Stolen

By Sheila Dalton

Devon, England, 1633: Lizbet Warren’s parents are captured by Barbary Corsairs and carried off to the slave markets in Morocco. Desperate to help them, Lizbet sets out for London with Elinor from the Workhouse of Abandoned and Unwanted Children, the only other survivor of the raid. The unlikely pair are soon separated, and Lizbet is arrested for vagrancy. Rescued from a public whipping by a mysterious French privateer, she is taken to his Manor House in Dorchester, where he keeps her under lock and key. Later, Lizbet is captured at sea by the pirate Gentleman Jake, and forced to join his crew. Her quest leads her to the fabled courts and harems of Morocco and the tropical paradise of Barbados.Rich in historical detail and based on true events, Stolen is the story of a brave but very human young woman who perseveres in the face of incredible odds to establish her place in a new world.

From the author of The Girl in the Box, a Giller People’s Choice Top Ten.

“The characters are well developed and the story is utterly and completely anchored in truth.” - Jeanne Bannon, author of Invisible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheila Dalton
• Release date: Feb 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311553508

Sheila Dalton

Sheila Dalton has published novels and poetry for adults, and picture books for children. Her YA mystery, Trial by Fire, published by Napoleon Press, was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award. Her literary mystery, The Girl in the Box, published by Dundurn Press, reached the semi-finals in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, and was voted a Giller People’s Choice Top Ten.  Stolen is her first book of historical fiction.

Reviews for Stolen

[heyitsashley143 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was very good. The author knew what she was talking about. I sometimes did get lost and wasn't exactly sure of what was happening. Things in the book were left 'unanswered' in the end and I really wanted to know some of that stuff. Good story and plot. Great characters, just wish I had more physical traits so I could imagine what they look like. Overall very well-written and great read.

[sheiladalton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am the author of this book. It seems egotistical to give it 5 stars, but I would like to say a little about it here, and I can't ignore the star rating. As it took me two years to write, and much research, and is dedicated to my husband who died while I was writing it, I didn't want to downgrade it.The book is the result of trips to Morocco and Devon, England. In Morocco, I saw the underground taverns where the Christian slaves were kept chained to the walls, to be brought out into the heat of the North African sun to work on the mosques and palaces of Meknes. In Devon, a friend showed me the caves and coves where British pirates were so active during the 17th century.Eventually, a story was born - Lizbe Warren, nineteen years old, comes home to find her parents carried off to the slave markets of Morocco by Barbary Corsairs. What happens to her afterwards - as she struggles to survive in a hostile environment - forms the bulk of the novel.

[robynelee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent historical fiction with just enough romance and adventure to entertain all readers. Even though I teach history, I did not know much about the "Christian slaves" off the Barbary Coast. So this novel was informative as well as intriguing. Very well written and hard to put down, I'm so glad I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely read the author's other books.

[carriepalmer-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is okay, but don't expect complete historical accuracy. While many of the big things are accurate, small inaccuracies slip through the cracks. Both French and English dressed children the same as adults until the late 18th century, English children didn't go to boarding school enmass until the early-to-mid 19th century, and someone of Lizbet's class wouldn't have see too many paints especially from other countries. Otherwise an interesting story.

[bibliobeck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Set in 17th century Britain, this is the tale of Lizbet, a village girl from the fishing town of Teignmouth. Sent to get new boots by her mother, Lizbet returns to find the village decimated and the townsfolk, including her beloved parents. gone. She sets off to London with Elinor, a girl from the workhouse who had hidden out whilst the pirates attacked. Together, they brave the streets of London , where they risk jail and flogging for being vagrants. They stumble into a store belonging to an eccentric and kindly Frenchman who takes a special liking to Lizbet. Under his patronage she lives a privileged but solitary life under strict instructions never to leave her new home. After winning his trust, Lizbet yearning for the sea again persuades him to take her to sea on his ship. Here they are attacked by pirates and Lizbet is given the traditional pirate ultimatum – join us or die.Having already really enjoyed ‘The Girl in the Box’ by Sheila Dalton, I was really looking forward to reading this new book and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s Dalton’s meticulous research that I enjoy so much. I live in the West Country where much of the book is set and although I’m very familiar with tales of smugglers, I frankly had no idea about its piratical history in terms of the slave trade. Like most bookworms I love a good read, but enjoy it so much more if I learn something new along the way, and Dalton knows how to satisfy both criteria. I thoroughly enjoyed this swashbuckling tale and I loved how Lizbet’s character developed. She goes from quiet village girl to female pirate of the high seas, without ever losing her feminine touch. A highly recommended read.

[pmaurer_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At last! A novel about pirates with a believable background and credible characters. Set in the early 1600's, this is a tale about Lizbet and two men who influence her life. When her parents are kidnapped and taken to sea, Lizbet meets up with Elinor, a young girl from the workhouse, the first of the interesting characters introduced in the book. Finding their way to London, Lizbet is rescued by Jean Vallee, a man with a mysterious past. Later in the story, Lizbet finds herself at sea, controlled by the second male character in the novel, Captain Jake. Jake is also interested in discovering information from Lizbet about Jean. Part history, part adventure, part romance, this is a book worth reading. I received this ebook from the author as a part of LibraryThing’s Member giveaway, and I will be watching for more books from this author.

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stolen parents, stolen futures, stolen lives…all are found in this book set in the 1600’s. There are pirates of various nationalities, slaves of various colors and women who find themselves in situations they never would have expected had their lives unfolded as they thought they would. In the beginning of the book Lizbet’s life takes a major turn that leads her in a completely different direction than she had once expected. Her quest to locate her stolen parents is aided by a benefactor and later by a pirate. Women pirates were not frequent but they did occur in history and Lizbet becomes one in this book. The book is well written, fast paced and interesting. I can see how Lizbet became who and what she did due to the events presented in the writing of her story. Thank you to LibraryThing for the copy of this book to review