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Summer Campaign
Miss Onyx Hamilton knew the risk of going to Major Jack Beresford's isolated country estate. Surely her husband-to-be, the right Reverend Andrew Littletree, would not condone her leaving the safety of home for the perils that this place posed for so lovely and desirable a young lady. Surely tongues would wag about what she was doing with so eminently attractive and intriguingly unattached a gentleman as the major. But Onyx's worry was not what her fiancé would think or what the world would say. Rather it was what she would do if Jack Beresford took her in his arms…
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 1989
93 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books802 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 194 reviews
August 24, 2022
Terrific story about a well-matched couple who are meant to be together. Onyx is a bit of a Cinderella and has been told what to do in all aspects of her like including who to marry. Jack is coming home from the Napoleonic wars and has ptsd. The book was published in 1989 and has aged really well... a few outdated terms. The book is a clean read, and it conveys so much love for family. A slight twist at the end before the hea. I rate the book 4.5* and round up. I tried one other book by the author that didn't quite hit the spot as this one has.
June 19, 2017
What a marvelous Regency romance! Though Carla Kelly blends a touch of the gothic into the story with attendant drama and emotional tides—at least in this one. I generally have to be in the right mood to enjoy such stories. Fortunately, I found myself in exactly such a mood and this hit the spot, marvelously.
Which is fortunate, because as much as I liked Onyx and rooted for her and Jack to come together, she was a little stubbornly self-sacrificing for my normal tolerance. It helped, of course, that she had courage and fortitude in spades and that Jack was so very patiently charming. It helped, too, that the story carefully wedged Onyx into situations where her courage was important and she could begin finding the independence and self-discovery that she deeply needed.
Also helpful were the surrounding characters, servants, family, foils, and prosey noseys Kelly layers throughout. They provide contrast and illustrative episodes that gave the story a depth that I really appreciated. You could see the respect Jack had among his people, for example, the devotion. And the love that Onyx earned through her heroic (though quiet) service.
I was a little surprised, when I finished, to discover that this was originally written 25 years ago. I like Kelly's later works and had no idea she had such quality in her backlog. I'm happy some of that is finding a new life through eBooks—not least because the accompanying price is a true bargain. I'll have to make a note to look for a Kelly backlog rerelease the next time this particular mood hits...
Which is fortunate, because as much as I liked Onyx and rooted for her and Jack to come together, she was a little stubbornly self-sacrificing for my normal tolerance. It helped, of course, that she had courage and fortitude in spades and that Jack was so very patiently charming. It helped, too, that the story carefully wedged Onyx into situations where her courage was important and she could begin finding the independence and self-discovery that she deeply needed.
Also helpful were the surrounding characters, servants, family, foils, and prosey noseys Kelly layers throughout. They provide contrast and illustrative episodes that gave the story a depth that I really appreciated. You could see the respect Jack had among his people, for example, the devotion. And the love that Onyx earned through her heroic (though quiet) service.
I was a little surprised, when I finished, to discover that this was originally written 25 years ago. I like Kelly's later works and had no idea she had such quality in her backlog. I'm happy some of that is finding a new life through eBooks—not least because the accompanying price is a true bargain. I'll have to make a note to look for a Kelly backlog rerelease the next time this particular mood hits...
August 2, 2011
Carla Kelly writes gold. Out of three books I've read by her, I've loved all of them. Summer Campaign makes her three for three now. This was a great story, with a heartwarming, beautiful romance. The perfect mix of humor and angst, and two characters that I loved, both as people, and as a couple. Jack is fresh from Spain, tortured by what he did and saw as a soldier. His dream is to get home again. On the road home, he encountered a woman about to be raped by highwaymen. He saves her, but also gets shot, and its up to her to protect them both, which she does. Then this young woman has to nurse him back to health from his gunshot, pretending that they are man and wife. That's how Onyx and Jack meet, and a beautiful friendship develops. But also a bond that allows them to see each other through eyes of love.
I felt for Onyx, her having been rejected for something that wasn't her fault. Constantly berated by everyone, forced into marrying a man who is nowhere good enough for her. I was urging her to run off with Jack from the beginning of the book, and fearing how thing would unfold, knowing she was too honorable to seize her own happiness that way. I have to say I really like the way this story concluded. There was a purpose to the painful journeys that both Onyx and Jack take.
This is a sweet love story, yet you know that there is plenty of passion between Jack and Onyx, and they will have a very happy life together. Even though I was sad about some parts, I ended this book with a happy smile on my face.
I felt for Onyx, her having been rejected for something that wasn't her fault. Constantly berated by everyone, forced into marrying a man who is nowhere good enough for her. I was urging her to run off with Jack from the beginning of the book, and fearing how thing would unfold, knowing she was too honorable to seize her own happiness that way. I have to say I really like the way this story concluded. There was a purpose to the painful journeys that both Onyx and Jack take.
This is a sweet love story, yet you know that there is plenty of passion between Jack and Onyx, and they will have a very happy life together. Even though I was sad about some parts, I ended this book with a happy smile on my face.
August 11, 2018
There are three facets to this book - a sweet charming start, the slowdown/letdown and so-did-not-need-that-last-unsavoury-revelation.
Charm offensive! The h/H interaction is quite simply fun, adorable and cutesy. The connect so easily and instantly. And that’s just how I like my romance. Full marks to their interplay and sweet instant chemistry!
And the humour is wonderful. CK has written in some fine witty lines.
I only wish little Ned was mentioned (If not conceived) at the end!
The middling chapters let down with their clod plod - the h refusing his advances and proposal (well, what else an already engaged girl with a dubious parentage to do?), repairing vicarages, turning into a self taught nurse Nightingale (so much so, she seriously considers taking it up as a career), enduring om drama (well, the poor vicar had to turn into a bigger nuisance for the h to turn him down in all good conscience), some more nursing, and repeatedly declining the H's marriage proposals!
*With spoilers* As for the unsavoury part - that was one revelation I could have done without at the end! It’s the revelation of her parentage. I could not imagine a bigger cruelty - and I dare say that with authority after reading the worst of parents in my HP/ HR readings! The said parent lets her suffer as wanted to see what stuff she’s made of? Hasn't she been proving herself all her life? And why should she be held to any test at all?!
Totally ruined the book for me. Not just the h’s sufferings and humiliations, I was even thinking of her dead unlamented twin brother, lying in an unmarked grave somewhere in Spain and whose remains weren’t brought back for want of intent and money! Sad and bewildered is what this revelation made me.
So it's not the h/H who diminish this book, at least not the H (he's perfect!).
The h maybe, with her self sacrificing ways and her refusal to reach out and grab what any sane RL woman would without a second thought. It's frustrating to watch her deny him (and herself) a very true, easy and deserving happiness.
Charm offensive! The h/H interaction is quite simply fun, adorable and cutesy. The connect so easily and instantly. And that’s just how I like my romance. Full marks to their interplay and sweet instant chemistry!
And the humour is wonderful. CK has written in some fine witty lines.
I only wish little Ned was mentioned (If not conceived) at the end!
The middling chapters let down with their clod plod - the h refusing his advances and proposal (well, what else an already engaged girl with a dubious parentage to do?), repairing vicarages, turning into a self taught nurse Nightingale (so much so, she seriously considers taking it up as a career), enduring om drama (well, the poor vicar had to turn into a bigger nuisance for the h to turn him down in all good conscience), some more nursing, and repeatedly declining the H's marriage proposals!
*With spoilers* As for the unsavoury part - that was one revelation I could have done without at the end! It’s the revelation of her parentage. I could not imagine a bigger cruelty - and I dare say that with authority after reading the worst of parents in my HP/ HR readings! The said parent lets her suffer as wanted to see what stuff she’s made of? Hasn't she been proving herself all her life? And why should she be held to any test at all?!
Totally ruined the book for me. Not just the h’s sufferings and humiliations, I was even thinking of her dead unlamented twin brother, lying in an unmarked grave somewhere in Spain and whose remains weren’t brought back for want of intent and money! Sad and bewildered is what this revelation made me.
So it's not the h/H who diminish this book, at least not the H (he's perfect!).
The h maybe, with her self sacrificing ways and her refusal to reach out and grab what any sane RL woman would without a second thought. It's frustrating to watch her deny him (and herself) a very true, easy and deserving happiness.
August 25, 2022
Blurb:
Wow, the blurb was absolutely right. I couldn't put it down.
This is another wonderful Carla Kelly story, with a war-weary, teasing rogue of a hero and a heroine who believes that marriage to a prosy, hypocritical parson is the best she can hope for. (Really, her fiance makes Mr. Collins look like an ideal husband.)
With a large cast of secondary characters, there's adventure, romance, tragedy, and healing in this lovely story. (One unnecessary and unconvincing disclosure near the end did not bother me enough to deduct even half of a star.)
Any fan of Carla Kelly will love this book.
Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make what everyone agrees is a perfect marriage―until handsome Major Jack Beresford comes galloping into her life. But with his fortune and connections, Onyx knows he’d never ask for her hand, would he? New and longtime fans alike will relish this delightful romance from Carla Kelly. Charming, sweet, and full of fun, it’s simply impossible to put down.
Wow, the blurb was absolutely right. I couldn't put it down.
This is another wonderful Carla Kelly story, with a war-weary, teasing rogue of a hero and a heroine who believes that marriage to a prosy, hypocritical parson is the best she can hope for. (Really, her fiance makes Mr. Collins look like an ideal husband.)
With a large cast of secondary characters, there's adventure, romance, tragedy, and healing in this lovely story. (One unnecessary and unconvincing disclosure near the end did not bother me enough to deduct even half of a star.)
Any fan of Carla Kelly will love this book.
June 24, 2015
Just imagine that for more days than you could remember your life had been planned by others. Who you talked to, where you went, when you ate, whether you cried and, even, who you married. This was what happened to twenty-two year-old, recently-betrothed Miss Onyx Hamilton.
Major Jack Beresford had seen firsthand the horrors of war. As an Englishman, he had performed his duty while fighting in Spain against Napoleon. He witnessed atrocities that no one should ever see. The end result was that he had been tortured, wounded -with scars- and had a speech impediment: he stuttered. He dreaded sleep because his nightmares continued.
After four long years, he was finally returning home when he came upon Onyx and her companion, Alice. Their coach was crippled on the side of the road. In the process of being robbed and molested, he came to the ladies' rescue. Within a split second, he was shot and everything in Onyx's and Jack's fragile world would change.
"Onxy?"
She raised her head. Good God, the man's hearing was acute. And I was so quiet. She looked toward the closed door, sighed, and stood up.
Moonlight filled the little room and threw a wide band of brightness across the blanket that covered Major Beresford. His hands were resting on top of the blanket in that moonlit space and were the only part of him that she could see.
"Onyx?"
It wasn't so much a question this time, or even just her name. It was an entire sentence- subject, verb and direct object.
If you have never read a historical romance by Carla Kelly, I recommend you give this author a try. Her method of writing: her characters talk to themselves and she mixes first and third tenses may be a little off-putting but don't let that deter you from reading her books. Even her 'clunkers' are better than many other writers' best stories. Why? Because she writes about real, relatable people, dealing with genuine problems. Her characters play the hand they've been dealt: with dignity, humor and love.
And what could be better than that?
Major Jack Beresford had seen firsthand the horrors of war. As an Englishman, he had performed his duty while fighting in Spain against Napoleon. He witnessed atrocities that no one should ever see. The end result was that he had been tortured, wounded -with scars- and had a speech impediment: he stuttered. He dreaded sleep because his nightmares continued.
After four long years, he was finally returning home when he came upon Onyx and her companion, Alice. Their coach was crippled on the side of the road. In the process of being robbed and molested, he came to the ladies' rescue. Within a split second, he was shot and everything in Onyx's and Jack's fragile world would change.
"Onxy?"
She raised her head. Good God, the man's hearing was acute. And I was so quiet. She looked toward the closed door, sighed, and stood up.
Moonlight filled the little room and threw a wide band of brightness across the blanket that covered Major Beresford. His hands were resting on top of the blanket in that moonlit space and were the only part of him that she could see.
"Onyx?"
It wasn't so much a question this time, or even just her name. It was an entire sentence- subject, verb and direct object.
If you have never read a historical romance by Carla Kelly, I recommend you give this author a try. Her method of writing: her characters talk to themselves and she mixes first and third tenses may be a little off-putting but don't let that deter you from reading her books. Even her 'clunkers' are better than many other writers' best stories. Why? Because she writes about real, relatable people, dealing with genuine problems. Her characters play the hand they've been dealt: with dignity, humor and love.
And what could be better than that?
January 23, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
Me ha encantado.
Esta es otra historia maravillosa de la Sra. Kelly. Con personajes de andar por casa, con problemas de todos los días, con escenas de la vida cotidiana y con personajes que, me gustaría pensar, eran lo normal de la época. Nada de duques libertinos aquí. Ni bailes y waltzes y mamas ansiosas por casar a sus hijas pubertosas. *respiro de alivio* No. Aquí hay personajes serios y maduros con problemas reales que se enfrentan al lote que les ha tocado vivir con decencia y coraje.
Es lo mejor de esta autora con diferencia. Lo que más me atrae de ella: la cotidianeidad de sus historias.
Siempre puedo contar con ella para encontrar un poco de cordura en las aguas de la ficción histórica.
***
I loved it.
Another wonderful story by Ms. Kelly. With normal people, with quotidian problems, with daily life scenes and with characters who, Iwould love to think, were the usual these days. No rake dukes here. Neither dances, nor waltzes, nor unbearable mamas dwelt on marry off her pubertysh daughters. *sigh of relieve* Nope. Here there are mature and sensible characters who suffers from real-life problems and who try to improve their lives with decency and courage.
It is what I like better of this author. Her stories´ everyday nature.
I can count on her to put some sanity in this genre.
Me ha encantado.
Esta es otra historia maravillosa de la Sra. Kelly. Con personajes de andar por casa, con problemas de todos los días, con escenas de la vida cotidiana y con personajes que, me gustaría pensar, eran lo normal de la época. Nada de duques libertinos aquí. Ni bailes y waltzes y mamas ansiosas por casar a sus hijas pubertosas. *respiro de alivio* No. Aquí hay personajes serios y maduros con problemas reales que se enfrentan al lote que les ha tocado vivir con decencia y coraje.
Es lo mejor de esta autora con diferencia. Lo que más me atrae de ella: la cotidianeidad de sus historias.
Siempre puedo contar con ella para encontrar un poco de cordura en las aguas de la ficción histórica.
***
I loved it.
Another wonderful story by Ms. Kelly. With normal people, with quotidian problems, with daily life scenes and with characters who, I
It is what I like better of this author. Her stories´ everyday nature.
I can count on her to put some sanity in this genre.
October 4, 2018
In many reviews Reverend Andrew Littletree is compared to Mr. Collins from P&P and I must admit they’re right! LOL
Poor Onyx is forced to marry Mr. Littletree after having been browbeaten by her adoptive family about her being a non-entity, a shame to be kept hidden because illegitimate, without worth etc… The step-family was also very cruel to her: the fact that she was forbidden to cry after her brother’s death made me mad!
After years of that treatment she’s convinced that she doesn’t deserve anything else.
Littletree is a pompous and hypocritical idiot, but, the same as Mr. Collins, very bootlicking towards those he considers his betters, like her stepfather or her stepfather’s sister, Lady Bagshott.
He doesn’t ask Onyx for her hand, but just informs her that they’ll be married and start listing things she will or will not have to do in their new vicarage.
Onyx is very submissive at the beginning, but when an extraordinary situation forces her to act, she acquires courage and backbone.
I liked her better when she was not near her “family”, but it took her a lot of time (and pages) to assert herself!
I liked Jack better. He was a very unusual hero. His temper I volatile: she cries, then laughs and jokes, but he’s fundamentally honest and good. His love for his family rings true: he’s devastated after finding out his brother’s illness, but at the same time angry with his for how he neglected the property and squandered the money.
His sister-in-law is an essentially useless wimp, but she’s also a very nice person who doesn’t know better. She made me think about a fluffy kitten.
When Onyx is faced with a challenge consisting of having to treat the brother, manage his wife and all the staff of the house, she reveal her true nature and becomes aware that she’s not cattle.
The twist on the end made me mad too! I wanted to slap the so-called noble mother! How dare she!!!???
Still, I liked this book mostly because of Jack and also because of Onyx, but only after she stopped treating herself like a lesser being!
Poor Onyx is forced to marry Mr. Littletree after having been browbeaten by her adoptive family about her being a non-entity, a shame to be kept hidden because illegitimate, without worth etc… The step-family was also very cruel to her: the fact that she was forbidden to cry after her brother’s death made me mad!
After years of that treatment she’s convinced that she doesn’t deserve anything else.
Littletree is a pompous and hypocritical idiot, but, the same as Mr. Collins, very bootlicking towards those he considers his betters, like her stepfather or her stepfather’s sister, Lady Bagshott.
He doesn’t ask Onyx for her hand, but just informs her that they’ll be married and start listing things she will or will not have to do in their new vicarage.
Onyx is very submissive at the beginning, but when an extraordinary situation forces her to act, she acquires courage and backbone.
I liked her better when she was not near her “family”, but it took her a lot of time (and pages) to assert herself!
I liked Jack better. He was a very unusual hero. His temper I volatile: she cries, then laughs and jokes, but he’s fundamentally honest and good. His love for his family rings true: he’s devastated after finding out his brother’s illness, but at the same time angry with his for how he neglected the property and squandered the money.
His sister-in-law is an essentially useless wimp, but she’s also a very nice person who doesn’t know better. She made me think about a fluffy kitten.
When Onyx is faced with a challenge consisting of having to treat the brother, manage his wife and all the staff of the house, she reveal her true nature and becomes aware that she’s not cattle.
The twist on the end made me mad too! I wanted to slap the so-called noble mother! How dare she!!!???
Still, I liked this book mostly because of Jack and also because of Onyx, but only after she stopped treating herself like a lesser being!
April 27, 2025
This book is about a vicar's daughter, Onyx, who is supposed to marry a self-righteous and bigoted vicar. While waiting for her wedding, the plain girl falls in love with a piano and with an ex-soldier suffering from PTBS (and a tic, obviously, because he winks all the time) and turns into a sought-after super nurse. On her way to becoming indispensable, the all-rounder lies through her teeth, shoots a highwayman, cleans gaping wounds, routes a charlatan, cures an opium addict and cares for the terminally ill – all this without even batting an eyelid.
Unfortunately, Onyx is not as reasonable as she is self-sacrificing. When Jack proposes to her, she doesn't really consider marrying him instead of the dreadful vicar because she doesn't think she's good enough for him due to her origins (she was abandoned as a child). Nevertheless, they both behave completely inappropriately and irresponsibly at every opportunity, but somehow no one seems to care. Luckily, in a crazy turn of events, Onyx's origins turn out to be better than she thought, so she can marry Jack (who doesn't care about her background anyway) and concentrate fully on her new social role. It certainly won't cause her any problems.
Seriously, I have absolutely no idea what everyone sees in this book. It's ridiculous from start to finish.
1.5
Unfortunately, Onyx is not as reasonable as she is self-sacrificing. When Jack proposes to her, she doesn't really consider marrying him instead of the dreadful vicar because she doesn't think she's good enough for him due to her origins (she was abandoned as a child). Nevertheless, they both behave completely inappropriately and irresponsibly at every opportunity, but somehow no one seems to care. Luckily, in a crazy turn of events, Onyx's origins turn out to be better than she thought, so she can marry Jack (who doesn't care about her background anyway) and concentrate fully on her new social role. It certainly won't cause her any problems.
Seriously, I have absolutely no idea what everyone sees in this book. It's ridiculous from start to finish.
1.5
April 1, 2018
This book is so touching.
It shows that selfless people exist in this selfish world. But, then, most of this author's books convey this message.
The readers will like the climax which is really surprising and unexpected.
It shows that selfless people exist in this selfish world. But, then, most of this author's books convey this message.
The readers will like the climax which is really surprising and unexpected.
August 19, 2023
I once saw an Eddie Izzard stand-up routine ruminating on what would happen if French aristocrats facing the guillotine had been given the choice between death or cake. Cake or death. Perhaps the least difficult decision in the history of decisions, right?
The heroine of this novel, when repeatedly faced with the choice of cake or death, chose death every time.
!!!!!!
There were many moving, heart-wrenching passages in this book, and the writing was expressive and eloquent. But the heroine chose death instead of cake, and the end of the book was straight from a cheesy movie, reeking of phoniness and manipulation.
A 2-star rating is probably too harsh but I’m just that disappointed.
The heroine of this novel, when repeatedly faced with the choice of cake or death, chose death every time.
!!!!!!
There were many moving, heart-wrenching passages in this book, and the writing was expressive and eloquent. But the heroine chose death instead of cake, and the end of the book was straight from a cheesy movie, reeking of phoniness and manipulation.
A 2-star rating is probably too harsh but I’m just that disappointed.
March 13, 2019
Well the title and cover do not match the story within, a person imagines sunshine and silliness when the opposite is true inside this book. How I loved this book, yes there was plenty of sadness but in a way that touches you because you yourself have experienced the same. There was class differences and trying not to love when all they wanted to do was love. Really love Carla Kelly's writing style , she makes everyone real. Now what to read after two good books in a row???
October 31, 2021
Probably a 3 1/2 star read for me. I enjoyed this less than other offerings by this author, possibly because the latter part revolves heavily around Adrian’s illness. Also, Onyx has great fortitude, compassion and courage, and there are some lovely moments between her and Jack, but sometimes she seems overly calm and self-controlled. It makes her seem a bit lacklustre.
As always, there’s a strong and sensitively-handled theme about the trauma and after-effects of war, something this author does very well. I liked Jack and Onyx as a couple, they were tender and sweet together and deserved their HEA. But I found the ending a bit contrived: , all this happening within the last twenty pages. Given the genuine connection between Jack and Onyx, I would have preferred things to have been resolved more simply.
As always, there’s a strong and sensitively-handled theme about the trauma and after-effects of war, something this author does very well. I liked Jack and Onyx as a couple, they were tender and sweet together and deserved their HEA. But I found the ending a bit contrived: , all this happening within the last twenty pages. Given the genuine connection between Jack and Onyx, I would have preferred things to have been resolved more simply.
August 23, 2019
Jack Beresford is my new favorite hero!
Such a lovely read! Jack is fun, honorable, intelligent, and so respectful of Onyx’s choices, even when such choices are unbearable to him. Onyx is honorable, loyal and beautiful inside and out. I wish there was an epilogue just to stay with them a little longer.
Onyx is on her way to the vicarage that is going to become her home after her marriage. Reverend Andrew Littletree is not a total antidote, but he never ceases to remind her how noble of him it is to marry such an unconnected and penniless young lady.
Jack Beresford crosses Onyx’s way and ends up shot. While Onyx nurses him they find companionship, friendship, comfort that they never experienced before. But Onyx is engaged, Jack is not who he seems to be and things are complicated.
Such a lovely read! Jack is fun, honorable, intelligent, and so respectful of Onyx’s choices, even when such choices are unbearable to him. Onyx is honorable, loyal and beautiful inside and out. I wish there was an epilogue just to stay with them a little longer.
Onyx is on her way to the vicarage that is going to become her home after her marriage. Reverend Andrew Littletree is not a total antidote, but he never ceases to remind her how noble of him it is to marry such an unconnected and penniless young lady.
Jack Beresford crosses Onyx’s way and ends up shot. While Onyx nurses him they find companionship, friendship, comfort that they never experienced before. But Onyx is engaged, Jack is not who he seems to be and things are complicated.
August 18, 2012
4.5/5; 5 stars; A
Another Carla Kelly book that has recently come out as an ebook. I thought this story was a perfect example of a chaste historical romance. This author's books rarely have much sex in them but she never fails to fully immerse the reader in the emotions of the players and leaves no doubt as to who is feeling what! Onyx and Jack were great characters and really had to work for their HEA but they managed to get there.
Another Carla Kelly book that has recently come out as an ebook. I thought this story was a perfect example of a chaste historical romance. This author's books rarely have much sex in them but she never fails to fully immerse the reader in the emotions of the players and leaves no doubt as to who is feeling what! Onyx and Jack were great characters and really had to work for their HEA but they managed to get there.
July 20, 2024
Angsty story with wonderful H and h. He's traumatised from war, she's being pushed into an awful marriage with a vicar. The H's brother is dying, due to medical negligence and they care for him in his last days. They learn a lot about the things that really matter in life. Loved the mixed up characters.
April 27, 2019
Carla Kelly's "Summer Campaign"
Wonderful book. The story is about a girl who is a foundling and taken in (with her twin brother) by the vicar of the church where the babies were deposited. The vicar marries soon after taking in the 2 babies, but then he dies and his widow remarries, so the two foundlings grow up in a wealthy family as the very poorest of non-relations and have this fact rubbed into their faces at every opportunity. The brother goes off to fight in Portugal and is killed there, and the girl, the heroine, becomes engaged to a self-righteous and pompous vicar because this seems to be her only option to improve her situation. On her way to her fiance's home the heroine's carriage breaks down and the carriage driver goes off to look for help, leaving the heroine and her maid by the roadside. Robbery and an attempted gang rape ensue, with the hero, who is traveling on the same road, luckily saving the women from a dreadful fate, but is himself shot in the arm as a result.
For most of the rest of the story the heroine, named Onyx, is nursing either the hero as he recovers from his wound, or the hero's brother, who is dying of cancer. Lots of gory medical details and historical medical details which I trust, knowing Carla Kelly's writing, are true, such as the one where a patient's own feces are applied to his bedsores "to draw out the black humors from his body". Hmmm ... The attempted gang-rape scene is pretty graphic too, so this book is maybe not for the faint-hearted or innocent, even though technically it qualifies as a "clean romance".
All ends well, when Onyx finally decides that marriage to the pompous vicar would be insupportable, but at that point a very curious secret is revealed to her which makes the heroine's treatment by one of the secondary characters in the story (who are all fully-fleshed and real people) quite strange and inexplicable, at least from my POV as a parent. This raised a few unanswered questions about the story, which up to this point had seemed quite straighforward. But this is a minor quibble for an otherwise very well-written, well-researched and emotionally intense book.
Wonderful book. The story is about a girl who is a foundling and taken in (with her twin brother) by the vicar of the church where the babies were deposited. The vicar marries soon after taking in the 2 babies, but then he dies and his widow remarries, so the two foundlings grow up in a wealthy family as the very poorest of non-relations and have this fact rubbed into their faces at every opportunity. The brother goes off to fight in Portugal and is killed there, and the girl, the heroine, becomes engaged to a self-righteous and pompous vicar because this seems to be her only option to improve her situation. On her way to her fiance's home the heroine's carriage breaks down and the carriage driver goes off to look for help, leaving the heroine and her maid by the roadside. Robbery and an attempted gang rape ensue, with the hero, who is traveling on the same road, luckily saving the women from a dreadful fate, but is himself shot in the arm as a result.
For most of the rest of the story the heroine, named Onyx, is nursing either the hero as he recovers from his wound, or the hero's brother, who is dying of cancer. Lots of gory medical details and historical medical details which I trust, knowing Carla Kelly's writing, are true, such as the one where a patient's own feces are applied to his bedsores "to draw out the black humors from his body". Hmmm ... The attempted gang-rape scene is pretty graphic too, so this book is maybe not for the faint-hearted or innocent, even though technically it qualifies as a "clean romance".
All ends well, when Onyx finally decides that marriage to the pompous vicar would be insupportable, but at that point a very curious secret is revealed to her which makes the heroine's treatment by one of the secondary characters in the story (who are all fully-fleshed and real people) quite strange and inexplicable, at least from my POV as a parent. This raised a few unanswered questions about the story, which up to this point had seemed quite straighforward. But this is a minor quibble for an otherwise very well-written, well-researched and emotionally intense book.
September 22, 2014
though I haven't experienced any loss like what the characters experienced, the writing felt real. the anger, the guilt, the depression, the sacrifice. slightly nonsensical situations, but I really enjoyed the slightly absurd banter between the hero and heroine, "Oh! I may strangle little Ned before you even get a chance to see him!" though the reasons given were plausible, disliked how the heroine kept sticking to her engagement, running both to her dreaded wedding and finally away from it
March 19, 2015
This book reminds me why I enjoy reading Carla Kelly's books. It is light, fun, full of mischief, and great characters.
Onyx is a young lady living off of the mercy of an pseudo step-mother and her husband. She does not have means of her own and is treated as an inconvenience. She is being coerced into a marriage with an overbearing man. Because of the treatment she has received, she doesn't feel like she has an alternative.
She wished for an adventure and her wish was granted. Jack saves her from the hands of highwaymen. From the moment they meet, their easygoing conversation that is full of humor and sarcasm takes off. Personally, I loved it. I love it when characters can be at ease with each other and banter.
One thing that Jack is familiar with is war. He served for His Majesty for four years. As a Major he lead men into battle and used his mind for strategy. Now it's time to use those skills to save Onyx from a horrible marriage and coerce her into a life of laughter and love.
This was a book that I had a hard time putting down. It is mostly clean It contains a little bit of innuendo. The dialogue really drew me in and kept me turning pages.
I received a copy of this book to review and then remembered that I purchased an older edition on my kindle.
Onyx is a young lady living off of the mercy of an pseudo step-mother and her husband. She does not have means of her own and is treated as an inconvenience. She is being coerced into a marriage with an overbearing man. Because of the treatment she has received, she doesn't feel like she has an alternative.
She wished for an adventure and her wish was granted. Jack saves her from the hands of highwaymen. From the moment they meet, their easygoing conversation that is full of humor and sarcasm takes off. Personally, I loved it. I love it when characters can be at ease with each other and banter.
One thing that Jack is familiar with is war. He served for His Majesty for four years. As a Major he lead men into battle and used his mind for strategy. Now it's time to use those skills to save Onyx from a horrible marriage and coerce her into a life of laughter and love.
This was a book that I had a hard time putting down. It is mostly clean It contains a little bit of innuendo. The dialogue really drew me in and kept me turning pages.
I received a copy of this book to review and then remembered that I purchased an older edition on my kindle.
May 19, 2017
I know I'm in the minority here but this book was a dud. I was on a Carla Kelly binge this week and reread The Wedding Journey and Do No Harm. I loved them both and should have quit while I was ahead.
There was some cute dialogue between Jack and Onyx but not enough to keep the story going. I'm not sure if she was plain, pretty or beautiful because that description wavered. She did have a chest like Dolly Parton though that was made very clear over and over. Looks aside I found her low self esteem and depressing personality grating. The returning war damaged hero was done well but it just wasn't an uplifting story. There was an abundance of mean people mostly from the aristocracy and a few nice people mostly from the lower classes. I hope I don't spoil it for anyone when I tell you the poor but plain, pretty, beautiful but busty Onyx winds up with the slightly damaged but filthy rich and soon to be marquis Jack . If you for even one minute thought she was going to marry the buffoon she was engaged to you need to go back to reading Disney books . Which by the way carry about the same amount of heat.
There was some cute dialogue between Jack and Onyx but not enough to keep the story going. I'm not sure if she was plain, pretty or beautiful because that description wavered. She did have a chest like Dolly Parton though that was made very clear over and over. Looks aside I found her low self esteem and depressing personality grating. The returning war damaged hero was done well but it just wasn't an uplifting story. There was an abundance of mean people mostly from the aristocracy and a few nice people mostly from the lower classes. I hope I don't spoil it for anyone when I tell you the poor but plain, pretty, beautiful but busty Onyx winds up with the slightly damaged but filthy rich and soon to be marquis Jack . If you for even one minute thought she was going to marry the buffoon she was engaged to you need to go back to reading Disney books . Which by the way carry about the same amount of heat.
November 29, 2014
I've never yet been disappointed in Carla Kelly. One of the things I particularly like about her work is that she doesn't shy away from the unpleasant. Jack's description of the taking of Badajoz is a prime example of this. Personally, I'm glad she didn't go for a 'miracle cure' because I wouldn't have believed it. My only criticism is that the revelation about Onyx's parentage was a little bit pat and I'd have preferred the book without it.
November 8, 2021
3.5 stars.
This was a nice and easy read. It was clean, completely lacking in OP drama, and featured two very likable characters, three if you include the companion. The pacing was spot on, but the ending felt rushed and left me wanting more.
This was a nice and easy read. It was clean, completely lacking in OP drama, and featured two very likable characters, three if you include the companion. The pacing was spot on, but the ending felt rushed and left me wanting more.
July 30, 2022
What a very lovely read! ❤️
I’ve read a lot of Carla Kelly books, many of which are light and amusing. This one is not. It has a very melancholy undertone.
The Hero is returning home from war, with a bad case of PTSD, and he is returning to a beloved brother who is dying. He not only has to deal with his terrors, but also his grief.
The heroine is a very neglected and overlooked step daughter. Her mother wants nothing more but to marry her off to a pompous vicar so she can get her off her hands. The heroine has no options, so she accepts the proposal of the vicar.
The couple meet when the Hero rescues the heroine from some criminals, but he gets hurt, so she needs to nurse him. She also agrees to help him nurse his sick brother.
The readers can see that the are perfect for each other, despite just having met, they have a deep understanding between them. But the heroine has a prior commitment. So many obstacles are in the way of their happiness.
Sigh. It’s a long and painful road to their happiness, but they come through beautifully in the end ❤️
I’ve read a lot of Carla Kelly books, many of which are light and amusing. This one is not. It has a very melancholy undertone.
The Hero is returning home from war, with a bad case of PTSD, and he is returning to a beloved brother who is dying. He not only has to deal with his terrors, but also his grief.
The heroine is a very neglected and overlooked step daughter. Her mother wants nothing more but to marry her off to a pompous vicar so she can get her off her hands. The heroine has no options, so she accepts the proposal of the vicar.
The couple meet when the Hero rescues the heroine from some criminals, but he gets hurt, so she needs to nurse him. She also agrees to help him nurse his sick brother.
The readers can see that the are perfect for each other, despite just having met, they have a deep understanding between them. But the heroine has a prior commitment. So many obstacles are in the way of their happiness.
Sigh. It’s a long and painful road to their happiness, but they come through beautifully in the end ❤️
December 24, 2025
Delightful!
Carla Kelly writes the most wonderful romances. Propulsive and engaging, with vulnerability and tenderness. She’s doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, and Jack and Onyx are so perfect for each other, even when it’s a very hard road to happiness. So good!
Carla Kelly writes the most wonderful romances. Propulsive and engaging, with vulnerability and tenderness. She’s doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, and Jack and Onyx are so perfect for each other, even when it’s a very hard road to happiness. So good!
Read
September 20, 2020Decided to DNF after coming across some racism by the male lead. I don't want a hero saying racist things. Not for me.
August 10, 2013
Another enjoyably angst-filled Regency-era romance from the always reliable Carla Kelly.
I am so glad that most of her older (often hard to find) Signet-published romances are now becoming available in e-book editions.
The blurb makes the plot sound like a romp-a very light-hearted froth of a book. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Major Jack Beresford is a badly battered veteran of the Peninsular campaign who suffers from what we call PTSD. He suffers horrible nightmares and all he really wants to do is go home. Onyx's 'suitable marriage' is being forced upon her by familial pressures. Her fiance is a cleric, the Rev. Littletree, who makes Mr Collins(from Pride and Prejudice)look attractive. Onyx has had to make herself almost invisible in her step-mother's house and has had the accident of her birth (she's an illegitimate foundling, adopted by her step-mother's first husband)used as a weapon against her.
