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The Donovan Legacy #1-2
The Magic Circle
Discover the magical secrets of the Donovan family in these two reader-favorite tales!
Captivated
When filmmaker Nash Kirkland reaches out to real-life witch Morgana Donovan to use her as a research subject for his next film, Morgana humors the skeptical writer. She allows him to make foolish assumptions about magic, but quickly grows tired of his close-minded ideas on the modern witch. Working in Hollywood, Nash assumes magic is only special effects and smoke and mirrors—and he's written enough horror films to know exactly what goes on behind the scenes. But something about Morgana makes Nash want to change. Nash is ready to start believing in magic, but is Morgana ready to open her heart?
Entranced
As a rule, Sebastian Donovan never likes making his psychic gifts public. But when he receives a desperate call from a young mother looking for her missing baby, Sebastian agrees to help. Having searched for leads for two months, private investigator Mel Sutherland is only slightly offended that Sebastian has been requested to work on the case. Mel doesn't believe in psychics, even if Sebastian's talents have proved helpful in the past. But if she wants to find the missing child, she'll have to swallow her pride and work with Sebastian—no matter how unorthodox his methods are. Soon, the two are forced undercover and into a fake relationship…but pretending to be in love with each other might be the easiest part of this complex case.
Captivated
When filmmaker Nash Kirkland reaches out to real-life witch Morgana Donovan to use her as a research subject for his next film, Morgana humors the skeptical writer. She allows him to make foolish assumptions about magic, but quickly grows tired of his close-minded ideas on the modern witch. Working in Hollywood, Nash assumes magic is only special effects and smoke and mirrors—and he's written enough horror films to know exactly what goes on behind the scenes. But something about Morgana makes Nash want to change. Nash is ready to start believing in magic, but is Morgana ready to open her heart?
Entranced
As a rule, Sebastian Donovan never likes making his psychic gifts public. But when he receives a desperate call from a young mother looking for her missing baby, Sebastian agrees to help. Having searched for leads for two months, private investigator Mel Sutherland is only slightly offended that Sebastian has been requested to work on the case. Mel doesn't believe in psychics, even if Sebastian's talents have proved helpful in the past. But if she wants to find the missing child, she'll have to swallow her pride and work with Sebastian—no matter how unorthodox his methods are. Soon, the two are forced undercover and into a fake relationship…but pretending to be in love with each other might be the easiest part of this complex case.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
80 people are currently reading
1642 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.8k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
October 11, 2018
I do love the Donovan cousins as a group and as individual characters but their love interests felt very lacking and to some extent likable. The cousins is what kept me listening and I did enjoy the mythology surrounding the family. The author did a really good job with the descriptions and the setting the scenes and I had no issues with the narrator. I even felt like the narrator did a decent job with the Irish brogues but then again I’m Texan and have no idea what to listen for.
Captivated is not what I expected. I expected something akin to a romantic suspense but I got a straight up romance. It wasn’t bad but it did seem to drag along to me a little bit. Not only that but I couldn’t decide if I liked Nash or not as the love interest. The problem with the story is all the relationship barriers resided with Nash and at some point began to feel very forced just to push the story out longer.
In Entranced, we focus on Sebastian and Mel as they search for a missing boy. Well I was more interested in this once because there was a mystery to it but to be honest Mel was a bitch and I couldn’t figure out what Sebastian saw in her. Honestly Sebastian is adorable and sexy and his banter with the cousins is great. I kept waiting for me like Mel or to at least understand what Sebastian sees but it just didn’t happen.
I don’t know if I will continue with the series since I just don’t like any of the love interests for the cousins and not sure if the series will improve or not.
Captivated is not what I expected. I expected something akin to a romantic suspense but I got a straight up romance. It wasn’t bad but it did seem to drag along to me a little bit. Not only that but I couldn’t decide if I liked Nash or not as the love interest. The problem with the story is all the relationship barriers resided with Nash and at some point began to feel very forced just to push the story out longer.
In Entranced, we focus on Sebastian and Mel as they search for a missing boy. Well I was more interested in this once because there was a mystery to it but to be honest Mel was a bitch and I couldn’t figure out what Sebastian saw in her. Honestly Sebastian is adorable and sexy and his banter with the cousins is great. I kept waiting for me like Mel or to at least understand what Sebastian sees but it just didn’t happen.
I don’t know if I will continue with the series since I just don’t like any of the love interests for the cousins and not sure if the series will improve or not.
July 9, 2020
The Donovan Legacy: a family with a long history that reaches back to Ireland and beyond to the time of Merlin and Finn of the Celtics.
Book 1: Captivated: Morgana and Nash: He was a screenwriter exploring research for his latest project and bit off more than he could chew when he walked into her WICCA shop.
Book 2: Sebastian and Mel [Mary Ellen... only don't call her that]. He was a psychic and she was a PI looking for a friend's stolen baby. Together they became an unbeatable team as they worked together in breaking up a baby stealing/selling ring.
Rating: MA: the sex was explicit and graphic.
There are four cousins in all and the first three are my favorites. I loved the feeling of family and the love expressed between them. They were so much fun. They were always bickering with each other and they each had that added something that was handed down through the family Legacy. Just don't cross one of them or you will have to face the entire bunch. I'll save my comments for the fourth cousin. He has his own story in the second book in the next duo: Charmed & Enchanted.
Book 1: Captivated: Morgana and Nash: He was a screenwriter exploring research for his latest project and bit off more than he could chew when he walked into her WICCA shop.
Book 2: Sebastian and Mel [Mary Ellen... only don't call her that]. He was a psychic and she was a PI looking for a friend's stolen baby. Together they became an unbeatable team as they worked together in breaking up a baby stealing/selling ring.
Rating: MA: the sex was explicit and graphic.
There are four cousins in all and the first three are my favorites. I loved the feeling of family and the love expressed between them. They were so much fun. They were always bickering with each other and they each had that added something that was handed down through the family Legacy. Just don't cross one of them or you will have to face the entire bunch. I'll save my comments for the fourth cousin. He has his own story in the second book in the next duo: Charmed & Enchanted.
August 6, 2012
I wasn't going to review these as the combined edition, but since I read them in this omnibus edition I might as well.
I figuratively devoured this book—which isn't to say that it was fantastic, just that it was a quick read and I had the spare time. They're early 90's Nora Roberts and still suffer some of the weaknesses of her earlier work—mostly in the extended family dynamic and weaknesses in the main relationships. I’m not a real fan of the chaotic-yet-idealized Irish stereotype that drives some of Roberts’ earliest family relationships. The obligatory “meet my wacky family and have them threaten-but-understand you” are more a detraction than enhancement in my mind.
The Donovan family has a more overt supernatural element than many of Roberts' other stories. They're a family of hereditary witches and their powers aren't exactly subtle, though they keep them under the radar because... well... because they want to? Except when they don't... Yeah, okay, there's no way that this all works out if you think about it in great depth. Both Morgana and Sebastian would be hounded by media by the time the novels start because they’ve both engaged in public-enough demonstrations of power and they aren’t exactly careful about witnesses.
Anyway, this is a very light read and if you take it on that lighter level, the stories are fun enough to entertain.
A note about Steamy: The first book, Captivated, is on the high end of the Roberts steamy scale. If this had been my first introduction to the Roberts formula I might have hesitated in picking up the second. Interestingly, I thought the second book was on the lower (though not lowest) side so it sort of balanced out.
I figuratively devoured this book—which isn't to say that it was fantastic, just that it was a quick read and I had the spare time. They're early 90's Nora Roberts and still suffer some of the weaknesses of her earlier work—mostly in the extended family dynamic and weaknesses in the main relationships. I’m not a real fan of the chaotic-yet-idealized Irish stereotype that drives some of Roberts’ earliest family relationships. The obligatory “meet my wacky family and have them threaten-but-understand you” are more a detraction than enhancement in my mind.
The Donovan family has a more overt supernatural element than many of Roberts' other stories. They're a family of hereditary witches and their powers aren't exactly subtle, though they keep them under the radar because... well... because they want to? Except when they don't... Yeah, okay, there's no way that this all works out if you think about it in great depth. Both Morgana and Sebastian would be hounded by media by the time the novels start because they’ve both engaged in public-enough demonstrations of power and they aren’t exactly careful about witnesses.
Anyway, this is a very light read and if you take it on that lighter level, the stories are fun enough to entertain.
A note about Steamy: The first book, Captivated, is on the high end of the Roberts steamy scale. If this had been my first introduction to the Roberts formula I might have hesitated in picking up the second. Interestingly, I thought the second book was on the lower (though not lowest) side so it sort of balanced out.
February 23, 2009
Captivated & Entranced WOW. I read until my eyes crossed and I couldn't keep them open. I slept, woke, ate breakfast and continued to read until I finished Captivated within 24 hours. I absolutely loved it! Started Entranced shortly there after and again I was completely enthralled. Great Read. Now I'm going to have to read Charmed & Enchanted, the next two books in this foursome of literary crack.
December 5, 2020
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March 1, 2020
Morgana is a witch and has always been. She can trace her lineage back to the ancient Celts. Nash is a screenwriter who doesn't believe in the supernatural but makes his living writing horror movies. He sets out to meet Morgana believing she's a phony, but when he's hit with the truth, he comes to accept and love her more than he thought possible.
Sebastian is also a witch with the ability to see. When Mel walks into his life to ask for his help finding a lost boy, she thinks he's a fraud and is just waiting for the oil to pop to the service, but what she discovers is Sebastian is the real deal and she's gonna need his help to fin the child.
You get an intriguing glimpses into the parents of these witches, the Donovan's are a fun bunch.
Sebastian is also a witch with the ability to see. When Mel walks into his life to ask for his help finding a lost boy, she thinks he's a fraud and is just waiting for the oil to pop to the service, but what she discovers is Sebastian is the real deal and she's gonna need his help to fin the child.
You get an intriguing glimpses into the parents of these witches, the Donovan's are a fun bunch.
February 25, 2024
Captivated-
Liked the witchy vibes, not so much the smut or the twist
Entranced- liked these companion set of characters and storyline better!
Liked the witchy vibes, not so much the smut or the twist
Entranced- liked these companion set of characters and storyline better!
January 30, 2025
Seriously in love with these cousins. Nash and Morgana are such a pair and Mel makes me giggle. Great book!
September 11, 2019
Dreamy, enchanting, and charming Nora Roberts stories. Looking forward to the rest of the "Donovans" series!
February 1, 2016
1st story was not good. 2nd story was better. Narrator is not good with male voices.
2 stars for CAPTIVATED.
Not enough plot. Too much descriptions, ponderings, and feelings. It dragged.
The main plot was Nash a movie writer/director thought Morgana was a charlatan witch. He wanted to write a movie about witches. So he interviewed her to learn more about them. She was a real witch and told him truths. He liked what she told him but he thought they were tricks - not the real thing. Meanwhile they are sexually drawn to each other.
I listened to more than half the book and then skipped to the end. I couldn’t make myself listen to more. The sequel “Entranced” was better.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Therese Plummer was very good with general story telling and women’s voices. But she was not good with Nash. She made him sound weird and like a 12-year-old-kid. The emotional tone she used did not fit that of a sexy man.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: at least one sex scene. Setting: Around 1991 California and Ireland. Book copyright: 1992. Genre: contemporary fantasy romance.
------------------------------------------------
3 stars for ENTRANCED.
Pretty good. Characters and plot were formulaic - been done before, but it kept my interest.
This is book 2 in the Donovan Legacy series. Each book can be read as a stand alone. The characters in book 1 have minor roles in book 2.
Mel is a former cop, now a private detective. Her friend Rose’s baby was stolen. Rose heard about Sebastian - a psychic who helped the FBI and cops with cases. Rose arranged to meet with Sebastian and asked Mel to go with her. Mel doesn’t believe in psychics. Mel thinks Sebastian will try to take money from Rose. Mel and Sebastian end up working together on the case. Eventually Mel is convinced of Sebastian’s abilities.
The plot involves finding bad guys who steal babies. It was pretty good. I liked the clues and getting close. The relationship development was pretty good. It’s romance, so the ending is happy.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Therese Plummer was very good with general story telling and women’s voices. But she was not good with Nash. She made him sound dorky. The emotional tone she used did not fit that of a sexy man.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: at least one sex scene. Setting: Around 1991 California and Ireland. Book copyright: 1992. Genre: contemporary fantasy romance.
2 stars for CAPTIVATED.
Not enough plot. Too much descriptions, ponderings, and feelings. It dragged.
The main plot was Nash a movie writer/director thought Morgana was a charlatan witch. He wanted to write a movie about witches. So he interviewed her to learn more about them. She was a real witch and told him truths. He liked what she told him but he thought they were tricks - not the real thing. Meanwhile they are sexually drawn to each other.
I listened to more than half the book and then skipped to the end. I couldn’t make myself listen to more. The sequel “Entranced” was better.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Therese Plummer was very good with general story telling and women’s voices. But she was not good with Nash. She made him sound weird and like a 12-year-old-kid. The emotional tone she used did not fit that of a sexy man.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: at least one sex scene. Setting: Around 1991 California and Ireland. Book copyright: 1992. Genre: contemporary fantasy romance.
------------------------------------------------
3 stars for ENTRANCED.
Pretty good. Characters and plot were formulaic - been done before, but it kept my interest.
This is book 2 in the Donovan Legacy series. Each book can be read as a stand alone. The characters in book 1 have minor roles in book 2.
Mel is a former cop, now a private detective. Her friend Rose’s baby was stolen. Rose heard about Sebastian - a psychic who helped the FBI and cops with cases. Rose arranged to meet with Sebastian and asked Mel to go with her. Mel doesn’t believe in psychics. Mel thinks Sebastian will try to take money from Rose. Mel and Sebastian end up working together on the case. Eventually Mel is convinced of Sebastian’s abilities.
The plot involves finding bad guys who steal babies. It was pretty good. I liked the clues and getting close. The relationship development was pretty good. It’s romance, so the ending is happy.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Therese Plummer was very good with general story telling and women’s voices. But she was not good with Nash. She made him sound dorky. The emotional tone she used did not fit that of a sexy man.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Swearing language: none that I recall. Sexual content: at least one sex scene. Setting: Around 1991 California and Ireland. Book copyright: 1992. Genre: contemporary fantasy romance.
September 30, 2016
Captivated:
Morgana was born a witch..
Nash writes fiction for a living!
He is a skeptic... but finds it increasingly difficult to explain all that happens around her.
His fractured childhood causes them some problems...
Love the little glimpse of the parents!
Entranced:
Sebastian was born a witch... and he has used his talent to help the police and FBI find missing children.
Mel has a friend Rose, whose child was stolen from their yard...
She works as a private investigator but she has not been abe to find the boy.
Travelling together these two find the trail which crosses the country and retrieve the baby... then embark on a mission to stop further anguish to others by taking on the entire operation
I liked the Donovan family and how they simply accept each other. .
I like the way Nora shows the characters to us, layer by layer .. creating a sense of ownership between us and them. We like them,
we are eager to see them again...
I think I need to visit more with this interesting family!
Morgana was born a witch..
Nash writes fiction for a living!
He is a skeptic... but finds it increasingly difficult to explain all that happens around her.
His fractured childhood causes them some problems...
Love the little glimpse of the parents!
Entranced:
Sebastian was born a witch... and he has used his talent to help the police and FBI find missing children.
Mel has a friend Rose, whose child was stolen from their yard...
She works as a private investigator but she has not been abe to find the boy.
Travelling together these two find the trail which crosses the country and retrieve the baby... then embark on a mission to stop further anguish to others by taking on the entire operation
I liked the Donovan family and how they simply accept each other. .
I like the way Nora shows the characters to us, layer by layer .. creating a sense of ownership between us and them. We like them,
we are eager to see them again...
I think I need to visit more with this interesting family!
August 6, 2010
Standard formula when it comes to romance, but Roberts is good at creating memorable characters. The only thing that *really* drives me nuts is the inconsistency of character eye colors. In "Captivated", Sebastian has tawny eyes, which would make them golden. In "Entranced", the novel starring him, he has bluish grey eyes. In "Charmed" and "Enchanted", he has grey eyes. Ms. Roberts - consistency is something that detail oriented people like myself notice, and unexplained inconsistencies drive us nuts. If a character is obsessed with color change eye contacts, then please tell us! If not...stick with one eye color. Please. Other than that, enjoyable stories. As I've said before, not great literature by a long shot, but fun and enjoyable for when you want to read something that isn't terribly difficult.
