My Heart Belongs In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Murray Pura [Review & Giveaway - USA 3 winners]

My thoughts: Having previously read Murray Pura's wonderful writing on several occasions, I was looking forward to how he would approach a "My Heart Belongs...." story and even more so how he would handle the Civil War battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

I found the leading lady in this story, Clarissa Avery Ross, a bit of a character and frankly did not like her flippant attitude about much of life and especially how she interacted with the young men in her life. Her role as a member of the Underground Railroad helping escaped slaves in their journey to freedom was admirable and yet it, too, was complicated by her personality or attitude. Blame it on her "flaming red hair" or not. I didn't care for it. That doesn't mean her behavior and personality was not suited it simply means I didn't care for it.

How valid it was to the time period? I will leave that to the experts and those who research and delve into whatever records exist that narrate how young ladies "comported" themselves in the 1860s in America.

As the Civil War (or whatever other name one wishes to give this American war) moves into Pennsylvania, Clarissa's character or behavior changes. This is definitely in keeping with reality as when confronted with the very real prospects of war in your own backyard, and then the actual experience of said battles, a frivolous young lady can take on a definite transformation and become quite serious in attitude and behavior. This happens to Clarissa.

Mr. Pura expertly handles the workings of the Underground Railroad and the approach of the Confederate army on Gettysburg and the battle fought at that locale. In great detail, he paints word pictures that place the reader in the middle of the battles. He shows the fierceness of war. He describes the compassionate cessation of conflict while they comb the battlefield for survivors - Northern and Southern.

An interesting read. A good amount of history. A clean romance.

About the Book: When War Reaches Clarissa’s Back Door, the Trustworthy Become Even Fewer

Journey into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, of 1863 where Clarissa Avery Ross lives a full life. By day she is the daughter of a respectable shoemaker being courted by seminary student Kyle Forrester. But by night she is a conductor on the Underground Railroad, working with a mysterious man called Liberty. She would like to share her work with Kyle, but he refuses to enlist when the war breaks out. How can she remain true to a man being labeled a coward? When the war comes to her back door in an epic battle, the greatest challenges to her faith and love are yet to come.

GIVEAWAY

3 Winners, 1 Copy Each

Begins November 15

Ends December 5 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Barbour Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given. Winners' copies are provided and shipped to the winner by Barbour Publishing.