Secrets of the Heart by Candace Camp

Title: Secrets of the Heart (Agincourt #3)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Harlequin 2005

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

On the eve of her wedding to Michael Trent, the Earl of Westhampton, Rachel Aincourt tried to elope with another man—only to be unceremoniously returned to her fiancé by her strong-willed father. Burdened by guilt and shame, Rachel felt she'd gotten what she deserved: a loveless marriage to a cold, enigmatic husband. She was wrong.

Behind Michael's proper demeanor lay a man who thrived on danger and intrigue—and now he'd been drawn into one of Bow Street's toughest cases. When the crime turned into a murder that involved Rachel, Michael found a new way to employ his mastery of disguise: seducing the wife he secretly loved. But would he finally be able to win her heart…or would he destroy his last chance for happiness?

So I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but I think this one was my favorite. I loved the characters of Rachel and Michael. We got a few glimpses of their story in the first two books, but I'm so glad we got to hear it all in this book. The characters were great. The romance was spot on. And even the slightly wild and unbelievable mystery didn't distract from my enjoyment. Definitely a great wrap up to the trilogy.

Aincourt

#1 So Wild a Heart
#2 The Hidden Heart
#3 Secrets of the Heart

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Hidden Heart by Candace Camp

Title: The Hidden Heart (Agincourt #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Mira 2002

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 410

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

With his life in ruins, Richard, Duke of Cleybourne, returned to his country estate to deal with the tragic loss he had suffered four years earlier. His plans, however, were interrupted by the arrival of Miss Jessica Maitland. The feisty, flame-haired governess had come to present her charge, Gabriella, as his new ward.

As if their unwelcome presence weren't bad enough, Jessica also revealed that Gabriella was in danger. Someone was after the girl's fortune— perhaps someone the duke knew only too well.

Another fun fluffy romance after a much darker pick. I enjoyed continuing the story of the Aincourt family with a story focused on Richard, Caroline's widower. Like most historical romances, the ending wrapped up a bit too quick, but I did enjoy the storyline and characters.

Aincourt

#1 So Wild a Heart
#2 The Hidden Heart
#3 Secrets of the Heart

Next up on the TBR pile:

So Wild a Heart by Candace Camp

Title: So Wild a Heart (Aincourt #1)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Harlequin 2002

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 408

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Devin Aincourt, Earl of Ravenscar, makes no apologies for who he is—a drinker, a womanizer, a gambler. Having been cast aside by his disapproving father years before, Dev is content to live out his cursed life in this hedonistic manner. Until his mother asks him to make a bold move to restore the family name and fortune: marry a rich American heiress.
Believing it will be a marriage in name only, Dev agrees to marry Miranda. But he never imagined that this feisty, unconventional foreigner would have plans of her own: to restore Blackwater, the old abbey, to its former glory, to extricate Dev from the clutches of a devious mistress and to win his heart for her own. All while risking her own life to an unknown enemy.
For Dev and Miranda, love may be the most lasting curse of all.

I'm usually all for the ridiculous historical romances, but this one had a few problematic points. 1) I was very uneasy about the initial relationship between Miranda and Devin. There were too many references to submission and even alluded to rape. I was not a fan of their power struggle. 2) The early on sex scene between Devin and his mistress was strange and unnecessary to the storyline. Not sure why it had to be in there. Not to mention the inclusion of a "slave." Left a bad taste in my mouth. 3) The side storyline involved Elizabeth was a little too much coincidence for me. Usually there's some deus ex machina, but this one was a bit much... I enjoyed Miranda and Devin once they decided to marry and while working out their life together. It was just the beginning that really threw me.

Aincourt

#1 So Wild a Heart
#2 The Hidden Heart
#3 Secrets of the Heart

Impulse by Candace Camp

Title: Impulse

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: HQN 1997

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 382

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Women Authors; 52 Books - W7

Torn from the arms of the woman he loved and cast into the night by her highborn family, Cam Monroe vowed revenge on those who had wronged him.
Fifteen years later, after amassing a small fortune of his own, Cam returns to England with but one ambition. Now the power is his, power to ruin the Stanhope family if they refuse his demands. And what he demands is simple: that Angela Stanhope be his wife.
Then the mysterious "accidents" begin. Are the Stanhopes trying once again to remove him from their lives? Or is it someone from Cam's past, someone desperate enough to kill to prevent him from uncovering a shocking lie?

A nice historical romance to entertain me for an afternoon's reading. I enjoyed the romance between Cam and Angela. They were both feisty characters. My disappointment laid in the question and reveal of Cam's paternity. I was not impressed by the twist. Very contrived. Oh well. That's what happens.

An Affair without End by Candace Camp

Title: An Affair without End (Willowmere #3)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2011

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 416

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR

When Oliver, Earl of Stewkesbury, asks the dashing Lady Vivian Carlyle to ensure that his American cousins meet the cream of London society, he doesn’t anticipate the danger she will pose to his own self-control. Thrown into intimate contact with the lovely lady, Oliver finds he cannot stop thinking of Vivian—of her wit, of her smile . . . of her lips. And when Vivian, who has sworn never to subject herself to the bonds of matrimony, boldly suggests that she and Oliver become lovers instead, her scandalous proposal is temptation indeed! But with an alarming series of jewel thefts rocking London, the ever-outrageous Vivian insists on trying to discover the perpetrator despite Oliver’s admonitions. And when a bold lady steps into danger, it is a gentleman’s duty to protect her at all costs. What neither Oliver nor Vivian can anticipate, however, is that the ultimate cost may be both their hearts. . .

Fluffiety fluff romances.... Oh how I love thee!! You are a distraction from the drudgery of life. You lift me up when I'm feeling blue. You give me an escape. You cleanse my palette in between deeper more complex books. I love you.

The end of the Willowmere trilogy did not disappoint. We finally get around to Vivian and Oliver's story. I knew it was coming (these books aren't hard to predict). I was glad when we finally got a women who was feisty, independent, and definitely knew what she wanted. It was great fun to see her shake up the stodgy Lord Stewkesbury. Fun fun! This author is going on my list of fun reads and the books are going into my upcoming birthday month giveaway (coming March 1st).

Willowmere

A Gentleman Always Remembers by Candace Camp

Title: A Gentleman Always Remembers (Willowmere #2)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2010

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 356

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Read Your Name - G; Mount TBR

New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp’s delectable Willowmere series continues with the story of the accomplished and pretty widow who takes on the American Bascombe sisters for their London debut—only to discover that, when it comes to love, she is the one who is unprepared. Married young to a charming but improvident army officer, Eve Hawthorne was widowed with little left except for a few extravagant trifles. Desperate to avoid her domineering stepmother, she accepts employment as chaperone to the Earl of Stewkesbury’s American cousins. Who better than a levelheaded widow to remind these young girls that they no longer live on a frontier? But when she flirts with a handsome stranger who turns out to be the earl’s brother Fitz, Eve worries she’s given the wrong impression. Trying to prove herself responsible—with Fitz challenging her at every turn—is hard enough, but a blackmailer with an interest in Eve’s prior marriage proves far more troubling. With the earl away, Eve can turn only to Fitz for help. But dare she confide in him, when getting too close to this confirmed bachelor might risk her heart to his alluring ways?

Another wonderfully fluffy romance... I am really coming to like these in between my heavier and gorier books. Overall I liked this one better than the first in the series. Eve was a much more likable character. Plus we got some new characters (French ballonist!) and more of Camellia and Lily. I didn't quite speed through this one, but it definitely held my attention while reading. I have the conclusion of the trilogy and I'm pretty sure I'll be reading that next.

Willowmere

A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp

Title: A Lady Never Tells (Willowmere #1)

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: Pocket Star 2010

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 480

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; A to Z - L; Mount TBR

When Mary Bascombe’s stepfather tries to sell her and her sisters tothe highest bidder after their mother’s death, she resolves to takedrastic action. Although their British mother was estranged from her family, Mary decides the four will flee to London and take their place in society as granddaughters of the Earl of Stewkesbury. Dashing Sir Royce Winslow doubts the honesty of the young women’s claim—despite their charms, they seem to be hiding something. His attraction to feisty Mary, however, is no ruse, so when the sisters are shipped off to Willowmere, the earl’s country estate, to acquire some polish, Royce is quick to join them. When an unknown villain attempts a kidnapping, Royce and Mary are thrown together as they confront the danger . . . and Royce learns that while high society may sing the praises of proper behavior, it is a most improper American who is winning his heart.

Sometimes I just love light and fluffy romances... and this is just the perfect one! The characters are fun and interesting. The mystery is enough of a mystery to make an adventure out of the plot. The romance is romantic. This book has everything I want in an in-between read. You know, the book you read inbetween two very heavy or deep books. This acts as a palate cleanser, an escape, before I dive into something deeper. I love that little escape. This was a great one day read. I have the other two in the series, but I'm going to save them for another inbetween read.

Willowmere