The Secret of the India Orchid 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?
[bctt tweet=”Will Sophia give Anthony another chance? #romance #regency @necallen SECRET OF THE INDIA ORCHID”]
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About Nancy Campbell Allen
Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of 14 published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Nancy loves to read, write, travel and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She ives in Ogden, Utah with her husband, three children, and a very large Siberian Husky named Thor.
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.
I enjoyed reading this book. As I think back over it I can see flaws and things I would have like better if…. but still I enjoyed it so I gave it 4 stars.
The romance is different because the two characters already love each other even though they have obstacles that must be overcome. I found myself wishing multiple times that Anthony’s letter would have had one tiny little clue that only Sophia would have understood to let her know his true feelings when he left. I enjoyed that their love was built on a wonderful friendship.
The mystery was a little predictable. There isn’t just one bad guy and I suspected early on that one was not who he seemed to be but seriously I spent the entire book being suspicious of everyone else because there had to be an accomplice. I wasn’t absolutely sure who that was until the reveal. And I was relieved that it was him but I already didn’t like him and I didn’t want to dislike the other options. Well, there were some options I could willingly dislike but they were just kind of thrown in there to keep you guessing and really weren’t a part of the story.
There is some violence since the mystery contains a murder and it also ends in violence (violence against women, attempted murder, and another murder).
No sex (some nuzzling and kisses)
No language