A Rather Curious Engagement by C. A. Belmond
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(Paperback)
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- 384pp
- Sales Rank: 95,166
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
- Format: Paperback, 384pp
- Sales Rank: 95,166
- Series: Penny Nichols Series
- ISBN-13: 9780451224057
- ISBN: 0451224051
Synopsis
Belmond's much-beloved debut novel, A Rather Lovely Inheritance was "a rare gem" (Romance Reviews Today) and "An entertaining yarn with family drama and intrigue aplenty."(Booklist). Now, in the eagerly anticipated sequel, A Rather Curious Engagement, our American freelancer- turned-heiress Penny Nichols is back for more fun— and another engaging international romp with her English hero, Jeremy.
Penny has the great London flat, the classic car, the villa in France, the fabulous bank account, and a great guy to share them with. So everything's perfect, right? Right? Er, well...
Pursued by gigolos, gold-diggers, an ex-wife, and highly aggressive salesmen chasing after their millions, Penny and Jeremy decide to take the summer off and sock away most of their inheritance for one year. But they allow themselves one big "splurge" from their wish list-- and that's where all the trouble begins. At an auction on the French Riviera, Penny and Jeremy win much more than they bargain for, uncovering a centuries-old rivalry involving the theft of a priceless treasure linked to Beethoven's Germany, the mysterious island of Corsica, a luxurious 1920s yacht, and a medieval castle on Lake Como, Italy.
Publishers Weekly
In Belmond's lilting sequel to A Rather Lovely Inheritance, heroine Penny Nichols exults in being released from her stodgy American life and learns that being newly rich is not all champagne and roses. Her barrister boyfriend, Jeremy Laidley, also an heir to Penny's great-aunt's vast fortune, wants to use their wealth wisely. Penny agrees, planning to pool their resources and eventually create a joint enterprise that will utilize Penny's "natural-born snooping ability" and Jeremy's legal expertise. Taking a summer off to explore their options, Jeremy decides to splurge on a vintage yacht at an auction. But their dreamboat vanishes from its berth and later turns up, damaged, in a nearby harbor. Penny's determined to solve "Le Boat-Jacking," leading them to the yacht's previous owner, Count Hubert von Norbert, in Lake Como and some seafaring surprises. It's fluffy and fun, even if you don't have your own yacht. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
C.A. Belmond has published short fiction, poetry and humorous essays. She was awarded the Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship and was twice a Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award finalist. Belmond was a writer-in-residence at the Karolyi Foundation in the South of France, and her original screenplays were shortlisted at Robert Redford's Sundance Institute and the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference. She has written, directed and produced television drama and documentary, and has taught writing at New York University.
Customer Reviews
Great plot, fascinating characters?by Anonymous
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June 26, 2008: In C.A. Belmond?s sequel to A Rather Lovely Inheritance, Penny and Jeremy decide to splurge on a yacht, not just any yacht. At an auction, they win the 1926, 35 meter Liesl?s Dream, complete with teak wood and six luxury bedrooms. Unfortunately, someone steals the yacht out of the harbor. Things definitely are not smooth sailing as Jeremy?s ex-wife pops back in the picture, trying to win his heart, very much annoying Penny and a mysterious Russian offers to sail away with Penny. C.A. Belmond is a brilliant writer. I savored every word of A Rather Curious Engagement. While this novel is written from Penny?s point of view, I detected a distinct British quality to the writing. It works! I felt as though I were on tour with the loving couple. They make me yearn for my own yacht. A Rather Curious Engagement is a must read!
a fine storyby harstan
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June 10, 2008: Since becoming an American -heiress (see A Rather Lovely Inheritance), Penny Nichols has seen her lifestyle radically change. She lives in a luxurious London apartment, weekends in France, has a classic automobile and enjoys living with her flatmate Jeremy.----------- However, on the down side is everyone wants a handout so Penny is constantly being accosted by gigolos, paparazzi, sales people and even a former wife. Penny the snoop and Jeremy the legalese decide to have a big summer fling before putting their money aside for the year to live somewhat normal. They attend an auction on the French Riviera where they buy a 1920s yacht only to have someone boat-jack it and damage it when it is found. Unable to resist the former freelancer investigates the theft which leads them to the previous owner, Count Hubert von Norbert, in Lake Como, Italy and a fifth of Beethoven (without Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band to guide them).---------------- This is a rather entertaining sequel as the adventures of an American heiress in Europe continue. Penny and Jeremy are wonderful dodging gold-diggers, con artists, and peddlers when they just want a little fun before deciding what to do with their nouveau riches. Instead they end up playing amateur sleuths tracking the mystery of the purloined yacht which leads them into all sorts of other escapades including a centuries old still burning continental feud. Fans will relish the return of Penny and Jeremy as they tour Europe.------------- Harriet Klausner
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