Aussie Short Story Review: Caroline and the Captain by Maggi Andersen #AWW2012

 Caroline and the Captain by Maggi AndersenebookFree copy from publisher websiteKnox Robinson Publishing, March 2012 Synopsis- George, Earl of Haworth, has died in a riding accident and left Haworth Park in disorder.Captain Nicholas Bonham of Wellington’s Peninsular Regiment, the 52nd Light Infantry, returns from fighting the Napoleonic wars to see his brother laid to rest. A skilled rider, George’s death remains a mystery, as does the parlous state of his finances. Haworth Park must be sold unless Nicholas can find a swift solution.When his neighbor, Sir Marcus Mirrington offers Nicholas an answer to his problems, Nicholas accepts his daughter’s hand in marriage. But Miss Caroline Mirrington harbors a dangerous secret of her own. Review- Caroline and the Captain is a short story that fits into the historical romance genre by Australian author, Maggi Andersen. I’ve read a couple of her titles previously and though I preferred her romantic suspense novel more than her historical romance, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Caroline and the Captain which falls into the latter category.The story begins at the funeral of George, Earl of Haworth who died during a riding accident. His betrothed, Miss Caroline Mirrington grieves the man she’d hoped to marry and worries that the secret she disclosed when he proposed would not be accepted as sensitively by any other man who may wish to marry her.Captain Nicholas Bonham, brother of the deceased is in disbelief over George’s death and now as sole heir is left with the untimely decision of marrying a woman for financial convenience. After brief deliberation he accepts the offer made by Caroline’s father and agrees to marry her in his brother’s place. There’s an instant attraction between them, though Caroline is weary of fulfilling the intimate role of a wife and Nicholas had hoped to marry for love. She partly discloses her secret to Nicholas and is surprised to find her new husband-to-be is just as considerate as his former brother.Caroline and the Captain has all the elements of a good novel, packed into a short story of only 60 pages. There’s enough conflict within the relationship to create empathy for the characters and a desire to see their marriage a success. There’s the little mystery sub-plot surrounded George’s death which is soon revealed to be under suspicious circumstances. This ties Nicholas and Caroline closer together when the scope of her past is fully unveiled. This creates suspense and immediacy in solving the problem. Though I did feel Caroline’s emotional difficulties were overcome rather quickly, this is to be expected in the structure of a short story. Nevertheless, I felt satisfied with how the story was paced and how the conflict was resolved. It’s a story I probably would have enjoyed in full-length too.An entertaining short read which will appeal to historical romance fans and is a great way to spend a free hour in your day.

Overall Rating

4/5

"I loved this story!"

Visit Knox Robinson Publishing to download a free copy of Caroline and the Captain.

About the author: Maggi Andersen and her lawyer husband are empty nesters, living in the country-side outside Sydney, Australia with the cat that rules them. She began writing adventure stories at age eight. Three children, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing degree later, her novels are still adventure stories, but are also passionate romances. Georgette Heyer among others, brought inspiration to her seductive Regencies and she also writes contemporary romantic suspense, darker, Victorian mysteries and young adult novels.She supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.

More titles by Maggi Andersen:

This book was read as part of the AWW2012 challenge: