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The Donovan Legacy #2
Entranced
Obviously psychic Sebastian Donovan was a fraud, but fiercely protective Mary Ellen Sutherland was desperate to find a missing baby and had run out of leads. So, reluctantly, the skeptical private investigator agreed to enlist Sebastian's help. Soon she had to admit - grudgingly - that this man had some pretty remarkable gifts. Especially his extraordinary ability to penetrate her tough facade and awaken her heart.
297 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
1214 people are currently reading
4083 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
July 1, 2020
DNF @ pg 242 (74%)
In this book's defence, it was an accidental purchase, and not something I'd have picked up if I'd known it was romance. I was unlucky in that the first Nora Roberts book I ever read was light-hearted and fun and so I thought she wrote contemporary, rather than romance. So that's on me.
But JEEZUZ.
Is all romance really this terrible? I mean, I like a good love story but what the heck was this?
I do like that the series stays in the family but follows different people. It's a neat idea. And I like magic and the paranormal. Plus there's a mystery. But all of this stuff is stomped all over so that two people who hate each other can be thrust into one another (see what I did there) and forced to play out a cringe-worthy 'love' affair.
The blurb: 'A missing child. A desperate mother. A private investigator running out of time.'
The actual story: Mel's friend's baby has been kidnapped. Despite her best PI efforts, she hasn't been able to find him so desperate mum turns to a psychic for help. Naturally the psychic is a handsome fellow and he and Mel hate each other instantly, which is apparently super hot(???) and leads to much kinkiness. Sorry, did you say there was a plot somewhere?
I mean, she's cynical and hot-headed, and he's super rich, so naturally they hate each other. Because, ew, a rich man, and ew, a woman who doesn't take shit. So naturally he forces himself on her and they have this super passionate kiss that definitely doesn't mean anything to either of them because, DUH, they hate each other!
I'm not even going to go into how much I hated the blatant sexism in this book. Or the same old, dude-forces-himself-on-girl-but-it's-totally-okay-because-she-kinda-likes-it BS. Not touching it. I will only get more mad and if this is what counts for romance these days I will continue to spurn the genre. Mel might actually have been okay if her tough talk matched her actions.
But the story is just so pathetic. The mystery of the missing child is solved early on, and then it just goes straight into Mel and Seb getting it on and hating on each other while they screw each other into 'melted flesh'. Or something. I'll be honest - I was skimming pretty heavily by this stage.
But of course there is more detective work to be done and the only way they can possibly detect is to pretend they're married. Because who needs his amazing psychic talents when you can just play pretend, right?
What utter rubbish.
Look, I'm not a romance reader so I can't really tell you if this is good romance or not. I can tell you it definitely didn't work for me (and I was totally generous about the last kinky romance I encountered). I can tell you there is an overuse of the word 'sexy' in the first 100 pages or so, and that if a man treated me the way this guy treats Mel initially I'd have kicked him in the balls so hard he'd never have to worry about his kids getting kidnapped, if you follow me.
Honestly, I'm proud of getting through as much of it as I did, and so grateful it was small pages with big text and easy to skim. If there'd been more on the paranormal side of things without it being turned into kinky sh*t maybe I'd have put more effort in, but that male lead was a total d*ck and the world has too many good books for me to waste more valuable reading time on trash like this.
Enjoy, you kinky bastards.
In this book's defence, it was an accidental purchase, and not something I'd have picked up if I'd known it was romance. I was unlucky in that the first Nora Roberts book I ever read was light-hearted and fun and so I thought she wrote contemporary, rather than romance. So that's on me.
But JEEZUZ.
Is all romance really this terrible? I mean, I like a good love story but what the heck was this?
I do like that the series stays in the family but follows different people. It's a neat idea. And I like magic and the paranormal. Plus there's a mystery. But all of this stuff is stomped all over so that two people who hate each other can be thrust into one another (see what I did there) and forced to play out a cringe-worthy 'love' affair.
The blurb: 'A missing child. A desperate mother. A private investigator running out of time.'
The actual story: Mel's friend's baby has been kidnapped. Despite her best PI efforts, she hasn't been able to find him so desperate mum turns to a psychic for help. Naturally the psychic is a handsome fellow and he and Mel hate each other instantly, which is apparently super hot(???) and leads to much kinkiness. Sorry, did you say there was a plot somewhere?
I mean, she's cynical and hot-headed, and he's super rich, so naturally they hate each other. Because, ew, a rich man, and ew, a woman who doesn't take shit. So naturally he forces himself on her and they have this super passionate kiss that definitely doesn't mean anything to either of them because, DUH, they hate each other!
I'm not even going to go into how much I hated the blatant sexism in this book. Or the same old, dude-forces-himself-on-girl-but-it's-totally-okay-because-she-kinda-likes-it BS. Not touching it. I will only get more mad and if this is what counts for romance these days I will continue to spurn the genre. Mel might actually have been okay if her tough talk matched her actions.
But the story is just so pathetic. The mystery of the missing child is solved early on, and then it just goes straight into Mel and Seb getting it on and hating on each other while they screw each other into 'melted flesh'. Or something. I'll be honest - I was skimming pretty heavily by this stage.
But of course there is more detective work to be done and the only way they can possibly detect is to pretend they're married. Because who needs his amazing psychic talents when you can just play pretend, right?
What utter rubbish.
Look, I'm not a romance reader so I can't really tell you if this is good romance or not. I can tell you it definitely didn't work for me (and I was totally generous about the last kinky romance I encountered). I can tell you there is an overuse of the word 'sexy' in the first 100 pages or so, and that if a man treated me the way this guy treats Mel initially I'd have kicked him in the balls so hard he'd never have to worry about his kids getting kidnapped, if you follow me.
Honestly, I'm proud of getting through as much of it as I did, and so grateful it was small pages with big text and easy to skim. If there'd been more on the paranormal side of things without it being turned into kinky sh*t maybe I'd have put more effort in, but that male lead was a total d*ck and the world has too many good books for me to waste more valuable reading time on trash like this.
Enjoy, you kinky bastards.
December 3, 2024
I loved book one and book two so far . I love Nora’s writing . This is a favourite author for me and I will read everything she writes . I love her books . Can’t wait to read book three soon .❤️
June 29, 2019
''Entranced'' is the story of Mel and Sebastian.
In this second wonderful addition to the Donovan series, we meet Sebastian Donovan, a witch and seer, whose powers give him the vision, and he uses it to help the police out in various cases.
When a desperate mother's pleading note catches his eye, he responds to her request to find her abducted baby, meeting PI Mary Ellen aka Mel in the process.
Mel has been desperately trying to find baby David, and being practical, she does not believe in the sham that is hocus pocus and psychics. But after meeting Sebastian and seeing him interact with David's mother Rose, she is forced to keep her skepticism aside and work together to find the baby, while racing against time and with the accurate clues Sebastian provides.
During this journey, they fall in love, understand each other's past, explore their passion, catch culprits, expose a baby snatching ring, and finally have their HEA after opening their heart up.
Beta hero, strong heroine and loads of magic.
Safe
4/5
In this second wonderful addition to the Donovan series, we meet Sebastian Donovan, a witch and seer, whose powers give him the vision, and he uses it to help the police out in various cases.
When a desperate mother's pleading note catches his eye, he responds to her request to find her abducted baby, meeting PI Mary Ellen aka Mel in the process.
Mel has been desperately trying to find baby David, and being practical, she does not believe in the sham that is hocus pocus and psychics. But after meeting Sebastian and seeing him interact with David's mother Rose, she is forced to keep her skepticism aside and work together to find the baby, while racing against time and with the accurate clues Sebastian provides.
During this journey, they fall in love, understand each other's past, explore their passion, catch culprits, expose a baby snatching ring, and finally have their HEA after opening their heart up.
Beta hero, strong heroine and loads of magic.
Safe
4/5
May 20, 2019
Reseña en mi blog: https://elsentirdeunlibro.blogspot.co...
¡Me ha encantado! :)
¡Me ha encantado! :)
August 21, 2018
I was absolutely "Entranced". As much as I didn't care for the first book in this series, I loved this one. A little mystery, a little suspense and a really wonderful romance. Oh, and the hero is a psychic who can read minds, but is too much of a gentleman to do that to the heroine, well, not often anyway.
Sebastian Donovan is a psychic and a witch who has helped solve several high-profile cases. He is approached by a desperate mother whose baby has been abducted. Her friend, Mary Ellen Sutherland, thinks he is nothing more than fraud. But, PI Mary Ellen is determined to find the baby and doesn't want interference from Sebastian. He just knows that Mel and he are meant to be more and all he has to do is convince her. Together they make an awesome team and are an unbeatable duo.
Sebastian Donovan is a psychic and a witch who has helped solve several high-profile cases. He is approached by a desperate mother whose baby has been abducted. Her friend, Mary Ellen Sutherland, thinks he is nothing more than fraud. But, PI Mary Ellen is determined to find the baby and doesn't want interference from Sebastian. He just knows that Mel and he are meant to be more and all he has to do is convince her. Together they make an awesome team and are an unbeatable duo.
July 25, 2014
Entranced is an engaging story about a psychic and a cynic. Yes, the psychic being Sebastian Donovan, Morgana’s cousin. Sebastian uses his powers of “seeing”, to help cops solve twisted cases.
On the other hand, Mel Sutherland is a private investigator whose friend’s child is missing. She tries everything she could to get some clues about the kidnapper but like the cops, hits a dead end. Tired of waiting for her police to find her son, Rose enquires about Sebastian’s powers and then convinces Mel to take her to him. Being a cynic, Mel tries to stop Rose but ultimately gives in to the idea and meets Sebastian.
Accepting the fact that Sebastian might be her only chance to find Rose’s son, Mel starts investigating with Sebastian and makes him her temp. partner.She ends up falling in love with Sebastian and accepting the fact that there are some things beyond logic and reason and comes to accept and respect Sebastian’s gifts.
The story is predictable, but is adorably romantic. The characters in the book are full of life and you can instantly connected to them. Also we get a sneak peek in the lives of Morgana (who is pregnant at the time) and Nash Kirkland from Captivated, which really makes you feel like you are a part of the Donovan family.
On the other hand, Mel Sutherland is a private investigator whose friend’s child is missing. She tries everything she could to get some clues about the kidnapper but like the cops, hits a dead end. Tired of waiting for her police to find her son, Rose enquires about Sebastian’s powers and then convinces Mel to take her to him. Being a cynic, Mel tries to stop Rose but ultimately gives in to the idea and meets Sebastian.
Accepting the fact that Sebastian might be her only chance to find Rose’s son, Mel starts investigating with Sebastian and makes him her temp. partner.She ends up falling in love with Sebastian and accepting the fact that there are some things beyond logic and reason and comes to accept and respect Sebastian’s gifts.
The story is predictable, but is adorably romantic. The characters in the book are full of life and you can instantly connected to them. Also we get a sneak peek in the lives of Morgana (who is pregnant at the time) and Nash Kirkland from Captivated, which really makes you feel like you are a part of the Donovan family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2018
3.5 STARS
I enjoyed this one more than the first installment. Old school Nora, with PNR element. A light, easy read.
I enjoyed this one more than the first installment. Old school Nora, with PNR element. A light, easy read.
April 3, 2019
Loved this H; a handsome psychic man
Strong h who doesn't believe in pyschics ... which made a nice change as I have read a lot of books with psychic h and sceptical H .... they had great chemistry and bantered so sweetly ...
Strong h who doesn't believe in pyschics ... which made a nice change as I have read a lot of books with psychic h and sceptical H .... they had great chemistry and bantered so sweetly ...
Read
June 12, 2018Book 2 in the Donavan Stories by Nora Roberts. Magic and romance. Yup, I'm a fan.
October 9, 2019
Our heroine is a PI that has been enlisted by her neighbor to find a missing toddler. In desperation the mother asks our hero to help. Since he is a witch with the gift of clairvoyance. He agrees since he knows our heroine is his destiny.
October 29, 2023
I love the partnership in this and I love the Nora shopping/dressing montage where someone who doesn't care is forced to try on clothes they'd never bother to otherwise for some reason.
July 25, 2020
3-3.5ish. I enjoyed this story sooo much better than book 1 in this series. I mean I feel like this one actually had a plot alongside the romance; however, it did, like the first book focus so heavily on "denial" of the supernatural. I feel like the author made it much more "believable" in this book, more so than the first in the series, so the story actually flowed a lot better for me. It was still there though.
Mel, our FMC, is a PI taking jobs as they come when her best friend calls with the most horrifying news. Their baby has been kidnapped. Mel gets on the case instantly only to find her friend has also asked for help from Sebastian, a psychic who focus's on helping authorities find missing people. Her disbelief as well as her jaded attitude puts Sebastian and his con man ways in his place.. or so she thinks. That is until the man starts giving her information even she can't uncover and her disbelief just turns to relief for the help finding this baby. Even if the amount of information he is getting is seriously alarming her.
Mel and Sebastian have super great chemistry, even if some things seem a little "fated." I love their interactions and they mesh well as well as play off each others skills. Of course Mel has some sort of hero complex going on where she has to be the one to solve the case and it ends up biting her on the behind in the end.
I listened to this via audible and I thought the narrator did a great job. I didn't find myself drifting or falling out of the story at any point. It was just a good sweet read with a touch of paranormal.
Mel, our FMC, is a PI taking jobs as they come when her best friend calls with the most horrifying news. Their baby has been kidnapped. Mel gets on the case instantly only to find her friend has also asked for help from Sebastian, a psychic who focus's on helping authorities find missing people. Her disbelief as well as her jaded attitude puts Sebastian and his con man ways in his place.. or so she thinks. That is until the man starts giving her information even she can't uncover and her disbelief just turns to relief for the help finding this baby. Even if the amount of information he is getting is seriously alarming her.
Mel and Sebastian have super great chemistry, even if some things seem a little "fated." I love their interactions and they mesh well as well as play off each others skills. Of course Mel has some sort of hero complex going on where she has to be the one to solve the case and it ends up biting her on the behind in the end.
I listened to this via audible and I thought the narrator did a great job. I didn't find myself drifting or falling out of the story at any point. It was just a good sweet read with a touch of paranormal.
June 12, 2019
Entranced really improved on Captivated>, because it both has a plot and improved character development.
In basically the exact same number of pages, Entranced resolves two mysteries and gets the couple together, which means that, good news, there's no time for massive misunderstandings or fear of commitment flailing. Mel's got some fear of commitment, but it resolves itself without really being an issue.
I can't say I felt particularly invested in the resolution of the mystery, but I did like that it gave the characters something to do, and it was fun to watch them work. I will say that Sebastian's powers sure seem to work awfully conveniently, with him only ever seeing the next step, so they have to proceed slowly. But, hey, since I mostly cared about watching the ship play out, that gives you a bunch of different backdrops for that. Including a circumstance where they have to pretend to be married, which is such a great trope.
Quite fun, as long as you don't mind the convenience of Sebastian's psychic powers.
In basically the exact same number of pages, Entranced resolves two mysteries and gets the couple together, which means that, good news, there's no time for massive misunderstandings or fear of commitment flailing. Mel's got some fear of commitment, but it resolves itself without really being an issue.
I can't say I felt particularly invested in the resolution of the mystery, but I did like that it gave the characters something to do, and it was fun to watch them work. I will say that Sebastian's powers sure seem to work awfully conveniently, with him only ever seeing the next step, so they have to proceed slowly. But, hey, since I mostly cared about watching the ship play out, that gives you a bunch of different backdrops for that. Including a circumstance where they have to pretend to be married, which is such a great trope.
Quite fun, as long as you don't mind the convenience of Sebastian's psychic powers.
June 14, 2020
Much better than the first. However, I have to admit, some of that enjoyment is due to the similarities between Mel/Sebastian and Eve/Roarke from the In Deah series Roberts writes as J.D. Robb. Since this was written in the early 90’s, I think this, may have been Roberts playing around with some early ideas.
Mel is a tall, slender, athletic PI with attitude and a haircut that looked like she hacked at it herself. Hmmmmm.....
Sebastian is a rich, handsome, Irish man with hair that curls around the nape of his neck. He dabbles in a lot of different areas, real estate being one of those. Sound familiar?😉
Mel is a tall, slender, athletic PI with attitude and a haircut that looked like she hacked at it herself. Hmmmmm.....
Sebastian is a rich, handsome, Irish man with hair that curls around the nape of his neck. He dabbles in a lot of different areas, real estate being one of those. Sound familiar?😉
January 13, 2025
Sebastian is a warlock who is psychic. Mary Ellen (Mal) is a private investigator whose friend’s infant son was kidnapped. They worked together to find the child and uncovered a child kidnapping ring. Mel and Sebastian go undercover to investigate the kidnapping ring. Of course they fell in love with each other. Mel was Sebastian’s fated mate. The romance was good and the plot was somewhat predictable but interesting.
February 8, 2012
Sebastian - 2nd Donovan cousin - his talent is seeing - the past and future, and he has great control over it... he assists the police & FBI... he has money as he buys and sells businesses and real estate.
Mary Ellen, Meg, is a PI, persistent, does a good job. Having been raised by a nomadic mother, she is putting down roots but is leary of committment. Her friends 4 month baby was kidnapped, and 2 months later her friend has Meg track down Sebastian, as she heard of his talent.
Meg takes her to Sebastian, since she could not talk her out of it, and she is sure he is a charlatain. Sebastian, exhausted after tracking a seriel killer, intends to turn them away, but cannot resist the grieving mother or the feisty friend, and agrees to help them. Sebastian, attracted to Meg, takes a peak into the future and sees them together but restrains himself from looking at it too closely, letting things unfold.
And here begins the alliance of Meg and Sebastian... they tackle one of Meg's cases (posing as a disgruntled couple at a bar) that gets a bit out of control by Sebastian's standards when the bad guy is threatening Meg with a hammer (he intervenes and resuce her of course)...
then after Meg joins him for movie night with the cousins, then whisks her away on his motorcycle, tracking one of his insights to a restaurant 4 hours away where the baby was traded off... after a few more interviews, he can see the baby in Texas, and they take his private jet... where he takes her to the family who adopted the baby in good faith ... and they take the baby home....
he has her over to dinner to celebrate they of course end up in bed... and she comes to him a few days later and asks for his help in tracking down the full ring of baby stealing/selling people. He agrees, helping to set things up with the FBI... and they decide to act as a well to do married couple who want a family but can't get pregnant - hoping to be targeted...
He offers her a wedding ring (she takes it as a prop), of a stone he has cherished, he is offering his troth... they agree to be honest and share everything... and using one of his houses on the east coast, they set up a household, and entice the the casino boss/baby traffiker & his girl friend to take them on as clients... (to get the intro to the casino boss, he mentally pushes a newlywed couple to win at the blackjack tables - helping them get an exiciting start - planting thoughts that their luck is used up so they don't loose it - ahhhhh). They act the perfect couple, though they don't have to act too much, as they both light up in the other's presence... though at one point, she wonders if he likes her persona (doting house=wife) better than the real her.
And after a couple of weeks, they get the psuedo lawyer contacting them with a baby... and they to to the casingo boss & girlfriend to celebrate... but Meg can't bear to think of a mother suffering at the loss of her baby, even for a couple of days... so she decides to take the girlfriend's key & sneak into their penthouse to get enough evidence to confict them without actual baby - but knowing Sebastian would say no, she goes in without telling him... she finds his book with entries on the babys... but they come in... and psychically calling him to help her, trusting that he would... and he does, with the FBI on his heels. and he is not happy that she did not hold up her part of the bargain to be honest, and barely listens when she tries to explain why...
After returning home a few days without contact, she decides to go to him... and Morgan and his parents are at his house. and he takes her to see the foal (she helped birth early on) to get her out from the other's eyes... and though he doesn't make it easy on her, when she tries to return his ring, he tells her of its significance... and she tentatively tells him she wants to be with him... that he should accept her as she has accepted him...
and they kiss, and he tells her he loves her, and wants to spend his life with her... ahhhhh
Mary Ellen, Meg, is a PI, persistent, does a good job. Having been raised by a nomadic mother, she is putting down roots but is leary of committment. Her friends 4 month baby was kidnapped, and 2 months later her friend has Meg track down Sebastian, as she heard of his talent.
Meg takes her to Sebastian, since she could not talk her out of it, and she is sure he is a charlatain. Sebastian, exhausted after tracking a seriel killer, intends to turn them away, but cannot resist the grieving mother or the feisty friend, and agrees to help them. Sebastian, attracted to Meg, takes a peak into the future and sees them together but restrains himself from looking at it too closely, letting things unfold.
And here begins the alliance of Meg and Sebastian... they tackle one of Meg's cases (posing as a disgruntled couple at a bar) that gets a bit out of control by Sebastian's standards when the bad guy is threatening Meg with a hammer (he intervenes and resuce her of course)...
then after Meg joins him for movie night with the cousins, then whisks her away on his motorcycle, tracking one of his insights to a restaurant 4 hours away where the baby was traded off... after a few more interviews, he can see the baby in Texas, and they take his private jet... where he takes her to the family who adopted the baby in good faith ... and they take the baby home....
he has her over to dinner to celebrate they of course end up in bed... and she comes to him a few days later and asks for his help in tracking down the full ring of baby stealing/selling people. He agrees, helping to set things up with the FBI... and they decide to act as a well to do married couple who want a family but can't get pregnant - hoping to be targeted...
He offers her a wedding ring (she takes it as a prop), of a stone he has cherished, he is offering his troth... they agree to be honest and share everything... and using one of his houses on the east coast, they set up a household, and entice the the casino boss/baby traffiker & his girl friend to take them on as clients... (to get the intro to the casino boss, he mentally pushes a newlywed couple to win at the blackjack tables - helping them get an exiciting start - planting thoughts that their luck is used up so they don't loose it - ahhhhh). They act the perfect couple, though they don't have to act too much, as they both light up in the other's presence... though at one point, she wonders if he likes her persona (doting house=wife) better than the real her.
And after a couple of weeks, they get the psuedo lawyer contacting them with a baby... and they to to the casingo boss & girlfriend to celebrate... but Meg can't bear to think of a mother suffering at the loss of her baby, even for a couple of days... so she decides to take the girlfriend's key & sneak into their penthouse to get enough evidence to confict them without actual baby - but knowing Sebastian would say no, she goes in without telling him... she finds his book with entries on the babys... but they come in... and psychically calling him to help her, trusting that he would... and he does, with the FBI on his heels. and he is not happy that she did not hold up her part of the bargain to be honest, and barely listens when she tries to explain why...
