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Draycott Abbey #0.4 & 2
The Draycott Legacy: Enchantment & Bridge of Dreams
Enchantment
The search for a priceless painting drew Kacey Mallory to Draycott Abbey—the lure of white-hot passion holds her there. Could enigmatic Lord Draycott guard the key to her past...and the promise of her future?
Bridge of Dreams
Behind the walls of a beautiful English abbey, Cathlin O'Neill is forced to confront deepest sorrow and the ghosts of an ancient love as she and rugged bodyguard Dominic Montserrat, haunted by his own shadowed past, race against time to solve a centuries-old mystery...and free a forgotten passion that burns anew.
The search for a priceless painting drew Kacey Mallory to Draycott Abbey—the lure of white-hot passion holds her there. Could enigmatic Lord Draycott guard the key to her past...and the promise of her future?
Bridge of Dreams
Behind the walls of a beautiful English abbey, Cathlin O'Neill is forced to confront deepest sorrow and the ghosts of an ancient love as she and rugged bodyguard Dominic Montserrat, haunted by his own shadowed past, race against time to solve a centuries-old mystery...and free a forgotten passion that burns anew.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2007
29 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Christina Skye
51 books341 followersAKA Roberta Helmer
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 18, 2018
Loved this book! Past and present lives intertwine!
August 17, 2020
Wonderful romances! Both tales involved Draycott Abbey and ghosts.
February 26, 2012
I am sure I have mentioned before that I absolutely adore Christina Skye’s Dracott Abbey Series. I have read all the books over and over again and fall more and more in love with the characters.
These books have everything I love reading about – romance, paranormal, fantasy, suspense and a bit of historical (of which I am not normally mad about…but here it fits in with the contemporary story).
There are two stories in this book – Enchantment is the first in the series where Kacey Mallory has come to assess a valuable painting at the Abbey and is mistaken for a prostitute by Nicholas Dracott, the twelfth Draycott Viscount who has just come back home after being tortured and imprisoned in a Thailand jail.
After clearing up the misunderstandings, both are drawn to each other by a powerful and unexplainable attraction.
It’s a really sweet and romantic tale with two very likable characters who find true love together.
And the fabulous ghost of Adrian Draycott, one of Nicholas’s ancestors who together with the most amazing cat called Gideon, who guard the abbey and the people they love. Love the description of these two. Stunning. A grey cat with black paws!!!!!!
The second story, Bridge of Dreams, which is the 4th book in the series, tells the story of how true love never dies.
Gabriel Montserrat, had been entombed and left to die in the Abbey’s wine cellar by an evil opponent after been falsely accused of murdering his true love, Geneva Russell. With his last strength he wrote out his last will.
Almost 400 years later, his bones are discovered in unknown secret cellar in the Abbey, together with his will and a case of rare Sauternes wine.
His will, which Nicholas Draycott has been entrusted to follow the instructions therein, states that the wines, which are priceless and rare, are to be given to his and Geneva Russell’s descents provided they spend 7 nights together as man and wife otherwise the wine is to be poured into the moat.
Dominic Montserrat the present Lord Ashton and Gabriel’s descendant is now living in France where he is trying to build up a wine estate that he purchased after retiring from his job with some secret government group after experienced a very traumatic event. Whilst the money that he could make by selling these rare wines is an attraction much needed to help his vineyards, he is not that keen to spend time with some woman he has never met and is probably some loud American with no taste and class.
He couldn’t be further from the truth!!!
From the time he sees Caitlin O’Neill, a wine appraiser at a wine auction, he is unable to get her out of his mind. She is not interested in the will and will in no way ever return to Draycott Abbey, where she had been when her mother had fallen to her death from the abbey’s roof. And she is totally anti any man with links to security or government companies – her father, now dead, had been some kind of spy and she does not have good memories of her time with him.
