What do you think?
Rate this book
Witches of Mayfair #1
Under Your Spell
She will entrance him with her beauty . . . and entice him to her bed.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2008
About the author
Lois Greiman
80 books293 followersBorn on a North Dakota cattle ranch, Lois Greiman graduated from a high school class of sixty students before moving to Minnesota where she professionally trained and showed Arabian Horses for several years. Since that time she's been a high fashion model, a fitness instructor, and a veterinary assistant. But an incurable case of writing fever put a stop to all those occupations.
Since selling her first book to Avon in 1992, she has sold twelve other historical romance novels, most of which are set in medieval Scotland and involve her very popular Forbes clan. In an attempt to pursue her love of humor, Ms. Greiman has also recently sold three romantic comedies to Harlequin Enterprises.
While caring for three children, fifteen horses, and a menagerie of pets on her small farm in Minnesota, Ms. Greiman writes full time, producing two or three novels a year and garnering much praise from readers and reviewers alike. Affaire de Coeur called HIGHLAND WOLF "magnificent." Romantic Times proclaimed LADY AND THE KNIGHT"...pure magic." Christina Dodd proclaims "Lois Greiman delivers....The Fraser Bride offers delightful characters, breathless adventure."
Her Highland novels have received Affaire de Couer's Critic's Choice Award, Romantic Times K.I.S.S. Award, and been nominated for Romance Writer's of America's prestigious Rita. Her titles have appeared on Barnes and Nobles Best Selling Romance list and won her the Midwest Fiction Writer's Rising Star Award.
Since selling her first book to Avon in 1992, she has sold twelve other historical romance novels, most of which are set in medieval Scotland and involve her very popular Forbes clan. In an attempt to pursue her love of humor, Ms. Greiman has also recently sold three romantic comedies to Harlequin Enterprises.
While caring for three children, fifteen horses, and a menagerie of pets on her small farm in Minnesota, Ms. Greiman writes full time, producing two or three novels a year and garnering much praise from readers and reviewers alike. Affaire de Coeur called HIGHLAND WOLF "magnificent." Romantic Times proclaimed LADY AND THE KNIGHT"...pure magic." Christina Dodd proclaims "Lois Greiman delivers....The Fraser Bride offers delightful characters, breathless adventure."
Her Highland novels have received Affaire de Couer's Critic's Choice Award, Romantic Times K.I.S.S. Award, and been nominated for Romance Writer's of America's prestigious Rita. Her titles have appeared on Barnes and Nobles Best Selling Romance list and won her the Midwest Fiction Writer's Rising Star Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 2, 2008
I'm actually disappointed with myself for buying "Under Your Spell" by Lois Greiman. I read one of her earlier books and didn't like it, but was so hopeful after reading the cover blurb that I went ahead and took the plunge. BRRRR, it was cold!
They are witches who use their talents for the good of England. Doesn't that sound good? Now, this is the first book of her new series so I know I didn't miss anything, but I didn't learn hardly anything about the 'coven'. Or the sexy guy who keeps them safe. All I got was Ella (short for Elegance!) who left the coven recently and doesn't want to go back. She has some bad history which was laid out in fits and starts. She had a nasty husband who treated her cruelly and she's apparently pissed at the coven 'master' who killed him? Uh...I would've been glad! But we learn all this in bits and pieces and it mostly just confused me! Ella just wants to have a child...out of wedlock. No biggie, right? Ummm, this is in 1810 England, not quite the thing don't ya know. So anyway, she wants a child. But when a gorgeous, buff, sexy guy is ready and willing, does she agree? No. Why? I don't know. Instead she's going after older, balding, portly, STUPID men! Does she want a stupid child? I just could never understand her or her reasoning. And finally I just thought she wasn't all that bright.
So, no more Greiman for me.
They are witches who use their talents for the good of England. Doesn't that sound good? Now, this is the first book of her new series so I know I didn't miss anything, but I didn't learn hardly anything about the 'coven'. Or the sexy guy who keeps them safe. All I got was Ella (short for Elegance!) who left the coven recently and doesn't want to go back. She has some bad history which was laid out in fits and starts. She had a nasty husband who treated her cruelly and she's apparently pissed at the coven 'master' who killed him? Uh...I would've been glad! But we learn all this in bits and pieces and it mostly just confused me! Ella just wants to have a child...out of wedlock. No biggie, right? Ummm, this is in 1810 England, not quite the thing don't ya know. So anyway, she wants a child. But when a gorgeous, buff, sexy guy is ready and willing, does she agree? No. Why? I don't know. Instead she's going after older, balding, portly, STUPID men! Does she want a stupid child? I just could never understand her or her reasoning. And finally I just thought she wasn't all that bright.
