Магия страсти

by Norah Hess, Нора Хесс

Как только лесоруб Чане Доусен увидел Фэнси, то сразу решил, что девушка будет принадлежать лишь ему. Однако покорить эту красавицу оказалось потруднее, чем валить лес. Добиваясь ее любви, он вынужден был измениться: грубость и бесцеремонное обращение, так свойственные ему, пришлось сменить на нежность и ласковые слова. Но чего не сделает мужчина, движимый страстью?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Westerns, Western Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Americana

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Always a daydreamer, and often scolded for it by the grandmother who raised her, Norah Hess always wanted to be a writer. At eighteen, she was sent to Chicago to live with an aunt after her grandmother's death. It was there that she met her husband. After raising three children, Norah decided to write her first novel, and since then has had fifteen published romances. After her husband passed away, she and her two cats moved to Palm Springs, where the desert and mountains inspire her to write her Western romances.

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy was just about fanciable.
More of a constant maddening bickerfest. Although one could tell it was sexual frustration that was driving him and the need for independence and respect from her side. Still it went on and on…
I could still empathize with her reasons (despite her overdone fire-spitting), but he was like a mean immature schoolroom bully who wanted something bad and misbehaved when he couldn’t get it.

The h dances at the local dancehall to earn enough money to go to SFO for a better life. The not-very-likable H, the owner of the lumber camp, propositions her and gets a slap for his efforts. In his defence, how's he to know that such sterling purity can co-exist with so much dross! By ‘romance-land’ coincidence, the H’s newly orphaned nephew turns out to her nephew as well, so they start living together (but not that together-at least not just then ) to make a home for him and the h’s mentally challenged cousin. The sparks turn to unrelenting fire and fury!

Unlike many books, this book’s middling chapters were actually its saving grace. For more than 8-9 chapters, I plodded on because of the reviews but my mood was no less snarky and frustrated than that of the H.
For one, despite the author waxing lyrical about the open mountain country, all I could envision was the claustrophobic setting of a small lumber camp with everyone living in each other’s pockets – the living quarters, cookhouse, school, dancehall/whorehouse all within shouting and interfering distance. Also the suggestion of so much intra-community sex made me uncomfortable.

Then I had a problem with the concept of this dance hall itself. I just couldn’t conceive hard working lumbermen wasting money to dance with the girls till daylight – every night. Drinking and whoring I can comprehend especially as most girls were offering just that, but dancing the night away - daily? I don't know why I worried about their rest, but I wanted them to toddle off home after the visits to the girls' rooms!

But then the book picks up and I could see the appeal of Fancy. The mystery was intriguing enough but I couldn’t credit how one woman could wreak such havoc and not get seen or caught – for months. The mysterious om was charming and rakish. The ow was suitably evil and man-hungry (I never can concur with the description of prostitutes as some kind of nymphos!). Also, while on the topic, I’ve realized Norah Hess’ Hs are lead by their head – and not the one aka cranium!

The third part limped along fairly okay but the h/H held onto their pride/positions till the bitter end. Still some fairly angsty bits and engrossing segments lift it just above a 3.

ETA -
Oh and the irony!
For the whole book, the h rages and wages a war that she will not be his whore. But in the final scene, her thoughts are thus…. few married women acted the whore for their husbands…. they didn't know what they were missing.
Sexual equality seems farfetched if a woman has to be labelled a whore just because she gets raunchy and happy in the bedroom.

[KatieV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Fancy, even though there was so much misunderstanding it sometimes made me want to scream. And Chance was really a childish ass with his jealousy and hurt pride. The story sucked me in, though. I think it was nice to have a break from all the rich Lords and Greek tycoons and listen to a story about regular people.

I have to give a nod to Norah Hess' reference to Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men with the big, strong, mentally delayed character Lenny. I'm glad to report that things turned out much better for this Lenny and no rabbits were petted to death.

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhate books like this.

I haven't finished it and doubt that I will because of the hero. He is such an ass. Do you need an example? They're knocking boots, she tells him to stop ... he says "just give me a minute" and proceeds with the thrusting.

Not only that but dude is just down right mean when she doesn't fall all over herself to get with him. I get that he is not dealing with the rejection well and that he is a nice guy because he's nice to her mentally delayed cousin .... but at this point that's no excuse. Dude needs to grown up.

I got as far as when she gets the letter from her grandma (if that means anything to you) my kindle is temporarily MIA so I'd guess it's about 50% in.

