13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This earl holds the heroine prisoner at his country estate, September 21, 2003
My Wicked Fantasy is the fourth Ranney book I have read. The first novel was only average and made me shy away from future Ranney purchases. Fortunately when I begin reading a new author, I usually buy at least two of her books to truly test the author's writing capability and style, AND to discover if her style fits my taste in romance reading. I am so glad I purchased that second book. I loved it and the last three Ranney books I have read have all been five star reviews. My Wicked Fantasy is just that - somewhat wicked and certainly a fantasy of the heroine's prior to her meeting the hero.
To truly enjoy this book, you have to suspend reality and just go with believing that the dead can speak to the living. Supernatural novels are usually not my style (although I have loved Dara Joy's books) but this book is only slightly supernatural and well worth ignoring that aspect if it bothers you. This is a historical English novel that involves a penniless widow, Mary Kate Bennett, and a hermit earl, Archer St. John. Mary Kate is searching for remnants of her long lost family and Archer is searching for his wife who disappeared a year ago. These two meet by accident, literally, when the earl's speeding carriage collides with the public coach carrying Mary Kate on the road to London. Mary Kate is badly injured but the earl is not hurt and he stays at a local inn supervising and paying for Mary Kate's medicinal care. During Mary Kate's recovery, she begins to have visions that she knows concerns the Earl of Sanderhurst. Eventually the earl begins to believe that Mary Kate is some sort of con artist in partnership with his missing wife. After all, no one has heard from his wife this past year and their marriage was not a great one. Mary Kate is the first to have any knowledge of her although she tells him it is all through visions. She even has a concern for his safety because of her disturbing dreams. Archer is tired of everyone believing he must have killed his wife and decides to keep Mary Kate until she will tell him the truth behind her sham. He takes her to his country estate and imprisons her in one of the bedchambers determined to find out where his wife is.
Mary Kate is, of course, a beautiful woman from the working class who has had much misfortune is her life. She has been married to an old man who has recently died leaving her without any money. She only wants to find her family who she was separated from at the age of ten. She doesn't mind hard work - in fact, she wants it. But once she has recovered from the carriage accident, she has few funds left and doesn't object too strenuously at being held captive in a beautiful home with good food. Although she appears meek at first - it is only an illusion. Mary Kate can and does speak her mind clearly and is not shy. She is rather taken with the vengeful earl although she is even more conscious of their class difference than he. Actually she is a little too hardheaded to be in the favorite heroine category but she is enjoyable.
The Earl of Sanderhurst is truly a man with a hermit capacity. He has desperately searched for his wife and wants to get on with his life and must find his wife to do so. He is determined, autocratic, and - at times- harsh with Mary Kate. Of course, he is very rich and successful and has a great wit as well as a tendency towards sarcasm. He is very content with his own company but does desire a family with at least one heir. He has some awful childhood issues that just don't make much sense. The cruel abusive father doesn't fit since his mother is a big part of this book. She is a very lovable and eccentric lady who refused to let a nanny or servant raise her son. She loved him and nourished him and still does although she is certainly an odd character. At first I did not want her intrusion into the story but I came to really enjoy her contribution. Her relationship with Archer is unusual for romance writing and truly entertaining.
Overall My Wicked Fantasy was a luscious read. Although Mary Kate and Archer stand at opposing ends concerning her supposed visions from Archer's wife, they still are very attracted to one another. Their relationship is allowed plenty of delicious time to grow and there are many great scenes to relish. The sensual rating is a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). I did tire of the earl's continued disbelief of Mary Kate and their mutual beliefs that there could never be a future for them. Those two facts almost caused this rating to be slightly lower.
As far as I can determine My Wicked Fantasy is a stand alone book and not a part of a series. I highly recommend it and greatly anticipate reading through Ranney's rather large backlist.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing...., November 16, 1999
By A Customer
If this was the first Romance novel I had ever read, I'd be hesitant to read another one soon. Now that makes this book sound terrible, which it wasn't. It just had such slow spots that I just wanted to jump into the story and shake them all. Mary Kate was good hearted but basically a weak-willed wimp. Archer, as the tortured hero, wasn't believable when he finally was smiling and happy. Bernie was my favourite character but she wasn't strong enough to hold the story up. Too long, too drawn out, TOO WORDY. I'm going to try Ranney's earlier books - maybe they were better. Read this if you like slow, tortured Regency.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spellbound!, September 3, 2005
An amazingly well written novel with mystery, suspense, romance, sex and comic relief. Very intense story and the author eloquently leads us into the lives of the characters as if we are sitting in the same room with them. She describes the surroundings /environment/geography in such detail that it is a moving picture. I read a lot of romance novels and this one is by far and away the best I've ever read. Not just your typical and predictable story line. My only complaint is with the title -- I think that "Wicked Fantasy" has extremely sexual innuendo. The sex was NOT at all predominant -- actually quite restrained. Please don't miss this book!
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