Captain of My Heart

Heroes of the Sea, Book 2

By: Danelle Harmon

Narrated by: Wayne Farrell

He wanted no woman, except one made of sails and wood and wind.

Handsome, wily Irish privateer Captain Brendan Jay Merrick is running from a painful past - and fighting for a new nation's future when he arrives in the colonial town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, with plans for shipwright Ephraim Ashton to build his magnificent new schooner. Brendan's daring sea battles against His Majesty's fleet have made him a legend in his adopted country - but one look at the dashing stranger and Ashton's daughter Mira starts making plans of her own.

She wanted no man - but him. Brash, hot-tempered, and born at sea in a raging gale, Mira Ashton is more than most men can manage. Disguising herself as a crew member and sneaking aboard Brendan's newly-built Kestrel, she becomes the schooner's finest gunner - and the captain's most outrageous distraction. As desire ignites between them, Mira finds herself competing against Kestrel for Brendan's love. But when tragedy strikes, Mira must join forces with her mighty rival in a daring adventure that turns the tide of battle and brings glorious victory to the colonists, the captain - and the lady who has captured his heart.

©2013 Danelle Harmon (P)2014 Danelle Harmon

5 Stars All The Way

Would you listen to Captain of My Heart again? Why?

I will definitely listen to this book again. Not only is the story perfect making you feel the gamut of emotions, but the narrator's voice is like honey. His characterisation is perfection, and he brings the story to life. Danelle's books and Wayne's narration are the perfect coupling.

What other book might you compare Captain of My Heart to and why?

Wicked at Heart by Danelle Harmon and narrated by Wayne Farrell once again is a book that I can compare this one too. It's because both books were equally wonderful. Both have exciting story lines, and both have been brought to life by the narration.

Which scene was your favorite?

How do you say which scene is a favourite without giving away any spoilers?? Suffice to say that in one of the scenes Brendan is finally let into a secret and the way it unfolds is funny, sweet, and sassy just like the person whose secret it is :D

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh yes indeed I did have moments during the book when I cried and laughed. I read the book first and found the story very emotional. Wayne's narration though adds a whole other element to the story, and as you don't have to focus on reading the words it is all too easy to let the tears flow.

Any additional comments?

I can't say enough to compliment just how perfect this audio book is, the only other thing I can say is to not just take my word for it, listen to a sample of the audio, and I am sure you will want to purchase this after that.

Good story, terrible singing

enjoyed the book, but the audiobook made me a little crazy with the narrator's terrible singing.

Excellent Revolutionary tale

I was pleasantly surprised by this wonderful story of the depth of loss and sacrifice during our Revolutionary war. The story of Brendon and Myra is full of humor as well as all the ups and downs of their tumultuous relationship. Beginning with a distasteful meeting and ending with a love that no war or loss could drown in a restless sea.
Wayne Farrel did a delightful narration even with his God awful singing, full of heartfelt Yankee devotion. Definitely 5 star worthy!

Captain of My Heart - INDEED!

What made the experience of listening to Captain of My Heart the most enjoyable?

Wayne Farrell’s narration of the story is stunning! He has a beautiful voice that was just perfect for the Irish hero, Brendan, but he was also convincing in his reading of the female characters as well. He is particularly talented in applying just the right amount of emotion for each scene, several of which were heart-pounding! I also liked his treatment of the supporting characters, especially two of the sailors whose interactions were quite humorous and entertaining. I must admit that I rewound several times to hear him say the Gaelic words over and over again!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the love scenes the best. They were incredibly passionate but not shocking.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Mira first accompanied Brendan on board his ship. He was trying to behave as a gentleman but she was doing her best to persuade him otherwise. She eventually had her way, in a very sexy but tasteful scene.

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

I didn’t want to put this book down, even though I had to work the next day.

Any additional comments?

I’d read the book in print form, so I already knew I loved the story. I just had to hear what it would sound like, and I was certainly not disappointed. With Wayne Farrell reading Danelle Harmon’s words, this is the most perfect combination I’ve heard yet!

A little over dramatic for me

It was still a good book. Had some actual funny moments too, which was a surprise. It just had a little bit more drama than I like. Like "are you kidding me?" Thoughts. The book was well written with good dialogue and interesting characters though. I liked the narrator. I was not particularly fond of the heroines voice but overall it was good.

A Gentleman and a Feisty Wench

Lots of fast paced action on land and on the high seas. Makes Taming of the Shrew seem, well tame. Shakespeare would blanch at this story and might just be a little envious he didn't think of it first.
I hate Mira, but the overall story and pace is good with excellent scene setting, covers everything from smell, sound and taste to throbbing passions. I'm betting romance lovers will adore this book.
Wayne Farrell narrated it and did it justice. He really enlivened it and made it spring into life. I really prefer the audio over reading the text version. Audio gives it many dimensions that just reading it can render it flat.
Narrator Reviews

Mixed emotions but mostly good

This is my first book by this author. I've heard great praise for her work and I was looking forward to reading this. I have mixed emotions.

