Tempting Mr. Townsend

Dashing Widows #2

by Anna Campbell

Beauty - and the Beast? When rough diamond Anthony Townsend, who also happens to be one of the richest men in England, bursts into Lady Fenella’s house and demands she hand over his runaway nephew, this dashing widow embarks on a breathtaking adventure that might just end in exciting new love. Beauty… Fenella, Lady Deerham, has rejoined society after five years of mourning her beloved husband’s death at Waterloo. Now she’s fêted as a diamond of the first water and London’s perfect lady. But beneath her exquisite exterior, this delicate blond beauty conceals depths of courage and passion nobody has ever suspected. When her son and his school friend go missing, she vows to find them whatever it takes. Including setting off alone in the middle of the night with high-handed bear of a man, Anthony Townsend. Will this tumultuous journey end in more tragedy? Or will the impetuous quest astonish this dashing widow with a breathtaking new love, and life with the last man she ever imagined? And the Beast? When Anthony Townsend bursts into Lady Deerham’s fashionable Mayfair mansion demanding the return of his orphaned nephew, the lovely widow’s beauty and spirit turn his world upside down. But surely such a refined and aristocratic creature will scorn a rough, self-made man’s courtship, even if that man is now one of the richest magnates in England. Especially after he’s made such a woeful first impression by barging into her house and accusing her of conniving with the runaways. But when Fenella insists on sharing the desperate search for the boys, fate offers Anthony a chance to play the hero and change her mind about him. Will reluctant proximity convince Fenella that perhaps Mr. Townsend isn’t so beastly after all? Or now that their charges are safe, will Anthony and Fenella remain forever opposites fighting their attraction?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Novella, Regency, Regency Romance, British Literature

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2016

About the author

I've written 53 bestselling historical romances: 11 multi-award winning books for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and more than 40 as an independently published author, These include my popular series The Sons of Sin (6 books), The Dashing Widows (7 books), The Lairds Most Likely (10 books), A Scandal in Mayfair (4 books), and Scoundrels of Mayfair (4 books). My new series, Cinderellas of Mayfair, launched with Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife in 2025.

When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.

I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.

My website is http://www.annacampbell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...

Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...

I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The frustrations of love.

In Tempting Mr Townsend there are many questions to be answered...

How do you move on from losing the love of your life?

Do you put yourself in a cage and pay homage for the rest of your life?

Do you live a life without passion?

Do you take the burden of child-raising and decision making on your shoulders and hope that you make the right decisions for the rest of your life... on your own?

- O R -

Do you decide that a lonely heart and a lonely bed is too much of a sacrifice when that loved one is gone?

Do you take a risk on finding love and happiness again?

Basically, this chick had the love of her life, lost him at Waterloo and struggles to move on. The guilt she carries when she first feels attraction is devastating for her. It takes time for her to realise that she has to chose whether to live in the past or move on to the future.

****

This poor guy has it BAD!!! She's a hot chick, he's a big brute. She's refined and elegant, he's rough around the edges and a working man. He wants her...but she seems too good for him.

- AND -

She loves her dead husband. Notice, it's loves not loved...TRICKY!!

Poor Anthony. Will he talk Fenella into riding him...I mean with him, into the future? ;)

P.S. TIP TO READERS...DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC. IT MAY MAKE YOU SQUIRM, BLUSH AND PANT!!

To purchase the novella Tempting Mr Townsend from Amazon for the bargain price of $0.99 - http://amzn.to/21SbAwd

I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on The Book Nympho

When Anthony Townsend burst into Fenella (Fen) Deerham's home, all bluster and indignation, he roused more than her awareness. She'd grieved her husband's death for five years and suddenly she was being reawakened by the most unlikeliest of men.

This was a delightful story with wonderful, pithy banter minus the typical pretense and subterfuge. The romance moved at lightning speed but you just have to read it to understand why it works. Anthony and Fen may come from very different backgrounds but have similar natures, bringing out the best in each other. Together they're just great and fun characters.

Loved this story and this series!

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…why don’t we all leave our old, sad days behind? Why don’t we all become dashing widows?”

Anna Campbell’s charming Dashing Widows series features three, young, widowed friends – Caroline, Lady Beaumont, Fenella, Lady Deerham and Helena, Countess of Crewe – who decide they need a little adventure in their lives and this second novella is Fenella’s story.

