Fortune's Horizon

by Andrea K. Stein

She risks everything to deliver gold to the Confederacy.

Lillie Coulbourne marks time in Paris while the Civil War rages back home. While translating dispatches from the Confederacy for the French Finance Ministry, she accepts a spy mission through the Union blockade. When the captain of the only blockade runner headed back to a Southern port won’t deal with women, or spies, she sneaks aboard as his cabin boy.

He refuses to risk his ship, or his heart.

Blockade runner Captain Jack Roberts has never been caught and he’s not about to let a spoiled American heiress ruin his perfect record. After he discovers her deception, he fails miserably at keeping her at arm’s length and vows to send her packing on the first mail ship back to England.

When she surprises him with her skill as a seaman and navigator, he grudgingly allows her to finish the run. But ultimately, he has to choose what is closer to his heart – Lillie or his ship.

381 pages, ebook

First published January 21, 2015

About the author

Andrea K. Stein is a native Ohioan, the daughter of a trucker and an artist. She grew up a scribbler. The stories just spilled out--the pony escaped, the window magically shattered. Not her fault.

Twenty years as a journalist couldn't stifle the yarns. Yacht delivery up and down the Caribbean only increased the flow. Now those tales celebrate romance and adventure on the high seas.

Reviews

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world of espionage during the Civil War, Lillie Coulbourne wants to do her part to bring about the victory she longs for. Whether wisdom plays a role in her decision is debatable, but she certainly has friends to protect her and enemies that would like to destroy her. The plot is fast-paced and energetic with a number of characters that sometimes make it difficult to keep up. Lillie is feisty and somewhat stubborn, and Jack equally determined but finds that she upends any plans he has. There were some unanswered questions that bothered me, and I found difficulty in believing Lillie's character, as well as some of Jack's actions. Nevertheless, the culmination of the story is exciting and adventurous and comes to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, although I didn’t know what to make of Lillie. At times she seemed fearless and brave and at other times quite immature. Captain Jack, a man who enjoyed his life at sea, was involved in blockade running. I must admit I didn’t know much about this so found that enlightening. Jack did seem to have a short temper but ran a tight ship and was admired by his crew. Jack and Lillie were attracted to each other but seemed to be unable to commit. This story involves spies and some dangerous moments. I found it to be an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Adria's Musings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You just know that if the main characters of a historical romance are an English blockade runner and an American heiress, sparks, and tempers are going to fly!

While the Civil War rages on at home, American Lillie Coulbourne is in France translating dispatches. Eager to do her part to help her homeland, she accepts a spy mission but doesn’t expect to be stopped by Jack Roberts, captain of the only blockade runner headed south. Unwilling to be deterred, Lillie disguises herself as a boy and sneaks onto the ship. When Jack discovers that his cabin boy is actually a woman, he is furious and plans on sending her back to England as soon as possible. However with miles of ocean in front of them and only a certain amount of space on the ship, the two find themselves drawn to each other and into a once in a lifetime adventure.

Andrea K. Stein’s debut novel does a fabulous job of creating a story that is rich with information and imagery but doesn’t bore a reader to tears with ramblings. Not only is it rich with information but it’s hero, Jack Roberts was a real person and heroine Lillie Coulbourne was based on eccentric Lillie Hitchcock Coit. There was plenty of material for the author to work with and she certainly took it and ran!

Lillie is in a category all her own, she’s beyond intelligent, courageous and one of the most fun characters I’ve ever met. She’s not content to sit around and let the world pass her by and I loved her zest for life and the skills that weren’t commonly found in the women of her time. Her stubborn will to carry out her mission was admirable and yes, I did enjoy the fact that her presence rattled Jack’s normally controlled attitude. I have to say, Lillie makes the “English” in Jack more prominent (ie she drives him nuts therefore he becomes decidedly more English than usual).

While he’s not a stoic character, Jack is decidedly more serious than Lillie. He’s an honorable man but what I liked most about him was the fact that he was so conflicted. I don’t like “perfect” characters and Jack wasn’t perfect. He was foolish, mulish, confused and confusing. He created and solved his own problems and he had to make mistakes in order to grow as a character. So did Lillie but I felt that Jack had more obstacles to overcome. He became a better hero in the end because of everything he’d gone through. Once he realized that Lillie wasn't going anywhere, they became a formidable team. I loved that he respected Lillie's skills and her opinions, even though it wasn't always easy.

I’ve personally never been on a ship, nor have I ever been close to the ocean but with Fortune’s Horizon I felt every roll of the waves, and smelled every fishy, salty smell there was. There’s also a slight chance I may have sea sickness. I’ll have to test that theory sometime in the future.


Final Verdict: As far as debuts go, Fortune’s Horizon is a strong one. I enjoyed the adventure and the history that went with creating such a lively tale with engaging characters.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the ending, but getting to that point was a bit rocky, which was doubly frustrating because a book with 1) spies and 2) romance and 3) set during the American Civil War should have been a guaranteed win for me.

The plot was confusing at times--I really didn't understand why on earth Lillie was picked for the mission (for good reason, it turns out--but this was super frustrating for about 2/3 of the book), why her mother was so complacent about it, or even what exactly her mission was. Or how on earth she thought she could hide right under Jack's nose, especially once they'd kissed. Honestly, how did she think that was going to happen?

My biggest issue, though, was the romance. I just didn't feel it for about 96% of the book. They said they were attracted to each other, and everyone around them could apparently see it (that part got a bit ridiculous--at times one of them would just see another character for about a millisecond when that character would suddenly be all like, "Hey! You're in love! How the heck did that happen, dude?" Only of course they didn't use California surfer-speak when they did, that was just my frustrated brain's embellishment) but I didn't feel it--At. All. Which made a major part of the book feel very ho-hum.

So...I wanted to like this one a lot more than I actually did. It's a first effort, though, so I'm hoping the author's next book will do more for me.

Rating: 3 stars / C-

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly Akemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a contradiction for me. There were many aspects I applauded but a major one (at least for me) that I was disappointed in.

I love historical fiction when there is a romantic twist and there is a sea-twist to it. And to have these characters based off of real life people, was just amazing. Really it was. I particularly liked that real life connection. For what ever reason, in my mind, I felt that it made it even more realistic even if they properly were a bit embellished.

But the romance. Umm, I am still waiting to be hit by their connection. I truly did not feel it at all. And in my opinion, there is really nothing more frustrating when you are settling in for a historical fiction/romance, then no romance.

Overall, I would give this one 3 out of 5 stars.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok at first I didn’t know how to feel about this book as the story revolves around a character who is for the South during the civil war. I did persist in reading it however because I was curious as to the direction it would take. At no point really did they go into the atrocities of slavery and the character doesn’t change her stance as far as being pro-confederacy. It did touch on the fact that the women an children were at risk in the south and suffered at the hands of men from both the North and South.

Later i found out the book was inspired by real people although the story itself was fictional, so based on that it would have been accurate that the character would have been that way.

Ok politics aside..

When you get to the heart of the story, the adventure, the spy game, it was very interesting. The story was well written and the romance was just spicy enough. I think what helped make the story interesting was that you did like Lillie, and you didn’t want her to get caught, but I of course didn’t want her to succeed either. It wasn’t until the middle of the book thought that it became more of a 4 star book rather than a 3 star. I still have some mixed feelings on the book. I liked all the sailing history in it as well.

I received this book as part of a review team. The opinions in this review are my own and honest review.

[Nanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very different book then what I usually read. Not sure it would be called a
historical romance romance it take place at the time of our Civil War. Lillie's family are
supporters of the South. Her father is with the troops as a doctor. While her and her mother
Are in England doing what they can to gain money and support. Captain Jack runs his ship to
Deliver goods an supplies. Lillie wants to do more proveing she is as good as any man. When
She is chosen for a mission she jumps at the chance to go. There is so much of this book
Thar did not makes any sense to me. Why would any mother put her daughtet in the danger that Lillie
Faced starting with acting like a lad to be Jack's cabin boy! There is tons of secrets, danger
And yup we see what war does to women left behind. Thus story is hard to read in places
And may be triggers for some. It is a very steamy read with Jack and Lillie having a gate love
Relationship. I did receive an ARC from the author and want to thank her. I've read a ton of
Andra's books and love most of them,this one was not. If you l love history and war stories this would
Be a good fit for you. Thus is my h I honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be swept back in time to The American Civil War era that brings danger, spies, and blockade runners come to life. Fortune's Horizon will keep you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Lillie and Jack until the very end! Andrea Stein has writen a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you in, the book flowed well from one thing to another without being forced, plot brims with tension-building twist, and great dialogue. The scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story. Jack just does not know what to do about his "cabin boy" who turns his world upside down. Lillie finds herself in one perdictment after another that will hold you spellbound wondering what will happen next. As sparks fly between these two headstrong individuals their emotions start to bombard them on their journey to admitting their love for one another will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very end.