sandlynn's review against another edition
4.0
August 9, 2017
Despite Carla Kelly being a well-regarded writer and my having a handful of her novels, Courting Carrie in Wonderland, published in 2017, is only the second time I’ve read her and I’m glad I did. Wonderland is a unique and well-written book. It’s set in Yellowstone National Park in 1903. The hero is a Sergeant Major who heroically served in the Philippines and who was now serving as one of the Army’s caretakers of the National Park, which was overseen by the U.S. Army before the Park Service was established. The heroine is a young woman who spends summers working in the park in order to earn money to complete her college education. From very humble beginnings, including working in the kitchens of a hotel, our heroine, Carrie, meets the Sergeant Major and they are immediately smitten. Even though they recognize their feelings almost instantaneously, a few obstacles stand between them. I won’t go any further. You can read the All About Romance “A-“ review of the book here:
https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/courting-carrie-in-wonderland-by-carla-kelly/
Although I really can’t argue with the review entirely, I would take my own grade of the book down a peg or two. One of the reasons is purely selfish. Although it probably would’ve affected the price point of the book, I would’ve loved if this novel had included illustrations, maps, photos, prints or whatever Kelly could get to show us the various landmarks in the Park she referenced in her story, as well as the paintings of the artist Tom Moran who she also mentions. This is probably a compliment to the author, but I spent time googling various landmarks and other Yellowstone developments that, I think, would have made this book stellar if illustrations had also been included. Secondly, I have to tell you — despite the story having your expected HEA — I was disheartened by the form the HEA took. Not to spoil anything, but the heroine had some things going on in her life, unrelated to the hero, and I guess those things just weren’t important enough to be a part of her happiness. I was really disappointed in that. Anyway, I’ll give this book a “B,” maybe a “B+”.
Despite Carla Kelly being a well-regarded writer and my having a handful of her novels, Courting Carrie in Wonderland, published in 2017, is only the second time I’ve read her and I’m glad I did. Wonderland is a unique and well-written book. It’s set in Yellowstone National Park in 1903. The hero is a Sergeant Major who heroically served in the Philippines and who was now serving as one of the Army’s caretakers of the National Park, which was overseen by the U.S. Army before the Park Service was established. The heroine is a young woman who spends summers working in the park in order to earn money to complete her college education. From very humble beginnings, including working in the kitchens of a hotel, our heroine, Carrie, meets the Sergeant Major and they are immediately smitten. Even though they recognize their feelings almost instantaneously, a few obstacles stand between them. I won’t go any further. You can read the All About Romance “A-“ review of the book here:
https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/courting-carrie-in-wonderland-by-carla-kelly/
Although I really can’t argue with the review entirely, I would take my own grade of the book down a peg or two. One of the reasons is purely selfish. Although it probably would’ve affected the price point of the book, I would’ve loved if this novel had included illustrations, maps, photos, prints or whatever Kelly could get to show us the various landmarks in the Park she referenced in her story, as well as the paintings of the artist Tom Moran who she also mentions. This is probably a compliment to the author, but I spent time googling various landmarks and other Yellowstone developments that, I think, would have made this book stellar if illustrations had also been included. Secondly, I have to tell you — despite the story having your expected HEA — I was disheartened by the form the HEA took. Not to spoil anything, but the heroine had some things going on in her life, unrelated to the hero, and I guess those things just weren’t important enough to be a part of her happiness. I was really disappointed in that. Anyway, I’ll give this book a “B,” maybe a “B+”.
alissabar's review against another edition
3.0
I always love Carla Kelly's historical romances. The historical part is always fascinating. This one gave me a look into Yellowstone National Park in the early 1900's.
takethyme's review against another edition
3.0
At the opening of [book:Courting Carrie in Wonderland|32560826], Teddy Roosevelt had just arrived in Wyoming. Life-long bachelor and soldier, Ramsay Stiles, had been awarded a medal and promotion because of his service in the Philippines. He was on duty when he saved the president from a possibly dangerous situation.
'Ram' loved the area surrounding Yellowstone Park. He fought some moments of PTSD but was encouraged by fellow soldiers and friends to settle down. Just shy of Chapter Six, now-Sergeant Major Stiles introduced himself to college student Carrie McKay. Outside a privy.
Orphaned Carrie McKay was working her way through the summer to pay for room and board at a nearby college in the fall. Beset by rumors and one particular female bully, she was trying to bury a sad childhood and better herself. Ramsay Stiles was enamored.
Heavier on the historical side with a light, clean romance, [book:Courting Carrie in Wonderland|32560826] incorporated fictional characters with real-life individuals and an ongoing, political issue.
In the afterward, Mrs. Kelly mentioned that several years prior to an unearthed 1907 edition of The Red Book -a manual issued to all Army scouts and non-commissioned officers- soldiers were expected to kill mountain lions, coyotes and timber wolves. Animals indigenous to that area of the United States that served an important ecological purpose. I have never visited Yellowstone but I am aware of the importance of our National Park System. I understand that predatory animals are essential to the environment even though some people don't care for them and prefer if they were destroyed.
Shame on us.
I enjoyed learning an unknown-to-me chronicle of events. I am also a big fan of Mrs. Kelly. Unfortunately the romantic element was less enjoyable. I was encouraged to keep reading because it linked the facts of what happened and the atmosphere of the era.
'Ram' loved the area surrounding Yellowstone Park. He fought some moments of PTSD but was encouraged by fellow soldiers and friends to settle down. Just shy of Chapter Six, now-Sergeant Major Stiles introduced himself to college student Carrie McKay. Outside a privy.
Orphaned Carrie McKay was working her way through the summer to pay for room and board at a nearby college in the fall. Beset by rumors and one particular female bully, she was trying to bury a sad childhood and better herself. Ramsay Stiles was enamored.
Heavier on the historical side with a light, clean romance, [book:Courting Carrie in Wonderland|32560826] incorporated fictional characters with real-life individuals and an ongoing, political issue.
In the afterward, Mrs. Kelly mentioned that several years prior to an unearthed 1907 edition of The Red Book -a manual issued to all Army scouts and non-commissioned officers- soldiers were expected to kill mountain lions, coyotes and timber wolves. Animals indigenous to that area of the United States that served an important ecological purpose. I have never visited Yellowstone but I am aware of the importance of our National Park System. I understand that predatory animals are essential to the environment even though some people don't care for them and prefer if they were destroyed.
Shame on us.
I enjoyed learning an unknown-to-me chronicle of events. I am also a big fan of Mrs. Kelly. Unfortunately the romantic element was less enjoyable. I was encouraged to keep reading because it linked the facts of what happened and the atmosphere of the era.
rhodered's review
3.0
I'm glad I read it, although it felt a bit slow and melancholy. Carla Kelly always makes me think about human dignity under pressure, and kindness. So, that's not a bad thing.
Also, as a history fan, I loved how she wove slang and pop culture of 1903 in throughout, as well as social history, in particular how a class system was still very much in evidence then that we would not recognize today.
Plus, the author's deep love for Yellowstone Park shines on every page.
At 380 pages it's far thicker than most of this author's books, and I think that contributed to the slowness. She is telling several stories intertwined - environmentalism and the intersection of people vs wildlife (especially bears and wolves); a soldier's recovery from a terrible battle; an elderly woman's life of adventure and sadness; the history and glories of Yellowstone tourism; and a couple's (G-rated) romance. While the stories are intertwined well here, they didn't need to be. Each could have stood on its own. Wherein lies the problem, with such strong stories, I'm not sure which to pay attention to primarily.
And, it must be said, all of them are somewhat sad. Even the HEA is not unalloyed pleasure - sacrifices must be made, life will not be easy, wildlife is in danger and winter is coming.
Although both leads are orphans, they are surrounded by many parental-types and older supporters and mentors. The older generation is well represented.
I did feel though that the story line with the 60-something, rich woman was a bit contrived. She changed too swiftly from bitch to fairy godmother. And I didn't quite see why she was so intimidating, in particular to men. It was also odd to hear how passively she referred to the events in her own life. She 'catches the eye of' men who then befriend or marry her...she doesn't set herself to catch them or even picks them. When an old friend doesn't recognize her, she feels very sad but doesn't reintroduce herself. She seems to have curiously little agency for a self made woman. Is that a reflection of nothing but the times, or the author's style?
Anyhow, glad I read it, but will now donate it to the library.
Also, as a history fan, I loved how she wove slang and pop culture of 1903 in throughout, as well as social history, in particular how a class system was still very much in evidence then that we would not recognize today.
Plus, the author's deep love for Yellowstone Park shines on every page.
At 380 pages it's far thicker than most of this author's books, and I think that contributed to the slowness. She is telling several stories intertwined - environmentalism and the intersection of people vs wildlife (especially bears and wolves); a soldier's recovery from a terrible battle; an elderly woman's life of adventure and sadness; the history and glories of Yellowstone tourism; and a couple's (G-rated) romance. While the stories are intertwined well here, they didn't need to be. Each could have stood on its own. Wherein lies the problem, with such strong stories, I'm not sure which to pay attention to primarily.
And, it must be said, all of them are somewhat sad. Even the HEA is not unalloyed pleasure - sacrifices must be made, life will not be easy, wildlife is in danger and winter is coming.
Although both leads are orphans, they are surrounded by many parental-types and older supporters and mentors. The older generation is well represented.
I did feel though that the story line with the 60-something, rich woman was a bit contrived. She changed too swiftly from bitch to fairy godmother. And I didn't quite see why she was so intimidating, in particular to men. It was also odd to hear how passively she referred to the events in her own life. She 'catches the eye of' men who then befriend or marry her...she doesn't set herself to catch them or even picks them. When an old friend doesn't recognize her, she feels very sad but doesn't reintroduce herself. She seems to have curiously little agency for a self made woman. Is that a reflection of nothing but the times, or the author's style?
Anyhow, glad I read it, but will now donate it to the library.
darlenemarshall's review
4.0
Authors always hear "Write what you know" (Disclaimer--I have never been a pirate...but the day's not yet over.) and [a:Carla Kelly|36636|Carla Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1283446814p2/36636.jpg] is an excellent example of this dictum. I enjoy her Regency era stories, but I really like her tales set in the American West. They have a feeling of authenticity that too few authors can bring to their work, and her background with the U.S. Park Service comes through.
In [b:Courting Carrie in Wonderland|32560826|Courting Carrie in Wonderland|Carla Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485503059s/32560826.jpg|53134545] we get a history of the beginnings of Yellowstone Park, the crown jewel of the park service. We also get an absolutely charming love story, about a girl with too few opportunities striving to make something of herself, and an Army Noncom dealing with PTSD and, well, Army life. These two loners find each other at "Wonderland", an early name for the camping areas where city slickers could get a taste of the great outdoors in the summer.
Ms. Kelly is an autobuy for me, but I'm always happiest when it's one of her Western tales, and I hope to see more in the future.
In [b:Courting Carrie in Wonderland|32560826|Courting Carrie in Wonderland|Carla Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485503059s/32560826.jpg|53134545] we get a history of the beginnings of Yellowstone Park, the crown jewel of the park service. We also get an absolutely charming love story, about a girl with too few opportunities striving to make something of herself, and an Army Noncom dealing with PTSD and, well, Army life. These two loners find each other at "Wonderland", an early name for the camping areas where city slickers could get a taste of the great outdoors in the summer.
Ms. Kelly is an autobuy for me, but I'm always happiest when it's one of her Western tales, and I hope to see more in the future.
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