The Mark of the King + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Life in this new world requires more strength than she ever imagined

After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace — and love — can overcome the stigma of the king’s mark upon her shoulder.

My Review:

Wickedly intense. Enthralling. There were times I had to set this book aside because I just couldn’t take any more. But I always returned to it after a few fortifying breaths because how could I leave Julianne in that predicament? Or the next one? Or the next?

Mercy, but I’m amazed that this area got settled. Still confused as to why the French wanted to claim it in the first place when they didn’t support their troops. The historical information is intriguing and frustrating and unbelievable. How did women survive childbirth? (beware to the faint of heart — the midwifery details are…detailed!) Only the strong survived — and then by the grace of God! And don’t get me started on the lack of women’s rights and the barbaric actions of some of the soldiers. Goodness, but my emotions were all over the place as I devoured this book.

Marc-Paul stands out as a man of dignity and honor. Strict, legalistic, he serves his country devoutly. But he also learns the true meaning of grace as he draws closer to the Lord. And that softens him in delightful ways.

Julianne is strength personified. Defiant. Determined. Unstoppable. She is a survivor — and the things she survives — truly unimaginable. How a loving author could treat a heroine so…it’s shameful, that’s what. 🙂

Rife with drama, heavy with sorrow but lifted by faith, The Mark of the King a sweeping tale of love and loss and second chances.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and available to any reader anywhere in the world so — yay — International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Mark of the King, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 9, 2023

28 thoughts on “The Mark of the King + Giveaway”

  2. This book was my introduction to Jocelyn Green’s writing! So good! I have purchased each of her subsequent books since this one. I even went back and bought copies of her Civil War series. I haven’t read those yet, but hope to get to them one day soon.
    Don’t enter me, I would love for someone else to enjoy it.

    Patty

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  3. Reading your review on “The Mark of the King” left me gobsmacked! And then you ended it with – “Rife with drama, heavy with sorrow but lifted by faith, The Mark of the King a sweeping tale of love and loss and second chances.” – and I knew without a doubt this was going on my TBR – on top, not the bottom. Oh my, I can’t wait for the opportunity to read this one!

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this fabulous book!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  5. An amazing book that I absolutely loved. Jocelyn did a masterful job with it. I’ve already got a copy so don’t need to be in the giveaway but just had to chime in with my praise for it. For any who haven’t read it, add it to your list!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  7. Good farmland and the border being the mighty Mississippi River, a very major transportation and commerce source. The cover with that dress – gorgeous. Just commenting on your comments as I enjoyed the review but don’t enter me.

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    1. The cover is quite eye-catching, isn’t it? Isn’t it amazing to think about all the challenges our ancestors’ faced back in the day — no matter what part of the world! Happy Reading, CC!

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  11. I think this is one of the few Jocelyn Green novels that I’ve missed. Colonial New Orleans? Yes, please because I was born about 25 miles north of there just across Lake Pontchartrain. NOLA (as we call it) can still be a rough place, especially in the French Quarter at night.

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