I absolutely loved this book. I liked how the characters developed. Thank you for letting me get the chance to review this book.

Rosalyn and her orphaned sisters were taken in by the George Mueller Home for Children, but at seventeen they were slowly pushed out to make their own way. Rosalyn found work as a lady’s maid to a widow, but when her employer marries her situation changes as her employer’s new husband begins to make unwelcome advances, Rosalyn flees and ends up in London. In London she is met by a series of bad fortune, finding herself with nothing of value to her name and destitute. But things begin to look up when she finds a job with Gilbert and Sullivan’s Opera House first as a cleaner, and then as the dresser for the chorus line. She finds a friend in Jessie Vaughn, who warns her to beware of men. But as she navigate the theatre life she finds herself caught between the dazzling leading man, Tony, and the quiet and kind, Nate.
Nate is a soldier, haunted by the night of an attack that injured his arm. He works the stage lights, biding his time until he can join the army again to redeem himself. His family has a passion for helping women who have fallen on hard times, so he offers his family’s home as a place for Rosalyn to stay. Will Nate find freedom from his past and a second chance at love?
Rosalyn is a talented and kind young woman, thrust into a situation that she cannot really control. I liked her strength to leave her job and get away. She is soon swept into the world of theatre, and the intricate art that goes on behind the scenes.
Nate is a good man and a gentleman, he is kind and genuinely wants to help Rosalyn form the start, but she is skittish of men and it takes time for her to trust him. He has a strong sense of duty and responsibility, maybe too much so.
This book was really well researched and I felt like I came away with so much knowledge about the theatre world of Gilbert and Sullivan. The characters were well written, and I especially liked Jessie Vaughn, who was a real life actress at the time. This was a quick and engaging read, and it sets up well for the next books in the series. I can’t wait to read about Rosalyn’s sisters!

The Captain's Daughter, written by Jennifer Delamere, is book 1 of London Beginnings.

This is the first I've read of Delamere's books. I was pleased in the setting and the character development. I always have loved this era and find that Delamere's creative qualities in the book. I loved how she merged three of her passions and interesting into the book...the operettas of Gilber and Sullivan, Victoria England and the children's home of George Muller.

I think my favorite character was Nate. He was pretty awesome from the start! He was always thinking of others. I liked Rosalyn, but she seemed almost too naive through most of the book. I realize she grew up in a sheltered life, for the most part. She was a sweet girl and very lovely.

I'm looking forward to the next books as I think as this author grows this family we'll see some pretty awesome results!

I would recommend this book for teens on up. Clean, lightly inspirational, not preachy, and a fun view of a group of people and time/place that I've not read much positive about.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

For the type of book this was it took me a longer time than usual to get through it. Not because it was overly complex but because I was never particularly drawn into the story. It was fine, nice and sweet. All words that are typical to the Christian Romance genre, yet the spark was lacking - at least for me.

Roslyn was too perfect as was Nate. One dealing with an former master who really could have wreaked havoc on her life and the other being guilt in to forgiving a girl that he really didn't have to (in my mind once girly writes you off - after the wedding where she gets with another guy...well then "bye Felicia" you can let her go. Why on earth would your entire family be pressuring you to have dinner with her? Why is she pursuing you with the intent of apologizing? To assuage her own guilt? yeah it's to assuage her own guilt - a selfish ploy that really shouldn't have been a point in the book at all. like seriously just let them live happy separate lives. Not good, leave the poor man alone. - this is also why I hate Adele's song "Hello" but that is a rant for a different time.)

What I do have to say for this - it was great to read about Gilbert and Sullivan and their plays. It was great seeing that little window of history and of the struggle of bringing the stage to a respectable light. Roselyn did see something different than what she expected there, however, it was nothing that would force her to grow and develop as a character.

That is what I felt this lacked more than anything else. I couldn't feel any real growth from most anyone. I mean Nate yeah he had to let go of his pride and guilt - good job Nate cause Ros. certainly wasn't changing. She remained the same from the beginning to end, perhaps she has discovered some talents along the way, but she gets taken advantage of in the first few and last few chapters, she is still scared of the ocean, doesn't want her sisters to be separated and by no means will be making any changes to her life just because Nate asks her. No growth, no decisions to go beyond her comfort zone just happy little Roselyn.

That is why it took so long. I really could never care about them...but hey it's sweet, cute and clean so if you are looking for some clean cotton candy you will probably love it. (I am being serious I can think of a few friends who could genuinely love this. I'm just not one of them.)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did! I was looking forward to reading a new-to-me author, but wasn't sure how I felt about the Victorian time period and theater setting since I haven't read much in either. I think the characters were so likeable and the conflict mostly came from exterior sources so I was really rooting for them to overcome and persevere. I appreciated the positive and compassionate attitude of Jessie especially, the singer who took Rosalyn under her wing and helped her find employment in the theater backstage. Nate is such a good guy, protective of Rosalyn, even from himself. The details of the stage performances and play from Gilbert and Sullivan were fascinating and added a whimsical charm to the working class of London. Rosalyn definitely had her eyes opened to the seedy underbelly of the city, but manages to still be naive when it comes to the men she works with. I liked Nate's family and Rosalyn's sisters, and the girls of the chorus that Rosalyn assisted. There is a great balance to the dynamics of all the characters, and they were portrayed in a way that I felt like I was able to get to know them quickly. I hope to read more in this series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

by Andrea Renee Cox

The premise for this book really intrigued me, as did the title. I was disappointed that the title barely had anything to do with the plot, though. I think there were two mentions, perhaps three, that the leading lady was the daughter of a captain, and she never once set foot on a ship. This was a large disappointment to me, as I really had hopes of a good ship scene or at least a more involved explanation for the title's claim.

A rather large inconsistency in Rosalyn's intuition about smarmy men irritated me throughout. She immediately sensed one character was a no-good rascal, yet another similar character with a slightly smoother but still clearly deceitful nature received welcome attention from the same woman, with little regard to anyone's warnings about him. What happened to her intuition? It vanished so quickly and with no defined reason that I found it difficult to feel sorry for her when things got tricky because of the neglect of her own common sense.

I enjoyed the complex characters from the beginning, and though this dipped a little due to Rosalyn's inconsistent intuition, the majority of the characters remained consistent throughout and I was quite able to enjoy their journeys.

What really stood out to me in a positive nature was the complex plot. There were twists I didn't see coming (and a couple of them that I did), and I liked the witty banter sprinkled in along the way. It was an entertaining story that well incorporated the theater in a way I hadn't seen previously in a novel. I hope more authors will bring the theater to life for readers, because it was a beautiful setting in this particular case, and I believe it could be so again in many others.

The action and tension were great throughout, ebbing and flowing nearly perfectly. The only spot that fell a bit flat on the beat to me was the final chapter. It was much too short in comparison to all the others, and it seemed things were wrapped up a bit too neatly and quickly.

The faith thread was pretty strong throughout, until the last chapter. It seemed the lead characters made their final decisions without guidance from God, even though they said they were trying to lean on His wisdom and strength for the path their lives would take.

Content advisory:
* a derogatory term
* an expletive phrase
* prostitution (though handled fairly well)
* alcohol and tobacco usage
* sexual innuendo

This was an enjoyable story despite those things I mentioned. I am glad I read this book as it was an entertaining way to spend several hours this week.


I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, authors, and sites like Netgalley, Litfuse Publicity Group, and Blogging for Books. They do not require me to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I simply could not put it down. I loved how the characters developed and grew. The story flowed just right and included reminders to us all that God does provide.

The author took real life person George Mueller (who built orphanages by prayer alone) and wove him into the background of the story, but created his example of trusting in God to provide, in the main character of Rosalyn. Very creative!

The author did an excellent job of bringing me into "the theater" where the story largely takes place. As someone who worked behind the scenes and on stage in my younger days, I could quite literally feel the excitement of the cast of characters.

All in all a very enjoyable read and a sweet romance as well. I highly recommend this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

This story centers around sweet, but naïve Rosalyn and soldierly Nate. Each is trying to find the where and the what of who they are meant to be. To make things more complex something is pulling them together. That really makes things confusing.
Figuring everything out happens in a Victorian theater during the original production of H. M. S. Pinafore. There's lots of historical detail that you don't often come across that is particularly interesting.

The details made for a sweet read.

Many historical romances are full of high drama and characters whose daring and tragedy flood the page with emotion. The Captain’s Daughter comes to us from an author whose style is a dip into warm and calming waters. I was immersed immediately in the flow of the writing and the struggles of people who have simple goals – to rise above poverty, have a safe place to live, enough food to eat, be surrounded by loving family, and live guided by divine purpose. This is the first book in Ms. Delamere’s London Beginnings series, which follows the lives and loves of three sisters raised in an orphanage.

The story opens in 1873 with Rosalyn, Julia, and Caroline Bernay poised on a Dartmoor cliff, literally and figuratively. After their mother’s death and father’s disappearance at sea, the Bernay girls are placed in George Müller’s orphanage, and now, the eldest sister, Rosalyn, is leaving to assume a housemaid’s position. Six years later we find Rosalyn fleeing her position to avoid the unwanted attentions of her employer’s new husband and accusations of theft. Her plan is to catch a train to Bristol to be with her sister Julia and hopefully find a solution to her current dilemma.

Nate Moran was a supply sergeant in the British army before an attack on his regiment in Peshawar, India, left him with a seriously injured hand and a forced medical leave so that he can recover at his London home. He blames the attack’s success on his preoccupation with a “Dear John” letter he had received that day from his fiancée. Appalled by his costly mistake, Nate vows to pass the upcoming physical examination and rejoin his regiment so that he can try to make amends. At a London train station, he sees a young woman being harassed by an unsavory man, and he steps up to offer his help. Another woman flies into the picture claiming to be the young woman’s Aunt Molly. The ladies leave arm-in-arm, and Nate goes on his way, uncertain he has done the right thing by the young woman he had tried to help.

Instead of the savior she thought Molly might be, Rosalyn discovers that she has been duped into a house of prostitution and escapes to find herself on the street, penniless and homeless with no way to get to Julia. A series of fortunate happenstances culminate in her employment in the theater company of the Gilbert and Sullivan hit comic operetta H.M.S. Pinafore. Nate is working backstage at the theater, and he and Rosalyn renew their acquaintance and begin a friendship.

The romantic conflict is straightforward. Nate is attracted to Rosalyn but determined to return to the army, not from passion for the work but from guilt for the injuries he feels he caused. On her side, Rosalyn’s affection grows for Nate in whose arms she feels protected and loved. But he is returning to India, and going with him would mean leaving her two sisters behind. In addition, having previously experienced the pain of bidding a loved one farewell with little assurance of his safe return, Rosalyn is reluctant to risk her heart.

The inspirational themes are taken from the biblical books of Proverbs and Lamentations. The proverb states that man plans, but God orders his steps, and in Lamentations, the lesson is that God’s compassion will not fail and His faithfulness is everlasting. Throughout the book we are shown that God is watching out for our hero and heroine and gently maneuvers circumstances so that in time, Nate and Rosalyn may have their happily-ever-after.

The author puts her passion for Gilbert and Sullivan operettas into her behind-the-scenes theater descriptions and uses her knowledge to build the situations through which Nate and Rosalyn learn about God, life, and love. Ms. Delamere provides an engaging portrait of this famous composing duo, their popular music, and the legal and physical challenges of running a theater company in Victorian England. The title of the book is a clever play on words taken from the operetta as well as Rosalyn’s status as a captain’s daughter.

This is an easy book to read. Descriptions and dialogue flow smoothly to present a story that is interesting, gentle in its romance, and satisfying in its ending. After I finished it, I slipped my CD from the H.M.S. Pinafore into my computer and worked all afternoon to the wonderful music. When you need a break from over-the-top trauma and characters who are larger than life, get a copy of The Captain’s Daughter and settle in for a good read.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

If you are a lover of historical romance who also happens to have a penchant for Gilbert & Sullivan, you are in for a real treat with this novel. Then again, even if you don’t know a bar of Gilbert & Sullivan’s music there will be plenty to please, because it’s such a unique setting and so well brought to life.

Rosalyn Bernay and her sisters have been raised in George Müller’s orphanage since their mother died several years earlier. Their father—a ship’s captain—disappeared at sea two years before their mother’s death and is presumed dead (except by Rosalyn’s youngest sister, Cara, who still holds out hope. I'm guessing this will be a story-line that arcs across the series.)

At the opening of the novel, Rosalyn is seventeen, and therefore moving on from the orphanage to take a position as a maid. Skip forward six years and she’s fleeing a wrongful accusation and being propelled on a journey not of her own choosing. But it leads her to a small London theatre, where a whole new world opens up before her.

You’ve got to love a hero who’s working double-time so that his injured brother will still have a job to return to once his broken leg has healed. Nate is quiet, gentlemanly in his manner (although the soldier can come out if necessary), but really only biding his time until he is able to rejoin his regiment and return to India so that he can atone for a lapse in concentration that weighs heavily on his conscience. As Rosalyn gets to know Nate and his family, their friendship quietly blossoms into something deeper, but Rosalyn knows all too well the perils of sea travel. She won’t leave England, and nor could her heart handle a husband who would leave England. It seems they just aren’t meant to be.

It was so easy to slip into the world of this novel. The details of theatre life, and even the glimpses at working-class Victorian life with Nate’s family, were abundant, and yet never overwhelming. I did feel as though the story’s momentum plateaued across the middle of the novel, and the plot surrounding the false accusation against Rosalyn had a somewhat anti-climactic resolution, but I was quite happily immersed in the story setting, so it didn’t become as much of an issue as it otherwise might have been.

I would also have loved for the writing to go deeper into each character’s point of view, rather than prefacing sentences with declaratives like ‘Rosalyn noticed’ or ‘Rosalyn saw’, and for the writing to have let the characters’ actions speak for themselves rather than interpreting them or pointing them out to the reader. But overall, the writing was nicely in tune with the era and a pleasure to read.

I look forward to reading Julia’s story in early 2018.

I don't know why, I mean I read the synopsis before I decided to review it, but it was nothing like I thought it would be and everything that it should have been. I guess somehow I thought perhaps Nate was going to help her find her father. Maybe with her career she found her father. Somehow I thought her father was going to play into the resolution of this book. I mean it is about a Captain's daughter. It didn't but, that is more than OK. Rosalyn grew up in an orphanage with her two sisters after her father disappeared and her mother passed away. When she was 17 she found a job and made her way into the adult world. Needless to say things didn't go quite according to what she thought and she ended up homeless and penniless in London, at the mercy of potential predators. There's quite a story to go there as well but well, spoilers. In all of this she meets Nate, stumbles into a job in the theater as a dresser for the ladies chorus and the rest just blooms.

Reading the NetGalley version of this book made things a bit frustrating. It's not truly a 'kindle' edition but more a paperback version formatted for eReader. There was a loop near the end where it was bouncing and things were missing and I had to manually go in and skip past that loop. That has nothing to do with the story but really the only negative aggravation that I can come up with. Seriously, I love this book! It's a well crafted story of highs and lows. And I am convinced that Rosalyn has some sort of natural luck to always come out on her feet no matter the larger circumstances. Perhaps that does bug me a bit. I mean, I don't have that.

