A Rather Curious Engagement

What's not to like about C.A. Belmond's new romantic novel, A Rather Curious Engagement? I was hooked by the end of the first page. The author wastes no time plunging us directly into the action, developing a sense of intrigue, and creating an aura of the exotic. Not until the second chapter do we learn the name of the main character, or how she inherited a huge fortune and began forging plans with Jeremy, a nominal cousin and her co-inheritor. What fun to get a first-hand view of the experience of Penny Nichols, whose spunk and sass counterbalance pure sweetness as she simultaneously grapples with the logistics of learning to responsibly manage a huge fortune, follow her heart into a developing relationship with Jeremy , determine her professional future, and pursue breathtaking adventure. Following Penny and Jeremy between London, Nice, Antibbes, VilleFranche, Lake Como, and Corsica, Belmond gives enough descriptive detail to make these places come alive for readers without overplaying the exotic locales. Each delicious vista is intimately connected to the plot, seen through the narrow focus of Penny's dedication to purpose. Belmond uses the same economy of words in scenes featuring Jeremy's upper-crust friends. His ex-wife-from-hell merits more attention, as she connives in ever more creative ways to sabotage the developing relationship, and adds suspense to the story. I doubt I ever would have heard of aquamanilia, Corsican mazzeri, or corniche roads if I had not read this book. Nor would I have such a clear sense of the work involved in restoring and operating a premium vintage yacht. And I am unlikely to visit the elegant interior of an occupied castle on the shores of Lake Como. Learning about new things is always a bonus in a book. A Rather Curious Engagement is a delightful summer read--fun, light, and something you can pass through the generations. With the lack of sex scenes (although Penny and Jeremy share quarters, there's no behavior racier than a kiss) and violence (nobody died!), this book is appropriate for anyone from teenagers to great-grandmothers. by Sharon Lippincott for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women

Penny and Jeremy are the kind of couple you'd like to buy the house next door. Pleasant, honorable and (good grief, will I really use this word?) plucky, they advance their relationship while solving "problems". What do you do when you inherit a boatload of money? Buy the boat, of course, and solve the mystery that comes free of charge. Blissfully, we are able to follow their romance without following them into the bedroom. As sleuths, they remind me a bit of Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence, a couple unashamedly fond of each other while keeping up a feisty dialogue. If you are a fan of Dame Agatha, you will enjoy what I hope will be a lengthy series.

Since becoming an American -heiress (see A Rather Lovely Inheritance), Penny Nichols has seen her lifestyle radically change. She lives in a luxurious London apartment, weekends in France, has a classic automobile and enjoys living with her flatmate Jeremy. However, on the down side is everyone wants a handout so Penny is constantly being accosted by gigolos, paparazzi, sales people and even a former wife. Penny the snoop and Jeremy the legalese decide to have a big summer fling before putting their money aside for the year to live somewhat normal. They attend an auction on the French Riviera where they buy a 1920s yacht only to have someone boat-jack it and damage it when it is found. Unable to resist the former freelancer investigates the theft which leads them to the previous owner, Count Hubert von Norbert, in Lake Como, Italy and a fifth of Beethoven (without Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band to guide them). This is a rather entertaining sequel as the adventures of an American heiress in Europe continue. Penny and Jeremy are wonderful dodging gold-diggers, con artists, and peddlers when they just want a little fun before deciding what to do with their nouveau riches. Instead they end up playing amateur sleuths tracking the mystery of the purloined yacht which leads them into all sorts of other escapades including a centuries old still burning continental feud. Fans will relish the return of Penny and Jeremy as they tour Europe. Harriet Klausner