About the Book
Book: Stealing the First Mate
Author: Tabitha Bouldin
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: June 29, 2021
Sometimes, happily ever after is as elusive as a pirate’s treasure.
Darcy Riggins dove headfirst into the online dating pool and sank. Every time.
Her lifelong dream of becoming a wife and mother becomes more elusive every year. So, taking the lack of a Mr. Right in her life as a decided “No!” from God, Darcy gives up altogether.
Single and happy is not an oxymoron. Right?
Nigel Jones has loved Darcy for ages, but her father (his boss, of course) ordered him to keep his feelings to himself, thanks to a stupid mistake that Darcy (thankfully) doesn’t know about. Too bad her dad does.
Being single and content turns out to be tougher than Darcy imagined, and when she begins doubting everything she’s ever known, Nigel decides it’s time to admit his mistakes, tell the truth, and trust God for the outcome.
In this “forbidden-love-meets-friends-to-more” novel, Stealing the First Matecontinues the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.
https://amzn.to/2QMa57X
"Stealing the First Mate" by Tabitha Bouldin is the 11th book in the Independence Islands series and can be read as a standalone. I thought it seemed a little longer than the other books in the series. It might be because this book wasn't a sweet and short story. It dealt with unforgiveness and fear and secrets. It does have faith as part of the story and it has an happy ending.
About the Author
More from Tabitha
I love the friends-to-something-more trope. There’s something invigorating about the challenges of stepping into a different kind of relationship with someone you already know and trust. The risk of losing the friendship if things go badly comes to the forefront and each character has to decide if they’ll take the risk or keep things as they are.
For Nigel and Darcy, there’s the added difficulty of Nigel’s unrequited love. They’ve been best friends forever, and he’s loved Darcy all that time. And she’s clueless! How does that happen?
I wish I could say this story came from my own experience, but that isn’t the case. While my husband and I knew each other for several years before we started dating, we were hardly friends. High school social circles are brutal things. Plus, he had a crush on my cousin, and I was dating someone else.
But it all worked out.
And we’re best friends now.
When it came time to write Stealing the First Mate, I knew Nigel and Darcy were friends. It wasn’t until I worked my way through the first chapter that the depth of their relationship started to emerge, and I realized they were best friends. Darcy runs to Nigel for advise (even dating advise, which became really awkward for Nigel).
Darcy has been looking for Mr. Right so long she can’t see the truth staring back at her in Nigel’s eyes.
Writing their story is one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in writing.
Blog Stops
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 14
Life, Love, Writing, June 14
lakesidelivingsite, June 15
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 15
The Sacred Line, June 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 16
Blossoms and Blessings, June 16
Texas Book-aholic, June 17
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 17 (Author Interview)
Inklings and notions, June 18
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 18
Cultivating Us, June 18
deb’s Book Review, June 19
Connect in Fiction, June 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 20
Blogging With Carol, June 20
Sodbuster Living, June 20
Remembrancy, June 21
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 21
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 22
For Him and My Family, June 22
Aryn The Libraryan 📚, June 23
Lots of Helpers, June 23
Labor Not in Vain , June 23
She Lives To Read, June 24
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25
Joanne Markey, June 25
Splashes of Joy, June 26
Kayem Reads, June 26
Reflections From My Bookshelves, June 27
Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteSo, as in real life, in fiction some love stories are not all sweet and take longer to arrive at a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteThe other stories in this series have been fabulous. I hope I love this one just as much!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie!
ReplyDelete