I love the way the author gets you hooked into the story….you just want to know what happens next. And the way the story flashes between the 1700’s and present is done really well. You can feel the lost love, anguish, betrayal and how nothing can kill the true love two people feel for each other. Such beauty in the love felt. Haunting. Unforgettable. Fighting all obstacles in their way to truly finding each other….you just know that Dominic and Caitlin were always meant to be together…..it had to happen. Love spanning over centuries and winning.
And yes, Adrian and Gideon are still at the abbey…..protecting it and its people…even if it means a bit of interference on their part…after all humans need some push, some help to finally finding true love
I am hooked and as I am now on a phase of re-reading Christina Skye’s books, I will now continue with the next installment.
December 31, 2013
3.5-4 stars
Bridge of Dreams is another past-present lives connection, this time between Caithlin O'Neill and Dominic Montserrat. It starts with an intriguing scene in 1794 with Gabriel Montserrat writing his last will and testament in his own blood while being sealed in with his precious white burgundy wine in Draycott Abbey's wine cellar!
The tension between Caithlin (young American wine expert with a broken heart and past) and Dominic (ex-bodyguard and vineyard/winery owner) is over the case of white burgundy when Gabriel's resting place and will are discovered. Gabriel's will says that the oldest descendants of his line (Dominic) and of the line of Geneva Russel must spend 1 week together at Draycott Abbey; if they do, they'll receive his precious wine - now worth a fortune. The current Viscount of Draycott Abbey (Nicholas) must see that the terms of Gabriel's will are fulfilled. If not, Nicholas is honor-bound to drain the wine into his moat.
But the ghosts of Geneva and Gabriel aren't finished... Did Gabriel murder Geneva? How did Gabriel end up walled up in Draycott Abbey's cellar?
This story was full of the romantic tension and suspense that makes this series so enjoyable. Adrian and Gideon only add nuance to the tale.
Enchantment is the story of Nicholas Draycott and Kacey (Katherine Chelsea or K.C.) Mallory... and a wonderful tale full of all we've come to expect from the series! Past and present lives entangle and provide us with the romance, steam, and love. The mystery surrounds a painting discovered in the abbey - is it a Whistler original or not? Kacey is the expert, but Nicholas is still recovering from his captivity in Thailand and wants to run off Kacey to be alone with his thoughts and his abbey. Adrian and Gideon have something to say about that - Adrian, because he needs to make up for his own past mistakes and provide a happy ending for Nicholas.
Bridge of Dreams is another past-present lives connection, this time between Caithlin O'Neill and Dominic Montserrat. It starts with an intriguing scene in 1794 with Gabriel Montserrat writing his last will and testament in his own blood while being sealed in with his precious white burgundy wine in Draycott Abbey's wine cellar!
The tension between Caithlin (young American wine expert with a broken heart and past) and Dominic (ex-bodyguard and vineyard/winery owner) is over the case of white burgundy when Gabriel's resting place and will are discovered. Gabriel's will says that the oldest descendants of his line (Dominic) and of the line of Geneva Russel must spend 1 week together at Draycott Abbey; if they do, they'll receive his precious wine - now worth a fortune. The current Viscount of Draycott Abbey (Nicholas) must see that the terms of Gabriel's will are fulfilled. If not, Nicholas is honor-bound to drain the wine into his moat.
But the ghosts of Geneva and Gabriel aren't finished... Did Gabriel murder Geneva? How did Gabriel end up walled up in Draycott Abbey's cellar?
This story was full of the romantic tension and suspense that makes this series so enjoyable. Adrian and Gideon only add nuance to the tale.
Enchantment is the story of Nicholas Draycott and Kacey (Katherine Chelsea or K.C.) Mallory... and a wonderful tale full of all we've come to expect from the series! Past and present lives entangle and provide us with the romance, steam, and love. The mystery surrounds a painting discovered in the abbey - is it a Whistler original or not? Kacey is the expert, but Nicholas is still recovering from his captivity in Thailand and wants to run off Kacey to be alone with his thoughts and his abbey. Adrian and Gideon have something to say about that - Adrian, because he needs to make up for his own past mistakes and provide a happy ending for Nicholas.
March 4, 2017
Bridge of Dreams - When a skeleton and a will show up in a cellar at Draycott Abbey, Dominic and Cathlin are named as inheritors and according to the terms of the will must marry and spend 7 days at Draycott Abbey before they can inherit a case of priceless wine. Apparently they are both wine connoisseurs and are willing to go through with this...even though Cathlin's mother died at the abbey. There is mystery and intrigue surrounding all of this, and of course there's the ghost of Adrian Draycott. Then there are the past lives rushing to the fore and kind of forcing the feelings and actions of the couple. And Domonic was just a touch overbearing in his alphaness. I'd forgotten how domineering, bossy and just plain inconsiderate some of her early heroes are. But I didn't hate him - he wasn't a complete asshole. He just didn't give Cathlin a lot of opportunity to adjust...he was insistent. So overall a good and suspenseful story, but it was a little hard to understand why these guys would go through this just for a case of wine. Clearly I don't know enough about wine.
Enchantment - This is the first installment of Draycott Abbey and I'm not sure why Nicholas only gets a novella...he is the current Lord Draycott. And he's overbearingly alpha, and I didn't like him that much because of it. Kacey was okay but needed to be able to just stand up to Nicholas, poor tortured Nicholas, and smack him upside the head. And once again, past lives interfere and force the emotion and actions of the characters. It seems to be a justification for insta-love.
Enchantment - This is the first installment of Draycott Abbey and I'm not sure why Nicholas only gets a novella...he is the current Lord Draycott. And he's overbearingly alpha, and I didn't like him that much because of it. Kacey was okay but needed to be able to just stand up to Nicholas, poor tortured Nicholas, and smack him upside the head. And once again, past lives interfere and force the emotion and actions of the characters. It seems to be a justification for insta-love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2008
THIS IS TWO BOOKS IN ONE, BUT THEY ARE SERIES AND IN ORDER.
ENCHANTMENT: A wonderfully romantic ghostly tale. I do feel sad for Adrian. For just the few days this tale took place there was an intenseness that embraced the characters of Nicholas and Kacey. Of course there was something left unfinished with the urn, so I suppose I may read about it in Bridge of Dreams next....
Best Quote from book:
"No you're not dreaming. Not unless all life is a dream and death its waking"
---Adrian
(read July 17, 2008)
BRIDGE OF DREAMS: Overall a wonderful story. I learned alot about wine. I have come to like the aspect of a past love finding each other in the future as memories and visions helped along with a family ghost and ghost cat. I loved the story unfolding between Gabriel and Geneva. I also love Dominic's proposal. It was pages long and the most romantic I have ever read. I wanted to cry for someone to tell me those things. Truly breathtaking.
I am disappointed however that in this book that the conversation between Adrian and Cathlin was not brought up to Nicholas later and the message delivered that Adrian asked her to give. Also that now it seems that Adrian has a lady friend, he was so in love with Kacey in the first book. Oh, no mention of that urn from the first book.
Now the writing was exceptional, very poetic. Lots of metaphors and imagery. Full of romance and beauty.
(read July 22, 2008)
ENCHANTMENT: A wonderfully romantic ghostly tale. I do feel sad for Adrian. For just the few days this tale took place there was an intenseness that embraced the characters of Nicholas and Kacey. Of course there was something left unfinished with the urn, so I suppose I may read about it in Bridge of Dreams next....
Best Quote from book:
"No you're not dreaming. Not unless all life is a dream and death its waking"
---Adrian
(read July 17, 2008)
BRIDGE OF DREAMS: Overall a wonderful story. I learned alot about wine. I have come to like the aspect of a past love finding each other in the future as memories and visions helped along with a family ghost and ghost cat. I loved the story unfolding between Gabriel and Geneva. I also love Dominic's proposal. It was pages long and the most romantic I have ever read. I wanted to cry for someone to tell me those things. Truly breathtaking.
