
Hello and welcome to the site of historical fiction author Jessica James. I'm glad you stopped by and hope you will come back again soon.
For those of you who have just stumbled upon my site, I am the author of Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia (Jan. 2008), and I am working on my second novel Above and Beyond.
The release of Shades of Gray in January, 2008, was the culmination of years of research on the brave men who fought in the Civil War on the soil of Virginia. As you can see from some of the reviews on the right-hand column, the book has been praised for its attention to historical detail--but don't get the idea it's just a Civil War book. It is, more than anything, a love story.
For those of you who have read the book and enjoyed it, I hope you stop back in as I post "the missing chapters." The book was originally more than 1,000 pages, so there are a number of sub-plots that didn't make the cut.
Stop back soon!
Jessica
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Welcome!
4-Star Review
"This stunning story captures the reader's attention from the
start ... A moving account of two people who are drawn into an untenable conflict and find love, despite their opposing beliefs."
See full review here.
Awards won by Shades of Gray
Indie Awards:
Gold Medal
Best Regional Fiction
Indie Awards:
Finalist
Historical Fiction
IPPY Awards:
Silver Medal
Best Regional Fiction
Foreword Magazine:
2008 BOOK OF THE YEAR Finalist
Fiction - Romance
Virginia Romance Writers:
2009 Top 5 Finalist
Best Southern Theme
The Book Connection:
2008 FAVORITE BOOK
All Genres
Bookworm's Dinner:
2008 FAVORITE BOOK
All Genres
Praise for Shades
“Shades of Gray explores the War Between the States in a way that will touch you like no other work of fiction … If you only read one book in 2009, make it this one.” - The Book Connection
“Well written and expertly executed… You cannot leave this book unchanged in your understanding of the souls of the Civil War.”– Heather Froeschl, Book Review Journal
"Shades of Gray is a beautiful story with a timeless message. It touched my heart and soul.” – Catherine Bennett, Amazon Reviewer
“Kept me entranced from the exciting beginning to the unexpected ending. Shades of Gray has the power to touch you deeply.”– Beverly Rowe, MyShelf.com
“One of the most moving Civil War stories I have ever read. I had to remind myself this was fiction. Do not walk, run to your nearest bookstore for your copy of Shades of Gray.”– D. Gaynor, Book Reviewer
“If you want to read a book you will never forget and will think about for months after reading it, read Shades of Gray. The book took my breath away. Honestly, you will not sleep.”– Bookworm’s Dinner Blog
“This is not a contemporary retelling of the Civil War as much as it is a sympathetic and loving portrait. Interpersonal conflict as well as battlefield conflict make the book a page-turner and quick read.”– Historical Novel Society
"[James’] work stands out among the best of the historical novelists, and is a worthy addition to the Civil War fiction line-up. Huzzah!" – Scott Mingus, Civil War Blogger
“… Exciting, intense, romantic, and thrilling from start to finish. The most balanced book on the War Between the States I have ever read.”– Bob O’Connor, Author of The Virginian Who Might Have Saved Lincoln
"An amazing book full of historical detail. I would highly recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction." - Jenn's Bookshelf
“I haven’t enjoyed a book so much in years! Shades of Gray is an incredible achievement and a treasure.”– Virginia Morton, Author of “Marching Through Culpeper
"A fine addition to anyone's library of historical novels." - JEB Stuart, V
“[Emotions] seem to transcend the pages to settle in the very marrow of the reader’s bones. Jessica James has produced a tremendous and wonderful saga about love, loyalty and honor for which she must lauded.”– K. Pace, Bookpleasures.com
“I loved this book and carry the memory with me still.” – Donna Edwards, Librarian
“I am not exaggerating when I say I became obsessed by Shades of Gray. [The book] affected me greatly.”– Ten Roads Blog
“Re-enactors, historians, & followers of The War for Southern Independence will love this novel! It’s fast moving and holds the reader’s interest from cover to cover.”– David Wright, Past Commander Dearing-Beauregard Camp 1813, SCV
"Readers will find the attention to historical detail impeccable and the characters are so strongly drawn that the history does not eclipse the forward trajectory of the story."– Foreword Magazine
"Loved it ~ start to finish. I didn’t just read about the Civil War I was there smack dab in the middle of it. This book has it all. The last 100-150 pages were intense, the last 50 pages heartbreaking, the last 20 pages I cried." - Printed Page Blog
"James handles battle scenes with vibrant and powerful images, and her descriptions of setting are poetic. There are shades of meaning and lessons to be learned in Shades of Gray, and Jessica James has done a masterful job." - Elaine Buff, Blogcritics.com
"A very thoughtful perspective on the nature of war that enables the reader to see that both sides are often motivated by a noble cause" - Literarily Blog
"Shades of Gray takes the reader on a whirlwind journey across the Old Dominion with a highly original and historically accurate plotline.”– Michael Aubrecht, Free Lance-Star
“I felt like I had actually lived in the beautiful state of Virginia!”– Betty Cox, New Book Reviews
“…An engaging read. I didn't want to put it down at all. My eyes kept getting heavier and heavier, but I wanted to keep going. I told myself ‘just one more chapter’ at least half a dozen times.”– Becky Laney, Becky’s Reads
“In its brief, brilliant, and tragic history, the Southern Confederacy exhibited extraordinary valor and devotion and high honor. This should never be forgotten by Americans. As long as there are writers like Jessica James, there is no danger of such forgetting.”– Dr. Clyde N. Wilson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History, Un. of South Carolina
"Sweeping romantic fiction that asks the reader to look back to days gone by. Highly recommend." - Doubtful Muse


8 comments:
Hi Jessica...I stumbled arcoss you from a comment you left on another blog. I am glad I did. I have you bookmarked now and will return soon. I have a new and exciting interest in the Civil War and look forward to reading you.
Love your book blog, Jessica!
I am loving this book, Jessica. I can't put it down!
Cheryl
Thanks for stopping by my blog Jessica. I'm excited to discover that you're an author! Apropos of reading Gone with the Wind this month, your novel also piques my interest. :)
Hey there, I commented on your blog---so I decided to come over and visit your website...
Again, congrats on the great reviews and the awards----I am looking forward to reading the book!
As the lineal descendant of nine Confederate soldiers, I have to say that it is fantastic to learn that someone has written a novel that doesn't demonize the South. I love that you are doing something special for Confederate History Month.
I have long wished that I had the talent to write an historically correct War Between the States novel. But, alas, I have to content myself with writing Confederate themed "poems." Although I love to read, I don't have the patience to write anything longer.
I found you through the SHNV, and I will definitely be checking back!
Thanks for leaving a comment on my Rose City Reader blog. I appreciate your percpective on Civil War novels, since you have written one yourself.
And I have to say that yours sounds better than the one under dicsussion on my blog! I think I would like a Civil War novel that had more on the romance side and less on the amputation with hacksaw side. ;-)
Best of luck to you and your book!
jessica, before i spend my birthday money (which has not occurred yet so i don't know how much i will have after the 11th), i have to know if this is the first of a series. john jakes is an author i fell in love with but i have a problem with his serials...they don't come out as fast as i can read them! so if this is a first of, save me the pain and frustration. yes, i know, i am really a pain the the posterior but i have decided that when turned 63, i was of a age where you could be orniery and now i am almost 64 so...
sandy spvaughan yahoo com
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