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| The Face of Heaven |
Snapshots in History Series #2
Harvest House Publishers, 2012
Reviewed by Marian Baay
5 stars~*****
Truly A Masterpiece!
The main characters Lyndel Keim and Nathaniel King are Amish. After they witnessed the brutal treatment of runaway slaves, their lives are changed forever. They are just starting to fall in love when Nathaniel joins the Army. Some time later Lyndel follows him as an Army nurse. After about a year they finally see each other again.
Now that both have become a part of the war effort, they are banished from their Amish community.
Despite of the war their love grows. And despite of they're being banished they still live up to their faith.
Nathaniel fights in several well known battles. It's nice to read about the camaraderie among Nathaniel's platoon. I almost felt a part of them and could imagine the bullets whistling around my head.
Lyndel cares for the many wounded soldiers. It's not always pleasant to read about the battle injuries, but it was reality back then.
When loved ones get seriously injured, will Lyndel be able to nurse them back to health?
This book truly is a page turner and a masterpiece! Awesome job, Murray!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. I 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 and choice of format *. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.
I love your comment in the interview about what you hope your readers will get from your writing. This is right down my ally lately. Would love to read the book. Thank you for the opportunity to try and win one. Lcenlow@sit-co.net
ReplyDeleteWOW! I really would love to win this book. Sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteMaxie ( mac262@me.com )
LCENLOW, thanks for reading the interview and stopping by to read my review. We will enter you in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteMAUDEMAXINE, WOW indeed! This was an awesome book. Mr. Pura surely knows how to write!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful review MARIAN! I really have to read this one by Murray. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again, TERESA! :) Yes, you have to read this one!! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe were talking about you on my post...were your ears burning? We missed you! :( I love your reviews, MARIAN, and appreciate you doing one for our MURRAY week. I know when you read it, it was a busy time with the publishing company, and I know Mr. Pura appreciates it too.
ReplyDeleteHey, he has a nickname for us...we have to think of a very good one for him, don'tcha think?
DIANA, I haven't had the time yet to read your post. I had more publisher work to do this morning. I thought I was finished, but the editor had some more questions and I had another review to write, so I hope to read it later today. I'm about to leave now for an hour or so, so maybe after that...
ReplyDeleteBut I will read it today!! Promise!
So, what's yours and T.'s nickname? I guess I'm the soldier of Orange?? ;)
I'm not good in thinking of nicknames. I never come up with anything original, but I will try to think of one. :))
I don't know if T. has one yet, except T. and I have several...southern sass being one of them. I can't imagine where he came up with that one, can you? Ahem! You are pretty original...remember waaaay back...creepy cover? lol!
ReplyDeleteAnd now back to the Face of Heaven! What an awesome book that was, and if I had time, I would read it again, but oh, my tumbling over TBR stack! yikes
I love to read Murray's work and this one looks so inviting! I'd love to win it. Thanks for the chance. Blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteDarlene [spangldlady@gmail.com]
I like the cover of the nook on Face of Heaven - a contrast between the Amish life and World War 1 interweaving and blending with the Amish nurse and the soldier. I am fascinated reading about the nurses and soldiers into relationships during the Civil War era. The nurses were scarce and so did the supplies. The reviews on this book, Face of Heaven. They all are fascinating !!! I would like to win this book. Thank you and God Bless !!' JKTerrazas09@aol.com
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR THE GREAT REVIEW, MARIAN!
ReplyDeleteLCENLOW,MAXIE, TERRSA, SPANGLDLADY, JKT, thanks so much for your enthusiasm & interest in my work, my art, my ministry in story. BLESS YOU ALL! :o)
ReplyDeleteLOL DIANA, I have no idea where MURRAY came up with that nickname for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, The Face of Heaven was an awesome book and I hope to reread it someday. Or I think it would also do nicely as an audiobook. Is there an audiobook version of the book, MURRAY?
DARLENE, thanks for stopping by. You're entered in the contest!
ReplyDeleteJK, good luck in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMURRAY, thank you writing great stories!!
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to win this one. I have just started Wings of Morning and so far it's really interesting. Since my grandfather served in WW1 and his family was affected by the flu epidemic, it holds a special interest to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd my gg-grandfather served in the Civil War so that's why this one is of interest to me also.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy.
kaczmom@gmail.com
SANDY, thank you for sharing! I hope you will get the chance to read Face of Heaven, too! Enjoy Wings of Morning. I also started reading that one.
ReplyDeleteThis is a book for me! I am so fascinated with the Civil War era, the Amish,and of course with books with great reviews. Hope to be able to read it soon. Thanks Marian!
ReplyDeleteAmy C
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
MARIAN, Thanks for your review!!! So GLAD you got your computer keyboard working again or fixed. Thanks for adding the giveaway information and the lins to buy Murray's books! Getting ready to do the second drawing. The third will be done after
ReplyDeleteSaturday midnight.
MARY ELLSWORTH is the WINNER this week of our second drawing! This is an extra drawing this week. CONGRATS!!! Third drawing announced Sunday!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win Murray's book "The Face of Heaven". I read "The Wings of Morning" and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteKaren
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
CONGRATULATIONS MARY ELLSWORTH! What book will you pick?
ReplyDeleteMARIAN, the only books of mine in audio format are ROOTED & STREAMS. Zondervan flew me down to Grand Rapids to do that taping. It took about 4 days. I believe you can download the MP3 off their site or other sites.
ReplyDeleteAMY, I wish there was a copy for everyone! I wish you all the luck in the last drawing Saturday!
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, are you packed yet for you vacation?
ReplyDeleteCongrats, MARY ELLSWORTH!!
ReplyDeleteKAREN, I haven't finished Wings of Morning yet. I hope next week! Good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteMARIAN, NO!!! Still working on it ACK!!! I don't do well with travel, lol! Will go back to it in a minute!
ReplyDeleteMURRAY, both of your nonfiction books should arrive today. Karen Vogel told me how good they were!
ReplyDeleteMURRAY, When I was 'reading' The face of Heaven I was not feeling well. I was in bed and let my Kindle read a lot of the book to me. The Kindle voice is pretty boring, but the story was VERY interesting and I enjoyed it anyway. I thought it would be great to listen to an audio of the book. When there will come one, I am surely going to buy!
ReplyDeleteMARIAN, I guess HHouse doesn't do many audio books - only if your sales are through the roof & clouds - they mentioned they put a very very few of their authors into that format - so God will have to figure that out - I'm sorry you were ill - i thought it was jus the computer that was ill - hope you enjoy Wings too! :o)
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, all the best on your trip! Taking one of the Z books with you? KAREN is a great encourager, a real blessing. Glad she she had good things to say.
ReplyDeleteMurray, your books look great but the Face of Heaven really resonates with me. I was a nurse in the British Military (Royal Navy for 6 years and the Army for 17 years) so I feel I could identify with the characters in this one. Obviously I'm a little too young to have served in the era of the Civil War :-) Should I be lucky enough to win a copy of your book I would require an ebook as I live in Scotland. My email address is w.jones64@btinternet.com
ReplyDeleteWENDY, thank you for writing. Military nursing is one of the most demanding yet one of the most important callings. I'm sure you have many, many stories to tell. I researched the practise of medicine 1861-65 in-depth for this book. War has its heroes and sometimes must be engaged in for the defence of a nation. But it should never be glamorized. You will understand that better than many when you read the book. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOK, I don't usually put all my stuff out there, especially on FB! But I know you all love me so I can't think of a better place to ask for prayer. And MURRAY, you should be pretty good at it seeing as how you have been a pastor.
ReplyDeleteI developed a lump about the size of an egg under my left ear, and just assumed it was swollen lymph nodes, dr. would prescribe me an antibiotic, and that would be that. It isn't actually my lymph nodes after all, but my parotid gland. Dr. said it is either a tumor, or a huge stone, or several stones. He tested me for leukemia, and that was negative, but he said that doesn't rule out the other "C" word. I have to have a ct scan done with the ear, nose, throat specialist asap. He said if it is a big stone, they may be able to scope it out...would still have to be cut for that. :( Puleeeeze pray for me, friends! I think it is just my sassiness coming out, MURRAY! lol!
Through it all, through it all, I'm learning to trust in Jesus, I'm learning to trust in God...do they sing that great song in Holland, MARIAN? I changed the words a little b/c I am still learning to trust Him and sometimes my faith is weak.
CARRIE, love, you just don't know how much I needed and have enjoyed: Jesus Calling-Enjoying Peace in His Presence today (thank you so much for that) and MURRAY, I need to read Streams, too, perhaps?
DIANA - you bet we will pray for you - praying right now - please keep us informed of what God does & how you feel & what each day brings - STREAMS & ROOTED are both honest to God kind of books - I don't try to gloss over fears & suffering with a few fast Bible verses or pats of the hand - it's about meeting God in the rough places & overcoming by his grace & not a small measure of our own courage
ReplyDeleteOf course I'm praying DIANA!! Could this be the cause of your dizziness, too, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how you must be feeling.
I know the song, Diana. We don't sing it in Holland - in a translation I mean, but I have it on a CD. From now on I will think of you when I hear the song.
I will be praying for you!! Meanwhile stick close to Jesus!
DIANA, we are all throwing up TONS of prayers for you and so glad you listened to PAUL and someone else, T.O.M., and call Dr. Praying praying praying. HUGS!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDiana, I pray your health problems will be soon resolved; I can understand it being rather scary even as we trust God.
ReplyDeleteI am interested to see how Lyndel and Nathaniel being Amish but still serving in the war is resolved. The Face of Heaven sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Yes, MARIAN, it could be the cause, depending on how long ago this condition started. DR said it's like a kidney stone in the sense that it starts out small and then grows until ouch, so yes it could have started back awhile! But he isn't sure yet if that is what it is. My whole left ear area is affected by it, tho.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the prayers and words of encouragement, CARRIE, MARIAN, MURRAY, and PAM K! And CARRIE, you are not Tired Old Mommy in my eyes, but a Tremendous, Outstanding Mommy!
MARIAN, I'm sticking to Him like glue, honey, and will be so glad when I am able to give you all a good report!
Great review, Marian! Each of you have given us a little different aspect regarding Murrary's book, and I've enjoyed all 3 reviews. Thanks to Murray and to all of you who made this giveaway possible!
ReplyDeleteNancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
DIANA: I will be praying for you, dear friend! Sorry to hear that you're having problems. May I put a request on Amish Living's Prayer Request group for you? We have a very strong band of sisters praying around the clock for various needs.
ReplyDeleteBlessings & peace be with you!
Nancee
PAM & NANCEE - thanks for dropping by - I hope you get your hands on The Face of Heaven one way or another - all the best with the draw!
ReplyDeleteThanks, NANCEE! Great book gives great reviews!
ReplyDeleteI don't think this translated very well, but I'm sure you know what I mean. :)
NANCEE, that would be so wonderful. I appreciate it, and thank you for your thoughtfulness!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book! Love stories having a Civil War setting.
ReplyDeleteKathy Faberge
finulhour@sbcglobal.net
Looks like our Maid Marian finally went to sleep over there! KATHY, Civil War books are popular again. I have one in my proposal out on submission, that is set at Shirley Plantation in Virginia.
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, only a few years ago I was told Civil War books were a no go & especially any with Amish in them. Really. But I went ahead in the spring & summer of 2011 & wrote The Face of Haven anyways. I'm glad I did & I'm glad you have too. And obviously others. PTL
ReplyDeleteKATHY - thanks for dropping by! All the best with the draw! ;o)
ReplyDeleteNew author for me. I would like to read The Wings of Morning and The Face of Heaven. Thank you for entering me in the drawing. Kathleen
ReplyDeletelanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
KATHLEEN - thanks for your interest & thanks for dropping by! Goodnight!
ReplyDeleteYes CARRIE, you told me to go to bed and I did. ;)
ReplyDeletewow...sounds like a great story...thanks for the chance to read it :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
KAREN, nice to see you. I make sure your name is in the hat!
ReplyDelete