Between Two Shores ~ Review

Between Two Shores
By Jocelyn Green

Catherine Marie Duval was named Stands-Apart by her mother Strong Wind and as she is both French and Mohawk she feels this name has set her path as one between two worlds. Following the death of her mother, Catherine went to live with her father Gabriel to help him. But Catherine's Mohawk heritage is seen as a hindrance by her father - her savagery was something that kept her from being the French lady she was meant to be (his opinion). But Catherine's heritage allows her to more easily trade with those who come to her family's trading post.

War has come and the area is suffering from the destruction wrought by war and losses brought by several poor growing seasons. When offered a chance to help bring about the end of the war by aiding the British Catherine is torn. But the prospect of ending the starvation and needless deaths a prolonged war would produce has her reluctantly placing her trust in Samuel Crane - the man who 5 years earlier broke her heart.

Catherine and Samuel had a shared history one that found them both at the mercy of her father - she as the half-breed disappointment and he as a ransomed prisoner. A friendship grew into a hope of a future together until Samuel left and never returned until once again a prisoner. But Samuel has information that would allow the British to take Quebec and force a surrender of all French forces.

Between Two Shores takes place in 1759 Montreal and the world is at war as England and France look to expand their respective empires. Unfortunately, those caught between these two warring nations find themselves forced to choose sides. And this book presents just such a choice. Does one go against one's heritage to save one's people or does one stand against the enemy even if it comes with a terrible price that ultimately costs more in the end? Catherine Duval is caught in just such a dilemma only she is caught not between two worlds but three.

This book is well written but has some very disturbing scenes that one would naturally expect with a war going on. I will admit there were some facts that floored me - I didn't know that the French government paid for the scalps of Britsh settlers. This is a fact that is a key point in the book as the reader will discover but still a little unnerving. Fans of colonial North American history will most likely be the first to pick up this book but this would an excellent choice for a book club selection.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

She Has Always Moved Between Worlds,

But Now She Must Choose a Side

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.