A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright ~ Blog Tour ~ My Review

Hello, my friends! I'm so excited to be part of A Captain for Caroline Gray Blog Tour! I really wanted to read this one, and I'm so glad I did!

"An unconventional woman finds herself at home at sea in this stirring Regency from Julie Wright…This adventure is sure to entice fans of historical romance."— Publishers Weekly

A Captain for Caroline Gray

by Julie Wright

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

Pages: 336

Received: I received a copy of the book for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4 stars

Regency London 

Caroline Gray's third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it's because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband. 

However, her family's dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn't work, Caroline cannot return home. 

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the Fishing Fleet, he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away. 

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip's first night's dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty. 

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer. 

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother's wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met, thus securing a future for her and her mother, or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?

 

My Review

Faced with the harsh reality of being a spinster and being passed around to relatives that would take her in or going to India to meet a man to marry - Caroline chooses the adventure of going to India.

I was fascinated that this was a thing. I mean, I knew about mail order brides of the U.S., but I didn’t realize that women would do something similar in England. It makes sense, though. The ratio of men to women at this time was low. They were called “Fishing Fleet women” who would brave the seas and unknown diseases to find husbands. 

I really enjoyed Caroline’s time aboard the ship, along with the other passengers and crew. Learning what life was like in India for those new brides was so interesting! I loved it!

I truly loved Caroline - She’s brave, curious, and intelligent. She enjoyed talking about politics and learning how things worked. Her beauty attracted gentlemen, but her outspokenness and honest opinions would turn them away.

A Captain for Caroline Gray is a wonderful adventure and a fine proper romance! I would highlight recommend it!

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the story from the publisher for my honest review.

Buy: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Book Depository • Bookshop • Deseret Book 

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FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

About the Author

Julie Wright wrote her first book when she was fifteen and has written over twenty novels since then. She
is a Whitney Awards winner for best romance with her books Cross My Heart and Lies Jane Austen Told Me, and she is a Crown Heart recipient for the novel The Fortune Café.

She has one husband, three kids, one dog, and a varying amount of fish, frogs, and salamanders (depending on attrition). She loves writing, reading, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner.

She hates mayonnaise.

Connect with Julie Wright

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Bookbub • Goodreads

"A charming historical romance in which smarts and sass are vindicated."— Foreword Reviews

"…a delightful, not exactly traditional Regency romance. Teen readers will enjoy this adventurous journey with its proactive heroine and exotic settings."— Booklist, starred review

Join the virtual blog tour of A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY (Proper Romance Regency), Julie Wright’s highly acclaimed historical romance novel March 1 – 28, 2021. Over forty popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard an English ship bound for India. 

Blog Tour Schedule

March 01 My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)

March 01 Austenprose — A Jane Austen Blog (Review)

March 02 Storeybook Reviews (Review)

March 02 Lu Reviews Books (Review)

March 02 Bookworm Lisa (Review)

March 03 Probably at the Library (Excerpt)

March 03 Our Book Confessions (Review) 

March 03 Lady with a Quill (Review) 

March 04 The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Review) 

March 04 Fire & Ice (Review)

March 05 Literary Time Out (Review) 

March 05 Among the Reads (Review)

March 06 Books and Socks Rock (Review) 

March 07 Encouraging Words (Excerpt)

March 08 So Little Time… (Review) 

March 09 For Where Your Treasure Is (Review) 

March 10 Laura's Reviews (Review) 

March 10 My Bookish Bliss (Review)

March 11 Heidi Reads (Review) 

March 12 Reading with Emily (Review)

March 13 The Christian Fiction Girl (Review) 

March 14 Silver Petticoat Reviews (Excerpt)

March 15 Austenesque Reviews (Review)

March 16 The Lit Bitch (Excerpt)

March 16 Greenish Bookshelf (Review) 

March 17 Inkwell Inspirations (Review)

March 18 A Darn Good Read (Review) 

March 19 Relz Reviewz (Review)

March 20 Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina (Review) 

March 20 Christian Chick's Thoughts (Review)

March 21 Jorie Loves a Story (Review)

March 22 From Pemberley to Milton (Review) 

March 23 Gwendalyn's Books (Review) 

March 23 Historical Fiction with Spirit (Review)

March 24 Captivated Reading (Review) 

March 24 Books, Teacups, & Reviews (Excerpt)

March 25 Rosanne E. Lortz (Review)

March 26 Cup of Tea with that Book, Please (Review)

March 26 Randi Loves 2 Read (Review)

March 27 Library of Clean Reads (Review) 

March 28 The Bibliophile Files (Review)

Many thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress @ Austenprose for organizing and including me on this tour, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for the advanced copy of the book!

Did you all know about "Fishing Fleet women", or was that just me? Haha! 😆 

Interrupted Plans Blog Tour ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I'm so happy to have Brigid Huey visiting here today with an excerpt from her new novel Interrupted Plans! Looks like a fantastic story! And don't forget to check out the giveaway at the bottom of the page! 

Interrupted Plans

by Brigid Huey

Suppose Elizabeth Bennet never visited Pemberley… 

It is October of 1812. Elizabeth Bennet and her family have seen dramatic changes in the past few months—none of them welcome. Her sister Jane needs a fresh start, and Elizabeth is no less eager to leave behind the pain and confusion of not accepting Mr. Darcy’s proposal. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy has not seen Elizabeth since he offered for her—and she adamantly refused him. When she appears in London, he is determined to gain her friendship and make amends. When a carriage mishap throws them together, Darcy does all he can to demonstrate his changed behavior. 

Though their renewed acquaintance seems to be growing into a genuine friendship, a family secret constrains Elizabeth. As she falls deeper in love with the man she rejected, does she dare tell him the truth?

 

Thank you, Candy, for having me on your blog today! I am so excited to share the next excerpt from my new novel, Interrupted Plans. I love sharing scenes from my novels, as I really do believe it’s the best way to get a feel for the story.

Interrupted Plans takes place after Darcy has proposed, but in my story, Elizabeth never travels to Pemberley. In this scene, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are dancing together, having come upon each other unexpectedly at a ball.

     “I do believe history is in danger of repeating itself, sir.”

     “Is it?”

     “We have been dancing these five minutes without speaking a word. Surely, we must have some conversation?”

     “Of course. I am, as ever, at your service.” Her head snapped up at these words, and her gaze was filled with scrutiny. “Let us speak of something pleasant. You mentioned the Lake Country while we were with your aunt and uncle. Are you travelling directly there? Or will you tour the whole of the North Country?”

She blinked at him—surprised, no doubt, by his rapid change in conversation. She recovered herself in a moment, however, and smiled a little. “Yes, we are to go directly to the Lakes. We are excited to embark on this next adventure. Jane is quite ready to leave London, and I am no less eager.”

     “How will you occupy yourself on the long journey north?”

     The dance separated them for a moment, but when they came together once more, Elizabeth answered readily. “With books, of course, sir.”

     “An excellent choice. I find I am able to read in a carriage and find enjoyment in passing the time that way. Georgiana, unfortunately, cannot read as we travel and is obliged to look at the scenery.”

     “An admirable alternative. I have heard that the country in the north is uncommonly fine.”

     “It is, indeed—although I am, perhaps, a trifle biased in my opinion.”

     Elizabeth became rather quiet once more as they moved down the line of couples. What had he said to cause her embarrassment?

     “You once told me that your good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.”

     He startled at her words. “Yes, I recall the conversation clearly.”

     She looked as if she wanted to say more, but the music was ending. They took their places opposite each other, each offering the other the usual acknowledgment of a bow or a curtsey. He extended his hand to lead her from the floor, and for a moment, he was afraid she might refuse.

     With notable hesitation, she placed her hand in his and he led her towards her sister, who was speaking quietly with Bingley a short distance away. Elizabeth said nothing more, and Darcy again felt the burden of his presence.

     “If you will excuse me, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”

     He bowed and left them, moving away without a thought as to his destination. He found he could not be in the same room with Elizabeth and not be near her. He wanted nothing more than to be close to a woman who clearly wished him miles away. Really, he must get hold of himself. As a gentleman, he must accept that she would never be his. He must stop imposing his presence on her.

About the Author

Brigid Huey has been in love with Jane Austen since first seeing
the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice as a young girl. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids and spends her free time reading and writing. She also has an assortment of birds, including five chickens and too many parakeets. She dreams of living on a farm where she can raise as many chickens, ducks, and goats as she likes and write romance novels in an airy study overlooking the wildflowers.

Connect with Brigid Huey

Website • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter

Buy a copy of Interrupted Plans

Amazon US (paid link) • Amazon UK

Add to Goodreads

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks! 

Blog Tour Schedule

March 4 My Jane Austen Book Club

March 5 So little time…

March 8 From Pemberley to Milton

March 9 My Vices and Weaknesses

March 10 Diary of an Eccentric

March 11 Savvy Verse & Wit

March 12 Austenesque Reviews

March 15 Babblings of a Bookworm

* * * GIVEAWAY * * *

It's giveaway time! Meryton Press is giving away 8 eBooks of Brigid Huey’s Interrupted Plans, and the giveaway is international. Yay!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Brigid for stopping by today with that lovely excerpt! 

Also, a big thanks to Janet  @ More Agreeably Engaged for organizing and including me in this tour! And to Meryton Press for the giveaway! Thank you!

So, friends, what do you think? I love when Darcy and Elizabeth get a second chance! But what really caught my eye was in the book blurb - "carriage mishap throws them together" - I'm always delighted when they are somehow forced to be together! How about you?