June 15, 2014
Morgana is a witch and has always been. She can trace her lineage back to the ancient Celts. Nash is a screenwriter who doesn't believe in the supernatural but makes his living writing horror movies. He sets out to meet Morgana believing she's a phony, but when he's hit with the truth, he comes to accept and love her more than he thought possible.
Sebastian is also a witch with the ability to see. When Mel walks into his life to ask for his help finding a lost boy, she thinks he's a fraud and is just waiting for the oil to pop to the service, but what she discovers is Sebastian is the real deal and she's gonna need his help to fin the child.
With intriguing glimpses into the parents of these witches, the Donovan's are a fun bunch to take you away for a few hours.
Sebastian is also a witch with the ability to see. When Mel walks into his life to ask for his help finding a lost boy, she thinks he's a fraud and is just waiting for the oil to pop to the service, but what she discovers is Sebastian is the real deal and she's gonna need his help to fin the child.
With intriguing glimpses into the parents of these witches, the Donovan's are a fun bunch to take you away for a few hours.
January 1, 2014
There are times when rereading a book is like visiting old friends you haven't seen in ages. I haven't read these books in at least 5 years but when I started the first it was like that first delighted conversation with your old friend! ~ happy sigh ~
If you've never read through the Donovan trilogy you're in for such a treat! Morgana is a hot tempered witch! Sebastian, her cousin, has the sight. Anna, their cousin is an empath and healer (her story is told in another book). The three share a tight bond of family and all three are about to meet their matches and mates! :-)
Ready for a bit of romance, intrigue and a whole lot of laughter?
XXOO
~Hope
If you've never read through the Donovan trilogy you're in for such a treat! Morgana is a hot tempered witch! Sebastian, her cousin, has the sight. Anna, their cousin is an empath and healer (her story is told in another book). The three share a tight bond of family and all three are about to meet their matches and mates! :-)
Ready for a bit of romance, intrigue and a whole lot of laughter?
XXOO
~Hope
March 4, 2018
I have always been drawn to books and stories about witchcraft. Loved this book (2 in one) Finished the second have in 1 day because I couldn't put it down. In the first part of the book a screenwriter goes to meet a self-proclaimed witch to research his upcoming play, and he doesn't believe in witchcraft....and well, things happen. In the second part, the story continues and a family member of the 'witch' from the first story is called upon to hunt down some kidnappers and once again, things happen. A mystery and a love story....simple read and a page turner!
July 3, 2009
I love Nora Roberts, these books are romantic but still keep you guessing. Easy and quick to read, the reader feels part of the story, you fall in love with all the characters and want them to live happily ever after.
April 14, 2011
Captivated - Nash Kirkland and Morgana Donovan's book
Entranced - Mary Ellen Sutherland and Sebastian Donovan's book
Check out my review on:
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...
Entranced - Mary Ellen Sutherland and Sebastian Donovan's book
Check out my review on:
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...
August 2, 2008
I very much liked this group. Nora Roberts has a way of making you one of the family and leaves you rooting for their happiness.
January 19, 2009
Wow... a two-in-one masterpeice!
November 25, 2011
Fun read, even the second time around! Love the Celtic folklore aspect to it. Looking forward to reading the second volume with Anastasia's and Liam's stories.
May 13, 2012
Good series if you want light reading and good entertainment!
October 26, 2012
Listened to these books. Liked the narrator--had a great Irish accent. The books are classic Nora Roberts, need I say more?
January 14, 2013
I enjoy the series based on families. I was in the mood for a little romance, a little magic, and characters who are just plain fun. This fit the bill perfectly.
January 17, 2013
Nora Roberts writes some of the most wonderful paranormal romances I have ever read. This one is no different
March 9, 2013
Always enjoy Nora Roberts books. Did notice the discrepancy in the character descriptions only because it had been brought up in a previous review.
September 20, 2013
Every time I go back to the Donovan Legacy books, I feel like I'm meeting up with old friends. This is my favorite of Nora Roberts' series.
August 15, 2017
more re-reading of classic older Nora Roberts
February 15, 2018
I love all her "mystical" novels!
March 14, 2019
It's been a long time since I read this one. It always makes me feel good to read a Nora Roberts book, especially the ones that are magical.
April 20, 2019
I always love these stories because it's about magic, action and Romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews