Review copy was received from Purchased. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Surgeon's Lady by Carla Kelly Series: Channel Fleet #2
on January 1, 2009
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 299
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Coldly sold for marriage to the highest bidder, Lady Laura Taunton does not hold much faith in love and kindness. The war against Napoleon only serves to echo this feeling, until she meets intriguing Royal Naval surgeon Lieutenant Brittle – a man who’s the exact opposite of her cruel late husband.
Taking up his offer to help aid the battle’s injured, Laura starts to believe that she could have a place in the world…and a man who can show her true happiness.
A lonely widow with inner scars finds not just a long lost sister, but a real chance at happiness against the backdrop of a naval hospital during the height of the Napoleonic War. Carla Kelly’s historical romances give a strong nod to historical authenticity, the importance of situation and character background, but above all is the tender slow burn romance.
This second book in the Channel Fleet series continues a loose story arc begun in the first book about the second of three illegitimate half-sisters all sharing a dreadful father and a connection to the naval-side of the Napoleonic War.
The Surgeon’s Lady has something of a grim and desperate setting- an understaffed naval hospital. The romance seems like a typical class difference romance with the hero a slightly rough common surgeon and the heroine being a baronet’s widow. However, she is also illegitimate and was abused by her late husband and neglected as an orphan before that and he earned his place as a naval officer. Philemon was good and patient with Laura as she went through such a struggle when it came to intimacy and beating back the demons of her memories.
Between crises at the hospital and tender moments shared by Phil and Laura in the rare down times, their early spark of interest grows. I loved Phil’s witty banter he employed to get through the tough moments. They are a wonderful medical team as Laura learns she is stronger than she thought and Philemon sees what his hardworking life has been missing.
There are brief moments when the pair from the previous book have their story continue in the background so they do work best when read in order.
I was really into all the historical medical procedures that were described so I was able to get into the desperate struggles of the romance pair and the sailors they were tending. How ironic that even back then there was an annoying administrator who seemed more interested in his status than actually aiding those wounded men who served.
I can’t wait to get the youngest sister’s story next in this exciting trilogy of historicals showing the author’s knowledge and love for the navy backdrop during the Napoleonic War. Definitely recommend to historical fans who want the excitement and challenge of war to the romance which is a little spicy though mostly sweet.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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It’s great to see you has such a nice tome with the story
Thanks, Melliane! I’m not usually one for hospital romances, but historicals like this are the exception. 🙂
Sounds like Phil was the sweetheart Laura needed after her abusive husband and in an intense period in time. Wonderful review, Sophia!
Oh yeah! He was so understanding of her needs and constantly put her first even when he was stretched so thin at the hospital.
This setting is so far removed from anything I’ve ever read. The idea of being in the war zone is a somewhat appealing change for me. Thanks.
I loved the unique setting for a historical, too, Jen. 🙂
Well that sounds really good. I haven’t read something like this in a long time.
Yeah, I thought a historical medical romance during war was an intriguing set up, too, Mary. 🙂
Romance that’s more sweet than spicy, that’s quite interesting. Do you tend to get disappointed if it doesn’t reach a certain threshold of spiciness when reading your romance novels? Great review, Sophia! 😀
No, I’m a wide-range romance lover. Anything from stolen kisses to erotic romance will do the trick. My big need is that whatever level of heat and description match the overall story the author is writing and adds to rather than distracts from and that the pace of whatever chosen heat level reflects on the relationship that is written, if that makes sense.
I just love seeing medical procedures being described in more detail. This one sounds so wonderful. I have seen this author around but haven’t read anything from her though. But you definitely have me intrigued by this one here. Class difference is one of my favorite tropes.
Lovely review as always darling!
Glad to tempt you, Renee! I loved the medical side so much.