Summary of Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks
As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, "George."
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty's Royal Navy claiming his full attention. While trying to adjust to a new crew, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain's cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the "boy" under his wing. After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy's secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her.
Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic's compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are quickly slipping away (from Amazon).
My review
When Navy Captain’s daughter Georgana Woodall finds herself on British Navy vessel Deborah on the way to Antigua disguised as a cabin boy, she has to be smart not to blow her cover as First Lieutenant Dominic Payton takes her under his wing.
Georgana’s Secret is the standalone regency romance debut by
Arlem Hawks, published by Shadow Mountain Publishing. Napoleonic Wars are
raging and Navy captain’s daughter Georgana Woodall has been removed from her abusive
grandmother’s care and is in disguise as a cabin boy on Her Majesty’s Navy
vessel Deborah headed for Antigua. First
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton takes cabin boy George under his wing. Through
the dangerous French attacks on the vessel, they become close. Dominic suspects
something is up with the little cabin boy and there seems something strange
about his family background.
Main character Navy Captain’s daughter is Georgana Woodall. I feel desperately sorry for her having been exposed to her grandmother’s violence most of her life and is bullied by the other ship mates. But throughout the story she finds impressive strength and compassion within herself and she is my favorite of this story.
Supporting character First Lieutenant Dominic Peyton seems
a light hearted and happy person in total control of who he is and what his
future holds. He seems to have slightly
liberal views on propriety which impresses me. Events on the convoy mission challenge
his view of life.
This story reminds me of a movie favorite of mine, Master
and Commander, which has similar setting aboard a British Navy vessel during Napoleonic
Wars. I can’t remember having read any plot which deal with the combination of romance
and nautical warfare quite like this. I know we are only at the beginning, but
this unique story just might turn out to be one of my favorites this year.
The beautiful writing intrigued and enthralled me. Descriptions were so vivid I felt transferred to the ship. It was hard to take a break to get some sleep. I just had to find what would happen next with Georgana and Dominic. I loved that there even was light hearted, amusing dialogue in places. It’s been a long time since a character has engaged me like Georgana. She seemed a well developed character with the perfect blend of human and believable. So relatable she could have lived next door.
A little surprise gem was included as Georgana and Dominic enjoyed a little escape to a faraway beach in Antigua where they got to be alone together (Georgana being George). This part I felt was particularly well written and was my absolute favorite of the story.
I am really excited to see what Arlem Hawks comes up with next and anyone who enjoys a great regency romance set at sea will love this story.
Similar authors to explore might be Sarah E. Ladd or Ronda Gibb Hinrichson.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, Arlem Hawks and NetGalley for this opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: This
beautifully written, thoroughly engaging regency is about Georgana who hides as a
sailor trying to stay away from her violent grandmother, when she meets a man
whose only love is the sea.
Where to get your copy
AMAZON | BARNES
& NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP
| INDIEBOUND
| DESERET BOOK | GOODREADS
Advance Praise
"Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton's charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances."— Publishers Weekly
“This tale felt sweepingly cinematic at times and was both action-packed and heart-wrenching with an immersive narrative.”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com
Arlem Hawks wove a magnificent tale of adventure and deception and delivered a happy ever after that was as unconventional as the rest of the story. With so many stories of romance out there, it is refreshing when one comes along that is very different than the stories that I am used to. A little adventure always livens things up fabulously.”— Emily Flynn, Reading with Emily
"Fans of sweet love
stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional
Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly
crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance
and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will
cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in
life and love."— Booklist, starred review
Author Bio
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM
| BOOKBUB | YOUTUBE | GOODREADS
Here’s the Blog Tour Schedule
Join the virtual blog tour of GEORGANA’S SECRET (Proper Romance Regency), Arlem Hawks’ highly acclaimed debut historical romance novel January 11 – February 14, 2021. Over forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard a Royal Naval ship.
Jan 11 Austenprose — A Jane Austen Blog Review
Jan 12 Wishful Endings Review
Jan 12 Lu Reviews Books Review
Jan 13 Lady with a Quill Review
Jan 13 Timeless Novels Review
Jan 14 Reading is My Superpower Review
Jan 14 The Bibliophile Files Review
Jan 15 Randi Loves 2 Read Review
Jan 16 The Christian Fiction Girl Excerpt
Jan 18 The Silver Petticoat Review Review
Jan 18 Heidi Reads Review
Jan 19 Bookfoolery Review
Jan 20 Captivated Reading Review
Jan 21 Bookworm Lisa Review
Jan 22 Among the Reads Review
Jan 23 Gwedalyn's Books Review
Jan 24 My Bookish Bliss Review
Jan 25 Wishful Endings Excerpt
Jan 25 Christian Chick's Thoughts Review
Jan 27 The Lit Bitch Review
Jan 28 Reading with Emily Review
Jan 29 Books, Teacups & Reviews Review
Jan 30 A Darn Good Read Review
Jan 31 From Pemberley to Milton Spotlight
Feb 01 Austenesque Reviews Review
Feb 02 Laura's Reviews Review
Feb 03 Literary Time Out Review
Feb 04 Chicks, Rogues & Scandals Excerpt
Feb 05 The Bluestocking Review
Feb 05 Library of Clean Reads Review
Feb 06 The Caffeinated Bibliophile Spotlight
Feb 08 The Readathon Review
Feb 09 The Book Diva Reads Excerpt
Feb 10 Our Book Confessions Review
Feb 10 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Spotlight
Feb 11 Rosanne E. Lortz Review
Feb 11 Jorie Loves a Story Review
Feb 12 Fire & Ice Excerpt
Feb 14 Book Confessions of an Ex-ballerina Review
Great review, Randi. It is unusual to have a story set on the high seas. i also appreciated the author's creativity. Take care, LA
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Laurel. I totally agree. It was unusual and refreshing to read a plot set on the high seas.
Delete