1) Mira. Why did she yell so much? I wonder if I had read this rather than listen to the audiobook maybe the yelling wouldn't have been so obvious or annoying.

2) Her Father. Same thing with the yelling.

3) Brendan. Loved him! Totally. Luck of the Irish indeed.

4) Battle of the Penobscot. Great historical detail. That's my neighborhood so it was good that the author got so much right. (More than I can say for some of the narrator's pronunciations.)

5) The Narrator. Great voice. Overall very good job with this. His accent (Wayne Farrell is Irish) is delightful.

The story was very entertaining. I rate it a 3.5. I'll read/listen to more of this series.

Good story

I really enjoyed the story, but the only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because I couldn't stand when the narrator tried to sound like a female, especially the singing parts. I think a female narrator would have been a better choice, just my opinion.

A Favorite Read - Now Comes Alive With Narration!

Would you consider the audio edition of Captain of My Heart to be better than the print version?

I have always enjoyed reading my books, and have never thought about audiobooks. But I saw a contest for an audiobook on a favorite book - this book - and gave it a whirl. I won - and wow! I realized that as a reader, I read fast, and while I get a lot out of books that I read, I got even more detail from listening. I heard things that didn't resonate as profoundly as when I heard it. Funny details, like Mira's cooking - her logic that cream is cream - and so what if the drippings of cream she plans to use as a substitute for cream in her blueberry pie are part of codfish stew? Eewwwww! Reading it, I am sure I laughed. But hearing Wayne Farrell describe it? Goodness...it made me shudder. There were lots of examples of this type of thing that happened.

And then.... there is his voice...goodness! Wayne Farrell nails it. He delivers Brendan's thoughts, his lilt, his whispers, and his emotion to the listener/reader and pulls us into the storyline with a voice so that makes us feel like we are actually listening to Captain Jay Brendan Merrick. We become absorbed in the story...and we cannot bear to turn it off.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Captain of My Heart?

There were so many! I will try not to spoil it for the next person by naming more than a couple. The story of this courageous Irish/English Captain is a favorite of mine. When Captain Jay Brendan Merrick first realizes that he cannot stay in the Ashton home and remain 'gentlemanly,' as all of his anatomy is becoming alive with unexpected assault on his senses from Mira. Mira is oblivious to the effect she is having on him. She is absorbed in the sensation of her first kiss, while Merrick is beginning to realize that this little lass could be a real threat to his ability to live the life he wants upon his precious schooner.
Another moment that I loved was the moment that Captain Merrick realized just who Mr. Starr was. I nearly fell out.
Mr. Ferrell was able to change the inflection of his voice to portray his many characters - and he kept them straight!! It helped the listener, allowing you to feel as if you were on the ship, there to witness any important part of the adventures that took place.

And the singing - whenever Mr. Farrell would sing as Mira (who loved to sing the little ditties), I would have a sudden impulse to throw my hands over my ears. He did a marvelous job. Mira was supposed to have an awful singing voice. I think he captured the author's intended outcome.

Which character – as performed by Wayne Farrell – was your favorite?

Brendan, for sure. While the book was full of wonderful characters - Wayne Farrell provided the most wonderful voice for Captain Brendan Merrick. He was perfection.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book was a love story - with lots of wonderful historic value. At the same time, it was full of humor. There was appropriate sadness when covering topics, such as the battle in Maine's seaport that required many Privateers to lose their lives. But the investment in the characters was not there; therefore, as a reader or listener, you did not find yourself spending a lot of time mulling over what happened in the past.

Any additional comments?

I sincerely recommend this and any other books written by Danelle Harmon and narrated by Wayne Farrell to anyone wishing to be entertained.


As Mr. Farrell puts it in the final chapter...The End.

Great characters, Knowledgeable author

If you don't want a rogue or a scoundrel, just a really nice, sometimes shy, hunky guy that has been seriously wronged, you need Brendan. He's half Brit and half Irish and captains his ship as a privateer in the new colonies. His lassie? Mira, a chit that dresses like a boy, speaks her mind and has plenty of gumption to get her man. By the way, she comes from the "loud family" (there's a lot of hollering in this story) and she can't carry a tune in a bucket. But she's set her sights on what she wants and that is Captain Merrick, he calls her Moira.

Brendan comes back from the dead 4 times in this book! Sweet Irish narrator, it's a pretty good listen.

I am assuming the author researched extensively and knows a lot about ships of this period.

Time Period: American Revolution, Boston area 1778