The characters were well developed and set into a story line that draws you in and hopes that there's a sequel in the coming months. Please? Hint hint! The story behind the title doesn't play out until the very end but oh gravy it's sweet! Not sticky sickly sweet but if you aren't paying attention you will miss it. If you are open to sweet Christian romances with so much more than just romance this is a good book to pick up. The faith seams are well crafted but not overly in your face which makes it a good choice for even someone who isn't quite 'into' Christian fiction.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House and NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

From the moment I started reading this amazing story I was captivated by the authors words. She was able to transport me to Victorian London with her dazzling descriptions and realism. I could feel the cold nights as our main character wandered the streets. There were times I could feel Rosalyn's fear as she felt helpless and alone.

Rosalyn finds herself desperate for help and I found her to be a bit gullible at times. She seemed to believe people to easily. I loved how the author allowed readers to see Rosalyn as a vulnerable young woman hoping to better herself. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be homeless. Rosalyn has quite an adventure with a few let's just say unsavory people.

I absolutely adored Nate from the minute he was introduced. He is a gentleman and has a heart of gold. His family takes Rosalyn in and I loved how they made her feel welcomed. Nate has to come to terms with something that keeps him isolated at times. I was glad when the author finally revealed what it was. It made Nate more real easier to sympathize with him.

My favorite part of the story has to be about the theater. What excitement it must have been to me a star on stage during that time period. Rosalyn finds work at the theater but perhaps not exactly what she had always dreamed of. The details of the London Theater were very intriguing. Can you imagine the chaos backstage as the show is about to start? The wardrobe had to be ready and the makeup perfect. I could feel the nervousness of the people as the opening note started.

The story was good but maybe slow in some areas. I did like the attraction that was developing between Nate and Rosalyn. Will Rosalyn find happiness in London? What will Nate decide about his future? . Overall the book was good and has some wonderful lessons about trust, faith and family.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

The Captain's Daughter is written by Jennifer Delamere. It was published by Bethany House. I selected this book for review and was provided a complimentary copy from LitFuse Publicity for my honest review.

Rosalyn Bernay is a sensible young woman who sets off to find a better life in London. A series of unfortunate events transpire for the young Rosalyn. With not a dollar to her name, she finds work at a theater as a stagehand. Here she meets, for the second time, Nate Moran.

Nate recovers from an injury sustained in the army by working at the theater. He fills in for his brother, Patrick, who is also injured. It seems that Rosalyn and Nate's chance encounter and missed opportunities are more about timing than anything else. It comes together in God's perfect time.

I am not a fan of romance. I picked up this novel to keep my mind fresh and open to the possibility of learning more. I've read one Francine Rivers book and I was not disappointed. Suffice it to say, if you are a fan of Francine Rivers, you'll definitely love Jennifer Delamere.

The writing is tight and interesting. It's an easy read but one the reader will cherish. It is rich in storytelling, and the characters are well rounded. I recommend this book if you're new to Christian romance of if you're a big fan of it. Ms. Delamere surprised me. It was a very pleasant experience.

The opening line was interesting, but I was confused about the location—the sisters seemed to be on the Dartmoor Coast, yet they were orphans from George Muller’s famous Bristol orphanage. So how did they get from Bristol to Dartmoor? It’s a long way to take impoverished orphans. And why?

Chapter One moved forward several years, and our heroine is trying to escape her situation and head to Bristol. And again I was confused. Where could she be, that she had to travel north to Bristol but south to London? (Bristol lies almost exactly west of London. If anything, London is slightly north of Bristol). Anyway, not a good start.

Rosalyn then arrives in London and does some stupid things. If she’s just spent almost all her cash on a train ticket to Bristol, why does she agree to go with her female “rescuer” when there is a perfectly good ladies waiting room, where she’ll be safe from unwanted male attention? Surely she realises the woman has no intention of bringing her back to catch the train?

I kept reading, although even at this point I was wondering why I was bothering. The writing was so-so (dialogue tags like “Rosalyn interposed hastily” contradict every modern guide on writing craft). There was a lot of telling, a lot of external action, but nothing which endeared me to either main character. They both seemed to be motivated by the external actions of others (Rosalyn by the actions of her employer’s husband, and Nate by his ex-fiance).

There was no indication either main character had any internal goals, and their conflicts were entirely external and driven by other people. It felt as though they were fictional characters created to fulfil the actions the plot required of them—actors, not real people. I prefer my fiction to have well-rounded characters who feel like real people.

I gave up reading at the halfway point when I realised I didn’t care what happened to any of the characters because they were just characters. The background around the theatre was interesting, as was the backdrop of the Muller orphanage, but I could read that in a history book. Reading the acknowledgements made me wonder if even the author liked the book.

Overall, I expected better from this author, and this publisher.

No, I'm not reviewing this anywhere else.

When Roselyn Bernay, ladies maid, sister, orphan, and wrongly accused, finds herself on a train to London in 1879, she has no idea what will become of her. Ever since her father, a ship’s captain, disappeared at sea, it seems as if things just keep getting worse and worse. Her mother dies and Roselyn and her two sisters go to live in George Mueller’s orphanage.

In addition, God’s provision seems to arrive almost too late as her situation worsens with each move she makes. London in the 1870s does not provide a place of refuge for the lower classes.

When Nate Moran tries to help a young lady at the London train station and fails, he can only pray that things will turn out all right for her. Although he doesn’t have much confidence in things turning out all right. After all, he himself has messed up beyond redemption when he allowed his emotions to interfere with his guard duty.

The resulting injury sends him home from India to London, where he works full time and takes on his brother’s theatre job when his brother suffers from a job injury. Nate can’t wait to return to his regiment and pay penance for his mistake.

Only God could direct Nate and Roselyn’s paths to meet again—and when he does, both of them experience growth. But will the changes in their lives draw them together, or apart?

I enjoyed reading a book that involved two characters that didn’t hail from the upper class in London. Delamare does a great job of chronicling life for those who live hand-to-mouth in a time period where no one has health insurance and the rich assume that the poor remain destitute because they have no will to work.

This book is about chivalrousness yet defenselessness, , fearfulness yet fearlessness, frightened yet steadfast, feminine and masculine and neglected yet all encompassed in GOD's boundless love. Rosalynn is an orphan but is not alone in this world - she has her sisters. She is naïve and that gets her into trouble - she works in a theatre as a dresser in Victorian England. She runs into a lot of unsavory people that can get her into a lot of trouble. In all of this she meets Nate who is a Christian and a good influence on her and a romance possibility for her as well - what do you think ya'll? :) He worked for the military but now he works for the theatre and also does some work for the pastor. His mother and sisters work with women. What a great influence they are on Rosalynn. Can Rosalynn get out of trouble? Will she and Nate ever get together or will the love triangle go the other way?

I loved reading this book! The beginning could be misleading from the actual story. It started off in Dartmoor Coast, 1873 outside of the Orphanage Rosalyn was leaving to start her life as a maid. The author then introduced her sister’s Car and Julia, Rosalyn being the oldest. One may begin to assume the story could be about the sisters and their struggles that brought them to the Orphanage but, the book included much MORE than I could handle. Time skipped into her escape from her employer. I immediately was drawn into the story; many questions were popping into my head. So the story is about the eldest sister? Why is she running? I loved the time jump. It began to get more interesting very quickly! As she began to escape, it started Nate’s story. What I found most that I loved about reading this story, how Jennifer included the presence of God. In every aspect of this story, God was there, and he was beautiful, understanding, and forgiving. Despite the trouble, she faced while in London, God indeed provide and she found herself in the home of Nate Moran himself as well as his family. Through God’s work, Rosalyn found work as a dresser in a Theatre where she found her dream career. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like in this book. The exciting parts ended tastefully in this story, Nate’s peace with his past, Rosalyn clears up her predicament, because of His guidance. I also enjoyed how the women were described as respectable, innocent, women. Despite the circumstances, life has provided because of the grace of God all was healed, and life was prosperous. Nate and Rosalyn’s relationship grew into an extraordinary one. Jennifer did wonderfully allow their relationship to grow slowly instead of an instant starstruck kind of love. Don’t get me wrong, attraction and feelings were there but, it evolved over time rather than a typical romance novel that happens instantaneously. Nate presented himself in Rosalyn’s life as a knight in shining armor trying to protect her from the rough streets of London. Despite some setbacks and finally ending at the home of Nate Moran thanks to his joyous Godly family their relationship blooms. Rosalyn innocence made it difficult to understand her feelings for Nate. And Nate’s past heartbreak made it hard for him to accept a new woman in his life. Through their moments together as they walked home, at the theater, and the little ways Nate shows his love for Rosalyn it was throw music where she was able to see his soul. From then on she knew she was in love with the Celtic soldier. The suspense built up to their first kiss on the last two pages of the book was FANTASTIC! It was what a noble, respectable gentleman and lady would act. It was refreshing to read a romance filled with the promise of forever without the explicit descriptions of anything happening more than simple conversation and admiration. WELL DONE MAAM!

