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From "A Knight in Shining Armor" to "The Mulberry Tree, " Jude Deveraux's bestsellers sparkle with stunning originality, heartfelt wit, and adventurous passion. Now, this superb storyteller mixes the flavor of a classic fairy tale with a very modern love story -- set in a town locked in the shadows of an abiding evil -- in this imaginative new novel. "Forever..."
Darci Monroe overcame a childhood of neglect with an ebullient spirit, a positive attitude...and extraordinary determination. Now the resourceful young woman, hired as Adam Montgomery's personal assistant, devotes more than just professional attention to this devastatingly handsome millionaire. But one thing bars Adam from accepting Darci's love: he is intent on discovering the secret of his parents' disappearance, for she possesses the otherworldly abilities needed to help him fight a terrifying mistress of the dark arts. What Darci ends up offering is a gift greater than Adam ever hoped for, for Darci loves with all her heart, and all her soul, forever...
Darci Monroe overcame a childhood of neglect with an ebullient spirit, a positive attitude...and extraordinary determination. Now the resourceful young woman, hired as Adam Montgomery's personal assistant, devotes more than just professional attention to this devastatingly handsome millionaire. But one thing bars Adam from accepting Darci's love: he is intent on discovering the secret of his parents' disappearance, for she possesses the otherworldly abilities needed to help him fight a terrifying mistress of the dark arts. What Darci ends up offering is a gift greater than Adam ever hoped for, for Darci loves with all her heart, and all her soul, forever...
359 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
433 people are currently reading
2212 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
199 books7,041 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
May 25, 2017
At first I liked this fluffy fairy tale romance. It was funny and cute, I thought it had potential. A man is looking to hire a woman "Personal Assistant No computer skills necessary. Must be willing to travel, so no family attachments. Must be young, healthy, interested. Starting salary $100,000 a year, plus medical, dental. Apply in person..."
In the real world that is some mighty suspicious ad. But with the salary and benefits, in the reality we live in of low salaries, part time positions and no benefits, you would still get a lot of applicants as did the ad in this book.
Fine, here comes Darci, and I just loved Darci.
Here she comes in her cheap black suit, skirt held up with a safety pin. It itches because "her Aunt Thelma had washed Darci's only suit in soap powder she'd bought on sale, then had taken it out of the washer before the rinse cycle began. "Saves money that way," Aunt Thelma had said.
And this, "I want you to have a good, solid breakfast," Aunt Thelma had said as she handed Darci a Pop-Tart and a plastic cup full of warm Pepsi. Fruit's better for you than those cereals your mother gives you. And you need caffeine and sugar and something warm inside you when you go job huntin'," she'd said kindly.
Darci is sure she will get the job because of her True Persuasion, which means she thinks about something real hard to make it happen.
The man doing the hiring is a wealthy man named Adam. He would not have hired Darci, unimpressed with "the little Kentucky hillbilly" but the psychic he hired to help him find the right person for the job says Darci is the one.
Lo and behold, Darci is hired and she is so excited! But what is the job? Adam doesn't want to tell her but Darci follows him everywhere, won't be quiet, and makes friends with everyone in the town they have come to work in. And she eats and eats and eats.
She finds out they are hunting out a witches coven. Well, bring it on! Dangerous Darci and her man Adam are going to figure it all out and bring that coven down.
Eventually the dialogue becomes a little lame and the story develops some plot holes. The humor in the book, the strong point, was not enough to overcome the problems.
In the real world that is some mighty suspicious ad. But with the salary and benefits, in the reality we live in of low salaries, part time positions and no benefits, you would still get a lot of applicants as did the ad in this book.
Fine, here comes Darci, and I just loved Darci.
Here she comes in her cheap black suit, skirt held up with a safety pin. It itches because "her Aunt Thelma had washed Darci's only suit in soap powder she'd bought on sale, then had taken it out of the washer before the rinse cycle began. "Saves money that way," Aunt Thelma had said.
