A captain seeking to repair the past and the daughter of a fallen gentleman, searching for a treasure that will change their lives forever.The end of the Napoleonic wars comes as a relief to Caspar Graysmark, but before he can settle into the comfortable life of an English lord he has a duty to the people of France. A treasure lies hidden in the heart of the forest, stolen gold that would save … stolen gold that would save the lives of many who lost everything during the war. In his quest, Caspar stumbles across a hidden cottage in the woods, and a different sort of treasure altogether.
Scarlett, living with her sister and grandmother, belongs nowhere. Her father’s mistakes led to their exile from England and their banishment into the forest. The cold winter months have taken their toll on Scarlett’s spirits and her grandmother’s health. The Englishman who arrives at Scarlett’s door, looking more like a bear than a captain of the British army, reminds her of all she lost to the war.
With winter drawing to a close, Caspar must find the missing gold, but his quest to right the wrongs of war has changed. Can Scarlett let him rescue her, too?
The Captain and Miss Winter is based on the story of Snow White and Rose Red, as recorded by the Brothers Grimm. It is a sweet/clean romance novella, and is Book 2 in a series of Regency retellings. The stories can be read in any order.
Book 1: Beauty and the Baron by Joanna Barker
Book 2: The Captain and Miss Winter by Sally Britton
more
This lovely story is based on the story of Snow White and Rose Red, and I was captivated by the retelling of it. This review is based on the audiobook narrated by Jessica Elisa Boyd. The setting of this story is in the isolated woods of France where a grandmother and her grand daughters Scarlett and Blanche live in a small cottage with a dirt floor, and they are peacefully living out their lives. Born to the aristocracy, they have fled from England, and with no resources, they have learned to make jam, milk their goat, and make cheese. One winter evening, an English Captain, Captain Graysmark, knocks on their door and asks them if they can give him shelter. They let him in, and willingly give him of their meager resources. Why is the captain in the woods, and why are the English ladies living in the isolated woods in France? What are their secrets?
I love the cover of this book. There is snow covered trees depicted on the cover, and Scarlett with her red shawl she always wore. There was just a feeling of sweetness about this novel, the isolated cottage in winter, the love that the grand daughters and their grandmother shared with each other, and the kind captain who came to their rescue. The author Jessica Elisa Boyd’s voice was soothing, and calm, and peaceful and was the perfect voice to narrate this sweet story. This is the perfect winter read.
A sweet historical.
In the aftermath of the war with Napoleon, Captain Caspar Graysmark has one last task.
He comes across a grandmother with her two young granddaughters, Scarlett Winter and Blanche.
Caspar developes an interest in Scarlett, but her father supported Napoleon which makes it difficult for the ladies to return to England.
Will they be able to find a way to be together?
Caspar Graysmark has set himself on a mission to recover a lost treasure to return it to the war ravaged residents of the French countryside. Scarlett Winter has lived in exile for many years, now with only her younger sister and her grandmother. A blustery cold day in winter brings these two together and love begins to blossom.
This was somewhere between a novella and full fledged novel. It was an enjoyable read for a cold afternoon. Both of our main characters were interesting. While Caspar was in France, his older brother died and now Caspar is the new earl. He is unsure about how he will take on his new responsibilities, but he is determined to do one last task in France.
Scarlett’s father had sympathy for France and so took his family to France. He soon came to regret supporting Napoleon and the family loses everything. Scarlett and her sister Blanche make the best of their reduced circumstances. When Caspar comes into their life, they give him what help they can.
I can’t remember reading the fairy tale this is a retelling of, so I can’t say what is a nod to the original story or not. Still, it is well written and the plot progresses at a nice pace.
For readers looking for an easy, sweet Regency romance, I would recommend this one.
Snowy weather and warm feelings
When love comes knocking…
The Captain and Miss Winter is a sweet historical romance novella full of snowy weather and worm feelings that will melt your heart away.
Scarlet Winter lived in a small cottage in the middle of the French forest with her grandmother and her sister Blanche. Their home was very humble, and they farmed for survival without any servants.
One snowy and stormy night, a man knocked at their door, asking for shelter. He was a Captain in the English army named Casper. The Napoleonic wars had just ended, and Casper had returned to France to find a box that he left behind during the war.
The women gave him shelter, and he soon realized that, despite their poverty, they were educated English ladies. The mystery of their situation puzzled him.
The audiobook was very well narrated, and I especially liked how Scarlet’s French accent was portrayed.
The story has all the elements that I love: an honorable hero, a smart and caring heroine, strong side characters, a slow-burn romance, and a real sense of companionship and family.
The audio (3 hours) length is also perfect because you can listen to it in one sitting or during a short trip.
I’ve read a few other books by Mrs. Briton, and I love her romantic and sweet stories.
The Captain and Miss Winter is a lovely historical romance novella about hard times and finding the strength to keep going.
I received a code for this audiobook from the author for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
I know that if I pick up a book written by Sally Britton that I will love it. This one I listened to the Audible book and totally loved it. The narrator has a nice smooth voice and nice interpretations of the characters. I fell in love with the captain. He was such an honorable man and not only made an impression on Scarlet but also myself. The audiobook is only a few hours long so would make a nice listen to in an afternoon between after work and before dinner. Highly recommended.
I love that Sally Britton picked Snow White and Rose Red for a retelling. It’s one of my favorite fairy tales and doesn’t get retold as much as I’d like. Sally is a great storyteller and her ability to weave so much loveliness into just a novella makes her books an easy choice for me. This retelling focuses on Scarlet, the younger, less serious sister, and while not a strict retelling, the magic of the story remains.
Overall Rating: 5 stars
Story Rating: 5 stars
Narrator-Jessica Elisa Boyd: 5 stars
My thoughts on this book:
• I liked that Casper had honor, kindness, and commitment. He was on a quest to find French loot that had been lost, so he could give it to the poor people of France to make their lives better.
• Casper and Scarlett were such kind characters. You wanted them to fall in love with each other.
• The writer’s words painted clear pictures that helped me to visualize the scenes and the emotions of the characters. I felt like I was a part of those scenes.
• The author’s writing style was concise vivid, and clear.
• The narrator did an excellent job of bringing this story to life.
• I really enjoyed this short novella. It was such a warm, sweet romance.
At my request, I was given a free copy of this audiobook from the author. I have voluntarily left my review and my opinions were my own.
I listened to the audiobook which was great–the narrator did a fantastic job. I hadn’t read the book blurb before I started listening but it sounded familiar because it’s a Regency retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale Snow White & Rose Red.
I liked Scarlett’s relationship with Caspar, the Captain who was determined to find the treasure that had been hidden so he could right some of the wrongs done to the people during the war with Napoleon. Scarlett is a brave young woman and Caspar is such a gentleman, who wants to do the right thing. He wants to use his position to help her, her sister and grandmother, and Scarlett would love to go back to the easier life she had led before the war, but she’s afraid of what would happen to them because of her father’s actions that led to them living in the forest. Scarlett and Caspar have a tender love story which I enjoyed.
This isn’t a novella but it’s also not quite a novel–it’s a nice way to spend a couple of hours curled up in a cozy blanket.
(I listened to this as an audiobook)
Story: 5 stars
Fairy tale retellings are a favorite genre of mine and this was excellently done! So many elements of the original fairy tale and yet so original in how they are incorporated! A wonderful romance where we are invested in all three women, not just Scarlett. Casper is honorable and swoon-worthy.
Narration: (4.5 stars)
Ms. Boyd has a calm and soothing quality to her voice that makes you look forward to her narration. I’d be interested to see if she has any other accents under her belt: her acting voices for Grandmother and Casper are very well done!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
I hadn’t heard of the fairy tale this book was based on, but once I looked it up I could see how it was similar as Casper appears like a bear with his fur coat asking for shelter from the snow storm and Scarlett and Blanche are the sisters who live with their grandmother. Like the fairy tale there is gold and a bad man involved. Both Caspar and the girls had to give up the comfort of wealth and prosperity for difficult lives, he as a soldier and they living in poverty in a cottage. This was a clean romance with plenty of suspense.
I loved the narrator who had a smooth rhythm to her reading with nice and funny inflections and a lovely British accent.
I enjoyed this novella. The narrator did a fantastic job and the story was original as far as regency romance goes. It was clean and enjoyable.
