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23 October 2012

Teresa Mathews Reviews Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver


Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver

Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver
Barbour Publishing, 2012

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
5 stars~*****


In book three of Marcia’s series Backwoods Brides, she takes us from the dusty ox trails of Pretoria, South Africa to the unpredictable weather of Marshall, Texas, to introduce us to a beautiful and challenging child by the name of Cedric Whitfield. Ceddy’s parents were missionaries to Africa that were recently killed, so Ceddy finds himself being transported back to the States to live with a spinster great-aunt, Priscilla Whitfield. Too bad no one realizes the evil that will follow dear little Ceddy all the way home.


When Priscilla realizes that Ceddy is going to be more than she can handle, she writes to an old friend in hopes that his granddaughter will come to live with her to be Ceddy’s governess. Knowing his granddaughter can’t take the position Dr. Thomas Mooney forwards the letter from Miss Whitfield to Addie McRae. Addie feels this is a job for her, as she has a way with children. Little does she know this will be a life changing experience for her.

When Addie and her mother arrive in Marshall they bump into two young men, Pearson Foster and Theodoro Bernardi, who are determined to help them with their bags. Addie is appalled to hear her mother accept the young men’s invitation to lunch. While eating Addie finds it hard to keep her eyes off Pearson, he is very handsome and there is something about him that appeals to her, but is he as good as her mother feels he is?

When Addie meets Ceddy for the first time, she realizes he has more problems than she feels she can handle, but her mother persuades Addie to stay for a while and try to help him. After a short time Addie begins to see an improvement in Ceddy’s disposition, until one afternoon he comes up missing and when they find him they discover a cut on his throat and various bruises on him. Who would dare to harm a child, especially one a sweet as Ceddy? Could the person be someone they know?

Pearson Foster, treasure hunter, feels he has finally found the girl of his dreams, if only she would return his feelings. But through a misunderstanding Addie believes Pearson is not worth wasting her time on. How will he persuade her that there is more to him than just an opportunist looking for treasure? When Pearson shows up at the same church as Addie, Priscilla and Ceddy attend will they see he really is a sincere person? When Priscilla allows him into her home will something happen that makes her change her mind about him and will she be horrified to think he may not be as harmless as she thought? When the evil that has followed Ceddy from halfway around world finally shows up will Pearson be the one who will lead it straight to Ceddy? Or will he be the one who will rescue Ceddy from it?

I was intrigued by the way Marcia described Ceddy’s Autism, which back then had not yet been named, and the way Addie interacted with Ceddy. I also loved the descriptions of the area where Pearson was searching for the treasure. This is the first book I have read in this series and now I want to go back and read the others. Thank you Marcia, a job well done!

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.

40 comments:

  1. Another fabulous review, Teresa!!

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  2. Yes, a fantastic review TERESA! I love re-living my favourite books and this is one of definitely one of them! I know you will just absolutely love the other two in the series Teresa! MARCIA writes the most captivating stories not only for the great plot and atmosphere but the extremely interesting, likeable and memorable characters! :)

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  3. wow would love to read going to the library to see if they have the other books. thanks hope to win

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  4. MARIAN thank you!! This one is a must-read. :)

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  5. NOELA thank you! This was one of my favorites for the year. Marcia did a wonderful job creating the characters. Ceddy won my heart from the very beginning. :)

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  6. PAT that's where I have found a lot of the books I've read through the years. I am blessed that my library has a special section of Christian Ficton. Good Luck in the drawing!

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  7. This is so great and such an honor. Thank you!

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  8. MARCIA reading this book and doing the review was my pleasure. From the minute I started reading it I was enthralled. Ceddy was so precious, he won my heart right away. THANK YOU for sharing your talent with us! :)

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  9. Wonderful review, TERESA! I have this one in my TBR stack and I've been itching to read it! I have really enjoyed this whole series very much--Marcia's the best!

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  10. DIANA thanks, isn't it amazing how many we have in that stack? Just when I think it's getting smaller, it back to falling over again.

    Marcia is the BEST!! I am going to go back and read the others in this series really soon! :)

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  11. I wrote Hunter's Prize during a very difficult time in my life (my mother's extended illness), so I plotted and wrote it in a fog. I felt God carrying me through the process, and with His help and the invaluable assistance of my editors, I was thrilled with the way the story turned out. Thanks giant bunches for liking it, ladies, but the glory goes (as always) to God. Besides, if you keep bragging on me, I'll become insufferable to live with and my hat won't fit on my head. :) You guys are the best!

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  12. Hi! What a gorgeous book cover. This immediately intrigued me and even more so now from the author's comment up there. :) Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

    biblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  13. RACHELLE I agree the cover is beautiful. Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing. :)

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  14. MARCIA it is so wonderful when we look back and see where God's carried us through some storm in our life. The compassion you were feeling for your mom definitely came through in your writing. And I am not worried one bit about your head getting too big for your hat, you are too sweet spirited for that! :)

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  15. Great review...sounds like a great book.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  16. Another beautiful review by T and another great cover from Marcia! I would love to read this book! I wish it was on audio. Hugs!

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  17. JACKIE thank you and yes it was a wonderful book. Good Luck in the drawing.

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  18. CARRIE thank you! I wish you could listen to it too, you would enjoy it. Little Ceddy would win your heart like he did mine! :)

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  19. Great review. I would love to win one of her books! debsbunch5@jesusanswers.com

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  20. Their are just too many good books out there!
    likesmusic2@consolidated.net

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  21. The topic intrigues me. I can't wait to read the book. ldwrncpn@comcast.net

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  22. thanks for the chance to win one of Marcia's books

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  23. HI CHAPLAIN DEBBIE! Thanks for coming by! Good luck in the drawing! :)

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  24. DEBBIE you are so right and Hunter's Prize is one of the best! Good luck in a drawing!

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  25. LORI thanks for coming by and good luck in the drawing! :)

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  26. Good luck APPLE BLOSSOM! Thanks for dropping by! :)

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  27. I am wondering what is happening with Ceddy. What secret is there? Will Pearson win the love of Addie? I need to win this book so I can find out. Thanks for this chance.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

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  28. MAXIE...my lips are sealed! LOL!! Good Luck in the drawing!! Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  29. This book sounds so intriguing... I can't wait to read it and find out how it ends!

    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I hope I win! I am entering all of the days ~ I would love books 1, 2, and 3. New author for me! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  31. The cover is beautiful!
    Sounds like an interesting read, and not a subject that we read much about in fiction.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. Samantha it is very intriguing! You will love it. :)

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  33. The mention of missionaries got my attention. Can't wait to start (or start at the end) of this series.

    melodydurant@hotmail.com

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  34. KATHLEEN glad you are leaving a comment on all three days. Good luck in the drawing. :)

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  35. MELODY wonder why that caught your attention? ;) Thank you for your service for the Lord! Good luck in the drawing! :)

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  36. PATTY, Marcia did a wonderful job describing Ceddy's condition. Wising you good luck in the drawing.

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  37. I would love to win! Thanks! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com

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  38. I am now commenting on the 3rd review. I've enjoyed them all and am anxiously looking forward to reading this book, as well as the other two in the series. Marcia, it is amazing how God can carry us through the difficult times.
    may_dayzee [at]yahoo [dot]com

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  39. This story sounds great! I love historical romance.
    shopgirl152nykiki@yahoo.com

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  40. Sounds interesting - treasure hunters, an orphaned child with Autism, and people with evil intentions following him halfway around the world! Thanks for sharing your review!

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

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