Customer Reviews

White Mist

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

 

 

Lady Eleanor Wycliffe, heiress of the Westover dukedom, is told by her brother that she cannot marry the Earl of Herrick because he may possibly be her half brother. Shocked by this news, Eleanor leaves and sets out not knowing really where she is going. When she reaches Oban she finds a notice requesting a governess for the Viscount of Dunevin's daughter, Juliana, who has not spoken in three years, applies for the position and is hired.

Eleanor gives her name as Nell Harte and is fascinated with both the Viscount and his daughter. She cannot bring herself to believe the rumors that the Viscount killed his wife and cast a spell on his daughter so she could not tell, this having happened three years before Nell's arrival. Gabrief MacFeagh, the Viscount is estranged from his daughter and Nell wants to know why. She becomes enraptured with the Isle of Trelay, her employer, his daughter and the people living there.

She eventually discovers that the Viscount's family was cursed by a witch more than 300 years before, a curse which is supposed to last 1,000 years and can be broken "Only by one pure of heart and eye will right the wrongs of the past..." At that time the St. Colomb's staff disappeared from it's locked chest held by the MacFeaghs. She also discovers that Gabriel is afraid to love because so many of his ancestors have had their families devastated by death many at a very early age.

As she becomes closer to Gabriel, she attempts to resolve all the unanswered questions and save Gabriel and his daughter. The final chapter ends in an unusual and intriguing manner. You will love this book. It's wonderful to read a really good love story and not have all this "I hate you" between the lovers. Enjoy! Keep it up Ms. Reding

In 1820, in her first season, wealthy heiress Lady Eleanor Wycliffe believes she loves the Earl of Herrick, Richard Hartley. They plan to marry, but her older brother objects. In no uncertain terms, he explains that Richard's father is probably her sire since their mother had an affair with the previous Earl. Stunned, Eleanor flees London, ending up in abject poverty in a small remote village.

Not wanting to return home yet, Eleanor, claiming her name as Nell, accepts a job as governess to Juliana, the daughter of Viscount Dunevin, Gabriel MacFeagh. Gabriel does not believe one word his new employee has told him, but he desperately needs someone to care for his child, who has remained silently traumatized since her mother died. Governesses come and go at a rapid pace because strange happenings occur on the Scottish isle. As Nell reaches out to Juliana, she falls in love with her employer who reciprocates.

WHITE MIST is a well-written gothic Regency romance. Although seeing elements from a gothic tale blended into Regency may seem strange, the story line works because of the clever prime setting. The lead characters are a charming duo even when Gabriel seems to brood to the nth degree so much that the audience will want to slap him awake so he realizes what he is losing. Juliana and Londoners augment the plot by providing additional light on the relationship between the lead protagonists. With her "White" series, other historical books, and now this novel, readers know that a Jaclyn Reding tale is always entertaining and worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

Things I loved about this book:
1) The hero: Not a rake or womanizer. (I hate the "Duke of Slut" that so many readers seem to prefer.) He's kind and sensitive, my kind of guy.
2) No long big misunderstandings between hero & heroine: I REALLY hate "The Big Misunderstanding".

Problems with this book:
1) The characters seem one-dimensional, not well-rounded
2) There is not much spark between hero & heroine.
3) This is a big one - things are wrapped up way too quickly, in a way that is not believable at all. I feel this author insulted the intelligence of her readers. There is a difference between a good writer and someone who wants to make money by cranking out mediocre products. I feel this author clearly falls into the latter category.

Having read all the other "White" books by Jaclyn Reding, I could hardly wait for this one! I must say it was well worth it and a great finale to this treasure of a series. Ms. Reding does a wonderful job of blending two worlds, the romance of the Regency with the beauty of Scotland. I can't recommend this book enough.

WHITE MIST is the fourth and last book of Jaclyn Reding's'White' series. Alas, it's the first for me. I didn't know what I wasmissing, and must now find her earlier releases-not because WHITEMIST can't be enjoyed alone, but because I liked it so well. It'sexciting to find a new author to add to the 'must read' list. Nohistorical romance lover should miss WHITE MIST. It combines thepopular Regency era with the beloved Scottish Highland setting for atop-notch reading experience, one I highly recommend.

I loved this book! The lead character, Eleanor, embodies everything I look for in a heroine -- strength, intelligence, pride, resourcefulness. She doesn't whimper when she's up against a wall...doesn't once stomp her foot when she gets angry. She is mature and multi-faceted. And the hero, Gabriel, is the quiet, silent type -- her perfect other half. If you like mysteries, there's a good one in this story that involves the disappearance of Gabriel's first wife. It's all set on a remote Scottish island that is cloaked in atmosphere so well, you'll feel you are there. A great read altogether.

White Mist is a warm, engrossing read with strong characters and an enchanting setting. The Isle of Trelay is almost a character itself; Reding does a remarkable job of bringing the place to life. No wonder Eleanor falls in love with the place.

There's just enough tension in the mystery, and it is nice to not have the romantic leads antagonistic towards each other. Eleanor's innocence is of the charming variety and is tempered by a kind heart and a good deal of wisdom and bravery for one so young. Gabriel is a good, noble, simple man faced with a centuries-old burden he hates having to bear. Eleanor shows him how to drop that burden and live as he longs to, while his island provides her with a place to belong and be needed.

Although the device of Julianna's friend being able to read her mind is too convenient, Gabriel's daughter herself plays a pivotal role. Her silence is well-grounded and effectively utilized. Leftover questions from book 3 are answered, effectively wrapping up the quartet.

One thing that really bugs me about Reding's book (and came to a head in this one): both she and her editor need to better understand the structure and usage of the English language. She repeatedly misuses words and parts of speech (For example, using "effects" instead of "affects" and repeatedly using adverbs when adjectives are needed--just because the word is in the predicate doesn't mean it's an adverb.) Sometimes her phrasings are convoluted, too. I enjoyed the story & the characters, but her style and grammar need improvement.

Although this book kept me interested until the last page, it's not a 5-stars book. Many actions/scenes/sentences seemed full of romance-cliches, and the attraction between the hero & heroine wasn't portrayed in an effective way. Besides, there was not enough dialogue between them (to me, dialogue is one of the essential elemements that make a couple real and believable).

White Mist is the conclusion of Jaclyn Reading's White Series. White Knight, White Magic, and White Heather are the first three in the series that travels the misty western isles of Scotland. Jaclyn Reding is known for her historical romances. Her books take the reader to a far and distant land for a time of intrigue and romantic celebration. It's a wonderful opportunity that all romance readers should endeavor to experience.

In the prologue, we are introduced to Lady Eleanor Wycliffe, heiress of the Westover dukedom. It's September 1820 and things aren't going the way Lady Eleanor had hoped so she decides to leave home. She ends up at the Isle of Trelay in the Scottish Hebrides and takes on the job as governess for Gabriel MacFeagh, Viscount Dunevin. His daughter experienced a tragedy three years ago and hasn't spoken since. Nor has the devil of Dunevin, as he is known, shown any affection or support for the child or her condition. Mystifying reasoning is the cause of all this mayhem in the Dunevin castle, and hopefully the concerns of one wayward, unhappy woman, who instantly feels emotionally attached, can set them all to rights.

White Mist is an inspiring read. Sometimes it takes getting away from an everyday routine and existence to really witness life. This is what Eleanor does, and it leads her to a child in need of support and a man most clearly misunderstood... or is he? It also leads her to emotions she has yet to experience or understand, and most likely would not have discovered at home. The characters are well developed, compassionate, and sooo romantic. The historical setting with the Gaelic information is sound and impressive: I enjoyed learning from it. I found it to be a wonderful read and am quite sure fellow historical romance readers will love the fourth title in the White Series.