Soldier's Joy by M.F. Jones | Book Review & Author Guest Post
Two soldiers. Two centuries. One haunting connection between the past and present, where love, loss, and the ghosts we carry refuse to stay buried.
Some stories remind us that the past has a way of reaching into the present, sometimes in ways we least expect.
Today, I'm delighted to welcome M.F. Jones back to the blog with Soldier's Joy, the second installment in The Sentinel Heart Trilogy. Following her award-winning debut, Stones River, this standalone sequel brings together Civil War history, supernatural mystery, military romance, and the complicated journey toward healing.
When Iraq War veteran Avery Gowan returns home, he's already carrying the weight of a mission that changed his life. The last thing he expects is a ghost bearing an unsettling resemblance to himself or a connection to Jessie Gibbs, a musician with secrets of her own.
I'm joining iRead Book Tours to share my review of Soldier's Joy, along with a special guest post from Mimi herself. She takes us behind the scenes of the novel, sharing childhood memories, experiences with Civil War reenactments, and photographs that offer a fascinating glimpse into the inspiration behind The Sentinel Heart Trilogy.
If you missed my earlier review, you can also explore Stones River to discover where the trilogy began.
Let's get started!
Book Details for Soldier's Joy by M.F. Jones
Soldier's Joy By M.F. Jones
Series: Book II of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy
Published by Fieldwood Books on 09/27/2026
Genres: Supernatural, Historical Fiction, Military
Formats: eBook
Pages: 306
Avery Gowan is barely home from Iraq when a ghost appears to him—one that looks disturbingly like him. The apparition says that Jessie Gibbs, a woman Avery just met, can help him overcome the guilt of a mission that killed three of his friends and maimed another.
Days earlier, at a service honoring his family’s Civil War relative, Lemuel Sanders, Avery was drawn to Jessie’s quiet strength. While camping with her Civil War-style band the previous year, Jessie, a musician, had discovered Lemuel’s unmarked woodland grave, leading to his identification and proper burial after 145 years.
Jessie and Avery begin a relationship, but his emotional volatility threatens their bond. While Avery hides the truth about his spectral visitor, Jessie hides something too—a secret about her true connection to Lemuel Sanders that may cost her Avery’s love.
The sequel to the award-winning Stones River, Soldier’s Joy stands alone as a haunting story about how the past refuses to stay buried, how healing demands facing it, and how love gives the courage to do so.
Reader Resources
Reader Info at a Glance
| Best For | Readers who enjoy emotionally layered romance, Civil War history, supernatural mysteries, military fiction, and stories about healing from the past. |
| Pacing | An engaging, seamlessly woven narrative balancing romance, historical connections, personal struggles, and supernatural mystery. |
| Setting | Contemporary Tennessee, with connections to the American Civil War and Avery's experiences during the Iraq War. |
| Key Themes | Love and loss • Survivor's guilt • Military trauma • Family history • Secrets • Healing • Forgiveness • The enduring influence of the past |
| Romance & Supernatural Elements | A developing relationship complicated by personal secrets and a mysterious Civil War ghost who seems determined to influence the present. |
| Series Information | Book II of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy. Can be read as a standalone, although readers of Stones River will recognize connections to the first book. |
| Overall Feel | Haunting, emotionally layered, and compelling, with vivid portrayals of military trauma and a strong sense of historical authenticity. |
| Rating | 4.5/5 Stars | CAWPILE Score: 8.68/10 |
Quick Take: Historical fiction, contemporary romance, and a paranormal mystery might seem like an unlikely combination, but M.F. Jones brings them together beautifully in Soldier's Joy. With compelling, imperfect characters, vivid portrayals of military trauma, and a past that refuses to stay buried, this is an engaging, thoroughly researched story that earns 4.5 stars from me.
Things to Know Before You Read
- Series Information: Book II of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy. Although Soldier's Joy works well as a standalone, reading Stones River first adds richness to the experience.
- Genre Blend: Historical fiction, contemporary military romance, and supernatural mystery.
- Historical Connections: The story connects an Iraq War veteran's experiences with a family history reaching back to the American Civil War.
- Romance: An emotionally layered relationship between two imperfect characters, complicated by personal struggles and long-held secrets.
- Content Considerations: Wartime violence, suicide of a minor character, two mildly explicit sexual scenes, and moderate profanity. Publisher-provided content rating: PG-13 + M.
Now, let's take a closer look at what made this book stand out for me.
My Thoughts
Combining historical fiction, romance, and a paranormal hook sounds like it might be a bit of a reach. But M.F. Jones stitches these elements together to create a tale of whole cloth. There is mystery, there are secrets, there is romance, and underneath it all lies a past that refuses to stay buried.
The characters have their flaws, sometimes making choices that complicate their own lives, but they remain compelling throughout. I particularly appreciated how vividly Jones portrayed the lingering effects of military trauma. Avery's struggles give the story an emotional depth that extends well beyond the romance and supernatural elements.
The level of research also shines through. Historical details and contemporary experiences are woven into the narrative so naturally that I never once found myself pulled out of the story by questioning its authenticity. Everything fits together, allowing me to become fully immersed in the characters and their experiences.
Although Soldier's Joy works well as a standalone, I believe the reading experience is even richer if you've read Stones River first. The connection between the two books adds another layer of meaning to the story without making prior knowledge essential.
Final Thoughts
Soldier's Joy is an engaging blend of historical fiction, supernatural mystery, and romance, with thoughtful explorations of trauma, healing, and the lasting influence of the past.
If you're new to The Sentinel Heart Trilogy, there's still time to discover Stones River and catch up before the final installment arrives. I don't think you'll be disappointed!
One of the things I especially appreciated about Soldier's Joy was the authenticity of its historical details and military experiences. I'm delighted that M.F. Jones has joined us to share some of the personal experiences and research that helped shape The Sentinel Heart Trilogy.
Behind the Book: Soldier's Joy
A Guest Post by M. F. Jones
I have been fascinated by the Civil War since childhood, when my father brought home The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, along with a recording of songs from that era. Age 10, I was riveted by the photos of the people of that time-looking very serious as they sat rigid and unsmiling for the several seconds that it took to imprint their images on the photographic plates. I was also haunted by the tragic pictures of slain soldiers lying where they fell on the battlefield. The music of the time imprinted itself on my childhood imagination, especially tragic songs like "Somebody's Darling," "The Vacant Chair," and "All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight."
As an adult, my fascination deepened when my husband, a professional trumpet player, joined a Civil War-style military band and I went with him to reenactments and historical sites, dressed in period-appropriate clothing (making me thankful that corsets, as a necessary part of women's wardrobes, have been consigned to history!). I was amazed at the reenactors' commitment to make every aspect of their portrayal as authentic as possible, from the uniforms and weapons, to the utter lack of technology, to the gracious manners of an earlier time, to musical instruments and camp equipment, right down to the kinds of foods they cooked over open fires.
When, in 2008, I decided to quit my editorial career and devote myself to fulfilling my lifelong dream of writing fiction, I was drawn to write about the Civil War in my first novel, Stones River, the first book of The Sentinel Heart trilogy. In the second book, Soldier's Joy, just published, I wrote about another conflict and another century - the Iraq war of the early 2000s.
My time spent at reenactments gave me an idealized image of the Civil War, with the peaceful woodland encampments lit by campfires and candle lanterns, and filled with the music of old-time instruments weaving amid the sounds of crickets and night birds.
During the reenacted battles, the band played, as some bands actually did during the Civil War, to boost the morale of their side. And at the end of the battle, the "casualties" got up, brushed off, and went back to camp for a cold drink and a good dinner.
It was all a fascinating exercise in living history, respectful and accurate, though with more than a touch of fantasy. However, the research I did into both wars, Civil and Iraq, dispelled any illusions that the reality of war is anything other than-as Iraq War veteran Avery, the modern-day hero of Soldier's Joy, puts it: "brutal and soul-murdering and an unforgivable waste."
Still, as long as human nature remains unchanged, wars will be waged. I mean for my work to honor the soldiers throughout our country's history who fought, and still fight, for what they believe in, and the ones at home who love them, sometimes have to mourn them, and sometimes-like Jessie in Soldier's Joy-give their all to help them heal.
Many thanks to Mimi for sharing these wonderful photographs and the experiences behind her writing. I especially enjoyed learning how her lifelong interest in Civil War history helped inspire the trilogy.
Meet the Author
I first welcomed M.F. Jones to the blog with Stones River, and it's a pleasure to feature her again as The Sentinel Heart Trilogy continues. Her blend of history, personal connections, and supernatural storytelling gives readers plenty to explore. I'm looking forward to seeing where the final installment takes us!
Learn more:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Author Hub
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Tour dates: September 29 through October 19, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
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