An Independent Woman

by Candace Camp

Book Overview

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp released on Feb 28, 2006 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373770979
• ISBN13: 9780373770977
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Hqn
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

An Independent Woman

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

An Interesting Read

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.

Wonderful!

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!

Bravo!

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!

terrific nineteenth century historical amateur sleuth romance

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