Clara in a Time of War Paperback – September 18, 2022

There's no toe-tapping wait for the real action to start in this book. The author puts the characters into motion right away, even as she's introducing them and describing the world they live in. There is something about the home front during a time of war–a jarring reshuffling of familiar and conventional roles. People can find resources within themselves they never knew they had. Yes, it's about Revolutionary War times, but its themes are universal. And, while it's clearly a woman's story, it's a great read for everyone craving a well-crafted and intelligent novel with relatable characters and a vibrant story line.

This story takes place during the American Revolution just outside of Philadelphia. Clara was raised a city girl but when her husband decides to move them out of the city to the family farm she has no option but to adjust. The war starts and her husband enlists leaving her to manage the farm with just her female companion and her young son. They struggle to maintain the farm and their quality of life, especially after a stranger turns up injured on their property. They are forced by their very Christian nature to nurse him back to health. Clara finds in him a kindness and connection she’s never had with her husband. As the war rages on she wonders what will happen when her husband comes home.Let me start by saying generally I do not choose books that focus on infidelity as a theme. The fact that Clara was enamored with a stranger while her husband was all fighting for our country‘s freedom did not ingratiate her to me initially. I understand the strain she was under and the fact that the life she was living was not the one she would have chosen for herself. Also the strains of war would quite often change a person. I did admire her courage to survive and thrive for her son.What did draw me to this book was the historical aspects. I really liked a book that touched upon the revolution without it being a sole focus. Hearing about farm life and barter and communications of the time was all very interesting. I also really liked her truth of the societal and ethnic classifications as portrayed. What people were taught to think and the reality were always quite different.Thanks to Kate Rock Book Tours for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

I’d be selling this novel short to call it a love story. It is so much more than that. The author is a skilled storyteller using prose and period details that fit the Revolutionary period while remaining a delight to read. The characters are easy to root for, especially the indomitable protagonist. This is a novel that keeps you turning the pages. For anyone looking for an intelligent, well-crafted story of mystery and love grounded in our Revolutionary history, I highly recommend this book.

I am currently reading C.J. McGroarty’s book and could stay with it all day and night. Factual at its core and always with an undertone of mystery, I am enjoying this book immensely! The format, font and cover are all a work of art. As I place my bookmark into a page, I know I will be back to continue when I return to my chair. To take up the journey of where this well written book takes me.CK SobeyAuthor of Outpourings: Musings, Woolgathering, &Ghosts, Volume ll

This rural wartime saga reminded me of that line Abigail Adams wrote to John about remembering the women while he labored to make Enlightenment principles a reality for some.He replied affectionately if condescendingly, and his real-life pat on the head to the New World’s feminine backbone was resonant in Clara’s fictional predicament.Left to fend for herself during the Revolutionary War, Clara Fletcher had her hands full just to keep the family farm going while her husband fought with Washington’s army. When her son finds a grievously wounded soldier on their property, her cup runneth over.As the drums of war boom closer, Clara’s attachment to this mysterious convalescent grows stronger. It’s a unique treatment of a frankly terrifying time in American history.With war on the home front, Clara’s service is rendered with danger unpredictably near. The scene is set for an emotional agrarian reckoning delivered with lovely historical detail.

I enjoyed this story so much! Most war stories I’ve read are set in WWII so this was a delightful change, it’s set during the Revolutionary War. Which was one of my favorite time periods to learn about when I was in high school. The short chapters makes this a quick and easy read. The perseverance of the characters in this story makes for an eye opening awareness of the hardships. In this story Clara’s husband is off to war and she’s alone taking care of the farm with her son. One day her son discovers a wounded man whom they nurse him back to life.It’s a wonderful historical fiction romance that doesn’t boggle you down with filler details.

"Clara in a Time of War" is rich in time period details and character descriptions. There are carefully crafted metaphors. One can tell that the author is a talented storyteller.

5/5 HYPNOTIC Stars!!A True Delight!C.J. McGroarty’s words are like MAGIC as the real world MELTS away and she transports us to a different time. I truly enjoyed taking this JOURNEY. I found this story captivating, emotional, and THRILLING.Clara in a Time of War is a wonderful ESCAPE that had me turning page after page. I was so UNWILLING to put this book down and take a break from these characters. I was mesmerized, completely ADDICTED and invested.I absolutely loved being in this story, I absolutely RECOMMEND IT.