PRAISE FOR SOLDIER'S JOY, Book II of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy:

From Publishers Weekly BookLife Review: Jones’s moving sequel to Stones River intertwines Civil War history, contemporary military trauma, and paranormal romance in a story about two wounded people learning to live beyond loss. Army veteran Avery Gowan returns from Iraq carrying survivor’s guilt after losing comrades in combat, only to encounter the specter of a Confederate soldier who calls himself “Comrade.” This ghost is Lemuel Sanders, Avery’s long-dead ancestor, who once shared a transcendent, time-crossing love with Tennessee music teacher Jessie Gibbs. Now manifesting as a barefoot guardian, Lemuel bears an uncanny resemblance to Avery, creating an otherworldly bridge between two wounded souls who are haunted by the past.

Though much of the narrative reads like a traditional romance, Avery’s relationship with Jessie offers a more complex view of love alongside a realistic perspective of how trauma affects intimate relationships. With haunting prose, Jones’s unflinching depiction of Avery’s post-traumatic stress—shameful public outbursts, inability to concentrate, flashbacks, retreat into violent video games, constant hypervigilance—is rendered with immense sensitivity, making his emptiness achingly palpable. Through Avery’s experiences and Lemuel’s letters, Jones's most significant message resonates: the reality of war is not to be diluted, glorified, or normalized. Avery recoils from easy military honors, while Lemuel’s letters strip away heroism to reveal a frightened, fallible young man.

In giving these soldiers names, doubts, memories, and unfinished stories, Jones challenges readers to restore individuality to those whom war reduces to casualties. “We don’t know how much time we have. We shouldn’t wait to do the things we know we ought to do,” Avery observes. Lessons about faith, forgiveness, courage, and healing occasionally arrive too neatly, explaining what the characters have already enacted, but the warmth and earnestness imbued in the narrative make for a compelling read, resulting in an affecting reminder that courage may mean learning how to live—and love—after surviving.

Takeaway: Tender portrayal of wartime love crosses boundaries of time and death.

From Book Blogger Gina Rae Mitchell: Historical fiction, contemporary romance, and a paranormal mystery might seem like an unlikely combination, but M.F. Jones brings them together beautifully in Soldier's Joy. With compelling, imperfect characters, vivid portrayals of military trauma, and a past that refuses to stay buried, this is an engaging, thoroughly researched story.... [Recommended for] Readers who enjoy emotionally layered romance, Civil War history, supernatural mysteries, military fiction, and stories about healing from the past.

Five stars from NetGalley Reviewer: Soldier’s Joy brings together romance, family history, and a ghost story in an interesting way. I was drawn to the connection between Avery and Jessie, especially as both are carrying things they haven’t told each other. The Civil War history adds another layer to their story, while Avery’s return from Iraq gives the book an emotional weight....If you enjoy historical fiction with romance and a supernatural element, this is one to consider.... 

PRAISE FOR M. F. JONES'S EARLIER NOVEL, STONES RIVER, Book I of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy,  and Silver Medal Winner in the 2026 IBPA Book Awards 

Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Review: “Jones’s prose is engaging, and her passion for the subject is evident throughout this largely romantic tale. She steers away from romanticizing the war itself, instead balancing its horrors with individual stories of heroism, courage, and reality…. Jones’s characters are sharply honed and serve as a driving force for this appealing tapestry of history, romance, and ultimately, self-discovery.”

Foreword/Clarion Review: “In M. F. Jones’s riveting romance novel Stones River, a woman encounters a Civil War ghost; together, they search for solace…. [A]bout honoring soldiers, their traumas, and the descendants who carry their stories forward….” Reviewer: Karen Rigby, April 4, 2026

Kirkus Indie Review: “In Jones’s supernatural historical novel, the ghost of a soldier from the American Civil War seeks the aid of a contemporary woman….  A compelling meditation on history, empathy, and how the past is remembered.”

IBPA 2026 Book Awards Judge’s Review: “… excellent writing, solid characters who showed growth and whom I cared about, pacing that pulled me along and made me not want to close the pages, and a gripping story.”

Amazon, Goodreads, and NetGalley Reviews:

“With rich historical detail and a heart-wrenching romance at its core, Stones River is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and historical fiction.”

“a thoughtful exploration of love, loss, and how the past shapes the present”

“a perfect choice for readers who enjoy love stories with history, heart, and a touch of the paranormal.”

“not only a ghost story but a meditation on history’s insistent presence in the now, and the essentially human wish for a sense of some belonging and closure”

“It’s no small feat to make a ghost feel like a fully realized romantic lead, but Jones pulls it off beautifully”

“a quiet tribute to those lost in war—especially those whose stories are buried in unmarked graves or forgotten battlefields”

iRead Book Tour, 9/29/26 - 10/19/26

Local readings, author talks, and book fairs in the Tennessee/Georgia area

Reviews in BookLife, Kirkus Indie, Foreword/Clarion

3-month NetGalley exposure