All the Tea in China

In 1814 Oxford, England, Lady Isabella Goodrich is bored with the only path a young unmarried female aristocrat can take. However, at a gala she meets Phineas Snowe of the London Missionary Society, who wants to see her famous Uncle Toby Fitzwater, Dean of Christ Church. Isabella thinks her calling is in missionary work under the tutelage of Phineas heading to China. Her family tries to persuade her she is making a terrible error, but Isabella ignores their advice and sneaks onto the vessel taking Phineas to the Far East. When he finds her on board his ship, he is shocked and plans to dump her at the next safe port. However, instead he finds himself mentoring his stowaway as they journey by sea towards China. The first Rollicking Regency inspirational romantic adventure is a terrific refreshing tale due in part to the locales and mostly the lead pairing. Whereas Phineas is an enigma to the heroine and readers, Isabella is a unique protagonist who believes missionary work to the less fortunate is her calling. Fans will appreciate the danger of such an endeavor in the early nineteenth century as many of the recipients find the White Man's burden arrogant and intrusive. Filled with twists, fabulous locations, and a romantic subplot between the two stars ALL THE TEA IN CHINA is a strong vivid historical. Harriet Klausner

Publicly slighted by her so called friends in English society in Oxford, Isabella Goodrich is so humiliated that stowing away with the livestock on a ship bound for China, is a preferred option! Phineas Snowe, the mysterious missionary Isabella hopes to join evangelising the lost, is horrified when Isabella is found, delirious, weakened and in a very odorous state. He devises a plan to protect Isabella with every intention of hoisting her off the ship at the next port. Isabella's journey is filled with intrigue, swordplay, danger and language lessons but can she prove to Phineas that God's plan for her lies in the beauty of the Orient? Jane Orcutt's final novel, published posthumously, is delightful and its description as a Rollicking Regency is perfect. Isabella is an endearing character, well educated yet naive, adept in swordplay but not in social scheming, funny and devoted. Jane has cleverly drawn Phineas, flawed and unappealing yet as his desire to serve the people of China and God is revealed, the reader is drawn to his passionate and caring heart. The dialogue is snappy and fun, the scenery and culture beautifully described and the message of love and forgiveness is gentle and reassuring. All The Tea in China will not disappoint but if you need a further reason to buy this wonderful book, all proceeds will be assisting Jane's husband and sons as they come to terms with the loss of Jane, a loving wife and mother and one very talented author.

Writing with a delightful combination of verve and charm, Jane Orcutt presents Isabella Goodrich as an intelligent, spunky, good-natured girl who never lacks for adventure--or daring. I loved journeying with her from England to China, and from naivete to maturity! Angie Hunt

With its rich detail and saucy characters, All the Tea in China is fun romp around Cape Horn and into China. I loved the spunk of Isabella, the mystery of Phineas, and the allure of a country so distant from our own. Hats off to Jane Orcutt for such an enjoyable read!

"All the Tea in China" is certainly a rollicking read! Isabella is left "an old maid" when she is unable to make herself conform to Regency society's rigid idea of what a desirable young woman should be. When a mysterious missionary comes collecting money to support his work in China, Isabella is certain she has been called to go with him. Of course, nothing is as she expects it to be, especially the missionary. Don't miss this one!