The Wedding Charm

I love to follow the writing progress of a young author. Sometimes, the early promise is lost somewhere along the way. In other cases, the author gets better with each successive book, and I'm happy to say that I believe the latter to be the case with Lynn Collum. This is the final book of a trilogy that involves a special charm featuring the Goddess Minerva; a charm that will bring wisdom and prudence to the one who wears it. Having worked its spell on the two Addington sisters (The Christmas Charm and The Valentine Charm) the medallion has returned to Alexander, their older brother, and the one who purchased it in Rome many years ago. The Addington siblings--half English, half Italian--have all made their way to England, after the deaths of their parents. Alex, with few prospects of his own, and fearing to be conscripted by Napoleon's Army, is sent to England, and eventually finds his way into Wellington's Army. Now, to his surprise, he discovers himself to be the Baron Landry of Landry Chase, the family title to which, as his father was only a second son, thus going off to Italy to pursue his own career as an artist, Alex had no idea that he was even in line to inherit. If only there would be funds to accompany the title and the estate. But of course, there weren't. Except that things are not always as they appear to be, and during all Alex's time as a soldier, he's sent money home to be invested toward the day when he would be able to care for his sisters once again. Alex is nearly bowled over to discover that he is wealthy, due to expert investments made by the grandfather of Alex's friend, Sir Roger Howard. When the two men arrive at the Chase, they are dismayed by the state of the house and other matters. Alex's Aunt is determined that his only plan will be to plunder the estate, such as it is. She has high hopes of a match between her daughter Elaina and the neighboring Earl of Westoke. Also in residence are the half-French niece and nephew of Lady Landry, Valara and Neville Rochelle.This is a very enjoyable book in every respect; well-written, with engaging characters about whom you'll want to know more; a plot with spies and smuggling and the scenery of the Norfolk coastal area. Not to mention a double romance, and the spirited Lady Margaret! All wrapped up in one neat, very readable package, I don't think you'll be at all disappointed in this book.

Alexander Addington returns to England to find himself heir to a title and a vast estate. Though the estate is in disrepair, Alexander does his best to manage the household. Valara Rochelle does not make that task any easier for him. The young Frenchwoman is very intriguing to Alex, but the secrets she holds may be disastrous, even dangerous! Though there is much foreign intrigue in this installment of the "Addingtons" trilogy, we know much more about Valara than Alexander. Since he is the Addington of the series, he should be in a much more active role than he is. Still, the balance of love and adventure works here, and the Bonapartist plots add to the suspense Lynn Collum has delivered in the two previous volumes of the "Addington" series.

The final book of the Addington trilogy gives us Major Alexander Addington, now Baron Landry who arrives at the rundown estate to discover a house full of hostile strangers. He and his best friend soon learns his estate is rife with smugglers and wonders about his aunt's wards, Miss Rochelle and her young brother who spend too many nights on the Norfolk marshes. This is a delightful tale of false leads, secrets and a bit of swashbuckling adventure.