"The Merchant's Yield" by Lorri Dudley -- Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book:  The Merchant’s Yield

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre:  Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2020

It was a marriage of inconvenience, but life has a wicked sense of humor.

Charlotte Amelia Etheridge has cowered to her mother’s sharp tongue and endless demands for the last time. In a fleeting moment of rebellion, she recklessly asks a foreigner from the Leeward Islands for a dance. But her one courageous act lands her in a compromising position. Forced to wed a stranger, Lottie leaves the only home she’s ever known to reside on the isle of St. Kitts.

Nathaniel Winthrop’s troubles are mounting, and the rumors of him being cursed are spreading. Due to the dwindling sugar crop, he risks everything to start his own shipping company. The last thing he needs is a wife, especially one with a weak constitution. Yellow fever has already claimed the lives of his mother and siblings. He must guard his heart against falling in love with this gentle beauty, knowing island life will be a death sentence.

No longer under her mother’s scrutiny, the newfound freedom of the island rejuvenates Lottie’s spirit. If her days on this earth are limited, then it’s time she lives life to the full. Now it’s up to her to prove that even though Nathan was coerced into marrying her, she’s the one he can’t live without.

My Thoughts

"The Merchant's Yield" is the second book in the Leeward Island series. I did not feel like I was missing out on anything from not having read the first book. I looked at the blurb for the first book and there was a small mention of the events from the book given in a letter from Priscilla to Lottie, but nothing more. I found the book to be well written. There were a couple times that Lady Etheridge calls Lottie "Charlotte Amelia Winthrop" before she is married and I wondered what happened to Lottie's nephew. She was really concerned about him at the beginning, but then nothing else is said about him. I liked the biblical faith thread woven through the story. There were surprises and twists I did not expect. I look forward to reading more books by Lorri Dudley.

About the Author

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

The Merchant’s Yield is the second book in the Leeward Island series. The idea for my heroine, Lottie Etheridge, stemmed from a writing prompt—Pretend you are a relative from your past. My family has often speculated where the bright red hair that pops up every other generation (my dad, my cousin, and my niece) originated, since my grandfather was adopted. My opening hook at one time was Lottie’s mother stating, “Red hair is for opera singers and ballet dancers. You should have powdered your hair.”

In my research about the island of St. Kitts, I came across a French-American pirate named Jean Lafitte, educated at the military academy on St. Kitts. The concept of my hero, Nathaniel Winthrop, a merchant who could have schooled with a pirate, set my creative juices flowing, especially after reading about Lafitte’s outlandish and quirky behavior. I couldn’t resist interlacing the lives of my main characters with the daring pirate.

I enjoyed writing Lottie’s struggle between pacifying others, yet trying to stay true to how God made her. Also, I can relate to her attempts at rebellion backfiring, for I too could never get away with anything. Lottie’s soft heart contrasts nicely with the guarded hero, Nathan, as she peels back each painful layer of his thick façade to reveal the devoted and ardent love he holds beneath.

To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or watch The Merchant’s Yield’s book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQLKqJfMf0o&feature=youtu.be

Blog Stops

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 1

Life of Literature, April 1

Inklings and notions, April 2

Read Review Rejoice, April 2

For Him and My Family, April 3

Books, Life, and Christ, April 3

The Christian Fiction Girl, April 4

Older & Smarter?, April 4

Texas Book-aholic, April 5

deb’s Book Review, April 5

Betti Mace, April 6

Spoken from the Heart, April 6

Batya’s Bits, April 6

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 7

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 7

For the Love of Literature, April 8

Britt Reads Fiction, April 8

Remembrancy, April 9

Maureen’s Musings, April 9

Through the Fire Blogs, April 9

Reading Is My SuperPower, April 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

Emily Yager, April 11

Blossoms and Blessings, April 12

janicesbookreviews, April 12

Blessed & Bookish, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13

Hallie Reads, April 13

Pause for Tales, April 14

Vicky Sluiter, April 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f8a8/the-merchant-s-yield-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Merchant's Yield" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Leeward Island Series (Book 2)
• Paperback: 402 pages
• Publisher: Wild Heart Books (March 23, 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1942265174
• ISBN-13: 978-1942265177
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2992 KB
• Print Length: 402 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Wild Heart Books; 1 edition (March 31, 2020)
• Publication Date: March 31, 2020
• Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B082MQCWT2

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.