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Spellbound Falls #3
Courting Carolina
While building a wilderness trail for a new five-star resort in Spellbound Falls, underachieving playboy Alec MacKeage rescues a beautiful woman who is being chased by kidnappers and agrees to let her hide out with him for a few days. But when those days stretch past a week, Alec finds himself fighting his attraction to the mysterious Jane Smith—despite knowing the woman isn’t who she claims to be. Then again, neither is he…
On the run from her own life, Jane is really Carolina Oceanus—and she’ll do anything to avoid the six ancient-minded men her father has brought to Maine to vie for her hand in marriage. But as the maddening competition heats up, Carolina realizes that she’ll have to come clean to Alec, the seductive loner who’s managed to capture her heart…
On the run from her own life, Jane is really Carolina Oceanus—and she’ll do anything to avoid the six ancient-minded men her father has brought to Maine to vie for her hand in marriage. But as the maddening competition heats up, Carolina realizes that she’ll have to come clean to Alec, the seductive loner who’s managed to capture her heart…
274 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 28, 2012
215 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Janet Chapman
28 books1,114 followersJanuary 22, 1956 – October 28, 2017
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
August 8, 2018
This series keeps getting better and better with each book that goes by and I’m loving it! This book is definitely my favourite out of the series so far, there was just something about our leading man that clicked for me and I found myself falling in love with him as our heroine was doing the same thing herself. This was really such a fun read, I thoroughly enjoyed it despite its mild cheesiness!
August 29, 2012
Review orignally posted at http://www.fictionvixen.com/review-co...
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Janet Chapman, she writes contemporary romances with a time travel/paranormal twist. I actually picked up her first release at a grocery store about 10 years ago and was so charmed that I’ve continued with every single new release she has put out since then. Not kidding, I’ve read every single book this woman has published. That first book was about time traveling highlanders who end up in modern-day Maine. Since then I’ve read about druids, time travelers, shapeshifters and wizards. There have been dragons and trees of life and the lost city of Atlantis. Each series kinds of morphs into the next with past characters either being mentioned or related to new ones in each new series. This is the third book in the Spellbound Falls series, which plays off of the Midnight Bay series, which stems from the Puffin Harbor Highlander series. Don’t be too panicked, I do believe that even if you haven’t read any of those earlier releases that you would still enjoy Courting Carolina.
Alec MacKeage is quietly working on building a nature trail for the new resort in town when he comes upon a woman being assaulted. After coming to her rescue he realizes two things: that this woman has been on the run for quite a while and that she isn’t who she says she is. He does agree to let her stay with him and hide out for several days until she can heal. That several days turns into a bit longer and Alec finds himself falling for Jane, the girl he rescued. He soon figures out that Jane is really Carolina, sister to Mac, who is one of the most powerful wizards in existence, and daughter to Titus, the demigod who created Atlantis and the trees of life. Now he has to figure out what exactly to do with her.
Carolina has run from her father and his expectations of who she should be and what kind of life she needs to live. He wants her to get married and live in a traditional wife’s role. She wants to be free and respected for her intelligence, not just for what she brings to a marriage. After being on the run for the last two years she ends up in kidnappers hands and is rescued by a gorgeous Maine highlander named Alec. Carolina and Alec start to build a very sweet relationship while she is staying with him in the scenic Maine wilderness, and although Carolina thinks giving her virginity to Alec will eliminate any chance of a marriage, Alec resists her attempts. They do have sexy times, lots of going not quite all the way sexy times. Alec also has a past, a mysterious past as a soldier and has decided that some of the things he has done in his past are so bad that not only does he not deserve Carolina, but had a vasectomy nine years ago so that he won’t be having any children either. When Carolina (or Jane as she now likes to be called) is finally discovered hiding out by her father and brother Alec must make a choice if he is willing to come to her rescue yet again, with the intentions of keeping her this time.
I swear, Janet Chapman writes the best heroes. They are just so MALE, but at the same time they are respectful, while also being protective and loving. They usually tend to fall for ordinary woman, occasionally they are too smart, or in a rough situation, but they are almost always woman who are in some way like you and me. Alec is a wonderful man because he knows exactly who Carolina/Jane is, but he wants her to be able to solve her problems for herself. Without his involvement. He offers to be her champion and help her face her problem, but that’s all he offers to do: help. Carolina falls in love with him because by letting her make her own decisions he empowers her. When she is taken away from him he goes on a mission to eliminate the competition set up for him by her father and he does it in such a way that I was, once again, charmed.
I guess I read Janet Chapman because I just feel good while reading one of her books. There is always magic and romantic heroes, highlanders surrounded by beautiful settings who are trying to catch that modern woman bent on trying to stay independent. I loved seeing Alec realize that no matter what he thought about himself he just couldn’t live without his girl. I will most certainly be picking up the next in the series that comes out in March, I believe this one will have an Atlantean hero in stead of a Highlander, but I’m sure he will be just as wonderful. After all, I just can’t resist a good love story.
Favorite Quote:
And then she stood there, completely naked, facing him.
“I love you, Alec.”
And that, the figured, was about as naked as truth got.
Keeping his eyes locked on her, Alec shed his jacket, his tie, cummerbund, and borrowed shirt, then lifted one foot then the other to pull off his shoes and socks. He unfastened his pants and pushed them down along with his shorts and stepped out of them, and stood in front of her completely naked. “I guess I love you, too.”
“You guess?”
“Okay, I know I love you.” He shrugged. “But I’m going to need a little time to get used to the idea, because I’ve spent quite a few years convincing myself that I shouldn’t fall in love.”
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Janet Chapman, she writes contemporary romances with a time travel/paranormal twist. I actually picked up her first release at a grocery store about 10 years ago and was so charmed that I’ve continued with every single new release she has put out since then. Not kidding, I’ve read every single book this woman has published. That first book was about time traveling highlanders who end up in modern-day Maine. Since then I’ve read about druids, time travelers, shapeshifters and wizards. There have been dragons and trees of life and the lost city of Atlantis. Each series kinds of morphs into the next with past characters either being mentioned or related to new ones in each new series. This is the third book in the Spellbound Falls series, which plays off of the Midnight Bay series, which stems from the Puffin Harbor Highlander series. Don’t be too panicked, I do believe that even if you haven’t read any of those earlier releases that you would still enjoy Courting Carolina.
Alec MacKeage is quietly working on building a nature trail for the new resort in town when he comes upon a woman being assaulted. After coming to her rescue he realizes two things: that this woman has been on the run for quite a while and that she isn’t who she says she is. He does agree to let her stay with him and hide out for several days until she can heal. That several days turns into a bit longer and Alec finds himself falling for Jane, the girl he rescued. He soon figures out that Jane is really Carolina, sister to Mac, who is one of the most powerful wizards in existence, and daughter to Titus, the demigod who created Atlantis and the trees of life. Now he has to figure out what exactly to do with her.
Carolina has run from her father and his expectations of who she should be and what kind of life she needs to live. He wants her to get married and live in a traditional wife’s role. She wants to be free and respected for her intelligence, not just for what she brings to a marriage. After being on the run for the last two years she ends up in kidnappers hands and is rescued by a gorgeous Maine highlander named Alec. Carolina and Alec start to build a very sweet relationship while she is staying with him in the scenic Maine wilderness, and although Carolina thinks giving her virginity to Alec will eliminate any chance of a marriage, Alec resists her attempts. They do have sexy times, lots of going not quite all the way sexy times. Alec also has a past, a mysterious past as a soldier and has decided that some of the things he has done in his past are so bad that not only does he not deserve Carolina, but had a vasectomy nine years ago so that he won’t be having any children either. When Carolina (or Jane as she now likes to be called) is finally discovered hiding out by her father and brother Alec must make a choice if he is willing to come to her rescue yet again, with the intentions of keeping her this time.
I swear, Janet Chapman writes the best heroes. They are just so MALE, but at the same time they are respectful, while also being protective and loving. They usually tend to fall for ordinary woman, occasionally they are too smart, or in a rough situation, but they are almost always woman who are in some way like you and me. Alec is a wonderful man because he knows exactly who Carolina/Jane is, but he wants her to be able to solve her problems for herself. Without his involvement. He offers to be her champion and help her face her problem, but that’s all he offers to do: help. Carolina falls in love with him because by letting her make her own decisions he empowers her. When she is taken away from him he goes on a mission to eliminate the competition set up for him by her father and he does it in such a way that I was, once again, charmed.
I guess I read Janet Chapman because I just feel good while reading one of her books. There is always magic and romantic heroes, highlanders surrounded by beautiful settings who are trying to catch that modern woman bent on trying to stay independent. I loved seeing Alec realize that no matter what he thought about himself he just couldn’t live without his girl. I will most certainly be picking up the next in the series that comes out in March, I believe this one will have an Atlantean hero in stead of a Highlander, but I’m sure he will be just as wonderful. After all, I just can’t resist a good love story.
Favorite Quote:
And then she stood there, completely naked, facing him.
“I love you, Alec.”
And that, the figured, was about as naked as truth got.
Keeping his eyes locked on her, Alec shed his jacket, his tie, cummerbund, and borrowed shirt, then lifted one foot then the other to pull off his shoes and socks. He unfastened his pants and pushed them down along with his shorts and stepped out of them, and stood in front of her completely naked. “I guess I love you, too.”
“You guess?”
“Okay, I know I love you.” He shrugged. “But I’m going to need a little time to get used to the idea, because I’ve spent quite a few years convincing myself that I shouldn’t fall in love.”
September 6, 2012
Janet Chapman writes fun stuff. There is just something so very whimsical about her writing. No deep dark secrets, no tortured hero with and even more tortured past. Oh sure her characters have dimensions, they haven't all lead perfect lives and their has been some angst. But for the most part her books are about the magic of love.. Her Spellbound falls series is just that, a whimsical, magical series..
Alec MacKeage is perfectly happy working as a ski "bum" for his parents ski resort in the winter and doing odd jobs in the fall. These past two years he has been creating wilderness trails for the posh resort owned by Max and Olivia Oceanus. His sudden solitude is disturbed by the sudden appearance of two hired thugs who have a woman held captive. And she is doing everything in her ability to escape. While Alex has no problems dealing with her captors and helping her to freedom something about her is just down right fishy.
Jane Smith, yep that's her name and she has the official documents to prove it, passport, credit cards and drivers licenses for THREE Countries. While she appreciates Alec's help she begs him to keep her name from the authorities and to help her stay hidden from both her captors and her father, who wants to force her into an arranged marriage.
This is a fun story about a mythical princess (the daughter of Titanus king of Atlantis) and the first generation son of a highlander (by first generation we mean in this century as his father had traveled from the 14th century years before). While Alex is not magic he KNOWS magic and has met plenty of magical being in his lifetime not least of all "Jane's" doting older brother. While Jane is trying to escape her marriage and remain just plain Jane, Alex spends the first half of the book letting her. Helping her to discover the smart, funny, unique woman that she is.. rather letting her be that woman without old world condensation. What else is a girl to do but fall in love?
Once the family gets involved there is a fun comedy of errors going on.. Good old Dad has brought six suitors to Maine for a formal ball, hoping that at least one will strike his daughter's fancy and she will marry him. While she is protected by magic, Alec in immune to it so he slips in and out of the magical shields and starts helping her suitors to see things his way.. His constant slipping in and out of the shields is driving just about everyone crazy..
Like I said this book is just fun.. I have enjoyed this entire series and most definitely recommend it to anyone who wants the magic without the angst... and enjoys the magic of love.
Shauni
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Alec MacKeage is perfectly happy working as a ski "bum" for his parents ski resort in the winter and doing odd jobs in the fall. These past two years he has been creating wilderness trails for the posh resort owned by Max and Olivia Oceanus. His sudden solitude is disturbed by the sudden appearance of two hired thugs who have a woman held captive. And she is doing everything in her ability to escape. While Alex has no problems dealing with her captors and helping her to freedom something about her is just down right fishy.
Jane Smith, yep that's her name and she has the official documents to prove it, passport, credit cards and drivers licenses for THREE Countries. While she appreciates Alec's help she begs him to keep her name from the authorities and to help her stay hidden from both her captors and her father, who wants to force her into an arranged marriage.
This is a fun story about a mythical princess (the daughter of Titanus king of Atlantis) and the first generation son of a highlander (by first generation we mean in this century as his father had traveled from the 14th century years before). While Alex is not magic he KNOWS magic and has met plenty of magical being in his lifetime not least of all "Jane's" doting older brother. While Jane is trying to escape her marriage and remain just plain Jane, Alex spends the first half of the book letting her. Helping her to discover the smart, funny, unique woman that she is.. rather letting her be that woman without old world condensation. What else is a girl to do but fall in love?
Once the family gets involved there is a fun comedy of errors going on.. Good old Dad has brought six suitors to Maine for a formal ball, hoping that at least one will strike his daughter's fancy and she will marry him. While she is protected by magic, Alec in immune to it so he slips in and out of the magical shields and starts helping her suitors to see things his way.. His constant slipping in and out of the shields is driving just about everyone crazy..
Like I said this book is just fun.. I have enjoyed this entire series and most definitely recommend it to anyone who wants the magic without the angst... and enjoys the magic of love.
Shauni
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Want to read
December 18, 2018Sweet Street
July 7, 2019
Courting Carolina (2012) by Janet Chapman
.
This is book 3 of the Spellbound Series. There are 6 books in the series at this time, although “the 7th would have been “Call It Magic” (in July 2017) if Janet hadn’t died. As of now it is not published but last I heard it was slated to come out in May of 2020. We will see. This series and the previous 2 series of books are all very closely tied together and really should all (or most) be read in order if possible.
.
To know what the book is about you can read the back cover. However, like the little truths found in books as you are reading, this book there seems to be an underlying truth, or theme, motivating/powering many actions throughout the story. You can guess what it is by the following quote from the book, from fairly early on. It goes “denying a woman anything based on gender alone was a terrible waste of intelligence.” This idea of equality is a big part of everything that happens and is one of the core beliefs that unite the hero and heroine from start to finish.
.
And I did like the book.
.
This is book 3 of the Spellbound Series. There are 6 books in the series at this time, although “the 7th would have been “Call It Magic” (in July 2017) if Janet hadn’t died. As of now it is not published but last I heard it was slated to come out in May of 2020. We will see. This series and the previous 2 series of books are all very closely tied together and really should all (or most) be read in order if possible.
.
To know what the book is about you can read the back cover. However, like the little truths found in books as you are reading, this book there seems to be an underlying truth, or theme, motivating/powering many actions throughout the story. You can guess what it is by the following quote from the book, from fairly early on. It goes “denying a woman anything based on gender alone was a terrible waste of intelligence.” This idea of equality is a big part of everything that happens and is one of the core beliefs that unite the hero and heroine from start to finish.
.
And I did like the book.
June 4, 2020
This is the third book in the Spellbound Falls series and I have loved each one of them, each one better than the last. I have never read stories that included magic or gods and wizards. But Janet Chapman has made a believer out of me. This story is about Carolina Oceanus and her strong rescuer Alec MacKeage. Carolina had been kidnapped but had escaped them to only to run into Alec and telling him that her name was Jane Smith, proceeded to have him teach her about the wilderness. Alec was working by himself building a wilderness trail with bridges to cross the rivers and streams for a very large resort on top of the mountain. There is so much stuff going on in this book that you just have to read it to really understand the thrill. Great read.
June 18, 2022
the princess and the bear
Alec found her wrestling with two men as he rounded the bend. They either were kidnapping her or trying to molest her. Either way, he could not allow this to happen on his watch. Suddenly the skills learned as a marine kicked in and he subdued the first man and then the second. So, who was this beauty that he had rescued? It was Jane Smith. Best summer read so far. Looking forward to the next in the series before school is back in session. Enjoy !!!
Alec found her wrestling with two men as he rounded the bend. They either were kidnapping her or trying to molest her. Either way, he could not allow this to happen on his watch. Suddenly the skills learned as a marine kicked in and he subdued the first man and then the second. So, who was this beauty that he had rescued? It was Jane Smith. Best summer read so far. Looking forward to the next in the series before school is back in session. Enjoy !!!
March 20, 2018
I've had Ms. Chapman's books since their releases but life happened and I was just able to read Courting Carolina. I do so love the Spellbound Falls stories! And CC was fantastic. I wish I had read it in time for her to know how much I love her books. Very fun series, with some serious snark (!), that I will continue to read and then re-read after that.
April 20, 2018
Running to avoid an aranged marriage, she is rescued by Alec in the wilderness of Main mountains. Quiet humor and fun romance. There were a few spots that didn't flow very well but overall an enjoyable read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2017
Janet is a magical and romanticizing in her books I will keep reading as long as available.
September 12, 2017
Different, but didn't like as much as the others so far.
May 25, 2018
Beautiful Story
I could barely put it down! Carolina is sassy and driven, Alec is stubborn and tenacious...it just works so well!
I could barely put it down! Carolina is sassy and driven, Alec is stubborn and tenacious...it just works so well!
November 21, 2018
Just like the last one I read, this story never seemed to flash itself out and the characters were very two-dimensional.
June 11, 2020
Not enough magic.
June 22, 2020
Re-read from original paperback publishing. Again, love this series and this author!
December 19, 2020
i loved the adventure..
July 22, 2023
This is an interesting series. Carolina gets herself a MacKeage husband after getting into and causing a lot of trouble. We get a two year on view of the couples from the first and second books.
August 9, 2023
Love this series
You will fall in love with our hero and heroine. Just goes to show you that all aristrocats arent spoiled and useless
You will fall in love with our hero and heroine. Just goes to show you that all aristrocats arent spoiled and useless
December 28, 2023
loving this series; so unique
December 28, 2024
Loved this story, each one of Janet Chapman’s books are special. It would take Alec to take on Caroline!!! Great story!
October 11, 2012
Courting Carolina ของเจเน็ต แชปแมน
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มสามในชุด แต่ก็เหมือนกับเล่มอื่น ๆ ในชุดที่มีความเกี่ยวข้องกับหนังสือชุดอื่น ๆ ที่คนแต่งเขียนมาด้วยค่ะ และก็เป็นอีกเล่มนึงที่เราไม่แนะนำให้เริ่มต้นอ่านเป็นเล่มแรก เพราะมีรายละเอียดมากมายเกิดขึ้นในเล่มก่อนหน้า รวมทั้งส่วนที่เป็น "เวทมนตร์" ในเรื่อง เพราะสำหรับคนที่ไม่มีพื้นกับเรื่องชุดนี้มาเลย ก็อาจจะงงไปได้ง่าย ๆ
ขณะที่กำลังทำงานอยู่ในป่า อเล็ค แม็คคีจได้พบเห็นหญิงสาวที่กำลังหนีจากคนร้าย อดีตทหารในกองทัพที่แม้ว่าตอนนี้จะเป็นเพียงคนงานก่อสร้างทางเดินสำหรับรีสอร์ทอย่างอเล็คไม่อาจนิ่งดูดายได้ เขารีบเข้าไปช่วยเธอ
เมื่อหญิงสาวฟื้นคืนสติ เธออ้างว่าตัวเองชื่อเจน สมิธ และไม่ต้องการให้อเล็คบอกใครว่าได้พบเห็นเธอในป่าแห่งนี้ เพราะเจนกำลังมีปัญหากับบิดา ทำให้อยากจะใช้เวลาอยู่ตามลำพังสักพัก และแม้อเล็คจะไม่เชื่อว่า เธอคือเจน สมิธ แต่เขาก็ไม่มีปัญหาที่จะยอมทำตาม
อยากจะบอกว่า ไม่ควรอ่านคำโปรยที่ปกหลังนะคะ แต่ก็คงไม่มีประโยชน์ เพราะชื่อเรื่องก็บอกอยู่อย่างโจ่งแจ้งอยู่แล้ว อย่างไรก็ตามเรารู้สึกว่า เจเน็ต แชปแมนเขียนหนังสือเรื่องนี้โดยจงใจให้คนอ่านไม่รู้ว่า แท้จริงแล้ว ตัวตนของนางเอกคือใคร เพราะในช่วงต้นเรื่องแทบจะไม่มี Point of View ของเจนให้คนอ่านได้รับรู้เลย เรื่องถูกมองผ่านมุมมองของอเล็ค ที่แม้จะใช้เวลาไม่นานก็รู้ว่า เจนคือใครกันแน่ แต่เขาก็ไม่ได้บอกคนอ่านเช่นกัน
เรื่องก็คือ ถ้าคุณเป็นแฟนหนังสือชุดนี้ก็คงจะเดาได้ไม่ยาก ถ้าไม่ใช่ หรือไม่เคยอ่านเรื่องในชุดนี้มาก่อน ก็คงจะงง (เรารู้สึกว่า ใช้คำนี้เยอะมากในหนังสือของเจเน็ต) เพราะแท้จริงแล้วเจน สมิธก็คือคาโรไลนา โอเชียนัส บุตรสาวคนเดียวของพ่อมดที่ทรงอำนาจที่สุดในโลก พ่อของเธอสร้างอาณาจักรแอตแลนติสขึ้นมาเพื่อปกป้องมนุษย์ แต่ในฐานะของลูกสาวคนเดียว คาโรไลนากลับถูกคาดหวังให้แต่งงาน ลงหลักปักฐานกับชายสักคน
นั่นเป็นบทบาทที่เธอยังไม่พร้อม และใช้เวลาสองปีวิ่งหนีมาตลอด แต่แล้วเธอกลับถูกกลุ่มคนลึกลับจับตัวเพื่อเรียกค่าไถ่จากครอบครัวอันทรงอำนาจ โชคยังดีที่หญิงสาวหนีมาได้สำเร็จ แถมเหตุการณ์ร้ายยังกลายเป็นดี เมื่อเธอได้เจอกับอเล็ค เพราะเป็นครั้งแรกที่เธอรู้สึกบางอย่างกับชายคนนึง
ทั้งคู่ใช้เวลาอยู่ด้วย สิ่งเดียวที่เจนบอกกับอเล็คก็คือ เธอมีบิดาที่วางอำนาจ และบังคับให้เธอเลือกคู่ครองแต่งงาน และแม้อเล็คจะรู้ว่า พ่อของเธอคือใคร (แต่เจนไม่รู้ว่าอเล็ครู้) เขาก็ยังยืนยันที่จะให้เธอกลับไปเผชิญหน้า และยืนหยัดกับสิ่งที่ตัวเองเชื่อ โดยที่เขาพร้อมที่จะยืนเคียงข้าง
แต่เมื่อครอบครัวของเธอตามหาเธอเจอ ผลลัพธ์ออกมาไม่สวยนักสำหรับอเล็ค โดยเฉพาะเมื่อเขาถูกมองว่า ปกปิดความจริงว่าเธออยู่ที่ไหน และทำให้ทุกคนเป็นห่วง
ปกติแล้วเจเน็ต แชปแมนเขียนพระเอกที่ดูเหมือนคนธรรมดา ซึ่งจุดนี้ถือเป็นจุดเด่นของเธอนะคะ พวกเขาเป็นชายทั่วไปแต่มีอะไรบางอย่างที่พิเศษมาก ๆ อยู่ในตัว แต่สำหรับคาแร็คเตอร์ของอเล็คเราคิดว่า เธอทำได้ดีมากยิ่งขึ้นไปอีก เพราะเมื่อเปิดเรื่อง (หรือคนที่อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้) อเล็คเป็นหนึ่งในครอบครัวแม็คคีจ ทายาทรุ่นแรกของนักรบที่เดินทางข้ามเวลามาจากอดีต แต่เขาไม่ได้ทำอะไรเป็นชิ้นเป็นอัน หลังจากใช้เวลาหลายปีในกองทัพ อเล็คก็เตร็ดเตร่ทำงานแบกหามให้กับกิจการในครอบครัว เขาไม่ได้เริ่มต้นธุรกิจ หรือรับบทบาทที่สำคัญในบริษัทของครอบครัวเลย ในเล่มนี้เจนก็เข้าใจว่า อเล็คทำงานก่อสร้างให้กับดันแคนผู้เป็นลุง และแม้เขาจะกล้าหาญ ก็คงจะยากที่จะเผชิญหน้ากับความยิ่งใหญ่ของครอบครัวของเธอได้
แต่อเล็คเป็นมากกว่านั้น ภูมิหลังให้อดีตทำให้อเล็คเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าสนใจ และจุดนี้เองทำให้เรื่องนี้เวิร์คโดยเฉพาะในช่วงหลังของเรื่อง เมื่อเจนต้องกลับไปอยู่กับครอบครัว ถูกแยกออกจากอเล็ค เราไม่ค่อยชอบช่วงเวลาที่พระนางแยกห่างจากกันนะคะ แต่ในเล่มนี้อ่านแล้วสนุกค่ะ เพราะอเล็คหาวิธีเจาะด่านคุ้มกันเข้าไปหาเจนได้เสมอ ในทุกเวลาที่เขาต้องการ การที่เขาเอาชนะการคุ้มกันอย่างแน่นอนของครอบครัวของเธอได้ เป็นการพิสูจน์ว่าเขาคู่ควรกับเธอมากเพียงใด (ในด้านที่เขาสามารถคุ้มครองเธอจากศัตรูได้) อ่านแล้วรู้สึกพระเอกเท่ห์ได้ใจมาก ๆ โดยเฉพาะ (สปอยล์) การเปิดเผยว่า เขานี่เองคือคนกำจัดบรรดาหนุ่ม ๆ ที่พ่อของเธอพามาให้นางเอกดูตัว
เรื่องส่วนที่เป็นเวทมนตร์ในเรื่องเหลือเชื่อเกินเหตุ แล้วก็เหมือนกับอีกหลาย���ล่มเป็นจุดด้อยที่สุดในเรื่อง มันตลกน่ะค่ะเมื่อคิดว่า พ่อของนางเอกพาชายที่เหมาะสมมาให้เธอดูตัวจากยุคต่าง ๆ ในอดีต แค่เราคิดว่า การทำแบบนั้นอาจจะเป็นการเปลี่ยนแปลงอดีต (ซึ่งจะทำให้อนาคตเปลี่ยนไปด้วย) อย่างไร เราก็รับไม่ได้แล้วล่ะ เวลาคิดถึงประเด็นนี้ต้องพยายามไม่คิดอะไรมาก แต่ก็อดไม่ได้นะคะ
ได้ข่าวมาว่า คนแต่งจะเขียนเรื่องพ่อและแม่ของนางเอกเป็นเล่มที่ห้าในชุด เลยทำให้เราอยากรู้ว่า เธอจะเล่าย้อนไปในอดีตตอนที่จีบกันครั้งแรก หรือจะเขียนเรื่องในยุคปัจจุบัน แต่ไม่ว่ายังไงเราสนใจอยากอ่านมากนะคะ เพราะดูปฎิสัมพันธ์ของทั้งสองในเล่มนี้แล้ว คิดว่าทั้งคู่เป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าสนใจมาก
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ส่วนหนึ่งที่เราชอบงานชุดนี้ของเจเน็ต แชปแมน (และรวมทั้งเรื่องส่วนใหญ่ของเธอด้วย) ก็คือการยอมรับความรู้สึกตัวเองอย่างไม่ต้องคิดให้ซับซ้อนมากว่าพวกเขารักนางเอก อย่างเรื่องนี้อเล็คมีข้ออ้างสารพัดว่าทำไมเขาจึงไม่ควรจะมีคู่ครอง ไม่ควรจะมีลูก แต่ในท้ายที่สุดเมื่อรู้ตัวว่ารัก ก็ไม่มีอะไรสำคัญ เขาคิดตกอย่างง่ายดาย โดยไม่ต้องให้ใครมาเตือนสติด้วยซ้ำ อ่านแล้วสบายใจดีค่ะ พระเอกไม่ออกอาการงี่เง่า วิ่งหนีความรัก
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มสามในชุด แต่ก็เหมือนกับเล่มอื่น ๆ ในชุดที่มีความเกี่ยวข้องกับหนังสือชุดอื่น ๆ ที่คนแต่งเขียนมาด้วยค่ะ และก็เป็นอีกเล่มนึงที่เราไม่แนะนำให้เริ่มต้นอ่านเป็นเล่มแรก เพราะมีรายละเอียดมากมายเกิดขึ้นในเล่มก่อนหน้า รวมทั้งส่วนที่เป็น "เวทมนตร์" ในเรื่อง เพราะสำหรับคนที่ไม่มีพื้นกับเรื่องชุดนี้มาเลย ก็อาจจะงงไปได้ง่าย ๆ
ขณะที่กำลังทำงานอยู่ในป่า อเล็ค แม็คคีจได้พบเห็นหญิงสาวที่กำลังหนีจากคนร้าย อดีตทหารในกองทัพที่แม้ว่าตอนนี้จะเป็นเพียงคนงานก่อสร้างทางเดินสำหรับรีสอร์ทอย่างอเล็คไม่อาจนิ่งดูดายได้ เขารีบเข้าไปช่วยเธอ
เมื่อหญิงสาวฟื้นคืนสติ เธออ้างว่าตัวเองชื่อเจน สมิธ และไม่ต้องการให้อเล็คบอกใครว่าได้พบเห็นเธอในป่าแห่งนี้ เพราะเจนกำลังมีปัญหากับบิดา ทำให้อยากจะใช้เวลาอยู่ตามลำพังสักพัก และแม้อเล็คจะไม่เชื่อว่า เธอคือเจน สมิธ แต่เขาก็ไม่มีปัญหาที่จะยอมทำตาม
อยากจะบอกว่า ไม่ควรอ่านคำโปรยที่ปกหลังนะคะ แต่ก็คงไม่มีประโยชน์ เพราะชื่อเรื่องก็บอกอยู่อย่างโจ่งแจ้งอยู่แล้ว อย่างไรก็ตามเรารู้สึกว่า เจเน็ต แชปแมนเขียนหนังสือเรื่องนี้โดยจงใจให้คนอ่านไม่รู้ว่า แท้จริงแล้ว ตัวตนของนางเอกคือใคร เพราะในช่วงต้นเรื่องแทบจะไม่มี Point of View ของเจนให้คนอ่านได้รับรู้เลย เรื่องถูกมองผ่านมุมมองของอเล็ค ที่แม้จะใช้เวลาไม่นานก็รู้ว่า เจนคือใครกันแน่ แต่เขาก็ไม่ได้บอกคนอ่านเช่นกัน
เรื่องก็คือ ถ้าคุณเป็นแฟนหนังสือชุดนี้ก็คงจะเดาได้ไม่ยาก ถ้าไม่ใช่ หรือไม่เคยอ่านเรื่องในชุดนี้มาก่อน ก็คงจะงง (เรารู้สึกว่า ใช้คำนี้เยอะมากในหนังสือของเจเน็ต) เพราะแท้จริงแล้วเจน สมิธก็คือคาโรไลนา โอเชียนัส บุตรสาวคนเดียวของพ่อมดที่ทรงอำนาจที่สุดในโลก พ่อของเธอสร้างอาณาจักรแอตแลนติสขึ้นมาเพื่อปกป้องมนุษย์ แต่ในฐานะของลูกสาวคนเดียว คาโรไลนากลับถูกคาดหวังให้แต่งงาน ลงหลักปักฐานกับชายสักคน
นั่นเป็นบทบาทที่เธอยังไม่พร้อม และใช้เวลาสองปีวิ่งหนีมาตลอด แต่แล้วเธอกลับถูกกลุ่มคนลึกลับจับตัวเพื่อเรียกค่าไถ่จากครอบครัวอันทรงอำนาจ โชคยังดีที่หญิงสาวหนีมาได้สำเร็จ แถมเหตุการณ์ร้ายยังกลายเป็นดี เมื่อเธอได้เจอกับอเล็ค เพราะเป็นครั้งแรกที่เธอรู้สึกบางอย่างกับชายคนนึง
ทั้งคู่ใช้เวลาอยู่ด้วย สิ่งเดียวที่เจนบอกกับอเล็คก็คือ เธอมีบิดาที่วางอำนาจ และบังคับให้เธอเลือกคู่ครองแต่งงาน และแม้อเล็คจะรู้ว่า พ่อของเธอคือใคร (แต่เจนไม่รู้ว่าอเล็ครู้) เขาก็ยังยืนยันที่จะให้เธอกลับไปเผชิญหน้า และยืนหยัดกับสิ่งที่ตัวเองเชื่อ โดยที่เขาพร้อมที่จะยืนเคียงข้าง
แต่เมื่อครอบครัวของเธอตามหาเธอเจอ ผลลัพธ์ออกมาไม่สวยนักสำหรับอเล็ค โดยเฉพาะเมื่อเขาถูกมองว่า ปกปิดความจริงว่าเธออยู่ที่ไหน และทำให้ทุกคนเป็นห่วง
ปกติแล้วเจเน็ต แชปแมนเขียนพระเอกที่ดูเหมือนคนธรรมดา ซึ่งจุดนี้ถือเป็นจุดเด่นของเธอนะคะ พวกเขาเป็นชายทั่วไปแต่มีอะไรบางอย่างที่พิเศษมาก ๆ อยู่ในตัว แต่สำหรับคาแร็คเตอร์ของอเล็คเราคิดว่า เธอทำได้ดีมากยิ่งขึ้นไปอีก เพราะเมื่อเปิดเรื่อง (หรือคนที่อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้) อเล็คเป็นหนึ่งในครอบครัวแม็คคีจ ทายาทรุ่นแรกของนักรบที่เดินทางข้ามเวลามาจากอดีต แต่เขาไม่ได้ทำอะไรเป็นชิ้นเป็นอัน หลังจากใช้เวลาหลายปีในกองทัพ อเล็คก็เตร็ดเตร่ทำงานแบกหามให้กับกิจการในครอบครัว เขาไม่ได้เริ่มต้นธุรกิจ หรือรับบทบาทที่สำคัญในบริษัทของครอบครัวเลย ในเล่มนี้เจนก็เข้าใจว่า อเล็คทำงานก่อสร้างให้กับดันแคนผู้เป็นลุง และแม้เขาจะกล้าหาญ ก็คงจะยากที่จะเผชิญหน้ากับความยิ่งใหญ่ของครอบครัวของเธอได้
แต่อเล็คเป็นมากกว่านั้น ภูมิหลังให้อดีตทำให้อเล็คเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าสนใจ และจุดนี้เองทำให้เรื่องนี้เวิร์คโดยเฉพาะในช่วงหลังของเรื่อง เมื่อเจนต้องกลับไปอยู่กับครอบครัว ถูกแยกออกจากอเล็ค เราไม่ค่อยชอบช่วงเวลาที่พระนางแยกห่างจากกันนะคะ แต่ในเล่มนี้อ่านแล้วสนุกค่ะ เพราะอเล็คหาวิธีเจาะด่านคุ้มกันเข้าไปหาเจนได้เสมอ ในทุกเวลาที่เขาต้องการ การที่เขาเอาชนะการคุ้มกันอย่างแน่นอนของครอบครัวของเธอได้ เป็นการพิสูจน์ว่าเขาคู่ควรกับเธอมากเพียงใด (ในด้านที่เขาสามารถคุ้มครองเธอจากศัตรูได้) อ่านแล้วรู้สึกพระเอกเท่ห์ได้ใจมาก ๆ โดยเฉพาะ (สปอยล์) การเปิดเผยว่า เขานี่เองคือคนกำจัดบรรดาหนุ่ม ๆ ที่พ่อของเธอพามาให้นางเอกดูตัว
เรื่องส่วนที่เป็นเวทมนตร์ในเรื่องเหลือเชื่อเกินเหตุ แล้วก็เหมือนกับอีกหลาย���ล่มเป็นจุดด้อยที่สุดในเรื่อง มันตลกน่ะค่ะเมื่อคิดว่า พ่อของนางเอกพาชายที่เหมาะสมมาให้เธอดูตัวจากยุคต่าง ๆ ในอดีต แค่เราคิดว่า การทำแบบนั้นอาจจะเป็นการเปลี่ยนแปลงอดีต (ซึ่งจะทำให้อนาคตเปลี่ยนไปด้วย) อย่างไร เราก็รับไม่ได้แล้วล่ะ เวลาคิดถึงประเด็นนี้ต้องพยายามไม่คิดอะไรมาก แต่ก็อดไม่ได้นะคะ
ได้ข่าวมาว่า คนแต่งจะเขียนเรื่องพ่อและแม่ของนางเอกเป็นเล่มที่ห้าในชุด เลยทำให้เราอยากรู้ว่า เธอจะเล่าย้อนไปในอดีตตอนที่จีบกันครั้งแรก หรือจะเขียนเรื่องในยุคปัจจุบัน แต่ไม่ว่ายังไงเราสนใจอยากอ่านมากนะคะ เพราะดูปฎิสัมพันธ์ของทั้งสองในเล่มนี้แล้ว คิดว่าทั้งคู่เป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ที่น่าสนใจมาก
คะแนนที่ 77
ส่วนหนึ่งที่เราชอบงานชุดนี้ของเจเน็ต แชปแมน (และรวมทั้งเรื่องส่วนใหญ่ของเธอด้วย) ก็คือการยอมรับความรู้สึกตัวเองอย่างไม่ต้องคิดให้ซับซ้อนมากว่าพวกเขารักนางเอก อย่างเรื่องนี้อเล็คมีข้ออ้างสารพัดว่าทำไมเขาจึงไม่ควรจะมีคู่ครอง ไม่ควรจะมีลูก แต่ในท้ายที่สุดเมื่อรู้ตัวว่ารัก ก็ไม่มีอะไรสำคัญ เขาคิดตกอย่างง่ายดาย โดยไม่ต้องให้ใครมาเตือนสติด้วยซ้ำ อ่านแล้วสบายใจดีค่ะ พระเอกไม่ออกอาการงี่เง่า วิ่งหนีความรัก
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2012
Very good book. When Alec rescued Jane from her attackers he wasn't expecting her to ask to stay with him for a few days. He gives in, feeling like he will regret it, but not being able to tell her no. The problem is that he is more attracted to her every day. He also knows that she is hiding something. He's surprised to find out who she is, and amazed that she's been on the run from her family for two years. Jane has been trying to get away from her father's attempts to marry her off to any number of ancient warriors. When the competition gets stiffer, she decides she has to convince Alec to join the race. While I really liked Alec, Jane was not my favorite of Janet's heroines. Her tendency to hide her intelligence and become sweet and submissive irritated me. If I thought it was just an act it wouldn't be so bad, but she was really acting that way. It took Alec awhile to get her to realize that she didn't need to do that. Even after he knew who she was (even though she didn't know he knew) he offered to stand beside her when she stood up to her father. She did know that she didn't want the kind of marriage her father was pushing for. She wanted a marriage where she was loved and respected for who she is not what she is. I loved the romance building between Jane and Alec. He was strong enough to resist her attempts at seduction though they certainly got pretty hot and heavy. I loved the way that Alec supported her and encouraged her to make her own decisions. When her dad and brother find her and take her back to the resort to face the husband competition, Alec goes to work. Even though he feels he is in no way a suitable husband for her, thanks to his years as a spy, he wants to help her be able to pick the one she wants. So he sets out to eliminate the other suitors. I loved the way he did it. It was also hilarious to see the way he frustrated her father's head of security with the way he was constantly able to get access to Jane. There were quite a few absolutely hysterical spots with Alec playing with people. I loved the way Jane's mom helped her try to play the game. I also loved when she decided to visit Alec and throw her weight behind helping him. This was another scene that was extremely funny to read. I also loved seeing mom read the men the riot act when she finds out why dad is in such a hurry to get Jane married. She really lets them have it for not realizing that the women of the family are a lot stronger than the guys want to admit. I was glad to see that Jane finally got it together by the end of the book. I really liked Nicholas (the head of security) and thoroughly enjoyed his frustration. I'm glad to see he's the hero in the next book and can't wait to read it.
October 24, 2012
Courting Carolina, Spellbound Falls #3, by Janet Chapman
Grade: C
“You had all afternoon to figure out how to charm a kiss out of me, and that’s the best you could come up with?”
Carolina Oceanus is the only daughter of Titus, King of Atlantis, refuses to follow her father’s rules any longer and runs away to find true love. After two years of searching with no luck, Carolina, now going by Jane Smith, is kidnapped and saved by Alex MacKeage, a sexy Scotsman who blows her socks off. June finds Alex to be different than any man she’s ever met but things are never easy and just when she starts to fall in love she is ripped away.
Alex MacKeage knows exactly who Jane Smith really is but he refuses to let anyone know where she is when he discovers her father’s plan to marry her off to the suitor of his choice. Alex believes he is not good enough for Jane especially since he can’t give her the family she desires but he can’t seem to stay away from her either. When her family discovers where she is Alex must make a choice to let her go or fight for the one woman who has stolen his heart.
As a big fan of the Spellbound Falls series this is my least favorite book so far and I was so disappointed with it. I love Alex in the last book and have been eagerly anticipating his story but it was missing something for me. I didn’t find as much humor in Courting Carolina as I wanted and I had a very hard time getting into the book at first because it was boring to be honest.
Jane was my biggest problem and while I appreciated her desire to not fall under her father’s rule and marry someone because she has to I still found her annoying. I like me female characters strong and Jane came off weak to me and I kept waiting for her to really stand up to herself and tell everyone what she really felt. Even with Alex I felt she held back until the very end. Because of my lack of interest in Jane it was hard to care about Alex and their relationship. I found my mind wandering at times and their story just couldn’t hold my attention.
As disappointed in this installment of the series I am looking forward to the next book. I liked Nicolas a lot and am interested to see how he adjust to his new life. Even though I wasn’t a fan of Courting Carolina I do love this series and can’t wait to see what happens in Spellbound Falls next.
Grade: C
“You had all afternoon to figure out how to charm a kiss out of me, and that’s the best you could come up with?”
Carolina Oceanus is the only daughter of Titus, King of Atlantis, refuses to follow her father’s rules any longer and runs away to find true love. After two years of searching with no luck, Carolina, now going by Jane Smith, is kidnapped and saved by Alex MacKeage, a sexy Scotsman who blows her socks off. June finds Alex to be different than any man she’s ever met but things are never easy and just when she starts to fall in love she is ripped away.
Alex MacKeage knows exactly who Jane Smith really is but he refuses to let anyone know where she is when he discovers her father’s plan to marry her off to the suitor of his choice. Alex believes he is not good enough for Jane especially since he can’t give her the family she desires but he can’t seem to stay away from her either. When her family discovers where she is Alex must make a choice to let her go or fight for the one woman who has stolen his heart.
As a big fan of the Spellbound Falls series this is my least favorite book so far and I was so disappointed with it. I love Alex in the last book and have been eagerly anticipating his story but it was missing something for me. I didn’t find as much humor in Courting Carolina as I wanted and I had a very hard time getting into the book at first because it was boring to be honest.
Jane was my biggest problem and while I appreciated her desire to not fall under her father’s rule and marry someone because she has to I still found her annoying. I like me female characters strong and Jane came off weak to me and I kept waiting for her to really stand up to herself and tell everyone what she really felt. Even with Alex I felt she held back until the very end. Because of my lack of interest in Jane it was hard to care about Alex and their relationship. I found my mind wandering at times and their story just couldn’t hold my attention.
As disappointed in this installment of the series I am looking forward to the next book. I liked Nicolas a lot and am interested to see how he adjust to his new life. Even though I wasn’t a fan of Courting Carolina I do love this series and can’t wait to see what happens in Spellbound Falls next.
March 30, 2013
When Alec rescues a stranger from two brutes, he has no idea who she really is, since she claims to be a Jane Smith, which is obviously not her real name. When he takes her to his camp to recover he reluctantly agrees to keep her for a few days. Carolina (aka Jane) has just escaped from her kidnappers with the help of Alec. For two years Carolina has managed to live a free life, free from her over bearing father, in hopes of finding true love, but has yet to find it. Then she comes across Alec Mackeage who treats her like a normal person. In all of her life, she has been treated like a priceless object, but for the first time in her life she is treated as if she really matters. As a few days turn into a week, she starts to have some deep feelings for Alec, but also knows that they may never have a future together. As her father is the king and leader of Atlantis, she knows she can never have what she truly desires...to be normal and to have a chance at a normal life, with a man she loves at her side.Courting Carolina is the third in the series, which is Carolina's story. After seeing her in the past two books, I was very much looking forward to reading her story. It starts off with a very exciting scene, that only entices the reader for more. I really enjoyed this story, probably more than the last one. It didn't have as much magic in this one as the other did though, so I would consider it more under the contemporary style. Although there is a fun dose of magic to liven things up. I really liked Alec, he is the certain type of hero you want to hold close to your heart. Alec has gone through a hard time, and doesn't believe in love in the beginning. But I just loved seeing how he fought for Carolina, in very creative ways too. I think I was just cheering him on for trying to prove himself. Carolina has always been sheltered, at times too much, and wants freedom. And I loved how she fought to stay at Alec's side and show how strong she really was. I loved the charm, the witty humor, and the tender romance that blossoms, it seemed to me to be a exciting yet magical love story that will bring a tear to your eye! If you haven't yet read this author, you are missing out on some amazing works!!!
October 12, 2012
I picked up this book one afternoon to have something different to read. I was enchanted and promptly ordered copies of many of the rest of Janet's books. Taken as a whole my rating collectively would be 4.5*. These books are fun, humorous, very easy to read and start from a basis of a world no one in our day would ever consider. The magic in these books is non-violent - in that the emphasis is on mandating that each person MUST exercise their own free will, not be subjected to the desires of another being who wields more magic and power than any other.
In this book, While building a wilderness trail for a new five-star resort in Spellbound Falls, underachieving playboy Alec MacKeage rescues a beautiful woman who is being chased by kidnappers and agrees to let her hide out with him for a few days. But when those days stretch past a week, Alec finds himself fighting his attraction to the mysterious Jane Smith—despite knowing the woman isn’t who she claims to be. Then again, neither is he…
On the run from her own life, Jane is really Carolina Oceanus—and she’ll do anything to avoid the six ancient-minded men her father has brought to Maine to vie for her hand in marriage. But as the maddening competition heats up, Carolina realizes that she’ll have to come clean to Alec, the seductive loner who’s managed to capture her heart…"
This book is populated by 'ancient chauvinists' trying to be modern men and strong modern women who want the freedom to use their full capabilities. The conflicts between the people is the basis of this and the other books in these series. A secondary theme is the one between accepting and using magic and knowing that there is no such thing in our 'modern' world. Each of the non-magical people in Janet Chapman's world must make that choice.
So far they have all accepted the belief, but it would be interesting if, in a future novel, she created a character who did not accept the magic, but loved and accepted the clearly delusional potential mate.
I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a quirky, mystical, romantic view of the world.
In this book, While building a wilderness trail for a new five-star resort in Spellbound Falls, underachieving playboy Alec MacKeage rescues a beautiful woman who is being chased by kidnappers and agrees to let her hide out with him for a few days. But when those days stretch past a week, Alec finds himself fighting his attraction to the mysterious Jane Smith—despite knowing the woman isn’t who she claims to be. Then again, neither is he…
On the run from her own life, Jane is really Carolina Oceanus—and she’ll do anything to avoid the six ancient-minded men her father has brought to Maine to vie for her hand in marriage. But as the maddening competition heats up, Carolina realizes that she’ll have to come clean to Alec, the seductive loner who’s managed to capture her heart…"
This book is populated by 'ancient chauvinists' trying to be modern men and strong modern women who want the freedom to use their full capabilities. The conflicts between the people is the basis of this and the other books in these series. A secondary theme is the one between accepting and using magic and knowing that there is no such thing in our 'modern' world. Each of the non-magical people in Janet Chapman's world must make that choice.
So far they have all accepted the belief, but it would be interesting if, in a future novel, she created a character who did not accept the magic, but loved and accepted the clearly delusional potential mate.
I recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a quirky, mystical, romantic view of the world.
November 18, 2012
Reviewed for TwoLips Reviews, LLC
4 Kisses, 1 Pepper (M/F oral sex)
Alec MacKeage rescues a woman who is being attacked in the woods by two men. This mystery woman (who tells him her name is Jane Smith, which is an obvious lie) asks him to let her stay with him for a week, and he agrees even though it's clear the situation will cause him nothing but trouble. She was kidnapped, but she doesn't want her father notified of her rescue because she's been hiding from him for two years. She can't stay hidden forever, especially considering who her father is.
Titus Oceanus needs his daughter to get married very soon, and has no choice but to force her to choose from his hand-picked suitors. Alec doesn't believe he's good enough for her, even though it's obvious they care for each other and would be very well suited.
Alec seems to know Mac Oceanus (Titus’s son) is a wizard, but he doesn't know his mystery woman's connection to him. Then he suddenly does know who she is. I'm not sure how he figured it out, but it might be partly explained because of who he is, or rather who his relatives are. Alec's uncle Duncan MacKeage, from the second book in the series, is a first-generation descendant from a line of time-traveling highlanders. The time travelers are from a different series, which readers may want to explore because of the connection to this series. Plus time travel romances are just completely awesome, so there's that, too. Back to the point though, Alec's background explains his ability to accept "Jane's" paranormal quirks so easily.
Courting Carolina is another very well-written book in this series. It moves along at a good pace and keeps you interested from the very first page. As in the previous books, more information is revealed as the story progresses, but the paranormal aspects are introduced early. I accidentally read this and the second book in the series out of order, and it all made sense but it would have been much better if I had read them in the proper order.
As a side note, I love that Janet Chapman included some poems written by her ninety-eight-year-old aunt. What a sweet thing to do, helping her see her work published.
4 Kisses, 1 Pepper (M/F oral sex)
Alec MacKeage rescues a woman who is being attacked in the woods by two men. This mystery woman (who tells him her name is Jane Smith, which is an obvious lie) asks him to let her stay with him for a week, and he agrees even though it's clear the situation will cause him nothing but trouble. She was kidnapped, but she doesn't want her father notified of her rescue because she's been hiding from him for two years. She can't stay hidden forever, especially considering who her father is.
Titus Oceanus needs his daughter to get married very soon, and has no choice but to force her to choose from his hand-picked suitors. Alec doesn't believe he's good enough for her, even though it's obvious they care for each other and would be very well suited.
Alec seems to know Mac Oceanus (Titus’s son) is a wizard, but he doesn't know his mystery woman's connection to him. Then he suddenly does know who she is. I'm not sure how he figured it out, but it might be partly explained because of who he is, or rather who his relatives are. Alec's uncle Duncan MacKeage, from the second book in the series, is a first-generation descendant from a line of time-traveling highlanders. The time travelers are from a different series, which readers may want to explore because of the connection to this series. Plus time travel romances are just completely awesome, so there's that, too. Back to the point though, Alec's background explains his ability to accept "Jane's" paranormal quirks so easily.
Courting Carolina is another very well-written book in this series. It moves along at a good pace and keeps you interested from the very first page. As in the previous books, more information is revealed as the story progresses, but the paranormal aspects are introduced early. I accidentally read this and the second book in the series out of order, and it all made sense but it would have been much better if I had read them in the proper order.
As a side note, I love that Janet Chapman included some poems written by her ninety-eight-year-old aunt. What a sweet thing to do, helping her see her work published.
February 27, 2015
Courting Carolina was my favorite in the series so far, well maybe a tie for Charmed By His Love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The story starts with a woman screaming and Alec jumps into action to save her (…of course), just as she is being attacked by 2 men in the woods. Jane wakes after being knocked unconscious to find Alec MacKeage standing over her. She doesn’t want him to contact the police or her father for help with the men that kidnapped her, which he finds strange.
Jane is really Carolina Oceanus, but she doesn’t want Alec to know who she is. Carolina has been hiding from her father, Titus Oceanus (in the first book in this series). She ask Alec if she could stay with him for a few days and he agrees. So the story begins. In the 2 years that Carolina has been in hiding she has been searching for a man to ‘deflower’ her, but non would out of fear from her father.
Titus Oceanus needs Jane to get married soon, and for her own safety. He has arranged for 5 men from the past to come to the future and compete for Carolina’s hand in marriage. Carolina only has eyes for one man, and he thinks he is not good enough for her. We met Carolina in the 1st book in this series, but only for a bit. Carolina is the sister of Mac Oceanus.
Alec’s uncle, Duncan MacKeage (from the 2nd book in this series) is one of the original Highlander Time Travelers. If you have read the Highlander Series then you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t, then I highly recommend that you do! I love that Mrs Chapman has brought characters from her other series into the Spellbound Falls Series!
Jane is really Carolina Oceanus, but she doesn’t want Alec to know who she is. Carolina has been hiding from her father, Titus Oceanus (in the first book in this series). She ask Alec if she could stay with him for a few days and he agrees. So the story begins. In the 2 years that Carolina has been in hiding she has been searching for a man to ‘deflower’ her, but non would out of fear from her father.
Titus Oceanus needs Jane to get married soon, and for her own safety. He has arranged for 5 men from the past to come to the future and compete for Carolina’s hand in marriage. Carolina only has eyes for one man, and he thinks he is not good enough for her. We met Carolina in the 1st book in this series, but only for a bit. Carolina is the sister of Mac Oceanus.
Alec’s uncle, Duncan MacKeage (from the 2nd book in this series) is one of the original Highlander Time Travelers. If you have read the Highlander Series then you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t, then I highly recommend that you do! I love that Mrs Chapman has brought characters from her other series into the Spellbound Falls Series!
December 2, 2012
(November) I liked this more than the last of the Spellbound Falls books. Carolina (Jane) was an ok heroine, and I loved Alec. I was surprised at how "closed door" the romance was in this book - there was inunendo and a bit of heavy petting - but we seemed to fast forward to the after part before we enjoyed the during part! JC seems to have a habit of latching on to a phrase or two and using them to death throughout a book - in the last one, every other sentence was "growled" - in this one, Alec was constantly hiding his smile. I wish Jane had stood up for herself a bit more to her dad and brother - why couldn't she have said "you both married for love, why can't I?" Of course, there was a legit (maybe) reason she couldn't, but she didn't know that. I didn't get Mac's diatribe against the Alec's entire family. And how could Titus have felt his daughter would be happy being married to any of the jerks he suggested to her. I also didn't know how they presented her as a Princess to the town at the ball - I mean, Princess of where? No one could know. There were just a few too many holes in this story. That said, as usual I'm looking forward to the next one and hoping for better - I'm just not ready to quit this series, even if the last few books have been less than stellar.
August 30, 2012
Review: This book was definitely magical. This starts out with our heroine trying to escape her kidnappers by running up a mountain and Alec MacKeage saving her with the help of her "wolf". Long story short, she's princess Carolina Oceanus whose been on the run for two years from her fathers attempt to marry her off to a warrior from another century. Alec is hiding out in the woods creating the nature trails for Olivia's new Maine resort and is living miles from civilization. So he agrees to let "Jane Smith" hide out for a week or so... Needless to say, love strikes and Alec feels unworthy from the actions he took as a military spy for years. Very exciting little story with all the added humor components Ms Chapman adds. Probably not my favorite of the series, but being a biased Chapman fan still gets 4 stars.
What brought tears to my eyes was her personal wrap up letter at the end talking about her own family magic and her dad's sister, to quote: So if magic is not real, then explain a ninety-eight-year-old waking up one morning a poet! And she then shares the poems her aunt started writing about meeting family members in heaven. Very sweet
What brought tears to my eyes was her personal wrap up letter at the end talking about her own family magic and her dad's sister, to quote: So if magic is not real, then explain a ninety-eight-year-old waking up one morning a poet! And she then shares the poems her aunt started writing about meeting family members in heaven. Very sweet
May 20, 2014
I was looking very much forward to reading Carolina's story, but was rather disappointed by the final result. Carolina is quite a lovely character with a lot of potential and unique possibilities of character development thanks to her magical/mythological background. She got a nice partner in Alec "I am just a normal ski bum, but secretly trained super weapon by the American military". Alec and Carolina's story starts out great but later on in the novel they are separated due to Carolina's duty to marry. Unfortunately, during this separation I couldn't quite grasp Alec's intent. Does he want to marry her now, or just to help her, does he actually like or only desires her body? He wasn't easy to like and rather vague in his personality. If there's one thing I really need in a romance story, it's to know for SURE that the hero and heroine WANT and DESIRE each other a little bit more than the next one night stand. C+
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