I'm always looking for something different and exciting to read. So, when I heard about this book I just knew I had to read it! Especially when I learned that the story took place in India. I'm a big fan of India and its culture. Also when I had read Edenbrooke and Blackmoore I knew I had to read this novel!

This is a new author to me so that was another plus because I don't really like to step out of my comfort zone as it concerns authors and genres. I did decide to give this novel a try.

This book started out pretty well and it had a solid beginning. It kept my interest for quite a while. In the middle it did seem to stray a bit and after a while the novel seemed to be filler instead of the story I was hoping for.

To me, it wasn't memorable as I thought it would be and I began to feel very disappointed. I'll give this author another chance though because I love to read regency fiction. (3 stars)

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.*

I was really looking forward to this book because I enjoyed the previous book in the duology, and it did not disappoint! This book reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Around the World in Eighty Days (which I love), and it kept me on the edge of my seat with suspense, especially for the last few chapters. As always, I appreciated the clean romance and exciting plot which are characteristic of Shadow Mountain's proper romances. Despite the mild violence, I believe most people who enjoy mystery, suspense, sweet romance, and different cultures will love this book, and I highly recommend it!

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Finally! I’ve read a book. This has been a bizarre summer and I’m getting no reading done.

However, The Secret of the India Orchard by Nancy Campbell Allen is being released this month, and it sounded like a good candidate for bringing me out of my reading slump.

I’ve read a few books in the Proper Romance line published by Shadow Mountain. They are clean romances that are consistently a cut above. The Secret of India Orchard is no exception.

Sophia Elliot, sister of the Earl of Stansworth, has caught the eye and the heart of her brother’s best friend, Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire. He has determined to court her formally. Unfortunately, on the same day that he plans to ask her brother’s permission, he is contacted by his old employer, Lord Braxton, head of spies in the War Department. Although Anthony felt himself happily out of the business when he inherited his title, Braxton has another job for him. A top secret document, naming all the important spies as well as their habits, families, and acquaintances, has been stolen from Braxton’s office. Anthony is the only one he trusts to hunt down the document before it is sold to the French or some other enemy.

Anthony does not like Braxton and wants to refuse. However, that would put all his former colleagues at risk, as well as his friends. Sophia is named in the document. To keep her safe, he must take the job.

The onerous duty requires that he leave immediately, dumping Sophia in a letter which stresses the brotherly friendship he feels for her, to return to the continent and resume his previous undercover activities, which include acting like a devil-may-care playboy.

Sophia is heartbroken.

Two years later, the document is still not recovered. Anthony has traced it to India. Sophia has also decided to go to India for an adventure to take her mind off her continuing heartbreak. There is an alternative marriage mart there for Englishwomen who haven’t had success in London. (Sophia would have had great success but for her continued devotion to Anthony, despite her best attempts to forget him.) Sophia wants to move on. On the other hand, she knows Anthony will be there. . .

Naturally, they are thrown together and the feelings they had for one another blaze back to the fore. To the book’s credit, the love story does not bog down in mutual misunderstandings and petty recriminations. They care for and respect one another too much for that.

In addition to a thoughtful, mature, sweet Romance, there is a page-turning mystery for the two to solve. Who stole the documents and why? There is abundant danger, a little bit of clashing of cultures, and despicable villains–something for everyone! For those who enjoy historical mystery/Romance, this one comes highly recommended.

The Secret of the India Orchid is a book of lies, hurt, spies, murder, deception, covertness, love - you have Sophia in love with Anthony - who is cordial, courteous, well behaved, well groomed, austentagious and a spy. Then When he all of a sudden became - ignorant , a playboy , obnoxious - opposite of what he was - who he truly is - plus totally leaving her alone and her heart was breaking so to not to hurt she moves to the Ritzy English part of India to forget him but uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhh- no - let me tell you why - no - you have to read the book and boy let me tell you - you do not want to miss the fireworks - big ones can I tell one - ones like those from South of the border -

Nancy Campbell Allen’s Secret of the India Orchid is a fast, clean romance

THE SECRET OF THE INDIA ORCHID, by Nancy Campbell Allen, Shadow Mountain, Aug. 1, 2017, Softcover, $15.99 (young adult/new adult)

The Secret of the India Orchid is the newest offering in Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line. As such, it’s a little bit predictable, but if you enjoy a clean romance, you won’t mind one bit.

What does differentiates this novel from others in the series is its setting — India. The Secret of the India Orchid opens in England as Anthony Blake prepares to court his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot. But before he can even ask the question, he’s forced to leave the country.

Prior to his current life as the new Earl of Wilshire, Anthony was in the service of the Crown working as an undercover spy. Now, a secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies — including his own — has been stolen, and Anthony has been tasked with tracking the document down. So Anthony breaks things off with Sophia, allowing her to think the worst of him while keeping her safe at the same time.

Anthony’s sudden rejection hits Sophia like a million continuous slaps to the face. He was so attentive and now he’s gallivanting about the empire and acting very much the flirtatious playboy. With nothing and no one holding her down, Sophia decides to travel to India. The exotic land may be just what she needs to finally heal.

The minute she arrives, however, Sophia finds herself once again face-to-face with Anthony. Not only that, but a sea captain has gone missing — possibly murdered — someone is terrorizing a young boy and it seems she may be the next target. Sophia still loves Anthony, and she can tell there’s still a spark inside him as well. Somehow, everything is connected, and Sophia’s not going to leave India until she has the answers once and for all.

Spoiler alert! If you guessed Anthony and Sophia end up together in the end — ding, ding, ding, you’re a winner! This should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever read a book in the series; it’s kind of the formula each one follows. That should not, however, deter you from reading The Secret of the India Orchid.

Author Nancy Campbell Allen’s writing is like you’re favorite pair of socks — comfortable and warm with a few snags here and there.

The author does a fine job transporting readers to an exotic and unknown land. And for the most part, it’s a beautiful place. There’s little talk of the slums here, but the majority of the British upper crust would never have reason to be exposed to that. There are a few questionable customs that do help drive the story forward.

At times, both Anthony and Sophia felt a little one-note, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Allen’s treatment was how people of the time actually acted or if that’s how she perceived they would act. Either way, I found myself wishing for some more authentic moments.

The Secret of the India Orchid is a fast, easy and clean read. The multiple mysteries throughout keep the action moving forward and add a nice balance to the romance elements. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite book from the Proper Romance series, but it certainly isn’t the worst, either. It’s a decent read, particularly for fans of this genre.

Set in England but mostly India at the time of colonization, it's a love story, a mystery, and history in action. I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story initially. I felt like it jumps around quite a bit and is hard to follow. It needed some transition detail or something. All of a sudden the characters were doing this and I didn't know what that was or why. I eventually got it by continuing to read but it was a little hard to follow at times. Once the story began to pick up I liked it better but continually had these moments of wondering what was going on. I felt like necessary details had been left out. Overall it was a lovely story. I haven't read too many books set in India so that was a great aspect of the book. It makes me want to read more. The author does a great job of painting pictures with words. Loved the love story part of the book. It was sweet. I would read more from this author.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

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.

I absolutely LOVE this book. The setting is amazing and everything is so easy to visualize. Allen paints India in a dreamy light without glazing over the poverty that is ever present. Sophia and Anthony make the most darling couple and their relationship is one for the books!

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 enjoyable!

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.
Anthony, is in reality 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
(August 2017)

Anthony Blake, Earl of Wilshire, is going to ask his good friend, Jack Ellot, Earl of Stansworth, if he may court Jack’s sister, Sophia. To Anthony, Sophia is the epitome of the perfect woman, and he so hopes she will be amenable to his suit.

But a wrench is thrown into Anthony's plans when he receives a visit from Viscount Braxton. This is not good news as the man is with the War Department and wants Anthony to serve his country once again. It appears that a valuable, confidential document has been stolen and may be sold to the French military. It contains information about all of the government operatives and their families and friends. It is imperative that it be found. With Anthony’s vast experience and title, he will be sent out as a man seeking pleasure and the easy life. As he has no other choice but to agree, he of course, cannot tell Sophia why he is leaving so he conjures up a lie that makes him appear to be an irresponsible man. Sophia is devastated. After two years of mourning his defection, Sophia decides to sail to India.

Upon arrival in Bombay with a group of other young ladies, Sophia realizes that Anthony is there as well. Sophia gets caught up with the social whirl, the local culture, and meets new people. Although she is skittish around Anthony because he hurt her so badly, they do chat and realize that they do care for one another. When she learns more from him as to why he is there, she becomes involved to help him solve the mystery.

This is an interesting book that delves into the life in India that the English enjoyed. The author’s descriptions are well done. Early in the book, I thought some of her descriptive comments were a bit over the top which reminds me of Danielle Steel’s books, however, that seemed to get better as the book continued.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I'm a sucker for a bit of romance. I also love historic fiction, so when I got an advance copy of The Secret of the India Orchid I was intrigued to read it. To add to this the book's description told of mystery and murder plots. My curiosity was further ignited.

Anthony Blake is the Earl of Wilshire. He also happens to be a former spy for the Crown. Happily looking towards his future, Anthony is on the brink of proposing to Sophia Elliott, the love of his life. However his past catches up with him as he is informed of a stolen document that if it gets into the wrong hands will put him in serious danger and all of those close to him including Sophia. Anthony suddenly cuts all ties with Sophia and ventures on a mission to salvage the stolen document.

Time passes and in the hope of getting over Anthony Sophia travels to India. However what a coincidence that Anthony also happens to be in India (not!). This was just the first of many clichés provided by the story. Once poor and a lady's maid, Sophia is now one of the most sought after young women in English society. She is also beautiful, vocal and a bit of a dare devil As well as being a spy, Anthony is dashing and handsome. If I'm honest my description of The Secret of the India Orchid is James Bond meets Downton Abbey on acid!

Throughout I found the novel far-fetched, even farcical at times. It also had some very annoying aspects; for example it is set some time when the British East India Company ruled over India (according to Wikipedia from 1757 to 1858). Yet we are never told exactly when. The fact that we are never informed when in the 101 years time span the book is set really annoyed me. Also at key times in the book I felt that the plot gets lost and is hard to follow.

However to a certain extent The Secret of the Indian Orchid still drew me in and I was happy to finish it. It no literary masterpiece and is very cheesy; but maybe a bit of cheese is just what you're looking for in a book.

Even so, this is the first time I have read anything by Nancy Campbell Allen and although I'm glad I've read, I don't think I'll be grabbing any of her other books in a hurry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Opening line:
"Anthony Blake, the new Earl of Wilshire, stepped from white'sGentleman's Club with a light heart and a smile on his face."

On the eve that Anthony Blake was going to propose to his best friend's sister, he is thrust back into the British spying game that he thought he left behind. Because of the danger his mission would bring to hs family and loved ones he cuts off his relationship with Sophia Elliott and resume his guise as a "womanizer."
Poor Sophia! She thought her and Anthony had a spark of affection for each other and now he's traveling the globe and flirting with all the women. How could she be so wrong about him? She decides to get away from England and explore a different country. And she's loving her adventure...until all of a sudden, Anthony Blake is there beside her. She's hurt, confused and angry. And she still loves him.
Trying not to blow his cover, Anthony has a hard time concentrating on his mission while Sophia is giving him the cold shoulder Or reminding him that they are brother and sister (as he stated in his letter when he broke ties with her.).
But it doesn't matter if he's trying to protect her. There's romance, intrigue and a murder.
I enjoyed this story! It clipped along with the tension and witty banter and mystery. I really did like how the characters were kind to each other and cared about each other. Other than the villain, of course.

Thanks to netgalle and Shadow Mountain for the early read!

This is a very well written novel, rich in detail and packed with information about India during colonial times. I love a historical read which is about more than 'just' a romance, and this book has so many different threads all adding up to a mesmerizing read!

At the heart of this book is the romance - or, rather, the non-romance - of Miss Sophia Elliot and Lord Wilshire, Anthony Blake who happens to be the best friend of Sophia's brother. As they meet again after an absence of two years, mystery and adventure surrounds them and draws them into the political situation in India. Whilst the social events continue, intrigue grows and we find ourselves suspecting all and sundry of being the guilty party - well, at least I did!

The writing flows so smoothly that you race through this book with your brain assimilating the events and trying to sort out who is where and when. This is a marvellous mystery, an awesome adventure and a red-hot romance which not only doesn't disappoint but is an entirely exciting tale and, I'm delighted to report, is all neatly finished off in the final pages.

I loved the amazing setting, the well-rounded characters, the way proprieties of the time were acknowledged whilst the women were brave and fearless and not afraid to use their brains to solve a puzzle. This is a story which will stay with me, and I shall certainly look out for more from Nancy Campbell Allen.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This is the story of gentle, sweet and loving Sophia. She adores Anthony, who is all she could want in a man. He is kind, masculine and very much in love with her.
The story is mainly in India, with it's lush forests and unusual animals. The descriptions lead you to feel, the heat and humidity, the way the tree roots twist, oh, and elephants. The characters are full bodied and so believable. The way they speak, their attitudes, even the way they act with each other seems, very real. The plot takes all these parts and fuses them into a truly marvelous tale. The hunt for papers that are so delicate, many people could die.. Anthony must find them. I so very enjoyed this book, there were several twists to the plot and some surprises. I believe the author put a lot of thought into it and came out a definite winner, It was an amazing read. I received this from Net Galley for an honest review.

While there was some decent dialogue, there just wasn't enough going on to hold my attention. All the elements were there but they didn't come together in a memorable way.

I enjoyed this book. Full of mystery, suspense, and gentle romance.

Sophia’s heart belongs to Anthony, yet he has to abruptly cut off ties, leaving Sophia alone to deal with the wagging tongues of the Ton. Unable to forget him, she decides to travel to India.
Of course, Anthony is there, and Sophia finds herself in the midst of a dangerous investigation. I enjoyed putting the clues together along with her. I loved how Anthony still loved her, and I love the ending.

While this book wasn't terrible it also wasn't wonderful. The main characters were missing that "spark" in their relationship, and the internal monologues, the mystery that wasn't really one at all, and the tedious banter seemed to drag on and on.

Anthony Blake has finally decided to openly court the lovely Sophia Elliot and put his life as a spy for the British crown behind him. When a document goes missing that puts all British spies and their families in danger, though, Anthony decides he must once again don his unreliable and flirtatious playboy facade and find the critical document. He breaks ties with Sophia, but fully intends to undo the damage his lies have caused the very minute he finishes his last mission.

As years go by without word from Anthony, Sophia decides to take a trip to the very edge of the British Empire and spend time healing in India. Still heartbroken and confused, Sophia's plans to forget her former suitor come crashing down when she discovers that Anthony is also in India. The pair soon find themselves amidst a swirling mystery that involves leading figures in both England and India. To ultimately save her, will Anthony finally tell Sophia the truth and allow her to help him recover the missing document? After so many lies and disappointments will Sophia ever learn to trust again? Or will the dangers of Anthony's former life catch up to them both?

Nancy Campbell Allen gives readers a fascinating glimpse into British Imperial India in The Secret of the India Orchid. While I'm growing a bit tired of the "British spy has to break up with his love in order to save her and the country" plot line, the exotic setting and compelling mystery made up for the slightly unbelievable context. I also appreciated that Anthony didn't keep Sophia in the dark for the entirety of the novel, but shows her the courtesy and respect to eventually treat her as an equal. Both characters, as well as the many secondary characters, are well-developed and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the love story, as well as a look into a country and time-period I've not often explored. I look forward to more from Allen in the future.

I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own

I was excited when I figured out the main characters in this book are from My Fair Gentleman. I wouldn't say you have to read them both--but it was a fun surprise! I love that this Regency romance isn't set in England.
I liked that there was romance and mystery. Too often there isn't much to drive the plot. Not so with this story! I liked that there were plenty of suspects. I guessed who the bad guy was WAY before the characters figured it out, but it was still good.
A fun little read.