To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

 Eva Caldwell is an independent photographer in late 1800's London.  She sometimes works with the local police in photographing crime scenes.  Nathan Winston works as a detective, and has long admired the spunky photographer.  When Nathan's mother invites him to a matchmaking house party, Nathan asks Eva to come an play the role of his love interest to keep the other women at the party at bay.  As their charade begins to feel real, their flirtations are hampered when a criminal from Nathan's past begins to threaten the party guests. Will this new threat bring them together, or pull them apart?

It wasn't long after I started this book that I realized it was the second in a series.  In the end, it didn't matter that much. Although there are allusions to the other story, this one stands on its own just fine. Nancy Campbell does a good job of creating appealing characters and settings.  The mystery elements of the story are pretty good, but the focus of the story is the growing closeness between the two main characters.  I liked that fact that the main obstacle in their relationship was the worry about the stalking criminal, and not stupid behavior like the couple not communicating with each other.  I wouldn't say this is the best book I have read this year, but I liked it enough I went ahead and put the first book on hold. (2022, 248 p)