I am disappointed however that in this book that the conversation between Adrian and Cathlin was not brought up to Nicholas later and the message delivered that Adrian asked her to give. Also that now it seems that Adrian has a lady friend, he was so in love with Kacey in the first book. Oh, no mention of that urn from the first book.
Now the writing was exceptional, very poetic. Lots of metaphors and imagery. Full of romance and beauty.
(read July 22, 2008)
July 16, 2010
I had forgotten how much I liked Christina Skye. Her books always combine two lives of the protagonists, usually one set in the 1700 or 1800s and the other in "present" (these books were written in the 1990's) day. Re-reading these, the reason I got rid of the books was because, while I really, really liked the contemporary plots, the historical ones didn't really click for me.
The first Draycott story, Enchantment, is in this book, where Nicholas Draycott meets his true love Kacey Mallory when she comes to appraise a painting that has been found in his house. There is, of course, a "big misunderstanding" where he thinks that she is a reporter coming to write a story on his recent return from some Asian country where he was a prisoner and so he pretends to think that she's a prostitute. She gets pissy and tries to leave but the bad men after him put her in their sights.
"Bridge of Dreams", the fourth Draycott story, is also included in this book. Cathlin O'Neill's mother died mysteriously at Draycott Abbey and she vowed never to return but when a case of expensive wine (she's a wine appraiser) is willed to her and Dominic Montserrat. People are after him for his previous work as a bodyguard and after her for secrets locked in her memory. An okay story.
The first Draycott story, Enchantment, is in this book, where Nicholas Draycott meets his true love Kacey Mallory when she comes to appraise a painting that has been found in his house. There is, of course, a "big misunderstanding" where he thinks that she is a reporter coming to write a story on his recent return from some Asian country where he was a prisoner and so he pretends to think that she's a prostitute. She gets pissy and tries to leave but the bad men after him put her in their sights.
"Bridge of Dreams", the fourth Draycott story, is also included in this book. Cathlin O'Neill's mother died mysteriously at Draycott Abbey and she vowed never to return but when a case of expensive wine (she's a wine appraiser) is willed to her and Dominic Montserrat. People are after him for his previous work as a bodyguard and after her for secrets locked in her memory. An okay story.
June 21, 2007
This is one of those romance stories... I generally like them, and it had some good points, but it was kind of extra lush and overdone at places also. I skimmed parts of it for sure. I am going to read the others in this series; I liked the ghost and the cat. I generally like the comparative storylines as well, but I feel like they spent a lot of time having the characters have totally unbelievable flashbacks. Also, the villain in the second story was random and a giant surprise - not necessarily a bad thing, but I didn't understand the motivations behind her moves at all, so.
June 26, 2007
The Draycott Legacy is a compiliation of two older novels by Christina Skye. Another Skye novel, The Hour of the Rose, is one of my all-time favorite romance novels so I stubbornly read any Draycott Abbey book that is published. Some of them are ok but these two (Enchantment and A Bridge To Forever) were an utter waste of time - a series of romantic scenes without benefit of an actual plot.
October 5, 2013
Enchantment - * Meh. Typical case of alpha male & instant lust. The premise was a good one, but the execution felt rushed and underdeveloped - even for a short story.
Bridge of Dreams - *** Much better (and longer) than the first story. Characters were better developed, etc. Biggest complaint - same old, same old.
Bridge of Dreams - *** Much better (and longer) than the first story. Characters were better developed, etc. Biggest complaint - same old, same old.
July 26, 2009
A two hundred year old murder is brought to light along with a will. the term of the will require Cathlin O'Neill and Dominic Montserrat to return to Draycott Abbey. Can their return solve more then one murder?
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August 19, 2012good story,sweet love-story
February 6, 2013
enjoyable.
August 14, 2019
Please see individual stories for review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews