Into the Woods

Matilda Candy doesn't mind that the people of Tanglewood, Mississippi, believe that she's a witch.The rumors provide Matilda with a measure of privacy and freedom from unwanted visitors. She learned much of her grandmother's craft, who's name she also bears. So when a stranger comes to the door looking for her grandmother, she offers her help. Declan Harper has little patience for ineptitude and determines to own the town and run it by his own exacting standards. He's going to own the town that once scorned him, and every business in it. When he overhears two children, Hason and Grechen, talking with their mother about a witch, he recalls Matilda Candy fondly, as the only townsperson who treated him well and believed in his positive future. The only thing Declan wants, that he doesn't yet have, is Vanessa Arrington. So he hopes Matilda Candy can help. After he realizes the old woman has passed away, he asks the young Matilda for a love potion. Declan insists, despite her assurances that there are no magic potions to affect the workings of the heart. She can, however, create an aphrodisiac -- a lust potion. To Declan's way of thinking, Vanessa is the paragon of feminine beauty. In addition, marriage to her offers the perfect revenge. Her father had always referred to him as "that Harper boy", calling him and his sisters poor white trash. The elder Arrington hadn't yet equated the wealthy Declan with the boy he'd maligned years ago. Declan looked forward to enlightening him, maybe after the wedding. As Matilida turns the pages of aged and dusty books, she finds a note from her grandmother cautioning her about trifling with ways of the heart. Matilida and Declan are kindred spirits, both knowing what is to be on the outside looking in. Both have strong purpose in their lives. What Matilida would really like to give him is a common-sense potion, rather than a love potion to win a vain, vacuous ninny. Nevertheless, she draws up the potion, which they test on themselves. Let the fireworks begin!This whimsical, entrancing tale will satisfy the romance fan demanding something unusual and wonderful. With a skillful blend of the fanciful and the mundane, author Linda Jones weaves a marvelous tale of love and happy ever after, with a twist. Remarkable in imagination, INTO THE WOODS is very highly recommended.

The year is 1875. The setting is Tanglewood ,Mississippi. Declan Harper's returned to his home town with vengeance on his mind. The son of a drunken farmer and Irish woman, he remembers being called "poor white trash" by one of the wealthy plantation owners, Warren Arrington, when he was a child. Declan, now a wealthy man himself and neighboring plantation owner, wants Arrington to choke on those words he'll never forget. Marrying Arrington's daughter, Vanessa, and then announcing his true identity to Warren seems like perfect revenge to Declan. The problem is Vanessa is so beautiful she men falling at her feet. Declan will stop at nothing have Vanessa as his wife . Even if it means seeing the local witch for a love potion. Matilda Candy doesn't see herself as a real witch even though the women in her family are all gifted with some power or another. Matilda true talent is the sweets and beauty treatments she makes and sells to the general store weekly. When Declan approaches her for a love potion for Vanessa, she agrees to help him. Vanessa whips up a potion from one of her grandmother's books. But will it really work? Declan want's to test it first, so he and Matilda both take a dose to see what happens. Oh boy! Things get hot between Declan and Matilda from here on in.

Declan Harper seeks revenge on the town of Tanglewood, his childhood home, for the ill treatment the upperclass had shown his family when he was a child. They were forced to leave town when he was but a young boy and now as an adult Declan vows to prove to one man in particular that he now has a higher station in life. He hears the urchin twins Hanson and Gretchen spinning tales of the local witch and remembers the gentle old lady that had been nice to him in his youth. He wants to wed the most beautiful woman in town so he needs the Candy lady to make him a love potion to help his plan succeed.Matilda Candy knew the town thought she was a witch but she ignored them and continued on as her dear sweet grandmother had taught her. She lived alone quite content making candy, rose water and lotions to sell to the grocer in town. She was exceedingly patient with the precocious Hazelrig twins and often made them sweets when they helped her with odd chores. However hergreatest challenge comes when a handsome man approaches her and wants her to make him a love potion so he can make the lovely Vanessa fall in love with him. Matilda agrees to help Declan even though she knows the woman is far from what she seems or what Declan needs.Ms Jones expertly weaves a wonderful romance story into a favorite childhood faerie tale of mine...Hansel and Gretel. The story had interesting characters that kept me entertained through out the book. A beautiful lovestory that was very magically told...definitely a keeper!