And this, "I want you to have a good, solid breakfast," Aunt Thelma had said as she handed Darci a Pop-Tart and a plastic cup full of warm Pepsi. Fruit's better for you than those cereals your mother gives you. And you need caffeine and sugar and something warm inside you when you go job huntin'," she'd said kindly.
Darci is sure she will get the job because of her True Persuasion, which means she thinks about something real hard to make it happen.
The man doing the hiring is a wealthy man named Adam. He would not have hired Darci, unimpressed with "the little Kentucky hillbilly" but the psychic he hired to help him find the right person for the job says Darci is the one.
Lo and behold, Darci is hired and she is so excited! But what is the job? Adam doesn't want to tell her but Darci follows him everywhere, won't be quiet, and makes friends with everyone in the town they have come to work in. And she eats and eats and eats.
She finds out they are hunting out a witches coven. Well, bring it on! Dangerous Darci and her man Adam are going to figure it all out and bring that coven down.
Eventually the dialogue becomes a little lame and the story develops some plot holes. The humor in the book, the strong point, was not enough to overcome the problems.
September 14, 2012
This is, by far, the worst book I've ever read. And that's saying something considering it came from me. It was as if it was written by a 16-year-old. And the girl in the book is downright annoying. Spoiled, not like the "humble" girl depicted earlier. And the romance was dumb. Why? because it didn't delve into feelings or sensations. It just stated how annoyed the guy is at this 'poor girl' but how he 'liked' it. I mean wtf. And then the girl was saying 'we should make mad, passionate love' ALL THE TIME and quirked her eyebrows as if that was funny. And then she wouldn't pay for nothing. It's idiotic, this book, written by someone who didn't give much thought. The only reason I started reading was because of the beginning, it got me hooked real fast. Then it took me no time to realize that this writer only knows how to write beginnings (I read The Mulberry Tree too). I don't even know why this got published. I don't even know why this writer is an 'extraordinary New York Times bestseller'. And most of all, I don't know how she's written OVER THIRTY books but hasn't improved yet.
Now I'm just hoping I'm wrong and that her other books are much better because seriously I can't read another page of that crap.
Now I'm just hoping I'm wrong and that her other books are much better because seriously I can't read another page of that crap.
June 26, 2008
I loved the quirkiness of the book and the relationship between Adam and Darci.
February 2, 2019
*Reread Review*
This book was the starting point of my love of paranormal romance... It is really hard thinking back to all the times I have read this series over the years to rate it anything other than amazing because it has sentimental value for me. I used to read nothing but historical romance and Jude Deveraux has always been one of my all time favorite authors. When she started bringing her Montgomery's into present time, I of course jumped right into loving Contemporary romance. Then she went even further and started experimenting with the paranormal in several books and of course I followed right along! Yes folks it started here! Jude is just so talented at telling stories from multiple points of view so effortlessly its like watching a movie, but at the same time knowing what each character is feeling and thinking!
Darci T. Monroe, our FMC, is possibly one of the Jude's more awkward, quirky, and word vomity FMC's. Darci journey's to New York to get a job, and it just so happens Adam Montgomery is looking for a "PA" according to a newspaper advertisement and it seems half of New York has turned out for the interview. This doesn't concern Darci, she knows this is the answer to her prayers and she is putting all her mental focus aka "True Persuasion" on getting this job. Darci has spent her whole life thinking that anyone can have, achieve, or influence the actions of others with enough mental focus on the problem. I love this about Darci in general.. she is so innocent, and naive and almost annoyingly positive really. Jude Deveraux's FMC's are all different and Darci is one of my favorites, especially in the first book of the series here. As it happens Darci "miraculously" gets the job and journeys to Camwell Connecticut to meet her new boss, and starts an incredible journey of discovery about herself, her past, and begins to unlock the keys to save her future!
