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14 August 2012

Diana Flowers Reviews The Face of Heaven by Murray Pura

The Face of Heaven
The Face of Heaven by Murray Pura
Harvest House Publishers, 2012

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
5 stars~*****

                         Not Your Typical Amish Fiction!


In The Face of Heaven, Murray Pura has penned a powerful, literary masterpiece, set during one of the most tumultuous, heartbreaking times in our country's history--the Civil War. The whipping and hanging of an innocent man near an Amish farmhouse forever changes the course of three young Amish people's lives; Lyndel Keim, her brother Levi, and her beau, Nathaniel King. In spite of being pacifists, they remain haunted by what they have witnessed, and feel compelled to follow the call to join the Union forces.

Lyndel obtains permission to work in the midst of the battlefield, nursing the wounded before they are taken to the hospital, and finds herself serving both the fallen Union and Confederate soldiers. Nathaniel King serves in one of the most courageous regiments in the Union army, the 19th Indiana Brigade, and Lyndel finds her way to him which results in a bittersweet reunion for the two. Separated by the horrific battle of Gettysburg, Nathaniel is severely wounded, and Lyndel must call upon her faith in God; not knowing whether the love of her life is dead or alive. Will she have the strength and the courage to keep nursing the wounded?...when her beloved is lying out there somewhere; possibly dead?

Murray Pura has written a brilliant novel; destined to become a classic. This book evoked so many intense emotions in me-heartbreak, horror, elation, and most of all pride...pride in this great country of ours, and of the men and women who gave their lives to truly make it "the land of the free and the home of the brave." At times my emotions were at such a peak, I had to place the book down, only to find myself picking it right back up--truly a page turner. *WARNING* This novel relives the battles of the Civil War and may not be suitable for more genteel readers. War is not pretty, and there is a lot of carnage, violence, and the harsh realities of war in this book. Though an intense novel, the love story within its pages is timeless and beautiful, and with a strong, spiritual thread throughout this is a definite must read for history/romance lovers everywhere! Very nicely done, Mr. Pura!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review.

Murray's books can be purchased through Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.


GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Murray's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.

113 comments:

  1. Just wanted to welcome everyone this morning to OTT-WGH! Our dear, Dutch friend and contributor, MARIAN, is having computer woes, so pray that she will be able to get that fixed! I miss not seeing her smiling face on here as I normally see it every morning, as MARIAN is 6 hrs. ahead of us in Holland.

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  2. I am fascinated with reading Civil War novels. The relationships between the nurses and the soldiers. The nurses write letters to the wives and sweethearts back home on the antebellum homes on the cotton
    plantations. The family were anxious whether their son was alive or dead awaiting to receive the letters. It took days to bring the news. I feel their pain because the soldiers wearing wool uniforms during the hot and sweltering days and the nurses wearing long hoop skirts. The nurses were scarce and so did the supplies for the soldiers. Both the nurses and soldiers had to rely on God for their strength and wisdom and followed thy will. There were many, many battlefields and numerous soldiers killed and wounded. Both the nurses and soldiers served for Lord God to help others. I would love to win the book, the Face of Heaven. JKTerrazas09@aol.com

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  3. Amish---Civil War---both real interests of mine. We have Wilson's Creek Battlefield near here; it was the first battle West of the Mississippi. We go there to special things but I really like reading various books and articles about this era. I would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity and please count me in!
    spangldlady@gmail.com

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  4. JKTERRAZAS-This book is all that and more! MURRAY has portrayed the Civil War, that to me, is second to none. You should find this book fascinating, especially since you are such a fan of the Civil War era.

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  5. Great to see you, SPANGLDLADY! I'm with you...Amish and the Civil War together, and I'm a happy camper, er, reader that is. :) That's cool being able to attend events at the Wilson's Creek Battlefield! I live in Columbia, SC, so we are loaded with Civil War history here as well.

