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Charming the Professor
The Charm Gates have stood at The Court of Two Sisters for more than a century with no one guessing the secret they hold. A jealous vindictive queen and a blackmailed alchemist have encased French “charm teacher” Madeline Charlebois’s essence inside the gates, at least until a grieving professor touches them during a storm and Madeline tumbles out, not in her own 19th century Spain, but in 21st century New Orleans.
Quantum physics Professor Grant Stewart has mourned his wife’s death for the last three years. But he must move on for his young daughter’s sake, the child who delights in terrorizing babysitters. Grant needs adequate childcare to pursue tenure at Tulane. What he doesn’t need is a French beauty believing nonsense like time-travel and voodoo, and whose very being is melting his heart.
Maddie may be without resources but she’s good at making new friends, even if they are on the quirky side. She believes Professor Stewart can return her home, but first she must earn his trust to win his cooperation. Babysitting his daughter gives her both proximity, and love for the child. Will Grant be the key to returning to her time? Or will she, in turn, unlock his frozen heart? All they need is time and maybe a little voodoo…
CHARMING THE PROFESSOR is the first book of a new series involving time travel from the past to the present and the present to the past. The short story, THE MOOR'S TEAR, is a prequel to CHARMING THE PROFESSOR. It's not necessary for the enjoyment of the time-travel but it does introduce some fictional history that may enhance the story.
Quantum physics Professor Grant Stewart has mourned his wife’s death for the last three years. But he must move on for his young daughter’s sake, the child who delights in terrorizing babysitters. Grant needs adequate childcare to pursue tenure at Tulane. What he doesn’t need is a French beauty believing nonsense like time-travel and voodoo, and whose very being is melting his heart.
Maddie may be without resources but she’s good at making new friends, even if they are on the quirky side. She believes Professor Stewart can return her home, but first she must earn his trust to win his cooperation. Babysitting his daughter gives her both proximity, and love for the child. Will Grant be the key to returning to her time? Or will she, in turn, unlock his frozen heart? All they need is time and maybe a little voodoo…
CHARMING THE PROFESSOR is the first book of a new series involving time travel from the past to the present and the present to the past. The short story, THE MOOR'S TEAR, is a prequel to CHARMING THE PROFESSOR. It's not necessary for the enjoyment of the time-travel but it does introduce some fictional history that may enhance the story.
- GenresTime TravelRomance
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2015
9 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Donna MacMeans
27 books89 followersAn award winner author, Donna MacMeans writes witty and seductive historical romance set in the Victorian era.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 22, 2016
What a fun and entertaining story!
(I give it four gorgeous peacock feathers. :-))
This is a reverse time travel story where the main character comes from the past to the present New Orleans—a city with an atmosphere of anything can happen. It’s very well done. The story has laughter, intrigue, and a good romance.
Señorita Madeline Rosette Allegra Charlebois is the daughter of a diplomat serving as an etiquette advisor attached to the court of Queen Isabella II, in1853. Unfortunately for Madeline, she has been on the receiving end of a series of nasty situations as a result of Queen Isabella’s jealousy and vindictiveness. The queen has devised a way to permanently rid herself of the lovely diplomat.
Grant Stewart is a professor of quantum physics who has buried himself into the cold facts of time and space after losing his wife, three years before, to an accident. He’s not one to believe in fanciful tales of time travel—an impossibility in his professional opinion.
Grant and Maddie’s lives collide at Charm Gates in the Court Two Sisters. What follows is fun story. There is quite a bit of mystery involved—for example why New Orleans and not another setting in Spain? What’s the connection? I really liked how the answer is revealed. Plus, Maddie’s transition into modern life isn’t without difficulties with sad and funny situations. Maddie makes friends in New Orleans who do believe her tale but then they also believe in voodoo which creates some laughter in the story as well. These friends know Grant Stewart is her key to home. Then there is Kimmy, the professor’s young daughter and I actually liked her little self. She was a believable character with a role in helping Maddie and not just someone thrown in to facilitate the story. Donna MacMeans has several great secondary characters and what makes them great is the fact that are believable and with their own goals and motivations and they’re not all pure and good which adds quite a bit to the story.