She’d loved once. She never wanted to love again.

Fenella lost her husband, Henry, when he was killed at the battle of Waterloo. She loved him deeply and cannot contemplate ever falling in love again. For the past five years she has led a quiet, safe life, devoting herself to her son Brandon. Now her friends, Caroline and Helena, have decided that it is time for her to move on and enjoy herself. Anthony’s dramatic entry into her life awakens long dormant emotions that she never wanted to feel again.

Anthony comes from a respectable family and is well-educated, although still a little rough around the edges. He is proud of his origins and has worked his way up to be owner of Townsend and Co, a worldwide trading company. He has travelled all over the world accumulating a vast fortune that arouses envy even in aristocratic circles. When his brother and sister-in-law are tragically killed in a yachting accident, he assumes the guardianship of his nephew, Carey. Anthony has never had much time for the ladies, especially aristocratic ones, whom he generally regards with disdain. However, Fenella has him rethinking his opinions …

Either he needed to revisit his opinion of upper-class women as basically useless. Or Fenella Deerham was a glorious exception to the rule.

I like how, during the journey in pursuit of the runaway boys and the stay at Beeches, Fenella comes to appreciate qualities in Anthony that she admires…his intelligence, strength and self-assurance. She sees how much he loves his nephew and the kindness he shows towards his old nurse and recognises him as a man of principles.

Time spent with Fenella only reinforces Anthony’s opinions of her…beautiful, warm, unselfish and not afraid to stand up to him. I love how honest he is about his feelings for her but never pushes Fenella beyond what she is comfortable with.

I felt that Fenella’s emotional turmoil is realistically portrayed. She feels guilty about her growing feelings for Anthony because they seem like a betrayal of her late husband and I once worked with a widow who had similar guilt feelings. I did sometimes feel frustrated by the way Fenella keeps poor Anthony dangling –

“I feel like a prince in a fairytale, set a series of impossible challenges to win the princess.

– but he does, of course, win his princess and I enjoyed the love scene in the stables…a combination of urgent need, passion and tenderness.

I think these words from Fenella capture the essence of the story perfectly.

“Of course I love you. It took me completely by surprise because it’s not at all like what I felt for Henry. Our love was like a beautiful clear lake, unruffled and calm. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m aboard a great ship on a storm-tossed ocean. It’s exciting and daring and reassuring, all at the same time. And I feel like I’m heading for somewhere wonderful and exotic.”

MY VERDICT: A delightful and enjoyable addition to this entertaining series. Now I’m keen to see how Helena, Countess of Crewe, goes about WINNING LORD WEST.

REVIEW RATING: 4/5 STARS


The 'Dashing Widows' series (click on book covers for more details):




**My sincere thanks to Anna Campbell for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.**


This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

[Daniella · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 rounded down to 2.)

Reading Tempting Mr. Townsend after Katharine Ashe's The Rogue was probably not a good idea. With Ashe's superb style still fresh in my mind, I found myself grossly underwhelmed by the writing in this book. Everything seemed so... bland in comparison, and I really struggled to trudge through the story.


I was tempted to give this a higher rating, but after much thought, I realised that I would've ended up giving it two stars anyway, because I really couldn't connect with the characters. Anthony and Fenella fell flat, and I couldn't force myself to care about their relationship.

Oh, so you like each other now? Good for you guys. *flips the page*


Anthony was okay--likeable, even--but Fenella was irritating sometimes. I understand that she was still hung up on her late husband, but I've read stories where this was handled pretty well, and the character didn't turn out to be annoying. That wasn't the case in this book.


Overall, this was okay. Would I recommend it? Uh, sure, I guess... if you're not bothered by simplistic writing and bland characters. *shrugs*

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read Update: Upon re-reading a few years later, I've upped this novel to 5 stars. It still held all the magic and actually had more emotional impact the second time around. This is now going on the favorites shelf. Excellent story with mature characters and a lot of unexpected and perfectly delightful chemistry.

Original review (4 star rating):
I've been reading Anna Campbell's Dashing Widows series woefully out of order but it has been entertaining and is set up well enough that I easily follow the relationships and settle into the world Campbell has created.

I think Tempting Mr. Townsend is one of the strongest novellas I've read thus far. I loved that Anthony was a large, common man, and Fenella was a refined society woman and despite all that, they went together perfectly. Campbell does not conveniently forget society and all its rules for the sake of the plot and does touch on all of those issues, even in the short novella format.

This story has two mature characters who are honest to each other about their insecurities, talk about their problems, and have great sexual and emotional chemistry. There are two sex scenes in this novella and they are good ones :)

I've really enjoyed this Dashing Widows series and thought this was a strong installment. For $0.99, you can't go wrong. I love novellas and Campbell consistently writes good ones I look forward to and often re-read.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am heartily enjoying the Dashing Widows series. Anna Campbell has the skill to make you smile and laugh throughout her stories. After reading the first book in the series which featured Caroline, Lady Beaumont, Fenella, Lady Deerham and Helena, Countess of Crewe I was intrigued in Fenella and her life and was wandering in what way her story would play out. This second novella is Fenella's story. I loved the Beauty and the Beast type storyline, totally entertaining, Fenella and Anthony were well matched, the 'beast' (Anthony) was rather hot and quite endearing, their story kept me engaged from beginning to end and Fenella and Anthony's journey to a HEA put a giant smile on my face.
Looking forward to reading book number three.

Those Dashing Widows series book covers are drop-dead gorgeous!

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this a C+ at AAR, so 3.5 stars

Tempting Mr Townsend is the second novella in Anna Campbell’s series of stories about three Dashing Widows , friends who decide to shake things up a bit and live a little following their mourning periods. The heroine of this story is Lady Fenella Deerham, whose husband, Henry, was killed at Waterloo over five years earlier, and who has elected to devote her life to her young son, Brandon, not prepared to believe she could ever fall in love again.

It was only at the behest of her two friends, Lady Caroline and Lady Helena, that she put off her mourning little over a year previously, and since then, her beauty has gained her quite a following. She is not interested in any of the men who pay court to her though, and prefers to live quietly, cherishing her memories of Henry and bringing up their son.

Her peace is shattered quite suddenly one evening when a mountain of a man bursts into her home demanding she return his ward to him. Fenella firmly tells the intruder she has no idea what or who he is talking about, but when he reveals that his nephew and her son have run away from school, she is filled with dread and instantly demands that she accompany him in his search for the boys. Mr Anthony Townsend, a wealthy and successful businessman, is extremely reluctant to take Fenella with him, but quickly realises that she will not take no for an answer and agrees to allow her to go with him. As they are about to set out, however, a letter arrives from Brandon, explaining that they have gone to visit Carey Townsend’s sick, elderly nurse in the country.

Relieved to know where the boys are headed, Fenella and Townsend are still concerned for their safety, and immediately set out, late as it is, to follow the boys to his estate outside Winchester. During the journey and their subsequent stay at the Beeches, Fenella is disturbed to recognise that she is strongly attracted to Anthony, the first time she has felt such a thing since her husband’s death. For his part, Anthony is utterly bowled over by Fenella; by her beauty, her grace and her spirit, and he knows without a doubt that she is the woman for him. But she’s a lady and he’s the son of a Yorkshire merchant and … a woman like her couldn’t possibly be interested in a man like him. Could she?

This is a sweetly sensual story about a woman rediscovering herself as an emotional and sexual being when she had thought that phase of her life extinguished along with her husband years before. I appreciated that Ms Campbell wrote Fenella’s marriage as a very happy, uncomplicated one, spent with a man she loved and who loved her in return, and the way she explores Fenella’s guilt when she realises she is falling for someone else is nicely done. The problem, as is often the case with novellas, is that there is just not enough space in which to develop the characters or their situation fully.

The set-up - Anthony rushing into Fenella’s home and them almost immediately haring off into the night - happens at breakneck speed, although it actually works in context and also means that there is more time available to spend on the romance. Anna Campbell is an excellent writer, and all the constituent parts of the novella work; the road-trip element enables the couple to talk and get to know each other a little, the two boys are well-drawn and Anthony, although painted with broad strokes, is an endearing, likeable hero that I’d have liked to spend more time with.

Tempting Mr Townsend is a charming story from the pen of a highly accomplished author, but for all that, I can’t deny it’s somewhat insubstantial. If, however, you’re looking for a novella to while away an hour or two, you could certainly do worse than pick it up.

[Retsel Koko]

Street saying FMC is a widower who can’t seem to move on from her deceased love of her life — I’m all for it since I keep reading the opposite where it’s the MMC who can’t move on from his past love. #womeninmendominatedfields 🤣

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another keeper from MS Campbell I loved this Beauty and The Beast story.

Beautiful Lady Fenella Deerham has been widowed for five years now after losing her beloved Henry at Waterloo and has devoted those years to caring for her son Brandon but when her two closest friends (The Dashing Widows) bring her back into society she has men falling at her feet but they are not wanted attentions it takes a beast of a man barging into her sitting room with accusations that finally set some sparks off in Fenella's mind.

Anthony Townsend runs the biggest shipping company in all of England he has travelled the world led an adventuress life but he too has lost family and is now guardian of his nephew Carey and he has run away from school with his best friend Brandon Deerham, but when Anthony barges his way into Lady Derehams residence looking for his nephew he finds a beautiful woman who has the courage and strength to stand up to him.

Grab a beverage of your choice and sit back and enjoy this very sensual and exciting journey that shows how strong and powerful love can be. I loved this one the characters literally come to life on the pages as you turn them the emotions and spark between Anthony and Fenella light up the room, I highly recommend this story it is one not to be missed it will have you smiling.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, although a tad boring at times. Also, everything with the relationship went from zero to 60 in the span of a few chapters but I guess that's the way it is with novellas. Still, can't wait to read the next one since Helena's story is the one I'm most curious about!

[Jaci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in The Dashing Widows Series. Fenella is a widow who has shut herself away from life after her beloved husband died at Waterloo. She has her precious son and she thinks that is all she needs. She has never thought of remarrying because she loved her husband with all of her heart. They knew each other since they were very young. Now all she wants is shower all of her love to her son. She has been alone for long that she has forgotten how to live and enjoy her life.

Then one night a man bursts into her drawing room demanding to know where his ward is. Mr. Anthony Townsend, a big muscular handsome man like she has never seen before and who is spitting mad!! He is under the assumption that his ward and her son have run away from school and they are somewhere in her house. She quickly sets him straight. Somehow she is not afraid of him even though he is very large and angry.

When he realizes the boys are not with her he bids her farewell and is about to leave to find the boys when she insists on going with him. All his arguments are futile she is a stubborn lady and is determined to help find her son and his friend.

So begins the adventure.

Anna Campbell is an amazing, wonderful writer who never fails to amaze me with her stories. Her characters are so vivid and full of life, her plots are enthralling and you do not want to stop reading. She is one of my favorite writers of all time and anything that she writes I will joyfully read.

Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.


[Nina]

(Rezensionsexemplar)
Tempting Mr. Townsend does exactly what you want and expect the genre to do. It’s a fun romance where, luckily, the heroine is not 16 and wooed by a man in his 40s but a grown woman with a life of her own. I would’ve liked for the characters to be introduced a little more thoroughly and generally to have a little more time on the plot and its developments, as some of it felt a little rushed. For example, her friends are not well enough introduced and rather obviously function as foils for Fenella, for my taste. Nevertheless, this had many enjoyable moments and is an overall satisfying romance read!

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tempting Mr Townsend is book two of the Dashing Widows historical romance series. This book is a novella.

Fenella has been a widow and single mother for five years. One evening a handsome stranger arrives at her home with news that her son and his nephew have run away from their school. Desperate to find the boys Fenella insists on heading out into the night with Mr Townsend in their search.

Another quick read, this book was a delightful addition to the series.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story of twice in a lifetime love

Fenella meets Anthony Townsend when he burst into her home looking for his lost nephew. Apparently his nephew and her son ran away from school and he thought that they had come to her house.

Fenella has been widowed since her beloved husband Henry died at Waterloo five years ago. She has no interest in finding love again and has devoted herself to her young son.

Anthony is a self made man, he is wealthy and powerful. He is not at all the sort of man that Fenella should be attracted to - but for the first time since her husband passed away she feels attracted to a man and she feels like she is betraying Henry because of it.

Fenella insists that Anthony take her with him to find the boys. As they travel they get to know each other and the attraction deepens.

Once they find the boys safe and sound. Anthony decides to explore his attraction to Fenella. She knows that she is the one he wants and when a kiss exposes the passion between them he is determined to win her.

This was a sweet story about a woman who is loved and lost and has a second chance for love in her life, if she's willing to take it. I think Ms. Campbell did a fabulous job portraying Fenella.

This book is connected to the dashing widow series but could easily be a stand-alone title. And while I usually don't enjoy second love books, I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it.

[Pj Ausdenmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

When her beloved husband is killed at Waterloo, Lady Fenella Deerham tucks her heart away and devotes her life to their young son. Five years later, her friends drag her back into London society but none of the men she meets threaten her self-imposed, emotional cocoon...until one night when a brawny, angry stranger charges into her drawing room, demanding to know what she's done with his nephew.

Successful, rich, and recent guardian to his orphaned, eleven-year-old nephew, Anthony Townsend is well-liked and well-respected by many of Lady Fenella's peers, even though he is not one of them. Out of his mind with worry when his nephew, along with Lady Fenella's son, goes missing from school, he races to her London home, certain he'll find the two boys there. Instead, he finds a beautiful, delicate, strong-willed woman who turns his world upside down.

Bristling like two barnyard cats at their first meeting, the undeniable electricity between Anthony and Fenella gradually changes to a spark of a different kind as they set off in search of the missing boys. Will they accept this new life direction that fate has handed them?

Anna Campbell is an auto-buy for me and her novellas are quickly finding places among my all-time favorite short stories. Emotional, poignant, and sprinkled with rapid-fire banter, sparkling humor, and a healthy dose of sizzle, Tempting Mr. Townsend hit all the right notes for me. At 150 pages, it's a quick read but with the character development, complexity, and emotional depth to give this reader the satisfaction of a full-length novel.

4.5 stars

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story, it was really engrossing. Fenella and Anthony are so very well matched. It was nice that the hero, Anthony, loved Fenella so very much.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was fab!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with Mr. Anthony Townsend! There is something about a gentle giant of a self-made man that turns me into a puddle. It turns heroine, Fenella, into one as well. A great read that I'll be reading again and again. It's going on my keeper pile.

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A marshmallow of a story: very sweet, but almost no substance.

[Astra Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came close to deciding not to finish the first book in this series. But I persevered, and went on to the second. I liked the second one. A lot. And the first didn't really end until the second, so there's that.

Now, on to number three.

[Rose Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-lh

Lady Fenella Deerham is enjoying a quiet evening at home, when a very large man rushes in past her servants, and demands that she allow him to see his ward. The man, Anthony Townsend, is uncle to Fenella's son's best friend, and has learned that both boys have left school together. He incorrectly assumes both boys would be here, but he finds that Fenella has not yet even received word that the boys ran off. Almost immediately, a messenger arrives with letters from the school, and Anthony is sure he now knows where the boys have headed - to his home to visit his old nurse who has taken very ill. As Anthony prepares to travel there, Fenella insists on accompanying him. Anthony adamantly refuses, until Fenella convinces him that she will only follow in her own carriage if they don't travel together.

Fenella has been widowed five years, and has only recently rejoined society at the insistence of her friends, who call themselves the dashing widows. Her marriage was very happy and loving, so she has made up her mind to live quietly, and devote herself to her son and her memories. She is somewhat surprised to find herself enjoying the close proximity to Anthony on their journey. His larger than life presence and masculinity have woken the physical desires that Fenella thought she buried with her husband.

Anthony is a very wealthy, successful man, although not a member of the ton. He was named guardian to his nephew when his brother and sister-in-law were killed in a boating accident, and is fumbling to handle his nephew and his grief. When the boy disappeared from school, Anthony panicked, and acted very out of character with Fenella. Once they are actually on the road, Fenella can see that he is really a caring and kind man, which only adds to her admiration of him. Anthony is finding that he is very intrigued by Fenella, as well. She is nothing like he imagined society ladies to be.

Much to their relief, they find the boys have made it safely to Anthony's home, and though they have only known each other for two days, they indulge their curiosity and share some steamy kisses. When it's time for Fenella to return home, Anthony knows that he wants her to be a part of his life His intentions are honorable, but Fenella begins to feel guilt and disloyalty to her deceased husband. Can she overcome those feelings, as well as her fear of losing a loved one again if she takes a chance? I had a lot of admiration for Fenella, as she talked out all her feelings with Anthony. There was no great misunderstanding, as she told him all her reasons and her logic. I also liked Anthony very much. He knows that he comes from a different world, but his feelings are strong enough for him to fight for what he wants. He's willing to give Fenella the space she needs, but he's determined not to give up. TEMPTING MR. TOWNSEND is a lovely, passionate short story with winning characters you can't help but root for, and is a delightful addition to the Dashing Widows series, which I'm happy to recommend.

[Elizabeth Fitzgerald]

3.5 stars.

Anna Campbell's Dashing Widows series features three widows who have finally come to the end of their mourning period and vow to each other to seize life once more. In Fenella's case, her required mourning period ended some time ago; her affection for her husband meant her grieving was protracted. In the previous book The Seduction of Lord Stone her friends Caroline and Helen convinced her enough was enough: it was time to move on.

I enjoyed the way Fenella genuinely loved her first husband. It makes a contrast to typical narratives--and, indeed, the situations of her two friends. It gives Fenella a bit of a different perspective on marriage, but also provides an obstacle to her relationship with Anthony. Her hangups about remaining faithful to her first husband are understandable but felt perhaps a little contrived, and I was glad she didn't hang onto them too long.

Fenella was a great character. Society might view her as a fragile beauty, but she has a backbone and a good head on her shoulders. She might be high society, but that doesn't make her judgemental and she's good at giving others the benefit of a doubt.

Anthony is the more passionate of the two, being quicker to anger and quicker to lust. I found him a little bit possessive too early on, but this angle was handled lightly and he retains his self-control. In fact, his self-control was one of the things I liked most about this character. Even when angry, it was clear that his anger stemmed from his affection for his nephew and he allows himself to be talked around pretty easily. Really, he's a toasted marshmellow--a bit crusty on the outside but total goo in the middle.

Without the need to set up for the series, we don't see much of the other widows. This allows the focus to remain firmly on the romance. However, they do appear for a key scene. More of Caroline and Silas' story comes out in this scene. While it was nice to have this sort of interweaving, I feel that it undid some of what was interesting about the ending of the previous book.

However, overall, I found Tempting Mr Townsend a quick, light read and just what I wanted.


This review first appeared on Earl Grey Editing.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempting Mr. Townsend is the second book in the Dashing Widows series by Anna Campbell. This series is based on three young widows just out of mourning who decide to have some fun...

Fenella, Lady Deerham is the only widow of the three who actually loved her husband and has a son. Fenella had a good marriage and since her husband's death at Waterloo has devoted all her time and energy to raising her son Brandon. She has no plans to marry again...

Anthony Townsend is a self-made man who happens to be one of the richest men in England. He is the guardian of his nephew Carey after his brother and sister-in-law were killed in an accident. Carey and Fenella's son Brandon have become good friends at school and when these two young boys run away together, Anthony and Fenella end up meeting....

Oh my what a first meeting between Anthony and Fenella! Anthony literally barges in on her demanding his nephew's return. It was fun to watch these two people from two different worlds get to know each other and eventually come to have feeling for each other. I could understand Fenella's reluctance to love again and the guilt she was feeling for starting to have feeling for Anthony.

This was another fantastic story to this series. A quick and entertaining story that I highly recommend!

[Ju Transcendancing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again while I love the premise of the 'Dashing Widows' this book fell a bit flat for me. And this time I know it's not the Courtney Milan fact as I haven't read any of her other work recently. I just... found this a bit flat. It didn't seem believable - the things the story wanted me to take on are all fine and well, but when it came to really selling it so I'd believe it, I didn't It was too rushed, the resolution too neat. Also there are some consent issues in here that I'm giving the side-eye, because even though they seem tiny, these things make a big difference. Poorly handled consent throws me out of stories like this so easily and it really damages my reading experience.

