Endorsements and Reviews
Daughter of Liberty
“The spirited wordplay and attraction between Elizabeth and Jonathan keep the book moving at a quick pace. But the real strength lies in the well-crafted research and historical details that illuminate the brick mansions of Beacon Hill, the bustling alleyways of downtown Boston, and the carnage of Bunker Hill . . . Daughter of Liberty will appeal to fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, smart romance novels, and series. At the end of the story, the reader undeniably will want to tuck into the next American Patriot book to learn more about how Elizabeth and Jonathan are helping to craft the future of a young and fledgling America.” —Dana Rae Laverty, ForeWord Magazine
“As a lover of historical inspirational romance, Daughter of Liberty held me captive with its charming characters and daring adventures. And as a lover of the history of the American Revolution, this same book thoroughly swept me away. The author, Joan Hochstetler, is an expert in every detail of the era. She describes in depth the events leading up to the start of the Revolution, and she well portrayed the pain of families and friends divided in their loyalties between following the laws of the King of England vs. the outcry of the Patriots demanding freedom from oppression. The characters are endearing and realistic, but it is the events of the era that take center stage in this highly dramatic novel that will leave you turning each page with anticipation. Looking forward to the sequel.” —Elaine Marie Cooper, author of The Promise of Deer Run
“Daughter of Liberty is a magnificent book, well written, researched, and developed. It is the best historical novel I’ve read since I can’t remember. Besides the smooth-flowing style and pacing that simply carries one from one page to the next, the characters are people who rise from the page. Even the secondary characters have personal issues, conflicts, human desires, and fears and resentments. The author weaves real people and events seamlessly into the story. The real events of 1775 Boston are integral to the plot and the actions of the characters. That takes a great deal of detailed research. Since I know this time period well, I can assure you that the author is meticulous in her details and research, yet these details are so much a part of the characters’ everyday life and goals that they don’t stick out like someone who researched exhaustively. It’s the kind of historical novel I love to read and find too few to read. That it is Christian fiction makes it all that much better.” —Laurie Alice Eakes, author of Heart’s Safe Passage
“This is an exceptional book. I read the last 150 pages in one sitting. Heart racing, tears falling, I suffered the anguish and indecision that Elizabeth and Jonathan experienced. Hochstetler has created a magnificent, well-crafted story that will endure with the classics. . . .To read Daughter of Liberty is to live in 1775 and to experience the spirit that made our country great. Read this book for pleasure, but don’t be surprised when you receive an awesome history lesson that brings you an appreciation of the United States of America in a deep, new way.”—Louise M. Gouge, author of At the Captain’s Command
“As a lover of historical inspirational romance, Daughter of Liberty held me captive with its charming characters and daring adventures. And as a lover of the history of the American Revolution, this same book thoroughly swept me away. The author, Joan Hochstetler, is an expert in every detail of the era. She describes in depth the events leading up to the start of the Revolution, and she well portrayed the pain of families and friends divided in their loyalties between following the laws of the King of England vs. the outcry of the Patriots demanding freedom from oppression. The characters are endearing and realistic, but it is the events of the era that take center stage in this highly dramatic novel that will leave you turning each page with anticipation. Looking forward to the sequel.” —Elaine Marie Cooper, author of The Promise of Deer Run
“Daughter of Liberty is a magnificent book, well written, researched, and developed. It is the best historical novel I’ve read since I can’t remember. Besides the smooth-flowing style and pacing that simply carries one from one page to the next, the characters are people who rise from the page. Even the secondary characters have personal issues, conflicts, human desires, and fears and resentments. The author weaves real people and events seamlessly into the story. The real events of 1775 Boston are integral to the plot and the actions of the characters. That takes a great deal of detailed research. Since I know this time period well, I can assure you that the author is meticulous in her details and research, yet these details are so much a part of the characters’ everyday life and goals that they don’t stick out like someone who researched exhaustively. It’s the kind of historical novel I love to read and find too few to read. That it is Christian fiction makes it all that much better.” —Laurie Alice Eakes, author of Heart’s Safe Passage
“This is an exceptional book. I read the last 150 pages in one sitting. Heart racing, tears falling, I suffered the anguish and indecision that Elizabeth and Jonathan experienced. Hochstetler has created a magnificent, well-crafted story that will endure with the classics. . . .To read Daughter of Liberty is to live in 1775 and to experience the spirit that made our country great. Read this book for pleasure, but don’t be surprised when you receive an awesome history lesson that brings you an appreciation of the United States of America in a deep, new way.”—Louise M. Gouge, author of At the Captain’s Command
Native Son
“Hochstetler introduced me to a fascinating aspect of the revolution here and I’d say more except I don’t want to give away too much of the first book. I highly recommend you read the series in order. I loved the glimpse into the lives of George Washington as he built his guerrilla forces into a fighting army, and the names and actions of the factual British generals, intermixed with the fictionalized daring of our heroes. Fiction like this is a great, fun way to teach history.” —Mary Connealy, author of Out of Control
“I found it refreshingly honest and devoid of religious platitudes and cliche. Passages of Native American spirituality struck me with beauty and authenticity, affirming the universality of common truth. Heartbreaking and brutal at times, Carleton’s journey in particular resonated with me. His battle to retain faith in the midst of personal, political, physical and total upheaval left an impression as few other stories have—challenging my own conventions, foundations and moral bedrock. As the first in the series, Daughter of Liberty, was, this is a wealth of research and regional history. From the southwestern New York border where much of the book was set, I recognized and appreciated the veracity and intimacy of her details in native custom, flora, fauna and people. Almost Michener-esque in scope, this is a historical fiction piece worthy of note.” —Kathleen L. Maher, reviewer
“I found it refreshingly honest and devoid of religious platitudes and cliche. Passages of Native American spirituality struck me with beauty and authenticity, affirming the universality of common truth. Heartbreaking and brutal at times, Carleton’s journey in particular resonated with me. His battle to retain faith in the midst of personal, political, physical and total upheaval left an impression as few other stories have—challenging my own conventions, foundations and moral bedrock. As the first in the series, Daughter of Liberty, was, this is a wealth of research and regional history. From the southwestern New York border where much of the book was set, I recognized and appreciated the veracity and intimacy of her details in native custom, flora, fauna and people. Almost Michener-esque in scope, this is a historical fiction piece worthy of note.” —Kathleen L. Maher, reviewer
Wind of the Spirit
“With rich, vivid descriptions that draw you back in time, characters that become your best friends, eloquent language that will leave you breathless, and a romance that warms you from head to toe, Wind of the Spirit is a stunningly beautiful story about the fight for freedom, survival, and love in a savage land.” —MaryLu Tyndall, bestselling author of Surrender the Dawn
“The passion and intrigue of the American Revolution comes to life in J. M. Hochstetler’s wonderfully entertaining read Wind of the Spirit. Beautifully written and completely engaging, Wind of the Spirit will appeal to fans not just of Christian fiction, but of historical fiction as well. Not to be missed!” —Michelle Moran, bestselling author of The Heretic Queen
“A captivating tale of love and courage skillfully woven into the Revolutionary War, revealing all the human passions and valor that made America great.” —Louise M. Gouge, author of At the Captain's Command
“The passion and intrigue of the American Revolution comes to life in J. M. Hochstetler’s wonderfully entertaining read Wind of the Spirit. Beautifully written and completely engaging, Wind of the Spirit will appeal to fans not just of Christian fiction, but of historical fiction as well. Not to be missed!” —Michelle Moran, bestselling author of The Heretic Queen
“A captivating tale of love and courage skillfully woven into the Revolutionary War, revealing all the human passions and valor that made America great.” —Louise M. Gouge, author of At the Captain's Command
Crucible of War
“Waiting for this fourth book in the American Patriot series was a little like the long wait for each other that characters Jonathan and Elizabeth have been forced to endure. But now our wait is over. Crucible of War is here and at the start we find Jonathan back from the frontier and his life with the Shawnee put on hold. That doesn’t mean he’s happy about it. Crucible of War delves into Jonathan’s struggles to force himself back into a mold his soul no longer fits, and into a relationship with Elizabeth Howard he’d once thought lost, while the tides of war continue to swirl around them and threaten repeatedly to sweep them apart. Will their love again be put on hold?
“As in her previous installments in the American Patriot series, J. M. Hochstetler weaves an historical tapestry rich in detail and accuracy, a riveting story of adventure (battles and narrow escapes), intrigue (the spying continues), and a romance (complicated with excruciating tension by the presence of Elizabeth’s friend and would-be suitor, the physician Pieter Vander Groot) in which choices must be made that wrench the heart but honor God.
“J. M. Hochstetler has given us an engaging new chapter in the on-going saga of how an enduring nation—and an equally enduring romance—were forged in the Crucible of War.” —Lori Benton, author of Willa, August 2013
“I just finished reading Crucible of War! I do not have words to express how amazing the book was. Your first books were really awesome too, but these books are the icing on the cake! I have only one complaint: that I finished the book! I literally did not want the book to end! When it did, especially the way it ended; well, I am left in suspense! Please tell me you are publishing the next book soon, for I cannot bear to wait to see what happens!
“Thank you for creating this wonderful series on an underappreciated chapter of our history. The Revolutionary War is my passion and for three hours, when I read your books, I can be transported to the time period I love. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” --Amber Hammrich, confessed Revolutionary War addict and reenactor
“This is the long-awaited fourth installment in the American Patriot series. Carleton and Elizabeth are still unable to wed and being a spy is slowly destroying her. Carleton still struggles with his desires to return to his Shawnee family and take Elizabeth with him.
“Covering the 1777 campaigns in Philadelphia and north of Albany, there’s no shortage of battles and intrigue. As always for me, it’s Carleton struggle between the two sides of who he is that keeps me turning pages. My only problem with this one is the fifth one is not out so I can keep reading and find out what happens next.”
—Rachel Wilder
“As in her previous installments in the American Patriot series, J. M. Hochstetler weaves an historical tapestry rich in detail and accuracy, a riveting story of adventure (battles and narrow escapes), intrigue (the spying continues), and a romance (complicated with excruciating tension by the presence of Elizabeth’s friend and would-be suitor, the physician Pieter Vander Groot) in which choices must be made that wrench the heart but honor God.
“J. M. Hochstetler has given us an engaging new chapter in the on-going saga of how an enduring nation—and an equally enduring romance—were forged in the Crucible of War.” —Lori Benton, author of Willa, August 2013
“I just finished reading Crucible of War! I do not have words to express how amazing the book was. Your first books were really awesome too, but these books are the icing on the cake! I have only one complaint: that I finished the book! I literally did not want the book to end! When it did, especially the way it ended; well, I am left in suspense! Please tell me you are publishing the next book soon, for I cannot bear to wait to see what happens!
“Thank you for creating this wonderful series on an underappreciated chapter of our history. The Revolutionary War is my passion and for three hours, when I read your books, I can be transported to the time period I love. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” --Amber Hammrich, confessed Revolutionary War addict and reenactor
“This is the long-awaited fourth installment in the American Patriot series. Carleton and Elizabeth are still unable to wed and being a spy is slowly destroying her. Carleton still struggles with his desires to return to his Shawnee family and take Elizabeth with him.
“Covering the 1777 campaigns in Philadelphia and north of Albany, there’s no shortage of battles and intrigue. As always for me, it’s Carleton struggle between the two sides of who he is that keeps me turning pages. My only problem with this one is the fifth one is not out so I can keep reading and find out what happens next.”
—Rachel Wilder
One Holy Night
While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. (p. 250)
“One Holy Night is J. M. Hochstetler’s fourth novel, and within its pages you will discover the most beautiful modern-day essence of Christ’s nativity, mercy, and grace you’ve read in a very long while! Set amid the turmoil of the Viet Nam War, the McRae family’s story is one riddled with difficult situations and trials that rock the foundation of their faith. Frank, father to Mike and Julie, is particularly torn as his son leaves for a war he doesn’t believe in, and his wife Maggie must engage in a fight for her very life against an unseen enemy. Frank is still battling his own nightmares from his time fighting in the Pacific during WWII. From the very first pages of this story the battle rages around Frank on every front. Will God equip him for the battle or allow him to be destroyed on the battlefield?
“What do these images of war and turmoil have to do with the nativity? Well, the final battle is waged in Frank’s heart and mind during a Christmas Eve blizzard. The decision he makes that night determines life or death for two innocent people. As the story unfolds its final scenes, the reader is left with renewed hope in God’s sovereign design for each of our lives and His miraculous ability to bring good out of even the darkest circumstances.
“One Holy Night was my introduction to J.M. Hochstetler’s work, and I have to tell you it was really terrific! She richly captures the turmoil surrounding the lives of those affected by the Viet Nam War, and the many emotional conflicts that raged on as a result of that war. I look forward to reading her other books, and I highly recommend this one to you!” — Kim Ford, Window to My World Blog
