The Duke and The Enchantress by Paullett GoldenMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Second installment of the Enchantress series--having read it, must urge that readers start with the first book. Though some series repeat enough of preceding plots this one does not. Much of the involvement with Aunt Hazel, Lizabeth etc requires the backstory from the first book. That is not a weakness but just a tip. Though I truly loved the first book and its characters I found this one less satisfying. Mama Charlotte is a bit much to take even though from the first story you understand the rat her father was. Still her nastiness to the new Duchess shows no love for her or the Duke, despite the claim toward the end that she loves them both. So far as the Duke's life before marrying is concerned, it is totally far-fetched and unbelieveable. Not only that, I'm not sure the exploitation of his young self by middle-aged women is very different than this 33 year old man marrying an 18 year old. Especially since he has made no effort to know or understand her as a person. Definitely common in those days and even now. What I question is why the reverse situation is shown to be demeaning and damaging to him in his youth--enough to keep him celibate for ten years--from 23 to 33--very questionable. So, finding the subplots too fanciful and contrived, I did not totally enjoy this book. That said, however, once the couple begin to know and understand each other and their interests, they became interesting. The idea of a composer having to hide his talent for fear of seeming effeminate was horrifying--but his music reflecting his emotions and that of his wife and their shared enjoyment of his musical efforts ( in more ways than one ) rescued the book for me and kept me reading.
On to the third installment, which I've already started and which is much like the first--engrossing. Must be the Sebastian side of the family that I like!
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