Marrying the Captain

I can't say enough how much I loved this book by Carla Kelly. The characters were fantastic, the story was engaging and I can't wait to read more in the series! If you enjoy books by Carla Kelly, you will LOVE "Marrying the Captain."

Because of the good buzz surrounding Carla Kelly's involvement with Harlequin Historicals, I hurried to get my copy of MARRYING THE CAPTAIN. (Target lesson: Kelly's previous offering, BEAU CRUSOE - I didn't get in time! Now, short of selling the family farm, finding a copy of this "keeper" is proving difficult). Nevertheless, I did hurry and I can gladly report Carla Kelly hasn't lost anything under her new publisher, Harlequin. The woman can still write a superb Regency romance. Ms. Kelly totally captivated me; MARRYING THE CAPTAIN is a wonderful story. Mini Synopsis: From the moment Nana and Oliver meet attraction flares. As they spend more time in each other's company, that attraction grows steadily into forbidden love. Nana Massie is Viscount Ratliffe's illegitimate daughter, she lives in poverty with her Gran and she would never, never make Oliver a laughingstock in the Royal Navy. Gentlemen simply did not marry illicit women! For Captain Oliver Worthy, he did what he said he would never do! Now, the enormity of that decision settles around him. His whole life has been built around duty - duty to his family, duty to his country, and now duty to his wife. Yet, this time his duty only relieves him. For Captain Oliver Worthy has chosen a woman who loves him; a woman who can let him go; a woman who will let him perform the duties his country inflicts upon him. Reviewer's Comments: To sell this story, Carla Kelly delivers a sweet, gentle love story, without relying on a heap of sexual commotion (so prevalent in many "romance" books). All I ever ask of an author is to entertain me. Carla Kelley went far beyond that service. Deservingly, MARRYING THE CAPTAIN is fully recommended, even with one troublesome plot blemish: old Pete was described as an experienced sailor with a wooden leg (page 17), but when Nana dressed in Pete's clothes for the deception switch, she wore Pete's two shoes (page 259). I might be wrong, but in 1808, I don't think wooden legs permitted shoes! Grade: A- Status: a beautiful love story Sensuality: warm MaryGrace Meloche.

Like the other reviewers, I couldn't be more pleased that Carla Kelly has found a publisher and is writing again. I've read everything she's written and am a big fan. I even enjoyed 'Beau Crusoe', her last book. Kelly is the queen of the early nineteenth century British lower and middle classes as Mary Balogh is of the aristocracy. Kelly's characters are wholly unique in the Regency genre. I loved that Oliver Worthy struggled with the reconciliation of his love for Nana with his love of the sea...so realistic. Kelly's nautical detail and knowledge are astounding as are her facts about the difficult era of war in England. You can feel the female characters' agony as the men are home for a day or two at a time and then shipped off again for another mission. The tension lasts throughout the novel. But, Kelly never ignores the love story. Nana and Oliver's romance is the heart of the novel. Their story never drags, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. This is Kelly at her best.

I was pretty excited in August to see that Carla Kelly was coming out with another book, and of course ordered it staight away. Like Cilla, "Beau Crusoe" is not my favorite CK book (that would be either "Libby's London Merchant" or "Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand"). However, any book by CK is so much better than most of the Regencies out there. "Marrying the Captain" is wonderful, reminds me a little of "The Wedding Journey", though the story of Nana and Oliver does not feel old or "recycled" in any way. I think it is just the feel of the the story, where the characters are realistically drawn, with both flaws and admirable characteristics. This story does a good job of accurately portraying the sacrifices we make when we get married - which is to willingly tie ourselves to someone else. And clearly there is a huge benefit, to love and be loved by someone so incredible. To have a relationship like Nana and Oliver develop over time is rare and valuable. But not impossible ;) The only thing better than getting Carla Kelly's new book in the mail today and devouring it is finding out that she has another new book coming out in May! "The Surgeon's Lady", I've already ordered it.....

I hesitated to get this book because I did not like Carla's last one, but I'm glad I bought it because it is definitely a keeper! Nana is the poor, illegitimate offspring of a cowardly Lord of the Admiralty. She feels that marrying an honorable man is out of her reach and has been brought up to distrust all Naval men. Nana struggles to make a living helping her grandmother run an old inn. Captain Oliver Worthy is an honorable Naval officer who has vowed never to marry and risk leaving his wife a widow. When they meet, their long-held views are challenged as they fall in love even though the match is "unsuitable." Carla Kelly excells at depicting true love that survives hardship, and is an expert at showing how friendship can become romance over time. The story takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and she has clearly done a lot of research to make the story accurate and interesting. There is an underlying theme of mystery and adventure to move the story along, yet the author takes care to flesh out the secondary characters. The secondary characters are likeable, with the exception of the truly horrible villain, Nana's father. I would describe this as generally a traditional regency, although it doesn't take place in the social world of the "ton." As far as sensuality is concerned, it is "warm," but in the context of marriage, and tastefully done. Carla's best books can be re-read time and again without growing old and this is one of her best!