So, no more Greiman for me.
October 19, 2011
As I was reading this I was sure that it was a later book in a series, probably fourth or fifth and that author just wasn't good about giving you enough info about events from the previous books for everything to make proper sense. But it's actually the first in this series, which makes me think even less of the book. There is obviously a lot of back story but you never get a clear look at any of it. And I'm usually not the type to have trouble telling what's going on with a story. But this one is very frustrating, there are lots of characters but you never really see how they relate to each other or the events that occur. There is this sense that if the author would just tell you what is going on that you'd like the book. But she never does. Characters are at odds and nobody comes clear about why, people make choices that aren't adequately explained by the story. Meh. Not going to be looking for more by this author.
July 13, 2008
Boring and tedious. Too much mystery, not enough explanation. Author does not help you get to know any of these characters well enough to care about them much. The dialogue goes on and on while going nowhere. I skipped and skipped through the book, wondering why I finished it at all. This is the first Regency Romance that I did not like at all. All of the characters are miserable and unhappy, and apparently doomed to more of the same. Even witches should be allowed some lighter moments. The last two pages made them seem a little fun, but it was so unbelievable by that time that the end seemed too contrived. And the couple were "happy" while everyone else was still miserable. What is all this government witch stuff? Too many allusions, but no satisfaction. Could have been an interesting premise, but it was not handled at all well. The storyline was original, but way too sparse in plot. A Regency witch, a Regency coven working for the government? Got to hand it to the author for originality. Plenty of opportunity for a good mystery, but no answers even at the end. Too bad it was such a boring read. I will not be picking up another Greiman book.
October 1, 2016
Good book but the mystery part of the book was not needed. It should have just been a paranormal historical romance. The witches and them using their powers for good, I guess it was for good, was very well written. The two main characters dancing around a subject for almost the entire book was boring. I really dont like book long misunderstands. I also felt like I was missing something that was told in a previous book but this is book 1.
July 22, 2015
Sometimes this book was a bit strange and that was not because of the witches in it.
It was more switching from one story part to another, while there was missing an in between.
But all in all it is a nice historic story with hot action in it too.
It was more switching from one story part to another, while there was missing an in between.
But all in all it is a nice historic story with hot action in it too.
August 12, 2008
I picked this book up when I was looking for something new to read (had read everything new from my favorite authors). The book is about Ella, a witch who masquerades as a Countess, who unhappily falls for Thomas, a brooding war hero. The sex scenes are steamy but the book is SLOW. I put it down twice to read other books (which I NEVER do). There was also a lot of sub-plot dealing with Lavendar House (a group of women with powers) that didn't make any sense to the plot. I frequently found myself going back to earlier passages to find out if I had inadvertantly skipped some plot point that would tie them in.
Once I had finished the book I thought that maybe it was a new author and a first attempt. But the biography on the back of the book said that the author had written 16 other books and won some awards. I will not be reading any of those books and I am very surprised by the awards.
This will not be one of my recommendations.
Once I had finished the book I thought that maybe it was a new author and a first attempt. But the biography on the back of the book said that the author had written 16 other books and won some awards. I will not be reading any of those books and I am very surprised by the awards.
This will not be one of my recommendations.
January 9, 2013
In spite of the other reviews, I enjoyed this book once I got into it. A bit slow at first, with much back story that was hard to understand, but eventually the actual story arc got me in.
Although it is first of the series, it had a large and mostly unexplained back story which had a huge effect on the current one. Were there other books in another series that contained these characters? Drake was supposedly in the British Navy, but what was the talk of pirates? Who was the grimy urchin at the races who tucked something into his coat and took off when Drake gave him a signal? These were only a few of the unanswered questions in the script.
I see this author has written other books so I'll try a few more and see how I go.
Although it is first of the series, it had a large and mostly unexplained back story which had a huge effect on the current one. Were there other books in another series that contained these characters? Drake was supposedly in the British Navy, but what was the talk of pirates? Who was the grimy urchin at the races who tucked something into his coat and took off when Drake gave him a signal? These were only a few of the unanswered questions in the script.
