The story of Benoît, Joan, Joseph, François, and Marie Claire transcends even the swashbuckle and adventure the reader experiences… The prologue pulled me in with imagery and appeal to my five senses. Then, the father-child bond touched the heart. The “real time” links between Benoît’s circumstances and Joan’s prayers touch the spiritual life of us all.

The hidden treasure was a necessary element. This story begs for a hidden treasure. How could it be a high seas adventure without it? The hiding place was far, far more fun and “cooler” than if buried on some island. The unpredictable was fun and interesting… I am 67 years old now. I would have loved this book as a boy. However, even at 67 years old, that same boy in me was awakened.

I am now deep into reading Morning Star – at the very engaging battle with the pirates! [The author has] a very expressive writing style that I have enjoyed immensely. “Birds chirped, their tunes reaching even the most remote sections of forest, field, and seaside” is a favorite that I find myself repeating, but there are so many. It was fun to read about the jeweler M. Moissan because my great, great grandfather was a bijoutier in Paris in the 1820’s.