The Secret of the India Orchid is a fantastic novel with an intriguing plot, strong female characters, and an exotic setting. Author Nancy Campbell Allen pens this beautiful Regency romance — her third book for Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line. Besides a sweet love connection, The Secret of the India Orchid includes a murder mystery complete with fast pacing and daring adventure. Set in the nineteenth century, Campbell Allen leaves behind dour Regency England and sets her narrative against a colorful British-occupied India backdrop. The change in setting is refreshing and adds additional layers of interest and intrigue. While the novel includes a multitude of characters, the women particularly shine with their varied personalities and strong roles. The Secret of the India Orchid is a book that can’t be missed!

Review of Advance Reader Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Shadow Mountain

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  A few implied occurrences of violence including a mysterious puddle of blood; a few verbal threats, including a threatening letter and a knife held up against a character’s neck; a few secondhand reports of violence, including murder, physical abuse, domestic abuse and attempted abduction of a child; a brief scene of violence occurs when a character is pistol whipped; a few non-detailed scenes of violent death include a shooting and the sati tradition. 

Sex/Nudity:  Several incidents of kissing; a few sexual references, including a mention of brothels.

Mature Subject Matter:

Murder, philandering husband, domestic abuse, death of family members, attempted child abduction and endangerment, threats of violence, “gaming holes”, ancient “sati” tradition (widow of deceased commits suicide or is murdered).  

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Characters drink at several social events; character has a mouth of tobacco.