Helpful Score: 3
Another solid, enjoyable story by Carla Kelly.
I bought it on her name alone, not the blurb but the blurb is more than a little misleading. The heroine is not immediately tapped to marry this man but to watch over him as he is a paroled prisoner of war (he's an American and we're reminded of his "radical" American thinking throughout the story). This story takes place on English soil during the war of 1812 and we learn about Dartmoor prison which housed a number of Americans throughout the conflict.
The prison stuff did not overshadow the story or romance. In fact, much of it also takes place in a bakery, where lot of baking is going on. If only I could make so many doughnuts and cookies and not have to worry about my weight! I think it must have been all that walking they did in Regency England. There was a lot of walking going on too.
Really no complaints at all. The relationship developed fine and both characters are extremely likable. Unlike some other books of hers, I don't feel the necessity to keep this one but I did enjoy reading it.
I bought it on her name alone, not the blurb but the blurb is more than a little misleading. The heroine is not immediately tapped to marry this man but to watch over him as he is a paroled prisoner of war (he's an American and we're reminded of his "radical" American thinking throughout the story). This story takes place on English soil during the war of 1812 and we learn about Dartmoor prison which housed a number of Americans throughout the conflict.
The prison stuff did not overshadow the story or romance. In fact, much of it also takes place in a bakery, where lot of baking is going on. If only I could make so many doughnuts and cookies and not have to worry about my weight! I think it must have been all that walking they did in Regency England. There was a lot of walking going on too.
Really no complaints at all. The relationship developed fine and both characters are extremely likable. Unlike some other books of hers, I don't feel the necessity to keep this one but I did enjoy reading it.
Helpful Score: 1
Whomever wrote the blurb on the cover and titled this book must not have read it. I've ordered all of Carla Kelly's back books and the description (on the back cover) didn't sound all that interesting. It has taken months to open this book. OMGoodness!! They did a serious disservice to this novel and potential readers.
Grace (what an apt name choice) is a destitute because of the wanton spending and gambling of her landed gentry father. When he dies, he leaves nothing but debt. Grace takes herself in hand and asks to work at the local bakery. She has been working there 10 years when fate takes a hand in her life.
Grace has been kind to an old, wealthy codger who is short on temper and long on complaints. When he can no longer walk to the bakery, Grace delivers the treats. When he dies, he leaves a strange bequest. She is to go to Dartmoor Prison (an awful place for American prisoners in the War of 1812), and rescue his American illegitimate son. The old gentleman gives her the dower house to live in. She's to care for his son until the end of the war.
The clash of the American's culture vs. the English is fascinating to watch. However, Robert is such a powerful presence (even though he is skin-and-bones) that he soon charms the enemy nation's citizens where he resides.
Robert has nearly been destroyed by his experiences in Dartmoor. However, he slowly changes through the kindness of Grace and the workers at the bakery. Grace changes too through her care taking of Robert. This is a slow and easy love story with a little history thrown in to give this book a realism that is sometimes hard to endure. 4.5 stars
Grace (what an apt name choice) is a destitute because of the wanton spending and gambling of her landed gentry father. When he dies, he leaves nothing but debt. Grace takes herself in hand and asks to work at the local bakery. She has been working there 10 years when fate takes a hand in her life.
Grace has been kind to an old, wealthy codger who is short on temper and long on complaints. When he can no longer walk to the bakery, Grace delivers the treats. When he dies, he leaves a strange bequest. She is to go to Dartmoor Prison (an awful place for American prisoners in the War of 1812), and rescue his American illegitimate son. The old gentleman gives her the dower house to live in. She's to care for his son until the end of the war.
The clash of the American's culture vs. the English is fascinating to watch. However, Robert is such a powerful presence (even though he is skin-and-bones) that he soon charms the enemy nation's citizens where he resides.
Robert has nearly been destroyed by his experiences in Dartmoor. However, he slowly changes through the kindness of Grace and the workers at the bakery. Grace changes too through her care taking of Robert. This is a slow and easy love story with a little history thrown in to give this book a realism that is sometimes hard to endure. 4.5 stars
