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Enchanted Heiresses #2

Lord of Illusions

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Hiding behind the countenance of a governess for an English lord, a highborn witch secretly spies on her employer, reading his mind, and sending secrets to the French. But England's head sorcerer, a secret agent in Wellington's army has been sent to investigate and unmask the traitor within the lord's ranks. Disguised as a traveling magician, the agent finds himself attracted to the governess...and together they discover the enchanting power of love.

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

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About the author

Rita Boucher

14 books24 followers
Rita Boucher has always loved stories set in the Regency era, (not surprising, considering she grew up reading Georgette Heyer.) Her books are now available in both Kindle and print editions. She is currently living her own personal happily-ever-after with her husband in Maryland, working on new stories, keeping in touch with family and fans and indulging in an occasional game of chess.

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5 stars
45 (54%)
4 stars
24 (28%)
3 stars
11 (13%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
557 reviews5 followers
April 8, 2021
This is my second pack by Rita Boucher and the 2nd book in the Enchanted Heiresses series. This amazing story expands on the magical families introduced in the 1st book and involves characters from England and France. I was thoroughly captivated by this enchanted story!

Our heroine, Rowan Du Le Fey, the widowed Comtesse Du Le Fey, France's mistress of witches is masquerading as governess to Sir Hector Southwood’s two children. Our hero, Damien Nostradamus Wilton, Lord Wodesby, England's chief mage, is masquerading as a stage assistant.

Damien is sent to find the cause of governmental leaks coming from Sir Hector's household where Sir Hector is suspected of being a spy. Widowed and freed of her evil husband, Rowan has one more mission to complete to ensure the safety of herself and her daughter. When Damien and Rowan meet there are sparks, feelings and emotions that neither can understand.

The author writes wonderfully fascinating characters with depth and personalities that that draw you in. The plot was well written with more twists and turns than a country road. Best of all within these pages a lovely romance is woven amidst the mystery, secrets and magic, both good and evil.

I wasn’t so certain that I would care for the magical powers element in a regency romance but this was just done so well that I was enthralled. Note: There are a couple of things in here that were disturbing and may trigger some but the overall story was just so good.

Thank you so much Ms. Boucher for this wonderful foray into the world of magical regency England and for this beautiful love story.
Profile Image for Nanna.
1,271 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2021
This is wonderful book full of mystery, secrets, evil, magic both good and very evil.
You will be drawn in from the first page. Rowan Rhiannon was stolen by the evil du La Fey when just a girl of fifteen. He used her magic to get what he wanted from others. She had to do what he asked to save her daughter from harm. When he dies, she thought they would be finally free. But now she has one more mission before her and her daughter will be safe.
Damien, Lord Wodesby is from a long line of magic. But while serving for his country he loses his magic saving others. No, he must try to live as normal people do. He is asked to do one more mission for his county, to find out who the spies are sending messages to France.
Both Damien and Rowan's missions are at the same place. When they met there is a strange, familiar attraction. Both feel it neither understands it. As they both are under disguise and not using their true names.
This is a very intriguing story. There are lots of twist and turns and a wonderful set of characters.
There are many secrets on both sides. One can't forget the familiars of both. Angel, the mastiff
and Mignon's the Raptor.
If you like Harry and Potter books, and Christine Feehan this book is for you.
There is romance but is a clean read. The romance wraps in and out threw the story.
I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
Profile Image for Debbie Brown.
2,087 reviews17 followers
April 2, 2021
Damien, Lord Wodesby is a lord of magic that is until he loses his magic serving for his country trying to save others. He’s sent on a mission where he comes into contact with a woman who inspires feeling he doesn’t understand. Widowed Rowan Rhiannon has high hope of being free at last, but she has one last mission to complete to see her and her daughter free of her husband’s family. Rowan has inherited magic skills, but her husband only gave her the barest of instructions keeping her in the dark of how powerful her magic could be…. They’re both undercover and the attraction continues to grow. A captivating story as we see these two grow closer and discover even though falling in love is the last thing they expect. This story if filled with mystery, intrigue and romance as they realize their growing feelings are far more than a passing illusion. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent story.
6,202 reviews
March 30, 2021
Lord of Illusions is the second installment from Rita Boucher’s Enchanted Heiresses series. I had the pleasure of reading book one, The Would-be Witch, and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. I was not disappointed. I loved everything about this book. It was a delightful and entertaining story. There was history, adventure and romance. I loved getting to know Rowan and Damien. I could not help but to keep reading until the end in one sitting. I thought it was so very good and a joy to read.

I am giving Lord of Illusions five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical romance. I will be looking forward to reading more by Rita Boucher. She has earned herself a new fan.

I received a digital copy of Lord of Illusions from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Martha B..
837 reviews11 followers
March 26, 2021
Illusions and Magic

I tried. Really, I really tried to care about the lead characters, and get into the plot of Lord of Illusions by Rita Boucher. I struggled and almost quit reading at the 60% point. That's how little I cared. However, I kept at slogging through and by the 80% point the predictable plot did get a little more intense and exciting, which helped me get to the end. Thankfully the epilogue was sweet, but still not worth my time reading this book

Content 411: This book contains a few common swear words and some passionate kissing. There is also memories of child abuse, as well as an almost sexual assault.

Disclosure: I received an complementary copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
Profile Image for Jenny T..
1,489 reviews15 followers
March 28, 2021
This is the 2nd book in the Enchanted Heiresses series. This story expands on the magical families introduced in the 1st book and involves characters from England and France. Sir Hector Southwood is suspected of being a spy for France, passing on information about Napoleon. His home becomes the setting for a summer of illusions in which Damien (Lord Wodesby) and Rowan Rhiannon presents themselves as other people and their goals intersect possibly at odds with their mutual attraction. I enjoyed how the author was able to combine magic and romance.
(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thanks to Oliver Heber Books.)
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,720 reviews21 followers
March 30, 2021
Another awesome story in the series. Damien and Rowan get a second chance at love. Damien is magical. He enchants as he seeks out secrets. Rowan is fighting hard to hang on to her sanity and the one person she loves most in the world. The story is delightful as they both try to outsmart each other. Trust has to be earned and that’s the only way to true love. Rowan has to trust Damien to protect her and love her to find true happiness.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.4k reviews8 followers
March 31, 2021
The second book in the Enchanted Heiresses series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. I was not putting this book down until I had finished reading the story drew me in from the very first page. Damien, Lord Wodesby and Rowan's story of suspense, danger, magic, villains, and romance, it was well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Franzeska.
52 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2018
My copy of this had a blurb about "the magic of love", and then it turned out to be a full on fantasy novel with a bunch of worldbuilding about the magical system and its effect on warfare and politics. The romance aspects are bog standard and involve a tiresome rape backstory, but it's a fun read if you like Regency+magical systems.
Profile Image for Frances.
1,705 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2022
I am definitely not into these kinds of books. Magic spells, illusions, witches and such are not my thing. But! If they were, this is the author I would read. According to her blurb, she has written regency novels and I will definitely look into them. If she can make magic almost bearable for me I know I will like her regencies.
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,552 reviews19 followers
March 18, 2021
I was totally absorbed in this story and the characters. Magic and witchcraft, coercion and evil, illusion and secrets, and finally love - a pure love that opens up hearts. Recommended read.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2 reviews
February 2, 2024
Interesting reading

I have read both booms and they are well writ
ten. Both books have their own charm. I would recommend both booms to anyone that like the history of the time period. I hope the author keeps writing.
Profile Image for Kathy Brickert.
3,560 reviews17 followers
October 3, 2023
Sweet

A dark time with spells here and there, and the threat of Napoleon's release! But magic can overcome all! Lovely story!
45 reviews
November 3, 2024
A fun read for the spooky season. Loved all the mentions of Wales and Welsh witchcraft in the country. The heroine is even called Rowan Rhiannon.
Profile Image for Monica.
414 reviews8 followers
March 28, 2021
Another good book in the series. However, each book can be read as a stand alone.
The Mage of England has lost his power and must resort to human magic. He uses this to try to find the traitor to England. What he doesn’t plan on is meeting the mysterious governess who has more secrets than he can realize.
I enjoyed the story and intrigue. A fun story.
Profile Image for Audrey.
439 reviews96 followers
August 27, 2009
Heroine: Rowan Du Le Fey, the widowed Comtesse Du Le Fey, France's mistress of witches

Hero: Damien Nostradamus Wilton, Lord Wodesby, England's chief mage

Verdict: When I finished this book (read cover to cover in one sitting, 5AM in the morning be damned!), I literally had only one word: "Wow." This book was amazing, and Boucher left me speechless with the deftness of her pen and the depth of her characters. She has intricately woven an exciting and moving story that leaves a deep impression on the reader even after you put down the book. I found myself wishing the Wodesbys were real and that their magical world really was all around us. Although the cross-section may be small, lovers of Harry Potter and Regency England will fall in love with this book. The story itself is a serious one (not a Barbara Metzger comedy), but it is so emotionally arresting and creative that you are just drawn into the world of magical Regency England.

In a sentence or two: Rowan and Damien meet in the country disguised as a dowdy governess for Sir Hector's children and stage magician, respectively. She has been blackmailed into using her Gift to spy for Napoleon, and Damien has been sent to find the cause of governmental leaks coming from Sir Hector's household.
Profile Image for Anne Neville.
50 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2012
Lord Wodesby, England’s chief mage, has been adrift ever since he lost his magic from casting a dangerous spell to save Wellington’s army. At the same time, the beautiful Rowan Du Le Fey–a widow with a young daughter–finds herself the unwilling pawn of her fanatical stepson. If she fails to use her power as a Mindwalker to extract information from Sir Hector Southwood about Napoleon’s imprisonment on Elba, her little girl will become child-bride. Rowan cannot bear to see her little girl forced to endure the same tortures that she herself barely survived, so she insinuates herself into a diplomat’s home and begins passing on information. When Damien arrives, disguised as the Master Illusionist “Oberon,” he knows he must ferret out the spy. However, he doesn’t expect to fall in love with a dowdy governess with secrets of her own . . .

TRIGGER WARNING

http://www.numbersonthespines.com/201...
537 reviews10 followers
December 30, 2014
liked this a lot better than the would-be witch. mainly because though Rowan was basically just as limited in her power as Miranda and much more so in her life, Rowan didn't have the woe-is-me no-confidence mentality. Rowan is a fighter. Miranda, on the other hand was more thoroughly crippled by her "loving" family. another reason i liked this book more was that it addresses that problem, admonishing Damien for his idiotic treatment of the women in his family. also there was less Mistress-of-witches lord-wizard hocus pocus that they kept repeating over and over again in the previous book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews