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Men at Arms #2
Cherishing the Captain
Captain Gideon Whitlock never thought to see the woman he spent one unforgettable night with again. His years at war have changed him into a different man—one he feels certain she could never bring herself to love.
Sylvia Whitlock has moved on from being abandoned the man she eloped with following a reckless night of passion. Telling herself she doesn’t want or need him, she dedicates her life to healing the wounded, traumatized soldiers of the Crimean War as a nurse.
When Gideon’s suddenly appears at the home for soldiers where Sylvia has taken a new position, they will both be forced to face their past. They must also consider what their future will be, and whether the pain of their separation will prove enough to keep them apart for good.
Sylvia Whitlock has moved on from being abandoned the man she eloped with following a reckless night of passion. Telling herself she doesn’t want or need him, she dedicates her life to healing the wounded, traumatized soldiers of the Crimean War as a nurse.
When Gideon’s suddenly appears at the home for soldiers where Sylvia has taken a new position, they will both be forced to face their past. They must also consider what their future will be, and whether the pain of their separation will prove enough to keep them apart for good.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2020
56 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Elise Marion
62 books324 followersElise Marion is a lover books and has a special place in her heart for sweet and sensual romance. Writing about love across all walks of life is her passion, as is reaching people through the written word. The Army wife and stay-at-home mother of two spends most of her time taking care of her children. Her second job includes writing stories about characters that people can fall in love with. When the Texas native isn’t caring for her family or writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, singing loudly, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 2, 2021
A historical romance that centers on the survivors of the Crimean War. Interesting bits are how the Doctor treats those soldiers returning with emotional trauma. A lot of the story is told through memories.
May 18, 2020
This book is a mixture of history, romance, more history, more romance, some very sensual heat, and a great story.
What I was most impressed with while I was reading the ARC of this story is that the subject matter was very relevant to today, and gave me a glimpse inside the Victorian's view of mental illness and what is now known as PTSD. The Captain of the story is written with such empathy I defy anyone to dislike him for anything while they're reading. He captured my imagination in the first chapter, and his characterization pleased me throughout.
A caution - if you are the type of person to read a prologue and stop reading if it doesn't appeal to you, you may have a problem with this book. The prologue speak of what contemporary readers call "insta-love", and if you are one of those readers who dislikes that trope, don't let that discourage you from reading this book. By the time you get through Chapter 1, you will understand that the love the Captain and his wonderful Sylvia have is lasting and strong. Strong enough, you see, to survive the Captain after he's returned wounded from the Battle of Balaclava.
When I say this book is about history, it truly is. The Crimean War is the centerpiece of this story, and no, there's no dry history inside. But if you read to learn, then you'll accidentally learn things about the Light Dragoons (a.k.a the Light Brigade). The Light Dragoons were decimated in the Battle of Balaclava and this book is about one man who returned from that war. By the way The Light Dragoons exist today and are based in Yorkshire, England.
I enjoyed this book, for all of the reasons I mentioned above. It is a story that centers around a huge part of British History in the Victorian era; a love story with just enough sensual steam to make it interesting; and it shows the Victorian's opinions on mental health and how alienists treated what is now known as PTSD. Color me impressed that all of that is written in what I would call a novella, which is part of a series about the Crimean War and the love stories that could have come out of it.
What I was most impressed with while I was reading the ARC of this story is that the subject matter was very relevant to today, and gave me a glimpse inside the Victorian's view of mental illness and what is now known as PTSD. The Captain of the story is written with such empathy I defy anyone to dislike him for anything while they're reading. He captured my imagination in the first chapter, and his characterization pleased me throughout.
A caution - if you are the type of person to read a prologue and stop reading if it doesn't appeal to you, you may have a problem with this book. The prologue speak of what contemporary readers call "insta-love", and if you are one of those readers who dislikes that trope, don't let that discourage you from reading this book. By the time you get through Chapter 1, you will understand that the love the Captain and his wonderful Sylvia have is lasting and strong. Strong enough, you see, to survive the Captain after he's returned wounded from the Battle of Balaclava.
When I say this book is about history, it truly is. The Crimean War is the centerpiece of this story, and no, there's no dry history inside. But if you read to learn, then you'll accidentally learn things about the Light Dragoons (a.k.a the Light Brigade). The Light Dragoons were decimated in the Battle of Balaclava and this book is about one man who returned from that war. By the way The Light Dragoons exist today and are based in Yorkshire, England.
I enjoyed this book, for all of the reasons I mentioned above. It is a story that centers around a huge part of British History in the Victorian era; a love story with just enough sensual steam to make it interesting; and it shows the Victorian's opinions on mental health and how alienists treated what is now known as PTSD. Color me impressed that all of that is written in what I would call a novella, which is part of a series about the Crimean War and the love stories that could have come out of it.
May 19, 2020
A touching love story dealing with post traumatic stress. Gideon n Sylvia meet one night when Gideon is about to go to war. They fall in love n get married impulsively. Gideon goes off to war the next day. They stay in touch professing their love through letters. Gideon loses an eye n is broken emotionally in war. He comes back a different man who doesn't know how to deal with his wife anymore. Sylvia is baffled by his behavior but understands n supports him. How her steadfast love n confidence bring him back to her forms the story. We also meet characters from the previous book.elise Marion has shown so touchingly what happens to men during war n how difficult it is to cope up. It is only through love n patience of their loved ones that they can survive. A must read.
May 18, 2020
Really good second chance at love story. Ms. Marion handles the issue of PTSD very well. I received an ARC of this book.
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October 3, 2020FREE today (August 03, 2020) on Amazon.
July 30, 2020
This is a superb story which has been well narrated by Sarah Kempton.
I too have lived through a very traumatic time in my life and I know how difficult it is to find the first little glimmer of sunshine so I totally felt for our hero, Gideon with his problem after his stint in the war.
Because of his PTSD problem, his wife, Sylvia believes he has abandoned her so when they meet up again she is livid and lets him know that in no uncertain terms but she doesn't know why he has avoided her and slowly, as the story unfolds, she learns of his problem.
The story tells of how they work together to rebuilt the trust on both sides. The original love is still there and they work on all their difficulties that they need to overcome in order to have a second chance in love together.
Beautifully written, I felt every single emotional tug and am definitely recommending both the book and the audio version.
I requested and listened to a free copy of the audiobook and my voluntary and unbiased review is recorded above.
I too have lived through a very traumatic time in my life and I know how difficult it is to find the first little glimmer of sunshine so I totally felt for our hero, Gideon with his problem after his stint in the war.
Because of his PTSD problem, his wife, Sylvia believes he has abandoned her so when they meet up again she is livid and lets him know that in no uncertain terms but she doesn't know why he has avoided her and slowly, as the story unfolds, she learns of his problem.
The story tells of how they work together to rebuilt the trust on both sides. The original love is still there and they work on all their difficulties that they need to overcome in order to have a second chance in love together.
Beautifully written, I felt every single emotional tug and am definitely recommending both the book and the audio version.
I requested and listened to a free copy of the audiobook and my voluntary and unbiased review is recorded above.
June 17, 2020
Nailed It
My first Elise Marion book. It is a second chance love story and I enjoyed it.
The hero has PTSD and because of that he kept his distance from his wife. What I liked here is that there was no stubborn irrational back and forth. Yes the hero was tortured but it was well written and it did not take away from the character and the love story. There were love scenes as they are husband and wife so it was inevitable. The hero was faithful to the heroine despite his decision to keep his distance. And I loved how in the end they worked together to overcome the hero’s issues.
The epilogue was great.
My first Elise Marion book. It is a second chance love story and I enjoyed it.
The hero has PTSD and because of that he kept his distance from his wife. What I liked here is that there was no stubborn irrational back and forth. Yes the hero was tortured but it was well written and it did not take away from the character and the love story. There were love scenes as they are husband and wife so it was inevitable. The hero was faithful to the heroine despite his decision to keep his distance. And I loved how in the end they worked together to overcome the hero’s issues.
The epilogue was great.
May 30, 2020
Changed by war
Gideon was married but returned from war a shell of the man he was! Sylvia believed him dead so she attended nursing school to aid other war vets! At a fund raiser she sees her husband Gideon missing an eye but appearing whole to her! Angry betrayed she wants to plant him a facer! But Gideon has secrets from the war and can't stand to be touched so how can he have come home to the woman he never stopped loving? Can their love be saved? PTSD is real but love is also real! Sylvia will fight to have her husband back!
Gideon was married but returned from war a shell of the man he was! Sylvia believed him dead so she attended nursing school to aid other war vets! At a fund raiser she sees her husband Gideon missing an eye but appearing whole to her! Angry betrayed she wants to plant him a facer! But Gideon has secrets from the war and can't stand to be touched so how can he have come home to the woman he never stopped loving? Can their love be saved? PTSD is real but love is also real! Sylvia will fight to have her husband back!
May 31, 2020
Learning to love again
An English Captain on his way to the Crimean War meets a Scottish lass at an inn in Scotland. It's love at first site and they marry. One night together forms a bond, but after two years of correspondence she doesn't hear another word. One year later they meet again at a hospital for soldiers wounded physically and mentally. Scarred, afraid of physical contact and repeated violent nightmares, he's stayed away from his wife. She's willing to do anything to help him as long as he loves her. An excellent story of healing and the power of love.
An English Captain on his way to the Crimean War meets a Scottish lass at an inn in Scotland. It's love at first site and they marry. One night together forms a bond, but after two years of correspondence she doesn't hear another word. One year later they meet again at a hospital for soldiers wounded physically and mentally. Scarred, afraid of physical contact and repeated violent nightmares, he's stayed away from his wife. She's willing to do anything to help him as long as he loves her. An excellent story of healing and the power of love.
August 9, 2020
I picked this up among the sale offerings on amazon. I had not noticed Elise Marion's books before, but after reading this I will read more of this Men at Arms series.
The story line is a nice change of pace in period and topic for me. Sylvia has made a life for herself, assuming Gideon did not want to come back to her. Gideon's battling his demons and memories after surviving a horrific battle. Quite convenient they re-meet at a convalescent home for soldiers.
All around I felt this was well done - pacing, dialogues, and conclusion.
The story line is a nice change of pace in period and topic for me. Sylvia has made a life for herself, assuming Gideon did not want to come back to her. Gideon's battling his demons and memories after surviving a horrific battle. Quite convenient they re-meet at a convalescent home for soldiers.
All around I felt this was well done - pacing, dialogues, and conclusion.
March 18, 2021
4.0 stars - Although I'm not a fan of insta-love and the idea of one night being enough for everlasting love makes me roll my eyes in annoyance, I really did like the journey the couple went through. The PTSD rep was great and I loved how the message was not that love can "fix" these type of problems and people can't just get over mental illness but instead have to learn how to cope with it and a support system makes a world of difference.
June 18, 2020
Absolutely in love
I fell in love with Gideon from the first book. But now aww man you see what's he been through. And Sylvia oh my she's a strong woman & a wonderful person. These had chemistry between is on fire from the beginning. I absolutely love this book & the first book. I have a new author to follow.
I fell in love with Gideon from the first book. But now aww man you see what's he been through. And Sylvia oh my she's a strong woman & a wonderful person. These had chemistry between is on fire from the beginning. I absolutely love this book & the first book. I have a new author to follow.
August 5, 2020
Nice read
This book highlights the tragedy of wounded lives surviving the horrors of war. It also shows the journey of one such captain who learns how to cope with not only his injury but also his emotional scars with the help and support of a doctor and his wife
This book highlights the tragedy of wounded lives surviving the horrors of war. It also shows the journey of one such captain who learns how to cope with not only his injury but also his emotional scars with the help and support of a doctor and his wife
May 20, 2020
So sweet, safe and beautiful.
July 6, 2020
This was a really good addition to an Enjoyable series! Looking forward to more!
Want to read
August 3, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/3/2020)! 🎁
July 5, 2022
kinda boring ngl
June 17, 2025
I didn't hate it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews