Mistress of Rossmor

Rating:
Summary: Story line lacking depth
Review: Actually the author had a very good story idea. I felt she didn't expound on her orignal idea and was lacking in how she showed her charters. For instance she didn't let Alistair explain how hr really felt about his first wife. One time he states he loved her then states later she was ruining his life again even from the grave. Even he never showes how and why he loves Grace. To me his charter is just not there. Even Grace with her gift that she is so afraid of that it controls her instead of her controling it. Not realistic. I thought story line great but over all the story is lacking depth.

Rating:
Summary: Why is everyone so crazy about this book?
Review: I don't know why everyone is so wild about this book. I very, very rarely stop reading a book in the middle of a story, but after a hundred pages of complete cheese... (they are still addressing each other as Miss Templar and Lord...) I couldn't stand it anymore. Nothing interesting was happening in this book and the dialogue between the two main characters is generally corny. I thought it was too convenient that they immediately had all these things in common like their childhood, etc. This book annoyed me more than anything else. Unless you like slow starts, boring characters, and blah dialogue don't read this book. (Not to offend those who loved it, but that is my opinion. Thanks for reading it.) :)

Rating:
Summary: The very 1st romance novel I've ever read
Review: I read this book in September, and it got me hooked on romances.
I thought it was good, not great, not awful, but good. After
giving it a lot of thought, I think it would have been exciting
to have read a book based on the opening pages of this one. I
thought the opening pages were the most exciting ones in the
book.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful romance
Review: In 1880, as a realistic single orphaned woman Grace Templar knows to expect little from life and thus wants very little in return. Besides keeping a respectable job, Grace wishes she would stop having the visions that occur anywhere at anytime.

While in Rome as a secretary and companion, Grace suffers one of her attacks during a visit to the Forum. Alistair McLean, the lord of Rossmor, observes Grace's peculiar behavior, which he recognizes as a gift. He sees Grace as a tool that he needs to use to gain answers about the events behind his wife's tragic death. Alistair is also attracted to Grace and returns with her to Rossmor where she meets his child Janet. As Alistair and Grace fall in love, someone fears that the new MISTRESS OF ROSSMOR will learn and reveal the truth about what happened to the master's first wife.

MISTRESS OF ROSSMOR is a fun tale that combines elements from several sub-genres into a wonderful romance. The lead couple is a delight to observe especially their struggle to not fall in love. Janet is a sympathetic urchin who the audience will hope overcomes the trauma of her mother's death. Part late Victorian, part gothic, part suspense, and part paranormal, Marianne Willman blends the elements into a pleasing reading experience for fans of each sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: wonderful romance
Review: In 1880, as a realistic single orphaned woman Grace Templar knows to expect little from life and thus wants very little in return. Besides keeping a respectable job, Grace wishes she would stop having the visions that occur anywhere at anytime.

While in Rome as a secretary and companion, Grace suffers one of her attacks during a visit to the Forum. Alistair McLean, the lord of Rossmor, observes Grace's peculiar behavior, which he recognizes as a gift. He sees Grace as a tool that he needs to use to gain answers about the events behind his wife's tragic death. Alistair is also attracted to Grace and returns with her to Rossmor where she meets his child Janet. As Alistair and Grace fall in love, someone fears that the new MISTRESS OF ROSSMOR will learn and reveal the truth about what happened to the master's first wife.

MISTRESS OF ROSSMOR is a fun tale that combines elements from several sub-genres into a wonderful romance. The lead couple is a delight to observe especially their struggle to not fall in love. Janet is a sympathetic urchin who the audience will hope overcomes the trauma of her mother's death. Part late Victorian, part gothic, part suspense, and part paranormal, Marianne Willman blends the elements into a pleasing reading experience for fans of each sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A gothic flavor that is sure to please!
Review: Set in 1880. The story began in Rome. Grace Templar was a well-bred, yet penniless, gentlewoman. She was employed by Mrs. Bingley as a secretary, companion, and governess for her spoiled daughter. In her spare time, Grace went to see the Forum Romanum and one of her "spells" hit. The spells were dreams and visions that would strike without warning of the past whenever she got too close to something with strong, and usually tragic, vibrations. This past vision was extremely tragic and Grace passed out.

Alistair McLean was the master of Rossmor, located in the Scottish highlands. Due to the way his late wife died, he was very interested in psychology and psychical research. He witnessed Grace's spell and rescued her.

(I am skipping much now so I do not give anything vital away.) Alistair and Grace go to Rossmor where Grace began to gain the love and trust of Alistair's ten-year-old daughter, Janet. Rossmor was haunted by "the gray lady" and Grace often felt the presence of Janet's dead mother. In addition, Grace was the victim of several "accidents". Someone wanted her dead!

***** Marianne Willman has written a romance that is perfect for us Gothic lovers! I am seeing more and more books with a gothic flavor. This book is one of the best I have had the pleasure of reading lately! The characters are believable and the plot is well crafted! Highly recommended to all! *****

Rating:
Summary: Hero's character lacking
Review: This is the first book I've read of Ms. Willman's and was not very impressed. I found the part of the hero, Alistair, lacking. The piece appeared very one sided with very little insight into his thoughts and character. If this is an example of her writing, I'm surprised she is an award winner. She does not seem to be in the same sphere as a majority of top novelists in this genre. The basis of the story is very intriguing. But I felt more detail into the main characters would've enhanced the piece tremendously. One major character in the end, was almost completely overlooked in the entire piece. A good mystery, even romantic in nature, should lead the reader to the ending or at the very least speculation. That is not the case in this story making me feel as if the story was rushed to publishing and incomplete. Whether this is a result of the publisher or the author is mote do to the end result, a less then satisfying novel.