Her work has been hailed as "a return to the golden age of romantic suspense," and Belmond is back with her beloved characters and their search...
read full description
reviews
Dec 13, 2010
Denise
rated it: 
Penny and Jeremy return in A Rather Charming Invitation with their newly glamorous life. Jeremy has finally proposed and everything would be grand if Penny could just get motivated to organize the wedding. But there are some many tough decisions to make! Should they get married in France or England, either choice will alienate one side of the family. In the midst of the planning a long lost cousin shows up on their doorstep. Her family is offering the loan of a mysterious and antique bridal tape
More...
Jul 22, 2010
Carolyn
rated it: 
C.A. Belmond writes another luxe mystery for readers who want a wonderful escape interlude. Seriously, I feel I should read this while reclining on an elegant art deco chaise lounge like you might find on a movie set for Carole Lombard or Myrna Loy. Truly escapist literature that takes you from the London Bloomington-area style salons to the French Riviera aboard an antique roadster or a one-of-a-kind train journey. In fact, I actually read this during one of the dreariest February winter weeks
More...
Aug 12, 2010
Mille
rated it: 
One day at the library I was on my way to check out and this book caught my eye. So I grabed it, checked it out and ended up choosing to read it first. About a third of the way through I realized it was in a series, but not the first book. I wondered if I should keep reading it or wait and start the series from the begining. I ended up finishing it.
I somewhat enjoyed the book. I liked the mystery element, but it didn't take long to figure it out. It did have some good twists More...
I somewhat enjoyed the book. I liked the mystery element, but it didn't take long to figure it out. It did have some good twists More...
Aug 01, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Charming, fun, and adorable, as usual, though a few things about this one put me off.
1) There is an obvious gap between book #2 and book #3, and the author refers quite often to details occurring within said gap, without ever filling the reader in as to the real story!- and these are bits that I, as a reader, WANTED TO READ! One cannot simply end book #2 with somewhat of a cliffhanger, and then have book #3 NOT pick up where it's previous novel left off. But danged if the author doe More...
1) There is an obvious gap between book #2 and book #3, and the author refers quite often to details occurring within said gap, without ever filling the reader in as to the real story!- and these are bits that I, as a reader, WANTED TO READ! One cannot simply end book #2 with somewhat of a cliffhanger, and then have book #3 NOT pick up where it's previous novel left off. But danged if the author doe More...
Mar 05, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
The 3rd in a series that I expected to be one shot. Despite the slow beginning it turned out to be fun book. Penny and Jerome are planning their wedding and keep meeting up with couples who are negative about marriage. As a result Penny gets cold feet and can't make any wedding decisions. This is the slowest part of the story. Once they get involved in researching the tapestry and investigating its provenance the story picks up considerably. It also jump started when they decided where to hold t
More...
May 21, 2011
adlin
rated it:
While I enjoyed this entry in the series, I did not enjoy it as much as the first two books. I like that the mysteries in this series are not focused around murder, but rather around something involved with the past. In this case, the mystery surround a wedding tapestry. However, in this case it moved a bit slow and was at times overshadowed by the wedding preparations and the hesitancy of Penny. Penny and Jeremy are likable enough, although in this book, I found her to be almost given to swo
More...
Aug 08, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
This book was just as fun as the first two Penny Nichols books - although it was a little heavy on the girly-romance and light on the mystery/suspense.
This book did not live up to expectations in two ways, however:
1. For the first time, in this book I did not feel like I could relate to Penny. In the other books (when she gains a surprise inheritance) everything is shiny and new and awe inspiring. The townhouse in London, the yacht, the villa on the Rivera. These books were More...
This book did not live up to expectations in two ways, however:
1. For the first time, in this book I did not feel like I could relate to Penny. In the other books (when she gains a surprise inheritance) everything is shiny and new and awe inspiring. The townhouse in London, the yacht, the villa on the Rivera. These books were More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 18, 2010
Ruth
rated it:
I really enjoyed the first couple books in this series of a young American woman who inherits a villa in France and becomes a heiress of great wealth falling in love with a distant English cousin. This is the book that covers her marriage and has some suspense surrounding a tapestry that is loaned to her for her wedding. It plods a bit and doesn't always hold my attention well, but it is a gentle story that has some quiet appeal. Not the best of the 3 books.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 09, 2010
Suzanne
rated it:
This is the third in the series of Penny Nichols' adventures. The other two are A Rather Lovely Inheritance, and A Rather Curious Engagement. Each novel includes a mystery to be solved as well as some very old-fashioned romantic adventures. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to the next installment. I hope that some of you are familiar with Penny and her family and friends.
