Potent Charms

For a cliche plot line thats been written over and over and over again by countless authors, i think Waide has finally done the impossible and perfected it. If your interested in the plot of wealthy duke who refuses to marry and american bluestocking who absolutely MUST get married before their birthday to get her inheritance, then this is the book you must read. Although the gypsy curse excuse is really rather lame, in the book there's everything one would expect going on between Stephen and Phoebe. Lots of sparks, witty dialogue, a LOT of jealousy and possessiveness, and funny minor characters like Elizabeth and Winston, Rhys,Tewksbury and Bliss.Absolute must.

American Phoebe Rafferty came to England to find a husband. She needs to marry in six weeks or she won'tinherit Marsden Manor, an ancestral home she's only seen in a painting. Within a week, and only after one meeting, she's found her man: Stephen Lambert, Duke of Badrick. He's exciting, attractive and his kisses make her feel things she's never felt before.The moment Stephen see Phoebe, he wants her as his mistress. Generations ago, the Badrick family linewas cursed by a Gypsy woman and they are doomed to unhappy, short-lived marriages. Stephen has lost two wives already and he's determined to never marryagain. He will give Phoebe pleasure, jewels, a home;anything she desires, except love and marriage.POTENT CHARMS is made unique by having the Gypsy curse be a point of conflict. It's a first for me,and I loved it. Smaller conflicts get resolved, until all that is remaining between Phoebe and Stephenis this curse. The characters are very believable.It doesn't matter if you or I believe in curses,Stephen does, and Ms. Waide has portrayed this exceedingly well.I read POTENT CHARMS in one sitting. It has a nice,even pace to it. The sparks that fly between Phoebe and Stephen are sexy, as are Stephen's displays ofjealousy. I found myself looking forward to both. There are some historical tidbits throughout the book,but I never felt as if I were being taught a historylesson. Ms. Waide has written a wonderful romance reminding us that words do have power, inviting us tobelieve that maybe, "I love you" are the most powerful words of all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about two people who want nothing more than to be together, except they both have different ideas about how to go about it. Stephen and Phoebe were so fun to read about with Stephen constantly trying to seduce Phoebe into becoming his mistress and Phoebe trying to seduce/love him into forgetting about the curse a gypsy made against his family. Phoebe must marry to gain her inheritence and Stephen wants no part of it save Phoebe in his bed.With a delightful cast of secondary characters, Potent Charms is fun, romantic, with a little bit of suspense thrown in for good measure. When Stephen came to his senses, I found myself sitting up in anticipation of his finding Phoebe. I truly enjoyed this book. Don't miss it!

This was great fun! I finished this book in two days. Poor Stephen, a man with only one thing on his mind. But the heroine was too great challenge for him. I really enjoyed the other characters too. Can't wait for the next one.

What a wonderful read, Waide has equaled if not surpassed her first book. Stephen and Pheobe are a very alluring, dynamic couple and the author has introduced us to a superb secondary cast of characters. Her villians evoke strong emotions and you certainly feel very satisfied when "they get theirs". Sensual but tasteful our couple are very driven and their attraction evident throughout this intriguing story. Definitely a one sitting read that I highly recommend.