Wind of the Spirit
The American Patriot Series, Book 3
by J. M. Hochstetler
List Price: $13.99
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780979748530
Publisher: Sheaf House Books
This long-awaited third book of the acclaimed American Patriot Series once again sweeps readers into the tumultuous world of revolution. The story resumes with Elizabeth Howard scrambling for crucial intelligence General George Washington desperately needs to stop the British from capturing New York. Elizabeth’s assignment will lead her into the very maw of war at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, where disaster threatens to end the American rebellion.
Yet all the while Elizabeth’s heart is fixed on Jonathan Carleton, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than a year after he disappeared into the wilderness while on assignment for Washington. She does not know that Carleton, now the Shawnee war chief White Eagle, is caught in a bitter war of his own. As unseen forces gather to finally destroy him, he fights white settlers encroaching on Shawnee lands --- and the longing for Elizabeth that will not give him peace. Can her love bridge the miles that separate them --- and the savage bonds that threaten to tear him forever from her arms?
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1. Elizabeth missed Carleton deeply, yet she chose to stay in New York and remain faithful to her commitment to Washington to spy on the British. Did she do the right thing? Have you ever been faced with a similar choice? What was your response and the result?
2. Pieter Vander Groot was an admirable person and very compatible with Elizabeth personally and spiritually. Have you ever wrestled with making a choice between two alternatives that on the surface appeared to be equally good? How did you decide which was God’s will for you?
3. Should White Eagle have been honest with Red Fox and Spotted Pony about his real reasons for not taking Blue Sky as his wife? Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed better not to tell the whole truth? What happened because of your decision?
4. White Eagle agreed to lead the war against the white settlers to protect his people, only to have his actions judged to be barbaric. Have you ever struggled to do the right thing, and then had your actions and motives misjudged and criticized as a result?
5. In light of the Native Americans’ subsequent history, do you think they were justified in trying to keep Whites out of their ancestral territories?
6. The night before the Battle of Brooklyn, convinced that Howe meant to turn the American left flank, Elizabeth took matters into her own hands instead of reporting to Colonel Stern as ordered. What was the result of her disobedience, both good and bad? Have you ever disobeyed someone who was in authority over you because you were convinced they were wrong? What were the consequences?
7. How did Elizabeth’s and Andrews’s attitude toward the Shawnee and toward White Eagle’s actions change after their arrival at Grey Cloud’s Town? Have you ever had the opportunity to learn that things were not as they seemed on the surface?
8. Andrews also loved Elizabeth deeply, but he chose to honor her relationship with Carleton. Blue Sky made the same decision in spite of her desire for White Eagle. Have you ever made a similar sacrifice? What was the outcome?
9. Wolfslayer rejected every attempt White Eagle made to settle their differences peacefully. Have you ever been in a situation where it was difficult or even impossible to be a peacemaker? What did you do?
10. Great Owl’s unexpected arrival brought back the nightmare of Carleton’s capture by the Seneca. Where did he find strength to stand against his enemies when all hope appeared lost? Have you ever faced a situation that seemed completely hopeless? What did you do?
11. White Eagle faced another wrenching decision in returning to the Americans with Elizabeth and Andrews. Readjustment to white society was very difficult for him. Has it ever been necessary for you to move far away from your home and family when you wanted very much to stay in a familiar environment? How did you handle adjusting to a new community and new friendships?
12. Carleton inherited slaves when his uncle, Sir Harry, died. What was his initial attitude toward owning human beings, and how did it change when he experienced slavery among the Seneca? How did he finally resolve this issue?
13. In the Declaration of Independence, the members of Congress acknowledged that all people are created equal, yet many of our Founders owned slaves. What was the ultimate result of this tension between their expressed ideals and the reality of slavery? Do you struggle with prejudices against people who are outwardly different from you? If so, what would God have you to do?
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"With rich, vivid descriptions that draw you back in time, characters that become your best friends, eloquent language that will leave you breathless, and a romance that warms you from head to toe, Wind of the Spirit is a stunningly beautiful story about the fight for freedom, survival, and love in a savage land."
MaryLu Tyndall, bestselling author of The Falcon and the Sparrow
"The passion and intrigue of the American Revolution comes to life in J. M. Hochstetler’s wonderfully entertaining read Wind of the Spirit. Beautifully written and completely engaging, Wind of the Spirit will appeal to fans not just of Christian fiction, but of historical fiction as well. Not to be missed!"
Michelle Moran, national bestselling author of The Heretic Queen
"Filled with intrigue and adventure, love and loss, history and hope, Wind of the Spirit is a refreshingly honest expose of American truth, sparing neither the good, the bad, or the ugly. Raw truth, coupled with gentle mercy, will carry your heart from one scene to the next."
Kathi Macias, author of My Son, John
"I love this series written by J. M. Hochstetler… I’d like to see these books, The American Patriot Series, in the hands of every child in America. I think it should be required reading in every history class in the country. A story so fun and fast paced, with the background of Hochstetler’s beautifully researched look at this formative time in our country’s history. Keep them coming."
Mary Connealy, author of Gingham Mountain