The Captain's Lady

Title: The Captain's Lady
Author: Louise M. Gouge
ISBN: 978-0-373-828326

From the back cover:

Captain James Templeton's orders from General Washington are clear. His target: Lord Bennington, a member of George III's Privy Council. The assignment: find Bennington's war plans. The risks: the future of the East Florida Colony, Jamie's life... and his heart. In spite of the dangers of their hopeless situation, he's fallen in love with Lady Marianne Moberly, Lord Bennington's daughter.

Desperate to protect his country, Jamie carries out his orders with a heavy heart. But Marianne's persistence is a challenge he never expected. With love and faith, they must navigate troubled waters to win their future together.

My take:

You all know how much I love regencies. Look at this cover, can't you just imagine it in any Austen movie?

I finished it and ran to the computer to tell you all how much I loved this book! Everything you could ask for in a historical romance is bound up in this one story. A forbidden romance, gripping characters, an interesting story, action and adventure... Maybe they should make it into a movie. :o)

You have your hero ~ Captain James Templeton. He's brave, noble, willing to sacrifice his own desires for a greater cause. He has men who respect him, a sense of humor, honor, is handsome and gives in to his heart just enough that we get a few of those touching moments where stolen kisses show his weakness for our leading lady.

Then there is the lady herself ~ Miss Marianne Moberly. She's pretty, intelligent, and though she operates within the bounds of society ~ she's feisty enough that you know she breaks those rules when she deems it necessary. She also has an extremely strong sense of justice, love for children, does charity work, but is strong willed. This is no fainting wall flower or airhead. Her quick thinking saves the lives of many people.

The author also did a magnificent job with her brother Robert, the lush who reforms after accepting Christ. He becomes a good friend of Jamie's and is encouraged to by him to find a good occupation and then marry the woman he wants, Grace ~ whether or not his father approves.

Then there is Marianne's father, Lord Bennington, who never seemed to be able to approve of any of his sons no matter what they accomplished. His severe manner kept everyone in the household on edge except his wife and Jamie. He reminded me a bit of a bear that had been wakened before his hibernation cycle was finished.

Many times what God asks us to do is difficult and scary. The author really helps us feel the anguish Jamie goes through as he struggles with whether he is doing the right thing or not. He feels real affection for Marianne's family and doesn't like being deceptive. He also believes 100 percent in the cause of the American colonies.

I could see him in my mind, and Marianne next to him trying to convince him to ask her father for her hand in marriage. He knows her father would never approve, and he doesn't know whether she would last without her fine house and servants, or what she would think of his "rebellious" beliefs. Their struggle was one I imagine could very well have happened in our history. It did happen on these pages quite convincingly.

I hope you'll put The Captain's Lady on your wishlist.

~~~
I was sent a copy by the author for review. Although I am thankful, it didn't influence my review at all.