The Heir’s Predicament Kick-Off Package

About the Book

Book: The Heir’s Predicament

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: January 10, 2023

He controls the answers to her past and future, but she threatens his inheritance and his heart.

Maggie Prescott may not know her real name, the circumstances of her birth, or her father’s identity, but based on a song her shipwrecked birthmother taught her before she died, Maggie’s certain the answers lie on the island of Antigua. Unbeknownst to her beloved adopted family, she sends her maid to finishing school in her stead and convinces her uncle, Captain Anthony Middleton, to sail her to the Leeward Islands. Time is of the essence to discover her heritage before the next family gathering exposes her duplicity.

Lord Samuel Fredrick Harcourt Granville was groomed to inherit the Cardon title and lands, but the possession of his father’s temper has put Samuel’s future in jeopardy. After discovering his fiancée cavorting with his so-called friend, the ensuing altercation lands Samuel in court before of the House of Lords. As an example, for all aristocratic sons to quell their hedonistic living, the House of Lords banishes Samuel to the island of Antigua until he can prove he’s worthy of his privileged birth.

On the island, Samuel works to rein in his temper and revive a dying sugar plantation. Still, his return to England and all his efforts are threatened when a mysterious woman breaks into his island home, claiming to be the true heiress of the sugar plantation. Guilt, resentment, and fresh yearnings sizzle under the island sun as Maggie’s search uncovers a much greater treasure than either of them expected.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

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

Maggie first appeared in The Captain’s Quest as the feral child shipwrecked on a deserted island. Readers fell in love with her character and emailed me, hoping to learn more of her story. It didn’t take much coaxing for my imagination to delve into how a child, who’d lived outdoors and struggled with daily survival, would adapt to Regency England’s intricate social conventions of the le bon ton as a grown woman.

 

Like Maggie, my grandfather and mother-in-law were both adopted. Each felt a disconnection from their roots and a natural yearning to fill a void by learning their origins. The thriving industry of Ancestry.com and 23-and-Me exists due to this pervasive desire to understand one’s background. Understandably, Maggie longs for answers, but the guilt of being disloyal to the family who accepted her into their loving home temps her to fabricate a lie and cover up her journey to the island of Antigua.

 

Another driving force for Maggie is that in Regency England, questionable heritage could hinder an adopted child from marrying within the upper social ranks. Unknown lineage could taint noble bloodlines, and many aristocrats wouldn’t dare align their families with someone of uncertain origins. Maggie’s marriage prospects would have been limited unless she uncovered her past. She’d have been considered too risky to wed among the gentry but raised too highborn to marry within the lower classes.

 

The Heir’s Predicament is the last installment of the Leeward Island series, and I will miss immersing myself in the rich cultural history of the Caribbean. I loved exploring different isles and island-hopping with readers through various settings. The island of Antigua, where The Heir’s Predicament is set, boasts of ninety-five miles of scalloped coastlines, white and pink sand beaches, a tropical but arid climate, windmills and plantations, and a sugar and spice history complete with Caribs and pirates. Island tensions create a lively setting and weave their way into the characters’ stories, for instance, the push and pull between the island’s calming beauty and battering storms, water abounding but not much of it drinkable, a laid-back culture of hearty survivors, and a legacy of slavery versus colonization.

 

The journey, however, isn’t over, my next series will take place in the rolling hills and quaint towns of England’s Cotswold, but there’s hope of a Windward Island series in the future.

 

To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com, or watch The Heir’s Predicamentbook trailer by clicking here: The Heir’s Predicament book trailer.

MY REVIEW

Is it possible to fall completely in love with a story? The answer is yes for me. This story is so full of adventure, laughter, mystery, pride and deceit that I couldn’t put the book down. Oh I know that people say that all the time, but it is true with this book. I was swept away to an island where royalty lived and a time period where slaves were used. I enjoyed how the author includes the talk about freeing  slaves. There were some who didn’t want this to happen and readers will find out how far they will go to prevent a vote from making slavery abolished. 

Maggie oh how can I put into words how captivating you are. She is desperately searching answers to who she is and stumbles upon a place where she believes God has led her. An accident leaves her stranded at the estate of the dashing Lord Samuel Fredrick Harcourt  Granville. I was shocked  at the turn of events which leads us to how Maggie and Samuel meet. It is not without a few laughs and an explanation that sounds a bit crazy. Maggie is just so set on finding out about her parents that she doesn’t think everything through. She is stubborn, argumentative and did I say stubborn? 

Samuel has secrets but right now his focus is on getting Maggie well. I do think  he felt guilty of what happened but he wants to make sure Maggie is nursed back to health. Her presence brings sunshine into his life and laughter that he hasn’t had in forever. Wait till you read his explanation for why Maggie is staying at his estate . It made me laugh out loud. There does come a time where Samuel wants to help Maggie get answers but he worries it may affect him in a way where he could lose everything. He has grown to care for Maggie and wrestles with what to do. I loved how the author wove faith into the story where we witness the main characters praying for guidance from God. 

Through discovery of secret diaries Maggie gets closer to the truth. She wants to be accepted  by others but learns that God loves her unconditionally and that should be enough. As the story comes an epic conclusion I was on the edge of my seat. So many questions  ran through my mind. One of the best ending I have  read in a while included something that will forever stick with me. “ Sacrifice means giving up something you love for something you love more.”

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 11

lakesidelivingsite, January 11

Book Looks by Lisa, January 12

Sylvan Musing, January 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

She Lives To Read, January 14

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 14

Cover Lover Book Review, January 15

deb’s Book Review, January 15

Texas Book-aholic, January 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 17

Betti Mace, January 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 18

Connie’s History Classroom, January 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 20

Holly’s Book Corner, January 20

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 21

Life of Literature, January 22

Simple Harvest Reads, January 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

For Him and My Family, January 23

To Everything There Is A Season, January 23

Pause for Tales, January 24

Mary Hake, January 24

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/23a0e/the-heir-s-predicament-celebration-tour-giveaway