Book Review: Cross the Ocean by Holly Bush

Hi all,

I love novels by author Holly Bush. She writes some of the best historical romances I've ever read. If you haven't read a novel by Ms. Bush, please pick one up. You will not be disappointed. Having said that, you won't be surprised that I have given Ms. Bush's latest novel, Cross the Ocean a five star review. Here is more about her lovely novel and my review.

 

Cross the Ocean

Holly Bush

 

Book Description:

1871 . . . The very proud Duke of Wexford was about to have his orderly world blown apart. At the age of twenty-four, Blake Sanders had wed a beautiful, dutiful wife and she had borne him three children. But now as mid-life approached, the Duchess had the unheard of temerity to leave him! Too mortified by her behavior to mix in ton company, Blake sought companionship with his best friend and neighbor, Anthony Burroughs, and his wife Elizabeth. But Blake had forgotten the Burrough’s were entertaining a houseguest, Elizabeth’s distant cousin, a spinsterish ‘Amazon from America’.

Gertrude Finch, a champion for women’s rights, had long ago decided most men were useless other than Uncle Fred who’d raised her on his horse ranch near Chicago. While traveling with other Suffragists, Gert lectured women on the perils of passion and the value of independence but thought of neither when Blake kissed her. While opposite in nearly every way, other than an attraction neither could deny, their one night of passion would change her world, and send Gert scurrying her way back home across the ocean.

When Blake discovered his heir had stowed away on Gert’s ship, he set out on his own adventure to America, to bring the boy home and to see Gert once again. Traversing America’s vast wilderness, Blake discovered that Gert had changed his life. Whether riding the rails or meeting common folk, Blake saw a whole new way of living but most of all, he realized something about love. He found he was not immune, and his heart could love, and love deeply.

 

Buy on Amazon Kindle - $3.99

 

My 5 Star Review:

When you read a novel by Holly Bush, you are swept back in time and immersed in the lives of the vividly written characters from the start. The time period, as well as the people, come alive and allow your imagination to conjure up each scene as if you are watching a movie. This is true of all Ms. Bush's novels, and especially of her latest novel, Cross the Ocean.

In 1871, two very different people meet and clash, yet cannot deny their attraction to each other. Brit Blake Sanders, The Duke of Wexford, meets American Gertrude Finch, and is immediately annoyed by the loud mouth, American Amazon woman. Gertrude, a woman raised on a ranch and a proponent for women's rights, finds Sanders to be an arrogant and pompous Englishman with no goal in life other than to be waited on. Yet, even as they argue, they find they are drawn to each other. Gertrude does, however, adore Sanders' children and is especially close to his oldest daughter. When circumstances become complicated, Gertrude goes home to America, and soon Blake finds himself crossing an ocean to find her.

Cross the Ocean is a beautifully written tale of love when opposites attract. The characters are realistic and well-developed and you find yourself falling in love with each and every one of them. I have to say, I've read all of Ms. Bush's novels and this one is my favorite. Gertrude and Blake are characters you won't soon forget. This novel is historical romance at its finest!

 

About the Author:

 

Holly Bush was born in western Pennsylvania to two avid readers. There was not a room in her home that did not hold a full bookcase. She worked in the hospitality industry, owning a restaurant for twenty years and recently worked as the sales and marketing director in the hospitality/tourism industry and is credited with building traffic to capacity for a local farm tour, bringing guests from twenty-two states, booked two years out. Holly has been a marketing consultant to start-up businesses and has done public speaking on the subject.

Holly has been writing all of her life and is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, particularly political and historical works. She has written five romance novels, all set in the U.S. West in the mid 1800's. Holly has also completed a women's fiction novel and is currently writing a second. She frequently attends writing conferences, and has always been a member of a writer's group.

Holly is a gardener, a news junkie, was a member of her local library board for years and loves to spend time near the ocean. She is the proud mother of two daughters and the wife of a man more than a few years her junior.

Connect with Holly on:

Website: Holly Bush Books

Twitter: @HollyBushBooks

Facebook: Holly Bush

Goodreads



Be sure to read my reviews of Holly Bush's other novels:

Train Station Bride

Romancing Olive

Reconstructing Jackson

I hope you'll pick up one or more of Holly's books and enjoy an escape into the romance of the past!

Cheers,
Deanna