Georgana's Secret
by Arlem Hawks
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date January 12, 2021
Genres: Historical Fiction, Action/Adventure, Clean Romance
Georgian Era – UK – 1714 – 1837
Main Character Ages: 18-24, 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 164
Synopsis:
Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea. She’s already missed too many seasons in London, and her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are slipping away.
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. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When Lieutenant Peyton sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he takes the boy under his wing.
Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.
Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
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I spent such a delightful day getting to know Georgana and Dominic! Georgana’s Secret engaged so many of my emotions! Hope, fear, disappointment, jubilation. It was not what I was expecting and yet it was everything I had hoped…
The events that had driven Georgana and her father to perpetuate the subterfuge, pretending she was a third-class ship’s boy, were tragic. The loss of her mother and the ensuing treatment she endured from her grandmother. So sad!! I had fully expected Georgana to be secretly reveling in her opportunity to be at sea, to be the jubilant sailor, excelling in every way. Yet she was lonely and picked on by the “other” boys. And when her father attempted to intervene, the mistreatment she endured was even worse. Hated the sea because of the life she now lived. Until the kind first lieutenant saw her need and showed her how to defend herself.
Dominic was dreamy! He had such passion for the ocean. As he admitted to George (ana), the sea was his true love and he wouldn’t give her up for anything. I loved the visual of him standing in the bow in the storm, reveling in the gales rushing past him! And I loved the way he was such a protector. Not many would have taken the young George under their wing as he did.
Reading about the dangers at sea and the way things were done onboard the ship was fascinating. So much adventure filled the pages as the crew faced perils from each other, sickness, the weather, and enemies of the Crown. While there were some hints as to what would happen, there were plenty of surprises along the way.
Readers of historical fiction who enjoy stories of the sea will love Georgana’s Secret!
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About Arlem Hawks
Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. With her travels came an interest in history, especially the history of her English heritage. When she isn’t writing, Arlem is baking her characters’ favorite foods, sewing Regency dresses, learning how to play the tin whistle, and water coloring. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Having previously published four historical romance novellas, Georgana’s Secret is her debut novel.
