The Captain's Daughter - My Review

Jennifer Delamere's book The Captain's Daughter tells the story of the once lonely Rosalyn Bernay who grew up with her two sisters in an orphanage after their parents died.  She and her sisters have stayed closely knit for many years, but there comes a time when a person must grow up and seek another life.  In an orphanage, an individual can only stay so long, and then he or she must find another position--a position that will take care of them in their adult life.  Rosalyn finds herself in this very predicament, and she struggles with this decision, because it means saying goodbye to her sisters.  Yet she has no choice but to venture out on her own.  Will she be able to find proper work?  What kind of establishment should see seek?  These are questions Rosalyn continually asks herself as she prepares to leave the comforts of her home. 

This particular book is the first book in the London Beginnings series, and I must confess that I cannot wait to read the second text in the series, The Heart's Appeal, which comes out next spring.  Pursuing a career that lies strictly in a male-dominated world, the second book with follow the intense choice that one of Rosalyn's sisters makes.  After you read the first book, you will understand how exciting the story behind the second text will be, but let me get back to the first book. 

Rosalyn undergoes many changes in her life--changes she never thought would transpire--and certain unfortunate events will push her to flee her present circumstances.  As she boards a train to London, she prays she will not be followed, but she also wonders where she will go when she reaches her destination.  Rosalyn believes the Lord will protect her; however, her naive nature plays a distinctive role when it come to placing her life in a dangerous spot.  Since she know no one in London, who will save her from a life of destitution? 

Nate Moran is a hard worker and an honorable man who, because of an injury, has taken a short leave of absence from the army.  Unfortunately, his brother also becomes injured at work; therefore, so as not to lose his job, Nate agrees to step in and to temporarily work in his brother's place.  Interestingly, Nate never imagined he would be working as a stagehand in a local theatre--surprisingly, he enjoys the work, because throughout the process, he learns a great deal regarding lighting, acting, and when to watch for theatrical cue changes.  One day though, his life gets momentarily interrupted when a desperate young woman walks through the theatre doors, and he will soon realize that his complicated life is about to get even more challenging.  Will he extend grace to this timid woman?  Will he be able to empathize with her story? 

Each character you meet in this novel works so well with those around them.  As the reader, you will be introduced to a myriad of individuals who will either help or hinder Rosalyn.  In turn, you will be able to watch Rosalyn grow as a person and as a character--soon she will understand more about the world around her and how to better protect herself.  At the same time, she learns who she can and cannot trust.  Thankfully, there are a few actors who warn her about the business she is considering entering.  Theatre work is not all applause and fame.  Hard work goes into putting on a play, and then there are the many hard hours of rehearsing and memorizing lines.  Is Rosalyn up to such a life? 

If you love historical fiction, then you will enjoy reading this book.  I love period pieces, and this book is set in my favorite century and location--England in the year 1873.  It will be interesting to see how Delamere continues the series, because I already have several unanswered questions.  For me though, that is what make a story great--the reader wanting to know more about the characters and hoping the book will never end.  Happy reading!  

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Litfuse for my copy. 

About The Book 

*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. 

*Synopsis is from the back cover of the novel.

About The Author  

A history fan, travel lover, and outdoor enthusiast, Jennifer Delamere writes tales of the past...and of new beginnings. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was an RWA RITA® award finalist, and her follow-up, A Lady Most Lovely, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned her B.A. in English from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she also gained fluency in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. An avid reader of both classic novels and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books.  She's been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband. 

Visit her at www.jenniferdelamere.com.