Ransome's Quest

This review is for the novel "Ransome's Quest". It is the third book in The Ransome Trilogy.

I have previously read and reviewed the first book, "Ransome's Honor", which you can read here..Ransome's Honor~ Truly Amazing Book!
and the second book Ransome's Crossing which you can read here.. Ransome's Crossing


I am excited to post the last review on this series because I now know what happens but sad at the same time because there are no more!
This trilogy is one of those series that you just do not want to put down. Once you start you have to find out what happens in the very end! Be prepared for some late nights once you pick up the first book :)

Kaye Dacus has managed to make pirates, Caribbean life and adventure come to life on the pages of these novels! Swashbuckling adventure at its best. This last book brings everything into an explosive satisfying conclusion! I applaud this series!

I could not be more pleased that I had the opportunity and pleasure to review these books. Please check out Kaye's website here... kayedacus.com
I have visited her website and am super excited to see how many more books of hers there are still left to read. She also has a novel in progress tracker on her site so you can see where she is at in the writing process for her newest novel! Very original and neat to see!

The heroism continues in this book, as both Ransome ladies are kidnapped by pirates. One pirate being more "kindhearted" than the other one. But both women are still in a somewhat perilous positions though as each kidnapping takes place.

Having first his sister kidnapped, William goes after her with a vengeance, determined to get her back immediately. This leaves, his wife, Julia alone on the sugar plantation with their workers, who William believes can be trusted.

It's not much longer after leaving her there in their protection that William gets the news that the blackest hearted pirate Shaw has taken his beloved Julia. With stories of Shaw's cruelty swirling through the Caribbean, William is heartsick at the thought.

Now he has the unthinkable position of having to decide who to pursue first... his little sister or his wife?

His previous First Lieutenant, Ned Cochrane steps up to the plate and offers to go after Charlotte himself which frees up William to go after Julia. Knowing for certain that Ned will do everything in his power to find Charlotte and bring her home swiftly.

With the Navy's assets at their disposal they both fly into action. Each of them going after their respective woman with steely determination and alot of prayers.
You will not believe the outcome of this novel. There is more action and suspense in this novel than in the whole series. Out of the three books this was my favorite! There are definitely shocking revelations in this book and it is a must read! You do not see them coming in the first two books.
Do not walk away without reading this whole series! Huge thumbs up to Kaye Dacus and I cannot wait to read more novels by her! Do yourself a favor and pick all three of them up!


Happy reading my friends!
Jenny




P.S. Let me know what you guys thought of these when you read them!



*Note* I received this book for free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Rendezvous!

This book review is for the novel "Rendezvous" by Melody Carlson. It is the third book in the 'On The Runway' series. I have previously read and reviewed the first two books, Premiere and Catwalk and I always eagerly dive into the next book when I get it. I have truly been loving this series!

First off I have to say that I absolutely love the title of the book! Whenever I read it, I hear this deliciously sounding french accented word. Brings to mind the warm smell of fresh baked scones and french roast coffee..a scarf about the neck as one delights in these things at a sidewalk cafe and gazes at the beautiful Eiffel Tower. Before you even crack the book open you are flooded with delightful images just from the title alone.
I don't know about you but it cranks my Parisian longings up a notch! ;o)

In these book we get to follow the Forrester sisters to Paris to visit such designers as Hermes and Christian Dior etc...  to film for their TV show. Just reading all the labels is bringing to mind beautiful shoes and handbags! Read on to watch both sisters grow in the way they communicate with each other as well as different people they deal with. They both still have a lot of growing up to do but international travel and fame is helping them do it.

Seeing Erin come into her own as a beautiful young woman is nice. She isn't just falling into Paige's shadow as much and she is learning to stand up for herself sometimes. And Paige is learning to slow down, consider, and not throw temper tantrums.
Throw in a handsome French guy as well as a few surprise visitors from back home and well....you'll have to read to see! I know, I know, but I can't give it all away right!?!

I like the way that Melody tackles some tough issues without being to in your face about it. I am highly anticipating reading the fourth book, "Spotlight". Look for my upcoming review on it as well!

Have a great weekend! Any interesting plans?
Jenny



*Note* I received this book for free from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Goodness Gracious Green!!!

This book review is for the novel "Goodness Gracious Green" by Judy Christie.

It is the second novel in her series. I previously reviewed the first book "Gone to Green" which you can read here... Gone To Green.

The second novel picks up where the first left off. Lois has just decided to stay in Green and keep the newspaper. It is new years day and she gets the surprise of a lifetime when the Big Boys show up on her doorstep bright and early to try and force her to sale 'The Green News Item' back to them. Lucky for her Mayor Eva shows up right after them and breaks up the uncomfortable situation. But keep in mind the Big Boys will not be put off. They want the newspaper back and they want it back right now.

