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Romance Book ReviewsPage One of TwoEnchanted Time by Amy Elizabeth SaundersLove Spell, August, 2003Paperback, 442 pages ISBN 0505523132 Subgenre: Time travel Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Antique store owner Ivy Raymond is barely getting by,
although she loves running her tiny shop Seattle
shop called Enchanted Time. Although she normally
doesn't buy items from people who just wander in to the
shop, she is intrigued by a beautiful 16th century book
brought in by an elderly woman. The woman only
wants $100 for the book and says she'll sell it to another
dealer if Ivy doesn't take it. So she does. The book is full
of magical spells, and so Ivy decides to read a few -- which
actually work. In fact, the last spell she reads sends her
back in time to the castle of a 17th century dishonored knight,
Julian Ramsden. Julian lost his title and may lose his castle
for not supporting Oliver Cromwell and his Roundheads.
Futhermore, his mother and sister are considered witches
by the local Witch Hunter General who would like nothing
better than to hang them in the village square.
Enchanted Time is a re-release of an excellent time travel romance written in the mid-90s. Amy Elizabeth Saunders has a light touch with her dialogue, which is both spirited and funny. The time travel elements are handled well, but it is the wonderful characters, who are full of life and spirit, which make this romance a real keeper. Material Girl by Julia LondonBerkley Sensation, August, 2003Paperback, 400 pages ISBN: 0425191230 Subgenre: Contemporary Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Bestselling author Julia London takes Shakespeare's
King Lear for her inspiration in this funny, entertaining
and very moving new contemporary romance. When
billionaire Aaron Lear learns that he is dying of cancer,
he takes a look at his life and the way he's raised his
three daughters -- and he's not happy with what he sees.
His eldest daughter, Robin Lear, has worked in his company
for years, but doesn't understand what the heck she is doing.
She spends all her time jetting to Europe, shopping or spending
money. So Aaron deals Robin a terrible blow: he demotes her
to the bottom of the company so she can learn the business
from the ground up. What's worse: she has to report to
her ex-boyfriend, who will now be her boss,
and the guy she hired to restore her new home, Jake Manning,
turns out to be both handsome and extremely irritating.
Robin has a lot of growing up to do, and not a lot of time
to do it in.
Julia London is probably most familiar to readers for her bestselling historical romances. With Material Girl, she effortlessly moves into mainstream contemporaries. Robin, the spoiled rich girl who gets a taste of how the rest of the world lives, is skillfully drawn -- she's an appealing character. Jake Manning, the contractor who steals her heart away, is a real doll -- he's sure to steal your heart away too. This is a moving, heartfelt and funny story that is sure to bring a smile to your face. Romance Reviews Page One | Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of romance novels reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |