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 Mate continues 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.
Click here to get your copy!
In My Opinion
Friends to more is one of my favorite tropes in contemporary romance. There’s just something about a love that grows out of friendship that ensures it will last through the highs and the lows of life.
Stealing the First Mate by Tabitha Bouldin also includes the unrequited love trope because for Nigel, Darcy as anything other than his best friend is off limits.
This is a great beach read, something to take along with you to the pool, lake, or park that leaves you satisfied at the end. The pirate-themed tours add a fun element to the story, but the heart of this book lies in the friendships and faith of the likable characters.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Tabitha Bouldin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and has been writing since 2015. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, you’ll find her curled up with a book. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart.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.
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.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10d56/stealing-the-first-mate-celebration-tour-giveaway
Blog Stops
Visit the tour landing page to read more reviews and some author interview.
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads
All of the stories have been so good in this series! Im definitely reading the latest addition asap!
I’ll tell you a secret. This was the first one in the series I’ve read (but I do have a couple of the audio books on my tbr so it won’t be the last)
Thank you for the glowing review!
Congratulations on your new release. Good luck on your book tour.
The pirate ship was a really fun touch!
Suzie, Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! This series sounds like a fun read.
I haven’t read any of these Independence Island books, but they have some good authors in the collection!
The pirate-theme tours will add a dash of something fun and different.