Treasured (Secrets of the Loch, #1)

by Candace Camp

"A family legend of hidden treasure mingles with the mist over the shores of Loch Baille...But it's not the cache of gold dating back to Culloden that Jack Kensington claims when he arrives in the Highlands; it's the house he won in a London card game from a luckless Scotsman. Stunned to learn that her wastrel brother wagered their family estate, Isobel Rose must find a way to save her home and the people she loves...even if it means accepting a loveless marriage. Or perhaps not so loveless? Isobel unlocks the secrets of desire in the arms of the mysterious and handsome Englishman, but a series of "accidents" makes her fear that she will soon be a widow instead of a wife. As their hunt for lost riches turns into the search for a killer, Isobel fights her attraction to the man who stole her birthright...but can Jack convince Isobel that he can provide a home for her heart, and a love to treasure?"--P. [4] of cover.

• ISBN10: 1410475689
• ISBN13: 9781410475688
• Publish Date: 14 January 2015 (first published 17 June 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Thorndike Press
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 559
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Hidden treasure! Family secrets! And a marriage of convenience! Oh my! Treasured was such a fun read! Jack Kensington won an estate in a game of cards. He plans on selling it after he travels to the Highlands to check out his new property. He certainly doesn't expect to find Isobel living there with her elderly aunt. It turns out that Isobel's brother is an irresponsible jerk with no concern whatsoever for their well being. But Isobel is not about to let her family home be sold off, and convinces Jack that a marriage between them would be most beneficial.

Treasured was a delight! I immediately adored both Jack and Isobel. He's no gentleman, but he's also no cad. He intended to sell off the castle, take the money, and return to London, but upon realizing that this is someone's home, plans changed. Isobel is no simpering flower. She's been running the household for years and has the respect and admiration of everyone who lives and works there. She's not going to let their livelihoods be taken away, even if that means she must enter a loveless marriage with a stranger. Of course, where love is missing, lust is certainly abundant! And love grows eventually.

There's also a family mystery at the center of Treasured. It's believed that Isobel's grandfather had hidden a treasure somewhere on the property, but he disappeared one day and it became just a family tale. But while Isobel is cleaning out rooms and the attic, she stumbles upon clues that might suggest that her aunt's stories about her father are true. Then Jack keeps getting into all kinds of accidents, almost as if someone wants him dead. From there the two start exploring the property in hopes of finding the treasure and what really happened to Isobel's grandfather all those years ago.

Treasured was just really great! I love family secrets and this is a good one! There's so much that Isobel and Elizabeth don't know about their home and family, and it all comes out! I do wish that the treasure hunt had taken up more of the plot, but I still enjoyed what was included. I also loved how Isobel and Jack eventually fall in love despite their unusual meeting and rushed wedding.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Cocktails and Books]

4.5 Cocktails

Isobel Rose is the long suffering sister of Andrew Rose and caretaker of their aunt Elizabeth. Isobel also oversees the running of the Rose family estate, Baillannan. That is until Jack Kensington shows up. Andrew is the titled owner of Baillannan and lost the estate to Jack in a wager. This is how Treasured by Candace Camp opens. The drama, suspense, romance, and betrayal continue throughout the book.

The characters were very well written. I enjoyed reading about every character…even those that were not so nice. I absolutely loved the romance between Isobel and Jack. Isobel displayed the right amount of resistance just before she gave in to Jack’s seduction. Jack was the sort of protective hero that every woman yearns to have in her life. He was gentle from the start, and I loved that the author gave a peek into his thought processes. Anyone that has ever fallen for someone of the opposite sex can easily understand the sort of conversation you have with yourself when you feel yourself falling. Some of it was laugh out loud funny and other parts just made my eyes mist up. The passion between them was blazing hot. The author has a real talent for writing love scenes. I had to take off my glasses because the heat coming from the pages steamed them up. I literally cried when Jack finally got to his breaking point and told Isobel that he needed her. That was so precious to me. I fell in love with him all over again.

The element of suspense kept me guessing until the end. Everyone I thought was trying to kill Jack ended up being false. The author stirred the pot by having a surprise house guest show up that added to the list of “who coulda done it”. A real family affair was uncovered, and the list of suspects continued to grow. I was nearly biting my nails by the time the culprit was revealed.

The author did an excellent job of writing the storyline and the characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. I hope the next one is Meg’s story.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books