Acquired Book By:
I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “Summer Campaign” direct from the publisher Sweetwater Books (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Inspired to Read:
I discovered Ms Kelly’s writings whilst I hosted the blog tour on behalf of ‘Softly Falling’, wherein I found a most delightful story-teller who took historical fiction to a new level of appreciation for what you can find inside the genre for compelling fiction with realistic story-lines. I even appreciated the compassion and clarity she gave to the diversity of her characters, as much as the compassionate way in which she approached telling her character’s story.
Summer Campaign
Everyone agrees that Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make a perfect match. The overwhelmingly respectable vicar Andrew Littletree is so taken by her virtue and beauty that he's willing to overlook the scandal clouding her birth and her lack of family and funds.
But then handsome Major Jack Beresford comes galloping into Onyx's sheltered life. Because of his wealth and aristocratic blood, Onyx knows it's highly improbable that he would ever ask for her hand. Fortunately, the laws of probability have no effect on what Onyx is ready to give this supremely unsuitable gentleman... her heart.
New and longtime fan alike will relish this delightful regency romance from the true master of the art. Charming, sweet, and full of fun, it's simply impossible to stop reading.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9781462112258
on 10th March, 2015
Pages: 288
Published By: Sweetwater Books (@SweetwaterBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse via: #histfic, and #CarlaKelly
My Review of Summer Campaign:
We are served a quick introduction into Major Jack Beresford’s life at sea whose bound for land (at long last or so it would appear), hearth and home. He’s anguished by demons he has not yet shared and grieved for normalcy I am uncertain if he can re-obtain inside his affairs. He’s tormented and self-inflicting of neurosis focused on what is negative rather than what is positive. How his life was going to cross paths with Onyx Hamilton I knew not, but watching how their lives were going to become entwined held my eye.
Onyx is on that verge of age where she’s seen more as a woman to court than a woman who might have her own mind about what she’s wants to do in life. It’s expected of her to be gracious and accepting of the procedures whilst finding cheeky clever ways to off-set her displeasure outright by wandering inside her mind on topics which appeal to her more than the droll of a vicar! She’s wicked smart with a dearly tragic loss in her young years, as she once had a twin brother; of whom is now buried and gone. Gone from memory nearly as those of whom she resides will not allow her the sorrow she deserves.
There was this moment where I felt for Onyx, truly I felt for the girl because she was trying to be convinced to marry this twat of a bloke for nearly the same reasons Mrs Bennett gave to Elizabeth in regards to Mr Collins! And, frankly this Littletree fellow is every bit as suffocating as Mr Collins! How Onyx was able to maintain her composure and patience is a wonderment, as he is the type to answer for you rather than to allow you to voice your own impression of what is being told to you in regards to your future life.
What champion idea! Highwaymen wreck havoc for Onyx on her way to her betrothed home, where all she has to look forward too is a new kind of structured living where new people would attempt to control her at each turn. The thieves had no honour nor did they expect to find a spirited ally in Onyx, but right as rain, that is exactly what they found! Kelly brought the Major into the fray at just the right moment in order to save Onyx and her maid! I loved how she held her own, stifled her tears and emotions and honestly shot the thieves in order to get them to cast off into the woods.
The best gift Onyx was given was the upturnt of circumstances – to be taken so completely out of her planned existence and given a chance at a small bout of freedom truly unnerved her. She’s having to think for herself on the fly and rally behind instincts she never had to rely on beforehand. The interesting bit is that she’s a natural when it comes to being someone’s wife and companion; she’s good in a crisis and keeps her head level when danger lurks inside shadows she had not realised had fallen close to her. It’s a well conceived plot, wherein despite the similarities to stories already known, Kelly puts her own stamp on it; spinning it somewhere altogether new and afresh!
Such an unexpected treat for the classical reader who champions the manner in which romances were told during the Victorian and Regency eras. It’s quite a throwback to the 18th/19th Century novelists I positively love reading whilst adding hints of her own personality into the narrative, too. It’s definitely recognisable as a Carla Kelly novel because it’s like stepping back inside a familiar place wherein you are happy for the reprieve and repose. It’s paced well and set to such a believable score of thought as to beg for your sole attention whilst you dig inside it’s heart! I truly loved every inch of this Regency historical and am quite eager to continue reading more novels by Kelly!
Why I simply love reading novels by Carla Kelly:
She has such a wicked clever wit about her dialogue and the conversational exchanges she induces her characters to evolve inside, I find myself happily immersed in her novels post haste! As reflected when I had read Softly Falling I fell so close to the lead characters, I had not begged to exit the story anytime soon! She draws you in with her command of setting and timescape; as this story Summer Campaign held within it all the ferocity of a Jane Austen novel set around the period of time in a young woman’s life where she has become the object of marriageable age.
This Blog Tour Stop is courtesy of Cedar Fort, Inc:
Be sure to follow the rest of the blog tour:
Unfortunately for me, I missed this beautiful blog tour completely due to illness and personal matters which arose during the week I was meant to post my review. Blessedly the publisher was gracious and understanding in my extended delays to bring my thoughts together, as much as I needed extra time to read ‘Summer Campaign’ before this review could post. Considering my Summer was blighted with lightning storms which nearly killed my connectivity. (see Bookish, Not Bookish No. 6) I apologise for the delay and hope that my words might inspire you to pick up a Carla Kelly novel for the first time!
Previously I was introduced to Carla Kelly’s writing via:
I encourage you to spend a moment visiting my review on behalf of ‘Softly Falling’ as it was my proper introduction to Carla Kelly’s graceful style of story-telling and found her to not only have a strong voice for historical fiction, but a natural acuity for diversity.
Reader Interactive Question:
What do you seek out the most from historical fiction as far as characters, setting, and style of the story is concerned? What do you appreciate the most whilst curled inside a historical story set in the Regency Era?
{SOURCES: Book Cover Art for “Summer Campaign”, author photo, author biography, book synopsis, blog tour badges and the badge for Cedar Fort Publishing & Media were provided by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media and used with permission. Ruminations & Impressions Book Review Banner created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: Unsplash Public Domain Photographer Sergey Zolkin. Post dividers badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Comment banner created by Jorie in Canva. Tweets are embedded due to codes via Twitter.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2015.
I’m a social reader | I tweet as I read:
#amreading Summer Campaign by @AuthorCarla wherein I am reminded of my dislike of Mr Collins from #PrideAndPrejudice; he has an equal here!
— Jorie Loves A Story (@joriestory) November 7, 2015
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2015 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
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