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Rating: 
Summary: too much magic
Review: Ms. Heath write well and is great when it comes to descriptions of places and characters. And she does not shy away from married couples having relations, without going into much detail, which is taboo in most regency romances, unfortunately. Why most regency authors think that regency misses are cold in unrealistic to me. But this story did not work for me, unlike a similar story, Marigold's Marriages. This story is just too overloaded with magic. The cukoo bird was everywhere and it was annoying following Kate ahd Lord Carismont trying to have a conversation with flying colors, lights, fire places, birds, voices...too much of a distraction so I really lost interest early on. After all, as one reviewer pointed out, not much romance to be discovered when the romance is provided, in the end, via magic.
Rating:
Summary: too much magic
Review: Ms. Heath write well and is great when it comes to descriptions of places and characters. And she does not shy away from married couples having relations, without going into much detail, which is taboo in most regency romances, unfortunately. Why most regency authors think that regency misses are cold in unrealistic to me. But this story did not work for me, unlike a similar story, Marigold's Marriages. This story is just too overloaded with magic. The cukoo bird was everywhere and it was annoying following Kate ahd Lord Carismont trying to have a conversation with flying colors, lights, fire places, birds, voices...too much of a distraction so I really lost interest early on. After all, as one reviewer pointed out, not much romance to be discovered when the romance is provided, in the end, via magic.
Rating: 
Summary: an engrossing read
Review: Sandra Heath seems to be becoming rather well known for incorporating myth and magic into her romance subplots. With "Second Thoughts" Ms Heath carries on with this practice by making the fantastical again a vital part of her storyline -- this time complete with magical sparks of light and both a talking cuckoo and leopard.Two years ago, Lord Gerant Carismont lost his beautiful wife, Selena, in a drowning accident. His young daughter, Genevra, has never fully recovered from almost drowning along with her mother, and has lived isolated on Carismont Island (just off the Cornish shore) ever since. Now, however, because he feels that Genevra needs the special guidance of a lady, Lord Carismont has decided to hire a governess for Genevra. But when he meets Kate Kingsley (the lady he is about to hire to be Genevra's governess), a young widow with a young son of her own, he impulsively proposes marriage to her instead. Because her financial situation is a precarious one, Mrs. Kate Kingsley desperately needs to find a job at once. And she is thrown when, instead of offering the position of governess, Carismont asks her to marry him instead. Of course it will be a marriage of convenience. What Carismont needs is a warm and caring woman who will hold the care and interests of Genevra close to her heart. And he feels that Kate is exactly the woman for the job. Kate is hesitant at first, but ultimately agrees to marry Carismont. It soon becomes evident to Kate however that there are supernatural forces at work that are bent on keeping Kate and Carismont apart. She even begins to have dreams/visions that suggest that Carismont is in deep danger. Added to all this is the dawning realisation that she has fallen in love with her new husband. But Carismont seems determined to keep Kate at arm's length. Kate, however, is determined to both win her husband's heart and to protect his from whatever forces that out to harm him. But does she have a hope of succeeding in either task? "Second Thoughts" is a very well thought out and written romance novel, that cleverly incorporates elements of the Arthurian myths and elements of the fantastical (like the talking cuckoo and leopard). The bits that deal with the malevolent force that is bent or wreaking all kinds of hell on Kate, Carismont and Genevra, were well done too. I only had two real quibbles with this novel. The first one was that the authour doesn't really show us the romance that develops between Carismont and Kate. Or rather we're not shown how Kate's feelings for Carismont progresses from attraction to love. In the first chapter, she notices how sinfully good-looking Carismont is, and how attractive she finds him. However, a couple of chapters later she has a dream-vision of the future in which she's deeply in love with him and fears for his safety. And hey presto, from that point on, Kate's deeply in love with Carismont and starts to fret about his inability to reciprocate her feelings (when she's not worried about all the supernatural goings on and her husband's continued safety, that is). On the other hand, we do get to see Carismont's feeling shift from gratitude to love, so that there is an element of a love story in "Second Thoughts." And I couldn't really see why, when Kate finally pins him down in order to question him about all the strange goings-on, he puts her off, asking her to be patient and wait for him to feel more comfortable with telling all. What was the man's problem? They were all in grave danger and their lives seemded to be at stake. So what on earth was he waiting for? Quibbles aside however, I have to say that "Second Thoughts" was an enjoyable and charming read, that boasts of possessing a rather intriguing plot and a very courageous heroine. The novel unfolded smoothly and both Kate and Carismont proved to be the kind of adult protagonists (no tantrums, no high drama or shrewish behaviour) that make for a rewarding and engaging reading experience. Definitely good reading.
Rating: 
Summary: dull magic
Review: That portion of Sandra Heath's mind--the one that houses her creative genius must be a many-doored and splendid habitat. One never knows which door will next open to reveal the treasures hidden within. But regardless of the revelation, one knows it can only be from the very inventive mind of Sandra Heath. I mean, who else would come up with a clumsy cuckoo a loquacious leopard, and a lavender lightning bug! So, okay, it isn't exactly a 'lightning bug', but flying spark isn't nearly as alliterative. When she adds these things to a sunken forest and village, along with an ancient island fortress/monastery/castle, it becomes purely delightful magic. Kate Kingsley is a widow with an eight-year-old son, Justin. Gerent Fitzarthur, Lord Carismont, is a widower with a seven-year-old daughter, Genevra. To the surprise of all, rather than offering Kate the position of governess, he offers her marriage! A marriage of convenience, to be sure, but marriage, nonetheless. From such a simple beginning, a wondrous tale is spun. Lord Carismont's home is an ancient castle on a near-island off the coast of Cornwall. During certain tides, it is completely surrounded by water, and it was this vicious tide that took the life of his first wife, Serena, and almost that of their daughter. The ancient legend of Lyonesse is ever present, and when the bells of the sunken city ring, they foretell danger. SECOND THOUGHTS is a wonderful story on every level; the romance is extremely satisfying, the setting is exotic and strangely new, the secondary characters delightful-expecially the children, and the fantasy/paranormal elements completely believable. One could wish only that Ms. Heath might be more prolific-although an easier suggestion is simply to re-read the book again. Immediately. That's the easiest-and quickest-way to double your satisfaction.
Rating: 
Summary: Arthurian Legend Revisited
Review: This book combines two of my most favorite things, Arthurian legend and animals. Sandra Heath is one on my most favorite authors and she didn't disappoint with this book. I loved this book!!!!! This is one of the best reads I have had in a long long time.
The book starts with widow Kate Kingsley, whose husband was killed in a duel, seeking the position of governess from Lord Carismont, who lost his wife to a drowning accident. Kate is really hoping for the position as she has a young son to support. Instead of offering Kate the position of governess, Lord Carismont offers a marriage of convenience. As soon as the proposal is issued strange things begin happening to Kate. She sees a lavendar light that talks and a cuckoo that also talks to her.
Once they are wed and return to Lord Carismont's estate in Cornwall, Kate encounters a leopard that can also talk to her. Kate begins to love her husband Gerent and begins dreaming of a real marriage, not just a marriage in name only. Her son and Gerent's daughter Genevra get off to a rocky start but soon become good friends.
Now is when we also add in the Arthurian land of Lyonesse into the mix and the book becomes something that I couldn't put down. This book is definitely a "KEEPER".
Rating:
Summary: Arthurian Legend Revisited
Review: This book combines two of my most favorite things, Arthurian legend and animals. Sandra Heath is one on my most favorite authors and she didn't disappoint with this book. I loved this book!!!!! This is one of the best reads I have had in a long long time.
The book starts with widow Kate Kingsley, whose husband was killed in a duel, seeking the position of governess from Lord Carismont, who lost his wife to a drowning accident. Kate is really hoping for the position as she has a young son to support. Instead of offering Kate the position of governess, Lord Carismont offers a marriage of convenience. As soon as the proposal is issued strange things begin happening to Kate. She sees a lavendar light that talks and a cuckoo that also talks to her.
Once they are wed and return to Lord Carismont's estate in Cornwall, Kate encounters a leopard that can also talk to her. Kate begins to love her husband Gerent and begins dreaming of a real marriage, not just a marriage in name only. Her son and Gerent's daughter Genevra get off to a rocky start but soon become good friends.
Now is when we also add in the Arthurian land of Lyonesse into the mix and the book becomes something that I couldn't put down. This book is definitely a "KEEPER".
Rating:
Summary: too much fantasy and magic
Review: This is my first Sandra Heath book, and she's a terrific writer, but I agree with the reader who said there's too much magic. I would have enjoyed more romance and less fantasy. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
Rating:
Summary: too much fantasy and magic
Review: This is my first Sandra Heath book, and she's a terrific writer, but I agree with the reader who said there's too much magic. I would have enjoyed more romance and less fantasy. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
Rating:
Summary: Love and Legends
Review: When Kate applies for the post of governess to Lord Carimont's motherless daughter, the last thing she expects is to be offered a wedding ring. But he is handsome, charming, and more attractive than any man ought to be, and Kate cannot help falling for him, even though the marriage is to be in name only. Or is it? She would really like to be a proper wife to him, but when they go to his mysterious castle on an island off the coast of Cornwall, she finds there is something weird and untangible trying to drive her away. She also finds that that the old legend of a drowned land called Lyonesse is a little too true for comfort. This book is a wonderful blend of romance, mystery, and the paranormal, and is exciting to the very last page. Read and enjoy!
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