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Worthy of Legend

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Roseanna M. White ends her series The Secrets of the Isles on a high note with Worthy of Legend! This compelling story ramps up the action, the treasure, and the lessons from each of the ones before and takes them to new levels.

I love how White uses the events of this story to tie together all of the tiny details and ideas from the other books. Nothing is left out – which doesn’t mean that everything is wrapped up neatly – but everything has a purpose. In fact, White surprised me with just how far she takes the action in this story. She definitely pulls every emotional thread her characters have to drive the lesson home and keep the reader as invested as possible in this story – and it works.

You won’t be able to put this book down! The large cast of characters feels like family, and I love the way that they worked together to find the treasure and to help each other personally. The balance of the realistic, loveable characters and the drama caused by Emily’s villainous family means that there’s never a dull moment.

For me, White’s books are known for their lessons. Each one investigates an issue that somehow, through the way that the characters explore this question, is driven home and embedded in my heart. Worthy of Legend is no different. While I hope that there are few out there facing the heartache that Emily does in this book, the truth that she learns is no less real and every bit as necessary. I have absolutely no idea how White does it, but I hope she continues to do so for dozens more novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

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This was an exciting conclusion to the Secrets of the Isles series; it makes a fun progression from focus on a pirate to an exiled pirate prince to none other than a knight of the Round Table (with treasure hidden accordingly). I'm fairly familiar with Arthurian legends (Gerald Morris's young adult series The Squire's Tales informed me of some of the more obscure ones, and gave me an appreciation for how ridiculous they can be), but Tristan and Iseult is not one I've spent a lot of time pursuing--I'm just not one for doomed romance (or poor life choices). But this story redeemed Tristan a bit for me.

Not that the story was that heavily about Arthurian legend; the focus is, of course, on Bram and Emily, and trying to keep ahead of her odious brother in all the treasure hunts. They have sweet love story, a bit slower than the others. Bram impressed me with his insight into people, such as truly seeing Emily and her struggles that not even her best friend totally picked up on. It certainly felt like the whole island chain was coupling off by this book, but I would absolutely accept a follow-up story about Millie--I mean, Millicent--and the American Dutchman (to be honest, they had more chemistry than the leads. Granted, it was leaping off the paper from the very first scene they are together).

This book did have a really solid point about mercy--that those who need mercy most are those who deserve it the least. But, as a scene reminiscent of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade proves, you can't force people to accept it. (There's really a nice allegory here for those who question why a loving God doesn't save everyone from hell; it's not spelled out as such in the story, but it's very present).

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

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Worthy of Legend was a unique story and one that I enjoyed reading. I found Bram and Emily's relationship to be sweet and I was happy that she had someone to care for her when she needed it most.

The treasure hunt aspect was interesting and I liked how quickly that aspect moved along. It made the story easy to read and one that you didn't want to put down for long.

All in all, Worthy of Legend was a good read and conclusion to this series. I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what Roseanna M. White writes next.

*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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and 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.*

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Worthy of Legend is the final installment in historical fiction writer Roseanna M. White’s three-book “Secrets of the Isles” series. I thoroughly enjoyed The Nature of a Lady and To Treasure an Heiress also, but as much as I loved them, I would choose this one as my favorite!
Set in 1906 in the Isles of Scilly, Worthy of Legend focuses on Emily, who has been through so much yet resolutely strives to show God’s love and mercy to others despite how she was treated by those around her. She is a wonderful role model, as is Bram, who always puts others first and is extremely protective of Emily.
White, a master of descriptive writing, has once again created a very believable storyline in a setting that meshes well with historical facts from the period. Like Emily and Bram, the characters are all well-developed, and I truly cared what happened to them.
This beautifully written Christian fiction book has all the elements I enjoy: a well-researched historical backdrop, an intriguing plot, and the perfect blend of mystery and romance that makes for a great read. Like all the books in this series, Worthy of Legend could easily stand alone, but I recommend reading the three books in order to enjoy them to their fullest.
I received a complementary copy of Worthy of Legend from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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"Live the legacy, my friend. Walk worthy of His calling. Go forth boldly - and live."

Roseanna M White's historical fiction just gets better and better with each series. I loved every book I have read written by the author; I am amazed, each and every time I read a new release, at how fresh, delightful, and captivating her books are.
This series that infuses pirate lore with treasure hunting gets a fun plot twist with the introduction of King Arthur's legends and associated relics. I don't know much about King Arthur and his knights but it was such a great adventure to learn about those tales as Bram, Emily, and the rest of the crew pieced together the puzzle to capture what they deem the 'greatest treasure of all time' for an Englishman. Yet the greatest treasure they find is not necessarily that object itself but finding and choosing mercy that comes from selfless love. Bram and Emily's faith struggles are real, as they learn to trust, forgive, and always choose mercy.

I loved Bram's rambling third person narrative; it made me feel like I was right there beside him to experience his kindness, thoughtfulness, tenderness, scholarly wonderings, and reconciliation of justice and mercy. Emily was a lovely woman with a heart of gold and I really enjoyed the subplot of her maid Thomasina finding her own peace and helping others like herself. Bram and Emily's banter is absolutely delicious and their romance is sweet and enchanting. Oliver and Libby, Sheridan and Beth, Casek and Mabena all get their happily-ever-afters here as well, which should completely satisfy fans of the series.

This beautifully crafted tale of "a kind-hearted lady and a noble-hearted lord" will indeed sweep you off your feet to early 1900s Isles of Scilly to enthrall you. I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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The "Secrets of the Isles trilogy" is a lovely series that I really enjoyed discovering!

I didn't read the second tome, but it didn't stop me from enjoying this last book. Taking place during the same summer, with the same characters, this time we follow Lady Emily. A kind, well-educated young lady, she struggles to be accepted and loved by her family, despite her many efforts. Not many see how ill treated she is, but the Earl of Telford notices and will do everything he can to protect her from her brother. But as both protagonists get to know each other, secrets and danger are looming in the Scillies.

I loved each and every protagonists, all had immense depth of character and very relatable feelings. I enjoyed seeing how Lady Emily's faith grew (even though I'm not religious, I find it very interesting how her faith is explained and depicted). I found Bram's love for everything Arthurian funny and interesting - it shows that one should never been ashamed of their interests and hobbies, and that each person's unique character must be valued.

A wonderful ending to a great series. 5 stars for sure!

*I received a free e-ARC and this is my honest opinion*

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In the grand finale of The Secrets of the Isles trilogy, Roseanna M. White takes readers on one final quest of legend, worth, love, and faith! 

It’s been a summer of treasure hunts, danger, and courtship, but it’s not over yet! After a two-hundred-and-fifty-year-old diary claims that an artifact from the legendary King Arthur has been buried somewhere on the Isles of Scilly, Lady Emily Scofield, Lord Telford, and their friends must work against the clock, keeping their mission a secret, to find the item before it gets into the wrong hands.

For her entire life, Lady Emily’s greatest desire has been for her family to accept the love she has to offer; however, every attempt is abused and used to feed their greed. As her brother, Nigel, thunders through the Isles in search of the treasure, Lady Emily will stop at nothing to protect her father and brother from themselves, even if that means being cut off. Can she be a light to her family, or are their hearts too black to be saved?

“It gave her hope. Hope that she, who had been told all her life that her only role was to be what they told her to be, could live too.” ~ Roseanna M. White

Bram Sinclair, the Earl of Telford, began the summer on a quest to bring his sister home, but, like the rest of his friends, the Isles have captured his heart. Fascinated by tales of knights and rescuing damsels in distress since he was a boy, Bram’s expertise on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table will prove crucial in deciphering the clues that will uncover the artifact and protect Lady Emily when she’s caught in the crossfire. Through perilous tasks, a budding romance, and a test of faith, Bram will learn what it takes to be like the noble knights he’s read about in books, but can he become worthy of the title?

Worthy of Legend is an exciting conclusion to an epic series! Written from multiple points of view, Roseanna M. White seamlessly weaves the legend of King Arthur and powerful lessons of worth and God’s mercy into the storyline, creating a novel that readers will undoubtedly relate to.

I love when books align with what’s going on in your life! As I read Worthy of Legend, the Lord used each word to teach me that I need to stop allowing others to reduce my worth for their gain. Though we often think we’re unworthy, Jesus extended His love and mercy to us when He died on the cross. The characters in this series are a testament to this gift, as they accept freedom and forgiveness through salvation!

“We need only to be who God made us to be. If we do that, we’ll change everything for someone. And that someone will do the same for someone else.” ~ Roseanna M. White

While I’m sad to say goodbye to this series, I’m pleased with how it ended. I loved each character and the mystery behind each treasure hunt. May we all know or become people as selfless as Lady Emily, brave as Lord Telford, strong as Thomasina, and noble as Enyon!

I don’t mean to copy the author, but I can’t think of a more perfect way to end this review than with this quote from the novel: “Love the legacy, my friend. Walk worthy of His calling. Go forth boldly — and live.”

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

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I adored the first two books from Roseanna M White’s The Secrets of the Isles series, The Nature of a Lady and To Treasure an Heiress. The third installment, Worthy of Legend, is by far my favorite of the series. I loved the vivid, historical details of the book that made me feel as though I was right there with Bram and Emily. I was hooked into their tale right from the start and could not put it down until I had it all read in one sitting. It was so worth staying up half the night to read. I loved it.

I am giving Worthy of Legend a very well deserved five plus stars. Fans of clean historical romance will definitely want to read this one and not miss out on a great tale.

I received a copy of Worthy of Legend from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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I loved this book. I enjoyed the treasure hunt and loved that Bram is a King Arthur fanatic who doesn't want to admit his obsession with the whole Camelot scene. It was fascinating to watch the whole group moving about the islands searching for clues and for the elusive treasure.

Mercy and justice are strong themes throughout the book. Bram struggles with how the two can coexist but sees it lived out and comes to see the beauty in it. I appreciated how he was able to encourage Emily and to help her see her strength.

There were so many great characters in this series and I'm glad they all had a part to play. It would be fun to see another book about Millie and the American. I loved how Millie and her sister could take command of any situation.

If you love treasure hunts with great characters and strong relationships, this is the series for you. It was great. You'll definitely want to read these books in order to get the full story. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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I'll be honest here... I was really sad to end this series. This merry band of friends really endeared themselves to me. They each had their quirks and admirable traits, which when blended together makes the reader want to be one of them!

I enjoyed getting to know Emily better in this story. Unfortunately, in the previous story we learn that her father and bother aren't the greatest of people and let me just say, they continue on in this story as well. If you like when authors create characters you love to hate, you'll definitely feel that way about those two.

BUT what I loved was that the author did an EXCELLENT job of, through Emily, showing us how God would want us to love, to show mercy, to reflect Him to those who are hardest of heart.

Then there's Bram. Not an easy-to-like fellow in the previous book, but I liked him much better this go round! How can one not like a man who loves all things King Arthur? He certainly takes some cues from the knights when it comes to chivalry! It was wonderful watching him grow in faith through this story as they hunt for a treasure.

There's also a side story of Tommie (Emily's maid) and Enyon. What Tommie has dealt with at the hands of Nigel may be hard for some readers. We're never given details, we just know inherently what transpired.

The way the author uses the men in Emily and Tommie's lives is a beautiful reminder of the fact that we're all loved by God and created in His image. Others may treat us poorly, but that doesn't have to define us. There were just so many good lessons throughout this story.

Once again, one of my favorite characters is Mamm-wynn! I could've easily used more of her in this story. The sage characters tend to be some of my favorites.

I'm going to miss this band of merry friends, but I'll happily revisit the Scillies!

*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.

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Exquisite ending to the series! After finishing Roseanna White's newest novel, I realize once again why I have her on my favorite author list, an author whose books immediately move to the top of my overwhelming pile of books.

Ms. White's skill as a writer is appreciated within her beautiful stories, well-paced plots and authentic characters. While this is the third book in the series, each can be read as a standalone yet will be appreciated more if one has read the first two books. The whole cast of characters is endearing and there are several plots woven together. It was great to have glimpses of characters from the previous novels. Emily and Bram's along with Tommie and Enyon's stories will touch readers hearts. Bram is the newest of heroes to be added to a shortlist of favorite fictional heroes.

This is a wonderful story of realizing how one's worth is measured and what is truly noble. There are so many powerful truths woven within the strands of this story that moved me to tears. That is the power of a truly gifted author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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YAY for another Roseanna M. White book. She's one of my absolute faves and I loved this final book in the series. While you could potentially read this as a standalone, I think reading the earlier books makes it a much richer experience...I loved seeing all the characters from the previous novels and watching their quirky personalities shine on the page, while finally getting to know Bram and Emily more. I've enjoyed Bram's night owl tendencies/early morning grumpiness throughout the series and getting a little more insight in that in this one was fun. The mystery is great and as always, the romance is a delight. I'm sure I'll reread this whole series in the future!

