Review: Matchmaker's Lonely Heart

 The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

Publication Date: 9/7/21

ISBN: 9781629729275

Retail Price: $15.99

Proper Romance ® Victorian

Cover Art: © whitemay / Getty Images; duncan1890 / Getty Images

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Design: Heather G. Ward

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

 

About the Book:

                Set in Victorian London from the Queen of Mystery Romance

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.

My Thoughts: 

I really liked this novel and I'm hoping for two sequels - one for each of the cousins. I really liked the relationships between Amelie and Charlotte and Eva. I loved their independent spirits and their excitement about working. I love how they wormed their way into the investigation and didn't take no for an answer. I loved the moments between Detective Baker and Amelie - lots of banter and quips between the two of them. A fun mystery that left me curious as to how they were going to catch Mr. Radcliff. 

About the Author:

NANCY CAMPBELL ALLEN is the award-winning author of eighteen published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres, ranging from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her most recent books, which include Regency, Victorian, and steampunk romance, are published under Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance brand, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. She has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999.

 

Nancy loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She nurtures a current obsession for true crime podcasts and is a news junkie. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah, with her family, one very large Siberian Husky named Thor, and an obnoxious but endearing YorkiePoo named Freya

* ARC sent for review

Review: Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

 About the Book:

A steampunk retelling of Cinderella.
Emmeline O’Shea is determined to save the world—single-handedly, if necessary. A strong voice for societal reform, she is the natural choice to deliver a key speech at the end of the International Shifter Rights Organization’s week-long Summit in Scotland.

But when a death threat arrives at Emme’s home, she is immediately placed into protective custody, watched over by none other than her personal nemesis, Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. The two have crossed paths many times, with disastrous results, but now they will have to work together in order to reach the Summit before midnight of the last day in order to ensure legislation is passed to protect the Shifter community.

As unseen enemies close in around Emme and Oliver, they struggle to reach Edinburgh by any means necessary, only to find Emme’s vindictive stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, and a dangerous political minefield awaiting them in Scotland.

Even more difficult is their own refusal to admit that the fiery animosity that once burned between them might be turning into the heat of romantic passion. Could a straitlaced policeman determined to uphold the law and an outspoken activist willing to break the rules ever find true love? Or will all their dreams shatter like glass when the clock strikes midnight?

My Thoughts: While this is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this Cinderella retelling. I loved Emme's determination, her desire to take a stand, and her ability to use her voice. I loved the banter between her and Oliver. I love a good enemies to lovers trope. And I'm so curious about Maddie. I hope there's another book with her story next.

This book is great for lovers of paranormal, steampunk, feminist romances, Cinderella stories, and enemies to lovers tropes. Also a great book for your library's romance collection.

About the Author: 
  Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of seventeen 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.

Visit her at nancycampbellallen.com, on Instagram @authornancycampbellallen, on Facebook at nancycampbellallen, or on Twitter @necallen.

 Advanced Praise:

"Once again proving that genres are made to be melded, Allen puts a suspenseful twist on this enticing, steampunk retelling of Cinderella. Allen seamlessly integrates gentle romantic tension and nods to the original fairy tale with paranormal and steampunk elements and political intrigue. This is a fun, arresting break from reality.”

-Publishers Weekly

"Relocates a classic fairy tale into an imagined future packed with airships, automated carriages, vampires, and corsets. Nancy Campbell Allen’s lively reimagining of the Cinderella story features an empowered, outspoken heroine who’s driven by a vision of a more equitable, futuristic Britain."

-Foreword Reviews

Watch the Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL2lkJdtl9s

 Book Details:

Publication Date: 10/6/20 Paperback

ISBN: 9781629727370

Retail Price: $15.99

Page Count: 320

Proper Romance / Regency

Book Design: © Shadow Mountain

Cover photo: Butch Adams Photography; © photomaster/Shutterstock.com; ©  Westend61/Getty Images

Art Direction: Richard Erickson

Design: Heather Ward