The Lover's Charm

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!

"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 happen

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.

This book is not your usual cup of tea. The hero is in love with another woman for the first half of the book, and it is only through the second half that he falls in love with the heroine. Yet, throughout the book Ms Hingston writes almost like Laura Kinsale, with elegance and grace. I had to wake up at 7 the followind day when I started reading this, but I couldn't stop even when the clock chimes 3 in the morning! It was then I knew I have a keeper in my hands. Simply wonderful. I finish this book with a smile on my face. True, the book may be about 100 pages too long, but hey, if you want an easy elegant read with a likeable couple, don't miss this.

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.