Overall, this was a great escape for me and I’m looking forward to the next in the series which places one of Grant’s friends smack dab into Spain in the 1850’s. That will also be a highly entertaining tale.
This is a reverse time travel story where the main character comes from the past to the present New Orleans—a city with an atmosphere of anything can happen. It’s very well done. The story has laughter, intrigue, and a good romance.
Señorita Madeline Rosette Allegra Charlebois is the daughter of a diplomat serving as an etiquette advisor attached to the court of Queen Isabella II, in1853. Unfortunately for Madeline, she has been on the receiving end of a series of nasty situations as a result of Queen Isabella’s jealousy and vindictiveness. The queen has devised a way to permanently rid herself of the lovely diplomat.
Grant Stewart is a professor of quantum physics who has buried himself into the cold facts of time and space after losing his wife, three years before, to an accident. He’s not one to believe in fanciful tales of time travel—an impossibility in his professional opinion.
Grant and Maddie’s lives collide at Charm Gates in the Court Two Sisters. What follows is fun story. There is quite a bit of mystery involved—for example why New Orleans and not another setting in Spain? What’s the connection? I really liked how the answer is revealed. Plus, Maddie’s transition into modern life isn’t without difficulties with sad and funny situations. Maddie makes friends in New Orleans who do believe her tale but then they also believe in voodoo which creates some laughter in the story as well. These friends know Grant Stewart is her key to home. Then there is Kimmy, the professor’s young daughter and I actually liked her little self. She was a believable character with a role in helping Maddie and not just someone thrown in to facilitate the story. Donna MacMeans has several great secondary characters and what makes them great is the fact that are believable and with their own goals and motivations and they’re not all pure and good which adds quite a bit to the story.
Overall, this was a great escape for me and I’m looking forward to the next in the series which places one of Grant’s friends smack dab into Spain in the 1850’s. That will also be a highly entertaining tale.
November 15, 2018
Charming the Professor: A Charm Gates Time-Travel Romance by Donna MacMeans is a spicy, fast-moving romance that spans two centuries: 19th-century Spain and 21st-century New Orleans. MacMeans really puts her words to work, giving the text multiple layers to savor. I don't normally go for romance novels with sex because of how difficult it can be to write sex scenes well. No matter what I want to say next sounds like a double entendre, so I'll just say MacMeans writes such scenes well. Finally, the hallmark of a good novel, I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Even now I am wondering what is happening to Richard (we'll go ahead and call him "Dick"). This book is a great beach read, even if it's not summer, or a good book to curl up with in front of a fireplace, even if it's not winter. MacMeans will whisk you out of your setting and plunk you down somewhere -- and sometime -- else.
September 21, 2018
Great escape!
Such a fun read. The heroine was utterly delightful, a woman for any time period. The hero came to life with her influence. Vivid details on locations and historical fact mixed creativity. Highly recommend.
Such a fun read. The heroine was utterly delightful, a woman for any time period. The hero came to life with her influence. Vivid details on locations and historical fact mixed creativity. Highly recommend.
November 8, 2018
3.75 stars
I adored the Heroine. She was just perfect. The Hero however didn't really warm my heart. He was so cold in places. I also wished for longer, slower love scenes. They felt rushed to me.
I thought the story about how she traveled forward in time was very interested and it kept me turning pages. Also the historical parts about the novel were well done. I would read this author again.
I adored the Heroine. She was just perfect. The Hero however didn't really warm my heart. He was so cold in places. I also wished for longer, slower love scenes. They felt rushed to me.
I thought the story about how she traveled forward in time was very interested and it kept me turning pages. Also the historical parts about the novel were well done. I would read this author again.
December 7, 2021
Very good time travel book. A woman is put under an alchemist spell and is discovered in current day New Orleans. One of my favorites.
December 6, 2015
This is a fabulous story that will make you smile laugh and yes have you grabbing for the tissues as well it is a story that will take you from Madrid in 1853 to New Orleans now and to such a lovely HEA along a path that has ups and downs as you would expect when one travels into the future.
Senorita Madeline Charlebois is know as a charm teacher in Queen Isabella 11 court and she is charming and beautiful much to the Queen's dislike and Queen Isabella wants her gone permanently so she calls in Padre Rodriquez and with him being and alchemist and some new discoveries Madeline or Maddie as she is know to her friends finds herself in modern day New Orleans and as Maddie discovers the modern world and how different it is you will be smiling.
