I'm a huge fan of this series and loved this book! Nathan and Eva were so sweet and balanced each other perfectly. The mystery of trying to find Nathan's enemy kept me on the edge of my seat and had me reading way past my bedtime.

Mrs. Winston, widowed when her children were still young, took over running the family's business, and established a habit of hosting charity benefits in the form of week-long entertainments at their seaside holiday house every year.

Her son (and eldest, the others all girls), had chosen a career to leisure, and was a successful police Detective with CID. Being a clever woman, and hoping to bring together her grown children with possible "matches," this year's wealthy donor invitees were mostly single ladies and gentlemen of marriageable ages. Her only difficulty was to get her busy detective son to attend.

Nathan Winston agreed to attend, yet was tired of dodging overeager young ladies, so he quickly "invented" an existing interest in the very pretty Eva Caldwell, whom he had been admiring for some time (she helped the police by photographing crime scenes). He didn't want to admit his blunder. So he asked her to attend as his guest (where they could pretend a mutual interest), and she, as it turned out, could also work part time for his mother by taking photographs of the festivities. A win for all three!

As fortune often arranges things, the long-term plans of many individuals came together in unplanned-for ways. Schemes were foiled and rearranged, hopes were dashed and others lifted, and the two "pretenders" began to wonder whether the other felt as they did.

If this was not excitement enough, a criminal from Nathan's past wanted revenge, and arranged chilling surprises for everyone. The party began as parties do, but death was walking the seaside estate and grounds; listening at doors, and peeking into windows. Worst of all, no one knew what Bernard Toole looked like. He could be posing as almost anyone!

This was a fun (clean) Victorian era romance mystery. I enjoyed the silver nitrate photography details, and it's always nice to read a clever mystery and entertaining story that is wholesome and entirely without swearing! Very refreshing!

4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the e-copy of this proof (it is not available in ebook format for pre-order); the review is voluntary.

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To Capture is Heart is the second installment of progressive photographer Evangeline (Eva) Caldwell and hunky detective Nathaniel (Nathan) Winston. Although this is the second and I’ve not read the first in the series, it was easy to fall into the story of these characters!

The romance portion of this story wasn’t doing it for me, but the mystery was compelling. The connection between Detective Winston’s family and Eva was pleasing to read and see develop during the extended house party in balance to the mean girls was charming.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and for my reading ratings this makes it a 3-star story.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of To Capture His Heart. I found this novel to be a nice, little reprieve from reality. Set in 1886, England, this novel is the second in a series. Nathan and Eva have know each other for some time and circumstances bring them together for a social retreat at Nathan’s family home. The premise of this story is a simple one, Nathan asks Eva to attend this retreat so that he may avoid the eager socialites vying for his attention. Of course things become more complicated since Nathan secretly pines for Eva. During the course of this story, disturbing events occur and a villain (from book 1) is the suspect. Throw in high society, ‘mean girls’, a historical setting and To Capture His Heart provides a nice, unoffending read.

A strong three star rating only because I felt as though I were missing much of the back story, having not read book 1. Previous events were briefly explained and interspersed throughout this novel almost as an aside and didn’t help to provide much character development or further the plot to any great extent. It was almost as if this author were saying “ Oh yah reader, you should know about this thing that happened in book one” which resulted in flat characters and a villain who wasn’t really villainous. I did enjoy the brief and chaste romantic tension between Eva and Nathan, and perhaps that should have been explored to a greater extent along with the social machinations of the time.

Overall I enjoyed this read. Though personally I liked the 1st one more. If you enjoy Sarah Eden and the like you'll enjoy this for sure. It was a sweet story. I thought the H (Nathaniel) and h (Evangeline) were wonderful. I even loved the H's family. If ever there's a spin off series for the sisters I'd read that. I thought there was good story development and the mystery was interesting. I especially found working in the photography was also pretty interesting. This had the makings of a good story and romance. Good pacing, editing, characters and chemistry. I am definitly going to read the next one. My only caveat to the enjoyment was just a few times the difference between men and woman during those times came off more like a sermon than adding historical tidbits.

I loved this book just as much as I loved the first one. I loved everything about it. The characters and the very fun plot was a page-turner. Sammy is a favorite and I was happy he was in the book. But the character that stole the show for me was Christine Winton, Nathan's mother. She was so fun. Oh, as well as Nathan's sisters. The plot is engaging with some mystery and scene stealing romance too. I read this book so fast, but I also didn't want it to end. So well done.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC. I read the first book and really enjoyed it and recommend it. The timeframe covers when woman in the workplace and new technology is advancing. The story is a natural second book as, Eva and Nathan, from the previous book are building a relationship. The romance makes up the majority of the book with the mystery being secondary. Great description of photography used at the time. I would have enjoyed the mystery being more fleshed out. Good secondary characters and a nice epilogue. I rate the book a 3.5 and round up.

I loved this book! I didnt realize Nancy was going to make this a series but am so glad she did. I love the crime stories and its not too much to make me feel ill. It was great to follow Evas story.

This book was much better than the previous one, and you'll most probably love it if you're into romantic genre

I loved Eva spunk and independent spirit. Nathan’s mother and sisters were also great characters. I wouldn’t mind reading a book where one of his sisters were the main characters. Nathan was well written. You sympathized with his struggles and cheered him on to find his nemesis. Overall a great book from start to finish.

I loved the first book a lot but probably liked this one even more. Maybe. 😝 It was fantastic all around! The characters were all well-developed and the storyline was unlike any I have read before.

The romance between Nathaniel and Eva ... sublime! He was SO sweet to her and you could tell he was so enamored with her, from the beginning.

The thrill/suspense part of the book was also well-thought out and written. No spoilers, but I wasn't anticipating who was behind all the mysterious things that happened at the house.

I'm really looking forward to the next one in this series... it is truly one of my favorites!

I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a classic historical romance, with a twist a suspenseful side story that takes over the spotlight in this mystery/suspense. It made for an extra entertaining plot line which I enjoyed very much. The main character, Eva, was a very strong intelligent female. Her job, which was unusual for females at the time was to assist Nathanby taking crime scene photographs. She too family portraits of the wealthy that were among her aunt Sally’s circle of friends. and her business grew by mouth of the satisfied customers. Nathan by way of his mother invited Eva to the family social event of the summer she invited ladies and gentlemen of marrying age to her house for ten days of mingling by playing games and dancing. Eva would be required to take pictures st certain events. Nathan didn’t tell anyone but he was actively working on an ongoing case. He did eventually tell Eva but she had pretty wellfigured it out by the way he was acting. He had requested her attendance as a way to pretend they were already in a relationship to detract any interested ladies and to keep his family off his back this covers the first half of the book. The mystery and suspense becomes front and center in the book to finish it out. What a nice change to the regular romance. This definitely puts it in a league of it’s own. ASpecial thanks to #NetGalley, #BlueMountainPublishing, #NancyCampbellAllen, #ToCaptureHisHeart. I thought the title should have beenTo Capture Her heart because we see it more from his point of view a puppy dog chasing the one he loves but he never felt it before so he doesn’t know how to tell her and not be rejected. I thought the book was exactly what I was looking for and didn’t know it. Yes I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes a quick to read slow-burning romance.

Eva is an accomplished photographer who has been enlisted on many instances to help the constabulary in crime scenes. When detective Nathan Winston's mother decides to have a week-long social gathering, she invites Eva to photograph the events, knowing her son might have feelings for Eva. The only condition- they must pretend they are courting, to avoid all the single ladies harassing him all week. But then a criminal from the detective's past decides to crash the party, everything changes.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Clean and enjoyable read. I always enjoy Ms. Allen's stories!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In Allen’s follow-up to The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, we catch up with Amelie’s cousin, Evangeline who seems to have an infatuation with Detective Nathan Winston (who also happens to be the investigating partner of her cousin’s husband). When Nathan’s mother mentions the need for a photographer at her annual fundraiser at their country manor, Nathan volunteers Eva and also mentions that they are courting in order to prevent his mother from inviting eligible young ladies to the ten day event. Hand delivering an invite to Eva, he mentions the plan to act as a courting couple. Eva jumps at the chance to not only take photos, but to spend time with Nathan and attempt to not give away her feelings for Nathan. Nathan himself is worried that his true feelings for Eva might be revealed and wonders what torture he has opened himself up to.

Shortly before the event begins, Nathan has a previous criminal case he worked come back to relevance when the main suspect shows clues that he is near Nathan. Increasing undercover security for the event to watch his family and guests, Nathan is now also alert to finding the suspect before something dire happens. Knowing the suspect has likely changed his appearance, Nathan tries to enjoy his time with Eva while also trying to keep his family safe. Is the suspect among the guests? Is a guest a henchman for the suspect? Will Nathan be able to find where the suspect is before someone gets hurt or even worse, dies?

This book was enjoyable and an easy read. Romance, intrigue, mystery that isn’t graphic in nature. Strong female characters are the core of this series by Allen. If you are looking for a romantic mystery, this is the story for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #arc #tocapturehisheart #shadowmountainpub #nancycampbellallen

First half of this book: an average house party. Second half: AGATHA CHRISTIE.

This book was SO GOOD. Throughout the book you know who the villain is. And you know they're nearby, constantly taunting the two main characters. But as hard as I tried to figure it out, I had no idea where there were.

I was absolutely incapable of trusting any member of the house party, servant, or nearby neighbor. A few times I thought I knew who the villain was, but then they died. Of course.

It really was like an Agatha Christie novel. I could trust no one and people I thought was important kept dying.

"To Capture His Heart" is the story of Detective Nathaniel Winston and photographer Eva Caldwell attending a house party together... While pretending they're courting, of course. Because Nathan clearly needs someone to help dissuade all the desperate debutants from trying to win him over.

On top of that, a criminal mastermind who blames Nathaniel for the death of his family is lurking in the background, leaving calling cards and threatening everyone Nathaniel cares about.

This book is the sequel to "The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart", though you can read "To Capture His Heart" without spoiling the first one. My hold for the first book didn't come through until about a week after I finished the second book.

Definitely worth adding to your to-be-read lists!

#ToCaptureHisHeart #NetGally

Evangeline (Eva) Caldwell, is a photographer, who lives in the time during the women's suffrage movement. When Nathaniel Winston,, persuades his mot'her, to hire Eva as a photographer, for his mother's ten day houseparty. Nathan,, has had, his eye on Eva for a long time. Nathan is hoping that Eva, will cause a distraction, for his mother''so he can continue to ,focus on a case, he is in the middle of, as a detective. I loved this book, even though it is a sequel, it can be read as a stand-alone. What a great book.

This book is an assortment of genres: historical fiction, fantasy, suspense & mystery.

It's my first novel from the writer & I actually relished it. This variety had me engaged at every climacteric & I kept longing for more. I appreciated how the female personalities are demonstrated as liberated & willing to oppose the world to proclaim their own profession.

Nancy's story-telling is indeed impressive. She knew just when to present the flings & when to provoke the reader's apprehension. Also, the account is from both the central characters' POVs, though not established explicitly, which brings it up a notch.

Thanks, NetGalley, author & publisher, for supplying me with an e-ARC. I'm leaving this review willingly in exchange for the complimentary book.

Nancy Campbell Allen has been a favorite of mine for years!! And there is a good reason for that. All of her books are so good, full of twists and turns, and leaves you feeling all the feels. To Capture His Heart is no exception. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading late into the night.

I love the amount of research you can tell went into this book! This book has it all--mystery, adventure, romance, and more. The characters were endearing. Eva's independence was wonderful, and Sammy proved to be an adorable helper. I liked the pacing, including the slow burn when it came to the romance. I will definitely continue to make my way through Nancy Campbell Allen's books!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved many of the same things about this book as I did The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. A strong, but feminine, female lead and a morally upright, hard-working male lead. I loved the setting of a house party. If I had one quibble, this one took a little longer to get the mystery going than the prior book. I had a hard time really suspecting anyone! But I did enjoy this sweet couple, the good writing and realistic dialogue. I appreciate that though the women have independent means, they still understand the joy to be found in a loving marriage and partner that supports and encourages you (rather than throwing men under the bus). Overall a sweet read and I look forward to hopefully hearing Charlotte’s story next!