She is so hard up(emotionally and financially) that she sees this horrible marriage as an escape.
As the plot unfold, Jack and Onyx have a less the cute meeting: Jack rescues Onyx from being raped by a band of outlaws and is injured. Onyx had been traveling to the home of her fiance's patron, the fabulous Lady Bagshot; that is where she takes the wounded Jack,and that is where she learns that Jack is the brother of a marquess and rich.
The 'campaign' in the title is multi-pronged. We get Jack's wooing of Onyx. We get Jack and Onyx's efforts to wean his dying brother off morphine, so that Jack and his brother can have some meaningful time together before he dies. We get Onyx's war with herself--realizing that she doesn't have to be satisfied with living in the shadows and she really doesn't have to settle for the awful Rev Littletree.
The wrap-up to the story is lovely. Onyx and Jack get their HEA and this reader believed in it whole-heartedly.
warning: you will need to keep the tissues handy.
I am so glad that most of her older (often hard to find) Signet-published romances are now becoming available in e-book editions.
The blurb makes the plot sound like a romp-a very light-hearted froth of a book. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Major Jack Beresford is a badly battered veteran of the Peninsular campaign who suffers from what we call PTSD. He suffers horrible nightmares and all he really wants to do is go home. Onyx's 'suitable marriage' is being forced upon her by familial pressures. Her fiance is a cleric, the Rev. Littletree, who makes Mr Collins(from Pride and Prejudice)look attractive. Onyx has had to make herself almost invisible in her step-mother's house and has had the accident of her birth (she's an illegitimate foundling, adopted by her step-mother's first husband)used as a weapon against her.
She is so hard up(emotionally and financially) that she sees this horrible marriage as an escape.
As the plot unfold, Jack and Onyx have a less the cute meeting: Jack rescues Onyx from being raped by a band of outlaws and is injured. Onyx had been traveling to the home of her fiance's patron, the fabulous Lady Bagshot; that is where she takes the wounded Jack,and that is where she learns that Jack is the brother of a marquess and rich.
The 'campaign' in the title is multi-pronged. We get Jack's wooing of Onyx. We get Jack and Onyx's efforts to wean his dying brother off morphine, so that Jack and his brother can have some meaningful time together before he dies. We get Onyx's war with herself--realizing that she doesn't have to be satisfied with living in the shadows and she really doesn't have to settle for the awful Rev Littletree.
The wrap-up to the story is lovely. Onyx and Jack get their HEA and this reader believed in it whole-heartedly.
warning: you will need to keep the tissues handy.
April 27, 2015
Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make what everyone agrees is a perfect marriage—until heroic Jack Beresford comes galloping into her life just when they both needed each other.
I am pretty stingy with my 5 stars but I loved this story! The pacing of the story was amazingly calm even though there were serious and suspenseful parts. I laughed and I cried. The characters and relationships were well developed - none of this "what was I thinking that for" "where did that thought come from?" or "sparks when they touched" but honest insightful communication and often comical conversation... and clean! The way Kelly wove the themes into the story were seamless: honesty, war, death, self-worth, and self-realization. It was one of those books I just couldn't stop thinking about and wanted to stop what I was doing to read, read, read.
I am pretty stingy with my 5 stars but I loved this story! The pacing of the story was amazingly calm even though there were serious and suspenseful parts. I laughed and I cried. The characters and relationships were well developed - none of this "what was I thinking that for" "where did that thought come from?" or "sparks when they touched" but honest insightful communication and often comical conversation... and clean! The way Kelly wove the themes into the story were seamless: honesty, war, death, self-worth, and self-realization. It was one of those books I just couldn't stop thinking about and wanted to stop what I was doing to read, read, read.
September 15, 2022
cw: violence, sexual harassment, unchallenged racism, mentions of war, wounding, ptsd, poverty, sexism
I forgot how great Carla Kelly could be. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The chemistry between the hero and the heroine was so good and I lived for the hero’s teasing and playful relationship with the heroine. I definitely rooted for them to get together and every interaction was a treat. The only thing I hated about this book were the casual instances of racism that appeared. It wasn’t part of the plot so I able to read past it. It was only one or two a sentences, but I did not appreciate it. Definitely enjoyed the book but just mentioning it in case that might be more triggering for someone else!
I forgot how great Carla Kelly could be. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The chemistry between the hero and the heroine was so good and I lived for the hero’s teasing and playful relationship with the heroine. I definitely rooted for them to get together and every interaction was a treat. The only thing I hated about this book were the casual instances of racism that appeared. It wasn’t part of the plot so I able to read past it. It was only one or two a sentences, but I did not appreciate it. Definitely enjoyed the book but just mentioning it in case that might be more triggering for someone else!
August 30, 2015
Sweet little book. A bit repetitive, but still enjoyable. 3.5 stars.
Note to friends, make sure you read the newer version published by Cedar Fort. Apparently the original version is quite a bit steamier. Unless you like it steamier. Then you can do what you want. I won't judge.
Note to friends, make sure you read the newer version published by Cedar Fort. Apparently the original version is quite a bit steamier. Unless you like it steamier. Then you can do what you want. I won't judge.
October 29, 2008
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I'd like it. But then, I couldn't put it down. It was wonderful. :o)
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