Hero: Thomas Donovan, Sir Drake
Heroine: Elegance “Ella” St. James
Grade: 4 out of 5
She will entrance him with her beauty . . . and entice him to her bed.
I’ve never before in my life read a historical paranormal. I’ve never before in my life read a book by Lois Greiman and even though this book was slow to pick up for me, I’m glad that I kept on reading because the book got better and by the time it ended, it was pretty darn good.
So in this story, we have the heroine, Ella St. James, who wants to have a child. She can do without the husband though and most importantly, she doesn’t want the hassle of a hot guy to father her child. She’s got a history, something that happened in her past that makes it hard for her to trust anyone. She’s also trying to solve a mystery of a missing friend.
It was annoying how she was so set on the milliner’s son, the overweight, toothless fool…but at the end of the story, I laughed with Drake about it because I’m glad she didn’t end up with him. =)
Then we’ve got Drake, who’s got his own secrets but is drawn to Ella. He’s on his own mission that keeps putting him in Ella’s way. Connection, maybe? Definitely. I enjoyed the connection between Ella and Drake, I liked the way they came together and it was just a good start to a promising series.
We were introduced to a bunch of characters in this story that were delightful. I’m mighty intrigued by Jasper Reeves and Maddie. I liked both of their characters and I’m looking forward to more. I never would have in a million years thought, that I’d like a historical paranormal but I did enjoy this bit of storytelling. The characters were rich, the storyline flowed well as soon as it picked up and the way the story as a whole came to that sound ending was entertaining.
Should you guys read this story? Yep. Push through those first few chapters because the story definitely picks up and the story gets better. It’s a good way to pass a few hours and I’m glad that I read this book.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here.
Chantal,
While I appreciate your stance on the issue, I have to tell you…pretty much EVERY.SINGLE.PUBLISHER out there has, at one time or another, published a book w/ a rape/forced seduction scene in it. And recently, too. I hardly think it’s fair to punish ALL the authors under that particular house b/c of ONE author.
Believe me, I understand where you’re coming from. But I’d say boycott the author, not the entire house. It’s not the fault of all those other authors out there that the pub chose to put this one out there.
AND, if you want to be technical, you did know going into it that it included a controversial scene, right?
And I like the forced seduction ones ow and again, too. 😛
Kewl. I like being right.
haha
Yeah, I’m so good like that. 😛
I have an old Greiman on my shelf that a friend sent me. Never read it though. This sounds pretty interesting. Overweight, toothless milliner’s son? Ewww!
hmmmm….I can’t think of any historical paranormal romance that I’ve read, either. I’ve read a few other stories by Lois Greiman and really enjoyed them. I’m going to pick this one up.
This one looks good. Dang girl you’re reading a lot of good books. Stop!
I have made it a point not to buy books published by avon ever since that craptacular, rape glorifying, poor excuse of a romance called Claiming the Courtesan, was published through them.
I’m not ready to support avon books, but if I can find Under your Spell at my library then I’ll give it a go. It sounds well done.
I never claimed to make sense or be fair.
You are right though, and you give me something to think about, thats for sure.
Oh, and I actually like the forced seduction ones.
Yup, you’re right on all accounts.
Well, it’s kinda hard not to say you are right when you have A GUN POINTED AT ME!
😛
Chantal and Holly – have you guys ever read Shannon Drake? In the early 90s her books were filled with way too much forced seduction. I wanted the heroines make the heroes pay but they never did, so I had to stop buying her books to keep from having a stroke before my 30s 😉
Now Katherine Sutcliffe could do forced seduction (and drunk seduction).
I read a Lois Greiman so long ago I can’t remember much about it but it was a good story. I think I was wrung out with the ‘how will they ever get it together?’ woes that I didn’t buy another of her books. I have been tempted though.
CindyS
Tracy,
It was gross but good thing she didn’t end up with him, haha.
Kammie,
You should, I enjoyed this one. It’s not the best book I’ve read this month but it was a good one.
Iz,
I know, I’ve been lucky but let’s hope my luck doesn’t stop with this last book that I finished.
Tracy,
It was gross but good thing she didn’t end up with him, haha.
Well thank heavens! lol
So glad you liked this one! I have this wishlisted and am really looking forward to reading it.