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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great love story -- Highly recommended,
By
This review is from: Lords of Danger: Bewitched (Paperback)
Heather Cullman creates an imaginative, romantic tale that breaks the most common plot lines in BETWITCHED. Rather than relying on an action driven plot, a miscommunication, or lust, Cullman presents a heart touching tale of friendship that evolves into love, thereby deeply touching the reader's emotions.Michael Dane, Duke of Sherrington and once a favorite member of the ton, now lives sequestered in a gloomy and dismal former abbey surrounded by fierce gargoyles and ominous noises. Members of society believe he is mad because he suffered humiliating seizures in their highbrow presence. After several years of isolation, Michael's grandmother and her best friend determine to bring happiness into his life again. They threaten the loss of his dukedom and banishment to an institution if he refuses a marriage of convenience. Freshly arrived from Boston, Emily Merriman's father's dying wish was to see her married. A terrible curse has already resulted in the breaking of three engagements, leaving Emily determined to remain forever single. Despite Emily's vow to remain single, however, her grandmother complies with her deceased son's wish, and arranges the marriage to Michael. After meeting Michael and assuming that he's only marrying her for an heir, Emily reluctantly agrees because she wants children. Emily fears falling in love with her husband, however, for the curse promises to make her "a plague to any man she loves." She only believes Michael will be safe from the curse because their marriage is not meant to be a love match. Michael differs from any many Emily has ever known because he listens, really listens, to her. His refreshing, careful attention values her intellect rather than pretending to hang onto her worlds with banal pleasantries. Michael was once rather shallow, as he wanted nothing more than momentary pleasure and to keep up with the vapid ton. His rejection from society has allowed him introflection. Emily's presence inspires a desire different from that which he's known while a member of the ton. There he freely partook of the sexual favors of the flirtatious and daring. Emily touches not just his libido, but also his heart. She makes Michael want to share once again in the joy of living, in simple games and pleasures, in laughter and her vivaciousness. Indeed, just the sight of Emily stirs sensual feelings that Michael hasn't felt in several years. Sadly, his treatments have insured that he cannot perform any longer. And frustration that he can no longer perform occasionally leads to abominable behavior toward Emily. Consequently, their wedding day and subsequent time together lacks the promise and joy to which its entitled. Instead, their wedding day only seems to be the beginning of a lifetime of broken dreams and emptiness. Lovely, impertinent Emily has a marvelous hobby that mirrors her flights of imagination. She creates kites; elaborate affairs complete with drawings of angels and details of feathers. Flying kites gives her the opportunity to think and a way to deal with difficult emotions. Just because she had not expected to find love in this match does not mean that she did not expect to be wanted. Although their marriage begins with great difficulty, soon Emily's good-natured enthusiasm for life affects Michael. When Emily discovers the truth about Michael's epileptic-like fits and witnesses the results of his "cures," she puts her practical nursing knowledge to work, bringing him tremendous relief. Michael becomes devoted to Emily and comes to treasure her friendship. Slowly their easy friendship develops into a love that has the potential to destroy them both. BEWITCHED touches all the right romantic elements for a great love story. Although Michael initially presents himself to be a self-pitying jerk, sympathy builds for his character as the story progresses. Michael's self-centeredness soon gives way to growth under Emily's spell. The progression of the plot allows tremendous opportunity for appreciation and growth, making him a powerful and entrancing character. Emily's vivacious love for life sees beyond Michael's wasted body and angry facade to the kind, and nurtures the vulnerable man beneath. Her kindness and love are the catalyst that pulls Michael out of his destructive cycle. Their love is strong, true, and beautifully portrayed. Further, rather than allowing the tiresome plot device of miscommunication divide these characters, they always talk things through, bearing their vulnerabilities and risking embarrassment and hurt. The result is a convincing plot filled with genuine love. Unfortunately, several pesky details hold BEWITCHED back from its potential. A fascinating secondary character named Rebecca gives Emily the encouragement and magical knowledge to solve many troubles. Yet Rebecca's own history remains dismally shadowed, only revealing that this daughter of a high-ranking family of the ton has magical powers and is the "go-between" between the fairy realm and the human realm. But no concrete reason for her presence on the moors is clearly stated, only hinted; yet her role is pivotal to the story. Although hints suggest that a sequel starring Rebecca may be forthcoming, more information now would make the novel more plausible for the critical reader. Nevertheless, BEWITCHED is an enchanting novel that comes highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Book Suffers from Split Peronality: Drama or Fairy Story?,
By
This review is from: Lords of Danger: Bewitched (Paperback)
When I read the back of this novel, it sounded like a very interesting story: a man who's stricken down with seizures has to fight through the humiliation and self-hatred to find love. While that's in there, it is obscured by the book's problems. First, the book takes much too long to get things going. They don't even come face to face until page 61, and they spend the first MONTH of their marriage without speaking to each other. On page 116, he finally decides to go get acquainted with his wife. Well, it's about time!!! Its biggest problem, however, is that the plot does not mix fantasy in very well. The plot is very serious and realistic, then all of the sudden elves and fairies are dancing around as the heroine takes a trip to get some herbs. It's jarring and I found myself annoyed and speed-reading over the parts where the heroine visits the local "go-between" and meets her friend the magical goat. (This goat, by the way, is apparently a cursed ladies' man. Despite this explanation, it still made me uncomfortable when the heroine told her husband that the goat looks at her like he's imagining having ...with her!) This not-so-well-done fantasy element reaches its ultimate ridiculousness when they go to break the curse by summoning a spirit, who zaps them with lightning bolts to test their love. Frankly, if this whole bizarre "curse" aspect had been lifted from the book, it would've been much better. The author seems to have two tales in mind: one an complex, emotional story of a woman bring a man out of the hell he suffers as a result of his brain fevers, both physically and mentally. The other is a fanciful fairy story about conjuring up spells and wearing protective amulets etc. The two simply don't work together here, and it brings down the whole book. One thing I did like was the "cure" for Michael's seizures. Too bad that doesn't happen until practically the last page. Still, I will give the author her due, that was well-done.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A bewitching romance,
This review is from: Lords of Danger: Bewitched (Paperback)
Though still a duke, Michael Vane went from one of the Ton's darlings to exile after an illness leaves him suffering from seizures that make him imperfect. To the aristocracy, Michael is tainted, unacceptable, and mad. Worried for her beloved grandson and knowing they need an heir, Adeline realizes that the American granddaughter of her friend Euphemia is the ideal solution to Michael's problems, especially since her deceased father sent her to England to find an aristocratic spouse.Surprisingly, Emily Merriman agrees to marry Michael out of filial loyalty to her dying father since she has given up on love due to the family curse. Michael refuses until his grandmother points out that Emily is his proof of sanity that will stop a devious plot by an odious relative. Neither Emily nor Michael expected love to bind them FOR ALL ETERNITY. Readers will be BEWITCHED by Heather Cullman's tender late Regency romance. The lead characters and the two Machiavellian dowagers make the plot work. The elderly duo are so good at machinations, they pull the heartstrings of the readers leading to the audience feeling waves of empathy towards their grandchildren. This entry in the "Lords of Danger" historical series provides a delightful time for sub-genre fans. Harriet Klausner
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