Sea Change by Darlene Marshall
Historical Romance
June 13, 2011
Paperback
Amber Quill Press

Reviewed by Mandi

I read The Bride and The Buccaneer last year and discovered how witty and fun Darlene Marshall stories can be. While Sea Change has the same wit and warmth as her previous book, the romance fell a tad short for me.

Charlotte Alcott needs to get to Jamaica to live with her godfather now that her father has passed away. Her father was a physician and Charlotte learned many skills from him. She decides the only way to afford this journey, is to pose as a man, “Charley” Alcott, and work her way across the Atlantic as a doctor.

She finds herself on the ship, Lady Jane. The captain of this ship allowed Charley to barter her doctoring services for a free passage because his wife is pregnant and needs care. Charlotte binds her breasts, dresses as a man, and takes on the role, helping the crew with their various ailments along the way. Out in sea, just as the captain’s wife is delivering her child, the boat is overtaken by pirates and the head pirate demands Charley to his ship.

This American pirate, or actually privateer is David Fletcher, and he is desperate for someone to help his brother who crushed his hand. Charley comes aboard and takes care of his brother, and with no other options, starts to take care of this American crew. She becomes very aware of David, but never lets her ruse of being a man down. David enjoys Charley’s company – telling stories, playing games, and just having an intelligent conversation. But as time goes on, David knows there is something a little off with Charley, and his feelings become very confused.

Sea Change is not just a romance story between David and Charlotte, but it is also Charlotte’s journey – her plight to prove to people she is a capable doctor. More importantly, to prove to herself she can handle these situations. She is put to the test many times, She is never arrogant in her care, and although she must put on a confidant demeanor of a man, she often has an internal struggle of keeping her wit about her as she carries on her business. I really like her as a heroine.

That being said, I would have loved to see her give up her disguise of a man much sooner than she does in the book. I think I read to about the halfway point before her cover is blown. At some points, it was hard to keep remembering that David is seeing her as a man. It dragged out too long. There is someone who figures it out a little sooner, and promises David will be a great terror when he finds out. But instead of a great terror, he is more instantly in love with her. And then at the end, they are separated again. I just wish there would have been more page time with Charlotte and David, not just “Charley” and David. Because when they are together, we get wonderful little scenes like this:

“Actually, Doctor, I did come down here for a reason. I’ve been plagued by a terrible swelling.”

“Really? Where-“

Before she could finish, he stepped closer to her and pulled her against his muscled frame. He ran his hands down her back to her hips and wiggled himself against her.

“Oh, that swelling,”

She pulled her head back and looked down at him, then put her hand over her mouth to hide her smile.

“It does not look so terrible to me, Captain.”

“You are right, it does look rather splendid,” he said, gazing down at himself with pride.

This book has many fun and warm supporting characters, and Charlotte finds herself building a little family with the crew upon this ship. I need to go back to read Darlene Marshall’s previous books, because I do like her voice. I missed the actual romance in this one a bit, but look forward to more from her.

Rating: C+

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