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The Bold Venture

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The much anticipated sequel to the 2014 Lyra Independent Fiction Contest Romance Category Winner ONCE IN A WHILE...
Now it’s 1941...
The sweethearts, Vic Matthews and Louise Hoskins, are finally back together after their heartrending years apart - but problems loom that threaten to wreck their plans.
Steadfast, they are determined that their love will reign triumphant. Vic vows that he will do whatever it takes to provide a home for Louise and her son, but that resolution causes problems of its own when he makes a decision that could prove ruinous for everyone concerned.
Follow the valiant couple as they weather every disappointment and setback with courage and integrity – even in the midst of a world at war. Once they marry and start their life together, will it be happy ever after? And will the big break he longs, prays, and works toward ever come?
Heartfelt, romantic, humorous, and awash in delightful moments, The Bold Venture captures the power of true love and the mystique of what has been called the “Greatest Generation.”

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2015

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About the author

Linda Ellen

12 books88 followers
Linda Ellen is an historical romance writer who made her debut with Depression Era romance, rich with history, love, heartache, and real life.
Linda lives in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky,
She began her writing career penning articles for a small neighborhood newspaper, The Southwest Reporter. In 2009, as a labor of love, she began writing fan fiction, under the pen name Linda4him59, based on the Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman television show, stories that were well-received thanks to Linda's talent for upbeat narration, good-natured humor, and heart-thumping romance. Twenty-eight short stories and four novels later, she decided to try her hand at writing a ‘real’ novel.
Her novel ONCE IN A WHILE is loosely based on the author's parents’ romance in the late ‘30’s. Wishing to give her readers the most accurate account of the time, place, and mood, she extensively researched details regarding the 1937 flood that incapacitated the entire Ohio Valley. The Flood plays a large part in the early chapters of the book.
The local newspaper did a story on her, her mom, and the book - click here: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/...

When she isn't busy writing stories to enchant her readers, Linda, a born-again Christian, and her family are faithful and active members of Evangel World Prayer Center in Louisville, KY. She is very involved in the prison ministry at her church, where she is the office manager and is in charge of facilitating a large correspondence course operation with a sizable number of volunteers, serving inmates in all 50 states.

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5 stars
57 (77%)
4 stars
11 (14%)
3 stars
4 (5%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Barbara.
Author 0 books3 followers
October 14, 2017
The book is $3.99 but I felt it worth every penny as it has between 8 - 10 hours of reading. This book continues the lives of Louise and Vic. All through the book I was silently saying... "Poor Vic, poor Vic... I hope he finally finds happiness and his bold venture." I'm not going to post a spoiler but that couple sure went through a lot of hard times and met with a few very cruel, heartless people.

People read book reviews in order to decide if they would like the book and if they should buy it, so I'll try to be specific. The story takes place in the 1940's which interests me being a genealogist. I love reading about the past, in fact I almost never buy contemporary books. I loved reading about the cars, the housing, the entertainment, the appliances, and jobs of that era. What I loved most about the book was the way the author developed the characters. I just loved the good ones and hated the bad ones. The book is clean and extremely well-written. What it doesn't have is violence, swearing, and sex scenes. I also loved one other unique feature, it's a true story. The couple on the cover are the real people. That's amazing. I have heard through the writer's pipeline that the author is working on book 3 and I will be buying that one as well.
14 reviews
January 3, 2017
Great Read!

This is a very poignant story, reminding me of a Nicholas Sparks book! Relayed in touching detail, making you anxious to find out what happens next. Amazed that the author could write her family story so interestingly.
Profile Image for Sherry York.
9 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2017
This book was just as good as the first in the series. I just love the story of this couple. It is a simple love story with every day problems set in the 30s, 40s, and now 50s. I am so looking forward to the last book in the series which will be another good read I am sure.
Profile Image for Linda Jennings.
600 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2017
I enjoyed this second installment about the lives of Louise and Vic about as much as I did the first book. I immediately downloaded the third book and can't wait to read the rest of the story.
15 reviews
November 17, 2015
The Bold Venture was a wonderful sequel to its predecessor, Once In A While. The beautiful story of Vic and Louise continues, as they begin to face the normal ups and downs of life as a married couple. Through it all, they remain the faithful, loving couple who became enamored with each other on a chance meeting so many years before. There is quite a bit of humor to be had in The Bold Venture as well; images of Louise learning to drive had me laughing out loud. I could so easily picture her turning those curves too quickly at the park...
I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment that continues this amazing story. It is so comforting to read a romantic story that isn't just a typical "romantic story," but one that is based on the real thing. There is sadness, frustration, humor, and love involved in The Bold Venture; but it is overwhelmingly the tale of love. I highly recommend this as well as Once In A While to anyone who would like to just sit back and smile for a little while.
Profile Image for Vivian.
798 reviews10 followers
October 10, 2016
The true story of Vic and Louise continue. "He was sure no man had ever loved a woman with more intensity than he..." after the bottomless void their four-year separation caused. They vowed to never leave each other again. Still struggling to find a suitable job and Louise finally becoming free to marry her one and only true love, the tables of a war-torn country were at their heels. Struggling against one obstacle over another, Louis couldn't imagine being separated from Vic again. Especially now that her little boy also needed him.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, America's state of war was evident. Would Vic and Louise have to stand another separation? How would the phenomenon known as The Baby Boom affect them? Vic has his Bold Venture always in mind.

~ I'm hooked on this true story of family and hope. Always fighting against obstacles; doing what they have to in the name of love. A lovely read!
Profile Image for Liz Austin.
117 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2015
Excellent Book, Excellent Writer. After reading the first book, Once In A While, in the Series, I was just dying to see what happens next! I was thrilled to finally get my hands on Bold Venture! :) I went into reading this book with high expectations, from reading the first, and my expectations were completely met. Linda Ellen proves that she's not just a one book wonder, that she's here to stay and continue to deliver excellent literature. The story of Vic and Louise is such a beautiful, emotional, inspiring one. Linda writes in such a way that makes you feel like you're living along side these characters, experiencing and feeling everything they are. Perfect sequel! My only issue is having to wait for the next book! But I'll try my best to be patient ;)
Profile Image for Melissa.
121 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2016
*Received an ARC for a fair and honest review*

In 'The Bold Venture,' we find ourselves back with Louise and Vic as they work toward a life together in 1940s Louisville, KY. While The Cherished Memories series starts with 'Once in Awhile' during the 1937 flood, the series spans several decades.

Their timeless romance is the focus of the story, and while engaging, I'm always most impressed by author Linda Ellen's well-researched devotion to the history. It's as much a love story to a bygone era as it is to her parents, (whose life story inspired the trilogy), and it reads with palpable and loving detail.
Profile Image for Brenda Parker.
2 reviews
September 13, 2015
Great book set in my hometown!!

I chose a 5 star rating because it was one of those books that was too good to put down! Being from Louisville, KY myself, I am familiar with so many places that it took me back to my childhood in the 50s and 60s. Fountain Ferry Park was my favorite place to go!! But the most appealing part of the book were the main characters, Vic and Louise. They're story was so real I felt that I was right there with them. Can't wait to read Book 3!!
Profile Image for caroljordan.
191 reviews
January 12, 2017
I gave The Bold Adventure five stars. .

The start of World War was a starry time in the U.S. but everyone pulled together. Hopefully we learned our lessons well and this will not be repeated. Great book.
54 reviews
February 9, 2017
Page Turner

I sure enjoyed this story.Such a great story line. This was so interesting, learning about the past in this story from Thank you.
10 reviews
September 4, 2019
Fantastic

Her books are not easy to lay down once you start reading you want to continue until you find out the end.
Profile Image for DJ.
Author 1 book34 followers
November 3, 2017

This is the second book in Linda Ellen’s series about how her parents met.

Where book one left off, book two picks up… with the story of Vic and Louise.

Vic does everything he can to make Louise happy. Even so, they have more than their share of difficulties to overcome. I’d love to tell you more, but it would ruin the story for you–and I can’t do that. So I’ll leave it for you to read it for yourself.

Pick up a copy of The Bold Venture today!

Happy Reading!
2 reviews
August 24, 2019
Bold Venture

Good story about true love and family struggling in real life can't wait to continue reading more about this families adventure.
Profile Image for Audrey.
5 reviews
September 5, 2015
Once more, Linda has produced a novel very much like a gourmet treat, which I savored. Each emotion brought up by the many twists and turns of the plot, the good, hearty laughs and the tears from the perfect blend of comedy and poignant moments.
I fell in love with Vic all over again, and the love he shares with Louise took my breath away more than once, with Linda's talent for bringing to life both the electricity and the sweetness between her protagonists. And let's not forget all those things I learned about the American way of life of that time; I mean, the everyday life of ordinary people, very well documented and much more interesting and entertaining than the cliched characters and situations I come across far too often in contemporary literature.
So Kudos, Madame ;)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews