The Scottish hamlet of Little Firkin has one important industry: the guardianship of Amelie Chase, a witchling banished by the ton for her alleged supernatural powers, and entrusted by her benefactor to Fanny Walcott. But the scheme is hitting a snag: Little Firkin is cramping Amelie's style, anonymous notes are threatening her life, and now, two handsome travelers arrive with tantalizing links to the pasts of both women. And what's happening in Little Firkin is so enchanting, it's going to take a leap of faith to believe it.
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Reviewer: Stacey
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Fanny Walcott, formerly Francesca Brown, is a hard woman to love. The only person in Little Firkin she has ever shown true affection for is her charge, Amelie Chase, whose father died when she was little, leaving her in Fanny’s care. Amelie’s father decided before his death, and made official in his will, that in order to protect his daughter, he would leave each of the townsfolk a large sum of money on the condition that they didn’t move away and that Amelie made it safely to her 21st birthday. But her safety has been thrown into question by a letter received by her legal guardian, Lord Collier, in which someone expressed a concern for her safety. Lord Collier, being far too busy with his own affairs, has sent his son Lord Hayden Collier, and brother, Lord Grey Sheffield, to investigate. But Fanny is horrified to find she knows Lord Sheffield- he destroyed her former life and her first marriage six years ago in London, where she was married to a phony psychic and helped him dupe his clientele with her own, unwanted, gift - the ability to influence the attitudes and actions of animals. But does Lord Sheffield recognize her? And will he be able to find out who is trying to harm Miss Chase? Or will the attraction between her and Lord Hayden distract them from their investigation?
Full of twists and suspense, So Enchanting is an emotional joyride through love, hate, mystery, and stamps. A little slow to get started, the first few chapters are rather bland, setting up the stage for the rest of the story. Bland, but necessary to understand the complexities of the later story, though I rather wish that there had been more foreshadowing or suspense (or something) in the first few chapters. Beyond the stage-laying, though, the story is full of excitement and romance amid the fear and complexity of the characters and the situation in which they find themselves. The struggle between love and hate that rages between Grey and Fanny is absolutely delicious! And the silly, puppy-love between Amelie and Hayden is cute in its innocence. And as much as I hate to say it, since I pride myself in being able to figure out the bad guy before anyone else, the twist at the end with the true villain’s identity is entirely unpredictable in the way that very few authors can manage! A great addition to the genre of romantic mystery!
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