THE MATCHMAKER’S LONELY HEART

September 15, 2021 / 2 Comments

by Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello Romantic Readers
Today on my Book Blog

The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart By Nancy Campbell Allen

TheMatchmakersLonelyHeart, #HistoricalRomance, #HistoricalMystery, #AudioBooks, #BookTour

The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart: Proper Romance Victorian

By Nancy Campbell Allen

Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Mystery/Suspense, Inspirational Fiction

Shadow Mountain Publishing September 7, 2021

Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook

Synopsis

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.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP

GOODREADS

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

From the desk of Gwendalyn Anderson

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

🤎🤎🤎

The Matchmakers lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen, Is a delightful Victorian Proper Romance® that brings the perfect amount of suspense and a slow burn romance.

Victorian London we follow Amelia Hampton, a somewhat naive young woman who is trying to be a success columnis. She truly believes in romance, and marring for love. She struggles with the notion that their are those people who don’t always have the best intentions. Needless to say one in particular that is a charming member of a book club she attends. In a series of events she crosses path with Michael Baker, a detective heading an investigation involving the dashing book club member, Mr. Radcliffe. As the storyline unfolds the two are on opposites sides in this engaging clean romance. The more they find themselves together the more their working relationship becomes something much more. Amelia finds herself drawn to the captivating Radcliffe, and the nonchalant detective Michael Baker.

Which one is being honest with his true intentions toward this optimistic young lady?

The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen is a engaging historical romantic, with light suspense to keep you turning those pages. I loved the characters and thought they were well developed. Our leading lady’s growth was wonderful to watch. I thought the pace was brisk and I was immersed within story. As a reader you will enjoy Amelia’s struggle with wanting to be free of the restraints that were placed on women during this era. The light romance was well depicted and loved watching it unfold.

A perfect proper romance to be sure, with just enough suspense to keep the reader on their toes!

AUTHOR

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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TOUR SCHEDULE

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