Customer Reviews

An Independent Woman

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 story line 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

This book features the relationship between Julianna Holcott and Nicholas Barre, who were best friends as kids,they enjoyed 4 sweet years together, but have been apart for 12 years, because nicholas ran away, for a reason he reveals later in the story.
Julianna is a companion for the Thrall family, composed of Fiona, the sensible one, her bimbo sister Clementine, her disillusional mother,Lady Thrall and a father who's sensible enough to stay away from his wife. Nicholas and Julianna re-meet at a ball where Julianna is chaperoning Clementine, a series of shannengans occur that get Julianna fired.Clementine gets her well deserved put- down and Juliana gets a backbone.
Nicholas and Julianna travel back to the Barre estate, where their, hateful cousin Crandall, is killed on their wedding night, Nicholas took a vow of celibacy but apparently cant keep hos hands of Julianna. Julianna just wants to be loved and learns a shocking revelation about her mum. Julianna also might be having Nicholas's baby and the Crandall murder is still yet to be solved. The villian i must ay was obvious from the beginning, but from a characters point of view, it was not.
A highly, enjoyable book.

This is one of the best romance novels I have read in a long time...and I read alot of them...I enjoyed the emotional whirlwind the author was able to create for the reader. I cried and laughed...

The only thing I think would of made this book even better, was more love scenes between the two main characers...they were wonderful together!

The last few Candace Camp novels have been sub-par. I was, therefore, so pleased that her latest is a much-improved effort. The heroine is truly likeable (harder and harder to find these days), and the hero has the right amount of inner turmoil and angst. You'll enjoy their journey from friendship to romance. There's even a murder thrown in for some added suspense. It's an enjoyable read.

The synopsis makes this sound a bit more mystery laden then it is. The murder takes place about 2/3rds of the way in, before that the book is pretty much follows typical lines.

I enjoyed this book, I got through it in about 3 hours and even for a romance that's rather quick for me. It keeps up a slick pace, not slowing down after the intial chapter or so of obligatory flashbacks to how the two met, their childhood problems etc. I had some trouble grasping why the author felt she needed to tell us, many times, that Julianna was 'Independent'. Her actions were quite capable and she had proven that she was able to stand on her own feet with a respectable job.

Some minor quibbles with the above synopsis--her one cousin, Crandall, was definately a malicious boy, but her other, Serephina, was more selfish then cruel and did seem to be genuinely happy to see her again when they met once more. Nicholas was the primary suspect for all of two seconds, but with all the enemies the deceased had his was the most minor (and understandable) problem.

Julianna, as I mentioned earlier, is quite competent as a companion, but once Nicholas entered her life again she seemed to have forgotten much of the decorum and common sense she had learned in the 15 years hence. Nicholas for his part argues--both to Julianna and privately to himself--that he isn't a good man, that he's wicked, but he hadn't done anything horrendous. Especially not in light of what his Uncle and Cousin did on a routine basis. He smuggled, he did some espionage for the Crown, did a little whoring...all in all nothing wicked. The both of them were rather bland seperate from each other and marginally interesting when together because they were both convinced the other wanted nothing more then to be siblings! The passion was just sort of there, didn't really effect me.

The only other problem I had was that closer to the end I felt like the author tried to make the twist as off the wall as possible. I was truly interested in figuring out who had the deceased killed, but I was left feeling dissatisfied with the end result. It brought to light some disturbing family secrets that made little sense to be included.

Some of the secondary characters were interesting, though shortly lived. Julianna's friend Lady Scarborough was interesting and her servants and adopted children were all interesting sounding as well. I would have liked more about them, but sadly they left for Italy and that was the last of them. I liked Fiona, the younger daughter of Julianna's employer, but again she was gone as soon as Julianna left that family. The ones who stuck around--Nicholas's family--were standard 'evil relations'. Selfish, neglectful, jealous...

All in all I enjoyed the book and rec it if you want a romance that is mostly light and straight forward.

A Candace Camp historical romance is always a delight. An Independent Woman is one of her best. Julianna Holcott & Nicholas Barre are childhood friends who faced orphanhood together. Fifteen years later, Nicholas is now Lord Barre. He returns to England to claim his inheritance and find Julianna, who is now a paid companion. Nicholas proposes marriage to his dear friend, thinking he can maintain a marriage of convenience. Candace Camp captivates us throughout the pages as the desire builds between Julianna and Nicholas. They return to his estate to be married, an estate and inheritance his cousin Crandall and Aunt Lilith have been maintaining for him throughout the years of his absence. The story takes a turn with a murder on Julianna & Nicholas's wedding night, with a Clue-like cast of characters as the possible culprit. A touching Cinderella story with a bit of mystery and suspense. An enjoyable read!

27yo debutante's companion sees her childhood best friend again after he left his family estate 15 years ago. He is now lord of his family estate & is as eager as heroine to renew their friendship. Getting fired from her employment due to her employer's disapproval of her r/s with Hero induces him to propose a marriage of convenience with her. Heroine cautiously agrees to it after he outlines the platonic nature of their marriage even though she wishes it wasn't so. Their burgeoning sexual awareness of each other soon rearranges Hero's platonic marriage plans. But the murder of their odious cousin on the eve of their wedding hinders their physical intimacies & adds danger to their household.

Not bad but not so good either. This Camp book coasted along a bland emotionality & unexciting characters & plot. The main characters' attraction & destiny was pretty obvious from the start. It doesn't deter from it until the peripheral & superfluous murder mystery towards the end of the book. No angst or poignancy even though heroine experienced some unrequited love for Hero at the start. The writing wasn't dynamic or dramatic enough to involve my emotions while reading it. It wasn't boring per se. It just wasn't exciting. Sexual chemistry & sex scenes were ok.

Moderately recommended.

Juliana and Nicholas were childhood friends. They grew up together in Lychwood Hall, the home of Nicholas' uncle. They were considered outsiders by Uncle Trenton, Aunt Lilith, and their children, Crandall and Seraphina. At sixteen, Nicholas decided to escape, leaving Juliana alone. Nicholas promised he would return for her, but fifteen years have passed.

Juliana is a paid companion to Clementine and while attending a ball she sees Nicholas arrive. Although Juliana desperately wants to talk to Nicholas, she is worried he will not recognize her, or worse yet, he won't acknowledge her. She is very pleasantly surprised when Nicholas seeks her out, asking her to dance. Juliana adored Nicholas as a child, but now she sees him as a man.

After Nicholas pays a visit to Juliana, Clementine's jealousy causes her to lose her position. Nicholas feels responsible, so he offers to marry her. Juliana is reluctant but she agrees and they return to Lychwood Hall. They find that Aunt Lilith is still rude, Seraphina is not the beauty she once was, and Crandall is even more vile than he was as a young man. As they adjust to their surroundings, Nicholas and Juliana discover their fondness for each other goes much deeper than friendship. But nicholas tries to deny his feelings for Julianna.

On their wedding night, Nicholas and Juliana are interrupted when Crandall is found dead. Nicholas and Juliana proceed to investigate, trying to find the killer. It seems that Crandall had more enemies than allies and they all have motive to want him dead. During his investigation, Nicholas is sure he has discovered the identity of the killer. Believing Juliana is now in danger, Nicholas races back to Lychwood Hall, praying that he arrives in time to save her!

In An Independent Woman, Nicholas rages a constant battle between his desire for Juliana and his need to stay away from her. I found this frustrating, but when he finally accepts his feelings, the heat and tenderness between them is very passionate. Juliana's love for Nicholas is so endearing. The mystery that surrounds the later part of the book is very intriguing. I was surprised by the killer's identity. An Independent Woman is a heart-warming story that delivers a lovely happily ever after ending.

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Another boring book. There were far too many unlikable characters in this novel. The ones that were likable had no personality at all despite the author telling us that they did. Too much of a murder mystery for me. Not enough dialogue between the two main characters to make it romantic.

This is a lackluster effort from a talented author.
There is a pleasant hero, Nicolas, and a pretty heroine, Juliana. As children, they were wards to their evil uncle/guardian, Trenton Barre. They were best friends, almost siblings, which might explain the absolute lack of sexual tension in this romance.
Juliana is a penniless Companion/Chaperone, who has lost her post. Nicolas made a fortune overseas and has returned to claim his rightful inheritance. He offers Juliana a celibate marriage, she accepts.
Together they return to the family estate, Lychwood Hall. The remaining Barre family: Cousin Crandall, Cousin Seraphina and their mother, Lilith, are not happy to see them.
Tension and discord rule the day. Finally there is a murder. Can our intrepid newlyweds expose the criminal and enjoy their wedded bliss?
This romance felt padded and stretched. There is very little dialogue betweeen the protaganists, but numerous internal monologues. Their journey from past friends to current lusty lovers was made at warp speed.
They consummate their hasty marriage after the obligatory week's worth of "does he/she love me?" angst.
The displaced Barre family is a collection of stereotypes: shallow society wife, Seraphina, gambling dissolute cheat, Crandall, and frozen unfeeling aunt, Lilith.
The denouement of the murder mystery was simplistic. A little additional motivation should have been provided to account for the cold blooded slaying of three victims.
This novel leaves you with the impression that the author had little interest in the characters that she had created. The characters moved through love scenes and episodes of suspense like plastic pawns on a chessboard.
It is a slight bare bones story, that might have worked better as a novella.
Not recommended.