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Loving Husband #1
Her Dear and Loving Husband
How long would you wait for the one you loved?
Her Dear & Loving Husband, the new novel from Meredith Allard, is part literary fiction, part historical fiction, part romance, and part paranormal fantasy. With elements of Twilight and The Crucible, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.
James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties anywhere. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.
Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. With the help of their friends, witches Jennifer and Olivia, James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?
Her Dear & Loving Husband, the new novel from Meredith Allard, is part literary fiction, part historical fiction, part romance, and part paranormal fantasy. With elements of Twilight and The Crucible, Her Dear & Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.
James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties anywhere. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.
Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. With the help of their friends, witches Jennifer and Olivia, James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?
262 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2011
636 people are currently reading
2928 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Allard
19 books362 followersMeredith Allard is the author of the beloved bestselling paranormal historical Loving Husband Trilogy. Her sweet Victorian romance, When It Rained at Hembry Castle, was named a best historical novel by IndieReader. Down Salem Way, the prequel to the Loving Husband Trilogy set around the Salem Witch Trials, won the B.R.A.G. Medallion and was a semi-finalist for the Chaucer Award in Early Historical Fiction. Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction was named a #1 new release in creativity self-help on Amazon. She has taught writing to students ages five to 75, and she loves books, cats, and coffee, not always in that order. She lives in the hills of Southern Nevada. Visit Meredith at www.meredithallard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 255 reviews
October 3, 2011
Quick Take: An intensely sweet romance is tied to a riveting narrative on the Salem witch trials. Clearly, much research went into crafting the descriptions of the setting and related cultural intricacies.
Review:
Before reading this book, I'd never heard of Ann Bradstreet nor her poem, "To My Dear and Loving Husband." (I know: nuts, right?) In fact, there was much I didn't know about the general time frame and setting that's highlighted in Meredith Allard's To My Dear and Loving Husband--beyond the basics taught in grade school, that is. Having read the book, however, I'm riveted and want to know more.
A large portion of my newly rekindled interest in Salem, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century is due to the great amount of detail put forth in Allard's book. It's immediately and clearly obvious that the author's done her homework; though this novel is a piece of fiction, it felt almost like a first-person account of the witch trials. The book shifts between present and past through both the recollections of James Wentworth and the vivid dreams of Sarah Alexander. I love that such vividness can be created about real historical events, even when the character recounting the experiences is fictional. Likewise, the fact that the main character that "experienced" this place and time is...other...was seamless and...well, it worked magnificently.
It's hard to think of this book as a typical paranormal romance, really. The fact that the main character qualifies as paranormal (the description doesn't specify what, so neither will I! ^_^) is almost secondary to the love story itself. In this tale, the paranormal aspect used more as a way to magnify the loss and suffering that James was forced to endure. Heck, the romance is actually quite chaste and innocent for the most part, because the emotional struggles of both James and Sarah are the focus. I really dug that; it's nice to sometimes get away from the love-scene fest of many other books.
The paranormal slant is also used as a means of putting the fervor and hypocrisy of the witch trials into a new context and setting: present-day Salem, Massachusetts. I found the parallels well-drawn and relevant; again, even though a paranormal bent is added. James at one point notes the oft-heard quote, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Throughout the first half of this book, I had a hard time figuring out how this story would extent into another book, much less a trilogy. Now, I don't care; I just want more! :o) Her Dear & Loving Husband is paranormal, romantic, historical, and dramatic, but it's more than any of those parts, and excited about delving into more of the characters' struggles in the as-yet unreleased follow-up, Her Loving Husband's Curse .
Review:
Before reading this book, I'd never heard of Ann Bradstreet nor her poem, "To My Dear and Loving Husband." (I know: nuts, right?) In fact, there was much I didn't know about the general time frame and setting that's highlighted in Meredith Allard's To My Dear and Loving Husband--beyond the basics taught in grade school, that is. Having read the book, however, I'm riveted and want to know more.
A large portion of my newly rekindled interest in Salem, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century is due to the great amount of detail put forth in Allard's book. It's immediately and clearly obvious that the author's done her homework; though this novel is a piece of fiction, it felt almost like a first-person account of the witch trials. The book shifts between present and past through both the recollections of James Wentworth and the vivid dreams of Sarah Alexander. I love that such vividness can be created about real historical events, even when the character recounting the experiences is fictional. Likewise, the fact that the main character that "experienced" this place and time is...other...was seamless and...well, it worked magnificently.
It's hard to think of this book as a typical paranormal romance, really. The fact that the main character qualifies as paranormal (the description doesn't specify what, so neither will I! ^_^) is almost secondary to the love story itself. In this tale, the paranormal aspect used more as a way to magnify the loss and suffering that James was forced to endure. Heck, the romance is actually quite chaste and innocent for the most part, because the emotional struggles of both James and Sarah are the focus. I really dug that; it's nice to sometimes get away from the love-scene fest of many other books.
The paranormal slant is also used as a means of putting the fervor and hypocrisy of the witch trials into a new context and setting: present-day Salem, Massachusetts. I found the parallels well-drawn and relevant; again, even though a paranormal bent is added. James at one point notes the oft-heard quote, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Throughout the first half of this book, I had a hard time figuring out how this story would extent into another book, much less a trilogy. Now, I don't care; I just want more! :o) Her Dear & Loving Husband is paranormal, romantic, historical, and dramatic, but it's more than any of those parts, and excited about delving into more of the characters' struggles in the as-yet unreleased follow-up, Her Loving Husband's Curse .
October 12, 2011
I’ve never been a vampire fan, so I shouldn’t read vampire novels. Twilight didn’t appeal to me (too much teen angst) and I’m not a blood and guts person. What I do like is a good story, and that’s what Her Dear and Loving Husband is–a good, romantic story with enough plot twists and turns to keep the interest high and the reader guessing.
Sarah Alexander moves to Salem after her divorce. She works at the local college and meets James Wentworth, a handsome professor. She dreams about the Salem Witch Trials, though she won’t tell anyone, not even her closest friends. James also has something he won’t tell anyone, but a reporter for the local paper discovers his secret. The more James and Sarah learn about each other, the more they realize that their stories piece together in an odd way. James and Sarah fall in love, but that is not the end for them. James still has to fight against the reporter who wants to tell everyone that James Wentworth is not what he seems to be.
One thing I liked about the book was that the paranormal characters are treated in a normal way. They seem like regular people living regular lives who just happen to be special in these different ways. There are some traditional vampire moments for those who are into that genre, but not enough to gross me out. It’s far more of a love story than a horror novel.
I thought the love story between James and Sarah was sweet, and I wouldn’t mind meeting a handsome vampire like James Wentworth. I read the whole book in just a couple of days because I couldn’t wait to see how their stories tied together next. There’s a strong ending, too, that leaves a lot of room for the next book in the series. I’ll be looking for it.
Sarah Alexander moves to Salem after her divorce. She works at the local college and meets James Wentworth, a handsome professor. She dreams about the Salem Witch Trials, though she won’t tell anyone, not even her closest friends. James also has something he won’t tell anyone, but a reporter for the local paper discovers his secret. The more James and Sarah learn about each other, the more they realize that their stories piece together in an odd way. James and Sarah fall in love, but that is not the end for them. James still has to fight against the reporter who wants to tell everyone that James Wentworth is not what he seems to be.
One thing I liked about the book was that the paranormal characters are treated in a normal way. They seem like regular people living regular lives who just happen to be special in these different ways. There are some traditional vampire moments for those who are into that genre, but not enough to gross me out. It’s far more of a love story than a horror novel.
I thought the love story between James and Sarah was sweet, and I wouldn’t mind meeting a handsome vampire like James Wentworth. I read the whole book in just a couple of days because I couldn’t wait to see how their stories tied together next. There’s a strong ending, too, that leaves a lot of room for the next book in the series. I’ll be looking for it.
August 1, 2011
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever. - Anne Bradstreet, To My Dear and Loving Husband
Sarah Alexander leaves Los Angeles and her ex-husband and begins a new life in Salem, Massachusetts. despite the change in scenery, she still continues to be plagued by dreams of an earlier time and a faceless stranger. when she meets real witches and the enigmatic James Wentworth, her ordinary life spirals into the unknown.
the historical facts regarding the Salem witch hunts, trials and executions served as the backbone for this interesting paranormal romance and i loved how author Meredith Allard wove her magic around them. though this started a tad slow for me, things started speeding up after some time especially when secrets and more secrets started unraveling . an unexpected threat that could resurrect another hunt added intrigue. how this dilemma was developed and resolved was one of the highlights that kept me reading late into the night.
i also loved how the author's use of modern English seamlessly flowed into 17th century speech when her characters Sarah and James relived their dreams and memories respectively.
two more books follow this one and though they have not been released yet, i feel that this book can stand alone.
magic, romance, mystery and suspense make Her Dear and Loving Husband a great read for me!
Disclosure of Material Connection: a copy was provided by the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
That when we live no more, we may live ever. - Anne Bradstreet, To My Dear and Loving Husband
Sarah Alexander leaves Los Angeles and her ex-husband and begins a new life in Salem, Massachusetts. despite the change in scenery, she still continues to be plagued by dreams of an earlier time and a faceless stranger. when she meets real witches and the enigmatic James Wentworth, her ordinary life spirals into the unknown.
the historical facts regarding the Salem witch hunts, trials and executions served as the backbone for this interesting paranormal romance and i loved how author Meredith Allard wove her magic around them. though this started a tad slow for me, things started speeding up after some time especially when secrets and more secrets started unraveling . an unexpected threat that could resurrect another hunt added intrigue. how this dilemma was developed and resolved was one of the highlights that kept me reading late into the night.
i also loved how the author's use of modern English seamlessly flowed into 17th century speech when her characters Sarah and James relived their dreams and memories respectively.
two more books follow this one and though they have not been released yet, i feel that this book can stand alone.
magic, romance, mystery and suspense make Her Dear and Loving Husband a great read for me!
Disclosure of Material Connection: a copy was provided by the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
July 17, 2011
After her divorce, Sarah feels compelled to get away from her old, frantic-paced lifestyle and decides to take up residence in Salem, Massachusetts. Sarah has always had a fascination with that area and feels that in Salem she may be able to slow down, rest her battered soul, and hopefully find an inner peace that is lacking in her life.
According to sketchy family history accounts, an ancestor died during the infamous witch trials. Sarah hopes for the opportunity to discover the identity of her deceased relative. Plagued by vivid nightmares, Sarah is hopeful that by deciphering the secrets of the past, she will find respite from the night terrors that haunt her dreams and even invade her thoughts occasionally while awake.
The first time Sarah meets the reclusive and handsome James Wentworth, he is flabbergasted – could Sarah be his beloved wife Elizabeth, dead now for over 300 years, returned to him?
With strong gothic flavor, this beautifully structured story captures the intensity and frenetic activity of the late 1600’s and the Salem Witch Inquisitions and trials. Graphic scenes and sequences are brilliantly depicted in small segments throughout the modern-day story. I enjoyed the tale and especially the secondary characters who sometimes provided levity during an otherwise often harrowing chronicle. I feel rather ambivalent towards James. Sometimes he just came across as just too creepy. I don’t want to say any more for fear of giving too much away here but, be aware, sparkly vampire he is not.
This is a wonderfully spooky love story that is painstakingly researched and eloquently penned. If you love literary horror, look no further.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
According to sketchy family history accounts, an ancestor died during the infamous witch trials. Sarah hopes for the opportunity to discover the identity of her deceased relative. Plagued by vivid nightmares, Sarah is hopeful that by deciphering the secrets of the past, she will find respite from the night terrors that haunt her dreams and even invade her thoughts occasionally while awake.
The first time Sarah meets the reclusive and handsome James Wentworth, he is flabbergasted – could Sarah be his beloved wife Elizabeth, dead now for over 300 years, returned to him?
With strong gothic flavor, this beautifully structured story captures the intensity and frenetic activity of the late 1600’s and the Salem Witch Inquisitions and trials. Graphic scenes and sequences are brilliantly depicted in small segments throughout the modern-day story. I enjoyed the tale and especially the secondary characters who sometimes provided levity during an otherwise often harrowing chronicle. I feel rather ambivalent towards James. Sometimes he just came across as just too creepy. I don’t want to say any more for fear of giving too much away here but, be aware, sparkly vampire he is not.
This is a wonderfully spooky love story that is painstakingly researched and eloquently penned. If you love literary horror, look no further.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
June 18, 2011
Book Review
I was a bit skeptical when I initially read the synopsis of the novel, but since it had vampires and witches and werewolves I decided to read it anyway. Thankfully I was surprised and really enjoyed the story and the history that was brought in to make it so much more powerful. Aside from The Crucible, I haven't read much on the Salem Witches, and after reading this I found myself googling the history and finding it to be as terrible as the author portrayed it to be. I also appreciated the fact that these vampires and witches lived among society but were still hidden for the most part.
The love story is well written and I felt myself hoping that Sarah wouldn't run once she found out that he was a vampire, which she didn't. I really liked the fact that she was upset and not just okay with him being a vampire, she needed some time to get it straight and she avoids him instead of throwing herself down and begging to become a vampire. I am still wondering what happened to the baby that James' wife Lizzie was pregnant with when she died in prison, hopefully we learn more in the second book. I also appreciated the social commentary that James makes when talking about the reporter that is trying to "out" him as a vampire, it makes him a more likable character and he understands that he has to remain hidden to keep his life in the human world. Overall a great start to a series, and I look forward to learning more about these characters in the books to come.
Reviewed by Gabi for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
I was a bit skeptical when I initially read the synopsis of the novel, but since it had vampires and witches and werewolves I decided to read it anyway. Thankfully I was surprised and really enjoyed the story and the history that was brought in to make it so much more powerful. Aside from The Crucible, I haven't read much on the Salem Witches, and after reading this I found myself googling the history and finding it to be as terrible as the author portrayed it to be. I also appreciated the fact that these vampires and witches lived among society but were still hidden for the most part.
The love story is well written and I felt myself hoping that Sarah wouldn't run once she found out that he was a vampire, which she didn't. I really liked the fact that she was upset and not just okay with him being a vampire, she needed some time to get it straight and she avoids him instead of throwing herself down and begging to become a vampire. I am still wondering what happened to the baby that James' wife Lizzie was pregnant with when she died in prison, hopefully we learn more in the second book. I also appreciated the social commentary that James makes when talking about the reporter that is trying to "out" him as a vampire, it makes him a more likable character and he understands that he has to remain hidden to keep his life in the human world. Overall a great start to a series, and I look forward to learning more about these characters in the books to come.
Reviewed by Gabi for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
July 9, 2012
Awful, I now understand why it was a free Kindle offering. If someone really knew what they were getting, they wouldn't take it, unless they're under 16 years of age and have no discrimination in their reading habits. Obviously I didn't finish it. I was going with it until the vampire turned up. I stayed with it several more chapters but between whiny Sarah and whiny James I couldn't take it beyond Chapter 21 and according to the Kindle, I was only 75% of the way through the book. Are there no books written in the 20th century that are good literature and available without cost. Apparently not. I need to start using Library2go
May 30, 2011
Great book! You can download it for free on Smashwords. I definitely recommend you give it a try!
June 3, 2022
I started this book not really knowing what it was about completely. It's about a young woman, Sarah who moves to Salem, Massachusetts to start over after her divorce. She works as a librarian at the university where she meets James Wentworth, a professor at the university. They both have secrets that their keeping, and it was purely a pleasure watching their story unfold.
The references to the Salem witch trials was very interesting in this story. I will be reading the other books in this series and recommend it to those who love witches and other paranormal beings.
The references to the Salem witch trials was very interesting in this story. I will be reading the other books in this series and recommend it to those who love witches and other paranormal beings.
February 18, 2019
3.5 stars. The story was cute. I enjoyed that it took place in Salem, MA since I'm from MA. The story has vampires and discusses some of the things that happened during the Salem Witch trials. The story kept me interested and made me want to see what happens.
September 28, 2011
Sarah Alexander has just moved to Salem, after spending the past ten years in Los Angeles. Divorced and looking to start over, she picks the one place that has always intrigued her. She figures while making Salem her new home, she can take the time to research that mysterious ancestor that died during the witch trials in 1692. While adjusting to her new surroundings, she finds herself somewhat familiar with some of the historic buildings throughout the town, even though she'd never been here before, especially the tall gabled white house on the hill.
The familiarity with historical Salem isn't the only thing that Sarah has to deal with. She's also haunted by horrific nightmares that make no sense, of faceless men and chains choking her. While she was used to these terrifying nightmares happening while she lived in LA, they have become increasingly worse now that she was in Salem. The only bright spot, the nights when she has the dreams of the faceless man with the golden halo of hair who happens to look an awful lot like a certain English professor a the university.
James Wentworth has spent the last 319 years stuck in the past. Stuck missing his wife, who died while imprisioned as being a witch, and riddled with guilt that he wasn't able to do anything to save her. He's spent the last 319 years learning how to get his humanity back and controlling the baser needs of a vampire. You see, he was unwillingly changed into a vampire a few days before his wife's death. He was left to his own devices to figure out how a vampire was to live. It took some time, but he managed to overcome those vampiric instincts and become a semblance of the man he once was.
But his life is thrown into a tailspin when a woman stops in front of his house and he mistakes her for his dead wife, Elisabeth. While he realizes his mistake, he begins to realize that there was a reason Sarah Alexander was brought to Salem. Maybe, if he hopes long enough, he might just get that second chance with this soul mate.
I didn't know what to expect with this book, but I was presently surprised at how much I liked it. James, as an older "Edward" type character, plays against the typical stereotype for vampires and proves that they can have some humanity. He does tend to go over board on thinking through his every action, but as stated later in the story, he's acting as he did when he was a human. Which makes you believe that if there was good in you to begin with, that good can overcome whatever adversary (or immortal monster) you may face.
Sarah, our older "Bella" did at times seem like the one more willing to throw caution to the wind (she tried to kiss James in one scene and he fled to his car), but she also wasn't easily scare, despite her horrible nightmares. Even after finding out what James was, it only took her a couple of hours to figure out she was wrong and go running after him. She decided it was better to be with James as he was, than be with a regular mortal man.
Sure, you'll spend time comparing this story to Twilight, but it does have it's differences that make it stand above. I loved the historical references to the Salem Witch Trials. It tied everything together and showed you how given everything James (and subsequently Sarah) went through during that time could have jaded them in a way that completely understandable. It was only when Sarah told James he needed to forgive the past that I think they were able to have that happily ever after.
The familiarity with historical Salem isn't the only thing that Sarah has to deal with. She's also haunted by horrific nightmares that make no sense, of faceless men and chains choking her. While she was used to these terrifying nightmares happening while she lived in LA, they have become increasingly worse now that she was in Salem. The only bright spot, the nights when she has the dreams of the faceless man with the golden halo of hair who happens to look an awful lot like a certain English professor a the university.
James Wentworth has spent the last 319 years stuck in the past. Stuck missing his wife, who died while imprisioned as being a witch, and riddled with guilt that he wasn't able to do anything to save her. He's spent the last 319 years learning how to get his humanity back and controlling the baser needs of a vampire. You see, he was unwillingly changed into a vampire a few days before his wife's death. He was left to his own devices to figure out how a vampire was to live. It took some time, but he managed to overcome those vampiric instincts and become a semblance of the man he once was.
But his life is thrown into a tailspin when a woman stops in front of his house and he mistakes her for his dead wife, Elisabeth. While he realizes his mistake, he begins to realize that there was a reason Sarah Alexander was brought to Salem. Maybe, if he hopes long enough, he might just get that second chance with this soul mate.
I didn't know what to expect with this book, but I was presently surprised at how much I liked it. James, as an older "Edward" type character, plays against the typical stereotype for vampires and proves that they can have some humanity. He does tend to go over board on thinking through his every action, but as stated later in the story, he's acting as he did when he was a human. Which makes you believe that if there was good in you to begin with, that good can overcome whatever adversary (or immortal monster) you may face.
Sarah, our older "Bella" did at times seem like the one more willing to throw caution to the wind (she tried to kiss James in one scene and he fled to his car), but she also wasn't easily scare, despite her horrible nightmares. Even after finding out what James was, it only took her a couple of hours to figure out she was wrong and go running after him. She decided it was better to be with James as he was, than be with a regular mortal man.
Sure, you'll spend time comparing this story to Twilight, but it does have it's differences that make it stand above. I loved the historical references to the Salem Witch Trials. It tied everything together and showed you how given everything James (and subsequently Sarah) went through during that time could have jaded them in a way that completely understandable. It was only when Sarah told James he needed to forgive the past that I think they were able to have that happily ever after.
October 14, 2012
When I read the blurb of this book and saw it compared to 'Twilight', I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm definitely not a diehard Vampire romance fan, but the historical and 'past life' bend to the story pulled me in. Boy am I ever glad I didn't pass this one over. Her Dear and Loving Husband is a soul stirring read, hauntingly beautiful, and wonderfully executed.
It's pretty much impossible not to write a review of this book without SPOILERS, so if you want to be kept in the dark, you can stop reading here.
Sarah Alexander is recently divorced and looking to start a new life. An intellectual librarian, she has always been fascinated with the town of Salem, as well as the history of the witch trials. She even has reason to believe she had an ancestor present during those times, and hopes that her new life will open up the key to her past...or, rather the history of her family. Sarah suffers from debilitating nightmares about things she doesn't understand: death, a man with no face, a life she doesn't remember yet it seems so familiar to her. It isn't until she spots a house on her way that beckons to her with promises of the familiar that she comes face to face with James Wentworth, a man who calls her by his dead wife's name.
James has been mourning his wife for years...300 to be exact. He lost her during the Salem witch trials, after which time he was attacked by a vampire and turned. All these years later, he moves from place to place, trying to find some sort of fulfillment in teaching and trying not to allow himself to dwell on the fact that he is still not over his wife's death. When he see's Sarah, who is the spitting image of his dead wife, he is overcome with emotion. What follows is a path to self-discover for Sarah, and one of healing for James.
I won't say more for fear of saying too much, but add in a colorful cast of Wiccan secondary characters and a shady reporter out to get the scoop on vampires living in Salem, and you've got one interesting story. At the heart of this matter, are two people looking for answers and trying to reconcile their pasts with their present. Do Sarah and James love each other for who they really are? Is Sarah really the reincarnation of James' first wife? These are questions that the characters try to find the answers to in this story, and I was right there with them through every moment.
My favorite character was James Wentworth by far. In a genre full of domineering Alpha heroes, I loved finding one that was quiet, thoughtful, intellectual, and polite. If anything, his intelligence made him sexier and if I could have asked for anything else from him and Sarah, it would have been more passion. The author chooses to keep that behind closed doors, though, but the story is so strong that I didn't miss the absence of the heat found in most romantic novels.
The author wove her knowledge of the history of Salem with her familiarity with present day Salem beautifully. In the dream sequences and flashback scenes, I felt transported, as lost in the past life as the characters living it. By the end I was disappointed...disappointed that it had ended when I wanted more. I am greatly anticipating reading book 2 in the Loving Husband series! From the looks of things, this ending was only the beginning...of what?...I can't wait to find out!
It's pretty much impossible not to write a review of this book without SPOILERS, so if you want to be kept in the dark, you can stop reading here.
Sarah Alexander is recently divorced and looking to start a new life. An intellectual librarian, she has always been fascinated with the town of Salem, as well as the history of the witch trials. She even has reason to believe she had an ancestor present during those times, and hopes that her new life will open up the key to her past...or, rather the history of her family. Sarah suffers from debilitating nightmares about things she doesn't understand: death, a man with no face, a life she doesn't remember yet it seems so familiar to her. It isn't until she spots a house on her way that beckons to her with promises of the familiar that she comes face to face with James Wentworth, a man who calls her by his dead wife's name.
James has been mourning his wife for years...300 to be exact. He lost her during the Salem witch trials, after which time he was attacked by a vampire and turned. All these years later, he moves from place to place, trying to find some sort of fulfillment in teaching and trying not to allow himself to dwell on the fact that he is still not over his wife's death. When he see's Sarah, who is the spitting image of his dead wife, he is overcome with emotion. What follows is a path to self-discover for Sarah, and one of healing for James.
I won't say more for fear of saying too much, but add in a colorful cast of Wiccan secondary characters and a shady reporter out to get the scoop on vampires living in Salem, and you've got one interesting story. At the heart of this matter, are two people looking for answers and trying to reconcile their pasts with their present. Do Sarah and James love each other for who they really are? Is Sarah really the reincarnation of James' first wife? These are questions that the characters try to find the answers to in this story, and I was right there with them through every moment.
My favorite character was James Wentworth by far. In a genre full of domineering Alpha heroes, I loved finding one that was quiet, thoughtful, intellectual, and polite. If anything, his intelligence made him sexier and if I could have asked for anything else from him and Sarah, it would have been more passion. The author chooses to keep that behind closed doors, though, but the story is so strong that I didn't miss the absence of the heat found in most romantic novels.
The author wove her knowledge of the history of Salem with her familiarity with present day Salem beautifully. In the dream sequences and flashback scenes, I felt transported, as lost in the past life as the characters living it. By the end I was disappointed...disappointed that it had ended when I wanted more. I am greatly anticipating reading book 2 in the Loving Husband series! From the looks of things, this ending was only the beginning...of what?...I can't wait to find out!
August 18, 2012
There were a few nice ideas, but there's really no tension in the book. It feels too sedate for its own good.
Sarah moves to Salem, Massachussetts in order to reboot her life after a divorce. She meets James, a retiring English professor whom she shares a bond to; she looks exactly like his dead wife. Except that his wife died three hundred years ago, and he is an immortal vampire. Mix an inquisitive vampire hunting reporter, and the vampire who turned him popping in, and life is about to get complicated.
The idea of the book isn't bad. Imagine a more restrained Twilight with adult protagonists and a fair splash of history. Sometimes it rises to be interesting, usually with the minor characters. Timothy and Gregory add some needed life to the book, and you wish the latter especially had more presence in the novel.
However, most of the book is a somewhat dull love story with no real tension, and what little that does is dispelled quickly. I think just reading the premise you can get what the mystery is. The problem though is that there's no tension due to each revelation. James's true nature? She freaks out for a few pages, then it's all okay. Her own true nature? She gets over it too quickly.
Also, her own nature really needed that. You'll figure it out anyways, but putting it in spoilers: The problem with this being waved over in this book is twofold:
1. She divorced her husband because of it, unconsciously. Her husband was said to love her, but she just knew he wasn't right. There's a lot of tension implicit in this which I wonder will be in the second book. But it's not in this one, which makes me raise an eyebrow.
2. There's no one else but James. Sarah doesn't put up much of a fight, and there is no rival to make things interesting. There really isn't even any tension due to what James is, either.
Also, the main adversary in the book has little screen time and is dispatched pretty boringly.
So it while the book is restrained in a good way, it's also in a bad one. I have the feeling though the second book might have more conflict, and maybe more of the interesting things will shine in it, but this one was a bit too slow going and tension-free for me.
Sarah moves to Salem, Massachussetts in order to reboot her life after a divorce. She meets James, a retiring English professor whom she shares a bond to; she looks exactly like his dead wife. Except that his wife died three hundred years ago, and he is an immortal vampire. Mix an inquisitive vampire hunting reporter, and the vampire who turned him popping in, and life is about to get complicated.
The idea of the book isn't bad. Imagine a more restrained Twilight with adult protagonists and a fair splash of history. Sometimes it rises to be interesting, usually with the minor characters. Timothy and Gregory add some needed life to the book, and you wish the latter especially had more presence in the novel.
However, most of the book is a somewhat dull love story with no real tension, and what little that does is dispelled quickly. I think just reading the premise you can get what the mystery is. The problem though is that there's no tension due to each revelation. James's true nature? She freaks out for a few pages, then it's all okay. Her own true nature? She gets over it too quickly.
Also, her own nature really needed that. You'll figure it out anyways, but putting it in spoilers: The problem with this being waved over in this book is twofold:
1. She divorced her husband because of it, unconsciously. Her husband was said to love her, but she just knew he wasn't right. There's a lot of tension implicit in this which I wonder will be in the second book. But it's not in this one, which makes me raise an eyebrow.
2. There's no one else but James. Sarah doesn't put up much of a fight, and there is no rival to make things interesting. There really isn't even any tension due to what James is, either.
Also, the main adversary in the book has little screen time and is dispatched pretty boringly.
So it while the book is restrained in a good way, it's also in a bad one. I have the feeling though the second book might have more conflict, and maybe more of the interesting things will shine in it, but this one was a bit too slow going and tension-free for me.
March 10, 2021
She heard words, phrases, echoing from somewhere. She wasn’t afraid. It wasn’t like being haunted or chased or dragged away by chains. It was as if she suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.
Moving away seems to be the most sensible thing for Sarah Alexander to do. Leaving behind an old life, and recently divorced from a man she never loved, Sarah moves to Salem. If she wanted a change from the hustle of Los Angeles, Salem is where she would find it. Salem is a small and quiet town, so very different from the city she had spent so long living in. Salem is just the change she needs, and while she’s there, she might get a chance to discover more about one of her ancestors—an ancestor that she believed had died as a victim of the Witch Trials. Yet, Salem is a strange town, renowned for its connections to the supernatural, and warnings of ghosts at night might not be all she will encounter. Her dreams haunt her, for they were simply dreams in Los Angeles, but in Salem, they are nightmares. Within these dreams she sees a vision of a man, a family, a life that she does not know, and does not understand.
James Wentworth isn’t new to Salem, it is a place that he is incredibly familiar with, even more so than the other locals. However, he doesn’t know how to react when he sees his dead wife through the window of his house—but she doesn’t seem to know him. Sarah Alexander looks exactly like Elizabeth did. Such a thing could surely not be a coincidence?
Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard tells the story of a love that cannot be broken by time. It is the story of two souls, bound together by fate and of how fate works its magic to bring them together.
While many live unaware, it is not difficult to believe that in a town such as Salem, not everyone is as normal, nor as human, as might be expected. For James, such a life is unavoidable, but a reporter has been going around, asking questions about him. The reporter is trying to uncover some proof that an unearthly creature lives in Salem. Should such proof arise, should the reporter be able to convince anyone, this could cause a repeat of the Witch Hunt in the modern-day and in a world so much more connected, this would be disastrous. Many of those convicted in 1962 were innocent, and it was the innocent men, women and children who lost their lives because of prejudices against them. It only took the smallest sign of witchcraft, or a fabricated lie fuelled by indignation for fingers to be pointed and warrants to be signed. How simple it would be to create hysteria, to release the information that would make people suspect their neighbours, to lie about people that had wronged them, to cause such death and destruction on a global scale.
James and Sarah’s relationship burns slowly, for James has been loyal to his wife since her death. Therefore, he feels somewhat hesitant. Does he like Sarah, or is he simply drawn to her because she looks like Elizabeth? While James is conflicted, Sarah is confused, for James is remarkably like the man in her dreams. How could she have dreamt about his house before she had seen it? Why did she recognise the gables, the diamond-paned windows, the tree in the garden? Furthermore, she has just left a relationship, a marriage—she is supposed to wait, to let time pass before she even thinks about looking at someone like that again. The confusion, the friendliness and the tension build between the two, slowly and beautifully, like the moon rising in the sky, the stars shyly showing themselves, and the light shining down, not as bright as the sun, but no less stunning. The desire, the want for the other, is clear within them both, but there are things holding them apart. As the moon will never meet the sun, James doesn’t know how close he can get to Sarah, and Sarah is unsure of how close she should get to James. However, she wants to know about the Witch Trials, to discover more about her ancestor, and to understand why she dreams of being shackled and jailed, and James seems something of an expert on the history. Despite her initial misgivings about him, she finds herself wishing he would ask to come in, coming up with any excuse to stay in the car just a little longer. She feels safe around him, much like in her dreams, she feels safe and loved by the unknown man, and likewise, he cannot stay away.
Both Sarah and James are incredibly engaging, believable protagonists. They are put through their own trials, and they fight their way through. Sarah may be in the dark about a lot of things, but James wants to protect her. How can he do that with a reporter poking around, who may or may not know the truth? How would Sarah react if she knew such truths, and how would her view of James change? Sarah’s dreams, the vivid recreation of a life so long ago, help to create an engrossing story, wherein one’s mind is constantly jumping from one conclusion to the next, so very like the Witch Trials in that you will believe anything until it is proven otherwise, and sometimes steadfast knowledge is not enough to break your resolution. It doesn’t matter what conclusion you come to, for the truth is one thing, but what is believed is something else altogether.
Sarah quickly becomes friendly with the head librarian, Jennifer, whose intuition is almost unnatural. Jennifer is such a wonderful woman, and an excellent friend to both Sarah and James, for despite knowing Sarah for such a short time, and James her whole life, she is as kind and loving to them both, always willing to drop everything and rush to help them, or to sit and listen as they talk to her. Her mother, Olivia, is much the same, and her shop, The Witches Lair, is exactly the kind of shop one might expect to find in Salem—full with incense, tarot cards and crystals, and Olivia fits right into her shop.
Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard is an enthralling novel that threatens to mesmerise. The compelling narrative weaves together a setting that many know the name of, but not necessarily the specific events that made it so infamous. Allard has penned a captivating novel of the mystic nature in the town of Salem and how the love between two souls can prevail over the passing of time and anything that may impede them.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Ellie Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
August 24, 2013
was very intrigued when I read that this book was a mixture of Historical fiction and Paranormal Fantasy. I have read a few other books that attempted to intertwine these 2 genres and I had loved them. So I was very eager to see how this story would turn out. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author also was able to blend these genres beautifully
I won't make an attempt to recap this book, because I believe the above synopsis captures the overall plot of the book well. What I am hoping to get across is just how beautiful this story was. It was so different than other books about Vampires falling in love with humans. I had actually stopped reading Vampire books a long time ago because of how repetitive the story lines had gotten and how similar the over all plots were. But this one was unlike other Vampire books I had ever read before.
As a history buff I loved the historical aspects to this book. I loved reading about James' past and this love letters we wrote to his deceased wife. But one of my favorite aspects about this book was Elizabeth's nightmares. They were so intense and spooky and at times even scary. Each one gets more and more intense and had me flipping the pages dying to see what happened next!
As much as I loved reading about James' and Elizabeth's story apart. I enjoyed reading about their story together and their journey to finding love even more! I was a little caught off guard by the ending, but am anxious to get into the rest of this trilogy!
I won't make an attempt to recap this book, because I believe the above synopsis captures the overall plot of the book well. What I am hoping to get across is just how beautiful this story was. It was so different than other books about Vampires falling in love with humans. I had actually stopped reading Vampire books a long time ago because of how repetitive the story lines had gotten and how similar the over all plots were. But this one was unlike other Vampire books I had ever read before.
As a history buff I loved the historical aspects to this book. I loved reading about James' past and this love letters we wrote to his deceased wife. But one of my favorite aspects about this book was Elizabeth's nightmares. They were so intense and spooky and at times even scary. Each one gets more and more intense and had me flipping the pages dying to see what happened next!
As much as I loved reading about James' and Elizabeth's story apart. I enjoyed reading about their story together and their journey to finding love even more! I was a little caught off guard by the ending, but am anxious to get into the rest of this trilogy!
July 28, 2011
Paranormal romance and historical witch hunts create the story of "Her Dear & Loving Husband."
Sarah, being newly divorced, relocates to Salem, Massachusetts, looking to build a new life. Here she meets new friends, who she learns are witches, and meets the man who is inhabiting her dreams and her nightmares. James, a college professor/vampire falls instantly for Sarah, not knowing exactly why except for the fact that she looks like his deceased wife of 300 years ago. Will they find the connection that binds them together? Will James survive risking it all to be with the woman that he has loved for all time?
Come on their journey as they are given a second chance to finally have the love that they have always dreamed of.
I have not read many books involving paranormal romance, but I can say that I really enjoyed this one. Ms. Allard did a wonderful job creating these two characters and describing their gentle and very tentative relationship. The history of the witch hunt trials made the story even more interesting to me also. It added another dimension to the story to make you want to continue turning those pages even more. It was a great blend all together!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a paranormal romance with a good dose of history thrown in!
This book was kindly provided to me by the kind people at Enchanted Book Tours for my honest review.
Sarah, being newly divorced, relocates to Salem, Massachusetts, looking to build a new life. Here she meets new friends, who she learns are witches, and meets the man who is inhabiting her dreams and her nightmares. James, a college professor/vampire falls instantly for Sarah, not knowing exactly why except for the fact that she looks like his deceased wife of 300 years ago. Will they find the connection that binds them together? Will James survive risking it all to be with the woman that he has loved for all time?
Come on their journey as they are given a second chance to finally have the love that they have always dreamed of.
I have not read many books involving paranormal romance, but I can say that I really enjoyed this one. Ms. Allard did a wonderful job creating these two characters and describing their gentle and very tentative relationship. The history of the witch hunt trials made the story even more interesting to me also. It added another dimension to the story to make you want to continue turning those pages even more. It was a great blend all together!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a paranormal romance with a good dose of history thrown in!
This book was kindly provided to me by the kind people at Enchanted Book Tours for my honest review.
September 15, 2011
Sarah has left Los Angeles for Salem Massachusetts after her divorce from a man she never really loved. Even in Los Angeles she was having some messed up dreams. Her ex told her to suck it up and keep going. In Salem the dreams were getting more vivid and frequent. As she starts her librarian job at the college, her boss Jennifer become close friends. They were driving along and she noticed a house that was very familiar to her. She asked who it belonged to and it was a professor that worked at the college, James Wentworth. The dreams started coming more and more and making no sense. She walked by the house and wanted to see more as she approached she heard a man's voice saying, "Elizabeth you have come home to me." She stood there for a bit and found out who the man was, James. The more she spent time with him the more her dreams were getting more detailed. Would she ever find out what was going on? Would James tell Sarah the truth? Will Jennifer?