The story is a bit all over the place at this point but maybe later on it will all come together. But the ghost, crazy women (yes, more than one), two less than impressive suitors and a relatively depressing tone just ended up being too much for me and I threw in the towel.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

All over the place.

Hero is a womanizing, judgemental, pig. Heroine just takes his abuse, low opinion & unjustified possessive jealous streak instead of setting him straight. Then they fall into bed together like she's a common whore.

I can't believe the grandmother having lived with a womanizer forced the issue.

There's a subplot of an obsessive, distructive, crazy woman that doesn't really mesh with main story.

I liked the school teacher, cousins, camp cook & dance hall madam. Even the bitchy dance hall girl & straight laced pious wife were well developed characters. As well as the acceptance of the couple who were "brothers".

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought this was a very good book..fancy was taken care of he cousion and he was slow since her parents died..then she had to work so hard and she didnt really care for the work, she struggled yet she keept her head up and she found where her life was suppost to be

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book though it could do without Gil and pillars secondary characters murder plot and I couldn't help but notice the plot line was quite the same another one of her books but over all it was a goodread.

[Dorothea Collyear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This romance kept my interest the whole way through and even had some mystery mixed in. I wish the romance between Fancy and her lumber man didn't take so long to get going , but still a pretty good story .

[Rogetwhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one and would’ve gave this one at least 4.5 if not 5 stars if the main characters hadn’t bickered the entire book. It was literally more than 90% of the book until they finally got along.

[Live2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author & I was impressed! Absorbing plot with well developed characters & very diverse too. Hess did a great job making the characters & the lumber town come alive; even I wanted to live there! The writing style was so smooth that it felt like a movie. Most of the characters, excluding the villains, were adorable especially the three musketeers (heroine, her nephew & her cousin). I thought her job as a dancer was different & I was impressed how well Ms Hess integrate it into the story when it came to sharing the bedroom. Fancy works at night so they won’t have to worry about sharing the bed, because the idea was that when he’s in, she’s out & vice versa..until that one night.
Unfortunately, I did hate how Hess got them to marry. It was so unexpected because by then he obviously cares for Fancy & I want to believe that he loves her; yet he was so damn wishy washy. He didn’t marry her because he wanted to, he was blackmail by Fancy’s Grandmother. That’s how I see it. He wasn’t even all that excited, I thought he would be because he loves her right?! Even after they married, he still had wishy washy moments. We see him in love & there are scenes he admit that Fancy is important to him. Then moments later he’s hesitating about her again & again. It just didn’t make sense why Hess kept him so indecisive for so long. Hero was a complicated & proud man, I loved him for that but come on! We were near the end of the book & this man is still confused. When he finally did confessed, it wasn’t even that great either. After all that angst, you would think it would be a big matter but the heroine barely had a reaction, maybe because she was so done with his indecisiveness. I didn’t mean to write such a long review/rant, oh well.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE LADY
After her father's accidental death, it was up to young Fancy Cranson to keep her small family together. But to survive in the pristine woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, she had to use her brains or her body. With no other choice, Fancy vowed she'd work herself to the bone before selling herself to any timberman -- even one as handsome, virile, and arrogant as Chance Dawson.

THE LOGGER
From the moment Chance Dawson laid eyes on Fancy, he wanted to claim her for himself. But the mighty woodsman had felled forests less stubborn than the beautiful orphan. To win her hand, he would trade his roughhewn ways for tender caresses, and brazen curses for soft words of desire. Only then would he be able to share with her a love that united them in passionate splendor.

[Stacey Dickerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a “filler” book. I wasn’t in the mood for anything crazy and this book did the job. Quick, but rather…. Just there.
Honestly, I didn’t see the romance between Fancy and Chance. I didn’t get it …. He was almost never tender or flirty or even kind to her. I was confused at first - I thought maybe Gil would surprise us and be the love interest. They barely communicated.
I liked Fancy though, she’s tough and independent.


Also, in case anyone hates this….



SPOILER …………………..




I hate pregnancies in my books. Hate hate hate. As someone who does not want children, it annoys the crap out of me when a child suddenly comes along and the stars align and life is perfect. Gag.
That is all.

[Ki Taeni · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could rate this lower. Chance was a disgusting pig. And honestly I’m annoyed that Fancy did not ice him out. Her constant screaming matches w him or wtv she had w him pissed me the heck off. Like why were you paying attention to him. Ignore him. Ugh

Ugh the guy is a pig but I almost hate Fancy more for entertaining his nonsense.

