Book Review: Ransome’s Quest

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Title: Ransome’s Quest
Author: Kaye Dacus
Publisher: Harvest House
Date: Aug 2011
ISBN: 978-0736927550
Genre: Historical Romance
Reviewed by: Patricia Woodside

Ransome’s Quest brings to an end the saga of Julia Ransome and the Witherington and Ransome families. But not before Julia, and her husband’s sister, Charlotte, are both kidnapped by pirates. One is snatched by mistake, the other for revenge. Commodore William Ransome, only recently returned to Jamaica, must set out to rescue his wife and his sister, aided by Captain Ned Cochrane, Charlotte’s secret crush.

The fantastic delivery of historical setting and detail by Dacus continues. As much as I love Kaye Dacus’s contemporary romances, her writing really sings in this historical series. Through language and carefully chosen narrative elements, Dacus plunges readers into a time when England maintained British colonies in the Caribbean, protected by its Royal Navy, and when pirates, some working for the American government as privateers, abounded.

The Ransome trilogy is best read in order, as this is a continuing story wherein loose ends from the first two novels are tied up in this third and final tale. Still, readers who have not read the previous two books will find a meaty story of romance and suspenseful escapades at sea.

Readers who have read the prior books will be pleased to find that Charlotte remains as feisty as ever and Julia as determined as ever. Commondore Ransome has his hands filled keeping up with these two ladies. In this installment, readers also learn more about the relationship between Julia and her servants, people of color who serve not as slaves but as respected employees.

Like the perfect dessert, Ransome’s Quest is a completely satisfying end to this delicious trilogy.

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