I thought the story was great. I did not want to put the book down. With all the twists and characters the book keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat. With a bit of romance mixed it makes a wonderful read. Reading about the witch trails added a mystical touch. Charles Dickens and Jane Austen even made their way into the read. This is a book I will re-read again and again
I thought the story was great. I did not want to put the book down. With all the twists and characters the book keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat. With a bit of romance mixed it makes a wonderful read. Reading about the witch trails added a mystical touch. Charles Dickens and Jane Austen even made their way into the read. This is a book I will re-read again and again
April 10, 2012
Set against a backdrop of contemporary Salem, where all seems to be divided from the long-distant past by a mere thin veil, this novel unravels threads of history, legend, and the paranormal, of past lives and reincarnation and repressed memories stirred up in dreams. Despite, or perhaps due to, its tragic early history in the 17th century, the witch hysteria, witch hunts, and executions, Salem, Massachusetts is now a village thriving on its memory, a community catering to tourism via recalling, replaying, and capitalizing on that backstory. Sarah Alexander, growing up in Boston, had always wanted to visit, but could never persuade her mother. From a great-aunt, Sarah learned that there was supposedly an ancestress executed for witchcraft, but the name and other details were unknown.
After an unhappy and unfruitful decade of marriage in Los Angeles, newly-divorced Sarah decides to move to Salem, taking up employment as a librarian. As events unfold, and her nightmares and dreams intensify, Sarah must begin to ask herself if she moved here at random; to satisfy a childhood longing; or as the pawn of forces much more powerful than she can imagine-forces such as fate, destiny-and undying love?
Readers steeped in paranormal lore and in the history of witch hunts will find this novel particularly engrossing, with its otherworldy and historical flavours.
After an unhappy and unfruitful decade of marriage in Los Angeles, newly-divorced Sarah decides to move to Salem, taking up employment as a librarian. As events unfold, and her nightmares and dreams intensify, Sarah must begin to ask herself if she moved here at random; to satisfy a childhood longing; or as the pawn of forces much more powerful than she can imagine-forces such as fate, destiny-and undying love?
Readers steeped in paranormal lore and in the history of witch hunts will find this novel particularly engrossing, with its otherworldy and historical flavours.
August 6, 2012
I was a little torn as to how to rate this book. It was very interesting as I don't typically read paranormal or fantasy type books. The author was able to weave together the past and present almost flawlessly and the characters were all likeable. The book was a good reminder of how one should act towards the ones they love and how tight family bonds should be. It was a light, easy read and worth the time it took to read it.
The repetitiveness was a bit overbearing at times. The phrase "oh so very long" was repeated on just about every 5th page (or so it seemed) and to me, this line is not worthy of repeating more than once. With that, the fact that James was 319 years old was also mentioned numerous times throughout the book (he was over 300 years old, he was 319 years old, he was around for 3 centuries, he was there for the Salem witch trials). We get it, he's a vampire, he's old! If all the repetition of the two previous mentioned, as well as the fact that James loved his wife and Sarah was having someone elses dreams, were removed, this book would have gone from 262 pages to about 90.
There was very few typos and grammatical issues in the book which surprised me due to the price being so low. But, the fact that the characters were watching the fourth quarter of an ice hockey game really threw me off. That one sentence was burned into my brain for the rest of the book.
The repetitiveness was a bit overbearing at times. The phrase "oh so very long" was repeated on just about every 5th page (or so it seemed) and to me, this line is not worthy of repeating more than once. With that, the fact that James was 319 years old was also mentioned numerous times throughout the book (he was over 300 years old, he was 319 years old, he was around for 3 centuries, he was there for the Salem witch trials). We get it, he's a vampire, he's old! If all the repetition of the two previous mentioned, as well as the fact that James loved his wife and Sarah was having someone elses dreams, were removed, this book would have gone from 262 pages to about 90.
There was very few typos and grammatical issues in the book which surprised me due to the price being so low. But, the fact that the characters were watching the fourth quarter of an ice hockey game really threw me off. That one sentence was burned into my brain for the rest of the book.
September 4, 2013
I am always a sucker for a great cover and "Her Dear and Loving Husband" has one of those covers that makes me think haunted house, something that I love reading about. While I loved the cover it was the story inside that kept me riveted! There was just enough mystery and intrigue from the beginning to hook me, but it was the paranormal aspects, along with the romance and well written characters that kept me turning the pages! Sarah Alexander was such an easy character to connect with.She moves to Salem, Mass after her divorce, and isn't looking to get involved with anyone,but is drawn to James Wentworth. She has been plagued with dreams/nightmares that revolve around the Salem Witch Trials. The author provides several twists that allows the plot to move along at a brisk pace. She does an amazing job of bringing the past to life, while keeping a firm hold on the present.I have always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials and it was obvious the author did her research in this area. In addition to the historical aspects, the romance was also very well done, a story that touched my heart! Overall,Ms. Allard provides readers with a suspense filled read, that is so much more than the average paranormal romance.
October 9, 2013
I love historical fiction, and Her Dear and Loving Husband sounded right up my alley - especially with its interest in magick, past lives, and the Salem Witch Trials. It hooked me right from the beginning pages.
A little bit into it, I admit I was sorely disappointed - not the writing, not the story - but James' secret? He's a vampire. I dislike vampires - vampire movies, vampire books, anything to do with vampires. Revulsed. Maybe it's a past life thing of my own, who knows? If I had known James' secret before reading this book, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Which would have been too bad for me!
Her Dear and Loving Husband is a tender love story and despite my personal aversion to vampires, I quite enjoyed it. I will say though, I was very glad James was no longer a hunter!! I enjoyed the book so much that I think I'm going to have to get the whole trilogy . . . sigh . . . there are a few loose ends in the story that I wish had been tied up - but it doesn't detract from the story itself. It's well written with strong characters - definitely an enjoyable read! I look forward to reading the entire trilogy!
***Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Anne for New Age Mama***
A little bit into it, I admit I was sorely disappointed - not the writing, not the story - but James' secret? He's a vampire. I dislike vampires - vampire movies, vampire books, anything to do with vampires. Revulsed. Maybe it's a past life thing of my own, who knows? If I had known James' secret before reading this book, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Which would have been too bad for me!
Her Dear and Loving Husband is a tender love story and despite my personal aversion to vampires, I quite enjoyed it. I will say though, I was very glad James was no longer a hunter!! I enjoyed the book so much that I think I'm going to have to get the whole trilogy . . . sigh . . . there are a few loose ends in the story that I wish had been tied up - but it doesn't detract from the story itself. It's well written with strong characters - definitely an enjoyable read! I look forward to reading the entire trilogy!
***Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Anne for New Age Mama***
February 18, 2013
Vampires, witches, werewolf and reincarnations – who can ask for more?? This book is fabulous.
All of her life Sarah had wanted to visit Salem. When her marriage ended in divorce she accepted a job at in the library at Salem College and moved. When riding home from work one afternoon she saw a house that looked familiar, but this was her first time to ride down the street it was located on. Several evenings later she was taking a walk and walked by the house. Since it seemed no one was at home she walked onto the porch and was startled when a tall blonde haired gentleman opened the door and she met James Whenworth, a literature professor at Salem College. Like the house, he looked familiar and he called her Lizzie because she looked like his dead wife Elizabeth.
Sometimes “I will love you forever” means exactly that. While Sarah deals with nightmares that seem to be related to the Salem Witch Trials James deals with a newspaper reporter who believes he is a vampire.
The book is so good I am starting the second in the series tonight.
All of her life Sarah had wanted to visit Salem. When her marriage ended in divorce she accepted a job at in the library at Salem College and moved. When riding home from work one afternoon she saw a house that looked familiar, but this was her first time to ride down the street it was located on. Several evenings later she was taking a walk and walked by the house. Since it seemed no one was at home she walked onto the porch and was startled when a tall blonde haired gentleman opened the door and she met James Whenworth, a literature professor at Salem College. Like the house, he looked familiar and he called her Lizzie because she looked like his dead wife Elizabeth.
Sometimes “I will love you forever” means exactly that. While Sarah deals with nightmares that seem to be related to the Salem Witch Trials James deals with a newspaper reporter who believes he is a vampire.
The book is so good I am starting the second in the series tonight.
August 3, 2012
Another Kindle freebie or $3.99 deal book. I've had a streak of good luck with them though so I had high hopes for this one. It had an interesting premise: modern woman somehow connected to the Salem witch trials, and oh by the way she falls in love with a vampire. The Salem witch trial connection was the only part that kept me reading though.
I felt like I was reading Bella and Edward all over again and that was a disappointment. If I read "beautiful Sarah, sweet Sarah, smart Sarah" one more time I was going to gag. Then I get to the end of the book and the author thanks a student who gave her a copy of Twilight, and it all made sense. So if you want Twilight crossed with the Salem witch trials here you go.
I felt like I was reading Bella and Edward all over again and that was a disappointment. If I read "beautiful Sarah, sweet Sarah, smart Sarah" one more time I was going to gag. Then I get to the end of the book and the author thanks a student who gave her a copy of Twilight, and it all made sense. So if you want Twilight crossed with the Salem witch trials here you go.
June 22, 2012
Awful...don't waste your time. Novice author, predictable story line, way too wordy, and a bit cheesy. The only reason I finished it is because I'm not a quitter. Save yourself a couple nights...read something else.
December 24, 2011
This book was good but I found it to be a very slow read. Not very exciting.
November 30, 2011
I was very surprised with this one, I didn't expect it to be so good. At times Sarah was kind of an emotional mess and it did get on my nerves some.
June 6, 2011
Her Dear and Loving Husband
Author: Meredith Allard
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Close your eyes. What do you see? Do you see trees, the sunset, flowers, and the events of your day? Keep them close and imagine seeing images so terrifying, so horrific you are not sure whether you are imagining them or reliving events from your past. What would happen if your present life were linked to events that happened in the past? What would happen if you were actually a victim of one of the most tragic events in American History? In 1692 the Salem witch hysteria began. The accusations of witchcraft, the arrests, and the executions were an extreme expression of deeply felt moral divisions.
Every night when Sarah Alexander closes her eyes she has visions that would terrify anyone. Picturing herself in prison, on trial and accused of being a witch she relieves the events not realizing that what she sees just might be true.
Sarah works in a college library. Meeting Jennifer and her friends will forever change her life or possibly renew her old one without knowing it. James Wentworth is a professor at the college where she works. James has a secret past that he wants to share with Sarah but hesitates. James lost his wife Elizabeth many years ago. Well, how about in the 1600’s during the Salem witch trials. James is 300 years old and does not look a day over 30. Just how does he get away with this and what is his story remains to be revealed.
The Puritans from England came to live in Massachusetts escaping religious persecution in England. These people had a strict moral code that they lived by and old -fashioned religious beliefs. Anyone that deviated or was different was accused of being a witch. Between the years of 1690-1692 the hysteria began. Many young girls became enamored with an Indian slave named Tituba who told stories of natural magic and island culture. When some girls became afflicted and called witches they were arrested and place in jail accused of being in league with Satan. Here is where our story really begins as we meet and get to know Professor James Wentworth, Timothy and many others who have a hidden secret that would rock the inner core of those he works with, his students and many others if the truth came out.
As you read the story the author brilliantly flashes between the past and the present as Elizabeth tells her story from start to finish. Her wedding to James, her fear of giving birth during this difficult time and the knowledge that some of her close friends were arrested.
Would you want to be immortal if it meant you could not stay in one place very long and you could not share your life with anyone different from you? How would you deal with living forever? One reporter named Hempel is out to find out the truth about James. What his secret is and what will happen if and when he shares it with Sarah will change everything for both of them.
Instantly drawn to each other almost like a magnet whose pull is so great the magnetic pull so great the objects will never separate. Imagine that kind of pull between two people that are instantly pulled together. One who feels the pull right away and the other trying to figure out why? Can you hear Elizabeth’s voice as Sarah recounts her dreams?
Each event in the present is linked to one in the past. As the author relates Elizabeth’s trials, fears and hopes that she won’t be next. Recounting her friend’s hanging and expressing her true inner fears allows the reader to experience almost first hand the unfairness, the prejudice and injustices inflicted on so many innocent women while those that really were demons or witches went roamed freely. Bringing to the present we realize that Hempel is a witch hunter who wants to know too much about James. How will he deal with this and how will he rid the world of this man still remains to be seen?
As Hempel’s article comes out hunting for the truth about vampires living in Salem and witches too. Sarah’s dreams haunt her day and night as we hear Elizabeth’s voice coming through. Faced with many questions, remembering a past she did not know she had, reliving the witch trials as if they were today, Sarah makes a hard and fast decision that would change the course of her life forever. Would you want to go back in time and find out if you were the reincarnation of someone else? Would you want to relive the past in order to be able to understand your present?
Take a trip back in time with Sarah as Martha leads her on a journey that would transform her every being and link her tightly with James. But, what will that mean for her and does he accept her as Sarah or Elizabeth? The Puritans tortured, hanged and abused those they thought were witches or possessed with demons. The Puritans did not heed dissent and the trials were not fair. The judges were hardnosed. The end results tragic and those who pleaded guilty were better off than those who claimed they were innocent.
If Sarah decides to bond with James what would that mean for her? Would she be turned the same way he was? Can a human live with a vampire? Would you? Who are they really? What is their common link?
Author Meredith Allard brings to light a time period where tempers flared, injustice reigned, if you were different or did not adhere to the Puritan ways accused and hearsay, rumors and lies convicted the innocent. The history is real. The events so graphically and vividly described the reader becomes one with the story and so enveloped in the plot experiencing the events first hand. As Elizabeth recounts her time with James, her torment in her dank and dark cell, the reader can feel the pain; understand her fears and relives through Sarah’s eyes as recorded in her journal.
One man would be relentless and not give up until he learns the truth about James. One woman who would risk it all to make sure she never loses the happiness she has just found. Dared to come out during the day by one reporter hunting for vampires and thinking he might have found one, what will happen to James? Should he risk his life just to appease this reporter? What happens will surprise the reader? This is a story about friendship, loyalty, trust, understanding and definitely true love as two people born in two different centuries come back together and try and find happiness in the most unique and unusual way? But will they? Will James survive his encounter with Hempel or will he die from the sunlight? Will Sarah allow herself to be turned or remain mortal? How and why did James turn? Who turned him and why was he left to fend for himself? What happened 300 years ago that made him feel he was nothing more than demonic? What is their final fate? Read this outstanding novel by Meredith Allard and you decide: How far would you go to protect the man you love? How long would you wait for happiness? An ending that leaves the reader with many unanswered questions? What will happen to Sarah and James? Only the author knows for sure and of course: Geoffrey! Close your eyes: Can you see the past? What lies ahead for you might be what happened in the past? Let Martha read your past and find out if it is part of your present! Past life regression: Are you ready? Martha Is!
This book gets Five Diet Cola Cans Filled with Professor James Wentworth’s Favorite Brew!
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Author: Meredith Allard
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Close your eyes. What do you see? Do you see trees, the sunset, flowers, and the events of your day? Keep them close and imagine seeing images so terrifying, so horrific you are not sure whether you are imagining them or reliving events from your past. What would happen if your present life were linked to events that happened in the past? What would happen if you were actually a victim of one of the most tragic events in American History? In 1692 the Salem witch hysteria began. The accusations of witchcraft, the arrests, and the executions were an extreme expression of deeply felt moral divisions.
Every night when Sarah Alexander closes her eyes she has visions that would terrify anyone. Picturing herself in prison, on trial and accused of being a witch she relieves the events not realizing that what she sees just might be true.
Sarah works in a college library. Meeting Jennifer and her friends will forever change her life or possibly renew her old one without knowing it. James Wentworth is a professor at the college where she works. James has a secret past that he wants to share with Sarah but hesitates. James lost his wife Elizabeth many years ago. Well, how about in the 1600’s during the Salem witch trials. James is 300 years old and does not look a day over 30. Just how does he get away with this and what is his story remains to be revealed.