After returning home a few days without contact, she decides to go to him... and Morgan and his parents are at his house. and he takes her to see the foal (she helped birth early on) to get her out from the other's eyes... and though he doesn't make it easy on her, when she tries to return his ring, he tells her of its significance... and she tentatively tells him she wants to be with him... that he should accept her as she has accepted him...
and they kiss, and he tells her he loves her, and wants to spend his life with her... ahhhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
it was an okay read. nothing too exciting and it seemed short in duration.
June 5, 2018
This is probably a 2.5. Not quite a waste of my time but close. I didn’t care much about the characters and the story didn’t draw me in.
July 16, 2021
(read in french, under the title « Les ombres du lac »)
A rational-to-the-bone detective, a medium (who, occasionnally, seems closer to a witch), a case to bring them together : « Entranced » is a well-balanced mix between romantic suspense and paranormal romance. If the paranormal's place within the investigation is quite light, Donovan especially sparing the use of his powers), the story is tainted with an esoteric atmosphere which really makes it apart from usual romantic suspense books. Fore sure, it's original and it works well, like the character's team, even if we don't really feel their attraction. All Sebastian's fault, clearly lacking of charisma, while on the contrary Mel has tons of it. Independant and strong-willed, she really his the best part of the novel.
... Because the investigation is very slow to start, then way too light and easy to be convicing. All-book-long, impossible to get rid of this shallowness feeling, until the quickly-wrapped ending.
On the good things however, the book really aged well : unless you look at the original realease date, the tone is so modern you can't tell it was written thirty years ago!
« Entranced » is an enjoyable read, but sadly seems to never fully get to the bottom of its concept, nor using the real potential of its characters and storyline. As it is, it's « just » a good book, without real flaws, but forgotten as soon as we close it.
A rational-to-the-bone detective, a medium (who, occasionnally, seems closer to a witch), a case to bring them together : « Entranced » is a well-balanced mix between romantic suspense and paranormal romance. If the paranormal's place within the investigation is quite light, Donovan especially sparing the use of his powers), the story is tainted with an esoteric atmosphere which really makes it apart from usual romantic suspense books. Fore sure, it's original and it works well, like the character's team, even if we don't really feel their attraction. All Sebastian's fault, clearly lacking of charisma, while on the contrary Mel has tons of it. Independant and strong-willed, she really his the best part of the novel.
... Because the investigation is very slow to start, then way too light and easy to be convicing. All-book-long, impossible to get rid of this shallowness feeling, until the quickly-wrapped ending.
On the good things however, the book really aged well : unless you look at the original realease date, the tone is so modern you can't tell it was written thirty years ago!
« Entranced » is an enjoyable read, but sadly seems to never fully get to the bottom of its concept, nor using the real potential of its characters and storyline. As it is, it's « just » a good book, without real flaws, but forgotten as soon as we close it.
January 13, 2022
The second book of The Donovan legace series.
I was fascinated by the voluminous detective line. With 2 cases to solve in the story. The book and love story was quite entertaining. However, in the middle I often yawned. Good news, towards the end I read without noticing anything around me. The main characters are very appealing as partners in the case, but as a couple they were normal. Only in the last scene I felt real sympathy and passion for each other.
Loved the details , as partners they only called themselves by their last names; Mel is ordinary and only organized in her work. Mel's attitude toward spa treatments and the rich life.
Sebastian Donovan is a dream. But don't you agree isn't he too perfect?? Rich, generous, feminist, grooming, funny.
I was fascinated by the voluminous detective line. With 2 cases to solve in the story. The book and love story was quite entertaining. However, in the middle I often yawned. Good news, towards the end I read without noticing anything around me. The main characters are very appealing as partners in the case, but as a couple they were normal. Only in the last scene I felt real sympathy and passion for each other.
Loved the details , as partners they only called themselves by their last names; Mel is ordinary and only organized in her work. Mel's attitude toward spa treatments and the rich life.
Sebastian Donovan is a dream. But don't you agree isn't he too perfect?? Rich, generous, feminist, grooming, funny.
March 6, 2023
Okay, this was so much better than book 1 - way more engrossing and had me hooked from the first chapter! This one had the same setting, and cameos from the characters in Book 1, and another 'opposites attract' pairing. Yet another practical, logical person who relies on facts rather than feelings finds herself unwillingly working with a psychic/witch/charlatan on a case that is very dear to her. The elements of thrill and suspense (which were missing for me in Captivated) made this quick, magical romance go by even quicker as I didn't want to put it down.
September 5, 2025
The second book in the Donovan Legacy stars Sebastian Donovan. He is a psychic who can find people and things and read people's minds. Mary Ellen Sutherland is a private investigator who comes to him when her friend's baby is abducted. Even though she doesn't believe in psychics, Mel agrees to work with Sebastian if it will help her find young David.
Using a combination of her skills as a PI and Sebastian's gifts, David is found and a baby selling ring is discovered. Mel and Sebastian team up along with the FBI to break up the ring. While they are undercover as a wealthy couple looking to do anything to finally have a baby of their own, Mel and Sebastian fall in love.
This was another excellent paranormal romance. It was also excellent romantic suspense.
Using a combination of her skills as a PI and Sebastian's gifts, David is found and a baby selling ring is discovered. Mel and Sebastian team up along with the FBI to break up the ring. While they are undercover as a wealthy couple looking to do anything to finally have a baby of their own, Mel and Sebastian fall in love.
This was another excellent paranormal romance. It was also excellent romantic suspense.
August 25, 2017
I enjoyed this book a lotmore than the first because the significant other, while not a believer, wasn't hurtful about the disbelief like the Nash was. The plot was interesting and well paced. Overall the writing was good but I thought the sex scenes were a little ott with flowery language. I prefer mine more visceral which really isn't Roberts style, but this seemed excessive even for her so I mostly skimmed those scenes.
March 19, 2020
This book is about Sebastian, who has been used useful to the police in finding lost people or helping with murder investagations. He is asked by a couple to help them find their baby who was taken from their home. PI Mel does not want to have him help her (Mel is a friend of the baby's family), neither one is happy about working together. How can thing work out when each of them has their own ideas on what to do.
December 20, 2019
Sarjan toinen osa ei yltänyt avausosan tasolle millään muotoa. Tämä oli suuri pettymys, sillä Sebastian Donovanin tarinalta odotin paljon esikoisosassa!
Nopealukuista hömppää, jolla voi nollata aivot vaativampien kirjojen välissä.
Nopealukuista hömppää, jolla voi nollata aivot vaativampien kirjojen välissä.
August 2, 2021
Give me any book with a psychic and I will love it!!
August 7, 2025
Av dem två böcker jag har läst av Nora Roberts så tycker jag dem har varit väldigt bra tycker även att dem är lättlästa vilket jag gillar. Denna boken tycker jag hade en intressant handling då den blandar lite ”övernaturlighet” med verklighet. Alla romantik böcker är dock lite samma tycker jag.. men gillade ändå denna bok mycket!
March 24, 2021
Loved this book, and really enjoying the Donovan Legacy Series.
August 30, 2015
I'm not entirely sure how to review this without fangirling all over MacLeod Andrews....but I'ma give it my best damn shot.Like Captivated , I first read Entranced by Nora Roberts a little more than a decade ago. I absolutely love Roberts' paranormal romances. They feature strong, independent women, and men who are just sensitive enough to make you swoon, but not so overly sensitive that you want to roll your eyes backwards into your brain.
Basically, she writes the kind of men I'd bang (if I wasn't married and stuff - I love you, honey, please don't divorce me).
Whilst Captivated featured Morgana's story, Entranced focuses on her sexy older cousin, Sebastian, who is a bit of a psychic, but much more than that. Morgana's gift was true witchcraft; Sebastian's is being able to see someone's future, and tracking things by their psychic imprint (or something like that, because it's never really explained, it's just accepted that he can find people from things). Where Morgana uses her gift as an entrepreneur, Sebastian uses his to aid law enforcement in finding missing persons and/or criminals.
Let me take a moment here to say, I really love how she makes the Donovans humble, good-hearted people who use their gifts to harm none. Okay, just kidding, Sebastian isn't really so humble. But he's not an asshole, he's instead confident AND caring.
In some ways, I like Sebastian's story more than Morgana's. Now I'm familiar with the family and frankly, Sebastian sets my loins on fire, so there's that, too. But more than those things, he's strong without being overbearing, and he's mysterious. She makes you want to get to know him. And when he meets Mary Ellen, aka Mel, there are fireworks!
Mel is a PI in the Monterey area and has taken on the case of her friend Rose, whose little boy has gone missing. She's a cynic, much like Nash was in Captivated, and it's hard for her to accept that things are not always as she was told. So when Rose wants to meet the psychic to see if he can tell where her son was taken, Mel is derisive and insulted. But because she's a good person, she does it for her friend anyway.
The sparks fly between Sebastian and Mel immediately. He wants to prove to her his ability but it chaps his ass that he should need to prove anything, so he's reigning himself in. She wants him to go kick rocks, but she's stupidly attracted to him, and since there are no better leads than this "psychic business", she decides to work with him. Er, let him work with her, being a strong woman who don't need no man, and all that. And thus begins an uncomfortable and charming romance that sweeps them both unexpectedly from their feet. I really loved the verbal sparring and sexual tension between them.
Just another Nora novel to sink into on the beach or during a lazy weekend when you want to get that HEA!
Narrator 4-1-1
Wow, see, so I managed to not spew my love of MacLeod Andrews' voice all over this review... until now. I cannot begin to tell you how sexy his voice is. It should be criminal. Will I listen to more audios by him? What a stupid question. I'm going to go out of my way to find more of his work, and stare at his picture. And just be a creep in general.This book may have been provided in exchange for an honest review, and therefore will be noted on the original post.
February 27, 2013
Mel is happy with her own little home in Monterey, and her independent job. She grew up with a mother who moved every few months to a new place, never putting down roots, never getting the chance to make friends. But now she is putting down roots, and she has even made some friends. Friends who really need her professional help as a private investigator. A few weeks ago, their little baby boy was stolen from their own backyard, when Rose just went inside for a minute. They are devastated, and so is Mel. She loves little David, and has vowed to get him back.
Rose is determined to use even something as nebulous as a psychic to get her son back, and no one can talk that idea out of her head. And so Mel has agreed to accompany her to meet with Sebastian Donovan, and ask him for his help.
Sebastian knows they are coming, and doesn’t want to take the case. He just came home from a few gruelling weeks in Chicago, and he needs to wind down, relax, and recharge. But he is a truly powerful seer, and he knows fate is about to interfere in his life. If he lets it. He is intrigued by the stubborn Mel, who insults him and his powers in his face. He just can’t resist a mother’s plea, and accepts the case. And so that night, after some time spend with his horses, and a nice glass of wine, he reaches out to little David, to find out what has happened to him. He can reassure Rose that David is still alive, and well taken care of. He has seen who has taken the boy, and he knows the room David is in now. With some of the clues Sebastian is able to provide, Mel takes the investigation up again. They soon find out the identity of the first kidnapper, who was just a desperate man owing money to dangerous people. But there is more behind this kidnapping, this smells of a professional organization, who provide babies when they have a customer. Usually some rich folks who don’t want to wait years going through the official adoption agencies.
Their first goal, is to get David back, and with the help of the FBI they do just that. But their next goal will be to bring down this ring of villains, and prevent other parents to go through the grief that Rose and Stan had to go through.
In the meanwhile, Mel and Sebastian are very attracted to each other, and travelling the route the kidnappers took together, brings them closer. Spending hours on the road, first on Sebastian’s bike, then in his private plane. Mel is certainly not used to luxury like that, but it sure is convenient.
I really enjoyed watching the romance, seeing the relationship between stubborn down to earth Mel and the powerful Sebastian grow. I also loved the meeting with his family, the main characters in the other books in this series. I do love those little peeks in their lives after the HEA. What else can I say, but that I love Nora Roberts’ books, especially the magical ones,
I have read this series a few times in Dutch, and this is the first time in English, and I still love the book.
8 stars.
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
Rose is determined to use even something as nebulous as a psychic to get her son back, and no one can talk that idea out of her head. And so Mel has agreed to accompany her to meet with Sebastian Donovan, and ask him for his help.
Sebastian knows they are coming, and doesn’t want to take the case. He just came home from a few gruelling weeks in Chicago, and he needs to wind down, relax, and recharge. But he is a truly powerful seer, and he knows fate is about to interfere in his life. If he lets it. He is intrigued by the stubborn Mel, who insults him and his powers in his face. He just can’t resist a mother’s plea, and accepts the case. And so that night, after some time spend with his horses, and a nice glass of wine, he reaches out to little David, to find out what has happened to him. He can reassure Rose that David is still alive, and well taken care of. He has seen who has taken the boy, and he knows the room David is in now. With some of the clues Sebastian is able to provide, Mel takes the investigation up again. They soon find out the identity of the first kidnapper, who was just a desperate man owing money to dangerous people. But there is more behind this kidnapping, this smells of a professional organization, who provide babies when they have a customer. Usually some rich folks who don’t want to wait years going through the official adoption agencies.
Their first goal, is to get David back, and with the help of the FBI they do just that. But their next goal will be to bring down this ring of villains, and prevent other parents to go through the grief that Rose and Stan had to go through.
In the meanwhile, Mel and Sebastian are very attracted to each other, and travelling the route the kidnappers took together, brings them closer. Spending hours on the road, first on Sebastian’s bike, then in his private plane. Mel is certainly not used to luxury like that, but it sure is convenient.
I really enjoyed watching the romance, seeing the relationship between stubborn down to earth Mel and the powerful Sebastian grow. I also loved the meeting with his family, the main characters in the other books in this series. I do love those little peeks in their lives after the HEA. What else can I say, but that I love Nora Roberts’ books, especially the magical ones,
I have read this series a few times in Dutch, and this is the first time in English, and I still love the book.
8 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
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