Love Potion #9 (Magical Love Series) [Paperback]

Claire Cross (Author)

Book Description

Series: Magical Love Series | Publication Date: July 1, 1999

A new Magical Love romance from the bestselling author of The Last Highlander

Five centuries ago, a beautiful gypsy drank a magic elixir to become immortal--hoping to be reunited with the reincarnation of her loved one. Now, finally, he's back in her life. But to recapture his heart, she needs another elixir: Love Potion #9...

Praise for Claire Cross's Once Upon a Kiss and The Last Highlander:

"Magical...beautifully romantic."--Romance Communications

"An exciting delight...marvelous."--Under the Covers

"Like a sorcerer, Claire Cross spellbinds her readers." --Rendezvous

Editorial Reviews

Review

The story begins with a prologue set in 1420 in Northern Italy. Lilith is a gypsy who has fallen in love with Sebastian, a non-gypsy. Sebastian has been accused of killing a widow and the townspeople believe it is because he was possessed by Lilith's gypsy ways. As Sebastian is dragged to the gallows he swears to return to Lilith and after he is hung the people turn on the gypsies. After fleeing the mob, they turn on Lilith for having been with one who is not of their kind and she is disowned. She goes off to wait for Sebastian's return. The story now moves to Toronto in 1999. Mitch Davison has just moved into his new home with his two children, Jason and Jen. His only other family is his stepmother Andrea, who is helping him with the move and the children. It turns out that his next door neighbor is Lilith (she is now immortal - a long story, its in the book) and it just happens that it is the 579th anniversary of her and Sebastian's oath, although he has never shown up before. When Mitch shows up on her doorstep she assumes that this good-looking man must be her Sebastian and she throws herself at him. Needless to say, Mitch is a little confused and very wary of Lilith who he thinks is a little wacky, although desirable. Now it is up to Lilith to convince Mitch that he is Sebastian and they are soul mates. Or is he? Love Potion #9 is an excellent, fun story. Claire Cross has such a great sense of humour that I find all her books enjoyable, but her paranormal books are definitely my favorite. I sense these are the novels that she has the most fun writing. As strange as the whole immortal/magic/reincarnation thing may seem from this review, it actually works very well in this book. She Claire Cross creates such vibrant characters that you are drawn into the story before you know it. The characters talk in a manner that is real. They never seem stilted or stiff. Even the children are 'real', and not just there to be cute and plot developers. Mitch is extremely detailed for a hero and I love his relationship with his children. Claire makes him a very loveable man, not just a good-looking alpha male (although he is quite a handy man - he has to be!) Lilith is colorful and a free spirit. If you like quirky, fun reads that are a little off the beaten path, here's the book for you. Love Potion #9 is #1 in my book! Claire Cross writes unique books that are absolutely enjoyable! I hope 'Claire Cross' becomes as prolific as 'Claire Delacroix'. I plan to be a prolific reader! Michelle Sawyer -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Jove (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515125296
• ISBN-13: 978-0515125290
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,359,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical and sweet-, February 6, 2001

By 

S. Stiles "media hound" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Love Potion #9 (Magical Love Series) (Paperback)

Lilith is a gypsy who falls in love with Sebastian. Before everyone can walk happily into the sunset, Sebastian is hung on the gallows. He gallantly swears to come back to Lilith. She searches for the secret to immortality so that she will be ready when he comes for her. 600 years later, she is still waiting. Just when Lilith is ready to take matters into her own hands, her dream lover moves in next door. Mitch (who has no recollection of his past life as Sebastian) is an investigative reporter with 2 kids. He does not believe in fortune-telling, magic or in Lilith.

I liked the 2 main characters here very much. Mitch was a strong man who loves and protects his children. You have to admire that in a man. Lilith is lonely (who wouldn't be after 600 years) and longs for a family. She creates potions to music and gets herself into some interesting situations. The romance between these two is sweet and develops from page 1. There were several gaps in the story, and some elements that should have been further developed, but I will definitely read Claire Cross again.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun filled fantasy romance, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Love Potion #9 (Magical Love Series) (Paperback)

In Northern Italy, the angry, superstitious mob blames the Gypsies for bewitching one of them, leading to the murder of a neighbor. One of the Rom, a shocked and distraught Lilith observes the townsfolk hang her beloved Sebastian for the murder that he did not commit. Following his death, the locals turn to the Gypsies, planning to burn every one of them for witchcraft. Lilith manages to escape, swearing that she will wait for eternity, if necessary, for the rebirth of her cherished Sebastian. In August 1999, Mitch Davidson and his two little children have just moved to Toronto. Next door to him resides a depressed Lilith Romano, still waiting, after almost six centuries, for the reappearance of Sebastian. When she meets Mitch, Lilith realizes that on the 579th anniversary of that fatal day, happiness has returned, as he is Sebastian. However, the new resident has no recollection of a previous life in Renaissance Italy and thinks the beautiful fortuneteller is crazy. Still, he cannot stop his attraction to her even as she tries to overcome his lack of recall. She knows that they belong together regardless of the era.

Love Potion #9 is a brilliant fantasy romance from the great Claire Cross, who also scribes marvelous medieval tales as Claire Delacroix. The story line is a typical Cross-between a fantasy and a contemporary tale. The fantasy elements are superbly developed so that the audience believes that physicists have proved that reincarnation is a viable part of our world. The lead characters are a delight, especially the nutty Lilith in her efforts to prove that she and Mitch belong together forever. Ms. Cross proves that she is one of today's superstars with a super story.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A humourous, magical read, July 29, 1999

By 

Tess (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love Potion #9 (Magical Love Series) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Cross mixes romance, humour and magic with a deft touch. I was also interested to learn so much about the Tarot deck and how it works. And, of course, there was d'Artagnan the cat. But most of all, Mitch and Lilith's story reaffirmed my belief in love and destiny.