At the Captain's Command

Louise M. Gouge

Apr 2011 · Sold by Harlequin

About this ebook

Duty and career—Captain Thomas Moberly of His Majesty's Navy prizes them above all. So why is he tempted to relinquish both for Dinah Templeton? Though Dinah seems sweet and charming, the difference in station between an East Florida belle and the son of an earl is too marked to ignore. And all other obstacles pale with the discovery that Dinah's brother James is not what he seems….A war is brewing on the colonies' horizon, and James has chosen his side—in opposition to the country Thomas has sworn to defend. But what of Dinah? Where does her heart truly lie—with her family, or with the man she claims to love?

Ratings and reviews

By Louise M. Gouge Dinah Templeton spots three handsome Naval officers and discovers one of them is her kinsman, Captain Thomas Moberly, whom she hasn’t met. The captain’s brother is married to her cousin and his sister is married to Dinah’s brother. Dinah is splashed with “love at first sight” as they become acquainted. They enjoy spending time together, but she vows she will never marry a sea-faring man. Since her parent’s deaths, she is almost destitute so doesn’t dress as most of the women with whom the captain usually is in contact on shore. Yet, when Moberly sees Dinah, he says, “Who would expect to find such beauty in this backward colony?” Dinah lives with Artemis and Anne Hussey. Mrs. Hussey is a kind young woman reared by the Gardiner sisters of the Nantucket Friends Meeting, as Dinah was. Anne is one of Dinah’s friends. Her husband, Artemis, however, is wicked and covetous of money and prestige. So he arranges a marriage for Dinah to the wealthy Mr. Richland. Yet, Dinah has a standing proposal with Mr. Waterston, the short, paunchy proprietor of the General Store.. The United States is engaged in the Revolutionary War and Captain Moberly’s work involves capturing pirates who intercept British vessels. His biggest target is the pirate Nighthawk, who brags he will never be captured. Among Dinah’s tangled web of relatives are some who fight for the Americans. Will Nighhawk kill the captain? Will the captain kill the pirate? How will the battle affect Dinah? Louise Gouge does a great job weaving life-like characters from another era into a compelling story. I recommend this book. Note: The author and Love Inspired Publishers provided me a review copy of At the Captain’s Command.

About the author

Award-winning South Carolina author Louise M. Gouge writes historical and contemporary romance. Married to David Gouge for 54 years, she is now widowed. She is mother of four amazing adult children and grandmother of eight absolutely perfect grandchildren. With a BA in Creative Writing and a master's degree in Liberal Studies, Louise taught composition and humanities at Valencia College in Kissimmee, Florida. Now happily retired from teaching, she writes full time.