Customer Reviews

So Enchanting

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Connie Brockway's my favorite, so I when I found out she was returning to historicals with So Enchanting I was intrigued, thrilled, couldn't wait to get my hands on the book - all kinds of happy. The premise of So Enchanting is different and refreshingly original - at least I haven't come across too many historical paranormals. Best of all, there's not a werewolf or vampire in sight! Though there is one facetious reference to an incubus that had me laughing out loud. The tone is light and fun, but still with enough depth to make the whole reading experience memorable. The heroine, Francesca Walcott, is interesting and fully three-dimensional. I liked how the author dealt with the supernatural elements of her character, blending it in so that it's a part of her world and who she is, a formative influence on her life. At the same time, though, the magic doesn't highjack the story and detract from the human emotions that play out as things progress.

So Enchanting starts with a bang and takes the reader where few romances have gone before - into the midst of the occult craze sweeping late Victorian England. I thought this initial setting was inspired, particularly in light of what the book is about. Issues of faith and skepticism, fraud and fact, mystery and magic are brought to the forefront as the book pits eminently skeptical, rational Greyson Sheffield, who makes it his business to expose the hoaxes and schemes of occultist charlatans, against Francesca Walcott, who, when our story starts, is a willing accomplice in her husband's fraudulent séances. Grey busts up the show, Fanny's husband abandons her, has a fatal run in with a train in France, and Fanny is on her own, disgraced and exiled. But Fanny is different from her husband and other con artists in that she does have a bit of the magical about her, which has been more of a curse than a gift, branding her as different, even dangerous, and estranging her from her family. When she's offered a clean slate by the father of a similarly afflicted/gifted girl, who wants Fanny to become his daughter's companion, to guide and protect her, Fanny jumps at the chance to live a "normal" life. She and Amelie Chase retreat to the wilds of Scotland, where they live in peaceful, if boring, seclusion for the next six years.

I really liked the relationship between Fanny and Amelie, a friendship that evolves with the story. Fanny eschews the all too easy/clichéd Merlin mentor role and even keeps her magic a secret from Amelie. They're unconventional, independent, and complement each other nicely. Fanny is the mature, (seemingly) staid, practical one. Amelie is young, emotional, and impulsive.

As for the romance, a series of coincidences brings Grey back into Fanny's life because it turns out he's the brother of the man who became Amelie's guardian upon the death of Amelie's father. A threatening letter warns that Amelie's life is in danger, and since Amelie's guardian is too busy, he sends Grey to take care of it for him. With Grey is his nephew, Lord Hayden. The rest of the book (apart from the untangling of this death threat mystery - not my fav part of the book btw) chronicles the misadventures in love of these two pairs, Grey and Fanny, and Amelie and Hayden.

Francesca's character is one of the strongest aspects of the book. She's resourceful, intelligent, and has a sense of humor. She's suffered in the past, but has adapted, recovered, and moved on. Grey seems like a powerful personality - v compelling, even if his trust issues are kind of rote (was hurt in the past by con artists, hates them all and wants to rid the world of their evil blight.) He's abrasive and rude a lot of the time, in an I'll-say-what-I-think-and-damn-the-consequences way, but cares deeply for Fanny (against his better judgment.) They're a very well matched couple - with a credible instant, deep connection thing going on, but, at the same time I'm not so sure about their chemistry (that fun, sexy banter that I love,) and I think the story was stretched a bit thin in this regard. They don't have a conversation until well into the book, more than a hundred pages. But I enjoyed the set up and the story that was woven around their eventual reunion (and 100 or so pages isn't that long to wait after all,) so I'm not complaining. I just wish there could have been more of a focus on the two of them.

The secondary romance between Amelie and Hayden also takes up a lot of space, and the book is pretty equally divided between the two romances. I would have liked Amelie and Hayden more if the book hadn't gone on so much about how young they were - in a way that gently, playfully pokes fun at the couple. Grey and Fanny are in on the joke and spend a lot of their time rolling their eyes at the besotted love birds. While I was amused too, I wish that Amelie and Hayden's romance could have moved beyond this to become something more than a parody. As it is, the joke got old for me, and since no one else in the book seemed to take their love seriously, I couldn't either. Though Amelie had more depth to her, Hayden was pretty bland.

On the other hand, there were some beautiful moments shared by Grey and Fanny, particularly near the end as they work through their issues (well mostly Grey has to become more amenable to the idea of a little trust and magic in his life) and fall in love. At the end of the book, I'm happy to see them together at last. As always, I love how Connie Brockway writes, so even though I have some reservations, I still enjoyed So Enchanting.

I've always loved Connie Brockway historicals so was very excited to read her new one. Unfortunately, it got boring about half way thorough - and her great humor lost its way.

I just found out this was Ms Brockway's return to historical romance writing. Lucky you! You don't need a real review of the story line as there are plenty on this page. You may want to know that Ms Brockway has a way of writing that makes a book an old fashioned page turner! Plenty of well fleshed out characters....back story...intrigue and yes magic. Ms Brockway is a unique writer who manages to impart humor in a classic historical romance without crossing that fine line of modern slang or notions. I have long admired how she does this. I believe her characters when they "roll their eyes" or wander off to do some thinking while absentmindedly swinging a golf club (yes our heroine!).

My only regret is this genre thinks we only can handle 380 or so pages! I could have stayed longer with these characters. As it was I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and hope you take a chance and enjoy it as well.

I avoided reading this for a while because I thought the premise odd and not particularly appealing. But on a long trip I caved, and am glad I did! Laugh out loud witty, and a great lead couple. The best use of parallel romances that I've seen in a romance novel: the two romances are great foils for each other. My only objection is that Connie Brockway has a tendency to let bad behavior go unpunished...not in line with my moralistic requirements of a romance novel!

I'm a huge Connie Brockway fan, have been for years. In fact, I think she could re-write the phone book and she'd keep me up burning the midnight oil to get to the Zs, alphabetically as well as somnorifically. After a break writing contemporaries (the wonderful Hot Dish and Skinny Dipping), she's back in familiar Brockway territory, especially for lovers of her books Bridal Season and Bridal Favors. We're in an eccentric village (Little Firkin in Scotland) in the Victorian era with a large cast of eccentric characters, a madcap plot, a VERY appealing hero and a smart, courageous heroine with a slightly shady past and secrets to hide. There's a paranormal element to add spice to this wonderful mixture but the glory of the book is the push and pull relationship between Grey, the hero, and Fanny, the heroine. Some of the dialogue will have you laughing out loud! Fanny has genuine psychic powers which she's doing her best to suppress and hide. She also has a less than pristine past as the offsider for a fake medium. Grey investigates and exposes liars and cheats who claim false extrasensory powers they use to defraud the public. The game is set for a titanic battle of wills, especially when both Grey and Fanny are in the grip of an overwhelming attraction for each other. This book is sparkling fun! Read it!

SO ENCHANTING reminds me of Brockway's light-hearted BRIDAL SEASON. It's charming and witty, with clever dialogue and such warmth I was able to sit back, relax, and read and enjoy. The reviewer who hated the book (the hero's name is GREY, btw, not Drew) missed the point at the end -- Grey didn't need magic to trust Fanny, love was all he needed. A great read!

WOW!!! "So Enchanting" is just that...ENCHANTING!!

- If I had to give one dislike it would be that it did not need to be 400+ pages. It did drag in some places. However, that said, the last 100 pages or so will make you forgive that! Had it not slowed my initial interest the way it did, this would have been a 1-nighter read! Absolutely!

I love the cover and the insert cover, but what I absolutely loved the most - and what Ms. Brockway's coup de grace was - is definitely the ending!!! Sure we all know the happily ever after is happening for the two main characters; that's a given. But I adore that on rare occasion (such as this) the author closes with something more, something different.

Some people read for the romance, some for the steamy scenes... my thing (aside from it being historical) is definitely humor! And when you run across a book, a story, an author, that hits it *so* perfectly, you absolutely want MORE!!! So I guess I have to amend my "if I had to give one dislike...well it's actually two: I *so* wanted more magic, *more* scenes and situations with Fanny's gift/curse, and more, more, MORE of Grammy Beadle!!!

So, instead of ending the story with the typical married happily ever-after, I hope you will enjoy [as I did] Ms. Brockway's ending with a scene from the beginning of the story: in the streets of Little Firkin! I absolutely laughed my @$$ off!!

- One suggestion: (and for any fans of Julia Quinn's "Lady Whistledown" character, you will appreciate this) find a way to put Grammy Beadle in a whole string of stories! =)

- This is perhaps one of 4 or 5 books I've read this year (and I read a couple a week) that's a solid 5* and keeper! Enjoy! =)

I just finished this book and I loved it! I really like paranormal and magic books, but I'm sick to death of vampires and werewolves. I thought this was such a great historical, with a little bit of magic, just enough to be fun. And I adored the main characters, especially the hero -- very growly and sexy!

It is 1892 and England has a new craze on their hands with those who can contact loved ones that have departed the Earth. Lord Greyson Sheffield works as a special prosecutor for the Lord Chief Justice where he exposes these frauds. He hates these charlatans ever since his father was as victim of one when he was just a boy. He is on another case where he has exposed a so-called spiritualist who uses his wife as his accomplice. There is something about Francesca Brown that brings out Greyson's protective nature. When he finds out that her lying husband has been killed, he goes to her, but she has left London and disappeared to places unknown.

It has been six years since Francesca, now known simply as the widow Fanny Walcott was given a new lease on life. She has left her old life of tricking people behind and resides in the small town of Little Firkin, Scotland. There she is the companion to Amelie Chase, a young girl who is believed to be a witch. Amelie's father, who was once Fanny's neighbor when she was a girl, came to Fanny after she was exposed and asked her to watch over his daughter who may have supernatural powers. He felt Fanny could help Amelie control her powers because Fanny is much like his daughter even though all of London thinks she is a hoax. Fanny's gift is that she has a way with animals (There are no Dr. Doolittle scenes in this book). The Colonel gave her a way out all those years ago. Fanny's life couldn't be better and only has to deal with the villagers who act a bit wary when it comes to Amelie. The townspeople accept Amelie because when she turns twenty-one she will inherit most of her father's estate, and those who resided in the town around the time of the Colonel's death will divide the one hundred thousands pounds among them that the Colonel has left them in his will as a thank you for keeping Amelie safe.

Greyson and his nephew Hayden visit Amelie because Hayden's father is Amelie's guardian. An anonymous letter was sent stating that Amelie's life is in danger. Both Greyson and Hayden go to investigate. The men are dumbfounded when they meet Amelie and Fanny. Hayden is dumbstruck by the beauty and personality of Amelie, while Greyson cannot believe that this Fanny is the same one who ran away from him so many years ago. Fanny would love nothing more for Greyson to leave and even though Greyson feels the same way, he can't help but enjoy the teasing and banter he has with Fanny.

Greyson and Fanny have to keep a strong eye on Hayden and Amelie who are so young and passionate, as well as finding the person responsible who may want to harm Amelie. All of a sudden, strange accidents start to happen and soon Fanny and Greyson are the ones who have to start looking over their shoulders. Is there something supernatural force at play or someone who is out to cause harm to the young girl and the woman who treats her as her own daughter?

Connie is a master at writing witty dialogue and there is a great deal of it here. One such scene that had me in stitches is a scene in the middle of the book between the Greyson and Fanny. From the moment these two see each other in Little Firkin, they insult each other left and right. The dialogue is so witty and engaging. One minute they are ready to come to blows, the next they are in a passionate embrace and kissing each other like there is no tomorrow. Amelie and Hayden's romance is the complete opposite of what Greyson and Fanny have. These two young lovers are sweet and tender with one another and their internal thoughts will crack you up. Hayden thinks Amelie is the perfect woman while Amelie, who is still so naive, wants to experience the world and life in general. I also really loved Fanny's relationship she has with Amelie.

The love scenes are a bit tame but should still please most readers. As for the mystery of who wants to harm Amelie, that could have been handled better, but I didn't mind since I was enjoying these four characters and their reactions to each other. This is a light hearted mystery that will keep you smiling till the last page.

Every single one of Connie Brockway's historicals are so incredibly well written and I can say without a doubt the same goes for So Enchanting.

Katiebabs

What makes Connie Brockway such a brilliant writer is that even her "lighter" books have a depth of emotion that gets to me every time. This book is in the vein of Bridal Favors . . . Gray and Fanny bicker, flirt, fight and charm each other on every page . . . and this reader was swept away!