Review: Her Scandalous Pursuit (The Mad Morelands 0) by Candace Camp

Print Length: 384 pages

Publisher: HQN (January 28, 2020)

From Goodreads.com:  The long-awaited prequel to the Mad Morelands series—the story of Thisbe, the oldest Moreland daughter.

Thisbe Moreland is used to men not taking her seriously. As a scientist, she’s accustomed to being the only woman at lectures and meetings, her presence met with scorn and derision. So it comes as a pleasant surprise when she sits next to a handsome young man who is actually interested in having a conversation about science.

Desmond Harrison cannot believe his good fortune when he sits next to Thisbe—she’s intelligent and incredibly beautiful. He longs to see her again—but he’s ashamed of his low birth. Not to mention his employment with the infamous Professor Gordon, a formerly respected scientist who turned to spiritualism and is now deeply scorned.

When Professor Gordon demands that Desmond recover an artifact for him—an ancient object reputed to have terrible power, known as the Eye of Annie Blue—Desmond realizes that only Thisbe holds the key. Desmond must choose between his love for Thisbe and his loyalty to his mentor…but humanity’s very future will depend on his choice.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one the way I have the others of this series that I've read. One good thing is that this book is a prequel to the others, so you needn't have read them in order to enjoy this one. In fact, having read a couple of the others, I was a little confused while reading this one as I didn't realize it was a prequel when I requested it. 

I enjoyed Thisbe and Desmond. Quite a lot actually. I relished in watching them get to know each other, I enjoyed the way he took her family in stride. But there was just so much going on that it became muddled in parts. When you added into it the overwhelming paranormal aspect of this one? I just found it increasingly hard to get into. 

Had it been kept to wild ghost stories and suppositions? I might have found it more interesting. But when you add into it the dreams, or visions or whatever the heck Thisbe was supposed to be experiencing? It took away from the plot, in my opinion,  instead of adding to it.  

All things considered, what bothered me probably won't bother other readers. And what I couldn't get into? Others will probably not be able to put this one down. I would definitely read more from this author, and especially if she's got more to say about those Mad Morelands! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                        Her Scandalous Pursuit is available from Amazon.com