The Captain's Quest

The Leeward Islands #4

by Lorri Dudley

Innocent mistakes can have dire consequences.

Pricilla Middleton only attended the Lemoore house party to keep her friend out of trouble. Now, her only chance to keep from becoming a gossip column headline is to sneak aboard her brother's ship and pretend she'd been visiting him instead of taking part in the debacle. Before she can speak to her brother, the ship sets sail, and the man in charge is not at all who she expects.

Captain Tobias Prescott, son of an infamous war hero, has been assigned on a critical mission to deploy warships in St. Kitts for battle in New Orleans. Unfortunately, his orders require him to assume command of a friend's ship, and he must weigh anchor the instant the former captain is escorted down the gangplank. When they reach open waters, the last thing he expects is to find a woman hiding in the captain's cabin, yet his mission is too urgent to return her to England.

The Middleton name has always brought Tobias trouble, and Pricilla is no exception. As the waters clear and the temperature warms, the danger escalates too. Yet Tobias discovers the intuitive and strong woman who struggles to hide her anxiety is nothing like her disloyal brother. He may lose the opportunity to help his country, but perhaps he can still save the woman who's rescued his heart.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian, Historical Romance

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

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

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars



I feel like this is how I should begin all my reviews for books by Lorri Dudley. If you like the KissingBook levels of authors like Pepper Basham, Jody Hedlund, and Julie Lessman, then you really must read The Leeward Islands series too. The kissing scenes are perfection – the tension, the sweetness, the passion. (Am I allowed to say ‘passion’ in a review for a Christian book? Well…. I just did. LOL) All of this while maintaining a Godly respect and reverence for each other, and Tobias and Pricilla in The Captain’s Quest are no exception. Blissful sigh. Each book is just. so. good, and this book in particular had me experiencing all the feels.

Tobias and Pricilla do not exactly hit it off right away, and their journey to romance is certainly not smooth sailing. Getting to know this hero & heroine means peeling back some layers to discover unresolved trauma for both of them, and then walking with them toward healing. Dudley really puts these characters through the wringer in The Captain’s Quest and they – and the reader – are the better for it. Intrigue, danger, adventure, and unexpected detours join them from the beginning and keep us breathless until the end. The author really pulls us into the story, though I’m selfishly glad this time around that I wasn’t actually along for the ride except on the pages (because, let’s face it, I would not do well lol).

Bottom Line: The Captain’s Quest drops readers into a story fraught with tension and espionage and tropical islands… and great kisses! Dudley gives us well-defined, relatable characters that you’ll instantly care about, and you’ll be firmly invested in the outcome of their adventures and growth throughout the novel. A sweet message about trusting God’s plan is presented organically to the story and isn’t at all preachy. And the romance – here I go blissfully sighing again – it’s oh-so-delightful and perfectly crafted. The Captain’s Quest can read well as a standalone but you’ll appreciate it more if you’ve read the previous books too (particularly The Merchant’s Yield).

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed on Reading Is My SuperPower

[Kim Coenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enorm blij en enthousiast was ik toen het vierde deel van De Caribische eilandenserie op mijn deurmat belandde. Ik heb met veel plezier De ring van de suikerbaron gelezen, aan de andere delen ben ik nog niet toegekomen. De delen zijn los te lezen, omdat er een ander hoofdpersonage centraal staat, wel is er overlap in de personages. Ik ben erg benieuwd naar het verhaal van Pricilla, zeker na het vorige deel.


Pricilla Middleton besluit zich aan boord van het schip van haar broer te verstoppen om te ontvluchten van de roddelpers. Alleen dan ontdekt ze, voordat ze haar broer kan spreken, dat het schip is uitgevaren en dat de kapitein van het schip iemand anders is dan haar broer. Kapitein Tobias Prescott voert het schip en is de zoon van een beruchte oorlogsheld. Hij is op een belangrijke missie en deze kan hij niet laten dwarsbomen door een versteking. De broer van Pricilla heeft hem immers voor de nodige problemen gezorgd, hij verwacht dat Pricilla geen uitzondering is. Toch weet Pricilla hem enorm te verrassen als hij deze intuïtieve en sterke vrouw leert kennen.


Lorri Dudley heeft zo'n levendige, sfeervolle en meeslepende schrijfstijl, dat als je een van haar boeken leest, je echt met het verhaal wegdroomt en onbezonnen kan genieten. De verhalen lezen lekker vlot en fijn. Ze weet de situatie, omgeving en gebeurtenissen zo te beschrijven dat je je in het Caribische gebied waant en levendig voor je ziet. Ook de personages zijn met veel gevoel en diepgang neergezet.

In dit deel volgen we het verhaal van Pricilla, die ook al in het vorige deel vaak ter sprake kwam. Ik was erg nieuwsgierig geworden na dit personage, dus ik ben erg blij dat Lorri Dudley haar nu verder weet uit te diepen en verhaal geeft. Dit heeft ze op geweldige wijze gedaan. Deze sterke en intuïtieve vrouw is niet snel van haar stuk gebracht en durft ook haar kwetsbare kant te tonen. Ook Tobias Prescott heeft een hele andere en prachtige kant nu we hem in dit deel beter leren kennen. Ik ben echt positief verrast door de prachtige groei die beide personages gedurende het verhaal maken.

Het is sterk, hoe Lorri Dudley ook van dit vierde deel weer een compleet eigen, uniek en origineel verhaal weet te maken. Lorri Dudley weet de scheepsreis, de gebeurtenissen en de problemen die gedurende de reis ontstaan levendig en meeslepend te beschrijven. Daarbij weet ze op de juiste momenten de verhaallijn te verdiepen of juist wat meer het verhaal in zijn totaal te beschrijven. Deze wisseling houdt het verhaal levendig en natuurlijk. Er zitten mooie wendingen en gebeurtenissen in het verhaal, waaronder een aantal die ik echt niet zag aankomen. Zeker niet de plottwist aan het einde, die het verhaal nog even een verrassende wending gaf zag ik niet aankomen. Toch rond het verhaal op prachtige wijze af.

Het hart van de kapitein is een verrassend, origineel en mooi vervolg op de vorige delen van De Caribische eilanden serie. Toch is het boek ook prima losstaand te lezen. We volgen het verhaal van Pricilla een sterke in intuïtieve vrouw en kapitein Tobias die bijzonder goed zijn neergezet. Met de levendige, meeslepende en sfeervolle schrijfstijl van Lorri Dudley ga je op een prachtig meeslepend en romantisch verhaal.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a captivating novel! I loved the various settings for the story and watching both Pricilla’s growth as a character, as well as Tobias’s. They both had things to overcome and once they began working together, it was a joy to see a friendship and eventually love begin to grow between them.

The author really kept me invested in what would happen with Tobias and Pricilla, as she added multiple twists and turns in this story, along with some beautiful and intriguing situations. I truly enjoyed this novel from start to finish and even wished there was an epilogue so I could have some more time with these characters. I wasn’t ready to let them go!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone. I had no trouble picking it up and immediately immersing myself in the book. This one focuses on Captain Tobias Prescott who loves all things king and country and Priscilla Middleton. Their relationship is that love to hate trope which was fantastic! It was fun though to see these characters grow through the story. The author does an excellent job at forming well rounded characters that are believable and you can connect with.

The story itself is filled with adventure, intrigue and a but of mystery. The different settings also captivate you and keep you reading and truly get lost in the story. Overall I thought it was a good story and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Ebosereme Nwamu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following this series from book one and it has been a wonderful journey.

Amazing characters with a captivating and insightful plot.
The setting is just breathtaking. Who doesn't love an Island!
It comes with all the flair of a historical romance warming the heart endlessly.

Priscilla and Tobias have become one of my favourite fictional characters. I love how their relationship soften their rough edges and enhanced their personalities.

The lessons of faith in the book abound. Restoration, love, second chances, identity in Chirst...

Lovers of a good and relaxing story will love this book.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a bit to get into this one but I was thoroughly entertained. Tons of twists, romantic, well-written.

[Loretta Marchize · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Prose: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5

Prose:
Very engaging and well-written, but nothing special. The child featured in the story was also well written which is always refreshing to see!

Romance:
This was by far the author’s strength in this particular book! Both Pricilla and Tobias are complex and multi-faceted characters. I love their growth together and the relationship that comes out of it.

Characters:
Similar to the romance, this was a very good point of the novel! Although there were only a few characters that the novel chose to focus on, those characters did have some amazing development.

Plot:
I’m going to be entirely honest, I don’t really remember that much of the plot! The characters stood out to me much more than the plot. I did enjoy the little bit more faced-paced type of plot in this novel, and it definitely had more action than some other romances.

Overall:
This book was worth reading for the characters alone, and I highly recommend it! It has some strong Christian elements that I loved and is a great example of two people coming together.

Content:
Probably for a bit more mature audience, I think one character is pregnant (a married non-POV character), and there’s a few scenes that deal with death, blood, and injuries. The most disturbing is a previously dead body (the death happened off-screen before the characters found the woman). It’s still very lightly described, just more than a normal romance. Probably 14+

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-line “Why did I agree to this? Priscilla Leah Middleton pressed her loo mask tighter against her face.”

When I saw that we would get Priscilla’s story in the next Leeward Island series, I about jumped with excitement. Lorri Dudley has continued to impress me with each book I read by her. Her characters are genuine and how she weaves in their strong faith… I am often left in awe and with a sincere desire to be more like the characters in terms of my faith.


Priscilla and Tobias are great examples of overcoming obstacles and opening our eyes to the good things inside of people that may not always be readily apparent on the outside. I enjoyed how Lorri Dudley made both character’s struggles seem realistic and easy to envision, and I also thought that both characters had very good Arcs.


The overall story was quite entertaining, with lots of adventure, and lessons learned along the way. I loved reading it and I am looking forward to seeing what other adventures The Leeward Island takes me on. 4 out of 5 Stars.


*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. It's well written and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's a wonderful inspirational story that you don't want to miss.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the other books in this series, this book hooked me from the beginning! However, each book is a standalone. A couple characters do appear in other books but you don't need to know their story. In The Captain's Quest, I was immediately drawn into 19th century England and the political fervor of the day. Spies, war, battles and intrigue are just the tip of the iceberg! This book focuses on Captain Tobias Prescott who loves king and country above all else and is taking over a friend's ship with a specific mission to deploy ships for battle in New Orleans. Priscilla Middleton gets in trouble by attending a ball to help her friend out but now must sneak aboard her brother's ship to give herself an alibi when things go wrong. However, it's not her brothers ship anymore, it's Captain Prescott's and things go downhill from there! The two of them clash at every turn. The amazing character development between the two of them the rest of the book was exactly what I want in a historical novel. There are many twists and turns that I never saw coming. I love learning life aboard ship in the 1800's. I also loved learning about life on a deserted island! So much fascinating information and storytelling! I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

[Linda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorri develops intriguing characters that you learn to love and admire. Her book is a crescendo of adventures full of surprises. The characters are able to overcome an abundance of challenges-psychological,spiritual, physical and survival. The importance of God's being with them during these difficult times is evident. This book is a must read page turner! One you don't want to miss! Loved it!

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A storms a brewing in The Captain’s Quest. Priscilla Middleton was controlled by fear; petrified of the dark and of being alone. She was a pest to her brother, problem to her parents and basically a lost lamb. Captain Prescott held his king and country above all else like his late, distinguished father. Every woman in his life had deceived him. Captain Prescott was feared among the best of men and yet Priscilla confronted him and told him his orders were unreasonable. Get ready for some high seas and turbulent emotions. A wonderful heartwarming adventure with a colorful cast of characters and so many surprises. Like a wave that catches you off guard, but leaves you smiling when you come up for air.

[Ruth Johannides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorri sets up her characters in the first few chapters and then the real action starts on the turbulent ocean. The characters are real and have a depth to their personalities. It was interesting how other countries actually played apart in the real history of the time. I read all day as I didn't want to put the book down. 5 stars for an excellent read.

[Hsach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series! I love the female characters who are finding their strength throughout the books. They seem like real people who you could actually know. I was in a tough physical situation while I was reading this book and I caught myself thinking that I can't complain because Priscilla had it so much harder and she didn't complain. She found increasing strength with each trial she endured. I love a book that can make me a better person!

[Bonnie Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

When was the last time you thought about survival on a deserted island? Would you know what to do or how to do it? Pricilla, the feisty heroine in The Captain’s Quest, not only learns, but thrives. This fourth book in the historical Christian fiction Leeward Island series by Lorri Dudley had me so captivated that I missed my annual Oscar ceremony viewing; I could not put it down! The adventures of Pricilla and the captain, Tobias, are a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, and then, for good measure, mysterious characters appear to advance unexpected plot twists. Each is so well described, researched, and fleshed out you can picture the story as a blockbuster film. A strong-willed, handsome military man and an independent, forward-thinking woman are the ingredients for a book you’ll wish would last forever. I am looking forward to book five in the series!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and Inspiring!

Discovering a new-to-me author is always a treat because it gives me more books to add to my ever-growing to-be-read pile! Author Lorri Dudley with her latest release, The Captain’s Quest, has done just that. This book reeled me in from the very first scene with its air of mysterious intrigue and kept me hooked through various changes of scenery including Regency London, aboard a ship as well as a tropical island.

Throughout this page-turning novel the main characters, Tobias and Priscilla, grappled with personal fears, misunderstandings, misplaced expectations, regrets and incorrect assumptions. These factors, combined with faith discussions and the retelling of certain Bible stories, enabled them to see things from the other’s perspective and grow in their respective faith walks. I loved how the spiritual messages seemed such a natural part of the story.

Along with the wonderful inspirational messages to be gained from this book, there were twists and turns I did not see coming which added even more interest! Although this is the fourth book in Dudley’s Leeward Islands series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone novel and this book was so captivating, I have definite plans to read the others!

I received a free copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed here are mine alone.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

With her The Leeward Islands series, Lorri Dudley is fast becoming a go-to author for Regency romance with exotic settings. And in The Captains Quest readers get more island life than they most likely bargained for (but in the best sort of engaging way).

Pricilla Middleton may be naïve in some areas but she’s also headstrong and determined to do things her way. As the story progresses, we find out the motivation behind both of those characteristics. Captain Tobias Prescott is determined to fulfill what he sees as his duty to his country and to his late father. When Pricilla shows up on his ship, his entire life is tossed the waves of a tempest.

There are moments of sparks between Pricilla and Tobias on the ship but when they are forced to spend an extended period of time in each other’s company, they learn to appreciate the strengths in the other. Dudley incorporates some espionage, adventure, and more in The Captain’s Quest. And I’m as taken with the characters, setting, and message as much in the fourth book of the series as I was in the first.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Ochegba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not read any books by this author but heard much about her books and was curious to see what they were about. When the opportunity arose I jumped at it and wasn't disappointed.
I enjoyed Priscilla and Tobias's story. The learning process, the vulnerability and the growth throughout the story.
She's struggling to avoid shaming both herself and her family and she boards her brother's ship hoping to save her reputation and there she meets Tobias It's an interesting process for both of them and I loved seeing them grow, learn to trust God and fall in love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit for a blog tour. All opinions expressed are solely mine

[Hannah Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is maybe top 5!! I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s one of those “lost at sea” books and this is something will 100% reread!!

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could tell as soon as I started reading the book that Pricilla was going to be a great character. It takes less than a few pages for her to be in big trouble. Who knew by attending a function she would find herself compromising her family’s name? She made me laugh as she tries to figure out what to do.

The adventure starts as she boards a ship thinking her brother is in charge. To her dismay not only is her brother not in charge, but she is now on a ship with complete strangers and she has Captain Tobias Prescott to deal with. I don’t think Tobias was very happy finding a stowaway aboard his ship. Pricilla finds out how dangerous a storm at sea is when her life is in danger. The author does a great job describing the treacherous sea and the aftermath that finds Pricilla and Tobias lost at sea. I couldn’t believe his crew would not look for them. I guess the mission is more important than saving their captain.

Being on an island alone with Tobias proves to be challenging. I liked how protective Tobias is . He is definitely a gentleman and it was nice for Pricilla to share her past with him. The story shares a lesson about trust not only in others but in God. He protected them in the storm and provided food for them as they prayed to be rescued.

Being on the deserted island allowed Pricilla and Tobias to open up to each other and rely on their faith to survive. The author has a few surprises in store for readers as the story is filled with hope, rumors of treason and trusting God. I enjoyed the adventure and how strong these two characters were. Their instincts helped them overcome obstacles and the ending is well written.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorri Dudley is a new to me author. I always enjoy reading books from authors that I am just learning about. The Captain's Quest is her latest book and is Book 4 in The Leeward Islands series. The genre is Christian Historical Romance, which is another great aspect of this book as I enjoy this genre.

Pricilla Middleton attended a party with her friend and is now sneaking on the ship that her brother works on. She is about to speak to her brother, when the ship sails away from the port. She soon finds out her brother is no longer in charge of the ship. Captain Tobias Prescott is now manning the ship and when he discovers Pricilla in the Captain's quarters, he isn't all to happy. especially when he discovers she is part of the Middleton family. He also knows his mission is too focused to be able to return her to England, he must sail on. The ship comes into some dangerous times at sea and this is when Captain Tobias discovers not all the Middletons are as bad as her brother. He sees the anxiety and fear in Pricilla and strikes up a conversation with her. Will there be a spark of Romance between Tobias and Pricilla? Will Pricilla overcome her anxiety and learn to trust others?

WOW, this book is definitely a page turner! I was hooked from the very first page. The characters truly and the authors writing style make the book a very interesting read. Pricilla is a very determined woman and Tobias is a great leader. There were many parts of the book where I felt I knew what was going to happen next, OHHHH how wrong I was. The book is not predictable and I totally LOVE that! The Captain's Quest is Book 4 in the series, I have not read the other 3 books(YET), and I was not lost in reading this book. GREAT standalone book! FANTASTIC BOOK!!

[Richelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance - Clean
Language - Clean
Violence - None
Series - Book 4 (Though it really should be read following book 2 as this takes place right after and with some of the same characters) The other books in the series really could be read as a standalone, but I feel like this one and book 2 The Merchant's Yield, should be read together.
Christian Themes

I loved this book, and I absolutely love Captain Prescott. I think he and Nathaniel Winthrop from book 2 in this series are my favorites. And I will say, Lorri Dudley writes some amazing kisses. Passionate yet still sweet.

We are introduced to Pricilla and her brother Anthony in The Merchant's Yield, and I was glad to see Priscilla get her own story.

Like many young ladies of the Season, she is seeking attention, and love. Yet, in her desperation to seek being noticed, she ends up with so much more than she bargained for.

She seeks the aid of her brother, Captain Anthony Middleton, in an effort to cover her last debacle. However, unbeknownst to her, the ship that had been captained by her brother is now under a new Captain and is about to set sail for the Caribbean.

Captain Tobias Prescott's life is about to turn completely upside down when he meets Pricilla Middleton.

Neither one can seem to stand the other, yet as Captain, it is his duty to keep Miss Middleton safe.

These two eventually will have to work together and get over their dislike for one another. As they come to know each other better, they begin to see each other in a new light, and a friendship begins to form. They will have to overcome some great odds to reach their HEA.

**This is a Christian Romance, and the theme is a big part of this story**

[Donna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I think you should know:
The Captain’s Quest by Lori Dudley is a Historical Fiction, it is the fourth book in the Leeward Islands Series , however chronologically it falls third in the series taking place shortly after The Merchant’s Yield ends. The book starts in November 1814. Priscilla Middleton who was briefly in book two is featured in this story. This can be read as a standalone, however I recommend that you read at least book two prior to reading this one.

What you might need to know:
Priscilla has an extreme fear of being alone.
Maggie has been shipwrecked alone and been through horrible loss.


What I think about this book:
Dudley has hit it out of the park with this book. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better than being rescued from pirates it did! Treason, Stowaways, and deserted islands are just a tiny part of what makes this book amazing. Dudley goes beyond the bounds of the typical regency romance and leaves the ballrooms and Hyde park behind to take to the high seas. Captain Tobias Prescott feels like he needs to follow in the footsteps of his Father, who gave his life for his Country and nothing is going to stand in his way. Especially not a spoiled rich girl whose brother betrayed his country. This book had my heart going in so many directions. I was captivated by the journey and in the end the one who tugged on my heart the most was Maggie. I look forward to more of Dudley’s works.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

.

[Nyla Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Lorri Dudley serves up another offering from her Leeward Island. The Captain’s Quest is book four but maybe read as a stand alone for those who have not had the pleasure of reading the first three books yet. This is a Christian historical romance series.

This is the story of Priscilla and Tobias. It is brimming with adventure and the Christian message of God’s love. The two characters find themselves in quite the predicament. Tobias proves himself to be a man of honor and courage. The tension between the couple could almost be seen on the pages. It was easy to cheer for these two.

I have thoroughly enjoyed author Dudley’s books and her writing style. It is evident by the details she includes that she has done much research on the time and location. Her vivid descriptions whisked me away to the island and Regency London.

Her characters are well rounded and believable. Dialogue flows easily between them and sounds authentic. I was immediately engaged from the very beginning. The book begins with a lot of action and adventure. As it continues there were surprises, intrigue, mystery, and romance. I loved the timeless life and spiritual lessons.

This was a page turner for me as I could not wait to hear what was going to happen next. I loved the twists and turns that kept me guessing and on my toes. It is a book that I would highly recommend. I rated it a 4 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my own thoughts.

[Patti Whitson Stephenson She Lives to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this book. The challenge comes in writing this review so as to not give away any of the details that make this story such an adventure. The storyline is a combination of several things: mystery, intrigue, adventure, romance, and faith. I thought two or three different times that I knew where this storyline was headed, but I was wrong. There are several different twists that I did not see coming at all, and that’s what made this book such fun to read. I felt as if I were discovering something new all throughout the book.


The main character, Priscilla, begins this book as a somewhat strong-willed and impulsive character. This leads her into making a decision that will be life-altering. While I enjoyed the “adventure” aspect of this book—and there’s quite a bit of that—there’s also added depth in the development of Priscilla’s character and her journey of faith. Her constant battle with fear was real. Through the character of Priscilla, the author gives us an inspiring message that in any situation, God is always there beside us.

The romance in this one is clean and sweet which made the story even that much more enjoyable. Even though this is the fourth book in this series, you can enjoy this story on its own. The author did a good job of filling in the details needed to understand some of the characters and events in the story.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Blessed & Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Captain’s Quest by Lorri Dudley is the fourth novel in the Leeward Island series. I was delighted to get a chance to read this story as I have thoroughly enjoyed all the other books I’ve read in the series (The Sugar Baron’s Ring is waiting for me on my Kindle). The author is spectacular at painting a landscape, whether it be in England, in a broad Atlantic, or on a tropical isle. I was captivated by the surroundings of the characters (and as much in awe of island beauty as Priscilla).
And like the other novels in the series, the characters are magnificent. Priscilla’s fear of being alone, while at first seems ridiculous, draw you into her character. And while at first, you may only see her faults, it amazes me as the story unfolds, how bright and kind she is despite her fears. I loved her spiritual journey as well, and I thought it a timely lesson about God being with us when we feel most alone.
Please, don’t ask me to pick a favorite hero of Dudley’s! They are just too...everything! Masculine, commanding, handsome, gentlemen. Captain Tobias Prescott is fantastic. A demanding presence with his crew, but with a gentle heart within. I fell in love with him over and over again in this story. Swoon!
Overall, I adored this book! Any fan of Regency romance will want to sail the seas with Priscilla and Captain Prescott.
I was given a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Randi Sampson]

The Captain's Quest is the fourth book in Lorri Dudley's The Leeward Islands series, but can be read as a standalone. I personally had not read the previous books in the series, and had no problem at all understanding or enjoying the story.

The Captain's Quest seemed to be a great blend of several aspects I love in a good story. There was some comical moments, balanced with a good amount of drama, romance and some great historical fiction. It also had beautiful elements of faith that helped to make it a good story as well. Right away I found myself drawn in by Priscilla's character. She was very well written and I found myself drawn into her story. I just loved this fun idea of a strong-willed young lady sneaking aboard what she believes to be her brother's ship, only to discover he was no longer in charge. It was certainly a unique idea and one that drew me in effortlessly. The hero of the story---Captain Tobias Prescott--- was equally interesting and well written as well. While I thought based on the description it may have just been a simple RomCom, set in the 1800s, I was pleased to discover it was so much more than that.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read and one that fans of Christian historical romance are sure to want to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Captain’s Quest is the fourth book in a series though each can be read as a stand-alone title. I prefer reading as a series though.

We met Priscilla in one of the other books but didn’t learn a lot about her. In this book, she makes a bad choice and decides that her best course of action is to pretend she wasn’t there. That might be easier or harder (depending on how you look at it) because of her next actions.

When she hides on her brother’s ship she has no idea what she’s getting herself into!

Enter the captain. And no, it’s not her brother like she assumed it would be. Captain Tobias has control of this ship and he’s not turning back until his mission is complete. Even if that means having a woman on board.

This situation brings a good read. It’s full of laughter and some gasp-type moments but you’re going to love this book that reads quickly and keeps you going until the end. I’ve loved every book I’ve read in this series.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

With its feisty and often impulsive heroine and a bigger-than-life hero, The Captain’s Quest takes the reader for an exciting adventure that is filled with danger, betrayal, mystery, and romance. What could be more thrilling than being stranded on a deserted island with a handsome sea captain?

An attempt to keep her friend out of trouble backfires and leaves Priscilla in more trouble than she bargained for. Her solution to save her reputation as well as that of her family results in another problem that can’t be reversed and she finds herself on a sea voyage she did not expect.

Captain Tobias Prescott discovers that he has two surprise passengers on his ship but it is too late to turn back. Obviously he is not pleased that two women are aboard but he decides to make the best of it because he has a lot to prove to his father.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Captain’s Quest. The author’s humorous touches as well as a strong spiritual theme and character growth were the perfect blend. Excellent plot development offered unexpected twists and surprises along the way and I loved how the situations were resolved.

I love reading books by this author and look forward to her next one.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

[Becca Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Sugar Baron’s Ring, I wanted to read more by Lorri Dudley. So when I saw that she was coming out with another book, I signed up for the tour.

There were many things about The Captain’s Quest that I enjoyed, such as Priscilla’s journey of faith, her stubbornness clashing with Tobias’s need for control, and, especially, the inclusion of Priscilla’s anxiety.

My favorite sections of the novel consisted of the first few and the last few chapters. Once I was about halfway through the book, the story really slowed down and I actually found myself somewhat bored. The last couple chapters, however, really picked up speed.

I also am not a big fan of romance so that could also be part of my issue. However, I liked how natural Tobias’s and Priscilla’s relationship was. It wasn’t forced and flowed well with the plot of the book.

Overall, if you are someone who likes romance with adventure thrown in, I would recommend this novel. It was not my favorite of Dudley’s, but I do think she is a wonderful author and I hope to try another one of her books soon.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.