The Traders, Book 1
Synopsis: Singapore in the 1860s is exotic and yet terrifying for a penniless Englishwoman, alone and vulnerable after her mother’s death. Too pretty to obtain a governess’s job, Isabella Saunders accepts an offer from a Singapore merchant to teach him English and live with his family. Two years later Bram Deagan arrives in Singapore, determined to make his fortune as a trader. Mr Lee sees a way to expand his business connections and persuades Isabella to marry Bram. Bravely, she sets sail for a new land and life. But the past casts a long shadow and together they face unexpected dangers. Will they find a way to achieve their dreams of a successful trading business?
Review: I discovered Anna Jacobs with the last volume of the Cassandra series and I was very curious to discover this new series. I was all the more happy to see that we were in the same universe and that we found at the same time the previous characters.
This time, the novel starts in Singapore where Isabella has been living with a Chinese family for years. Unfortunately, people like to spread rumours about her. So when an Irishman arrives in town to make connections and start a business in Australia, she doesn’t expect her boss, whom she loves like a father, to try and marry her. She is even more surprised when the guy in town agrees. And then, why not finally? Because Bram is very handsome and then he would take her back with him to Australia where she hopes to find the trace of her cousin. What’s more, she’s really looking forward to teaming up with him to launch his business.
I really liked that novel very much. The author really has a lot of ideas and it’s so nice to follow a historical romance in a setting like this, a setting that you don’t usually find in novels. It was a delight to follow two stories in parallel and to see the stories come together. And then, I must say that now, I’m really looking forward to seeing which characters will be featured in the next volume!
I really recommend the author’s novels. They’ll give you a change of scenery!
Sophia Rose
I love that it’s a historical set in the south seas. I’ll have to check out the earlier series and then this one.
Anne - Books of My Heart
oops I commented on the French post. Well I still like all the locations and cultures.
Melliane
lol not a problem.
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
I love the setting and it’s historical..yes please!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Ooh, Singapore! That’s a place close to my heart 🙂 So cool to see it as a setting here!
Mary Kirkland
I’m glad that you liked it.
Carole Rae
Singapore ? Fun location for a setting. Not very common