The Forgiven Duke: Book Review and Giveaway!

     If you've read some of my recent book reviews here on Joy In Our Journey.com, you'll remember that I reviewed Book One in The Forgotten Castle Series:  The Guardian Duke, authored by Jamie Carie, just a couple of months ago.  I could hardly wait for Book Two to be published so I could read and review it here for you! 

     And guess what?  Just like The Guardian Duke (Book One), I'm hosting a giveaway for the second book in the series!  Please scroll down toward the bottom of this post for the giveaway.

Here's the summary of The Forgiven Duke, provided by the publisher:

     "Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon, the path of least resistance, Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.

     Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto, Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.

     The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love."

What did I think of this book? 
Here are Joy In Our Journey's thoughts:

     This is the second book in a series of three novels set in 1818-19. The story is complicated, with the main character a beautiful young woman (of course).  Alexandria Featherstone has spent her growing up years on Holy Island, a tiny island off the coast of England and Ireland. Her parents have been “treasure hunters” and were seldom home for her upbringing, as they were always off on another adventure, taking on jobs as they saw fit to “find” things for other people.  Apparently some of these treasure hunts including finding very valuable items, placing their lives in danger.  Alexandria is mostly left to herself, with only an elderly couple left to care for her physical needs.

    In the first book, her parents have been away for over a year.  Alexandria receives news that they are believed to be dead, but this she knows has to be untrue.  She can “feel” they are still alive, and she makes it her mission to find them. She is also informed that the Prince Regent in London has appointed a guardian for this “orphaned” child (herself), who is apparently very wealthy from her inheritance, something she did not know. Her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton, resolves to come to Holy Island and retrieve her, bring her to London, make sure she meets the right people and accomplishes a proper marriage, and makes her way into civilized society. Alexandria wants nothing to do with him.     Her adventurous and courageous spirit take her to several new settings while looking for her parents and attempting to escape the clutches of this Duke. She journeys through Ireland and then follows leads of her parents’ journey and travels to Iceland. She meets a number of very interesting people along the way, some protectors and some with evil intent. During her travels, she occasionally corresponds with the Duke, hoping to appease him enough that he will leave off his pursuit of her; as they correspond, they begin to fall in love with one another.     And so the story expands to great adventures, powerful scenery, and mysterious findings, but in the end, she still has not found her parents nor any real clue of where they may have gone.    

    The Duke’s story is also complicated and significant, as he becomes embroiled in the mysterious hunt for Alexandria’s parents and becomes prey to the evil intents of others. He also falls victim to a serious physical ailment, which greatly impedes his every action and thought. The mystery of the treasure Alexandria’s parents are seeking becomes more and more mysterious as the story unfolds. The evolving of the relationship between Alexandria and the Duke becomes more and more intriguing. Trust in God is paramount to both of these characters. The story ends with the reader hanging onto threads, hoping that the third and final segment of this story will appear soon!

    My mom and I both read and enjoyed The Forgiven Duke.  We would love to continue reading Book 3:  A Duke's Promise right away, but it won't be available until September.  Argh!  Sometimes, it can be so hard to wait!

(Can you tell that I really enjoyed the writing style and story line of this book?   !!!!)

    The Forgiven Duke has been scheduled to be released in July of 2012, but it can be pre-ordered now through various vendors.  ChristianBook.com has it for pre-order for $9.99.

Now, for the giveaway of one brand new copy of
The Forgiven Duke!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 




Julieanne
Joy In Our Journey.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

---