Customer Reviews

Some Enchanted Evening (Lost Princesses)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked it for the most part. Robert was a perfect hero and Clarice is just the match for him. I found the characters to be multi-dimensional and the author weaves a mystery into the story without slowing it down or interrupting the romantic flow. I loved that were too lost souls who found each other. They healed each others wounds. Robert is handsome, sexy, intelligent, but embittered by life. I am always a sucker for stories with "heartless" heroes who find their souls through the love of a good woman. I really loved Robert's sister Millicent. Millicent MacKenzie, the spinster sister of Robert MacKenzie, Earl of Hepburn. Seeing her blossom was a joy to watch. But the ending of the book was not well thought out at all. I agree the other view about how Robert seemed upset before Clarice left, but afterward he was okay because she'd told him to "be happy". It seemed like he'd gotten over her pretty quick. But when she came back, he had all this powerful emotion again.That just didn't set well with me. If it weren't for the wonderful epilogue. I would have been quite upset. I do hope there are more stories about Clarice's sisters and hopefully Millicent.

A sexy hero, a feisty heroine, a mystery, and a passionate romance...put them all together and you get "Some Enchanted Evening", a historical romance you don't want to miss. Dodd developed Clarice and Robert's personalities and motivations very convincingly, to the point where you feel as though you know them well enough to be friends by the time you finish the book. The two meet and the sparks fly from page one. Ms. Dodd writes some of the wittiest dialogue around -- I was laughing out loud at times. One of the things I liked best about this book is the way the author wove the emotional storyline with such a light touch -- I was engrossed with the relationship between the hero and heroine and truly felt as if I knew them both. Some Enchanted Evening was an emotional roller coaster, and I felt all the pain and joy they did. I was so engrossed, I read it in a day. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. A fast paced book with an intricate plot that I cannot help but enjoy. Some Enchanted Evening has a strong (but not obnoxious) heroine who is in no way ordinary, a back story which is compelling but doesn't get in the way of the love story, and of course a wonderful hero.

There's no denying it: I love this book. I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series. And this book affirmed my undying love for Christina Dodd.

First of all, I have a thing about names. Some romance authors use the most absurd names. Dodd (so far as I know) has done no such thing. Clarice is a splendid name, and there's just something manly about the name Robert.

With that said, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING was one of the greatest historical romances I have read, period. At first I was miffed by Clarice's entrance in the novel, and thought I would have written it a different way, but as I went along I realized that I was laboring under a misconception about the princess; I would just have written her entire character a different way. And I am pleased as punch with the way Dodd wrote her.

My favorite character in the novel is Millicent MacKenzie, the spinster sister of Robert MacKenzie, Earl of Hepburn. I dearly hope that there will be a spin-off novel about Millicent's belated love story. The way that Clarice nurtures Millicent's timid nature and turns her from a wallflower into a diamond of the first water merely by giving her confidence stole my heart.

I am also a big fan of truly obnoxious characters getting their comeuppance. Not only does it require an author to make a genuinely obnoxious character that the reader wants to throttle every step of the way, but then the author has to appropriately and efficiently take that character down a notch. Leaving the reader hurrah-ing loudly and getting odd looks from passersby.

I won't ruin the ending, but while it ties everything up nicely (what romance novel doesn't?), it also leaves the reader checking Amazon.com and ChristinaDodd.com obsessively to find out when Princess Amy's story is coming out.

And you thought the princess and the pea had problems! . They were as nothing compared to challenges faced by the three young royals in Christina Dodd's period romance, the first in a planned trilogy.

Listeners learn quite quickly that being to the manor born is no guarantee of a cushy life as three sisters, princesses, are forced to leave their home country when revolution breaks out. However, they do not live in peace as they're chased by those who want to kill them. It's the 1700s, not a time for princesses to be alone. Nonetheless, Clarice attempts to take care of her sisters by starting a cosmetic business, selling face creams to women in the villages they pass through.

There's little hope for any other females who have designs on handsome hunk Robert MacKenzie when he sees the beautiful Clarice ride into town. He is smitten, and invites her to visit him at his manor house......need we say more? If you know Christina Dodd, you know that romance and intrigue ensue.

Elizabeth Sastre gives a sweetly regal performance as the story of Clarice and Robert unfolds. She has a breathy innocence in her voice that brings the young princess to life.

- Gail Cooke

Christina Dodd has written a number of sexy, witty, emotional, memorable reads over the last decade or so; but unfortunately, Some Enchanted Evening is not one of them. I had high expectations regarding this novel; not only because of the author, but because the premise was so neat, and it sounded a bit like Sleeping Beauty--my favorite fairy tale.

Clarice and Robert were very underdeveloped, the pacing was very slow, the villain/Robert's goal was very, very weak, and the love scenes between the two were way too early and way too unbelievable. They'd only met two-three days ago, as I recall, Clarice wishes to go home, she's forever spouting about being a princess, yet she sleeps with a man she barely even knows.

Robert's character was irratic--I never knew who he was enough to feel any emotion for him, and his hazily described past. His immediate plan to use Clarice for his own personal vendetta became tiresome after a while, and then, the vendetta he wished upon his enemy was a big let-down;it wasn't even that dramatic, after all of the build-up about it.

Plus; this series has remarkable similarities to Connie Brockway's Rose Hunters Trilogy: in the fact that they both features three impoverished sisters, are set within the early years of the nineteenth century. This book in particular was similar to My Seduction: heroine wanting to gain back her heritage through patronage of someone, a battle-weary hero who was betrayed by a comrade, and it's set in Scotland.

If you're a die-hard Dodd fan, you'll probably read this book regardless of reviews, but if you've never read her, this isn't a book to start with. I personally recommend "In My Wildest Dreams" or "Rules of Attraction"

I liked this book. I thought it was a good intorduction to the series as well. It gives some outline to every point with just enough, but not too much information to make you look foreward to the next books to come. In comparison to other books, I dont think it is up there with the best, but it is good. It is an entertaining read. Its funny with a good plot and the characters are gems in themselves. I hope we get to see some of them in the books to come. I recommend this book to everyone.

I really enjoyed "Some Enchanted Evening." The sexual tension between the two main characters was wonderful. I have read this book several times - it's one of my Christina Dodd favorites.

The third book about Sorcha I didn't enjoy so well. I found it uninteresting. I haven't read the second book yet. Fellow readers: if I loved the first one and really thought the third one was not worth my while to read, will I like the second one about Amy? What do you think? Please let me know. But for all those readers who haven't bought the first one yet - buy it and read it!!

Lord Robert blackmails Princess Clarice to help him get vengence against a dishonest English officer in Scotland after she is nearly run out of town for scamming an English magistrate. I really loved the premise for this series and the fun plot of this first book and I can hardly wait for the rest of the little princesses stories. Ms Dodd has such a wry, fun and sexy voice and tells a fast paced story better than any romance author out there.

I usually like Dodd's books, but I was very disappointed in this one. My first problem was that I really couldn't see why the characters liked each other, much less why they would fall in love.

And I really didn't like Clarice. She kept talking about how it was her duty to return to her kingdom and make a dynastic marriage, but she gave up her viriginity the first time Robert touched her.

Robert semmed upset before Clarice left, but afterward he was okay because she'd told him to "be happy". It seemed like he'd gotten over her pretty quick. But when she came back, he had all this powerful emotion again.

All in all, I disliked the hero and heroine so much that I just couldn't enjoy the book.

Plot Summary: In the tiny kingdom of Beaumontagne, three young princesses are sent to England when rebels overthrow the monarchy. The girls are cut off from their home, country, and family, and they must learn how to survive on their own during the early 1800s. As the girls grow into women, and become separated even from each other. They were warned by their formidable grandmother to trust no emissary, because the rebels have dispatched assassins to kill the princesses, and thereby secure their hold over the country. Each book in the trilogy traces the story of one sister.

I could easily envision Disney remaking these fairy-tale stories into movies, minus the hot sex of course, so if you like historical romances involving royalty, I can recommend this trilogy. These books are fluffy pieces of confection for the mind, and while they lack the intensity to truly shock and startle the reader, they will please that craving for a well-done fantasy where the outcome is already known. Dodd does an excellent job setting up truly unique plots for each princess, so I never felt like I was reading a carbon copy of a previous story. I also commend this trilogy for having a harmonious blend of romance, action, danger, and surprisingly gratifying sex, which kept me happily entertained on every page.

The first story, "Some Enchanted Evening," follows the middle sister, Claire, who peddles `royal' cosmetic secrets from town to town. It would be an innocent occupation if Claire were simply a precursor to a Mary Kay saleslady, but Claire works each town as a con artist, rather than an honest businesswoman. These shenanigans get her into trouble with the law, so when the local aristocrat, Robert MacKenzie, Earl of Hepburn, gives her an invitation to stay in his home and plan his upcoming party, she cannot refuse despite her gut instincts. Robert is not fooled by Claire's miracle beauty treatments, but he spies a chance to use her in a revenge plot he's hatching. Robert and Claire's relationship blooms just when someone from her past tracks her down, but at this point Robert has changed from being suspicious of Claire, to becoming her ally and protector.

now I can see what all the fuss is about. I really enjoyed this Historical Romance. Strong, independent heroine who was forced into hidden exile with her younger sister when their home country is taken over. The hero is an Earl, sold into Military conscription at 12 by his hateful father. He's a "brooding wounded soldier" but so much more.

I am surprised that I enjoyed this romance as I don't normally enjoy "royalty" romances, as the heroines tend to be "too stupid too live"-but this series is different as the 3 Princesses must fend for themselves-and the years in exile have made them savvy and street smart.

The bedroom scenes are VERY well written and highly sensual. Don't read a Dodd if explicit scenes offend you as they are pretty predominant here.

Interesting story and characters, romance, adventure and hot, hot, hot. What more could you want in a romance.

4 stars.