I see this author has written other books so I'll try a few more and see how I go.
March 7, 2019
I was expecting more from this book, a romance with paranormal elements. What I got was something a bit erratic, as if the author were unsure what kind of book she wanted it to be. Was it to be paranormal suspense about witches hiding in plain sight and working like secret agents for the Crown, or a steamy romance between characters with trust issues? I really liked Sir Drake; he was the most engaging character in the rather large cast. The whole Jasper/Maddie secrets and Sheleena in the coven bits didn't seem to mesh well with the romance portion. I know this is a series, and this is book one, but the blending of current and to-come elements wasn't effective, and I actually worried the romance wouldn't be concluded with an HEA when only pages remained. It is, and the HEA works, but the wrap-up is extremely short.
September 20, 2017
As always: Spoilers
Personally, the only reason why this didn't get two stars (I initially gave it a three) was because the characters were rather decent. And I love a man who is completely in love with the heroine from the get go and nothing can detour that.
Other than that this was ridiculously convoluted and extremely disorganized and patchy and superficial.
Our heroine is super traumatized from her husband sending her to the mad house because of her witch power. Which , you know, I appreciated the trauma, because it was decently written, if a bit forgotten for a split minute. But I digress. Our heroine is also filled with guilt for being maybe, somewhat (it was never really revealed other than in bursts and then we get distracted), accidentally killing the hero's sister. This is essentially why it's patchy and disorganized. We never know whether she was truly guilty of being the reason why his sister is dead because the villain comes to kill her and the hero because, he's a villain, a true villain mind you, a Disney villain, with only EVIL behind his motives, which can we say yawn? She tried to throw in some certifiable evilness by being the reason why Napoleon was successful in conquering Spain. Mercenaries are bad.
The hero, is looking for his sister's maybe murder, but we don't know until halfway through the book where he just so happens to be there to help the heroine in a sticky situation. He makes a valiant effort to remind the audience a couple of chapters afterwards that he is still looking for his sister's murderer, and it could be this woman he's in love with, but she couldn't possibly. Plus, he gets distracted by awesome sex. And then decides, once the heroine is ensconced in her private abode, healing from a nasty injury, that he finally has energy to actively look into the murder, actually investigating. You know, like a concerned brother, who harbors guilt. This journey took literally a chapter to put together. In the last 20% of the book.
Then to make things even more webby, our heroine is actually part of the government of witch spies that help steer political intrigue and, as the villain so aptly says, manipulate principalities. She left because of her guilt. But she can't truly leave cause it's like fight club. And not to mention she's the most powerful witch, even if she hasn't tapped into her WHOLE potential, they need her. Wow, in case you didn't know how special she was. But that's not all! She is the key to a little girl's disappearance. Only with her powers were they able to find the little girl.
But why was this important? Why did we need that miracle of her finding a seemingly almost dead little girl? Redemption? To prove that she was special? More special than we've already been hit with?
And then conveniently, the villain of the piece decided to finally make a move in the last 10 pages of the novel. In case you forgot that he's the real villain and he has a plan. And it's evil.
And omg! The gun. I'm assuming this was the Regency years? Since Napoleon is wrecking havoc all over Europe trying to prove his manhood, which means the gun would have to be loaded after each shot. How does a gun miraculously become modern by shooting twice without having to be loaded twice? Did this author not research her settings? And where are the corsets? I know no one likes corsets, but WHERE ARE THE CORSETS?
Nevermind. This book is a two.
Personally, the only reason why this didn't get two stars (I initially gave it a three) was because the characters were rather decent. And I love a man who is completely in love with the heroine from the get go and nothing can detour that.
Other than that this was ridiculously convoluted and extremely disorganized and patchy and superficial.
Our heroine is super traumatized from her husband sending her to the mad house because of her witch power. Which , you know, I appreciated the trauma, because it was decently written, if a bit forgotten for a split minute. But I digress. Our heroine is also filled with guilt for being maybe, somewhat (it was never really revealed other than in bursts and then we get distracted), accidentally killing the hero's sister. This is essentially why it's patchy and disorganized. We never know whether she was truly guilty of being the reason why his sister is dead because the villain comes to kill her and the hero because, he's a villain, a true villain mind you, a Disney villain, with only EVIL behind his motives, which can we say yawn? She tried to throw in some certifiable evilness by being the reason why Napoleon was successful in conquering Spain. Mercenaries are bad.
The hero, is looking for his sister's maybe murder, but we don't know until halfway through the book where he just so happens to be there to help the heroine in a sticky situation. He makes a valiant effort to remind the audience a couple of chapters afterwards that he is still looking for his sister's murderer, and it could be this woman he's in love with, but she couldn't possibly. Plus, he gets distracted by awesome sex. And then decides, once the heroine is ensconced in her private abode, healing from a nasty injury, that he finally has energy to actively look into the murder, actually investigating. You know, like a concerned brother, who harbors guilt. This journey took literally a chapter to put together. In the last 20% of the book.
Then to make things even more webby, our heroine is actually part of the government of witch spies that help steer political intrigue and, as the villain so aptly says, manipulate principalities. She left because of her guilt. But she can't truly leave cause it's like fight club. And not to mention she's the most powerful witch, even if she hasn't tapped into her WHOLE potential, they need her. Wow, in case you didn't know how special she was. But that's not all! She is the key to a little girl's disappearance. Only with her powers were they able to find the little girl.
But why was this important? Why did we need that miracle of her finding a seemingly almost dead little girl? Redemption? To prove that she was special? More special than we've already been hit with?
And then conveniently, the villain of the piece decided to finally make a move in the last 10 pages of the novel. In case you forgot that he's the real villain and he has a plan. And it's evil.
And omg! The gun. I'm assuming this was the Regency years? Since Napoleon is wrecking havoc all over Europe trying to prove his manhood, which means the gun would have to be loaded after each shot. How does a gun miraculously become modern by shooting twice without having to be loaded twice? Did this author not research her settings? And where are the corsets? I know no one likes corsets, but WHERE ARE THE CORSETS?
Nevermind. This book is a two.
April 17, 2025
Filled with regret and heartache for her past actions, Ella has abandoned the Chausette's (a secret
organization of witches who solve mysteries and find lost souls for a small fee). Also widowed from
a man who made her life hell, Ella (the woman once known as Josette) has no desire to surrender to
a husband again. However, she does want a child and she doesn't care too much the who the father is. He could be a small toad for all she cares but no matter what, he can't be a tall dark and handsome Irishman who makes her heart flutter.
Drake has returned from the war with a battered leg and a lot less enthusiasm to deal with the silly
ladies of the ton. However, one lady- who is anything but- has captured his attention. With her wit
and her beauty, she is the most stunning creature he's ever laid eyes on. Problem is, she is trouble
with a capital T. She is hellbent on fathering a child with any man but him. She is also good at
keeping him at a distance yet doing everything possible for him to come closer.
They aren't aware of their history intertwining in the way it does but when they discover the truth,
will they let their quick judgments ruin anything they've built?
This book was very simple but somehow, it managed to hit all the right notes. First off, the
back and forth dialogue between Ella and Drake was marvelous. Both funny and flirty and sassy.
Ella was a nice character who was tortured by the memory of the death of a woman she promised to. It made her leave the coven even though she is a gifted psychic, even though she must constantly has to remind her old boss of the fact. But when it comes down to it, Ella cannot live with herself if her lack of actions leads to the death of another.
Drake was a nice character. I loved the fact that he didn't always need to 'save' the day or save
the heroine. He wasn't a machine, he had flaws but he hides them as well as possible. He also
wasn't the insanely jealous, at least not until he knew he loved her and knew he hated the idea
of there actually being another man in her life.
My only issue, is the ending. It was rushed and completely half assed, with little to nothing
to do with the overall story line- at least not the major storyline. And the reconciliation between
Ella and Drake was almost comical and not in a good way.
But overall, I enjoyed this book.
organization of witches who solve mysteries and find lost souls for a small fee). Also widowed from
a man who made her life hell, Ella (the woman once known as Josette) has no desire to surrender to
a husband again. However, she does want a child and she doesn't care too much the who the father is. He could be a small toad for all she cares but no matter what, he can't be a tall dark and handsome Irishman who makes her heart flutter.
Drake has returned from the war with a battered leg and a lot less enthusiasm to deal with the silly
ladies of the ton. However, one lady- who is anything but- has captured his attention. With her wit
and her beauty, she is the most stunning creature he's ever laid eyes on. Problem is, she is trouble
with a capital T. She is hellbent on fathering a child with any man but him. She is also good at
keeping him at a distance yet doing everything possible for him to come closer.
They aren't aware of their history intertwining in the way it does but when they discover the truth,
will they let their quick judgments ruin anything they've built?
This book was very simple but somehow, it managed to hit all the right notes. First off, the
back and forth dialogue between Ella and Drake was marvelous. Both funny and flirty and sassy.
Ella was a nice character who was tortured by the memory of the death of a woman she promised to. It made her leave the coven even though she is a gifted psychic, even though she must constantly has to remind her old boss of the fact. But when it comes down to it, Ella cannot live with herself if her lack of actions leads to the death of another.
Drake was a nice character. I loved the fact that he didn't always need to 'save' the day or save
the heroine. He wasn't a machine, he had flaws but he hides them as well as possible. He also
wasn't the insanely jealous, at least not until he knew he loved her and knew he hated the idea
of there actually being another man in her life.
My only issue, is the ending. It was rushed and completely half assed, with little to nothing
to do with the overall story line- at least not the major storyline. And the reconciliation between
Ella and Drake was almost comical and not in a good way.
But overall, I enjoyed this book.
December 25, 2014
I enjoy Lois Greiman romances trememdously. The heroines are funny, feisty and literate for their settings. I would have loved a little more explanation, but how much does a reader need? Lois shows more than tells, so I hope there will be more in this series. Ella and Thomas are perfect for each other, although I thought they should trust each other more. The element of mystery and hiding was delightful, light reading. (I go on very dark binges, too) Ella, as heroine is intelligent, decisive, and strong. I admire those traits in my romance books! This was an enchanting book, it is staying on my keeper shelf, and I am keeping the others in the series, with my fingers crossed there will be more.
July 4, 2013
I don't know why all the negative reviews. I loved this book! I really liked Sir Drake - he's such a rogue. I liked his determination to get laid though he couched it in sarcasm and humor. I found both of their dry wits to be rather amusing. They are both tortured souls, hiding secrets and unwilling (or unable) to love. I found their courtship to be very romantic and well-written. I will definitely be reading Seduced By Your Spell very soon.
December 19, 2010
What a disappointment! I usually "judge a book by its cover" but this one really missed the mark. The storyline was extremely difficult to follow; in fact, so much so that I kept flipping back to see what I missed. This book's only saving grace was the very few sex scenes which I thought were described quite well. The romance aspect of this "historical romance" was virtually non-existent. I will read the next book in this series only because surely it can't be any worse than this one.
Story = D+
Romance = D+
Sex = C-
BOOK = D+
Story = D+
Romance = D+
Sex = C-
BOOK = D+
December 13, 2011
It was okay. I guess I thought it would have more of the paranormal being that it is the first in the "Mayfair Witches" series. It is really just a badly written romance. A couple of times I thought there was a previous book that I hadn't read because there was definitely information that seemed not there or relationships that never had a chance to develop but were just magically full in bloom. So I assumed a lot of those things happened in book 1, nope this is book 1. I was disappointed and bored.
September 13, 2008
Very surpised-- I usely really enjoy this author, but she introduced too many characters too soon and didn't give me enough time to bond with the main character. Plus big one here - I couldn't undestand if the character was bi-polar or possessed or simply talking to someone else via mind reading or maybe I HAD one of the prior problems discussed here --LOL.
August 17, 2010
I thought this book was OK... a bit too much going on and so many other characters that it hard to follow in places. I know that it is hard to start a series without missing something. So I might hunt out the next one but it won't be on the top of my list.
August 22, 2008
I hesitate to say I read this one. I started on the beach. Read the first 100 pages, only because I didn't have another book. I didn't finish it. It was just not my "cup of tea". I found the language cumbersome and wasn't really seeing the story even at 100 pages.
October 6, 2008
Despite the title, I really had no idea this was a paranormal historical until I started reading it.
February 26, 2013
I stopped reading it. I'm not a fan of the bodice-ripper...
Read
January 13, 2014Not the worst, not the greatest romance. A bit confusing, almost as if there should have been a book before it in the series.
October 25, 2014
I think this book would be so much better without the violence.
Want to Read
July 30, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14128602
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14128602
Read
October 18, 2016Nope, no no no!
Ok, three shrieks in one brief sex scene in a carriage is three too many. Don't bother wasting your time on this book!
Ok, three shrieks in one brief sex scene in a carriage is three too many. Don't bother wasting your time on this book!
June 4, 2008
First book in her new Witches of Mayfair series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews