What an enjoyable Victorian mystery! To Capture His Heart is book two in the Matchmakers series, following The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. If you read book one, you will already know the two main characters in this story, Eva and Nathan. However, this book can also be read on its own, too, although the previous events in book one are referenced a few times in this novel.
I loved the gentleness and respect in this story between Eva and Nathan. They both greatly admire each other, yet are hesitant to put their hearts on the line when the novel begins, as they do not want to jeopardize their friendship. But I love watching as their playacting at courting becomes the real thing. The flirting and care that Nathan shows Eva begins to move him to be honest about his affections. So sweet!
I ended up listening to the audio version of this story and thought the narrator did a great job, too.
(4 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK
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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nancy Campbell Allen is the award winning author of 20 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 through Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. Nancy writes contemporary romances under the pseudonym, Laney Bell, and enjoys setting these fun stories in a fictional Rocky Mountain ski valley similar to her own home town.
Her formal schooling includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from Weber State University and she has worked as a ghost writer and freelance editor, contributing to the releases, We Knew Howard Hughes, by Jim Whetton, and My Life Encapsulated, by Kenneth Brailsford.
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 YorkiePoo named Freya.
