Rating: 
Summary: This was the book that created ghostly romance genre!
Review: This book spawned both a feature movie (Rex Harrison played the dashing Captain)and a television show in the 70's. Finally, after many years of wanting to read the book, I found it on Amazon.com. It was well worth the wait!!Although the romance is tame by today's standards, it is a sweet love story about a young widow (Lucy) who finds a ghostly companion (Capt Gregg) in a sea-side cottage. They begin as friends and as the years pass, grow to love each other, but both know it is a hopeless relationship. The Captain helps Lucy maintain her freedom from a domineering mother-in-law, by helping her write a book about his life. It's rousing success! However, because of the book Lucy meets another man--a living man, and the Captain begins to realize that he must allow Lucy to fall in love and get on with her life. The romance proves to be a disaster for Lucy, and the Captain, feeling responsible, fades out of her life--but not forever... After you read the book--go rent the movie. This is one story I wish they would update and do a remake!
Rating: 
Summary: ROMANCE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
Review: We may never know what happened in Marseilles, (you have to read BLOOD AND SWASH), since Captain Gregg is too much of a gentleman beneath his barnacled exterior to kiss and tell. We feel that the highlights of the novel are definitely his private conversations (verbal and emotional sparring) with Lucia, as he fondly calls her. Demure and petite Lucy Muir seeks refuge from her domineering sisters-in-law after she becomes a respectable widow with two young children. Formerly under the thumb of her lacklustre husband or her pushy in-laws, gentle Lucy has never been allowed to enjoy a lifestyle of her own choosing. Amazingly she finds the inner strength to break free of the restrictive Muir cage with all its gilt-edged obligations. She flees to a modest seaside village where she is immediately charmed by Gull Cottage. Ridiculously low rent and a reputation for being haunted she considers attractions! She surprises everyone (including the nervous realtor) by taking up permanent residence with her chiildren and a faithful cook. But the local ghost legend is well-founded; in fact she meets the crusty sea captain whose portrait fascinates her that first night when she attempts to light the stove. Fighting to retain her newfound independence, she refuses to be frightened off. Why does she keep that old telescope in her (His) bedroom? How can a quiet, unassuming young widow tame a gruff and crusty old tar? Keeping the secret from her children, Lucy enters a unique relationship with this earthbound spirit, which becomes the focal point of their private existence. They help each other over the decades, proving that astral planes need not prevent maturing romance. Quite different from the movie, with more commentary on Life Beyond, but the story charms us still. I tenderly recommend this book for romantics of all ages!
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