About the Book

Book: The Marquis’s Pursuit

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 12, 2022

She’s desperate to keep her secret hidden, but he’s a determined Marquis.

As the son of a duke, Maxwell Oliver Weld, Marquis of Daventry, is allowed entry into the finest of London’s ballrooms, access to political figures, and advice from the best physicians. Yet, his wealth and contacts won’t heal his friend, Charlie, who’s dying from consumption. Hopeful for a miracle, Max persuades Charlie to sail across the Atlantic to stay in the Artesian Hotel on the island of Nevis and bathe in its famous healing springs. Max’s optimism is washed in doubt as the truth unravels about the hotel, its hot springs, and the beautiful caretaker.

The blaze of Evelyn Mairi Sheraton’s fiery side has long since been snuffed out. Hunted by a vengeful man from her past, only fortitude and the island’s sanctuary have kept Evelyn alive. She will do whatever it takes to keep her precious secret safe, even work for the demeaning Artesian Hotel owner, Edward Rousseau. However, when a jaunty marquis and his ailing friend arrive, sparks ignite, but Evelyn fears the revealing of her secrets will burn her to ash.

The elusive Evelyn may tend to Charlie’s well-being, but she stirs Max’s protective nature. He’d like nothing more than to remove her from the wretched employment of Edward Rousseau, yet that might endanger Charlie’s health even more. Refusing to give up on a miracle, Max waters her guarded heart, certain beauty will rise out of ashes. But when her secrets come to life, will love be worth the price?

 

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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

Some characters whisper to an author from the recesses of their imagination. For me, Maxell Weld, the Marquis of Daventry, commanded to have his story told. Max appears in my first book, The Duke’s Refuge, as a sure-of-himself, fixated-on-fishing, eight-year-old son of the island schoolmaster who happened to be a Duke in hiding. Now Max is grown, and although he still holds the same quirky characteristics of his youth, he bears the weight of being a marquis and the responsibility of adulthood.

The duty to care for and protect those he loves prompts Max to return to the Leeward Islands to save his closest mate, Charlie. He’s confident that God, with a bit of help from the famous healing springs in Nevis, will save Max’s life. However, Charlie has his own plans to unite the caring but secretive hotel caretaker, Evelyn Sheraton, with his buddy Max.

In the middle of writing, The Marquis’s Pursuit, my cousin passed away suddenly. He was newly married, in his early thirties, and in the process of renovating a house when he became sick. He started losing weight, and before doctors could figure out what was wrong, he went into organ failure and died. My heart still aches for those he left behind, especially his wife and my aunt and uncle.

As I wrote, the lines between fiction and reality blurred, and it’s hard to believe my tears didn’t fry out my laptop as I typed. But I’m grateful for how God used Max’s journey to help me to process why bad things happen, and how ultimately, God has a bigger plan that, at times, we can’t see or fathom.

God doesn’t always work in straight lines. Sometimes we must battle problems and issues to touch as many people as possible on our journey toward heaven. Stories, especially romances in my opinion, broaden our understanding of how those we love comfort and carry us through illness, pain, and sorrow.  Max and Evelyn reminded me to stay anchored to those we love, lean on each other’s faith, and most importantly, that love conquers all.

To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com, or watch The Marquis’s Pursuitbook trailer by clicking here: The Marquis’s Pursuit Trailer.

MY REVIEW 

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.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 13

Remembrancy, April 14

She Lives To Read, April 14

For Him and My Family, April 15

Texas Book-aholic, April 16

Miriam Jacob, April 16

Inklings and notions, April 17

Betti Mace, April 18

Genesis 5020, April 19

Life of Literature, April 20

deb’s Book Review, April 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 21

Connie’s History Classroom, April 22

Blossoms and Blessings, April 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 23

Simple Harvest Reads, April 24 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 26

Giveaway

To 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1cc7d/the-marquis-s-pursuit-celebration-tour-giveaway