The Caress of a Commander

The Brothers of the Aristocracy, Book 2

By: Linda Rae Sande

Narrated by: Michael Troughton

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

After eight years in the British Navy, Will Slater returns to London to resume his life as the son of a marquess. He's determined to discover what's become of Lady Barbara. An earl's daughter, she pledged her love on their last night together and now seems to have disappeared from Society.

Will's bastard brother, Stephen, served with him on his last ship and is ready to attend every ball and soirée necessary to earn acceptance in the ton. As the Marquess of Devonville's son and a dead ringer for his brother, he finds it easier than he should to navigate the choppy waters of aristocratic Society. And why wouldn't he? All the young ladies think he's his brother, especially after Will requests that they trade places and then leaves London to search for Barbara!

Banished from her father's home seven years ago, Barbara lives in a ramshackle cottage in Oxfordshire. With little to eat, no prospects, and nothing in the way of income unless she takes up prostitution, her life has become bleak. Although there is one bright spot left in her life, that, too, will dim unless something - or someone - comes to save the day. The last person she expects to do just that is Will Slater. Having written him off when he didn't write to her during his years at sea, Barbara claims she no longer loves him. How can she when he abandoned her?

As Stephen dazzles the debutantes with his easy manners, good humor, and demonstrations of delectable kissing - all in his brother's name - how will he explain himself when one of those young ladies turns out to be one he wants? Trading places has everyone feeling as if they're just a bit lost at sea in The Caress of a Commander.

©2016 Linda Rae Sande (P)2017 Michael Troughton

Good Story ... so so narrator.

I had a difficult time following this story. Many characters and names so it was hard to keep them straight. After a while, however, things started to flow. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.

I was not a fan of this narrator. I felt his voices did not fit the characters they were portraying. The young, handsome ship captain sounded too old for his years, the women's voices were not good at all. Much practice is needed to improve these voices. Unfortunately, it made a difference in the enjoyment of the story for me. One of my biggest dislikes is when a narrator, man or woman, sounds too old for the characters in the story.

Delightful, seductive and intriguing!

What made the experience of listening to The Caress of a Commander the most enjoyable?

I loved the wide range of secondary characters that were fully fleshed out that gave such life to the story!

What other book might you compare The Caress of a Commander to and why?

I feel like the author really reminded me of any of the Georgette Heyer regency romances. There was this charm to the tone and characters that felt timeless and delightful!

Which scene was your favorite?

That's hard to pick! I really liked WIlliam and his brother Stephen together in most scenes, their brother relationship was just so sweet and endearing! And of course the chemistry of the romance was perfect!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES! I got it all done in one day because i couldn't put it down!

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to more books from this author!

Seeking Love!

This story is a tale of life in early England. This was a time when your rank in society was determined by your family's standing. Will accepts his bastard brother Stephen. But will the rest of Will's family feel the same way? Will sets out to find the girl he has missed and loved for many years. Stephen also wants to find a wife but will his standing in society ruin his chances? The author has written a gripping story of rejection, acceptance, heartbreak determination, struggle, family love, misunderstanding, and simmering love. The narrator does a great job of bringing this story to life. He captures the essence of the characters by bringing out their emotions and personalities. I asked to receive this Audible book and voluntarily wrote this unbiased review. I did have a little trouble at first with so many names, but that may just be me. I did finally get everyone figured out. This is such a passionate story of acceptance and love.

Regency's Trading Places

Will Slater, Earl of Devonville, has spent eight years serving in the British Navy. While commanding a ship, he meets his half-brother Stephen Slater, his father's illegitimate son. Will and Stephen bear an uncanny resemblance to each other. They form a fast friendship, and when Will returns to England he asks Stephen to go with him and meet their father. Will is desperate to return home to find Lady Barbara, the woman he spent his last night on shore with, and the woman who stole his heart.

Stephen always knew his mother was an accomplished courtesan, but never expected to become more than a simple clerk. When his father recognizes him as his son and offers him an allowance, Stephen realizes he could take his place in society and possibly seek a wife. Before Will leaves town to look for Barbara, he asks Stephen to pretend to be him at the society balls. Stephen jumps into his new role with gusto, but when he meets a lady he wants for himself, he finds it a challenge to admit his identity. Meanwhile, Will finds the pampered Earl's daughter he left eight years ago in a completely different set of circumstances.

This was an enjoyable prince and the pauper style story. Following along with Will and Stephen's journey to find love was such a treat. From the beginning, the real standout to me was the friendship between the brothers. Their bond was real and their conversations always funny. It tugged my heartstrings to read Stephen's search for ties to his family in the beginning. Their respective ladies were strong women and made the entire read a pleasure.

The narration was well done, Michael Troughton's voice is a perfect fit for the brothers, and his accent is delightful. I received a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Captivating

I loved this plot. It pulled me in and kept me wanting more. I was invested in these characters' journey and rooted for them to their hea. Whity interactions and dialogue. Total entertainment. The narrator brought it all to life.

back in time

Linda. I love how your books take me back to a time when a gentleman was a gentleman. and a scaundrel was that. When there was an etiket to what you could say and do. and what not.
I just love your books

Let this listen caress you

This is the 3rd Historical regency I heard from Linda the author.
This is a love story with a mystery and what women went through in that time period.
Hero is will. Heroine is Lady Barbara

Both Will and Lady Barbara meet Seven Years ago but something tore them apart . Lady Barbara father thew her out after he found something out.
Now Seven years later Will wants to find her. There is one catch with his brothers help

The narrator has a very distinctive Britain accent that makes you feel right in the story

4 HOURS IN AND STILL BORED or LAUGHING

Author's writing: 4 hours in and I have heard the term "sotto voce" 7 times. Repetitious.
Second person background is 95% of the story, 5% person to person dialogue.

Blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada. Fast forward. Repeat. FF. Repeat.

Narration: Because the author writes the "thoughts" or thinking to one's self very often, the narrator does this in an echo chamber to distinguish as such. Over and over again....HORRIBLE! The characters of Will and Stephen sound like wimpy teenagers or old ladies, not like 30ish, strong, naval mariners. The only good voice was the father Scot Marquis Slater.

Laughable.