben muss. Quebec und New France drohen an die Engländer zu fallen aber dann wären auch der Krieg, das Sterben und der Hunger zu Ende. Catherine ist hin und her gerissen.

Die Autorin streut immer wieder Rückblicke auf die vergangenen Jahre ein. So erfährt man, dass ihr Vater sie auf eine Mädchenschule geschickt hat und diese beauftragte, ihr die Indianerin auszutreiben.

Catherines Vater ist ein wirklich übler brutaler Charakter. In der heutigen Zeit wundert man sich, dass sie sich das immer weiter antut, trotz ihrer Alternativen. So konnte ich mich mit der Protagonistin kaum identifizieren.

Als Nicht-Kanadierin ist es mir etwas schwer gefallen, mich bei den am Krieg beteiligten Parteien und Ansichten zu orientieren. Aber sicher ist es eine historisch interessante Zeit, die die Autorin da ausgewählt hat.

Catherine und Samuel müssen manche Abenteuer und Katastrophen überstehen, bis der Krieg enden kann und jeder wieder ein zu Hause findet. Für mich handelt es sich hier nicht um einen Liebesroman, man sollte keine falschen Hoffnungen auf das Ende setzen. Es ist wohl mehr ein historischer Roman.

This book by Jocelyn Green is reminiscent of books by Lori Benton. The characters include Native American during Colonial Days of the United States and Canada, as well as the colonists.

Catherine Duvall and her father run a trading post for the colonists and the Mohawks in the area. They have two ransomed captives working an indenture for them. Samuel has run off with only one year left on his indenture. Thankful has worked out her indenture but because she was the only surviving member of her family after the Abenakis raided her village and killed her parents.

The book takes place during the French/Indian War and many of the settings and activities in the book are historical. The trials of the Canadians and the Native tribes during this time meant hardships due to lack of food for just about everyone.

From the title, it would seem that the book takes place between France and the Colonies, but the two shores are the shores of a river. While the book has some romantic leanings, it is not a romance novel with a happily ever after ending. It does end well, but not in all the expected ways. I think this is what makes the book a compelling read. A Solid Four Stars.

My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.

My first thoughts while still in the first few chapters were of frustration because I could not keep up with the timeline and characters. The characters names went between their Mohawk names and their Catholic names and I couldn’t keep them straight. Also in the first few chapters the dates changed from August 1759 in the first chapter to eleven years ago in the second and kept switching back and forth. Once I got through that, the story developed beautifully and I as able to keep up.

Without divulging any spoilers, I will say this story will keep you on the edge of your seat and be prepared for a plot twist. Strong female characters abound in this story despite the time period. The main character is a young female that takes a stand, knows what she is capable of and never backs down.

It is historical fiction with Christian themes throughout. The author (Jocelyn Green) doesn’t hold back, it is not a fluffy storyline. It is messy, descriptive and raw. It doesn’t cross any lines, but also paints a realistic picture of the time period.

When reading a book I am all in, I can hear, see and feel what the characters are going through. Towards the end of this book, reading the pages took my breath away. I felt angry, sad but also understanding of the twists and turns. If you are one who doesn’t like a predictable ending – this one is for you!

Between Two Shores
Jocelyn Green
3 stars
I've always loved this author and all her historicals. But for some reason it took till halfway through this book before it really caught my attention. The author does do a very good job of historical detail, character arcs, and human redemption.

There are so many things I could say about this book, but the thing that stands out the most is way Green writes our heroine, Catherine. Torn between two worlds, Catherine is probably the strongest heroine I've read in quite awhile. She has overcome so much in her short life, and yet she doesn't let any of that stop her from maturing and growing. Not even for a second. But what's even more surprising is that she doesn't need a man in her life. Would she like one? Well yeah, I'm sure most women would. But she doesn't need one like most heroines seem to in books these days and I found that utterly refreshing. Yes, there is a love story here folks, but it's different than any I've read. It's not all starry eyes and allowing the man to pick you up and lead you. Catherine was still her own person, from start to finish. And quite honestly, the love story here is not what made the book so enjoyable. Catherine's story was.

Green really had me hooked from the very beginning, but I became even more involved once I met Catherine's father. I too, am the daughter of an alcoholic. I too, had to take care of my father in ways that no child should. Now granted, it was not always to the extent of Catherine, but it was still very difficult. Did it bring back some memories? Yes it did, and while they weren't pleasant, I actually appreciated that the author was able to spark that in me. Obviously this won't apply to every reader, but truth be told I enjoyed the story even more because of it. I knew in some scenes exactly how Catherine should feel and act, and Jocelyn Green nailed it.

This book is full of emotion and I highly recommend having a box of tissues nearby. You're going to need them. Catherine embarks on a treacherous journey that will have readers reading page after page to come to the dynamic conclusion. Through it all, Green weaves a spiritual journey that will speak to hearts. This book is sure to be on favorites lists throughout the blogging community! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful read. I really liked this story. Catherine was a wonderful, strong, and brave heroine; the definition of a strong female lead. It was interesting to a period in history not often covered in historical fiction. I would recommend this to all history lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In her book Between Two Shores, author Jocelyn Green has written a hauntingly beautiful novel. This 400 page historical romantic fiction is in 1759 but goes back a few years to when the main character, Catherine Stands-Alone, is just ten years old. Using the backdrop of the French and Indian Seven Years War, author Green spins a captivating tale of faith, hope, finding one’s place, loyalty, bravery, courage, and love.

Catherine is part Mohawk and part Canadian- French. Her character is well defined and relatable. At times I hurt with her as her emotions seeped from the pages into me. Other times I would get frustrated with her obstinance. Yes, I wanted to give her some advice. She just wanted to love and be loved. Don’t we all?

The other characters were equally well created. They were well rounded with lovable and dislikable traits. The scenery was vividly described which took me right there. I could hear the animals and see the water. The trading post was easy to imagine.

Author Green has a way with words. I was immediately interested in the story, and this is before Chapter 1. By the time I finished the Prologue and Chapter 1, I has deeply invested in the lives of the characters. The story was well researched and provided historic information on a subject which was not familiar. I love a novel that teaches me something. It also contains some twists and turns along the way.

At the end of the book are discussion questions. I love, love, love it when an author includes those whether for personal growth or group study. There are also author notes explaining which events and people are factual. Again, I love this.

Would I recommend this book? You betcha! Any history lover will devour this jewel in one sitting. It is an interesting, adventurous, historical, romance that has inspiration and encouragement. This would make a great small group book especially with the discussion guide. The book stayed with me long after I finished the last page. It would have been nice to have a group of friends to chat with about this brilliant book. It receives a 5 out of 5 stars from me.

Between Two Shores came as something of a surprise in my reading diet this last month. I saw a review from a reader I respect, and I know our reading tastes are similar in a lot of ways. And after seeing that, I thought I should try to find my own copy to read—and, hello! NetGalley had it available!

What a story! I’m not sure I’ve ever read something quite like this. I’ve read about Indian captives before—Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven was quite a favorite growing up—and I’ve also read a book or two about the French who settled in Canada. But I’ve never read one that combined both elements and told the story of the French and Indian war in quite the same detail as it was shown here. The war wasn’t all there was to the book, but it was the framework that held up the story, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about it.

I loved the main character, Catherine, and sympathized with the struggles she had facing her. Learning to heal from and forgive the past is a hard thing, no matter what situation you find yourself in, and she had it especially hard because of the circumstances. Then there’s the trouble with siblings that she had to work through, and her father’s drinking problem…all while trying to survive and keep the family’s business going somehow.

I’m not sure what my favorite part of this story was. I always love the new little piece of history that books like this give me—though it may have been about a very narrow section of American/Canadian history, it still really did happen, and books like this give faces to fact. I love that. I also love the moral content of this story. Sometimes I wondered what the characters would do, and while I didn’t totally agree with all their decisions, I appreciated what happened overall. There was also some wonderful story-building here, and a depth to characters that you just don’t find every day. I felt like I really got to know some of them, and felt like I got to walk alongside them the entire way, and I loved that. A great historical fiction. Recommended.

Favorite quote: “ ‘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.’ ” —Samuel

I requested a free review copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion of it.

In Jocelyn Green’s Between Two Shores, Catherine Duval is determined to remain neutral, despite her French heritage, in The Seven Years War, a conflict that seems interminable. She must trade with the British if her family is to survive. But when her long-lost fiancée is taken prisoner, Catherine is forced to make a choice that threatens all she holds dear. Will this decision bring the peace she so desires? Or will it cost her everything, including her life?

Between Two Shores is captivating historical fiction. The narrative is rich with time-period detail, vivid description, and compelling characters who display complexity, authenticity and depth. The plot has incredible twists and turns and leads to an unexpected climax. Green’s writing is exceptional, eloquent, and exquisite, and the reader will remain riveted until the last page.

Between Two Shores is brilliant, beautiful, and one of my favorite fiction reads of the year. I highly recommend it.



I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Will she lose everything...or finally find it?

I have to confess that this is one of the times that I'm not really sure where to start. I really ran the gamut of emotions while reading Between Two Shores and sometimes I almost had a love-hate thing going on. But you know what? To me, that is a sign of a truly gifted author. And I firmly believe that Jocelyn Green IS a VERY gifted author. I've read nearly every one of her historical novels and I can't seem to get enough of them.

I actually read Between Two Shores while on a 3,000 mile train ride so I had a lot of time to ponder this story, both the historical aspects and the fictional characters. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. Jocelyn Green took various threads of the Canadian theatre of the French & Indian War, events that I'd read about in my school history books, and little known facts and wove them into a truly heart-wrenching story that the reader won't soon forget. This book was truly a historical novel, not a historical romance in any way, bringing to life some of the darkest days of the prior to the Revolution in such a way that they become very real to the reader.

How did I feel after finishing Between Two Shores? Very mixed, my heart was torn for people dead over 250 years ago and for characters that never existed, and yet living now in the 21st century I also felt proud of those who struggled through blood and darkness and would later found the United States and eventually our next door neighbor Canada. Jocelyn Green is truly a master of her craft and her stories are an inspiring reminder of faith,hope, and the strength of the human spirit down through history.

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

Title: Between Two Shores



Author: Jocelyn Green



Chapters: 33 plus epilogue



Pages: 400



Genre: Christian Historical fiction



Rating: 3 stars



Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green is the second book by her that I have read, I did enjoy reading it but I didn't love it. So it took me a while to get through it. While I didn't love it the writing and the plot was excellent, I haven't read many books set during the French and Indian War or the Seven Years War as it was known in Canada and Europe let alone one set in Canada. I did enjoy how Jocelyn wrote the Mohawk in a truthful light. With the characters in the novel though it wasn't always easy to see who the bad guy really ones or to figure out who was hiding secrets.



Catherine Duval or Catherine Stands Apart is a woman standing between two shores or two worlds I love how the title Between Two Shores reflects and tells a lot of the story in three simple words. Catherine the daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father and she doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. And while I don't think we can ever know for sure how historical people who were of mixed race of the settlers and the Native Americans truly felt Jocelyn Green gives us an example of how one fictional young woman handled it. She was true to facts about the Mohawk including the fact that they are indeed a matriarchal society. I've noticed that very few authors write Native Americans in a truth light. Outside of Jocelyn Green the only two authors I've read and can think of off the top of my head are Lori Benton, and Laura Frantz.



A word of caution going in, this is a Historical fiction novel on that note I would recommend this book to people who enjoy historical fiction have read Jocelyn's previous works or are fans of Lori Benton and Laura Frantz






I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green is an amazing, well-researched historical novel. This author is masterful at research and she fully submerses you into the time period she writes. Here, the French and Indian War is fully presented. The reality of war is clear and the story has many details that bring this out. I like historical fiction but I prefer that the story shine through the facts. Here, I feel the story was secondary to the amazing research presented. Still, a fantastic novel. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I don't know who does the book covers but this one is simply gorgeous! Despite the person's head being cut off that is.
I've read this authors books before and she is an excellent writer.
She describes the scenes so well that it really makes you feel like you are there with Catherine and her siblings.
Catherine is literally caught between two worlds and shores so to speak.
Catherine knows how to treat people with kindness, she cares about her family and I love how she can interact with people. I just enjoyed her all the way around.
Even though it is slow at the beginning it does go along rather smoothly after that. I'm glad that I finished it. I ended up enjoying it at the end and I thought about certain scenes after I finished the book. I feel that there are some characters in the book that still have a story to tell.
I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.

Great history! I enjoy how well Ms Green blends such rich historical events into her fictional story.

Gorgeously written by an author who is consistently diligent about her historical research and always finds new ways to bring little known events to life in fresh ways! Although this has been in my TBR for a long while now, I was riveted!

A richly layered tale of finding your way in a world where you feel you'll never belong. Stuck between two worlds and surrounded by war and grief, this expertly woven story is filled with vivid detail and rich historical fact. Greatly enjoyable and moving.