When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater which is presenting the most popular show in London.
A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.
An injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape.
But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.
SERIES: London Beginnings #1
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Fiction
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2017
PAGES: 338
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“Life doesn’t always go according to plan… Grab on to the opportunities that open to you.”
The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere is the kind of story that wraps around you like a warm shawl and makes you wish that you could – for a brief moment anyway – join the characters and their lives in progress.
The references to George Muller (one of my faith heroes!) as well the glimpses behind the scenes of London theater, including the most popular show at the time and the one waiting in the wings, made the history/drama geek inside me fangirl-clap with delight. Nate & Rosalyn are both such compelling characters, and I fell head over heels in love with Nate’s family! The chemistry between Nate & Rosalyn is instantaneous and electric, but it’s their warm affection for each other as their friendship develops that I loved most. I’m also excited that Julia’s story (Rosalyn’s sister) is next and I’m eagerly waiting for Cara’s. Their sisterly bonds, despite the tragedy of their past, are strong and endearing.
Speaking of the tragedy of their past…. it seems that there may be an ongoing story arc between the books. While their mother died of consumption, the three sisters don’t really know what happened to their father. Just that he disappeared at sea (in that way, the title has a marvelous double meaning). Y’all know I love a good mystery so I’ll be keeping an eye on this potential arc for sure!
Bottom Line: Victorian England comes to life on the pages of The Captain’s Daughter. I loved that the focus is not on the upper class but the everyday person, the working class, the soldier, even the theater. Warmth and humor surround the story, despite the fact that the setting walks through some seedier sides (and characters) of London. An absorbing story that keeps you intrigued until the last word and leaves you wanting more time with these new friends.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!
KissingBook Level: 2 / Sweet and romantic
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Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, “An Heiress at Heart,” was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, “A Lady Most Lovely,” received a starred review from “Publishers Weekly” and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.
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What about you? What’s your favorite musical, opera, or play? Have you ever seen it live?
I went to see live “The King and I” with Yule Brenner. It was one of the last shows we saw. Unfortunately by that time he had laryngitis. He could talk, but not sing. we got our money back and was able to see it years later only not with Yule Brenner this time. But both were fantastic.
aww – at least you got your money back!
Awesome review, Carrie! I’m excited to “meet these new friends”!
Thanks, Caryl!
I just love Romeo and Juliet. We had some of the music for our wedding back in 1969. I had the album but it disappeared when I took it to music class in high school. I’ve only seen the Franco Zepherelli movie . But I loved the music and the costumes.
Another favorite is the sound of music.
love the Sound of Music!
We saw Home Game based on Martha Bolton’s book in Shipshewana, IN and loved it!
oh i bet that was fun!
I love Les Miserables and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I’ve seen both of the several times live. I saw Donny Osmond in Joseph–he was amazing! I also saw Donny’s nephew David Osmond in Joseph, and he did a great job. Another show I loved is Wicked, which I’ve seen twice.
i want to see Joseph one of these days!
I’ve seen a few musicals – Les Mis is still my favorite. What a story of redemption!
love Les Mis!
Love the Victorian setting of this book and the theatre! My favorites…definitely The Lion King! Saw it twice with my girls; once when they were about 5 & 8 and again this spring (now 17 and 20). The costuming is amazing, the storyline is multi-layered, the music is incredible! Love, love it! I also love Cats and Beauty and the Beast. When I was a child I would visit my grandparents every summer in Chicago, and they always had theatre tickets. I tried to carry on the annual theatre tradition with my girls by taking them to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis (since we live in a rural town with little opportunity for culture).
I really want to see The Lion King & Beauty and the Beast one day!
I love live theater and have seen many shows live, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Lion King, Mamma Mia and others. They are all so fabulous but I’m partial to My Fair Lady thanks to the witty song lyrics.
I’ve seen the movie – does that count? 😉
I love “Fiddler On The Roof”, ” Sound Of Music” and “Shenendoah”.
Marilyn
i have only seen Sound of Music from those three but love it!
Lovely review! Must add to my list…
I haven’t been to the theater in decades. I saw many things that Indiana University put on when I was growing up. I even got to dress up in costume, walk across the stage, pretend whisper to the King and exit. I was 11! I can’t even tell you the name of the opera I was so nervous!!!
oh that’s so fun!!! What a great experience!
I enjoyed the play “The Cottonpatch Gospels” not only for the humor and message, but that the main actor (Tom Key) was my high school history teacher!
how fun!
This sounds very interesting. I love G&S, especially The Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline. My favorite though is Shakespeare’s Henry V. I saw it in London with then unknown to me Kenneth Branagh. I was so enthralled, I had to see it four more times. That week. 😀
you would really enjoy this book then, I think!
Thanks Carrie,enjoyed this review! Sounds like a wonderful story! My favorite musical is Sound of Music,which I did see live once ,albeit a high school production. It was still pretty good and it was fun seeing the differences between the movie and stage musical.
such a great musical!
My favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera which I had the opportunity to see with my family at the Pantages theatre in Toronto many years ago. What a performance which was memorable.
i love that musical!!
LOVE this book! My review is going live next week!
yay! I can’t wait to read it!
Oh! I don’t have a favorite, but I have seen SEVERAL! Including Pirates of Penzance live!
oh how fun!!
I really enjoyed this one. So different in its setting! As for favourite musical, opera, or play, I’m not sure I could name a definite favourite, but I’ve seen many live productions of all three varieties. I think Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing would be one of my faves, and I’m actually going to see a local amateur production of it this weekend, with a friend of mine playing the role of Hero (that’s the name of the female character!)
oh fun!!
I was lucky enough to see Yul Brenner in The King and I. It was so well done and we had really great seats. I really enjoyed it. Now I would love to see Hamilton.
I still have not heard a Hamilton song. At this point, I think I should continue to avoid it on principle 😉