1. The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
    Lori Benton
    WaterBrook / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$10.99 Retail Price$14.99 Save 27% ($4.00)
    4.8 out of 5 stars for The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. View reviews of this product. 65 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW731494
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  1. ARose
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    March 26, 2014
    ARose
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love."

    Review for: The pursuit of Tamsen Little John by Lori Benton

    Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

    In the wake of her mother's death and a suitor forced upon her by her gold digging stepfather, Tamsen risks all by fleeing with a stranger who seems to be her one hope of freedom. As the two are pursued by Tamsen's enraged stepfather and the would-be suitor who believes her to have been kidnapped by her mother's murderer, they face one danger after another, seeking safety amidst a region on the brink of war with itself and the native tribes.

    Author Lori Benton has woven a masterful tale in a rarely visited era of history. Her story, plot, and characters are fresh, her style and workmanship beautiful and her setting well-rounded and well researched. This woman did her homework and possesses real talent-- and it shows. The story maintains great forward motion, packed with action and suspense, and gives you just enough time to catch a breather between turmoil. There was only one point, at about the middle of the book, when I feared the story would fall flat, but my fears were quickly abated. The reader will not have time to get bored. But it's not just the suspense and the action, it's the fact that the author can actually write and tell a good story.

    I would compare the atmosphere of this book to Gilbert Morris's works, but with a woman's touch, and with less sensuality.

    Discretionary notes:

    I have decided to start including a "parent friendly" guide along with my reviews, as I know a lot of Christian romance readers are young ladies. Let me first say to you, as a parent or as a reader, NEVER trust a book to be clean just because it claims to be inspirational. That said, here are some things you may want to know about this book before placing it into the hands of your young adult readers (minor spoilers possible).

    Violence:

    There is at least one murder, domestic abuse, an almost rape and a rape that happens off the pages is mentioned, but never detailed. There are gunfights (in which people get shot), fistfights, bloody wounds and other injuries.

    Sensuality:

    As mentioned above, there are two instances of rape (one off page that is only mentioned, and one that almost happens, mostly also off page). Characters occasionally admire each other's physical build or beauty (in one scene a man swims in front of a woman dressed in very little clothing), but it does not go into great detail. There are just a couple scenes I recall with kissing. Although it's not on the pages, it is very obvious that characters sleep together after marriage and the topic is discreetly talked about; one scene takes place just after.

    I hope you find this review helpful.

    I received this book from the publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest review.
  2. ACS Book Finder
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A fun read
    March 19, 2014
    ACS Book Finder
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    After only one meeting with her expected suitor, Tamsen Littlejohn is confident that Ambrose Kincaid will turn out much like her harsh and demanding stepfather, Hezekiah Parrish. Ambrose is handsome, socially polished, and the heir of his wealthy grandfather, Alexander Kincaid. But soon after their first meeting, Tamsen sees in Ambrose, a cruelness of character not unlike her hateful stepfather. Taking matters into her own hands, Tamsen decides to escape a potentially disastrous arranged marriage to a man she does not love. She escapes her would-be suitor and her stepfather by enlisting the help of a frontiersman from the western part of North Carolina, Jesse Bird. Together they travel west through the wilderness, avoiding the dangers of Indians and wild beasts, all the while evading the trackers hired by Ambrose Kincaid and her stepfather.

    Life on the frontier has many challenges for Tamsen. She has only known a cushioned life in the past, one with servants and fine luxuries, but now Tamsen has to learn to cook, clean, and make do with the roughness of wilderness living. Slowly over time, Tamsen learns to appreciate her new life on the frontier; she even begins to fall in love with Jesse, the man who has risked so much for her. But just as her life is becoming more stable, Ambrose Kincaid and her father's trackers find her whereabouts. Will Jesse and Tamsen be able to continue evading them, or will Tamsen be forced to return home with her stepfather to an arranged marriage?

    DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn was provided in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
  3. littlesproutgrowing
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Beautiful Writing, Captivating Story
    February 24, 2014
    littlesproutgrowing
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is the first book I've read by this author. It is set in North Carolina in 1797 - soon after the Revolutionary War. It is told from the POV of Tamsen Littlejohn and Jesse Bird.

    I really enjoyed this novel. It had enough snippits of historical facts in it to be interesting, but didn't spend so much time on them that it bogged down the story. I even learned a few things! I learned that at one time there was a State of Franklin some of the history around it. Who knew?

    I was a little worried at first that the story was going to be a little too far-fetched for me. Tamsen running off with an Overmountain Man that she didn't know at all seemed a little crazy to me - even though I knew she was desperate. I got over it though because I liked what followed. I was pleasantly surprised that Tamsen and Jesse - although thrown together and alone - didn't fall immediately into one another's arms. Some time was taken to develop their relationship and I really appreciated that as a reader. As a lover of those marriage of convenience novels, I appreciated a novel in which they didn't use that "convenience" as an excuse for rushing into something they probably shouldn't.

    I enjoyed all the secondary characters and how they brought a lot of interest to the story. Jesse's involvement with the Cherokee Indians was also interesting and I thought the author portrayed them in a very positive light. I also learned that a breachclout is not just two pieces of material hanging down as I thought... but actually covers from front, under and then to the back. Again... who knew?

    Tamsen and Jesse's journey is fraught with danger and many lessons. At one point I thought it was going on a little too long, but then the resolution at the end started - perfect timing! I loved the way it ended and was satisfied with all the characters. I especially liked how the author kept bring to light how God works to bring all things together in his timing.

    I really enjoyed this novel and would definitely pick up another by this author. I really appreciated how much historical research she must have done to make this novel possible.

    Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Press through the Blogging for Books program for my honest review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.
  4. kp0719
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
    February 18, 2014
    kp0719
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Through the pages of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn, you will get a glimpse of what life was like during the early days of America. The author, Lori Benton, will have your attention from page one.

    The reader is quickly drawn to Tamsen, when you learn that her stepfather, Hezekiah Parrish, is looking for the highest bidder to sell his stepdaughter to. As Tamsen runs from her stepfather, she lands in the arms of Jesse Bird and the adventure begins!

    Tamsen and Jesse are merely looking for a safe place to hide; however, they are having trouble staying more than a few steps ahead of her stepfather. Hezekiah is determined to stop Tamsen from telling anyone that he was the one who killed her mother.

    You will definitely enjoy this tale. You will not believe it when the truth finally comes out on the last pages of this book!

    I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my unbiased review
  5. A Simply Enchanted Life
    North Carolina
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    3 Stars Out Of 5
    Overall this was a pretty good story.
    March 5, 2014
    A Simply Enchanted Life
    North Carolina
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 3
    Value: 3
    Meets Expectations: 3
    This book is really cool because it's set in Morganton, NC which is just five minutes up the road from where I live.

    It was very interesting hearing about Indian settlements and political uprisings for an area in which I live.

    Also, I had never heard of the lost State of Franklin so that was a very interesting thing for me to read up on after I finished the book.

    Overall this was a pretty good story. I will admit that I thought some of the innuendos or sexual content was a bit out of place or unneeded in this story.

    I'm not a prude, nor do I oppose situations of violence (in books) if it serves a purpose and brings a person closer to God. In this story though, I thought there were times when it was simply unneeded. The rape of the slave-girl and the near rape of a young girl both seemed unnecessary. It really had nothing to lend to the tale and therefore, I felt it was out of place. I also thought that Jesse's exclamation that he'd prefer Tamsen having her clothes off was a bit much for this genre. It was just presented in a near crass manner. That's simply my personal opinion.

    I'd also like to point out that I have read a good many book with violent or sexual situations in them that I felt was appropriate for the genre, even Christian books that covered such material that didn't rub me the wrong way so I don't think that my opinion is because I'm being overly prudish. When it has a Christian label on it though, I feel it is my place to note when I think there is material that some may find offensive

    Overall I thought the book was pretty good. I would read more by this author.

    I received The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn as a complimentary gift in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. My comments and opinions are my own.
Displaying items 61-65 of 65
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