Candace Camp, An Independent Woman

An Independent Woman

They were once childhood friends before Lord Nicholas Barre fled to America promising Juliana Holcott he would return for her one day. She survived at Lynchwood Hall for several years based on that hope, but eventually that died when he never came home. Now she is a companion to Clementine, the daughter of minor aristocrat Mrs. Thrall and he is back in England for several months. At a ball Nicholas sees Juliana and dances a waltz with her. Not long afterward Mrs. Thrall fires Juliana when Nicholas courts her not her daughter.

Nicholas proposes marriage to Juliana insisting he will protect her. Though she wants his love, she accepts. They travel to his estate Lynchwood where his odious cousin Crandall and his nasty widow Aunt Lilith reside. Also there are Herbert's daughter Seraphina and her spouse Sir Herbert, who warns Crandall to keep his gambling shenanigans away from his wife. When someone kills Crandall, everyone suspects Herbert, Nicholas, a female servant the victim assaulted or his gambling cronies collecting a debt; that is everyone except Juliana who eliminates Herbert and Nicholas as she recognizes two honorable men protecting their women, but neither being a cold blooded killer. She plans to uncover the identity of the killer while proving to Nicholas that he deserves love.

This terrific nineteenth century historical amateur sleuth romance grips the audience from the moment that Juliana and Nicholas return to Lynchwood as a betrothed couple and never slows down. The storyline contains several fabulous twists that will surprise the audience, but afterward seem the right course as the lead couple investigates the murder of an odious person whose enemies are everywhere. Readers will appreciate this clever will written tale starring AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN investigating murder in her new home.

Harriet Klausner

Candace Camp

HQN, Mar 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0373770979