The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart: Proper Romance Victorian
· Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
· Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Fiction
· Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing (September 7, 2021)
· Length: (336) pages
· Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook
BOOK DESCRIPTION
London, 1885
Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect
columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie
plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly
observe the couple's blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the
rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe―a grieving widower and a member of Amelie's book
club.
Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best
friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the
dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family
to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is
captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.
When a woman's body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the
woman's husband―Harold Radcliffe―of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that
Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be
like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations
prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe's
innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they
trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the
perfect match.
They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret,
and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to
this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.
ADVANCE PRAISE
"Allen pairs a matchmaker and a detective in this charming
Victorian romance. Allen expertly combines mystery and romance into a
fast-paced tale complete with plenty of surprises and a central relationship
founded on mutual admiration and respect. Readers are sure to appreciate the
strong, well-shaded heroine and twisty plot." —Publishers Weekly
"Allen's chaste tale of Victorian romantic suspense will also
appeal to historical mystery readers, and it would be great for
mother-and-daughter reads. This has great appeal for teens who like historical
fiction laced with mystery and romance." —Booklist
“I was immediately drawn into the characters’ lives and enjoyed the
unraveling of the mystery and the development of the romance.” —Mystery
and Suspense Magazine
REVIEW:
This Victorian Era read is everything I loved - it had romance, mystery and adventure. I was gripped from the very first page. I love the grit and the characters in this story. The historical mystery was a fun read for me as well as the police procedural and the romance was a bonus.
The writing really transported me to the Victorian time period, with rich detail that gave this mystery a wonderful atmospheric read.
I enjoyed Amelie as a character and all the other secondary characters as well. I enjoyed how we slowly uncovered the mystery and the well plotted story line.
I found this book to be engaging and entertaining tor read. Fun historical mystery with a splash of romance.
AUTHOR BIO
Nancy Campbell
Allen is the author of fifteen published novels and numerous novellas,
which span genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical
fiction. In 2005, her work won the Utah Best of State award, and she
received a Whitney Award for My Fair Gentleman. She has
presented at numerous writing conferences and events since her first book was
released in 1999. Nancy received a BS in Elementary Education from Weber
State University. She loves to read, write, travel, and research and
enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She is married and
the mother of three children.
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I am glad that your enjoyed this book too, Michelle. It was fun to be in Victorian London with this couple. I hope they continue it as a series. Best, LA
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