Customer Reviews

Charmed (Friends and Lovers Collection)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Ciotta's second effort "Charmed" has compelled me to add this very talented author to my "must read" list simply because her name is on the cover. This was not only well written, but also funny, romantic, endearing, snd...charming story. After all the main character Lulu Ross does dress up as Princess Charming, in order to entertain childern during their birthday parties. She also has a thing for the color pink, and carries a pink poodle purse. With a quirky fun character such as Lulu how can you loose?

In addition to having a truly likeable heroine and yummy hero Colin Murphy, we also get to visit with old friends Rudy, Jean Pierre, Jake, and Afia all from the first book "Jinxed." If you've already read the previously mentioned title all I have to ask is why have you not bought this one!!!

This is not just a light hearted romance but a romantic suspense as well. No one can combine the same amount of tension (sexual as well as suspense) and humor as Ms. Ciotta does with the same stunning results. I highly recommend this read and her previous effort "Jinxed". I can't wait for the next in this fun series "Seduced." Ms. Ciotta is an author you won't want to miss!

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

This book took off from page one and didn't stop. I can't believe I had it in my house for a week before picking it up. Normally, I'm not a fan of contemporaries, but Beth Ciotta has changed that opinion!

It really was a funny and fast paced book. The mix of characters and their traits blended so well. They all took on such a real persona that I feel as if they truly are alive. The appearance of the characters from her previous book, "Jinxed," blended so well and didn't feel forced on to the page. It was so much fun to see them again.

This is definitely one that has been happily added to my keeper shelf!

Charmed is the second book in the triology by Beth Ciotta. Although this second entry can stand alone, you won't get as much enjoyment out of it if you haven't read the first book, Jinxed, which introduces you to the very interesting secondary characters of the book. Both books are well worth the read if you are looking for something light - in tone, in humor, and in suspense. The book has been synopsized very well in other reviews so I'll cut to the chase - it's like a warm fuzzy pair of bunny slippers. Cute, comfortable and just makes you feel good. The characters are lovable, there is a little sexual sizzle, which keeps it from being a kiddie book, with a dash of mystery and sip of pathos (in the main character's sister, who is featured in the 3rd book in the series.) I'll definitely keep this book for those times when I need something light and easy and quick to read.

I picked up this book because I'd been reading the author's blog and found her "voice" in her entries to be one I enjoyed. I was not disappointed by the decision. "Charmed" is a delightful story, not quite romantic comedy, but definitely not your average romantic suspense. Bodyguard Colin Murphy is called in by a friend to watch out for a "princess" who's in danger. He's not expecting a children's storyteller with a princess persona. Ciotta gets things moving from page one and doesn't let up until the end.

There's a tremendous amount of humor mixed in with the action that follows, all of which arises naturally from the movement of the plot rather than having the feeling of "insert joke here" that one sometimes encounters when reading romantic comedy. Since Lulu not only works children parties, but is a roving entertainer in an Atlantic City Casino, there's a great deal of material to mine and Ciotta doesn't hesitate to do so. The hero being forced to don the troll suit is great. Trust me.

I will confess that there were a few moments near the beginning where I felt Lulu threatened to veer into "too stupid to live" territority, but since her escapes from the situations caused by those moments actually a) moved the plot forward and b) caused Lulu to take another look at the situation around her and realize it really *was* as serious as Colin was trying to tell her, they bothered me far less once I was pass them. Part of Lulu's character is that she does try to look at the world with a sunny disposition and treats people as if they are well-intentioned until they prove otherwise. Since there's a lowlife after her, this causes more than one problem, and in dealing with those problems, we see her grow and change, revealing a strength of character at the end of the story that wasn't obvious at the beginning.

It was an easy and entertaining read, and this is one author whose other works I'll definitely be taking a look at.

Beth Ciotta's second romance is a fun, humorous, and exciting romantic suspense novel! The characters are intriguing; the suspense keeps you turning pages; and the setting is so real that you feel you are in Atlantic City. Don't miss this exciting book!

His best friend FBI undercover agent Joe "Bogie" Bogart sends bodyguard Colin Murphy a message that the princess needs protection from abduction in of all places Margate, New Jersey. Not understanding what is going on or why a princess is even in Margate; Colin heeds the request and goes to protect Luciana "Lulu" Ross.

Colin sees Lulu dressed in a fairy tale princess costume as she performs at children events during the day; he thinks she is cute. She believes he is the latest broken hearted boyfriend of her sister Sofia crying on her shoulders instead of his pals or her sibling. Colin soon learns that the Princess works at a casino in the evenings, which he concludes is the most likely spot where the Bogie undercover connection and related silence occur. Still Colin struggles to keep Lulu safe from an unknown assailant who even slips ecstasy in her drink while waiting for more information from Bogie. Still she rejects his theory that she is in danger except with her heart as her personal protector and the princess fall in love.

This romantic suspense grips the audience from the moment a bewildered Colin arrives in Margate to protect the Princess from what he assumes is the mob based on the vague say so of his "brother". The story line never slows down as Lulu realizes that Colin is there for her and not her sister though she wonders why her. Though the stalker comes out of left field, fans will feel CHARMED by this fine contemporary tale of love between the Princess and her knight as Beth Ciotta avoids the second book jinx.

Harriet Klausner

I'm wondering if Ms. Ciotta copied Lulu from who tend to be from time to time. You don't see that many cute, goofy fun heroines in books anymore. I find them to be overly competent, overly analytic and tough. Don't get me wrong, in the end, Luciana held her own and was no pushover. But how can you not love a character that dresses like a princess (Charming) or a mermaid for little kids parties. Princess Charming could even charm the ever doubtful 4-9 year old boys while dressed as a princess. Mobsters and neighborhood curmudgeons had crushes on her sweetness and innocence.

Who doesn't love a former marine that did humanitarian missions, a p.i. who put it all on the line to keep the sweet and innocent safe! The whole cast of characters are likable, enjoyable and I look forward to seeing more from them in the rest of her series.

I thought Charmed was just absolutely adorable, and because of this one book alone, I intend to pick up all of Beth Ciotta's books. I highly recommend this light-hearted romp. :)

This book took off from the beginning with a hook that landed me immediately, characters that sang with believability, and venues that I found shiek and fascinating. I admit that when I started reading the book, I was scared because I don't read romance generally. But while the romance was plentiful and sensual, the drama and intrigue interspersed throughout kept me turning the pages.

Beth writes with a style that puts the reader into the heads of the characters. Not forced, not flowery. Real, gut-level prose that you can picture real people saying.

Just about anybody will be able to see a bits of himself or herself in this novel. It's a sweet read for an afternoon at the beach or for savoring over a few days during breaks from reality.