Emma Lombard

This was quite an adventurous read! Grace has been promised to Lord Silverton, arrangements made by her father and she will have nothing to do with that imbecile. After Lord Silverton makes his intentions clear, Grace knows she must get out of there. She cannot endure a life with someone like him, how dare her father think he a suitable mate. Running to the only person she knows can help her, she soon finds herself aboard a ship as a lad and soon they’ll have left land.

Unbeknown to Grace, she has left quite a wake in her disappearance. But she is free, and quickly learning the ropes for acting like a young man as well as the hard work a ship takes to run smoothly. Getting taken under the wing of a few on the ship, Grace settles into the hard work until an event takes place and she finds herself found out… she is not a young male after all but a female whose stowed away as a lad this whole time!

Already having been at sea for weeks, there is no turning back but the Captain has no care as to why she decided to dress a lad and get on the ship, and arrangements will be made as soon as possible to get her back to London, but Grace is not going freely. The Lieutenant on the other hand, has other ideas in mind. He did fancy her after all, and Grace is accepting of his company, and divulges the truth to him.

The crew now having turned again her, as it is a curse to have a female on a ship, she is ordered to remain in her room and not cause anymore of a ruckus than what she already has. But things were already set in motion, and Grace becomes the center of more than just a fear of a curse becoming them. Can Lieutenant Fitzwilliam keep her safe until she can figure out how to broach her parents and get out of Lord Silverton’s grasp…… (altro)

The plot in brief: (No spoilers) Grace Baxter is surprised, unhappily, to find her unpleasant parents have agreed to her marriage to a rather despicable old man. His behaviour towards her makes it clear that she cannot marry him. So, she does a runner. Where does the well-bred daughter of a Lord run to in 1826? Why to sea, of course. Disguised as a boy, she signs on as a ship’s boy on the HMS Discerning. Adventure, the handsome Lieutenant Seamus Fitzwilliam and love await.
The Characters: Grace Baxter is not your usual 19th century young woman. Educated, outspoken, bold and adventurous, she is far from the compliant and dutiful daughter. Readers will be surprised as she struggles to keep her identity a secret on a ship full of men. Lt. Fitzwilliam is exactly what you’d imagine a British Naval Officer to be. Handsome, intelligent, honourable; he quickly develops a soft spot for Grace. They squabble and irritate each other but it is clear that each is smitten. The ship’s crew is full of interesting characters who round out book. You’ll so find yourself cheering them on.
The History: Author Lombard has done her research, the narrative rings true with the sights and sounds of London, the docks and life aboard a sailing ship. I enjoyed the nautical setting and the descriptions of sailing round Cape Horn and the mapping of the coast of Tierra del Fuego.
The Writing: Well written and well edited this book zips along at a steady pace. Grace and Seamus keep us turning the page as the story escalates in action and suspense.
Overall: I enjoyed this seagoing story. The history is fun and the characters engaging. I look forward to more adventures with Grace and Seamus.… (altro)