Böcker av J. M. Hochstetler

Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year. It's 1967, and the Vietnam War is tearing the country apart, slicing through generations and shattering families. Because of Japanese atrocities he witnessed as a Marine in the South Pacific during WWII, Frank McRae despises all Asians. Now his son, Mike, is a grunt in Viet Nam, and his wife, Maggie, is fighting her own battle against cancer. When Mike falls in love with Thi Nhuong, a young Buddhist woman, and marries her in spite of his father's objections, Frank disowns him. Then, as Christmas approaches, Frank's world is torn apart, and he turns bitter, closing his heart to God and to his family.But what Frank doesn't know is that on this bleak Christmas Eve, God has in mind a miracle. As on that holy night so long ago, a baby will be born and laid in a manger-a baby who will bring forgiveness, peace, and healing to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss." J. M. Hochstetler dug deep into the well of emotions and came up with a story that strikes the heartstrings in a tender and yet also provocative manner. The characters are so well drawn, they've stayed in my mind long after reading the book, almost as if they were real people that I've known for a long time. Being the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, I also appreciated Hochstetler's gentle handling of one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history. And even though it's set during the Vietnam era, there are lessons to be learned and truths to be taken away from this beautifully crafted story for today. Highly recommended." -Kaye Dacus, author of Follow the Heart "Amazingly, Hochstetler tackles several big issues--love, loyalty, war and death--while maintaining a positive thesis. Family can survive. Human love is grander in weakness than in strength. And faith is, by necessity, stronger in tragedy than in triumph. One Holy Night is a soon-to-be-classic miracle story with an inspirational message that will warm your heart with love. It is a wonderful statement of faith and a gift of hope. -Kathy Harris, author of The Road to Mercy "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! 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." -Kim Ford, Window to My World Blog

In the final volume of The American Patriot Series, the Americans' war for independence concludes in triumph-and the renewed fight of the Shawnee for survival in their ancestral lands. From John Paul Jones's epic battle with HMS Serapis, to the conflagration on the western frontier; a traitor's bitter betrayal; and the decisive confrontation at Cowpens, events out of Jonathan and Elizabeth Carleton's control spiral toward a fateful climax at Yorktown. Yet amid war's harsh trials they discover that, even more than the grand ideal of liberty and the deep intimacy of earthly love, the cry of their hearts is for the true peace and lasting freedom that are found in God alone. "Richly researched and brimming with emotional depth and spiritual truth, Forge of Freedom places you right alongside the beloved, unforgettable characters of the American Patriot Series who bring America's hard-won history to vivid life. Both literary feat and reading feast, Forge of Freedom is a triumphant finish to a stellar series!" -Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Rose and the Thistle "Forge of Freedom is a beautiful and satisfying final installment of an amazing series! I was sorry to say goodbye to characters I've followed for so long, characters so vivid they could indeed have lived among the historical figures scattered throughout the tale. I can't speak highly enough of the author's attention to detail and passion for preserving the wonder of our nation's history, even with all its missteps and blemishes." -Shannon McNear, RITA(R) finalist, SELAH winner, and author of the Daughters of the Lost Colony Series "Forge of Freedom is an exciting, satisfying, and often heart-wrenching finale to J. M. Hochstetler's The American Patriot Series. Weaving together a compelling fictional romance with actual historical events, Hochstetler gives readers an opportunity to see the American Revolution up close and on a very personal level. Through Carleton and Elizabeth, we experience the hopes, fears, faith, courage, and sacrifice every Patriot must have faced as the Revolution achieved victories and suffered defeats. Through real life historical figures, we see their very human sides as they struggle to establish a new nation unlike any other in the history of the world. This series should be required reading for every high school student." -Louise M. Gouge, award-winning author "In Forge of Freedom, the author has again brought us another view into Elizabeth Howard and Jonathan Carleton's compelling lives. Ms. Hochstetler's research into the events and attitudes of the era is impeccable. While the Revolutionary war drags on we experience the emotion and witness the love, joy, separation, adventure, and faith that encompass Elizabeth and Jonathan's lives. My concern is that there won't be a continuation of their fascinating story." -Janet Grunst, author of Setting Two Hearts Free "Forge of Freedom is the satisfying conclusion of Joan M. Hochstetler's American Patriot Series. Written in an engaging fashion, the reader is pulled into the story and transported back to the end of the Revolutionary War. I highly recommend reading these books in order. Together, they complete an epic series of beautifully researched American history surrounding the fictional story of ordinary people pushed to do the extraordinary. Populated with actual historical figures and events, this series illustrates the personal struggles and sacrifices required to birth a nation." -Pegg Thomas, award-winning author of Sarah's Choice

Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton has pledged his allegiance to General George Washington, and his heart to the fiery Elizabeth Howard. As the beautiful daughter of Loyalists, she deftly moves among British officers by day and elusively slips across the countryside to give their secrets to the Sons of Liberty by night. Clever deception may be her stock-in-trade-but the charming blond-haired Jonathan knows the deepest secrets of Elizabeth's heart.