Book Review: Captain Wentworth in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow

Captain Wentworth has a lot of explaining to do! Why did he fly off in such an unreasonable rage when Anne tried to put their engagement on hold? And why didn’t he come back to try her again as soon as he was more financially secure? So much time wasted! What about his bad behavior when they met again years later – flirting with the Musgrove girls right in front of Anne? Was that really necessary?

Find the answers in Captain Wentworth in His Own Words. Catch a glimpse of his difficult childhood, and learn how he ended up in the Navy so young. Witness his first meeting with Anne, their falling in love, and tragic parting. Sail along on his daring adventures at sea. Before he meets Anne again, Captain Wentworth has travelled the globe. He’s risen to riches and respect. Yet, he’s still missing the one thing needed to crown all his other success: the woman he’s never stopped loving.

This is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of Persuasion, chronicled in Wentworth’s point of view. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the things Jane Austen didn’t tell us about one of her most iconic heroes.

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As mentioned in the review of The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen, my favorite work of our dearly departed Jane is her Pride and Prejudice. However, coming in a close second is the posthumous Persuasion. In The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen, I greatly enjoyed author Shannon Winslow’s blending of the fictional Persuasion with the actual history of Austen. Winslow’s 2014 novel remains one of the few titles kept in my permanent collection following a book review. 

Winslow’s latest work again sets its sights on Austen’s tale of unrequited love in Captain Wentworth in His Own Words. This time however, she follows the pattern of the other titles of her “In His Words” series and expands upon the original characters in Persuasion. Readers are given the opportunity to hear directly from the mind and heart of Captain Wentworth, a Navy man who has never forgotten a young woman named Anne Elliot. In the original Austen novel, the journey on which Captain Wentworth and Anne embark is a tantalizing one, culminating in the happily-ever-after that so many Janeites relish. However, readers could easily enjoy more details from these characters’ pasts. Captain Wentworth in His Own Words delivers this in spades. 

As Shannon Winslow takes her readers into the youth of Frederick Wentworth, she illustrates how he came to be the sort of man he was. Winslow does not change the facts that Austen presented for this character, but she expounds upon them and adds more historical detail. The Wentworth family has secrets and travails which have shaped Frederick and influenced his path. The Captain is indeed an honorable man, but his journey to that position was not always a level one. He experiences pain on multiple fronts, and the lessons he learns from the events and individuals around him bring him into manhood. 

That said, even as an adult Captain Wentworth still has much to grasp about the human condition, such as the “crucial difference between steadiness of principle and the obstinacy of self-will.” Through his interactions with family and friends as he spends time on shore, he begins to see growth in this area. This becomes particularly clear as he is given another opportunity to interact with Anne Elliot, the woman he fell in love with years before. 

Hurt by Anne’s prior rejection of him, he at first feels compelled to stubbornly maintain a certain aloofness with her. Should she feel a modicum of the pain he felt when she backed out of their prior engagement, so much the better. His principles and pride would shield him from further grief as well, or so he thought. However, through their renewed acquaintance and unexpected events, they begin to work their way back to each other, as Austen so beautifully wrote. Readers of Captain Wentworth in His Own Words are given a new, fuller perspective on this journey. Winslow’s depiction of the fine workings of this process were very true to the tone of Austen and honored the source material entirely. Fans of Persuasion will certainly find much to enjoy. 

As is the case with all of Shannon Winslow’s work, the content of Captain Wentworth in His Own Words is appropriate for most ages. The Captain does experience some exciting moments at sea, some of which involve a bit of violence, death, and a few minor colorful words. While the nautical details were quite realistic to the setting, Winslow was careful to tone down the saltiness of life onboard a Navy ship for the sake of her audience. This also included moments of romance, even between married individuals. I would certainly feel comfortable recommending this title to the general public.

Although the ultimate conclusion and the fates of the characters remain the same as Persuasion, the added context within Captain Wentworth in His Own Words brings increased value to the story. Revisiting Jane Austen’s world in this beloved tale with the perspective of the mind of Captain Wentworth was very enjoyable. This makes a fine addition to author Shannon Winslow’s series and continues her success as an Austenesque author. 

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About the Author

Author Shannon Winslow specializes in fiction for fans of Jane Austen. Her popular debut novel, The Darcys of Pemberley, immediately established her place in the genre, being particularly praised for the author's authentic Austenesque style and faithfulness to the original characters. For Myself Alone (a stand-alone Austen-inspired story) followed, as well as many others. Her two sons grown, Ms. Winslow lives with her husband in the log home they built in the countryside south of Seattle, where she writes and paints in her studio facing Mt. Rainier. 

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Thoughts from Shannon

Captain Wentworth may well be Austen’s most flawed hero. In fact, there are times when we don’t like him very much at all. Right? Here’s what one advance reader, who wasn’t familiar with Persuasion beforehand, had to say: “What an enjoyable read - even though I increasingly viewed the protagonist as a jerk and an idiot. 😊 But he redeemed himself in the end, so all’s well that ends well.”

It’s exactly because Wentworth is so flawed and has so far to go that his character arc is especially satisfying.

Preparing for this book, I set about to discover what makes him tick. I say “discover,” not “invent,” because that’s what it feels like when I write this kind of book and go poking around in the past of a character we already know. Although Austen doesn’t tell us that much about Wentworth (or most of her other heroes either), I’m guessing she had a pretty clear idea of his backstory in her mind as she wrote. She knew where he’d come from and what he’d experienced – things that affected his behavior, motivations, and attitudes later on.

All I had to do was channel Jane Austen to reconstruct that preexisting past! No problem.

We know Wentworth doesn’t come from money, of course, or from a distinguished family. So he’s at a disadvantage there compared to Darcy or Knightley for example. He has to climb his way up from the lower rungs of the ladder on his own, using one of the only methods available to him to improve his status: the Navy.

We can admire him for his success – that he’s a self-made man. (Really more of a modern hero, down to earth and relatable, since most of us don’t rub elbows with the social elite or the uber rich!) But all that early success left him with a bit of a pride issue. And chip on his shoulder where his social superiors are concerned, which is part of the reason he behaves so badly imo. The rest? Well, that has more to do with some rather shocking events in his past. 

I hope you’ll read Captain Wentworth’s full story, told in his own words. Then decide for yourself if Austen’s most flawed hero fully redeems himself in the end.

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Book Review: Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist, this sweeping novel of identity and self-discovery takes readers from Bombay to Prague, Florence, Paris and London, to uncover the mystery behind a famous painter's death.

When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and Sona is excited to spend time with the worldly woman who shares her half-Indian identity, even if that's where their similarities end. Sona is enraptured by Mira's stories of her travels and shocked by accounts of the many lovers she's left scattered through Europe. Over the course of a week, Mira befriends Sona, seeing in her something bigger than the small life she's living with her mother. Mira is released from the hospital just in time to attend a lavish engagement party with all of Bombay society and invites Sona along. But the next day, Mira is readmitted to the hospital in worse condition than before, and when she dies under mysterious circumstances, Sona immediately falls under suspicion.

Before leaving the hospital in disgrace, Sona is given a note Mira left for her, along with her four favorite paintings. But how could she have known to leave a note if she didn't know she was going to die? The note sends Sona on a mission to deliver three of the paintings—the first to Petra, Mira's childhood friend and first love in Prague; the second to her art dealer Josephine in Paris; the third to her first painting tutor, Paolo, with whom both Mira and her mother had affairs. As Sona uncovers Mira's history, she learns that the charming façade she'd come to know was only one part of a complicated and sometimes cruel woman. But can she discover what really happened to Mira and exonerate herself?

Along the way, Sona also comes to terms with her own complex history and the English father who deserted her and her mother in India so many years ago. In the end, she'll discover that we are all made up of pieces, and only by seeing the world do we learn to see ourselves.

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New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi has returned with the standalone novel, Six Days in Bombay. Before knowing its premise, I knew this would be a must-read. I was utterly absorbed by her previous work, The Jaipur Trilogy. In The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris, readers are transported to 20th century India to experience a setting which is wholly unfamiliar to much of western society. Her writing is superb, and I was completely engrossed in her characters’ world. My experience with Six Days in Bombay was no exception. Set in the spring of 1937, the story begins in the titular Bombay, where we are introduced to Sona Falstaff, a 23 year-old nurse. Through her friendship with an artistically remarkable and ailing patient, Sona is set on a globetrotting journey. She is introduced to a gallery of colorful characters and also grows as a young woman. With English and Indian parentage, she has struggled to understand her place in society. Her insecurity and pragmatism confine her, keeping her from stretching beyond the boundaries of her life with her mother in their small flat in Bombay. 

Sona also wrestles with unresolved anger toward her absentee father. A married Englishman with a family in his home country, Owen Falstaff abandoned those he loved in India in 1917, returning to his first wife and fatherhood abroad. Sona is left with the pain of losing him, as well as the travails of a “half-half.” In some circles she is considered “too English”, and in others she is “too Indian.” The pain of a derelict parent and the social struggles she faces intermingle within her heart, causing much turmoil.

After the death of the talented and enigmatic artist Mira Novak, Sona undertakes the task of delivering items in her patient’s stead, pieces bequeathed to significant figures in her life. As Sona embarks on this international journey, her perception begins to broaden. She remarks in chapter three, “When I'd first met her, I'd thought Mira's ways were too big for the world I inhabited. But like breath, my life seemed to expand whenever I was around her." Sona’s quest on behalf of Mira certainly did that. She becomes more aware of the ways of European society, grows more confident, and allows herself to love. Sona blossoms as a young woman, and also begins to heal from past hurts. Her path is not free of calamity and uncertainty. Things are not always as they seem, and her eyes are opened to both the beauty and ugliness of humanity. Her transformation is realistic, captivating, and thoroughly relatable, even across cultural and generational divides.

For those who might want to be aware of content issues, Six Days in Bombay has little to no foul language, but the narrative confronts issues that may be troublesome for certain readers. The subject of abortion is addressed. There is a bit of sexual content, but Joshi keeps the details limited and does not draw out those scenes for an extended period of time. Romantic relationships are not kept within the borders of traditional marriage. However, as a conservative reader, I was still able to enjoy the story from the standpoint of an outside viewer. Although I do not endorse all the choices of these characters, I found their stories to be compelling, heartbreaking, and full of the same longing that many feel for love and acceptance. 

Just as many yearn for emotional satisfaction, another common desire is to inhabit a life of significance. Six Days in Bombay examines this trait in Sona Falstaff. She is a timid, sheltered young woman, living a small existence and wanting so much more. Because of insecurity or social restrictions, she has hesitated to step out into the world. After a mere six days with Mira Novak, she begins a journey beyond Bombay which opens her mind and heart to more than she ever could have imagined. 

While I believe humility is an aspirational quality, I also hold that we are all worthy of love and living out our God-given talents. Self-assurance does not need to be equated with arrogance. We can be steadfast in who we are, and also pursue our life purpose with grace. For some, that may mean quiet work that goes unseen by many, yet is fulfilling and serves the community. For others, this could be high-profile contributions that overtly benefit society at large. Regardless of the position of our birth, be it of any country or any racial combination, all should feel strong in their inherent worth. Sona Falstaff comes to see this over time, with those six special days as catalyst for that transformation. Alka Joshi’s latest offering is beautiful, fascinating, and hopefully will inspire many to step outside a space of comfort into the great unknown. Six Days in Bombay encourages us to have confidence, take a deep breath, and step into an expansive life of adventure.

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About the Author

Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Six Days in Bombay is her fourth novel. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick, an LA Times Bestseller, a Toronto Star and Globe & Mail Bestseller, an Indie Bookstores Bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook, and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, has been translated into 29 languages and optioned as an episodic series. 

Since its release during the pandemic of 2020, Alka has spoken to over 1000 libraries, bookclubs, bookstores, literary festivals, podcasters, universities and colleges and corporations about persistence, patience and passion and her ten-your journey to overnight success. Because she started her writing career at the age of 62, Forbes selected Alka as one of 50 Women Over 50 who are shattering age and gender norms. 

Alka was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads

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Alka Joshi on MSNBC's Morning Joe - April 14, 2025

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Book Review: The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has secretly arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.

Despite her initial refusal of him, an ensuing altercation forces Juliet to flee Virginia. Agreeing to marry, she sails with Leith to Scotland, hopeful of a better match for her sister, who accompanies her. But once in Glasgow and faced with the contentious, powerful Buchanan clan, she realizes that the man who saved her from financial ruin and scandal is the very one she must now save in return.

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The Indigo Heiress is a sweeping novel, spanning multiple continents, countries, cultures and worldviews at the dawn of the American Revolution. Author Laura Frantz offers a transporting tale featuring the strong, compassionate, and deeply Christian woman Juliet Catesby, resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although the narrative embodies a bit of the “arranged marriage trope”, many more elements are combined to produce a complex story of family, faith, love, and justice on multiple fronts. The forces of good engage with more than one type of evil, all the while Juliet is trying to find her way as the newly-wedded Mrs. Leith Buchanan of Scotland. 

For his part, Leith is battling emotional evils of his own as he grieves the scandalous loss of his first wife, who died in dramatic fashion not long ago. Left to rear two young twins and eager to leave controversy behind, he travels to America in part to find a new wife. Little does he know, the woman he has chosen will play an integral role in the redemption of his life’s path. Hardened by a difficult upbringing and the pains of the recent past, dramatic events transpire which alter his perspective for eternity.

As she consistently shows her readers, Laura Frantz once again offers well-researched historical fiction which features characters of depth, realism, and appeal. As an American with Scottish heritage, I thoroughly enjoyed educational tidbits which were sprinkled throughout the story. While I was thoroughly entertained, I also learned new facts about the Revolution, Scottish culture, and the early abolitionist movement. Some who are uninformed assume that the Underground Railroad only existed during the 19th century, but as The Indigo Heiress describes, many individuals were already working to secretly free the enslaved in a similar manner many decades earlier.

Laura Frantz is unabashed in sharing her Christian views within The Indigo Heiress, but the inclusion of spiritual matters feels neither forced nor overly sweet. The characters are flawed individuals with thoroughly realistic struggles. Their faith (or lack thereof) is not mentioned on every page, but issues are addressed in an organic way. The romance is sweet, yet conveys deep passion as well. As such, the content is very family friendly and appropriate for adult audiences, given some of the tough issues which are addressed.

In an effort to provide full disclosure, it should be mentioned that I am a bit biased in giving The Indigo Heiress a positive review. A few years ago Laura Frantz became enamored with my orange tabby cat, Hobbes. He’s a rescue kitty named after the tiger in the comic Calvin & Hobbes. He’s an old soul who is called the “Golden Prince” of our household, so His Highness was more than willing to have a role as a character in the novel. We were thrilled that he was included in the book as much as he was, from the Prologue in Virginia to a journey across the Atlantic, all the way to Scotland! Thank you, Laura, for giving this Laura much to smile about as I saw my boy in action on your pages. It was such a delight.

Favorite orange tabby aside, I can thoroughly offer my rousing endorsement for The Indigo Heiress. A tale of family, love, redemption, and justice, it has much to offer Laura Frantz’s readership. Prepare to be transported to a time which stands in stark contrast to our modern world, yet still faces many of the same trials, tribulations, joys and victories. 

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About the Author

Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker,and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net.

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