Passionate Endeavor [Paperback]

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.

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.

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.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews  4.4 out of 5 stars