“Belmond’s lilting sequel, ['A Rather Curious Engagement'] is fun, even if you don’t have your own yacht!”— Publishers Weekly


“Belmond’s second novel is bound to charm!”—Booklist


“A spirited heroine.” —Publishers Weekly


“An entertaining yarn with family drama and intrigue aplenty.” --Booklist


“A return to the golden age of romantic suspense! ‘A Rather Lovely Inheritance’ weds old-style glamour to chick-lit flair. You just want to move into the novel yourself—on a long-term lease, with hero and snazzy sports car included!”-- Lauren Willig, author of “The Secret History of the Pink Carnation”

A Rather Curious Engagement


SUMMARY of the novel:

Penny has the London apartment, the classic car, the villa in France, the fabulous bank account, and a great guy to share them with. So everything’s perfect, right? Er, well...

Pursued by gigolos, gold-diggers, an ex-wife, and highly aggressive salesmen, all chasing after their millions, freelancer-turned-heiress Penny and her boyfriend Jeremy decide to take a whole summer off and sock away most of their inheritance. But they allow themselves one big splurge from their wish list—and that’s where all the trouble begins.

At an auction on the French Riviera, Penny and Jeremy win much more than they bargain for, as they uncover a centuries-old rivalry involving the theft of a strange, priceless treasure linked to Beethoven’s Germany. Investigating everything from a luxurious 1920s yacht on the Mediterranean, to the legendary superstitions of the island of Corsica, right up to a castle on Lake Como, Italy, Penny and Jeremy track down a mysterious, elderly count whose fractured memory may hold the pieces to this fascinating historical puzzle.


Lake Como, Italy

News & Info

1. Novel
A Rather Lovely Inheritance
Debut novel, published by the Penguin Group. ISBN# 978-0-451-22052-3
2. Sequel
A Rather Curious Engagement
The second book in the "Rather" series. Published by the Penguin Group. ISBN# 978-0-451-22405-7
3. NEWEST "RATHER" NOVEL!
A Rather Charming Invitation
The third book in the “Rather” series. Published by the Penguin Group. Available February 2, 2010. ISBN#978-0-451-22908-3. Pre-order now at Amazon.
4. Public Appearances
C.A.'s Whereabouts
Signings, Interviews, Media
5. FAQ
Q & A With C.A.
Interview with the Author
6. Other Writings
Poetry and Short Fiction
Published in the literary anthology Minutes of the Lead Pencil Club, a Book-of-the-Month-Club selection; and Blue Light Red Light