Pages

24 October 2012

Noela Nancarrow's First Review on OTT--Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver!


Hunter's Prize

Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

~5 stars *****

                                          This Is A Gem!
  
This is an intriguing and fascinating historical romance set in the early 1900's, beginning briefly in Pretoria, South Africa, and then travelling to Marshall, Texas where much of the story takes place. This story spotlights two swarthy, handsome, and sometimes cocky treasure hunters; a pretty, young woman leaving home for the first time to work as a governess in Marshall; an unusual and challenging boy of five years; and swindling ruthless villains who get more emboldened and dangerous as the story progresses. These and other various interesting and extremely likeable characters all possess incredible character depth in this story!

I loved experiencing the camaraderie and banter between Pearson Foster and best mate Theo, who are the story's treasure hunters. Pearson, having his heart set on searching for the shipwrecked steamer, Mittie Stephens, and her cargo of gold, ends up travelling to Caddo Lake with Theo to take up their search there.

Not long after arriving, Pearson first encountered Adelina (Addie) McRae upon her arrival in nearby Marshall with her mother, having just arrived there for the position of Cedric's (Ceddy's) governess. And from the very beginning the atmosphere between Pearson and Addie was electric! Addie found Pearson discomforting and yet intriguing, infuriating yet titillating, with odd hair yet handsome! I longed for more encounters between these two and I wasn't disappointed. The captivating and intense energy between these two leading characters continued throughout.

I also absolutely adored Ceddy, Addie's young charge, an unusual boy who was orphaned from his missionary parents and now living with his Aunt Priscilla in Marshall. He is actually autistic but because Autism wasn't a diagnosed condition back then, Ceddy was frightening at times, and his confronting behavior difficult for people to understand and accept. Having an autistic child myself, I was so impressed at how Marcia managed to portray this little autistic boy so insightfully and realistically. And I deeply felt little Ceddy's engulfing fear each time he saw or encountered the villains Denny and Charlie, as they attempted to get to him and his own personal secret treasure.

Hunter's Prize also explores the theme of communication... or lack thereof, and the resulting consequences. But then there's also a gentle but compelling message about finding your way back to God after a terrible tragedy and learning to trust in Him again.

This book is the third in the Backwoods Brides series, but can very much be read as a stand-alone book... although I hasten to add, you'd really be doing yourself a dis-service to miss out on Marcia's other two brilliant stories in the series! Marcia Gruver tells a story that keeps you reading, and even when you're not, it will cause you to think about it... until you give in and pick it up again!!

Marcia's books are available online at Lifeway, CBD, and in Christian book stores as well as other book stores such as Barnes and Noble.


GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week's contest. Drawing will be late Saturday, your choice of Marcia's books and choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format, not as a paperback.  (Extra bonus count will be done for everyone who also left a comment on Noela's post from this Monday--so if you leave a comment on all three Gruver posts from Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday this week you will count as 4 entries not 3!)



46 comments:

  1. NOELA welcome to OTT-WGH, I am so excited that you are a part of the blog. Thank you for this wonderful review, you did a beautiful job!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks TERESA, excited to be part of this great ministry too and to work with such special people like yourself! Loved reviewing Marcia's story, it was so compelling and inspiring that I hope everyone gets to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. *Applauding* Beautifully written review Noela. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi JENNY, thank you so much and I wish you luck in the draw!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Welcome, NOELA, we are so blessed you said "yes" and decided to join us! Wonderful review--looking forward to lots more! <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. GREAT review, NOELA! So wonderful to have you here with us. I think it is 11 at night there. We are trying to figure out how to post your reviews so that it hits your time better. We'll look for you tonight for us and tomorrow for you! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks DIANA, that's sweet. Looking forward to doing more as well. How rewarding it is to share these incredible books with everyone!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CARRIE, you're right about the time and it's ticking by rapidly as it does when you don't want it to! :) I'll pop back on first thing in the morning. I hope everyone that stops by checks out this wonderful book, I can't speak highly enough of it! Love ya Carrie!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Welcome Noela, I always enjoy reading the reviews from the different ladies.
    Sounds like another great author to check out.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. PATTY thanks for stopping by and welcoming Noela. She is such a blessing to us. MARCIA is a wonderful author and you will enjoy her books. Good luck in the drawing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. NOELA, what a wonderful review! So glad to have you on board. Looking forward to reading many more reviews! I hope you're having some sweet dreams now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great review! Please enter me in the contest. debsbunch5@jesusanswers.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a wonderful review Noela!
    Looks like these are excellent books.
    Would so love to win.

    CherylB1987@Hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Noela, your review is beautifully written and so interesting I find myself wanting to pick up and read my own book! Great job!

    Thanks for the kind and gracious words everyone. Careful though...I'm like a puppy. Pet me too much and I'll never leave. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. CHAPLAIN DEBBIE thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. EVERYONE our dear NOELA hopefully is getting her beauty sleep since she is in Australia and they are about 14 hours ahead of us. She'll be back on later tonight. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. CHERYL we are so proud to have NOELA on the blog and you are right her review is wonderful! Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in the drawing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great interview would love to win

    ReplyDelete
  19. Please add me in the drawing for your new book! I want to meet Ceddy. New author for me! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  20. MARCIA, thanks for stopping by. I agree that NOELA did a great job on her review!

    ReplyDelete
  21. This was a very good interview Noela. I must win this for I am so interested in little Ceddy and how things go for him. This is also a new author for me.
    Maxie Mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. please add me to the drawing thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I forgot to mention that I've commented on these 3 days mentioned.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

    ReplyDelete
  24. MAXIE, it is always a delight to see you here. We have you covered for all your comments and they will all be counted as entries! NOELA is getting her beauty sleep in Australia (not that she needs any), but will be on soon.

    APPLEBLOSSOM-Thank you for showing an interest in Marcia's books! Gotcha entered!

    ReplyDelete
  25. KATHLEEN you will adore Ceddy and Marcia is a terrific writer you will love how her books come to life when you're reading them.

    ReplyDelete
  26. KATHLEEN, I want to meet Ceddy, too! I have read the first two in the series, but have this one in my TBR stack. If you win perhaps we can meet Ceddy together! :) I hope you are able to read the rest of Marcia's books...she is a great author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. PAT, throwing your name in our cyber hat here. Good luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. MARCIA, just thinking about Hunter's Prize again makes ME want to read it again!! Such a great story, it was an honour to review it! And hang around as much as you want, I/we LOVE having you here! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment above, I wish you all the best in winning a copy of one of Marcia's fantastic books!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Noela,
    You left a lovely review that made me want to read this book. Ceddy is a cute name for a little boy. God bless you
    Sandi Borgens

    ReplyDelete
  31. Most every book seems like a 5 star to me! Welcome to the neighborhood!

    melodydurant@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow Noela, I don't read fiction of any kind but your review is so beautifully written that I am compelled to seek out a copy. Sounds like it would make a wonderful movie as period pieces are my fave and speak of a kind of innocence long lost in what seems gentler times. Congratulations on your review.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to win this book! It sounds amazing! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. MELODY- always great to see your smiling face. The face of another book lover! :)

    MEGAN-we have you entered in the giveaway and appreciate you stopping by!

    VIKKI-Noela's review is really great and I'm so glad she changed your mind about reading fiction! Wow, we have featured some of the "best of the best" fiction authors here--you have alot of catching up to do! lol

    SANDI-Ceddy does sound delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  35. SANDI, that's so great to hear you want to read the book now, I promise you won't be disappointed!

    MELODY, it's true that there are a heaps of terrific 5 star books out there and MARCIA'S is definitely one of them!! Thanks for the welcome!

    VIKKI, so nice to see you here!! Like Diana said, 'the' most amazingly talented authors are featured here! There's a whole smorgasboard to choose from, and MARCIA is a great start!! :)
    Thank you for your kind remarks. God bless!!

    MEGAN, Hunter's Prize truly is amazing! Best of luck with your entry!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I loved the review. We have Marcia Gruver's books in my church library. Thanks for entering me in your contest.
    Janet Estridge
    von1janet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. So cool JANET that you have Marcia's books in your church library!! I wish you all the best in the draw as well! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I really enjoyed the review. The book sounds like a good one. I'm looking forward to reading it and the two previous books.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Noela, I enjoyed your review. I definitely would love to read this book!
    may_dayzee[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. KAY you will really enjoy this whole series! I absolutely loved it!! So glad you enjoyed the review and thanks so much for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  41. This book looks great. I commented on both Gruver's reviews and Noela's initial post also.
    shopgirl152nykiki@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. As a fan of historical romance, I'd love to read Marcia's books! I've seen them around different blogs and now I just need to get my hands on one in dive in! :)

    followsjc[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  43. You're in the draw VERONICA! Thanks for coming by for both reviews and testimony! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. LISA, I'm a huuuge fan of historical romance also! And Marcia's books are bursting with both history and romance, as well as a fantastic storyline! I hope you get your hands on one soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Fabulous review! :)

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thanks JES, much appreciated! It's a fabulous book! :)

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics