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Witchstone
He wanted her, but did he love her?
Jake Seton was all wrong for Ashley Calder. He was too old, too sophisticated, too wealthy -- his social sphere too far from her own. And he was engaged to be married.
Even her cousin Karen had seen the signs and warned Ashley. "Be careful, won't you? He's less vulnerable and more experienced than you. Don't get involved with him."
So forget him, Ashley kept telling herself--and honestly tried. The trouble was that Jake wouldn't forget her...
Jake Seton was all wrong for Ashley Calder. He was too old, too sophisticated, too wealthy -- his social sphere too far from her own. And he was engaged to be married.
Even her cousin Karen had seen the signs and warned Ashley. "Be careful, won't you? He's less vulnerable and more experienced than you. Don't get involved with him."
So forget him, Ashley kept telling herself--and honestly tried. The trouble was that Jake wouldn't forget her...
Paperback
First published August 1, 1974
5 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mather
798 books357 followersAnne Mather is the pseudonym used by Mildred Grieveson, a popular British author of over 160 romance novels. She also signed novels as Caroline Fleming and Cardine Fleming.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 27, 2019
Straightforward story of the rich son of the manor meeting a newcomer to the village and falling instantly in love. He breaks his engagement and pursues the heroine. His family is outraged and tries to keep them apart – even after the hero is near death after a car accident. Eventually the heroine breaches the sickroom and finds the hero still loves her (and is not blind) for an HEA.
*checks author*
Seems weird for AM. Hero isn’t a cousin or stepbrother or a secret sibling.
*double checks ages*
Ah, here it is. Heroine is 17 and is still in school, wearing her school uniform when hero takes her for a ride to Witchstone, the local parking spot on top of a hill. Hero is 30.
Now I feel better. AM had a few jailbait heroines, although this had nothing on Green Lightning.
*checks author*
Seems weird for AM. Hero isn’t a cousin or stepbrother or a secret sibling.
*double checks ages*
Ah, here it is. Heroine is 17 and is still in school, wearing her school uniform when hero takes her for a ride to Witchstone, the local parking spot on top of a hill. Hero is 30.
Now I feel better. AM had a few jailbait heroines, although this had nothing on Green Lightning.
October 1, 2021
Another great story by Anne Mather,"Witchstone" presents a innocent and driven heroine Ashley Calder whose life stumbles after she meets the sophisticated and handsome hero Jake Seton who also are engaged to be married! It is clear as her cousin said,Jake simply has to find any excuse to be near Ashley and he is not afraid to show it.The plot is kinda similar to another AM romance which is "Act of Possession" which is much better.In "Witchstone" both Jake and Ashley behaved like love-sick fools,and the way the misunderstandings grew made me rather annoyed.
I find it also strange that Jake would be jealous of seeing her with her cousin Mark!I mean...they are cousins!There is no reason to be jealous!I am glad that Jake broke things off with his fiance early on,and knew in his heart what he finally wanted out of life.His Ashley.I also have come to realize that in Anne Mather`s books the heroes usually are the first one to confess their loves for their heroines,i love that!
I find it also strange that Jake would be jealous of seeing her with her cousin Mark!I mean...they are cousins!There is no reason to be jealous!I am glad that Jake broke things off with his fiance early on,and knew in his heart what he finally wanted out of life.His Ashley.I also have come to realize that in Anne Mather`s books the heroes usually are the first one to confess their loves for their heroines,i love that!
February 12, 2018
Loved this book!
This was sweet story about seventeen year old Ashley who moves to new town, after death of her father, to live with her aunt's family. Three months living with them she meets her cousin Mark's friend Jake Seton who is about thirty years old and engaged to be married. Things take a turn for Ashley when Jake is giving her attention and pursuing her. Is Jake serious about Ashley and what about his fiancée Babara?
This is may/ December love story. I loved the hero Jake!
It's a memorable story one I would reread again. Love the cover!
This was sweet story about seventeen year old Ashley who moves to new town, after death of her father, to live with her aunt's family. Three months living with them she meets her cousin Mark's friend Jake Seton who is about thirty years old and engaged to be married. Things take a turn for Ashley when Jake is giving her attention and pursuing her. Is Jake serious about Ashley and what about his fiancée Babara?
This is may/ December love story. I loved the hero Jake!
It's a memorable story one I would reread again. Love the cover!
July 31, 2021
4 stars. No wait !!!! It's an Anne Mather. I changed my mind. 5 stars !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When she writes something so simple and so out of character, it is our solemn duty to appreciate that ;))))
The hero Jake, is a 30 year old , small town , big guy. His family owns the town practically. He is cocky, super confident and assertive. But he is not a jerk, no wives hidden in the backyard, no kids lurking around the corner, no weird step brother/almost family connections with the heroine.
Wow, what a relief to have an almost normal guy as the hero :)
Now the girl Ashley is a sweet little orphan , "I am 17, going on 18". Golden girl, sweet radiant, fairly confident for her age, and extremely grounded. She fancies the hero , no doubt. But not blown away by him to throw away her common sense.
She even seriously ponders whether she must accept the hero's marriage proposal (if and when he proposes) because he is too rich, and there is a class conflict. I say, that's a totally sensible thing to do. Think about it girl, life doesn't end at the HEA, it begins there actually !
Ashley's cousin brother works for Jake, and is a good friend too. So when Jake starts to befriend Ashley, the family doesn't see anything odd. But when Jake slowly starts to pay special attention to our Ashley, everybody starts to take notice.
You see our fellow is engaged into the other rich family in town. The OW is a bitchy snooty high society gal. Jake drops her almost immediately after he sets sight on Ashley.
And there is no subterfuge. After just a wee bit of cuddling and kissing, he decides to take Ashley home to meet his parents. There is a huge resistance from his family , obvious class conflict. Very natural and believable. But Jake takes it his stride, while Ashley is terrified, and thats quite natural too. She is just 18 !
The dramatic twists are introduced in the second half of the book when Jake meets with an accident. When he is out of action, Ashley faces trouble from his family. However, her family (Ashley lives with her aunt and her family) are loving and very supportive.
Finally, Ashley comes of age, gets the confidence to confront the fellow's parents. She then gets permission to meet the bed ridden Jake. And she makes a sweet noble gesture that has the desperately in love Jake go crazy about her all over again !! Sweet climax, lovely HEA.
When she writes something so simple and so out of character, it is our solemn duty to appreciate that ;))))
The hero Jake, is a 30 year old , small town , big guy. His family owns the town practically. He is cocky, super confident and assertive. But he is not a jerk, no wives hidden in the backyard, no kids lurking around the corner, no weird step brother/almost family connections with the heroine.
Wow, what a relief to have an almost normal guy as the hero :)
Now the girl Ashley is a sweet little orphan , "I am 17, going on 18". Golden girl, sweet radiant, fairly confident for her age, and extremely grounded. She fancies the hero , no doubt. But not blown away by him to throw away her common sense.
She even seriously ponders whether she must accept the hero's marriage proposal (if and when he proposes) because he is too rich, and there is a class conflict. I say, that's a totally sensible thing to do. Think about it girl, life doesn't end at the HEA, it begins there actually !
Ashley's cousin brother works for Jake, and is a good friend too. So when Jake starts to befriend Ashley, the family doesn't see anything odd. But when Jake slowly starts to pay special attention to our Ashley, everybody starts to take notice.
You see our fellow is engaged into the other rich family in town. The OW is a bitchy snooty high society gal. Jake drops her almost immediately after he sets sight on Ashley.
And there is no subterfuge. After just a wee bit of cuddling and kissing, he decides to take Ashley home to meet his parents. There is a huge resistance from his family , obvious class conflict. Very natural and believable. But Jake takes it his stride, while Ashley is terrified, and thats quite natural too. She is just 18 !
The dramatic twists are introduced in the second half of the book when Jake meets with an accident. When he is out of action, Ashley faces trouble from his family. However, her family (Ashley lives with her aunt and her family) are loving and very supportive.
Finally, Ashley comes of age, gets the confidence to confront the fellow's parents. She then gets permission to meet the bed ridden Jake. And she makes a sweet noble gesture that has the desperately in love Jake go crazy about her all over again !! Sweet climax, lovely HEA.
May 28, 2016
It was a pretty typical "meet and fall in love at first sight but fight the connection" novel. I did enjoy it greatly, it was one of he better ones I've read. However I didn't quite like it all the way, I wanted more angst and passion.
September 29, 2024
This is from 1974 and yes, very ‘old-skool’. The h is an inexperienced 17-year old (almost 18) orphan and school girl who can barely speak sensibly and can’t socialize with people who are not her family, she’s always terrified. The H is a 30-year old sophisticated, wealthy man from an aristocratic family and chairman of the family company, driving in a Ferrari.
I give four stars because the H is besotted and he doesn’t hide his feelings. He was engaged to be married to another woman when he met the h. I like that he - soon after realizing his feelings for the h - ended his engagement, that he was honest in his pursuit.
I give four stars because the H is besotted and he doesn’t hide his feelings. He was engaged to be married to another woman when he met the h. I like that he - soon after realizing his feelings for the h - ended his engagement, that he was honest in his pursuit.
September 8, 2025
A very old and typical HQ romance. So much angst, a too young MFC and a to arrogant and cynical MMC.
After the drama and angst and the miscommunications are over, they end with their HEA.
After the drama and angst and the miscommunications are over, they end with their HEA.
April 4, 2017
A good read where the h and H meet and instant attraction! He's much older, wealthy, the only son and oops! engaged to someone else.
He starts chasing the h. She's only 17, quite innocent and unsure of how to handle his attentions. He's persistent and slowly breaks her down in spite of her reservations. Then there's a broken engagement, car crash, lots of anger and blame (mostly from his mother) and a nervous breakdown.
It all ends well, kinda. But the journey there was all angsty and a bit long. Still, it was an interesting read and it kept me entertained.
He starts chasing the h. She's only 17, quite innocent and unsure of how to handle his attentions. He's persistent and slowly breaks her down in spite of her reservations. Then there's a broken engagement, car crash, lots of anger and blame (mostly from his mother) and a nervous breakdown.
It all ends well, kinda. But the journey there was all angsty and a bit long. Still, it was an interesting read and it kept me entertained.
February 16, 2020
He wanted her, but did he love her?
Jake Seton was all wrong for Ashley Calder. He was too old, too sophisticated, too wealthy -- his social sphere too far from her own. And he was engaged to be married.
Even her cousin Karen had seen the signs and warned Ashley. "Be careful, won't you? He's less vulnerable and more experienced than you. Don't get involved with him."
So forget him, Ashley kept telling herself--and honestly tried. The trouble was that Jake wouldn't forget her
Jake Seton was all wrong for Ashley Calder. He was too old, too sophisticated, too wealthy -- his social sphere too far from her own. And he was engaged to be married.
Even her cousin Karen had seen the signs and warned Ashley. "Be careful, won't you? He's less vulnerable and more experienced than you. Don't get involved with him."
So forget him, Ashley kept telling herself--and honestly tried. The trouble was that Jake wouldn't forget her
July 16, 2025
Vintage Love Story 1974:
In this well written story of romance, Love covers all aspects of possible barriers coming between Hero and Heroine - wide age gap, different social standing, family disapproval, the betrothal to someone else , possible disability (blindness) and the fact that both Hero and Heroine only knew each other for only a little over 2 months. Love conquers all!
This carrys the stamp of Anne Mather romance
- Intriguing circumstances and sexual tension between Hero and Heroine enough to titillate and satisfy a reader’s romantic imagination.
CYA’58
In this well written story of romance, Love covers all aspects of possible barriers coming between Hero and Heroine - wide age gap, different social standing, family disapproval, the betrothal to someone else , possible disability (blindness) and the fact that both Hero and Heroine only knew each other for only a little over 2 months. Love conquers all!
This carrys the stamp of Anne Mather romance
- Intriguing circumstances and sexual tension between Hero and Heroine enough to titillate and satisfy a reader’s romantic imagination.
CYA’58
November 1, 2021
I was a little hesitant to read this one at first, but it grew on me. I wasn't sure about a 17-year-old falling for a man of almost 30. As the plot progressed, it became more complex and interesting. By the end, I think Miss Mather might have been channeling "Jane Eyre" in a way. I enjoyed some of the young female characters, Ashley's cousin, Karen, and Jake's sister, Jennifer. Barbara, Jake's fiancee, was a nasty one, just looking for a rich man with deep pockets.
September 28, 2018
And yet another favorite :)
dnf
August 7, 2024Pubblicato in italiano con il titolo: Prima coppa di Champagne
October 4, 2024
Enjoyed reading this book
January 25, 2021
"3.50" η βαθμολογία του!
"Ο μαγεμένος βράχος" - Άνν Μάθερ , Χρυσό 83, έτος έκδοσης: 1974.
"Ο μαγεμένος βράχος" - Άνν Μάθερ , Χρυσό 83, έτος έκδοσης: 1974.
October 22, 2018
"She's no chicken to be worrrying about which coop she queens it in." This is in reference to the OW, "Barbara St. John Forrest". That name. Oh, lort.
I adore these vintage phrases.
I adore these vintage phrases.
June 14, 2025
Ah, I love a story where the hero is so smitten it is palpable. The heroine is very sweet, young and kind and under his spell immediately. Lots of angst with the OW, but nothing too over the top. Lovely ending.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews