WINNERS!

JODY RIGLE IS THE WINNER OF THE CIVIL WAR ART PRINT! CONGRATULATIONS, JODY! THERE ARE ALSO FIVE RUNNERS UP WHO WILL BE RECEIVING 4x6 INCH REPLICAS OF THE COVER OF THE FACE OF HEAVEN. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. OUR NEXT CONTEST WILL BE IN EARLY NOVEMBER!

FACE OF HEAVEN/CIVIL WAR ART/CONTEST

WELCOME TO THE SITE FOR THE FACE OF HEAVEN/CIVIL WAR ART CONTEST! If you wish to enter the contest for an artist-signed print of Mike Thorson's painting of the 7th Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade at the Battle of Brawner's Farm please post a comment below. Contest will run for one week until next Monday the 22nd. Print is 2' x 3' (approximately), on heavy stock, glossy, and one of only 750 signed prints. It will be mailed to the winner in a non-crush tube. The print is suitable for framing. PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE LIKED BOTH MURRAY PURA WRITING & 19TH INDIANA IRON BRIGADE BEFORE YOU POST A COMMENT. THANK YOU!

VAN DER GROEF'S REVIEW OF THE WINGS OF MORNING

This book is a definite must people! The best book of 2012! My review of THE WINGS OF MORNING by Murray Pura. (*Translated from the Dutch by BING) The year is 1917. The Amish have no decision taken yet concerning the use of aircraft. Jude Whetstone is a convert of the Lapp Amish community. He is fond of aircraft and has taken flying lessons. Some people in the community do not agree with the fly – including Lynndaya Kurtz ' parents. Jude and Lyyndaya grew up together and were slowly but surely falling in love. Lyyndaya's parents that they now want to Jude sees no more. This breaks her heart, but as a good Amish daughter obeys her parents. In Europe is the first world war broke out. The Amish don't fight in the war. The u.s. military discovered what a good pilot is trying to force him and Jude in Europe to go fight. Jude and some other guys from his Amish community be jailed. The guys are treated badly. Jude pray for a way out and realizes that the only way to come out of prison is to sign to go fly in Europe. Jude decides to do this and the other young men be freed and return to their community. Jude's decision is not understood by his community and he is exiled. Jude knows, however, that he is in the will of God and asks God to guide him in the fighting. He learns to fight against the Germans without someone having to kill. It is not permitted to send letters to Jude Lyyndaya. She decides however to write letters and keep them in a safe place, so that he can read them later when he comes back from Europe and his exile is over. Jude sends weekly letters to Lyyndaya, but they may not read them. The Amish are informed about what Jude is doing things in France, but the question why Jude ever register has to fight, remains unanswered. Then comes the message within that Jude's plane has crashed and that he is missing and presumably dead. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the Spanish flu breaks out. Lyyndaya has signed up as a volunteer to care for the sick. And then if they one day at work, her name is whispered by an unknown man ... I am very excited about this book. It is difficult to find the right words to describe how good this book is. Murray Pura is a great and fascinating writer. Normally I don't read many Amish books, but the way this writer Amish combines with history is simply fantastic! I can hardly wait to Pura's next book to read! (Translated by Bing)

MARIAN BAAY'S REVIEW OF THE ROSE

This is definitely a Murray Pura book! The writing is superb--just like I have become to expect from this author. The characters of Rose and Lydia are so real and feminine, that it put a smile on my face - excellent job, Murray! I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment of ebooks of The Rose of Lancaster County. I'm eagerly awaiting the next! Marian Baay, Holland

HELEN HEVENER'S REVIEW OF THE ROSE

THE ROSE OF LANCASTER COUNTY - VOL. 1 - THE ROSE GARDEN 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Excellent Excellent by Helen Hevener When I heard Murray Pura was writing a kindle book in installments I couldn't have been more thrilled- I have loved every story he has written up to date!!! I sat down to read the first installment this morning of The Rose of Lancaster County and I couldnt put it down. Murray has a way of combining a story with history that will leave you breathless and waiting for more. This particular story dealt with two young ladies- Rose Lantz and Lydia Byler- they had come to the Pennsylvania Colony 10 years before and were still struggling to put aside the persecution they went through in Germany. Compelling story and history involved all in one story- a real attention getter!!! Now I can hardly wait for the next installment- Murray Pura just makes you want to keep on reading and reading and reading!!! Defintely a 5 star book in my opinion!!!!

KAREN ANNA VOGEL'S REVIEWS OF THE ROSE

THE ROSE OF LANCASTER COUNTY - VOLUME 1 - THE ROSE GARDEN 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful new series that draws you in with wonderful, vivid writing When I heard Murray Pura was writing a continuing short series, I knew it would be good. Murray's writing is rich in imagery, and the first scene, set in a rose garden, makes you see and smell the flowers. Characters are realistic as is the setting. Little has been written in a Amish fiction genre about their life in Colonial America, and being a history buff, I'm fascinated and look forward to reading the next in the series. Karen Anna Vogel Amish Knitting Circle Series

MORE REVIEWS OF THE FACE OF HEAVEN

This book truly is a page turner & a masterpiece. Marian Baay, Holland, editor & reviewer What I loved most about this book wasn't the emotionally heightened romance or the portrayal of an Amish man's desire to fight slavery. It was the way in which Murray brought the battles of the US Civil War to life on the page. Murray brought realism to these ordeals and humanized them. Rachel Brand, UK, editor & reviewer

REVIEWS OF THE FACE OF HEAVEN

THAT THIS NATION UNDER GOD SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH. "A powerful literary masterpiece. A brilliant novel, destined to become a classic." Diana Flowers, OTT "Pura's action-packed attention to military detail pulls the reader directly into the mechanics & the atrocities of a war that divided the nation." Publishers Weekly "I didn’t realise quite how enraptured I’d become with Lyndel and Nathaniel’s relationship until Lyndel went searching for Nathaniel after the battle of Gettysburg. I’m not going to deny it; there were tears in my eyes as Lyndel searched for her beau." Rachel Brand, Christian Manifesto

SARAH MEYERS' REVIEW OF THE WINGS OF MORNING

The Wings of Morning takes place in an Amish Community. Lyyndaya Kurtz and Jude Whetstone’s Family have only been part of the community for a few years, but already, their families are well loved. Lyyndaya and Jude grew up as childhood friends, but have begun to realize that their feelings are running deeper. Jude also discovered a love of flying, which, strangely, his Amish community allowed. When flying for an Amish celebration, members of the US Military see Jude in action. To force him to join up for the fighting in World War I, the military takes Jude and some of his friends captive and makes their lives miserable in order to force Jude into flying. Eventually, he agrees, though he had sworn to his community that he would not fight as it went against their beliefs. What no one but one of his friends knew was that he joined to save the other boys’ lives. In doing so, he risked being shunned. However, Jude began to become a hero, as he not only saved his own men with his flying abilities, but he purposefully did what he could to save the enemy as well, whether by flying circles around them, or purposefully shooting not to kill. In the meantime, Lyyndaya is struggling as she has fallen in love with Jude, but is not allowed to communicate with him. This is one of the top Amish stories I’ve read, I think. I really loved Jude’s character, and how he used the abilities that the Lord gave him to save lives on both sides, instead of being vengeful. This was a great story line, one I never would have thought of for an Amish setting, but it was well written. Reviewed by:Sarah Meyers

SARAH PRICE'S REVIEW OF THE WINGS OF MORNING

SARAH PRICE'S REVIEW - FIVE STARS Besides the fact that I simply adore Murray Pura as a colleague and now friend, this was the first of his books that I have read. After reading this one, I can assure everyone that ALL of his books will adorn my bookshelves! I will read all of his Amish books. There were two unique things that set this apart from other Amish books that I have read. First, the setting is in the past. Murray Pura is quite the historian and I love books that provide detailed insight into history. He is a masterful writer and knows how to weave the story around history. Bravo! The second thing was the detailed character development of BOTH the female and the male character. I really like books that provide well-written insight into both the female AND male protagonists. I look forward to reading many more books from Murray Pura. My next one will be the Rose of Lancaster.

MARY FIELDS JACKSON'S REVIEW OF THE WINGS OF MORNING

The Wings of Morning was the first book I read by Mr. Pura, but not my last. I love Amish books and this one was by far different then most Amish books. It is Amish with a history lesson and romance all wrapped up in one great read, it was really unique and I like that. This was a wonderful journey to watch unfold. I really think, if you are looking for the same old Christan romance this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for an exciting Historical Christan Romance, then this book is for you! Mary Fields Jackson