ARC REVIEW Enraptured by Candace Camp

I was worried that with this being the last book of the Secrets of the Loch trilogy that I would be completely lost. Thank goodness I wasn't. It centered around Violet Thornehill a new character and Coll Munro, an already established character. I didn't feel like I had missed out on the something in the story, it really felt like it could be a stand alone. The story was delightful, I love that Candace Camp always writes an unconventional female lead; in this case Violet is, basically, an archaeologist. Coll Munro is the the estate manager for Duncally, the property own by his brother-in-law.

At one point in the last book ruins were found and they sent a letter to a known antiquarian. Violet was following in her uncle's footsteps and when he died she need to find a place she could prove that she knew what she was doing. It was just her luck that she found the letter to her uncle about the ruins in Duncally. Everything you need to know about the previous books is explained, with Violet being a new character it makes sense for it to be explained. I enjoyed the humor and the hardheadedness of both characters and the plot was really enjoyable. Regency Indiana Jones but more romance than action, who doesn't like a good old fashioned treasure hunt.

Coll and Violet dance around each other at first, both aware of the attraction but when it becomes clear that the rumors of the lost gold being found puts Violet in danger. Coll goes out of his way to keep her safe even if it means being around her all day; that is when she actually gets around to telling him. As excited as Violet is about uncovering the ruins she knows the danger will not stop until the rumors are proven untrue or the lost gold is finally found. Together Violet and Coll try to solve the mystery and the riddle of where the lost gold was hidden so long ago. The problem with Violet and Coll is that they don't know what's going to happen in the future. Coll has never left Scotland and has no aspirations to leaving Duncally; while Violet wants to continue uncovering ruins wherever it may take her. So while they can they steal moments with each other.

Overall, even as the last book in the series it was completely ok to read as a stand alone and I really liked it. Candace Camp has a way of writing that just makes me happy to read.