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Lord Ratliffe's Daughters
Marrying the Captain
Ever since her father tried to sell her as a mistress to the highest bidder, Eleanor Massie has chosen to live in poverty. Her world changes overnight when Captain Oliver Worthy shows up at her struggling inn. Despite herself, Nana is drawn to her handsome guest....
Oliver planned to stay in Plymouth only long enough to report back to Lord Ratliffe--about Nana. But he soon senses that Lord Ratliffe is up to something, and Oliver will do anything to keep this courageous, beautiful woman safe--even marry her!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2008
95 people are currently reading
1685 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
June 8, 2010
Carla Kelly has done it again. I read my second book by her and fell in love with her characters and her writing. Oliver Worthy was completely sigh-worthy. What an honorable man. He was very down to earth, and, at his heart, a really good, decent man. The Navy was his life, and he had convinced himself that marriage was not for him, because it wouldn't be fair to his wife. But, Nana Massie slipped past his defenses. It wasn't quite love at first sight, but darn close. This young woman had the power to make him yearn for a wife to come home to.
Ms. Kelly has a way of writing a story that is so real and essential. She doesn't tend to write about dukes and ladies. She writes about the non-titled people, the ones who are just getting by, or are doing their everyday tasks to keep the British Empire running, although they seldom get credit for it. I love her non-titled heroes. They have more to offer me than a titled hero, who really has nothing more to do than to seduce women, gamble, and drink. Oliver is a great example of the kind of hero that Ms. Kelly excels at writing. He started his career in the Navy at the age of twelve, working his way up to captain. His men admire him, because he treats them humanely. He's earned his reputation and his rank, and that spoke to me. I liked his down to earth nature. He didn't judge Nana or her grandmother because they weren't Quality. He didn't hold Nana's illegitimacy against her. He loved her for who she was. Even though a woman who married him would have to deal with life as a military wife, hardly seeing her husband, and living with the knowledge that he could die at sea, a woman couldn't ask for a better husband. Nana was a lucky girl.
Nana's mother had made the mistake of falling for the charms of a Navy Lieutenant, and ended up pregnant and unmarried for the trouble. Her grandmother held the father responsible, and he paid for Nana's education at a girls school in Bath. However, he turned out to have unsavory intentions for her: giving her as mistress to a man to pay off his debts. When Nana realized this, she fled back to her grandmother's inn in Plymouth, where she was when the story started. So, she had every reason not to fall for Captain Worthy. But, he lived up to his name. In the end, it was easier than she imagined to fall in love with him. When he shows up, sick as a dog, to stay at their inn, which is barely limping by with no business for six months, it's not very long before he's in her heart.
The romance was excellent in this story. But, I also like the glimpse into the life of a sea captain, and those who live with the everyday reality of the Navy and their men at war. Although the battles are being fought at sea, the people left at home also suffer as the men they love don't always make it back home, or when they do, it's for as little time as they can steal with their spouses and families before they have to go back to sea.
I enjoyed spending Sunday with Nana and Oliver, and I hope that they have a happy life together. Even though there is much at risk in their future, they can claim the time they have together, the family they create together, and the deep, true love they found as their own, that no one can take from them.
Ms. Kelly has a way of writing a story that is so real and essential. She doesn't tend to write about dukes and ladies. She writes about the non-titled people, the ones who are just getting by, or are doing their everyday tasks to keep the British Empire running, although they seldom get credit for it. I love her non-titled heroes. They have more to offer me than a titled hero, who really has nothing more to do than to seduce women, gamble, and drink. Oliver is a great example of the kind of hero that Ms. Kelly excels at writing. He started his career in the Navy at the age of twelve, working his way up to captain. His men admire him, because he treats them humanely. He's earned his reputation and his rank, and that spoke to me. I liked his down to earth nature. He didn't judge Nana or her grandmother because they weren't Quality. He didn't hold Nana's illegitimacy against her. He loved her for who she was. Even though a woman who married him would have to deal with life as a military wife, hardly seeing her husband, and living with the knowledge that he could die at sea, a woman couldn't ask for a better husband. Nana was a lucky girl.
Nana's mother had made the mistake of falling for the charms of a Navy Lieutenant, and ended up pregnant and unmarried for the trouble. Her grandmother held the father responsible, and he paid for Nana's education at a girls school in Bath. However, he turned out to have unsavory intentions for her: giving her as mistress to a man to pay off his debts. When Nana realized this, she fled back to her grandmother's inn in Plymouth, where she was when the story started. So, she had every reason not to fall for Captain Worthy. But, he lived up to his name. In the end, it was easier than she imagined to fall in love with him. When he shows up, sick as a dog, to stay at their inn, which is barely limping by with no business for six months, it's not very long before he's in her heart.
The romance was excellent in this story. But, I also like the glimpse into the life of a sea captain, and those who live with the everyday reality of the Navy and their men at war. Although the battles are being fought at sea, the people left at home also suffer as the men they love don't always make it back home, or when they do, it's for as little time as they can steal with their spouses and families before they have to go back to sea.
I enjoyed spending Sunday with Nana and Oliver, and I hope that they have a happy life together. Even though there is much at risk in their future, they can claim the time they have together, the family they create together, and the deep, true love they found as their own, that no one can take from them.
April 16, 2012
4 1/2 stars
This was only my second book by Carla Kelly, but I can already say for sure that she is one of my favorite authors now. I love her writing and the way she fills her books with accurate and realistic historic details without turning them into a textbook... Well, that's how I feel after reading only two books, but I doubt they're exceptions to the rule. :)
Marrying The Captain is the first book in the Channel Fleet trilogy. The story takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and, unlike what I've become used to read in other Regency books, the H/h are common (but not ordinary) people: Royal Navy Captain Oliver Worthy, a simple country vicar's son who's achieved his current rank by merit, and Eleanor "Nana" Massie, a scheming lord's illegitimate daughter.
Nana's been living in Plymouth with her grandmother (from her mother's side, of course) and running the Mulberry Inn with her for the past five years, since her father tried to give her to one of his "friends" as payment for his debts. Oliver has the unfortunate luck of crossing paths with Lord Ratliffe, Nana's father and an undersecretary of Admiralty House, and is asked to spy on Nana - just to make sure she's doing fine, assures Lord Ratliffe. Oliver doesn't buy it, but fate plays its hand and he ends up staying in Mulberry Inn anyway - and as they say, the rest is history...
I loved Oliver and Nana. They were fully developed characters, admirable and flawed at the same time, and their falling in love was very poignant. At first, I was afraid Oliver's connection with Nana's father would lead to a Big Misunderstanding, but Ms. Kelly knows better than that and showed me that such plot device isn't necessary to add conflict to a story and keep it interesting. The uncertainties brought by war were enough to give my heart a little squeeze.
This was a very enjoyable read to me, slow paced at times but never boring. I never doubted Oliver and Nana's love for each other, even when they tried to fight it - for sensible reasons and not just for the sake of adding angst to the story. If I have one complaint, it's the ending: this book needed an epilogue, IMHO. Call me greedy, but I needed to see Oliver and Nana living HEA after the war was over. That's the only reason I couldn't give this book 5 stars. Hopefully, I'll get to seem them again in the next books, The Surgeon's Lady and Marrying the Royal Marine. :)
This was only my second book by Carla Kelly, but I can already say for sure that she is one of my favorite authors now. I love her writing and the way she fills her books with accurate and realistic historic details without turning them into a textbook... Well, that's how I feel after reading only two books, but I doubt they're exceptions to the rule. :)
Marrying The Captain is the first book in the Channel Fleet trilogy. The story takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and, unlike what I've become used to read in other Regency books, the H/h are common (but not ordinary) people: Royal Navy Captain Oliver Worthy, a simple country vicar's son who's achieved his current rank by merit, and Eleanor "Nana" Massie, a scheming lord's illegitimate daughter.
Nana's been living in Plymouth with her grandmother (from her mother's side, of course) and running the Mulberry Inn with her for the past five years, since her father tried to give her to one of his "friends" as payment for his debts. Oliver has the unfortunate luck of crossing paths with Lord Ratliffe, Nana's father and an undersecretary of Admiralty House, and is asked to spy on Nana - just to make sure she's doing fine, assures Lord Ratliffe. Oliver doesn't buy it, but fate plays its hand and he ends up staying in Mulberry Inn anyway - and as they say, the rest is history...
I loved Oliver and Nana. They were fully developed characters, admirable and flawed at the same time, and their falling in love was very poignant. At first, I was afraid Oliver's connection with Nana's father would lead to a Big Misunderstanding, but Ms. Kelly knows better than that and showed me that such plot device isn't necessary to add conflict to a story and keep it interesting. The uncertainties brought by war were enough to give my heart a little squeeze.
This was a very enjoyable read to me, slow paced at times but never boring. I never doubted Oliver and Nana's love for each other, even when they tried to fight it - for sensible reasons and not just for the sake of adding angst to the story. If I have one complaint, it's the ending: this book needed an epilogue, IMHO. Call me greedy, but I needed to see Oliver and Nana living HEA after the war was over. That's the only reason I couldn't give this book 5 stars. Hopefully, I'll get to seem them again in the next books, The Surgeon's Lady and Marrying the Royal Marine. :)
July 25, 2012
Hope you all are ready for this....
Right away I have distinct feelings for Nana (yeah wish her name was different) and Oliver and like them a lot. I have only read two chapters and already feel attached to these characters and can not wait to see how they come together.
The way the author writes Oliver's private thoughts was a huge boost to this story. An example of this and a part which made me laugh out loud was when Oliver was sick and woke up having to pee and thought Nana was still in the room:
“I think you’re needing this,” Pete said, his voice gruff, but not unkind.
“My blushes,” Oliver said. “I hope I didn’t embarrass Miss Massie.”
Pete put the urinal under the covers. “She’s tended me when I’ve been too ill to get out of bed. Gran cut up stiff, but Nana’s not a shrinking violet. If I hadn’t been available just now, she’d have done for you, too.”
Horrors, he thought, horrors. “I could get up and use the chamber pot,” he protested, but only feebly.
The "horror, he thought, horrors" part was hilarious and simply adding this part adds to Oliver's character and the story. These little things are what separates decent stories and great stories.
This author did it right and I was able to read about the rarest of all things, two people falling in love. This wasn't oh he/she is hot, fall into lust but thoughts and feelings building over time and honest to god emotion.
This book reminded me a lot of "All through the Night" by Connie Brockway (if you haven't read this book I demand you do). This story invoked similar emotions in me, the tone and way I was lost into the world the author created was reminiscent.
I was utterly lost in this world Carla Kelly created. If there was a loud noise I would almost shake awake and be like "What's that? A T.V.? What's that doing in the Mulberry Inn?" Scary I know, but when a book is good I get completely absorbed into it.
Uh, sigh (in a wistful way) when Nana reveals to Oliver why she left Bath:
He did something then that startled her. The captain gently cupped her face in his hands and then touched his forehead to hers, holding it there until they were breathing in unison.
“Remember this, Nana—not a bit of what happened was your fault.”
Talk about making my heart skip a beat.
So I'm not going to lie I just about cried like a baby when Oliver had to leave and put his cloak over Nana as she slept on a settee. HEART WRENCHING!!!
I defy anyone not to at least tear up at the conversations Oliver and Nana have when he is trying to convince her to marry him. And may I just say thank god for Mrs. Brittle!
I'm trying not to quote to much from this book but again, sigh, how romantic is it when Nana asks if Oliver will have time to think of her and he answers "I already do, Nana. It can get pretty quiet on an early-morning watch—just you, me and an ocean.” I can picture it clearly; Oliver standing on his ship deck alone watching the sun rise across the water thinking of Nana. (Insert another sigh here)
I'm a tough chick but without shame I can honestly say I felt like a sappy mess throughout most of this book. But thank god Kelly isn't a sadist like Marsha Canham and Pete (he lives with Nana and sort of a surrogate father) was no worse for wear at the end.
If I was going to complain at all it would be about some of the secondary characters. Gran and Pete could have been flushed out more. But this is a small complaint! I feel whiny for even complaining about this.
This kind of book takes emotional energy to read, it's not just a "slap and tickle". (hahah I have always wanted to type that saying into something I wrote. Strangely I never found a spot in any of my college papers.) I give my greatest compliments to Kelly and with simplicity say "Marrying the Captain" is a beautiful LOVE story. I could go on and on about this book but don't want to give to much away.
I have never read a Carla Kelly novel before but I am going right out and getting any and all of her books I possibly can.
Whew, I need to read a light hearted, dare I say shallow, book now. Perhaps some chick-lit…
A+
Right away I have distinct feelings for Nana (yeah wish her name was different) and Oliver and like them a lot. I have only read two chapters and already feel attached to these characters and can not wait to see how they come together.
The way the author writes Oliver's private thoughts was a huge boost to this story. An example of this and a part which made me laugh out loud was when Oliver was sick and woke up having to pee and thought Nana was still in the room:
“I think you’re needing this,” Pete said, his voice gruff, but not unkind.
“My blushes,” Oliver said. “I hope I didn’t embarrass Miss Massie.”
Pete put the urinal under the covers. “She’s tended me when I’ve been too ill to get out of bed. Gran cut up stiff, but Nana’s not a shrinking violet. If I hadn’t been available just now, she’d have done for you, too.”
Horrors, he thought, horrors. “I could get up and use the chamber pot,” he protested, but only feebly.
The "horror, he thought, horrors" part was hilarious and simply adding this part adds to Oliver's character and the story. These little things are what separates decent stories and great stories.
