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Monday, November 25, 2019

Marisol Spanish Rose Review!



Escaping to the New World is her only option...Rescuing her will wrap the chains of the Inquisition around his neck.

Marisol Valentin flees Spain after murdering the nobleman who molested her. She ends up for sale on the indentured servants' block at Charles Town harbor—dirty, angry, and with child. Her hopes are shattered, but she must find a refuge for herself and the child she carries. Can this new land offer her the grace, love, and security she craves? Or must she escape again to her only living relative in Cartagena?

Captain Ethan Becket, once a Charles Town minister, now sails the seas as a privateer, grieving his deceased wife. But when he takes captive a ship full of indentured servants, he's intrigued by the woman whose manners seem much more refined than the average Spanish serving girl. Perfect to become governess for his young son. But when he sets out on a quest to find his captured sister, said to be in Cartagena, little does he expect his new Spanish governess to stow away on his ship with her six-month-old son. Yet her offer of help to free his sister is too tempting to pass up. And her beauty, both inside and out, is too attractive for his heart to protect itself against—until he learns she is a wanted murderess.

As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Marisol and Ethan.

My thoughts: I thought the history in this story was interesting, since it deals with indentured servants, island life in the 1700's, and adventures by ship. While there are some triggers in the story, with Marisol having been attacked by a nobleman, the book starts after that (and his subsequent death) happens. It's still part of the story, but not graphic.
This is an enjoyable historical read. I do wish that we had the chance to get to know the characters more in depth, but otherwise I enjoyed it!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. Connect with her on her web site at http://www.elvamartin.com.

More from Elva
A couple of things inspired me to write Marisol ~ Spanish Rose, in addition to my love of historical romance fiction set in the colonial/pirate era of Charles Town and the Spanish Main.
I ran across a teaching of how people often let the one terrible moment of their lives define them and their future. Know anyone like this?
I envisioned a heroine in the 1700’s who let her “terrible moment”—being molested and accidentally killing the Spanish nobleman who attacks her—define her and her future destiny.
My premise for this idea and novel is: Love, forgiveness, and determination can overcome the most horrifying experiences and poor choices when we invite God into the equation.
Loving horses, particularly the white Lipizzaners, I named my heroine Marisol and set the attack on her father’s Andalusian Stud Farm in Cadiz, Spain in 1740. Andalusians are the Spanish horses in the ancestry of the Lipizzaners. And they can be trained to do dancing steps with a dancing maiden called the Flamenco, which my heroine can do well. Click here for a video of a flamenco dancer. https://youtu.be/lSQWQl0u_Ow
Marisol’s exciting Flamenco plays a pivotal part in the novel.
All this story idea needed now was an exciting, handsome Charles Town privateer—sometimes pirate—who will cross paths with my heroine when she flees Spain after killing the Spanish nobleman who molested her.
Captain Ethan Becket, backslidden former Charles Town minister, has returned to the sea, grieving the loss of his wife and child.
By the time these two get together at the indentured block in Charles Town, Marisol has discovered she is with child.
Thanks for stopping by! May you have an exciting, romantic adventure on the high seas with Captain Ethan and Marisol.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away a vintage nautical writing journal and a $20 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Rita, thank you so much for commenting and I hope you get to read Marisol. Stay tuned for Book 2, Georgia Ann, coming next year, which continues the story with grown up Samuel the captain of his own ship and who has to search for Georgia captured by the Barbary pirates of the Mediterranean.
      Thanksgiving blessings,
      Elva Cobb Martin

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  2. This sounds like a great read. Very pretty cover.

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    Replies
    1. Debbie, I am so glad you like Marisol's cover. A lot goes into a cover. Can you believe at the almost final cover I suddenly realized Marisol needed to have blue eyes that I tell in the story she inherited from her English mother. Our wonderful graphic artist was able to go back in and turn those lovely eyes blue!
      Thanksgiving Blessings,
      Elva Cobb Martin

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  3. Inklings and Notions, thank you so much for your review.
    Have a blessed Thanksgiving,
    Elva Cobb Martin

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  4. Looking forward to reading this one! I've heard such good things about it!

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  5. Thank you for sharing this fascinating book.

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  6. Thank you so much for taking time to bring to our attention another great read. I enjoy these tours and finding out about many terrific books.

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