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  6. Great review of The Face of Heaven Diana! I haven't read any of Murray's books yet. I would be delighted to win a copy but if I don't, it will go on my books to buy list. I love page turners.

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. BRAVO MISS DIANA!!! Lovely review...as much as I loved the A Bride's Flight, I know I would love this one. Mr. Pura is a very talented author!

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  8. JUDY, you will love MURRAY'S books. I have heard nothing but good things about all of them, and this one is on my list of favorites of 2012, which we will be featuring on the blog at the end of the year, of course. lol

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  9. Thank you, Teresa! Yes, he is indeed, and I believe you would love this one! I do miss our little Dutch friend, MARIAN, today, don't you? :( Hope she gets her computer back in working order soon!

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  10. Love the cover and it sounds like an interesting read. :) I always enjoy Civil War stories...even though they can be horrific.

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  11. I think I would really enjoy The Face of Heaven. Thank you so much sharing!

    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  12. Oh, it is such a good book, LYNNETTE! The romance is so beautiful and somehow MURRAY got the heroine's POV spot on. How does a male do that?! I mean there IS a myth (just a myth, mind you!) going around that we are hard to understand! lol Thanks for coming by, LYNNETTE. We had such a great time with you on the blog this past week!

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  13. AMY, it's been such a pleasure reading your comments this week! Thank you for showing your support of MURRAY'S books!

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  14. I have heard only good things about this book. I would love to read it myself. Thanks for the opportunity! Lcenlow@sit-co.net

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  15. LCENLOW, I hope you get a copy in your hands-a very exciting read!

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  16. What happened to the 112 comments or so I was interacting with before I signed off late last night? There are only 15 this morning.

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  17. See older post, Murray. That was the interview, this is my review, and don't rub it in, ok! LOL!

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  18. HEY EVERYONE - as for a male writer writing romances, well, I've yet to meet any decent guy who didn't enjoy holding the woman he loves in his arms. As to POV, well, if you hang around wonderful ladies all your life, and you listen to them, and listen attentively to your bride, you start to appreciate where they are coming from. For my part I love writing the romantic sequences because they are beautiful sequences to spend time on. I get to do that today in the novel that follows The Face of Heaven (Whispers of a New Dawn), having finished up a Thanksgiving dinner scene yesterday & boy am I looking forward to it. As to writing about THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR that conflict has always touched me deeply & I have read many books (including scholarly historical ones) & watched many films about it (I think the film that affected me the most as a boy was Jimmy Stewart & Shenandoah). When I finally had the opportunity from Harvest House to write a story of my own I was more than pumped - I was prayerful & grateful. DIANA thank you for your heartwarming & powerful review. JKT, SPANGLDLADY, JUDY, TERESA, LYNETTE, AMY, LCENLOW, thank you so much for your encouraging words & support - I wish you all the best! :o)

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  19. DIANA, ok, I get it - don't worry - you'll have numbers soon enough - lovee your review but just as much I love your way with people on this site as you moderate ;o)

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  20. Ok, you're forgiven. lol Thank you, what wonderful compliments! Shenandoah was a fantastic movie, and my hubby's favorite! He DVR'd it and we have watched it so many times, I about have the script memorized! :) Jimmy Stewart's best, I do believe.

    I need to copy and paste your comment about listening to the women in your life, and your bride attentively and put it on FB on public setting for all men to read! :)

    I am so excited about Whispers of New Dawn, and will it be about the aftermath of the Civil War and the Amish as well...or can't you tell us yet? I'm still wondering about the Amish in the Caribbean book (huh?), but that's for another time. :)

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  21. Never read a civil war amish book before. This looks fascinating. I thought the Amish were conciencious objectors which meant they couldnt fight.

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  22. They were and are, KOOKS, and that is what makes this story so intriguing. It's about standing up and doing the right thing, knowing that your family and friends will shun you for it. You are sure to enjoy this awesome book, and thank you so much for coming by OTT!