So, while I loved Fenella, I didn't really get much of a sense of Anthony - he was quite a cardboard cut out, as were the children and pretty much every other character - including the other widows. I'm sad about this. And... I enjoyed the book overall, mostly, but it was definitely a qualified enjoyment. I'll continue with this series for the moment but I'm not tempted to read anything further by the author.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good novella in the Dashing Widows trilogy! Fenella was the one widow who loved her husband, but he died at Waterloo. She, along with 2 other widowed friends decide to re-enter society and have fun. Fenella is not so sure about this as she has a son to consider.
When a large man, Anthony Townsend, bursts into her house looking for his nephew her world turns upside down. It seems his nephew, Carey, and her son, Brandon, have left school to go visit Carey's old ill nurse. They take off to find the boys safely sleeping at Townsend's estate.
Thrown together as they were, Fenella develops feelings for Anthony, but still cares about her deceased husband. No plot spoilers from me. Read this good quick story and find out for yourself! There might be more than one HEA! I can't wait for the last one in this trilogy!

[Teri Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Anna Campbell and as soon as I finished it, I downloaded more.
The story features Mr. Anthony Townsend and Lady Fenella Deerham. His nephew, for which he is the guardian, and her son are missing. Mr. Townsend comes crashing into Fenella's home looking for his nephew. He has met his match in Fenella as she will not let him go off into the night searching without her.
From the moment he catches her in a near faint, sparks fly. She still is being true to her husband that has been deceased for five year. He has never been married. In just a few short days, a wonderful and passionate relationship develops.
Anna uses her gift of words to paint such vivid descriptions of settings and characters. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Campbell's novella are as rich as her novels

It's sometimes hard to review a novella because of it's length and the short time spent with the characters. With CAMPBELL she paints a rich tapestry of emotions right from the start that I am pulled headlong into the story of Anthony and Fenella. Fenella was introduced in Seducing Lord Stone, and she is the only dashing widow who had a love match, and she has mourned her beloved husband for five years. This tale shows how the heart isn't a finite place for love but an infinite one. Anthony as the hero of wonderful proportions as he stirs Fenella heart

[Ermione Pickwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I do apreciate A LOT those authors who have the ability to synthesise. There is no need to write pages and pages and pages of redundant informations, I would have loved many novels so much more if cleverly reduced to 200 pages...

Hallelujah Anna Campbell has this ability. Very sweet novel, great characters but the most touching moment was Silas and Caro's one, so heartwarming.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long widowed Fenella, Lady Deerham (Beauty) and Anthony Townsend (Beast), unexpectedly charge off together to find Fenella's son and Anthony's nephew, both missing from school. It's that close proximity on an urgent voyage that brings respect and admiration for each other to the fore, and things go from there. Very lovely. Anna Campbell has a deft touch with emotions that always pleases, and I can't wait to enjoy the next 'dashing widow'!

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - review to follow

[Cyrene Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the Dashing Widows series, Lady Frenella Deerham was enjoying her embroidery when she was rudely interrupted by a furious Mr. Anthony Townsend demanded to know where his nephew and ward, Carey, had gone to. It seems that Carey ran off with Frenella’s son, Brandon, and has left school. Anthony assumes wrongly that he is at Brandon’s home in Mayfair, but not even Frenella knows where they both are. When Frenella receives a letter from Brandon explaining that they are going to see Carey’s old nurse in Winchester, both her and Anthony are relieved yet still plan to go there anyhow. As Anthony and Frenella travel there, a strong attraction forms between them. When Anthony and Frenella finally reach Winchester, will they be too upset with the boys to ignore how they really feel or end up taking it out on each other instead?
What an exciting cross-country historical Regency romance of two very unlikely people brought together by the unfortunate circumstances of some mischievous boys running off. Now, luckily, you don’t have to read the first book in the series to understand what is going on in this tale because it features a different couple than the first book, but you just might want to understand the strong friendship between the widows. Also, both books aren’t incredibly long, and you can read them very quickly too. Ms. Anna Cambell writes so fluidly and creates such wonderful characters that you can’t help but wish to be in her world just a little longer. I did kind of think that Caroline and Silas were already married, which they aren’t, so there is a little confusion about the timing of when things are happening, yet I still enjoy the story. Anthony does seem a bit frightening, but he’s lovable and might come off as a brute. He is just a massive guy with a true heart of gold, where Frenella might be a petite lady, yet isn’t scared off by him. Do I look forward to the next in the series? Well, of course, I do!