Books

Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2011) was awarded the Silver Medal in the spiritual/religious category of the Military Writers Society of America Awards. The awards were presented at the MWSA national conference on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, in Dayton, Ohio. I am thrilled to share this honor with all 29 contributing writers from every branch of service! (Meet them here.) See a list of all award winners on the MWSA Web site, here. The following is the MWSA book review for Faith Deployed...Again: “Semper Paratus!” which translates to “Always Prepared,” is the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard. When Jocelyn Green married a man in the Coast Guard, she found herself married to the military. The military family is blessed to have Mrs. Green on search and rescue for people floating on the tumultuous waters of military life. When her husband deploys again, she deploys...again! Jocelyn takes her unshakable faith on every deployment and devotional. She chooses to include the 29 other writers wisely. As a Christian, she lives and believes that life without faith in Jesus Christ is an impending catastrophic collision at sea, which of course could ruin anyone’s day! The devotionals address the common denominator of everyday prayer life and faith of all Christian women regardless of denomination. Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives explores how the Bible relates to a variety of topics and issues - including those that arise with post-deployment – encountered in a military marriage. Each devotional is based on the unchanging character of God and the anchor we have in Jesus Christ offering encouragement, strength, community, and hope to the heroes at home. With the help of over 25 contributing women authors from every branch of the U.S. military, the book is unabashed in addressing the issues that test a Christian woman married to a military man. There are 112 two-page devotionals that comprehensively tackle a multitude of real challenges and issues facing military spouses. Each devotional economically addresses the various authors’ own challenges without blaming her spouse or others. This book is not just for military wives. It is a powerful and encouraging help for Blue Star parents also. All of us could benefit from the wisdom imbedded in the pages. The faith displayed is not sugarcoated, but it is based on real issues and real consequences. How different my life would have been if I could have gifted this book to every member of my parish when I was deployed to Fallujah Iraq in 2004. These women helped me to understand that my deployment to Iraq and years of reserve duty had a more profound impact on my parish community than I realized. The faith and practical sharing in these devotionals could help “save” marriages, heal families and restore church communities. This book has strengthened my faith. The book is about love, forgiveness, reunion, growth through suffering, learning to complain less, grief and loss, addressing shattered expectations, thriving from reluctant deployments, networking, surviving frequent moves and mostly learning to pray well. All of this could be hitting us when it seems that our prayer to God is simply shouting into a tin can attached to a string. The women encourage us to never go alone. There is always someone to help you through the tough times. The book seems to invite husbands into a deeper and richer relationship with their Christian wives and with their God. Most comforting was that it was neither preachy nor caught up in religiosity. Faith Deployed…Again seems to be “Always Prepared” to throw out the Life Savior to those who have ever had a loved one deployed. Catch it and hold on! Faith Deployed...Again includes a bonus section of devotions written by and for Blue Star Moms. To read this book is to be aware of an incredible support system based on faith. A free online study guide is available at FaithDeployed.com. Reviewed by: Fr. Ron Camarda (2011) In April, Faith Deployed...Again won first place in the inspirational/gift category of the 2012 Selah Award. The silver medal marks the third MWSA win for a book co-authored by Jocelyn Green. Stories of Faith and Courage from the War In Iraq & Afghanistan won the Gold Medal i n 2010, and Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives won the Bronze.

FREE! This week three bloggers are holding give-aways for hard copies of Wedded to War! 1) Over at Margaret Daley's blog, there is an interview not with me, but with my main character, Charlotte Waverly. What a fun way to get a glimpse into a novel! Check it out here, and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. But hurry! This drawing ends tomorrow night (July 8). 2) Relz Reviewz, an Australian book blog, is shining its character spotlight on Charlotte Waverly, too. Pop over to her blog and enter the drawing, which closes on Sunday, July 15. 3) I'm a guest blogger at Amber Stockton's "A Fictional Life" blog, where I talk about the "work of imagining," which answers the question of why novelists have to do research if their job is to "make stuff up." :) Visit the blog post here, and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Or just leave a comment to have your say, because I'm really interested in your answer to the question! This drawing closes the night of July 11. SALE! If you have an ereader, note that today is the last day to get your ebook of Wedded to War for $1.99. Starting tomorrow, it will be $2.99 for one week, then it goes back to regular price. Right now Wedded to War is an Amazon best-seller for Christian historical fiction, so don't miss out on the discount! Download it and start reading almost instantly at any of these locations: Amazon.com ChristianBook.com BarnesandNoble.com Happy Reading! (And good luck to those who enter the drawings!)

If you have an ereader, this is your lucky week! From now until June 30, the ebook version of my Civil War historical, Wedded to War, is absolutely FREE! Download it and start reading almost instantly at any of these locations: Amazon.com ChristianBook.com BarnesandNoble.com Here, hot off the press, is the book trailer! See more about the book at www.heroinesbehindthelines.com. Now, if the fact that this is free isn't enough to convince you it's worth downloading, take a look at what others are saying about it: “This novel left me in awe—of Jocelyn Green’s talent in telling a fabulous story, in her attention to historical detail, and how she brings to life a unique aspect of the Civil War.” ~Laurie Alice Eakes, author of Heart’s Safe Passage “A haunting Civil War epic, Wedded to War is a rich historical tapestry interwoven with a gentle love story that will steal both your heart and your sleep. Mark my words, Jocelyn Green is an author to watch — and read — over and over again.” ~ Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series “Fascinating, dramatic, and romantic. Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green sheds light on the harrowing world of Civil War nursing through the eyes of a delightful heroine. Detailed research and a powerful message about mercy make this story a keeper.” ~Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series “Jocelyn Green lends her considerable talent to a tale both historically interesting and emotionally absorbing. Her Heroines Behind the Lines series is sure to draw readers eager for accurate stories of the Civil War, but also grab readers yearning for well-drawn characters who battle forces bigger than themselves in a quest for acceptance, grace, and love. Wedded to War does a fine job with both.” ~Ann Byle, author of The Making of a Christian Bestseller “Although fictional, Wedded to War brings to life the important, and often dismissed, story of women’s entrance into Civil War nursing – and, in particular, the virulent opposition they faced from military doctors. It reminds us all that the access to employment and political rights that American women take for granted were achieved on deeply-contested ground, and that women showed both ambition and courage in opposing those who wished to defend their own turf.” ~ Dr. Lori Ginzberg, Professor of History & Women’s Studies, Penn State University, and author of Women and the Work of Benevolence “Jocelyn Green’s exceptional Wedded to the War kept me up late at night wanting to read ‘just one chapter more.’ Set amid the tragedy of the Civil War, Green explores characters both seedy and honorable as they wade their way through life trying to determine who to love and who to serve. A story of grace and promise, Wedded to the War just became one of my favorite historical novels. ~Kristina Seleshanko, author of 60 Civil War-Era Fashion Patterns, Victorian & Edwardian Fashions for Women and other books “They said that war was no place for women, but in 1861 women went to war: they battled public opinion, the fears of their families, the disdain of the medical establishment, and the suspicions of the military. The soldiers, ill, wounded, and dying appreciated their presence as women ran laundries and food kitchens, nursed, and organized hospital work at a time of disorganization. Wedded to War is based on extensive research. The letters of Georgeanna Woolsey provided the inspiration for the novel’s main character, Charlotte, who obtains nursing training in New York City after the outbreak of fighting and then goes to Washington to put her skills to work. With stirring detail and a firm grasp of the historical background, the author weaves the tale of Charlotte, the Irish immigrant Ruby, of Marty and her daring, and of their families as their worlds are turned upside down. The novel totally engages the reader and shows the difficulties these women encounter as they strive to serve the Union and make unconventional choices. The pleasure of this novel is reading about believable women striving to find themselves useful in society as they break from old patterns while at the same time they seek to fulfill their own emotional needs.” ~Carol Kammen, editorial writer for History News (the journal of the American Association for State and Local History) and Tompkins County (N.Y.) Historian “Powerful, deep, and heartfelt, Wedded to War swept me away with its gripping story and cast of conflicted characters. It moved me, and it marked me. This is one book I can’t forget—nor would I want to, for it was woven from the fabric of our history. Wedded to War is meant to be experienced and shared with others. With so much to discuss held within its pages, it’s a top choice for book clubs!” ~Nora St. Laurent, co-founder and CEO of The Book Club Network, columnist for Christian Fiction Online magazine, former ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Book Club Coordinator "Jocelyn Green has taken a little-known historical gem from the Civil War and turned it into a treasure chest through engaging characters and a beautifully-written story." ~Jane Hampton Cook, presidential historian and author of Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War "In Wedded to War, the first in a new series of historical novels, author Jocelyn Green explores the complex social and cultural constraints placed upon nurses during the Civil War era. She gives the reader a glimpse at the challenges women faced navigating a man’s world while striving to make changes that would forever influence the way wounded soldiers were cared for by the military. An insightful yet entertaining read for those who enjoy history, fiction, romance, or exploring the interplay between male and female relationships in the work environment. ~Shelly Beach, speaker and Christy Award-winning author of The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk “Wedded To War is a timeless historical novel honoring the strength of women during the early years of the Civil War. Their compassion comes alive in Jocelyn Green’s tribute to the unknown heroes who became self-sacrificing in serving wounded soldiers. Readers of historical fiction will appreciate the abundance of authentic detail found on every page.” ~Mary Nichelson, lead journalist for The Wordsmith Journal Magazine

Faith Deployed...Again wins Selah Award! (See the award on the bottom left of the table.)   [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"675", "attributes":{"class":"media-image alignright", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"124", "height":"205", "title":"FaithDeployedAgain_cover_125", "alt":""}}]]This week, my book Faith Deployed...Again: More Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers), won the 2012 Selah Award in the Inspiration & Gift category, presented by the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. The 2012 Selah Awards are open for authors of Christian works published within the 2011 calendar year. For the complete list of award winners, click here. Last year, the first Faith Deployed book garnered Bronze Medals from both the Military Writers Society of America (spiritual category) and the Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards (inspiration category). Both books were written with contributing writers from every branch of service. Other books of mine include: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq/Afghanistan (AMG Publishers, 2009) Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (AMG Publishers, May 2012). Wedded to War: A Novel (River North Fiction, July 2012) If you're a military wife, visit my Web site for you at www.faithdeployed.com.

My hat is off to the wonderful team at Moody Publishers for all their hard work on the cover my upcoming novel, Wedded to War. For a sneak peek into the process, take a look at these five cover options they first sent me: wedded to war2 (2) cover comps I posted these at faithdeployed.com and got LOTS of great feedback. We picked a favorite, made several suggestions for improvement, (i.e. her hair needs to be up, she needs an apron, take off the ring, change the number of stars in the U.S. flag, etc) and below we have the finished product. I couldn't be more excited to have reached this stage! I hope you like it too! [[{"type":"media", "view_mode":"media_large", "fid":"683", "attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-259", "typeof":"foaf:Image", "style":"", "width":"419", "height":"648", "title":"WeddedtoWarcover", "alt":""}}]]