Not so lucky for Lois, however, is that Eva's little bitty dog decides to bite her right on the face. Nothing like starting out the new year with a visit from enemies, a dog bite and a trip to the doctor right away for stitches.

Big changes are coming to Lois's life in the way of a best friend moving forward, which leaves her slightly sad, a man friend (who she can't quite determine if he means more to her than just a man friend) and a lot of fires at the newspaper and her home.

The book is quite intriguing and I liked diving right back into Green and what was going on. Since she picked up where the last book left off you didn't feel like you had missed anything. I liked the mystery of the fires and watching Lois grow as a grownup and in her faith. There is a little bit of everything, mystery, romance, faith, personal growth. Lots of going on in this book and I am eagerly anticipating reading the third book, "The Glory Of Green".

Happy Wednesday to you all!
Jenny



*Note* I received this book for free from Abingdon Press in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

A Most Unsuitable Match

This book review is for the novel "A Most Unsuitable Match" by Stephanie Grace Whitson. Be sure to check out Stephanie's website here... stephaniewhitson.com

I requested this book because I have taken a liking lately to historical fiction. It had a cool looking cover and an adventurous sounding blurb. It started out a little bit sad with our heroin at her parents graveside so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first as I don't like sad things. But I am so glad I kept going and dove into the story!

I am going to try to get something by this author again asap!

Miss Fannie Rousseau if all alone in this world except for her faithful maid Hannah, who raised her from a child. And her best friend Minnette, who is blind and engaged to a gentleman of business.

After her mother's death it seems that her world is falling apart. Things that she never understood about her mother and the coldness that she felt growing up, will now never be understood as her mother is gone.

She is left with a big old house and more questions than answers. Her fathers advisor is pushing her toward an unsuitable match to try and save herself from practical destitution and she is overwhelmed with the responsibility of it all weighing down on her.

Through a series of unforeseen events, Fannie goes rifling through her late mother's dressing table and ends up uncovering a much hidden family secret. Perhaps things are not as lonely and sad as they would first seem?

What she finds, prompts her to seek passage on a steamboat with a captain famous for his quick runs up the river, as well as his temper.

She and Hannah embark on a crazy adventure for Montana where they encounter many, many interesting characters.  You will just have to read this novel for yourself to find out what the secret is and what Miss Fannie is searching for. There is adventure, romance, a little sadness, people growing in their faith and lots of page turning without setting the book down!

Loved it and highly recommend this book! Thought for the author...don't know if there is one planned but I would love to see a separate book all about Minette!

Happy Week To You All!
Jenny




*Note* I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Ransome's Crossing

This book review is for the novel "Ransome's Crossing" by Kaye Dacus. It is the second book in 'The Ransome Trilogy.'

I couldn't wait to start this novel after reading and reviewing the first one, " Ransome's Honor".
You can check out that review here... Ransome's Honor~Truly Amazing Book

While in the first novel we got to meet all the characters and see William Ransome and Julia Witherington get their happy ending, this book focuses on Williams sister, Charlotte Ransome. Not to worry, though, there is still plenty of interaction between Julia and William as well. Which I have to say I loved seeing!
 I was super excited to read about Charlotte as you could tell she had her own story tucked away somewhere. She is quite the interesting character.

Unbeknownst to William, Charlotte has a secret fiance tucked away in Jamaica. As William and Julia prepare to sail away to Jamaica, where William is serving the Navy and Julia's sugar plantation is located. Charlotte executes her plan to disguise herself as a boy, "Charles Lott" and becomes a midshipman on another ship that is in her brothers fleet. She has no other way to get to her fiance and she can't tell her brother about even his existence, let alone their engagement. Her mother never approved of him and neither would her brothers if they had met him, so in secret it is.

Charlotte's brother has a First Lieutenant, Ned Cochrane, serving under him on board his ship. During their time in England Ned had met Charlotte on several occasions and even held a secret desire for her to one day be his to court and woo, perhaps when he returned some day from his post in Jamaica. Knowing, however, that this was unlikely to happen and that she would probably be taken by that time, he tried to put away any feelings toward her and be distant.

When an attack on the fleet leaves the captain of Charlotte's ship dead, Ned must take over command of the ship as its new captain. "Charles Lott's" identity is in deep danger of being discovered with Ned on board ship. Charlotte is sure if he gets even one good look at her, he won't be fooled, even though an entire ship full of men have been.

You will love this novel! There isn't a whole lot more I can say about the book without giving away the suspenseful parts and I don't want to do that! All else I can tell you is you will be on the edge of your seat as you watch Charlotte absorb and become Mr. "Charles Lott". Waiting to see if she is discovered and what will happen once she reaches Jamaica is edge of your seat exciting! Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book!

Happy week to you all! Any suggestions on books to read?
Jenny


*Note* I received this book for free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Get ready for the "Catwalk"

This book review is for the novel "Catwalk", which is the second book in the On The Runway series by Melody Carlson.

I previously reviewed the first title in the series, "Premiere". I have to say that I love the series more which each successive book that I have the pleasure of reading.

I hope by now you guys have picked up and read the first one too.
I love the way high fashion is blended with a moral strengthening story.

'Catwalk' not only deals with Fashion week in New York and takes a look at the life of some of the models, it also deals with alcohol use and what partying and drinking to much can ultimately lead to whether the person be underage or legal.

Things that you shouldn't be doing have a way of having consequences. Sometimes consequences you wouldn't have for seen. There is a slight twist in the book toward the end that I was not expecting at all.

I like that the authors touches on subjects that some books don't.

We get to find out in this book why Erin's friend Mollie hasn't really been speaking to her and get to watch Erin come into her own some.

Paige, is, well Paige, and is thrilling under all the beauty and glitter of Fashion week and New York City. She has some things that she ends up having to deal with as well, which I think helps put some of what her job exposes her to into perspective.


Highly recommend this book! Cannot wait to read and review the third title, "Rendezvous". Look for the upcoming review on it :o)


Hope you are having a fabulous week!
Jenny



*Note* I received this book for free from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

Ransome's Honor~Truly amazing book!

This book review is for the novel "Ransome's Honor" by Kaye Dacus. It is the first book in the Ransome Trilogy. The other two books that follow are Ransome's Crossing and Ransome's Quest. I will be also be reviewing both of those in the coming weeks.

I fell in absolute love with this book! If it hadn't been after 2 am one night when I finished it I would have immediately started the second to find out what happens to Charlotte Ransome, whom the second book focuses on.  This is going on my must read list and will remain on my shelf for re-reads.

Our main lady is Julia Witherington and she is the daughter of a prominent Admiral in the Royal Navy.
When she was seventeen she was fully expecting a proposal from William Ransome, who sailed under her fathers command in the Navy. Hours before they were all scheduled to attend a ball he had been locked in the study with her father for over an hour. They were both very much in love with each other so she knew exactly what was coming when he asked her to take a turn around the garden that night at the ball...or so she thought.
What came was not the proposal she had so eagerly anticipated, but rather a poorly done let-down as William did not feel worthy of her and her wealthy family.

For when Julia weds, her husband will get thirty thousand pounds as her dowry.

As they say pride goeth before a fall and Williams downfall is having to live his life without Julia in it.

When a proposal is not offered, Julia assumes that William has led her on and toyed with her affections only to get closer to her father, who sees him as a son. Julia's twin brother was lost at sea and she feels he has replaced him with William. And she is convinced more and more as time passes that he used her affections in hope of gaining promotions through his closeness with her and her family.


After the night that shattered her heart into jagged pieces, Julia returns back to run the beloved coffee plantation in Jamaica along with her mother. Her father is never around as he is always at sea and taking care of the King's business.


What follows next is twelve years of no contact between Julia and William. Even after William has made his fortune and advanced in ranks to Captain of his own ship, he still does not renew his addresses to Julia, which further cements her poor opinion of him. She is more than convinced that he only flirted with her to get to her father and spends twelve years believing this to be true.


After her mother succumbs and passes away, Julia returns to Portsmouth England from Jamaica to visit her father. While there Julia's father asks her aunt, Lady Pembroke, from her mother's side, to come and be her companion and introduce her to proper society in England. The Ransome's are a very prominent family since her father is wealthy and quite high up in the Royal Navy.
Unbeknownst to both Julia and her father her Aunt and her cousin are flat broke and are in deep debt to debt collectors. Her cousin has a horrible gambling problem and has deeply mortgaged  the ancestral home where Julia's mother grew up.


Her Aunt Augusta has come up with the scheme to have her son, Drake, wed to Julia for her thirty thousand pound dowery, not to mention the large inheritance she will acquire upon her fathers death. She only has six weeks to set her plan in action as Julia will turn thirty and her dowry and inheritance will be all hers to control whether she is wed or not.


When the Admiral is forced to leave town on royal business and Julia has refused Drake's advances her Aunt plots to force her into marrying Drake by announcing the wedding bans in church. She knows if she does this, Julia and her father will not back out of the marriage because of the humiliation it would bring to their family.

 Someone that knows Julia overhears their audacious plan and warns her of what is coming. This puts her in the position of having to find another fiance before they can announce this horrible thing. And it just so happens that William is back in town staying with her best friend, Susan and her husband. He is the only one who comes to her mind that can rescue her from this awfulnessand who her father would approve of. Her father loves him like a son and she once loved him with all her heart, until he broke it. With her father gone, William is the only one she knows to reach out to.


She asks him to do this for her and he gallantly steps up and saves her with a betrothal of their own doing rather than her Aunt's nasty plot.


What follows this event is mystery, further plotting by evil relatives and edge of your seat excitement.


Cannot recommend this book enough..I love it! About to start the second volume with much excitement.



Have a great weekend!
~Jenny~





*Note* I received this book for free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.