 |
|
Title: The Marriage Spell: A Novel
ISBN: 0345449193
Author:
Mary Jo Putney
Publicate Date: 2007-05-29
Publish: 2007-05-29
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Mass Market Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $2.63
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $6.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: Not bad, but I expected more from Putney
I've read a lot of Putney's older novels, both historical and contemporary. I didn't realize she had ventured into the realm of supernatural romance until I saw this book in the store.
The story was okay. It was a decent read if a bit fluffy for my tastes, but given that Putney was the author, I expected more. Some of the plot threads seemed to get lost. The reader is informed that Abby is infatuated with Lord Frayne because he once smiled at her provocatively. But when we get Jack's side of things, he has no idea who she is and he initially does not find her attractive.
I enjoyed the conflicts Putney created, but they were all resolved so quickly it felt hollow. Jack goes from being standoffish and defensive to eager to marry in the span of a few pages. As soon as Abby suggests he might be under a spell, Jack is able to not only identify the spells but destroy them almost immediately. Ditto with his personal distaste for magic.
Again, it was an okay read, but I really expected meatier conflict resolution from Putney.
|
2: Take it from a real psychic ...
Oh, I had the loveliest time reading this novel!
For starters, I can say from the viewpoint of a professional psychic and healer that Ms. Putney does an outstanding job describing the realities of life experienced from that world view, or at least my own personal experience of life as a psychic. Other writers are more fun, or imaginative, or inventive, but as much as a description of something hard to quantify can be said to be "real," this is real.
But the very best part was the story, and the wonderful protagonists. I always appreciate reading about heroines of "abundant charms," since I can identify with that, too, but Mary Jo Putney's heroes are so often deep-down GOOD men, kind-hearted, often thoughtful, motivated by generosity and a sense of responsibility, even when crippled by some emotional difficulty.
And then, best of all, there was a sense of familiarity, of re-hearing a favorite old tale. I didn't realize till a few hours after finishing the story that it has many of the elements of one of my absolute favorites by this author, the novella "The Best Husband Money Can Buy," a Christmas tale you can find in at least one collection. That story, like this one, contains many of the author's best and most valuable traits: emotional maturity, courage, and a great, generous heart which is expressed through her characters.
Thanks, Mary Jo, for all the wonderful stories, and for finding a new plot in which to wrap these wonderful people.
|
3: Now THIS is a love story!
I just love it when the hero & heroine fall in like on their way to falling in love. Jack Langdon agrees to marry Abby - a wizard - if she saves his life after he breaks his neck in a fall. Abby later releases him from his promise, but he feels honor-bound to procede with the marriage, and convinces Abby that he wants to marry her. She agrees, mainly because she's had a crush on him for years. It turns out that Jack is under several spells, but a marriage spell is not one of them. Through the prejudice experienced in London - wizards are feared (partly because they challenge the 'superiority' of the ton?)- to the dark magic that appears to enfold Jack's home in Yorkshire, the trust and love between these two wonderful characters grows and conquers. Definitely a keeper!
I sure hope this is the first of a series on these five men who became lifelong friends when they met as young boys at Stonebridge Academy, where they were sent to have their magic beaten out of them.
|
4: Magical and touching romance.
The story begins as Jack Langdon is awakened by a "prefect" at Stonebridge Academy for boys. He has been sent to this strict and spartan school as his dad caught him practicing magic and had failed to beat it out of him. The school specializes in young, well-born boys who have been shown to have magical inclinations. Jack soon makes other friends of Ashby (a duke), Ransom, Winslow and Kenmore. From the opening pages we know this will be a very harsh school.
We are next in a hunting village at the Barton Manor where lives Sir Andrew Barton, his healer daughter, Abigail (Abby), and when not in Spain, his son. Abby is alone at the Manor as her father is in London when Asby and Ransom bring the mortally injured Jack to her. Upon examination she find his neck is broken so he is paralyzed from the neck down plus he has injuries to his spleen and ribs, a concussion, a broken right leg and has lost a lot of blood. These injuries are so severe that Abby is not sure that even a healing circle can save him. Ashby tells Abby to ask for what she wants so she asks for Jack to marry her as she has admired him from afar for several years. Jack agrees. In fact, during the circle as Abby is working to mend the most critical injury (his broken neck) she finds a hidden store of magical energy in Jack himself which Abby uses to finish the repairs to his neck.
Although Jack's life is saved, it will take sometime for his injuries to his leg and his blood loss to heal. Jack stays at the manor with Abby whose friend Judith also stays as a chaperone. Jack's friends come in and out to help as well. As Jack and Abby come to know each other and get married and go to London, they get closer and closer and Jack begins to realize that maybe magic isn't such a terrible thing after all.
A very touching story and some fun magical elements!
|
5: Couldn't finish it
This book was boring, trite and predictable - not at all the caliber of writing of mary Jo Putney's earlier books.
|
|
|
|
|
