Nancy Campbell Allen

Delicious, witty banter, a delightful friends to lovers romance, intriguing mystery, and heart pounding danger make Nancy Campbell Allen’s latest Victorian Proper Romance unputdownable! I adored Protecting Her Heart. This is Charlotte’s and John’s story and I loved their friends to more, slow burn romance.

Charlotte Duvall has been in America studying to become a doctor. She’s finished her studies ready to work in a clinic in New York. Before she can start her new position, she show more receives a letter from her ailing father asking her to come home and suggesting her mother’s death wasn’t an accident. On the voyage back to England, she receives a telegram that her father has died.

While she sorts through her parents’ things, she begins to find unsettling information about her mother’s past. She turns to her good friend John Ellis to help her in the investigation. While she’s determined to remain single, the handsome detective begins to wear down her defenses and she finds herself wondering what it would be like to fall in love with him.

John’s worked hard to earn his position as the director of the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department. While his wealthy family looks down on his detective work, he thrives in it. But, he’s not anxious to start a family though his mother works hard to throw every eligible debutant at him. When his dear friend Charlotte returns to England, the attraction that’s always simmered between them flares to life. As he does everything to protect her and find the truth behind her mother’s death, he finds himself having a hard time seeing his friend in a platonic way.

I loved the sizzling romance between these two. Their close relationship and witty banter makes watching them fall in love so enjoyable. I loved the way they were both determined to succeed and respected that quality in each other. I loved the scene where she hides in his coat closet. I also loved seeing familiar characters from the previous books again. The cousins have such a great relationship and I loved seeing them together again.

The mystery was so good! There were several suspects which made figuring out whodunit all the more intriguing. The danger from getting too close to what really happened was always present with someone stalking and threatening Charlotte. I loved the way they finally pushed those responsible for her mother’s death to reveal the truth. I also loved the stoic body guard Dirk.

Highly recommend this book and the entire series! It can easily be read as a standalone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. show less

To Capture His Heart is my new favorite Victorian mystery romance! I adore this series and couldn’t wait for Nathan and Eva’s story. With swoony romance, a great whodunit mystery, some dastardly suspects, an old Edgar Allan Poe lovin’ nemesis, a fake relationship, and an unforgettable house party, this mystery is one you don’t want to miss!

Though independently wealthy, Nathan Winston follows in the footsteps of his hero, Poe’s legendary detective. His mother though wants to find show more him a suitable match and begs him to attend her ten day house party. To please her, but escape her matchmaking, he tells her he already has a romantic attachment to Eva Caldwell, the photographer who occasionally takes crime photos for him. His mother promptly issues an invitation and asks if she will photograph the party.

Nathan secretly admires Eva and hopes convincing her to pretend to be his romantic interest might further his relationship with her. But, when an old nemesis leaves a creepy calling card with a black feather, Nathan worries how he will protect his loved ones from this new threat.

Eva is beautiful, talented, and always in control. She’s secretly been in love with Nathan since she met him, but a painful past relationship makes her extremely cautious. Posing as Nathan’s romantic interest allows her to admire him and be in his company for ten days. But, what happens when the party ends? Will she survive with her heart intact?

I loved this romantic mystery! Nathan & Eva have a fun relationship stemming from true friendship & admiration. Their slow burn romance is achingly lovely. I loved her tying his cravat, the maze scene, and hiding in the butler’s pantry.

The mystery definitely kept me guessing. There’re plenty of suspects, motivations, “mean girls” you love to hate, and an evil villain hiding in their midst. I have to admit I didn’t see the ending coming and was hurriedly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

I also enjoyed getting to know Nathan’s sisters & mother. They are each so kind and supportive. I loved the way they befriend and rally around Eva. It was also fun to see Eva’s assistant Sammy again.

Highly recommend this amazing, romantic mystery! It can definitely be read as a standalone, but you’ll want to go back and read the amazing first book in the series! Can’t wait for Charlotte’s story. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. show less

Before he inherited his title as the Earl of Wilshire, Anthony Blake had been involved in highly secretive work for the British Government. This career ended when he took up the reins of his title and had fallen in love and was on verge of proposing marriage to Sophia Elliot. Unfortunately he is forced to resume his undercover work and go on the hunt for some valuable stolen documents and the thief who stole them. In order to protect Sophia, he had to step away from the romance and pretend show more that he had no interest in her beyond friendship, leaving her devastated and uncertain of what just happened.

After two years, he is still on hunt and the search leads him to India, where who should he meet but Sophia who has arrived as part of the “fishing fleet”. He still loves her but cannot say anything. She still loves him, but believes he only wants her friendship. As these two dance around each other, they also become involved in the intrigue and mystery that Anthony’s espionage work generates.

I found The Secret of India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen mildly entertaining. I liked the characters and enjoyed the flirtatious banter between them and I appreciated the exotic setting, in fact, much of this book reminded me of the Pink Carnation series. Some of the espionage parts were a little overdone and I never had any doubt of the outcome but overall this light historical romance was a refreshing break from some of my more serious reads. show less

Victorian mystery / romance—the Scotland Yard Detective and a Woman of Independent Means!

I so enjoyed this! Amelie Hampton is a columnist for the Marriage Gazette, a respectable Lonely Hearts publication that introduces perspective couples. Amelie is keen to see how two people she’s put together might hit it off. So, against all the Gazette rules, she decides to observe their meeting. Imagine her surprise when the man turns out to be not the Mr. Dashing he’d presented himself as, but show more Mr. Radcliffe, the handsome widower who attended her book club, whose presence turns her knees to jelly and her thoughts to mush. When asked about this, Mr. Radcliffe gives Amelie a host of smooth and plausible answers to cover his subterfuge, at least to Amelie’s ears—but not for at least one of her cousins.
Detective Michael Baker notices the young woman standing outside the restaurant in the rain, for at least thirty minutes, spying on the couple. He’s here because he believes the solicitor, Harold Radcliffe may have killed his wife. He’s gathering proof. Intrigued, Michael follows Amelie to question her which turns into something not quite that simple.
After a rocky beginning Michael manages to persuade Amelie to take him to the next book club event to meet Radcliffe socially, as her guest. The book club features a host of interesting characters, including two rather risqué elderly sisters.
Somehow Michael finds himself deputising Amelie and her cousins. This is all rather hilarious as Detective Baker’s world is turned on it’s head—and much to her dismay so is Amelia’s. Amelie is absolutely committed to being a working woman, a Woman of Independent Means.
I love the depth of characterisation that Allen brings to her leads. Both Detective Baker and Amelie Hampton are well rounded, and as the plot progresses we learn so much more about them. They are alive and engaging. Similar growth happens with the secondary characters.
We watch Detective Baker’s relationship with his new partner, Detective Nathaniel Winston develop, the small moments of them becoming a team. Michael’s former partner had not only been his long time friend, but also his brother-in-law. He’d been killed in pursuit of criminal. Michael is still grieving. And now a new partner. This is a huge step! How to move forward and trust someone you don’t know. Allen really capture Michael’s hesitancy. Nathaniel slowly wins Michael’s appreciation—and he wins me!
Murder and nefarious doings lead to a highly charged last few chapters. Taut plot formation pushes the action along.
A rather unexpected Victorian romance mystery that well and truly delivered.

A Shadow Mountain ARC via NetGalley show less