A Dangerous Man

Excellent sequel in the series. Camp does a great job of bringing in the previous story so as to blend in the new characters. Great book.

When Lord Anthony Neale's older sister Honoria pleads with him to talk her son, Lord Edmund Scarborough's fiance out of the wedding, he is stunned to find himself so strongly attracted to the outspoken American, Eleanor, who informs him that she and Edmund have already married by special license. Eleanor, a wealthy heiress, meets Edmund and is delighted by his musical talent but is drawn to him by her protective nature because he is sickly and is dominated by his mother who demands all his time and money. Eleanor has a habit of taking on the weaker castouts and has in her employ several employees she rescued from dire situations and she is raising two orphaned children she took in off the streets. Eleanor takes Edmund to Italy hoping the climate will help his health but then he is killed in a freak boating accident and the Italian authorities demand that his body be burned under an archaic law dating back to the time of the plague. When Eleanor returns to England with Edmund's ashes and in charge of the trust for Edmund's sister Samantha, Honoria again approaches Anthony to intercede. Mistakingly convinced that Eleanor is a fortune hunter, Honoria says she believes Eleanor murdered Edmund. After making a few insulting insinuations about her character, Anthony is stunned to find out that Honoria is not only far wealthier than Edmund ever was but that her fortune is in line with his own substantial fortune. Vowing that he will make it up to her and tired of fighting his attraction to her, Anthony pursues Eleanor with everything he has. When it becomes clear that Eleanor is in danger and that there may have been suspicious circumstances to Edmund's death, Anthony vows he will protect Eleanor if it is the last thing he does. This is a wonderfully written story and the characters interesting enough. I was happy with Eleanor, but at times, I thought the author shortchanged us with Anthony...the details on his life and background were sketchy at best and I like to know what kind of people my hero and heroines really are. The story was still entertaining enough, a little predictable a time or two but very good.

I have never read a Candace Camp book before. Quite frankly, I'm not entirely into historical romances (Julia Quinn and Amanda Quick being the exceptions!). However, I was desperate and needed something to read, so I picked this Camp book up and promptly read it cover to cover. I liked the fact that the heroine was intelligent and strong-willed. I also liked the fact that both hero and heroine were capable of connecting the plot "dots" with some degree of speed and intelligience. Sometimes I just want to throttle the main characters as they belatedly come to some obvious connection or conclusion within the storyline. Sigh. But I am not a writer, just a simple reader who likes smart characters and a bit of sexy moments thrown in to make a book enjoyable. Enjoy this one!

Eleanor, the widowed Lady Scarborough, returns to England following her husband's death in a boating accident in Italy. Eleanor is an American, and her husband's upper crust British family shunned her during their very brief marriage, mistakenly believing her to be a fortune hunter. She is now trustee of the money he left to his young sister. This does not sit well with her mother-in-law, who believes Eleanor murdered her son. She sends her brother Anthony, Lord Neale, to confront Eleanor who - needless to say - is quite offended. (Anthony and Eleanor met only once before, during which he rudely offered her money if she would not marry his nephew). Despite their mutual dislike, Eleanor and Anthony have an immediate and intense attraction to one another. As they attempt to sort out their warring emotions, Eleanor becomes the target of a mysterious stalker. Soon she and Anthony are working together to solve the mystery...and dreading the hours they must be apart. I enjoyed this book. Miss Camp has a comfortable writing style and she does a good job of creating sexual tension between the leads. Anthony and Eleanor are perfectly matched, and their transition from contempt to more tender feelings is nicely done. Their frank and impassioned conversations are a particular delight. The love scenes, though fairly tame, are satisfying. The romance between Eleanor's staff members is curiously left unresolved, Eleanor's good friend Julianna inexplicably fades from view, and the ending leaves our hero and heroine - although quite happy - in a somewhat precarious situation. Nonetheless, this is a good read with very likeable leads and a nice romantic feel. 3 1/2 - 4 stars

On the coast of the Kingdom of Naples, Eleanor Scarborough cremates her beloved spouse renowned composer Sir Edmund. Still grieving her loss, the widow travels to London where his family, especially his drama queen mother Honoria quickly spreads the word that Eleanor is an unwanted "bossy American". When the Dowager learns that her son named his wife as estate trustee, she goes berserk that this gold digging adventuress holds the purse strings; when she finds ashes and not a corpse she accuses Eleanor of killing her offspring and burning the evidence. Melodramatic Honoria demands her brother Lord Anthony Neale investigate the outrageous American. He agrees mostly to shut her up. However, as he and his nephew's widow argue, an unknown third party begins causing problems that are becoming increasingly dangerous leading to Eleanor and Anthony to wonder if someone murdered Edmund. A DANGEROUS MAN is a delightful Regency romantic mystery starring two likable courageous and eccentric protagonists and the shocked Ton led by the mother-in-law who scorns their behavior. The whodunit is cleverly developed to bring suspense to the story line and serve as an impetus for matchmaking the lead couple. Candace Camp is at her best with this one sitting amateur sleuth romance. Harriet Klausner