Pages

22 April 2014

Teresa S Mathews reviews The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton


The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
By Lori Benton
Waterbrook Press 2014
Reviewed by Teresa S. Mathews
5 Stars*****

Lori Benton has once again woven a hauntingly beautiful love story that drew me in from the very beginning.Tamsen Littlejohn is not happy with the fact her cruel stepfather is pushing her into a marriage with a man she knows little about but for her mother's sake she agrees to meet the man.

Ambrose Kincaid was not at all what Tamsen was expecting; he was handsome, even if he did have fiery red hair, quite charming with his Virginia accent and he was completely smitten by Tamsen's exquisite beauty. Perhaps this arrangement could have worked out until Tamsen sees what she thinks is Mr. Kincaid's cruelty to his slaves. Thinking he must be made of the same cloth as her abusive step-father she abruptly leaves him in the restaurant and rushes back home.

Jesse Bird has heard the story of how he became part of the Shawnee tribe as a small boy but as hard as he tries he cannot remember what happened the day his parents were killed. After losing his adoptive Indian parents at the age of ten, Jesse Bird is taken in by Cade; a man with the blood of two completely different worlds flowing through his veins. Cade has loved Jesse like a son and shared a lot about his past but there is one secret he hasn't shared with Jesse, a secret that will change both of their lives should it come to light.

When Tamsen has a deadly altercation with her stepfather she runs to the stable in search of her mother's servants hoping they can help her escape only to run into Jesse Bird. When Tamsen explains what has happened Jesse makes a life changing decision; somehow he knows that God wants him to help this beautiful young woman. Too bad before this is all said and done he will be a man wanted for kidnapping and murder!!

Jesse and Tamsen head for his home in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina only to be pursued by her stepfather and Amboise. It is during that journey Jesse and Tamsen realize that God has planned their destiny and if they keep the faith He will work everything out for their good; but oh the things they will have to endure before they get to live happily ever after!!

Last year when I read Lori's debut novel Burning Sky I was impressed with the beauty of her writing and I couldn't believe there was any way she could improve upon it. But when I started reading this latest treasure I was awestruck by the fact that what seemed impossible had happened. This book blew me away with how fast I was pulled into it; it was so engrossing I found I had read 63 pages before I even realized it. It has been quite a while since I read a book of this length in less than two days! Oh the emotions that were stirred while I was reading this; there was joy and amazement all the way to horror and unbelief and back again to laughter and satisfaction at the most enthralling ending! This should be at the top of everyone's wish list for 2014; I promise you will not be disappointed. Thanks Lori for a story that has forever found a special place in my heart.

UPDATE: Please congratulate Lori on being a finalist for two Christy Awards for her first book Burning Sky! Congrats Lori, excellent job!! 

You can purchase this treasure by Lori at AmazonCBD, and Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.



GIVEAWAY: This week we will be giving away two copies of this wonderful book and a $10 Starbucks card! International Winners Ebook Only! Please like or follow Lori's Facebook Author Page and leave your email address in your comments. 



47 comments:

  1. TERESA, what a wonderful review! This book was amazing to say the least. Lori is super talented and I can't wait for her next book! It would take me a lifetime to write a book so intricately detailed as this! :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DIANA thank you, I really did enjoy reading this book, I'm so glad LORI shared it with us!

      Delete
  2. Teresa, great review! I haven't had the pleasure of reading Lori's books, but I sure want to now. And I love the cover of this book. So beautiful! I 'LIKED' Lori's facebook page.

    Lori, CONGRATULATIONS on being a finalist for both Christy Awards. Wow! What an honor that is!

    bookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi ANGI, thanks for coming by! :-) I know you will love LORI's books they are so spellbinding!

