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The Enchantresses #4
The Colonel and the Enchantress: An Enchantress Novel, Book 4
Lady Mary Mowbrah, daughter of a duke, fell in love with a man beneath her station. When he leaves for war, determined to earn her hand as a hero, she promises to wait for him, never dreaming the man who returns will be different from the man who left.
Colonel Duncan Starrett returns from war with honors, accolades, and a debilitating injury. As much as he still loves Lady Mary, he fears a future between them is now impossible.
This is the love story of Mary and Duncan as they forge a future from the shadows of the past.
Colonel Duncan Starrett returns from war with honors, accolades, and a debilitating injury. As much as he still loves Lady Mary, he fears a future between them is now impossible.
This is the love story of Mary and Duncan as they forge a future from the shadows of the past.
Audible Audio
Published April 22, 2020
56 people are currently reading
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About the author
Paullett Golden
15 books160 followersCelebrated for her complex characters, realistic conflicts, and sensual portrayal of love, Paullett Golden writes historical romance for intellectuals. Her novels, set primarily in Georgian England, challenge the genre's norm by starring characters loved for their imperfections and idiosyncrasies. The writing aims for historical immersion into the social mores and nuances of Georgian England. Her plots explore human psyche, mental and physical trauma, and personal convictions. Her stories show love overcoming adversity. Whatever our self-doubts, love will out.
Paullett Golden completed her post-doctoral work at King’s College London, studying Classic British Literature. Her Ph.D. is in Composition and Rhetoric, her M.A. in British Literature from the Enlightenment to the Victorian era, her B.A. in English. Her specializations include creative writing and professional writing. She has served as a University Professor for nearly three decades and is a seasoned keynote speaker, commencement speaker, conference presenter, workshop facilitator, and writing retreat facilitator.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, she makes each day count, enjoying an active lifestyle of Spartan racing, powerlifting, hiking, antique car restoration, drag racing, butterfly gardening, competitive shooting, and gaming. Her greatest writing inspirations, and the reasons she chose to write in the clean historical romance genre, are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
Paullett Golden completed her post-doctoral work at King’s College London, studying Classic British Literature. Her Ph.D. is in Composition and Rhetoric, her M.A. in British Literature from the Enlightenment to the Victorian era, her B.A. in English. Her specializations include creative writing and professional writing. She has served as a University Professor for nearly three decades and is a seasoned keynote speaker, commencement speaker, conference presenter, workshop facilitator, and writing retreat facilitator.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, she makes each day count, enjoying an active lifestyle of Spartan racing, powerlifting, hiking, antique car restoration, drag racing, butterfly gardening, competitive shooting, and gaming. Her greatest writing inspirations, and the reasons she chose to write in the clean historical romance genre, are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 25, 2020
Series: The Enchantresses #4
Publication Date: 2/14/20
If you are looking for a wonderful book that will make you smile, cry, and laugh all while warming your heart and letting you fall in love with the most amazing main characters you’ll ever read, this is the book for you. In addition to the story itself, there is an outstanding prologue and epilogue that really starts and finishes the book perfectly. The author has a writing style and word choices that put you right in the scene. Your heart will pound and your breathing will increase as Duncan awakens to discover that he cannot feel his legs, then you’ll rejoice with him at each small step he makes toward his recovery – and throughout it all, your heart will swell when he thinks of ‘his Mary’. This book just resonated with me and I can’t wait to have the time to read it again.
Duncan Starrett and Lady Mary Mowbrah met and fell in love in 1790 when she was sixteen and he was twenty. Lady Mary is the daughter of a duke and Duncan is the youngest son of a retired army colonel. Sounds like a doomed romance doesn’t it? In a way, it is because her mother would never, ever approve a match between the two of them. Lady Mary doesn’t care, she is ready to run away to Gretna Green and marry Duncan anyway, but Duncan is a very honorable young man and wants to prove his worthiness to be her husband. Duncan’s solution is to buy a commission and serve in the army where he can earn rank and perform heroically. Little does he know what that choice will cost him.
Five years later, Duncan returns home a very broken man. Thinking Duncan isn’t long for this world, his parents send word to Lady Mary. Mary dashes to Duncan’s family home – which is adjacent to her family home – and is shocked by Duncan’s condition and the medical care he’s received. Mary refuses to think Duncan might die and does everything in her power to turn things around for him.
Duncan comes from a large, very loving family and Mary has always wanted that for herself. She’d never had any show of human affection in her life until she met Duncan. Her mother was cold, unfeeling and paid absolutely no attention to Mary – well, no good attention anyway. All Mary ever received was criticism and complaint. Oh! How she wanted the family Duncan had – all that love, caring and sharing with each other.
Duncan and Mary have a lot to overcome and their HEA is hard-won. Most of what they have to overcome is themselves and their feelings of inadequacy, but Duncan’s wounds are also a big obstacle. I absolutely fell in love with both Duncan and Mary and it was also wonderful to be able to have visits with Sebastian and Lizbeth (The Earl and The Enchantress), Drake (Mary’s brother) and Charlotte (The Duke and The Enchantress), and Lilith and Walter (The Baron and The Enchantress). Now, I can hardly wait for the next book in the series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 2/14/20
If you are looking for a wonderful book that will make you smile, cry, and laugh all while warming your heart and letting you fall in love with the most amazing main characters you’ll ever read, this is the book for you. In addition to the story itself, there is an outstanding prologue and epilogue that really starts and finishes the book perfectly. The author has a writing style and word choices that put you right in the scene. Your heart will pound and your breathing will increase as Duncan awakens to discover that he cannot feel his legs, then you’ll rejoice with him at each small step he makes toward his recovery – and throughout it all, your heart will swell when he thinks of ‘his Mary’. This book just resonated with me and I can’t wait to have the time to read it again.
Duncan Starrett and Lady Mary Mowbrah met and fell in love in 1790 when she was sixteen and he was twenty. Lady Mary is the daughter of a duke and Duncan is the youngest son of a retired army colonel. Sounds like a doomed romance doesn’t it? In a way, it is because her mother would never, ever approve a match between the two of them. Lady Mary doesn’t care, she is ready to run away to Gretna Green and marry Duncan anyway, but Duncan is a very honorable young man and wants to prove his worthiness to be her husband. Duncan’s solution is to buy a commission and serve in the army where he can earn rank and perform heroically. Little does he know what that choice will cost him.
Five years later, Duncan returns home a very broken man. Thinking Duncan isn’t long for this world, his parents send word to Lady Mary. Mary dashes to Duncan’s family home – which is adjacent to her family home – and is shocked by Duncan’s condition and the medical care he’s received. Mary refuses to think Duncan might die and does everything in her power to turn things around for him.
Duncan comes from a large, very loving family and Mary has always wanted that for herself. She’d never had any show of human affection in her life until she met Duncan. Her mother was cold, unfeeling and paid absolutely no attention to Mary – well, no good attention anyway. All Mary ever received was criticism and complaint. Oh! How she wanted the family Duncan had – all that love, caring and sharing with each other.
Duncan and Mary have a lot to overcome and their HEA is hard-won. Most of what they have to overcome is themselves and their feelings of inadequacy, but Duncan’s wounds are also a big obstacle. I absolutely fell in love with both Duncan and Mary and it was also wonderful to be able to have visits with Sebastian and Lizbeth (The Earl and The Enchantress), Drake (Mary’s brother) and Charlotte (The Duke and The Enchantress), and Lilith and Walter (The Baron and The Enchantress). Now, I can hardly wait for the next book in the series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 4, 2020
In "The Colonel and the Enchantress", young love is put to the test when Colonel Duncan returns home from war, after Lady Mary has spent years waiting for him. Despite the excitement of being reunited, however, the Duncan that comes home is a different man than the boy Mary first fell in love with. Together they must work to overcome the challenges that face them in their new relationship. I appreciated the depth that the characters had, making them more relatable and empathetic, even though the novel is set in the past. Although it was part of a series, the book is able to stand alone as well. I’ve only read one other book in the series and felt there were no missing gaps from previous books – but also liked seeing some familiar names. This is an entertaining tale, that fans of romance, especially of the "Pride & Prejudice" type era, will enjoy reading.
April 20, 2020
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A historical romance that captured my heart right away. Enjoyable reading with an unconventional love affair. These two were crazy about each other and had great chemistry. It had all the regency drama to make a good story.
I felt like it was a 5 star read up until about 60% and then dropped to about a 3 star. So I’m settling on a 4 star review. This is also book 4 of a series and can be read as a stand-alone.
I’ve already obtained book 1 and will be starting it shortly. This author is talented and I would definitely recommend this book if you love historical romance.
This is a NETGALLEY gift and I’ve given an honest review and all opinions are my own.
A historical romance that captured my heart right away. Enjoyable reading with an unconventional love affair. These two were crazy about each other and had great chemistry. It had all the regency drama to make a good story.
I felt like it was a 5 star read up until about 60% and then dropped to about a 3 star. So I’m settling on a 4 star review. This is also book 4 of a series and can be read as a stand-alone.
I’ve already obtained book 1 and will be starting it shortly. This author is talented and I would definitely recommend this book if you love historical romance.
This is a NETGALLEY gift and I’ve given an honest review and all opinions are my own.
August 20, 2020
A charming historical romance with great characters, good chemistry and intriguing family matters.
Determined to prove his worth and win the hand of his love, Lady Mary Mowbrah, Duncan Starrett leaves for war hoping the woman who holds his heart will wait for his return. As fate has it, he returns home crippled and despite the fact his beloved had been waiting for him, he chooses to let her go.Unfortunately Fortunately for him, Lady Mary is a determined woman who knows what she wants. And she isn't one to let misfortune stand in front of happiness, especially when the chemistry between them is off the charts.
The two have a lot to overcome to earn their happy ever after and what I loved the most is the fact that their story is the kind that shows you the real raw and gritty life. Not pink flowery rainbows and cotton candies but the downs, the faults and flaws that no one likes to admit, all interwoven into a tale of strength, determination, courage and commitment.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is one tale full of pain and anguish, unfairness and prejudice but also sprinkled with a touch of witty banter and whole load of wholesome love.
It is a love story for the heart.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
Determined to prove his worth and win the hand of his love, Lady Mary Mowbrah, Duncan Starrett leaves for war hoping the woman who holds his heart will wait for his return. As fate has it, he returns home crippled and despite the fact his beloved had been waiting for him, he chooses to let her go.
The two have a lot to overcome to earn their happy ever after and what I loved the most is the fact that their story is the kind that shows you the real raw and gritty life. Not pink flowery rainbows and cotton candies but the downs, the faults and flaws that no one likes to admit, all interwoven into a tale of strength, determination, courage and commitment.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is one tale full of pain and anguish, unfairness and prejudice but also sprinkled with a touch of witty banter and whole load of wholesome love.
It is a love story for the heart.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
September 9, 2020
'Lady Mary Mowbrah, daughter of a duke, fell in love with a man beneath her station. When he leaves for war, determined to earn her hand as a hero, she promises to wait for him, never dreaming the man who returns will be different from the man who left.
Colonel Duncan Starrett returns from war with honors, accolades, and a debilitating injury. As much as he still loves Lady Mary, he fears a future between them is now impossible.
This is the love story of Mary and Duncan as they forge a future from the shadows of the past.'
__________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is the fouth book in Paullett Golden's The Enchantresses series and is a historical romance.
I wasn't entirely sure about Mary and Duncan at the start of the book as it seemed like perhaps theirs was going to be more of a puppy love in which they were more in love with their memories and the idea of one another coming back together than the actual person. But I quickly became deeply invested in them, how things were unfolding, and his recovery process and they disproved my puppy love assumption with all the worked through together.
Both Duncan and Mary were stubborn characters and as a result infuriating at times. There were some points throughout the book it which they drove me crazy because their stubbornness would prevent them from truly being able to see the other's perspective(even though they were often under the impression they did and were in the right anyway). However this all served to make their characters seem that much more human and realistic and endeared them to me.
This book can easily serve a a stand-alone. This is now the second book in this series which I have read(having read the first and now the fourth) and I found that my enjoyment of this book didn't suffer from missing the previous two books. I do think I'll go back to them though, simply due to how much I have enjoyed what I've read from this series so far. I do believe there are to be further books in the series, but I'm curious as to who they would focus on based on the epilogue.
_____
I would like to thank BookSirens and Paullett Golden for sharing an eARC of The Colonel and the Enchantress with me. This is my honest review.
Colonel Duncan Starrett returns from war with honors, accolades, and a debilitating injury. As much as he still loves Lady Mary, he fears a future between them is now impossible.
This is the love story of Mary and Duncan as they forge a future from the shadows of the past.'
__________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is the fouth book in Paullett Golden's The Enchantresses series and is a historical romance.
I wasn't entirely sure about Mary and Duncan at the start of the book as it seemed like perhaps theirs was going to be more of a puppy love in which they were more in love with their memories and the idea of one another coming back together than the actual person. But I quickly became deeply invested in them, how things were unfolding, and his recovery process and they disproved my puppy love assumption with all the worked through together.
Both Duncan and Mary were stubborn characters and as a result infuriating at times. There were some points throughout the book it which they drove me crazy because their stubbornness would prevent them from truly being able to see the other's perspective(even though they were often under the impression they did and were in the right anyway). However this all served to make their characters seem that much more human and realistic and endeared them to me.
This book can easily serve a a stand-alone. This is now the second book in this series which I have read(having read the first and now the fourth) and I found that my enjoyment of this book didn't suffer from missing the previous two books. I do think I'll go back to them though, simply due to how much I have enjoyed what I've read from this series so far. I do believe there are to be further books in the series, but I'm curious as to who they would focus on based on the epilogue.
_____
I would like to thank BookSirens and Paullett Golden for sharing an eARC of The Colonel and the Enchantress with me. This is my honest review.
April 20, 2020
I had to give this book a sitting ovation. Paulette Golden’s book, The Colonel and The Enchantress is a written master piece. Oh how I love this story. Paulette was able to grab ahold of my imagination and take it on a wonderful ride. Duncan and Mary, this couple suffered and over came so many trials in their life and yet, they found a way to be their for each other and beat the odds that where thrown at them.
What a wonderful book. The drama had me at highs and lows. Duncan, if books could have Oscars for leading male book characters? Duncan would win. His character is so powerful and strong.
Mary stands right beside him. This book was written like a well written drama movie. The story plot was well thought out. The plot allows the reader to be engaged in the book. Duncan and Mary had to fight their own demons separately in order to survive and fight theirs together.
The details of the book are carefully explained allowing the reader to visualize the Characters as they flowed through the story. The dialect was simple and not complex. This story didn’t need exuberant words to relay what the writer wanted to tell her readers. Paulette wanted her readers to enjoy the story and that’s what I did. There was drama, action, and steamy romance.
Oh, and there was one cranky mother-in-law. Whew! Duncan certainly didn’t know what he was getting into when he married Mary. That woman, (the mother-in-law) could put a hit out on you and you wouldn’t even know it until you where dead. The mother-in-law’s character, I can tell was written with great thought, because she was a good player in this book.
My fellow readers, I give this book two twist and two snaps. I recommend this book. Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
What a wonderful book. The drama had me at highs and lows. Duncan, if books could have Oscars for leading male book characters? Duncan would win. His character is so powerful and strong.
Mary stands right beside him. This book was written like a well written drama movie. The story plot was well thought out. The plot allows the reader to be engaged in the book. Duncan and Mary had to fight their own demons separately in order to survive and fight theirs together.
The details of the book are carefully explained allowing the reader to visualize the Characters as they flowed through the story. The dialect was simple and not complex. This story didn’t need exuberant words to relay what the writer wanted to tell her readers. Paulette wanted her readers to enjoy the story and that’s what I did. There was drama, action, and steamy romance.
Oh, and there was one cranky mother-in-law. Whew! Duncan certainly didn’t know what he was getting into when he married Mary. That woman, (the mother-in-law) could put a hit out on you and you wouldn’t even know it until you where dead. The mother-in-law’s character, I can tell was written with great thought, because she was a good player in this book.
My fellow readers, I give this book two twist and two snaps. I recommend this book. Until next time my fellow readers... read on!
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
January 27, 2020
In the fourth book in the Enchchantress series, Paulett Golden shows her mastery of truly writing a great love story. Paullet's novels are not cookie-cutter beach reads. They are individual works with deep characters. Each story in this series demonstrates that she lets the characters carry the story where it needs to go. She does not simply follow the typical meet, fall in love, get married trope. Her characters are real, raw and honest in a way that supports and emotional connection.