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Roseanna M. White has done it again! Worthy of Legend surpassed all my expectations. Returning to the Isles of Scilly, we watch Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of another hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

What a wonderful location for this treasure hunt combining the legend of King Arthur with the history of the Isles. Worthy of Legend incorporates all the elements necessary for a truly spectacular treasure hunt: mystery, intrigue, villains, heroes and romance all intertwined so eloquently with truths of God’s grace and our identity and worth in Him!

I love the development of our main characters because we see them grow into the kind of people who are the best of who we would all strive to be - showing the importance of extending mercy when it seems to be the least deserved. Bram rises to the challenge to become a most worthy hero who champions the cause of those who so desperately need a hero - not so much to stand up for them, but, as Bram would say, to show them they have the inner strength to stand up for themselves.

One of the best messages I found in this story is taken from a letter Bram discovers in his room. “Wherever you are today, right now, be there fully. Be with the people God has put in your path. Look every moment of every day for how you can let Him use you to touch another heart. We none of us ever know what day will be our last. But we can make certain every day is worth of being so.” What an important lesson this is for all of us to learn.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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This is Bram’s and Emily’s story, and a thrilling, page turning conclusion to this series. I have always enjoyed King Arthur and the author does a great job of weaving some of the tales into this story. Bram and Emily both do a lot of searching within themselves and growing. Emily has much to overcome with her family and Bram is dealing with growing feelings and owing to his compulsive need to know everything Authurian. We see the crew from the first two stories, as well as meeting Ailla and Mrs Scofield, and seeing a bit more of Enyon and Vandermeer. A solid cast of characters, along with interesting storylines surround this whole series. The author doesn’t disappoint.
A complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I enjoyed this one the most out of the series. I was a bit nervous going into it as the first one I had theological issues with and the second one felt a bit cliche, and this one had a bit of both, but I so enjoyed Bram and Emily's characters. They were the most understated of the bunch, yet that made them all the more relatable. Their relationship was focused on personalities, making them the couple with the least amount of chemistry and physical attraction, but I so enjoyed a romantic pair where they admired and loved each other for who they were, not simply what they looked like - which, to be fair, is one of the points of this book.

The phrase "you are worthy" is often repeated by many of the cast to various characters, which is not entirely a period-appropriate one nor is it biblical. That theme runs throughout the story, and every time someone told Emily that, I kept wanting to jump in and correct that.

As with the other two books, this one has 2 couples, but only 3 points of view. I skimmed the second couple's scenes as I was more interested in the mystery. I really liked Bram, and his character is much more developed than in the previous books. As I said before, he and Emily really learned to appreciate each other's personalities over focusing on physical attraction for much of the romance. Definitely enjoyed this book. I'm glad I stuck out the series.

*I received a complimentary copy of Worthy of Legend by the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

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Content Notes:

Violence: Trigger Warning & **SPOILER**

Sexual assault and trauma both play a big role in this story. It is not described in detail graphically, but dealing with the trauma and the grieving process is detailed.

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What a thrilling conclusion to the Secrets of the Isles series! A couple of disclaimers before I actually review this one - first of all, this is the 3rd book in the series. While the story itself could stand alone, this one I'd recommend reading after having read the other 2 books in the series due to the long-term character development. This book also has some spoilers for the other 2 books, so if you read out of order, certain things might be ruined. Secondly, there are a couple of triggers that I'll mention up front. While there are no explicit details (and the word itself isn't even used), there is discussion about rape. This is done in a healthy manner and I appreciated the author's discretion and sensitivity. However, if that is a trigger for you, please be forewarned. There is also a drowning scene that is pretty intense (though not graphic). If, like me, you have a serious fear of water, be cognizant of that. It was not enough to make me stop reading, but it did make me squirm a little bit. Both items are necessary to the plot and are written well, but could be triggers, so I wanted to point them out.

Fans of this series have known Lord Telford as the grouchy brooding older brother of Libby and Emily as the quiet reserved friend of Beth. In this book, we get to know both of them quite a bit better. I really enjoyed the character development in this one and these 2 have now become my favorites among the cast of characters in this series. As with the other books, the romance is not quick to come. Though you know it will happen, there aren't actual rumblings of it until well after the halfway mark in the book. I enjoyed that we got to see the characters develop on their own substantially before making their way to couple-dom. It was also good to catch up with the rest of the crew and to see their relationships growing as well. There was a great deal of conflict within the pages of this book - both internal and external, and some twists and turns in the plot-line. I also enjoyed that the opening pages were once again from the 1600's with Elizabeth Mucknell's diary. Her husband John was a famous pirate and they had resided in the Scilly Islands 2 centuries prior to the stories in this series. I enjoyed how the stories tie back to the pirate and his bride. This particular story also tied in a bit of King Arthur, which made for even more intrigue.

With a great deal of character development, some good action, legends and lore, a sweet romance, a solid faith thread and a ridiculously good plot-line, this is one I'd strongly recommend to fans of inspirational fiction of any genre, but probably primarily historical romance. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

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An exciting conclusion to The Secrets of the Isles series! Although Worthy of Legend was a bit slow at times, readers are sure to be intrigued by the story and will appreciate a fitting farewell (for now) to these lovely characters. I related intensely to Bram—I’m not obsessed with King Arthur, but I have my own interests I can be obsessive about yet hesitant to share with the world. Plus, we’re both major night owls. If readers have enjoyed this series in order, they will already be familiar with both Bram and Emily’s personalities, but I will admit the romance was a bit too slow for me. It didn’t feel like a slow burn, but more that the love interests didn’t spend much time together until the last half of the book. But, those romantic moments near the end were well worth the wait.

One other critique I have is more for the Christian book market in general, but I truly wish there would be more trigger warnings added to their books. Sexual assault and trauma are discussed in detail (not graphic descriptions of violence, but of the emotional scars and grief processes) and I found my own reactions to these instances kept taking me out of the story and often lead to me skimming those parts. I’m sure I’m not the only reader who would appreciate a bit of warning before reading an otherwise enjoyable story.

If you enjoy adventure stories with elements of faith, romance, and legends, Roseanna M. White’s Secrets of the Isles series is the perfect one for you! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Worthy of Legend concludes the Secret of the Isles trilogy. Readers will want to read the first two books to better grasp the story. I found the story to start out slow but did pick up. Readers who enjoy King Arthur and the search treasures will enjoy this engaging story and characters. Who will be your favorite couple?

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This is a religious concept that is a poignant story about how a treasure is thought to be Arthurian.
After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they've made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who will stop at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family--even if it means being cut off entirely.
Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table--an interest he's kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.
As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archaeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

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Worthy of Legend #3 The Secrets of the Isles by Roseanna M. White...note: release date Sept. 2022

We return to the beautiful Isles of Scilly fall of 1906…with prologue set in 1651. My heart goes out to Lady Emily Scofield...for much of her life she has “hidden” herself by blending into shadows at social gatherings and even with her own family. That is the saddest of all, hiding in plain sight from her own family. Especially her brother...a cruel, cruel man. I am so glad she made true friends while on the Isles. Friends that actually saw the person she is. And and unexpected friendship with Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford; who took the role of a knight to save her more than once. It was fun to see her bloom into a strong woman of character, gracious and caring for others and learn to trust her friends and what God has for her life. And learn to pray for those who hurt her the most, her brother and father.

Bram is a handsome man, has a caring heart that he tries to hide from others and has been fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table since his youth. Which has helped mold him into the godly man he is and ultimately helps to piece together the mysterious legends and secret artifact they search for. What they find is priceless; even so, they learn there is something even more priceless: a God Who loves them unconditionally and selfless love for others.

I so love Mamm-wynn. She is a sweet woman with spiritual insights that often enlighten and guide herself and others. I especially enjoyed the spiritual elements woven within the story-line and the spiritual journey the characters experience.

This story is filled with intrigue and mystery, pirates and buried treasure, danger and suspense, evil and greed, forgiveness, joys and sorrows, love and enduring faith. I enjoyed the author’s notes, especially how this story came to life, and the way she weaves historical facts within the fictional story-line.

~I purchased a copy and I received an e-book ARC copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

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