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Lord Ratliffe's Daughters
Marrying the Royal Marine
Illegitimate Polly Brandon has never felt like more than an ugly duckling. So she's amazed when Hugh Philippe Junot pays her such close attention as they sail for Portugal.
Under ordinary circumstances she knows this distinguished lieutenant colonel of marines would never have looked at her, but having his protection for the journey is comforting—and something more that she's afraid to give a name to. Should she trust what she sees in Hugh's eyes—has she turned from an ugly duckling into a beautiful, desirable swan?
Under ordinary circumstances she knows this distinguished lieutenant colonel of marines would never have looked at her, but having his protection for the journey is comforting—and something more that she's afraid to give a name to. Should she trust what she sees in Hugh's eyes—has she turned from an ugly duckling into a beautiful, desirable swan?
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2010
75 people are currently reading
1142 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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June 18, 2014
Polly Brandon, the youngest of three sisters, is eighteen (going on nineteen), and has always felt herself to be the ugly duckling of the family. At the beginning of the story, she has obtained passage on a British ship bound for Portugal, intending to work alongside her sister, Laura, and her husband, who is chief surgeon at a military hospital in Oporto.
Recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Philippe d’Anvers Junot – a Scot, despite his French-sounding name – is wondering whether taking that promotion had been such a good idea after all, as it has left him landlocked. He is, he admits, dissatisfied both professionally and personally; in the case of the former, he misses life at sea, and in the case of the latter, he is lonely, and thinks that perhaps, at thirty-seven, he may have left it too late to find himself a wife and start a family.
Travelling to Portugal on a fact-finding mission, he is at somewhat of a loose end, until he realises that the ship’s other passenger, Polly, has not been seen for two days. He discovers her in the grips of a terrible bout of sea-sickness and, not being part of the crew and having no other urgent duties takes responsibility for her care – cleaning her up, moving her to his cabin and generally looking after her until they arrive at Oporto.
During this time, Hugh realises that Polly – whom he nicknames Brandon - is no milk-and-water miss. She is independent of mind and spirit with a great deal of backbone, and he finds himself falling for her, hard and fast. But he is almost twenty years her senior, and, convinced he is too old for her, determines to leave her in Oporto and journey onward to Lisbon, believing that once out of sight he will be able to put her out of his mind.
For her part, Polly is embarrassed by the Colonel’s care of her, knowing he’s seen her at her worst and believing it impossible that such a handsome, distinguished and commanding man could ever be interested in an a woman like her; plain and poor as she is, and illegitimate, to boot. But when they arrive at the convent-turned-hospital, Laura sees immediately that Hugh is more than a little interested in Polly, and warns him off. Hugh does not take exception to her warning – she says nothing that he hasn’t already told himself.
Hugh takes his leave, and Polly begins her work at the hospital, working alongside Sister Maria, who has asked her to teach English to the women and their children who have taken refuge at the convent. The women have been raped and brutalised by soldiers of the French army, and many of them still have nightmares about their experiences. One of the things Sister Maria does is to help soothe them at night so they can sleep, and she also asks for Polly’s help in this. Polly finds it difficult and draining – but knows she is doing good, and ends up writing pages and pages about her experiences and her own emotions in a long letter to Hugh, which she never intends to send.
Hugh misses Polly more than he could ever have imagined he would miss anyone, and admits to himself that he has finally found the woman he could spend the rest of his life with – while also telling himself he can’t have her because she’s too young for him and has her life to live.
When his ship returns to Oporto, he fully intends to sail back to England without seeing Polly again, not wanting to put himself through the pain of seeing her and having to leave her again. Fate, however, decrees otherwise, and very soon, the pair of them are thrust into an unwelcome and dangerous situation from which it seems unlikely they will escape with their lives.
Carla Kelly is one of those writers who can always be depended upon to come up with a well-written and entertaining story, but this book really is something special. The Napoleonic Wars are often referenced in historical romances set in and around this period, but are little more than a backdrop, whereas here, the reader is plunged into the midst of the uncertainty and horrors of war as experienced in this particular corner of Europe. There are a few upsetting scenes, especially when Hugh, Polly and Sister Maria are captured by a small group of French dragoons and their lives are hanging in the balance. Hugh and Polly claim to be married – hoping to prevent Polly’s violation at the hands of the soldiers – a fiction they maintain throughout their journey, which it becomes clear isn’t all that much of a fiction after all. The feelings which have already sprouted between them take root and grow, their affectionate gestures and verbal endearments a natural consequence of the attraction that already exists between them. It’s a beautifully written and heart-felt romance in which the connection between the protagonists is deep and real, and not just something which happens as the result of their terrible situation.
Hugh and Polly come across as real, ordinary people who find themselves having to deal with extraordinary circumstances. Hugh is a wonderful hero – strong and honourable, while being caring, protective and possessed of a wry sense of humour. And Polly is resilient and courageous, even though she is scared to death and isn’t afraid to admit it. Together, they help each other through weeks spent as the captives of a group of French dragoons as they travel across Portugal to join up with their captor’s regiment. The journey is hazardous, they are often starving and always uncomfortable, yet through it all they remain Hugh and Polly, two people doing what they must to survive who never lose their humanity amidst the terrible inhumanity of war.
Ms Kelly’s grasp of the history of the period is masterly, and she cleverly weaves a number of interesting historical facts into her story as well as engineering a meeting between her hero and heroine and the unconventional James Rothchild, one of the family of Jewish bankers who were doing their bit to undermine Napoleon through their financial and banking interests.
I am in awe of the author’s ability to have written such an emotionally intense and satisfying story in under three hundred pages. I freely admit to having teared up on at least two occasions while I was reading, and to finding my heart in my throat during times of peril. Ms Kelly doesn’t sugar coat the horror, desperation and degradation of war and I was truly impressed at the manner in which she humanised the opposing forces, showing them as men doing their jobs rather than demonising them.
Marrying the Royal Marine is a truly wonderful book, from start to finish. The romance is just beautiful, with Hugh and Polly showing each other over and over how much they care for each other in ways both big and small. They are partners in every sense of the word – looking out for each other, saving each other, and even managing to laugh together despite the gravity of the situation into which they are thrust. I know there are some readers who don’t care for such large age-gaps, but honestly, that doesn’t matter here. Polly isn’t some brattish teenaged air-head; she’s mature for her years and has a sensible head on her shoulders, and she and Hugh make a couple I can envisage as being happy together long after the last page has been turned.
Recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Philippe d’Anvers Junot – a Scot, despite his French-sounding name – is wondering whether taking that promotion had been such a good idea after all, as it has left him landlocked. He is, he admits, dissatisfied both professionally and personally; in the case of the former, he misses life at sea, and in the case of the latter, he is lonely, and thinks that perhaps, at thirty-seven, he may have left it too late to find himself a wife and start a family.
Travelling to Portugal on a fact-finding mission, he is at somewhat of a loose end, until he realises that the ship’s other passenger, Polly, has not been seen for two days. He discovers her in the grips of a terrible bout of sea-sickness and, not being part of the crew and having no other urgent duties takes responsibility for her care – cleaning her up, moving her to his cabin and generally looking after her until they arrive at Oporto.
During this time, Hugh realises that Polly – whom he nicknames Brandon - is no milk-and-water miss. She is independent of mind and spirit with a great deal of backbone, and he finds himself falling for her, hard and fast. But he is almost twenty years her senior, and, convinced he is too old for her, determines to leave her in Oporto and journey onward to Lisbon, believing that once out of sight he will be able to put her out of his mind.
