Monday, August 14, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway!


I'm so thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Nancy Campbell Allen's new novel, The Secret of the India Orchid. Nancy Campbell Allen is one of my favorite authors and she has really outdone herself with this one!

Anthony Blake believes he has found the love of his life in Sophia Elliot. She is kind and thoughtful, smart and beautiful. She's everything he could ever want and after the war and the spying he was asked to do, he's ready to settle down and reach for happiness. But when the Crown comes calling with another dangerous assignment, he can't turn it down---everyone he loves is in danger, including Sophia. Anthony is forced to throw away the one chance at love he's had and it breaks his heart. Yet, two years later, he's thrown together with Sophia and his feelings haven't changed. But his dangerous assignment isn't over and Sophia is right in the middle of it now. Can he protect her from those who want to cause her harm without revealing his true feelings? Or will he be forced to push her away again and lose any shred of happiness he might have found?

I loved this story. Anthony is a strong hero who isn't perfect, but tries his best to take care of his responsibilities, no matter how distasteful. I love how much he valued Sophia for more than her beauty or talents, but for the things her background had taught her, her observant tendencies, and how much trust he placed in her during dangerous situations. I thought their relationship was very believable and I felt all the emotions swirling around them as they tried to figure out if they could ever be together. The setting is outstanding, the author is able to convey the feeling of India with the tastes and scents, along with the scenery. She definitely did her research and incorporated it seamlessly into the story.

This is also a mystery and I could not for the life of me figure out who the villain was until right before it was revealed! I had my suspicions, of course, but you know it's a good mystery when there are several people who could be the culprit and each one had motive and means!

I really didn't want this story to end and it will definitely go on my rainy day shelf to be read again. I highly recommend it for those who love a good mystery mixed with an even better romance.

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway to win a print copy of The Secret of the India Orchid. Don't miss your chance to win! You can enter the giveaway here

Here's the back copy:

Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire, 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 facade 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?

3 comments:

Mara H. said...

Would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds so good.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

I bet you would like it!

VanG said...

This is a new-to-me author, and I would love to win a copy of her book. It sounds great! 😊