The Puritans from England came to live in Massachusetts escaping religious persecution in England. These people had a strict moral code that they lived by and old -fashioned religious beliefs. Anyone that deviated or was different was accused of being a witch. Between the years of 1690-1692 the hysteria began. Many young girls became enamored with an Indian slave named Tituba who told stories of natural magic and island culture. When some girls became afflicted and called witches they were arrested and place in jail accused of being in league with Satan. Here is where our story really begins as we meet and get to know Professor James Wentworth, Timothy and many others who have a hidden secret that would rock the inner core of those he works with, his students and many others if the truth came out.
As you read the story the author brilliantly flashes between the past and the present as Elizabeth tells her story from start to finish. Her wedding to James, her fear of giving birth during this difficult time and the knowledge that some of her close friends were arrested.
Would you want to be immortal if it meant you could not stay in one place very long and you could not share your life with anyone different from you? How would you deal with living forever? One reporter named Hempel is out to find out the truth about James. What his secret is and what will happen if and when he shares it with Sarah will change everything for both of them.
Instantly drawn to each other almost like a magnet whose pull is so great the magnetic pull so great the objects will never separate. Imagine that kind of pull between two people that are instantly pulled together. One who feels the pull right away and the other trying to figure out why? Can you hear Elizabeth’s voice as Sarah recounts her dreams?
Each event in the present is linked to one in the past. As the author relates Elizabeth’s trials, fears and hopes that she won’t be next. Recounting her friend’s hanging and expressing her true inner fears allows the reader to experience almost first hand the unfairness, the prejudice and injustices inflicted on so many innocent women while those that really were demons or witches went roamed freely. Bringing to the present we realize that Hempel is a witch hunter who wants to know too much about James. How will he deal with this and how will he rid the world of this man still remains to be seen?
As Hempel’s article comes out hunting for the truth about vampires living in Salem and witches too. Sarah’s dreams haunt her day and night as we hear Elizabeth’s voice coming through. Faced with many questions, remembering a past she did not know she had, reliving the witch trials as if they were today, Sarah makes a hard and fast decision that would change the course of her life forever. Would you want to go back in time and find out if you were the reincarnation of someone else? Would you want to relive the past in order to be able to understand your present?
Take a trip back in time with Sarah as Martha leads her on a journey that would transform her every being and link her tightly with James. But, what will that mean for her and does he accept her as Sarah or Elizabeth? The Puritans tortured, hanged and abused those they thought were witches or possessed with demons. The Puritans did not heed dissent and the trials were not fair. The judges were hardnosed. The end results tragic and those who pleaded guilty were better off than those who claimed they were innocent.
If Sarah decides to bond with James what would that mean for her? Would she be turned the same way he was? Can a human live with a vampire? Would you? Who are they really? What is their common link?
Author Meredith Allard brings to light a time period where tempers flared, injustice reigned, if you were different or did not adhere to the Puritan ways accused and hearsay, rumors and lies convicted the innocent. The history is real. The events so graphically and vividly described the reader becomes one with the story and so enveloped in the plot experiencing the events first hand. As Elizabeth recounts her time with James, her torment in her dank and dark cell, the reader can feel the pain; understand her fears and relives through Sarah’s eyes as recorded in her journal.
One man would be relentless and not give up until he learns the truth about James. One woman who would risk it all to make sure she never loses the happiness she has just found. Dared to come out during the day by one reporter hunting for vampires and thinking he might have found one, what will happen to James? Should he risk his life just to appease this reporter? What happens will surprise the reader? This is a story about friendship, loyalty, trust, understanding and definitely true love as two people born in two different centuries come back together and try and find happiness in the most unique and unusual way? But will they? Will James survive his encounter with Hempel or will he die from the sunlight? Will Sarah allow herself to be turned or remain mortal? How and why did James turn? Who turned him and why was he left to fend for himself? What happened 300 years ago that made him feel he was nothing more than demonic? What is their final fate? Read this outstanding novel by Meredith Allard and you decide: How far would you go to protect the man you love? How long would you wait for happiness? An ending that leaves the reader with many unanswered questions? What will happen to Sarah and James? Only the author knows for sure and of course: Geoffrey! Close your eyes: Can you see the past? What lies ahead for you might be what happened in the past? Let Martha read your past and find out if it is part of your present! Past life regression: Are you ready? Martha Is!
This book gets Five Diet Cola Cans Filled with Professor James Wentworth’s Favorite Brew!
Fran Lewis: reviewer
December 8, 2025
I have to admit that I was not crazy about this book. It was slow, drawn out, and more like wishful thinking than an actual romance. There was no excitement, pizzazz, or tension. It was steady.
I did like James, but Sarah was so wishy-washy. She was recently divorced, a librarian at a college, and haunted by nightmares that had to deal with the Salem witch trials. The man in the dreams was faceless, but the events were real. It gave an odd flair to the story.
James was a professor of literature at the same college. When he first saw Sarah, who just happened to be standing in his front yard of his house, he recognized her as his deceased wife. He’s a vampire and has been for 300 years, but he’s not the grisly type. He’s peaceful, kind, and thoughtful, unlike the vampires I read about in other books. He just keeps to himself and lives under the radar, until a newspaper reporter starts hunting him. I won’t say anymore about that.
The story was weird because Sarah started living her life in the now as his wife, Elizabeth I’m 1692. It was really bizarre.
I know many people will enjoy the story, but it wasn’t for me, and I will not be continuing with the series.
I did like James, but Sarah was so wishy-washy. She was recently divorced, a librarian at a college, and haunted by nightmares that had to deal with the Salem witch trials. The man in the dreams was faceless, but the events were real. It gave an odd flair to the story.
James was a professor of literature at the same college. When he first saw Sarah, who just happened to be standing in his front yard of his house, he recognized her as his deceased wife. He’s a vampire and has been for 300 years, but he’s not the grisly type. He’s peaceful, kind, and thoughtful, unlike the vampires I read about in other books. He just keeps to himself and lives under the radar, until a newspaper reporter starts hunting him. I won’t say anymore about that.
The story was weird because Sarah started living her life in the now as his wife, Elizabeth I’m 1692. It was really bizarre.
I know many people will enjoy the story, but it wasn’t for me, and I will not be continuing with the series.
March 3, 2021
A twist on the cliche love story about a young divorcee who meets a new handsome guy. Sarah move to Salem, MA to recover from her recent divorce. While working at a college library she meets a young professor, James, who seems so familiar.
Sarah is also plagued by nightmares of the Salem Witch Trials, reliving the imprisonment of one of the accused. Over time, she realizes that her dreams are related to the James.
Her first friend in Salem turns out to be a witch, and James a vampire. There's far more than meets the eye with the residents of this notorious town.
Worth the read for the clever take on romance.
Sarah is also plagued by nightmares of the Salem Witch Trials, reliving the imprisonment of one of the accused. Over time, she realizes that her dreams are related to the James.
Her first friend in Salem turns out to be a witch, and James a vampire. There's far more than meets the eye with the residents of this notorious town.
Worth the read for the clever take on romance.
December 21, 2020
Man meets woman, they fall in love. But....
James sees a woman standing outside his home in Salem, Massachusetts one evening. He is sure it is his wife, dead some three hundred years. As he and the woman, Sarah, get to know each other they find they are tied together from centuries before. Add in a very persistent reporter and the stories begin to intertwine. Decent book but some things just didn't make sense. Why the need for sleep, and if there is no blood pumping through a man's system, how does he, ahem, get it up? Little blue vampire pills?
James sees a woman standing outside his home in Salem, Massachusetts one evening. He is sure it is his wife, dead some three hundred years. As he and the woman, Sarah, get to know each other they find they are tied together from centuries before. Add in a very persistent reporter and the stories begin to intertwine. Decent book but some things just didn't make sense. Why the need for sleep, and if there is no blood pumping through a man's system, how does he, ahem, get it up? Little blue vampire pills?
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