First in the Crowns Legacy series.She isn’t a beautiful young maiden hoping to erase the Commander’s memory.Opal Whilstead knows she has a reputation: a reputation as a bright, giving, upright woman—smiling and laughing her way through hopeless spinsterhood. It’s been so long since she’s had serious feelings for a man, but now she finds herself taken with the Commander Exemplar of Diachona’s army. Commander Exemplar of Diachona’s army.
And she regrets it.
Not only is the Exemplar a widower still longing for his wife, but he’s the father of the reigning king. Even if a man of such prestige could find love again, he’d be unlikely to search for it among the kingdom’s old maids. Besides, Opal dreads being found, due to a grievous secret she carries…
This book is inspirational historical fantasy: fictional history that takes place in a completely fictional world. The background of this story comes further to light in The Movement of Crowns Series, which is great to read before or after this book.
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Such a special and unique love story!
This is the story of Opal Whilstead. A woman that is long passed the age for marriage. But her heart still moves for someone. Although, he’s someone she could never have.
This was such a beautiful and moving story! I loved it thoroughly. The romance was so sweet and tender. The plot developed coherently and smoothly.
Opal is such a wonderful woman! She’s cheerful and has such a tender and true heart and nature. Also, she’s funny, strong and resilient.
I loved the writing style! It was so poetic and well-constructed sentences. Lovely book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Will a widower and a spinster give love a chance?
It’s been awhile since my last jaunt to Diachona so I was pleased to find out that Nadine C. Keels had started a sequel series called Crowns Legacy. I started Reviving The Commander with great gusto and then a little way in I realized that one of the main characters was the surviving spouse of one of my old friends from the previous series. That set me back a little bit, needless to say. But after a few minutes of thinking I forged on ahead, and, I can say that I’m very glad I did. It’s a wonderful story!
I think that the sadness on my part at the loss of that particular character actually allowed me to connect even more with Reviving The Commander. I was able to understand the grief a little bit more and the reluctance to try romance again. Which brings me to why I enjoyed this story so much. I loved how Nadine C. Keels took the pain, loss, and mistakes of the past and wove them into a story of hope and second chances. I’m also a big fan of starting out the Crowns Legacy series with slightly older characters. Most fantasy books feature young romance so it was nice to see a tale where romance is possible after 35. Yes, the hero has adult children in addition to his adorable toddler son, who, by the way, I totally fell in love with.
The technical aspects of Reviving The Commander were very well done. Nadine C. Keels has a real knack for worldbuilding without becoming bogged down in minutiae. Her realms are diverse, not in creatures but in people, which makes a much more interesting world. The story kept me engaged, invested in how things would turn out, and was well written. I can’t wait to read book two in the Crowns Legacy series!
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Reviving the Commander by Nadine C. Keels is a beautiful book about finding love not only with another person but with yourself as well.
Can Opal fill the hole in the Commander’s heart? Can the Commander get Opal to see how worthy she is?
Opal Whilstead
Opal Whilstead is our female lead character, and she is a great character. She has some significant flaws going for her and a desire to have a family while not divulging why she doesn’t have one. Opal doesn’t seem to mind living the life of a spinster even if she wants a husband and a family. I love a lot of things about her, and a lot of them are spoilers so that I won’t say, but Opal is an excellent character that despite what she can’t do Opal does things that fulfill her in a way that other items do to some women back in this period.
Commander Alexander
Commander Exemplar Staid Alexander is the father to the new King of their country because his wife was the Queen. He has holed himself away for two years because of a fear of his own that I can’t disclose (spoilers again), but he does change throughout the novel. Staid is a great father to all of his kids and wants what is best for them. He is another excellent character that grows with the book, and Staid is better with Opal by his side.
Five Stars
Ms. Keels has another excellent book on her hands with this one. I love Reviving the Commander by Nadine C. Keels; I couldn’t put it down even though I didn’t want to read it to fast. On that note, it’s getting a five-star rating, and I’m recommending it to anyone that loves historical romances that have some royalty.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Reviving the Commander by Nadine C. Keels.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Reviving the Commander is a beautiful story about love after loss and hope in whatever circumstances you find yourself. While the story starts slowly with the backstory for the land and various character’s introductions, the story hits it’s stride and keeps a steady pace through to the end. If you are looking for a romance starring a couple past their “prime” and a clean read, this book is for you.
Read my full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-nadine-c-keels-reviving-the-commander/
This book was great! I found a new author to follow
Reviving the Commander is the first book in Nadine C. Keels Crown Legacy Series, and wow what a start. From the first page, Nadine drew me into the wonderful community of Diachona, it really does feel like you become a part of the royal family. The Commander Exemplar (Staid) is a father and widower, whom we see some of his struggle with losing his wife and continuing to raise his family. We also see his joy, happiness and strength found with his remaining children and future wife. One of my favorite quotes by him in the book gives great depth into his character:
“Being a soldier is about protecting and preserving vital principles we live by and that our land thrives on. But behind our principles are people. If not for the human lives and their well-being to safeguard, then our principles, our laws, our symbols- they would all be worthless. People are what matter.” -Pg. 52.
Throughout the whole book, he exemplifies a man who fully trusts that God has all things under control (not to say that he doesn’t struggle). Opal is the female lead in this book, and she is also developed very well. Nadine C. Keels feeds us little bits of Opal’s strengths and weaknesses in every page. With some surprising twists that I honestly didn’t expect. Opal really shows a good deal of strength and happiness about her circumstances that is wonderful to see. I truly loved her interactions with the royal family and the soldiers that she talks to. It was as if I could imagine her standing across the room and see her expressions; that’s how well she is described.
This story’s premise was very unique in that it deals with a middle-aged couple (not a whole lot of books are written about that age demographic), a fantasy country that felt like a great big community, and for the patriotic feel, the whole of Diachona’s population displayed (I wish we saw more of that in real life). I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars for all the above and because it left me anticipating reading the next book in the series.
*I did receive a copy of this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Good love story between Staid and Opal and his children. Bringing the concept of faith into the story just adds another good element to the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A feel-good story.
This story about love in later life was just charming. Opal and Staid were grand characters and reading about their romance were really interesting and somewhat realistic. The interactions between the characters were so enjoyable. Ms. Keels is a new author for me, but I will be looking for other work by her. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a beautiful well written story. This is Opal Whilstead and Commander Exemplar, Staid Alexander’s story. This is a new Author to me and one I will be looking to read more of. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She has never married as she hides a secret she hope no one would ever find out. She likes him but he is still grieving the death of his wife. Will they find love? Will her secret come out? How will she deal with the outcome? See if they find happiness
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.