I love good historical fiction novel, especially when it is a clean Christian version of it.

This book is a prime example of this. It touches on the good and bad in life, love and also deceit without getting into the gutter. The characters are believable and sweet without being overly so. The look at theater life in Victorian England was really interesting to me and I learned things that I had not known before.

I love how the book touched the lives of the amazing Gilbert & Sullivan and their operettas and wished the book came with a soundtrack so I found myself playing the music from them while enjoying the book.

I loved also the look at the amazing George Müller, his wife, and his orphanages. What amazing faith he had and the way he was able to share that strong faith with those in his charge. I would have loved to have the opportunity to know the man and have my own life and faith be influenced by his amazing faith. I have found myself doing more research on the man and his life, his children that he cared for and the faith that he instilled in them. Wow, it makes me feel like a slacker reading about it.

The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere interweaves three historical events/people with George Whitfield's orphanages, production of Gilbert and Sullivan's plays, and medical college for women. When her job as a lady's maid ends abruptly due to perceived scandal, Rosalyn Bernay escapes to London and tries to eek out a living. A series of fortunate circumstances and a chance encounter with a soldier changes her destiny and leads to a promising future. Delamere's style whisks you away to the heart of Victorian London and draws you with lively prose and strong developed characters. This was my first book by Delamere, and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel to this London Beginnings series.

Dartmoor Coast, England - 1873

Rosalyn Bernay, 17, and her sister, Cara, 13, are finding comfort in a Rosalyn singing a lullaby their mother used to sing to them. It is time for Rosalyn to leave the George Muller orphanage and make her own way in life as a maid to Mrs. Huffman in London. Their bossy sister, Julia, will now be the one looking after Cara. The girls went to the orphanage after their mother died and their father never returned from a sea voyage leaving them to wonder if he is dead or alive.

1879

Rosalyn is leaving a job where where she has worked for the last six years. She is heading to the safety of her sister, Julia, who is now a nurse in Bristol. When she arrives in London, a woman tricks her into staying in a brothel she calls a boarding house. Fleeing, she finds herself at a theater where she gets a job as a dresser.

Nate Moran and his former commander, Colonel Gwynn, have arrived at their destination after a long carriage ride. The Colonel, although older than Nate, has decided he would like to return to India and would like to see Nate marry and bring his wife there too. However, Nate has promised his brother that he will spend some time in London at the theater where he will take over his brother’s job until he heals after an accident.

Rosalyn and Nate become friends as they work together. Soon, it is discovered that Rosalyn has a lovely singing voice and gets her chance to sing on stage. As time comes for Nate to make a decision whether to journey to India, he must decide about a possible future he and Rosalyn may have together.

This story was OK but it simply did not have enough substance to draw me in and keep my interest. I found it rather boring and simply not to my taste. I am sure that other readers will like it. Jennifer Delamere is a good author and I have enjoyed her books in the past. Unfortunately, this one is not a favorite.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.