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Marriage of Mercy
Living together… Is that even allowed?
Grace was a baroness until she lost her home and all her possessions when her father died, saddling her with a mountain of debt. Although she’s an anxious wreck, she decides to start working at a bakery to earn some money. But once she’s finally settled into her new life, an old marquis, a customer of the bakery, leaves her an unexpected inheritance. She is to receive a house and an annual allowance, but in exchange, she has to care for the marquis’s son, who is a prisoner of war, while he’s on parole. Confused, she follows the will and goes to pick up the marquis’s son at Dartmoor Prison, not knowing that it will change her life forever…
Grace was a baroness until she lost her home and all her possessions when her father died, saddling her with a mountain of debt. Although she’s an anxious wreck, she decides to start working at a bakery to earn some money. But once she’s finally settled into her new life, an old marquis, a customer of the bakery, leaves her an unexpected inheritance. She is to receive a house and an annual allowance, but in exchange, she has to care for the marquis’s son, who is a prisoner of war, while he’s on parole. Confused, she follows the will and goes to pick up the marquis’s son at Dartmoor Prison, not knowing that it will change her life forever…
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
108 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
137 books805 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 126 reviews
May 8, 2012
The premise is actually slightly different than the blurb describes: The heroine finds out that she has inherited a modest income and lifetime residence of a dower house on a marquis's land, in return for going to Dartmoor to bring home the deceased marquis's illegitimate son, who is an American POW. Her task is only to care for him and oversee his parole in the dower house, not marry him. The solicitor reveals that the deceased marquis had hoped that they would fall in love and marry, but it was not a requirement. The actual illegitimate son, knowing he is about to die, asks her to pick someone else, and she picks the hero. (This is all part of the set up, so no spoilers). On reflection, not only the blurb but the title also seem poorly and thoughtlessly generated - neither really matches the book.
All in all, the book was ok. It definitely lacked subtlety in terms of the main antagonist, and I found the flow of the story seemed choppy. The treatment of the war of 1812 was also totally pro-American (more than that, it was anti-British - even more than you usually see in historical romance), with events such as the burning of Washington being presented as unprovoked attacks rather than retaliation for similar earlier American attacks on Canada. There's a lot of talk about how great America is and how crappy England is. If you're American, this might not bother you, but I found it jarring - the one-sidedness of the description of the war, and the unlikeliness of a Briton being so quick to dismiss her nation when she is surrounded by caring countrymen - and I didn't enjoy this aspect. The narrowness of perspective actually took me aback, to be honest. Aside from that, compared to many of her earlier works (for Signet and Harlequin), this is a disappointing read.
All in all, the book was ok. It definitely lacked subtlety in terms of the main antagonist, and I found the flow of the story seemed choppy. The treatment of the war of 1812 was also totally pro-American (more than that, it was anti-British - even more than you usually see in historical romance), with events such as the burning of Washington being presented as unprovoked attacks rather than retaliation for similar earlier American attacks on Canada. There's a lot of talk about how great America is and how crappy England is. If you're American, this might not bother you, but I found it jarring - the one-sidedness of the description of the war, and the unlikeliness of a Briton being so quick to dismiss her nation when she is surrounded by caring countrymen - and I didn't enjoy this aspect. The narrowness of perspective actually took me aback, to be honest. Aside from that, compared to many of her earlier works (for Signet and Harlequin), this is a disappointing read.
November 4, 2021
Three solid stars for this historically interesting romance. I read the e-book version. The title is deceiving. There is NO marriage of mercy in this plot. No marriage at all, actually, but it is foretold in the last chapter. The publisher's synopsis is misleading, too.
This review is *mostly* Spoiler Free. I don't give away the main mystery.
Setting: England, primarily from 1814 to 1815. Dartmoor Prison and Quimby, a village in Devon, England, not too far from Exeter. The Napoleonic War is coming to a close, but the War of 1812 is waging strong, where the Brits attack Washington, DC, Baltimore, and New Orleans. Battles are viewed through the eyes of an American POW on parole in England. He worries about his nation.
My quick thoughts, with details below: The plot is fairly solid and suspenseful, with one weak thread running throughout, involving an underdeveloped character, the villain. Except for a brief slow patch in the middle, the story moves along quickly. An extra nod to the author for drawing me into the heroine's character -- CK is a master at "showing, not telling" and rarely wastes my time with reams of reflection or maudlin rumination. The writing style is descriptive and the topic is serious, while the dialogue is sometimes light and witty. The romance is lovely, but societal conventions are frequently breached and Carla Kelly (CK) includes more sex than she normally does -- it felt a mite odd. Towards the end, the normally savvy heroine engages in an act of almost unbelievable stupidity -- an obvious plot contrivance. The ending is abrupt but beautiful, despite a rather tragic development we just have to accept, for Kelly employs no deus ex machina to undo what the "grinding wheels of war" have wrought.
Main characters: The Honourable Miss Grace Curtis is newly orphaned and homeless, but valiant. (This admirable heroine is reminiscent of Susan Hampton in The Lady's Companion.) In Marriage of Mercy, Kelly neatly SHOWS that Grace won’t engage in self-pity or self-deception:
Romance: The relationship between Rob and Grace was lovely. I liked seeing how Rob’s strengths complemented Gracie’s weaknesses, etc. Grace was sure she was destined for spinsterhood, with no marriage prospects. "I am completely marriage-proof and therefore the ideal employee," she declares, when applying to the Wilsons for a job at their bakery, age 18. She views herself as too poor to marry into her own class (her father was a Baronet and her maternal grandfather an Earl), and not interesting to the working class. Rob is a widower with some savings and a sound house in Nantucket, but before signing on as an indentured servant to an American sea captain at age 7, he was born in the slums of London. He must get past the social differences between himself and Gracie, but CK doesn't make too much of this. (One thing that bugs me about CK's novels is how quickly the H&h get onto a first name basis, and while that convention might be breached by a Yankee sailor, it's contrary to Grace's aristocratic upbringing.)
Kelly beautifully portrays the difference Rob made in Grace's lonely life in this poignant Christmas scene (not a plot spoiler): Sweet! This is why I tagged the book holiday. (CK could teach others how to show, not tell).
There are several fairly explicit sex scenes, starting at about 75% into the story, but the chemistry feels rather bland (that is true of almost all Kelly’s books, IMO). The text suggests that the hero goes down on Grace, which felt out of place in this book. I hope CK isn’t pressured by her publisher ??? to put more explicit sex in her books. I read a variety, from erotica to totally clean romances, and I like CK for her loveSTORY embedded in HISTORY.
Plot and suspense: An intriguing mystery. Why does someone want to kill or capture Rob? Where is Mr. Selway? What happened to him? Who is Mr. Smathers (aka Ugly Butler). I was constantly trying to figure it out, and I did so, but not totally. Also, the "Yankee Doodle Doughnuts" scenes were interesting and fun. Three weak plot points: 1) Grace's too-stupid-to-live (TSTL) letter-writing moment (a plot contrivance). 2) The poorly defined motivation for the vile behavior of the new Lord Thomson. (Some people are just born nasty, according to the narrative.) 3) I also had a hard time believing that the noble Duke of Clarence couldn't exert more influence. Also, I wondered how Rob got the deed to his house? And why weren't people judgmental about Grace and Rob sharing a house, even despite the inheritance terms and the legal parole-based relationship? But not a word was spoken.
Secondary characters: With the exception of the flat villain, Kelly does a superb job portraying the cast of supporting characters, adding a good deal of humor and dimension to the narrative. Key characters include the solicitor Mr. Selway, the mysterious Ugly Butler (aka Mr. Smathers -- a rich and interesting character), an old discarded retainer named Emery, The Wilsons who own the bakery, Mrs. Gentry and little Billy, Lady Tutt, and the noble Duke of Clarence, aka William Hanover, aka Sailor Billy.
Historical angles: The infamous 1815 Dartmoor Prison Massacre. The War of 1812, during which engagement the Redcoats burn Washington, DC (in 1814). The flight from Baltimore is mentioned, too, and the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815.
Bias: Some reviewers felt Carla Kelly was too pro-American in her portrayal of the War of 1812, and the English villagers' response to the part when the Brits withdrew from Baltimore. I agree in part. However, I felt that Kelly used Lady Tutt as the voice of the British view, especially when she said to Rob, "Next time, stay out of Canada!" or something like that.
Update from comments: Thanks to Caz for this info. Today during the BBC radio podcast In our Time Melvyn Bragg and several others discuss the causes and results of the War of 1812. Go here: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/r... or try this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q95s0
Here is the synopsis for the podcast, from the BBC website:
"Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the War of 1812, the conflict between America and the British Empire sometimes referred to as the second American War of Independence. In June 1812, President James Madison declared war on Britain, angered by the restrictions Britain had imposed on American trade, the Royal Navy's capture of American sailors and British support for Native Americans. After three years of largely inconclusive fighting, the conflict finally came to an end with the Treaty of Ghent which, among other things, helped to hasten the abolition of the global slave trade.
Although the War of 1812 is often overlooked, historians say it had a profound effect on the USA and Canada's sense of national identity, confirming the USA as an independent country. America's national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner began life as a poem written after its author, Francis Scott Key, witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. The war also led to Native Americans losing hundreds of thousands of acres of land in a programme of forced removal."
This review is *mostly* Spoiler Free. I don't give away the main mystery.
Setting: England, primarily from 1814 to 1815. Dartmoor Prison and Quimby, a village in Devon, England, not too far from Exeter. The Napoleonic War is coming to a close, but the War of 1812 is waging strong, where the Brits attack Washington, DC, Baltimore, and New Orleans. Battles are viewed through the eyes of an American POW on parole in England. He worries about his nation.
My quick thoughts, with details below: The plot is fairly solid and suspenseful, with one weak thread running throughout, involving an underdeveloped character, the villain. Except for a brief slow patch in the middle, the story moves along quickly. An extra nod to the author for drawing me into the heroine's character -- CK is a master at "showing, not telling" and rarely wastes my time with reams of reflection or maudlin rumination. The writing style is descriptive and the topic is serious, while the dialogue is sometimes light and witty. The romance is lovely, but societal conventions are frequently breached and Carla Kelly (CK) includes more sex than she normally does -- it felt a mite odd. Towards the end, the normally savvy heroine engages in an act of almost unbelievable stupidity -- an obvious plot contrivance. The ending is abrupt but beautiful, despite a rather tragic development we just have to accept, for Kelly employs no deus ex machina to undo what the "grinding wheels of war" have wrought.
Main characters: The Honourable Miss Grace Curtis is newly orphaned and homeless, but valiant. (This admirable heroine is reminiscent of Susan Hampton in The Lady's Companion.) In Marriage of Mercy, Kelly neatly SHOWS that Grace won’t engage in self-pity or self-deception:
"Her two bags packed, Grace had lain awake all night in her room, teasing herself with the one plan in her mind. She discarded it, reclaimed it, discarded it again, then shouldered it for the final time after breakfast. She straightened her shoulders, picked up her valise and walked away from her home of eighteen years."So…at age 28, after working cheerfully at the bakery for ten years (stoically repressing her anger at dear dead daddy), and befriending old Lord Thomson, Marquis of Quarle, Grace meets her inheritance, paroled POW Rob Inman, from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. He’s an optimist, kind to children, outgoing, an expert sailor, and mathematically inclined. According to the maid, “He’s so handsome!” (tall, fit, with curling red-gold hair and bright blue eyes). Rob may be shot on sight if he leaves Grace, his keeper.
Romance: The relationship between Rob and Grace was lovely. I liked seeing how Rob’s strengths complemented Gracie’s weaknesses, etc. Grace was sure she was destined for spinsterhood, with no marriage prospects. "I am completely marriage-proof and therefore the ideal employee," she declares, when applying to the Wilsons for a job at their bakery, age 18. She views herself as too poor to marry into her own class (her father was a Baronet and her maternal grandfather an Earl), and not interesting to the working class. Rob is a widower with some savings and a sound house in Nantucket, but before signing on as an indentured servant to an American sea captain at age 7, he was born in the slums of London. He must get past the social differences between himself and Gracie, but CK doesn't make too much of this. (One thing that bugs me about CK's novels is how quickly the H&h get onto a first name basis, and while that convention might be breached by a Yankee sailor, it's contrary to Grace's aristocratic upbringing.)
Kelly beautifully portrays the difference Rob made in Grace's lonely life in this poignant Christmas scene (not a plot spoiler): Sweet! This is why I tagged the book holiday. (CK could teach others how to show, not tell).
There are several fairly explicit sex scenes, starting at about 75% into the story, but the chemistry feels rather bland (that is true of almost all Kelly’s books, IMO). The text suggests that the hero goes down on Grace, which felt out of place in this book. I hope CK isn’t pressured by her publisher ??? to put more explicit sex in her books. I read a variety, from erotica to totally clean romances, and I like CK for her loveSTORY embedded in HISTORY.
Plot and suspense: An intriguing mystery. Why does someone want to kill or capture Rob? Where is Mr. Selway? What happened to him? Who is Mr. Smathers (aka Ugly Butler). I was constantly trying to figure it out, and I did so, but not totally. Also, the "Yankee Doodle Doughnuts" scenes were interesting and fun. Three weak plot points: 1) Grace's too-stupid-to-live (TSTL) letter-writing moment (a plot contrivance). 2) The poorly defined motivation for the vile behavior of the new Lord Thomson. (Some people are just born nasty, according to the narrative.) 3) I also had a hard time believing that the noble Duke of Clarence couldn't exert more influence. Also, I wondered how Rob got the deed to his house? And why weren't people judgmental about Grace and Rob sharing a house, even despite the inheritance terms and the legal parole-based relationship? But not a word was spoken.
Secondary characters: With the exception of the flat villain, Kelly does a superb job portraying the cast of supporting characters, adding a good deal of humor and dimension to the narrative. Key characters include the solicitor Mr. Selway, the mysterious Ugly Butler (aka Mr. Smathers -- a rich and interesting character), an old discarded retainer named Emery, The Wilsons who own the bakery, Mrs. Gentry and little Billy, Lady Tutt, and the noble Duke of Clarence, aka William Hanover, aka Sailor Billy.
Historical angles: The infamous 1815 Dartmoor Prison Massacre. The War of 1812, during which engagement the Redcoats burn Washington, DC (in 1814). The flight from Baltimore is mentioned, too, and the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815.
Bias: Some reviewers felt Carla Kelly was too pro-American in her portrayal of the War of 1812, and the English villagers' response to the part when the Brits withdrew from Baltimore. I agree in part. However, I felt that Kelly used Lady Tutt as the voice of the British view, especially when she said to Rob, "Next time, stay out of Canada!" or something like that.
Update from comments: Thanks to Caz for this info. Today during the BBC radio podcast In our Time Melvyn Bragg and several others discuss the causes and results of the War of 1812. Go here: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/r... or try this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q95s0
Here is the synopsis for the podcast, from the BBC website:
"Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the War of 1812, the conflict between America and the British Empire sometimes referred to as the second American War of Independence. In June 1812, President James Madison declared war on Britain, angered by the restrictions Britain had imposed on American trade, the Royal Navy's capture of American sailors and British support for Native Americans. After three years of largely inconclusive fighting, the conflict finally came to an end with the Treaty of Ghent which, among other things, helped to hasten the abolition of the global slave trade.
Although the War of 1812 is often overlooked, historians say it had a profound effect on the USA and Canada's sense of national identity, confirming the USA as an independent country. America's national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner began life as a poem written after its author, Francis Scott Key, witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. The war also led to Native Americans losing hundreds of thousands of acres of land in a programme of forced removal."
September 27, 2019
Another wonderful story by Carla Kelly. Grace is a lady turned into assistant baker after her father passed away and left only debts. Rob is an American prisoner during the War of 1812, incarcerated in Dartmoor Prison. Fate brings them together when Grace goes to Dartmoor to be the person responsible for the parole of one of her old customers bastard son. The said son is dying and asks her to choose another prisoner to impersonate him. She chooses Rob and she keeps choosing him all the way to the end.
Very beautiful and emotional story! Great read!
Very beautiful and emotional story! Great read!
April 9, 2015
There should be a hotline to call when a publisher (or author) commits a crime against their readers. Horribly expansive "preview" fillers, poor construction, book blurbs or TITLES that are liars that lie...
Grace does have to find a job as a baker after the death of her debt-ridden father. And she does end up in the will of a local member of the gentry, who does grant her parole-rights to his illegitimate son, a Captain in the American navy. And she DOES find the Captain and he DOES die and she DOES pick someone else. But there's no marriage. None. I've been lied to.
A few things of note:
1. There is negative amounts of chemistry in this book. This is because a) It is told entirely from Grace's POV. b) Rob recovers from his year+ in prison in two chapters. c) Rob spends one chapter talking about how much he loved his dead wife and the next listing all her flaws and the next pseudo-flirting maybe??? WHO KNOWS BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS FROM GRACE'S POV??? d) Also she goes from 0 (a starving cocky American POW???) to 100 (HE IS THE ONLY MAN I WILL EVER LOVE) in the space of a paragraph SO THAT'S GREAT.
With no way to get a read on Rob, he comes off as this kind of awkward brother who is just too damn close to his sister??? Like, the first time they held hands I was a little freaked? AND THEN HE JUST CASUALLY KISSES HER?? (Maybe this is me. Maybe I expect ~~First Contact~~ between my hero and heroine to be something important instead of a tossed in aside while they """"banter"""".
(CAN YOU TASTE MY SARCASM THIS MORNING.)
The lack of sexual tension definitely makes the development of the romantic relationship a chore and a half because it's SO UNBELIEVABLE. Why the hell is Rob so into Grace? Why the hell is Grace so into Rob all of a sudden? It definitely reads as "convenience" but not in the way I was promised.
2. What the hell was that sex scene? It starts with the hero and heroine on the couch, MUCH more familiar with each other than they were FOUR PAGES AGO and suddenly HE'S GETTING HIS JUNK OUT and there's no pause in the narration to examine this moment. THEY ARE ABOUT TO HAVE SEX FOR THE FIRST TIME (???) AND IT'S TREATED LIKE A LINE ITEM? The freaking doughnut plot gets more page time / examination than their sex.
(To be fair, if Kelly is uncomfortable writing such scenes, I GET IT. But I'd rather not read a sex scene than have one so awkward thrown in.)
3. What the fuck was that non-romantic plot line? SOMEONE DESPERATELY WANTS THE "CAPTAIN" DEAD? And then it's revealed that Rob is not the Captain BUT HE'S STILL IN DANGER??? So let's put him back in prison?? What a perfect way to "tie in" the Dartmoor prison massacre right????
4. Rob. Maybe this is a Kelly trademark but OMFG I AM SICK OF HER JESUS-HEROES. These dudes are just so perfect and forgiving and loving that they "fix" all the heroine's concerns just by standing next to her. If they do make mistakes, it's clearly an IMPORTANT mistake. But usually it's the heroine who makes the mistake and "betrays" herJesus hero so that she can learn an important lesson about her place how the hero is never ever wrong. How gross. How disgusting. Give me dudes that suck and learn and grow and become better people because the heroine challenges them. Give me awesome ladies that never have to give an inch but still learn and grow and change because the hero challenges them. Give me tension and irritation and infatuation and love--but most importantly, give me freedom from these heroes.
5. This book is literally such a disappointment. It's not HORRIBLE, it's just disappointing. I love that Kelly utilizes individuals from a non-traditional sphere to tell her stories, while examining historical events from their POV. But this book is just a mess. A mess without a marriage of convenience. And that, my friends, is UNFORGIVABLE.
Grace does have to find a job as a baker after the death of her debt-ridden father. And she does end up in the will of a local member of the gentry, who does grant her parole-rights to his illegitimate son, a Captain in the American navy. And she DOES find the Captain and he DOES die and she DOES pick someone else. But there's no marriage. None. I've been lied to.
A few things of note:
1. There is negative amounts of chemistry in this book. This is because a) It is told entirely from Grace's POV. b) Rob recovers from his year+ in prison in two chapters. c) Rob spends one chapter talking about how much he loved his dead wife and the next listing all her flaws and the next pseudo-flirting maybe??? WHO KNOWS BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS FROM GRACE'S POV??? d) Also she goes from 0 (a starving cocky American POW???) to 100 (HE IS THE ONLY MAN I WILL EVER LOVE) in the space of a paragraph SO THAT'S GREAT.
With no way to get a read on Rob, he comes off as this kind of awkward brother who is just too damn close to his sister??? Like, the first time they held hands I was a little freaked? AND THEN HE JUST CASUALLY KISSES HER?? (Maybe this is me. Maybe I expect ~~First Contact~~ between my hero and heroine to be something important instead of a tossed in aside while they """"banter"""".
(CAN YOU TASTE MY SARCASM THIS MORNING.)
The lack of sexual tension definitely makes the development of the romantic relationship a chore and a half because it's SO UNBELIEVABLE. Why the hell is Rob so into Grace? Why the hell is Grace so into Rob all of a sudden? It definitely reads as "convenience" but not in the way I was promised.
2. What the hell was that sex scene? It starts with the hero and heroine on the couch, MUCH more familiar with each other than they were FOUR PAGES AGO and suddenly HE'S GETTING HIS JUNK OUT and there's no pause in the narration to examine this moment. THEY ARE ABOUT TO HAVE SEX FOR THE FIRST TIME (???) AND IT'S TREATED LIKE A LINE ITEM? The freaking doughnut plot gets more page time / examination than their sex.
(To be fair, if Kelly is uncomfortable writing such scenes, I GET IT. But I'd rather not read a sex scene than have one so awkward thrown in.)
3. What the fuck was that non-romantic plot line? SOMEONE DESPERATELY WANTS THE "CAPTAIN" DEAD? And then it's revealed that Rob is not the Captain BUT HE'S STILL IN DANGER??? So let's put him back in prison?? What a perfect way to "tie in" the Dartmoor prison massacre right????
4. Rob. Maybe this is a Kelly trademark but OMFG I AM SICK OF HER JESUS-HEROES. These dudes are just so perfect and forgiving and loving that they "fix" all the heroine's concerns just by standing next to her. If they do make mistakes, it's clearly an IMPORTANT mistake. But usually it's the heroine who makes the mistake and "betrays" her
5. This book is literally such a disappointment. It's not HORRIBLE, it's just disappointing. I love that Kelly utilizes individuals from a non-traditional sphere to tell her stories, while examining historical events from their POV. But this book is just a mess. A mess without a marriage of convenience. And that, my friends, is UNFORGIVABLE.
August 15, 2017
3 Estrellitas. Ha sido un buen libro para pasar el rato, no demasiado memorable, pero en conjunto me ha parecido un buen comienzo en la obra de la autora. Al ser un harlequin puede que esperes una historia sencilla, y en el fondo lo es, pero me ha parecido más sencilla en su inicio, que en el final.
El libro empieza cuando Grace, una joven hija de un barón empobrecido se queda sin nada a la muerte de éste, y en la calle. Su orgullo le impide vivir de la caridad de sus conocidos, así que solicita un puesto de ayudante en la panadería del pueblo. Así es como Grace cae en el escalafón social, pero no lo suficiente como para que el anciano marqués de la población la tenga en alta estima. A la muerte del marqués, éste le deja a Grace un extraño testamento, la casa de los guardeses de la finca y treinta libras al año a cambio de que saque de la cárcel, bajo libertad supervisada, a su hijo bastardo, un capitán de barco americano. Pero cuando llega Grace el capitán está agonizando y le ruega que saque a uno de sus hombres por él.
El hombre elegido es Rob Inman, un joven y atractivo marinero, pero que para Grace es más una carga que otra cosa. Entre sus tareas está velar por su salud, cuidarle y mantenerle en su casa bajo vigilancia, porque Inglaterra está en guerra con Estados Unidos, y éste no podrá volver a su hogar hasta que termine la guerra. Aún así, Grace cumple con el cometido que el difunto marqués le legó. Lo que no contaban nuestros dos protagonistas es que terminarían enamorándose, y que deberían ser pacientes por un final de guerra y una libertad que no llega, y además deben luchar contra el nuevo marqués, al que no le hace ninguna gracia tener a Grace y un prisionero americano en su propiedad.
La historia de amor es sencilla, bonita y romántica, no tenemos un instalove. El tiempo, las semanas y los meses transcurre en el libro con buen ritmo, y poco a poco Grace y Rob comienzan su historia. Aunque me ha gustado como empieza el libro, en el final me he sentido más perdida. Las últimas cincuenta páginas me han dado la sensación de que la escritora ha querido complicar la trama, y se desvelan ciertas cosas que a mi parecer no hacían falta o no venían muy a cuento, además que me ha parecido rápido y precipitado y me ha dejado con la sensación de que a éste libro le hace falta un buen epílogo.
No es mala novela, al revés, creo que la escritora ha sabido sacarle jugo, pero otros detalles mejor aprovechados le habrían dado mayor atractivo. No descarto leer otras novelas de Carla Kelly en el futuro.
El libro empieza cuando Grace, una joven hija de un barón empobrecido se queda sin nada a la muerte de éste, y en la calle. Su orgullo le impide vivir de la caridad de sus conocidos, así que solicita un puesto de ayudante en la panadería del pueblo. Así es como Grace cae en el escalafón social, pero no lo suficiente como para que el anciano marqués de la población la tenga en alta estima. A la muerte del marqués, éste le deja a Grace un extraño testamento, la casa de los guardeses de la finca y treinta libras al año a cambio de que saque de la cárcel, bajo libertad supervisada, a su hijo bastardo, un capitán de barco americano. Pero cuando llega Grace el capitán está agonizando y le ruega que saque a uno de sus hombres por él.
El hombre elegido es Rob Inman, un joven y atractivo marinero, pero que para Grace es más una carga que otra cosa. Entre sus tareas está velar por su salud, cuidarle y mantenerle en su casa bajo vigilancia, porque Inglaterra está en guerra con Estados Unidos, y éste no podrá volver a su hogar hasta que termine la guerra. Aún así, Grace cumple con el cometido que el difunto marqués le legó. Lo que no contaban nuestros dos protagonistas es que terminarían enamorándose, y que deberían ser pacientes por un final de guerra y una libertad que no llega, y además deben luchar contra el nuevo marqués, al que no le hace ninguna gracia tener a Grace y un prisionero americano en su propiedad.
La historia de amor es sencilla, bonita y romántica, no tenemos un instalove. El tiempo, las semanas y los meses transcurre en el libro con buen ritmo, y poco a poco Grace y Rob comienzan su historia. Aunque me ha gustado como empieza el libro, en el final me he sentido más perdida. Las últimas cincuenta páginas me han dado la sensación de que la escritora ha querido complicar la trama, y se desvelan ciertas cosas que a mi parecer no hacían falta o no venían muy a cuento, además que me ha parecido rápido y precipitado y me ha dejado con la sensación de que a éste libro le hace falta un buen epílogo.
No es mala novela, al revés, creo que la escritora ha sabido sacarle jugo, pero otros detalles mejor aprovechados le habrían dado mayor atractivo. No descarto leer otras novelas de Carla Kelly en el futuro.
November 3, 2012
What I liked: captivating writing and immensely likeable characters. No lords, ladies or surprise heirs here - the hero is a former indentured servant,now a common sailor, and the heroine is a bakery worker (although her father was at one time a Baronet). I also liked that the romance was slow to progress. Normally that might bore me but in this case it worked. The progression from tentative friends to lovers is sweet and satisfying.
What I didn't like was the cover - the characters look NOTHING like the two models shown. Also - what is up with the story description? Major fail for Harlequin here. There is no marriage of convenience - or any marriage at all - in this book. The bad guy in this is a little over the top and there is never any acceptable definition of why he acted the way he did. A few very minor tstl moments by the heroine and one major (and in my opinion overkill) wtf plot point brought down the overall enjoyment of the story for me though.
I read an article last year where Mrs Kelly stated she was now only writing for the Mormon Inspirational market, but still had a contract to fulfill with her current publisher. This is one of those contracted books (not inspirational) and it seems to me that the quality is not as good as her previous works. Are the two related? Possibly, but I would hope that no author would sabotage their own work just for the sake of fulfilling a comitment.
3.5 stars
What I didn't like was the cover - the characters look NOTHING like the two models shown. Also - what is up with the story description? Major fail for Harlequin here. There is no marriage of convenience - or any marriage at all - in this book. The bad guy in this is a little over the top and there is never any acceptable definition of why he acted the way he did. A few very minor tstl moments by the heroine and one major (and in my opinion overkill) wtf plot point brought down the overall enjoyment of the story for me though.
I read an article last year where Mrs Kelly stated she was now only writing for the Mormon Inspirational market, but still had a contract to fulfill with her current publisher. This is one of those contracted books (not inspirational) and it seems to me that the quality is not as good as her previous works. Are the two related? Possibly, but I would hope that no author would sabotage their own work just for the sake of fulfilling a comitment.
3.5 stars
June 24, 2012
2/5; 2 stars; C
Well, the writing was the high quality I've come to expect from Carla Kelly but the story fell flat for me. First and foremost, I think Harlequin screwed up in a BIG way with the title of this book and the synopsis. It made me think that the pages of the book got put inside the wrong cover. There was no marriage, even at the end, the main couple had yet to be married. There was no mention of marriage in the conditions of the inheritance. It was very strange.
My favorite aspect of this book was the historical information about the war and Dartmoor prison. If you've never read this author, do not start with this book, it is not a good example of her phenomenal skill.
Well, the writing was the high quality I've come to expect from Carla Kelly but the story fell flat for me. First and foremost, I think Harlequin screwed up in a BIG way with the title of this book and the synopsis. It made me think that the pages of the book got put inside the wrong cover. There was no marriage, even at the end, the main couple had yet to be married. There was no mention of marriage in the conditions of the inheritance. It was very strange.
My favorite aspect of this book was the historical information about the war and Dartmoor prison. If you've never read this author, do not start with this book, it is not a good example of her phenomenal skill.
July 9, 2022
Ba ba ba booooorrrrrring AF
May 26, 2012
Just a FYI: the back cover copy (and the title, to be honest) have nothing to do with the actual plot. Ignore them!
So, Marriage of Mercy is pretty much The Lady's Companion, but with American prisoners and doughnuts and a ridiculous villain. I know, that sounds rather unlike TLC, but what I meant was that both books feature heroines who have slipped from the gentry into the working middle class--Grace in MoM more so than Susan in TLC, since Grace was working as a baker.
I love when regency-set novels focus on other stuff, not just the ton and parties and rich people problems, and I love Carla Kelly, so I expected a lot from MoM. Unfortunately, it's one of Kelly's more meh works for me; Lord Thomson the younger was a bit too much, and too much happened too quickly plotwise in the last third of the book.
But on the plus side, I now have a great hankering to reread The Lady's Companion for, oh, the fifteenth time...
So, Marriage of Mercy is pretty much The Lady's Companion, but with American prisoners and doughnuts and a ridiculous villain. I know, that sounds rather unlike TLC, but what I meant was that both books feature heroines who have slipped from the gentry into the working middle class--Grace in MoM more so than Susan in TLC, since Grace was working as a baker.
I love when regency-set novels focus on other stuff, not just the ton and parties and rich people problems, and I love Carla Kelly, so I expected a lot from MoM. Unfortunately, it's one of Kelly's more meh works for me; Lord Thomson the younger was a bit too much, and too much happened too quickly plotwise in the last third of the book.
But on the plus side, I now have a great hankering to reread The Lady's Companion for, oh, the fifteenth time...
August 22, 2015
I didn't think it was possible to be disappointed with Carla Kelly, but this one is clearly not one of my favourites. The plot ending is a bit silly and the pro-americanism -the story takes place at the end of the War of 1812- is really over the top. The main protagonists are nice but, if I liked their complicity and their banter, I could never feel THE spark between them.
Still, the writing is most enjoyable and the characters are finely sketched -this is a Carla Kelly after all-, thus the 3 stars.
To be noted, a rather curious appearance of the Duke of Clarence (the future William IV).
Oh, and also, the story has little to do with the blurb. It is not a MOC-plot.
Still, the writing is most enjoyable and the characters are finely sketched -this is a Carla Kelly after all-, thus the 3 stars.
To be noted, a rather curious appearance of the Duke of Clarence (the future William IV).
Oh, and also, the story has little to do with the blurb. It is not a MOC-plot.
November 19, 2015
Great storyline but too many things wrong...
This book has a great summary/title/cover, that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with what the actual book is about. There is no marriage, not at all. Notwithstanding the misleading title and summary, the storyline is fairly good and interesting. The supporting characters add depth and humor. But there are bedroom scenes which disgust me and completely ruined the book. Ugh the story could have been great without those! I'm frustrated cause I've read books by this author that are fantastic and clean, and then this happens :(
This book has a great summary/title/cover, that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with what the actual book is about. There is no marriage, not at all. Notwithstanding the misleading title and summary, the storyline is fairly good and interesting. The supporting characters add depth and humor. But there are bedroom scenes which disgust me and completely ruined the book. Ugh the story could have been great without those! I'm frustrated cause I've read books by this author that are fantastic and clean, and then this happens :(
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March 25, 2017
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts... for more, visit Punya Reviews...
Another Carla Kelly book I picked up cause I was intrigued by the blurb. I generally don’t read reviews of her books before reading, where in most cases I wanna check the reviews first before picking up a book. Marriage of Mercy was no different. I like to enjoy Ms. Kelly’s books as it is, then decide whether I liked it or not.
Marriage of Mercy is another sweet story between a baker and an American prisoner of war. Even though for the first 60% the book was rather ho hum, the story picked up after that and the twist at the end pretty much had me there. I was wondering what the hell was happening, cause I didn’t expect any of that!
Grace or as everyone calls her, Gracie, has fallen far. From a Baronet’s daughter to a baker, not a good thing for someone whose father was once considered a peer of the realm, even if a penniless peer. Grace’s father didn’t like to bother with finances and never cared to manage however small a fortune he had, hence, when he passed away, he left his only child under a huge debt and no one to help her out of that. Her mother passed on long ago, so Grace finds herself without any money, any help, and pretty much out of her mansion only with the clothes on her back when the mansion, and everything else were sold out to clear the debt. But she isn’t the type to whine and cry. Gracie knew early on that she doesn’t have a shining future because of what a spendthrift her father was. And she hated it! She tried to make him understand and work with her so they can save some for the future, HER future. But Henry Curtis was baffled as to why she’d even bother to think of money, or earning money TBH, when they’re peers of the realm! And working to earn is so crass a thought! *eyeroll*
Hence Grace has been mentally preparing for a long time for the inevitable to happen. At least that’s what I thought. That day, 10yrs. ago, when she finally found herself without a penny, Grace decided she will work to earn her pay and the best people that came to mind were the town bakers Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Two kindly people who had owed her money yet didn’t turn her away ever from their doorstep. Unsurprisingly, they took her in when she reached out. They also had daughters and they knew of Grace’s situation well. And I definitely didn’t think they took her in just because she offered to work off the money they owed.
Even though Grace had never worked a day in her life before that, she trained well and now is the best asset to Mr. Wilson’s bakery. Even though these days, the peers, who she once thought were her friends, don’t bother to acknowledge her, Grace had been content with her life. It was monotonous but she liked the security of it. Her Quimby Crèmes, named after their little town, is the best thing out there. She knew people loved all their baked goods, but it was her Crèmes that brought a Marquess to the doorstep of the bakery. An old and grouchy man who was tamed by Quimby Crèmes; so much so, when he died, he included Grace in his will! And it shocked the hell out of Grace. She’s to have 30 pounds a year... but there are conditions. It seems the Marquess, who never married, has had enough fun, fathering an illegitimate son somewhere in America where he served when he was in the army. He knows his son Daniel was alive and doing well as the captain of a ship. But recently, amidst the war with America, the British troops have been raiding the seas, bringing in the prisoners of war and keeping them in the dark, dank and miserable Dartmoor prison. The Marquees knew that Daniel is also stuck in that hell-hole and he’d worked to gain Daniel’s release under parole for a year.
Now Daniel’s to be brought to Quimby. He’s going to live in the empty Dower House and to be taken care of until he’s hale and hearty once again. And Only Grace will do for that job. She must be there to take care of him for that year before he could be released and can leave for America....... and if possible, marry him if their pairing seems amenable. Nothing could’ve prepared our strong and hardworking heroine more than this odd little will! But she did care for the old grouch so Grace decides to honor his wishes. Those 30 pounds would be the cherry on top, for someday, she wishes to buy the bakery from the Wilsons when they aren’t able to run it any longer. If only the new Marquess, who is as mean as well as a pinchpenny, would let her ‘work’ in peace on this new venture of hers! He’s already aired his disgust with this part of the will. :/
But things don’t go as planned when she and Mr. Selway, the Marquess’s lawyer, reach Dartmoor. In that miserable and unholy place, Grace learns that there’s a side of the humanity she’d rather not have witnessed. But it was the terms of the will that she must be there when Daniel is released. Sadly, when Daniel Duncan dies before she could even do anything, Grace must make a hasty decision to take someone else with her. You’d say she was thinking of her 30 pounds, but there were other variables at work here. First of all, Daniel, with his last breathe pleads her to choose from one of his men and give him a chance to live. Grace would, of course, honor his wish as she was honoring his father’s. Then, for some reason, she looks at another inmate and simply feels he must be the one. It was one of those things you just know... Daniel’s men agreed and helped her accomplish the switch. Rob Inman was filthy, hungry and ill but he had a better chance of survival than the rest of the crew of the ship. And, unbeknownst to Grace, he was about to turn her monotonous life upside down.
Somehow, Grace gets away with it. Even Mr. Selway didn’t notice in the middle of all that chaos, where all the inmates looked exactly the same as Rob. Grace requests Rob to keep it shut, to not divulge his real identity if he’s to live another year. Or have clean bed, food and other amenities Rob only dreamed of for the past year. After all was settled, Grace takes on the monumental task to bring her Prisoner back to health pretty much all by herself. It was apparent that many Quimby Crèmes would be necessary for this process! :D There was Emery, the old gardener who told her he was turned off by the new master so he’d like to be around and help. Grace was only happy to have him around.
In the following chapters, we witness how things unfold between Grace and Rob, which includes an attraction that was palpable since the beginning. They start off as good friends, but it didn’t take long for something else to blossom. Grace was SO sure she would live out her life as a spinster, already being 28, that this came as a dream come true for her. She did want to marry and have her own family. Rob is of the same age, and when he’s not moody or broody, he’s as charming as they come. In a few weeks of his arrival, he had already won over the residents of Quimby, including the Wilsons, with his wit and easy smile, his kindness, not to mention, with his recipe of doughnuts! The hated Prisoner of War was now a celebrated man. Being with him each day, Grace wasn’t surprised at all, for she knew he was also winning her over each day.
Rob loved to be with Grace, to laugh and banter with her, giving her hope that this may lead to somewhere. It also gave Rob a hope of a better life. And though the new Marquess was being a PITA to them both by trying to bring in danger (Rob was to be shot at sight if he went far from the Dower House without Grace, that was the term of the release), things soon start becoming more intimate. Grace soon gives into the passion, knowing Rob and she, if God willing, will have a future in Nantucket where he owns a house, which has been left vacant ever since his first wife died. Rob is not dirt poor either; he’s made a nice fortune from his days on the ship. So all they have to do is to go to America as soon as it was possible for them.
Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned once again. Fickle fate steps in to ruin Grace and Rob’s one chance at happiness when the mean Marquess again brings trouble to their doorstep, and Rob is forced to run for his life in the dead of the night. Grace is thrown out of the Dower House too. But she had a place with the Wilsons still. And she had not a clue about what to do. Mr. Selway, the kindly lawyer, has not been seen ever since he bought Rob back. Though he’s been sending them money, Grace couldn’t even locate him when she tried earlier one day. Now what will she do? How can she help Rob? Save him from being carted to Dartmoor once again? And she couldn’t bear if anything ever happens to him. She could see the horror in Rob’s eyes at every mention of that place. Grace would rather die with him!
But then things start unraveling for Grace with help coming from the most unexpected of places. There were some totally startling twists and turns in the story that elevated it from an ‘okay’ read to something very intriguing. I was thinking WOW, I didn’t see that coming! So thank YOU Ms. Kelly for making me love this story even more!
Now, I did read some of the reviews of this story after I was finished. Sadly, many aren’t that positive. Some seemed like those reviewers didn’t bother finishing the book. Some mentioned this read a lot like another of Ms. Kelly’s earlier works (which I will check out to compare if better than this one)... but there was one particular review that caught my attention. Someone rated the book 1 star because it had sex scenes; because she’s used to clean Carla Kelly books. Uh, first of all, the sex scenes were very, VERY tame. Mostly faded-to-black type, very little details to speak of. And it only showed the reviewer’s ignorance about an author’s work she ‘claimed to love’. Ms. Kelly writes for multiple publishers so whether a story would be clean or not depends on who she’s writing for. Marriage of Mercy was published from Harlequin so I knew to expect some amount of intimacy between the characters. When someone pointed this fact out to her, this reviewer didn’t bother to amend the rating or even make a note on her review. I understand it may have come to her as a surprise but to rate it 1 star for something so stupid (definitely not the author’s fault and she didn’t say she hated the story) is just........ *SMH* I don’t even know what to say. I don’t usually rant or bother with low ratings for a book or for a favorite author, preferring to do my own review, but this struck me as extremely unfair.
In conclusion, I give Marriage of Mercy 4 stars because of that last bit of crazy drama that soooooo got me! I really wished there were a few more chapters of Rob and Grace, especially in Nantucket. Definitely would’ve loved that. :)
Another Carla Kelly book I picked up cause I was intrigued by the blurb. I generally don’t read reviews of her books before reading, where in most cases I wanna check the reviews first before picking up a book. Marriage of Mercy was no different. I like to enjoy Ms. Kelly’s books as it is, then decide whether I liked it or not.
Marriage of Mercy is another sweet story between a baker and an American prisoner of war. Even though for the first 60% the book was rather ho hum, the story picked up after that and the twist at the end pretty much had me there. I was wondering what the hell was happening, cause I didn’t expect any of that!
Grace or as everyone calls her, Gracie, has fallen far. From a Baronet’s daughter to a baker, not a good thing for someone whose father was once considered a peer of the realm, even if a penniless peer. Grace’s father didn’t like to bother with finances and never cared to manage however small a fortune he had, hence, when he passed away, he left his only child under a huge debt and no one to help her out of that. Her mother passed on long ago, so Grace finds herself without any money, any help, and pretty much out of her mansion only with the clothes on her back when the mansion, and everything else were sold out to clear the debt. But she isn’t the type to whine and cry. Gracie knew early on that she doesn’t have a shining future because of what a spendthrift her father was. And she hated it! She tried to make him understand and work with her so they can save some for the future, HER future. But Henry Curtis was baffled as to why she’d even bother to think of money, or earning money TBH, when they’re peers of the realm! And working to earn is so crass a thought! *eyeroll*
Hence Grace has been mentally preparing for a long time for the inevitable to happen. At least that’s what I thought. That day, 10yrs. ago, when she finally found herself without a penny, Grace decided she will work to earn her pay and the best people that came to mind were the town bakers Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Two kindly people who had owed her money yet didn’t turn her away ever from their doorstep. Unsurprisingly, they took her in when she reached out. They also had daughters and they knew of Grace’s situation well. And I definitely didn’t think they took her in just because she offered to work off the money they owed.
Even though Grace had never worked a day in her life before that, she trained well and now is the best asset to Mr. Wilson’s bakery. Even though these days, the peers, who she once thought were her friends, don’t bother to acknowledge her, Grace had been content with her life. It was monotonous but she liked the security of it. Her Quimby Crèmes, named after their little town, is the best thing out there. She knew people loved all their baked goods, but it was her Crèmes that brought a Marquess to the doorstep of the bakery. An old and grouchy man who was tamed by Quimby Crèmes; so much so, when he died, he included Grace in his will! And it shocked the hell out of Grace. She’s to have 30 pounds a year... but there are conditions. It seems the Marquess, who never married, has had enough fun, fathering an illegitimate son somewhere in America where he served when he was in the army. He knows his son Daniel was alive and doing well as the captain of a ship. But recently, amidst the war with America, the British troops have been raiding the seas, bringing in the prisoners of war and keeping them in the dark, dank and miserable Dartmoor prison. The Marquees knew that Daniel is also stuck in that hell-hole and he’d worked to gain Daniel’s release under parole for a year.
Now Daniel’s to be brought to Quimby. He’s going to live in the empty Dower House and to be taken care of until he’s hale and hearty once again. And Only Grace will do for that job. She must be there to take care of him for that year before he could be released and can leave for America....... and if possible, marry him if their pairing seems amenable. Nothing could’ve prepared our strong and hardworking heroine more than this odd little will! But she did care for the old grouch so Grace decides to honor his wishes. Those 30 pounds would be the cherry on top, for someday, she wishes to buy the bakery from the Wilsons when they aren’t able to run it any longer. If only the new Marquess, who is as mean as well as a pinchpenny, would let her ‘work’ in peace on this new venture of hers! He’s already aired his disgust with this part of the will. :/
But things don’t go as planned when she and Mr. Selway, the Marquess’s lawyer, reach Dartmoor. In that miserable and unholy place, Grace learns that there’s a side of the humanity she’d rather not have witnessed. But it was the terms of the will that she must be there when Daniel is released. Sadly, when Daniel Duncan dies before she could even do anything, Grace must make a hasty decision to take someone else with her. You’d say she was thinking of her 30 pounds, but there were other variables at work here. First of all, Daniel, with his last breathe pleads her to choose from one of his men and give him a chance to live. Grace would, of course, honor his wish as she was honoring his father’s. Then, for some reason, she looks at another inmate and simply feels he must be the one. It was one of those things you just know... Daniel’s men agreed and helped her accomplish the switch. Rob Inman was filthy, hungry and ill but he had a better chance of survival than the rest of the crew of the ship. And, unbeknownst to Grace, he was about to turn her monotonous life upside down.
Somehow, Grace gets away with it. Even Mr. Selway didn’t notice in the middle of all that chaos, where all the inmates looked exactly the same as Rob. Grace requests Rob to keep it shut, to not divulge his real identity if he’s to live another year. Or have clean bed, food and other amenities Rob only dreamed of for the past year. After all was settled, Grace takes on the monumental task to bring her Prisoner back to health pretty much all by herself. It was apparent that many Quimby Crèmes would be necessary for this process! :D There was Emery, the old gardener who told her he was turned off by the new master so he’d like to be around and help. Grace was only happy to have him around.
In the following chapters, we witness how things unfold between Grace and Rob, which includes an attraction that was palpable since the beginning. They start off as good friends, but it didn’t take long for something else to blossom. Grace was SO sure she would live out her life as a spinster, already being 28, that this came as a dream come true for her. She did want to marry and have her own family. Rob is of the same age, and when he’s not moody or broody, he’s as charming as they come. In a few weeks of his arrival, he had already won over the residents of Quimby, including the Wilsons, with his wit and easy smile, his kindness, not to mention, with his recipe of doughnuts! The hated Prisoner of War was now a celebrated man. Being with him each day, Grace wasn’t surprised at all, for she knew he was also winning her over each day.
Rob loved to be with Grace, to laugh and banter with her, giving her hope that this may lead to somewhere. It also gave Rob a hope of a better life. And though the new Marquess was being a PITA to them both by trying to bring in danger (Rob was to be shot at sight if he went far from the Dower House without Grace, that was the term of the release), things soon start becoming more intimate. Grace soon gives into the passion, knowing Rob and she, if God willing, will have a future in Nantucket where he owns a house, which has been left vacant ever since his first wife died. Rob is not dirt poor either; he’s made a nice fortune from his days on the ship. So all they have to do is to go to America as soon as it was possible for them.
Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned once again. Fickle fate steps in to ruin Grace and Rob’s one chance at happiness when the mean Marquess again brings trouble to their doorstep, and Rob is forced to run for his life in the dead of the night. Grace is thrown out of the Dower House too. But she had a place with the Wilsons still. And she had not a clue about what to do. Mr. Selway, the kindly lawyer, has not been seen ever since he bought Rob back. Though he’s been sending them money, Grace couldn’t even locate him when she tried earlier one day. Now what will she do? How can she help Rob? Save him from being carted to Dartmoor once again? And she couldn’t bear if anything ever happens to him. She could see the horror in Rob’s eyes at every mention of that place. Grace would rather die with him!
But then things start unraveling for Grace with help coming from the most unexpected of places. There were some totally startling twists and turns in the story that elevated it from an ‘okay’ read to something very intriguing. I was thinking WOW, I didn’t see that coming! So thank YOU Ms. Kelly for making me love this story even more!
Now, I did read some of the reviews of this story after I was finished. Sadly, many aren’t that positive. Some seemed like those reviewers didn’t bother finishing the book. Some mentioned this read a lot like another of Ms. Kelly’s earlier works (which I will check out to compare if better than this one)... but there was one particular review that caught my attention. Someone rated the book 1 star because it had sex scenes; because she’s used to clean Carla Kelly books. Uh, first of all, the sex scenes were very, VERY tame. Mostly faded-to-black type, very little details to speak of. And it only showed the reviewer’s ignorance about an author’s work she ‘claimed to love’. Ms. Kelly writes for multiple publishers so whether a story would be clean or not depends on who she’s writing for. Marriage of Mercy was published from Harlequin so I knew to expect some amount of intimacy between the characters. When someone pointed this fact out to her, this reviewer didn’t bother to amend the rating or even make a note on her review. I understand it may have come to her as a surprise but to rate it 1 star for something so stupid (definitely not the author’s fault and she didn’t say she hated the story) is just........ *SMH* I don’t even know what to say. I don’t usually rant or bother with low ratings for a book or for a favorite author, preferring to do my own review, but this struck me as extremely unfair.
In conclusion, I give Marriage of Mercy 4 stars because of that last bit of crazy drama that soooooo got me! I really wished there were a few more chapters of Rob and Grace, especially in Nantucket. Definitely would’ve loved that. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2012
This book was not a standout for me, especially after reading "Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career," but it held my interest and there was some suspense (not a lot, mind you) to keep the reader wondering which background characters to trust. It was a good read on the whole, but the openly affectionate behavior of the hero and heroine in public (even before they fell in love) seemed out of place to me given the time period and setting. I do have one last snarky thought that persisted for the latter half of the book and so, in the spirit of generosity, I pass it on to you, gentle reader. The hero, an American soldier on parole from Dartmoor Prison, is under the heroine's care and must stay close to her, so she takes him with her when she goes to work in her bakery. After a time, he shows them how to make donuts and they sell like hotcakes (excuse the pun), so I would be curious to read an epilogue five years down the road. Would it be akin to the "Supersize Me" experiment? Lucky old tailor and dressmaker, with such an expanding business (again, excuse the pun). Okay, now that you are busy going cross-eyed, whilst trying to properly visualize a story with elements of Dunkin' Donuts, a revolutionary Jane Austen and "The Biggest Loser," I shall bid you adieu and assure you that it really was a rather sweet story.
August 8, 2020
I am utterly baffled that this book has such a low average rating on Goodreads because it gave me All The Feels. Obviously Carla Kelly is a genius and I she hasn't written a bad book. This one is no different. Our heroine, Gracie, is a gentry daughter who has 'slid' and is now a baker's assistant. Our hero, Rob, is an American POW who is paroled to her care. More plot than I ordinarily like and more plot than Ms Kelly ordinarily deals in, but she makes it work so well. I rarely cry at novels, maybe this one just caught me at a tense time of the month or something, but I had a little sob on the train this morning as I prayed that these two crazy kids would stay together. Kelly makes things which seem innocuous when one thinks about them, the making of donuts, for example, come alive in her novels. She builds a relationship between these two characters which creeps up on you and before you know it, it's wrapped right around your heart. And, she does all of that without ever talking from Rob's point of view. As a bonus, this Kelly has sex. It's not particularly explicit, but its romantic and tender and between two characters who love one another and understand one another and hot for being those things.I cannot say enough Good Things about this. It was fantastic.
December 15, 2024
I actually liked this a lot and it's only suffering from comparison to the romances I read after it this week. But if you want "normal" people historical romance, I would highly recommend this one as worth your time. The concept of a heroine who views herself as unmatchable because she used to be part of the gentry and has come down to be a baker's assistant was really interesting.
March 16, 2018
This was my least favorite I have read by this author so far. It was very slow developing and spent too much time on mundane, unimportant day-to-day life. By the end, it felt unfinished because we did not get see them go to America after all the time spent talking about it. There was another important bit left out that I won't spoil but it should have been addressed. I didn't pay attention to publication dates but this feels like an early effort and the author improved a lot in her storytelling in subsequent books.
March 23, 2021
What the heck is up with the book title and synopsis?? There was no marriage, in fact there was barely any romance. There was history, and it was interesting and kept my attention, but the falling in love part wasn't the most interesting part of the book. At all.
As always, this author does a great and horrifying portrayal of prisons in the Georgian (?) era, and the reader could feel the anxiety of waiting for information about war in the 1800's. A hard concept to grasp during this era of instant gratification, I googled the crap out of Dartmoor Massacre, and still today there is not much info on it.
As always, this author does a great and horrifying portrayal of prisons in the Georgian (?) era, and the reader could feel the anxiety of waiting for information about war in the 1800's. A hard concept to grasp during this era of instant gratification, I googled the crap out of Dartmoor Massacre, and still today there is not much info on it.
July 29, 2017
It's hard to go wrong with a Carla Kelly book. This wasn't necessarily one of my favorites of hers, but I still enjoyed it.
September 4, 2013
Didn't like this one. In the first place, the title is misleading - there is no marriage. Not that I really cared, but little things like that irritate me. Call me picky. I did like the way it started with Rob in Dartmoor Prison, but after that the story just landed with a thud.
The plot is old and overdone - penniless but spunky heroine Grace is left with nothing on the death of her spendthrift of a father. When the family manse is sold out from under her, she walks into town and apprentices herself to a bakery. There,she works hard, becomes an awesome baker and invents a new sweet called (oh, please) Quimby Cremes. With the aid of these sweets, she wins over an old, irascible nobleman in the village (of course), who leaves her a legacy tied to the parole of an American prisoner from Dartmoor Prison. Naturally, the old man's heir is not happy, and he causes as much trouble as possible for obscure reasons that are never quite cleared up. Nothing is as it seems. The gardener is not a gardener, the butler is not a butler, the lawyer is not a lawyer, Rob is not who everyone thinks he is, and so on and so on. Toward the end Rob goes back to prison "for his own safety" (which I didn't quite get) until everything is settled. Finally, the heroine decides to go to Nantucket with Rob and open a bakery. Good riddance.
There were too many plot twists, things never made clear, or that were just explained at the end. I also felt that Rob recovered too quickly from his ordeal in the prison. Two days after his rescue from starvation he was perky and obnoxious, and I was over him already.
As with most of Kelly's books, some dialog is lifted straight out of Jane Austen. Just sayin'.
One last question: Why are Americans in English period romances - even when the writer is American - portrayed as always happy and perky and independent and more than ready to provide a solution for any problem an Englishman - or woman - can possibly imagine? Their ideas are ALWAYS innovative, ALWAYS a surprise to the poor befuddled Brits, and ALWAYS depend on taking charge and taking over. Can we all say STEREOTYPE????? Is it unpatriotic to portray an American as not quite "all that"??
The plot is old and overdone - penniless but spunky heroine Grace is left with nothing on the death of her spendthrift of a father. When the family manse is sold out from under her, she walks into town and apprentices herself to a bakery. There,she works hard, becomes an awesome baker and invents a new sweet called (oh, please) Quimby Cremes. With the aid of these sweets, she wins over an old, irascible nobleman in the village (of course), who leaves her a legacy tied to the parole of an American prisoner from Dartmoor Prison. Naturally, the old man's heir is not happy, and he causes as much trouble as possible for obscure reasons that are never quite cleared up. Nothing is as it seems. The gardener is not a gardener, the butler is not a butler, the lawyer is not a lawyer, Rob is not who everyone thinks he is, and so on and so on. Toward the end Rob goes back to prison "for his own safety" (which I didn't quite get) until everything is settled. Finally, the heroine decides to go to Nantucket with Rob and open a bakery. Good riddance.
There were too many plot twists, things never made clear, or that were just explained at the end. I also felt that Rob recovered too quickly from his ordeal in the prison. Two days after his rescue from starvation he was perky and obnoxious, and I was over him already.
As with most of Kelly's books, some dialog is lifted straight out of Jane Austen. Just sayin'.
One last question: Why are Americans in English period romances - even when the writer is American - portrayed as always happy and perky and independent and more than ready to provide a solution for any problem an Englishman - or woman - can possibly imagine? Their ideas are ALWAYS innovative, ALWAYS a surprise to the poor befuddled Brits, and ALWAYS depend on taking charge and taking over. Can we all say STEREOTYPE????? Is it unpatriotic to portray an American as not quite "all that"??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2014
This book is different than I thought it would be. The synopsis and title made think it would e a different story. I enjoyed the book, just wondering who wrote the synopsis and came up with the title?
Grace went from riches to rags. She was forced to leave her home after her father's death, with no family to turn to and nowhere to go. She showed her fortitude and ingenuity when she offered to work for a baker whom her father owed money.
Ten years pass, she did well with her life and made friends by her friendliness and kindness. This paid off when she received an inheritance, 30 pound a year and life in a dowager house. The only catch was that she had to take care of the illegitimate son of her benefactor. He would be released as a prisoner of war into her custody. The problem when she went to get him, he was dying. He begged her to take another prisoner in his stead.
Here is where the book differs from the book description, marriage was not a stipulation. It was straight forward, she would watch over the prisoner,she would have a place to live, and an income.
Marriage was a large part of the book. Grace felt bad that she never had the opportunity to marry. She could no longer marry a member of the gentry, and a commoner would think her too elevated to be worth marrying. Rob, the prisoner, let her know that in America, she would have a better chance of finding a husband.
I did enjoy the characters. There is far more to many of them than appears on the surface.
This book does not fit in the mold of the other Carla Kelly books I have read. I look forward to reading her books because I usually get a good, clean romance. This book does not fit into the clean category. There is detailed intimate relations between the characters.
Grace went from riches to rags. She was forced to leave her home after her father's death, with no family to turn to and nowhere to go. She showed her fortitude and ingenuity when she offered to work for a baker whom her father owed money.
Ten years pass, she did well with her life and made friends by her friendliness and kindness. This paid off when she received an inheritance, 30 pound a year and life in a dowager house. The only catch was that she had to take care of the illegitimate son of her benefactor. He would be released as a prisoner of war into her custody. The problem when she went to get him, he was dying. He begged her to take another prisoner in his stead.
Here is where the book differs from the book description, marriage was not a stipulation. It was straight forward, she would watch over the prisoner,she would have a place to live, and an income.
Marriage was a large part of the book. Grace felt bad that she never had the opportunity to marry. She could no longer marry a member of the gentry, and a commoner would think her too elevated to be worth marrying. Rob, the prisoner, let her know that in America, she would have a better chance of finding a husband.
I did enjoy the characters. There is far more to many of them than appears on the surface.
This book does not fit in the mold of the other Carla Kelly books I have read. I look forward to reading her books because I usually get a good, clean romance. This book does not fit into the clean category. There is detailed intimate relations between the characters.
October 17, 2016
I really enjoyed the romance that unfolded in this story. Robert and Grace are so cute together. When Grace's father dies she is forced to take a position in a bakery to keep herself a float. Ten years pass and Grace has done well for herself and made friends along the way. One in particular friend leaves her in his will upon his death. This takes her to Dartmoor to parole a POW into her care. The scene and images tore at my heart. The conditions in the manner they were forced to live in and unfortunately for some it is all they know until their untimely death. The bond and friendship that developed between Robert and Grace is beautiful. They are playful and not forced as it just gradually takes place. There are love scenes included in this one that are graphic. CK does not always do this in her books and while it does not take away from the book for me it may for others. They are not all over and you could skip past it. The only complaint I have was I would have liked to have had an epilogue. There is something Grace needs to tell Robert and as a reader was left out of that moment. That was unfortunate as you watch the two grow as a couple waiting to wed. I would have liked to see them settled in Nantucket too. Not much just a glimpse would have put it over the top for me. As it was I found myself sighing, cringing, tearful throughout the read and my stomach flipped when Robert made his return back to Grace after being taken back to Dartmoor. If you are a fan of tragic stories that involve seeing the less sparkly side of a romance, including partial leg amputation than you will enjoy this read. While there is a war trying to be settled it is the budding romance that take center stage. Enjoy!
June 16, 2019
Whoever wrote the blurb on the cover and titled this book must not have read it. I've ordered all of Carla Kelly's back books and the description (on the back cover) didn't sound all that interesting. It has taken months to open this tome. OMGoodness!! They did a serious disservice to this novel and potential readers.
Grace (what an apt name choice) is destitute because of the wanton spending and gambling of her landed gentry father. When he dies, he leaves nothing but debt. Grace takes herself in hand and asks to work at the local bakery. She has been working there 10 years when fate takes a hand in her life.
Grace has been kind to an old, wealthy codger who is short on temper and long on complaints. When he can no longer walk to the bakery, Grace delivers the treats. When he dies, he leaves a strange request. She is to go to Dartmoor Prison (an awful place for American prisoners in the War of 1812) and rescue his American illegitimate son. The old gentleman gives her the dower house to live in. She's to care for his son until the end of the war.
The clash of the American's culture vs. the English is fascinating to watch. However, Robert is such a powerful presence (even though he is skin-and-bones) that he soon charms the enemy nation's citizens where he resides.
Robert has nearly been destroyed by his experiences in Dartmoor. However, he slowly changes through the kindness of Grace and the workers at the bakery. Grace changes too through her caretaking of Robert. This is a slow and easy love story with a little history thrown in to give this book a realism that is sometimes hard to endure. 4.5 stars
Grace (what an apt name choice) is destitute because of the wanton spending and gambling of her landed gentry father. When he dies, he leaves nothing but debt. Grace takes herself in hand and asks to work at the local bakery. She has been working there 10 years when fate takes a hand in her life.
Grace has been kind to an old, wealthy codger who is short on temper and long on complaints. When he can no longer walk to the bakery, Grace delivers the treats. When he dies, he leaves a strange request. She is to go to Dartmoor Prison (an awful place for American prisoners in the War of 1812) and rescue his American illegitimate son. The old gentleman gives her the dower house to live in. She's to care for his son until the end of the war.
The clash of the American's culture vs. the English is fascinating to watch. However, Robert is such a powerful presence (even though he is skin-and-bones) that he soon charms the enemy nation's citizens where he resides.
Robert has nearly been destroyed by his experiences in Dartmoor. However, he slowly changes through the kindness of Grace and the workers at the bakery. Grace changes too through her caretaking of Robert. This is a slow and easy love story with a little history thrown in to give this book a realism that is sometimes hard to endure. 4.5 stars
December 22, 2012
This book took out like a tornado for me and I read it in record time.
It takes place in England during the French and American wars. The War of 1812 as America calls it has imprisoned many American sailors at Dartmoor Prison. Gracie, born a lady but experienced a downfall is now a Baker's apprentice. She develops a friendship with Lord Thomson who names her in his will provided she releases and takes care of a prisoner from Dartmouth. This has quite a complex plot. Nothing is what it seems nor are the characters what they seem.There is a footnote of Dartmouth Prison at the end. I do think the ending could have been better but what do I know? The story kept me eagerly involved. A very good read!
It takes place in England during the French and American wars. The War of 1812 as America calls it has imprisoned many American sailors at Dartmoor Prison. Gracie, born a lady but experienced a downfall is now a Baker's apprentice. She develops a friendship with Lord Thomson who names her in his will provided she releases and takes care of a prisoner from Dartmouth. This has quite a complex plot. Nothing is what it seems nor are the characters what they seem.There is a footnote of Dartmouth Prison at the end. I do think the ending could have been better but what do I know? The story kept me eagerly involved. A very good read!
June 27, 2012
3.5 stars out of 5 rounded up to 4
I agree with others, title is lame and blurb misleading. Also the cover was ill conceived and didn't fit the story. Carla Kelly deserved better than this. Well written as always, no one does naval romances like Carla. A sweet romance with interesting characters, I would have preferred a little more heat. Regardless, I was caught up in the narrative and Rob was engaging as an American POW granted parole through a twist of fate and left in the care of the heroine, Grace. Worth the read.
Book should have been called 'Parole of the Heart' at least it fits better than 'Marriage of Mercy'.
I agree with others, title is lame and blurb misleading. Also the cover was ill conceived and didn't fit the story. Carla Kelly deserved better than this. Well written as always, no one does naval romances like Carla. A sweet romance with interesting characters, I would have preferred a little more heat. Regardless, I was caught up in the narrative and Rob was engaging as an American POW granted parole through a twist of fate and left in the care of the heroine, Grace. Worth the read.
Book should have been called 'Parole of the Heart' at least it fits better than 'Marriage of Mercy'.
March 25, 2013
This book just dragged for me. SPOILER ***I was shocked that a woman in that day and age from her station in life would sleep with someone she was not married to. Not really believable. I found myself skimming chapters wanting things to move faster until more than half way through. Not her best work, far from it!
July 15, 2020
3.5 enjoyable stars. I learned a couple of new things in this historical romance comic. Carla Kelly's work usually has a strong historical feeling. Priest holes, Dartmore prison and the war of 1812, plus donuts! Love story was alright and cute. Pretty art.
June 3, 2012
I really liked the characters and relationship. The plot was ridiculous, though ...
January 1, 2026
I've been on a Carla Kelly kick of late, but Marriage of Mercy didn't work for me. The premise is implausible on every level and it only becomes more so as the story unfolds. As a (gently born) woman with neither money nor property, I'm sceptical that Grace Curtis could serve as parole officer for Sailing Master Rob Inman under English law. While I understand that she's lost her social position and with it, any assumption of maidenly virtue, I didn't see much reason for the authorities to trust her if her pedigree is, in fact, irrelevant. When she moves into the Marquis of Quarle's Dower House with an American prisoner, I questioned if she could actually afford to risk her reputation. Outside her support network in the village, she has little else to support her ambitions. It perplexed me, but I'm likely focused on the wrong things. None of it makes sense, and I nearly set the book aside for that reason.
I finished it mostly because I hadn't downloaded a better alternative before I lost my Internet connection. Unfortunately, the romance didn't capture me: Rob and Grace are as interested in each other as they are in the USA's national mythology, and I have no taste for it. My communities have suffered under US imperialism and colonization (including British colonialism), so I found it more jarring than anything to hear them describe liberty, on one hand, and the proceeds of slavery, the dispossession of Indigenous peoples, and expansionist ideals on the other. It is the supposed contradiction at the heart of American empire and I hardly expect an average historical romance to address it, but if I'm required to fall in love with Nantucket or the American Dream in order to root for the Rob and Grace, then I never will. The propaganda actively repulsed me, so I found it harder to appreciate the qualities they shared in common.
To be clear, these issues are ubiquitous across the genre: every noble seat, all the jewellery, and the trappings of empire come from exploitation. I'm more inured to the aesthetics than the violence of military enforcement, inseparable though they are from one another. In other words, Rob Inman is no worse than the next book's viscount; he's just not much better. I chafed at the insistence that he was, and his country by extension. I know that the conversations in historical romance have evolved over the last 10 years, thanks in large part to authors and readers of colour. At the same time, I can't give authors a pass for their long-standing failure to engage with well-known historical realities. Given the narrative's themes, it felt particularly hypocritical that none of the characters seemed to care that their freedom came at the expense of racialized people.
Even for a reader without my qualms, I don't think the denouement made much sense. For some reason, Personally, I didn't understand the point of his injury. By the time Grace finds out, we're only a few pages from the novel's end and predictably, it has no effect.
Marriage of Mercy was deeply unsatisfying and I should've followed my first instinct to DNF it.
I finished it mostly because I hadn't downloaded a better alternative before I lost my Internet connection. Unfortunately, the romance didn't capture me: Rob and Grace are as interested in each other as they are in the USA's national mythology, and I have no taste for it. My communities have suffered under US imperialism and colonization (including British colonialism), so I found it more jarring than anything to hear them describe liberty, on one hand, and the proceeds of slavery, the dispossession of Indigenous peoples, and expansionist ideals on the other. It is the supposed contradiction at the heart of American empire and I hardly expect an average historical romance to address it, but if I'm required to fall in love with Nantucket or the American Dream in order to root for the Rob and Grace, then I never will. The propaganda actively repulsed me, so I found it harder to appreciate the qualities they shared in common.
To be clear, these issues are ubiquitous across the genre: every noble seat, all the jewellery, and the trappings of empire come from exploitation. I'm more inured to the aesthetics than the violence of military enforcement, inseparable though they are from one another. In other words, Rob Inman is no worse than the next book's viscount; he's just not much better. I chafed at the insistence that he was, and his country by extension. I know that the conversations in historical romance have evolved over the last 10 years, thanks in large part to authors and readers of colour. At the same time, I can't give authors a pass for their long-standing failure to engage with well-known historical realities. Given the narrative's themes, it felt particularly hypocritical that none of the characters seemed to care that their freedom came at the expense of racialized people.
Even for a reader without my qualms, I don't think the denouement made much sense. For some reason, Personally, I didn't understand the point of his injury. By the time Grace finds out, we're only a few pages from the novel's end and predictably, it has no effect.
Marriage of Mercy was deeply unsatisfying and I should've followed my first instinct to DNF it.
November 16, 2025
Rob – an American held as a naval prisoner of war in Dartmoor forced to live under horrible conditions. He is released as a parolee under the care of Grace. I loved Rob’s capable air and easy way about him. His good nature and humor were subtle and adorable. He will be added to my favorite hero list for sure. Loved him.
Grace – a young English woman who lost everything when her father died. She was a very practical girl with no aspirations about getting her old life or social status back.
Even though they came from very different backgrounds, strangely they were very similar. Rob had been abandoned by his parents at a young age, forced to indenture himself to a ship’s captain. Grace, with no one and nowhere to go, shunned by society, she went to the Wilson's bakery – the only people who ever showed her kindness - to work for free for two years to pay off her father’s debt to them.
I loved their relationship right away. Their subtle wit. They were very sweet to each other, even though I thought they were unbelievably a bit too comfortable with each other as strangers in the beginning.
Favorite part:
Their nighttime talk chastely sitting on her bed. How he held her foot through the sheet at one point.
And:
"I don't think you'll scare horses". Lol.
The audiobook was narrated by Applebooks (AI). There were sometimes when the inflection was all wrong, and in general the fact that the AI narration sounded so real just gave me the creeps. So I switched to the ebook version about chapter 15.
Grace – a young English woman who lost everything when her father died. She was a very practical girl with no aspirations about getting her old life or social status back.
Even though they came from very different backgrounds, strangely they were very similar. Rob had been abandoned by his parents at a young age, forced to indenture himself to a ship’s captain. Grace, with no one and nowhere to go, shunned by society, she went to the Wilson's bakery – the only people who ever showed her kindness - to work for free for two years to pay off her father’s debt to them.
I loved their relationship right away. Their subtle wit. They were very sweet to each other, even though I thought they were unbelievably a bit too comfortable with each other as strangers in the beginning.
Favorite part:
Their nighttime talk chastely sitting on her bed. How he held her foot through the sheet at one point.
And:
"I don't think you'll scare horses". Lol.
The audiobook was narrated by Applebooks (AI). There were sometimes when the inflection was all wrong, and in general the fact that the AI narration sounded so real just gave me the creeps. So I switched to the ebook version about chapter 15.
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