Professor Grant Stewart has been through heart break he is a single father who spends most of his time working hard at the Tulane University he is a professor of quantum physics and does not want love again he loves his daughter Kimberly but has trouble finding babysitters for her but that is all about to change along with his life, when he is at a restaurant in The City near The Charm gates lightning strikes and a beautiful woman dressed in period clothing basically lands on him and so a wonderful journey begins.
This really is a great story that had me turning the pages Maddie is wary of opening up and telling her true story but she knows somehow that the professor is the key to her returning home there are twists and turns in the story that you will enjoy it is heart-warming and sensual as Maddie and Grant cannot deny the spark between them. The setting is awesome I really need to visit new Orleans but when there is interference from friends things change quickly.
I highly recommend this story it is the start of a new series and I look forward to more of them I hope I have done this story justice because it really is a great read that should not be missed, thank you MS MacMeans for hours of reading pleasure.
Senorita Madeline Charlebois is know as a charm teacher in Queen Isabella 11 court and she is charming and beautiful much to the Queen's dislike and Queen Isabella wants her gone permanently so she calls in Padre Rodriquez and with him being and alchemist and some new discoveries Madeline or Maddie as she is know to her friends finds herself in modern day New Orleans and as Maddie discovers the modern world and how different it is you will be smiling.
Professor Grant Stewart has been through heart break he is a single father who spends most of his time working hard at the Tulane University he is a professor of quantum physics and does not want love again he loves his daughter Kimberly but has trouble finding babysitters for her but that is all about to change along with his life, when he is at a restaurant in The City near The Charm gates lightning strikes and a beautiful woman dressed in period clothing basically lands on him and so a wonderful journey begins.
This really is a great story that had me turning the pages Maddie is wary of opening up and telling her true story but she knows somehow that the professor is the key to her returning home there are twists and turns in the story that you will enjoy it is heart-warming and sensual as Maddie and Grant cannot deny the spark between them. The setting is awesome I really need to visit new Orleans but when there is interference from friends things change quickly.
I highly recommend this story it is the start of a new series and I look forward to more of them I hope I have done this story justice because it really is a great read that should not be missed, thank you MS MacMeans for hours of reading pleasure.
December 22, 2015
When I have the good fortune to pick up a book by Donna MacMeans, I know I am in for an enjoyable read and CHARMING THE PROFESSOR is no exception.
From Madrid, Spain in the court of Queen Isabella to the modern day New Orleans, this time-travel romance will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.
Queen Isabella is a petty, jealous woman who can’t stand the thought that the beautiful and sweet natured Madeline is more lovable than a Royal Queen could be. She is determined to get rid of the competition at any cost and blackmails a local alchemist to help her bind Madeline’s essence into the Charm Gates.
Never in her wildest dreams could Madeline imagine going from the Queen’s Court to the Court of the Two Sisters Charm Gates in modern New Orleans. And what is that big bundle of rags lying against the wall. Why no other than Quantum physics Professor Grant Stewart.
From the touch of the Charm Gates to the appearance of a strange woman dressed in outdated clothes the confusion is mutual and the two must muddle along together to figure things out. Add in a few other interesting characters and you have the makings of another wonderful Donna MacMeans book!
I enjoyed every bit of this book and didn’t want to put it down. I know it will not only be going onto my keeper shelf but will be a great book to read again and again.
Don’t miss out! Grab your copy today!!
From Madrid, Spain in the court of Queen Isabella to the modern day New Orleans, this time-travel romance will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.
Queen Isabella is a petty, jealous woman who can’t stand the thought that the beautiful and sweet natured Madeline is more lovable than a Royal Queen could be. She is determined to get rid of the competition at any cost and blackmails a local alchemist to help her bind Madeline’s essence into the Charm Gates.
Never in her wildest dreams could Madeline imagine going from the Queen’s Court to the Court of the Two Sisters Charm Gates in modern New Orleans. And what is that big bundle of rags lying against the wall. Why no other than Quantum physics Professor Grant Stewart.
From the touch of the Charm Gates to the appearance of a strange woman dressed in outdated clothes the confusion is mutual and the two must muddle along together to figure things out. Add in a few other interesting characters and you have the makings of another wonderful Donna MacMeans book!