Of the many reasons I love these books, is the way that the series plays out. As you read further into the series you become privy to the character's backstories. Little pieces of the puzzle connect as to why they make certain choices. In an Austonian way, although it appears to be a love story on the surface, it is a much deeper look into true human connection.
The Colonel and The Enchantress is the darkest book so far in the series. A touch more of a slowly simmering love story along the lines of Persuasion. Will a past love be able to stand the test of time?
Of the many reasons I love these books, is the way that the series plays out. As you read further into the series you become privy to the character's backstories. Little pieces of the puzzle connect as to why they make certain choices. In an Austonian way, although it appears to be a love story on the surface, it is a much deeper look into true human connection.
The Colonel and The Enchantress is the darkest book so far in the series. A touch more of a slowly simmering love story along the lines of Persuasion. Will a past love be able to stand the test of time?
March 11, 2020
This was a little slow at the beginning, particularly after Duncan had his setback with his injury. However, once the pace of the story increased it became a very satisfying read. Mary and Duncan hadn’t seen each other for five years and they both wondered would things be the same between them. Mary was a determined lady and wanted a loving family such as Duncan experienced. Duncan was a brave man who tried to prove himself worthy of Mary. There are a number of setbacks in their relationship but with their families’ help, they find their way. The little boy, Bernard was a treasure! I received a copy from eBooks Discovery and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 23, 2020
An amazing book by an author that has honed her craft to perfection, this story had me gasping with laughter and moping my eyes as the tears rolled down my face. It all seemed so easy, that Duncan would go off to war, earn honours as a war hero as his father had done, and return to claim the hand of Lady Mary, sister of a Duke. Despite her brother giving her permission to follow her heart, it is no easy task waiting for Duncan's return. When one year becomes five, Mary starts to give up hope after a ten-month silence from Duncan, that is until an invitation arrives to visit his family home. Even though Duncan is even more handsome than the boy who left for war, Mary observes the shadows in his eyes and the unobtrusive assistance his family gives him in performing everyday tasks. When the unexpected happens, and it would appear that Duncan's life is at risk, Mary's brother steps in and calls the one person who can give Duncan the help he needs. However, his recovery is up to him and it takes all his strength to overcome his affliction. Marriage is just the start of the problems they will face together. It very quickly becomes obvious that the disparity between their differing stations in life is going to interfere with their newfound happiness, but when Duncan is once more injured, Mary finds the courage she needs to help him face the situation from a very unexpected source. The novel is a romance, but it is also about the power of family love, of the endurance of the human spirit and of the results that can be achieved when unity of spirit abounds. This novel is well written, drawing the reader into the lives of the characters and it comes to a delightful close. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
February 28, 2020
After three books read from this series, I feel kind of like the dog in Pavlov's experiment: I open Paullett's book with happy anticipation.
Here, the author shows not only a beautiful, wealthy couple romance, with all the wonderful (and highly fantastical) qualities.
The characters have flaws like any human. And yes, sometimes when we read we want to hug or hit the characters, but, don't human beings have this dichotomy too?
We are introduced to the characters, Duncan and Mary, in the previous books.
Mary is Drake's (duke of Annick) younger sister.
At 16, she was head over heels in love with Duncan Starrett. But Duncan was the youngest son of a youngest son, and although in his family had someone with a noble title, he would never inherit that title.
He also did not have vast wealth. Therefore, to become worthy of marrying a duke's daughter, Duncan would have to earn that honor.
Like his father, he enlisted and went to war.
With a mind full of fantasy about fame and glory, Duncan would never be prepared for the atrocities he saw and had to do, as His Majesty's soldier.
For the first few years of service, Duncan and Mary kept exchanging correspondence until he stopped writing to her.
Five years later, Mary, now more mature and even more beautiful, loved Duncan with all her heart.
However, the Duncan who returned was no longer the same.
Oh, he still loved Mary, but he was a man with a broken soul, and he physically carried the pains of war.
Duncan had serious mobility problems. He had a very sensitive surgery (which his father called the doctor a butcher ) and was in chronic pain.
Mary was hurt that he hadn't told her he was back, but the joy of having him so close overcame the pain.
Until one day, Duncan stopped walking.
Immediately, like the gentleman he was, he wanted to release Mary from the - unofficial - engagement between them. She would be free to marry someone worthy of her, in position and physically.
However, he underestimated the feeling she had for him.
Yes, when they fell in love she was a girl, but she became someone with enough balance to give him the strength to fight.
--------------------
The most interesting in this story is the willpower and resilience of each character.
If, at first, Duncan wanted to give up (life and Mary), then he showed an immense inner strength. Doing exercises that would help him get back to moving his legs.
Mary also surprises us.
She could be branded as a spoiled and wealthy girl, who could have any man at her feet (for her wealth, her dowry and her beauty), but she had in mind what she wanted in a husband.
Mary and her mother's relationship, dowager Catherine, was difficult.
This part of the story could have many parallels to today.
So, pay attention to the scene where Mary and her mother finally have their conversation. It is interesting and profound.
As stated before, the virtues and flaws of each character are demonstrated clearly, without half-truths.
Although Mary and Duncan could be relegated to secondary characters, but their story brings a very personal strength.
I confess that I often thought that Mary was much more mature than Duncan, but I had to take into account that he lived in constant pain, and that undermines any pink fantasy of a better life.
The family's support was essential mainly to get Duncan out of his comfort zone.
Anyway, once again Paullett was brilliant in this novel so dignified and real, with subtle information - and others not so much - showing us that hope and love must prevail. Always.
5 stars
Here, the author shows not only a beautiful, wealthy couple romance, with all the wonderful (and highly fantastical) qualities.
The characters have flaws like any human. And yes, sometimes when we read we want to hug or hit the characters, but, don't human beings have this dichotomy too?
We are introduced to the characters, Duncan and Mary, in the previous books.
Mary is Drake's (duke of Annick) younger sister.
At 16, she was head over heels in love with Duncan Starrett. But Duncan was the youngest son of a youngest son, and although in his family had someone with a noble title, he would never inherit that title.
He also did not have vast wealth. Therefore, to become worthy of marrying a duke's daughter, Duncan would have to earn that honor.
Like his father, he enlisted and went to war.
With a mind full of fantasy about fame and glory, Duncan would never be prepared for the atrocities he saw and had to do, as His Majesty's soldier.
For the first few years of service, Duncan and Mary kept exchanging correspondence until he stopped writing to her.
Five years later, Mary, now more mature and even more beautiful, loved Duncan with all her heart.
However, the Duncan who returned was no longer the same.
Oh, he still loved Mary, but he was a man with a broken soul, and he physically carried the pains of war.
Duncan had serious mobility problems. He had a very sensitive surgery (which his father called the doctor a butcher ) and was in chronic pain.
Mary was hurt that he hadn't told her he was back, but the joy of having him so close overcame the pain.
Until one day, Duncan stopped walking.
Immediately, like the gentleman he was, he wanted to release Mary from the - unofficial - engagement between them. She would be free to marry someone worthy of her, in position and physically.
However, he underestimated the feeling she had for him.
Yes, when they fell in love she was a girl, but she became someone with enough balance to give him the strength to fight.
--------------------
The most interesting in this story is the willpower and resilience of each character.
If, at first, Duncan wanted to give up (life and Mary), then he showed an immense inner strength. Doing exercises that would help him get back to moving his legs.
Mary also surprises us.
She could be branded as a spoiled and wealthy girl, who could have any man at her feet (for her wealth, her dowry and her beauty), but she had in mind what she wanted in a husband.
Mary and her mother's relationship, dowager Catherine, was difficult.
This part of the story could have many parallels to today.
So, pay attention to the scene where Mary and her mother finally have their conversation. It is interesting and profound.
As stated before, the virtues and flaws of each character are demonstrated clearly, without half-truths.
Although Mary and Duncan could be relegated to secondary characters, but their story brings a very personal strength.
I confess that I often thought that Mary was much more mature than Duncan, but I had to take into account that he lived in constant pain, and that undermines any pink fantasy of a better life.
The family's support was essential mainly to get Duncan out of his comfort zone.
Anyway, once again Paullett was brilliant in this novel so dignified and real, with subtle information - and others not so much - showing us that hope and love must prevail. Always.
5 stars
June 2, 2021
I loved the story of Lady Mary and her love Duncan. It made me sad that Duncan and Mary were far apart and Duncan was injured and if they will be together. It was very intrigued in this book and I enjoyed reading it. It was a book I couldn’t put down.
March 23, 2021
Having Faith💘 in Duncan🐺🔪🔫
ADULT Georgian Era Romance and Adventure
1790 England
Duncan Starrett🐺 is the son of an Army Colonel, and he loves💘 Mary💃, the sixteen year old daughter of a nearby Duke, and she loves💘 him.
There is no way Mary's mother the dowager Duchess, will allow Duncan🐺 to marry her because of his station in life.
So Duncan's father purchases an officer's commission for him, and he goes off to fight the French.
1795
Five long years later, Mary is still waiting for him. Their love 💘is true. Duncan🐺🔪🔫, a colonel now, is shot in the back while retreating his men from an overwhelming force of French.
His war horse, Caesar🏇, carries him to safety, but he comes home on a stretcher. He doesn't tell Mary, because he doesn't want her to see him as an invalid. He will be a whole man for her or nothing!
The war horse, Caesar🐎, plays a big part in this epic love 💘story that spans years.
As imagined, there are some various causes of angst in the book, from Mary's anger at Duncan not telling her he was home for months, Mary's mother's continued opposition to their 💘love no matter what, Duncan's🐺🍆⛲🏇 recovery, and the inevitable change in his goals and personality.
Through it all, their devotion💕 to each other runs true and straight!
ARC Provided by Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
What a wonderful 💘love story of epic proportions!
ADULT Georgian Era Romance and Adventure
1790 England
Duncan Starrett🐺 is the son of an Army Colonel, and he loves💘 Mary💃, the sixteen year old daughter of a nearby Duke, and she loves💘 him.
There is no way Mary's mother the dowager Duchess, will allow Duncan🐺 to marry her because of his station in life.
So Duncan's father purchases an officer's commission for him, and he goes off to fight the French.
1795
Five long years later, Mary is still waiting for him. Their love 💘is true. Duncan🐺🔪🔫, a colonel now, is shot in the back while retreating his men from an overwhelming force of French.
His war horse, Caesar🏇, carries him to safety, but he comes home on a stretcher. He doesn't tell Mary, because he doesn't want her to see him as an invalid. He will be a whole man for her or nothing!
The war horse, Caesar🐎, plays a big part in this epic love 💘story that spans years.
As imagined, there are some various causes of angst in the book, from Mary's anger at Duncan not telling her he was home for months, Mary's mother's continued opposition to their 💘love no matter what, Duncan's🐺🍆⛲🏇 recovery, and the inevitable change in his goals and personality.
Through it all, their devotion💕 to each other runs true and straight!
ARC Provided by Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
What a wonderful 💘love story of epic proportions!
March 19, 2021
The Colonel and the Enchantress is another fantastic addition to a great series.
This book follows the love story of Mary, sister to Drake, the Duke from the second book in this series The Duke and The Enchantress, and Duncan, a solider. Their romance begins when they are young and he goes off to war, the story truly taking shape when he returns.
Golden is a master at writing complex characters, and taking real situations and obstacles from the time period and making them relatable. Duncan is, so far, one of my favorite characters in this series.
Fans of regency will adore this, and fans of a great story. You don't need to start from the beginning of the series to enjoy this book, but they're all so great why wouldn't you?
This book follows the love story of Mary, sister to Drake, the Duke from the second book in this series The Duke and The Enchantress, and Duncan, a solider. Their romance begins when they are young and he goes off to war, the story truly taking shape when he returns.
Golden is a master at writing complex characters, and taking real situations and obstacles from the time period and making them relatable. Duncan is, so far, one of my favorite characters in this series.
Fans of regency will adore this, and fans of a great story. You don't need to start from the beginning of the series to enjoy this book, but they're all so great why wouldn't you?
April 20, 2020
About the book • 4 ⭐️ • 516 pages • Historical Romance • Enjoyable • Unconventional love affair • Wonderful chemistry • Well developed characters • Stand-alone • Highly recommend • Netgalley by Publisher • I gave my honest review and all opinions are my own •
March 3, 2020
The heart often knows exactly what it wants and what is meant to be. Such was the case for Duncan and Mary who met when they were young and in their youthful innocence it seemed all would work out as planned. Duncan was enlisting so that he could come back a decorated war hero and be worthy of Mary who was the daughter of a duke. But life is not always that simple.
Five years later he does return having been injured in battle and although much better, still having some effects. When he finally sees Mary again, the connection is still there. There is a long journey ahead with many twist and turns and surprises.
Paullett Golden is such a gifted writer. The characters become real and the emotions she draws out are felt from the heart. This story had so many aspects.. Young love, expectations often not turning out as hoped, dealing with pain of the heart and physical and watching love endure with all the challenges it can throw.
This one truly stole my heart with Duncan and Mary as they tried to find their way and be happy. A truly unexpected treasure that will remain in my thoughts for awhile. Truly do not miss this one or any in this series. I highly recommend.
Five years later he does return having been injured in battle and although much better, still having some effects. When he finally sees Mary again, the connection is still there. There is a long journey ahead with many twist and turns and surprises.
Paullett Golden is such a gifted writer. The characters become real and the emotions she draws out are felt from the heart. This story had so many aspects.. Young love, expectations often not turning out as hoped, dealing with pain of the heart and physical and watching love endure with all the challenges it can throw.
This one truly stole my heart with Duncan and Mary as they tried to find their way and be happy. A truly unexpected treasure that will remain in my thoughts for awhile. Truly do not miss this one or any in this series. I highly recommend.
February 10, 2020
Charming and heartwarming, but pacing a little off
Many thanks to the author, who provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mary’s story (I think I say that for every book, lol), and overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were endearing, the writing style smooth and sophisticated, and the premise intriguing: A couple had to reconcile who they had become with who they used to be—and also with who they had wanted to become.
The biggest—and pretty much the only, really—issue was that the narrative arc was unbalanced, which threw off the pacing. Because all the loose ends got tied up, I thought at first it was simply that the middle of the novel dragged, which isn’t an uncommon malady. As I pondered the matter further, though, I realized it’s more accurate to say the plot was front-loaded. The arcs were complete, but most of them peaked early.
The beginning set up wonderful conflict—Duncan’s injury, Bernard, Duncan and Mary re-falling in love as mature adults with different interests and perspectives. But long before the halfway point, a lot of that conflict was resolved. The re-falling in love was so much a given, even to the characters themselves, that they didn’t put much effort into it. Duncan’s injury healed and he taught himself to walk and ride again, so that ceased to be much of a problem. Bernard also largely stopped being an issue once his circumstances were explained. All that was left was Duncan trying to feel worthy of Mary and Mary trying to convince him he always had been. They went round and round with that, having the same argument over and over in different contexts, and it became tedious. Saving some of the juicy drama for later in the story could have helped, as well as allowing the conflicts to be more complicated.
As for the characters, I loved them all. Even Catherine, though she’s still a pill. I give Golden major points for that character; Catherine was the most uniquely portrayed out of the lot—flawed and bloody infuriating, but also the most interesting character in the series (closely followed by her son). I’ve been waiting for her and Mary to have a confrontation for two or three books now, and it was satisfying to finally see them come to an understanding.
Duncan was a solid hero. His desire to be worthy and useful was endearing and admirable—as well as exasperating, as it was to the point of obsession. *shakes head fondly* His moments of self-pity were irritating, but they were supposed to be, and he grew as a character because of them, which was the point, of course. I adored his unconditional love for Bernard and his devotion to the boy—toward Mary, too, for that matter. I credit his parents for a job well done.
Mary… I didn’t entirely understand Mary. Either her characterization wasn’t consistent or she needed a tad more development to explain the inconsistencies. For the most part she was wonderful, kind and strong and independent. She was ready to accept Bernard and make peace with Duncan’s indiscretion before she learned the truth, and she considered Bernard her son from day one. She never thought less of Duncan when he was injured and woebegone and did everything she could to help him. She loved Duncan’s family as her own, though their station was humbler than hers. She had a big heart, and I adored that about her.
I also want to say she was friendly and polite to everyone—except pompous assholes like Brumley, of course—and that she never looked down on the lesser classes—but I can’t. She scoffed at a village education or a common occupation for Bernard, and she despised Robin on sight—ostensibly for his disheveled appearance and slightly rude behavior, but truly she was jealous of Duncan’s immediate affinity for him. The jealousy I understand, that was a great wrench thrown into her and Duncan’s relationship. *waves that aside*
It’s the fact that she immediately disregarded any merit a village education or Robin might possess. She didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt, which I would have imagined her character, as portrayed in the beginning of the novel, doing. It was only for a short period toward the end of the novel that she became inexplicably judgmental. The greatest goal she had for herself in life was to be unlike her mother, to be open-minded and caring. But there she was, being judgmental based on status or superficial qualities. Even Duncan commented on it, but she completely ignored the accusation of acting like her mother. Literally, she didn’t even acknowledge the comment. It was just…odd. Other than that discrepancy, though, she was a great heroine.
I have to give a shout-out to Duncan’s dad, Colonel Sean. Well, all the Starretts deserve a shout-out, they were wonderful people, but his dad holds a special place in my heart for the night when Duncan woke up fevered and paralyzed. Sean held his full-grown son in his arms and soothed him as if he were just a scared little boy. “I’ve got you, son. Dadaí is here.” Oh god, my heart.
Also, it was lovely to see some of the past protagonists again—Lilith, Charlotte, Drake. Everyone in the epilogue. I adored that epilogue. I smiled to see everyone healthy and happy and prospering.
Oh, and the humor! There was some great humor here. Duncan’s laudanum dreams were creatively hilarious, describing colors as sounds and sounds as colors, or a smile like clinking glass. Also, the banter between him and Mary often made me grin.
And a last quick note that I didn’t know where else to place: I’m not sure I’m fond of how the prologue was executed. I think it could have been more effective if written differently.
So yeah. Overall, it was a charming story with wonderful characters, though the narrative was unbalanced.
This book wraps up the romances of the “children,” and the next couple of books will be more or less prequels, I believe, describing how Lizbeth’s father, Cuthbert, and Aunt Hazel found the loves of the their lives. It might be a little weird to back up and tell the parents’ stories after the children’s, but I think it’ll work just fine, and I look forward to those stories.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
Many thanks to the author, who provided me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mary’s story (I think I say that for every book, lol), and overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were endearing, the writing style smooth and sophisticated, and the premise intriguing: A couple had to reconcile who they had become with who they used to be—and also with who they had wanted to become.
The biggest—and pretty much the only, really—issue was that the narrative arc was unbalanced, which threw off the pacing. Because all the loose ends got tied up, I thought at first it was simply that the middle of the novel dragged, which isn’t an uncommon malady. As I pondered the matter further, though, I realized it’s more accurate to say the plot was front-loaded. The arcs were complete, but most of them peaked early.
The beginning set up wonderful conflict—Duncan’s injury, Bernard, Duncan and Mary re-falling in love as mature adults with different interests and perspectives. But long before the halfway point, a lot of that conflict was resolved. The re-falling in love was so much a given, even to the characters themselves, that they didn’t put much effort into it. Duncan’s injury healed and he taught himself to walk and ride again, so that ceased to be much of a problem. Bernard also largely stopped being an issue once his circumstances were explained. All that was left was Duncan trying to feel worthy of Mary and Mary trying to convince him he always had been. They went round and round with that, having the same argument over and over in different contexts, and it became tedious. Saving some of the juicy drama for later in the story could have helped, as well as allowing the conflicts to be more complicated.
As for the characters, I loved them all. Even Catherine, though she’s still a pill. I give Golden major points for that character; Catherine was the most uniquely portrayed out of the lot—flawed and bloody infuriating, but also the most interesting character in the series (closely followed by her son). I’ve been waiting for her and Mary to have a confrontation for two or three books now, and it was satisfying to finally see them come to an understanding.
Duncan was a solid hero. His desire to be worthy and useful was endearing and admirable—as well as exasperating, as it was to the point of obsession. *shakes head fondly* His moments of self-pity were irritating, but they were supposed to be, and he grew as a character because of them, which was the point, of course. I adored his unconditional love for Bernard and his devotion to the boy—toward Mary, too, for that matter. I credit his parents for a job well done.
Mary… I didn’t entirely understand Mary. Either her characterization wasn’t consistent or she needed a tad more development to explain the inconsistencies. For the most part she was wonderful, kind and strong and independent. She was ready to accept Bernard and make peace with Duncan’s indiscretion before she learned the truth, and she considered Bernard her son from day one. She never thought less of Duncan when he was injured and woebegone and did everything she could to help him. She loved Duncan’s family as her own, though their station was humbler than hers. She had a big heart, and I adored that about her.
I also want to say she was friendly and polite to everyone—except pompous assholes like Brumley, of course—and that she never looked down on the lesser classes—but I can’t. She scoffed at a village education or a common occupation for Bernard, and she despised Robin on sight—ostensibly for his disheveled appearance and slightly rude behavior, but truly she was jealous of Duncan’s immediate affinity for him. The jealousy I understand, that was a great wrench thrown into her and Duncan’s relationship. *waves that aside*
It’s the fact that she immediately disregarded any merit a village education or Robin might possess. She didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt, which I would have imagined her character, as portrayed in the beginning of the novel, doing. It was only for a short period toward the end of the novel that she became inexplicably judgmental. The greatest goal she had for herself in life was to be unlike her mother, to be open-minded and caring. But there she was, being judgmental based on status or superficial qualities. Even Duncan commented on it, but she completely ignored the accusation of acting like her mother. Literally, she didn’t even acknowledge the comment. It was just…odd. Other than that discrepancy, though, she was a great heroine.
I have to give a shout-out to Duncan’s dad, Colonel Sean. Well, all the Starretts deserve a shout-out, they were wonderful people, but his dad holds a special place in my heart for the night when Duncan woke up fevered and paralyzed. Sean held his full-grown son in his arms and soothed him as if he were just a scared little boy. “I’ve got you, son. Dadaí is here.” Oh god, my heart.
Also, it was lovely to see some of the past protagonists again—Lilith, Charlotte, Drake. Everyone in the epilogue. I adored that epilogue. I smiled to see everyone healthy and happy and prospering.
Oh, and the humor! There was some great humor here. Duncan’s laudanum dreams were creatively hilarious, describing colors as sounds and sounds as colors, or a smile like clinking glass. Also, the banter between him and Mary often made me grin.
And a last quick note that I didn’t know where else to place: I’m not sure I’m fond of how the prologue was executed. I think it could have been more effective if written differently.
So yeah. Overall, it was a charming story with wonderful characters, though the narrative was unbalanced.
This book wraps up the romances of the “children,” and the next couple of books will be more or less prequels, I believe, describing how Lizbeth’s father, Cuthbert, and Aunt Hazel found the loves of the their lives. It might be a little weird to back up and tell the parents’ stories after the children’s, but I think it’ll work just fine, and I look forward to those stories.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
April 18, 2022
Another great book in the Enchantress series. It was great to see the characters from the other books in the series, but in such a way you would not be lost if you read this book as a standalone.
There were parts of this book that hit on some very deep and important topics that should honestly be discussed more today. I wish there would have been more spice, but that may be biased by my current reading habits.
There were parts of this book that hit on some very deep and important topics that should honestly be discussed more today. I wish there would have been more spice, but that may be biased by my current reading habits.
September 29, 2020
My thanks to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for sending me s free ARC. This has not influenced my voluntary review.
*3.5 stars* Paulett Golden is a good author, with fabulously developed characters and a rich (albeit somewhat predictable plot line). The relationships between the characters are meaningful and the romance is well written. I did notice a couple of misspellings, but overall this was an enjoyable read. Personally I don’t enjoy dramatized miscommunications when used as a plot device in novels, but to each their own. I would like to read the rest of the series, but unfortunately I cannot find them anywhere. Golden, I commend you for your unique and strong minded characters, as it is not an easy feat to keep true to their morals and beliefs. By golly, you’ve done it.
*3.5 stars* Paulett Golden is a good author, with fabulously developed characters and a rich (albeit somewhat predictable plot line). The relationships between the characters are meaningful and the romance is well written. I did notice a couple of misspellings, but overall this was an enjoyable read. Personally I don’t enjoy dramatized miscommunications when used as a plot device in novels, but to each their own. I would like to read the rest of the series, but unfortunately I cannot find them anywhere. Golden, I commend you for your unique and strong minded characters, as it is not an easy feat to keep true to their morals and beliefs. By golly, you’ve done it.
December 4, 2020
Disclaimer! First things first, I read this book non-sequentially, so that will affect my review. While it seems each book in the series is self-contained, there were many times in the story where characters are referenced in a way that made me feel I should know who they are, our main character’s brother, the Duke of Annick, for one. While I did feel that knowledge of their backstory may have enhanced the richness of my experience, it in no way hindered my enjoyment of the novel to go without. Second off, I listened to the audible recording of the story so please forgive any spelling errors (as far as names and places).
Disclaimers out of the way- This book is not a romance about romance. At least, not in the way you might be expecting.
I say that to say, this novel is not about two people who fall in love as much as it is about two individuals inside a relationship where their love for each other is a part of their identity. The book is not about boy-meets-girl, they fall, miscommunication, then happily ever after. There’s nothing wrong with that either, it’s simply refreshing to explore something different.
When we meet our two protagonists, they are already in love. Promised to each other all but verbally. Throughout the novel, we do see (renewed) courtship, and even though Mary later claims to have fallen in love on the page, we as the reader, do not experience the hunt or the fall. We arrive to meet two people made awkward by estrangement but who know each other on a soul-level. There are some material things that show how they no longer know each other socially, like when Mary doesn’t understand Robin’s PTSD or when Duncan still thinks Mary loves to shop, but when it comes down to their hearts, Mary always knows when Duncan is lashing out and doesn’t mean the things he says. And Duncan never truly doubts the steadiness of her love for him, only his own worthiness of that love. Despite needing to “re-acquaint” themselves, there is no one who knows them better than each other.
No, their love story is instead beautifully paced. Truly, the pacing of the story is utterly inspired, as they begin to tentatively reach out to one another feeling out the terrain, the hopeful feeling of the young love they shared pervades the story even as Paullett GoldenPaullett Golden begins to explore each character’s personal struggle, which is handled with a rare sort of delicacy and finesse. At around halfway through the book, the pacing turns the “happily-ever-after ” expectation into a question as it seems that after is where the true turmoil begins. It’s a peek behind the curtain for the reader as we see the ways in which the not fully “healed” issues of the relationship reassert themselves to an exponential degree and force the couple to confront them… together or not.
I think my only big critique of the novel is the passage where they and Golden uses a horse metaphor. I did not enjoy that. And I do understand that Mary and Duncan have a horse thing going on and that horses are a big motif throughout the story, but the horse riding/orgasm metaphor was a little too much for me. Animals have no place in the bedroom (TO ME!). Other than that, the only other things are that some of the subplot points were a little predictable like (spoiler but not really) I’m sorry but the misunderstanding = conflict trope (where it’s literally just one character jumping to conclusions) needs to be retired forever. The other small thing is that I have a personal preference for quippy and fast-paced dialogue, and while I do feel that the dialogue style fit the overall story and pacing there were moments (especially when Duncan was drinking a little too heavily from the cup of self-pity) where I wish we could have had a moment of levity and elevated pacing, a few artful set-downs, some witty repartee. And if that were to be too outside of Mary’s character to deliver, I felt that the Dowager countess could have been given some nice gibes. That’s just a note for anyone looking for that though, not a real criticism. I always have more patience for slow dialogue when I know to expect it.
While the overall story is told in 3rd person (close) narration, the story shifts in POV from Duncan to Mary throughout the novel, Which I think was a smart choice since the time we spend with each character allow us to see them develop as they manage their own individual struggles, the joint struggle of the relationship, and ultimately when they , the struggle of binding their individual links together to form a strong chain. Their final struggle is how to go from his and hers to a singular and symbiotic unit of more than love, but also time, effort, resources, aspiration, and passion. But I digress, their initial struggles are individual, and I loved how Golden was able to juxtapose their struggles while never invalidating or lessening either’s. Mary’s struggle is a feminine and emotional one, while Duncan’s struggle takes place mostly in the realm of the physical and the element that is mental, stems from his perception of masculinity. Whereas some writers may have struggled to find the balance between Duncan’s physical injury and Mary’s emotional ones, Golden does so quite efficiently.
Altogether, I was a little surprised at how much I genuinely enjoyed the book. 3.9/5.
Disclaimers out of the way- This book is not a romance about romance. At least, not in the way you might be expecting.
I say that to say, this novel is not about two people who fall in love as much as it is about two individuals inside a relationship where their love for each other is a part of their identity. The book is not about boy-meets-girl, they fall, miscommunication, then happily ever after. There’s nothing wrong with that either, it’s simply refreshing to explore something different.
When we meet our two protagonists, they are already in love. Promised to each other all but verbally. Throughout the novel, we do see (renewed) courtship, and even though Mary later claims to have fallen in love on the page, we as the reader, do not experience the hunt or the fall. We arrive to meet two people made awkward by estrangement but who know each other on a soul-level. There are some material things that show how they no longer know each other socially, like when Mary doesn’t understand Robin’s PTSD or when Duncan still thinks Mary loves to shop, but when it comes down to their hearts, Mary always knows when Duncan is lashing out and doesn’t mean the things he says. And Duncan never truly doubts the steadiness of her love for him, only his own worthiness of that love. Despite needing to “re-acquaint” themselves, there is no one who knows them better than each other.
No, their love story is instead beautifully paced. Truly, the pacing of the story is utterly inspired, as they begin to tentatively reach out to one another feeling out the terrain, the hopeful feeling of the young love they shared pervades the story even as Paullett GoldenPaullett Golden begins to explore each character’s personal struggle, which is handled with a rare sort of delicacy and finesse. At around halfway through the book, the pacing turns the “happily-ever-after ” expectation into a question as it seems that after is where the true turmoil begins. It’s a peek behind the curtain for the reader as we see the ways in which the not fully “healed” issues of the relationship reassert themselves to an exponential degree and force the couple to confront them… together or not.
I think my only big critique of the novel is the passage where they and Golden uses a horse metaphor. I did not enjoy that. And I do understand that Mary and Duncan have a horse thing going on and that horses are a big motif throughout the story, but the horse riding/orgasm metaphor was a little too much for me. Animals have no place in the bedroom (TO ME!). Other than that, the only other things are that some of the subplot points were a little predictable like (spoiler but not really) I’m sorry but the misunderstanding = conflict trope (where it’s literally just one character jumping to conclusions) needs to be retired forever. The other small thing is that I have a personal preference for quippy and fast-paced dialogue, and while I do feel that the dialogue style fit the overall story and pacing there were moments (especially when Duncan was drinking a little too heavily from the cup of self-pity) where I wish we could have had a moment of levity and elevated pacing, a few artful set-downs, some witty repartee. And if that were to be too outside of Mary’s character to deliver, I felt that the Dowager countess could have been given some nice gibes. That’s just a note for anyone looking for that though, not a real criticism. I always have more patience for slow dialogue when I know to expect it.
While the overall story is told in 3rd person (close) narration, the story shifts in POV from Duncan to Mary throughout the novel, Which I think was a smart choice since the time we spend with each character allow us to see them develop as they manage their own individual struggles, the joint struggle of the relationship, and ultimately when they , the struggle of binding their individual links together to form a strong chain. Their final struggle is how to go from his and hers to a singular and symbiotic unit of more than love, but also time, effort, resources, aspiration, and passion. But I digress, their initial struggles are individual, and I loved how Golden was able to juxtapose their struggles while never invalidating or lessening either’s. Mary’s struggle is a feminine and emotional one, while Duncan’s struggle takes place mostly in the realm of the physical and the element that is mental, stems from his perception of masculinity. Whereas some writers may have struggled to find the balance between Duncan’s physical injury and Mary’s emotional ones, Golden does so quite efficiently.
Altogether, I was a little surprised at how much I genuinely enjoyed the book. 3.9/5.
January 10, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve read EVER! It made me smile, it made me laugh, it made me angry and then it made me very happy.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is about a young couple, Duncan and Mary, from different social classes in the 19th century. Duncan is working class and Mary is the daughter of a Duke and Duchess. Duncan enters the army and quickly climbs up the ranks to Colonel in the hope that he will be worthy enough of Mary’s hand in marriage. However, he returns from active service with a crippling injury that leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. The book’s main storyline is Duncan and Mary’s relationship and how they navigate their life together in spite of Duncan’s condition.
Duncan and Mary are beautifully drawn. Both have flaws that come with consequences and both have strengths that hold them together. Mary is stubborn to the point that she fails to see her mother, the Dowager Duchess’s, position on the relationship in any other light than as one of cold-hearted snobbery. There’s a beautiful scene towards the end of the book where the Dowager Duchess explains to her daughter that she was on her side the entire time if Mary had only listened. Duncan, on the other hand, is caring and kind but sometimes selfish and has a tendency to push people away because of his own insecurities. One of my favourite moments is when Duncan is in bed feeling sorry for himself and he and Mary get into an argument over whether Duncan was “worthy” and “useful” enough to be her wife and Mary says, “I need you, not because I need you to do something for me, but because I need you.”
What’s so satisfying about this love story is that it feels real. There are no points in the plot where anything feels forced or contrived. The love between Duncan and Mary, the arguments they have, the moments they make up, all flow naturally, and I don’t once end up rolling my eyes.
Overall, this is a book I would definitely read again, and that I recommend to anyone who loves a good period romance.
The Colonel and the Enchantress is about a young couple, Duncan and Mary, from different social classes in the 19th century. Duncan is working class and Mary is the daughter of a Duke and Duchess. Duncan enters the army and quickly climbs up the ranks to Colonel in the hope that he will be worthy enough of Mary’s hand in marriage. However, he returns from active service with a crippling injury that leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. The book’s main storyline is Duncan and Mary’s relationship and how they navigate their life together in spite of Duncan’s condition.
Duncan and Mary are beautifully drawn. Both have flaws that come with consequences and both have strengths that hold them together. Mary is stubborn to the point that she fails to see her mother, the Dowager Duchess’s, position on the relationship in any other light than as one of cold-hearted snobbery. There’s a beautiful scene towards the end of the book where the Dowager Duchess explains to her daughter that she was on her side the entire time if Mary had only listened. Duncan, on the other hand, is caring and kind but sometimes selfish and has a tendency to push people away because of his own insecurities. One of my favourite moments is when Duncan is in bed feeling sorry for himself and he and Mary get into an argument over whether Duncan was “worthy” and “useful” enough to be her wife and Mary says, “I need you, not because I need you to do something for me, but because I need you.”
What’s so satisfying about this love story is that it feels real. There are no points in the plot where anything feels forced or contrived. The love between Duncan and Mary, the arguments they have, the moments they make up, all flow naturally, and I don’t once end up rolling my eyes.
Overall, this is a book I would definitely read again, and that I recommend to anyone who loves a good period romance.
February 25, 2020
The Colonel and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden is the fourth in her An Enchantress Novels. Lady Mary Mowbrah waits faithfully for years that her sweetheart to return from the war; going against every suitor her mother attempts to shove her way. Duncan Starrett returns as a Colonel and a Baronet, but he also comes back with a battle-worn body and doubts of his future. The love they shared before the war has become more of a fantasy as they realize they have each changed in the past five years. Mary never doubted her devotion to Duncan, but she sees a different man now. His body is much more chiseled, but he lacks the carefree attitude that she loved. Duncan has seen the worst of men, and now he doubts his low standing in society and cripple body is what Mary deserves in life, though he has been nothing but loyal to her. Will they both be able to set aside their personal baggage and stubborn attitudes for a chance at a love they have waited for?
Paullett Golden isn’t afraid to weave complex family matters into her historical romance, The Colonel and The Enchantress. The characters face the reality of reoccurring health issues that isn’t often seen in novels. The author’s strong points are her ability to reveal the vulnerability of her characters while showing you how they work through their differences. Though there are many sensual scenes within the novel, the characters grow a deeper love that overlooks the physical aspects of their relationship. This novel heralds the men that represent honor and bravery, while showing a humbleness rarely seen. The women are strong and resourceful, yet know what they want. I look forward to reading more from Golden; she is an author that shows great promise in the historical romance genre.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
Paullett Golden isn’t afraid to weave complex family matters into her historical romance, The Colonel and The Enchantress. The characters face the reality of reoccurring health issues that isn’t often seen in novels. The author’s strong points are her ability to reveal the vulnerability of her characters while showing you how they work through their differences. Though there are many sensual scenes within the novel, the characters grow a deeper love that overlooks the physical aspects of their relationship. This novel heralds the men that represent honor and bravery, while showing a humbleness rarely seen. The women are strong and resourceful, yet know what they want. I look forward to reading more from Golden; she is an author that shows great promise in the historical romance genre.
Review written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
February 28, 2020
Lady Mary Mowbrah, daughter of a duke, fell in love with a man beneath her station, the youngest son of a retired army colonel. She was only 16 at the time, but she promises to wait for him as he leaves for war to fight the French, where he intends to make himself worthy of her hand by becoming a hero.
Colonel Duncan Starrett is true to his word and returns from war with honors and accolades. Unfortunately, he also has incurred a severe injury and, being a very honorable man, he sees a future between himself and Mary has now become impossible. He is ready to just give up. With his loving family to encourage him, and his own efforts to do what he must for the woman who still loves him despite everything, he begins the difficult task of overcoming his injuries. When he tries to turn her away, she won’t let him. I kept seeing the love and commitment both of them showed, whether suffering through the pain or being joyful with the little successes. Showing the difficult reality made Duncan’s progress all the more satisfying to the reader because the author let us feel how both of them struggled, and yet their love was strong. The difficult parts helped them grow and mature.
There was much more to the story, but it’s one that the reader should experience from start to finish. You won’t always be happy with the characters, you may not agree with their choices and decisions, but their connection – that love and commitment – blazes through it all so the reader doesn’t lose hope. Will they make it to the HEA?
Colonel Duncan Starrett is true to his word and returns from war with honors and accolades. Unfortunately, he also has incurred a severe injury and, being a very honorable man, he sees a future between himself and Mary has now become impossible. He is ready to just give up. With his loving family to encourage him, and his own efforts to do what he must for the woman who still loves him despite everything, he begins the difficult task of overcoming his injuries. When he tries to turn her away, she won’t let him. I kept seeing the love and commitment both of them showed, whether suffering through the pain or being joyful with the little successes. Showing the difficult reality made Duncan’s progress all the more satisfying to the reader because the author let us feel how both of them struggled, and yet their love was strong. The difficult parts helped them grow and mature.
There was much more to the story, but it’s one that the reader should experience from start to finish. You won’t always be happy with the characters, you may not agree with their choices and decisions, but their connection – that love and commitment – blazes through it all so the reader doesn’t lose hope. Will they make it to the HEA?
February 20, 2020
Colonel and the Enchantress
Mary and Duncan were sweet hearts. Mary is a Lady daughter of a Duke and Duncan is just a common man. His father was a Colonel. They often kissed down by the lake and laughed rode horses together.
He feels as he has nothing to offer her so he takes a commission and goes off to war. He is away for five years he rides a war horse and in his last battle he is wounded. Doctors try to remove the bullet from his back. He is sent home to heal.
When Mary finds out he is home she wonders if life will be the same or are things different? As they begin to see each other he over does things by riding and soon finds his self paralysed from the waist down.
Now feeling sorry for his self he send her away..
What I don’t understand is how can a man who injures his spine and can’t feel his legs can walk. Great story in some places, other bits have me wondering.
I personally didn’t like the adult situations. Other then that great story.
My disclaimer...
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Any book or novels I leave reviews on are not dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. No one influenced my voluntary review for any of the books or novels I read, they are my own opinions.
Mary and Duncan were sweet hearts. Mary is a Lady daughter of a Duke and Duncan is just a common man. His father was a Colonel. They often kissed down by the lake and laughed rode horses together.
He feels as he has nothing to offer her so he takes a commission and goes off to war. He is away for five years he rides a war horse and in his last battle he is wounded. Doctors try to remove the bullet from his back. He is sent home to heal.
When Mary finds out he is home she wonders if life will be the same or are things different? As they begin to see each other he over does things by riding and soon finds his self paralysed from the waist down.
Now feeling sorry for his self he send her away..
What I don’t understand is how can a man who injures his spine and can’t feel his legs can walk. Great story in some places, other bits have me wondering.
I personally didn’t like the adult situations. Other then that great story.
My disclaimer...
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Any book or novels I leave reviews on are not dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. No one influenced my voluntary review for any of the books or novels I read, they are my own opinions.
March 5, 2020
The past is the past, only the future remains
Lady Mary was 16 when she fell in love with Duncan Starrett. Then he went to war for five years. Mary grew up and war took it's toll on Duncan. Now it will ultimately be up to them as to whether or not they have a future together.
I have read and enjoyed the first three books in this series by Paulette Golden. That said, I think The Colonel and the Enchantress is one of her best. This character-driven tale is well written and the story is tightly woven. Both Mary and Duncan are likable, but they each have personality flaws. The supporting characters are also just as well developed and readers of the previous books in this series will recognize recurring characters from the first three books.
Mary and Duncan's love story is timeless. Although set in the Regency era, it could just as easily have happened today. Even true love takes work to succeed. In the end, their engrossing story has a very happy and satisfying ending.
Content 411: Although there are no vulgarities, there are a few mild swear words as well as a couple of mildly described scenes of marital intimacy.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Lady Mary was 16 when she fell in love with Duncan Starrett. Then he went to war for five years. Mary grew up and war took it's toll on Duncan. Now it will ultimately be up to them as to whether or not they have a future together.
I have read and enjoyed the first three books in this series by Paulette Golden. That said, I think The Colonel and the Enchantress is one of her best. This character-driven tale is well written and the story is tightly woven. Both Mary and Duncan are likable, but they each have personality flaws. The supporting characters are also just as well developed and readers of the previous books in this series will recognize recurring characters from the first three books.
Mary and Duncan's love story is timeless. Although set in the Regency era, it could just as easily have happened today. Even true love takes work to succeed. In the end, their engrossing story has a very happy and satisfying ending.
Content 411: Although there are no vulgarities, there are a few mild swear words as well as a couple of mildly described scenes of marital intimacy.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
March 26, 2020
The Colonel and The Enchantress is a beautiful easy-to-read full length romance about maturing youthful romantic innocence into a long-lasting love affair. The fourth book in The Enchantress series tells the story of Mary, the younger sister of a duke, and Duncan Starrett, her neighbor and son of a retired military man. We find our couple 5 years older meeting each other jarred from youthful innocence into scary circumstances. With hopes of returning from the war a great war hero worthy of Lady Mary's hand, Colonel Duncan has returned a broken man disabled with paralysis and difficulty walking. Mary persists that their youthful love can be rekindled, but once those wedding bells chime, will those clouds of inadequacy disappear? Alongside Duncan, Mary's internal struggles with her blue blood background and feelings of estrangement bleed into the new marriage. Mary and Duncan's youthful love is challenged when tragedy strikes again unannounced. Will they have their happily ever after? Will they learn to love who they both grown to become? Join Mary and Duncan, and a fabulous cast of characters as they heal their wounds of inadequacy and waltz into a new kind of love.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2020
This book gave me the feels that I had longed for in historical romance for long. The summary didn't hype me much but the story was so well done that I had my heart beating out of rhythm.
Mary and Duncan are the couple that I had hoped to find one day. Their love, their pain, their conflicts - all portrayed so vividly. I couldn't stop reading just to know if my lovers are getting a happy ending or not.
The book started at a very fine pace and you would almost end up thinking that it would be a perfect light hearted read but trust me, it is not, it is absolutely beautiful. The ending will make you cry buckets and you will ask yourself - why did it have to end?
My heart just broke completely at Duncan's unspoken tragedies. The love he held for Mary and his choices of returning to war leaving Mary behind was written in a beautiful way. He was the most satisfying character of this book and I am just in love with him.
I was obsessed with this story from beginning to end and I can continue reading it over and over. The characters and the plot were the best part. Every character was a fine addition to the story and every turn it took made my heart skip a beat.
The language was easy and the author showcased the depths of emotions without making the text appear too rich. The chapter lengths were perfect and each chapter made me want to read more.
I couldn't have asked for a more brilliant read. This was heart-touching!
**I received a copy of this book from Booktasters and Paullett Golden in exchange for an honest review.**
Mary and Duncan are the couple that I had hoped to find one day. Their love, their pain, their conflicts - all portrayed so vividly. I couldn't stop reading just to know if my lovers are getting a happy ending or not.
The book started at a very fine pace and you would almost end up thinking that it would be a perfect light hearted read but trust me, it is not, it is absolutely beautiful. The ending will make you cry buckets and you will ask yourself - why did it have to end?
My heart just broke completely at Duncan's unspoken tragedies. The love he held for Mary and his choices of returning to war leaving Mary behind was written in a beautiful way. He was the most satisfying character of this book and I am just in love with him.
I was obsessed with this story from beginning to end and I can continue reading it over and over. The characters and the plot were the best part. Every character was a fine addition to the story and every turn it took made my heart skip a beat.
The language was easy and the author showcased the depths of emotions without making the text appear too rich. The chapter lengths were perfect and each chapter made me want to read more.
I couldn't have asked for a more brilliant read. This was heart-touching!
**I received a copy of this book from Booktasters and Paullett Golden in exchange for an honest review.**
April 14, 2021
I have devoured Paulett Golden’s Enchantress series and The Colonel and the Enchantress is no exception. In this installment we delve into the romance between Lady Mary Mowbrah, who we know as Drake, the Duke of Annick’s younger sister, and Colonel Duncan Starrett. Their love is challenged by a significant difference in their social station as well as the Colonel’s severe injury he suffers on his return home from battle serving in the army on the Continent. The chemistry and romantic connection between Mary and Duncan is fabulous and their confidence in their relationship is generally secure, but I was slightly annoyed by some of the conflict between Mary and Duncan because of flippant and stubborn, one sided choices due to Duncan’s sense of inadequacy which was not really justified, though a very real reaction. I also found some small portions of each character’s internal reflection seemed a bit repetitive and longer than necessary, but this has been true of Golden’s writing throughout the Enchantress series for me. I love the series, but these moments tend to slow down the progress of the plot for me. I still greatly enjoyed the story on the whole and really appreciated the strength of character of both Mary and Duncan. I have already eagerly begun the next book in the Enchantress series and intend to read all of Golden’s novels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 24, 2020
Wonderful addition to this series about this incredible loving family. Mary, the sister of a Duke, met the neighbor named Duncan when she was fifteen and fell in love. But he was the youngest son of a Colonel and wasn’t worthy of her so he enlisted in the army. Five years later he is now a Colonel, Mary has waited for him to come back from war, but he comes back wounded and it takes months of recover before he can even walk. But when he is home and they see each other again they are just as in love as they were. But then Duncan’s injuries cause him to become paralyzed and in defeat he turns her away, not thinking he can ever be a husband to her. But Mary, her family and his, are determined to heal him and make him see that even if he can never walk he can still have a life. I loved this book. Mary’s family, even though they were aristocracy, never looked down on anyone beneath them and treated them as equals. Mary was a strong, young, determined woman who knew her own mind and knew what she wanted and fought for it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
March 19, 2020
Lady Mary Mowbrah is the daughter of a Duke and her mom is trying to marry her off to older rich men. Her brother seems to leave her to her own devices. She has had her heart set on Duncan Starrett. Colonel Duncan Starrett starts the story out as a younger son of a younger son so he has no title. To make a name for himself he joins the military and is gone for several years. They meet back up after he is injured and is back home. During the time he was gone they both had changed so when he got back they both had to see if they loved the new person each other had become.
It was a quick read. I liked the story for the most part. It made me think about how injuries were treated in that day and really made me thankful for the generally better treatment we get now.
I liked Lady Mary right up until she had an issue with Robin because of his looks and status; up until then she had not acted like she was better than anybody.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
It was a quick read. I liked the story for the most part. It made me think about how injuries were treated in that day and really made me thankful for the generally better treatment we get now.
I liked Lady Mary right up until she had an issue with Robin because of his looks and status; up until then she had not acted like she was better than anybody.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
May 4, 2020
A wonderful story of Colonel Duncan Starrett and Lady Mary Mowbrah. They met and fell in love as teenagers. She a happy-go-lucky young girl and he looking forward to going into the military. He is gone for six years and only comes home when he is severely injured. He is paralyzed from the waist down but he had been getting off his horse and felt great pain from his back to his legs, this was the second time he had trouble with his back. The Prince Regent gifted him a baronetcy. Mary had gone on with her life but also waited for him to return. She stayed with her brother especially since she and her mother did not get along.
This wonderful tale was intriguing and entertaining. It kept you on your toes begging for more. The characters were warm and engaging. They were a true delight. There are a few twists but most centers on the injury and the problem other veterans have when they come home. It has a strong plot with interesting secondary characters. I highly recommend this book. I loved it.
I received this ARC from Book Sirens and voluntarily reviewed it.
This wonderful tale was intriguing and entertaining. It kept you on your toes begging for more. The characters were warm and engaging. They were a true delight. There are a few twists but most centers on the injury and the problem other veterans have when they come home. It has a strong plot with interesting secondary characters. I highly recommend this book. I loved it.
I received this ARC from Book Sirens and voluntarily reviewed it.
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