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!

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway! Hope Rising & A Christmas Hope by Stacy Henrie

Title: Hope Rising Author: Stacy Henrie Publisher/Publication Date: Forever, December 16, 2014 Review will be posted soon! About HOPE RISING 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 HOPE RISING Excerpt Evelyn lowered her gaze to the root she’d tripped over rather than continue to stare at her gallant rescuer. “It’s mostly Louis and Pierre who’ve been interested in reading, but they’ve caught on well.” She slid a few more inches away from him, finagling her feet around the gnarled roots. Breathing was difficult with Joel so close. He shifted to lean his shoulder against the tree trunk. “Is something wrong?” She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Are you angry at me? For coming over to the group, instead of staying away like we talked about?” Evelyn flicked a glance at those hazel eyes. “No, not at all.” Silence reigned for several heartbeats, then she felt his finger beneath her chin. He gently prodded her head upward until she had to look at him. Her stomach flip flopped as she peered fully into his handsome face. Light fuzz covered his chin and jaw. He needed another shave. A strange, irrational thought that she must be the one to do it filled her mind. “Are you afraid of something, Evelyn?” You. She kept the word sealed inside as her thoughts spiraled like a tornado. What if he didn’t reciprocate these growing feelings? What if he decided not to marry her next week? There’d been times over the last few days when she thought Joel was beginning to soften toward her, even like her. She’d notice a lingering look from him or a smile, but they would disappear as quickly as they came and his manner would return to its usual, kind aloofness. Perhaps she ought to be asking him a similar question. What was he afraid of? “I’m fine, really.” She swallowed hard. “Just a bit tired is all.” Instead of releasing her chin as she expected, Joel lowered his gaze to her mouth. The rush of sound in Evelyn’s ears grew as thunderous as a windstorm. Was he going to kiss her? Should she let him? Yes, her heart cried. She wanted him to kiss her, had dreamt of this moment She held her breath as Joel leaned forward. Closing her eyes, she waited for his lips to reach hers. Would his kiss be as glorious as she’d imagined? Or better? She felt his breath brush her chin, sending her stomach into another frenzy of flutters. The sudden blare of horns dropped like a bomb into the quiet of the trees, obliterating their shared moment. Evelyn opened her eyes and turned toward the hospital. “More wounded soldiers.” Joel straightened, robbing her of the warmth of his closeness. “Which means more surgeries.” His disappointed tone had her hopes soaring heavenward again. Did it mean he cared? “Yes, it does. Will you watch after Louis for me?” “I don’t profess to be as good a teacher as you, but I’ll try.” “Thank you.” She turned to go, but Joel caught her hand, stopping her retreat. “Evelyn?” “Yes?” She wished she didn’t sound so breathless. Wished she didn’t have to leave him. He released her hand to brush her cheek with his thumb, heating her skin with the tender touch. “Good luck.”  Title: A Christmas Hope (An of Love and War Novella) Author Stacy Henrie Publisher/Publication Date: Forever Yours, December 2, 2014 Review will be posted soon! About A CHRISTMAS HOPE Tis the season for second chances… Having experienced the heartache of unrequited love, Maria Schmitt desperately seeks a new life. Landing a position as a clerk in a Sioux City bank is just what she needs to get started on her journey toward healing. But a dashing stranger soon puts her job-and her heart-in jeopardy. Saving lives was all Dale Emerson ever wanted to do . . . until a fateful day in France shattered his career as a surgeon. He lost everything that mattered, and the last thing he wants to do is resign himself to a life without medicine working at his uncle's bank. Then he meets Maria, a compassionate woman who can see past his scars to the man he once was-and the man he could be again. With Christmas right around the corner, these two wounded hearts may find that hope and a little holiday cheer are just the ticket to letting go of regrets-and embracing a future full of love and possibility. Buy links for A CHRISTMAS HOPE Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1yc6kCA  Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1sl3ChF  Kobo: http://bit.ly/1sl3E9b  Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Bt9d5r  iTunes: http://bit.ly/1wkC8bl  Amazon: http://amzn.to/1z3l0Ij  About Stacy Henrie Stacy Henrie has always had an avid appetite for history, fiction and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations from Brigham Young University and worked in communications before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a stay-at-home mom to three, Stacy loves the chance to live out history through her fictional characters, while enjoying the modern conveniences of life in the 21st century. In addition to author, she is a reader, a road trip enthusiast and a novice interior decorator. Stacy’s SM @StacyHenrie https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Henrie-Author http://www.stacyhenrie.com/  Giveaway  a Rafflecopter giveaway