I enjoyed every bit of this book and didn’t want to put it down. I know it will not only be going onto my keeper shelf but will be a great book to read again and again.
Don’t miss out! Grab your copy today!!
February 19, 2016
** May Contain Spoilers**
This time travel romance was okay for me. Madeline Charlebois (Maddie) is a lady of Queen Isabella’s court. Queen Isabella is jealous of Maddie’s beauty and the attentions she draws and wants her to disappear. Maddie end up in New Orleans where she meets Professor Grant Stewart who thinks she is crazy. However Grant’s six year old daughter Kimberly, who has been a terror to her babysitters bonds with Maddie and they develop a bond that is strong and Grant is fond of. Jennifer, Grant’s current girlfriend makes it known Grant is hers and she will do what it takes to keep it that way but Madeline’s only worry is trying to figure out how to get back home. With everything that happens since arriving in New Orleans and the bonds that she formed, when she gets the chance to go home will she actually take it? The story was an okay read for me because it moved at a slow pace and the pace never increased during the whole story which made seem to drag on and on. I think this time travel book would be good for readers who enjoy a good time travel romance with a historical feeling.
This time travel romance was okay for me. Madeline Charlebois (Maddie) is a lady of Queen Isabella’s court. Queen Isabella is jealous of Maddie’s beauty and the attentions she draws and wants her to disappear. Maddie end up in New Orleans where she meets Professor Grant Stewart who thinks she is crazy. However Grant’s six year old daughter Kimberly, who has been a terror to her babysitters bonds with Maddie and they develop a bond that is strong and Grant is fond of. Jennifer, Grant’s current girlfriend makes it known Grant is hers and she will do what it takes to keep it that way but Madeline’s only worry is trying to figure out how to get back home. With everything that happens since arriving in New Orleans and the bonds that she formed, when she gets the chance to go home will she actually take it? The story was an okay read for me because it moved at a slow pace and the pace never increased during the whole story which made seem to drag on and on. I think this time travel book would be good for readers who enjoy a good time travel romance with a historical feeling.
December 26, 2015
This was a fun and fabulous time travel story. Maddie and Grant are literally from two different worlds, and I was very entertained watching them collide. Donna MacMeans is great with descriptions, so it was very easy to envision the 19th century Madrid, as well as the present-day New Orleans. I love that she set the story in New Orleans. If there were ever a more perfect place to drop a time traveler in, this would be it. Maddie's thoughts and wonder about modern objects were very amusing! It was a lot of fun seeing things through her eyes. Grant was an intriguing character. He was in a very tough situation at the beginning of the story, and his ups and downs made for some great moments. One of my favorite parts was the ending. Someone has found themselves in a huge predicament, and I can't wait to see what happens! I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2016
A sweeping adventure from the city of New Orleans to the majestic country of Spain. I’ve read a lot of time travel romance stories and this tops my list of all time favorites. It’s clear to the reader that Donna did her homework as the details are carefully worked through and eloquently executed. Combining science, folklore and unexplained historical events this book has everything to make it a most enchanting story not to be missed.
What would you do if you found yourself faced with the unthinkable? Would you trust what you know? Would you confide in your friends?
Friendships are tested, relationships pushed and family bonds are strengthened in this magical must read. Time travel across continents, a century or two of changes and true love.
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
What would you do if you found yourself faced with the unthinkable? Would you trust what you know? Would you confide in your friends?
Friendships are tested, relationships pushed and family bonds are strengthened in this magical must read. Time travel across continents, a century or two of changes and true love.
I received this ARC from the author for a fair and honest review.
August 20, 2016
A delightful book about a mean queen who is jealous of a beautiful girl in her employ. She makes the alchemist get rid of her. The poor girl has been transported to new Orleans, trapped in the court of the 2 sisters charm gate. She has finally been released to a time in the far future where she knows nothing about. The journey in this woman's life is a great story that I think anyone would love.
September 1, 2016
This was such a fun read. It had been awhile since I was able to read most of a book non-stop for hours (I can do that as a passenger in a car-ride) and so glad I didn’t have to put this book down. But if my eyesight never recovers, I’ll blame it on the book. Haha!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews