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 … 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?
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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.
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.
Jocelyn Green’s Between Two Shores captures the essence of the French and Indian War on the Canadian grounds. With a strong mixed breed heroine, she captured the strong-willed women of the age. The conflict between the characters and the nations sparked an overwhelming story filled with heart and hate. While the story moved along at a great rate, I did find myself nodding off a couple of times. It didn’t capture my attention the whole time. It was a dry read for me personally. On the other hand, Green does a wonderful job at bringing the late eighteenth century to life for readers. The unpredictable ending to the romance threat was different, and I actually enjoyed this different viewpoint. Overall, Between Two Shores sweeps the reader into a fascinating world of conflict, but the enduring heroine of Catherine brings heart to the dilemma. Fans of Jocelyn Green’s other stories or historical romance might enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
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 is another masterpiece by Jocelyn Green! The story of Catherine Stands-Apart and her experiences at the end of the French and Indian War keeps you guessing to the end – you never know where the author is taking her next.
What I admire most about Jocelyn’s writing is her ability to transport her readers to the world of her characters through her vivid descriptions of the environment. I can see the stars spread like chips of glass across velvet, feel the humidity pressing on my skin and hear the buzz of mosquitoes in my ears. Historical fiction lovers will love her attention detail, presenting history as accurately as possible and melding her fictional characters into real-world events.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy. All opinions are my own.
not as good as her other books
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.
I loved this book!! The story is overflowing with history, with excitement, with family drama, with cultural differences. I couldn’t put it down. It will tug at your emotions and make you want to keep reading. Each character is so unique and multi-faceted, I couldn’t begin to list them all. Each one blends perfectly with the core of the story and plays an essential part. I’m so glad that Jocelyn Green chose to write this story and am looking forward to reading it again and again!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
As with the author’s previous works, Between Two Shores is meticulously researched and artfully written. Set in Canada during the French/Indian War, Green captures the essence of the war while at the same time weaving in a storyline that captures the reader’s attention.
When her mother dies, young Catherine Duval leaves her sisters and younger brother behind to go live with their father, a man their mother divorced some years before due to his drunkenness and abuse. Balancing between two worlds, for Catherine’s mother was a native, her father French, she refuses to take sides but rather treats all who come to her uncle’s trade store.
Despite years of drunken abuse at the hands of her father,Catherine becomes a smart, intelligent and bold young woman. These qualities provided the foundation for what was to come. The war takes a toll on everyone, yet Catherine remains steadfast and strong. Is there anything that might defeat her?
I highly recommend this book, I soak in the history and story line like a sponge. I eagerly look forward to the author’s next release!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and am not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own.
Resplendent in historical details this fully immersible story swept me off my feet, it captured my heart and didn’t let go. The details were so smoothly written and each one melded seamlessly to the next which only added more depth and emotion to the story.
Catherine Stands-Apart has her feet in two vastly different cultures. Raised by her Mohawk mother then her French Trapper father left her feeling like a ship tossed on the ocean with no place to put into shore. Catherine felt like she didn’t really belong in either place. As the French & Indian war comes to a crescendo, Catherine finds herself pulled in more than she would have liked.
More than words on the page, this story is vibrant and alive! The characters are dynamic and realistic. While the ending wasn’t what I was hoping, it was deeply satisfying and even more than I had wished for. There is so much more I could say, but I don’t want to give anything away. However, I will say that you should absolutely get a copy of this book!
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Jocelyn Green’s exquisite descriptive prose never ceases to delight and amaze me. Between Two Shores is another fantastic story that drew me right in and kept me captive to the end. The rich historical detail and beautiful descriptions, along with the magnificent complex characters, made for a riveting read. Green captured the essence of Catherine Duval’s experience in living between different cultures, and her search for belonging and fulfillment. The other characters were also vividly drawn and layered, and it was fascinating to delve into their personalities and interactions with others.
I admired the courage of Catherine and Samuel. “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.” Their bravery astounded me at times, and made me realize all the sacrifices the early settlers of this continent made for their freedom. I learned so much about the history of Canada and America during the French and Indian War while I was reading this story.
This is a tale of courage, faith, forgiveness, and importance of family. Family relations and obligations are a compelling force in the story, and Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and Joseph, along with other characters, are confronted with hard decisions in balancing love and duty in their families. I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction. It’s an excellent read and is bound for my keeper shelf. It will definitely be among my top reads of the year.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley/author. All opinions are my own.
This new book by Jocelyn Green is a story steeped in history and rich in both the triumphs and the failings of the human spirit. I was immediately caught up in the story of a young girl who is part Mohawk Indian/part French and the choices that she was forced to make after moving from Quebec to Montreal. It is 1759 and Catherine Duval is involved in several struggles. She struggles constantly to please her alcoholic father but she is often verbally abused when he is intoxicated. It is during these moments that he taunts her about her heritage from her Indian mother. Catherine becomes a fur trader and she trades furs with both the British and the French while working out of a store in Canada. She has every intention of remaining neutral in the war that is raging but, with her decision to help her ex-fiance to deliver secret information to a British soldier, she realizes that neutrality isn’t possible. Catherine begins a harrowing journey over the land and the rivers of Canada that could result in her being charged with treason.
Author Jocelyn Green has written a beautiful story of being caught between two cultures, two lands and two loyalties. Catherine Duval is also known as Catherine Stands-Apart and she is scarred emotionally by her father’s cruelty. Even as my heart broke for her I questioned why she continued to stay; I rejoiced when she eventually realized that she wasn’t responsible for the happiness of her father and she could therefore distance herself from him. Catherine is also torn over her relationship with her Mohawk brother and sister and the sudden reappearance of the man that she had once loved and lost.
There is so much to like about Between Two Shores. It is full of historical information and geographical detail. The French and Indian War that started over control of the Ohio Valley eventually turned into a full-scale war that involved several countries and Green’s battle scenes were strinkinly real! I also learned much about the Canadian landscape because of the author’s detailed description. I was reminded of the importance of the fur trade during this time and the
immense part that women played during this time. There are other female characters who also play heavily in this story and I greatly admired their independence and bravery but it is Catherine Duval’s victory over doubts about her self-worth that makes this story so special! This is never more evident than when she replies to a comment about having two names. “What does it matter what we are called, when God alone can judge the heart?”
Between Two Shores is a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a strong faith element. It is my first Jocelyn Green book but it certainly won’t be my last!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher but a positive review was not required.
Jocelyn Green’s book, “Between Two Shores” is a wonderful book. Full of adventure, it pulls at your emotions. Joy, sadness and forgiveness are some of those emotions. Catherine has to decide if she should risk her heart and her life by helping her former fiance. But when Samuel’s life is put in danger and he has to get a message to his commander she decides to help him and be his guide through enemy territory. There they make discoveries, become involved in much danger and risk for her and her family. I enjoyed this book and look forward to many more books by Jocelyn Green.
I received this book from Bethany House and all opinions are my own.
Unpredictable! Violent! Famine! True Love! Jocelyn Green has written an unusual tale of the Seven Years’ War. Catherine Duval is a strong female protagonist as she attempts to care for her French father while maintaining contact with her mother’s Mohawk tribe. Catherine wants peace and food for the starving people in New France. I learned much about the Seven Years’ War when England and France battled for Canada. I would have enjoyed the book more if had been written in chronological order but it was very interesting and kept my attention! I recommend Between Two Shores to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of Between Two Shores from the author and Bethany House Publishers. This is my honest opinion.
Jocelyn Green masterfully makes history come alive. In this story of Montreal in the mid 1700’s, she brings the sights, smells, and sounds of the fur trade to life. The tension between the French, the British, the natives, and others is not well understood by most today. Shows like Frontier have helped, but Green makes the story much more personal.
This book features Catherine Stands Apart Duval, a woman with a French father and Mohawk mother, as she tries to find her place in a world that is hostile to those with mixed heritage. After her mother dies, she goes to live with her father (a mean drunk) to help him manage a fur trading post. The truths Green has discovered about life on the Canadian frontier are both fascinating and at times horrifying. From beatings to ‘remove the savage’ at a boarding school to the enslavement of people caught up in the wrong side of the war, this is a raw story that demonstrates the true grit and courage of people of the time.
Green never sugar-coats history — she portrays the difficulties of life in a way that transports the reader to the center of a battlefield, the middle of a suffering town, or even down the river in a peaceful early morning canoe trip. She highlights the ways God provides opportunity to find joy and repair broken relationships in the midst of devastation.
Please note this is NOT historical romance, and that makes the book even better! There is no typical sense of who will woo whom that is predictable and sappy. This story is about the difficulties of family life in a frontier world, the joys found in hard work and companionship, and moving beyond heartbreak to make a difference in the world.
This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in strong female characters, accurate historical accounts, and an understanding of what life was really like in a complicated period of time. I really appreciated Green’s appendix that gave more background to the time and clarified the truth from fiction in her book.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with an electronic copy. All opinions are my own.
BETWEEN TWO SHORES is the story of Catherine Duval, a young woman in the mid 1700’s who has a French father and Mohawk mother, living near Montreal. After the death of her mother when she was ten, she went to live with her father who ran a trading post, much to the disapproval of her older sister Bright Star who chose to remain with their mother’s people along with their younger brother, Joseph. This book (and Catherine) deals with issues of trust, betrayal, forgiveness, need, the many kinds of love, regret, bitterness, guilt, and redemption. She struggles with the question of whether she should “only give when she expected to get back in equal measure? Did she consider all of life a trade?” (p. 248) The man who she loved left “So she had bound up her dreams of a family into hard knots and cast them into the river to be stepping-stones to the other side of disappointment.” (p. 18), a statement that resonates with me. When Sam returns after five years and needs her help, Catherine has extremely difficult choices to make at this time of war between the French and the British. She has always traded with both and endeavored to remain neutral. Choosing to do the right thing is sometimes difficult as is living with the consequences. “But the question trailing her prayers grew harder to ignore. If she could not bend God’s will to hers, could she possibly bow to His?” (p. 369) Jocelyn Green’s books are always well researched and full of historical detail. Since this book is set during a time of war, there is danger and so much grief. As Catherine’s redeemed sister, Thankful Winslet says, quoting a Psalm, “‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ But the night, you see, can last a very long time.” (p. 377). Bright Star answers in part, “I do know that however far off the sun is, morning is on the way. ..And I know that sisters help us see the light a little faster.”(p. 378) If you are looking for a light novel, this isn’t it. BETWEEN TWO SHORES is a beautifully written historical novel that spoke to my heart. I highly recommend it.
I received a complementary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
This was one of my favorite books I have ever read. I love the history and the strong female characters. This book has some surprising twists to it. I did not want to put this book does. This was a time period that I had not read too much about and found very interesting. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I have enjoyed Jocelyn Green’s books in the past—they are often unique in their settings, characters, and time periods. This story is no exception; it is beautifully written and speaks to the deep emotional need we all have to feel like we belong somewhere, and the painful places we sometimes visit in the quest to find home.
The characters are vivid, layered, and drastically imperfect. I swear they take on flesh and bone within these pages and evoke emotions so strong that my heart wrenched with the sorrows and betrayals that Catherine experienced; I wanted to defend her from those who would harm her, avenge the wrongs she endured, give the poor woman a hug and cry with her as her life was reduced to ashes around her, not once but multiple times.
There are no easy answers within these pages, including spiritual questions about why God doesn’t always protect those we love from suffering terribly. The realism is often harsh and uncomfortable, but those who have experienced difficult things will likely appreciate that the author never tries to offer cliché platitudes that often do more harm but are the only words we can find to comfort those in pain. It is relatable, even though most of us will thankfully never experience this degree of it.
Set against the backdrop of war and hunger, this book is a difficult read and one I recommend for those 16 years and up due to the thematic elements. This book remains clean of language and non-graphic in even in battle scenes, but the content can be disturbing, especially for those who have suffered abuse or experienced battle.
This novel is a heartbreaking exploration of family, the good and the bad, the expectations and duties, the knowing and acceptance. Setting it during a difficult period in history only serves to heighten the internal anguish the characters experience. It is a book about healing old wounds even as new ones try to scar the soul, forgiving the past and living in the present. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially to those who have an interest in the Seven Years’ War or the French and Indian War.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Can I say unique, deep and different? The story of Catherine and Samuel was so emotional. Being between two cultures is never easy. I loved Catherine’s loyalty to her father but yet I got upset with her too, for letting him mistreat her so much. She also was a strong woman that had to figure out where her loyalties were. Catherine being half Mohawk and half French made this a hard task.
Vivid historical details and characters that I fall in love with makes an exceptional great book for me. There were so many quotes in this book that I loved. I loved the quote from Samuel. “We were lost, the both of us. We saved each other in so many ways. But I’m not your Rescuer, Catie. Only Christ can be that.” This is what Catherine and all of us need to know. Oh my! There were so many good things in this book! I could type quote after quote that has so much meaning to it from this novel. Such good inspirational historical fiction that is not all fluff.
I’m sure this book will be at the top of my favorites for this year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House publisher/author and I loved it! All opinions are my own.
Having read all of Jocelyn Green’s books to date, I have to say this is her best one yet! This story is so original and rich in historic detail! It is so different from anything I have read before. I absolutely loved it! There were some hard topics in this book, but I think they were written with grace. This book deserves to be read multiple times! I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.