Book Review: Secrets of the Heart by Candance Camp

She never expected to love again . . .
On the eve of her wedding to Michael Trent, the Earl of Westhampton, Rachel Aincourt tried to elope with another man -- only to be unceremoniously returned to her fiance by her strong-willed father. Burdened by guilt and shame, Rachel felt she'd gotten what she deserved: a loveless marriage to a cold, enigmatic husband. She was wrong.

But fate had other plans
Behind Michael's proper demeanor lay a man who thrived on danger and intrigue -- and now he'd been drawn into one of Bow Street's toughest cases. When the crime turned into a murder that involved Rachel, Michael found a new way to employ his mastery of disguise: seducing the wife he secretly loved. But would he finally be able to win her heart . . . or would he destroy his last chance for happiness?

Review: This is the first book that I have read by this author and it was a fun one. Michael and Rachel, to all appearances, have loveless marriage but Michael is desperately in love with his wife with no idea how to tell her of his feelings. Into this mix Camp adds the fact the Michael is basically an undercover cop and is discovered by Rachel in one of his disguises. The tension between the two characters is for lack of a better word . . . delicious and very entertaining; as are the characters and the story itself.

Rachel begins to feel a spark for Michael in his disguise which only leads to confusion. Should she continue to allow herself to feel this way for a man that isn't her husband? As for Michael, he is unsure whether he should feel pleased that she is reacting to him or betrayed that she is attracted to a man that she believes related to her husband. Being immersed in the couple's discovery of each other made the story line interesting and enjoyable.

Details:

• Publisher: Harlequin


• Pub. Date: January 2003


• 416 ps.

Plans: Added it to historical romance bookbox

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