Give-away: Civil War novel Patriot Heart

Today I'm delighted to share with you a brand new Civil War-era novel by Diane Kalas: Patriot Heart. Here's the blurb:

May 1865. All Dan Goodman wants is to marry an uncomplicated girl and have a family, but the war interfered and he became a POW who now believes he’s losing his mind and unfit for marriage. He dreams of Oregon to put the memories behind him. The problem is he owes a debt of gratitude to the beautiful songstress. In addition, Clara Barton wants him to be a witness for the prosecution in the first trial for war crimes in American history. Letty Talbot is a world-weary steamboat songstress, and wants a new direction after sudden loss. Letty decides to run a supply depot for emigrants going out West, and talks Dan into a partnership where he builds the prairie schooners. Letty won’t admit she wants to keep Dan from leaving. Even though they butt heads a lot, no man ever interested Letty as this one did. If Letty marries Dan she loses her depot, because married women have no property rights. Letty must learn to trust God with her future. Dan must forgive fellow Union inmates who killed for selfish reasons, and face the commandant of Andersonville Prison in a court of law. Allowing his Oregon dream to fade, he can then embrace the future God planned for him.

I love Diane's purpose behind the book. Here's why she wrote it, in her own words:

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Diane Kalas

"Back in 1990-91, a US military operation called Desert Storm took place in the Middle East. Not long afterward, the veterans involved came back with invisible scars that later became known as PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The heartbreaking stories about the men and women who couldn’t keep jobs or relationships soon became a regular feature on the nightly news. The startling numbers of vet suicides have increased over the years. "I write historical fiction and wanted to know how Civil War veterans who suffered with the same symptoms of PTSD were treated. Nineteenth century doctors diagnosed those afflicted with the condition as Soldier’s Fatigue. They offered bed rest in a soldier’s convalescent home, or recommended a discharge and a train ticket home. "As my story idea came together, I especially wanted to write my hero as a strong Christian and show how he dealt with the horrors of Andersonville Prison and kept his faith, both inside the prison and afterward through his recovery. Perhaps a 21^st century veteran’s spouse, mother, sister, or girlfriend will read Patriot Heart and see there is hope for their loved one. Hope for the future in God, the Father, and salvation through Jesus Christ, His son." Read the first chapter of Patriot Heart here! And now, for the give-away! This one is so simple--just leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing! If you subscribe to this blog, tell me so, and I'll give you an extra point. A winner will be selected at random at midnight on Tuesday, August 18.

Comments

I'm really excited about this book! Can't wait to read more :) (subscriber)

looks like this is going to be an awesome read, can't wait to read more!

I love Civil War history. I like reading unusual stories and just recently finished Drew Gilpin Faust's "Republic of Suffering" about the aftermath of the War.

Thank you for your comment. My research turned up several previously unknown facts about the Civil War. In particular, "the trial of the century," the first trial for war crimes in US history. Hope you enjoy the story.

This looks like a fantastic story. Wow. =D (And I do subscribe here. ;) If you couldn't tell. LOL )

Hee hee, I thought you might be a subscriber, Meghan. :) I'm glad you like the sound of this story!

This looks so interesting! I love the Civil War era. =)

Hi Emily: Thank you for commenting. I thought I knew a lot about the Civil War, but learned even more during my research. Hope you enjoy the story.

I subscribed!

Terrific, thanks!

Sounds great. Enjoyed the interview. Thank you for the chance to win. God bless.

Would love to read it. Sounds interesting! I already subscribe.

I'd love to read this book. Discovering new authors is so much fun!!! I follow your blog as well!

This is my kind of book. Marion

I would love to read this. My husband served in Iraq twice.

This book looks so good.I can't wait to read it. Marilyn

I love these kind of books. Joan

I would enjoy this read. You always have such good suggestions!

I love reading Civil War era historical novels, and appreciate the opportunity to win this one. Thank you.

Sounds like a good book! Thank you for the giveaway!! :)

I would love to read this book, I subscribe to the blog.

This book sounds like one I'd love to read. I enjoy Civil War fiction. I'd like to be entered. Also, I believe I am subscribed to the blog:)

There are so many untold stories of the Civil War and it's horrors. I am glad you wrote a story about this subject! I will need to read it!

Thank you, Susan, for your comments. The Civil War POWs are an untold story, in my opinion.

After reading the first chapter I am excited to read the entire story. While I love reading about the Civil War, Jocelyn's stories have educated me in ways that my history classes in school did not. I have purposely not sought out facts about the Andersonville Prison. Hearing just the name instills in me a sadness of the horror that the soldiers endured. We read of the outside physical scars, but never considered the demons that they lived with after release. And to think that there were no resources available at that time to help them adjust. It is time that I read about Andersonville Prison and the memories that haunted the survivors. I love being a suscriber!

Hi Carolyn: I did a lot of research on Andersonville Prison and visited the place on a beautiful November day. No one was there but my husband and I. I had a difficult time with the blues as I decided what to put in my story and how to show what the hero experienced. I hope I balanced the bad with enough good to give readers a satisfied reading experience overall. Thank you for your comments.

I always enjoyreading stories set in the Civil War era. I would like ro read your book.

Nice to meet you. I am a big Civil War nut. I am excited to have another to read who writes about the Civil War. I can't wait to read your book. ~ blessings ~ I am a subscriber to your blog.

Wow, this sounds like a great story, would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. I am a subscriber! wfnren at aol dot com

I enjoyed the blurb, I would like to read this book! I get your newsletter :) dkstevensneAT outlookD oTCoM

Love Civil War stories, and love the premise behind 'Patriot Heart'!! PTSD/Soldier's Fatigue is something I would love to know more about. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!! I am a blog subscriber!!

Hi Bonnie: I write inspirational historical romance and hadn't read a book with a hero who had soldier's fatigue/exhaustion to the depth that I took my hero. He really believes he's losing his mind and no wonder. Poor guy. I believe readers will love him as he struggles to overcome the symptoms. Thank you for your comments.

I would love to win this book! I am a regular subscriber of your blog. I studied about PTSD many years ago in college when I majored in psychology. It was just starting to be recognized and treatment and understanding was only beginning! bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

Hi Betti: Sad to say, our government took way too long in recognizing the serious symptoms associated with combat veterans. The bottom-line was money, of course. The VA needed to offer benefits specific to the needs of veterans with what became known as PTSD. Still, not enough is done today to support the vets through recovery. There is hope, always, through the One who loves them the most.

I would really love to read this new book, and I am a subscriber to your blog. I have so many Ancestors that were in the Civil War.

Hi Linda: I wish I could say I had ancestors who were in the Civil War. How interesting. I'm a first generation American with parents and grandparents from Scotland. Best wishes.

What a fabulous read this promises to be . I'm a subscriber.

I love the Civil War era! I'm an email subscriber.

I want to thank Jocelyn for hosting me on her wonderful blog. This is such a privilege, and so much fun to meet readers who enjoy Civil War era stories. May God continue to bless Jocelyn with creative ideas for her novels and many years of success.

Diane, it's my pleasure to have you. I knew my readers would be intrigued by your story!

I love Civil War Christian fiction, and I've now read Chapter 1 of this new book twice! Can't wait to read the whole thing. Thanks for teaching me some lessons in history that for some reason I was not ready for as a high school junior! I learn much while reading these chapters filled with history but also with real life issues.

Wow, Becky, I am impressed you read Chapter 1 twice. I learned a lot about Civil War in my research that I didn't know before. I hope I've balanced my story with enough humor and interesting characters to give the reader a great experience. Thank you for commenting. God bless.

Diane, I left an extended comment on Mrs. Dooley's website, so I won't go into much detail here. I'm afraid I am now stalking you. You have piqued my interest greatly with your debut novel and I will definitely be reading it. Jocelyn, It's funny the domino effect my search has had. I went to Diane Kalas' blog to find out more about her writing/research and that led me to you. I'm afraid I haven't read any of your books, but the premise of many is what led me here. I am the wife of a veteran with PTSD and I have been blessed by what I have read about your ministry. I pray that wherever the Lord leads you, that you continue to touch lives. I am putting your books on my tbr and also subscribing to your blog. I look forward to getting to know your writing.

Thank you so much, Terrill! You have probably noticed that military/war tends to be the dominant theme of the six nonfiction and four novels I've written so far. I do hope you find something you enjoy reading from browsing around on the blog! Thank you for your service, and thanks to your husband for his service as well! Blessings to you.

Hi Terrill: I'm so glad you found Jocelyn's blog. Her WOMEN BEHIND THE LINES-CIVIL WAR are terrific reads. I can appreciate Jocelyn's attention to research and her interest in that turbulent time in our country's history. It's not the war itself, but the people caught up in the war that hold my interest. Happy reading, Terrill. Thanks for commenting.

I'm almost finished reading The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini. It dovetails nicely with Spy of Richmond because they both feature the Libby Prison. It would be nice to continue reading in the Civil War era and learn a little about the Andersonville Prison. @AmandaGeaney

Hi Amanda: My debut novel, Patriot Heart, has some unique research that Civil War buffs will find interesting. Thank you for leaving a comment.

Diane, your cover is gorgeous, and the plot piques my interest b/c my between my husband and my son, our family did four tours of duty in Iraq/Afghanistan. I'm glad you explored PTSD in this writing, and hope you get to write some more. 'Thanks for sharing here and through your novel.

Hi Gail: Patriotism runs high in your family and thank you, Lord, for having a heart for our country. The research was emotionally tough at times, and I learned a lot about the Civil War era. My cover was designed by Cynthia Hickey and somehow she caught my hero perfectly. I picture Kirk Cameron for the role! Thank you for your comments.

Thank you all so much for entering this drawing for Patriot Heart! The winner, selected using Random.org, is "DebiHIS". Debi, check your email inbox for an email from Diane Kalas soon!

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Give-away: Civil War novel Patriot Heart

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