This author did it right and I was able to read about the rarest of all things, two people falling in love. This wasn't oh he/she is hot, fall into lust but thoughts and feelings building over time and honest to god emotion.
This book reminded me a lot of "All through the Night" by Connie Brockway (if you haven't read this book I demand you do). This story invoked similar emotions in me, the tone and way I was lost into the world the author created was reminiscent.
I was utterly lost in this world Carla Kelly created. If there was a loud noise I would almost shake awake and be like "What's that? A T.V.? What's that doing in the Mulberry Inn?" Scary I know, but when a book is good I get completely absorbed into it.
Uh, sigh (in a wistful way) when Nana reveals to Oliver why she left Bath:
He did something then that startled her. The captain gently cupped her face in his hands and then touched his forehead to hers, holding it there until they were breathing in unison.
“Remember this, Nana—not a bit of what happened was your fault.”
Talk about making my heart skip a beat.
So I'm not going to lie I just about cried like a baby when Oliver had to leave and put his cloak over Nana as she slept on a settee. HEART WRENCHING!!!
I defy anyone not to at least tear up at the conversations Oliver and Nana have when he is trying to convince her to marry him. And may I just say thank god for Mrs. Brittle!
I'm trying not to quote to much from this book but again, sigh, how romantic is it when Nana asks if Oliver will have time to think of her and he answers "I already do, Nana. It can get pretty quiet on an early-morning watch—just you, me and an ocean.” I can picture it clearly; Oliver standing on his ship deck alone watching the sun rise across the water thinking of Nana. (Insert another sigh here)
I'm a tough chick but without shame I can honestly say I felt like a sappy mess throughout most of this book. But thank god Kelly isn't a sadist like Marsha Canham and Pete (he lives with Nana and sort of a surrogate father) was no worse for wear at the end.
If I was going to complain at all it would be about some of the secondary characters. Gran and Pete could have been flushed out more. But this is a small complaint! I feel whiny for even complaining about this.
This kind of book takes emotional energy to read, it's not just a "slap and tickle". (hahah I have always wanted to type that saying into something I wrote. Strangely I never found a spot in any of my college papers.) I give my greatest compliments to Kelly and with simplicity say "Marrying the Captain" is a beautiful LOVE story. I could go on and on about this book but don't want to give to much away.
I have never read a Carla Kelly novel before but I am going right out and getting any and all of her books I possibly can.
Whew, I need to read a light hearted, dare I say shallow, book now. Perhaps some chick-lit…
A+
January 9, 2018
A cute, sweet novel.
What can be appreciated here is that there's no Ton, carriages or balls in sight! :)
What can be appreciated here is that there's no Ton, carriages or balls in sight! :)
February 16, 2016
This is a re-read for me, 4.5 stars. This was one of the first romance books I read in 2014 and it's lost nothing for the passage of time. Kelly writes lovely, sensitive, wonderfully romantic books which nonetheless deal with serious themes and issues. This one is no different. I loved Nana - young and optimistic and kind. Captain Worthy is, like all Kelly's heroes, decent and strong. It's adorable to watch his conviction not to marry crumble away as he falls head over heels for Nana. This CK has a little more explicit sex than most. There is a 'member' and Nana actually touches it! It's really nicely done. Kelly is pure romantic escapism, best taken with a nice cup of hot chocolate, an open fire, fluffy socks and a warm blanket. Lovely, lovely.
March 17, 2011
4.5/5.0
Awww... How wonderful it is to experience a sweet, quiet, emotion-filled romance reminiscent of the classics! There are no loins burning desperately the moment the characters meet or wild dangerous intrigues with villains lurking behind every door. There is, however, instant attraction that over time blossoms into deep and passionate love, the kind of love that the reader can believe will truly last forever. The premise is also delightfully different. An illegitimate daughter of a Viscount, working at the failing Inn of her grandmother and a navel Captain in the midst of the Napoleanic Wars. By the end of the story the reader is not just titillated but truly touched.
Awww... How wonderful it is to experience a sweet, quiet, emotion-filled romance reminiscent of the classics! There are no loins burning desperately the moment the characters meet or wild dangerous intrigues with villains lurking behind every door. There is, however, instant attraction that over time blossoms into deep and passionate love, the kind of love that the reader can believe will truly last forever. The premise is also delightfully different. An illegitimate daughter of a Viscount, working at the failing Inn of her grandmother and a navel Captain in the midst of the Napoleanic Wars. By the end of the story the reader is not just titillated but truly touched.
January 9, 2015
This charming Georgian story is a must-have for anyone who enjoys historical romances. It is what I refer to as a 'workhorse'; it has it all. It is an enchanting love story with a wonderful hero and heroine: Captain Oliver Worthy and Eleanor 'Nana' Massie. There is a villain, Lord Ratliffe, who is Nana's father. There are also some great secondary characters: Gran, Pete, Mrs. Fillion and Matthew to name just a few.
The story itself grabbed me from the get-go. I started it in one evening and was finished by the next day. It was that good. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There was a lot going on but everything jelled together and made sense.
Shy at first, Nana was drawn out by the kind Captain. The dialogue was realistic and flowed smoothly. Oliver was deeply attracted to Nana in a short time but he felt he couldn't become a proper husband because he was tied to The Royal Navy.
The smells, actions and looks: those little details that are often overlooked in most romances were crisp and clear. Oliver and Nana talked to each other-and to themselves!- about anything and everything, it was so refreshing. It was nice to see what they were thinking in print. Sigh.....and most of all it was emotionally satisfying with no Big Misunderstandings that dragged on and on.
If there was one thing I could recommend that Ms. Kelly could lessen, it would be the amount of crying she has her women do. This is a historical romance first. The author depicts the underbelly of society during this era, exploring a variety of social ills. If you were unaware of the price of the war with Napoleon and how it affected people back then, you will soon learn the heartache it caused for everyone. If you are expecting a 'glorified' romance or if some sex bothers you, look elsewhere.
This is the first book in the Captain's Fleet Trilogy about men in the Royal Navy and how they met their future wives: three half-sisters. As in all three romances there is an age gap between the hero and heroine but I felt the trope worked within this story. 'The Surgeon's Lady' is book two and rounding it out is 'Marrying The Royal Marine'.
The story itself grabbed me from the get-go. I started it in one evening and was finished by the next day. It was that good. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There was a lot going on but everything jelled together and made sense.
Shy at first, Nana was drawn out by the kind Captain. The dialogue was realistic and flowed smoothly. Oliver was deeply attracted to Nana in a short time but he felt he couldn't become a proper husband because he was tied to The Royal Navy.
The smells, actions and looks: those little details that are often overlooked in most romances were crisp and clear. Oliver and Nana talked to each other-and to themselves!- about anything and everything, it was so refreshing. It was nice to see what they were thinking in print. Sigh.....and most of all it was emotionally satisfying with no Big Misunderstandings that dragged on and on.
If there was one thing I could recommend that Ms. Kelly could lessen, it would be the amount of crying she has her women do. This is a historical romance first. The author depicts the underbelly of society during this era, exploring a variety of social ills. If you were unaware of the price of the war with Napoleon and how it affected people back then, you will soon learn the heartache it caused for everyone. If you are expecting a 'glorified' romance or if some sex bothers you, look elsewhere.
This is the first book in the Captain's Fleet Trilogy about men in the Royal Navy and how they met their future wives: three half-sisters. As in all three romances there is an age gap between the hero and heroine but I felt the trope worked within this story. 'The Surgeon's Lady' is book two and rounding it out is 'Marrying The Royal Marine'.
January 22, 2016
oh Captain Oliver Worthy, I am so in love with you.
I have heard about Carla Kelly for a while, lots of positive things, but this is my first book from her. I think her style is a little too innocent for me. But there is no denying it: she is a great writer. What I love about this book is Captain Worthy and his internal dialogues. Haven't we all been there, where the characters' internal dialogues drove us nut? Not in this Kelly novel. I wouldn't call her novel funny. It is not that. It is how poignant her characters are in a particular moment. And you laugh because you know exactly why they said what they said. It made you laugh because, well, you would have thought the same, had you been in the characters' shoes.
Eleanor, aka Nana, was 21 years old. I have to say it because it drove me batty in the beginning not knowing how old Nana and Oliver were. Oliver was 30. They met and came to like each other. It was that simple. What was endearing is the process. They were both so wonderfully sweet. And have I said this already? Captain Worthy is swoon-worthy. Really great characters, with Captain Worthy firmly in the lead.
The plot however, is a little bland for me. I like the background, a navy man, in a horrible war against the French. Wives seeing husbands off at the port. Difficult times. Carla Kelly did a great job illustrating that. She created a very endearing relationship between Oliver and Nana. But it kind of lacks excitement or tension. The pace was kind of slow for me. And the last 20% where Nana wen to rescue Oliver, well, I found that hard to believe. I wasn't impressed. Oliver and Nana are a sweet couple and I really liked Oliver. What a wonderful man. But the story is a bit too....sweet for me. Now I am wondering, just how cynical have I become to want a little more drama?
I have heard about Carla Kelly for a while, lots of positive things, but this is my first book from her. I think her style is a little too innocent for me. But there is no denying it: she is a great writer. What I love about this book is Captain Worthy and his internal dialogues. Haven't we all been there, where the characters' internal dialogues drove us nut? Not in this Kelly novel. I wouldn't call her novel funny. It is not that. It is how poignant her characters are in a particular moment. And you laugh because you know exactly why they said what they said. It made you laugh because, well, you would have thought the same, had you been in the characters' shoes.
Eleanor, aka Nana, was 21 years old. I have to say it because it drove me batty in the beginning not knowing how old Nana and Oliver were. Oliver was 30. They met and came to like each other. It was that simple. What was endearing is the process. They were both so wonderfully sweet. And have I said this already? Captain Worthy is swoon-worthy. Really great characters, with Captain Worthy firmly in the lead.
The plot however, is a little bland for me. I like the background, a navy man, in a horrible war against the French. Wives seeing husbands off at the port. Difficult times. Carla Kelly did a great job illustrating that. She created a very endearing relationship between Oliver and Nana. But it kind of lacks excitement or tension. The pace was kind of slow for me. And the last 20% where Nana wen to rescue Oliver, well, I found that hard to believe. I wasn't impressed. Oliver and Nana are a sweet couple and I really liked Oliver. What a wonderful man. But the story is a bit too....sweet for me. Now I am wondering, just how cynical have I become to want a little more drama?
February 24, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
3.5 stars.
Siempre puedo contar con la Sr. Kelly para encontrar una historia que me guste. Romántica, con sus protagonistas que no pertenecen a la nobleza, que pasan por malos tiempos y los superan y que consiguen un HEA más que merecido.
En esta ocasión no ha sido diferente. Quizás la única pega ha sido ese poquito de aventura con el que la autora se ha atrevido que no me ha convencido demasiado.
Por lo demás, como siempre, cumple con mis expectativas.
***
3.5 stars.
I can always count on Ms. Kelly to find a comfort read. Her stories are so romantic, with MC´s who doesn´t belong to the nobility, who struggle through really bad times and overcome them and who get their well-deserved HEA.
In this occasion it has not been different. Maybe my only complaint has been about that bit of adventure the author has attempted which didn´t impress me.
Apart from that, as always, Ms. Kelly delivers.
3.5 stars.
Siempre puedo contar con la Sr. Kelly para encontrar una historia que me guste. Romántica, con sus protagonistas que no pertenecen a la nobleza, que pasan por malos tiempos y los superan y que consiguen un HEA más que merecido.
En esta ocasión no ha sido diferente. Quizás la única pega ha sido ese poquito de aventura con el que la autora se ha atrevido que no me ha convencido demasiado.
Por lo demás, como siempre, cumple con mis expectativas.
***
3.5 stars.
I can always count on Ms. Kelly to find a comfort read. Her stories are so romantic, with MC´s who doesn´t belong to the nobility, who struggle through really bad times and overcome them and who get their well-deserved HEA.
In this occasion it has not been different. Maybe my only complaint has been about that bit of adventure the author has attempted which didn´t impress me.
Apart from that, as always, Ms. Kelly delivers.
July 5, 2016
Carla Kelly's The Wedding Journey is one of the best books I've read this year. This novel hits a lot of the same notes that one did, but much less successfully, I'm sorry to say. Where The Wedding Journey's story of two gentle, decent people falling in love was balanced by their experiencing some truly dark and grueling circumstances along the way, Marrying the Captain was just about all sweetness with almost no hard edges to be found.
Things just work out too easily, and the hero and heroine are both so perfect it's kind of nauseating, even to someone like me who has an appreciation for stories about good people. By the end of the book my teeth were aching from all the sugar.
Things just work out too easily, and the hero and heroine are both so perfect it's kind of nauseating, even to someone like me who has an appreciation for stories about good people. By the end of the book my teeth were aching from all the sugar.
May 11, 2009
Synopsis: Eleanor "Nana" Massie's father, Lord Ratliffe, recruits Captain Oliver Worthy to spy on Nana at the small inn she runs with her grandmother. As soon as he meets Nana, he realizes Ratliffe is up to no good.
What I liked: I am a fan of Carla Kelly. I have read some of her older traditional Regencies and I LOVED them. I liked this one but not quite as much. The characters are likable, the plot is believable and the historical detail is just enough to put you in the time period without making you wonder if you'd purchased a history text by mistake. :o)
What I disliked: So there was one love scene in this book I skipped that contained a little more detail than I personally care for. I was disappointed that this scene was even in the book. Carla Kelly writes a wonderful, moving tale without detailed love scenes. I don't know if this was something she was told to do to get this story published or if she honestly felt it was necessary to the plot. (Traditional Regencies do not seem to have quite the following they once had.) The other thing that annoyed me was—and yes, I know this will sound nitpicky—the nickname “Nana” for the heroine. I'm sorry. When I hear Nana, I think grandma. It was distracting at times. My opinion.
Overall: 4.4 stars. This is probably a book I'll read again.
What I liked: I am a fan of Carla Kelly. I have read some of her older traditional Regencies and I LOVED them. I liked this one but not quite as much. The characters are likable, the plot is believable and the historical detail is just enough to put you in the time period without making you wonder if you'd purchased a history text by mistake. :o)
What I disliked: So there was one love scene in this book I skipped that contained a little more detail than I personally care for. I was disappointed that this scene was even in the book. Carla Kelly writes a wonderful, moving tale without detailed love scenes. I don't know if this was something she was told to do to get this story published or if she honestly felt it was necessary to the plot. (Traditional Regencies do not seem to have quite the following they once had.) The other thing that annoyed me was—and yes, I know this will sound nitpicky—the nickname “Nana” for the heroine. I'm sorry. When I hear Nana, I think grandma. It was distracting at times. My opinion.
Overall: 4.4 stars. This is probably a book I'll read again.
September 25, 2013
A very enjoyable story. A navy romance with the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, some knowledge of the period would be helpful in understanding all that is going on. This is the first Harlequin I've read in well over a decade, and I was entirely unprepared for the graphic pornography. It is only in one scene, the wedding night. Call me a prude if you will, but had it been necessary to further the plot, or even because it was a natural inclusion of a regular part of the story, I would not complain. However, it is a stand alone reasonably graphic sex scene that clearly exists for those who want their pornography but don't want to go buy it in a plain brown wrapper. Other than that the book was unexceptionable. It could have used some more research, and some of the attitudes were more modern and a bit jarring given the historical context. Still, it was engrossing, and once involved I really wanted to see how the story unfolded.
July 17, 2009
So I'm a wee bit disappointed. While I liked the story, and am glad to read about someone who doesn't have a title as a hero, I found it mostly unsatisfying. It wasn't bad, but it didn't thrill me.
Nana (Eleanor) is a bastard daughter of a Viscount whose maternal grandma was such a good gramma she got the Viscount to put in writing that he would educate Nana and set her up for a good position in life. He sends her to school, all right, but the position he has in mind makes Nana furious and she runs away back to Plymouth to live at Gran's inn - which is falling apart and has next to no business.
Our Hero, Captain Worthy (*groan*), is back in port. He goes to London where he is asked by Nana's father to let him know how she's doing. Aww, isn't that sweet? Except Our Hero has an inkling that there is something more to this than meets the eye!
I actually like Oliver - a lot. And this story seemed to be more about his journey and acceptance of love even when he is pulled away by the war with Napoleon. But everything just seems too easy for our lovers.
****Spoilers ahead. Ye be warned****
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So I was particularly bothered by how so many people said they liked Kelly's writing because she writes about "normal" people - people without titles. And yet, Nana has the education of a lady, and carries herself like one, and Oliver is filthy rich. So, no, not normal. Lisa Kleypas does it better.
The book is called Marrying the Captain, so imagine my surprise when the marriage was NOT the climax of our story! Oh no, there's still half the book left! Which flies by, and suddenly Our Heroine is racing off to save her husband from the French, which turns out to be way too easy, and then putting her father in his place is even easier.
I was also a bit pissed that Nana didn't get to be the one to tell her daddy that they knew he was a dirty traitor. She was cowering in the cabin while her big strong husband did it (you know, after she had just traveled on a ship when we had heard of no woman sailing, stood up to the Frenchies, and narrowly escaped from prison, all the time being brave as anything, but she lets her big strong man fight her daddy for her). I think that is what bugged me the most. Nana was alternately a strong, capable woman, and a shy, delicate flower. While I appreciate that every woman may have these varieties within her, it just seemed unbelievable to me.
The last thing is that their connection did not connect to me, the reader. The sex was disappointing. As a contrast, take their first time. Oliver knows he can't make her come that first time. Their first time was pretty dull. Compare that to Elizabeth Hoyt's To Seduce a Sinner - first time sex after marriage = completely unsatisfying. But it leaves Our Heroine with a determination to drive her hubby wild. Nana doesn't even make a mewling sound of disappointment. Not even a resigned smile, like she expected it to be bad - so then her hubby can pounce her again and say "Now let me show you how it's REALLY done!" I've read a lot of unsatisfying first-times lately, and this was the most poorly done. It made me yearn for my Hoyt, I will tell ya that.
This was a fast, easy read (as Harlequins are), but I expected more from it. And honestly, I read it because it comes before The Surgeon's Lad, about which I heard many good things.
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Reading this in eBook format while at home - laptop is less portable than a paperback, but this one is out of print and too new to be popping up at my Half Price Books. :(
Nana (Eleanor) is a bastard daughter of a Viscount whose maternal grandma was such a good gramma she got the Viscount to put in writing that he would educate Nana and set her up for a good position in life. He sends her to school, all right, but the position he has in mind makes Nana furious and she runs away back to Plymouth to live at Gran's inn - which is falling apart and has next to no business.
Our Hero, Captain Worthy (*groan*), is back in port. He goes to London where he is asked by Nana's father to let him know how she's doing. Aww, isn't that sweet? Except Our Hero has an inkling that there is something more to this than meets the eye!
I actually like Oliver - a lot. And this story seemed to be more about his journey and acceptance of love even when he is pulled away by the war with Napoleon. But everything just seems too easy for our lovers.
****Spoilers ahead. Ye be warned****
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
So I was particularly bothered by how so many people said they liked Kelly's writing because she writes about "normal" people - people without titles. And yet, Nana has the education of a lady, and carries herself like one, and Oliver is filthy rich. So, no, not normal. Lisa Kleypas does it better.
The book is called Marrying the Captain, so imagine my surprise when the marriage was NOT the climax of our story! Oh no, there's still half the book left! Which flies by, and suddenly Our Heroine is racing off to save her husband from the French, which turns out to be way too easy, and then putting her father in his place is even easier.
I was also a bit pissed that Nana didn't get to be the one to tell her daddy that they knew he was a dirty traitor. She was cowering in the cabin while her big strong husband did it (you know, after she had just traveled on a ship when we had heard of no woman sailing, stood up to the Frenchies, and narrowly escaped from prison, all the time being brave as anything, but she lets her big strong man fight her daddy for her). I think that is what bugged me the most. Nana was alternately a strong, capable woman, and a shy, delicate flower. While I appreciate that every woman may have these varieties within her, it just seemed unbelievable to me.
The last thing is that their connection did not connect to me, the reader. The sex was disappointing. As a contrast, take their first time. Oliver knows he can't make her come that first time. Their first time was pretty dull. Compare that to Elizabeth Hoyt's To Seduce a Sinner - first time sex after marriage = completely unsatisfying. But it leaves Our Heroine with a determination to drive her hubby wild. Nana doesn't even make a mewling sound of disappointment. Not even a resigned smile, like she expected it to be bad - so then her hubby can pounce her again and say "Now let me show you how it's REALLY done!" I've read a lot of unsatisfying first-times lately, and this was the most poorly done. It made me yearn for my Hoyt, I will tell ya that.
This was a fast, easy read (as Harlequins are), but I expected more from it. And honestly, I read it because it comes before The Surgeon's Lad, about which I heard many good things.
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Reading this in eBook format while at home - laptop is less portable than a paperback, but this one is out of print and too new to be popping up at my Half Price Books. :(
May 29, 2020
Wow, soy de las personas que detesta los slowburns y ni siquiera era consiente de que estaba leyendo uno hasta que llegó la escena del primer beso. Sentí tan bonito🥺. No tienen una idea de lo satisfactorio que se sintió el leer que por fin se habían besado, en realidad toda la escena fue preciosa, si los personajes se hubieran quedado con un simple abrazo yo no me habría quejado.
La relación entre Oliver Worthy y Nana Massie ha sido súper bonita y tierna. Ambos se aman tanto que de verdad sentí demasiado bonito al leerlos.
El libro no es mi favorito pero no me arrepiento de haberlo leído, la autora logró expresarme los sentimientos de todos los personajes; la felicidad, la desesperación, la esperanza, la tristeza, LO PUDE SENTIR TODO.
No tengo palabras para describir lo bonito que sentí al leer un personaje como Oliver Worthy, de verdad ha sido de lo más hermoso. Es un personaje tan perfecto... mientras lo leía podía recordar a Alex de Annie's Song porque son personajes tan puros y hermosos que llegan en el momento exacto y solo demuestran su amor incondicional a la protagonista. Tal vez sus historias hayan sido diferentes pero sin duda son personajes que se aprecian porque muy pocas veces aparecen.
La relación entre Oliver Worthy y Nana Massie ha sido súper bonita y tierna. Ambos se aman tanto que de verdad sentí demasiado bonito al leerlos.
El libro no es mi favorito pero no me arrepiento de haberlo leído, la autora logró expresarme los sentimientos de todos los personajes; la felicidad, la desesperación, la esperanza, la tristeza, LO PUDE SENTIR TODO.
No tengo palabras para describir lo bonito que sentí al leer un personaje como Oliver Worthy, de verdad ha sido de lo más hermoso. Es un personaje tan perfecto... mientras lo leía podía recordar a Alex de Annie's Song porque son personajes tan puros y hermosos que llegan en el momento exacto y solo demuestran su amor incondicional a la protagonista. Tal vez sus historias hayan sido diferentes pero sin duda son personajes que se aprecian porque muy pocas veces aparecen.
July 13, 2014
It’s not the kind of book I would say “you have to read.” But it’s nice.
It’s what I expect from Harlequin. Nothing really special or unusual, but ok. I was pleased there were no contrived conflicts or stupidity.
A captain falls in love with a woman while he waits for his ship to be repaired. She loves him but feels they cannot be together because she would hurt his reputation. Her parents did not marry. She and her grandmother don’t have enough money for food. The captain helps them out. Her father is doing bad things.
The sex scenes are brief, not much detail.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 269 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five plus. Setting: 1808 England and France. Copyright: 2009. Genre: historical romance.
It’s what I expect from Harlequin. Nothing really special or unusual, but ok. I was pleased there were no contrived conflicts or stupidity.
A captain falls in love with a woman while he waits for his ship to be repaired. She loves him but feels they cannot be together because she would hurt his reputation. Her parents did not marry. She and her grandmother don’t have enough money for food. The captain helps them out. Her father is doing bad things.
The sex scenes are brief, not much detail.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 269 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: five plus. Setting: 1808 England and France. Copyright: 2009. Genre: historical romance.
July 5, 2022
Adorable. Fresh. Sweet.
June 15, 2025
Carla Kelly is an ideal palate cleanser read for me. Her books are quick, fairly straightforward, and everyone is kind, her heroes are all funny and patient and VERY appreciative of their ladies, her heroines all caretakers and considerate, crossing class barriers with ease, whether its caring for enlisted men in a hospital, or taking in a youth with nowhere to spend his shore leave at the Captain's request, and treating him like family. Side characters are unfailingly loyal and cheery in the face of any adversity, its very much of the [arm gets blown off] "oh well, mustn't grumble" school. Plus Kelly really knows both military and medical history of the time, so that's always well represented and interesting.
Anyway, the captain in question? Oliver Worthy (name is destiny) who is staying at a specific inn to check in on the illegitimate daughter of a Lord in the Admiralty. The daughter in question? The unfortunately named Nana, who fled her father when he tried to sell her off as mistress material to pay his debts, and currently works and lives in with her grandmother at the inn. Naturally Oliver has sworn off marriage, since he could die any minute in the war against Napoleon "which meant that someone as charming as Nana Massie was completely safe from him. He had declared himself immune to women, and he meant it." Guess what happens next???
If you guessed nursing through a case of putrid throat, whatever that is, and the meaningfully helping off of rain cloaks, and listening to Handel's Messiah on church stairs, you were right! Within 24 hours Nana is wondering if it is love (and hilariously recollecting other times she thought it was, but forgot the guy's name after days), and Oliver is creepishly (complimentary) watching her sleep and thinking "He could have watched her the rest of his life." These two have no chill and it's fun to read.
There's a lot of military and spy and subterfuge plot, and it's all pretty handily taken care of. I thought the dad sub-plot was taking one of two different much darker turns, and it took a third path instead. So far all of the Kelly books I've read that take place in the navy milieu have been winners.
Anyway, the captain in question? Oliver Worthy (name is destiny) who is staying at a specific inn to check in on the illegitimate daughter of a Lord in the Admiralty. The daughter in question? The unfortunately named Nana, who fled her father when he tried to sell her off as mistress material to pay his debts, and currently works and lives in with her grandmother at the inn. Naturally Oliver has sworn off marriage, since he could die any minute in the war against Napoleon "which meant that someone as charming as Nana Massie was completely safe from him. He had declared himself immune to women, and he meant it." Guess what happens next???
If you guessed nursing through a case of putrid throat, whatever that is, and the meaningfully helping off of rain cloaks, and listening to Handel's Messiah on church stairs, you were right! Within 24 hours Nana is wondering if it is love (and hilariously recollecting other times she thought it was, but forgot the guy's name after days), and Oliver is creepishly (complimentary) watching her sleep and thinking "He could have watched her the rest of his life." These two have no chill and it's fun to read.
There's a lot of military and spy and subterfuge plot, and it's all pretty handily taken care of. I thought the dad sub-plot was taking one of two different much darker turns, and it took a third path instead. So far all of the Kelly books I've read that take place in the navy milieu have been winners.
December 4, 2011
Being on a Carla Kelly trip and still having two physical books of hers in my TBR pile - books that were recommended at DearAuthor.com, I believe - I straightaway jumped into this story, which I really enjoyed.
Kelly seems to have a tendre for heroines who are well-educated but utterly down on their luck, because this is the third one of that kind I've read. Nana Massie was raised at a boarding school for ladies, but she's the illegimate child of her father, a lord working in Admiralty House.
When she realised his nefarious purpose for her education, she went back home to Plymouth and the small inn of her grandmother's. She's been working there, together with her granny and the old ex-sailor Pete, for quite a while now - but times are hard because the blockade to keep the French out of the channel (and to ship men to and from Spain to fight Napoleon) means that there are fewer people needing an inn which is quite a bit away from the port itself.
Captain Oliver Worthy, competent and well-off and 32 years old, dislikes reporting to Lord Ratliffe, because he's somewhat oily in behaviour - but he knows he can't afford to annoy the man so he agrees to report to him about the current fate of his daughter who moved back to her gran recently.
The really good part, the reason why I still give three stars to a book I did not finish, comes next. Quite sick and competent Oliver makes himself a guest at the inn, always keeping an eye on the repairs of his ship. We get lovely interactions with the inhabitants of the inn, cameos from Oliver's subordinates, some of their wives - and lovely interaction between Oliver, who has a good reason not to want to marry, and Nana, who knows she's unlikely to ever get an offer from one of the man her education would have usually destined her for. I especially liked the scene listening to the Christmas oratorio.
Suffice it to say that I was enjoying the book wholeheartedly, enjoying the common sense of both protagonists up to the marriage and the way both tried to take care of each other, each in their own way.
Reason for DNF:
Kelly seems to have a tendre for heroines who are well-educated but utterly down on their luck, because this is the third one of that kind I've read. Nana Massie was raised at a boarding school for ladies, but she's the illegimate child of her father, a lord working in Admiralty House.
When she realised his nefarious purpose for her education, she went back home to Plymouth and the small inn of her grandmother's. She's been working there, together with her granny and the old ex-sailor Pete, for quite a while now - but times are hard because the blockade to keep the French out of the channel (and to ship men to and from Spain to fight Napoleon) means that there are fewer people needing an inn which is quite a bit away from the port itself.
Captain Oliver Worthy, competent and well-off and 32 years old, dislikes reporting to Lord Ratliffe, because he's somewhat oily in behaviour - but he knows he can't afford to annoy the man so he agrees to report to him about the current fate of his daughter who moved back to her gran recently.
The really good part, the reason why I still give three stars to a book I did not finish, comes next. Quite sick and competent Oliver makes himself a guest at the inn, always keeping an eye on the repairs of his ship. We get lovely interactions with the inhabitants of the inn, cameos from Oliver's subordinates, some of their wives - and lovely interaction between Oliver, who has a good reason not to want to marry, and Nana, who knows she's unlikely to ever get an offer from one of the man her education would have usually destined her for. I especially liked the scene listening to the Christmas oratorio.
Suffice it to say that I was enjoying the book wholeheartedly, enjoying the common sense of both protagonists up to the marriage and the way both tried to take care of each other, each in their own way.
Reason for DNF:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2020
Not bad, but I just was not into this one. For some reason, i found it a bit too “cutsie” for me. Sorry couldn’t find another word to describe some of the passages that show the Hero’s (Captain) thoughts.
Some details that might be spoilers but not doing a summary.
Some things bothered me. Im not such a sticker for historical accuracy in the romances that I read, but come on... the heroine curtsies to the 11year old cabin boy? 😳 I could understand it he was the son of a Duke, but the Hero had just said that he was from a workhouse?
It is also never explained why the villain father sent the Hero to the Inn where the heroine worked. To spy on her, but why? Further, he, the villain sent his actual spy to stay at the Inn, so why would he have sent him there if he knew that the Hero was staying there as well and could have caught him more easily. 🙄
Then, near the end, it suspends belief, that the royal navy would allow the wife of a Captain to go along for a hostage exchange and further, to do the “exchange” herself!! 😱🙄
I could not even. But if you can get over these details, its not a bad book and the characters are cute to each other, so 3-stars.
Some details that might be spoilers but not doing a summary.
Some things bothered me. Im not such a sticker for historical accuracy in the romances that I read, but come on... the heroine curtsies to the 11year old cabin boy? 😳 I could understand it he was the son of a Duke, but the Hero had just said that he was from a workhouse?
It is also never explained why the villain father sent the Hero to the Inn where the heroine worked. To spy on her, but why? Further, he, the villain sent his actual spy to stay at the Inn, so why would he have sent him there if he knew that the Hero was staying there as well and could have caught him more easily. 🙄
Then, near the end, it suspends belief, that the royal navy would allow the wife of a Captain to go along for a hostage exchange and further, to do the “exchange” herself!! 😱🙄
I could not even. But if you can get over these details, its not a bad book and the characters are cute to each other, so 3-stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2019
Captain Oliver Worthy is such a great fellow. Intelligent, gentle, polite, brave and honorable. Nana is young, illegitimate and in dire straights.
Together they will find a pure and gentle love, with an ocean and a villain father between them.
The side characters are lovely, specially Gran and Pete.
As always, Carla Kelly brings a deep and emotional story.
Together they will find a pure and gentle love, with an ocean and a villain father between them.
The side characters are lovely, specially Gran and Pete.
As always, Carla Kelly brings a deep and emotional story.
September 17, 2024
Oh, I really liked this one. I read a lot of Recency romances but what I love about Carla Kelly's books is that they are about regular people not aristocracy. They have real problems but are honest and open. I loved these MCs and their romance. Great book!
March 16, 2011
This is not a clean read...just a FYI. I had to skip a few pages and would have skipped the end - but it was THE END. Anyhoo, it was a great story - bummer that it had the hoo-ha in it!
June 28, 2014
This is a very well-told story with all the ingredients needed to keep the reader engaged. Yes, it's a romance but there are other elements to make this a well-rounded read. Eleanor Massie (Nana) is the by-blow of William Stokes, Viscount Ratliffe, aptly referred to by some as Lord Rat, and Rachel Massie, who died in childbirth. Rachel's mother, Mrs Massie, somehow brings Lord Ratliffe to task and he agrees to educate Nana at Miss Pym's Female Academy in Bath. At the age of 16, she is sent for and travels to London to meet her father. He has amassed gambling debts and unknown to her has passed around her miniature to his influential debtors, basically looking to sell her to the highest bidder in order to pay off his debts. He presents this to her by saying that she can't expect any better as a bastard. Of course, now that she has refused her father's proposition, he has severed her tuition at Miss Pym's so she is turned out. Nana runs away to Plymouth to live with her maternal granny. Poverty with her dignity intact is more important to Nana than living as an Earl's mistress. Fast forward now to Nana at 21. The Mulberry Inn, which is her home, has no boarders and is barely staying afloat. Enter Captain Oliver Worthy who is initially sent to Mulberry by Lord Ratliffe who tells him to check up on Nana and report back to him. Captain Worthy senses that he's not being told the whole story but agrees to the assignment as his ship must be dry-docked at Plymouth anyways. As the story progresses we see that Captain Worthy's instincts have served him well. He and Nana's relationship develop into a deep friendship which of course leads to love but it is told in a realistic but lovely manner. There is intrigue, espionage, suspense, humour and heft to this novel that drags you in as a reader. This story continues past the point of Oliver and Nana getting married which I appreciated. Things come to a head when Oliver is taken hostage by the French. Pete Carter, a former sailor and loyal employee of Mrs Massie proves his salt during this situation. Without giving anything away, his devotion to Nana comes to the fore and we see he has proved himself more of a father-figure than Nana's own biological father, who proves himself to be a coward in times of crisis. What a lovely tale. This can't rightly be classified as a clean romance only because it does tell of the intimacy between Oliver and Nana after they're married. However, it is not smutty and is not dwelt on at length. Other than that, this is a solid 4-1/2 stars. Things are set up nicely for a sequel when Oliver casually inquires of Lord Ratfliffe about any other of his by-blows and he mentions two other daughters, one of whom agreed to become an aging Lord's wife and another who is still at Miss Pym's school in Bath. It turns out that Miss Pym is Lord Ratliffe's illegitimate sister. Ah, the intrigue continues...I look forward to the next instalment in this trilogy, "A Surgeon's Lady."
August 26, 2014
Oliver Worthy is a Captain of a ship (and also pretty damn rich from the ~spoils of war). Eleanor "Nana" Massie is the granddaughter of an innkeeper (and also the illegitimate daughter of a Viscount). Because of said Viscount, Oliver goes looking for Nana and they fall in love! And get married! And some other plotty bits happen!
1. This was enjoyable even though there was approximately zero romantic...tension? Like, Nana realizes she loves Oliver in Chapter Five. Oliver realizes he's in love a chapter or two later. Yes, there's an additional chapter or three of Oliver being a big stubborn-head, but by just past the midpoint of the book--they're married!
2. While enjoyable, this definitely did not feel like a mid-career effort? Or perhaps that's harsh: basically, the book felt rushed and incomplete. There were too many poorly parsed phrases and simplistic emotional developments to truly ~woo me into the universe. There is absolutely some lovely writing mixed in, but the people-bits felt awkward.
3. What the hell kind of name is Nana--that's what you call your grandmother as she hands over the cookie goods.
1. This was enjoyable even though there was approximately zero romantic...tension? Like, Nana realizes she loves Oliver in Chapter Five. Oliver realizes he's in love a chapter or two later. Yes, there's an additional chapter or three of Oliver being a big stubborn-head, but by just past the midpoint of the book--they're married!
2. While enjoyable, this definitely did not feel like a mid-career effort? Or perhaps that's harsh: basically, the book felt rushed and incomplete. There were too many poorly parsed phrases and simplistic emotional developments to truly ~woo me into the universe. There is absolutely some lovely writing mixed in, but the people-bits felt awkward.
3. What the hell kind of name is Nana--that's what you call your grandmother as she hands over the cookie goods.
March 26, 2011
Ever since her father tried to sell her as a mistress to the highest bidder, Eleanor Massie has chosen to live in poverty. Her world changes overnight when Captain Oliver Worthy shows up at her struggling inn. Despite herself, Nana is drawn to her handsome guest....
Oliver planned to stay in Plymouth only long enough to report back to Lord Ratliffe--about Nana. But he soon senses that Lord Ratliffe is up to something, and Oliver will do anything to keep this courageous, beautiful woman safe--even marry her!
What a sweet book, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to Ms. Kelly's next book. Marrying The Captain was a breath of fresh air for an adult romance. While I cannot claim it is clean due to a few love scenes,
Oliver planned to stay in Plymouth only long enough to report back to Lord Ratliffe--about Nana. But he soon senses that Lord Ratliffe is up to something, and Oliver will do anything to keep this courageous, beautiful woman safe--even marry her!
What a sweet book, I truly enjoyed it and look forward to Ms. Kelly's next book. Marrying The Captain was a breath of fresh air for an adult romance. While I cannot claim it is clean due to a few love scenes,
March 10, 2022
A sweet romance between two people who didn't want to fall in love; Oliver, because he was a sea captain and to leave a wife was a No for him, and Nana, because she was an illegitimate daughter. The way they fall in love was so nice and simple, just like it is usually with CK books. I don't know who had the saddest story: her, because of her disgusting father who wanted to sell her to the highest poster, and him, because of the war and what he had to endure.
There is about 80% of sweet moments between them, just knowing each other in her Gran's inn and getting more people and Oliver waiting for his ship to be fixed, and then their marriage and Nana waiting for him. The last part is a bit anticlimatic with Nana going to Spain to save Oliver... I am not sure why the last coupe of episodes weren't as good, but I still liked it and may read the sequel. Please save Nana's sister!
There is about 80% of sweet moments between them, just knowing each other in her Gran's inn and getting more people and Oliver waiting for his ship to be fixed, and then their marriage and Nana waiting for him. The last part is a bit anticlimatic with Nana going to Spain to save Oliver... I am not sure why the last coupe of episodes weren't as good, but I still liked it and may read the sequel. Please save Nana's sister!
October 27, 2016
I know I am in minority here but I didn't particularly like the book. Although it was refreshing to read about everyday people as oppose to gentile ones, I find the story boring, predictable and too sweet. The characters were too saintly. The author swung the pendulum way over the other direction making gentry characters villainous and exuberated the virtue of the trade class. I could settle in a happy middle. I prefer stories where characters are more human with all their flows.
December 21, 2018
If you don’t mind a little pornography in your book than this will work for you. Yes it was between a husband and wife but as far as I am personally concerned I don’t want to read it. I had to skip several sections of this book and was very disappointed by the authors choices. The plot is rather obvious and the rest of the book was not enough for me to make up for her poor choices. I won’t be reading more from the author.
January 3, 2023
This was a surprisingly sweet romance between the illegitimate granddaughter of a Plymouth innkeeper and the captain of a frigate of the Channel Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars. Besides the romance, I learned a lot about an aspect of the Napoleonic Wars that I had never heard of or even considered. And it was sweet in a romantic sense and in a PG sense.
March 22, 2009
Loved it! Not your typical Regency, but the hero was an uber tough guy with a tender heart and I fell in love with him quickly.
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