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Created page with '{{infobox |title=A Commercial Enterprise |sort=Commercial Enterprise |author=Sandra Heath |reviewer=Sue Magee |genre=Women's Fiction |summary=An easy read with a convincing histo…'
{{infobox
|title=A Commercial Enterprise
|sort=Commercial Enterprise
|author=Sandra Heath
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=An easy read with a convincing historical setting and characters you can warm to or hate. A good holiday read.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|hardback=070908997X
|pages=224
|publisher=Robert Hale
|date=March 2010
|isbn=978-0709089971
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>070908997X</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>070908997X</amazonus>
}}

Caroline is a Lexham, but she's not one of ''the'' Lexhams as her father made a rather unfortunate marriage. In consequence she's rather surprised to be invited to the reading of her uncle's will. She didn't know him, had no expectations and probably wouldn't have gone to London if she hadn't been trying to escape the attentions of a pressing suitor. The journey there is trying, but she's rescued by Sir Hal Seymour who gives her a lift in his carriage. It might have got Caro to the reading on time, but she made an enemy of his mistress who had hopes of becoming his wife.

Much to Caroline's surprise she is mentioned in her Uncle's will, but in a rather strange way. She has the ownership of Lexham House – one of the most beautiful houses in London for six months. She has to open it up and maintain it for six months but mustn't be in debt at the end of six months. If she can do this then the house is hers. If not then it will revert to her cousin Dominic, the Earl of Lexham. Caroline can see only one way to own Lexham House and that is to open and run it as a hotel. But this is just after the Battle of Waterloo and society is scandalised.

If you're looking for a good story with excellent historical background, suspense and romance then this might well be your book. The characters are endearing with a handful of real baddies whom you can hiss and boo and a couple of women – Caro and Hal's sister Jennifer – to whom you can really warm. It's a really easy read and I finished it one sitting as I was determined to find out how it all worked out. It was proving to be a wet Bank Holiday afternoon, but Sandra Heath cheered it up considerably.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to Bookbag.

If this book appeals to you then you might also enjoy [[Improper Relations by Janet Mullany]] and just about anything by [[:Category:Eloisa James|Eloisa James]].


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