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Backwoods Brides #3
Hunter's Prize
Meander down to Marshall, Texas, through the pages of Marcia Gruver’s third Backwoods Brides novel. Addie McRae accepts a job as governess to young Cedric Whitfield, but she has no idea what lies ahead—especially when a string of attempted robberies and a kidnapping threaten the peace of the Whitfield household. Enter Pearson Foster, a visiting treasure hunter, looking for the lost treasure of the steamer Mittie Stephens . When Addie comes to Pearson for help, can the unlikely pair get to the bottom of recent events? Is anyone safe from the uncertainty rampant in Texas?
314 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Gruver
15 books25 followersMarcia Gruver, author and creative writing teacher, lives in Texas, and has published various articles, poems, and devotionals. Her novel, Love Never Fails, won third place in the 2007 ACFW Genesis Contest. She is a member of ACFW, Fellowship of Christian Writers, and The Writers View."
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 1, 2012
Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver
Backwoods Brides Book 3
I found this to be a really well written book and excellent story. It mostly centers on treasure and a young autistic boy, Cedric Whitfield. While in South Africa Ceddy's parents die. As his aunt comes to bring him to London he finds a rock...he collects all types of rocks and gems. The men guiding them, Denny Currie and Charlie Pickering, realize it was a valuable rock and they plan to head to Ceddy's final destination, Marshall, Texas, where Ceddy will live with his great aunt Priscilla.
Addie McRae has parents that love her but have been overprotective. When she has an opportunity to leave Canton, Mississippi and move to Marshall, Texas to be a governess for a young lad, she decides to go for it. After seeing Ceddy in action she don't know that this was the right choice for her. She has always been able to do well with children and even taming feral animals so her mother suggests to give it a chance.
Pearson Foster and Theo Bernardi head out from Galveston to Marshall after hearing of a sunken steamer, the Mittie Stephens, that went down with a load of gold. Pearson had been searching for the Jean Lafitte treasure for years to no avail. They meet Addie and their mother and carry their luggage for them and they are invited to lunch with the ladies. Later they end up hiring Denny and Charlie to help them.
I enjoyed how circumstances brought all these different people to Marshall. What is really unique is that Ceddy can't communicate with words but Marcia lets us see into his head. That he is highly intelligent and knows what is going on around him...he just cannot verbally tell people. Also it seems that Pearson gets misunderstood several times in the book. You hurt for him as people he has befriended think the worst of him. Adventure, romance and much more.
Raider's Heart is book 1 and Bandit's Hope is book 2 in this series. Bandit's Hope is the story of Addie's parents, Tiller & Mariah McRae.
**Book received through NetGalley for review.
Backwoods Brides Book 3
I found this to be a really well written book and excellent story. It mostly centers on treasure and a young autistic boy, Cedric Whitfield. While in South Africa Ceddy's parents die. As his aunt comes to bring him to London he finds a rock...he collects all types of rocks and gems. The men guiding them, Denny Currie and Charlie Pickering, realize it was a valuable rock and they plan to head to Ceddy's final destination, Marshall, Texas, where Ceddy will live with his great aunt Priscilla.
Addie McRae has parents that love her but have been overprotective. When she has an opportunity to leave Canton, Mississippi and move to Marshall, Texas to be a governess for a young lad, she decides to go for it. After seeing Ceddy in action she don't know that this was the right choice for her. She has always been able to do well with children and even taming feral animals so her mother suggests to give it a chance.
Pearson Foster and Theo Bernardi head out from Galveston to Marshall after hearing of a sunken steamer, the Mittie Stephens, that went down with a load of gold. Pearson had been searching for the Jean Lafitte treasure for years to no avail. They meet Addie and their mother and carry their luggage for them and they are invited to lunch with the ladies. Later they end up hiring Denny and Charlie to help them.
I enjoyed how circumstances brought all these different people to Marshall. What is really unique is that Ceddy can't communicate with words but Marcia lets us see into his head. That he is highly intelligent and knows what is going on around him...he just cannot verbally tell people. Also it seems that Pearson gets misunderstood several times in the book. You hurt for him as people he has befriended think the worst of him. Adventure, romance and much more.
Raider's Heart is book 1 and Bandit's Hope is book 2 in this series. Bandit's Hope is the story of Addie's parents, Tiller & Mariah McRae.
**Book received through NetGalley for review.
January 31, 2020
Great read.
June 11, 2012
4 STARS story starts 1904 It made for a nice sunday read. It was also a clean read, no sex scenes or swearing. Just an old fashion love story. The characters were loveable especially Ceddy. Cedric Whitfield a little boy who became an orphen in South Africa. He has a disorder that today would probably autism. He does not talk, let people touch him. Has fits but loves rocks and really knows them. When Ceddy finally gets on board a boat to take him to Texas. Thier escort Denny Currie & Charlie Pickering 2 rough guys find that the glass was cut and they realize that one of his rocks is a big diamond. So they hurry to follow him to Texas because they want his diamond. Addie McRae decides she wants to take the job in Texas she hears about and her mother escorts her to meet the family. Pearson Foster from Galveston, Texas is teasure hunter he has been looking for Jean Lafitte buried treasure with no luck. His good Theodoro benardi goes with him. He hears of a sunken zhip the Mittie Stephens that was full and had lots of gold for payroll but it caught on fire. everyone died about 20 feet from shore. Marshall. Tx. in 36 years no one has found her. So they decide to see if they can find her. Miss Whitfield has never married. She agreed to take care of Ceddy if anything happened to his parents. Mariah McRae and her daughter Addie traveled from Camton, Mississippi and when they got to Marshall Texas off the Train with their luggage two men offer to carry thier luggage. Which were Pearson and Theodore they joined them for lunch and then helped them to get to Miss Whitfield's house. Preston wrote to Mrs. McRae when he went to visit them and found she had already left for home. They had enjoyed each other company. When Addie heard that he had come to visit her mother and then wrote a letter to her got the impression that he had fallen for her mother. She was not happy at that idea. Theodore convinced Preston to go to church with him. Preston has been mad at God for five years since he lost all his family in a hurricane. Durning church his heart softened. The Preacher touch his heart and welcomed him. After church they found Ceddy hiding under his bed and he had bruises on his arm like fingers and a cut under his chin and very frightened. Miss Whitfield was afraid the Preston might be the one to hurt him. Thier was a lot of rushing to judgement against Preston from people around the town. Somethings were stolen and they were the new ones around town. The story moved along at a good pace and I did not put the book down till I was finshed. I believe this is the 3 book in the series but the only one that I have read. I would not mind reading the others sometime in the future. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 07/01/2012 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc.
August 7, 2012
This is an intriguing and fascinating historical romance set in the early 1900's, beginning briefly in Pretoria, South Africa, and then travelling to Marshall, Texas where much of the story takes place. This story spotlights two swarthy, handsome, and sometimes cocky treasure hunters; a pretty, young woman leaving home for the first time to work as a governess in Marshall; an unusual and challenging boy of five years; and swindling ruthless villains who get more emboldened and dangerous as the story progresses. These and other various interesting and extremely likeable characters all possess incredible character depth in this story!
I loved experiencing the camaraderie and banter between Pearson Foster and best mate Theo, who are the story's treasure hunters. Pearson, having his heart set on searching for the shipwrecked steamer, Mittie Stephens, and her cargo of gold, ends up travelling to Caddo Lake with Theo to take up their search there.
Not long after arriving, Pearson first encountered Adelina (Addie) McRae upon her arrival in nearby Marshall with her mother, having just arrived there for the position of Cedric's (Ceddy's) governess. And from the very beginning the atmosphere between Pearson and Addie was electric! Addie found Pearson discomforting and yet intriguing, infuriating yet titillating, with odd hair yet handsome! I longed for more encounters between these two and I wasn't disappointed. The captivating and intense energy between these two leading characters continued throughout.
I also absolutely adored Ceddy, Addie's young charge, an unusual boy who was orphaned from his missionary parents and now living with his Aunt Priscilla in Marshall. He is actually autistic but because Autism wasn't a diagnosed condition back then, Ceddy was frightening at times, and his confronting behavior difficult for people to understand and accept. Having an autistic child myself, I was so impressed at how Marcia managed to portray this little autistic boy so insightfully and realistically. And I deeply felt little Ceddy's engulfing fear each time he saw or encountered the villains Denny and Charlie, as they attempted to get to him and his own personal secret treasure.
Hunter's Prize also explores the theme of communication... or lack thereof, and the resulting consequences. But then there's also a gentle but compelling message about finding your way back to God after a terrible tragedy and learning to trust in Him again.
This book is the third in the Backwoods Brides series, but can very much be read as a stand-alone book... although I hasten to add, you'd really be doing yourself a dis-service to miss out on Marcia's other two brilliant stories in the series!
Marcia Gruver tells a story that keeps you reading, and even when you're not, it will cause you to think about it... until you give in and pick it up again!!
I loved experiencing the camaraderie and banter between Pearson Foster and best mate Theo, who are the story's treasure hunters. Pearson, having his heart set on searching for the shipwrecked steamer, Mittie Stephens, and her cargo of gold, ends up travelling to Caddo Lake with Theo to take up their search there.
Not long after arriving, Pearson first encountered Adelina (Addie) McRae upon her arrival in nearby Marshall with her mother, having just arrived there for the position of Cedric's (Ceddy's) governess. And from the very beginning the atmosphere between Pearson and Addie was electric! Addie found Pearson discomforting and yet intriguing, infuriating yet titillating, with odd hair yet handsome! I longed for more encounters between these two and I wasn't disappointed. The captivating and intense energy between these two leading characters continued throughout.
I also absolutely adored Ceddy, Addie's young charge, an unusual boy who was orphaned from his missionary parents and now living with his Aunt Priscilla in Marshall. He is actually autistic but because Autism wasn't a diagnosed condition back then, Ceddy was frightening at times, and his confronting behavior difficult for people to understand and accept. Having an autistic child myself, I was so impressed at how Marcia managed to portray this little autistic boy so insightfully and realistically. And I deeply felt little Ceddy's engulfing fear each time he saw or encountered the villains Denny and Charlie, as they attempted to get to him and his own personal secret treasure.
Hunter's Prize also explores the theme of communication... or lack thereof, and the resulting consequences. But then there's also a gentle but compelling message about finding your way back to God after a terrible tragedy and learning to trust in Him again.
This book is the third in the Backwoods Brides series, but can very much be read as a stand-alone book... although I hasten to add, you'd really be doing yourself a dis-service to miss out on Marcia's other two brilliant stories in the series!
Marcia Gruver tells a story that keeps you reading, and even when you're not, it will cause you to think about it... until you give in and pick it up again!!
July 28, 2012
Marcia Gruver in her new book, “Hunter’s Prize” Book Three in the Backwoods Brides series published by Barbour Publishing Inc. takes us to Texas in 1904.
From the back cover: A little boy’s treasure puts Addie McRae’s life in grave danger.
When Addie left her sheltered Mississippi life to become a governess to Ceddy Whitfield, she never dreamed she’d be undertaking her most challenging role yet. But after a brutal attack on her peculiar charge and a break-in that threatens the serenity Whitfield Manor, Addie’s coveted new life is on a dangerous course. What could a little boy have that thieves are so eager to find?
Pearson Foster arrives on the misty banks of Lake Caddo determined to haul up the wreckage of the doomed steamer Mittie Stephens along with her cargo of gold, unaware that young Ceddy hides a valuable treasure of his own. Then, accused of a terrible act of cruelty against the boy, Pearson stands to lose something even more precious than hidden fortune. But would he harm a child and the woman he grows to love in his quest for mere riches?
Pearson is a treasure hunter, Ceddy has a treasure that others a looking for and Addie looks to Pearson to help protect both her and the boy. “Hunter’s Prize” is great fun to read. It is a nice romance and, while it takes place in 1904, it is relevant. This book is all about communication and how badly we can mess it up. The boy is Autistic and cannot communicate which leads to certain events, Pearson can communicate but he lands in trouble anyway. There is the theme of treasure and finding the greatest treasure of them all. Ms. Gruver has a great way of telling the story and moving it along at a nice pace. Her characters are wonderful and she gives them life and unique voices. I liked this book a lot and it was a fitting ending to this trilogy. Well done.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
From the back cover: A little boy’s treasure puts Addie McRae’s life in grave danger.
When Addie left her sheltered Mississippi life to become a governess to Ceddy Whitfield, she never dreamed she’d be undertaking her most challenging role yet. But after a brutal attack on her peculiar charge and a break-in that threatens the serenity Whitfield Manor, Addie’s coveted new life is on a dangerous course. What could a little boy have that thieves are so eager to find?
Pearson Foster arrives on the misty banks of Lake Caddo determined to haul up the wreckage of the doomed steamer Mittie Stephens along with her cargo of gold, unaware that young Ceddy hides a valuable treasure of his own. Then, accused of a terrible act of cruelty against the boy, Pearson stands to lose something even more precious than hidden fortune. But would he harm a child and the woman he grows to love in his quest for mere riches?
Pearson is a treasure hunter, Ceddy has a treasure that others a looking for and Addie looks to Pearson to help protect both her and the boy. “Hunter’s Prize” is great fun to read. It is a nice romance and, while it takes place in 1904, it is relevant. This book is all about communication and how badly we can mess it up. The boy is Autistic and cannot communicate which leads to certain events, Pearson can communicate but he lands in trouble anyway. There is the theme of treasure and finding the greatest treasure of them all. Ms. Gruver has a great way of telling the story and moving it along at a nice pace. Her characters are wonderful and she gives them life and unique voices. I liked this book a lot and it was a fitting ending to this trilogy. Well done.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
July 1, 2012
This book is number three in the Backwoods Bride series. Each story is unique and can be read on its own. This particular story is about Addie. Addie decides it is time to leave her home and chooses a job as a governess. She sure gets more then she bargained for!
Ceddy Whitfield has a secret and others want to find it out. This little boy plays an important part in the story and makes this book very interesting. I really liked how the boy played just as important a role as the two main adult characters.
I enjoyed the treasure hunt, the romance and especially the setting. You can tell the author does a lot of research when writing her books. The setting is written is such a way that you can not miss the historical significance. I thought the detail really helped make the story believable.
How the author slips in a Christian theme is brilliant. You can read some books and it feels like the characters relationship with the Lord is written in after just so it can be called a Christian fiction book. This book, however, makes the spiritual growth of the characters an intricate part of the story.
I gave this book 4/5 stars because although the story was historically accurate the plot was sluggish at parts.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
Ceddy Whitfield has a secret and others want to find it out. This little boy plays an important part in the story and makes this book very interesting. I really liked how the boy played just as important a role as the two main adult characters.
I enjoyed the treasure hunt, the romance and especially the setting. You can tell the author does a lot of research when writing her books. The setting is written is such a way that you can not miss the historical significance. I thought the detail really helped make the story believable.
How the author slips in a Christian theme is brilliant. You can read some books and it feels like the characters relationship with the Lord is written in after just so it can be called a Christian fiction book. This book, however, makes the spiritual growth of the characters an intricate part of the story.
I gave this book 4/5 stars because although the story was historically accurate the plot was sluggish at parts.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
July 5, 2012
Young Cedric Whitfield (nickname Ceddy) is a bit of a challenge to all who encounter him. His Aunt Jane Beale accompanies Ceddy from Pretoria, South Africa to Texas.
Pearson Foster and Theo Bernardi fellow treasure hunters are in search of the gold from past shipwrecks and a known legend.
Addie McRae (daughter to Tiller and Mariah McRae) took on the care and guidance of Ceddy in place of Jane. Can Addie break the silence that surrounds her?
Could love be dawning on the horizon willing to capture a treasure for the heart?
Always entertaining describes what you can expect from the authors novels and this one is no exception. Although most of the characters and situations are different from the previous other two in the series it could qualify as a perfect stand alone novel. The storyline is a combination of romance and suspense with a few twists. Dialogue and scenery were well executed in this inspiring read. I was able to connect with the well developed characters and would recommend this book to others! Thanks to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.
Pearson Foster and Theo Bernardi fellow treasure hunters are in search of the gold from past shipwrecks and a known legend.
Addie McRae (daughter to Tiller and Mariah McRae) took on the care and guidance of Ceddy in place of Jane. Can Addie break the silence that surrounds her?
Could love be dawning on the horizon willing to capture a treasure for the heart?
Always entertaining describes what you can expect from the authors novels and this one is no exception. Although most of the characters and situations are different from the previous other two in the series it could qualify as a perfect stand alone novel. The storyline is a combination of romance and suspense with a few twists. Dialogue and scenery were well executed in this inspiring read. I was able to connect with the well developed characters and would recommend this book to others! Thanks to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.
July 30, 2012
Since Addie is old enough to leave her family, she is ecstatic when she is passed a letter from a friend requesting a teacher to move to Texas to care for a special child. Today, such a child has a diagnosis of Autistic. Addie has never seen a child with such problems, and it takes all her skills to deal with Ceddy Whitfield. Addie relies on the Lord to help her help Ceddy.
Ceddy Whitfield’s parents learned to handle his issues, but when they are killed in an accident, he moves to Texas to live with an elderly aunt. Before leaving South Africa, he picks up a diamond. A couple of evil men realize that Ceddy is holding a valuable diamond in the rough, so they track him to Texas to steal it from him.
Pearson Foster’s family drowned in the hurricane in Galveston in 1900, since then he has drifted through life as a fortune hunter. He moves to Lake Caddo, near Marshall, Texas, to find the wreck of the Mittie Stephens. Pearson, Addie, and Ceddy lives cross in East Texas, along with villains, townfolk, and Ceddy’s great aunt. Fun, engaging read for those who enjoy historical Christian romances.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
Ceddy Whitfield’s parents learned to handle his issues, but when they are killed in an accident, he moves to Texas to live with an elderly aunt. Before leaving South Africa, he picks up a diamond. A couple of evil men realize that Ceddy is holding a valuable diamond in the rough, so they track him to Texas to steal it from him.
Pearson Foster’s family drowned in the hurricane in Galveston in 1900, since then he has drifted through life as a fortune hunter. He moves to Lake Caddo, near Marshall, Texas, to find the wreck of the Mittie Stephens. Pearson, Addie, and Ceddy lives cross in East Texas, along with villains, townfolk, and Ceddy’s great aunt. Fun, engaging read for those who enjoy historical Christian romances.
Received Galley from NetGalley.com
February 2, 2016
The year is 1904 in Marcia Gruver’s latest novel Hunter’s Prize. You will travel with Addie McRae from her home in Mississippi to Marshall, Texas to begin a job as governess to Cedric Whitfield.
Cedric is a young boy who struggles with autism. Having recently lost both parents in an accident, his Aunt Priscilla is looking for someone who can help guide him through his challenges in life. Addie hopes she will fill this role in his life.
Soon after Addie arrives in Marshall, she meets Pearson Foster. He is a treasure hunter visiting Marshall in search of a lost treasure onboard a sunken steamer. Addie and Pearson are drawn to one another and the adventure begins.
Cedric himself is carrying a treasure around himself. He has an obsession with collecting rocks and gemstones. In the effort of collecting these rocks, an uncut diamond has been added to his collection of “treasures”. A couple of thieves have followed him from South Africa in the hopes of stealing this treasure from him.
As Addie and Pearson’s relationship grows, will they be able to protect Cedric from the danger coming his way?
http://penlessreview.blogspot.com/
Cedric is a young boy who struggles with autism. Having recently lost both parents in an accident, his Aunt Priscilla is looking for someone who can help guide him through his challenges in life. Addie hopes she will fill this role in his life.
Soon after Addie arrives in Marshall, she meets Pearson Foster. He is a treasure hunter visiting Marshall in search of a lost treasure onboard a sunken steamer. Addie and Pearson are drawn to one another and the adventure begins.
Cedric himself is carrying a treasure around himself. He has an obsession with collecting rocks and gemstones. In the effort of collecting these rocks, an uncut diamond has been added to his collection of “treasures”. A couple of thieves have followed him from South Africa in the hopes of stealing this treasure from him.
As Addie and Pearson’s relationship grows, will they be able to protect Cedric from the danger coming his way?
http://penlessreview.blogspot.com/
November 24, 2015
What a lovely tale! It’s definitely a delightful last book to the Backwoods Brides series! I was a little surprised by the depth to it… a strange but beautiful little boy who never talks but is obsessed with rocks of all kinds. A compassionate, good-hearted governess who loves the boy despite his abnormalities. An avid treasure hunter, who sports a tragic past and odd hair. Africa, Mississippi, and Texas… this book held me with captivating scenarios. I loved the mix of characters, I loved Ceddy—he really added a lot to this story. Hunter’s Prize… a sweet, and sometimes scary, novel with love tested at all turns, and important lessons learned.
October 1, 2012
A story of treasures of the greatest kind - love from the heart.
Addie's Mom loves her enough to let go and leave her with Pricella as a governess to Ceddy.
Pearson loved his family so much he guarded his heart. He struggled with forgiving himself for living when he lost them all. But he found his way back to God's love and as a a bonus found Addie's love.
Ceddy showed him where real treasure was. He feel in love with the little guy. Ceddy gives up his diamond to save Addie's pendant because of his love for her.
A story of love and forgivenss like none I've read. It's coupled with adventure and treasures of the heart.
Addie's Mom loves her enough to let go and leave her with Pricella as a governess to Ceddy.
Pearson loved his family so much he guarded his heart. He struggled with forgiving himself for living when he lost them all. But he found his way back to God's love and as a a bonus found Addie's love.
Ceddy showed him where real treasure was. He feel in love with the little guy. Ceddy gives up his diamond to save Addie's pendant because of his love for her.
A story of love and forgivenss like none I've read. It's coupled with adventure and treasures of the heart.
July 3, 2012
Intriguing romance with scary gangstas on the side...
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October 14, 2012
This is not my kind of book. But it was a sweet story & somewhat diverting. I'm getting desperate to find library books to download so I don't spend so much in the kindle store!
February 4, 2014
Actually better than I thought it would be. A bit slow to start but enjoyed the story as it developed.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews