Saints and Sailors (The Dunbridge Chronicles)

I felt as if I was connecting with old friends when I read this book.I really enjoy this entire series. This book is no exception in this regard. It is always fun to catch up with the main characters and find out where they are going for the next adventure. The setting on the cruise ship adds extra interest to the story.

I had to give this book three and a half stars though, because of the overt preachiness in some parts that went on and on. I read Christian novels and enjoy them, but their message is usually more subtle. I skimmed over the two-page sermons and the inclusion of all the verses of some popular hymns. I also would have liked to know more about what the characters did when they got off the ship, instead of paragraphs that show more read like excerpts from travel brochures. There was also the entire chapter devoted to the funeral of a character (spoiler alert!) and the cliff hanger ending. (Personal opinion here--I thought it was arrogant for the author to include herself as one of the characters, but that is just my own thought.) I will continue to read other books in the series if they appear, since I really like Neil. But I thought this one was a disappointing comedown from the others in the series. I received this book as part of Early Reviewers. show less

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from its beginning and I always look forward to the next book. That being said, this book was somewhat of a disappointment. Set on a Christian cruise and peopled with its passengers, this novel has too many new characters and not enough “page time” with the old ones. What made the other books so enjoyable, or perhaps I should say “who,” is the Reverend Neil Fisher and his exploits. Neil is sorely missing in much of this tale, along with his wry sense of humor. So many characters are featured in this tale, none were really developed very fully. Thoughtfully, the author provided a list of characters which proved to be very helpful because it was a bit difficult to keep everyone straight. show more Goodness, even the author herself was in this tale! Still, it was an interesting adventure, and indeed, some serious things do happen in it that advance the plot of series. But I enjoy reading about the humorous goings-on in church life, and this book could have had more of that aspect. Not the best book in the series, but certainly still very good. Hopefully, the next book will find Neil back on terra firma and dealing with his own parishioners and their complaints and problems in his own unique way. show less

I loved this continuation of the Dunbridge series. Meeting old characters again and new ones. The setting on the cruise ship enhanced the book and bought freshness as well as lots of scope for character and plot developments. I also really enjoyed thinking about the bits of liturgy and hymns. There are two small cliff hangers at the end which make you want to read the next in the series.

There are three other books in this series, but this is the first that I have read. It is interesting in that you are taking a cruise with Neil’s old parish on the cruise together, they begin the journey as strangers, but become friends.
I love the descriptions of the places we traveled and some historical information, it was so interesting. I loved the humor presented here, and would have loved to be on this cruise, or maybe a fly on the wall.
With a Christian cruise things should be smooth sailing with like minds aboard, right! I loved how the ladies came to the aid of one of their own when her husband was abusing her with snide remarks, and they tell her all of her confidence has been knocked out of her by her husband, enjoyed how show more they helped her.
We visit beautifully described places and learn a lot about the history of the area, I love history and this about places I’ve never heard of and oh so interesting.
Sign me up for the next one of these cruises, I really want to go, and they really do exist!
I received this book through Kregel Blogger Tours, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

This is a story of love; love of family, friends, music, mankind, The Word, one's Creator and His creation. It is the fifth book in author Pam Rhodes' The Dunbridge Chronicles series. Each installment in this delightful series is even better than the last. Ms. Rhodes deftly navigates the compass of human behavior and emotion through her well developed characters. She affirms the goodness within and tenderly portrays forgiveness and redemption. This is a slice of parish life on holiday - the good, the bad and sometimes not too pretty. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first in the series which incorporates active non-fictional characters into the story line - an interesting addition. Well done Ms. Rhodes!

I am grateful to Lion show more Hudson/Kregel Publications and LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review, the words of which are mine alone. show less

This was my first book to read by Pam Rhodes. I have a mixed review. The story centers around an Anglican priest who joins his previous and new church members on a cruise that highlights historic religious locations.
I had a lot of trouble getting into parts of the story. There were far too many characters, and I had difficulty keeping them straight, even with the list of their names and descriptions at the front of the book. It was not until the middle of the book that I was able to keep them straight. Also, the accounts of the special sites they visited on their tours, did not interest me.
Don’t get me wrong, the book was well written. In spite of a very large character cast, I enjoyed the glimpses into their personal lives and show more struggles. There was a wonderfully board representation of the varied personalities people possess and how they interact or in some cases clash when put together. All of them had different reasons for taking the cruise. There was humor, sadness, personal discovery and even tragedy scattered throughout. I found it true to life and very interesting how the characters appeared one way in public, careful to hide actual problems and emotions from their fellow shipmates. I reminder that we have no clue what others are facing their private lives. I thought it was very clever of the author to cast herself as a character using her real name and doing what she does in real life!
I received this book at no charge from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. show less

I received a free copy Saints and Sailers from Kregal Publications in exchange for a review. The book is about a group of people who embark on a luxury cruise around the British Isles. The descriptions of the sights they saw, along with this history of the places they visited, were captivating. I could almost see the sights from the written descriptions. There was also a chance to 'meet' the people who were traveling, and to learn about their lives and the real-life issues they were facing. Those issues included dementia, loneliness, pregnancy, death, and relationships. The author even dealt with homosexuality in a thoughtful, non-judgmental way. Overall, though I found the book interesting, I thought it was too heavy with religious show more overtones. show less