As the first blood of the Revolution is spilled, a beautiful rebel spy and a jaded British officer fight their own private battles of faith—and a love that will not be denied.

Eastertide, April 1775. In Boston circumstances are escalating toward a fateful confrontation between the British Regulars and the Sons of Liberty. Caught in the deepening rift between Whig and Tory, Elizabeth Howard is torn between her love for her prominent parents, who have strong ties to the British establishment, and her secret adherence to the cause of liberty. For by night she plays a dangerous game as the infamous courier Oriole, wanted by the British for smuggling intelligence and munitions to the patriot leaders.

Elizabeth’s assignment is to pin down when the Redcoats will march to capture the patriots’ hoarded munitions. But she hasn’t counted on the arrival of Jonathan Carleton, an officer in the Seventeenth Light Dragoons. To her dismay the attraction between them is immediate, powerful—and fought on both sides in a war of wits and words. As Carleton wins the assignment to ferret out Oriole, Elizabeth faces the realization that he has become not only her most dangerous foe, but also the possessor of her heart. 

When the first blood is spilled at Lexington and Concord, Carleton fights his own private battle of faith. Meanwhile, the headstrong Elizabeth must learn to curb her impetuous spirit as her dangerous role thrusts her ever closer to the carnage of Bunker Hill. And when Carleton sacrifices his life to save her from capture, she has only hours to rescue him from a British noose. 

“The spirited wordplay and attraction between Elizabeth and Jonathan keep the book moving at a quick pace. But the real strength lies in the well-crafted research and historical details that illuminate the brick mansions of Beacon Hill, the bustling alleyways of downtown Boston, and the carnage of Bunker Hill . . . Daughter of Liberty will appeal to fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, smart romance novels, and series. At the end of the story, the reader undeniably will want to tuck into the next American Patriot book to learn more about how Elizabeth and Jonathan are helping to craft the future of a young and fledgling America.” —Dana Rae Laverty, ForeWord Magazine

“As a lover of historical inspirational romance, Daughter of Liberty held me captive with its charming characters and daring adventures. And as a lover of the history of the American Revolution, this same book thoroughly swept me away. The author, Joan Hochstetler, is an expert in every detail of the era. She describes in depth the events leading up to the start of the Revolution, and she well portrayed the pain of families and friends divided in their loyalties between following the laws of the King of England vs. the outcry of the Patriots demanding freedom from oppression. . . . The characters are endearing and realistic, but it is the events of the era that take center stage in this highly dramatic novel that will leave you turning each page with anticipation. Looking forward to the sequel.” —Elaine Marie Cooper, author of The Promise of Deer Run

“God’s plan for our lives and how we follow it is an important theme in this book. Elizabeth is impetuous, taking chances that could leave her and others in peril, but she loves the thrill of the chase. When one particular decision nearly ends with her capture and places Jonathan’s life in jeopardy, she must finally accept the need to seek God’s will in her life.” --Erin Valentine, Novel Journey

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Caught between two worlds at war, he could lose everything—his country, his faith, and the woman who holds his heart captive.

Secretly a courier for General George Washington, Elizabeth Howard has strong loyalties to her country and an equally strong love for Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton. But they put their feelings on hold when Washington assigns Elizabeth to continue spying on the British in Boston, and sends Carleton to Iroquois territory to negotiate with the Indian tribes for their support for the rebels.

Far out on the frontier, captured and enslaved by the Seneca, Carleton clings to the determination to escape and return to Elizabeth. Unable to learn his fate, she fears for his life. But when the British are forced out of Boston, she and her aunt must leave Boston for New York City, where General Howe threatens to attack. They quickly gain entrée to prominent British circles and access to intelligence Washington desperately needs. With the Battle of Brooklyn looming over the poorly equipped, poorly trained, and heavily outnumbered Continental Army, Elizabeth is torn between her growing attraction to a handsome Dutch doctor and the aching longing for Carleton she cannot seem to overcome. 

Meanwhile, in the deep forests far to the west, Carleton is rescued by the Shawnee and adopted as the warrior White Eagle. When his adoptive father, the sachem Black Hawk, is murdered by white settlers, White Eagle rises to become war chief and is forced into a bitter war of his own—against the white settlers encroaching on Shawnee lands, the love of the beautiful widow Blue Sky, the schemes of the shaman Wolfslayer—and the longing for Elizabeth that will not give him peace. 

