The Secret of the India Orchid By Nancy Campbell Allen

Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...)

This is a lovely Regency romance, set in India and including a plot of espionage and secret identities. Of course, Anthony's work to recover the stolen document comes between him and Sophia, and he can't tell her a thing about it. Much of the book is the couple angsting over their feelings for each other that they think they cannot act on. There are also many details about the company they keep, shared in a formal manner, but I didn't find it interesting since it didn't relate to the main characters or show me more about them. I found myself skimming to get to the parts where things progressed in the spy plot or Anthony and Sophia's relationship. I didn't find myself connecting to their emotions but rather felt like an observer as they go through the motions of being just friends when they each secretly wish for more. Overall it was somewhat entertaining but I wished for something more that would compel me to care more about the characters and their future together.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

✨ Gramy ✨

..
The book commences with a notation from the past, when Anthony Blake had intended to ask for permission to court his best friend's sister, Sophia. His intentions were thwarted by a call from his country that takes him away for the next few years in search of a secret list that was stolen, which reveals a secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies and their close friends and family, including his own. He is ordered to pose as a playboy. Soon thereafter, the book jumps to India where Anthony and Sophia come face to face again. Their feelings have not diminished, but he still under an order of secrecy by his government.

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?

I enjoyed The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen so much that I decided to try another book by this author. And I am certainly glad that I did. This book is another great historical romance that entertains from page one all the way until the end, albeit with characters other than stuffy old societal types. I read these books out of order. Readers should begin with My Fair Gentleman first and then The Secret of the India Orchid.

This is a clean and wholesome historical romance at its best. The twists and turns are mere bumps in the road on the way to a happily ever after. I would recommend this book, along with My Fair Gentleman for anyone that enjoys this genre.

Caz

I've given this a D+ at AAR, so 2.5 stars.

Nancy Campbell Allen’s The Secret of the India Orchid appealed to me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, much as I enjoy historical romances set in Europe, I’m always happy to see ones sent in more far-flung locations; and secondly, the premise of a dashing spy forced to conceal his true nature and purpose beneath the façade of a wastrel in order to protect his nearest and dearest is a trope that I enjoy when done well. Sadly, however, neither of those elements is particularly well-executed, and, together with weak characterisation and poor plotting, made for a plodding, insipid read overall.

Anthony Blake, Earl of Wilshire has been in love with his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot, for some time and is about to ask for permission to court her when his former boss and spymaster, Lord Braxton tells him that he must undertake one, last mission. Anthony, who was relieved to get out of the spying game a couple of years earlier upon assuming his title, is not best pleased at being drafted back into service, but when Braxton tells him of the theft of the Janus Document – which contains sensitive information about British agents, their families, their habits and every aspect of their lives, any of which could potentially be used as leverage against them – Anthony reluctantly agrees to retrieve it.

Two years later, still heartbroken over Anthony’s sudden departure and wanting to get away from her memories of him in England, Sophia lands in India, intending to spend some time there under the sponsorship of Lady Pilkington. She is, however, destined not to be able to use distance to lessen her attachment to Anthony because he’s recently arrived in Bombay on the next leg of his tour of carefree fun and frolic (as she thinks), and in reality still on the trail of the Janus Document. All Braxton could tell him about the theft was that he believed it had been perpetrated by someone who worked for him, Harold Miller. Anthony has received word that Miller’s uncle, a sea captain, is a guest of the Pilkington’s, hence his presence in Bombay. He believes the nephew may have passed the document to Captain Miller and intends to meet with him and interrogate him, but before he can do so, the captain is murdered and the contents of Lord Pilkington’s safe mysteriously disappear.

With the help of his friend, Captain Dylan Stuart of the First Light Cavalry, Anthony now has to find a murderer as well as the missing document, but in order to maintain his cover as a carefree wastrel, has to make it seem as though Stuart is conducting the investigation and he’s just along for the ride, which annoys him no end. Almost as much as it annoys him to see Sophia singled out for attention by other men. And Sophia, who was deeply hurt by Anthony’s assertions (in his “Dear John” letter) that he viewed her as nothing more than a sister and good friend, twists the knife further when she asks him to help her to select a husband from among her admirers.

*sigh*

The problems with The Secret of the India Orchid are many, and add up to this; it’s a clichéd, dull book with no action, no sense of time or place and no romance to speak of. Anthony and Sophia are in love from the beginning and stay that way; there is nothing in the writing to suggest their attitude towards each other has changed during their two year separation apart from Sophia’s slightly sarcastic responses to him when they meet again, and their relationship is pretty static. All that happens is that Anthony finally tells her the truth (and I confess I did rather enjoy it when Sophia refuses to believe him at first) and they return to their former lovey-doveyness; and as characters, they’re bland and too good to be true. In terms of the setting, other than the mention of curry, the odd Indian custom and the use of Indian names, there’s nothing to suggest the location and quite honestly, the book could have been set anywhere. The mystery is weak and its solution depends on an overheard conversation; the identity of one of the perpetrators seems to be the result of drawing names from a hat, and the other is telegraphed from a mile away.

Ms. Campbell Allen’s writing is decent, but that can’t compensate for the books’ other deficiencies. I read it so you don’t have to – give it a miss.

Katie (Hiding in the Pages)

I love this Proper Romance line because it's a guarantee I'm going to get a fun and clean read.

There's something about India during the Regency times that is so fascinating. The exotic location and foreign people and customs almost force these people to band together, as they strive to maintain their upper class identities. It's very interesting to see single women go there in hopes of securing a match when England proves fruitless.

Sophia is a very strong-willed and self-reliant young lady and when a potential suit with her brother's best friend doesn't materialize, she heads to India, only to discover that Anthony is there too. Of course, Anthony has his reasons for abandoning the blossoming relationship, but he can't tell Sophia.

My favorite moments of the book are found in the intrigue and mystery, as well as in the flirtatious interactions between Anthony and Sophia. The intrigue and mystery is well done and I couldn't figure out the who and whys surrounding it. I almost felt like I was playing the game Clue. As for the rest of the story, it is sweet and gentle, but I had a little trouble fully engaging. There are many instances when the characters are mourning the loss of what could've been, which is understandable, but I wanted to feel a little more connected to the emotion.

This is a pleasant read, especially for those who enjoy a Regency story out of the norm.

Content: mild, non-descriptive violence (murder, etc); mild romance (kissing).

*I received a copy to review, which did not influence my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own.*

eyes.2c

India, a grand setting for love, betrayal and threat.

Sophia Elliot is distraught when her brother's best friend unaccountably takes himself off to the continent with his only word being some idiocy about them being best friends.
For Sophia, their time together had been more than that. Indeed she'd thought Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire felt likewise. The signs were all there.
In reality Anthony is an English spy and he's been called back into service on the eve of him declaring his intentions towards Sophia. The task he's charged with reveals that Sophia along with many others are in danger. A coded document detailing the English spy network, their names and their loved ones has been stolen. The whole network maybe compromised unless Anthony can track it down.
Two years later Sophia decides to join the Fishing Fleet for Bombay (This was the name given to the annual exodus of young women to India seeking husbands each season).
And it's here that Sophia unexpectedly comes face to face with Anthony. Can Sophia survive this test? Can Anthony? And what of Anthony's task? A task that's dragged him across the continent all this time and now here. Why has his path led him to Bombay?
The mystery continues as Sophia and Anthony try to take up the reins of a relationship defined as friendship, with the beating heart of love barely disguised.
Allen brings alive the times and the colour of India, all underscored by the heady secrets revealed. Alongside this Allen hints at the disparagement and clashes between these two cultures.
To my mind the title, Secret of the India Orchid reflects the exoticness, the culture, the flora and fauna of a setting that the finále of Anthony's search deserves, bringing the secrets of love and betrayal that intertwine to a satisfying conclusion.

A NetGalley ARC

Julie Carpenter

Anthony has fallen in love. He is prepared to offer for Sophia's hand in marriage. Except when he is told all he holds dear is in jeopardy and danger if he doesn't leave immediately to help his country by searching out someone and something.

Sophia doesn't understand why Anthony has left. She is heartbroken and completely at a loss for his cryptic letter.

A couple years later finds both Sophia and Anthony in India and coming face to face again. With everything in their past behind them, is there any hope for a future? As they are trying to navigate their feelings, friendship, past, society, and much more, Anthony is still working for his country and is torn between righting the past and finishing his work so he is free to have a future. Preferable with the woman he has never stopped loving.

I loved the imagery in this novel and the descriptions and characters. The settings and activities were so fun to read (listen to). There is mystery and danger as well as a plot against someone very important. (No spoilers here). Can those involved stay hidden among Anthony and the other military men or will too many accidents, wagging tongues and sloppiness finally oust those nefarious characters?

I loved Sophia and Anthony. From the very beginning. I was shocked with how it opened. This beautiful couple about to be happy and everything turned upside down on them. Yet the story and journey was fabulous and I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the sweet romance throughout and especially the ending. I love me a happily ever after ending! The narrator was awesome (I listened to an audiobook). I loved her voice and the accents she created for the different characters. I loved it! This is definitely one that will be a physical copy purchase to be put on my shelves and be read over and over and over again by me and my family and many friends. I can't recommend it enough.

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril, a murder but nothing graphic.

I listened to an audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf.

Happy Reading!!!

Melissa

I love everything this woman writes:} She is my favorite mystery author and I really don't like much mystery. I hate when authors create a mystery out of nothing or an idiot could solve the problem, but Allen's books are never like that. I never can figure out who done it! This was a second or companion book to My Fair Gentleman. You meet both in that book and there story is finished in this one. You can read this separate but why would you do that when the first one is so good. This had a great story, solid mystery and good romance. Very clean with no religions undertones. Just a good clean read. There is murder and mystery but nothing I wouldn't let my 14 year old read.

Jessica Wolf

Started out a little rough—some of the prose is difficult to follow at the beginning but that gets easier as the story progresses—but ended up being completely satisfying and an altogether good read. The story itself is rather predictable (one might even say cliche), but engaging. My favorite part was the ending; I was actually surprised by the outcome. That doesn't usually happen in this genre so I was pleased! I would definitely recommend this!

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Care

This book is a quick, glitzy and glossed over romance that, while an easy read, is touched by absurdity in both the historical aspect and the plot line.

Anthony Blake is forced to ditch his plans of courting his best friend's sister Sophia when his previous work for the War Department comes back to haunt him. Two years later, the still-heartbroken Sophia boards a boat for British-occupied India where she encounters him again, him still in the throes of his spy-related responsibilities. The romance and the adventure progresses from this point.

There may be some minor spoilers after this point.

For me, this book came off as unbelievable from the start. The main characters seem too polishedly perfect, with him being desperately faithful but full of angst over his secret and her being a paragon of womanly virtue (with of course feminine fire) while also coming from beatifically humble origins. When they meet again after two years, nothing in the writing or their relationship really support or create a sense of time ever passing. All problematic issues related with the time period - Sophia remaining unmarried for two years, neither of them really speaking about her brother ever despite the fact that ostensibly his permission would have been required if they decided to pursue a courtship, etc. - are conveniently glossed over and disregarded, making the characters seen one-dimensional and without growth.

Perhaps most upsetting for me is the way Regency India is glorified with casual mentions of what are described as the most horrible aspects of Indian culture - the practice of sati, the shaming of widows - being vilified while everything British is beautiful and shiny. Despite some meager attempts at addressing the fact that the British were invaders of an already existing civilization, the novel treats a disinterest in Indian culture with a flippancy that astounds me. And perhaps this is reflective of the thoughts of the historical period, but there are apparent attempts to portray the main characters as worldly and conscienscous of the intrusion while failing to actually do so.

The plot itself seemed choppy and unbelievable, with the main adventure mystery dying away for long whiles before bursting back into full force and then fading again. It all seemed a bit too far of a stretch and didn't run smoothly in my opinion.

I normally love historical romances, but this one seemed unrealistic and a bit absurd. The main purpose for it being set in India seems to have been to allow for greater freedom to write in strange character relationships and a rather wild and disjointed plot. If one chooses to gloss over inaccuracies and plot holes, this can be a quick and easy read with unchanging characters and a gilded finish.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Lisa (Bookworm Lisa)

This book is beautiful inside and out. I LOVE the cover and Nancy Campbell Allen has a way of writing that captures my mind and my imagination.

The book is set during the Regency Era in India. Sophia wanted to get away from England and all of the reminders about Anthony Blake. It seemed as if he were interested in her, and then he dropped the "just friends" letter. She wanted a fresh start and far away from the places she used to see him was a where she wanted to be. Until, she found him in India.

This book has romance and suspense. Anthony is actually acting as a spy looking for sensitive documents that were stolen. He didn't want to leave Sophia, but his hand was forced by the government. It loved how uncomfortable he was in the book. She constantly reminded him of his last letter. "Friends" is not the relationship he wants with her.

This is a great addition to the Proper Romance line. I highly recommend it. The book contains mild violence and kissing.

Source: I received a copy of the book from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Shauna

I so ADORE this book! What a FANTASTIC read!
Anthony and Sophia are perfect characters with some intriguing interactions that you will so enjoy. This book has it all-- romance, secrets, spies, a missing person, kidnapping, exotic location, etc.
This one is a definite must-read!

Georgia

More on
Chill and read

Anthony Blake is in love with his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot. He is more than certain that she has feelings for him too. But his plans to court her properly are overpowered by higher forces. He has to resume his role as undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document that includes a list of the names of all the Crown’s secret spies, as well as his own has gone missing. In order to protect Sophia and his loved ones, he cuts all ties to them and resumes his cover life of the womanizer playboy.

After Anthony’s departure, Sophia is heartbroken and confused. She is now not sure if she had mistaken Anthony;s behavior of anything more than a kind and gentle friend’s. Therefore, she travels to India, hoping to find herself and peace somewhere that doesn’t remind her of him. Instead, he is exactly what she finds, as well as a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder and a plot that could involve the prince of India.

This story is so much more than a romantic love story. Sophia is such a wonderful young woman. She cares about other people, especially about little children and young ladies in a way no other person would. She is clever and smart and brilliant and she seems to adapt oh so easily in any case and every scenario. She doesn’t just change her mind of what she had been thinking of Anthony over the past few years that he was away, but she slowly and steadily comes in peace with the current situation.

The story takes place entirely in India, which as the Regency times this was such a fascinating place. Princes and princesses, riding elephants and wearing colorful and vivid saris is something that if used in the right way can present a wonderful picture! And the author did a wonderful job with the descriptions of places, flowers and walks around the bazaar.

The love story was very sweet. They both had feelings and they had their reasons to be careful about how they treat each other and what the show, but one cannot really hide love, can they? They were such a beautiful couple and I really liked how they seemed so good together! Having the same way of thinking and the same beliefs!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

Julie

Nancy Campbell Allen is one of my favorite authors and she has really outdone herself with this one!

Anthony Blake believes he has found the love of his life in Sophia Elliot. She is kind and thoughtful, smart and beautiful. She's everything he could ever want and after the war and the spying he was asked to do, he's ready to settle down and reach for happiness. But when the Crown comes calling with another dangerous assignment, he can't turn it down---everyone he loves is in danger, including Sophia. Anthony is forced to throw away the one chance at love he's had and it breaks his heart. Yet, two years later, he's thrown together with Sophia and his feelings haven't changed. But his dangerous assignment isn't over and Sophia is right in the middle of it now. Can he protect her from those who want to cause her harm without revealing his true feelings? Or will he be forced to push her away again and lose any shred of happiness he might have found?

I loved this story. Anthony is a strong hero who isn't perfect, but tries his best to take care of his responsibilities, no matter how distasteful. I love how much he valued Sophia for more than her beauty or talents, but for the things her background had taught her, her observant tendencies, and how much trust he placed in her during dangerous situations. I thought their relationship was very believable and I felt all the emotions swirling around them as they tried to figure out if they could ever be together. The setting is outstanding, the author is able to convey the feeling of India with the tastes and scents, along with the scenery. She definitely did her research and incorporated it seamlessly into the story.

This is also a mystery and I could not for the life of me figure out who the villain was until right before it was revealed! I had my suspicions, of course, but you know it's a good mystery when there are several people who could be the culprit and each one had motive and means!

I really didn't want this story to end and it will definitely go on my rainy day shelf to be read again. I highly recommend it for those who love a good mystery mixed with an even better romance.

Originally reviewed on
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com

Lucinda

Loved it!

Tori (Book Chick)

Anthony Blake is in love with Sophia Elliot. But he's also a spy for the Crown and duty calls. In order to protect the ones he loves, he must lie and cut off all ties. 2 years later, he is once again in contact with heartbroken Sophia, when they meet in India. This just made my heart hurt. He can't tell her he is a spy, but he also does not want her to believe, any longer, the letter he had to write when he left her behind. It is all very complicated. To make matters worse, there is a mystery to solve and Sophia is being threatened.
This book had twists and turns, lost love, engaging characters, culture, and romance all wrapped into one.

Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced copy via Netgalley. :)

Rachelle

This book is part of the Proper Romance line but it has a wonderful mystery full of suspicions, clues, hints, and everything I love to keep me reading late into the night.
I loved the setting of this novel. Reading about India in a time where it was treated as almost a summer-home for the British was so interesting. The setup with Anthony Blake was well-done and I was rooting for him from the start. Sophia's character is fresh, determined, and smart as she faces the mystery surrounding her heart, Anthony, and the deeper mystery involving murder and intrigue.
This is a satisfying read and I look forward to more from Nancy Allen.

Deanne

Clean read. Mild romance mixed with a mild mystery. It was available on Overdrive and I needed a book fast. Now that I've read it, I see why it was available. It's not bad. It's just kind if bland and the character are very trope-ish.

Maureen

When I first read the book description of ‘The Secret of the India Orchid’, I was really intrigued by this story. I love Historical Romance novels and when I read there was also a bit of mystery/ spy adventures going on. I requested this book as fast as I could.

In ‘The Secret of the India Orchid’ we meet Sophia Elliot and Anthony Blake. Anthony has been in love with his best friends sister for a very long time. He planned to ask his friend permission to officially court Sophia, but his responsibilities stood in the way. In order to protect his ally’s and the people he loves, Anthony has to find a stolen paper. To be able to do that he has to act like a flirt and playboy again.
Sophia is left heartbroken. Two years later they meet again in India. And soon Sophia finds out Anthony has a secret.

Although this story seemed to have all the things I like in a book, somehow I couldn’t really get into it. And I really tried. The writing is good, but somehow I just didn’t fell in love with this story and its characters. Thinking about it think I just needed to get to know these characters more than I did through reading this book. I missed some of that character development in this read. Anthony is a spy and has been in love with Sophia for a long time. But I just couldn’t ‘feel’ that love. And Sophia’s character also just didn’t really get to me.

The thing I probably loved most about this read was the setting in India. I haven’t read a lot of books that took place there, and I enjoyed finding out little things about that country. Although I don’t really know how accurate it is of course.

The adventures part and the spy bits were definitely fun to read. But I missed the thrill a little and I didn’t really think of this story as really that mysterious. There were also a lot of different names to remember, and like I told before.. I’m really bad with names and it got me confused a view times.

But overall I enjoyed reading ‘The Secret of India Orchid’. I just didn’t love it.

Liz

Um, no. This book was so bad I abandoned it after 55 pages.
Every other year or so Shadow Mountain puts out a book (usually in its Proper Romance line) worth something. Every year, and every book I think is going to be "it", but let me tell you my friends, this is not that book. The characters were dull and predictable, the prose was just bad, it was all tell and no show, the plot was tired and unoriginal. I couldn't bring myself to read anymore once the costume party/ball where Sophia shows up wearing a sailor costume that "accentuates her curves" and has all the men drooling after her. It feels like this author really has done little to no research on the time period. I just couldn't take anymore after that.
The publisher and author really both need a stern talking to after sending this out into the world.
Perhaps I am being too harsh (after all, I wrote nothing about this book's predecessor My Fair Gentleman, although I also abandoned that as well), but this time something needed to be said because I am disappointed with the offerings from the LDS community. I think we need to hold our authors to a higher standard. I hope if we do we'll start seeing some things of real quality being produced.

Aimee (Getting Your Read On)

I really do love the Proper Romance line from Shadow Mountain. This book is an excellent addition to this collection and I just love Nancy Campbell Allen's writing.

This book is set in India during the regency era. Yes, this is a romance but it's got some swirling intrigue as well. There are secrets everywhere and Sophia is caught in the middle of them all and she doesn't even know it! Well, eventually she does. And then she is in trouble!

Poor Anthony. His heart beats and yearns for Sophia but hello? Spy? Yeah, that puts a damper on the whole I love Sophia thing. It was rather fun watching him squirm and clench his jaw and fist his hands in frustration as he watched and interacted with Sophia. There was some good tension and build up between the two of them.

So very enjoyable!

Content: mild violence, a couple instances of kissing

Kathy

Content: Clean

Michelle

I was so excited to get the chance to read this story, I am quickly becoming a fan of Proper Romance and enjoy the relationship build between the characters. Due to secrets Anthony had to leave the woman he loved the most to set out on a mission. Two years later Anthony and Sophia meet again and the feelings are still there but people are in danger and someone was murders. I really enjoyed the story, I found it a little slow at times but over all it was a great build of characters, world and mystery. I loved the twist and turns and I adored the end.

The story is told in duel POV between Anthony and Sophia. Sophia is a very independent woman for that era and also a bit sassy. I loved her comebacks and the banter between herself and Anthony. She was very hurt by him leaving her and she made sure to let him know when she had the chance. I also adored a lot of the secondary characters, especially Rachael and the Denney Sisters. I also enjoyed Major Dylan Stuart, I did have an issue with the use of his name. In a few paragraphs he is either called Dylan or Stuart. I would have preferred to have just stuck with one to avoid confusion, sometimes I made the mistake of thinking two people were talking but it was the same person, however he is a delightful characters and very snarky. I enjoyed his humor and loved the friendship between Anthony and Dylan.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters and also love the mystery. My favorite thing about it was the build up of the characters and the mystery even in the background a little came right in your face closer to the end and it was intense and exciting. I really enjoyed it, I highly recommend for anyone looking for a great build of story and an awesome cast of characters.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my review.

Have a great day and Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life

Emily

I love this author, and I’ve been meaning to get to this one for a while. I didn’t realize it had characters from My Fair Gentleman, so that was a welcome surprise. Anthony and Sophie were a sweet couple—I loved how she kept messing with him until he finally told her the truth, and that I didn’t have to wait the whole book for him to do it. Sophie’s friendships with the other women in the novel was a highlight for me too. Rachael was great, and I loved the scenes with her.

The mystery was pretty good until the end, and then it fell apart for me. The solution just kind of fell in their laps, and the baddies’ behavior didn’t make sense. I figured out who stole the document pretty early in the proceedings.

I wasn’t really reading it for the mystery—I was reading it for the Nancy Campbell Allen, because I must read all her books and meet her wonderful characters. Her strength is in writing swoony romance with smart, kind, reasonable characters—the first kiss in this book is a doozy—and that more than makes up for clunky dismounts in some of her books’ mystery plots.

I’m glad I finally got to this one. It has the same reader as my favorite Allen novel Kiss of the Spindle, which is probably due for a reread. Justine Eyre is a swell narrator, with a good range of voices and accents. I sped her up to 1.2 speed, which was perfect. I was into it enough, though, that I grabbed a print copy to blow through it faster.

Caroline

Full Review on The Blog

www.carolineandrus.com/blog

This was an enjoyable historical romance, though it was heavier on the mystery than the romance, and I was okay with that.

While the ending didn't come as a complete surprise, I hadn't entirely guessed the ending correctly.

Should you read it? Overall this was a solid historical mystery romance. I haven’t read a lot of historical romance to compare this to, but I enjoyed it quite a bit and think it’s worth taking a chance on.

Sydney

Author Nancy Campbell Allen has written a fantastic historical regency romance novel with a touch of mystery that readers will absolutely love. Filled with excitement, intrigue, espionage, adventure, and heart throbbing romance, readers will at once be pulled into the story and not want to come out. Not only is the story enticing and well-written, but the characters are brought to life in Allen’s unique way of writing. This is an exciting new story that takes place in British India that readers will not want to miss!!

Series: Proper Romance
Genre: historical, regency, romance, mystery
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: August 1, 2017
Number of pages: 320

A review copy of this novel was provided by Shadow Mountain. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Lesr Kew

Solid 4.5. The mystery parts of it lost me in some moments trying to figure out the purpose of some moves made. But for the most part it was all extremely enjoyable funny and feeling and romantic. Wonderful book! I will be looking for more from this author!!

Cara

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I thought the plot was good (although a few elements seemed a tiny bit unrealistic), and even though there were a few things I figured out, the motives and explanations I did not, which made the ending quite interesting. And the very proper romance was quite pleasing as well. Le sigh.

At first I rated it a 5, but after careful thought, I did have to change it to a 4 (actually 4.5) because while it was very entertaining, it didn't make my heart sing or make me want to get on a soap box and preach for the whole world to read it and I can't say I would likely read it a second time. But of course, those are hard criteria to meet.

If you come across this book, definitely give it a read. 9 out of 10 would recommend. 😊

Susan Jane

If you like proper romances you’ll love this, if you don’t you want. At times I didn’t love how it was read, i listened to jt, but not enough to distract from the book.

Ginger Gonzales-Price

I should have known that this wasn't going to be a quality Regency romance (don't laugh; there are a few good ones!) by looking at the covers of the other novels Allen wrote (yes, I did just insinuate that I judge books by their covers): melodramatic, definitely not an accurate portrayal of time or place, and too cliched and phony. If you don't know what that looks like on a book jacket, it's a woman in ostensibly historically-accurate dress but the silhouette is the wrong era or it's in a color or pattern never imagined, and the gentleman -- standing either in the background next to the photo-shopped castle or lingering ever so slightly behind the woman -- looks like the handsome guy in the apartment downstairs who was asked to put on a costume and you're like, "I'm pretty sure that would've been tailored, yo," and the makeup department didn't even bother fixing his hairstyle which absolutely didn't exist back then.

All of that initial nonsense aside, though, the prose was perhaps the most ridiculous element of this book. Allen attempted to evoke the prose of books written in the 18th and 19th century, but, trying to read it, I felt like how my parents must have felt watching me perform in my 6th grade class' rendition of Shakespeare's _Much Ado About Nothing_; the words were too too big -- the prose far too foreign -- on the tongue of a buck-toothed, bespectacled 6th grader. Allen's prose is never successful because she didn't include other formal and narrative elements of the time that merit that kind of prose: there wasn't enough distance between the character and the reader (Austen, Eliot, and Hardy never would have explored the inner recesses of their characters to the same degree that contemporary YA writers do), the dialogue attempts to be lofty while those moments of introspection are far too informal and contemporary, and the humor is too contemporary but often written in the high style of older prose. The good thing is that, by the end of the novel, Allen seems to have essentially deserted the attempt at high style and just adopts a more contemporary attitude, so I didn't roll my eyes until the end.

But the narrative and characters did make me cringe throughout the entirety of the book. The characters were cliched and vapid, and there was essentially no development of any kind (I'm not looking for a bildungsroman here, folks, but we start with the same ridiculous characters with which we started). The narrative starts with espionage, forgets about it, and then, in an attempt to rectify the negligence, throws it back into the narrative with unnecessary force and attention.

This novel wanted to be a Regency, a rom-com, and a spy novel, and, unfortunately, it was none of those things. I wouldn't even consider it to be a good beach-read, people, so you know it's pretty bad, because beach-reads are supposed to be utter drivel.

Title	:	The Secret of the India Orchid
Author	:	Nancy Campbell Allen
Rating	:
ISBN	:	1629722936
ISBN-10	:	9781629722931
Language	:	English
Format Type	:	Paperback
Number of Pages	:	320
Publication	:	First published August 1, 2017

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