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St. Brendan #3
The Unlikely Heroes
The year is 1805. Napoleon is determined to invade England. Angus Ogilvie, spy catcher, has learned more of Napoleon’s plans. He relays them to Master Able Six, instructor at St. Brendan the Navigator School, where workhouse boys of promise are training in naval service to an England that considers them castoffs. Ogilvie has other startling news about a mysterious Spanish count who bears a striking resemblance to the unlikely master genius.
To counteract the growing threat from across the English Channel, Able Six has been recalled to the fleet. Thanks to a legacy from the legendary Sir B, Able and his Gunwharf Rats—workhouse boys like him—will serve as ship-to-shore messengers in Sir B’s own yacht.
Able is torn. His loyalty to England and the Royal Navy is strong, and he knows his duty, but there is loving wife Meridee to consider, and their small son, Ben. Is the cost of war finally too high, even to a man so committed?
What awaits Able Six is more than war—someone from his past he could love or hate. Able Six knows his puny concerns mean nothing, as a battle that will change England forever edges closer. Trafalgar.
To counteract the growing threat from across the English Channel, Able Six has been recalled to the fleet. Thanks to a legacy from the legendary Sir B, Able and his Gunwharf Rats—workhouse boys like him—will serve as ship-to-shore messengers in Sir B’s own yacht.
Able is torn. His loyalty to England and the Royal Navy is strong, and he knows his duty, but there is loving wife Meridee to consider, and their small son, Ben. Is the cost of war finally too high, even to a man so committed?
What awaits Able Six is more than war—someone from his past he could love or hate. Able Six knows his puny concerns mean nothing, as a battle that will change England forever edges closer. Trafalgar.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2020
52 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books805 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 3, 2024
This one is a 5-hankie book. You have been warned. There are several deaths, a couple of reconciliations, fraught farewells. All with the war hanging over the heads of Able Six, his lovely wife Meridee, and the Gunwharf Rats.
And the author somehow manages to work in the Battle of Trafalgar.
Classic Carla Kelly! I loved every page.
One more book-The Unlikely Gunwharf Rats--and I will be caught up. I will be sorry to say good-bye to these characters.
And the author somehow manages to work in the Battle of Trafalgar.
Classic Carla Kelly! I loved every page.
One more book-The Unlikely Gunwharf Rats--and I will be caught up. I will be sorry to say good-bye to these characters.
October 2, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The third book in the St. Brendan series will surely please its fans as it sees the likable Able Six and his wife, Meri, ensconced in family life, something Able never expected.
Read full review in the 2020 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The third book in the St. Brendan series will surely please its fans as it sees the likable Able Six and his wife, Meri, ensconced in family life, something Able never expected.
Read full review in the 2020 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
August 17, 2020
When you want to read heart-warming romance about ordinary people doing good (as opposed to the rich and famous doing well), you can't beat Carla Kelly. This third book in the St. Brendan trilogy concludes the tale of Master Durable (Able) Six and his mission to help workhouse boys find a better life by serving in the Royal Navy. While those of us who read naval fiction tend to dwell on the harsh conditions of life below decks, it's important to remember that for many young men it was a step up into a life where you got fed, housed, and, if you survived and had a zealous captain, a share of prize money.
No one brings the angst like Carla Kelly, and if you're an easy weeper like me I encourage you to have a box of tissues handy. It is, after all, a tale of war time and harsh conditions, but it also has plenty of romance, including second chance romance. This one goes on the keeper shelf along with the other St. Brendan books.
No one brings the angst like Carla Kelly, and if you're an easy weeper like me I encourage you to have a box of tissues handy. It is, after all, a tale of war time and harsh conditions, but it also has plenty of romance, including second chance romance. This one goes on the keeper shelf along with the other St. Brendan books.
March 1, 2021
I Smell a (Gunwarf) Rat
I like that Carla Kelly focuses on "regular people." When they have been at sea for a while with no way to bathe, they stink. They do not dress up for a multi-course dinner each evening, but sit around a table and eat fish stew.
I enjoyed toddler Ben, the budding genius, who could have seemed obnoxious, but was endearing, as were the Gunwharf Rats.
