A Passionate Endeavor

by Sophia Nash

Book Overview

Wounded war hero Lord Huntington has sworn off marriage. But when he finds himself in the hands of Nurse Charlotte, he feels something stir. All the while, Charlotte hopes that the man who makes her heart pound will someday return her dangerously passionate love.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451212703
• ISBN13: 9780451212702
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Sophia Nash breathes life into her characters.

Set in 1814. Lord Nicholas Huntington returns home wounded from the war in hopes of seeing his father who is near death. His father continues to live thanks to Dr. Kittridge, the most talented physician in all of Europe. As the good doctor cares for his father, the doctor's daughter takes care of Lord Nick. All Lord Nick wishes to do is return to the war and leave everything else to his half brother, Lord Edwin. Dealing with his stepmother and Edwin is just more than Nick can seem to stomach. Miss Charlotte Kittridge is proud to be her father's nurse. She knows she is not pretty and accepts that she is long past her prime. She wants only to learn from her father and help care for his patients. When Lord Nicholas arrives unconscious and then slightly delirious, she jumps into her nurse role, even against her patient's wishes. Charlotte is attracted to the man, but keeps her distance and treats him like any other patient. She and her father are kept busy tending the two lords. Yet Fate gives them an added burden anyway. Charlotte's cousin, "Alexandre" Lord Gaston, arrives in all his flirting glory. Lord Nicholas finds his eyes searching out Miss Charlotte far too often. Her delicate touch and intelligent mind keeps him fascinated. Even though he is drawn to the lady, he must keep his distance. He promised his father that he would never marry. Yet seeing Alexandre vie for Charlotte's passion is just too much for him to handle. ***** Once again author Sophia Nash entices readers to lose themselves within her latest regency novel. And once again I find myself extremely glad that I did. There is much more going on than I am able to reveal without spoilers and quite a few more characters, each with their own unique personality. The people are so believable that I feel as though I actually know them. Sophia Nash breathes life into her characters in a way so few authors can. Highly recommended reading. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This is a Sweetheart of a Read!

Setting - Wiltshire, England 1814 --- Hanging on for all he was worth, Nicholas Huntington traveled home to see his ailing father, praying that he only stay conscious from the injuries he'd received in the war long enough to get there. Prayers answered, arriving home, he then promptly blacked out. The next thing he saw, and felt, were gentle hands exploring his body that were attached to what appeared to be a very young girl with huge gray eyes. Plain Charlotte Kittridge, because of her tiny form appeared much younger, but at seven and twenty resolved herself to be firmly on the shelf, until this very handsome soldier, son of the ailing duke, stirred up feelings she'd long thought were dead and buried. Being the daughter of the most talented and esteemed physician in Europe, she had dedicated herself to being his nurse and helpmate, but now, with her sensually reawakened, she couldn't help dreaming of a different life that included Nicolas. Later discovering that Nicolas had made a vow to never marry, she savored the one kiss he'd given her when he came out of a delirious fever. When he confessed a shameful secret to her, she insinuated herself into his life determined to help him overcome his greatest shame. Later when he proposed a marriage in name only, with the stipulation of a one night consummation to make it legal, she realized that while she really only wanted Nicolas' love, she'd agree to anything for the one chance to love him for real, and maybe, just maybe, he might want more. In this very lovely romance, this newer author reveals some superb characterizations of people dealing with serious (dyslexia) issues as well as gently inserting some very nice sensuality that is generally not found in the traditional short regency novel. The numerous secondary characters were delightful and I particularly enjoyed the two older (80ish) dowagers vying for the cleric's attention! Not only was I impressed with her debut A SECRET PASSION but also have truly enjoyed this entry showing an author who does her research as well as coming up with an original storyline. Bottom Line - This is a warm, romantically sensual sweetheart of a read - I loved it! ---- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

Pull out your hanky--for wiping your brow & dabbing tears

What a delightful treat! I found a regency with the depth and emotional power of a larger novel. I was really surprised because shorter regency books rarely have the length needed to involve me so fully that I really care about the people in it. Especially not enough to profoundly touch me. This one did (OK, I cried. I admit it!) I was also pleasantly surprised by the heat of this story. Again, this is something I haven't seen in many regencies but I really enjoyed it. I recommend this book with five stars. This regency is a stand out.

warm, romantic and very engrossing

I'll confess: I probably numbered amongst the very few who didn't think that Sophia Nash's first Regency ("A Secret Passion") was anything out of the ordinary. On the other hand, "A Passionate Endeavor" really is something special. Beautifully written and with engaging and taking characters, "A Passionate Endeavor" would rank as a keeper on anyone's romance shelf! Charlotte Knight had quite resigned herself to her fate as being firmly on the shelf; and fortunately for her, she had her work as her father's (a physician) assistant to fill her days and energies. That is until she met the eldest son of her father's latest patient, Lord Nicholas Huntington. Home from the wars, and badly wounded in the leg, Lord Nicholas is every young lady's dream come true: kind, courteous, intelligent and quite good looking. Except that Lord Nicholas has sworn never to marry -- not that so eligible gentleman would ever look at her and think of marriage anyway! And then there is the dark mood that seems to haunt and torment Lord Nicholas, as well as his family's strange behaviour... Can Charlotte help Lord Nicholas with his troubles, and in so doing win his heart and esteem? And will he let her? "A Passionate Endeavor" is, I think, Sophia Nash's homage to Jane Austen. And what a homage it is too. Using quotes from Austen's novels and letters to head each chapter, Ms Nash sets the mood and tone. I thoroughly enjoyed "A Passionate Endeavor." It had everything from an intelligent and courageous heroine to a noble honourable and tormented, who comes complete with a cold and snobbish stepmother, a spoilt younger half-brother; a simple but affecting story, and a nice prose style. It was a good and satisfying read. Except that (and this is just me being nit-picky) I really couldn't understand the behaviour of Lord Nicholas' father's, the ailing Duke of Cavendish, doltish behaviour. How could a loving and intelligent man have allowed his cold and autocratic second wife to treat his son and daughter so? And how could he think that waiting around for Lord Nicholas to decide to stop being so high minded and self sacrificing and do the right thing, was a good idea? Did he never consider the fact that things may not go as he had hopes? Like, the fact that Lord Nicholas could have carried on being self sacrificing to the very end? However, aside from the duke's bizarre behaviour, I found "A Passionate Endeavor" to be and engrossing, touching and romantic read and well worth buying, reading and keeping.

Wonderfully touching and tender--HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Best Regency I've read all year! I read this author's first book, loved it, and had very high expectations for her second. When I read that this story got a 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK in RT BookClub Magazine, I ordered it right away. I am glad I did. Like the first book, this story is hotter than the average Regency, but the love scenes that are included are handled very tastefully. I would not be surprised if this author goes on to write historical romances because that is how this book read to me. I always hate when reviewers include a spoiler, so I won't tell you what about this story made me cry and later cry again but with joyful tears. I will say that it was very moving. If you want a Regency romance where they hero and heroine shake hands at the end, then this story might not be for you. If you love stories with depth, where the hero and heroine grab your heartstrings and pull, then you will love this story too. I certainly did.