What I think you should know:
The Marquis’s Pursuit by Lorri Dudley is a Christian Historical Fiction . It is the fifth book in the Leeward Island Series. This book features Max who was a boy in the first book in the series. I highly recommend that you read at least the first book in the series prior to reading this book. Max returns to his childhood home on Nevis in an attempt to find a cure for his best friend.

What you might need to know:
Evelyn was abused prior to the start of this story, but it does tell about some of the things that happened to her.

***Spoiler***
Charlie is dying, as much as I didn’t want him and and as much I wanted the author to come up with a cure for him, she didn’t and while I was heartbroken I love the strength and peace that Charlie showed in the face of death. Although he did not get the ending that I wanted his character and the grace he demonstrated will stick with me for a long time.
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What I think about this story:
This may be my favorite book in this series yet! I always love revisiting characters that I already know. It was very interesting to see Max as an adult instead of the young boy that we knew in the first book. Evelyn is trying to overcome mistakes of her past and protect her daughter at all cost. I love this story of healing and forgiveness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

The Marquis’s Pursuit, a historical Christian story, examines the lives of Maxwell Oliver Weld, Marquis of Daventry, his best friend Charlie, and Evelyn Mairi Sheraton. She carries secrets from her past while the two men come to the island on which she serves as a doctor of sorts at a resort renowned for its healing hot springs. The three find their paths colliding when Charlie suffers from a bout with consumption. What I love best about this book stems from the way the characters, their lives, and their faith collide in ways that kept me reading.

Sometimes, a life-changing event alters the course of someone’s life and changes his or her attitude completely. Such a transformation occurs for Rousseau, the person in charge of the resort. Initially, I intensely disliked this man, but after a stroke, some interactions with Charlie, and some divine intervention by God, this man transforms in radical ways.

Evelyn’s other nemesis and father of her child that forced her to flee England and be estranged from her family eventually arrives on the island and the resulting interactions caused me to continue reading. I loved the way this story ended. I also felt the author did an excellent job of building a story with memorable characters. Truly, this book deserves to be read. So check it out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

This is one of those books that sweeps you in as you become part of the story. I immediately loved Evelyn and her strong will to survive. What she has endured has cost her the ability to trust. To think that a man would be so cruel to her is heartbreaking. Evelyn hides a secret that makes her weary of any stranger that comes to the hotel she works at. The author lets readers feel her fear as she daily guards was is most precious to her.

Max has come to the hotel with his dear friend Charlie seeking help. His friend is very ill and in need of a physician. To his surprise the doctor who he requested to meet him has not arrived. I know Max was disappointed in this news but God had provided just the right person to help. Evelyn steps up to care for Charlie and shows Max that she is equipped to handle the situation. Even though Max was a little skeptical he allowed Evelyn to take over the care for his friend. What I liked about Max was that he may be a marquis, but he never thought he was better than others. In fact his heart is filled with wanting to help others. He is humble but lingers with a past that he can’t forgive himself for.

My favorite character was Charlie. That man was such an inspiration. He knows that he is quite ill but believes he is there not to be healed but to be used to help lead someone to God. I loved his faith that was unwavering and how he emphasized how important it is to forgive. With his guidance he led Evelyn to a place in her heart where Jesus could enter. His kindness toward Evelyn allowed her to learn to trust and find hope. With Charlie’s help he showed Max that it was time to forgive himself for something in his past he had no control over.

The review wouldn’t be complete with mentioning Rousseau. He is not a man you can easily like but he did take in Evelyn and protect her from a man who wants to cause her harm. Rousseau is at times a greedy person and doesn’t always treat Evelyn with respect. As the story progresses we begin to see another side of him that most don’t know. He has been known to mistreat certain people and Max has a problem believing the man has changed.

The author delivers a story that has a bit of danger and secrets that keep people from trusting. I especially loved how strong the many lessons scattered throughout the book were. Our past is just that. We are forgiven and can begin a new life when we give ourselves to Him. Forgiveness is for everyone and is given with grace. The characters in the story experience their own Jesus time where emotions run deep with hope and a new beginning.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Readers who have been following Lorri Dudley’s Leeward Islands from the beginning may recognize the names of Max’s father and stepmother. Why? Because they starred in the first book of the series. And now, several years later, Max and Evelyn step into lead roles in The Marquis’s Pursuit.

I loved this passage of time in the series. Too often it seems like everyone in a town hooks up and then where do you go? But with this twist, Dudley not only gives the series a revamped renewal, she also gives her faithful readers a pleasant surprise while leaving her new readers with another book to return to.

The prevailing theme in this book is forgiveness. Not only forgiving others but more so forgiving yourself. Why is that so difficult for us to do sometimes? Guilt and shame are the enemy’s greatest tools in the Christian life.

And though this book was about Max and Evelyn, Charlie holds a soft spot in my heart. He is the light that leads the others along the paths God has laid out for them as well as the wise one who speaks truths when others most need to hear it.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

There are more for you than against you.

Another visit to Nevis brings us a wonderful story of surrender, forgiveness, redemption and beauty from ashes. Evelyn has made some questionable choices in her life and is now living with the results. Learning to forgive herself and trusting those around her could result in a brighter future. But will she?

Max, the Marquis of Daventry, has brought his friend Charles to Nevis to be cured of consumption. Charlie has a faith that is visible throughout the book, giving this story a strong spiritual thread. Our limited minds can’t always grasp God’s divine plan - but every time I surrender my will, I discover His way is perfect. Will they be able to surrender and leave the future in His hands?

I received an ARC of this incredible book through Wild Heart Books, CelebrateLit and BookFunnel. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited. ( )