Review: Summer Holiday (Timeless Victorian Collection) by Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden, Annette Lyon

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

BREAKFAST AT SOMMERPOOL’S by Nancy Campbell Allen
As Tessa Baker competes for the supervisor promotion at Sommerpool Department and Mercantile, she’s faced with a ridiculous list of tasks to complete in order to “win” the job. Tessa would love to be the first female supervisor ever to work at the Sommerpool, but her competitor is cheating at every turn. Discouraged, Tessa agrees to let David Bellini, a family friend and Italian Conte who is new in town, help her. When she discovers that he’s the new owner of Sommerpool’s, but wants to evaluate the employees unobserved, Tessa has mixed feelings. She soon realizes that she’s falling for David, but what chance does a working-class woman like her have with an Italian Conte?

HOWEVER LONG THE WAIT by Sarah M. Eden
Carina Herrick says goodbye to the man she hopes to marry, knowing their separation will be temporary. Grant Ambrose is off to follow his dream and become established in business so that he can provide for Carina and a life together. He promises to write; she promises to return his letters. Yet, only a few months pass and already their letters become shorter and fewer. Finally, Carina is forced to give up on Grant if only to protect her breaking heart. Her parents are dead set against her becoming a spinster and insist she accept the proposal of the odious Mr. Baskon. With no hope of another marriage proposal, Carina is forced to make a difficult decision, one that can lead her either to happiness or misery.

THE LAST SUMMER AT IVY HOUSE by Annette Lyon
Every summer Sarah travels to Ivy House in London as one of the household servants to the Millington family. This summer, she’s particularly looking forward to seeing Jacob, a servant who lives at Ivy House year-round. They’ve been exchanging letters since the previous summer when their friendship deepened. But when Sarah arrives at Ivy House, Jacob seems more reserved around her and less forthcoming. Has she put greater meaning in their budding relationship than she should? When Sarah discovers that Jacob has a dark secret and wants her to give up her dreams in exchange for helping him, she’s not sure if she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

My Review

A lovely collection of stories set during the Victorian time period in England, with details about the time period and setting as well as light romance. I normally love these collections more, (and these authors) but somehow didn't feel immersed in the emotions of the characters. I liked each story well enough, the plots were creative and dynamic... but I think the romance wasn't compelling enough for me. Maybe I should blame it on the summer heat making me cranky. Overall it is a sweet collection of stories with variety that I know will be enjoyed by readers.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Romance Awareness Month Giveaway #4: The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

It's time for my final giveaway for Romance Awareness Month! It's been so fun to have so many giveaways here and also share the giveaways from other participating blogs. I hope you've enjoyed learning more about the Proper Romance line of books from Shadow Mountain Publishing. 

Congratulations to Heather Spencer who won a copy of Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, and Suzie Waltner, who won a copy of Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson! 

Be sure to enter Giveaway #3 for a copy of The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack!

The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen is the most recent Proper Romance release and is a lovely Regency romance set in exotic India. Enter to win a print copy below!

Synopsis

Anthony Blake is in love with his best friend's sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies-including his own-has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the façade of a flirtatious playboy.

Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn't as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.

She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won't confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?

Entry-Form

Review: The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Anthony Blake is in love with his best friend's sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies-including his own-has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the façade of a flirtatious playboy.

Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn't as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.

She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won't confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?

My Review

This is a lovely Regency romance, set in India and including a plot of espionage and secret identities. Of course, Anthony's work to recover the stolen document comes between him and Sophia, and he can't tell her a thing about it. Much of the book is the couple angsting over their feelings for each other that they think they cannot act on. There are also many details about the company they keep, shared in a formal manner, but I didn't find it interesting since it didn't relate to the main characters or show me more about them. I found myself skimming to get to the parts where things progressed in the spy plot or Anthony and Sophia's relationship. I didn't find myself connecting to their emotions but rather felt like an observer as they go through the motions of being just friends when they each secretly wish for more. Overall it was somewhat entertaining but I wished for something more that would compel me to care more about the characters and their future together.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review & Giveaway: From Cairo, With Love by Nancy Campbell Allen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Valentine Baker longs for adventure, so when the opportunity comes to travel to Venice and be a companion for the unconventional Contessa, she takes it--but they don’t stay in Venice long. Valentine finds herself on a ship bound for Cairo so the Contessa can hunt down a thief at one of her archaeological digs there. Before they ever get close to the coast of Egypt, however, the ship is threatened by a violent storm and someone has an ulterior motive for sticking close to the Contessa and her traveling companions.

Mr. Maxwell is assigned to protect the Contessa and the charming Valentine. He tries to keep his distance, but her warm nature and easy laugh draw him in. He soon comes to cherish their time together, until someone attempts to drug him, and the aftermath reveals serious consequences for Valentine. He’ll do anything to keep her safe and her reputation intact, yet with treachery on board and his heart at stake, Mr. Maxwell must make a choice that will change his life forever. Can he win the woman of his dreams or will whoever wants to hurt them get close enough to take away his one chance for love?

My Review

I'm such a fan of well-written novellas! With how crazy life can get they are the perfect quick reading fix. From Cairo, With Love has all the elements for a successful novella- I felt like I was able to get to know the characters, the plot had a full arc, and the ending wrapped up nicely. Valentine is sweet and I loved her adventurous spirit. Her developing friendship and romance with Max was one that I enjoyed since they don't seem to be a typical match. The Contessa was fun and the action kept the story moving swiftly. A thoroughly satisfying read!

(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Tour Schedule:

November 7:  Heidi Reads / Katie's Clean Reads

November 8: Lisa is a Bookworm / Maria Hoagland

November 9: Smiling Book Reviews / Literary Time Out

November 10: My Book a Day / Wishful Endings

November 11: Singing Librarian Books

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Review: Autumn Masquerade (Timeless Regency Collection) by Josi S. Kilpack, Donna Hatch, Nancy Campbell Allen

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A MERRY DANCE by Josi S. Kilpack 
When Lila overhears her uncle talking about a man coming to look for property in the county, she doesn’t think twice, until her uncle says he hopes Lila will find enough interest to marry the man. How can she marry someone named Mortimer Luthford, not to mention that his advanced age of thirty-three, and especially since she’s already in love with her absent cousin Neville? But when Mortimer arrives, Lila has to try every trick known to women to act not interested in the rather fascinating man, which proves a very difficult façade to maintain.

UNMASKING THE DUKE by Donna Hatch
The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation and takes comfort behind a mask. She dances with a charming masked man, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she’d ever accept.

WHAT’S IN A NAME by Nancy Campbell Allen
Penelope Timely has a terrible secret. She’s been writing letters to the Duke of Wilmington, pretending to be her ever-proper twin sister, Persephone. Now, the duke has written that he’ll be coming for the Autumn Masquerade Ball and Festival. Penelope will have to continue the charade while the duke is in town in order to protect her sister. The Duke of Wilmington isn’t fooled for a moment, but instead of confessing that he knows about the deception, he finds himself utterly charmed by Penelope and jumps into the game of deception to see how far the twin sisters will take it.

My Review

Such fun, enjoyable Regency stories! I love that since there are only three in the collection they can be longer than normal. The plots of each are varied and intriguing, but all involve a masquerade ball, which is a fascinating setting. Some characters find their inhibitions lowered, allowing themselves to act according to their true personality and not the front society expects. Of course, there are always consequences... ;) Some couples are looking forward to the ball with anticipation of a turning point in their relationship, only to have their plans upset. I think the common thread is that first impressions are not always correct and through the obstacles in their path, each character comes to know the object of their affection more deeply. Highly recommend!

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)