To Capture His Heart (Proper Romance) By Nancy Campbell Allen-Historical Romance Book Review

 

Book Details

To Capture His Heart 

by Nancy Campbell Allen 

Publication Date: 10/11/22 

Trade Paperback 

ISBN: 9781639930517 

Retail Price: $15.99 

Page Count: 288 

Victorian Proper Romance 

Cover illustration: © lynea / Shutterstock.com; NSA Digital Archive / Getty Images 

Book design: © Shadow Mountain 

Art Direction: Richard Erickson 

Design: Heather G. Ward 

                                                                     ***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. 

                                                                        All opinions are my own and a positive review is not required.***

Book Summary

Seaside, England 1886 

 

Eva Caldwell is an accomplished and well-known photographer who often works with the local constabulary to assist in documenting crime scenes, which means she also often works alongside the handsome and charming Detective Nathan Winston. She appreciates his intellect and how he treats her like an equal, but Eva’s heart is still healing from a past relationship, so, for now, she decides to keep her feelings for Nathan a secret. 

 

One evening, Nathan arrives on her doorstep asking for a personal favor. Would Eva be available to photograph his mother’s legendary, week-long dinner party and matchmaking event? The catch is that Eva would also have to pretend they are courting in order for Nathan to avoid the many single women seeking his attention. 

 

Though wary of the charade, Eva agrees. Spending a week with the two things she loves most—her detective and her camera—sounds simple enough. And if she wants to imagine that Nathan’s pretend courtship of her is real, well, what’s the harm in that? 

 

But when a criminal from Nathan’s past threatens revenge on the detective, Nathan must be extra vigilant to keep his mother and the rest of the partygoers safe. He confides in Eva, and as the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the criminal, they find that they might capture more than they expected—each other’s heart.

My Review

To Capture His Heart was a really fun book. This is the second book in the Matchmakers series and the first book was great. Guess what? This second book is equal to the first. I so loved the characters, the plot, the mystery, and the romance.

The whole story revolves around a week-long matchmaking house party in Seaside, England in 1886. The secondary characters in the first book are now the main characters in the second book. Nathan and Eva have worked together on criminal cases before; he as a detective, and she as a police photographer. They have grown to like each other a lot but both are scared to ruin their friendship by declaring their true feelings. Nathan invites Eva to his mother's matchmaking party as his "love interest" and his mother wants her there for her photography talents. Blend in a criminal on the run who wants revenge on Nathan, jealous, petty males and females, witty banter, and you have a story that's hard to put down. The young boy Sammy is back as Eva's assistant and there are nasty mean girls too. It doesn't matter what era, they have always been there.

The best part of the book overall is how Nathan and Eva's romance advances in this 10-day journey at the party. There were so many moments that I had to re-read because I just loved them so much, especially those that involved caves and a maze. I also enjoyed Nathan's mother and his clever and supportive sisters. I would love to see more books in the future dedicated to each sister finding their true love.

To Capture His Heart can be read as a stand-alone read. This novel will make an excellent gift for any romance reader in your life, including yourself.

****Meet Author Nancy Campbell Allen****

NANCY CAMPBELL ALLEN is the award-winning author of nineteen 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. 

Her agent is Pamela Pho of D4EO Literary Agency. 

 

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 Yorkie-poo named Freya. 

 

For author interview requests, please contact Callie Hansen at chansen@shadowmountain.com 

Learn more about Nancy and her books HERE:

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/nancy-campbell-allen/

~*~*~*~*Purchase Your Copy of ~*~*~*~*

To Capture His Heart HERE:

Paperback-https://amzn.to/3V80Nic

Kindle-https://amzn.to/3OmBXJk

Advance Praise: 

“A photographer and a detective go from friends to lovers while searching for a killer in this thrilling Victorian romance. The couple's connection is so undeniable that even readers who usually look for heat in their romances won't mind the lack of steamy scenes. This delectable treat is sure to keep readers guessing.”  

—Publishers Weekly, starred review 

 

“Allen once again combines love and mystery in her second "Matchmakers" series installment (following The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart). Readers will enjoy how the intrigue and romance increase in tandem, ratcheting up the suspense, while Eva's competent demeanor that hides a bruised heart makes this love story all the more touching.” 

—Library Journal 

 

Novels in the Proper Romance® Series 

To Capture His Heart is the 46th installment in the Proper Romance® series, a collection of award-winning, clean romance novels written by 12 authors across a wide spectrum of genres, including Regency, Victorian, and Contemporary. These stories feature relatable heroines, handsome heroes, obstacles to overcome, and happy endings. Learn more at www.properromance.com. 

Nancy Campbell Allen 

My Fair Gentleman 

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast 

The Secret of the India Orchid 

Kiss of the Spindle 

The Lady in the Coppergate Tower 

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts 

The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart 

To Capture His Heart 

 

Rebecca Anderson 

Isabelle and Alexander 

 

Julianne Donaldson 

Edenbrooke 

Blackmoore 

 

Sarah M. Eden 

Longing for Home 

Longing for Home 2: Hope Springs 

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells 

Ashes on the Moor 

Healing Hearts 

The Lady and the Highwayman 

The Gentleman and the Thief 

The Merchant and the Rogue 

 

Leah Garriott 

Promised 

 

Arlem Hawks 

Georgana’s Secret 

 

Krista Jensen 

Miracle Creek Christmas 

 

Josi S. Kilpack 

A Heart Revealed 

Lord Fenton’s Folly 

Forever and Forever 

The Lady of the Lakes 

The Vicar’s Daughter 

All That Makes Life Bright 

Miss Wilton’s Waltz 

Promises and Primroses 

Daisies and Devotion 

Rakes and Roses 

Love and Lavender 

The Valet’s Secret 

 

Jentry Flint 

Games in a Ballroom 

 

Ilima Todd 

A Song for the Stars 

 

Megan Walker 

Lakeshire Park 

 

Becca Wilhite 

Check Me Out 

 

Julie Wright 

Lies Jane Austen Told Me 

Lies, Love, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s 

Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me 

A Captain for Caroline Gray 

 

 

Shadow Mountain Publishing is a publisher of New York Times bestselling books and series. We cultivate stories worth telling, questions worth exploring, and beauty worth sharing to improve the lives of families, children, and our society. Learn more at www.shadowmountain.com.