As a reread I couldn't actually make myself knock off any stars but if someone was making me I could bump it down to 4... if I had to. During this read I tried to put myself into the mindset of a person reading it for the first time. There are a lot of things the author hints at, and makes mention of in this series that a first time reader of her work, or even just of this series is not going to mean anything to the first timer. Where as when I read it these little tid bits mean something to me because of the history of either the family itself, or because I have read this series so many times I know what is coming. I just want to say if you read this book and see these things and are confused just know that a ton of stuff comes to light in the next books and this whole series will throw you for a loop and send you scrambling through time.
That is all.. I'll prolly run train on this series now.. Thank you...
This book was the starting point of my love of paranormal romance... It is really hard thinking back to all the times I have read this series over the years to rate it anything other than amazing because it has sentimental value for me. I used to read nothing but historical romance and Jude Deveraux has always been one of my all time favorite authors. When she started bringing her Montgomery's into present time, I of course jumped right into loving Contemporary romance. Then she went even further and started experimenting with the paranormal in several books and of course I followed right along! Yes folks it started here! Jude is just so talented at telling stories from multiple points of view so effortlessly its like watching a movie, but at the same time knowing what each character is feeling and thinking!
Darci T. Monroe, our FMC, is possibly one of the Jude's more awkward, quirky, and word vomity FMC's. Darci journey's to New York to get a job, and it just so happens Adam Montgomery is looking for a "PA" according to a newspaper advertisement and it seems half of New York has turned out for the interview. This doesn't concern Darci, she knows this is the answer to her prayers and she is putting all her mental focus aka "True Persuasion" on getting this job. Darci has spent her whole life thinking that anyone can have, achieve, or influence the actions of others with enough mental focus on the problem. I love this about Darci in general.. she is so innocent, and naive and almost annoyingly positive really. Jude Deveraux's FMC's are all different and Darci is one of my favorites, especially in the first book of the series here. As it happens Darci "miraculously" gets the job and journeys to Camwell Connecticut to meet her new boss, and starts an incredible journey of discovery about herself, her past, and begins to unlock the keys to save her future!
As a reread I couldn't actually make myself knock off any stars but if someone was making me I could bump it down to 4... if I had to. During this read I tried to put myself into the mindset of a person reading it for the first time. There are a lot of things the author hints at, and makes mention of in this series that a first time reader of her work, or even just of this series is not going to mean anything to the first timer. Where as when I read it these little tid bits mean something to me because of the history of either the family itself, or because I have read this series so many times I know what is coming. I just want to say if you read this book and see these things and are confused just know that a ton of stuff comes to light in the next books and this whole series will throw you for a loop and send you scrambling through time.
That is all.. I'll prolly run train on this series now.. Thank you...
February 17, 2010
Just finished it. Not sure about it overall. The entire book was exciting, and held my interest. However, at the end, instead of the final confrontation with Evil, we just got a "one year later" and then a chapter that was "three years later". I felt cheated! Cop out! I'll probably give this author another try later; so prolific, so not all of the books will leave me with this feeling, I'm sure. Furthermore, while some characters were wonderfully fleshed out, motivations for some of the others were completely unrealistic and poorly drawn. The mother, for one. Aside from that, I dislike it when I can tell that an author wanted us, the reader, to dislike a character, so has the character think or say or do something so that we'll agree with the main character in thinking that this character is bad news. I don't like my authors to be as transparent as all that. *shrug* As said, I'll give her another try later in life.
June 2, 2012
This series is one of my favorites, I have read it till my first copies fell apart (So I bought the ebook for my nook)! I have been reading Jude Deveraux since I was a teenager and I get excited every time I see a new one out!
This book/series looks at one extrordinary woman and how she deals with her powers. They also look at how she affects others around her. She also gets to solve mysteries. LOVE IT!
This book/series looks at one extrordinary woman and how she deals with her powers. They also look at how she affects others around her. She also gets to solve mysteries. LOVE IT!
