Though War Shall Rise Against Me

“Get into your comfy chair. You’ll be there for a while. This book is hard to put down.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

The war between the states has finally come and the civilians of Gettysburg hope the battles will stay as far away from them as possible. But the war will touch them all more than they can imagine. Four friends, old and new, will find themselves looking to God and each other to get them through. Charlotte Turner is left to run the family farm and will lose more than she may be able to bear. Alexandra Sadler must live without her new husband as he goes off to fight for the Union. Ginny Wade must help her family survive by doing odd jobs as she worries about her best friend fighting in the war. And Augusta Lewis, born and raised in South Carolina, must spend the war days with her husband's family amidst Northern sympathizers. Will the four long years leave the town unharmed? Or will the hamlet of Gettysburg be changed forever?

BOOK REVIEWS:

“Outstanding!!!-"I loved it :) Historically correct with glimpses into the lives of 4 women and they're small town as the civil war breaks out. Ms. LaPres, what an outstanding debut! You must read it, I promise you won't be disappointed."

“I just finished the first book and am starting on the second. I am loving them. You are so talented!”

“We met at Michigan’s Heritage Park after you gave a presentation about the civil war and a preview of your book.  I just finished reading “Though War Shall Rise Against Me” and enjoyed it very much. It was especially interesting to understand how the war affected the civilians of Gettysburg and the young women who’s lives were completely and forever changed by those events.  I appreciate all the time and research that had to go into this book.  I think I will have to take a trip to Gettysburg now!”

“I have not read a book in I don’t know how long, but I met you in Turkeyville & purchased your first book & your mother mailed me the second one. I read each book in two days. There were so interesting I couldn’t put them down.”

“For me, not being a reader, I was into your story.  You definitely did your research and brought out all the crazy things people were faced during those dark years.”

“Wanted to pass along my compliments on the book.  I finished it a couple weeks ago and really liked it.  Looking forward to your next one!”

“God has given you the gift to write.  And thanks to your mother for all her encouragement throughout your writing.  There is a lot to learn from the past and a lot to be thankful for.”

“I just finished Though War Shall Rise Against Me and I really enjoyed it.  How do you find enough hours in the day to do all you do?!  I made a cheat sheet of the 4 main characters so I could keep them, and their love interests, straight.  I thought your characters were well developed and varied to make for interesting reading... I enjoyed the humor in the scene where Abigail is dressed for a romantic party to see the troops pass.  I was happy to see her develop some kindness... I appreciated that you had the psalm at the front of the book to explain the title as I don't know my psalms.  I appreciated the family trees and photos as well.  Historically, I think you did a good job of depicting how unprepared and unrealistic the people in the time of the Civil War were about war.  Also I appreciated that you showed  that horrors can be committed by either side of a conflict and that war creates great heroism and great senseless destruction.  I wish you continued success in all you do and thank-you for your book.”

“I bought you book which you were kind enough to sign.  I just finished the book and thoroughly enjoyed it.  There were so many characters that you introduced, that it did take a while to keep them straight.  But once I was able to put the couples together, it was so interesting.  You included so many elements in your book that are often overlooked with the "strategy" of war.  Through the relationship of 4 amazing women (and one antagonist), you were able to discuss the personal relationships of friends, husbands, and families.  You presented the struggles of these women and the prejudiced that existed besides that of color.  And you added the struggle of faith as well.”

"I loved this book! Though War Shall Rise Against Me is a beautifully written story about 4 girls coming to age during a time when the Civil War was coming to the States. I was so engaged in each of the individual girl's story and into their intertwining friendships with each other. I really found myself connecting with each character in different ways. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!" 

"I had trouble putting the book down. Couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I look forward to reading more about the other characters."

"I totally enjoyed the writing of this first time author. It was clear, concise and factually accurate to the era. I would not hesitate to read another of her works!!"

"I love historical fiction and I felt that this book was well written and factual. I can't wait for the sequels to come out. Nice job for a first time author."

"This is an awesome book to read. It got me so involved it was hard to put down. I can't wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this book."

 “Can’t put it down.-“Get into your comfy chair. You’ll be there for a while. This book is hard to put down.”

“Thoughtful book of friendship, love, and the hardships of war.-“This historical fiction was hard to put down and left me longing for more once I was finished. This book reads very thoughtful to the characters and time period which created a genuine interest in the characters while reading. Although not normally one to read historical fiction, this book changed my mind. Wonderful read!”

“It had a great story line as it weaved throughout the historical facts …I actually picked this book up at The Lees of Virginia plantation gift shop. I thought it looked interesting since it was about the Civil War. It did not fail. It had a great story line as it weaved throughout the historical facts of this war. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading on women relationships, Civil War history, and faith in God. Can't wait to read the next book by this author.”

“Well written and factual. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book.”

“I am almost finished with "Though War Shall Rise Against Me", and have thoroughly enjoyed it...I love the historical fiction and the way you tie it all together. Great job and thank you.”

“Good News! Sold 4 of your books this week and my mom finished reading it today she said she could not put it down!”

“...Centered on the friendships, romances, marriages, struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of both fictional and actual characters from different social positions in the village, the story gives the reader a glimpse of the effects of war on the lives of ordinary people who were in Gettysburg, or from Gettysburg, during that period. LaPres includes photographs of historical persons and places, and weaves in a theme of Christian faith, and the struggles with faith, during the stresses of an inhumane and devastating war.

...provides fans of Civil War history with “a view from the bottom” of what the war felt like, as it thundered in the distance and then rolled into a small village in Pennsylvania. While much of the novel is focused on the lives of the main female protagonists, LaPres skillfully incorporates a wide spectrum of the political, military, social, medical, religious, and logistical impacts of the war on ordinary citizens. Her narrative style is descriptive, detailed, and realistic. The pace is a little slow at the start, but soon picks up and crescendos in a “can’t put it down” accounting of the impact of the Battle of Gettysburg on the village's residents. Some unexpected twists and turns along the way add dramatic interest. An entertaining and satisfying read.'”

SAMPLE SECTION:

July 1861

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Charlotte Turner stopped at the Post Office to post the letter she had written and picked up the mail for her family.  On her way out, she ran into Alex.  When her friend saw that she had a letter from Thomas, Alex immediately pulled it out and read it.

“Love’s not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks…”  Alex murmured aloud, reading Charlotte’s latest letter from Thomas.  “Charlotte, he is quite romantic.  ‘Love bares it out to the edge of doom.’”

“It’s not even his own writing, Alex.”  Charlotte told her, the edge of annoyance apparent in her voice.  “It’s superficial and emotionless.”

“It’s still pretty.”  Alex replied, handing the letter back to Charlotte.  “What’s so wrong with Thomas?  Sometimes love can grow from respect and common goals.”

“I do respect him.  And we seem to have common goals.  It’s just...when we talk, it’s like he thinks he knows me so well.  That he knows what's best for me.  He puts words into my mouth.  He is a very likable man most of the time, but when it comes to me and our future, he is so controlling.  I just cannot imagine a lifetime of his smothering ways.”

“I see.”  Alex said.  “Well, for now, just get to know him best you can.  Maybe share your feelings with him.  They will be home soon.”  She was practically singing her words now.  “And I will get to be with William!”

“That is wonderful for you.”  Charlotte smiled for her friend.  

“Mrs. Lewis!”  Alex smiled, then pulled Charlotte over to a young woman with blonde hair who had been approaching the Post Office.  The woman smiled as the two approached.

“Hello, Mrs. Clark.  How are you doing?”  She spoke in a soft Southern accent.

“I’m doing well.  Mrs. Lewis, this is my good friend, Charlotte Miller.  Charlotte, this is Michael Lewis’s wife, Augusta.”

“It’s good to meet you, Mrs. Lewis.”  Charlotte smiled.

“Please, call me Augusta, Miss Miller.  It is a pleasure to meet you as well.” 

“And you must call me Charlotte.” 

“Where are you headed, Augusta?”  Alex asked.

“I was going to stop at the post office, and then head to a house on Breckenridge Street.  Mrs. Lewis, Michael’s mother, wants me to drop off some mending at a home there.  I told her I could do the work, but she said she likes to try and support the family.”

“Which family?”  Charlotte asked.  “If it’s the Wade family, I can walk you there.  I was heading over that way myself.”

“Really?  It is the Wades.  I would love your company.”  Augusta smiled.

Charlotte turned to Alex.

“Are you in for a visit?  I’m sure Ginny would love to see you.  She doesn’t get out much, now that they have also taken on caring for Isaac Brinkerhoff.”

“That crippled boy?”  Alex asked.  “Why?”

“His mother has to go to work and since he cannot walk, he needs a place to stay.  The Wades need the money.”  Charlotte said.  “So, can you come?”

“I probably could stop by…”  Alex’s words were cut short as the two girls turned toward a commotion back in the post office.  “What is going on in there?”

Elizabeth Thorn, the wife of the cemetery caretaker, exited the building, clutching a newspaper.

“Mrs. Thorn, what's the commotion?”  Charlotte asked.

The woman held out a paper.  “There has been a battle.  Right outside of Washington.  They say our troops were crushed by the rebels.”

Alex took the paper and scanned it.  “Almost five-hundred of our men were killed, over one-thousand were wounded, and about twelve-hundred more of our men are missing in action...those men could be dead, hurt or taken prisoner...Union men proved to be very inexperienced and undisciplined.”  She continued reading.  “It doesn’t look like the Gettysburg unit was fighting.”

“Well that’s good.”  Charlotte said.  

“Oh my goodness!”  Alex’s hand flew to cover her mouth.  “It says that civilians from Washington rode out to watch the battle.  They brought picnics, their families, it was just like some social event.  They were chased from the field just like our soldiers were.”

“My goodness.”  Charlotte said.  “Were any of them killed?”

“I don’t believe so.”  Alex kept reading.  “Wait, yes-it says the only civilian who died was an 85-year-old widow who couldn’t leave her home, which was hit by cannon.”

Charlotte shook her head as Alex handed the paper back to Mrs. Thorn with a nod of thanks.

“Well, that article says it all.”  Alex said.  At Charlotte’s questioning look, she explained.  “This war will be long, not just a one-battle-fight like everyone was predicting.”