THE STAMP OF HEAVEN
by
JULIA ROBB
Genre: Historical Fiction / Civil War
Publisher: self-published
Date of Publication: February 19, 2019
Number of Pages: 196
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The Union Army wants former Confederate Army general Beau Kerry for alleged war crimes, but he’s hiding out where the Yankees least expect to find him: in the United States Cavalry. Beau is fighting Apaches out West and praying nobody recognizes his famous face.But Lieutenant Kerry’s luck changes when he runs into Sergeant Ike Jefferson and says, “The last time I saw you, I had you bent over a barrel and I was whipping you.” Ike is not only Beau’s best friend (or worst enemy, depending on the day), he’s Beau’s former slave — and Ike knows there’s a $5000 price on Beau’s head.
Caroline Dietrich has vengeance on her mind. Married to Colonel Wesley Dietrich, the Union fort commander, Caroline believes the best path to getting revenge against the Yankees, her husband included, is seducing her husband’s officers. Especially Beau.
From the killing fields of the Civil War, to the savagery of the Indian wars, the characters are also battling each other and searching for what it means to be human.
5-STAR PRAISE FOR THE STAMP OF HEAVEN:
“Her characters are vivid, relatable, and endearing. She brings to life the rigors of frontier duty, the harsh beauty of west Texas, and the complexity of war and reconciliation. A must read!”
“Julia Robb creates a masterful tale of friendship, loyalty, cowardice, deceit, and redemption in this fascinating story set in the aftermath of the War Between the States…Not a simple western yarn, this novel will keep you thinking and asking the Big Questions long after you finish reading it.”
I’m normally pretty excited when I see an new Western/Historical Fiction offered for review on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. The description for The Stamp of Heaven sparked my interest right away. I went into this novel expecting historical romance, but there is absolutely no romance here. It’s straight up historical fiction, emphasis on the history. The book and Ms. Robb brought some historical aspects to my attention that I had not previously thought of, the treatment of women and slaves in particular. (Check out some of the other tour stops to learn more about the writing process for The Stamp of Heaven.)
I found the characters realistic and intriguing, if not always likable. Each character’s motivation behind the actions feels believable and true. The book is told from multiple points of view, which lets each character shine on their own. This is especially true with Caroline’s character. She attempts to use her assets to seduce and destroy men, including her husband. I don’t want to spoil anything for you, so I’ll leave it at women were poorly treated in this time period.
The writing in The Stamp of Heaven is intense, descriptive and very visual. While I was reading, I could easily envisage the hot and dusty Texas landscape, the lathered horses, the smell of the soldiers and sound of the gunshots. Here are two examples:
Men draped their coats on their saddles and tugged their shirts from sweat-chafed necks, yanked off neckerchiefs and tugged pants away from groins aching with heat rash.
And:
A dozen thin waterfalls arched from limestone walls, like pitchers pouring into the green pool; more than enough for the troopers and the livestock.
Another aspect of the Ms. Robb’s writing that I enjoyed was the smooth transitions between the current and past story-lines. Learning about aspects like how Ike made it to join the Union Army or how Beau came to be in Texas really enhances the current story.
Reading this book was an emotional gut-punch. If you are a sensitive reader, be forewarned. There are uncomfortable scenes and language. The post-Civil War setting is ideal for characters and situations which made me uncomfortable. While emotional discomfort is not usually my cup of tea, The Stamp of Heaven really left an impression on me.
I’ve always been a historic fiction reader, but I have zero interest in living in a different time period, especially the post-Civil War period. (Lack of clean water and antibiotics alone are enough for me to hard pass on time travel.) Ms Robb’s detailed novel re-enforces my disinterest in living in a historic time period. I’ll stick with reading books like The Stamp of Heaven instead.
I received The Stamp of Heaven free in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to author Julia Robb and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity.
Julia Robb is a former journalist who writes novels set in Texas. She’s written Saint of the Burning Heart, Scalp Mountain, Del Norte, The Captive Boy, and The Stamp of Heaven.
Julia grew up on the lower Great Plains of Texas and lived in every corner of the Lone Star State, from the Rio Grande to the East Texas swamps.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
1st Prize: Signed Copy of The Stamp of Heaven + $5 Cash
2nd Prize: Signed Copy or eBook Copy of The Stamp of Heaven
2nd Prize: Signed Copy or eBook Copy of The Stamp of Heaven
April 3-13, 2019
(U.S. Only)
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
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4/3/19
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Character Interview
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4/3/19
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Excerpt
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4/4/19
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Review
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4/5/19
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Guest Post
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4/5/19
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Author Interview
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4/6/19
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Review
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4/7/19
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Review
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4/8/19
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Scrapbook
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4/8/19
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Playlist
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4/9/19
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Review
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4/10/19
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Author Video
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4/10/19
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Top 11 List
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4/11/19
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Review
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4/12/19
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Review
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4/12/19
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Review
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I like books that are so descriptive you wrinkle your nose at the smells and sights. Sounds like this is one of those. Great review.
Thanks, Kristine! And I definitely agree with you! Descriptive narrative is great!