The Mark of the King

The Mark of the King
Jocelyn Green
(Bethany House)
ISBN: 9780764219061
January 2017/416 pages/$14.99
Life in This New World Requires More Strength Than She Ever Imagined

After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace--and love--can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Green is the award-winning author of a dozen books, including fiction and nonfiction. A former military wife herself, she offers encouragement and hope to military wives worldwide through her Faith Deployed books and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she co-authored with best-selling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War novels, inspired by real heroines on America’s home front, are marked by their historical integrity and gritty inspiration. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, Toblerone chocolate bars, the color red, and reading on her patio. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob, two children, and two cats in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com. Connect with her also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

MY THOUGHTS

Oh, that I were as gifted a wordsmith as Jocelyn Green, to adequately convey the beauty of this novel. Green's many gifts as an author blend together seamlessly into a compelling story rich with meaning. Impeccably researched, this tale brings to light a little known (to me) aspect of the settlement of New Orleans in the early eighteenth century. Authentic and at times heart-wrenching to read, The Mark of the King sweeps the reader across the centuries into the primitive swamp of Louisiana. The harsh realities that Julianne faced broke my heart. A veritable artist with words, Green brings each of the characters to life, and the pages pulse with emotion. Nuggets of truth tucked into the pages add depth and significance to this amazing story. A great start to your 2017 reading list, The Mark of the King is a must-read!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced digital copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House Publishers and Jocelyn Green via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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