Wind of the Spirit

American Patriot #3

by J.M. Hochstetler

Elizabeth Howard's assignment to gain crucial intelligence for General Washington leads her into the very maw of war at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, where disaster threatens to end the American rebellion. Yet her heart is fixed on Jonathan Carleton, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than a year after he disappeared into the wilderness.

Carleton, now the Shawnee war chief White Eagle, is caught in a bitter war of his own. As unseen forces gather to destroy him, he leads the fight against white settlers encroaching on Shawnee lands while battling 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?

“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 Surrender the Dawn

“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, author of Madame A Novel of the French Revolution

“J. M. Hochstetler is able to bring history to life with her exceptional prose and attention to detail. If you want a Last of the Mohicans type adventure with a hearty dose of romance and realism, buy these books! My only regret is that she doesn’t write fast enough and there aren’t enough books like hers! Wonderful, inspiring, educational reading! Bless you, J. M.! I use your books for my own research!” —Laura Frantz, bestselling author of The Colonel’s Lady

“A captivating tale of love and courage skillfully woven into the Revolutionary War, revealing all the human passions and valor that made America great.” —Louise M. Gouge, author of At the Captain’s Command

“I love this series written by J. M. Hochstetler. I have been waiting eagerly for the next installment. I’d be thrilled if she’d write ten books in this engaging style set in the American Revolution.A story so fun and fast paced, with the back ground of Hochstetler’s beautifully researched look at this formative time in our country’s history. Keep them coming.” —Mary Connealy, author of Out of Control

“Wind of the Spirit by J.M. Hochstetler is a captivating third installment to the American Patriot series, one that will keep you turning pages and reading far into the night. 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, leaving you cheering for the “good guys” (on all sides), and panting for more . . . ” —Kathi Macias, author of Deliver Me from Evil

Genres: Historical Fiction, American Revolutionary War, Native American, Christian Fiction

370 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2009

About the author

I am the daughter of Mennonite farmers and grew up in central Indiana. I am a publisher, professional editor, award-winning author, and proud member of Daughters of the American Revolution. My American Patriot Series is the only comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution. The Northkill Amish Series, coauthored with Bob Hostetler, is closely based on the story of our Hochstetler ancestors, who came to this country in 1738 seeking religious freedom, only to be caught up in the savage clashes of the French and Indian War. Book 1, Northkill won Foreword Magazine's 2014 Indie Bronze Award for historical fiction. Book 2, The Return, won the Interviews and Reviews 2017 Silver Award for historical fiction and was chosen as one of Shelf Unbound's 2018 Notable Indie Books. One Holy Night, a modern-day nativity story, was selected as Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year.

Reviews

[Kathleen L. Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathon Carleton has been adopted into the Kispekotha sect of the Shawnee tribe as the fearsome warrior White Eagle in the previous book, and Elizabeth Howard is a spy for General Washington among well-to-do British circles in New York City. They long for one another, but neither knows if the other has survived or still thinks fondly. Both have tempting love interests, but cannot commit their heart to another.

When mutual friend Charles Andrews arrives in New York to propose a trip west to find Carlton, Elizabeth jumps at the chance. Little does she know the adventure, danger, hardship and thrills awaiting her.

White Eagle/Carleton holds a fragile balance in the tribe between believers in Moneto's son, and those with murderous intent, set in their traditional ways. He must prove to the Shawnee his loyalty as his nemesis stirs up distrust and ill will toward him, by marrying a woman among the tribe.

When Elizabeth arrives, he is thrown into an impossible choice. Offend the people who have become his family, or forsake the love if his heart.

Rich in history, brilliant in imagery, evocative in beautifully written passages and resonant with characters who bring to life the longings of young, forbidden love, this book is the best of the American Patriot series so far. More of what I loved in Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, this brings the simmering love story and the dramatic backdrop of the American Revolution to full boil. Heartbreaking, riveting, promising, and engaging, this is a book I will not soon forget.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.8 stars.

This is excellent historical fiction and I really wanted to like it more, but I didn't. Despite the change of venue--to frontier Ohio--and the wonderful representation of life among the Shawnee, it's still getting formulaic. Hochstetler has a fine eye to the details of life and presents her research in a natural, believable way.

Once again, Beth not only manages to fight a major battle but she seems to be the only one who really knows what's going on. (By Yorktown--she's be there, no doubt--she's be telling Alexander Hamilton which redoubt to storm.

Still, a sympathetic portrayal of many different characters and cultures. Only the bad guys are two-dimensional.

I liked it, but with reservations.

[Regina]

Goos vs Evil | Loyalist vs Patriot

I'm this third book of the series you'll be so entangled in a web of deceit, war, good vs evil. Carleton wrestles within himself about his love for Elizabeth and his commitment to Blue Sky. The question throughout the book is: who will win his heart?

This book is very intriguing. It has so many layers, when you think you figured something out, it wasn't what it seemed. As I mentioned, this book is really about good vs evil, you can sense the spiritual battle between White Feather and Woflslayer. This kept guessing. I loved the story and couldn't it my book down! Joan is one of my favorite authors!

[Avellina Balestri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author continues to impress with her ability to continue to follow such a broad historical span. Jonathan's secondary change of identities among the Indians causes him to wrestle with what his true mission is in life, and Elizabeth continues to balance her eagerness to act with obeying orders in her spy work. I appreciate the author weaving elements of her Christian faith throughout. I found the inclusion of the miraculous fog incident which enabled Washington's army to escape particularly intriguing.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young country struggling for independence is the setting for Wind of the Spirit by J.M. Hochstetler, the third book in The American Patriot Series.

As the overwhelming forces of British General William Howe threaten to wipe out General Washington's Continental Army, Elizabeth Howard risks her life to obtain and return with critical intelligence. Meanwhile, the man she wished to marry is far out on the western borders. General Jonathan Carleton, now known as the Shawnee war chief White Eagle, has helped his braves drive white settlers out of Ohio territory, while fighting a more personal battle of his own--finding a way to get Elizabeth out of his heart and steeling himself against the seductive charms of Pathfinder's widow, Blue Sky, as the conflict between him and the shaman Wolfslayer escalates.

With Washington putting in a last-ditch gamble to save the American cause at Trenton, Elizabeth rejoins Colonel Charles Andrews on a journey to find Carelton before the British close in on his whereabouts and try him for treason. Will she find him before the British do? Will he be the same man she still loves? And will her love be enough to convince him to come back with her?

In the continuation of this sweeping saga of the American Revolution, Hochstetler has one again proven herself to be a masterful storyteller. The rich descriptions, the complex characters, and the balanced mix of history and fiction, all combine to create an engaging page turner.

While I have not read the first two books in this series: Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, I fell easily into this storyline and was able to connect the dots through the backstory that is seamlessly woven into the present day events.

The level of research the author must have performed to create The American Patriot Series is evident in every page, but it is her characters that make this story as wonderful as it is.

Lovers of historical fiction, historical romance, and inspirational fiction will certainly want to own Wind of the Spirit!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wind of the Spirit carries you away—literally—to another time and place. The perfect combination of setting and fabulous wording pulled me into the story, and the emotional scenes kept me turning the pages. This story doesn’t drag but keeps building while educating the reader about history at the same time. In regards to sensuality and tension—move over Deeanne Gist—cause Hochstetler goes places most CBA authors can’t. However, the tension is so well done and is so beautifully written, I wouldn’t change a thing. The author shows love as the holy experience it truly is . . . when it occurs the way God intended. I highly recommend this story. I couldn’t put it down!

[J.M. Hochstetler]

This is the new, revised Heritage Edition of Book 3 of my American Patriot Series.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this series before and as always I enjoyed it to the fullest.
I was thrilled to see these books again.
A very exciting book that I couldn't put down once again.
I loved reliving history and this author describes it so well that I felt like I was there. I didn't want it to end.
Wonderful characters that I enjoyed in getting to know and what life might have been like for them.
I wish the other books were on Netgalley and not just the first two.
I recommend this book to the fullest because once you pick this and book 2 up you will want more.
The struggles, faith, and heartbroken are very real to the people just like in today's times.
Elizabeth was awesome. She's my favorite character in this story.
Along with George Washington.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saga Continued

From frontier hardships to the opening salvos of the War for Independence, this book rivets the reader to the story. Now on to the next book in this series. So far, I'm loving each book.

[Anke Nijdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al gauw ontwikkelde dit boek zich tot een spannend verhaal dat ik niet weg kon leggen. Doordat de nadruk het meest lag op de interactie en conflicten tussen personages, en de innerlijke conflicten veel aandacht kregen, was dit een boek wat me in zijn greep hield. De hoofdstukken die vooral oorlogsverslagen waren, waren een stuk saaier. Maar dit boek had dat beduidend minder dan de vorige twee delen in deze serie.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Each book in the series draws you to the next. What will I do
when I’ve read the last? The author pulls you into the action as you read. You know in spite of the turmoil that God will be with them and you!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Patriot Series that takes us from the months preceding Lexington and Concord to Yorktown and the years after the Revolutionary War. If you like American history in fictional format, this is the series to read. It is one of the best I have read.

[Cornelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational historical romance set during the Revolutionary War. The author did a good job on historical research. Strong female character. Lots of inner and outer conflicts with both male and female main characters. I loved it.

[EileenNH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps to the story !

Thank you for keeping this story historical and not a sappy story. The adventures and dialogue is believable and enjoyable at the same time.

[Rachel Etheridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous Series

This has been my favorite series ever. I love the realistic portrayal of the American Revolution with characters that embody the Spirit of the time.

[Staci R. Thibodeaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

While this book includes historical narrative it’s at times hard to follow. I think it’s worth reading, and I intend to complete the series.

[Kerrific Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I wish there was more to this series. Great books about an important time in history. Just the right amount of romance to enjoy.

[Gloria Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intimate workings of the Shawnee

Saga of White Eagle and Elizabeth continues in the Ohio valley in the midst of the Shawnee. Adventurous, enlightening,unique perspective of times.

[Christin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This one got a bit mystical for me. But I sincerely appreciate the depth to the historical research and the real characters.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wind of the Spirit #3 American Patriot by J. M. Hochstetler

The American Patriot series takes the reader back to the days of the American Revolution, traveling from Boston, to New York, to the Ohio Territory and into Indian Country; an unsettled country that is at war. Although each book in this riveting series can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading them in chronological order as the storyline builds with each book.

Wind of the Spirit is filled with strong characters set on a dangerous journey during the American Revolution. I love how the author weaves historical details within the storyline and characters lives so vividly I felt as if I was transported into the midst of the escalating events and dangers they face. I appreciate the spiritual elements in the story and characters lives. A riveting, heartwarming, and often heartbreaking, story. Another favorite on my favorite book shelf.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow read in my opinion. I also thought that for spending so much time on Carleton's struggle in choosing where he belongs, Hochstetler really rushed through the ending and his decision making process. But I love the history and meaning of these series.