About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Saturday, April 4, 2020

The Merchant's Yield by Lorri Dudley: Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit



About the Book



Book:  The Merchant’s Yield
Author: Lorri Dudley
Genre:  Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 31, 2020

It was a marriage of inconvenience, but life has a wicked sense of humor.

 Charlotte Amelia Etheridge has cowered to her mother’s sharp tongue and endless demands for the last time. In a fleeting moment of rebellion, she recklessly asks a foreigner from the Leeward Islands for a dance. But her one courageous act lands her in a compromising position. Forced to wed a stranger, Lottie leaves the only home she’s ever known to reside on the isle of St. Kitts.

Nathaniel Winthrop’s troubles are mounting, and the rumors of him being cursed are spreading. Due to the dwindling sugar crop, he risks everything to start his own shipping company. The last thing he needs is a wife, especially one with a weak constitution. Yellow fever has already claimed the lives of his mother and siblings. He must guard his heart against falling in love with this gentle beauty, knowing island life will be a death sentence.

No longer under her mother’s scrutiny, the newfound freedom of the island rejuvenates Lottie’s spirit. If her days on this earth are limited, then it’s time she lives life to the full. Now it’s up to her to prove that even though Nathan was coerced into marrying her, she’s the one he can’t live without.


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MY THOUGHTS.....

"She would never raise herself high enough for her mother's standards, so why should she bother? It was her life, and past time she lived it." With these thoughts, her rebellion begins. "You can't continue any longer. You are not a puppet. Your have your own mind."

Lady Charlotte "Lottie" Etheridge has never been good enough to please her mother but now she has decided to take control of her own life and make her own decisions. She does this by entering a hasty "marriage of convenience" and her life will never be the same!

The Merchant's Yield has drama, adventure, and a tantalizing romance between a heroine who is strong and independent and a hero, still grieving over the death of four of his family members, who believes that he has been cursed by a woman practicing black magic. Caught up in a marriage of convenience, Lottie and Nathaniel Winthrop begin a relationship that appears to be doomed from the start until....Lottie turns his whole life around. I loved her strong faith and her Christian witness that showed the Leeward Islanders that her God deserved their love and praise. I grieved for Nathan who feared the curse that had ruled his whole life and I longed for him to realize that admitting his love for Lottie would not ruin her life or cause her harm. Can Lottie convince him that her God is more powerful than black magic?

There are also many surprises in this book. Lottie's domineering mother is not as she appears and the villain is definitely one that I would never have dreamed. The biggest shock, however, is seeing how Lottie adapts to living on an island and changing life at Calico Manor. One of the natives tells her that "Most folk would have me whipped or send me off the land. If your God taught you dat, den I respect dat God." And still another tells Nathan that he should believe in Lottie's God and "Choose to be blessed and not cursed."

If you love Regency fiction and Christian romance, you will certainly enjoy The Merchant's Yield. This is the first book that I've read by Lorri Dudley and I've just discovered a new favorite author! I am eagerly looking forward to more of her books.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. A favorable review wasn't required and these are my own thoughts.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

About the Author



Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

The Merchant’s Yield is the second book in the Leeward Island series. The idea for my heroine, Lottie Etheridge, stemmed from a writing prompt—Pretend you are a relative from your past. My family has often speculated where the bright red hair that pops up every other generation (my dad, my cousin, and my niece) originated, since my grandfather was adopted. My opening hook at one time was Lottie’s mother stating, “Red hair is for opera singers and ballet dancers. You should have powdered your hair.”

In my research about the island of St. Kitts, I came across a French-American pirate named Jean Lafitte, educated at the military academy on St. Kitts. The concept of my hero, Nathaniel Winthrop, a merchant who could have schooled with a pirate, set my creative juices flowing, especially after reading about Lafitte’s outlandish and quirky behavior. I couldn’t resist interlacing the lives of my main characters with the daring pirate.

I enjoyed writing Lottie’s struggle between pacifying others, yet trying to stay true to how God made her. Also, I can relate to her attempts at rebellion backfiring, for I too could never get away with anything. Lottie’s soft heart contrasts nicely with the guarded hero, Nathan, as she peels back each painful layer of his thick façade to reveal the devoted and ardent love he holds beneath.

To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or watch The Merchant’s Yield’s book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQLKqJfMf0o&feature=youtu.be

Blog Stops

Betti Mace, April 6
Batya’s Bits, April 6
Remembrancy, April 9
Emily Yager, April 11
Hallie Reads, April 13
Pause for Tales, April 14
Vicky Sluiter, April 14

Giveaway



celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

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5 comments:

  1. Alicia HaneyApril 4, 2020 at 5:31 PM

    This book sounds very intriguing and like a very good page turner! I would love to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Debbie PApril 4, 2020 at 6:26 PM

    This sounds like a really good read.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lorri DudleyApril 5, 2020 at 3:02 PM

    Connie - Thank you so much for your kind review. I'm so grateful for your encouragement and help in spreading the word about my books. Blessings - Lorri Dudley

    ReplyDelete
  4. Caryl KaneApril 7, 2020 at 3:52 PM

    Connie, Thank you for your wonderful review! This one sounds like a must read.

    ReplyDelete
  5. James RobertApril 8, 2020 at 4:30 AM

    I appreciate getting to hear about your book. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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