I love fairy tale re-tellings and loved that this one was set in the regency time period. I’m not sure what fairy tale this is based on (it seemed like it could be from a few different ones), but I still enjoyed it very much. It’s a sweet and quick read and perfect for reading during the winter. Highly recommend and so far I haven’t read anything by Britton I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. *I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily writing a review*
A delightful novella based on the retelling of Snow White. It moves at a quick pace and keeps the reader entranced. I enjoyed the scenes that are created and the word imagery used to create them. I loved how Scarlett and Casper allowed themselves the moment of honesty regarding how they truly felt. They are after all, deep in a forest, away from proper England and these things don’t matter as much here. Smile. They were willing to be honest and share guarded parts of their hearts and their story. At the end of a dark war, they find their happy ever after.
I received a complimentary audio book from the author and all opinions offered are freely given on my own.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
A captain seeking to repair the past and the daughter of a fallen gentleman, searching for a treasure that will change their lives forever.
The end of the Napoleonic wars comes as a relief to Caspar Graysmark, but before he can settle into the comfortable life of an English lord he has a duty to the people of France. A treasure lies hidden in the heart of the forest, stolen gold that would save the lives of many who lost everything during the war. In his quest, Caspar stumbles across a hidden cottage in the woods, and a different sort of treasure altogether.
Scarlett, living with her sister and grandmother, belongs nowhere. Her father’s mistakes led to their exile from England and their banishment into the forest. The cold winter months have taken their toll on Scarlett’s spirits and her grandmother’s health. The Englishman who arrives at Scarlett’s door, looking more like a bear than a captain of the British army, reminds her of all she lost to the war.
With winter drawing to a close, Caspar must find the missing gold, but his quest to right the wrongs of war has changed. Can Scarlett let him rescue her, too?
MY TAKE
When I read this was based upon Snow White and Rose Red, I went to wiki to refresh my memory of that story. This book is a sweet variation on it, set in the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. Caspar, while searching for a treasure he means to use to help the poor people of France who suffered so during the wars, comes across the cabin with Scarlett’s family. The romance that follows is sweet. Her biggest fear is that even if they love each other, she can’t return to France because her late father aided Napoleon early in the wars.
It’s a fast, fun read and a great way to pass an afternoon. I listened to the audiobook, and Jessica Elisa Boyd did a great job.
4 1/2 stars
This story is based on Snow White and Rose Red. I love this story because it’s plot is based on Snow White, but the story and it’s characters are different and have their own individual stories to tell. I fell in love with Rachael and the Captain, both being of kind and of good character. This story has background and depth and as they hunt through the forest of France, the characters take a life of their own. This story made me smile and left me in a very good mood.
I’m never disappointed with Sally Britton’s books. They’re clean. They’re well-written and thought out, devoid of the plot holes that plague so many books.
Immediately after the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Caspar Graysmark remains in France instead of returning at once to England. Why? A matter of “duty and honor.” I’m delighted to say I guessed completely wrong about what that meant.
Lost on a damp, frigid night, he stumbles across a tiny refuge that’s already harboring three Englishwomen. Graciously, they invite him in and throughout the course of the story he comes to know them well. They retain the details of their story, but their courage is apparent as they go quietly about surviving in the harsh conditions.
Caspar’s goal eludes him, and one of the women intrigues him. They sweetly progress from friendship to much more.
This is a novella of a fairy tale retelling. I love Britton’s writing. This did not pull me in like her other books have but I enjoyed it. I think I am just a little tired of fairy tale retellings. This was very unique and well done as a shorter story. I think I just wanted more back ground and feeling from the characters that you get with longer stories. I’m a huge fan of Sally’s and can’t wait to see what she has in store next.
Love the characters, and love that it’s a clean read! Can’t wait for more from Sally Britton!
A Sweet and Clean Retell of Snow White and Rose Red
The Captain and Miss Winter is a sweet and clean retell of Grimm’s fairy-tale, Snow White and Rose Red. Just so we’re clear, this tale is not to be confused with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The author, Sally Britton, made only a few critical changes to the original story, but it was enough to turn a sweet fairy-tale into a post-Neapolitan war love story. As with all fairy-tales, this romance has a happy ending for both sisters.
I recommend this book for readers 13 years or older.
So I wasn’t sure how the writer was going to work a cursed/transformed magic bear into a non-magic story, but Sally Britton made it work! I also liked the post-Napoleonic vibe to this historical romance. I have really liked this novella series, and I hope I get more!