The one unwelcome distraction for me is that pathos is applied liberally with a trowel. I can feel myself being manipulated at times and see heartstrings being mercilessly pulled. That keeps me from maximum enjoyment of the book.
I like that Carla Kelly focuses on "regular people." When they have been at sea for a while with no way to bathe, they stink. They do not dress up for a multi-course dinner each evening, but sit around a table and eat fish stew.
I enjoyed toddler Ben, the budding genius, who could have seemed obnoxious, but was endearing, as were the Gunwharf Rats.
The one unwelcome distraction for me is that pathos is applied liberally with a trowel. I can feel myself being manipulated at times and see heartstrings being mercilessly pulled. That keeps me from maximum enjoyment of the book.
October 4, 2024
I love this series! I was teary through most of this one.
February 6, 2023
The teachers and students of St. Brendan the Navigator School continue to fascinate; and this is even truer (if possible) than before since this third novel of the trilogy brings the boys and their Master Abel Six into the naval battle at Trafalgar. This development is reminiscent of the adventures of Patrick O’Brian’s famous characters Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin. So much derringer-do! So glad I chose to read these books.
August 21, 2020
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-1js
Able Six, former sailing master, and current instructor at St. Brendan School of Navigation is enjoying his blessed life with his wife, Meridee, and their young son, Ben. Able is a former workhouse orphan, one who had nothing, but now has a home and a profession he loves, thanks to the patronage and generosity of his former commander, Sir Belvedere. The St. Brendan School is unique, because its purpose is to train orphans who wish to become part of the Royal Navy. Able sees much of his younger self in the boys who come to his school, so he’s an ideal choice to be their teacher. He shows them respect, while Meridee shows them love, commodities they have been sadly lacking in their young lives.
Able knows that he may be called back to active duty at any time, and when Napoleon appears to be planning to make a move, it happens. Sir B had previously provided his own yacht for the school to practice on, but now it’s going to be used as part of the war effort. The speedy boat is ideal to carry messages between England’s warships, as well as ship-to-shore, so Able is now commander, and his crew will be none other than his students, the self-dubbed Gunwharf Rats. Though in theory, the yacht will not be in any active battle, in fact, they are not armed, you can never predict what will happen in wartime. Meridee puts on a brave face as she tells her husband and beloved children goodbye. In truth, she does think of the boys from the school as her own.
As always, Carla Kelly’s writing appears effortless, and flows at a perfect pace. THE UNLIKELY HEROES engaged all my attention, as well as my emotions. The love and connection between Able and Meridee is so strong and palpable, that I became wholly invested in them, actually feeling that I knew them. I grieved with their losses, and was happy when they were together and sharing their love. While Able is a genuine genius with a photographic memory, and Meridee is simply a loving woman, they are perfect together, and just what the other needs. Their young son, Ben, already showing that he has inherited his father’s unique characteristic, added warmth, charm, and a little bit of light humor. The Gunwharf Rats showed just how much courage and heart they had, and it was wonderful to see their feelings of self worth grow. I love that Able finally found out the circumstances of his birth. I think it’s important to read the first two books in this series to fully absorb the history of St. Brendan School, and to follow Able and Meridee on their romantic journey. Able is truly a unique character, a noble, courageous, and loving man, despite his early rough upbringing. THE UNLIKELY HEROES without a doubt goes on my favorites and keeper lists, and I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful, touching story that will take you through a tearful, joyful, and vivid journey to a perfect conclusion.
Able Six, former sailing master, and current instructor at St. Brendan School of Navigation is enjoying his blessed life with his wife, Meridee, and their young son, Ben. Able is a former workhouse orphan, one who had nothing, but now has a home and a profession he loves, thanks to the patronage and generosity of his former commander, Sir Belvedere. The St. Brendan School is unique, because its purpose is to train orphans who wish to become part of the Royal Navy. Able sees much of his younger self in the boys who come to his school, so he’s an ideal choice to be their teacher. He shows them respect, while Meridee shows them love, commodities they have been sadly lacking in their young lives.
Able knows that he may be called back to active duty at any time, and when Napoleon appears to be planning to make a move, it happens. Sir B had previously provided his own yacht for the school to practice on, but now it’s going to be used as part of the war effort. The speedy boat is ideal to carry messages between England’s warships, as well as ship-to-shore, so Able is now commander, and his crew will be none other than his students, the self-dubbed Gunwharf Rats. Though in theory, the yacht will not be in any active battle, in fact, they are not armed, you can never predict what will happen in wartime. Meridee puts on a brave face as she tells her husband and beloved children goodbye. In truth, she does think of the boys from the school as her own.
As always, Carla Kelly’s writing appears effortless, and flows at a perfect pace. THE UNLIKELY HEROES engaged all my attention, as well as my emotions. The love and connection between Able and Meridee is so strong and palpable, that I became wholly invested in them, actually feeling that I knew them. I grieved with their losses, and was happy when they were together and sharing their love. While Able is a genuine genius with a photographic memory, and Meridee is simply a loving woman, they are perfect together, and just what the other needs. Their young son, Ben, already showing that he has inherited his father’s unique characteristic, added warmth, charm, and a little bit of light humor. The Gunwharf Rats showed just how much courage and heart they had, and it was wonderful to see their feelings of self worth grow. I love that Able finally found out the circumstances of his birth. I think it’s important to read the first two books in this series to fully absorb the history of St. Brendan School, and to follow Able and Meridee on their romantic journey. Able is truly a unique character, a noble, courageous, and loving man, despite his early rough upbringing. THE UNLIKELY HEROES without a doubt goes on my favorites and keeper lists, and I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful, touching story that will take you through a tearful, joyful, and vivid journey to a perfect conclusion.
August 23, 2020
When Carla Kelly writes a book set in the Napoleonic Wars, that alone is enough to recommend it. I can't think of another author who does that better. This is book 3 in the St. Brendan's series and is not a standalone book. It is best to read the series in order.
This is sadly the final book in the St. Brendan series, or so Ms. Kelly says. I can only hope that she may decide to write stories for the boys as they are leaving school and entering the wider world. It's hard for me to believe that boys as young as 13 and 14 are going to serve on ships in wartime but that was the world then. One of them is even serving as a surgeon.
A couple of years have passed since the last book. Meridee and Abel have a little boy who is very like his father. Meridee struggles with a private grief, a beloved character dies, and the GunWharf rats are growing up. Abel, who had been left at a workhouse at birth, learns more about his family in this book. I'm going into any detail so as not to spoil the book for anyone.
I fell in love with each and every one of those boys all over again. The boys that no one wanted get to play their part in battle, including a very important one. I can't recommend this book and the entire series highly enough.
This is sadly the final book in the St. Brendan series, or so Ms. Kelly says. I can only hope that she may decide to write stories for the boys as they are leaving school and entering the wider world. It's hard for me to believe that boys as young as 13 and 14 are going to serve on ships in wartime but that was the world then. One of them is even serving as a surgeon.
A couple of years have passed since the last book. Meridee and Abel have a little boy who is very like his father. Meridee struggles with a private grief, a beloved character dies, and the GunWharf rats are growing up. Abel, who had been left at a workhouse at birth, learns more about his family in this book. I'm going into any detail so as not to spoil the book for anyone.
I fell in love with each and every one of those boys all over again. The boys that no one wanted get to play their part in battle, including a very important one. I can't recommend this book and the entire series highly enough.
January 19, 2023
Carla Kelly has done a masterpiece with this novel, which is set in the early 1800's with Britain facing war with Napoleon-led France and Spain. This 3rd book in the series ties together a delightful romance, even though married, of Meridee and Able Six. She makes their love sizzle across the pages. They now have their son Ben and live in a home which includes some loveable characters including a one of a kind cook named Mrs. Parry, who could stare down a middle linebacker of today. Master Six was born without parents and he has a school to train boys like himself to be sailors. All this comes together as the British are preparing to take on the French and Spanish Combined Fleet. Six is captain of a ship called the Mercury that is to be a courier. To cut to the chase, Abel's real father is captured in Spain and becomes Abel's prisoner, who Abel at first dislikes until he finds out his father was prevented to marry his mother who was from England. His mother runs away to Scotland and has Abel but soon dies. There is a lot of love and discovery as his mother's mother lives nearby. She meets her son-in-law the Count of Quintinar of Spain and he mets his grandson Ben and daughter-in-law, Meri. As Captain Six is taking the Count to drop him off in Spain, they become part of the most important naval battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Trafalgar. Since Six is captaining a yacht with no guns he still enters the fray and helps a British ship from getting entangled then that ship takes the French one out. In the process, Six is nearly killed by a sharpshooter aboard a nearby ship and gets grazed in the ear and protected by a diving father, the Count of Quintanar, who is mortally wounded.
The way she tells this story left me bawling several times. It features love that surprises one. love that is uncovered in the twisted mass of disguised happenings, love being returned by abandoned children that Abel, and Meri, have educated and counted like family. Abel turned down fame and glory to use his fast yacht to deliver the news of the British victory to teach this type of boy that many call irreverent names. Abel wanted most to be on shore to be with Meri, who the author makes you know that they have not stopped loving despite years of marriage together and facing many challenges, and doing this together. He also wants to be just a teacher and to be with Ben and his new daughter. Six and Meri seem to make all good things better and let troublemakers pass them by. This book brings out the subtle and champions it. A book well done.
The way she tells this story left me bawling several times. It features love that surprises one. love that is uncovered in the twisted mass of disguised happenings, love being returned by abandoned children that Abel, and Meri, have educated and counted like family. Abel turned down fame and glory to use his fast yacht to deliver the news of the British victory to teach this type of boy that many call irreverent names. Abel wanted most to be on shore to be with Meri, who the author makes you know that they have not stopped loving despite years of marriage together and facing many challenges, and doing this together. He also wants to be just a teacher and to be with Ben and his new daughter. Six and Meri seem to make all good things better and let troublemakers pass them by. This book brings out the subtle and champions it. A book well done.
October 8, 2020
I have read all 40+ of Carla Kelly’s historical fiction books, and several of them twice. Yes, she is my favorite author and I purchase anything she writes – even at full price! I love this St. Brendan Series and honored book #3 by re-reading #1 & #2. It’s so much richer to read the three consecutively. To this one I give 4 1/2 stars.
Durable Six and his sweet wife, Meri, and all the Gunwharf Rats are a team to root for and fall in love with. With the exception of Meridee, all the Rats including their special teacher are considered wasted products of the horrible English workhouses. However, fortunately for them is they have been chosen to attend St. Brendan the Navigator School. Durable Six is a genius unlike no other human being that is determined to take the special talents of these castoff young orphans and prepare them for duty with the Royal Navy. With special care from Able and Meridee, the boys are showing promise, courage and success in their various talents.
In this adventure, the boys have the opportunity to test their acquired skills that take them from classroom to the sea helping the English battle the French and Spanish. For those of us that have read the first two books, and are familiar with the story thus far, we have the treat of finding out more about Durable and his background as we meet his father, a count from Spain.
Absolutely wonderful yet again, Carla Kelly!
Durable Six and his sweet wife, Meri, and all the Gunwharf Rats are a team to root for and fall in love with. With the exception of Meridee, all the Rats including their special teacher are considered wasted products of the horrible English workhouses. However, fortunately for them is they have been chosen to attend St. Brendan the Navigator School. Durable Six is a genius unlike no other human being that is determined to take the special talents of these castoff young orphans and prepare them for duty with the Royal Navy. With special care from Able and Meridee, the boys are showing promise, courage and success in their various talents.
In this adventure, the boys have the opportunity to test their acquired skills that take them from classroom to the sea helping the English battle the French and Spanish. For those of us that have read the first two books, and are familiar with the story thus far, we have the treat of finding out more about Durable and his background as we meet his father, a count from Spain.
Absolutely wonderful yet again, Carla Kelly!
August 12, 2020
This is a lovely ending to the endearing St. Brendan series. Great learning about Trafalgar, and a pretty rosy view of the Royal navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The rosiness is perhaps my only quibble about this. Everyone is so wonderful! The bad guys are mostly off stage. The death scenes are very sad, but so beautifully written and touching it doesn't seem so bad. My rating is really a 3.8, but I would be very excited to see more of some of these characters: the Rats themselves, and definitely Ogilvie and Hubert dese
rve books of their own!
rve books of their own!
December 21, 2020
I hate to give any Kelly book a bad review but this book was so boring it took me forever to read. I like Able and the Gunwarf rats but I think their story should have ended with the last book. This book was very repetitive and didn’t really have direction it felt like it was all exposition and then when we get to an actual battle it glossed over the actual battle. Also, Meri and Able have been married for two-ish years yet they act like horny rabbits. Contains: wartime violence (not explicit), so many mentions of love making (no explicit scenes though), mild swearing.
January 12, 2021
Heart of Oak
There are so many emotions going through me right now as I just finished this wonderful book. Whenever I read Carla Kelly I know i’m about to learn while I enjoy the story of the genius Able and his love Meri. The ability of the author to write characters that seem so real and human is one of my favorite parts, making me fall in love with them is the other. I smiled, i laughed and i cried throughout the whole book, loved it!
There are so many emotions going through me right now as I just finished this wonderful book. Whenever I read Carla Kelly I know i’m about to learn while I enjoy the story of the genius Able and his love Meri. The ability of the author to write characters that seem so real and human is one of my favorite parts, making me fall in love with them is the other. I smiled, i laughed and i cried throughout the whole book, loved it!
September 9, 2020
Hero’s a plenty
I have read all of Carla Kelly’s books that I can find. Her books are romantic but not ordinary. There is always a grand adventure raging through the pages, and this book is no different. This is the last of the books about Durable Six, a likable genius cast off. You’ll love it.
I have read all of Carla Kelly’s books that I can find. Her books are romantic but not ordinary. There is always a grand adventure raging through the pages, and this book is no different. This is the last of the books about Durable Six, a likable genius cast off. You’ll love it.
August 26, 2020
I downloaded this to my Kindle, but didn't start it for a couple of weeks. I knew once I started it, then it would have to come to an end. Have loved this couple since the beginning of the first book in the series. Masterful!
January 28, 2021
How wonderful to revisit Able and Meridee Six and the Gunwharf Rats of St. Brendan's Navigator school! Able finally solves the mystery of his origins, which was something I've been hoping would happen, and I'm happy to see even more of the affection and love between the Sixes. Everything builds up toward the climatic Battle of Trafalgar, where even the Gunwharf Rats see action. Don't miss this adventurous series, it's keeper material. Bravo!
February 26, 2021
This is the third book of the series and it does not disappoint. Abel and Meri are well worth knowing and their story is fascinating. War and love and small boys with brave hearts. Well worth reading.
November 1, 2020
Lasereye
I am in awe at of Author Kelly. My first read was
I am in awe at of Author Kelly. My first read was
April 26, 2021
Hankies at the ready
Of all Carla Kelly's books this is the one that gave me the feels most. War is indeed hell, and she pulls no punches.
Of all Carla Kelly's books this is the one that gave me the feels most. War is indeed hell, and she pulls no punches.
May 14, 2024
The Rats are celebrated
Love the continuation of our favorite Six family and the Rats. Exciting action at Trafalgar yet hearts stirring as always. I cannot put these books down.
Love the continuation of our favorite Six family and the Rats. Exciting action at Trafalgar yet hearts stirring as always. I cannot put these books down.
May 3, 2021
Able Six is called back into duty with the Royal Navy and finds his father.
December 18, 2021
This volume of the series deals with Able finding out more about his birth family, his service with his students on a messenger ship for the British Fleet in the Napoleonic Wars and the future of the students and the school. I love all the characters here and Kelly's writing style. Very enjoyable.
August 4, 2022
There were a couple of things that drove me crazy about this book. One was the precociousness of the child. Granted they had made it clear that we were talking about genius but it became ludicrous. Second I got so tired of the author referring over and over and over again to these children as bastards, unwanted bastards, work-house bastards. It went on and on.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews