Mrs. McVinnie's London Season

The first time I read this book, I laughed and laughed at the way Carla Kelly pokes fun at the way "society" prefers to look at the messy business of war. In all her books, I appreciate the way she gets it right about military men and the women who love them. Behind the facade they must present to "society" they are ordinary people who have answered the call to extraordinary service. Carolyn Seiver

I received this book as a 'hand-me-down' and I'm now totally hooked on Carla Kelly as an author of Regency Romances. The story is warm, funny, touching, wise and full of suprises. Her characters are delightful. The very best thing about the book is the sparkling repartee between the witty, fiesty and throughly practical Scots war widow, Mrs. Jeanne McVinnie, and the commanding, much- decorated captain of a warship who heads the household in which she finds herself reluctantly employed as a nanney. Called back from his command under protest, the sea captain and the equally unwilling Mrs. McVinnie must carry out orders to manage his orphaned niece's debut into Regency London's high society. Stormy waters result because the diminutive, red-headed Mrs. McVinnie finds herself speaking her mind and standing her ground even though doing so may lead to conflict with impeccable and socially powerful dandy, Beau Brummell -- who it is said could ruin anyone by the least look askance -- and her tall, intimidating employer who is far more accustomed to instant obedience from subordinates he could order whipped or hanged for the smallest hesitation than to negotiating with opinionated Scots nanneys.I re-read this book frequently and enjoy it more with each reading.

Carla Kelly has quickly beccome one of my favorite authors of regency novels, and "Mrs. McVinnie's London Season" is a prime example of why. Jeannie McVinnie and Captain Will Summers are wonderful, tenderly drawn characters who make you care about what happens to them and the choices they make. Ms. Kelly's excellent writing pulled me into this book and kept me reading all night. A must read.

Mrs. McVinnie is an original. The exploits of Mrs. McVinnie,her "charges", and Will, will have you laughing out loud. You know you're in for a real treat after just one chapter. This is a book to keep and enjoy over and over again. Carla Kelly is a writer with a great sense of humor. Her characters come alive and you become totally engrossed in their lives, loves,and losses. Once you start reading you are hooked

For a recent widow, an invitation to companion a young miss through her first London season becomes a solution to all problems. So what if she has to ignore the fact that the invitation was intended for an older aunt of the same name! More occurs in the first 30 pages of this book than in many full-blown regencies. All Carla Kelly books are "must reads" -- this is one of the best of the best.