Tuesday, January 22, 2013

NOBLE CAUSE: A NOVEL OF LOVE AND WAR by Jessica James

Blurb:

He was fiercely devoted to the Confederacy;
She, fervently dedicated to the Union.
One risked life to save a Cause--
The other, honor, to save a life.


Praised by readers of romantic and historical fiction since its publication in 2008, the award-winning historical fiction novel Shades of Gray now has a new ending in this special 150th Anniversary of the Civil War Commemorative edition entitled, Noble Cause.

This is the tale of Colonel Alexander Hunter, a dauntless and daring Confederate cavalry officer, who, with his band of intrepid outcasts, becomes a legend in the rolling hills of northern Virginia. Inspired by love of country and guided by a sense of duty and honor, Hunter must make a desperate choice when he discovers the woman he promised his dying brother he would protect is the Union spy he vowed to his men he would destroy.

Readers will discover the fine line between friends and enemies when the paths of these two tenacious foes cross by the fates of war and their destinies become entwined forever.

Author Jessica James uniquely blends elements of romantic and historical fiction in this deeply personal and poignant tale that, according to one reviewer, "transcends the pages to settle in the very marrow of the reader's bones." Winner of numerous national awards, James has received critical acclaim for this page-turning story of courage, honor, and enduring love.

Destined for an honored place among the classics of the American Civil War, Noble Cause is a book to read, and keep, and remember forever.



My Review:


Reading “Noble Cause” has made me incredibly happy that I have gotten back into Civil War Historical Fiction! Jessica James’ amazing book, filled with adventurous incidents, had my complete interest from the beginning. The characters were full of life, and completely believable. Andrea is the perfect heroine. She is strong and stubborn, but she also is able to let her guard down and show her softer emotions with the man she loves. Hunter was also the ‘perfect’ male hero. I know it’s cliché, but he came across as the type of guy that men want to be, and women fall head over heels in love with. I became completely drawn into both character’s lives. In fact, my only complaint is that I would have loved for the novel to be longer, so that I could have learned more about their lives prior to the Civil War. So much of who they are in this novel, and why they react to certain things the way they do, comes from their lives prior to the war, and I would have loved to “know” more about the character’s, by reading about the incidents that made them who they are.


I love that the author stayed so historically accurate with this novel. The use of authentic Civil War heroes as characters throughout, as well as actual battle sites and cities, that were important during the Civil War, really adds to the overall feel of the story. It’s especially interesting now that I live in Virginia, and I can go to these actual battle sites and walk around. Jessica James’ writing style is descriptive and elaborate, which helps to create a perfect picture of the action, and the background where the action is taking place.

This is an amazing book for history buffs, especially those who love reading about the Civil War. I think it’s a novel that men would like as well. There definitely is a love story going on throughout the novel, but it’s not over the top and isn’t what I’d classify as a typical historical romance novel. The adventure throughout the novel constantly had me wondering, ‘What’s going to happen next?” I had trouble putting this book down at times, because the excitement and adventures were nonstop, and there were also several surprises throughout the novel. Overall this is one of the better historical fiction novels that I’ve read this year.

The novel “Noble Cause: A Novel of Love and War” definitely receives five out of five stars from me.