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    Unrivaled: a novel
    Unavailable
    Unrivaled: a novel
    Unavailable
    Unrivaled: a novel
    Ebook411 pages6 hours

    Unrivaled: a novel

    By Siri Mitchell

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Three-Time Christy Finalist Pens Another Winning Historical Romance

    Lucy Kendall always assumed she'd help her father in his candy-making business, creating recipes and aiding him in their shared passion. But after a year traveling in Europe, Lucy returns to 1910 St. Louis to find her father unwell and her mother planning to sell the struggling candy company. Determined to help, Lucy vows to create a candy that will reverse their fortunes.

    St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateMar 1, 2013
    ISBN9781441261045
    Unavailable
    Unrivaled: a novel
    Author

    Siri Mitchell

    Siri Mitchell is the author of 16 novels. She has also written 2 novels under the pseudonym of Iris Anthony. She graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and has worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she lived all over the world, including Paris and Tokyo. Visit her online at sirimitchell.com; Facebook: SiriMitchell; or Twitter: @SiriMitchell.

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    Reviews for Unrivaled

    3.5/5

    28 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Sometimes things have to get worse before life can get better. Charlie Clarke and Lucy Kendall are both at low points in their lives. Charlie finds himself behind bars for another man's crime and reluctantly agrees to work for his father as a way of creating a new start. Lucy returns from Europe to find her father gravely ill and his candy business, City Confectionery, near closure. Determined to create a new candy that will trump Royal Taffy, the candy recipe that was stolen from her father by the owner of Standard Manufacturing, Lucy's endeavors put her directly at odds with Charlie, the new promotions manager at Standard Manufacturing and son of the recipe thief. Any attraction and relationship between two people from such opposing stances seems impossible; yet, Lucy and Charlie find themselves drawn to each other over and over again. Read more in Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell.I enjoyed reading Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell. The chapters alternated between Lucy's and Charlie's points-of-view (pov) and, contrary to my expectation, Charlie's pov was actually my favorite. Lucy's immaturity was annoying at times – Charlie probably thought the same thing about her quite often – but the character growth that she experienced soothed the irritation. The story line was intriguing and I liked reading about the actual candy-making process. I'm not sure if there is a sequel planned, but I did feel like there were a few open ends that weren't fully resolved. In spite of that, I found the ending to be a sweet treat and I do recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, sweet romance.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 3/5
      As a reader that enjoys Siri Mitchell I absolutely loved She Walks in Beauty and liked Love's Pursuit and A Constant Heart with kinda a love/hate relationship (see those reviews to see what I mean...). I was really excited about the prospect of Early American, 1910 St. Louis, Missouri read with the dresses and full suits all filled with a prop set of candy making to go along with the story. That's not exactly what I found in this book. It didn't feel like Siri Mitchell to me. I liked it, but the depth that I normally find and was expecting was just not there. Then also some things seemed to jump and change with a lot of missing bits, at least that's how it felt. Overall I was disappointed in this read, but wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book from this author in the future or some in the backlist that I've missed. Oh, and it would have been neat to have had a taffy recipe at the end of the book... I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
    • 4/5
      This was a "sweet" story. I really liked the 2 main characters and I found it funny at times of upset Lucy would get over things. I had to stop and remember the time frame for when this took place. The author did a great job at making me hungry through the whole book at want to eat candy. She also did a great job of making me feel like I was there with Lucy and going through what she went through. I liked Charlie from the start and at the end of the book I liked him even more.
    • 4/5
      Loved the cover on this book and the whole story being based around making candy. It gave an interesting perspective to the candy making business and how to beat out the competition. It is the year 1910, in St. Louis, Missouri, and Lucy Kendall has just returned home from a trip abroad to find her father's candy business about to go under and his health also. She will go to battle against their biggest competitor, the man she believes stole their original recipe and made their fortune with it. But Lucy wasn't planning on Charlie Clarke, the son of the "ruthless" candy company, who is trying to put his past behind him and learn to forgive a father who left home when he was young and never kept in touch. Now Charlie has found his father, wants to help him in the business, but helping him might jeopardize any chance he might have with befriending Lucy.Lucy is a force to be reckoned with, but she also has a mother who is just as strong willed as she is. Lucy's attraction to Charlie, and visa versa, is fun to watch and I loved how the author shared the "banter" back and forth between them. It was a delightful escape to a time when things were done a little differently, and a time to enjoy the delicious idea of creating a tasty bit of sweetness.
    • 2/5
      Seems I'm the odd reviewer out of the rest on this one...
      The premise was good, but the story and characters didn't add up to good reading for me. I am not impressed with the immature protagonist and never did come to any 'liking' of her. Tantalized by the great cover, disappointed by the lack of character content. She was childish and mean, devious in her attempts to keep her father's candy company afloat, and never questioned blatantly obvious discrepancies between her mother's comments and her own understanding of their loss of the candy recipe that made another family rich... She agreed to a marriage of convenience without any depth of feeling and all emotions seemed entirely surface. No questions about her fiance's activities or where he spent his time - Waaaay too naive to keep my interest. I was constantly putting it down in frustration, then picking up later just to keep my commitment to read and review. Sorry to say it was so...


      I received Unrivaled as a review copy.
    • 3/5
      This is my first novel by Siri Mitchell. This tale takes on the candy industry at the turn of the century in St. Louis. Who knew it could be such a cut throat enterprise? It seems that candy was one of the first luxuries that was available to all classes as it was affordable and therefore the confectioners all worked to create the next "big thing" that would capture the market.Lucy Mitchell is the daughter of a dreamer; her father created the current candy favorite but has no head for business. He lost his store and recipes to a rival who is now making money hand over fist with his creation. Lucy has just returned from her Grand Tour in Europe determined to help him rebuild his business. She did, after all, taste the finest candies in the world as she traveled.Charlie Clarke is the formerly abandoned son of the current owner of Mr. Mitchell's famous Royal Taffy. His father has made the small company into a behemoth and has reunited with his son after walking out on his family many years ago. He wants his son to learn the business so he can take over some day. Charlie does not always agree with his father's tactics especially when it comes to driving his former rival out of his current small confectionery.Charlie and Lucy meet without knowing each others connection to the other and of course sparks fly. Once Lucy finds out exactly who Charlie is she vows to do all she can to get back at him and his father for ruining her father who is now very sick. How will they sort this all out?The book was an easy, enjoyable read. Charlie was the more likable character of the two main protagonists. Lucy was a bit self centered - she didn't listen to anyone around her and she really didn't change all that much throughout the book. Lucy's mother did no one any favors by being so sneaky and deceptive. But I suppose without all of the intrigue there wouldn't be a book. I just wasn't drawn into the story or the romance for that matter - it just felt a bit forced. What I did enjoy was the descriptions of the candy making and I wished there was more of that in the book.
    • 5/5
      Wednesday, March 27, 2013Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell, ©2013September 1910 ~*~ St. Louis, MissouriMiss Lucy Kendall has just returned from traveling in Europe with her aunt and uncle. The Swiss Alps, Bavaria, Athens, Munich, Florence, ballrooms of Vienna, dressmakers in Paris ~ but her treasures she has brought back are Premium European Sweets! Her father owns City Confectionery, the makers of the famed Fancy Crush; that is after he has lost his original company, Standard Candy Manufacturing, and its prime recipe for Royal Taffy.Mr. Charles Clarke recently has come through Union Station too. He is the son of the owner of Standard Manufacturing. Left by his father as a young boy, Charlie is now becoming reacquainted with the man who lives in luxury while he, his mother and sisters lived in Chicago's struggling South Side. Your past is not as important as your future. Did you know that? Can't change anything about what you've been, but you can change who you'll become. --Unrivaled, 17 At a chance meeting, Lucy and Charlie bump into each other. Literally. They continue on, never forgetting each other. They have no idea they are "competitors." She trying to come up with a new candy to save her family's failing business. He to come to the recognition of his father; to succeed. They are thrown together in "polite society." As their hearts yearn for betterment, they yearn in earnest for each other.Intricately, they try to outmaneuver each other. Yes, by now, they know their family distinctions. There were no business practices that were governed locally, as they try to outwit each other in keeping their candies before the public eye ~ or saliva-savoring candy wrapper images, that is!This is a sweet tale of trust developing, overtaking the bitter pill of competition in staying on top and in the forefront. Soul-searching and finding all they need in the One who can give life to them, individually and together. Freely receiving God's gift of grace. Not one better or worse than another; His love freely available to receive. My paraphrase of Lamentations 2:14, "It is necessary for your iniquity to be exposed, so as to release you from captivity." So true. Unrivaled.I read Unrivaled in one day. Such a good story. I liked the decision Alfred Arthur makes to stand for love. A seemingly sub-character frees others to go beyond appearances and be real. I liked reading about the homemade taffy-making in Lucy's home kitchen. When I was a little girl, the teens would come to our home and have a taffy-pull party. We saved the "Sunbeam Girl" 4-inch wrapper from the middle of the bread packaging. It was waxed on one side and just right to wrap the taffy pieces. Buttery and sticky, it was pulled until it was a light color. I sure enjoyed the melt in your mouth taffy!Siri Mitchell, author of She Walks in Beauty, A Heart Most Worthy, The MessengerProduct Details:Unrivaled by Siri MitchellPaperback: 400 pagesPublisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0764207970ISBN-13: 978-0764207976Back Cover: Falling in Love could be a recipe for disaster ~Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager--a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin. Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for sending me a copy of Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell to review in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
    • 4/5
      Just like major food companies have their recipes patented, and under lock and key. This story deals with candy. Yum!Their are two main characters here and the story is told from each perspective. Lucy Kendell begins with a return home from touring Europe, and Charlie Clarke's begin with his being released from jail. Because of the bad crowd Charlie is being sent to live with his father, who abandoned the family when he was seven.The year is 1910 and both now live in St. Louis, and both are beginning their adult lives in Candy. Charles father owns the biggest factory to make candy in St. Louis, Standard Manufacturing. Lucy's father used to own Charles' Dad's factory, but lost it, along with his recipe for Royal Taffy. He now own a small confectionery store, but is unable to work as he has had a heart attack.Lucy is devastated that no one let her know about her Dad's condition while she was in Europe. She has all kinds of schemes that she has planned. in mind to help her Dad. She blames her Mother for her Father's problems.Charles has bitter families about his Father. Can see why he feels like that, a little Child with the responsibility of taking care of a family.Will either of these two be able to find forgiveness, will they be able to accept the Lord's Grace. We hope that they will find some peace.A real page turner of a story, and some of the things that happen you won't have seen coming!!I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Group, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      For someone who does not like candy (shh, only my family knows) this novel was still great. And yes, it is about candy, but it's also about relationships between couples, families, business rivals, about business practices in St. Louis in 1910 and so much more. History comes alive through Siri Mitchell's writing. The process of candy making is described in such terms that you can almost taste the caramel, and grieve with the practice of child labor and unsafe methods in the factories. Although the writing is in the first person point of view from both the hero and heroine, it is not difficult to follow if you remember whose chapter you are reading.This one also had me looking at myself. What lengths would I go to to save my family from ruin? Really, as one of Lucy's friends mentions in the novel, we are really all the same, even as we intensely argue that we are not. I might be quietly horrified at some of the things that others say and do, but looking at myself, am I actually that far from thinking the same things that caused them to act or verbalize their thoughts? So, though I found this a delightful and yes, sweet novel, I also had a difficult time with the direction my mind took me. Thank you to Bethany House and Litfuse Publicity for this book, which I received free for the purpose of writing an honest review. A postive critique was not required. The opinions stated are my own.
    • 4/5
      Sometimes things have to get worse before life can get better. Charlie Clarke and Lucy Kendall are both at low points in their lives. Charlie finds himself behind bars for another man's crime and reluctantly agrees to work for his father as a way of creating a new start. Lucy returns from Europe to find her father gravely ill and his candy business, City Confectionery, near closure. Determined to create a new candy that will trump Royal Taffy, the candy recipe that was stolen from her father by the owner of Standard Manufacturing, Lucy's endeavors put her directly at odds with Charlie, the new promotions manager at Standard Manufacturing and son of the recipe thief. Any attraction and relationship between two people from such opposing stances seems impossible; yet, Lucy and Charlie find themselves drawn to each other over and over again. Read more in Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell.I enjoyed reading Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell. The chapters alternated between Lucy's and Charlie's points-of-view (pov) and, contrary to my expectation, Charlie's pov was actually my favorite. Lucy's immaturity was annoying at times ? Charlie probably thought the same thing about her quite often ? but the character growth that she experienced soothed the irritation. The story line was intriguing and I liked reading about the actual candy-making process. I'm not sure if there is a sequel planned, but I did feel like there were a few open ends that weren't fully resolved. In spite of that, I found the ending to be a sweet treat and I do recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, sweet romance.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission?s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 4/5
      Siri Mitchell consistently creates well-researched and beautifully told historical novels. Unrivaled is another winner from this talented author. If you like historically accurate books with realistic characters and a story like no other, then you need to check out this book. The romance is a sweet addition too!The world of St. Louis in the early 1900s comes to life in Unrivaled. There is so much change occuring — new modes of transportation and innovation in manufacturing. Yet some things need never change, like faith and love and family. Told from the first person perspective of the two main characters, Unrivaled explores the world of candy making and the sometimes shady business practices of the day. It is also a wonderful and sometimes humorous love story between two endearingly flawed characters. Charlie and Lucy have grown up in two very different worlds, yet have the same insecurity — not knowing just where they fit in among high society, business and their families. They also have a faulty perception of God and their standing with Him. And although candy is the subject at hand, their is nothing fluffy or insubstantial in Mitchell’s message.For the history buff, Mitchell’s afterword sheds a lot of light on what is fiction and what is factual in Unrivaled — a not to be missed part of this book. I am always amazed at how much research goes into the writing of historical fiction, and Mitchell is a pro!Recommended.(Thanks to Bethany House for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 3/5
      Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell is a sweet tale of confections and romance.Having just returned from a tour of Europe, Lucy Kendall is intent on saving her family’s candy company–a determination that takes her into the test kitchen and results in more than a few underhanded actions. Meanwhile Charlie is trying to get his life together and get to know the one person he has always yearned for–his father.I have been a long-time fan of Siri Mitchell’s, but my favorite of her books are the contemporary novels (such as Kissing Adrien and The Cubicle Next Door). I have tried a few of her historical novels over the years and I’ve largely been disappointed–they aren’t particularly bad, just average. And I know Siri Mitchell can be so much more than average. But this novel looked cute and sweet so I gave it a try.It was just that–cute and sweet. Although the plot wasn’t exactly riveting and the characters not entirely intriguing, it was a simple story of romance and forgiveness.Mitchell tackled one theme that I think resonates with most people–past regrets, past actions, past decisions. Lucy struggles to reconcile the girl she remembers being and the one that she is realizing she was. As she matures her own selfishness and, at times, meanness become more and more apparent to her. Meanwhile, Charlie is trying to outrun his own past mistakes and criminal lifestyle. Both learn about forgiveness and the Lord’s great mercy.Perhaps the strongest character in the book was the setting itself–St. Louis in 1910. The city is bustling with activity, entrepreneurship, courtship, and automobiles. And, of course, there’s Lucy’s recent trip to “the continent” to consider and the candy industry to learn about. The slice of history presented by Mitchell is simply charming.I wish this story had gone a little deeper, a little more real, but for what it is, it’s not a bad way to pass an hour or two.I received a complimentary copy of Unrivaled from Bethany House Publishers, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.