Rating: 
Summary: wonderful St. John talisman ring Regency romance
Review: Devon St. John leaves his brother's wedding early to avoid the family talisman ring being dumped on him. However, he failed to leave quickly enough because the ring has been left in his carriage. So far three of his siblings have succumbed to the magic of the ring, which is find and marry your true love. He hopes to slip it to his only remaining bachelor brother before he becomes caught by its charm.Devon visits his friend Malcolm MacDonald, who is having spousal trouble with his wife Fiona though he loves her dearly. He sleeps in a chamber until a maid arrives and wakes him up. She claims the room is hers as she turns out to be Malcolm's half-sister Kat. As Devon finds he likes the aggressive Kat, Malcolm and Fiona bet on whether his half-sister or Fiona's sister ends up with the handsome eligible bachelor. The latest St. John talisman ring Regency is a wonderful romance starring a delightful unique lead female protagonist. The story line moves forward rather quickly when Devon tries to gain the attention and ultimately the love of Kat. While Fiona's sister is too devious and nasty of an opponent, readers will appreciate this warm story and look forward to learn whom snatched the ring before the final sibling Marcus can have its magic enchant him like it does sub-genre fans. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: Devon St. John was last seen fleeing his brother's wedding in order to avoid the tailsman ring that causes the men in his family to fall in love and marry. Devon wants no part of that, and plans a trip to Scotland to visit an old friend in order to escape the "passing of the ring." It is only when he passes the border of Scotland does he discover the ring, hidden in his carriage blanket. Kat McDonald is an intelligent, strong female heroine that earns the respect and love of those who know her. Involved in a scandal during her first season, this illegimate daughter of a Viscount resides on her brother's estate, evading all contact with the society that turned it's back on her. However, while searching for something in her room at her brother's home, she finds Devon. Devon mistakens her as a maid and kisses her. Thus begins our love story...... Devon soon finds out who Kat is and, in order to escape the power of the ring, decides to pursue a relationship with her, a woman he believes he can never love. In the process, he discovers that Kat is the most unusual and interesting female he has ever met. He eventually finds himself falling in love with her. This tale is very well done. Devon is delightful, even if somewhat a rogue. He is a man who knows what he wants and knows how to go about getting it. Kat is a very good heroine. You want to route for her and are pleased when she wins out in the end. Also, it was nice to read about a woman in the Regency/Victorian period who did not look good in the conventional outfits of the time. Definitely find out what Devon AND THE BRIDE WHO WORE PLAID is all about.
Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: Devon St. John was last seen fleeing his brother's wedding in order to avoid the tailsman ring that causes the men in his family to fall in love and marry. Devon wants no part of that, and plans a trip to Scotland to visit an old friend in order to escape the "passing of the ring." It is only when he passes the border of Scotland does he discover the ring, hidden in his carriage blanket. Kat McDonald is an intelligent, strong female heroine that earns the respect and love of those who know her. Involved in a scandal during her first season, this illegimate daughter of a Viscount resides on her brother's estate, evading all contact with the society that turned it's back on her. However, while searching for something in her room at her brother's home, she finds Devon. Devon mistakens her as a maid and kisses her. Thus begins our love story...... Devon soon finds out who Kat is and, in order to escape the power of the ring, decides to pursue a relationship with her, a woman he believes he can never love. In the process, he discovers that Kat is the most unusual and interesting female he has ever met. He eventually finds himself falling in love with her. This tale is very well done. Devon is delightful, even if somewhat a rogue. He is a man who knows what he wants and knows how to go about getting it. Kat is a very good heroine. You want to route for her and are pleased when she wins out in the end. Also, it was nice to read about a woman in the Regency/Victorian period who did not look good in the conventional outfits of the time. Definitely find out what Devon AND THE BRIDE WHO WORE PLAID is all about.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable on some levels, but not enough to recommend
Review: For me Karen Hawkins is a consistently 3 star author and her stories are always light, amusing, sensual romps with pretty yummy heroes. But I have to say I had a hard time liking Devon. Here's a guy who stumbles onto our heroine (he thinks she's a maid) and pulls her into his bed intent on seduction. But when he learns that she is, in fact, the sister of his host and supposed good friend, it doesn't stop him from continuing to pursue her for a strictly sexual and entirely temporary liaison! Some friend. Bad enough he's the type to tup the help, but the sister of a friend as well? I guess the fact that she is the illegitimate half-sister of his friend makes her fair game?! Anyway, this story just didn't work for me. Devon, predictably fleeing from the curse of the Talisman Ring, travels to Scotland to visit his friend Viscount Strathmore but of course on the way discovers the ring in his carriage. So in order to avoid the curse (legend says the bearer will meet his true love) he decides to avoid any and all women he is usually attracted to. Kat MacDonald, Strathmore's half-sister lives and works (on her stained glass?!) in her house in the woods with her seven "giants" (a lame play on the Snow White theme). She's not his usual type (delicate, elegant, fashionable) in that she is lush, buxom, independent and she's also been around the block with men like Devon. So he decides she's perfect and he will beat the curse by seducing her. Nice guy, huh? Honestly, though he's charming and sexy, I also found him incredibly selfish and shallow! Kat has met the likes of Devon St John before and it only brought her humiliation and heartbreak and her family scandal when she fell for a rake whose intentions were never honorable (hmmm, sounds a lot like Devon!). She has no intention of doing so again, but, of course, Devon is dogged in his pursuit and she all too quickly succumbs. How disappointing - I had higher hopes for Kat. And while her brother pretty much knows what's going on, he just lets it - what's up with that? I'm glad that there's only one more book to this series as I think it's getting pretty tired. The secondary storyline about Strathmore's marital problems didn't engage me at all and I really didn't see the point of her "seven giants", as they added nothing to the story. Anyway I would only recommend this for hardcore fans and those, like me, who feel compelled to read all the books in the series (though I sometimes wonder why!).