For her part, Polly is embarrassed by the Colonel’s care of her, knowing he’s seen her at her worst and believing it impossible that such a handsome, distinguished and commanding man could ever be interested in an a woman like her; plain and poor as she is, and illegitimate, to boot. But when they arrive at the convent-turned-hospital, Laura sees immediately that Hugh is more than a little interested in Polly, and warns him off. Hugh does not take exception to her warning – she says nothing that he hasn’t already told himself.
Hugh takes his leave, and Polly begins her work at the hospital, working alongside Sister Maria, who has asked her to teach English to the women and their children who have taken refuge at the convent. The women have been raped and brutalised by soldiers of the French army, and many of them still have nightmares about their experiences. One of the things Sister Maria does is to help soothe them at night so they can sleep, and she also asks for Polly’s help in this. Polly finds it difficult and draining – but knows she is doing good, and ends up writing pages and pages about her experiences and her own emotions in a long letter to Hugh, which she never intends to send.
Hugh misses Polly more than he could ever have imagined he would miss anyone, and admits to himself that he has finally found the woman he could spend the rest of his life with – while also telling himself he can’t have her because she’s too young for him and has her life to live.
When his ship returns to Oporto, he fully intends to sail back to England without seeing Polly again, not wanting to put himself through the pain of seeing her and having to leave her again. Fate, however, decrees otherwise, and very soon, the pair of them are thrust into an unwelcome and dangerous situation from which it seems unlikely they will escape with their lives.
Carla Kelly is one of those writers who can always be depended upon to come up with a well-written and entertaining story, but this book really is something special. The Napoleonic Wars are often referenced in historical romances set in and around this period, but are little more than a backdrop, whereas here, the reader is plunged into the midst of the uncertainty and horrors of war as experienced in this particular corner of Europe. There are a few upsetting scenes, especially when Hugh, Polly and Sister Maria are captured by a small group of French dragoons and their lives are hanging in the balance. Hugh and Polly claim to be married – hoping to prevent Polly’s violation at the hands of the soldiers – a fiction they maintain throughout their journey, which it becomes clear isn’t all that much of a fiction after all. The feelings which have already sprouted between them take root and grow, their affectionate gestures and verbal endearments a natural consequence of the attraction that already exists between them. It’s a beautifully written and heart-felt romance in which the connection between the protagonists is deep and real, and not just something which happens as the result of their terrible situation.
Hugh and Polly come across as real, ordinary people who find themselves having to deal with extraordinary circumstances. Hugh is a wonderful hero – strong and honourable, while being caring, protective and possessed of a wry sense of humour. And Polly is resilient and courageous, even though she is scared to death and isn’t afraid to admit it. Together, they help each other through weeks spent as the captives of a group of French dragoons as they travel across Portugal to join up with their captor’s regiment. The journey is hazardous, they are often starving and always uncomfortable, yet through it all they remain Hugh and Polly, two people doing what they must to survive who never lose their humanity amidst the terrible inhumanity of war.
Ms Kelly’s grasp of the history of the period is masterly, and she cleverly weaves a number of interesting historical facts into her story as well as engineering a meeting between her hero and heroine and the unconventional James Rothchild, one of the family of Jewish bankers who were doing their bit to undermine Napoleon through their financial and banking interests.
I am in awe of the author’s ability to have written such an emotionally intense and satisfying story in under three hundred pages. I freely admit to having teared up on at least two occasions while I was reading, and to finding my heart in my throat during times of peril. Ms Kelly doesn’t sugar coat the horror, desperation and degradation of war and I was truly impressed at the manner in which she humanised the opposing forces, showing them as men doing their jobs rather than demonising them.
Marrying the Royal Marine is a truly wonderful book, from start to finish. The romance is just beautiful, with Hugh and Polly showing each other over and over how much they care for each other in ways both big and small. They are partners in every sense of the word – looking out for each other, saving each other, and even managing to laugh together despite the gravity of the situation into which they are thrust. I know there are some readers who don’t care for such large age-gaps, but honestly, that doesn’t matter here. Polly isn’t some brattish teenaged air-head; she’s mature for her years and has a sensible head on her shoulders, and she and Hugh make a couple I can envisage as being happy together long after the last page has been turned.
June 5, 2012
DNF when I was 67 % done. My time is too precious to waste on a boring book. I'm really disappointed. Marrying the Royal Marine started off very promising--I really liked it. The story kept me interested up to about 30 % and then it started to seriously bore me. The heroine is pale, uptight and…boring. While we're on it, Hugh didn't shine either. Frankly, throughout the story I couldn't find any chemistry between Hugh and Polly. Gosh, how many times did Hugh kiss Polly on her head, huh? There was not one single passionate kiss to be found. Honestly, they behaved like brother and sister. I love mesmerizing dialogue, however, what I got here was a narrative ad nauseam. I think that's exactly what sealed the deal for me. A boring narrative and not enough dialogue. And of course the lack of passion between H/h. I mean I'm reading a historical romance. Dear Ms. Kelly, when it's labeled romance, then I truly expect a developing romance/relationship between two human beings. Well, onwards…I hope the next one will be better.
November 1, 2010
Hugh Philippe Junot is restless. At 37 and a Lt. Colonel in the Royal Marines in 1812, he's dedicated much of his young life to King and Country. Lamenting the grey creeping into his hair at the temples and his single state, he's resigned himself to never having a family of his own, much to his dismay. In an attempt to settle his restlessness and serve his country, he convinces his superior officer to let him travel to the Portuguese front on a fact-finding mission.
On her way to live and work with her sister Laura at a military hospital in Oporto, Polly Brandon happens to be on the Navy vessel Hugh is taking to the Peninsula. Though he finds her charming and is instantly attracted to her, he is certain he is far too old for a mere girl of 19. They end up thrown together, however, when a particularly vicious case of seasickness leaves Polly completely at his mercy. A mutual friendship and attraction forms - Hugh is drawn to her poise and strength and Polly to his kindness and command - and both are sad to part once they reach Oporto, though neither admits it to the other.
When an impulsive decision to join Polly on an errand upriver lands the two of them smack in the middle of a French ambush, they find themselves relying on each other for the strength to survive their ordeal.
The book's strength is in its characterization. Both hero and heroine are a well-balanced mix of strengths and weaknesses. Kelly shows us how badly Hugh wants Polly as his wife and the mother of his children, but feels too old for her at the same time. You can feel his anguish as he forces himself to leave her in Oporto without declaring himself, and his weakness as he flouts decorum and writes her a letter from Lisbon. Polly is attracted to Hugh's aura of dignity and authority, but is sure he sees nothing in her, the 19 year old, bespectacled, illegitimate daughter of a nobleman. She throws herself into helping the women hurt by pillaging French soldiers in an attempt to show herself that she is worthy, that she has something to offer the world than a man like Hugh can appreciate.
This strong base of attraction makes their romance more than just a matter of desperation induced by pretending to be a married couple to survive their captivity. Their reliance on each other feels natural in the face of their unexpressed feelings. They're able to cry on each other's shoulders - and Kelly is the master of letting a man cry and remain a strong hero - without it feeling forced or convenient. There were some moments where they coaxed each other through some extremely tense moments of abject fear, and their regard for each other just made me weepy. Hugh was a veritable well of strength and comfort, and Polly was an admirable blend of courage and humility. Despite their age difference, they make one of my favorite couples in terms of compatibility.
It's a character-focused book, but the high-action plot is spellbinding as well. The French captors are given full personalities, and this richness lends the captivity sequence an ambiguity that ratchets up the suspense. I had a hard time putting it down as a result, staying up until 4am, when my eyes just refused to stay open.
I'd suggest this for fans of road romance, vulnerable heroes and high-emotion reads.
On her way to live and work with her sister Laura at a military hospital in Oporto, Polly Brandon happens to be on the Navy vessel Hugh is taking to the Peninsula. Though he finds her charming and is instantly attracted to her, he is certain he is far too old for a mere girl of 19. They end up thrown together, however, when a particularly vicious case of seasickness leaves Polly completely at his mercy. A mutual friendship and attraction forms - Hugh is drawn to her poise and strength and Polly to his kindness and command - and both are sad to part once they reach Oporto, though neither admits it to the other.
When an impulsive decision to join Polly on an errand upriver lands the two of them smack in the middle of a French ambush, they find themselves relying on each other for the strength to survive their ordeal.
The book's strength is in its characterization. Both hero and heroine are a well-balanced mix of strengths and weaknesses. Kelly shows us how badly Hugh wants Polly as his wife and the mother of his children, but feels too old for her at the same time. You can feel his anguish as he forces himself to leave her in Oporto without declaring himself, and his weakness as he flouts decorum and writes her a letter from Lisbon. Polly is attracted to Hugh's aura of dignity and authority, but is sure he sees nothing in her, the 19 year old, bespectacled, illegitimate daughter of a nobleman. She throws herself into helping the women hurt by pillaging French soldiers in an attempt to show herself that she is worthy, that she has something to offer the world than a man like Hugh can appreciate.
This strong base of attraction makes their romance more than just a matter of desperation induced by pretending to be a married couple to survive their captivity. Their reliance on each other feels natural in the face of their unexpressed feelings. They're able to cry on each other's shoulders - and Kelly is the master of letting a man cry and remain a strong hero - without it feeling forced or convenient. There were some moments where they coaxed each other through some extremely tense moments of abject fear, and their regard for each other just made me weepy. Hugh was a veritable well of strength and comfort, and Polly was an admirable blend of courage and humility. Despite their age difference, they make one of my favorite couples in terms of compatibility.
It's a character-focused book, but the high-action plot is spellbinding as well. The French captors are given full personalities, and this richness lends the captivity sequence an ambiguity that ratchets up the suspense. I had a hard time putting it down as a result, staying up until 4am, when my eyes just refused to stay open.
I'd suggest this for fans of road romance, vulnerable heroes and high-emotion reads.
August 15, 2015
4.5 stars for this absorbing May-December romance (she turns 19 to his 37), set during the Napoleonic Wars, mainly in Spain. I have read all the books in the Channel Fleet series. This is the last and the best, but I enjoyed book 1, Marrying The Captain, too.
Be advised, this book has some mild sex scenes (unlike most romances by this "clean" author).
Warning! Marrying the Royal Marine has some dark but historically accurate portrayals of the kind of villainy and madness that descends in war time. But it's also got such a tender, brave, and protective hero in the endearingly vain Royal Marine (Hugh, Colonel Junot). He is charmed by Polly from the first, as he tends her seasick soul on the ship, but the rather lonely -- yet quite dashing -- colonel fears she'll think him much too old.
Polly Brandon (he calls her Brandon) may be small and bespectacled, but she's strong, stubborn, and fiercely protective of him. There is a period of separation when they each miss the other, but then he comes back into her life. (About time, too! It went on a bit too long.)
They complement each other nicely. Hugh is wealthy -- castled even -- and of good repute, but Polly is illegitimate and poor. Hugh is old and seasoned; Polly is like a chick newly sprung from the nest. This is her first excursion from home. But she's no airhead; she saves Hugh's life at least once. But he first saved hers...so on they go, constantly watching each other's back. Employing action, dialogue, and some mental musings, the talented Carla Kelly SHOWS how they gradually bond in captivity, while enduring constant fear and near starvation.
I enjoyed the lovemaking scenes, too, but I don't read Kelly for sexual sizzle. That's just not her strength. However, she outdid herself in this book. Hugh and Polly had to pretend they were married to stay alive and together in French captivity. Eventually, not wanting to die without experiencing love -- death seemed imminent -- Polly gives Hugh the green light. There are a few sexy scenes, but they are sweet, and not very explicit. Love scenes begin at about 75% into the story.
Loved the playful love scenes towards the end, after they escape the French. In one fun scene, Polly puts a new twist on an old children's finger song as she sits beside Hugh on the ship:
Also, an interesting historical character makes an appearance: James, from a prominent banking family that secretly worked to depose Napoleon. Who knew? James Rothschild. Nicely done!
I was moved by the believable -- but certainly not predictable -- acts of redemption and cross-fire friendship that developed between our lovers and a certain French soldier.
Recommended! My only gripe is that Hugh treats Polly in an avuncular manner -- kissing her forehead, etc. -- for too long. But he is nearly 20 years older than her, and plus, Polly's sister had warned him off.
Be advised, this book has some mild sex scenes (unlike most romances by this "clean" author).
Warning! Marrying the Royal Marine has some dark but historically accurate portrayals of the kind of villainy and madness that descends in war time. But it's also got such a tender, brave, and protective hero in the endearingly vain Royal Marine (Hugh, Colonel Junot). He is charmed by Polly from the first, as he tends her seasick soul on the ship, but the rather lonely -- yet quite dashing -- colonel fears she'll think him much too old.
Polly Brandon (he calls her Brandon) may be small and bespectacled, but she's strong, stubborn, and fiercely protective of him. There is a period of separation when they each miss the other, but then he comes back into her life. (About time, too! It went on a bit too long.)
They complement each other nicely. Hugh is wealthy -- castled even -- and of good repute, but Polly is illegitimate and poor. Hugh is old and seasoned; Polly is like a chick newly sprung from the nest. This is her first excursion from home. But she's no airhead; she saves Hugh's life at least once. But he first saved hers...so on they go, constantly watching each other's back. Employing action, dialogue, and some mental musings, the talented Carla Kelly SHOWS how they gradually bond in captivity, while enduring constant fear and near starvation.
I enjoyed the lovemaking scenes, too, but I don't read Kelly for sexual sizzle. That's just not her strength. However, she outdid herself in this book. Hugh and Polly had to pretend they were married to stay alive and together in French captivity. Eventually, not wanting to die without experiencing love -- death seemed imminent -- Polly gives Hugh the green light. There are a few sexy scenes, but they are sweet, and not very explicit. Love scenes begin at about 75% into the story.
Loved the playful love scenes towards the end, after they escape the French. In one fun scene, Polly puts a new twist on an old children's finger song as she sits beside Hugh on the ship:
"'There was an old bee..."'Interesting side-story about how the Spanish warriors (called guerrilleros) demonstrated guerilla warfare tactics to our Royal Marine, who then conveyed the battle strategy to the British.
'Brandon, you scamp,' he exclaimed, even as he made no effort to stop her pointing finger, which was more of a caress than a circle, and targeted south of his stomach. 'No one's ever done the bee like that before. No, don't stop.'
"'Who lived in a barn,"' she began to undo the buttons of his trousers, touching him where she knew it would do the most good... "'He carried a bagpipe..."' she began, but he stood up then.
"'...under his arm,'" he continued, as he kept the cloak around both of them and started for the gangway."
Also, an interesting historical character makes an appearance: James, from a prominent banking family that secretly worked to depose Napoleon. Who knew? James Rothschild. Nicely done!
I was moved by the believable -- but certainly not predictable -- acts of redemption and cross-fire friendship that developed between our lovers and a certain French soldier.
Recommended! My only gripe is that Hugh treats Polly in an avuncular manner -- kissing her forehead, etc. -- for too long. But he is nearly 20 years older than her, and plus, Polly's sister had warned him off.
June 21, 2010
In some historical romances, the Napoleonic Wars seem to exist primarily as an excuse for dashing aristocrats to play spy. Kelly's series, of which this is the third, is a very different kettle of fish. Her heroes and heroines are ordinary people living extraordinary lives of bravery and honor in wartime.
This story is about Polly and Hugh, who meet and fall in love while traveling to serve the war effort in Portugal. Both feel there's no chance of a relationship between them: he's twice her age and married to his job, she's illegitimate and heavily protected by her family. But danger brings them together in a way they never expected.
I'm not that big on adventure stories, but this one works so well; the trials the characters endure create an enduring relationship between them. Kelly's engaging voice keeps the story from getting too heavy, despite some very painful and scary moments.
I would say this is the best of the series. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy it, though I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't want to.
This story is about Polly and Hugh, who meet and fall in love while traveling to serve the war effort in Portugal. Both feel there's no chance of a relationship between them: he's twice her age and married to his job, she's illegitimate and heavily protected by her family. But danger brings them together in a way they never expected.
I'm not that big on adventure stories, but this one works so well; the trials the characters endure create an enduring relationship between them. Kelly's engaging voice keeps the story from getting too heavy, despite some very painful and scary moments.
I would say this is the best of the series. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy it, though I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't want to.
April 10, 2015
Very well done Peninsular War story. Not really a Regency although set in that time of course. Instead of just having the hero home from the war, this story takes place mainly in Portugal and gives a clear picture of the trials that the Portuguese and Spanish people had to deal with during those war years. The love story was very believable. I loved the older hero who, while being an honorable Royal Marine, was a dandy and knew it, who was too old for the heroine and knew it and also knew that he could marry much better than an illegitimate girl and ignored all that and fell in love with the heroine anyway. The heroine was young but charming and strong. She was never TSTL and let the hero protect her while doing her best to take care of him. They both acted true to the mores of the times and even the extent of their physical love scenes all had a realistic rationale.
This was a story of people who lived in 1812 not the story of modern people dropped into the early 19th century as so many Regencies are these days.
This was a story of people who lived in 1812 not the story of modern people dropped into the early 19th century as so many Regencies are these days.
June 9, 2018
4.5 stars rounded up!!
Polly and her sisters have had a difficult youth. She is the youngest and used to her sister's protecting her. I didn't realize this was the 3rd book in a series, but it works fine as a stand-a-lone.
At 18 (almost 19), Polly is finally spreading her wings and on her way to Portugal in the midst of the war with Napoleon. Also on the ship is Colonel Hugh Phillip Junot... the Scotsman. Hugh is 38, 20 years older than Polly and at first sight he thinks she's a schoolroom miss and compares unfavourably to the big busted ladies he normally gravitates to. He is especially turned off by her glasses. Yet as soon as she's aboard she is surrounded by the other ship officers, like bees to a flower. She's no great beauty but she's pretty.
Hugh himself isn't gorgeous but cuts a fine figure with sensual lips. He's a lonely man who longs for a family.
Circumstances conspire to make him the only man available to help her when she becomes perilously dehydrated from sea sickness. Kinda silly eh? A marine falling for a woman who suffers sea sickness!
They find that they admire each other's character but are sure that nothing could ever come from an attraction to each other. Polly's sister whom she is going to stay with in Portugal is sure that he is too old for her and in the wrong profession, so warns him off.
But fate steps in again and Hugh is the only man to keep her safe in the midst of war.
This one's a real nail biter. The madness of war and the squalid dark ugliness of it. There's no descriptions of gore but sometimes your own imagination is worse. CK doesn't romanticise war.
The contrast between the sweetly enchanting love that pulls Hugh and Polly together in the midst of chaos and the darkest side of human nature is entrancing.
It's a surprisingly sexy read.
Safety is good except for one quibble.
Polly and her sisters have had a difficult youth. She is the youngest and used to her sister's protecting her. I didn't realize this was the 3rd book in a series, but it works fine as a stand-a-lone.
At 18 (almost 19), Polly is finally spreading her wings and on her way to Portugal in the midst of the war with Napoleon. Also on the ship is Colonel Hugh Phillip Junot... the Scotsman. Hugh is 38, 20 years older than Polly and at first sight he thinks she's a schoolroom miss and compares unfavourably to the big busted ladies he normally gravitates to. He is especially turned off by her glasses. Yet as soon as she's aboard she is surrounded by the other ship officers, like bees to a flower. She's no great beauty but she's pretty.
Hugh himself isn't gorgeous but cuts a fine figure with sensual lips. He's a lonely man who longs for a family.
Circumstances conspire to make him the only man available to help her when she becomes perilously dehydrated from sea sickness. Kinda silly eh? A marine falling for a woman who suffers sea sickness!
They find that they admire each other's character but are sure that nothing could ever come from an attraction to each other. Polly's sister whom she is going to stay with in Portugal is sure that he is too old for her and in the wrong profession, so warns him off.
But fate steps in again and Hugh is the only man to keep her safe in the midst of war.
This one's a real nail biter. The madness of war and the squalid dark ugliness of it. There's no descriptions of gore but sometimes your own imagination is worse. CK doesn't romanticise war.
The contrast between the sweetly enchanting love that pulls Hugh and Polly together in the midst of chaos and the darkest side of human nature is entrancing.
It's a surprisingly sexy read.
Safety is good except for one quibble.
April 20, 2022
I fell head over heels in love with this book right from the very beginning!
I’ve never read a book where two strangers are brought together by vomit, but here we are! Our heroine Polly, A.K.A “Brandon” (an adorable nickname given to her by the H) was an incredible, strong female lead that had a terrible case of sea sickness and had to rely on the imposing but gentle Marine, Hugh to rescue her.
This book spared nothing, you get all the unpleasant details of poor Polly vomiting all over herself and Hugh cleaning her up. I know that doesn’t sound very romantic, but it really was! Polly had to relinquish most of her modesty and let the Colonel manage her like a baby bird. Within a matter of days Hugh starts to realize that Polly (now known as Brandon to him) is what he is missing in his humdrum life. He realizes he could fall in love with her, but Polly being a spectacle wearing illegitimate third daughter thinks she would never stand a chance (especially after the vomit fest) with the blueblood Marine…. he was rather distinguished and handsome 😊 But Carla did a good job giving the MCs real insecurities that prevented them from taking a leap of faith. Hugh was much older than Polly which bothered him greatly and Polly was raised with two beautiful older sisters that outshined her.
Anyway, I will skip the rest of the plot details, but for a Harlequin book it was rather gory…and I LOVED IT! Our MCs are thrown into enemy hands that had them fearful of death with every new day. Hugh and Brandon took amazing care of one another, and we got to watch affection blossom into this incredible love story. It was what every romance tries to deliver, but can’t always manufacture.
The middle of the book did grow a little boring, but I won’t knock any stars off because it was all necessary to the plot. I would put the steam level at around a 4/10, it was gentle with these two, never rushed and always beautiful.
There are too many amazing moments in this book for me to write it all down, but I highly suggest reading the book yourself and enjoying a beautiful & romantic story.
"A room without Polly Brandon in it was a room not worth inhabiting. It was a simple truth, but deeper than a well."
I’ve never read a book where two strangers are brought together by vomit, but here we are! Our heroine Polly, A.K.A “Brandon” (an adorable nickname given to her by the H) was an incredible, strong female lead that had a terrible case of sea sickness and had to rely on the imposing but gentle Marine, Hugh to rescue her.
This book spared nothing, you get all the unpleasant details of poor Polly vomiting all over herself and Hugh cleaning her up. I know that doesn’t sound very romantic, but it really was! Polly had to relinquish most of her modesty and let the Colonel manage her like a baby bird. Within a matter of days Hugh starts to realize that Polly (now known as Brandon to him) is what he is missing in his humdrum life. He realizes he could fall in love with her, but Polly being a spectacle wearing illegitimate third daughter thinks she would never stand a chance (especially after the vomit fest) with the blueblood Marine…. he was rather distinguished and handsome 😊 But Carla did a good job giving the MCs real insecurities that prevented them from taking a leap of faith. Hugh was much older than Polly which bothered him greatly and Polly was raised with two beautiful older sisters that outshined her.
Anyway, I will skip the rest of the plot details, but for a Harlequin book it was rather gory…and I LOVED IT! Our MCs are thrown into enemy hands that had them fearful of death with every new day. Hugh and Brandon took amazing care of one another, and we got to watch affection blossom into this incredible love story. It was what every romance tries to deliver, but can’t always manufacture.
The middle of the book did grow a little boring, but I won’t knock any stars off because it was all necessary to the plot. I would put the steam level at around a 4/10, it was gentle with these two, never rushed and always beautiful.
There are too many amazing moments in this book for me to write it all down, but I highly suggest reading the book yourself and enjoying a beautiful & romantic story.
"A room without Polly Brandon in it was a room not worth inhabiting. It was a simple truth, but deeper than a well."
June 16, 2018
This is a sweet May Dec romance if a bit slow and ponderous in the first half.
After the initial meeting on a naval frigate to Portugal where he takes care of a badly sea sick h, the h/H are separated and the h works, alongside a nun, for young raped girls and their children. I lost interest here and wasn’t sure how the romance will creep back as especially the h’s sister warns off the much older H. (He’s 37 and she’s apparently 18/19.)
But then it takes fire!
The h/H get abducted by a group of French soldiers and adventure begins.
Although there’s been an attraction from the beginning between the plain bespectacled h and the fastidious to a fault Lt. Colonel of the Marines, it’s the H who falls in love first. In adversity, their connection burns bright and true. I like how the h’s not coy at all despite her green years and the H is adorable if a bit avuncular and overindulgent. Him calling her Brandon, rather than Polly is one of the best part of the book.
Sergeant Cadotte, the nun Maria, James Rothschild! make for great secondary characters. The scene where the h holds and comforts a dying French soldier exemplifies how compassion for others, even enemies is what makes us truly human.
After the initial meeting on a naval frigate to Portugal where he takes care of a badly sea sick h, the h/H are separated and the h works, alongside a nun, for young raped girls and their children. I lost interest here and wasn’t sure how the romance will creep back as especially the h’s sister warns off the much older H. (He’s 37 and she’s apparently 18/19.)
But then it takes fire!
The h/H get abducted by a group of French soldiers and adventure begins.
Although there’s been an attraction from the beginning between the plain bespectacled h and the fastidious to a fault Lt. Colonel of the Marines, it’s the H who falls in love first. In adversity, their connection burns bright and true. I like how the h’s not coy at all despite her green years and the H is adorable if a bit avuncular and overindulgent. Him calling her Brandon, rather than Polly is one of the best part of the book.
Sergeant Cadotte, the nun Maria, James Rothschild! make for great secondary characters. The scene where the h holds and comforts a dying French soldier exemplifies how compassion for others, even enemies is what makes us truly human.
Read
June 17, 2024Hugh Philippe Junot is a high-ranking Royal Marine trying to avoid desk duty during the Peninsular War when he meets the young Polly Brandon on a ship. He's older than her but immediately interested, so he ends up sort of flapping around her and taking care of her when she gets seasick, much to Polly's chagrin. Their relationship is incredibly cute, they had such a sweet camaraderie that I was immediately sold on.
After they get to shore Polly accidentally gets wrapped up in danger, and Hugh has to rescue her from the French. It gets very dark, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. The back half of the book is a very high-stakes dangerous scenario, and while I couldn't stop reading I was hoping that they'd have a little bit more of a breather at the end. They didn't!
After they get to shore Polly accidentally gets wrapped up in danger, and Hugh has to rescue her from the French. It gets very dark, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. The back half of the book is a very high-stakes dangerous scenario, and while I couldn't stop reading I was hoping that they'd have a little bit more of a breather at the end. They didn't!
May 26, 2012
4.5 stars
My first book by Carla Kelly - and she can write! Very well done - and a lot more history than the average HR out there. There were a few things that made it a more somber read than I realized going into it - 1. The Napoleonic Wars is the backdrop to this story and what goes on is heart wrenching. It made me very sad to read about even though I realize this is part of history and really did happen. 2. Older man/younger woman. Hugh is 37 and Polly, or Brandon, that's what he calls her, is 18. I also know this scenario happens in RL but that's a pretty big age difference.
However, even though it was very serious, there were so many beautiful and endearing parts - Hugh was so helpful and protective over Polly. The way he cared for her was amazing. They wrote letters to each other - she never mailed hers - but loved reading them. Hugh also had a funny way of self-deprecating himself about his old age - and he was a dandy, which is not a central part of the story, but I love a man who is well dressed! Their relationship was developed at a slow and steady pace and never seemed contrived. I felt like I got to know Hugh better than Polly, but both were likeable characters. I've already started my next Carla Kelly book - Reforming Lord Ragsdale.
My first book by Carla Kelly - and she can write! Very well done - and a lot more history than the average HR out there. There were a few things that made it a more somber read than I realized going into it - 1. The Napoleonic Wars is the backdrop to this story and what goes on is heart wrenching. It made me very sad to read about even though I realize this is part of history and really did happen. 2. Older man/younger woman. Hugh is 37 and Polly, or Brandon, that's what he calls her, is 18. I also know this scenario happens in RL but that's a pretty big age difference.
However, even though it was very serious, there were so many beautiful and endearing parts - Hugh was so helpful and protective over Polly. The way he cared for her was amazing. They wrote letters to each other - she never mailed hers - but loved reading them. Hugh also had a funny way of self-deprecating himself about his old age - and he was a dandy, which is not a central part of the story, but I love a man who is well dressed! Their relationship was developed at a slow and steady pace and never seemed contrived. I felt like I got to know Hugh better than Polly, but both were likeable characters. I've already started my next Carla Kelly book - Reforming Lord Ragsdale.
February 19, 2021
❤️ Hugh! This romance was perfect. Perfect hero, perfect heroine, great dialogue, perfect plot, perfect romance. My only reason for removing one star is that I usually don’t like adventure and road trip stories (but here, it was soo good so ok, almost but not fully perfect). I adore Carla Kelly. Recommended.
June 2, 2010
This is just a great story. I loved every page of it, and read it more-or-less straight through. It starts off so wonderfully that I just melted while I was reading it, after all what's more romantic than a gorgeous marine cleaning up a lady's vomit?.. OK, seriously. It's a great story, well-written, with just enough description of the desperation and cruelty of war to give it meaning and depth beyond the romance, but not enough to prevent the reader from really enjoying watching the love develop between the hero and heroine. The hero is probably one of my favorites - strong, intelligent, human and not a fop at all. The heroine is probably slightly less comprehensively described, but her actions speak louder than words. As with the other two books in this dukeless regency romance series from Carla Kelly, an absolute keeper.
June 23, 2010
This is an absolutely fabulous ending to the trilogy of three sisters by Carla Kelly, and in my opinion, outshines the other two in droves. Had Carla Kelly not already been an auto-buy for me, she definitely would have become one with this story.
Polly Brandon, youngest of the three illegitimate sisters of a horrible man, is on a ship bound for Portugal. She is going to be with her sister and brother-in-law to do what she can in the hospital there, during the Napoleonic war. While on board she is overcome by horrendous bouts of seasickness. While certainly no one can "die from seasickness" as the ships doctor so eloquently puts is, Polly is about as close as you can come to doing such. Royal Marine Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot (pronounced Junnit by his Scottish family) takes her in hand and helps her to recover until they are once again on shore in Portugal. During the remainder of the trip, Hugh falls a little more endeared to his bespectacled charge every day, but "knows" nothing can come of it. Polly is just 18. Hugh is 37.
Once in Portugal, they have a rather bittersweet goodbye. Polly sets about helping her sister and eventually ends up aiding a Portuguese nun who gives comfort to the young women who have been raped and tortured by Boney's armies. Its a sad, distressing job for anyone but Polly feels called to this. Just before leaving on one trip upriver to bring back a young woman who has been brutalized by soldiers, Hugh appears at the dock. He had been in port but didn't want to see Polly because he felt it would hurt too much. That and Polly's sister Laura has already warned him to keep his distance, telling him that Polly has not begun to live yet. But seeing her in a small boat about to depart is more than his conscience can take and he decides he cannot go another day without talking to her one last time. Finding out what she is about to do, both dangerous and a bit foolhardy, Hugh makes a split second decision and goes with her. Its a decision that ultimately saves Polly's life. When they arrive at the village where the young girl is at, they are taken hostage and almost killed by French soldiers.
What follows is two people thrust together in a frightening, arduous, kill or be killed adventure through Portugal and Spain at the hands of the French. Its scary, but its also a beautiful story of two people falling fully in love during a trial no one should have to face. Hugh is the ultimate protector. Polly is 18 but never acts like a child. She matures beyond her years in the short time they are captive and marched across country. It was easy to love them both and equally easy to love watching them come together. One particular scene in which Polly awakens to find Hugh gone from her (he was really just out of her sight)brought tears.
Absolutely 5 stars.
Polly Brandon, youngest of the three illegitimate sisters of a horrible man, is on a ship bound for Portugal. She is going to be with her sister and brother-in-law to do what she can in the hospital there, during the Napoleonic war. While on board she is overcome by horrendous bouts of seasickness. While certainly no one can "die from seasickness" as the ships doctor so eloquently puts is, Polly is about as close as you can come to doing such. Royal Marine Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot (pronounced Junnit by his Scottish family) takes her in hand and helps her to recover until they are once again on shore in Portugal. During the remainder of the trip, Hugh falls a little more endeared to his bespectacled charge every day, but "knows" nothing can come of it. Polly is just 18. Hugh is 37.
Once in Portugal, they have a rather bittersweet goodbye. Polly sets about helping her sister and eventually ends up aiding a Portuguese nun who gives comfort to the young women who have been raped and tortured by Boney's armies. Its a sad, distressing job for anyone but Polly feels called to this. Just before leaving on one trip upriver to bring back a young woman who has been brutalized by soldiers, Hugh appears at the dock. He had been in port but didn't want to see Polly because he felt it would hurt too much. That and Polly's sister Laura has already warned him to keep his distance, telling him that Polly has not begun to live yet. But seeing her in a small boat about to depart is more than his conscience can take and he decides he cannot go another day without talking to her one last time. Finding out what she is about to do, both dangerous and a bit foolhardy, Hugh makes a split second decision and goes with her. Its a decision that ultimately saves Polly's life. When they arrive at the village where the young girl is at, they are taken hostage and almost killed by French soldiers.
What follows is two people thrust together in a frightening, arduous, kill or be killed adventure through Portugal and Spain at the hands of the French. Its scary, but its also a beautiful story of two people falling fully in love during a trial no one should have to face. Hugh is the ultimate protector. Polly is 18 but never acts like a child. She matures beyond her years in the short time they are captive and marched across country. It was easy to love them both and equally easy to love watching them come together. One particular scene in which Polly awakens to find Hugh gone from her (he was really just out of her sight)brought tears.
Absolutely 5 stars.
July 23, 2016
So what is a 37 year old, never-married, career-minded Lt. Colonel suppose to do when he sees a young lady, unattended, aboard a ship and miserable because of seasickness? Whew! First and foremost, attend to her needs. Even if it is inappropriate. And she is only "almost nineteen".
MARRYING THE ROYAL MARINE had Hugh Junot, a Scot with some French ancestors, falling in love for the first time. He knows he is quite a bit older than Polly Brandon. He also knows that Polly likes him but doesn't feel the same way. At least not yet.
She overcomes her mortification from the episode on the ship and enjoys his company. She is now safely in the arms of her half-sister Laura and brother-in-law, Philemon Brittle. And then she tells Laura what happened and he earns a set-down from her sister. Even though it was innocent and he had the best intentions. And like a dog with his tail between his legs, he sadly continues his journey determined to leave this special young lady alone.
Without telling you everything, they eventually meet again. But then you knew that. He becomes her protector, her bodyguard, her 'husband' in name only. Vigilant, she had to grow up fast. Together, this couple are caught up in the war with Napoleon. Like the other romances in The Captain's Fleet, there are some religious undertones. But nothing that doesn't make sense with the crazy times of that era.
Again, Ms. Kelly had the hero giving his all for the heroine. This time, Junot was the good-looking, somewhat vain (he knew it) man who enjoyed dressing well with everything in its place. Polly Brandon was a slightly plump, near-sighted young lady who required glasses to see. At all times. And Junot gave up everything to keep her safe. She was literally the apple of his eye, his sweetheart, his beloved. He would do anything for her.
Some might consider this romance a little mushy. Or maybe somewhat unrealistic. But like the previous stories, I thought it was engaging. Again, I learned more about the darker times of 1812. Hugh and Polly? They were a most unusual couple who deserved their HEA. I am a little sad this series is over.
MARRYING THE ROYAL MARINE had Hugh Junot, a Scot with some French ancestors, falling in love for the first time. He knows he is quite a bit older than Polly Brandon. He also knows that Polly likes him but doesn't feel the same way. At least not yet.
She overcomes her mortification from the episode on the ship and enjoys his company. She is now safely in the arms of her half-sister Laura and brother-in-law, Philemon Brittle. And then she tells Laura what happened and he earns a set-down from her sister. Even though it was innocent and he had the best intentions. And like a dog with his tail between his legs, he sadly continues his journey determined to leave this special young lady alone.
Without telling you everything, they eventually meet again. But then you knew that. He becomes her protector, her bodyguard, her 'husband' in name only. Vigilant, she had to grow up fast. Together, this couple are caught up in the war with Napoleon. Like the other romances in The Captain's Fleet, there are some religious undertones. But nothing that doesn't make sense with the crazy times of that era.
Again, Ms. Kelly had the hero giving his all for the heroine. This time, Junot was the good-looking, somewhat vain (he knew it) man who enjoyed dressing well with everything in its place. Polly Brandon was a slightly plump, near-sighted young lady who required glasses to see. At all times. And Junot gave up everything to keep her safe. She was literally the apple of his eye, his sweetheart, his beloved. He would do anything for her.
Some might consider this romance a little mushy. Or maybe somewhat unrealistic. But like the previous stories, I thought it was engaging. Again, I learned more about the darker times of 1812. Hugh and Polly? They were a most unusual couple who deserved their HEA. I am a little sad this series is over.
June 8, 2010
Those who complain about a lack of realism in romance fiction should give Carla Kelly's books a try. Marrying the Royal Marine is the third in her series about a trio of sisters, illegitimate daughters of the villain in book #1. Kelly has long excelled in creating atypical heroes and heroines who seem drawn from the unwritten history of ordinary people who have extraordinary experiences. Polly Brandon, the nineteen-year-old, pragmatic, tender-hearted, spectacle-wearing heroine of MTRM, and the reflective Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Philippe d'Anvers Junot, another of Kelly's distinctive military heroes, belong in this group.
Their relationship begins on board a ship bound for Oporto, Portugal. Hugh takes care of Polly when she suffers from a violent bout of seasickness. It blooms in the midst of war and all its terrors. The growth of the relationship makes the nearly twenty-year difference in the ages of the H/H nearly irrelevant.
From the vinegar bath on board ship to the unspeakable atrocities visited upon a civilian population by enemy soldiers, Kelly refuses to soften the realities. At the same time, she humanizes the enemy so that they too become individuals with personal histories.
Nobody else writes the kind of romances Kelly writes. I hope Harlequin Historicals recognizes the treasure that she is and keeps publishing books by this immensely gifted author.
Their relationship begins on board a ship bound for Oporto, Portugal. Hugh takes care of Polly when she suffers from a violent bout of seasickness. It blooms in the midst of war and all its terrors. The growth of the relationship makes the nearly twenty-year difference in the ages of the H/H nearly irrelevant.
From the vinegar bath on board ship to the unspeakable atrocities visited upon a civilian population by enemy soldiers, Kelly refuses to soften the realities. At the same time, she humanizes the enemy so that they too become individuals with personal histories.
Nobody else writes the kind of romances Kelly writes. I hope Harlequin Historicals recognizes the treasure that she is and keeps publishing books by this immensely gifted author.
September 17, 2024
I love everything Carla Kelly writes. Her characters are real people with real problems and flaws. Yet they can also behave with integrity. Sometimes I get so tired of all the historical romances with Dukes and Viscounts who behave like total manwhores. It's refreshing to read about a H who does the right things because they are the right things to do.
Marrying the Royal Marine had great historical details. It was interesting to read about the effects of war on the people who live in those war ravaged areas. I loved the romance. It was so nice to read about how Hugh ached for Polly because he cares for her instead of the usual case of the hero only aching in other places...
I don't always enjoy an adventure plot but I did like the story in this book. The H and h are captured by some French soldiers and have to survive by their wits. Another winner from Carla Kelly.
Safety Spoiler
Marrying the Royal Marine had great historical details. It was interesting to read about the effects of war on the people who live in those war ravaged areas. I loved the romance. It was so nice to read about how Hugh ached for Polly because he cares for her instead of the usual case of the hero only aching in other places...
I don't always enjoy an adventure plot but I did like the story in this book. The H and h are captured by some French soldiers and have to survive by their wits. Another winner from Carla Kelly.
Safety Spoiler
June 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this book.
It was a wonderfully written book and I love the characters and felt for them.
It was wonderful, heartwarming story...
Carla Kelly is a remarkable writer!
Highly recommended..
It was a wonderfully written book and I love the characters and felt for them.
It was wonderful, heartwarming story...
Carla Kelly is a remarkable writer!
Highly recommended..
May 4, 2011
4.5/5.0
Just wonderful! Especially recommended for those who enjoy an older man/younger woman relationship (he is 38, she is 18) and those who are interested in the Military aspect of the Napoleonic wars as a backdrop.
In this story, Miss Polly Brandon is en-route to assist her sister and brother-in-law who work at a military hospital in Portugal while England is fighting Napoleons armies. While on board, she meets Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot. Suffering from a massive case of sea-sickness, Polly is forced to accept the older Colonel's ministrations, as humiliating as it is. From this humble beginning these two characters grow first as friends, then gradually to much deeper emotions. What makes this growing love so endearing are both characters insecurities , his because of his age - hers because she has always considered herself an ugly duckling. When a routine medical trip results in a horrible slaughter and their capture by the French, their very lives depend upon their trust in each other. The story may not be completely realistic but it never becomes boring and is... sigh... just wonderful to the last page!
Just wonderful! Especially recommended for those who enjoy an older man/younger woman relationship (he is 38, she is 18) and those who are interested in the Military aspect of the Napoleonic wars as a backdrop.
In this story, Miss Polly Brandon is en-route to assist her sister and brother-in-law who work at a military hospital in Portugal while England is fighting Napoleons armies. While on board, she meets Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot. Suffering from a massive case of sea-sickness, Polly is forced to accept the older Colonel's ministrations, as humiliating as it is. From this humble beginning these two characters grow first as friends, then gradually to much deeper emotions. What makes this growing love so endearing are both characters insecurities , his because of his age - hers because she has always considered herself an ugly duckling. When a routine medical trip results in a horrible slaughter and their capture by the French, their very lives depend upon their trust in each other. The story may not be completely realistic but it never becomes boring and is... sigh... just wonderful to the last page!
May 21, 2010
Third of the group of Napoleonic era Harlequin Historicals. Setup - 3 illegimate daughters of a terrible father who attempted to sell them. This is the third daughter who wears glasses.
I love Carla Kelly passionately. I was thrilled that Harlequin picked her up. This book shows her at her best. The heroine is vilely seasick.
No dukes and ton life here. It takes place on a ship and in a war torn Portugal when they have been captured by the French.
But in Kelly's books a hero is someone who holds your head when you puke as well as someone who can kiss really well. (Not that Kelly ignores the more conventional romance, but I believe and like these people.)
And I see him at a desk, ready to enter the next phase of his life having done the adventure stuff and believe in their happy ending. I am so happy for Polly and her sisters and their living out their lives in the middle of a real world.
I love Carla Kelly passionately. I was thrilled that Harlequin picked her up. This book shows her at her best. The heroine is vilely seasick.
No dukes and ton life here. It takes place on a ship and in a war torn Portugal when they have been captured by the French.
But in Kelly's books a hero is someone who holds your head when you puke as well as someone who can kiss really well. (Not that Kelly ignores the more conventional romance, but I believe and like these people.)
And I see him at a desk, ready to enter the next phase of his life having done the adventure stuff and believe in their happy ending. I am so happy for Polly and her sisters and their living out their lives in the middle of a real world.
October 28, 2010
WOOT! Kelly is back and this one is better IMO than the previous 2 in the series. Polly Brandon, half-sister of the heroines of the previous books, travels by ship to Oporto to help her sister and surgeon brother-in-law at the hospital there. She suffers horribly from seasickness and requires personal care--and the Royal Marine on a fact-and-opinion-finding mission, Lt. Col. Hugh Philippe Junot (a Scot with a French name which comes in handy later), is delegated to her personal care en route. Although they become close, her family warns him off--but on a mission of mercy inland, they are captured by the French and go through hell together.
This was very good but also dark, even darker than the other books in this series--Kelly's an expert on the Peninsular War and she's never whitewashed the horrors of it.
This was very good but also dark, even darker than the other books in this series--Kelly's an expert on the Peninsular War and she's never whitewashed the horrors of it.
June 21, 2024
There is a lot of amazing description of the Napoleonic war as experienced in Portugal. Fascinating and very dramatic.
June 15, 2010
I absolutely loved this book. The Surgeon's Lady was the first book I read by Carla Kelly and I thought she'd have a hard time topping that. This book did. What a tender, touching, emotional ADVENTURE of a book. I had no idea that there was so much action (Polly and Hugh are pretty much prisoners for about half the book) and that their love would evolve throughout that ordeal. They were absolutely fantastic together. Polly was insecure without being woe-is-me, and Hugh was the perfect hero for her. "He knew without a qualm that for the rest of his life, he would cherish and protect this woman to the end of his strength." Could you ask for anything more?
May 26, 2010
This was a nicely done peek into the horrors of the Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars of the early 1800s. And a sweet romance too.
Carla Kelly is one of the best of the current crop of writers who are mining the Regency era. What makes her recent books special, besides the very good writing, is that she is more than willing to write about people outside the Ton.
Carla Kelly is one of the best of the current crop of writers who are mining the Regency era. What makes her recent books special, besides the very good writing, is that she is more than willing to write about people outside the Ton.
September 1, 2021
Tal vez se merecía un poco más....pero me pareció demasiado explícito en las brutalidades cometidas en la guerra sobre todo a los civiles inocentes en los primeros capítulos. A mi parecer necesitaba un mejor cierre.
August 30, 2010
Whew! Just finished a whirlwind read of Carla Kelly's lastest romance set during the Napoleonic Wars. Stayed up until 3AM to finish it and then reread snippets the next day.
Marrying the Royal Marine is definitely my favorite of Kelly's last three character-linked Harlequin books. It is set on board a Navy ship and in war-torn Portugal during the Peninsular conflict and it has all the grit and guts I've grown to expect from Kelly. She doesn't gloss over either the dangers or the horrors of war and I found myself shocked by one scene, in particular, which is quite graphic (albeit factual, unfortunately). So be prepared for some unpleasantness...
...which only serves to make the romance that much sweeter. Our hero is Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot, of the Royal Marines, a man of "mature" years who is stalwart, unflappable, and completely swoon-worthy. His lady love-to-be is Polly Brandon, the plain, earnest and practical natural child of an English nobleman.
Polly is en route to Portugal to be helpful, though she doesn't quite know how. She believes herself to be the ugly duckling when compared to her two sisters and she is burdened with spectacles. As well as a nasty bout of seasickness, which is what initially brings her and the colonel together.
At thirty-seven, the colonel believes himself unsuitable for nineteen-year-old Polly. She, however, is oblivious to the age difference. Although I know some readers have problems with romances like this, I don't. They're historically accurate and, to my mind, Polly probably wouldn't have survived their adventures had the colonel been younger and callower.
The plot revolves around the capture of Polly and the colonel by French troops and their subsequent attempt to reach French lines. Relying on each other and through a series of challenges, they fall in love. And their journey is tough, dangerous, and none too pretty. I realize that's not much of a plot description, but the story is in the emotional impact of their experiences, rather than in the events per se. You just have to read it.
The colonel has become one of my all-time favorite romance heros. And Marrying the Royal Marine is destined for my keeper shelf.
Marrying the Royal Marine is definitely my favorite of Kelly's last three character-linked Harlequin books. It is set on board a Navy ship and in war-torn Portugal during the Peninsular conflict and it has all the grit and guts I've grown to expect from Kelly. She doesn't gloss over either the dangers or the horrors of war and I found myself shocked by one scene, in particular, which is quite graphic (albeit factual, unfortunately). So be prepared for some unpleasantness...
...which only serves to make the romance that much sweeter. Our hero is Lt. Colonel Hugh Junot, of the Royal Marines, a man of "mature" years who is stalwart, unflappable, and completely swoon-worthy. His lady love-to-be is Polly Brandon, the plain, earnest and practical natural child of an English nobleman.
Polly is en route to Portugal to be helpful, though she doesn't quite know how. She believes herself to be the ugly duckling when compared to her two sisters and she is burdened with spectacles. As well as a nasty bout of seasickness, which is what initially brings her and the colonel together.
At thirty-seven, the colonel believes himself unsuitable for nineteen-year-old Polly. She, however, is oblivious to the age difference. Although I know some readers have problems with romances like this, I don't. They're historically accurate and, to my mind, Polly probably wouldn't have survived their adventures had the colonel been younger and callower.
The plot revolves around the capture of Polly and the colonel by French troops and their subsequent attempt to reach French lines. Relying on each other and through a series of challenges, they fall in love. And their journey is tough, dangerous, and none too pretty. I realize that's not much of a plot description, but the story is in the emotional impact of their experiences, rather than in the events per se. You just have to read it.
The colonel has become one of my all-time favorite romance heros. And Marrying the Royal Marine is destined for my keeper shelf.
February 25, 2012
I should keep better track of book recommendations. Someone in one of my groups said this was a good book and it was. It's a romance between an 18 year old and 37(?) year old. Hugh has been promoted which means lots of meetings. In talking with some injured Marines, he thinks he can be some help if he goes to Portugal/Spain to see what they really need at the war lines against France/Napoleon. He's on the same ship as Polly, who is going to help her sister out, that is she can survive the trip - really bad seasickness. Hugh helps her out and then starts to watch over her. He keeps thinking he's too old for her but he can't help feeling attracted to her. When Polly unintentionally becomes involved in some covert action by a nun, Hugh thanks God he was there to help.
I loved how their romance slowly grew and how they could both turn to each other when tragedy happened. Very sweet, romantic book. My first time reading this author.
I loved how their romance slowly grew and how they could both turn to each other when tragedy happened. Very sweet, romantic book. My first time reading this author.
October 30, 2024
There's just something about Carla Kelly's writing that makes it overcome any weaknesses of plot. And there are some - the instalove angle doesn't do much for the romance, and Polly and Hugh's relationship feels underdeveloped in general, while the book ends what feels like two chapters early. But it also does a solid job of looking at how war robs us of humanity and legitimately made me tear up twice. So while this isn't the world's best book, it's also more than good enough.
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December 23, 2014"I really liked this story. There was something just so natural about Polly and Hugh coming together as a couple. ... I was captivated to the last word." From a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, read more Here.
July 5, 2014
This is the most intense and darkest of the three books in the trilogy. The author does not shy away from the gruesome reality that is warfare. I actually read this earlier without realizing that it's part of a trilogy. This time around I had a deeper appreciation for the story since I've read the previous two books, "Marrying the Captain," and "The Surgeon's Lady." They are all stand-alone stories but there's a better understanding to the time flow and characters when read in order. This is not for those who are overly sensitive or weak-hearted as there are scenes of brutality which may be too much for some. Having said that, Carla Kelly accurately portrays the reality of trauma during wartime. The intense situation that Polly Brandon and Colonel Hugh Junot find themselves in when taken as prisoners by the French only amplifies their feelings for each other. The author successfully draws you into their devotion to each other and you can feel that they literally would die for each other. Rane gives a great synopsis of the plot so I shan't be redundant. Once the Spanish guerrilleros decimate the French and take Hugh and Polly back to the British forces the intensity lightens somewhat. Both Hugh and Polly had developed a friendship of sorts with their French captor, Sergeant Cadotte, due to their shared experiences during their captivity so when Cadotte dies they both feel a strong sense of loss despite the fact that he was technically their enemy. Hugh has promised Cadotte that he would financially support his widow and two children. There are scenes of intimacy between Hugh and Polly, whom Hugh affectionately refers to as Brandon, so this is technically not a clean romance but neither is it erotica. Before the end of the novel Hugh and Polly are finally married legally. Prior to this, they were posing as a married couple, and this partially is what kept them alive. This is a moving, intense and compelling story. You really feel the intensity of the situations and are drawn into the characters' world. By novel's end you may feel emotionally drained but relieved that despite everything love has truly triumphed. You come to believe that love really can shine even during the darkest moments of one's life. 4 stars, only because some scenes were just a bit too disturbing for a romance.
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