
Author: Nancy Campbell Allen
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: Audio, eBook, Print
Pages: 320
Date: August 1, 2017
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
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?
Will Sophia give Anthony another chance? #romance #regency @necallen SECRET OF THE INDIA ORCHID Click To Tweet
This reminded me of Sarah M. Eden’s character “Phillip”.
An earl is secretly a spy but is in love with his friend’s sister. He has to set her aside for safety reasons when an important document is stolen and he has to go back into the field to retrieve it.
Both their hearts are broken, but she doesn’t understand why. Their lives intersect again as she travels to India to get a break and where he currently is residing (TWO YEARS later, apparently he isn’t great at his job).
She feels confused and thinks she still loves him. He still loves her, but having her close will only put her in danger.
It was a light, day, romantic, fairly predictable read and I enjoyed it.
I consider this book clean. There is mention of ladies faces and “forms” being attractive. A few light kisses, one passionate. There is talk of men forcing kisses upon her in the past,blood, murder, and violence (including spousal abuse) and an Indian princess being burned alive when her husband dies.
Even though this could be a stand alone novel, I’d recommend reading “My Fair Gentleman” first for more background information.