Helpful Score: 4
I read about 1/4 of the book before deciding to put it aside. It wasn't necessarily poorly written or boring, but just unoriginal in comparison to a lot of romances I've recently completed. It was part historical romance, part paranormal romance with the enchanted mirror, but nothing about this book drove me to want to finish it.
I had originally purchased this book on a whim because it sounded intriguing. I have no doubt that other fans of romance will enjoy this one! :)
I had originally purchased this book on a whim because it sounded intriguing. I have no doubt that other fans of romance will enjoy this one! :)
Helpful Score: 1
From Publishers Weekly:
Roman McKendrick, an impoverished Egyptologist, returns to the glittering ballrooms and intrigue of 19th-century English society after an excavation. He agrees, reluctantly, to reside with the count of Claybourne in hopes of getting his next expedition funded. The newly married countess, Tess, turns out to have been the girl who rejected Roman's suit 10 years ago. Despite the span of years, Roman and Tess (who is dissatisfied with her impotent and indifferent husband) discover that their passion still smoulders. They try to resist the attraction, but the count and his sister, for their own reasons, continually throw them together. Tess eventually follows Roman to Egypt, where he unearths the legendary mirror of the title; in it, she sees their future together as lovers. The melodramatic confrontation at the end and Willman's (The Lost Bride) sometimes awkward descriptions ("The heavy hunting knife he'd thrown protruded from Leland's throat. It had passed clear through, like a knife in cheese") mar this otherwise satisfying and unusually exotic Regency.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Roman McKendrick, an impoverished Egyptologist, returns to the glittering ballrooms and intrigue of 19th-century English society after an excavation. He agrees, reluctantly, to reside with the count of Claybourne in hopes of getting his next expedition funded. The newly married countess, Tess, turns out to have been the girl who rejected Roman's suit 10 years ago. Despite the span of years, Roman and Tess (who is dissatisfied with her impotent and indifferent husband) discover that their passion still smoulders. They try to resist the attraction, but the count and his sister, for their own reasons, continually throw them together. Tess eventually follows Roman to Egypt, where he unearths the legendary mirror of the title; in it, she sees their future together as lovers. The melodramatic confrontation at the end and Willman's (The Lost Bride) sometimes awkward descriptions ("The heavy hunting knife he'd thrown protruded from Leland's throat. It had passed clear through, like a knife in cheese") mar this otherwise satisfying and unusually exotic Regency.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
In 1890 England, Egyptologist Cameron Blake returns home from Egypt seeking financial backers for his next archeological dig. When he sees Natasha Sterling, he regrets his previous decision not to pursue her because he felt she was too young. He now knows he allowed his mourning for his first wife to cloud his judgment. However, he plans to retreat back to Africa because Teresa appears to be happily married to Lord Clayborne. In truth, she puts on a show as she loathes her marriage.
Cameron possesses a mirror allegedly owned by Cleopatra. The mirror usually reflects a person's vision back to them. However, sometimes the viewer can glimpse the future. Natasha sees herself held tightly by Cameron. Meanwhile, the archeologist observes Natasha's spouse strangling her. He flees to the Nile so that the mirror's prediction never occurs, but Lord and Lady Clayborne follow. Cameron will risk his life to keep his beloved safe, but will that prove to be enough?
Marianne Willman is renowned for her enchanting romances that leave readers clamoring for more works by this sensational author. Her latest magical prose, THE ENCHANTED MIRROR, is a beautiful love triangle that uses magical elements to propel the story line forward. The three main characters are brilliantly designed so that their motives feel genuine and their interrelationships ring true. Anyone who desires a sprinkle of enchantment in their novels needs to try Ms. Willman's tales such as THE MERMAID'S SONG and THE LOST BRIDE.
Harriet Klausner
Cameron possesses a mirror allegedly owned by Cleopatra. The mirror usually reflects a person's vision back to them. However, sometimes the viewer can glimpse the future. Natasha sees herself held tightly by Cameron. Meanwhile, the archeologist observes Natasha's spouse strangling her. He flees to the Nile so that the mirror's prediction never occurs, but Lord and Lady Clayborne follow. Cameron will risk his life to keep his beloved safe, but will that prove to be enough?
Marianne Willman is renowned for her enchanting romances that leave readers clamoring for more works by this sensational author. Her latest magical prose, THE ENCHANTED MIRROR, is a beautiful love triangle that uses magical elements to propel the story line forward. The three main characters are brilliantly designed so that their motives feel genuine and their interrelationships ring true. Anyone who desires a sprinkle of enchantment in their novels needs to try Ms. Willman's tales such as THE MERMAID'S SONG and THE LOST BRIDE.
Harriet Klausner