Mar 08, 2010
Robin (RBBR)
rated it:
This one dealt with not only planning the wedding of Penny and Jeremy but the wedding itself. Of course they stumbled on to something and solved yet another mystery. When they return from their Honeymoon they find a note requesting their help and its signed H.R.H. so apparently there's going to be another book. Not sure how many books are planned for this series but I'm guessing there's at least one more. I realize its fiction but it always amazes me how people find treasure from eons ago, you w
More...
May 06, 2010
Carol
rated it:
This is the third book in the "A Rather..." series featuring american Penny Nichols and her English fiance Jeromy. They are planning their wedding and of course, there is a mystery to solve before the big day! The development of the characters has been very good and the author C.A. Belmond has indicated this series will continue. The Penny Jeromy relationship reminds me of the old Nora and Nick movies (The Thin Man) from the 1930s, playful, teasing and fun.
Feb 18, 2010
MB
rated it:
Highly enjoyable, a vacation in a book! I enjoy this series and was happy to see that this book ended with a teaser for the next.
Why, why, why doesn't someone make movies out of this series???. They have it all! Attractive and likeable characters, gorgeous European settings, intrigue, mystery, tasteful romance... (btw, these are NOT bodice-rippers). They are a vacation for the brain, like a good old movie starring Katherine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly.
Why, why, why doesn't someone make movies out of this series???. They have it all! Attractive and likeable characters, gorgeous European settings, intrigue, mystery, tasteful romance... (btw, these are NOT bodice-rippers). They are a vacation for the brain, like a good old movie starring Katherine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly.
May 30, 2010
Lynn
rated it:
Our hero and heroine actually make it to marriage, although the twists and turns are fun, as are their apprehensions. But they are amazingly tender of each other.
And more wish fulfillment (I want their yacht!)
And more wish fulfillment (I want their yacht!)
Mar 05, 2010
Heather
rated it:
The Penny Nickels series is like having a champagne cocktail for breakfast: delightful and effervescent. "Invitation" starts slowly, but soon weaves a lovely old-world tapestry (if you'll pardon the pun...)
Aug 25, 2010
Gail
rated it:
"A Rather Charming Invitation by C. A. Belmond is the third book in the saga of Jeremy and Penny. This time they are planning their wedding. But of course, there is a mystery to solve; this time a stolen family antique. Of course they solve it, with the help and sometimes in spite of their unusual collection of friends and family.
This series are charming and light-hearted with with non-fatal mysteries to solve. I recommmend that you read them in order, beginning with "A More...
This series are charming and light-hearted with with non-fatal mysteries to solve. I recommmend that you read them in order, beginning with "A More...
Aug 04, 2011
Christine
rated it:
Sometimes the language and plot was a little lame and cliche. Towards the end, the climax dragged a bit too, but overall it was a fun little read."
May 22, 2010
Christina
rated it:
Ms. Belmond has a very fun writing style. Her characters are likable and the stories just flow along. I'm looking forward to the fourth.
Feb 03, 2011
Iris
rated it:
I wish I had known this a series before I started it, but I really enjoyed it and want to go back and read the other books too.
Jan 01, 2011
Mandi
rated it:
I thought that the beginning was kinda slow, and the middle was more interesting. I did really like the end but would have liked more action in the beginning and middle parts!
May 27, 2010
Megan
rated it: 
This book didn't really get going till near the end, and even then I wouldn't call it "going". It was completely clean except for two very out of place and vulgar profanities. Disappointing. Heavy on the descriptions as most authors seem to be.
Nov 03, 2010
Sally
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 09, 2010
Avriens
rated it:
I think this is the best of the Penny Nichols series. It's a quick, light, easy read.
Dec 06, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Very long. So much build up to the actual mystery part. It was still very good just that you had to read 350 pages of "background" to get to the 100 pages of adventure.
Oct 01, 2010
Lynda
rated it:
A charming wedding for Jeremy and Penny - very sweet with enough twists and mysteries to keep you reading. Hopefully another book will be on its way soon!
Mar 21, 2010
Krystal
rated it:
Penny Nichols is a girl I cannot help but envy. This third installment of the Rather Charming series only adds more for me to covet. Always charming, full of fun adventure and taking place in London, Paris, Geneva, Monte Carlo and the backyards of the South of France, Jeremy and Penny are once again caught up in a mystery, this time surrounding a wedding tapestry owned by Penny's French relatives. A wedding tapestry that was supposed to be the backdrop for Penny and Jeremy's own wedding. Let the
More...
