Forge of Freedom

In the final volume of The American Patriot Series, the Americans' war for independence concludes in triumph-and the renewed fight of the Shawnee for survival in their ancestral lands. From John Paul Jones's epic battle with HMS Serapis, to the conflagration on the western frontier; a traitor's bitter betrayal; and the decisive confrontation at Cowpens, events out of Jonathan and Elizabeth Carleton's control spiral toward a fateful climax at Yorktown. Yet amid war's harsh trials they discover that, even more than the grand ideal of liberty and the deep intimacy of earthly love, the cry of their hearts is for the true peace and lasting freedom that are found in God alone.

"Richly researched and brimming with emotional depth and spiritual truth, Forge of Freedom places you right alongside the beloved, unforgettable characters of the American Patriot Series who bring America's hard-won history to vivid life. Both literary feat and reading feast, Forge of Freedom is a triumphant finish to a stellar series!" -Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Rose and the Thistle

"Forge of Freedom is a beautiful and satisfying final installment of an amazing series! I was sorry to say goodbye to characters I've followed for so long, characters so vivid they could indeed have lived among the historical figures scattered throughout the tale. I can't speak highly enough of the author's attention to detail and passion for preserving the wonder of our nation's history, even with all its missteps and blemishes." -Shannon McNear, RITA® finalist, SELAH winner, and author of the Daughters of the Lost Colony Series

"Forge of Freedom is an exciting, satisfying, and often heart-wrenching finale to J. M. Hochstetler's The American Patriot Series. Weaving together a compelling fictional romance with actual historical events, Hochstetler gives readers an opportunity to see the American Revolution up close and on a very personal level. Through Carleton and Elizabeth, we experience the hopes, fears, faith, courage, and sacrifice every Patriot must have faced as the Revolution achieved victories and suffered defeats. Through real life historical figures, we see their very human sides as they struggle to establish a new nation unlike any other in the history of the world. This series should be required reading for every high school student." -Louise M. Gouge, award-winning author

"In Forge of Freedom, the author has again brought us another view into Elizabeth Howard and Jonathan Carleton's compelling lives. Ms. Hochstetler's research into the events and attitudes of the era is impeccable. While the Revolutionary war drags on we experience the emotion and witness the love, joy, separation, adventure, and faith that encompass Elizabeth and Jonathan's lives. My concern is that there won't be a continuation of their fascinating story." -Janet Grunst, author of Setting Two Hearts Free

"Forge of Freedom is the satisfying conclusion of Joan M. Hochstetler's American Patriot Series. Written in an engaging fashion, the reader is pulled into the story and transported back to the end of the Revolutionary War. I highly recommend reading these books in order. Together, they complete an epic series of beautifully researched American history surrounding the fictional story of ordinary people pushed to do the extraordinary. Populated with actual historical figures and events, this series illustrates the personal struggles and sacrifices required to birth a nation." -Pegg Thomas, award-winning author of Sarah's Choice