“J. M. Hochstetler strikes again! Native Son picks up where Daughter of Liberty left off and doesn’t let go of the reader even beyond the last word on the last page. Ms. Hochstetler has crafted a story full of intrigue, romance, and heart-racing action, all woven around the most accurately portrayed historical events and settings this reader has ever seen. Her characters—main and secondary—come alive on the page and stay with the reader long after the book is over. The spiritual conflict is both touching and challenging. J. M. Hochstetler is a skilled author whose style engages and allows the reader to get lost in 1775 . . . and makes me want to beg for more! I can’t wait to read the next installment.” —Kaye Dacus, author of The Ransome Series

“In addition to being torn between his love for Elizabeth and his loyalty to the American cause, his capture creates another quandary for Jonathan as he tries to balance his allegiances for the newly forming nation and the embattled Indians. His faith in God’s plan for his life is what keeps him alive, trusting that He will guide him in the best way possible.” --Erin Valentine, Novel Journey

“Is their Christian faith and trust in God strong enough to see them through? Native Son is an intensely moving story, impeccably researched and excellently written. It is an intricate look into some aspects of the birth of our nation, and the struggles and temptations faced by two unforgettable characters. J. M. Hochstetler expertly weaves a tale of historical fiction with a romance that must survive the trials and dangers of the times. Outstanding!” —Erika Osborn, Christian Book Previews

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Heritage Edition releases in Spring 2013

As the patriot cause falters, can her love bridge the miles between them—and the savage bonds that threaten to tear him forever from her arms?

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 Elizabeth’s heart remains fixed on Jonathan Carleton, whose whereabouts remain unknown more than a year after he disappeared into the wilderness. As British General Howe progressively pushes the faltering Continental force out of New York, through New Jersey, and across the Delaware River, and Washington’s dispirited, starving soldiers melt away before his eyes, Elizabeth learns that a white warrior is leading Indian raids along the frontier. Convinced that this warrior must be Carleton, she undertakes the arduous journey deep into Ohio Territory with Carleton’s friend, Colonel Charles Andrews.

They succeed in tracking White Eagle down only to find, to Elizabeth’s dismay, that her arrival forces the conflict between the vengeful shaman Wolfslayer and White Eagle into the open, thus placing him in even greater danger. It also confronts White Eagle with a wrenching dilemma: to remain with the Shawnee who have become his kindred—or to return with Elizabeth to white society and again take up the reins of revolution. Only his love for her and obedience to God can call him back again, and together they rejoin Washington the day before Christmas as he prepares to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton.

“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 Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution

“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.” —Michelle Sutton, author of Letting Go

“The story reveals an exquisite truth when Jonathan realizes that we are often not at home in this world we live in, but we are always at home when we are with the one whose love is true. The author treats romantic love tenderly without denying its underlying desire. I hope you will let a courageous spy and a broken Shawnee chief tell you their story. And if you read the words with your heart, you will hear a holy whisper and recognize the Wind of His Spirit.” --Joy DeKok, author of Under His Wings

“Wind of the Spirit is so historically rich and well-researched, but I also really like the characters. They are complicated and are forced to deal with many heart-wrenching events, but through it all they try their best to keep their faith in God and in each other. The historical information is seamlessly incorporated into what is, at its heart, a love story, and it helps to give the story tension and reality. . . . This is first-rate historical fiction with Christian themes. I definitely recommend it to those interested in historical fiction set during the American Revolution.” —Katy F., A Few More Pages Blog

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Releases Fall 2012!

She rescued him from the hangman’s noose. Now, can he save her from an even more desperate fate?

Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton rejoins General George Washington’s army to find the patriot cause on the verge of extinction. Against all odds, in a daring gamble the American force crosses the Delaware River during a raging nor’easter to attack the Hessian outpost at Trenton. While Elizabeth Howard anxiously waits for news of the outcome, the American force wins a stunning victory, then fights the British to a draw at Princeton before vanishing into the mountain bastions around Morristown.

Returning to New York, Elizabeth is drawn ever deeper into the dangerous intrigues that swirl around General William Howe—and the increasingly persistent attentions of Dr. Pieter Vander Groot, who allegiance now belongs to the rebels. When Carleton is forced to take the doctor prisoner, Elizabeth and her aunt move to Philadelphia to wait for Howe’s attack on the city. 

With the Americans digging in at Brandywine Creek, Carleton is betrayed by a trusted aide and comes within a hair’s breadth of being captured. Washington orders him to the upper Hudson Valley, where a force commanded by British General John Burgoyne closes in on Saratoga. With decisive battles looming on all fronts, Elizabeth and Carleton are once again torn from each other’s arms, and this time they face a crucible of war and trial that will test their mettle and their love for each other and God to the very limits . . . and beyond.