Lord of Forever

by Patricia Simpson

Accepting the job of her dreams at the historic Charleston estate, the independent Olivia Travanelle learns why her employer, the enigmatic Alexandre Chaubere, is so reclusive and is forced to confront her own painful past. Original.

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this forever ago and have just re-read it. Alexandre Chaubere has been alive for some 300 years and he's just ready to die...or move on or something. Olivia is a landscape artist (although how she became one is never really explained) who is hired to renovate his gardens before he sells the place and moves on. She moves in with her 10-year-old son, Richie. Alexandre is a great character - despite his many years he's not so cynical that he's mean to people or anything, he's very understanding about Richie and he's really sweet to Olivia. He was a bit hypocritical with the whole trust issue, but his not revealing his secret was way more understandable than Olivia not revealing hers. Olivia got on my nerves a bit. She treats Richie like a baby, she's quick to jump to conclusions and distrust men in general and she's very hypocritical. She won't tell Alexandre a thing about her past, but when it comes time for him to reveal secrets she's completely unable to understand why he won't say anything... And the conclusion that she jumps to about Alexandre not getting aroused with her (a result of the immortality)... Why would she automatically think he didn't want her or get pissy that he's rejecting her in some way? My first thought might be that he sustained an injury or something. Nevertheless, their coming together first as good friends and companions and then as lovers is extremely believable and very enjoyable to read. This is a keeper for me. (Oh and Boyd is a fantastic villain!)

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very hard to get into this book. I am the type to start a book and finish it the same day. I spent 3 days just getting into the book. I kept putting it down. I just finished this book and I have to say that I did enjoy it, but maybe not as much as some of the authors other books.

Olivia is a single mother that moves to Charleston from Seattle. She had gotten pregnant in high school and though she did end up married to the father, a rich, weak, though popular high school jock. He left her immediately after the marriage and moved to another state to go to school. He didn't even tell his parents about the marriage. (They wanted her to get an abortion.) She divorced him a couple of months later.

She found out when her child was ten that he was looking for her and their son. So she applied for a scholarship in Charleston and moved there. Her ex husband decides that he wants his child since he is unable to father another child. But the story is not about their relationship as much as it is about the relationship that is developing between her and Alexandre. Alexandre has hired her to design and plan the gardens around his house. He allows her to live in the carriage house.

The story begins with Alexandre taking an elixir to try to either kill himself or become mortal. He is immortal and has live for over 300 years. Be prepared to be patient to get to the good parts of the story, it is very slow in the beginning. I might even say slighly less than 4 stars.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! A different take on living forever. The heroine had a troubled past that caused her to be bitter against men until she met Alexandre. Their story was an interesting one. Falling love without the sex scenes - there is a reason why. A dark hero without hope until he meets Olivia and her son.