Seeking Fortune: A Regency Inspirational Romance

Seeking Series, Book 1

By: Josie Riviera

Narrated by: Allyson Voller

Seeking Fortune is an emotionally gripping regency inspirational romance set in England.

Losing his wife and daughter to influenza shook James Colchester's faith in God. As another epidemic threatens, he's torn between what's best for his fragile son: fleeing to his Welsh homeland, or staying put. In a moment of weakness, the black-haired, green-eyed Gypsy's delicate touch on his palm quells his fears, and her beauty ignites a warmth he hasn't felt in years.

Desperate to return to her people, Valentina Rupa goes against every lesson her mother taught her to soothe the Englishman into a false sense of security. But as James's quiet faith sparks a hunger to know it for herself, she realizes she's made an unforgivable mistake. One that could rob James of his most precious gift - and destroy their chance for lifelong love.

©2017 Josie Riviera (P)2018 Josie Riviera

Strong true Love

The story was very interesting but I didn’t enjoy the narrator’s accent. I liked the Christian aspect of it. Interesting,clean story.

Two Cultures Collide 4 individuals impacted

Seeking Fortune: A Regency Inspirational Romance by Josie Riviera is one of my favorites from the Seeking series. I have received the audible complementary to enjoy and this review is my honest thoughts on Seeking Fortune book. Seeking Fortune is a story of two cultures that collide an English man James Colchester with a young son and servants and two Romany sisters(Valentina Rupa and her ill sister) who are seeking a physician, but as the sister get closer to English lands men confront the Romany women and by the end the women are brought to the house and separated from each other. Valentina does what she can to get to her sick sister and determine to get back to her tribe. James recognized Valentina’s green eye as one of the future tellers from the Romany camps that years ago his wife had her palm read and Valentina warn of danger to their daughter, which tragically happen where he lost his daughter and his wife later due to illness. James is focused on do what ever it takes to ensure that his son stays safe and healthy but had been struggling with his faith in God as of lately. While Valentina waits for her sister to get better she has encounters with James and relying on her up bringing of mistrust of the English does what she thinks is right and what James wants, but as she spends more time with James, learns his heart and his faith she realizes that she made a terrible mistake that she fears when he finds out that he would never forgive her. Valentina tires several times to tell him and when she finally does her worst fear comes true and James sends Valentina and her sister away when both of the sister are strong enough to go to London and then to Scotland to ensure they avoid the influenza that is going around while he takes his son and servants to his Welsh homeland. Will James forgive Valentina and if so, will he forgive her in time?

Fascinating Regency Romance

James, stubborn to a fault and unforgiving, Valentina, desperate and knowing she’s done the unforgivable. Seeking Fortune is their story. Beautifully written with eloquent smooth flowing dialogue, sprinkled with authentic Romney phrases and sayings their story is angsty and engrossing. I really felt as if I learned a lot about this time in history from this well researched story and I throughly enjoyed the journey! The narration that brought the story to life was fabulous. This one was a five star listen!

Overcoming Cultural Differences

James and Valentina were worlds apart and both worlds would keep them apart. When they fell for one another their love had to be strong enough to overcome culture and opposition. This is a sweet romance and the overcoming of the cultureral issues is skillfully addressed by the author. An interesting and entertaining read.

The narration was good and helped the characters to reality.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Overcoming barriers

This is a sweet story of overcoming different types of barriers that we often place in our own way and hinder what could prove to be valuable relationships. It is also a lesson in seeing others as God would see them rather than how society judges.
The narrator did a wonderful job of differentiating the characters with their own unique voice and characteristics.

I loved listening to this

The narrator, Allyson Voller, is great. Josie Rivera writes stories that are wonderful, sweet, and informative.😃
There's a recipe for roasted hedgehog!

A story about love, redemption and faith.

This is a good story about love, redemption and faith. It also shows how the people were prejudiced against the Gypsy people and how the influenza epidemic affected everyone. Valentina just lost her mother, her sister is sick and they have to get help. When they are confronted by some locals, Valentina's sister is hurt and the local gentry takes them in and helps them. Valentina is untrusting of Englishmen and so she doesn't disclose everything that James needs to know. As Valentina gets to know James, she realizes that she must tell him the truth, but how can she do that after waiting so long. James has been nothing but kind and is teaching Valentina about faith and love. Will he ever forgive her when he finds out the truth?

Captivating!

Seeking Fortune is a wonderful story that brings together a beautiful Gypsy woman and a proud English Officer who don't know how to handle the love that simmers between them. James Colchester has just returned from another senseless battle in the name of King George and fought in Spain. He has some time to spend with his son and he'll take every second of it. Jeremy had a twin sister who recently died and he is deaf, but that doesn't stop Jeremy from enjoying his life. Two of his men come riding in with two gypsy women who are hurt, and it turns out that they are Valentina and Yolanda Rupa, two Roma women who just lost their mother and are now planning the Roma ritual for her burial. Before they do anything more, Yolanda falls and both her head and arm hurt, and fortunately two of James' men find them and bring them to his home. James is immediately attracted to Valentina with her wild essence and beautiful eyes, but he knows it would be quite difficult to be involved with a Gypsy. Prejudice was still rampant and hostilities were always around. The characters are amazing, the premise is unique and fulfilling, but it was hard for me to be all in with James; in fact, he really disappointed me. Valentina had the gift of reading palms and telling the future and, after she did a reading for James, she kept some important information from him. She held onto the secret for too long and he felt betrayed when the lie of omission was unearthed. Being angry and hurt is one thing, but total revulsion and a desire for revenge is another and he reacted like a child. I take that back, Jeremy was undoubtedly more mature than his father. Yes, it bothered me and the ending was so rushed that their HEA felt more like a HFN. The narration was nicely done by Allyson Voller. Her voice, intonation and pace were excellent but there were some mispronunciations that were rather off-putting. Romany is Roman-y, not Romney. It is used at the beginning of each chapter and multiple times when describing the Roma gypsies. Mispronouncing a word doesn't normally concern me, but if it's a continuing issue it takes me out of the story. That being said, I really loved the book and am glad that it's part of a series so I can continue on in this world. 

Excellent

A gripping story of a father and having a son that needs help, he leaves England for Wales. Uncertain and the fears are felt. A woman’s touch calms him. She did more that she was suppose to. A plot that shows the hard life, deciison and what one mist do in hardships. Well done and narration was excellent given Audio for my voluntary review

Good read

I’ve read a few other books by this author and enjoy the different setting and people groups. The only thing I might mention is that some of the kissing scenes get almost out of control. I know some won’t appreciated the details given although it didn’t bother me.