Rating:
Summary: A thing of beauty
Review: I adored this book! It is a pure romance--no intrigue, just a beautiful romance. And the St. John talisman ring is even more interesting than in the previous books. Devon is simply wonderful: charming, sexy, sweet. He's a dear, and I adore him. Kat is a fabulous heroine; she's not in the usual mold, but is making her own way in the world. And she certainly sends Devon on a merry chase. Her "7 dwarfs" are fun; unlike some of the other reviewers, I thought it an amusing twist. A secondary romance is healed along the way, too.
This is a wonderful addition to the series! I want the next book -- now!
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: I have never done a review before but I felt compelled to warn others to save their money and skip this book. I agree with another reviewer in saying that Karen Hawkins seems to be going downhill with each book. I did not find the story the least bit engaging or even romantic. The characters were so dull and predictable and I didn't find their falling in love at all believable.
Rating: 
Summary: The Talisman Ring Strikes Again!
Review: I will start my review with all of the positives. I love the Talisman Ring series. Karen Hawkins has done an amazing job of drawing us into the world of the St. John family and the "possessed" family heirloom that fortends impending marriage to its bearer. My favorite story thus far has been An Affair to Remember (Anthony and Anna's story). KH is also talented at building anticipation for the next story in the series. After reading How to Treat a Lady (Chase and Harriet), I couldn't wait to find out what happens with Devon. Of course, Devon is determined to outrun the "curse" of the ring, as he has no intentions of ever pursuing marital bliss. He runs away to a friend's remote castle in Scotland-only to meet the beguiling Kat, who is also running away from marital bliss for reasons of her own. The story centers around both Devon and Kat's desire to avoid the parson's trap warring with their growing desire for each other. Now, for the not so positives. I love the story, but it got off to a rather slow start, in my opinion. The pace of the book does pick up and is rather comical and romantic toward the middle and end of the book. The Malcolm and Fiona subplot detracted a bit from what otherwise was a perfect story. Also, I am not sure that I like the Snow White metaphor. I can appreciate the humor and irony in the 7 "dwarves" being 7 tall and imposing Scotsmen. I like authors who turn the classic storybook cliche, but I don't think it worked so well for me this time. And the Bride Wore Plaid is a great summer read. If you love the Talisman Ring series or are just a Karen Hawkins fan, you'll love this book. Despite what some might see as a mediocre review, I liked the story and can't wait to find out what Marcus does when he discovers what happened to the ring.
Rating:
Summary: Spicy and Fun, a GREAT SUMMER READ!
Review: I've really enjoyed most of Karen Hawkins' books. This one was well written, and an engaging read, but ultimately a little flat. I was also slightly put off by the semi-rape/forced sex encounter. The heroine got into it quickly, but I still found it distasteful. It was very 70s romance novel, and not what I'm looking for in a love scene. I really liked the ending though, with its foreshadowing of the next novel (which I will certainly buy, based on how much I enjoyed her other novels).
Rating:
Summary: DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK
Review: If there was a point to this book, I could not find it. After the interesting Seduction of Sarah, Karen Hawkins has taken a turn for the worse. I cannot remember one redeeoming quality about the man or woman. No part of the story was memorable, and it wasn't even a good copy of The Seven Dwarfs. She had a wonderful premise and a BORING novel. Do not waste your time. Go read a Julia Quinn, or Lisa Kleypas. Hawkins is not worth your time!
Rating:
Summary: I love a good story!!!!
Review: Karen Hawkins has done it yet again. I have not been disappointed by any of her books. I do so love a good story and this one is it. It has a great plot, Devon St John trying desprately to get away from the tailsman ring curse (and of course failing). A head strong, independant leading lady, Katherine McDonald, and let's not forget the 'seven brawny scotsmen'. Very good secondary characters as well!!! Great book!!! I am ready for the next one!!
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