Month: May 2021

 

I have been participating in a historical fiction reading challenge this year hosted by Crystal Caudill. At the beginning of each month, a time period in United States History is given. Each participant chooses a book from that period and reads it. I have discovered two new-to-me authors during this challenge, both of which are quite popular in the Historical Christian Fiction genre. I read Laura Frantz’s books Tidewater Bride in January and The Mistress of Tall Acre in February. March led me to Francine Rivers’ book Redeeming Love.

The book I chose for April was Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green. This is the third book in her Heroines Behind the Lines series. I read the first two, Wedded to War and Widow of Gettysburg four years ago when I was preparing to write Historical Christian Fiction. Once I knew the timeline of the challenge this year, I knew exactly what book I wanted to read for the Civil War era.

Plot Overview: Caitlin McKae disguises herself as a Yankee soldier in the midst of the Civil War. When she wakes up in Atlanta, the doctor who treated her wounds thinks her only secret is that she was disguised as a man fighting in the Confederate army. Caitlin hides her true identity to prevent arrest and accepts a position as governess for Noah Becker’s daughter, Analiese, when Noah decides to enlist as a Confederate soldier. 

Why I loved this book: I had so many emotions when I read this book. There were times I was happy, sad, angry, and scared. You name it, I probably experienced it with this book. 

I was raised in Chattanooga, so when she mentions significant areas of the Chattanooga Campaign, I knew exactly where the characters were. She does an excellent job of describing every scene in her book, so you wouldn’t miss out by not having seen the area for yourself, but it was just a fun moment to think, “Hey, I know where that is.”

 

Point Park on Lookout Mountain looking out over Chattanooga. The Battle Above the Clouds took place here in November 1863.

My favorite character(s):  Each character had their own personalities shine through in every segment where they showed up. If I had to choose, I would have to say Caitlin McKae and Analiese Becker were my favorites.

There were several minor characters that carried their own stories throughout this book. I loved seeing how all the stories weaved themselves together. Jocelyn Green did an amazing job with this.

Caitlin McKae: I loved how despite the fact that Noah Becker (the man who hired her) knew she was a Northener when he hired her, he still allowed her to keep his daughter. With that task, she formed a bond with his daughter. I enjoyed seeing the love that she had for Analiese and the length she went through to protect the girl.

Analiese Becker: I can’t love the relationship between Caitlin and Analiese without loving Analiese as well. She was kind and wanted to please, but she wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion. Her desire for a mother pulled at my heartstrings, and her love for Caitlin was so sweet.

If you enjoy Civil War-era fiction books, I definitely recommend that you read this series, although I have not yet had the privilege to read the final book, Spy of Richmond.

Have you read this book before? Do you have any Civil War-era fiction book you’d recommend? 

Be sure to check out Crystal’s Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge at https://crystalcaudill.com/.

To find out more about Jocelyn Green and her books, please visit http://jocelyngreen.com.