Welcome Townsfolk and Tourists!
I am absolutely chuffed to be sharing in the excitement for the release of Paullett Golden’s next book in the Enchantresses series: The Colonel and the Enchantress! My review is nearly as long as the book itself but stay tuned and you will be rewarded handsomely with an excerpt, a lovely little giveaway, as well as the pleasure of my company (my sincerest condolences).
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
The Colonel and the Enchantress by Paullett Golden Series: The Enchantresses #4
on February 2020
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance
Pages: 516
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
Goodreads
Lady Mary Mowbrah, daughter of a duke, fell in love with a man beneath her station. When he leaves for war, determined to earn her hand as a hero, she promises to wait for him, never dreaming the man who returns will be different from the man who left.Colonel Duncan Starrett returns from war with honors, accolades, and a debilitating injury. As much as he still loves Lady Mary, he fears a future between them is now impossible. This is the love story of Mary and Duncan as they forge a future from the shadows of the past.
We had the tiniest of glances of Mary and her romance in Drake and Charlotte’s story (|The Duke and the Enchantress|). All I really remembered was a bright-eyed, welcoming girl that was curiously deficient of friends that Drake adored. I absolutely love that sibling relationship. While I’m gushing, I also adore Drake and his crass humor! At this point in the Enchantress timeline, Mary is older and certainly more refined; a softer version of Catherine. Even as I write this, I know Mary would be horrified to be compared to Catherine. Honestly though, I love how complex Catherine is and if Mary was a bit more self-aware she would realize that she was every bit the duchess she was groomed to be but with a trademark sense of humor, naive sensuality, love of family and the chaos that comes with it. Mary’s book isn’t all slipping away into darkened alcoves for illicit romantic moments. Fair warning: Golden tackles the heavy topic of PTSD. Duncan is a soldier, returned only after a life-threatening injury.
I would love to discuss what I thought of the story line, including what frustrated me but there is a moment towards the beginning of the book that is a twist that I absolutely don’t want to ruin because it made me gasp out loud before my mind started working and I couldn’t fathom Golden betraying Mary and I in that way. I absolutely adored Duncan’s giant, raucous family and how supportive and loving they were not only of Duncan but Mary.
If you loved Sebastian from the first book, then I have no doubt you will be enchanted by Duncan as well. Duncan had me growling almost as much as ol’ Sebbie but I suspect that is because we share some of those negative personality quirks. This frustration impacted my enjoyment a smidge but honestly, I know I’m being a prickly cow about it. I was the same way with Seb on the first book. I can’t even be mad about it properly because these flawed characters are why I love the series so much.
Both Duncan and Mary have their flaws and moments when they are unbelievably stubborn, but overall, their romance was so sweet and uplifting. Mary is every bit the siren I hoped she would be and I love how unprepared Duncan appeared to be after she whet her appetite. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Count your blessings, dearest Duncan.
If you are looking for a sweet, reunion romance featuring a strong, doggedly-determined heroine along with her handsome, bullheaded hero then definitely give this book a chance. While it is the fourth book in the series, it easily reads as a standalone, though, as always I recommend reading them in order because then you can truly enjoy the cameos that Paullett always delivers.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Excerpt from The Colonel
“You call me here, and yet you keep me waiting. Not an impressive impression,” she said.
As he limped into the room, the mantel clock chimed his punctuality.
He did not take a seat. She did not offer for him to sit. Lady Annick sat straight-backed, tall and intimidating even from a chair. One look at her churned his stomach and quelled his confidence. Between an army of Frenchmen and Lady Annick, he would take his chances with the Frenchmen.
The one humanizing factor was her cane. It posed in her hands, one hand on top of the other, gripping the gold handle. It might have been another intimidating factor, a weapon in the hands of a tyrant, but it humanized her, in his estimation. He looked down at his own cane as he favored his right leg. Surely her cane was no more an ornament than his. She was not old enough to need a crutch. Had she, too, been injured?
“Have you taken my measure? Sized the opposition?” she asked with an arch of a slender, black brow.
“Are you my opposition?” Feet hip width apart, he affected ease in his posture, limited only by the cane and the bruising of the leg.
“You tell me, young man. You are the one who has summoned me. Come to declare war? Peace? Your undying affection for my daughter? Your devotion and admiration to the Annick dukedom? Your apologies for bringing my daughter from a manor to a hovel?”
Smoothing his bristles, he swallowed his pride. Gulped may be more accurate.
“Your Grace, I’ve come to ask for your daughter’s hand in holy matrimony.”
The woman’s frown deepened, the creases around her mouth becoming more pronounced until she looked severe. “Is it because you injured your head or because you are a simpleton that you ask for my daughter’s hand when you have already wed her? Without my permission, I might add.”
Giveaway!
Prizes: An autographed book of choice from any book in the series, bookmark of choice, magnet with book cover and quote of choice
a Rafflecopter giveawayAbout Paullett Golden
Paullett Golden is a Houston, Texas native who now divides her time between Northumberland, England and her hometown. She has been a university professor for over 20 years. When an oncologist told her she had three months to live, she decided it was time to fulfill her dream of being a novelist. After defying the odds, she now focuses her attention on her writing. Her debut novel has hit the Amazon bestseller list multiple times and has won a Reader Views Literary Award.
She loves historical fiction of all kinds as a way to transport us to a different time and place. All research comes from authentic resources of the time and from scholarly and peer-reviewed articles from researchers specializing in the time. Though she may take liberties with the fictional aspects, she does aim for the fiction to reflect the mores, culture, laws, and environment of the time. When not writing, she can be found in her butterfly garden or on a race track.
Definitely looking this series up!