The Face of Heaven (Snapshots in History) [Paperback]

Murray Pura (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2012 | Series: Snapshots in History (Book 2)

Following on the heels of The Wings of Morning, the first book in Murray Pura's Snapshots in History series, comes this compelling saga of the Civil War.

In April 1861, Lyndel Keim discovers two runaway slaves in her family's barn. When the men are captured and returned to their plantation, Lyndel and her young Amish beau, Nathaniel King, find themselves at odds with their pacifist Amish colony

Nathaniel enlists in what will become the famous Iron Brigade of the Union Army. Lyndel enters the fray as a Brigade nurse on the battlefield, sticking close to Nathaniel as they both witness the horrors of war--including the battles at Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Antietam. Despite the pair's heroic sacrifices, the Amish only see that Lyndel and Nathaniel have become part of the war effort, and both are banished.

And a severe battle wound at Gettysburg threatens Nathaniel's life. Lyndel must call upon her faith in God to endure the savage conflict and to face its painful aftermath, not knowing if Nathaniel is alive or dead. Will the momentous battle change her life forever, just as it will change the course of the war and the history of her country?

The Face of Heaven is a dramatic story that will release on the 150th anniversary of the historic battle of Antietam, September, 1862.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Murray Pura earned his Master of Divinity degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and his ThM degree in theology and interdisciplinary studies from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more than 25 years, in addition to his writing, he has pastored churches in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Alberta. Murray’s writings have been shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award, the John Spencer Hill Literary Award, the Paraclete Fiction Award, and Toronto's Kobzar Literary Award. His novels for Harvest House include Face of Heaven, The Wings of Morning, and Ashton Park. Murray pastors and writes in southern Alberta near the Rocky Mountains. He and his wife, Linda, have a son and a daughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736949496
• ISBN-13: 978-0736949491
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Amish "Angel of Mercy" during a time of war September 1, 2012

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

I wasn't sure how I would like The Face of Heaven,but since I thoroughly enjoy reading about the War Between the States, I took a bit of a gamble and dived in! For those historical fiction lovers who enjoy this time period, I recommend this book as an intriguing read that you will enjoy.

The thing that made The Face of Heaven so different and unique (at least to me) was that the two main characters of the book are Amish. And one fights as a soldier in the war and the other as a nurse. That fact, above all else, was why I decided to read this book--I mean, even a novice to Amish culture and beliefs, like myself, know that participating in a war is not on the Amish's "okay to do" list!

The reason that these two participate in the war was very well plotted and carried out. I can see how Nathaniel would see it as his duty to help end slavery. I wasn't expecting the politics that wound its way into the story, but (from what little I know) it was pretty accurate and I loved how Murray Pura touched on the fact that Lincoln would have left slavery intact, if it would have ended the war. That's a fact I think few people realize or know.

Lyndel was a strong heroine who was easy to like. Her love toward fellow man and the sacrifices she endures during the war in order to help and save the lives of countless soldiers was extremely convicting. Lyndel was the "Amish Angel of Mercy".

In the end, it all came to a happy (if sober) ending. Countless people lost their lives during the War Between the States, and Nathaniel and Lyndel experience their fair share of loss and pain. This is the first book I've read by Pura, and I enjoyed it and the historical details he put into The Face of Heavenwas much appreciated and admired.

I reviewed this book for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Thanks to the publishers, River North, for sending me a review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Typical Amish Fiction! September 5, 2012

By DianaFlow

Format:Paperback

In The Face of Heaven, Murray Pura has penned a powerful, literary masterpiece, set during one of the most tumultuous, heartbreaking times in our country's history--the Civil War. The whipping and hanging of an innocent man near an Amish farmhouse forever changes the course of three young Amish people's lives; Lyndel Keim, her brother Levi, and her beau, Nathaniel King. In spite of being pacifists, they remain haunted by what they have witnessed, and feel compelled to follow the call to join the Union forces.

Lyndel obtains permission to work in the midst of the battlefield, nursing the wounded before they are taken to the hospital, and finds herself serving both the fallen Union and Confederate soldiers. Nathaniel King serves in one of the most courageous regiments in the Union army, the 19th Indiana Brigade, and Lyndel finds her way to him which results in a bittersweet reunion for the two. Separated by the horrific battle of Gettysburg, Nathaniel is severely wounded, and Lyndel must call upon her faith in God; not knowing whether the love of her life is dead or alive. Will she have the strength and the courage to keep nursing the wounded?...when her beloved is lying out there somewhere; possibly dead?

Murray Pura has written a brilliant novel; destined to become a classic. This book evoked so many intense emotions in me-heartbreak, horror, elation, and most of all pride...pride in this great country of ours, and of the men and women who gave their lives to truly make it "the land of the free and the home of the brave." At times my emotions were at such a peak, I had to place the book down, only to find myself picking it right back up--truly a page turner. *WARNING* This novel relives the battles of the Civil War and may not be suitable for more genteel readers. War is not pretty, and there is a lot of carnage, violence, and the harsh realities of war in this book. Though an intense novel, the love story within its pages is timeless and beautiful, and with a strong, spiritual thread throughout this is a definite must read for history/romance lovers everywhere! Very nicely done, Mr. Pura!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read! September 4, 2012

By Kathi Macias

Format:Paperback

The Face of Heaven by author Murray Pura made a believer out of me. I can now say that I love Amish fiction! I was certain I wouldn't and couldn't imagine why a man had opted to write it. But once I started turning the pages to this captivating book, I understood not only why he wrote it, but why I had to read it. The message is life-changing, the writing superb, and the characters believable. Don't miss this one!