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  23. KOOKS, please come back by and leave an email for us, so that we can contact you should your name be drawn! Thanks! :)

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  24. Murray Pura's books are definitely not the typical Amish fiction! Love his books and would love to win one here.
    Thanks for the opportunity and for the great blog posts I have found here!\
    majik47 (at)hotmali(dot)com

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  25. MARY, I quite agree, they ARE very unique. And thank you...we love seeing you here!

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  26. WHISPERS OF A NEW DAWN, my current WIP & set for Easter release, is Number 3 in the American history series Snapshots in History so it follows on the heels of The Face of Heaven - however it actually carries on with the story of Jude Whetsone & Lynndaya (Kurtz) Whetstone from The Wings of Morning. The story is set 20 years later and they have a grown son (Nate) & a beautiful daughter (Becky). They are still trying to come to terms with their Amish background & whether to rejoin the Amish church or continue to follow a separate path. Meanwhile clouds loom on the horizon yet again - for the year is 1941. Their son is a missionary in China & their daughter is falling in love in Pennsylvania and Jude & Lyyndaya are struggling with whether to stay in Lancaster County or move on to help a good friend on the other side of the world.

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  27. OMGosh...this sounds fantastic! I don't know where you writers come up with these fascinating storylines-I guess they are just up there in your head. No great ideas like that rolling around in my head. I did write the first couple of chapters of a book, and they were great...and then I woke up. Sounds funny, but it's a true story.:) I had dreamed it all.

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  28. Mary Shelley dreamed up Frankenstein - I also think that Bram Stoker dreamed Dracula - later on I'll come back and talk about writing my first novel in 88/89 & what happened with all that. CHEERS!

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  29. Looking forward to it! Hmmm...I'd hate to have dreams about horror stories. ;)

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  30. Diana, great review! Keyboard is still giving problems. :(

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  31. some folk on FB say they're posting but it's not showing up on the site??

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  32. Have not had the privelege of reading one of Murray's books yet. I'm really looking forward to getting one (hopefully soon). Would love to win one since my book-buying budgtet is pretty slim right now. :-( From the reviews I've read of his books, I know I'll enjoy them when I am able to get some. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest. Mary Ellsworth
    mdegram218@centurylink.net

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  33. I don't know why that would be happening, MURRAY. Maybe y'all overloaded blogger yesterday. Just kidding. lol The only thing I know to say is to ask them to try again, which is difficult I know when one posts a long comment. I do apologize. Also we can check email to see if their comments are in there, like yours was yesterday. Thanks for letting me know!

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  34. MARY ELLSWORTH, I would love to see you win the drawing. Maybe random number will love to see you win as much as I would! Let's keep our fingers crossed!

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  35. Thank you, MARIAN! I hope you are able to get the problem resolved without having to buy a new computer. I'm glad to see you here, finally, too!

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  36. THANKS MARY - all the best with the draw!

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  37. Well, thanks, Murray, I just think I'll post again!! Be glad to!

    Looking forward to seeing who wins, whether it's me or someone else.

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  38. my first novel was published in 88/89 and was entitled MIZZLY FITCH (Toronto) - it was kind of a reverse parable - or maybe like Jesus' widow & the judge parable where the lead male character, the judge (who I always portray as Boss Hogg when I dramatize the story in church) is someone who doesn't honor God or justice - Mizzly is bitter at what has happened in his life & blames God for all of it - I show how by the end of the story Mizzly has probably brought twice the grief into his life simply by his bitter attitude - throughout the story other people come his way with ideas on how to handle suffering - some are atheists, some are agnostics, some are Christians - the reader is invited to compare the different philosophies these people live by & decide which path is better - one of the Christian characters is Mizzly's dad, a good soul - another is his mother, an angry soul - then there are his brothers - suicide enters into the story (not Mizzly's) & different people handle it in different ways, including Mizzly - the opportunity to forgive and change direction comes into the tale - and a lighthouse keeper who lives alone and plays his cello, worships Jesus, and saves people who are shipwrecked on the rocks - something Mizzly himself actually decides to do - MIZZLY FITCH was short-listed for the Dartmouth Book Award and initially for the MCNALLY-ROBINSON FIRST NOVEL AWARD (in the end I was scratched) - because they decided I'd been out of Canada too long to qualify as a Canadian any more :P If people can handle Job and Jonah and Ecclesiastes and Psalm 88, and appreciate the story is being told from the viewpoint of someone who is rebelling against God & is full of anger (although those trying to heal him aren't) many people have told me the reverse POV has blessed them and helped them turn from bitterness & rage because they see the dark places it takes Mizzly - the book was taught in Canadian high schools for about 15 years & also at the college & uni level - Christian teachers in secular schools told me they had students who were now reading the Bible for the first time after reading the story & were also asking questions and exploring the Christian faith- so God used the strong parable to bless - but only pick it up if you think you need that Psalm 88 hit, that Job Jolt - otherwise stick to ROOTEd or STREAMS or WINGS OF MORNING or FACE OF HEAVEN - more about my collection of short stories & my work on THE LIFE WITH GOD BIBLE later ;o)

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  39. There could be just a problem with blogger, MURRAY, b/c Carrie and I didn't find anything in the emails, that didn't show up here.

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  40. This sounds like a really good novel, I love anything to do with History and the Civil War era is so interesting. I have never seen an Amish/Civil War story before. This interview and your novel, "The Face of Heaven" sure caught my interest. I enjoyed reading about your novel Murray. Thanks and God Bless! rhea__42@hotmail.com

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  41. HELEN - thank you so much & God bless!

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  42. JANICE AITKINS tried to leave a comment and couldn't, so we have got you entered, JANICE! Thank you so much for coming by!

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  43. Thank you for sharing that about Mizzly Fitch, MURRAY! I'm awestruck that this was taught in Canadian schools for all those years, and in colleges. I really see how many students could identify with the range of characters that you portrayed in that book. I really love realistic characters in the books I read...I'd rather see a character evolve instead of being a goody two shoes from the get go. How long did it take you to write that book? It sounds like an awfully complicated and painstaking book to write!

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  44. Hi Diana, I have never read this author before but sounds like a great story, surprised though that the amish would want to get into the thick of things in wartimes. Is this complete fiction or does he know someone that did this? I would probably read a story by him since your comments.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  45. POL, I actually have a book on my shelf, academic, about Mennonites and Quakers and Amish fighting in that war. So although my story is fiction it is based on fact. Indeed the commander of the Iron Brigade, a Union regiment that features in the story, was a Quaker (Meredith). The cover of the academic book shows a Mennonite boy from Lancaster County in full uniform with his rifle. The lad fought at Gettysburg. So I take that idea and run with it. cheers & thanks so much for dropping by ;o)

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  46. PAULA, it's always great to see you! You would have to read the book to understand exactly why these few Amish chose to go against what they had been taught. I think that is a really great question for MURRAY to answer as far as did he find someone (Amish) in his research who actually did this, or perhaps a distant relative? As far as the Civil War account, Murray's research was extensive and therefore not complete fiction.

    I would encourage you to try one of his books and even though he is one of those things we call a male (lol), he includes a very engaging romance tale as well!

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  47. Love the Amish books and must say this one triggers me even more because of the review and the combo Amish and civil war !

    Marian hope the computer starts working soon, we all need you here !

    mirjam(at) fotoflits( dot) com

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  48. DIANA, the novel MIZZLY FITCH is not a long book, prob less than 50,000 words - I worked on it, back and forth, for about a year though - it is not your run of he mill Christian fiction for sure - yet God has done amazing things with it - long before I was in the US market I was getting letters from Americans who had found copies in various bookstores in the USA - God is great at marketing ;o)

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  49. MIRJAM< are you in Alberta yet??? it's another hot hot day

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  50. RESEARCH - as DIANA mentions I put a lot of research into this book - I would say I've been reading about the war since I was a boy - in my acknowledgments section at the back of the book I list most of the scholars whose books I've used - I ought to mention that I have two Masters degree & one of them is focused on history as well as theology - yup, they've taught me how to dig!

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  51. This is a great review, Diana. You have me convinced I should read The Face of Heaven. I haven't yet read any of Murray's books but I think I need to add them to my "to read" list.
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy of his book.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  52. PAM K, thank you. I've done my "job" then...what a fun job, huh?

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  53. I didn't know that, MURRAY, about Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish actually fighting in the Civil War. I'm sure it alienated them from their friends and families, but they had to obey God rather than men. I appreciate that question, PAULA!

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  54. Oh, I cannot wait to read this one! I have loved all of his books so far. Great review, Diana!

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  55. Book 'em, FAYE-O! with more and more books! lol! thx for dropping in!

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  56. PAM K - how cool is that? thanks! blessings!

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  57. Waving at FAYE up there...such a sweetie pie!

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  58. FAYE is actually the gal on the FIVE-O show ;o)

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  59. MURRAY, is there anyone you don't have a nickname or a cliche for? lol! What 5-O show Hawaii?

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  60. DI, is there any other??? and here comes the wave curling & here come the drums . . . lol

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  61. I guess that was a blonde question wasn't it? lol That was a great theme song on that show, but looking at the reruns it was a rather generic show if you ask me. I mean really.

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  62. Destined to become a classic - high praise indeed Diana! I'm certainly going to keep my eye out for more books by this author.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  63. the new version is hot - check it out DIANA ;o)

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  64. I didn't know they had a new version, MURRAY. I never watch tv, unless it's an occasional Hallmark movie. Do they have the same theme song?...that was the best part of the show. I'll check out the new one.

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  65. Deserved praise, PATTY! Thank you for coming by and hoping for a win for you!

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  66. Long play date (at our house) this morning and afternoon for Sweetie Boy and his friend and then took him to the pool this evening. My nickname is Tired Old Mommy (T.O.M.) and I have earned that title today!!!

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  67. You are such a good mommy! When does Sweetie Boy go back to school?

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  68. Please enter me!

    amada_chavez@yahoo.com

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  69. I see we're just about at 140 comments on the other thread, the interview one, since people keeping reading the interview & posting there as well as here - very interesting - I continue to interact on the interview thread as well as this review one

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  70. We appreciate you doing that, MURRAY, as we know you have alot on your plate, hopefully a little bacon this morning! Sorry, I couldn't resist! lol Inside joke, folks! ;)

    Some people don't get on FB every day, so maybe that's why we get some late comers over there possibly. Which is great because there are people out there that need to read your testimony! We appreciate you, MURRAY.

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  71. Guys I will be spending the day with Daughter Numero Uno & helping her get stuff for her apartment & get ready for Nursing College - I will be on this evening when I'm back & respond to any comments, etc. at that time - God bless!

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  72. Great review! Would love to win and read this book. I read The Wings of Morning and it was great. Looking forward to The Face of Heaven. Thank you for the chance to win.
    Karen
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  73. KAREN, thank you! It was easy to write this review, when others don't seem to flow quite as well and one has to grasp for words. The words just poured straight from my heart, not my mind so much, if that makes any sense at all. I was so deeply touched by everything about this book, and am convinced everyone else will be as well! Always such a pleasure to see you here, KAREN, and good luck in the giveaway!

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  74. I posted in the comments yesterday and the day before about the review on the new book, the Face of Heaven. It is a new combination of Amish Life and the Civil War. I am a history buff. I like reading the Civil War novels. I like the interweaving between the real history and fictional characters. I like reading about the relationships between the soldiers and the nurses. Also the masters and slaves on the antebellum homes and cotton plantations. They rely on the Lord Gid for the strength and wisdom. They do with
    God's will. Amish life is simple and humble and work hard for God on farm community. I am also interested in oppression and prosecution and how they overcame with their obstacles. They are ordinary people doing their extraordinary things. Based on the Bible on the oppression and prosecution
    and helping to serve others for God in humble.I would like to win the book, the Face of Heaven. JKTerrazas09@aol.com Thank you and God Bless !!!

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  75. JKTERRAZAS, thank you for posting about the review and for sharing your wonderful thoughts with us above! I love all of those things as well and Murray has included all of the above in this awesome book. After hearing what you like to read about, you are sure not to be disappointed with The Face of Heaven! Thank you.

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  76. And PTL, MARIAN, got her computer fixed and will hopefully join us later after her company leaves. I have missed my Dutch cohort! I have the best cohorts in the world to work and play with here on the blog! Man, I love that word--cohorts. lol! Welcome back to cyberworld, MARIAN!

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  78. Historical Romance is my favorite. Not sure why I prefer books set in the past. That is before all the technology. That must be why I enjoy reading books about the Amish.

    I would love to win this book. After reading the post/review it is definitely a book I will read.

    Thanks!
    Patricia
    plb1050[at]gmail[dot]com

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  79. I have not read any of Murrary's books but would love to try one out. Would love to win one.
    angela from KY angelac@mchsi.com

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  80. PATRICIA, I'm with you! Historical fiction is definitely my first love, and I love the Amish books, too. And put the two together...I'm in!

    As much as I love historicals, though, I get a craving for a contemporary suspense once in awhile. It's like eating steak every day-once in awhile you want chicken, or vice versa. :) I have a delectable looking Mennonite suspense novel that is definitely calling my name!

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  81. ANGELA, what a beautiful state you're from! I hope you get a copy of one of MURRAY'S books asap! Thank you for coming by!

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  82. I would so love to win this. Have never had the pleasure of reading one of your books. God bless all, Patti in VA pag1936@yahoo.com

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  83. PATTI, MURRAY'S books are indeed a pleasure you must indulge in! :) Perhaps you will win your first one here! Thank you for coming by and showing an interest in MURRAY'S novels.

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  84. New author for me! I read Christian Historical Fiction! My favorite. Appreciate all the research the authors do to entwine their characters within events/happenings beyond what we read in history books! thank you ~*~ Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  85. KATHLEEN, always such a pleasure to see you here! I hope you get a chance to read one of MURRAY'S books! He'll have a new fan...I'm convinced of that! :) ~Blessings~

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  86. I would love to win Murray Pura's new book 'The Face Of Heaven'......I am a big book fan of Murray Pura's.....and I am a follower through feedburner and facebook...and I have shared on twitter and facebook.....babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

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  87. EYEBALLLUCY, thank you for sharing all over cyberland! You're a gem. Hoping for a win for you!

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  88. Sounds like a wonderful read. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you.

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  89. DIANA, I finally made it over here! It was one of my 3 days a week to babysit my 16-month-old granddaughter, and it's been a long day. Your review of Murray's book is fabulous! I can hardly wait to read the book! Just waiting for it to arrive.

    Murray, I'm really impressed with your knowledge of the Civil War. I love the history of that time period, and have travelled to many of the battle sites. I love Gettysburg, and will go back again. I learn something new each time I visit. I have a Civil War sword that has been in the family for quite some time, and it's a reminder of that horrific war, and the bonds of slavery. Thank you so much for writing The Face of Heaven based on factual events. Mixing an Amish ingredient with our Civil War history will undoubtedly be a great read, and if my memory serves me correctly, I believe that Dianna had suggested that this will undoubtedly become a classic. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your heart with us!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  90. MARY ELLEN, I just threw your name in the proverbial hat! Thanks!

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  91. NANCEE, I have my gson 3 times a week as well, so I can totally identify. I love him to pieces, but the old gray mare-she ain't what she used to be--he just left and I'm pooped! lol

    With your love of the Civil War era, I know you will be enthralled with this one, NANCEE. MURRAY had to have worked very hard on his research for this book; I learned so much just by reading it! And the love story was beautiful and timeless, for all you historical/romance fiction lovers out there, so I guess MURRAY did plenty of research in that department as well! AHEM! :) And yes, I do believe that this book is bound to become a classic.

    I'm so glad you came by to chat with us, NANCEE. Your posts are always so interesting and filled with warmth. ~Bless You~

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  92. Entering again would so love to win

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  93. Forgot to put addy just now. pag1936@yahoo.com

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  94. DIANA! Thanks for stepping up to the plate today & interacting so well with all the people that came by. I wanted to say there are at least four new entries under Older Post who came by today but I'm not sure you noticed them because you didn't say anything to them like you normally would. They will certainly want you to enter their names in the GIVEAWAY. What happened to Holland? Didn't she get her computer fixed? Never noticed MARIAN's name posting anything. So sad.

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  95. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING BY! I wasn't around on Wednesday but I'm so glad DIANA was - you were in good hands. I want to thank all of you who dropped by & expressed interest in The Face of Heaven - that was a book I wrote from the heart & I hope it touches your lives. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! :o)

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  97. Those on older post will be entered, MURRAY! Thanks!

    Holland finally got her computer fixed and had to write a summary on a book for the publishing company, and had to stay up very late writing it, but I'm sure she will be on here before the rest of us arise in the morning. I have missed my cohort!

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  98. Yes, DIANA, we all miss our SOLDIER OF ORANGE when she's not around. See y'all tomorrow! :o)

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  99. Please please enter me in the contest! I've never read any of Mr. Pura's books but have read all the good reviews. MAYBE I will get lucky and win one so that I can get hooked on his books!! Thanks so much! I will be putting an extra space in my email addy to discourage spammers! Thanks again! JoEllen Keller jrkeller@ embarqmail (dot)com

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  100. JO, so glad you made it here Thank you for your energy & kind words. The gals n the east coast will make sure you're entered in the draw when they rise & shine Thursday morning! God bless! :o)

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  101. Finally got in. Good review, and very interesting story sounds like. I would love to win it. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  102. MAUDEMAXINE, so glad to see you here, and glad you made it. I'm hoping that you are in a different time zone, b/c I would hate to think you weren't asleep at 2:59 am. :( Not good when you can't sleep, so am hoping you are on Australia time or something. :) God bless!

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  103. JOELLEN-I can't think of anything better to get hooked on...books, especially Murray's! :)

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  104. MURRAY My computer was fixed yesterday, but I had a lot of work to do for the Dutch publisher first. That work was waiting for two days already, so I had to do that first. It was far past midnight when I had finished that, so that's why you have missed your soldier of Orange.
    Sad thing is that something is still not good on the computer and it needs to reset again tomorrow. :(

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  105. DIANA and MURRAY, you two are great interacting with people. I have a lot to learn from you!

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  106. MARY ELLSWORTH is the WINNER this week of our second drawing! This is an extra drawing this week. Murray has many different books out and she will choose in paperback or ebook.

    CONGRATS!!! Our last drawing is announced Sunday.

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  107. WELL DONE, MARY ELLSWORTH! What book will you pick out? MARIAN, get a Mac!

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  108. MURRAY, can you buy me one, please? lol

    Hubby fixed the problem. He could download a driver for the program that gave the problems. So, thankfully we don't have to reset again!

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  109. MARIAN, so glad the Dutch SEAL TEAM 9 is up & running again!

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  110. Congrats to MARY ELLSWORTH! Wow, out of all these comments, too! Enjoy your book!

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