Also his non con behaviour was absolutely disgusting and the fact that the book just carries on like as if nothing happened 🤮

Note to self: leave this author’s work alone

[Deko Aden · Rating 2 out of 5]

The zero was an immature asshole (he is supposed 30!) and an entitled prick! The heroine thought process was understandable if equally immature (if more understandable as she was younger). The misogyny and the racism (lots of gross comments about native Americans) coupled with repetitive bickering between the main characters made this book drag. It was super hard to finish and I rolled my eyes so much I gave myself a head numbing headache!

Would not recommend!

[Jessie Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

my very first historical romance

Ok I absolutely loved this gem of a story! It was beautifully done. Educational on the era they are living in was fantastic! The nuances of love and life we I know to me! Can’t wait to find another

[ANGELENE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I did not put this book down until I finished it excellent read. I was caught up with the characters it's as if I was living in that period.

[Janet Holderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok , I think the story and relationship could have used more substance and I can’t even remember how it ends so that tells you something .

[Tiffany S]

All of Norah Hess’s books are on KU right now! I used to love these! Idk if I still would, but browsing this has shown me a lot more old school western romances on KU

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read

[SewUnicornish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Gil.... you know...the "bad guy" who treated Fancy with respect... saw her worth and DIDN'T RAPE HER.

As most romance novels are, this is your typical dysfunctional romantic relationship. With fighting, mental and verbal abuse, the lack of self control and inability to empathize with each other.

I typically dont like books that have characters that are this dysfunctional and dont help themselves or each other. But I dont feel like the book trys to justify thier behavior. The book only gives us THIER perspectives and views. I liked the setting, the obstacles set before all characters and the theme of what happens when we objectify people.

Obsession and objectifying were the main issues here. Also Chance saw that he was wrong all the time. He knew better, but he CHOSE out of his pride to do what was wrong. Fancy was raped by Chance but found comfort in the material things Chance provided. Fancy also knew that Chance was an abuser but she let her physical attraction to him make the final call. She also used the excusse that the boys needed a father figure. Yes they did but that doesnt mean a bad father is better than no father.

Gil, who was competing for Fancy was described as a wanderer, he seemed to have trouble with women obsessing over him. His stalker ends up burning down Fancys house and killing the prostitute he sleeps with. Then she finally kills him by sabatoging his tree topping gear. It was sad to me because he might not have been perfect but he was a nice guy. He did nice things for Fancy and not just too woo her I dont think. He was pretty brave, he protected the town. He wasnt rich like Chance though. And I did feel like the book painted him as pathetic for not having more money.

If I was Fancy I would have fell for Gil. Gil continued sleeping with a prostitute while trying to get Fancys attention because he wasnt sure if Fancy would like him or not. On the other hand Chance wanted to sleep with the prostitute while persuing Fancy but litteraly couldnt because he was detirmined to have her. He WOULD have Fancy one way or another. To me at least Gil viewed women as individuals who had choices and thier own minds.

The dance hall owner was a great character and the secondary romance between her and the piano man was cute. All characters were well written and thats what saved the book to me. Lenny, Fancys mentally stunted cousin gets to go to scool and learn, and gains acceptence from the town. I liked Lenny a lot and truly felt sorry for him and Fancy.

[Amyiw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what makes me like this story but it is a favorite. She is stubborn, so is he, they both assume way too much and take for granted. But in the end, they are both good people and their miscommunications and assumptions, even wrong ones about themselves, don't take away from the attraction and love that builds between them while they are not even looking.

2024
I saw that this was included in my Audible, whether Audible plus or KU with Audible, not sure. So I listened for the first time. The narrator is decent but nothing to write home about. This is not a book on tape transferred to digital but something that came out more recently. Going to Amazon, you would think that this was written in 2009, it was not. Luckily people enter multiple editions at GR so it is useful for something and you can see the two editions from 1995. So I’m assuming that it was first written in 1995, which makes more sense as it is more old school romance. I’m pretty sure the 2011 audio release had a rewrite as some scenes are toned down and some left… different. I’ll have to find my paperback copy to see. I read it in 2019 so suspect I still have it somewhere.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing what attraction can bring people to do and say for self-preservation... especially when they think that their feelings are one-sided. an interesting tale and I loved that it was set just outside of Seattle.

[Greeneyes Belle28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Frances Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the story..like Nora Hess

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

not a great read bored

[Cindy Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its an okay book...a time filler, basically. Too much goody goody two shoes meets the macho man...old storyline! Would not recommend because I stopped thinking about it as soon az I finished it.

[Cassandra]

Wonderfully written.

[Natalija · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish I could give it more stars, but there were far too many flaws for me to overlook.