Beloved Castaway

Kathleen Y'Barbo has done an amazing job of taking the reader from New Orleans to the Florida Keys in an exciting journey on the open seas. Although, I typically don't read historicals, I was immediately drawn into the story and loved the characters. Ms. Y'Barbo has created richly drawn characters who make you turn pages to see what will happen next! Highly recommend this read.

In her recently released novel Beloved Castaway, author Kathleen Y'Barbo offers readers a timeless story of love, intrigue, action and new-found faith on the high seas. I found myself caught up in the lives of the characters and swept away by the romantic elements. More than anything, I loved the fast-paced plot, which kept me riveted. (By the way, I read this novel in the tub and found myself wrinkled and pruned beyond recognition upon its completion.) Five stars for this great new story from one of my favorite authors!

Now this is my kind of historical fiction book! The romance in Beloved Castaway totally rocked! And the kisses were to die for--very well written. There is nothing more exciting than a forbidden love story, and this book has it all. Even some edgy stuff. The heroine's mother was quadroon and from New Orleans and thus she was born a slave. The hero was the captain of the ship she sailed on. The way the hero treated her initially (not knowing about her heritage) made me cringe, but then things turned around. This story truly inspired me like Christian fiction should. I won't give away the storyline, but this was also a deeply spiritual book. It shows the power of living the way Christ commands us to, and the effect this way of right-living has on non-believers. And the ending has the absolute coolest twist I've ever read. But don't read the last chapter first, or you will ruin the book. You don't want to miss this treat, so don't cheat yourself out of a great experience. My last thought... The cover is pretty but also kind of dark, so it isn't one I would normally pick up in a store to read. But the story within it's pages will brighten your day, so take a chance on this one. Trust me, if you love romantic tension and some awesome Christian fiction with sizzle, this novel will definitely float your boat.

Secrets abound in this story of two lonely hearts on a voyage to freedom. Josiah Carter is willing to risk everything for his brother's sake. After spiriting the boy away from their father, whom he sees as a tyrant and a fool, he sets out as captain of the Jude. But to make it out of port with the barely-seaworthy vessel, Josiah must take on a paying passenger he knows nothing about. When the woman's promise of gold seems to be false, he struggles with the decision to help her or to save his own hide. Isabelle Gayarre couldn't change the life that she was born into, but she is determined to change her future, no matter the cost. Her half-sister, Emilie talks her into seeking refuge from those who would do her harm, and Isabelle takes passage on Captain Carter's boat. But Isabelle never dreamed she would start to have feelings for the handsome Josiah. Can Isabelle keep her past a secret, or does God intend her to reveal the one thing that could change both her life and Josiah's forever? Will Josiah confront his true feelings about God, or keep running from the Father who wants to draw him near? I had never read anything by Y'Barbo before, and now I wish I'd found this author sooner! The hero and heroine in this novel practically step off the page and into your life - they are so real. Excellent characterization and well-written dialogue, plus good use of internal dialogue that doesn't hop around between characters keeps the reader right in the action. Good pacing, adventure and a great ending are also reasons to love this book. Highly recommended!

In 1834 in New Orleans, twenty years old female Quadroon slave Isabelle Gayarre has decided to run away before she is used by her current owner. She seeks refuge in Europe because there is no safe haven for a runaway in the States. Her only hope to cross the Atlantic rests with The Jude sailing shortly. Ship's captain Josiah Carter does not want the trouble have the enticing Isabelle on board his vessel. Still he takes her when they leave New Orleans. On the journey, he begins to admire her courage and conviction; she his strength and caring. Soon they fall in love, but laws forbid a marriage between a Quadroon and a white. Will they defy the laws and public opinion for a chance at happiness together. This inspirational historical romance entertains readers from the moment that Isabelle seeks freedom by pleading her case to come on board the Jude and never slows down until the final kiss. The action is extremely high at sea, but it is the timely deep look at racial martial taboo laws and a society that enforces them that provide insight into the historical sanctuary of marriage. Harriet Klausner