Rating: 
Summary: Plenty for romance readers to love in a "charming" story...
Review: "Devil" Jack Cantrell was banished to the Windward Islands years ago by his aristocratic English father. Now Jack has come to love his "punishment" - he lives an idyllic life in the tropics supported by the wealth produced by his skillful management of the family's island estates. And, Jack adores his beautiful and enterprising mistress, Camille, who is the proprietor of the island's best establishment of, er, pleasure. But Jack's paradise is shattered by the appearance of the family barrister, Bennett Shropley, who brings news of the death of Jack's elder brother, the irresponsible wastrel Robert, Earl of Avenleigh. Mr. Shropley implores Jack to return to England and assume his new title, and the accompanying responsibilities, but Jack is reluctant to give up his island life. Eventually, at Camille's urging, Jack agrees to a temporary return to England. Before he leaves, Camille places a specially created "lover's charm" around Jack's neck, so that he will not forget her."Devil" Jack discovers upon his return to England that there are quite a few people who want something from the new Earl! The solicitor Bennett Shropley expects Jack to return the depleted Avenleigh estates to prosperity. The British government wishes to speak with the new Earl about the matter of a few back taxes owed them. Jack finds that along with the Avenleigh estate house, he has inherited the care of a malevolent widowed aunt and her two spinster daughters (one who may be just a LITTLE crazy). Robert's former mistress, the beautiful and avaricious Lady Vivienne Harpool, wishes to renew her relationship with her childhood friend "Jackie". And then there is Robert's former fiancee, Miss Priscilla Wilcox... When Jack first meets the weepy and plain Priscilla, a bishop's daughter, he cannot understand what his brother saw in her. But as Jack gets to know Priscilla, he begins to respect and admire her for her intelligence, wit, and kindness, and then wonders what she ever saw in Robert. For her part, Priscilla initially wants nothing to do with another Cantrell man, but she too begins to admire Jack as she sees him fulfilling his new responsibilities as Earl of Avenleigh. And, there is the fact that he is "as handsome as the devil". Priscilla refuses to think of Jack romantically, though, especially because she knows that she is no competition for the flashy Lady Vivenne. But then, Jack gives Priscilla a birthday kiss that leaves her breathless, and she begins to fall for him... Despite many distractions, Jack still holds fast to his plan to return to Camille (is it the charm...?). But just before Jack embarks on his voyage back to the islands, Camille's maid Esme shows up at Avenleigh with several surprises, and everyone's life is turned upside down... I loved this book! The story was wonderful, with lots of clever twists and turns. Just when I thought a situation was about to be resolved one way, something else happened. The characters were great too, so many, so well written, and so very believable. I still don't know who I like the most - Jack, Priscilla, Esme, or Agnes - or who I liked the least (that Lady Vivienne, ohhh!). Add in a few sweet love scenes, a touch of island magic, and you have a stellar read. Miss Hingston is now one of my favorites and I look forward to her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Plenty for romance readers to love in a "charming" story...
Review: "Devil" Jack Cantrell was banished to the Windward Islands years ago by his aristocratic English father. Now Jack has come to love his "punishment" - he lives an idyllic life in the tropics supported by the wealth produced by his skillful management of the family's island estates. And, Jack adores his beautiful and enterprising mistress, Camille, who is the proprietor of the island's best establishment of, er, pleasure. But Jack's paradise is shattered by the appearance of the family barrister, Bennett Shropley, who brings news of the death of Jack's elder brother, the irresponsible wastrel Robert, Earl of Avenleigh. Mr. Shropley implores Jack to return to England and assume his new title, and the accompanying responsibilities, but Jack is reluctant to give up his island life. Eventually, at Camille's urging, Jack agrees to a temporary return to England. Before he leaves, Camille places a specially created "lover's charm" around Jack's neck, so that he will not forget her. "Devil" Jack discovers upon his return to England that there are quite a few people who want something from the new Earl! The solicitor Bennett Shropley expects Jack to return the depleted Avenleigh estates to prosperity. The British government wishes to speak with the new Earl about the matter of a few back taxes owed them. Jack finds that along with the Avenleigh estate house, he has inherited the care of a malevolent widowed aunt and her two spinster daughters (one who may be just a LITTLE crazy). Robert's former mistress, the beautiful and avaricious Lady Vivienne Harpool, wishes to renew her relationship with her childhood friend "Jackie". And then there is Robert's former fiancee, Miss Priscilla Wilcox... When Jack first meets the weepy and plain Priscilla, a bishop's daughter, he cannot understand what his brother saw in her. But as Jack gets to know Priscilla, he begins to respect and admire her for her intelligence, wit, and kindness, and then wonders what she ever saw in Robert. For her part, Priscilla initially wants nothing to do with another Cantrell man, but she too begins to admire Jack as she sees him fulfilling his new responsibilities as Earl of Avenleigh. And, there is the fact that he is "as handsome as the devil". Priscilla refuses to think of Jack romantically, though, especially because she knows that she is no competition for the flashy Lady Vivenne. But then, Jack gives Priscilla a birthday kiss that leaves her breathless, and she begins to fall for him... Despite many distractions, Jack still holds fast to his plan to return to Camille (is it the charm...?). But just before Jack embarks on his voyage back to the islands, Camille's maid Esme shows up at Avenleigh with several surprises, and everyone's life is turned upside down... I loved this book! The story was wonderful, with lots of clever twists and turns. Just when I thought a situation was about to be resolved one way, something else happened. The characters were great too, so many, so well written, and so very believable. I still don't know who I like the most - Jack, Priscilla, Esme, or Agnes - or who I liked the least (that Lady Vivienne, ohhh!). Add in a few sweet love scenes, a touch of island magic, and you have a stellar read. Miss Hingston is now one of my favorites and I look forward to her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Not just another romance novel¿a true page turner
Review: A friend of mine gave me this book for something to read on vacation, and my boyfriend complained that I wouldn't put it down. With romance books you always assume you know the next plot twist-not this one! Here's one romance writer who refuses to be predictable in her prose.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Being a Black female and a huge fan of romance books, I rarely find Regency/Midevel romances dealing with Black characters. In fact, when one reads most romance books dealing with these time periods, it's as if Blacks were non-existent. Finally a book where there are several Black characters and they are portrayed beautifully! At first I was leery of how Camille (Jack's mulatto mistress) would be portrayed but I was more than happy to see that the relationship between the two was not cheapened and that Jack truly cared for her. The romance that blooms between Esme and Mr. Shropsley...well, I won't get into all of that but I will say I was happy with this book and would love to see more novels featuring a variety of ethnic characters. The story itself was wonderful. I loved Priscilla's character. She was truy a wonderful, charming, very likable woman. I disagree with another reader concerning that little escapade that Jack has with Vivienne. Jack was under a spell and this just went to show how powerful the magic was that held him. I think it read very well. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Being a Black female and a huge fan of romance books, I rarely find Regency/Midevel romances dealing with Black characters. In fact, when one reads most romance books dealing with these time periods, it's as if Blacks were non-existent. Finally a book where there are several Black characters and they are portrayed beautifully! At first I was leery of how Camille (Jack's mulatto mistress) would be portrayed but I was more than happy to see that the relationship between the two was not cheapened and that Jack truly cared for her. The romance that blooms between Esme and Mr. Shropsley...well, I won't get into all of that but I will say I was happy with this book and would love to see more novels featuring a variety of ethnic characters. The story itself was wonderful. I loved Priscilla's character. She was truy a wonderful, charming, very likable woman. I disagree with another reader concerning that little escapade that Jack has with Vivienne. Jack was under a spell and this just went to show how powerful the magic was that held him. I think it read very well. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great book, realistic, hard to put down.
Review: Great book. Wonderful, realistic characters--the problems Priscilla and Jack face are so true to life I couldn't put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Boy from the tropics meets chilly English girl ...
Review: I began this book in the dead of winter, and I must have been yearning for the tropics! I was intrigued with the notion of an English hero who'd spent ten years in the Caribbean returning to his frigid homeland, and the impact his exposure to a more languid lifestyle might have on the straitlaced folks back in Lincolnshire! Thus was born ne'er-do-well (but impossibly decent at heart) Regency rake Jack Cantrell, the reluctant new earl of Avenleigh. He meets his match in his dead brother's homely fiancee, a lepidopterist (that's butterfly hunter) and daughter of a bishop, who, meek as she seems on the surface, has a DEFINITE mind of her own! I loved the opportunity to explore Regency attitudes toward women and science, and to create a strong-willed heroine who nonetheless suffers from all-too-common feminine insecurity about her looks. Can golden-boy Jack find happiness with Priscilla? Will she emerge from her cocoon and let herself love? You think I'm gonna tell you HERE? I hope you enjoy this book! Let me know if you did, or even if you didn't.
Rating: 
Summary: An Ugly Duck Story that Fails to Enthrall or Convince
Review: Jack Cantrell is living the good life in the Carribean with his Creole mistress, Camille, when he receives word that his brother has died and he's now the Earl of Something-or-other. Her head dancing with images of jewels and simpering peons, Camille tells Jack he really MUST go back home and face his familial responsibilities. Then come back to her with the jewels, of course. And, not one to take any chances, Camille makes certain Jack will not forget her when surrounded by those tempting English misses (yeah, right) by giving him a locket filled gris-gris (a.k.a. the lover's charm). Jack dutifully sails back to cold, depressing England and gets the infinite pleasure of living with his totalitarian aunt and spinster cousins, one of whom is more a few bricks short of a full load. The story degenerates from there, along with Jack's life. The writing here is fine, but the story drags on needlessly, especially the last hundred pages when Jack does something so despicable, I personally could never have forgiven him for it, and the fact that heroine does is absolutely infuriating. Although he does have his moments, Jack (who is the character readers will spend most of their time with) was not likable, and the romance between him and the bishop's daughter is unconvincing. I find it especially hard to believe Jack could love anyone, considering how much he hates himself. Simply put, this book was an exercise in patience to read and way too long, and the romance and plot were not as interesting as they should, or could, have been. While I have enjoyed this author's other novels, THE LOVER'S CHARM misses the mark.
Rating:
Summary: An Ugly Duck Story that Fails to Enthrall or Convince
Review: Jack Cantrell is living the good life in the Carribean with his Creole mistress, Camille, when he receives word that his brother has died and he's now the Earl of Something-or-other. Her head dancing with images of jewels and simpering peons, Camille tells Jack he really MUST go back home and face his familial responsibilities. Then come back to her with the jewels, of course. And, not one to take any chances, Camille makes certain Jack will not forget her when surrounded by those tempting English misses (yeah, right) by giving him a locket filled gris-gris (a.k.a. the lover's charm). Jack dutifully sails back to cold, depressing England and gets the infinite pleasure of living with his totalitarian aunt and spinster cousins, one of whom is more a few bricks short of a full load. The story degenerates from there, along with Jack's life. The writing here is fine, but the story drags on needlessly, especially the last hundred pages when Jack does something so despicable, I personally could never have forgiven him for it, and the fact that heroine does is absolutely infuriating. Although he does have his moments, Jack (who is the character readers will spend most of their time with) was not likable, and the romance between him and the bishop's daughter is unconvincing. I find it especially hard to believe Jack could love anyone, considering how much he hates himself. Simply put, this book was an exercise in patience to read and way too long, and the romance and plot were not as interesting as they should, or could, have been. While I have enjoyed this author's other novels, THE LOVER'S CHARM misses the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Divine
Review: This author always seems to write such original characters. Jack and Pris are a wonderful couple, each one an individual and not trying to change the other. The supporting characters are well-written, keeping the story entertaining. I was especially touched by depiction of Jack's grief at the loss of Camille. The plot was never predictable, the pages kept turning to see what would happen next. I can't wait to read her next book.
|
