Spellbound

by Patricia Simpson

Nominated Best Indie Book of 2009 by Romantic Times. As the host of a popular TV show, Tara Lewis has learned to control every aspect of her life. But all that changes when she goes to Scotland to get married and encounters a time-traveling knight intent upon stopping her wedding. Tara is not accustomed to roadblocks. Or to idealistic Knight Templars. Or to terrifying events like the ones set in motion when her car veers off a lonely road in Scotland. As Tara's wedding day approaches, she realizes not just her career is in jeopardy, but her life and her heart as well. She must find a way to stop running—from her past, the evil that threatens her, but most of all—from the forbidden love of a spellbound knight.

Genres: Romance, Time Travel, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Ebooks

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2009

About the author

Patricia Simpson grew up in the wilderness of Western Montana, where it meant a 3-1/2 hour drive just to buy shoes. When she was young, the iPod hadn't yet been invented, and there were no radio stations in the area, so on the many long drives for shoes, Patricia amused herself by reading novels or creating her own stories in her head. She was encouraged to write by her sister, who always asked to be read what she had written so far that day, her Egyptian-born English teacher in junior high, and then again by a creative writing professor at the University of Washington. Instead of seeking a writing degree, Patricia chose to pursue a BA in Art and has worked as a graphic artist/web developer at the University of Washington since 1982. Patricia still enjoys painting almost as much as she loves to write.

Ms Simpson has won numerous awards for her fiction, including Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, Career Achievement Award, and has been a finalist in the RITA awards and for Best Indie Paranormal of the Year.

Her Scottish husband encourages her to accompany him on his frequent business trips around the world, and whenever possible Patricia goes with him to scope out spooky historical places to use as the settings of her books.

Reviews

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I had trouble with how conflicts were created, some were due to heroine being careless and stupid.

STORY BRIEF:
Tara and David are cohosts of a TV show called Fact or Fiction, debunking psychic phenomena using scientific facts. They fly to Scotland to be married in a castle owned by David’s uncle. The castle is haunted by a ghost (the Lady in Green) who David hopes to film in connection with the wedding. While there, Tara accidentally stumbles upon a hidden tomb. As she reads the words inscribed on the sarcophagus, the spellbound knight (named Hugh) comes back to life. He was buried around 1224. To gain his freedom, Hugh must recover a valuable psalter and deliver it to its rightful owner. Others want the psalter as well. Tara is drawn to Hugh which causes her to question her engagement to David.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I couldn’t get excited enough to recommend it. Some things didn’t make sense to me. Tara was stupid and weak which caused some bad things to happen to her. At one time, Hugh was separated from Tara in a way that was not believable. Hugh’s method of contacting Tara at the end didn’t seem normal to me, which I saw as a way to create a more suspense. I think most normal people would have done it differently. The information in the psalter was eventually used in a way that was unrealistic (and/or not explained well). This story had the ingredients for romance: modern day woman falls in love with a 13th century knight, but I didn’t enjoy it because of Tara’s character and the methods used to create conflict. The back stories about the ghost, Hugh, and Tara’s past were interesting but not enough to offset the other problems.

DATA:
Story length: 255 pages. Swearing language: moderate (including religious swear words). Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one partial sex scene, 4 pages long. Setting: current day Scotland. Copyright: 2009. Genre: fantasy romance with some suspense.

[SamBFN · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was a 2 star for me. Overall I liked the premise and the story but there was so many unanswered questions by the end of the story for me that left me hanging. Would I recommend it? Only if you didn't have anything else to read. I did like both Hugh's and Tara's back stories when they were revealed and I liked their relationship. But really, Tara at times was TSTL and just had me shaking my head at her.

Tara Lewis has travelled to Scotland for her wedding to her co-host David Corbin. The host a TV Reality Show called Fact or Fiction where they investigate paranormal events. As they are driving to his uncle's castle he is discussing on the phone the plans that he hadn't discuss with Tara of turning their private wedding into a public spectacle by filming the wedding for a TV episode. . . supposedly the castle is hunted by "The Lady in Green" who only appears on October 11th which coincides with their wedding date. Distressed that David made plans without her she grabs his arm while they are driving and go off the road. David gets her to safety in a crypt and then leaves her to go get help since she had hurt her ankle.
In the crypt Tara reads out loud scripture carved in the sarcophagus and unknowingly invokes a spell to bring the former Knight Templar Hugh Laughlin back into existence. The story then continues from there.

The major issues that left me hanging were:

1. What was the issue with the bedroom and why they serving boy and the staff were uneasy about it?

2. David as a character was wishy washy all over the place, his behaviour towards Morag was never explained, even his behavior towards Tara. He was part of the curse for the women to attract unhappy marriages? At times you believe he was working with John, then he was just self-centered. His character was never really fleshed out.

3. It wasn't explained how she became a Corbin and how the Psalter came in her line's possession. Edouard Corbin to the baby from Anne and then locked her in the secret room where she died. How did you descendants end up with the book and separated from the Corbins that remained in Scotland?

[JoAnn Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Good foreshadowing and wrap up at the end.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book! Suspense, romance, ghost... Only the second book I have read by this author, but I do enjoy her writing! I will be reading her others.

[❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️]

Kindle Freebie 1.26.12

[Francy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a consuming book that tells a great ghost story. Once again love finds a way. Definitely worth reading.

[Lita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I read this before because I remembered little snippets but couldn't remember the story. Anyway I reread it today in one sitting and I enjoyed it but it has so many elements that are found in so many books, and lacks anything to make it memorable. A I said, I really enjoyed it and it certainly didn't lag, so I have to give it 4 stars because I really liked it, enough to read it twice.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread of a book I first got during that magical and hellish summer between high school and college. It's okay. I could remember most of what happened after the first bit of each chapter. Not cozy but not all spice. I was a bit annoyed at some of the tropes, but this was written 15 years ago so times have changed.

[Aurora Graywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical, time-bending romance that swept me away! Tara’s journey from modern bride-to-be to a soul-searching woman caught between centuries is emotional, thrilling, and deeply romantic. The Scottish setting, the honorable knight, and the sense of destiny made this unforgettable. A must-read for fans of time travel and epic love stories!

[Suzy Ostapower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece by Patricia Simpson

I have successfully completed my second book by this author. She’s a wonderful wordsmith. I do believe that I will be reading as many as I can get my hands on.

[Lynn Worton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to start this book a few times before I got hooked.

I didn't really like the main character Tara, because she was so set in her beliefs that she wasn't willing to think about things that fell outside of her comfort zone logically, or at all. I get that she has built up her person as a TV personality, etc. but it didn't make her a likable character. Otherwise, I thought the book and the characters were pretty well written.

Plot was pretty straight forward and didn't take too much brain power to figure out what was going on. For such a smart person Tara definitely annoyed me a handful of times with her lack of forethought. Plus, I definitely though there would be more evil from Morag (seriously, her ending came so quickly).

Decent read; light religion, romance, myth, bit of magic, lots of mystery. Glad it was free.

[A.R. Von · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like to read a story full of suprises this is one for you! I have to say with "Spellbound" one is definitly to expect the unexpected. It was so enjoyable I finished it on one day. There is nothing within this book that is like all others out there. My favorite characters are Tara, Hugh and Anne. They all made the story more enjoyable with their individuality and secrets.
I'm very happy with the way the book ended and know whomever else reads it will be as well. There will be more Patricia Simpson books in my future.

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. About halfway through is where it got a bit more interesting. There were some cheesy parts of the story that made me laugh when I shouldn't have been. It also seemed like there was were so many twists and turns that it almost seemed ridiculous. It was an easy read and was good enough that I finished it. I probably wouldn't read it again though.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I totally forgot when I finished this and this book wasn't that memorable, so I've forgotten a lot.

This book was silly. The fiance/co-host was a complete asshat, I couldn't see how the main female character was ever into him. The ghost dude was boring. The main female was awful. I was interested enough to finish this one and the premise was decent, but the execution? Not so much.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the beginning of this but to be honest, I find it a struggle to read almost any time travel type of romance. I just find the premise to hard for me to enjoy as a reader. My rating reflects only my own personal taste not on the writing of this story.

[NhaughtyV says Damn the Zon Save the Reviews]

This is a FREEbie right now!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read

[Tia Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very interesting love story!

[Marissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely predictable, boring read with out of touch characters...

[Smileyelena Attard · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book read by this author.I enjoyed the story. However there were questions not really answered at the end.
Would read more from this author!

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it, it was easy to get sucked in and find myself in scotland with a knight. I enjoyed it greatly

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun historical/supernatural style romance.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a freebie through Amazon...REALLY liked this book. Definitely going to find others by this author.

[Patricia Simpson]

If you like Scotland and time-traveling knights, then this is the book for you.

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

II loved it.