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Heroes of the Sea #2
Captain of My Heart
Disguising herself as a crew member, Mira Ashton, daughter of a famous shipbuilder, stows away aboard a new ship, hoping to serve as a gunner and to seduce the captain. Original.
423 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
1109 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Danelle Harmon
42 books472 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Danelle Harmon has written seventeen critically acclaimed and award-winning books, with many being published all over the world. A Massachusetts native, she has lived in Great Britain, though these days she and her English husband make their home in New England with their daughter Emma and numerous animals including five dogs, an Egyptian Arabian horse, and a flock of pet chickens. Danelle enjoys reading, spending time with family, friends and her animals, dog showing, plane-spotting, and sailing her reproduction 19th century skiff, Kestrel II. She welcomes email from her readers and can be reached at Danelle@danelleharmon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
March 27, 2017
Buddy Read with Nenia and Sarah!
Well, that was refreshing!
The romance was adorable. Brendan was confident, talented, and handsome, but also rather shy of attention. He was a delight to read. Mira was a true spitfire heroine who annoyed me a little at first, but in the end I was charmed by her. Together they were quite cute.
I only wish more time had been spent on their romance (and sex, obviously). A large portion of the book was taken up by ship battles and descriptions, which, while stunningly researched, were not terribly interesting to me. However, I do think they were written in the best way they could have been. Brendan captaining a ship was fun, and his crew added much-needed character to the scenes.
The arguments of the Ashton family were pretty amusing, as was the way Brendan reacted to them. I had fun reading this, but like I said, I wished for more interaction between the leads. I did just download another freebie by Danelle Harmon, The Wild One, and I look forward to reading that.
Well, that was refreshing!
The romance was adorable. Brendan was confident, talented, and handsome, but also rather shy of attention. He was a delight to read. Mira was a true spitfire heroine who annoyed me a little at first, but in the end I was charmed by her. Together they were quite cute.
I only wish more time had been spent on their romance (and sex, obviously). A large portion of the book was taken up by ship battles and descriptions, which, while stunningly researched, were not terribly interesting to me. However, I do think they were written in the best way they could have been. Brendan captaining a ship was fun, and his crew added much-needed character to the scenes.
The arguments of the Ashton family were pretty amusing, as was the way Brendan reacted to them. I had fun reading this, but like I said, I wished for more interaction between the leads. I did just download another freebie by Danelle Harmon, The Wild One, and I look forward to reading that.
December 4, 2017
Read for the URR 2017 New Year's Reading Challenge prompt 'Pirate Romance'
23/3 - I enjoyed that a lot more this time around than when I last read it as an older teenager. I don't think I appreciated the seafaring action, historical accuracy and attention to detail that this book was full of. I think I was mostly just looking for lots of sex and this only has two scenes, so it got put in the 'boring pile' in my mind, which, I assume is why it got put in the donate pile a few years ago. My prior rating was three stars and when I was being ordered to ruthlessly cull the romances we owned I probably figured at three stars I wouldn't be all that interested in reading it again (how short-sighted I was).
I'm really glad I made the effort to find and read this with my buddy reading buddies Nenia and Heather.
I thought Mira's insults and curses were hilarious and while I would not have been happy to sit at their dinner table while a screaming match was going on (I hate confrontations of any kind and tend to try to escape if I can), it sure was funny to read about. While a lot of the details about the ship's movements and physical description went over my head, it all sounded very authentic and since Harmon has a reputation of being historically accurate I have to believe that this book was in the same vein. I wish she had included a sketch of a ship done to Brendan's specifications at the back of the book, because while I can look up individual ship terms, I doubt that this actual ship (or anything like it) ever existed otherwise she would have had to get permission from the ship owner's descendants to use it in her story.
The summary on the Kindle edition says it's updated and revised from the original 1992 version. I'm not sure what's changed, but I don't remember reading that prologue. I'm actually going to 'ask' the community in the 'Reader Q&A' section of the book page, otherwise it's going to bug me until I manage to get my hands on a copy of the '92 edition (and since I now own a Kindle edition I don't really feel like spending money buying another just to satisfy my curiosity).
Now I want to reread the first book in the series, hopefully Kindle has a sale on it at some point so I can grab it.
23/3 - I enjoyed that a lot more this time around than when I last read it as an older teenager. I don't think I appreciated the seafaring action, historical accuracy and attention to detail that this book was full of. I think I was mostly just looking for lots of sex and this only has two scenes, so it got put in the 'boring pile' in my mind, which, I assume is why it got put in the donate pile a few years ago. My prior rating was three stars and when I was being ordered to ruthlessly cull the romances we owned I probably figured at three stars I wouldn't be all that interested in reading it again (how short-sighted I was).
I'm really glad I made the effort to find and read this with my buddy reading buddies Nenia and Heather.
I thought Mira's insults and curses were hilarious and while I would not have been happy to sit at their dinner table while a screaming match was going on (I hate confrontations of any kind and tend to try to escape if I can), it sure was funny to read about. While a lot of the details about the ship's movements and physical description went over my head, it all sounded very authentic and since Harmon has a reputation of being historically accurate I have to believe that this book was in the same vein. I wish she had included a sketch of a ship done to Brendan's specifications at the back of the book, because while I can look up individual ship terms, I doubt that this actual ship (or anything like it) ever existed otherwise she would have had to get permission from the ship owner's descendants to use it in her story.
The summary on the Kindle edition says it's updated and revised from the original 1992 version. I'm not sure what's changed, but I don't remember reading that prologue. I'm actually going to 'ask' the community in the 'Reader Q&A' section of the book page, otherwise it's going to bug me until I manage to get my hands on a copy of the '92 edition (and since I now own a Kindle edition I don't really feel like spending money buying another just to satisfy my curiosity).
Now I want to reread the first book in the series, hopefully Kindle has a sale on it at some point so I can grab it.
April 1, 2018
He dreamed of his perfect woman, then he designed her and had her built. Together he planned for them to take to the seas on adventure after adventure as an American legend, a privateer who could become a thorn in the backside of the British Navy. Captain Brendan Merrick didn’t know that he could find a flesh and blood woman who could rival his love for his ship. Then again, he hadn’t yet met Mira Ashton.
Mira is a force to be reckoned with, a tsunami of a woman who could stand with the best sailors at sea, and on land, she was as brash and hot-tempered as any man. She also knew as soon as she saw the half-dead sailor that her heart was spoken for.
Prepare to set sail in a delightfully refreshing tale of action and romance as Danelle Harmon’s CAPTAIN OF MY HEART plunges us headlong into a gloriously humorous love triangle between a ship’s captain, his schooner and the woman he couldn’t have known existed!
Brendan is that hero, the one with honor, the one who dares to taunt the enemy and sail away, the one who is as dashingly handsome as he is charming. Mira is a powerhouse of excitement, completely a woman way before her time! She is also, warm, caring and absolutely endearing!
This is NOT your typical historical, seafaring romance, this is a breath of fresh sea air, sweet, daring and proof that love knows no bounds! Passions abound in this unforgettable tale, filled with colorful characters and all the adventure one can handle!
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: Heroes of the Sea - Book 2
Publisher: Windward Press with Danelle Harmon, Inc. (December 10, 2013)
Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance | Adventure
Print Length: 514 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Mira is a force to be reckoned with, a tsunami of a woman who could stand with the best sailors at sea, and on land, she was as brash and hot-tempered as any man. She also knew as soon as she saw the half-dead sailor that her heart was spoken for.
Prepare to set sail in a delightfully refreshing tale of action and romance as Danelle Harmon’s CAPTAIN OF MY HEART plunges us headlong into a gloriously humorous love triangle between a ship’s captain, his schooner and the woman he couldn’t have known existed!
Brendan is that hero, the one with honor, the one who dares to taunt the enemy and sail away, the one who is as dashingly handsome as he is charming. Mira is a powerhouse of excitement, completely a woman way before her time! She is also, warm, caring and absolutely endearing!
This is NOT your typical historical, seafaring romance, this is a breath of fresh sea air, sweet, daring and proof that love knows no bounds! Passions abound in this unforgettable tale, filled with colorful characters and all the adventure one can handle!
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: Heroes of the Sea - Book 2
Publisher: Windward Press with Danelle Harmon, Inc. (December 10, 2013)
Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance | Adventure
Print Length: 514 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 31, 2013
An Unusual Tale of American Privateers in the Revolutionary War
This is part of Harmon’s Heroes of the Sea series and chronologically follows MASTER of MY DREAMS. It begins in 1775 on the eve of the War of Independence. Brendan Merrick, just promoted to Flag Captain in the Royal Navy, is shot, the victim of a fellow officer’s jealousy. Three years later, in 1778, the half Irish naval architect and rising young officer has defected to the American side to become a privateer, taking his former crew with him.
Brendan is on his way to Ashton Shipyard in Newburyport, Massachusetts to have a schooner built for him when an encounter with his former nemesis leaves him thrust overboard again, but this time he is rescued by the shipbuilder’s son, Matthew Ashton. Exhausted after a night spent in open water, Brendan meets Matt’s sister, Mira Ashton, dressed in mud-soaked boy’s clothes and carrying one of her many rescued cats.
Brendan is a bit like the absent minded professor when it comes to being a ship’s captain, brilliant but distracted by plans for his ship going through his head. Still, his crew loves him and he is a worthy strategist in battle. Mira is instantly taken with him as he is with her. To observe his prowess as a captain, Mira disguises herself as a boy and steals onto his ship as a gunner. His crew, loving the jest, aids her deceit.
Harmon has certainly done her homework when it comes to ships of the era, though you might have to look up a few nautical terms as there are dozens you will not be familiar with sprinkled throughout. Her characters are richly drawn. She is wonderfully gifted with words and describes the action scenes beautifully. As with MASTER OF MY DREAMS, there is humor and whimsy here making it a less serious historical romance. I did find Mira’s hatred of Brendan when he returned home without her brother a bit hard to believe (it was over the top and didn’t seem in character for her). And, it made me dislike the heroine.
If you love an unusual privateer romance, I can recommend it.
Heroes of the Sea series:
Captain of My Heart (1992)
Master of My Dreams (1993)
My Lady Pirate (1994)
Taken By Storm (1995)
Wicked at Heart (1996)
This is part of Harmon’s Heroes of the Sea series and chronologically follows MASTER of MY DREAMS. It begins in 1775 on the eve of the War of Independence. Brendan Merrick, just promoted to Flag Captain in the Royal Navy, is shot, the victim of a fellow officer’s jealousy. Three years later, in 1778, the half Irish naval architect and rising young officer has defected to the American side to become a privateer, taking his former crew with him.
Brendan is on his way to Ashton Shipyard in Newburyport, Massachusetts to have a schooner built for him when an encounter with his former nemesis leaves him thrust overboard again, but this time he is rescued by the shipbuilder’s son, Matthew Ashton. Exhausted after a night spent in open water, Brendan meets Matt’s sister, Mira Ashton, dressed in mud-soaked boy’s clothes and carrying one of her many rescued cats.
Brendan is a bit like the absent minded professor when it comes to being a ship’s captain, brilliant but distracted by plans for his ship going through his head. Still, his crew loves him and he is a worthy strategist in battle. Mira is instantly taken with him as he is with her. To observe his prowess as a captain, Mira disguises herself as a boy and steals onto his ship as a gunner. His crew, loving the jest, aids her deceit.
Harmon has certainly done her homework when it comes to ships of the era, though you might have to look up a few nautical terms as there are dozens you will not be familiar with sprinkled throughout. Her characters are richly drawn. She is wonderfully gifted with words and describes the action scenes beautifully. As with MASTER OF MY DREAMS, there is humor and whimsy here making it a less serious historical romance. I did find Mira’s hatred of Brendan when he returned home without her brother a bit hard to believe (it was over the top and didn’t seem in character for her). And, it made me dislike the heroine.
If you love an unusual privateer romance, I can recommend it.
Heroes of the Sea series:
Captain of My Heart (1992)
Master of My Dreams (1993)
My Lady Pirate (1994)
Taken By Storm (1995)
Wicked at Heart (1996)
May 24, 2022
This book was a disappointment. I kept reading and reading, hoping that the storyline would get better because of the numerous positive reviews for the title but I am obviously in the minority with my feelings for Captain of My Heart. The dialogue was redundant and overly detailed except in the areas that needed it most. The author's in-depth description of ships and their maneuvering overpowered the characters and plot of the story, the main characters fell to the wayside because of it. I ended up disliking every singe character. The Ashton's were horrid with a focus on their continuous and foul arguing and Mira, the heroine, acted like a twelve year old girl with her first crush when it came to Captain Brendan Jay Merrick. Brendan I found sickeningly sweet and towards the end, dense. Readers are told to believe these two had deep feelings for one another, never shown. The most frustrating part though is that when it seems we’re coming upon a good scene in the book, the author skips right over it and moves the timeline forward by days, and even months! It was a struggle to keep reading.
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July 21, 2014
Ugh. I had to force myself to finish the last half of this book. I just didn't care and I just didn't like any of the main characters, Myra was annoying and loud and I'm sorry but how did she manage to get onto Brendan's ship time and time again without him noticing? That annoyed me. Judging from the reviews I see I am alone in my solitary dislike of this book which is a shame because the time period is really interesting (Colonial America + Royal Navy + Privateers) but I just couldn't stomach the characters and all the yelling. Every single person yelled in this book.
I did like the cats, however.
I did like the cats, however.
December 6, 2018
Now this is wonderful, who doesn’t love a pirate romance? Captain f My Heart is book two in the Heroes of the Sea series, I haven’t read the first book in this series but that didn’t really matter as I cam e into this book as though it was a stand-alone and it is an easy to read story that will grab your attention. This is the first book I have read by Danielle Harmon and I can say without a doubt that it will not be the last, I thoroughly enjoyed her creative imagination and easy to read style of writing.
From the first page I was gripped by the story, the story begins in 1775 newly promoted and all around golden boy of the Royal Navy, Flag Captain; Brendan Merrick is shot and falls over board to be thought as dead, all because of a jealous and spiteful fellow officer; Captain Crichton – who really is a horrid, manipulative and sinister man you’ve ever come across. He really is acid! But don’t think that once Brendan is nearly killed that is the end we see of evil Critchon, oh no! Three years later the handsome young Irishman is alive and is now a privateer working with the America. He plans for one of the best shipwright Ephraim Ashton to build him a whole new ship and because of his fierce and legendary reputation of his battles against the British fleet, Ashton agrees and builds him the beautiful Kestrel.
But Brendan is yet again nearly killed again by his former nemesis, poor Brendan again ends up in the water, not to worry Ashton’s children are at the rescue, which is where Brendan meets Ashton’s vivacious, spirited and feisty daughter; Mira. Mira is a brilliant character, I love her determination, her fire and the fact that she becomes Brendan’s best gunner aboard the Kestrel as she sneaks aboard dressed as a boy. Brendan is a little taken back by her, she isn’t at all what he is used to, she is definitely no wilting wallflower, this is what draws his attention to her.
I love Brendan, but then again I do have a soft spot for Irish rogues who have a twinkle 😉 I have always thought you always know the measure of a man, from how he treats his men and Brendan is a brilliant Captain. I found him to be quite the contradiction, in one hand he is fierce, animalistic, powerful and impossibly sexy and ion the other he is caring, kind, a thinker with a real warm and kind heart. The romance between Mira and Brendan is fun, saucy, tender and passionate, they are both so alike which does mean fire.
What particularly struck me was how much research the author put into this, the battle scenes are breath-taking, the description the sights, smells of the sea and the ships in particular are atmospheric and stunning. I can smell the sea salt and hear the gulls from my cosy chair, I have read many sea based romances and this has to be one of the best, Ms. Harmon has a true talent for engaging the reader with stunning writing and compelling story telling, which hooks you from the very first page and you will devour every word.
This really is wonderful and one that I cannot recommended enough!
This was a complimentary copy via Aurora Publicity, Thank you Pam.
From the first page I was gripped by the story, the story begins in 1775 newly promoted and all around golden boy of the Royal Navy, Flag Captain; Brendan Merrick is shot and falls over board to be thought as dead, all because of a jealous and spiteful fellow officer; Captain Crichton – who really is a horrid, manipulative and sinister man you’ve ever come across. He really is acid! But don’t think that once Brendan is nearly killed that is the end we see of evil Critchon, oh no! Three years later the handsome young Irishman is alive and is now a privateer working with the America. He plans for one of the best shipwright Ephraim Ashton to build him a whole new ship and because of his fierce and legendary reputation of his battles against the British fleet, Ashton agrees and builds him the beautiful Kestrel.
But Brendan is yet again nearly killed again by his former nemesis, poor Brendan again ends up in the water, not to worry Ashton’s children are at the rescue, which is where Brendan meets Ashton’s vivacious, spirited and feisty daughter; Mira. Mira is a brilliant character, I love her determination, her fire and the fact that she becomes Brendan’s best gunner aboard the Kestrel as she sneaks aboard dressed as a boy. Brendan is a little taken back by her, she isn’t at all what he is used to, she is definitely no wilting wallflower, this is what draws his attention to her.
I love Brendan, but then again I do have a soft spot for Irish rogues who have a twinkle 😉 I have always thought you always know the measure of a man, from how he treats his men and Brendan is a brilliant Captain. I found him to be quite the contradiction, in one hand he is fierce, animalistic, powerful and impossibly sexy and ion the other he is caring, kind, a thinker with a real warm and kind heart. The romance between Mira and Brendan is fun, saucy, tender and passionate, they are both so alike which does mean fire.
What particularly struck me was how much research the author put into this, the battle scenes are breath-taking, the description the sights, smells of the sea and the ships in particular are atmospheric and stunning. I can smell the sea salt and hear the gulls from my cosy chair, I have read many sea based romances and this has to be one of the best, Ms. Harmon has a true talent for engaging the reader with stunning writing and compelling story telling, which hooks you from the very first page and you will devour every word.
This really is wonderful and one that I cannot recommended enough!
This was a complimentary copy via Aurora Publicity, Thank you Pam.
May 3, 2018
Captain of My Heart is the second book in Danelle Harmon’s Heroes of the Sea series, yet it works perfectly fine as a standalone novel. I am now interested in going back and reading the prior book, along with going on to read the later books, but this is due to my enjoyment of this story rather than being a necessity for understanding of this story.
From the start, this one intrigued me. We begin with action in an interesting time period with a fun setting, ensuring I’ll be desperate for more. As the story progressed and more came to light, I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the story. In truth, I had been a bit unsure about this one – I enjoy a good historical romance, yet I generally stick to short stories and novellas in the genre – yet this longer historical romance certainly had me more than willing to dig much deeper into the story than I’d expected.
In all honesty, this one isn’t quite a full four-star rating. That being said, it was so close I had to round up my rating. The only reason for this is due to the amount of information that was thrown about regarding the ships at times. Sure, I appreciated the amount of research and detail. At the same time, I found myself wanting the sections to move by rapidly so I could go back to the action. It wasn’t often, but occasionally these elements would result in my attention slipping slightly. It was a small thing, though, which is why I was happy to round my rating up.
After all, the stories and the characters in this one grabbed me. There were plenty of things to love and hate with this one, plenty of things to bring about emotions. You’ll let out some chuckles, you’re groan at some of the characters, and you’ll feel sucked into the story. It’s certainly a story that engages you, leaving you happy to turn each of the pages.
As a whole, I had a lot of fun with this one and will happily read more of the author in the future.
From the start, this one intrigued me. We begin with action in an interesting time period with a fun setting, ensuring I’ll be desperate for more. As the story progressed and more came to light, I found myself slipping deeper and deeper into the story. In truth, I had been a bit unsure about this one – I enjoy a good historical romance, yet I generally stick to short stories and novellas in the genre – yet this longer historical romance certainly had me more than willing to dig much deeper into the story than I’d expected.
In all honesty, this one isn’t quite a full four-star rating. That being said, it was so close I had to round up my rating. The only reason for this is due to the amount of information that was thrown about regarding the ships at times. Sure, I appreciated the amount of research and detail. At the same time, I found myself wanting the sections to move by rapidly so I could go back to the action. It wasn’t often, but occasionally these elements would result in my attention slipping slightly. It was a small thing, though, which is why I was happy to round my rating up.
After all, the stories and the characters in this one grabbed me. There were plenty of things to love and hate with this one, plenty of things to bring about emotions. You’ll let out some chuckles, you’re groan at some of the characters, and you’ll feel sucked into the story. It’s certainly a story that engages you, leaving you happy to turn each of the pages.
As a whole, I had a lot of fun with this one and will happily read more of the author in the future.
October 17, 2016
I like Danelle Harmon (I loved her The Wicked One when it first came out and I still found it enjoyable after the most recent rereading). I also love tall ships and the heroines who can sail them. I don't mind imperfect heroines - in fact, I'll take them over the typical martyrs who seem to be far too prevalent in the romance novels. However, I simply can't stand Mira Ashton. She's basically a Mary Sue with no flaws other than inability to cook (we all know that learning a few basic recipes is beyond even the smartest of hoydens). She's loud, obnoxious, selfish, practically tricks the hero to have sex with her and glibly admits she always has her way. At this point I was rooting for Brendan (who's actually a rather sweet guy) to send her away to teach her some humility but no such luck. Apparently, it's one of the earliest books of this author so I guess I'll stick to the later ones.
September 26, 2012
I am seriously so excited to write this review of Captain of My Heart by Danelle Harmon. Let me preface this by saying that I have gone through a little reading slump this year and find it very hard to “fall madly in love” with many books. I promise you, that I did not have that problem with this book. Actually it was quite the opposite. I fell hard and fast and probably now all of the other books I read this year will not compare at all!
With Captain of my Heart I found so many old feelings rushing back while I was reading! Those feelings of angst and being unable to put a book down in the middle of the chapter, or thinking about ALL day at work about getting back to the last place you left off. That warm, achy feeling you get during a really tender kiss or love scene that just makes you find the romantic in you and give them a big old hug. Does any of this sound familiar? Do I sound crazy?! I certainly hope so. That’s the only way to be about a book that brings so many emotions to the forefront and at the same time introduces you to a heart stopping h/h like Mira and Brendan. not to mention their quirky secondary cast of characters. I can’t remember how long it has been since I have been so in love with a group of characters!
Everything about Captain of My Heart just works! It’s a guiltless pleasure of a read with an absolutely fantastic plot full of action, romance, intrigue, the open seas, treachery- it all worked together to simply keep me entranced! The writing is great, the characters both believable and completely over the top and the romance….. the romance is one that grows from page to page until all of a sudden it’s this wonderful living, breathing entity taking my breath away.
I loved this entire cast of characters. I mean really, there isn’t just one that I love they are all up there on the list. But really no single character in any of the books that I have EVER read has made me have the kind of reactions that I had to Mira. She’s absolutely hysterical. She is crass, vulgar, brazen, she has no tact whatsoever, not a drop of refinement to her and yet I completely LOVED her. More than once I simply threw my head back and laughed at something that she said or did. She is not afraid of a single person and her lack of boundaries makes basically every decision she makes questionable and yet I was rooting for her the entire time. She’s magnificent and completely deserving of a man like Brendan Merrick. Never have I liked a female character more.
Brendan is for all intents and purposes a refined gentleman, loved by many, revered by his shipmates. He’s a golden boy with a heart that beats for the sea and his beautiful ships. There isn’t a woman alive who can take the place of his first love….not any normal woman anyways. Brendan finds himself entranced by Mira from the very first time he sees her and his entrancement grows right along with ours.
Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about this book. This is one of those warm and ooey-gooey stories that stays with a person for a long time. I could go on and on and on about all of the things I love about Captain of My Heart or you can just read it for yourselves and see what all this fuss is about! Go forth and buy it and read it immediately and be happy! You will definitely not be sorry!
Krissie for b2b
With Captain of my Heart I found so many old feelings rushing back while I was reading! Those feelings of angst and being unable to put a book down in the middle of the chapter, or thinking about ALL day at work about getting back to the last place you left off. That warm, achy feeling you get during a really tender kiss or love scene that just makes you find the romantic in you and give them a big old hug. Does any of this sound familiar? Do I sound crazy?! I certainly hope so. That’s the only way to be about a book that brings so many emotions to the forefront and at the same time introduces you to a heart stopping h/h like Mira and Brendan. not to mention their quirky secondary cast of characters. I can’t remember how long it has been since I have been so in love with a group of characters!
Everything about Captain of My Heart just works! It’s a guiltless pleasure of a read with an absolutely fantastic plot full of action, romance, intrigue, the open seas, treachery- it all worked together to simply keep me entranced! The writing is great, the characters both believable and completely over the top and the romance….. the romance is one that grows from page to page until all of a sudden it’s this wonderful living, breathing entity taking my breath away.
I loved this entire cast of characters. I mean really, there isn’t just one that I love they are all up there on the list. But really no single character in any of the books that I have EVER read has made me have the kind of reactions that I had to Mira. She’s absolutely hysterical. She is crass, vulgar, brazen, she has no tact whatsoever, not a drop of refinement to her and yet I completely LOVED her. More than once I simply threw my head back and laughed at something that she said or did. She is not afraid of a single person and her lack of boundaries makes basically every decision she makes questionable and yet I was rooting for her the entire time. She’s magnificent and completely deserving of a man like Brendan Merrick. Never have I liked a female character more.
Brendan is for all intents and purposes a refined gentleman, loved by many, revered by his shipmates. He’s a golden boy with a heart that beats for the sea and his beautiful ships. There isn’t a woman alive who can take the place of his first love….not any normal woman anyways. Brendan finds himself entranced by Mira from the very first time he sees her and his entrancement grows right along with ours.
Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about this book. This is one of those warm and ooey-gooey stories that stays with a person for a long time. I could go on and on and on about all of the things I love about Captain of My Heart or you can just read it for yourselves and see what all this fuss is about! Go forth and buy it and read it immediately and be happy! You will definitely not be sorry!
Krissie for b2b
November 8, 2018
I'm abandoning ship.
I came back to read the reviews to see if I hadn't paid attention before buying it. I am 25% in so far and just can't finish. With each passing page, I detest the heroine more and more. WHY is the hero even attracted to her? She behaves like a whiny, spoiled rotten, bad tempered 12 year old. And her father and brother aren't much different. I grew tired of all the yelling and fighting between them and the wild shenanigans of the heroine.
The Hero is ok, so far, but just don't see what he sees in her. He is very mild mannered and calm.
For me, there was too much description of the ship. I suppose if you have a love of building ships and know much about them you might find it intriguing. In addition, there was just too many details of other things. It began to seem like "filler" for the story.
I was surprised when I realized I'd read two other books of hers, and one I gave five stars to. Not so for this one.
I came back to read the reviews to see if I hadn't paid attention before buying it. I am 25% in so far and just can't finish. With each passing page, I detest the heroine more and more. WHY is the hero even attracted to her? She behaves like a whiny, spoiled rotten, bad tempered 12 year old. And her father and brother aren't much different. I grew tired of all the yelling and fighting between them and the wild shenanigans of the heroine.
The Hero is ok, so far, but just don't see what he sees in her. He is very mild mannered and calm.
For me, there was too much description of the ship. I suppose if you have a love of building ships and know much about them you might find it intriguing. In addition, there was just too many details of other things. It began to seem like "filler" for the story.
I was surprised when I realized I'd read two other books of hers, and one I gave five stars to. Not so for this one.
December 22, 2014
Audiobook Review: Captain Brendan Merrick was a man of compassion and one who believed in doing the right thing which meant taking care of the men who served under his command. Captain Brendan Merrick was the new flag captain who previously captained the crew on the Halcyon. It was apparent how much the men love and respected him. Crichton the current captain of the ship was despised by his men and captained with an iron fist. We walk into a scene where Dalby was strung up to be thrashed for stealing a dry biscuit.
The day he was cruelly, and with knowing intent by Crichton, shot and then fell overboard was the day that he no longer belonged to the Royal Navy (1775).
This was a wonderful way to start the story, my emotions were laid out plain and simple-- compassion for Dalby, hatred for Crichton, the antagonist, and affection for the well-loved flag captain, all were dumped into the cold ocean along with Brandon Merrick’s body. I was dumbfounded!
Three years later (1778) Captain Brendan Merrick had his own ship, privateering for the American colonies. He survived the bullets and sea, changing sides from Royal Navy to the American colonies. The gods of fate intervened.
We early on are introduced to Dalby, an incredibly funny character with hypochondriac inclinations, and Liam, an officer on the captain’s ship, who was Brendan’s childhood friend. Both of them produced lots of humorous moments.
I want to share this funny scene, one of several in the story. It seems that Crichton has not lost his hatred of Brendan Merrick through the years and he’s following him into Newburyport getting ready to blow the ship Annabel out of the water.
Excerpt:
“Brendan!”
Liam’s voice, desperate and wild.
“Bren-daaaaan!”
Faith, where was their confidence in him?
Sure enough, there was Liam, all two hundred strapping pounds of him, shoving his telescope into a seaman’s hand and hurtling toward him at breakneck, speed. Blue eyes bulging, he slid into the deckhouse where Brendan was sitting, nearly tripping over a ringbolt as he grabbed desperately for his arm.
Brendan barely glanced up. “Honestly, Liam, as an officer, you really should try to set a better example. Racing across the deck like that—“
“God Almighty, Cap’n, it’s Crichton commandin’ that frigate!” Liam had his arm now, nearly ripping it from its socket; the drafts jumped in the wind, and Brendan grabbed them just in time. “D’ye hear me, Brendan? Crichton!”
Astern, the British frigate drew closer, determined to prevent them from reaching the Merrimack River and the safety of Newburyport. Water thundered and creamed from her bows. Drums rolled ominously upon the wind. Pipes shrilled. Gunports were yawning open. . . .
While forward in Annabel’s bows, Dalby O’Hara crouched miserably, a gnarled hand clamped over his belly, and his face the color of oatmeal as he remembered his own treatment at the hands of that frigate’s captain, three years before.
At his elbow, Fergus McDermott, an atheist who’d adopted religion thirty seconds earlier, recited the Twenty-third Psalm over and over in a mindless chant.
Brendan held up the schooner’s drafts so that Liam could see them better. “Y’know, Liam, I’ve been thinking . . . Maybe I ought to give the bowsprit a bit more steeve. Other than that, I think she’s going to be perfect. Sharp in the topsides around the bow, lean in the stern, and lots of rake in both. Not only will our new privateer be a swift as the wind, she’ll sit so low in the water that her profile will be all but invisible from a distance! And with this hull shape, she’ll be perfect for windward sailing, and we’ll be able to carry a greater press of sail, even flying topsails and topgallants if we’ve a mind to--“
“Brendan—“
“Too little beam and she’d be fast but unstable. Too much and she’d be a laggard. Too fine a bow and stern and we’d sacrifice weight-carrying ability fore and aft. That means guns, Liam! And in a privateer, that won’t do, now, will it?” Beyond Annabel’s desperate bowsprit the sunset smeared the sky in brilliant tones of red and purple, reflecting against the water as it changed from sea-cop to rippling cat’s paws of current. In the distance, Newburyport was coming into view. “Ah, Liam, if we had this schooner right now, we’d leave that beast back there lumbering in her own bow-wake. If we had the schooner—“
“Dammit, Brendan, we’re not goin’ t’ have a schooner if ye don’t put down those bloody drafts and listen ‘t me! It’s Crichton!”
Brendan glanced up, his eyes alight with mirth, and his mouth set in the same quirky grin that was as reckless now as it had been when he and Liam had spent their childhoods exploring the rocky shores of Connaught. It was a grin that was sure to drive poor Liam mad. “So anyhow, I’ve decided that if I have this Ashton fellow build her exactly to my specifications, ninety feet on deck, with a beam of twenty-three feet—“
Dead astern, the frigate’s sails shook and boomed as she leaned over onto a new tack, the guns that stabbed from her forecastle glinting blood-red in the setting sun.
“—and with a draught of just under ten feet- Faith, Liam, will you please let go of my sleeve?”
“But it’s Crichton!”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The scene goes on, continuing to make me laugh. As I retyped this scene, I was laughing! Isn’t Captain Brendan Merrick just the sweetest thing? I liked him from the prologue scene in how he treated his old shipmates in 1775, but in 1778, I loved him. And I must tell you, Wayne Farrell knows just how to portray the captain. I could hear the tone of mirth in the dialog. His accent was just amazing.
When we meet Miss Mira Ashton she’s singing Yankee Doodle Dandy, in breeches which is her usual dress, training a horse. Here, dear reader, is a scene where we learn the stuff that makes Mira Ashton who she is. And she ISN’T a singer. Again Wayne Farrell does an excellent job with the singing. I have NEVER heard Yankee Doodle Dandy sung by someone tone-deaf. Yikes! (Wayne had difficulty singing it thus, since he has an excellent singing voice)
Ms. Mira Ashton had a personality that was fun discovering. She had a softer side hidden by the only way she knew how to act. But she was very perceptive, both with animals and people. She is a rather boisterous, uncouth young lady, acting as her brother Matthew and father. She holds her own in their umpteen arguments. She's a multi-faceted character, well-defined. Narrator Wayne Farrell outdoes himself in the dialog as they argue. I’ve listened to it several times since my first listen and it is STILL crazy fun.
Mira loves animals and cares for and saves injured or starved strays. Once well, she finds new homes for them, well, MOST of them. She’s extremely patriotic, loves ships. Mira changes through the story, not who she is so much, but how she interacts with people. She wants and needs to change, because she knows that Captain Brendan is her man. She just needs to make him at least like her. There are some very poignant moments between these seemingly ill-matched pair.
Wayne Farrell speaks each sentence clearly, in a quiet manner letting the listener hang on to each sentence. His voice is mellow, with a light lyrical lilt of words that simply held the magic so eloquently splayed on the page.
The author uses powerful words in her descriptive sentences and Wayne gives the listener time to savor them. His Yankee and Irish accents are brilliant. The carefree, gallant, and sometimes jocular manner of the Irish captain Brendan is personified through Wayne’s emotional tone.
At other times he bellows where dialog provides the opportunity, sings as if he’s tone deaf, and carries us into the story as waves to the shore.
I could go on and on about the book, the dialog, the description of scene, the character development, the characters themselves. It truly was marvelous. It is a MUST READ if you love historical romances, to laugh, cry, and generally fall in love with a book. I plan on listening to it again, just for the fun and pleasure of hearing it a second time. I absolutely KNOW you will love the book and if you can get the audiobook, even better. This is one of my top reads/listens of the year.
The day he was cruelly, and with knowing intent by Crichton, shot and then fell overboard was the day that he no longer belonged to the Royal Navy (1775).
This was a wonderful way to start the story, my emotions were laid out plain and simple-- compassion for Dalby, hatred for Crichton, the antagonist, and affection for the well-loved flag captain, all were dumped into the cold ocean along with Brandon Merrick’s body. I was dumbfounded!
Three years later (1778) Captain Brendan Merrick had his own ship, privateering for the American colonies. He survived the bullets and sea, changing sides from Royal Navy to the American colonies. The gods of fate intervened.
We early on are introduced to Dalby, an incredibly funny character with hypochondriac inclinations, and Liam, an officer on the captain’s ship, who was Brendan’s childhood friend. Both of them produced lots of humorous moments.
I want to share this funny scene, one of several in the story. It seems that Crichton has not lost his hatred of Brendan Merrick through the years and he’s following him into Newburyport getting ready to blow the ship Annabel out of the water.
Excerpt:
“Brendan!”
Liam’s voice, desperate and wild.
“Bren-daaaaan!”
Faith, where was their confidence in him?
Sure enough, there was Liam, all two hundred strapping pounds of him, shoving his telescope into a seaman’s hand and hurtling toward him at breakneck, speed. Blue eyes bulging, he slid into the deckhouse where Brendan was sitting, nearly tripping over a ringbolt as he grabbed desperately for his arm.
Brendan barely glanced up. “Honestly, Liam, as an officer, you really should try to set a better example. Racing across the deck like that—“
“God Almighty, Cap’n, it’s Crichton commandin’ that frigate!” Liam had his arm now, nearly ripping it from its socket; the drafts jumped in the wind, and Brendan grabbed them just in time. “D’ye hear me, Brendan? Crichton!”
Astern, the British frigate drew closer, determined to prevent them from reaching the Merrimack River and the safety of Newburyport. Water thundered and creamed from her bows. Drums rolled ominously upon the wind. Pipes shrilled. Gunports were yawning open. . . .
While forward in Annabel’s bows, Dalby O’Hara crouched miserably, a gnarled hand clamped over his belly, and his face the color of oatmeal as he remembered his own treatment at the hands of that frigate’s captain, three years before.
At his elbow, Fergus McDermott, an atheist who’d adopted religion thirty seconds earlier, recited the Twenty-third Psalm over and over in a mindless chant.
Brendan held up the schooner’s drafts so that Liam could see them better. “Y’know, Liam, I’ve been thinking . . . Maybe I ought to give the bowsprit a bit more steeve. Other than that, I think she’s going to be perfect. Sharp in the topsides around the bow, lean in the stern, and lots of rake in both. Not only will our new privateer be a swift as the wind, she’ll sit so low in the water that her profile will be all but invisible from a distance! And with this hull shape, she’ll be perfect for windward sailing, and we’ll be able to carry a greater press of sail, even flying topsails and topgallants if we’ve a mind to--“
“Brendan—“
“Too little beam and she’d be fast but unstable. Too much and she’d be a laggard. Too fine a bow and stern and we’d sacrifice weight-carrying ability fore and aft. That means guns, Liam! And in a privateer, that won’t do, now, will it?” Beyond Annabel’s desperate bowsprit the sunset smeared the sky in brilliant tones of red and purple, reflecting against the water as it changed from sea-cop to rippling cat’s paws of current. In the distance, Newburyport was coming into view. “Ah, Liam, if we had this schooner right now, we’d leave that beast back there lumbering in her own bow-wake. If we had the schooner—“
“Dammit, Brendan, we’re not goin’ t’ have a schooner if ye don’t put down those bloody drafts and listen ‘t me! It’s Crichton!”
Brendan glanced up, his eyes alight with mirth, and his mouth set in the same quirky grin that was as reckless now as it had been when he and Liam had spent their childhoods exploring the rocky shores of Connaught. It was a grin that was sure to drive poor Liam mad. “So anyhow, I’ve decided that if I have this Ashton fellow build her exactly to my specifications, ninety feet on deck, with a beam of twenty-three feet—“
Dead astern, the frigate’s sails shook and boomed as she leaned over onto a new tack, the guns that stabbed from her forecastle glinting blood-red in the setting sun.
“—and with a draught of just under ten feet- Faith, Liam, will you please let go of my sleeve?”
“But it’s Crichton!”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The scene goes on, continuing to make me laugh. As I retyped this scene, I was laughing! Isn’t Captain Brendan Merrick just the sweetest thing? I liked him from the prologue scene in how he treated his old shipmates in 1775, but in 1778, I loved him. And I must tell you, Wayne Farrell knows just how to portray the captain. I could hear the tone of mirth in the dialog. His accent was just amazing.
When we meet Miss Mira Ashton she’s singing Yankee Doodle Dandy, in breeches which is her usual dress, training a horse. Here, dear reader, is a scene where we learn the stuff that makes Mira Ashton who she is. And she ISN’T a singer. Again Wayne Farrell does an excellent job with the singing. I have NEVER heard Yankee Doodle Dandy sung by someone tone-deaf. Yikes! (Wayne had difficulty singing it thus, since he has an excellent singing voice)
Ms. Mira Ashton had a personality that was fun discovering. She had a softer side hidden by the only way she knew how to act. But she was very perceptive, both with animals and people. She is a rather boisterous, uncouth young lady, acting as her brother Matthew and father. She holds her own in their umpteen arguments. She's a multi-faceted character, well-defined. Narrator Wayne Farrell outdoes himself in the dialog as they argue. I’ve listened to it several times since my first listen and it is STILL crazy fun.
Mira loves animals and cares for and saves injured or starved strays. Once well, she finds new homes for them, well, MOST of them. She’s extremely patriotic, loves ships. Mira changes through the story, not who she is so much, but how she interacts with people. She wants and needs to change, because she knows that Captain Brendan is her man. She just needs to make him at least like her. There are some very poignant moments between these seemingly ill-matched pair.
Wayne Farrell speaks each sentence clearly, in a quiet manner letting the listener hang on to each sentence. His voice is mellow, with a light lyrical lilt of words that simply held the magic so eloquently splayed on the page.
The author uses powerful words in her descriptive sentences and Wayne gives the listener time to savor them. His Yankee and Irish accents are brilliant. The carefree, gallant, and sometimes jocular manner of the Irish captain Brendan is personified through Wayne’s emotional tone.
At other times he bellows where dialog provides the opportunity, sings as if he’s tone deaf, and carries us into the story as waves to the shore.
I could go on and on about the book, the dialog, the description of scene, the character development, the characters themselves. It truly was marvelous. It is a MUST READ if you love historical romances, to laugh, cry, and generally fall in love with a book. I plan on listening to it again, just for the fun and pleasure of hearing it a second time. I absolutely KNOW you will love the book and if you can get the audiobook, even better. This is one of my top reads/listens of the year.
March 19, 2018
Captain Of My Heart by Danelle Harmon is an extraordinary historical romance. Ms. Harmon has given us a book that is not only well-written but is packed with phenomenal characters. Brendan is a Flag Captain for the King's Navy, he's shot by a jealous captain of another ship and falls overboard. He resurfaces after a time as a privateer captain...working with America. Mira runs a horsemanship school, when she's not sneaking away on her brother's ship. Their story is action-packed and loaded with drama, humor and sizzle. This is a serious historical romance but the actions and antics of Mira turn it into a totally fun book to read. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and look forward to reading more from Danelle Harmon in the future. Captain Of My Heart is book 2 of the Heroes of the Sea Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 18, 2018
I was at first a bit intimated at the size of this read, as well as seafaring theme, the time period, and that this is an older written book. I’m so glad I gave it a go. I LOVED IT! Action, romance, eccentric characters, and battles at sea against the backdrop of war. The descriptions are wonderful (setting, characters, schooner). Krestrel, Captain Merrick’s schooner, is a front and center character herself. Details are brilliant and seems like a lot of research went into this book. I highly recommend Captain of My Heart.
I just came across that Heir to the Sea is now out (came out in 2017). It’s the journey of the youngest son of the Captain Brendan and Mira Merrick and I'm eager to read it.
Review copy provided by Aurora Publicity
I just came across that Heir to the Sea is now out (came out in 2017). It’s the journey of the youngest son of the Captain Brendan and Mira Merrick and I'm eager to read it.
Review copy provided by Aurora Publicity
October 22, 2020
I love the language in this book so much and its very well edited.The historic background is just my cup of tea.For our hero Brendan and heroine Moira with this two you never know what they’re up to or what’s happening next.Moira is a great and cute girl I really loved her.Brandan Jay Merriick is a hero you will not forget soon.Then there’s all the humor in it but that’s the author’s writing style.If your all in for some shipping and sea bettle than read it please.
September 10, 2017
Read on 1/29/13
October 4, 2018
Captain of My Heart is a historical romance set during the American Revolutionary War where the Americans fought for independence from Great Britain.
Brendan is half English and half Irish. He earns his title of flag ship captain through his prowess at sea. He is respected by his crew for his fairness and the way he respects and interacts with them.
Mira is the daughter of a ship builder. Raised by her father and brother, she doesn't possess the same etiquettes as the other ladies. If anything, she likes being different! She is also quite a handful.
Brendan finds himself being betrayed by one of his jealous compatriots who leaves him for dead. He reappears three years later, looking for the best ship builder to realise his dream of producing a schooner. One of his own designs. Mira's father is one of the best and this is how they get to meet each other. Although, he is taken aback by Mira's attire and her unladylike behaviour, he is also smitten. She too, sets her eyes on him. Brendan has sworn off women after a bad relationship, but can he resist the brazen Miss Mira? After all, she always gets what she wants!
I like the storyline and the romance. The twists are projected in such a way, that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to get to the outcomes. Brendan is a humble hero and I couldn't help but love him. Mira is another story, she brings out different emotions. She can be infuriating, but her heart is in the right place. What she does for Eveleen, Brendan's sister is full of kindness and compassion. The lengthy war battles are a little chaotic and even though, they are detailed, I found them confusing and hard to visualise. Otherwise, an entertaining story with Love, laughter, compassion and tragedy. The cats and horses are great features. As for the deafening family "discussions" I don't really know what to say. A worthwhile read.
Brendan is half English and half Irish. He earns his title of flag ship captain through his prowess at sea. He is respected by his crew for his fairness and the way he respects and interacts with them.
Mira is the daughter of a ship builder. Raised by her father and brother, she doesn't possess the same etiquettes as the other ladies. If anything, she likes being different! She is also quite a handful.
Brendan finds himself being betrayed by one of his jealous compatriots who leaves him for dead. He reappears three years later, looking for the best ship builder to realise his dream of producing a schooner. One of his own designs. Mira's father is one of the best and this is how they get to meet each other. Although, he is taken aback by Mira's attire and her unladylike behaviour, he is also smitten. She too, sets her eyes on him. Brendan has sworn off women after a bad relationship, but can he resist the brazen Miss Mira? After all, she always gets what she wants!
I like the storyline and the romance. The twists are projected in such a way, that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to get to the outcomes. Brendan is a humble hero and I couldn't help but love him. Mira is another story, she brings out different emotions. She can be infuriating, but her heart is in the right place. What she does for Eveleen, Brendan's sister is full of kindness and compassion. The lengthy war battles are a little chaotic and even though, they are detailed, I found them confusing and hard to visualise. Otherwise, an entertaining story with Love, laughter, compassion and tragedy. The cats and horses are great features. As for the deafening family "discussions" I don't really know what to say. A worthwhile read.
June 6, 2018
Be ready for an adventure filled story with this one. This is more than a romance because you really get to know about the ships and battles that bring them together time after time. Their relationship is full of ups and downs that keep you guessing and hoping for them. I loved how they were together on and off the ship because they truly balanced each other out and were made for each other. I held my breath when everything happened with her brother and then again with the last battle. The ending was perfect and I loved the story of her brother and his sister.
Mira always gets what she wants and you don't want to mess with a temper. She really matured and changed over the course of the book. She went from a childlike loose cannon to a more understanding woman that still could be a loose cannon. I loved her as the story continued and her skills on a ship were amazing.
Brendan is a cool-tempered skilled captain that definitely has the luck of the Irish on his side. Nothing was going to stop him from winning his four-year battle. I could just picture him when he started talking and when he realized who was on his ship. He was just amazing in everything and loved his sister.
This cover was burned into my mind everytime he talked.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
Mira always gets what she wants and you don't want to mess with a temper. She really matured and changed over the course of the book. She went from a childlike loose cannon to a more understanding woman that still could be a loose cannon. I loved her as the story continued and her skills on a ship were amazing.
Brendan is a cool-tempered skilled captain that definitely has the luck of the Irish on his side. Nothing was going to stop him from winning his four-year battle. I could just picture him when he started talking and when he realized who was on his ship. He was just amazing in everything and loved his sister.
This cover was burned into my mind everytime he talked.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
March 25, 2018
This was a lovely book. The scenery is wonderfully described and while reading it I could easily picture the ships out at sea and the men in the rigging. Captain Merrick was quite a character. His confidence was endearing and I found the fact that he likes to sketch out battles between ships (during battle) quite intriguing. It took quite a bit of time for him and Mira to actually get together and sometimes that can can cause someone to lose interest because of such a long wait, but not in this book. Their relationship is quite interesting from the very beginning. Mira is as much part of the sea as Merrick is. The book itself was much longer than what I normally read, but I very much enjoyed it!
July 2, 2020
I really wanted to like this more. The premise and characters were interesting, it got such great recommendations... But this book needed better editing—it’s bogged down by unnecessary wordiness and description; the language is repetitive (the word “faith” is used over 80 times in the book as a curse word); it’s full of telling instead of showing; and character and romantic development that shouldn’t be rushed are glossed over (but you won’t care because you’ll have started skim reading by the time you get 30% into the book). I’m so disappointed. :(
March 6, 2013
Harmon has a way of keeping me on the edge of my seat like no other. This book started a little slow so I gave it a four, but the suspense was gut wrenching, and that's why I enjoy reading Danelle Harmon.
May 11, 2011
Dannielle Harmon menulis buku yg asik di baca tentang pelayaran dan percintaan di kapal...really liked it...
I love the main character , the hero was all we imagine about "a captain" ....
I love the main character , the hero was all we imagine about "a captain" ....
February 9, 2015
Great story (weaving in Mira, who we met in the Beloved One) as she finds her way to Capt. Merrick. I really love how this series weaves in all of the characters.
March 26, 2017
Unlikeable heroine. There's sassy and there's self-centered, faithless bitch. Mira's the latter. Brendan deserved better.
January 29, 2020
Why is everyone always shouting and screeching
Want to read
July 17, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/27/2020)! 🎁
February 25, 2022
Brendan Merrick is half-Brit, half-Irish who runs a well-oiled, loyal crew for the Royal Navy. When Brendan discovers one of his own is cruelly mistreating others, he sets out to put an end to it. Richard Crichton, Merrick’s immediate subordinate, isn’t going to have everything taken from him.
He shoots Eveleen Merrick, shattering her hand. Then he turns the gun on Brendan, with the force of the blow knocking him overboard. Crichton tells the tale that Brendan was a traitor and is believed. Crichton is then promoted, effectively taking Merrick’s position.
Across the pond in America, the Revolutionary War is brewing. Mira Ashton is an zealous patriot. She dresses like a man, fights like a man, sings bawdy songs like a man, but rescues stray cats and brings them home as “rescue efforts.” Her brother is a privateer who leads his crew to rob or sink British ships. Needless to say, Mira knows her way around a ship.
Brendan eventually washes ashore in America. At first assumed to be a spy for the British, he reveals himself to be the Ashton’s newest client. Brendan has a ship design that is unlike any other. Everyone tells him it can’t work; this isn’t done. He persists, insistent it will make Mira’s father famous and wealthy. Brendan names his new ship Kestrel and it is a ship to behold.
The Ashton family in itself also provides an amusing scene whenever two or more are present in a scene. It is clear there is a great love and fondness among them, but also some rather short tempers. They are also pretty strong-willed and hard-headed.
Eveleen does reappear in the book. While she and Mira do not get on, they do eventually forge a connection and Mira helps Eveleen not only face her issues with her weight and help her in those endeavors, but she also encourages Eveleen to also face her mangled hand. To see these topics being addressed and Eveleen so developed as a secondary character were nice additions to the plot.
The romance was sweet to watch build and come to fruition. The interaction between all of the ensemble cast was excellent reading, and Crichton the villain doesn’t disappear or disappoint as a great-to-hate villain.
He shoots Eveleen Merrick, shattering her hand. Then he turns the gun on Brendan, with the force of the blow knocking him overboard. Crichton tells the tale that Brendan was a traitor and is believed. Crichton is then promoted, effectively taking Merrick’s position.
Across the pond in America, the Revolutionary War is brewing. Mira Ashton is an zealous patriot. She dresses like a man, fights like a man, sings bawdy songs like a man, but rescues stray cats and brings them home as “rescue efforts.” Her brother is a privateer who leads his crew to rob or sink British ships. Needless to say, Mira knows her way around a ship.
Brendan eventually washes ashore in America. At first assumed to be a spy for the British, he reveals himself to be the Ashton’s newest client. Brendan has a ship design that is unlike any other. Everyone tells him it can’t work; this isn’t done. He persists, insistent it will make Mira’s father famous and wealthy. Brendan names his new ship Kestrel and it is a ship to behold.
The Ashton family in itself also provides an amusing scene whenever two or more are present in a scene. It is clear there is a great love and fondness among them, but also some rather short tempers. They are also pretty strong-willed and hard-headed.
Eveleen does reappear in the book. While she and Mira do not get on, they do eventually forge a connection and Mira helps Eveleen not only face her issues with her weight and help her in those endeavors, but she also encourages Eveleen to also face her mangled hand. To see these topics being addressed and Eveleen so developed as a secondary character were nice additions to the plot.
The romance was sweet to watch build and come to fruition. The interaction between all of the ensemble cast was excellent reading, and Crichton the villain doesn’t disappear or disappoint as a great-to-hate villain.
March 8, 2021
This one made me have a lot of mixed feelings. The first half (and a little bit) were gorgeous, a solid 4 stars I'd say. I really liked Mira, her spunk and how bold she was, and Brendan was fun too, although a tad annoying at times. Plus, seeing the Ashton family dynamic was a real blast. Unfortunately, past this point, things got a tad rocky for me.
There were a lot of small things in this book that really managed to grate me. It often felt as though we were missing big chunks of information. The author was clearly very fond of the technique where something big happens, and then it jumps to later on and/or something else entirely. Sure, that's fine every now and then, but it felt like it was happening non-stop. Not to mention that the bits that were cut out where things I *wanted* to see, but no, Ms Harmon decided to leave them out. There were other problems too: the characters just making the same decisions (mistakes) over and over again, far too much time spent listing off parts of boats that I really couldn't give more of a damn about, and not enough time developing the personalities and relationships with the side characters (I really would have loved to see more of Mira and Eveleen bonding). And that anticlimactic ending? Puh-lease. There was a set "bad guy" throughout the whole story, mentioned in the very very beginning of the book and the way he was dealt with? Shoddy at best. I expected far more.
Despite all my yapping and complaining, I did enjoy this book. I just really wish there weren't so many faults piled on top of each other. Y'know, I came here for a sexy pirate/privateer romance and while I may have gotten that in some aspects, it didn't feel like enough. The theme felt all over the place at time...oh well. At least I really liked the Mr Starr angle, I wish more had been done with that.
There were a lot of small things in this book that really managed to grate me. It often felt as though we were missing big chunks of information. The author was clearly very fond of the technique where something big happens, and then it jumps to later on and/or something else entirely. Sure, that's fine every now and then, but it felt like it was happening non-stop. Not to mention that the bits that were cut out where things I *wanted* to see, but no, Ms Harmon decided to leave them out. There were other problems too: the characters just making the same decisions (mistakes) over and over again, far too much time spent listing off parts of boats that I really couldn't give more of a damn about, and not enough time developing the personalities and relationships with the side characters (I really would have loved to see more of Mira and Eveleen bonding). And that anticlimactic ending? Puh-lease. There was a set "bad guy" throughout the whole story, mentioned in the very very beginning of the book and the way he was dealt with? Shoddy at best. I expected far more.
Despite all my yapping and complaining, I did enjoy this book. I just really wish there weren't so many faults piled on top of each other. Y'know, I came here for a sexy pirate/privateer romance and while I may have gotten that in some aspects, it didn't feel like enough. The theme felt all over the place at time...oh well. At least I really liked the Mr Starr angle, I wish more had been done with that.
August 1, 2025
This book, The captain of my heart by Danelle Harmon is a Historical romance story set in Boston after the War of Independence. It is the second book of the heroes of the sea series but unfortunately, unlike the previous book, which I enjoyed, this one is hard for me to get into.
Where the last hero of the previous book was written as a competent Navy officer, this one, Brendan, seems inadequate and half insane; he seems more concerned with the building of ships then being a captain of one. For instance; they bad a combatant coming at them and instead of assisting his officers, he is telling them about the next ship he is building. I don't know what went wrong with him from the previous book to this one but he is looking down right foolish.
Also, what I have read of the Heroine, I do not like her, at all; she is loud and obnoxious to the point that I skimmed through her dialogue in order to get to next page.
I will give the next book a shot because I really enjoyed the previous book but if it is anything like this one, I will not be finishing it either.
Where the last hero of the previous book was written as a competent Navy officer, this one, Brendan, seems inadequate and half insane; he seems more concerned with the building of ships then being a captain of one. For instance; they bad a combatant coming at them and instead of assisting his officers, he is telling them about the next ship he is building. I don't know what went wrong with him from the previous book to this one but he is looking down right foolish.
Also, what I have read of the Heroine, I do not like her, at all; she is loud and obnoxious to the point that I skimmed through her dialogue in order to get to next page.
I will give the next book a shot because I really enjoyed the previous book but if it is anything like this one, I will not be finishing it either.
July 31, 2020
Imagery is exceptional, ending skipped the good parts....
I love the vivid imagery of the ship in motion, the details about sailing of which I am ignorant as I live in a land-locked state. The characters in this book have spunk and verve, but the constant yelling in Mira’s family seems tiring and unnecessarily prolonged. I would’ve liked to see Mira actually sailing a vessel, not just reading about it after the fact. Also the final battle scene is told almost like a dream or as a flashback, and I feel cheated as I wasn’t there as it happened. There are missing details that cause disbelief when the hero sustains unspecified injuries but then he recovers and staggers off to fight some more. Mira does a lot of sideline pouting when she should’ve had more of a role in the action. Eveleen is also too quickly thinned down, and why did her brother let her become so whiny? She should’ve been using her left hand all along. And what happens to Mira after the HEA?
I love the vivid imagery of the ship in motion, the details about sailing of which I am ignorant as I live in a land-locked state. The characters in this book have spunk and verve, but the constant yelling in Mira’s family seems tiring and unnecessarily prolonged. I would’ve liked to see Mira actually sailing a vessel, not just reading about it after the fact. Also the final battle scene is told almost like a dream or as a flashback, and I feel cheated as I wasn’t there as it happened. There are missing details that cause disbelief when the hero sustains unspecified injuries but then he recovers and staggers off to fight some more. Mira does a lot of sideline pouting when she should’ve had more of a role in the action. Eveleen is also too quickly thinned down, and why did her brother let her become so whiny? She should’ve been using her left hand all along. And what happens to Mira after the HEA?
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