September 25, 2011
I started reading Jude Devereaux at the impressionable age of 13, when I picked up her bestseller with the brazenly over-the-top title, "A Knight In Shining Armor". Coming back to read her now as an adult, I am always surprised at how she manages to pull me in to her crazy stories. The back cover calls her a "superb storyteller" and that's just what she is - she weaves incredible tales of people in bizarre situations, silly and unbelievable characters like a millionaire whose parents were killed by witches and a psychic girl with a crazy family from the southern U.S. and somehow makes these people believable, lovable, and even when you are frustrated with their quirks or their foolish actions, you want to keep reading. Addictive candy floss, I'm sure I'm rotting my brain with this stuff, but I can't resist going back for one more lick at the dissolving sweetness of her prose.
March 16, 2013
I loved this book ,as soon as I started reading I just couldn't put it down.Of all characters I loved Adam the most he is smart as he is handsome .
June 11, 2013
I love Jude Deveraux but this book didn't take - it was a DNF. It required more suspension of belief than I could give. If a guy hired me for a mysterious job he won't explain, then whisks me away to a small town in CT to hunt WITCHES, I would definitely bat an eyelash at that. In fact, I'd probably call the police because clearly the man is unhinged. But Darci acts as if this is not strange in the least. Plus, he's clearly not attracted to her (I got no spark what-so-ever from the two MCs + his inner thoughts reveal to the reader that he's not interested in her *that* way) and she keeps making passes at him (saying things like "let's make mad, passionate love right now"), which is excrutiatingly embarrassing (for the reader), unless it's suppose to be a joke (but that's not how it comes across. I think Darci is seriously throwing herself at this guy in a really humiliating, degrading way). Plus, Darci is supposed to be.... a free spirit? A breath of fresh air? I'm not sure what, but the day she shows up in CT, she goes through the guy's stuff, she's always stealing his money (if he gives her a $20 to buy a loaf of bread, she keeps the change), etc. She has no boundaries, seems to think it's fine to try to mind control people to get what she wants (to give up their seats at "her" booth at a restaurant, to get other people to pay for her college education, etc.), and generally acts cutesy in a way appropriate for a six-year old, not a twenty-something. I got about a third of the way through and had to give up. :-(
October 29, 2017
I did not like this book but I did not also hate it.
Why didn't I like this book? Maybe it was because I wasn't a big fan of Adam and Darci being together. And for the fact that everything was rushed in the ending really angered and frustrated me (a lot) The plot twist didn't had much impact on me and I just didn't had enough strength to carry it on.
Why did I, at the same time, liked this book? It was because I was really into magic and clairvoyants kind of stuff so it was a cup of tea. I was really anticipating this book and it kinda helped a little bit on consoling my disappointment in this book.
And again, this is just how I felt about the book. I didn't hated it nor liked it but it was just MEH!
Why didn't I like this book? Maybe it was because I wasn't a big fan of Adam and Darci being together. And for the fact that everything was rushed in the ending really angered and frustrated me (a lot) The plot twist didn't had much impact on me and I just didn't had enough strength to carry it on.
Why did I, at the same time, liked this book? It was because I was really into magic and clairvoyants kind of stuff so it was a cup of tea. I was really anticipating this book and it kinda helped a little bit on consoling my disappointment in this book.
And again, this is just how I felt about the book. I didn't hated it nor liked it but it was just MEH!
October 13, 2018
Darci is a stitch. I laughed most of my way through this book in spite of some of the horrific events in it. Adam and Darci played off each other well, and I enjoyed how Darci slowly lightened Adam up and he toned her down. To me, that is what a really good partnership does, shore up one's partner's weaknesses with one's own strengths, and vice versa. The evil in the book is hair-raising, but I loved Bo's strength in the face of it and Darci's father's acceptance of all things beyond his own experience. The reader must have some fortitude to read this one.
December 2, 2020
I was tempted to dnf this book. I was so tempted throughout the whole book. But I decided to march on because, well, I wanted to know the ending. Not sure if I want to suffer with the second book. Please, don’t read this book unless you have time to waste!
July 13, 2007
A very odd book. The plot wanders a fair bit, the anti-climax in particular. A good airplane book.
December 4, 2025
WOW!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! Oh, and wow!
August 17, 2020
Once again going through my TBR pile and find one that I couldn't even finish. Poor dialogue, main characters who are 1 dimensional, not for me.... I'm sure I have books 3 & 4 in my pile too... Oh joy...
January 20, 2013
Immediately I noticed that the tone of the book was quite dry and boring. I only made it through a few pages and had to give up. It was not catching my attention at all. It was due mostly to the creepy story being told.
“When the girls were both thirteen years old, their parents married each other, and Beatrice and her father (who had been alone together for a long time) moved into the house that Heather’s rich father had left to his wife and only child. Some unkind souls (and there were a lot of them in that little town) said that Heather had received everything…”
The story was weird and badly written. For example “‘boys can’t be trusted to behave themselves’ was the only answer that Heather would give before she slipped back into her room and locked the door. Beatrice thought this was a very strange answer because she didn’t want the boys to behave, but then she was never asked out. ‘Too weird’ is what the boys said about Beatrice.
So one day, Beatrice decided to find out what was going on. When she knew that Heather was alone in the house, Beatrice ran in the front door screaming that their dear mother had just been run over by a truck and was right now bleeding to death in the emergency room of the hospital.”
Wth kind of story is this?!
This is like something out of a lifetime movie or horror film. I was expecting a nice, supernatural story, not this strange and weird crap.
And stories, especially about someone with psychic gifts, is supposed to be good. They’re supposed to be good, to have an impact. But this was awful. It was lengthy; it went on and on and on. When you’re narrating something that happened in the past you need to keep it short. Otherwise I start to lose interest, fast.
“As Beatrice knew she would, Heather ran out of the house, grabbing the keys to her stepfather’s car (he took the train to work.)
You don’t have to put everything in parenthesis (it’s really annoying.) Unless it’s essential to the story (and it’s not) don’t put it in parenthesis.
No, long ago, Beatrice had learned that there were ways to deal with Heather; for, you see, Heather was one of those stupid people who loved.
And immediately there was the image of her father and his pretty secretary in bed together. That made Beatrice laugh, but then she’d always known that her father had married Heather’s silly mother for the money her husband had left her.
Wow, I thought Heather was supposed to be the mean one, but Beatrice was a real bitch. Who laughs when their father cheats on someone, like it’s a joke?
I got to page 5 and just had to stop. The story was insane and showed no signs of ending, and I had no interest whatsoever in the story.
“When the girls were both thirteen years old, their parents married each other, and Beatrice and her father (who had been alone together for a long time) moved into the house that Heather’s rich father had left to his wife and only child. Some unkind souls (and there were a lot of them in that little town) said that Heather had received everything…”
The story was weird and badly written. For example “‘boys can’t be trusted to behave themselves’ was the only answer that Heather would give before she slipped back into her room and locked the door. Beatrice thought this was a very strange answer because she didn’t want the boys to behave, but then she was never asked out. ‘Too weird’ is what the boys said about Beatrice.
So one day, Beatrice decided to find out what was going on. When she knew that Heather was alone in the house, Beatrice ran in the front door screaming that their dear mother had just been run over by a truck and was right now bleeding to death in the emergency room of the hospital.”
Wth kind of story is this?!
This is like something out of a lifetime movie or horror film. I was expecting a nice, supernatural story, not this strange and weird crap.
And stories, especially about someone with psychic gifts, is supposed to be good. They’re supposed to be good, to have an impact. But this was awful. It was lengthy; it went on and on and on. When you’re narrating something that happened in the past you need to keep it short. Otherwise I start to lose interest, fast.
“As Beatrice knew she would, Heather ran out of the house, grabbing the keys to her stepfather’s car (he took the train to work.)
You don’t have to put everything in parenthesis (it’s really annoying.) Unless it’s essential to the story (and it’s not) don’t put it in parenthesis.
No, long ago, Beatrice had learned that there were ways to deal with Heather; for, you see, Heather was one of those stupid people who loved.
And immediately there was the image of her father and his pretty secretary in bed together. That made Beatrice laugh, but then she’d always known that her father had married Heather’s silly mother for the money her husband had left her.
Wow, I thought Heather was supposed to be the mean one, but Beatrice was a real bitch. Who laughs when their father cheats on someone, like it’s a joke?
I got to page 5 and just had to stop. The story was insane and showed no signs of ending, and I had no interest whatsoever in the story.
July 6, 2013
This was the first
Paranormal Romance
novel that I have read, professionally written by Miss Jude Deveraux. This genre is very new to me -what with its focus on romance and included elements beyond the range of science and the explanations or reasons behind it.
The love that emanated between Darci Monroe and Adam Montgomery was simple yet genuine -unlike the more gorgeous romance between a Montgomery and another protagonist that is. However, what worked for me is the uniqueness of the story. The novel with a touch of Paranormal Elements made me almost jump in excitement for it is full of tension, mystery, and suspense that will want to make you want to shout.
The prologue was wonderfully made. It would definitely make you ask what the next scene will be or how the story would go. As the story moves forward, however, that's when the tension and excitement builds up. I have to tell you that I whispered uncountable screams. Much then, I almost died when at last I came to read the Epilogue. It gave me goosebumps!
All in all, to sum up the loveliness of the story, I loved the fact that the characters acknowledged God in each and every circumstances and troubles that they encountered. Even the magic and power with regards to the Paranormal Elements were acknowledged by the main character Darci as a gift from God.
Godspeed! I am looking forward to read the next of the trilogy which is "Forever and Always"
The love that emanated between Darci Monroe and Adam Montgomery was simple yet genuine -unlike the more gorgeous romance between a Montgomery and another protagonist that is. However, what worked for me is the uniqueness of the story. The novel with a touch of Paranormal Elements made me almost jump in excitement for it is full of tension, mystery, and suspense that will want to make you want to shout.
The prologue was wonderfully made. It would definitely make you ask what the next scene will be or how the story would go. As the story moves forward, however, that's when the tension and excitement builds up. I have to tell you that I whispered uncountable screams. Much then, I almost died when at last I came to read the Epilogue. It gave me goosebumps!
All in all, to sum up the loveliness of the story, I loved the fact that the characters acknowledged God in each and every circumstances and troubles that they encountered. Even the magic and power with regards to the Paranormal Elements were acknowledged by the main character Darci as a gift from God.
Godspeed! I am looking forward to read the next of the trilogy which is "Forever and Always"
May 20, 2013
I have never been more in live with a book than I have Forever. The witches and love story got me hooked. My Mom bought the trilogy a few years ago and I just now picked them up. I spent a day an a half reading forever and I woke her up in the middle of the night to find the other 2 books. Found them, now I can die happily.
The characters and all were beautifully written. There was a point where I wanted to gouge my eyes out because there were so many chances for Adam to kiss Darci and he never took any. Then I had a little party in my head when they did and I was smiling like an idiot. I was confused a little in the beginning because Darci would stuff candy bars in her cat suit and sometimes she wouldn't be coherent to Adam and he would pick her up and guide her around the town. She knew what she was doing trying to get money from Adam and not having to spend her own. I love that Darci would pick on Adam and when he figured out that she was trying to make him do things he picked her up and spun her around! My favorite part was when Adam was tickling Darci after she said she would have to tell Boadicea about men and Adam was like what are you going to tell her about men? Lol. It brought family together and new family.
I'm so jealous; I want a love like theirs. Agghh, its so beautiful and painful at the same time. D''':
The characters and all were beautifully written. There was a point where I wanted to gouge my eyes out because there were so many chances for Adam to kiss Darci and he never took any. Then I had a little party in my head when they did and I was smiling like an idiot. I was confused a little in the beginning because Darci would stuff candy bars in her cat suit and sometimes she wouldn't be coherent to Adam and he would pick her up and guide her around the town. She knew what she was doing trying to get money from Adam and not having to spend her own. I love that Darci would pick on Adam and when he figured out that she was trying to make him do things he picked her up and spun her around! My favorite part was when Adam was tickling Darci after she said she would have to tell Boadicea about men and Adam was like what are you going to tell her about men? Lol. It brought family together and new family.
I'm so jealous; I want a love like theirs. Agghh, its so beautiful and painful at the same time. D''':
March 4, 2017
2 stars because there were some parts of this book that I found very interesting - like the powers that Darci had and some of the magical background of the characters. But really, this book was pretty bad.
It felt like the characters were portrayed as far too juvenile. Or maybe it was the writing - I couldn't figure it out and I still can't put my finger on it, but this book did not feel like a sophisticated, mature book. It felt like it was written for teenagers or something. Darci freakin got on my nerves. I'm sure she was supposed to be an eccentric breath of fresh air, but she acted like a child some times, an air head at others and still at times she was an innocent sage. But all the times she was down right annoying - I'd have smacked her if she kept following me around. Adam was a little better, but I can't see why he'd fall in love with her except out of sheer exhaustion. And the romance felt shallow. Where were the emotions, the reasons people fall in love?
And the ending was quite unsatisfactory. Seriously - we don't get to read through the final ending. We get an epilogue "One Year Later" and then Adam tells us what happened, but not in any great detail or action. I felt cheated!
It felt like the characters were portrayed as far too juvenile. Or maybe it was the writing - I couldn't figure it out and I still can't put my finger on it, but this book did not feel like a sophisticated, mature book. It felt like it was written for teenagers or something. Darci freakin got on my nerves. I'm sure she was supposed to be an eccentric breath of fresh air, but she acted like a child some times, an air head at others and still at times she was an innocent sage. But all the times she was down right annoying - I'd have smacked her if she kept following me around. Adam was a little better, but I can't see why he'd fall in love with her except out of sheer exhaustion. And the romance felt shallow. Where were the emotions, the reasons people fall in love?
And the ending was quite unsatisfactory. Seriously - we don't get to read through the final ending. We get an epilogue "One Year Later" and then Adam tells us what happened, but not in any great detail or action. I felt cheated!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2011
Darci overcame a childhoodof neglect with a positive attitude and determination. Now, she is hired as Adam's personal assistant. Adam won't accept Darci's love until he discovers his parents disappearance, and Darci posseses the otherworldly abilities needed to help him fight a witch. This book was interesting. I wouldn't let my teen daughter read it, just because it talks about sex, and evil torture. UUmmm, I guess the "jury is still out " on this book. I didn't LOVE it, but I have the rest of the series and will probably finish reading it. That being said, I didn't think the characters were developed well,and the story line seemed juvenile. I really liked this authors other book, Scarlet Nights, but it had some explicit sex in it. I guess as long as I have other books to read in the "To read" pile, the rest of this series will remain on the back burner.
January 17, 2013
Wonderful start of a daunting tale. Beautifully written thriller laced with mysterious romance. The story was very well-woven together. The way Miss Jude delivered the series of events scene of scene and builds up such descriptive characters was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed every intense moment spun into words transferring me to a different world. I genuinely wished that I could just escape into their world and become the main character. I must've reread this trilogy at least a handful of times, something I rarely ever do. The only exception to the previous statement is with Jude's other novel: A Knight In Shining Armor.
Bottom line is: Captivating romantic tale of loss, grief, sadness, ultimate despair, then the mysteries that needs to be solved to earn back what was lost. Beautiful.
Bottom line is: Captivating romantic tale of loss, grief, sadness, ultimate despair, then the mysteries that needs to be solved to earn back what was lost. Beautiful.
January 17, 2013
Wonderful start of a daunting tale. Beautifully written thriller laced with mysterious romance. The story was very well-woven together. The way Miss Jude delivered the series of events scene of scene and builds up such descriptive characters was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed every intense moment spun into words transferring me to a different world. I genuinely wished that I could just escape into their world and become the main character. I must've reread this trilogy at least a handful of times, something I rarely ever do. The only exception to the previous statement is with Jude's other novel: A Knight In Shining Armor.
Bottom line is: Captivating romantic tale of loss, grief, sadness, ultimate despair, then the mysteries that needs to be solved to earn back what was lost. Beautiful.
Bottom line is: Captivating romantic tale of loss, grief, sadness, ultimate despair, then the mysteries that needs to be solved to earn back what was lost. Beautiful.
October 12, 2009
I chucked this book across the room when I was done reading it. Frankly, I'm not sure why I CONTINUED to read it -- I only skimmed the last few chapters, and mostly by that point I just wanted to see how it ended. Ironically, Deveraux just SKIPPED the final "climactic scene" and started the next chapter with a "One Year Later" segue and a flashback. Talk about a waste of my time! The blurb on the back had promised witchcraft, sorcery, and a plot reminiscent of a fairy tale -- what I got instead were obnoxious characters, ridiculous dialogue, and a completely ludicrous plot. At least now I know to avoid Jude Deveraux in the future!
October 28, 2013
I loved this book. The two main characters are great together, I enjoyed the light romance, and the humor that was nearly on every page. It was so good I read it in just two days. The only downside was the ending. The story leads up to a climax that promises to be exciting, but when that time comes the readers are left out of the main event. The chapter ends right when we think the good stuff is going to start and all of a sudden it is a year later. So not only are we robbed of the climax, we are given a secondhand (and not even thorough) retelling of what happened. If the ending had been better, I would’ve given it 5 Stars.
September 23, 2013
This novel was ok. Great character buidling through the beginning of the book, and wonderful story line through the beginning and middle of the book. However, this could have been left as a cliff hanger novel, continue in book #2, or been a larger book. I felt like the ending was crammed into the last 20 pages of the novel. I wish the ending was more expansive as the beginning and middle of the novel.
June 6, 2014
Adam Montgomery hired Darci T. Monroe as a personal assistant when his psychic, Helen told she the one who can helped with his search.
During their searching, Darci learn she has a gift using her mind or she called True Persuasion.
The story was really amazing that there is no part that make me boring. The character of Darci was really likable, she is extra friendly and enjoying her meal.
So, this series about Darci and Adam feat defeat a witches at a small town in Connecticut.
During their searching, Darci learn she has a gift using her mind or she called True Persuasion.
The story was really amazing that there is no part that make me boring. The character of Darci was really likable, she is extra friendly and enjoying her meal.
So, this series about Darci and Adam feat defeat a witches at a small town in Connecticut.
December 28, 2015
Haha! The only time I laughed was while reading the last 3 lines of the book!
It started out real nice and exciting, up until the first chapter, that is. After that it was very plain and dull. Honestly, I think the book wasn't well thought-out, and it felt as though the author was making stuff up as she went deeper into the story. I didn't like her narrative style as it lacked intelligence and left no room for imagination.
It started out real nice and exciting, up until the first chapter, that is. After that it was very plain and dull. Honestly, I think the book wasn't well thought-out, and it felt as though the author was making stuff up as she went deeper into the story. I didn't like her narrative style as it lacked intelligence and left no room for imagination.
May 21, 2018
Do not read this book. This isn’t reverse psychology. I’m just trying to save you time. The dialogue is for s*** as are the characters. Miserable people. The love angles don’t work. There isn’t one truthful moment in the entire thing, nor is there much character or plot development while at the same time everything drags along. I here express how abysmal atrocious ect this book was. Save yourself! Do not read. Most Harlequins, Harlequins mind you! Are better than this thing.
February 15, 2013
I used to read a lot of Jude Deveraux books, but they started getting a little tmi with the bedroom scenes. I'm glad I happened upon this book while searching for another with the same title - it had the romance without all the details. I liked the book although the ending seemed a little rushed. It was a little odd to have an epilogue when there are two more books in the series.
October 5, 2018
This book couldn't decide what it was (comedy, suspense, action, love story, etc.) and as a result failed to deliver an engaging story. It started out well then kept getting worse. The ending was very weak. There was a lot of potential here but it missed the mark.
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