1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I should have save my money, April 2, 2009
This review is from: Ready & Willing (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
I love a good paranormal romance with ghosts. Sadly, this wasn't it. This story had so much potential but the author didn't really follow through.
Audrey Fine Magill is a widower, who is opening a store dedicated to hats. She went to an antique shop to buy some things for her place and a painting in the back caught her eye. It was a painting of Captain Silas Summerfield. And coincidentally, he originally lived in her place about 80-so years ago. She bought it and brought it back. What she didn't realize was that the spirit of the good captain was residing in it and was waiting for the chance to talk to her. He needed her to save his great-whatever grandson's, Nathaniel, soul. Of course, when Audrey does see the grandson, he was skeptical and lost his soul anyway. The story continues on where they try to get his soul back.
The dialogue between Audrey and Nathaniel is immature at best. I was so frustrated with their thought processes. Their thinking is juvenile and they constantly reused the same adjective or quote at least three times in the same paragraph. As though we didn't get their meaning the first time around. And I also believe someone mentioned this already in their review, but I have to emphasize it again. What was the point of saying, "My great-great-whatever grandson" every time they refer to Nathaniel. It was cute the first three times but after that, the author was just plain overdoing it. There is nothing wrong with referring to him as your "great grandson" since it was clearly known fact to everyone.
The only reason I gave this a 3 stars instead of 2 was the side love story of Silas and Cecilia. Wow. They had more romance in their souls (no pun intended) then the main characters. It's very telling that the side characters are more mature and lovable when both pairs have obstacles that could come between them. Audrey frustrated me with her emotional instability where her late husband was concern. She was a weak character. While Cecilia had legit reasons for her emotional problems, quickly work through them with some help with Silas. I respected her. Surprisingly, Nathaniel slowly redeemed himself with his willingness to believe in the paranormal and with the ability to look at himself in a new light.
I have never read this author before. I'm willing to read more of her books but with reluctance. Personally, this was an all right book. I would have saved my $8.00 though.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed it!, November 14, 2008
This review is from: Ready & Willing (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
This is a great Elizabeth Bevarly book--I liked the ghost even, and I don't usually like paranomals :) I also loved the side story about the ghost's romance with the neighbors roommate! A great read and I can't wait for the next in the Derby stories. This one was good but totally different from the first Derby story, so I can't wait to see what #3 will be! Thanks Ms Bevarly!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
engaging paranormal contemporary romance, November 4, 2008
This review is from: Ready & Willing (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
In Kentucky Widow Audrey Magill enters the antique store to browse. She sees a portrait of nineteenth century riverboat Captain Silas Leyton Summerfield and feeling an odd affinity as well as believing the picture would be perfect for her hat shop that she plans to have opened in time for the Derby; she buys the portrait. However, she also learns the Captain once lived in the house she currently occupies.
Silas' spirit is on a quest to save the soul of his decedent Nathaniel who is about to make a Faustian deal. He asks Audrey to help him. However when the beautiful fruitcake warns Nathaniel that he is selling his soul and her source is great to the nth degree ancestor Captain Silas, he has no doubt that she is a nut. Audrey is taken aback by her attraction to Nathaniel as she never thought of finding love again ever since her spouse passed away. She insures she does not lose sight of her mission: save Nathaniel's soul.
The romance is well written while the Kentucky Derby serves as a background to Audrey's efforts to save Nathaniel's soul. Silas is an interesting matchmaker who knows if anyone can rescue his descendant it is the love of a good woman; in this case Audrey. Elizabeth Bevarly provides her fans an engaging paranormal contemporary romance.
Harriet Klausner
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