ARC Review: Hope Rising by Stacy Henrie

Title: Hope Rising ( Of Love and War, #2) Author:  Stacy Henrie Publisher/Publication Date: Forever; December 16, 2014 Genre: Historical Romance Format/Source: ARC, Publisher Book Summary In France at the height of World War I, American nurse Evelyn Gray is no stranger to suffering. She's helped save the life of many a soldier, but when she learns her betrothed has been killed, her own heart may be broken beyond repair. Summoning all her strength, Evelyn is determined to carry on-not just for herself and her country, but for her unborn child.  Corporal Joel Campbell dreams of the day the war is over and he can return home and start a family. When a brutal battle injury puts that hope in jeopardy, Joel is lost to despair . . . until he meets Evelyn. Beautiful, compassionate, and in need of help, she makes an unconventional proposal that could save their lives-or ruin them irrevocably. Now, amidst the terror and turmoil of the Western Front, these two lost souls will have to put their faith in love to find the miracle they've been looking for. Buy links for HOPE RISING: Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1pnwQLn Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1GkP98a IndieBound: http://bit.ly/1E5Ee0Y Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xc8AOO Review If you love historical romances and have time to read just one more book during 2014, you'll want to read Hope Rising by Stacie Henrie. Henrie presents this historical romance novel in a manner that will keep you glued to the pages until the very end. Although this is book 2 of the Of Love and War series, Evelyn Gray and Joel Campbell's story can be read as a standalone. I absolutely love Henrie's writing style and the fact that the emotional connection between the hero and heroine is at the forefront of their romantic tale.  Hope Rising is even better than the first book in the series as we follow nurse Gray's experience in the Army Nurse Corps. I like the fact that Henrie's stories are inclusive of women and their experiences during World War I—Including their roles in society along with their struggles. The nurses serving in the corps had to abide by a set of rules. At times, Evelyn struggled with adhering to these rules. After her betrothed died she met Joel Campbell, an injured soldier. Their nurse-patient relationship evolved into a friendship and a gripping yet heartfelt story of life after experiencing loss. It was also a story of  faith, letting go, and God's will. Also, Henrie seamlessly integrated history and the morals of the time along with the hope and despair associated with love and war.  It's a perfect book for those who like clean historical romances. And it's a must read if you like stories with tense heart-stopping moments that will whisk you  back in time to the heart of a conflict on the front lines as a forbidden romance unfolds.  I would definitely recommend Hope Rising and can't wait to read book #3 of the series, A Hope Remembered in March of 2015. Rating 5/5 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Click on the link to read an excerpt from Hope Rising!