The Green Veil

Empire in Pine #1

by Naomi Dawn Musch

1841 ~ Lumberman's daughter, Colette Palmer has always loved timber cruiser Manason Kade, even though she’s too young for him to take her seriously. Leaving Michigan to settle with her family in the Wisconsin wilderness, and separated from him by miles and years, she grows into a woman and, when her heart is broken, makes her vow to another. Manason longs to plant roots of his own in Wisconsin Territory, and he finally gets his chance. When the new Kade Forest Works challenges the illegal log harvesting of a rival company, however, Colette's husband will stop at nothing to ruin him, even using Colette as a pawn. Logging enterprises collide as the territory nears statehood. In the midst of turmoil, Manason and Colette meet again. Now, she will have to choose between her first love and her commitment to her marriage vows, while her dreams, her faith, and an empire in pine hang in the balance.

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2013

About the author

Naomi loves stories rich in American history, but occasionally writes in other genres as well. She pens stories from the pristine north woods, where she and her husband live as epically as God allows near their five adult children and passel of grandchildren. She has worked as an editor for a small press, a staff writer for an EPA award-winning newspaper, a ghost writer, and has published dozens of magazine and internet articles for the encouragement of homeschooling families and young writers. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Lake Superior Writers, and the Wisconsin Writers' Association. She loves engaging with others and always discovering kernels of a new story. She is available for speaking and book groups. Her newest novel is Mist O'er the Voyageur, and she anticipates re-releasing several of her back-list novels in 2019.
Connect with her through her website: http://www.naomimusch.com
FB: Naomi Musch - Author
Twitter: NMusch

Reviews

[Naomi Musch]

I'm the author of this book. I thought it was a bit too vain to give myself 5 stars, but if you love historical fiction full of romantic tension and adventure, I hope you'll check it out.

[DianFlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Naomi Musch has penned a hauntingly mesmerizing, out-of-the-box novel as only she can—set amongst the great white pines of Wisconsin as the territory is nearing statehood. In two evenings I devoured this full-length story of deception, greed, and cruelty, but also one of love and loyalty that stands the test of time.

I had a terrible time putting this book down as I kept reading "just one more chapter" repeatedly till way past bedtime. I totally enjoy a novel that's unpredictable—leaving me to wonder if the characters I've grown to love will have that happily ever after I so long for. A poignant tale of redemption, forgiveness, unrequited love, and endearing characters, I urge you to order The Green Veil asap. I'm looking forward to starting Book 2 (The Red Fury) today! More late nights to come...lol.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me pondering and thinking about it long after I read the last page and put it down. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to go back and reread parts. Now that is a great book in my estimation, and The Green Veil by Naomi Musch, is just that. It is the first in a series of historical romances set in mid-nineteenth century Wisconsin. I don’t claim to be a history buff, but I am definitely going to seek out the other two books in the ‘Empire in Pine’ Series.
The book follows the life of a young lumberman’s daughter named Colette Palmer as her family move into the Wisconsin territory. She must leave her best friends behind, among them a special boy she calls Nase. We watch Colette grow and mature, finding new friends and purpose in her new home and even contemplating courtship and marriage. All the while, though, she still secretly clings to her first love. Then disaster strikes and she must make a choice.
The book takes place over the span of at least eleven or twelve years; the story line is complex and involves many intriguing characters. I can’t go into much more detail without spoiling it, but let me assure you it is well worth each and every page. It also seemed very well researched, but was never dry. I highly recommend this book to all readers who like historical romance – and even to those that aren’t sure they like it. They just might become fans.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Green Veil is an epic saga of people living and loving in the rugged forests of 18th century Wisconsin. With multiple points of view, It weaves throughout the lives of many different characters and takes place of the course of a decade or more.

The author crafted a rich setting filled it with a diverse cast of characters. The one constant in this novel is Colette. This is her story, and when we glimpse her future in the prologue, we know her life is going to be painful- we just don't know which path she travels to get there. The twist and turns her story takes before she hits rock bottom kept me guessing throughout the book.

While this book is about relationships, it is not your typical romance. The man who ultimately turns out to Colette's hero is separated from her for about 90% of the story. That was a little tough to take for a romance nut like myself.

However, if you like long, rich, historical books with a romance thread running through but not driving the story (think Gone with the Wind, only not so long), this is the perfect book for you.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Romance, Wisconsin, White pines, and Lumbermen.

I Loved, Loved, Loved this book. I stayed up all night reading.
Collette has Loved Manason all her life, he called her Princess, but he only saw a young girl. They both were raised by families that were Lumbermen and Mill workers. Collette and Manason lives are separated because of different events, but Collette thinks of him often.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is not ordinarily my choice of genre I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read the next 2 in the series.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for an inspiring read that will cause you to think and feel deeply, then this book is for you. Although it took me several chapters before I felt invested and fully interested in the book, I am glad I persisted and continued reading. I had read so many good reviews prior to starting the book and as the novel progressed there came a point when I found it very difficult to put it down. The story evolved over many years which allowed for much character development and reflection to take place, along with spiritual insights. Conflicts and hardships were part of the characters’ lives and the timeline allowed for issues to be dealt with or resolved. The scenic descriptions transported me to the piney woods of Wisconsin Territory. This book is the first in the Empire in Pine series and I look forward to reading the others.

[HiDesert Granny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is outside the genres I usually read, but I have been exploring Christian writing and a friend suggested this book, for which I am grateful. This story has complex characters dealing with adversity in different ways with their different beliefs.

The protagonist is a young girl named Collette and the story follows about a decade of her life in the Wisconsin lumber development of the mid-nineteenth century. The depiction of the forest wilds make you feel as though you are right there with Collette. The dialogue is realistic, as are the situations.

I was going to give this a 4 star rating because of errors/typos/grammar but the story was otherwise well written and thought provoking. Highly recommend.

[Barbara Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this family saga set in the 1800s early Wisconsin logging industry and specifically the story of a young girl's journey from girlhood to womanhood in a tough and rugged land run by men. This story was brimful of everything an historical novel should have... romance, sorrow, laughter, and family ties, while keeping true to the times and setting. Author Musch is adept at putting you into the past. She captures the feelings of adventure, danger and excitement that men and woman back then must have felt as they settled the land and built towns and businesses in the big woods.

[Margaret H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author knows how to write. I feel like I am really there. However, I became disappointed when the main character for the first half of the book takes her time on the decision of love and then in one chapter she does a 180. I felt like it was out of her character. Maybe it needed more buildup on the reason why she made this rash decision. I was disinterested for the rest of the book due to this.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

1841 brought Colette and her parents to Wisconsin where the trees grew tall and strong making a canopy of green as you walked under them. The loggers sent trees down to various streams and rivers to the mills which cut the lumber and sent it by train to the cities that were growing rapidly. The author did a great deal of research to bring us the detail of how it was to be a logger, a cruiser and a mill owner.

Money and danger seem to go together in this story of several different families. I found it fascinating how things worked together for the well developed characters - especially when you were sure the choices made were the wrong ones. I look forward to continuing the Empire in Pine series and discovering more of the history of Wisconsin.

[Michelle Kaderly Welsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical novel interested me not only for the storyline, but because my husband's family is spread in the setting areas. His grandmother also married someone much older as did Collette. She never wanted to discuss her personal story. If you like learning about a family's story--even though it's fictional--and to experience the motives and consequences, this is a book for you to read with a bad guy you want to see the heroine freed from.

[J.M. Hochstetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful theme of God's faithfulness

I loved the setting in the forests of Wisconsin before statehood and the appealing characters. The overarching theme of God's faithfulness and the blessings that come from our obedience and faithfulness in response was profound. Wrenching, touching, and inspiring, this story kept me turning pages. Highly recommended!

[Beth H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it!

This story really drew me in. It was full of many emotions and wrapped up nicely. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winsome novel about families and logging in the Wisconsin wilderness of the 1840s.

[Michelle Hord · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!


The chapters and the story connected to keep me reading. What would happen next? A great, nicely written historical novel.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. Took a few twists then had a satisfying ending.

[B.J. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empire in Pine Book One: The Green Veil by Naomi Musch is forty chapters of layered Christian Fiction published January 1, 2011, by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and all I can say to begin with is--what a book! I absolutely loved it.

Colette Palmer and Manason Kade grew up together as childhood friends in Michigan, and Colette always hoped he'd be the one. He's her first true love, but when her family relocates to Wisconsin they lose track of one another. She waits years in hopes he'll became a lumber cruiser in Wisconsin, so they'll be reunited. Year after year unravels, and she has to build a new life. She meets Joseph, and he gives her a yellow dog she names Dandy, a beautiful, fancy blue shawl, and proposes, but she holds him at arm's length and says he's her best friend.

She finds herself proposed to by two different men and finally says yes to the second proposal out of compassion. When this man makes a difficult husband and tells her she can't keep her dog, she turns to Joseph for help. Her first love reappears, and she's faced with a difficult decision when he offers refuge. Will she honor her marriage vows? Her heart is torn. Problems surmount and obstacles larger than the woods of Wisconsin rear their ugly heads.

This Christian Fiction novel is layered with rich details realistic to life, and the author provides rich description of beautiful wood scenes, but in a way that enrich the story without detracting from it. I find the plot original, the theme worthy, and I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Colette and Manason. Boggs, a lumberman hired by Collette's husband, is a mean man who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Collette has a face-off with him. I loved the part the dog played in it. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, Musch throws in a spin and twist that'll take your breath away. The novel is full of twists that'll make your head spin and keep you on the edge of your seat.

This is the first book in the series of three, and I can't wait to read the other two.

[Vivian LeMay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about The Green Veil was its main character, Colette Palmer. The book opens in 1848 and Colette is miserable as her wealthy husband, a lumber baron of the Wisconsin Territory, demands she wear a revealing red dress to a party. He expects his beautiful young wife to increase his influence in the business world by flirting and dancing with the other business men at the party.

Colette is a God fearing young woman who never dreamed her marriage would come to this. But an unexpected guest changes her evening, and that night Colette falls asleep with the sting of her jealous husband's slap rising to a bruise on her face.

She wonders how things could have possibly gone so wrong, when all she ever wanted in her life was to do God's will. And the story begins…

Kudos to Naomi Musch for a well written book.