Tag: Nancy Campbell Allen

Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

On By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Mystery, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Protecting Her HeartProtecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Matchmakers, #3

Release Date: January 2, 2024

Charlotte Duvall finished her medical school training in Pennsylvania and had secured a job at St. Anne’s Women and Children’s Clinic in New York, when she received an urgent, yet cryptic letter from her father, begging her to return to England. The letter was regarding the death of her mother and warned of danger and long-kept secrets and implied that her mother, Katerine Duvall’s death was not an accident, he also claimed he had proof and wanted her help. She had put in for a leave of absence from her job to return to England to see him and was making travel arrangements when she got word from her eldest brother that their father was ill and his prognosis was not promising. Sadly, he passed before she arrived home, leaving her to figure out what he meant in his letter. At her father’s funeral she is reunited with her cousins Amelie and Eva, as well as their husbands and her dear friend Johnathan “John” Ellis, director of the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (the only other unmarried person in their circle of friends). She tells them of her father’s letter and they promise to help her. She is grateful and decides to stay in England, she even finds work at a hospital for the underprivileged. Things seem to be going well, but almost as soon as she starts investigating, it becomes clear that her father was not wrong about the danger. She is attacked and warned to return to America, but her attacker underestimates Charlotte and her friends, especially John.

John is the second son of the Earl of Ashby and is happy working for the Metropolitan Police Force, despite his family’s dismay. He has worked hard and achieved success on his merit, not his family’s name. When Charlotte returns, John realizes how much he missed her and how much deeper his feelings go beyond friendship. He isn’t sure if Charlotte feels the same, and knows that she has just begun her career, one that she would most likely have to give up if she married, so he plans to keep his feelings to himself and maintain his distance. But when Charlotte is attacked, nothing will stop him from protecting her and keeping her close. Working together, along with their friends and his colleague, security professional, Mr. Dirk, they will find the truth about Katherine’s death. But the closer they get, the more deadly their quest becomes, will they find the answers they seek, or will their unknown foe continue to elude them?

This was a great historical romantic mystery, I loved it and felt that the author struck the perfect balance between romance and mystery, both getting equal consideration. Charlotte and John have a wonderful chemistry and it is clear from the start that they are perfect for each other and I couldn’t help but root for their HEA. The story is centered around the mysterious death of Charlotte’s mother and will have readers second-guessing themselves as to who is the actual villain, it is a story filled with secrets, forbidden love, hatred, jealousy, danger, murder, prejudices, great friends, true love, kisses and finally revelations, answers, and closure, leading to a very satisfying HEA ending. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title, I had not read the first two books and had no problem understanding the character interactions, but now I want to read the first two books (there goes the “I won’t buy any more books until I read the ones I already have” New Year’s resolution – LOL) I am happy to recommend this title and will be looking forward to reading the other books in the series, and hoping for a book for Dirk!!!

4.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

To Capture His Heart (Matchmakers, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Matchmakers #2
Publication Date: 10/12/22
Period: Victorian -Seaside, England 1886
Number of Pages: 288

I have been anxiously awaiting this book since I read the first book in the series, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. That was my first book by this author and wondered if I’d be as enthralled with the second book as I was with the first. Well – I was. The finely honed mystery and beautiful romance are so finely twined together that you cannot tell where one begins and the other ends. The writing is outstanding; the villain is a murky and twisted individual; the characters are exceptional and you’d love to meet them in real life; there is excitement galore; and did I mention the writing is exceptional?

We met both Eva Caldwell and Detective Inspector Nathaniel Winston in the previous book and since I liked both characters, I was happy to find them together in this book. It seems the two of them have worked together several times since the previous book and they have become good friends. Well – friends – yes – but – it seems each of them harbors stronger feelings, but neither wants to let them be known because they don’t want to mess up the friendship. Oh! My!

Nathaniel has just finished a grueling case when his mother lets him know, in no uncertain terms, that he is expected to attend a 10-day house party she is giving to raise money for charities. He offers excuse after excuse, but she’s having none of it. He knows this party is a way of encouraging him to finally make a match, so he tells her he is already interested in someone else. His mother, being the brilliant tactician she is, promptly calls his bluff and says she’ll invite his lady straightaway. Though he tried not to name a name, she insisted. So, now, he has to convince Eva to attend the house party and pretend they have affection for each other. How will he stand it if she agrees – and how will he make it through 10 days of matchmaking if she doesn’t agree?

Eva Caldwell loves her life. She has people she loves and who love her and she is a very successful photographer who manages to support herself very nicely. She even helps out her friend Nathaniel on occasion by acting as a crime scene photographer when the police unit isn’t available. Ah – Nathaniel – her heart warms when she thinks of him, but she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by asking for more from it. Yet, when he asks her to attend his mother’s house party as a guest and photographer, she readily accepts.

At the same time his mother’s machinations are occurring, Nathaniel is receiving threats – pretty blatant threats – against his family. He knows immediately who they are from – the lone person to escape punishment from one of his previous cases. The man’s entire family went to prison, but the mastermind escaped. Maybe Nathaniel and his family getting out of town is a good thing.

There is snakes-in-the grass at every turn during the house party and it is a delight to watch Nathaniel and Ava wade through them. With murders, attempted murders, explosions, and deceit happening at a fast pace, Nathaniel and Ava hardly have any time together – yet they manage to find their HEA.

It is a fun, exciting read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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