      Delete
  3. Thank you, Teresa, for this lovely review. It's always thrilling and satisfying for an author to hear her book was devoured and enjoyed. Blessings to you and the rest at OWG. I so appreciate your support for this second book (and for Burning Sky last year).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh LORI the pleasure certainly was all mine!! What an amazing talent GOD has blessed you with! I can't wait for the next one, or maybe I should say I don't want to wait! lol In the mean time I think I'll reread this one and try to take it slow and easy this go 'round. :-)

      Delete
  4. That sounds really interesting. Lori Benton is a new author to me. I'll have to find one of her books for sure!!
    raeray2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ROBIN I promise you will be blessed beyond words to read LORI's books! :-)

      Delete
  5. Congrats. Read Burning Sky and it was awesome. Hoping to win so I can read this new one. momtr3@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi BONNIE good to "see" you here today! Wouldn't it be wonderful if you are one of our blessed winners this week? :-)

      Delete
  6. After reading so many great reviews I want to read both her books now! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the giveaway! Following Lori on facebook :)

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi HEIDI so glad you have been persuaded to read LORI's books, Here's hoping you are one of our blessed winner's this week! Thanks for dropping in! :-)

      Delete
  7. Burning Sky was one of my favorite reads last year! My copy of Tamsen just came in the mail yesterday and I look forward to diving in. So I don't need a copy of the book, but would love to win the SB gift card.

    Congrats to Lori on her Christy Award nominations.

    I liked Lori's FB page.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PATTY I hope you have at least part of your day to devote to reading all about Miss TAMSEN, take it from me you won't want to put it down!! I picked it up the night I got it and was only going to read a few pages and I was so enthralled I kept reading! I didn't want to go to sleep that night! lol

      Delete
  8. I would love to win! I followed Lori's facebook page.

    Thanks so much!
    Jalynn
    pattersonmom24@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JALYNN I would for you to win! Thanks for coming by and thanks for following LORI's page! :-)

      Delete
  9. I can't wait to read this book after all the wonderful reviews I've seen! Congrats to Lori on the Christy nomination! I follow Lori's page on FB! kosterbind (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI KELLY so glad you dropped in today! I promise you will love this book, I hope you get to read it soon! :-)

      Delete
  10. This does sound like an amazing read. Fantastic review thank you.

    FB

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks MARY so glad to see you drop in! This certainly is an amazing read, well worth the time spent to read it!

      Delete
  11. I just wanted to add a note, that if you'd like to hear more about my book news on Facebook, please connect with me on my Author Page. While I'm happy to receive friend requests on my profile too, I don't share much in the way of book news there. Thanks! Here's the address for my Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriBenton

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LORI I put that address up for the link. I thought that was the one I had already used but somehow I mixed up the two of them! Sorry about that! I don't sleep very much so I sometimes do a lot of things on autopilot and here lately that doesn't work out well!! lol

      Delete
  12. Beautiful review Teresa. What else could we expect from one who can write such beautiful poetry. Makes anyone reading it not want to miss Lori's book. I was so happy when I won the Burning Sky. And now to have a chance to win this one. I love the covers on her books too. Lori thanks for writing these books and for using the great talent GOD has given you. Congrats on being a finalist not only once but twice. You deserve it in my opinion. Thanks to all of my OWG girls for this chance to win this book. I have already liked Lori's FB page. GOD bless you all. You make my days so happy. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maxie, I feel the same way about T's reviews! Having a poet read a book and review it really gives a different insight. Plus she is an exceptionally talented singer and pianist so she's got all that artistry going on. Thanks, Teresa, for your lovely review! Congrats to Lori, who also has a poetic quality to her writing, too. Wow, double Christy finalist. But I'm really not surprised.

      Delete
  13. Hi MAXIE...I'm sending a big hug your way!! Thank you for making my day! I felt like my review just didn't do this wonderful book justice! I sure hope you get to read it, since you won Burning Sky maybe you will win this one too! Wouldn't that be exciting?! Thanks again for dropping in and making my night! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you TERESA for this fantastic review... I'm more eager than ever to read it after that!! And as I said to you earlier, I'm overdue in spoiling myself with a book order from the Book Depository... I'll give you one guess which book will be first on my order?! ;)

    LORI - a HUGE CONGRATS on being a finalist twice for Burning Sky!! A mesmerizing and exciting story - and so worth as many awards as it can get! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NOELA you are going to be ecstatic reading this beautiful story! I sure hope the Book Depository doesn't take long to deliver it to you! :-)

      Delete
  15. I surly would love to read this book
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi DANIE I hope you get to read this soon, it will be a treat for you I'm sure! Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  16. Wonderful review Teresa !!!! Thanks for introducing Lori to me, looking forward to getting to know her and reading her books !!!

    Congratulations Lori on being a finalist - twice - with Burning Sky !!!

    Rosemary Foley. rfoley at salemstate dot edu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ROSEMARY I'm so glad you have gotten to know LORI here on OWG, she is a precious young lady. :) I know you are going to love her books. :-)

      Delete
  17. Congratulations Lori !!!! So totally AWESOME. Been a follower of yours for while now... Love both books to the moon and back....smile Thank you for your review Teresa . I just love historical fiction and we learn so much from it and I Love to share what I am reading while homeschooling my kids !
    Blessings
    Linda Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    www.faithfulacres.net
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Waving at you LINDA! Thanks for coming by today! I love it when we learn from a Historical Fiction book and you can tell LORI did a lot of research on the happenings in western NC during this time period! :-)

      Delete
  18. Great to hear from you all, and thanks for your kind words about Burning Sky. It still feels a little surreal, and I'm honored Burning Sky is included among the other great titles being considered for a Christy. My greatest joy as a writer (after the writing itself) comes from readers who find a connection to the characters or themes in my books. I hope you all enjoy Tamsen and Jesse's story! Blessings to you, and thank you again, Teresa for this lovely review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LORI I promise it was all my pleasure reading this masterpiece! From the moment I picked it up to when I put it down I was completely enthralled with it! I can't wait, (I literally want it NOW lol) for your next book, but alas I know you can't hurry perfection! I will try to be patient! :-)

      Delete
  19. Another wonderful review by our dear OWG friend, Teresa, which compels me to add BOTH of Lori's books to my TBR pile, even though I fear it will be soon be tumbling to the floor. ;-) You gals all know how to draw us into these books. A win, would make an easy addition to that 'pile'.

    A HUGE congratulation to Lori for her double nomination for a Christy award! Yet another suggestion that these books are not to be missed.

    Thanks OWG for giving us the opportunity to win such fabulous books.
    Vicki
    (You have my info)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS--I will go make sure I have 'liked' Lori's page too.
      Vicki

      Delete
    2. HI VICKI it's good to see our world traveler dropping in with us! Isn't it terrible of me to make you want a book so bad?! hehehe It would be great for you to be one of our blessed winner's this week! :-)

      Delete
  20. Lori, I'm so happy for you being a finalist for two Christy awards! This review made me feel like I just have to read your books. :) I just "liked" your Facebook page, and my email address is jennismith1983(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JENNIFER I KNOW you will enjoy both of LORI's books! LORI is an very talented author, my life has truly been blessed to have met her! :-)

      Delete
  21. Love the review! Sounds like an up-all-nighter!
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SUSAN you made me LOL at that description! That's exactly what it was for me or at least pretty close!! Thanks for coming by and entering the giveaway!! :-)

      Delete
  22. One thing about Excellent Fiction is that it does teach us and I so enjoy well researched Historical Fiction. I need to put my own on the shelf according to date, so I can just grab it and say kids did you know this or listen to this story...It brings history to life for us.
    Linda Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    www.faithfulacres.net
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LINDA that's a good idea about using a good book to help teach History. :-)

      Delete
  23. Loved your review, Teresa!! Thank you!!

    Lori's books have such interesting, yet unusual, story lines!! This book sounds like it has something for everyone and is very exciting!! I've heard nothing but good things about each of her books and it's no wonder she is a double Christy award nominee. I am inspired by her courage from her bout with illness and thankful that she, once again, followed the Lord's leading to resume her writing and thereby inspire so many with her books!!

    I just received a copy of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn a couple of days ago - won in another contest - but would like to win another to give to a good friend who is an avid reader, hasn't read any of Lori's books, and suffers from numerous serious diseases.

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I am a follower of Lori's FB author page.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sweet BONNIE, so glad to hear you won this great book already, here's hoping you win one here so you can share with your friend. That's so thoughtful of you to think of her. Thanks for coming by and making my day! :-)

      Delete

Google Analytics