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Relics of Merlin #2
Double Enchantment
When a simple spell goes haywire, Lady Jasmina accidentally creates a double who is wreaking havoc throughout London, which leads her to a dashing baronet and a secret society called the Brotherhood. Original.
305 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2008
35 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Kathryne Kennedy
20 books215 followersAs a college grad, business owner, and writer, Kathryne has published nearly a dozen short stories in the SFF/Romance genre, receiving Honorable Mention twice in the 'Writers of the Future' contest. Being a self-proclaimed "Air Force brat," Kathryne has traveled a great deal, and over the years has lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S
She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and the rest of her family (including two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who she's rather fond of).
She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two sons, and the rest of her family (including two chihuahuas named Precious and Baggins (think Lord of the Rings) who she's rather fond of).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 6, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Sep08
This is my second read by Kathryne Kennedy. “Double Enchantment” is her second book about an England where magic is commonplace in the upper class. In fact, magic is the determinant to belong to the upper class. The stronger your magic, the higher your status. Except for shapeshifters, for some reason their magic is considered too wild and they are looked down upon by the rest of high society. Kennedy’s series is set in regency times so the books are a strange mix of historical paranormal that just seems a bit off for me.
Lady Jasmina is a proper high born miss. Her magic works just fine and that’s a good thing as she uses it mostly to return items her klepto of a mother steals. But her mother is beautiful and spoiled rotten and seems to accept the danger she places her child in every time she ‘picks up’ whatever catches her eye. But something has gone wrong with Jasmina’s spell this time. The simulacrum she thought she left in her bed has somehow acquired a piece of Jasmina’s soul and is now running around London, looking exactly like Jasmina. And she’s doing things NO well bred miss should! Now her simulacrum is engaged to a shifter that Jasmina is increasingly attracted to, some really bad guys are after Jasmina, her simulacrum, and Sir Sterling, and Jasmina really has NO idea how she’s gonna fix this.
Sterling sees her from across the ballroom. She’s gorgeous…and unless he’s dreaming, she appears to be attracted to him too. Suddenly she’s seducing him and the next thing you know they’re engaged. So what is going on with her twin?
Kennedy’s descriptions of scenery and setting are laudable. I found the concept of an openly magic-filled regency period interesting and unusual. But, it was very difficult for me to finish this book. I didn’t find the plot all that gripping and it was all too easy for me to set the book aside. Jasmina was very self-sacrificing and the longer it went on, the more irritated I became with her. There were too many different characters and too many different threads for me to easily keep track of, or stay interested in. Even the two love scenes struck me as rather hurried. On the plus side, some of the secondary characters were just as, if not more, interesting as the main ones and there were occasional flashes of really good humor which I always like.
While I’m a fan of regencies AND a fan of paranormals, “Double Enchantment” by Kathryne Kennedy didn’t quite manage to mix the two to my enjoyment. In the end, I just couldn’t generate enough admiration for the main characters to want to read more about them. But, just because it wasn’t to my taste doesn’t mean some of you guys might like it. And if it sounds interesting, then pick up a copy and let me know what you think.
This is my second read by Kathryne Kennedy. “Double Enchantment” is her second book about an England where magic is commonplace in the upper class. In fact, magic is the determinant to belong to the upper class. The stronger your magic, the higher your status. Except for shapeshifters, for some reason their magic is considered too wild and they are looked down upon by the rest of high society. Kennedy’s series is set in regency times so the books are a strange mix of historical paranormal that just seems a bit off for me.
Lady Jasmina is a proper high born miss. Her magic works just fine and that’s a good thing as she uses it mostly to return items her klepto of a mother steals. But her mother is beautiful and spoiled rotten and seems to accept the danger she places her child in every time she ‘picks up’ whatever catches her eye. But something has gone wrong with Jasmina’s spell this time. The simulacrum she thought she left in her bed has somehow acquired a piece of Jasmina’s soul and is now running around London, looking exactly like Jasmina. And she’s doing things NO well bred miss should! Now her simulacrum is engaged to a shifter that Jasmina is increasingly attracted to, some really bad guys are after Jasmina, her simulacrum, and Sir Sterling, and Jasmina really has NO idea how she’s gonna fix this.
Sterling sees her from across the ballroom. She’s gorgeous…and unless he’s dreaming, she appears to be attracted to him too. Suddenly she’s seducing him and the next thing you know they’re engaged. So what is going on with her twin?
Kennedy’s descriptions of scenery and setting are laudable. I found the concept of an openly magic-filled regency period interesting and unusual. But, it was very difficult for me to finish this book. I didn’t find the plot all that gripping and it was all too easy for me to set the book aside. Jasmina was very self-sacrificing and the longer it went on, the more irritated I became with her. There were too many different characters and too many different threads for me to easily keep track of, or stay interested in. Even the two love scenes struck me as rather hurried. On the plus side, some of the secondary characters were just as, if not more, interesting as the main ones and there were occasional flashes of really good humor which I always like.
While I’m a fan of regencies AND a fan of paranormals, “Double Enchantment” by Kathryne Kennedy didn’t quite manage to mix the two to my enjoyment. In the end, I just couldn’t generate enough admiration for the main characters to want to read more about them. But, just because it wasn’t to my taste doesn’t mean some of you guys might like it. And if it sounds interesting, then pick up a copy and let me know what you think.
September 12, 2014
เลดี้จัสมีนาร่ายเวทมนตร์สร้างร่างฝาแฝดขึ้นมาเพื่อนำเครื่องประดับที่คุณแม่หัวขโมยของหล่อนฉกมาจากบรรดาผู้ดีมีตระกูลไปคืนตามบ้านในยามค่ำคืน แต่ครั้งนี้ ... เวทมนตร์กลับทำงานผิดพลาดเมื่อฝาแฝดของหล่อนไม่ยอมหายไปหลังเสร็จภารกิจ แต่กลับไปปรากฏตัวในงานเต้นรำแล้วไปลงเอยอยู่บนเตียงกับเซอร์สเตอร์ลิง บารอนเนตรูปงามที่สามารถเปลี่ยนร่างเป็นม้าได้
หลังค่ำคืนอันแสนหวานระหว่างสองหนุ่มสาว สเตอร์ลิงได้พบหน้ากับจัสมีนาอีกครั้งในยามที่หล่อนไปขอความช่วยเหลือ แต่จัสมินาคนที่สเตอร์ลิงพบไม่ใช่คนเดียวกับที่เขามีอะไรด้วยเมื่อคืนเสียหน่อย แถมเขายังโดนจัสมินาตบหน้าฉาดใหญ่เสียอีกเมื่อเขาพยายามจะจูบหล่อนต่อหน้าเจ้าชาย
จัสมินาต้องตามหาคู่แฝดของหล่อนและร่ายมนตร์คาถาย้อนกลับให้ได้เมื่อฝีมือของคู่แฝดสร้างความเสียหายมากมายแก่ชื่อเสียงของจัสมินา หล่อนต้องร่วมมือกับสเตอร์ลิงแม้ว่าหล่อนจะรู้ว่าสเตอร์ลิงรักคู่แฝดของหล่อน ไม่ได้รักตัวที่หล่อนเป็นจริงๆ
ความใกล้ชิดสนิทสนมมากขึ้นร่วมกับภารกิจและกฏระเบียบสังคมที่ทำให้ทั้งหนุ่มสาวเกิดความปราถนาในตัวกันและกัน สเตอร์ลิงชักไม่แน่ใจแล้วว่าเขารักภาพลวงตาของจัสมินนาจริงหรือไม่ เพราะเขาก็หลงรักจัสมินาตัวจริงอีกเหมือนกัน
เมื่อจัสมีนาตามหาภาพลวงตาของหล่อนพบและจัดการร่ายมนตร์ย้อนกลับได้สำเร็จ ร่างของคู่แฝดก็หลอมรวมเข้ากับร่างของเธอ เพราะอันที่จริงแล้วคู่แฝดที่เลดี้จัสมีนาสร้างขึ้นมาจากส่วนหนึ่งของตัวเธอเช่นกัน
เรื่องนี้สนุกและดูมีิมิติมากกว่าเล่มที่แล้ว แถมโนมสองตัวก็ยังช่วยสร้างสีสันให้กับเล่มนี้อีกด้วย เนื้อเรื่องไหลลื่น กระชับ แม้ว่าจะอ่านแล้วรู้สึกขัดๆระหว่างแจ๊ซกับจัสมีนาไปบ้างก็เหอะ เหมือนเซอร์สเตอร์ลิงรักผู้หญิงสองคนในเวลาเดียวกันง่ะ
เป็นหนังสืออ่านเพลินๆอีกเล่ม ...
หลังค่ำคืนอันแสนหวานระหว่างสองหนุ่มสาว สเตอร์ลิงได้พบหน้ากับจัสมีนาอีกครั้งในยามที่หล่อนไปขอความช่วยเหลือ แต่จัสมินาคนที่สเตอร์ลิงพบไม่ใช่คนเดียวกับที่เขามีอะไรด้วยเมื่อคืนเสียหน่อย แถมเขายังโดนจัสมินาตบหน้าฉาดใหญ่เสียอีกเมื่อเขาพยายามจะจูบหล่อนต่อหน้าเจ้าชาย
จัสมินาต้องตามหาคู่แฝดของหล่อนและร่ายมนตร์คาถาย้อนกลับให้ได้เมื่อฝีมือของคู่แฝดสร้างความเสียหายมากมายแก่ชื่อเสียงของจัสมินา หล่อนต้องร่วมมือกับสเตอร์ลิงแม้ว่าหล่อนจะรู้ว่าสเตอร์ลิงรักคู่แฝดของหล่อน ไม่ได้รักตัวที่หล่อนเป็นจริงๆ
ความใกล้ชิดสนิทสนมมากขึ้นร่วมกับภารกิจและกฏระเบียบสังคมที่ทำให้ทั้งหนุ่มสาวเกิดความปราถนาในตัวกันและกัน สเตอร์ลิงชักไม่แน่ใจแล้วว่าเขารักภาพลวงตาของจัสมินนาจริงหรือไม่ เพราะเขาก็หลงรักจัสมินาตัวจริงอีกเหมือนกัน
เมื่อจัสมีนาตามหาภาพลวงตาของหล่อนพบและจัดการร่ายมนตร์ย้อนกลับได้สำเร็จ ร่างของคู่แฝดก็หลอมรวมเข้ากับร่างของเธอ เพราะอันที่จริงแล้วคู่แฝดที่เลดี้จัสมีนาสร้างขึ้นมาจากส่วนหนึ่งของตัวเธอเช่นกัน
เรื่องนี้สนุกและดูมีิมิติมากกว่าเล่มที่แล้ว แถมโนมสองตัวก็ยังช่วยสร้างสีสันให้กับเล่มนี้อีกด้วย เนื้อเรื่องไหลลื่น กระชับ แม้ว่าจะอ่านแล้วรู้สึกขัดๆระหว่างแจ๊ซกับจัสมีนาไปบ้างก็เหอะ เหมือนเซอร์สเตอร์ลิงรักผู้หญิงสองคนในเวลาเดียวกันง่ะ
เป็นหนังสืออ่านเพลินๆอีกเล่ม ...
June 20, 2010
In Double Enchantment Lady Jasmina is in a world of trouble. What got her in the whole mess to begin with is that her mother likes to steal or as her mother puts it, 'borrow' expensive jewelry. And as Jasmina's mother tends to forget to give back these 'borrowed' objects, it's up to her and her aunt to return them unnoticed. However, one particular broach gives Lady Jasmina more trouble than usual. She thought it would be a good idea to create a double of herself to fool her parents while she was out returning the object. She tells the double to stay in bed until she returns and whisks away into the night on her mission. What Lady Jasmina is unaware of is that the particular broach she is returning is an artifact of power making her double a little more real than she intended. When Lady Jasmina returns home she finds the double missing and to make matters worse, has been sweeping around London with the most scandalous behavior. It's up to her and Sir Sterling, a baronet who somehow managed to marry her conjured twin, to figure out how to set things right.
I thought this book was fun like the first book in the series. I like how Ms. Kennedy's universe mixes magic and historical London without it seeming random or disjointed. In general I liked the book, but there were parts where the heroine acted in ways that made me want to shake her. Hard. It was the hero, Sterling, that really saved this book for me. But otherwise I thought the book was fun and enjoyable.
I thought this book was fun like the first book in the series. I like how Ms. Kennedy's universe mixes magic and historical London without it seeming random or disjointed. In general I liked the book, but there were parts where the heroine acted in ways that made me want to shake her. Hard. It was the hero, Sterling, that really saved this book for me. But otherwise I thought the book was fun and enjoyable.
September 18, 2010
Kathryne Kennedy – Double Enchantment (Bk 2 in Relics of Merlin series)
When a spell infused with Relic magic goes awry no one can tell you better of the consequences then Lady Jasmine Karlyle. She only wanted to bring back a brooch her mother had “borrowed” from a lady friend. With casting a spell she got a life and kicking replica of herself instead of the illusion it was meant to be. Only this replica doesn’t have the same upstanding values as Jasmine and Sir Sterling Thorn gets a sensual taste of the replica who calls herself Jaz.
Instead of asking for help, Jasmine thinks she can fix it all by herself only to get into more trouble. When her Aunt Henrietta and Jasmine finally cook up a story that reflects the problem they go to the Hall Of Mages and ask the person with the strongest magic to help them. The King listens to their story when Sterling walks in and sees Jasmine, thinking it is Jaz.
Jasmine is on the receiving end of a soul-scorching kiss and when she finally gets her bearings back she smacks Sterling straight across the face. This is where their story begins…
Double Enchantment casts its spell over me and I was utterly willing to be captured by the magic, the world and its characters! When I read Enchanting The Lady last year I could only hope that Kathryne Kennedy would deliver again. Upon reading the second installment in the Relics Of Merlin series I was once more lured back to a highly imaginative world. I got all that I expected and more!
The first pages transported me to a London where magic is only fit for those of nobility and royalty. It is with their magical abilities the nobles present their calling card and it’s a true feast to read about when described by Kathryne Kennedy. From gardens to houses, horses and even clothing, it all can be bathed in magic to enhance one’s appearance. Still, there are also the Baronets, with their were-selves and immunity to magic that is both needed but feared. The Baronets are in the King’s favor and they are a weapon against the Relic’s magic. The descriptive writing style of the author just made it so easy to imagine the scenery in my mind’s eye. I could go on and on about every magical detail steeped into this world but that would spoil the fun of discovering it all for yourself!
The outward prim and proper veneer of Lady Jasmine collides with her “other half” who is running amok in London and she needs Sir Sterling to solve it all. Sterling on the other hand doesn’t need this kind of distraction from the search for his sister. Still his were-stallion’s side will not be ignored and there’s a need driving him to get under the skin of Jasmine, revealing her true self. They have a combustible chemistry together and this ever-present attraction and sensuality is intertwined within the pages. It makes your heart start to beat in anticipation, holding your breath, wondering when all the pent up emotions and wanting is going to erupt. Because of a somewhat odd triangular relationship between Sterling Jasmine and Jaz there are many obstacles to overcome. Kathryne Kennedy pulls it off, for it is all about Sterling and Jasmine. The powerful emotions with the main couple were so convincingly portrayed it grabbed hold of me and in the end I needed a tissue or two.
The romance alone could hold one enthralled to the pages but the author adds a select but equally impressive cast of secondary characters to this tale. In her own unique way Aunt Henrietta dares Jasmine to step outside the conventional, moreover, take an adventure or two and I relished in the chaperone she turned out to be. She had me from grinning to full laugh-out-loud moments with her attitude and wisdom. Sir Artimus as a were-lion and right hand to the King was elegant but with a wicked side and then there are two gnomes, Nuisance and Trouble. They added a bit of mischief to Double Enchantment as they accompanied humans who encountered problems around every corner. And problems do arise…
The plot gradually unfolded and turned out to be surprising in the end providing an opening for a true happily ever after. The personal growth I witnessed was both realistic and convincing attaching me emotionally to many characters and caring for each in a different way. The epilogue, though not always needed in a tale, gave me that overwhelming sense of righteousness and completed the overall story.
With simmering hot romance, a superbly build up plot and a feast of characters to get to know, Double Enchantment fulfilled every desire of why I love to read so much! When I closed this book, I felt bereft, I didn’t get nearly enough of this world Kathryne Kennedy has created!
When a spell infused with Relic magic goes awry no one can tell you better of the consequences then Lady Jasmine Karlyle. She only wanted to bring back a brooch her mother had “borrowed” from a lady friend. With casting a spell she got a life and kicking replica of herself instead of the illusion it was meant to be. Only this replica doesn’t have the same upstanding values as Jasmine and Sir Sterling Thorn gets a sensual taste of the replica who calls herself Jaz.
Instead of asking for help, Jasmine thinks she can fix it all by herself only to get into more trouble. When her Aunt Henrietta and Jasmine finally cook up a story that reflects the problem they go to the Hall Of Mages and ask the person with the strongest magic to help them. The King listens to their story when Sterling walks in and sees Jasmine, thinking it is Jaz.
Jasmine is on the receiving end of a soul-scorching kiss and when she finally gets her bearings back she smacks Sterling straight across the face. This is where their story begins…
Double Enchantment casts its spell over me and I was utterly willing to be captured by the magic, the world and its characters! When I read Enchanting The Lady last year I could only hope that Kathryne Kennedy would deliver again. Upon reading the second installment in the Relics Of Merlin series I was once more lured back to a highly imaginative world. I got all that I expected and more!
The first pages transported me to a London where magic is only fit for those of nobility and royalty. It is with their magical abilities the nobles present their calling card and it’s a true feast to read about when described by Kathryne Kennedy. From gardens to houses, horses and even clothing, it all can be bathed in magic to enhance one’s appearance. Still, there are also the Baronets, with their were-selves and immunity to magic that is both needed but feared. The Baronets are in the King’s favor and they are a weapon against the Relic’s magic. The descriptive writing style of the author just made it so easy to imagine the scenery in my mind’s eye. I could go on and on about every magical detail steeped into this world but that would spoil the fun of discovering it all for yourself!
The outward prim and proper veneer of Lady Jasmine collides with her “other half” who is running amok in London and she needs Sir Sterling to solve it all. Sterling on the other hand doesn’t need this kind of distraction from the search for his sister. Still his were-stallion’s side will not be ignored and there’s a need driving him to get under the skin of Jasmine, revealing her true self. They have a combustible chemistry together and this ever-present attraction and sensuality is intertwined within the pages. It makes your heart start to beat in anticipation, holding your breath, wondering when all the pent up emotions and wanting is going to erupt. Because of a somewhat odd triangular relationship between Sterling Jasmine and Jaz there are many obstacles to overcome. Kathryne Kennedy pulls it off, for it is all about Sterling and Jasmine. The powerful emotions with the main couple were so convincingly portrayed it grabbed hold of me and in the end I needed a tissue or two.
The romance alone could hold one enthralled to the pages but the author adds a select but equally impressive cast of secondary characters to this tale. In her own unique way Aunt Henrietta dares Jasmine to step outside the conventional, moreover, take an adventure or two and I relished in the chaperone she turned out to be. She had me from grinning to full laugh-out-loud moments with her attitude and wisdom. Sir Artimus as a were-lion and right hand to the King was elegant but with a wicked side and then there are two gnomes, Nuisance and Trouble. They added a bit of mischief to Double Enchantment as they accompanied humans who encountered problems around every corner. And problems do arise…
The plot gradually unfolded and turned out to be surprising in the end providing an opening for a true happily ever after. The personal growth I witnessed was both realistic and convincing attaching me emotionally to many characters and caring for each in a different way. The epilogue, though not always needed in a tale, gave me that overwhelming sense of righteousness and completed the overall story.
With simmering hot romance, a superbly build up plot and a feast of characters to get to know, Double Enchantment fulfilled every desire of why I love to read so much! When I closed this book, I felt bereft, I didn’t get nearly enough of this world Kathryne Kennedy has created!
February 7, 2013
This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...
A lovely historical romance with a touch of magic. Double Enchantment is a wonderful read!
I loved how the author managed to take Victorian society and seamlessly add paranormal elements to create a society where rank is based on magical power. It was flawlessly done. So, kudos to the author for some fantastic world-building.
Jasmine was a flawed heroine. I liked her, for the most part. In the first half of the book, however, she was incredibly snobby. To the point the I wanted to shake some sense into her. Fortunately, she got over that eventually and definitely redeemed herself. Once she got off her high horse, she was perfectly lovely. She was clever and brave in dealing with everything thrown at her. In the end, I truly liked her.
I LOVED Sterling. After reading this, I wanted my own hot were-stallion. Why can't they exist? So not fair.
But, moving on. Sterling was such a perfect hero. He's been looking for his sister, whom everyone believes ran off with her beau. But, he suspects foul play and is determined to find her. Just that first impression of him-determined to find his little sister-made me adore him. And he only made me love him more throughout the book. Sterling was so sweet, strong, determined, clever, sexy. Honestly, there is no way you can read this book and not adore him.
Jasmine and Sterling had sparks flying between them from the beginning. Even when Jasmine's snobbishness was hindering their relationship, they were still wonderful together. They were truly a sweet couple. And, though they weren't constantly jumping each other, they definitely had some HOT moments.
The plot of this book doesn't drag for a minute. The magic and thrills start immediately and kept me hooked right through to the end. And the mystery of the people who took Sterling's sister had me on the edge of my seat. The ending was flawless. Sweet and perfect.
I loved Double Enchantment! It was a perfect blend of historical and paranormal romance. To any romance lovers, you should definitely try this.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for a copy!
A lovely historical romance with a touch of magic. Double Enchantment is a wonderful read!
I loved how the author managed to take Victorian society and seamlessly add paranormal elements to create a society where rank is based on magical power. It was flawlessly done. So, kudos to the author for some fantastic world-building.
Jasmine was a flawed heroine. I liked her, for the most part. In the first half of the book, however, she was incredibly snobby. To the point the I wanted to shake some sense into her. Fortunately, she got over that eventually and definitely redeemed herself. Once she got off her high horse, she was perfectly lovely. She was clever and brave in dealing with everything thrown at her. In the end, I truly liked her.
I LOVED Sterling. After reading this, I wanted my own hot were-stallion. Why can't they exist? So not fair.
But, moving on. Sterling was such a perfect hero. He's been looking for his sister, whom everyone believes ran off with her beau. But, he suspects foul play and is determined to find her. Just that first impression of him-determined to find his little sister-made me adore him. And he only made me love him more throughout the book. Sterling was so sweet, strong, determined, clever, sexy. Honestly, there is no way you can read this book and not adore him.
Jasmine and Sterling had sparks flying between them from the beginning. Even when Jasmine's snobbishness was hindering their relationship, they were still wonderful together. They were truly a sweet couple. And, though they weren't constantly jumping each other, they definitely had some HOT moments.
The plot of this book doesn't drag for a minute. The magic and thrills start immediately and kept me hooked right through to the end. And the mystery of the people who took Sterling's sister had me on the edge of my seat. The ending was flawless. Sweet and perfect.
I loved Double Enchantment! It was a perfect blend of historical and paranormal romance. To any romance lovers, you should definitely try this.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for a copy!
November 24, 2010
I enjoyed this much more than the first book. It may have been that the hero was a stallion, what girl wouldn't want a guy who turns into a horse (LOL)! Entertaining and fun!
June 10, 2019
This book is what got me started down the Kathryne Kennedy rabbit hole. I enjoy how she is able to take a literally fantastic premise and make its execution seem like the most logical conclusion. I've read a lot of regency/historical romance novels, and she made Lady Jasmina's predicament seem as realistic as being gossiped about on the marriage mart would be in another novel. Highly recommended for fans of historical romance and fantasy.
November 20, 2017
**3.5 Stars
Well that was interesting.... an enjoyable and quirky romp through a very alternative Victorian London. Colorful characters (garden gnomes! shapeshifters!) and quick pacing; a very interesting read.
Well that was interesting.... an enjoyable and quirky romp through a very alternative Victorian London. Colorful characters (garden gnomes! shapeshifters!) and quick pacing; a very interesting read.
May 22, 2020
I just didn't care for this novel as much as I was hoping. The characters were alright, but the storyline really lagged for me. I had to take a break from it a couple of times to keep reading it. All in all, this is a character driven story. The plot rears its ugly head every now and then with seemingly little effort invested into it. Sorry, just the ugly truth.
November 1, 2017
I keep wanting this series to be better. Moderately engaging story with mystery and romance. Heroine had some pluck sneaking around and using magic.
December 4, 2019
3.5 stars
February 24, 2013
Originally published at Book Lovers Inc.
Double Enchantment is the second book in Kathryne Kennedy's Relics of Merlin series, after Enchanting the Lady.
Whether because the second outing didn't mix in quite as many fairy tale tropes, or because we'd already been here once, Double Enchantment definitely was not doubly enchanting. Maybe three-quarters as enchanting.
The Beauty and the Beast story looks like it's going to persist through the whole series. The barons in this alternate Victorian-Era fantasy are all shapeshifters. They really do turn into beasts. Unfortunately, the rest of the peerage seem to have rather beastly manners around them. If handsome is as handsome does, the non-shapeshifters frankly aren't very handsome in this regard. But the Crown Prince finds the shapeshifters invaluable, so watching the nobles lump it can be rather amusing.
The relic in this outing does doppelganger magic. Infinite doppelgangers. And they're real. Royal magic (and shapeshifter magic) can see through illusions, but relic magic creates real things. A doppelganger army bent on rebellion, that's trouble.
But that's not where the story starts. The story starts with a girl, Lady Jasmina. Her mother is a kleptomaniac. And Jasmina has devoted her life to putting back the jewelry her mother steals.
Jaz normally leaves an illusion of herself in bed, while she dresses as a chimney sweep and breaks into people's houses to return her mother's thefts. But her mother stole the relic, and her illusion is a doppelganger that takes on a life of its own. It goes off, gets married, and ruins her reputation!
It marries a shapeshifter. Sir Sterling wants his wife back, and discovers that he might not have one. And he has a mission to hunt down the relic.
Lady Jasmina has a rapidly deteriorating reputation, and memories of performing certain salacious acts with Sir Sterling that no well-bred young lady could possibly have any memory of. Even worse for her, she's scandalously certain she'd like to experience them again. For the first time.
And then there are rumors of disappearing shapeshifters. And an army of rebellion. The relic is still missing. Jasmina is under house arrest. And her mother is still stealing!
Jasmina's world is spinning further and further out of control, and the only solution seems to be to work with Sir Sterling in secret, in the hopes of locating the relic before too much damage is done. Maybe she convince herself that when the relic is found, her life will go back to the way it was before.
She'll be the dutiful daughter again, carefully managing her family's reputation and never having a life of her own. Maybe it's not to late.
Except that the doppelganger she created, the one that is creating a scandal all over London? Those bold actions, those scandalous deeds? Those are all a real part of her. One she's not sure she'll be able to put back.
Verdict: I have mixed feelings about this book. I love this alternate Victorian world. The idea that rank would be chosen by magical ability, and that different powers do different things, this is pretty cool, especially with the Victorian love for frou-frou wrapped around it.
I think the part that made me go a little spare in this story was Jasmina's relationship with her family. Sterling's dysfunctional family made sense (It was nasty, but logical). Her dysfunctional family made none.
Jasmina has been covering up for her mother's kleptomania and incompetence at running the estate since she was old enough to manage. Okay, what happened before Jasmina reached an age of responsibility? And why the hell doesn't her dad know that his wife is looney-toons? I understand keeping it all in the family, but Jasmina wasn't putting mommy's thefts back when she was 4, so who took care of things then? I was half-expecting one of her parents to be part of the evil, just for the nonsensicalness of this behavior.
I'm hope Sourcebooks is planning to re-release book three, Enchanting the Beast, later this year. And there's supposed to be a brand new book four, Everlasting Enchantment in December.
Double Enchantment is the second book in Kathryne Kennedy's Relics of Merlin series, after Enchanting the Lady.
Whether because the second outing didn't mix in quite as many fairy tale tropes, or because we'd already been here once, Double Enchantment definitely was not doubly enchanting. Maybe three-quarters as enchanting.
The Beauty and the Beast story looks like it's going to persist through the whole series. The barons in this alternate Victorian-Era fantasy are all shapeshifters. They really do turn into beasts. Unfortunately, the rest of the peerage seem to have rather beastly manners around them. If handsome is as handsome does, the non-shapeshifters frankly aren't very handsome in this regard. But the Crown Prince finds the shapeshifters invaluable, so watching the nobles lump it can be rather amusing.
The relic in this outing does doppelganger magic. Infinite doppelgangers. And they're real. Royal magic (and shapeshifter magic) can see through illusions, but relic magic creates real things. A doppelganger army bent on rebellion, that's trouble.
But that's not where the story starts. The story starts with a girl, Lady Jasmina. Her mother is a kleptomaniac. And Jasmina has devoted her life to putting back the jewelry her mother steals.
Jaz normally leaves an illusion of herself in bed, while she dresses as a chimney sweep and breaks into people's houses to return her mother's thefts. But her mother stole the relic, and her illusion is a doppelganger that takes on a life of its own. It goes off, gets married, and ruins her reputation!
It marries a shapeshifter. Sir Sterling wants his wife back, and discovers that he might not have one. And he has a mission to hunt down the relic.
Lady Jasmina has a rapidly deteriorating reputation, and memories of performing certain salacious acts with Sir Sterling that no well-bred young lady could possibly have any memory of. Even worse for her, she's scandalously certain she'd like to experience them again. For the first time.
And then there are rumors of disappearing shapeshifters. And an army of rebellion. The relic is still missing. Jasmina is under house arrest. And her mother is still stealing!
Jasmina's world is spinning further and further out of control, and the only solution seems to be to work with Sir Sterling in secret, in the hopes of locating the relic before too much damage is done. Maybe she convince herself that when the relic is found, her life will go back to the way it was before.
She'll be the dutiful daughter again, carefully managing her family's reputation and never having a life of her own. Maybe it's not to late.
Except that the doppelganger she created, the one that is creating a scandal all over London? Those bold actions, those scandalous deeds? Those are all a real part of her. One she's not sure she'll be able to put back.
Verdict: I have mixed feelings about this book. I love this alternate Victorian world. The idea that rank would be chosen by magical ability, and that different powers do different things, this is pretty cool, especially with the Victorian love for frou-frou wrapped around it.
I think the part that made me go a little spare in this story was Jasmina's relationship with her family. Sterling's dysfunctional family made sense (It was nasty, but logical). Her dysfunctional family made none.
Jasmina has been covering up for her mother's kleptomania and incompetence at running the estate since she was old enough to manage. Okay, what happened before Jasmina reached an age of responsibility? And why the hell doesn't her dad know that his wife is looney-toons? I understand keeping it all in the family, but Jasmina wasn't putting mommy's thefts back when she was 4, so who took care of things then? I was half-expecting one of her parents to be part of the evil, just for the nonsensicalness of this behavior.
I'm hope Sourcebooks is planning to re-release book three, Enchanting the Beast, later this year. And there's supposed to be a brand new book four, Everlasting Enchantment in December.
April 18, 2013
Posted on Romancing the Books blog
Reviewed by Robin
Review Copy Provided by Netgalley
Choosing books sometimes seems like an art form. But at times it is as simple as choosing a favorite author or perhaps in my case a name or what the cover looks like that draws me to the book. Very rarely do I read what the book tends to be about. I wanted to read this because of the title and brief mention of Merlin. So what I went into this thinking there would be more Merlin for me; but, I soon found a book that combined two favorites of mine. I found a story about historical/regency London with that of magic/shape shifting paranormal. Not sure what to expect I found it quite well done in mixing the two. As with regency London there has to be some division in aristocrats after all we can’t all be on the same social level even if we run in the same circles. Ms. Kennedy found a way of mixing the two very different worlds adding that little bit of separation. And with such London society will never be the same.
It is hard to put briefly into words what this book is about. There was so much going on to keep ones interest. The upper classes are the ones that carry the magic. The more powerful your magic is the higher class you are in. The shape shifters are looked down upon because their magic tends to be a little erratic/wild so they are given lesser titles such as baronets. But once in a while the two mix and things become so much more than magic.
Lady Jasmina has been using her magic to cover for her mother who is a kleptomaniac. A little secret you don’t want know in your social circle so she has to use her magic to sneak back into the homes and replace the stolen jewels her mother has ‘borrowed’. While in the midst of preparing herself to return one such item she cast an illusion spell so that she will not be missed in her home. Once in the home to return the brooch something goes amiss and her spell changes…Her illusion becomes more real. A twin almost the opposite of herself or is she? As the illusion known as Jaz starts wreaking havoc (you can’t blame a girl for wanting to have a little fun) we come across Sir Sterling a baronet who happens to be able to change into a very sexy stallion. Did I just call a stallion sexy? Well, in this case he is extremely handsome in a shabbily clothed way and the stallion part of him is just as well…sexy. Sir Sterling is in search of his sister who was kidnapped. First he meets Jaz with much fire between the two. When Jasmine enters into his life he at first thinks she is Jaz… I think you are getting the picture. Still there is chemistry that can’t be denied. As things heat up between the two they form a bond to find the brooch/relic so that Jasmina/Jaz can once again become a whole; along with the search for Sterling’s sister. Throw in a couple of your ordinary garden Gnomes named Nuisance and Trouble and Kooky Aunt Henrietta and you are in for a delightful story with a twist on London society.
Ms. Kennedy has a wonderfully fun magical tale of the classic beauty and the beast on her hands that takes us into a new world of enchantment. London as we have never seen it. Whether you are going to the balls or visiting the underground you can’t help but fall in love with this new world that she has created. She visually takes you on the adventure where even in the stench of the underground amidst the misfits and the darkness she still showed the magic and the beauty that there is to be found. I know I was truly enchanted. Maybe you will be too.
Reviewed by Robin
Review Copy Provided by Netgalley
Choosing books sometimes seems like an art form. But at times it is as simple as choosing a favorite author or perhaps in my case a name or what the cover looks like that draws me to the book. Very rarely do I read what the book tends to be about. I wanted to read this because of the title and brief mention of Merlin. So what I went into this thinking there would be more Merlin for me; but, I soon found a book that combined two favorites of mine. I found a story about historical/regency London with that of magic/shape shifting paranormal. Not sure what to expect I found it quite well done in mixing the two. As with regency London there has to be some division in aristocrats after all we can’t all be on the same social level even if we run in the same circles. Ms. Kennedy found a way of mixing the two very different worlds adding that little bit of separation. And with such London society will never be the same.
It is hard to put briefly into words what this book is about. There was so much going on to keep ones interest. The upper classes are the ones that carry the magic. The more powerful your magic is the higher class you are in. The shape shifters are looked down upon because their magic tends to be a little erratic/wild so they are given lesser titles such as baronets. But once in a while the two mix and things become so much more than magic.
Lady Jasmina has been using her magic to cover for her mother who is a kleptomaniac. A little secret you don’t want know in your social circle so she has to use her magic to sneak back into the homes and replace the stolen jewels her mother has ‘borrowed’. While in the midst of preparing herself to return one such item she cast an illusion spell so that she will not be missed in her home. Once in the home to return the brooch something goes amiss and her spell changes…Her illusion becomes more real. A twin almost the opposite of herself or is she? As the illusion known as Jaz starts wreaking havoc (you can’t blame a girl for wanting to have a little fun) we come across Sir Sterling a baronet who happens to be able to change into a very sexy stallion. Did I just call a stallion sexy? Well, in this case he is extremely handsome in a shabbily clothed way and the stallion part of him is just as well…sexy. Sir Sterling is in search of his sister who was kidnapped. First he meets Jaz with much fire between the two. When Jasmine enters into his life he at first thinks she is Jaz… I think you are getting the picture. Still there is chemistry that can’t be denied. As things heat up between the two they form a bond to find the brooch/relic so that Jasmina/Jaz can once again become a whole; along with the search for Sterling’s sister. Throw in a couple of your ordinary garden Gnomes named Nuisance and Trouble and Kooky Aunt Henrietta and you are in for a delightful story with a twist on London society.
Ms. Kennedy has a wonderfully fun magical tale of the classic beauty and the beast on her hands that takes us into a new world of enchantment. London as we have never seen it. Whether you are going to the balls or visiting the underground you can’t help but fall in love with this new world that she has created. She visually takes you on the adventure where even in the stench of the underground amidst the misfits and the darkness she still showed the magic and the beauty that there is to be found. I know I was truly enchanted. Maybe you will be too.
March 29, 2016
DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT, the second book in the Relics of Merlin books by Kathryn Kennedy, is set roughly forty years before its predecessor, ENCHANTING THE LADY. This book actually serves to explain some of the societal differences between 'real' Victorian England and Kennedy's 'magical' Victorian England that weren't explained, in so many words, in the first book. The fact that titles passed to either gender as long as the heir had the magical ability to back it up, for instance, was mentioned in ENCHANTING, but never formally stated.
Lady Jasmina Karlyle, the heroine, is vastly different from Felicity of the first book as well. They are both sweet, clever and innocent, but where Felicity was content to be passive (until the end of the book), Jasmina did everything she could to forge her own path through her problems. Mostly with mixed results, but she tried at least.
Sir Sterling Thorn, the hero, spends much of the book in utter bewilderment. I honestly felt bad for him. He meets the woman of his dreams, spends an achingly beautiful night with her, marries her and then wakes up to find her gone. If that wasn't bad enough, it turns out the woman he was in love with wasn't real at all, technically, and the person who made her was as different as night is from day. The odd glimpses of Jaz he sees in Jasmina only serves to confuse him even more. Here is a girl who goes from a cold as stone Ice Princess one second, to a fiery, passionate courtesan the next, only to go back to the Ice Princess moments later!
The world feels real, as if I'm not reading a fantasy, but in fact a historical accounting of that time. Little details of life that many people feel would be so much easier if they had magic to perform the task are shown to be just as tedious and time-consuming. You can spell a broom to do your sweeping for you, but the energy required to do such a feat, however, might prove to be more tiring then the manual labor itself! Then also, magic seems to be such an ingrained facet of life that unicorns escorting a golden coach is as commonplace to these people as seeing a dog in a park for us.
I felt while reading the book, however, that it didn't grasp my attention quite as much as the first book. It didn't feel like a 'second' book to a connected series (though they can be read alone quite easily), but more like the first book. As mentioned previously, details that were talked about in the first book are actually explained in this book and I felt as if Jasmina and Sterling weren't as strong a couple as Felicity and Terence from ENCHANTING had been. Part of that could have been due to the fact that Terence was a were-lion, while Sterling is a were-stallion.
One mystery I remain puzzled about is Prince Albert. His age is never given (and I can't be certain that the author is following the 'real' Albert's age either), but he is a grown man in DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT (set in 1848) and in ENCHANTING THE LADY (set in 1882). I remember Felicity thinking that if Prince Albert knew her parents, that he must have been a child, but she wasn't above eighteen herself and her parents died young. It might be I am looking too deeply into this, however.
The series is turning out to be a delightful surprise to me and I look forward to the next book!
Lady Jasmina Karlyle, the heroine, is vastly different from Felicity of the first book as well. They are both sweet, clever and innocent, but where Felicity was content to be passive (until the end of the book), Jasmina did everything she could to forge her own path through her problems. Mostly with mixed results, but she tried at least.
Sir Sterling Thorn, the hero, spends much of the book in utter bewilderment. I honestly felt bad for him. He meets the woman of his dreams, spends an achingly beautiful night with her, marries her and then wakes up to find her gone. If that wasn't bad enough, it turns out the woman he was in love with wasn't real at all, technically, and the person who made her was as different as night is from day. The odd glimpses of Jaz he sees in Jasmina only serves to confuse him even more. Here is a girl who goes from a cold as stone Ice Princess one second, to a fiery, passionate courtesan the next, only to go back to the Ice Princess moments later!
The world feels real, as if I'm not reading a fantasy, but in fact a historical accounting of that time. Little details of life that many people feel would be so much easier if they had magic to perform the task are shown to be just as tedious and time-consuming. You can spell a broom to do your sweeping for you, but the energy required to do such a feat, however, might prove to be more tiring then the manual labor itself! Then also, magic seems to be such an ingrained facet of life that unicorns escorting a golden coach is as commonplace to these people as seeing a dog in a park for us.
I felt while reading the book, however, that it didn't grasp my attention quite as much as the first book. It didn't feel like a 'second' book to a connected series (though they can be read alone quite easily), but more like the first book. As mentioned previously, details that were talked about in the first book are actually explained in this book and I felt as if Jasmina and Sterling weren't as strong a couple as Felicity and Terence from ENCHANTING had been. Part of that could have been due to the fact that Terence was a were-lion, while Sterling is a were-stallion.
One mystery I remain puzzled about is Prince Albert. His age is never given (and I can't be certain that the author is following the 'real' Albert's age either), but he is a grown man in DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT (set in 1848) and in ENCHANTING THE LADY (set in 1882). I remember Felicity thinking that if Prince Albert knew her parents, that he must have been a child, but she wasn't above eighteen herself and her parents died young. It might be I am looking too deeply into this, however.
The series is turning out to be a delightful surprise to me and I look forward to the next book!
August 14, 2025
The heroine has always been the dutiful and dependable daughter. She's run her parents household since a young age and above all else she considers their happiness. But she knows they are flawed. In particular there's the issue of her mother stealing. When it comes to her to sneak the stolen jewelry back into the houses of it's rightful owner, an routine spell to make a doppelganger so she wouldn't be missed goes wrong and throws her neatly controlled world into chaos. The necklace her mother stolen was a relic of merlin and with it's power the heroine as actually creature a living breathing duplicate of herself. The hero is in London to search for his missing sister. It's at a ball where he becomes drawn to the beautiful lively woman who sparks in him a possessive need to make her his. In his lust, he marries the girl but the next morning she is gone. When summoned to the prince regent to track down a relic for the crown, he's astonished to see his wife present. But she doesn't remember him and is nothing at all like the woman he loves. The heroine is horrified to have a shifter taking liberties with her person and even more horrified to know that he twin has been whoring herself all over town. Despite her kneejerk reaction to shun the handsome baronet, the heroine can't help but feel instantly drawn to him. But he is everything forbidden to her. He is a shifter, he is poor and if she's seen with him her family would be horrified. But she needs him to find the relic so she can be rid of her errant twin. Slowly the heroine begins understand the proud man and though she fights her feelings ardently, she finds herself falling in love with him. She also finds herself losing more and more of her ladylike demeanor and succumbing to her passions. She begins to think for herself, live for herself. But she's terrified of the doubt that the man she's falling for has already fallen for this twin. Little does she know that the hero very soon realized that what he felt for his 'wife' was lust pure and simple and that the deeper feelings he possesses for his prim and proper companion is real and true in every sense of the word.
The heroine was a great character and I adored her slow development into her own person-free of societies expectations and her parents control. It was her twin who sparked the change and it was the hero and his total disregard for the opinion of others that brought her out of her shell. The prejudice society has for shifters makes you cringe and the horrible step brother and his selfishness makes you really feel for the hero. But he bares it all stoically and doesn't pay much attention to anyone but the heroine and I guess that's why she feels driven to defend him despite her own slight prejudices. I really liked this book and it was a joy to read. What a lovely magical world this author has created.
The heroine was a great character and I adored her slow development into her own person-free of societies expectations and her parents control. It was her twin who sparked the change and it was the hero and his total disregard for the opinion of others that brought her out of her shell. The prejudice society has for shifters makes you cringe and the horrible step brother and his selfishness makes you really feel for the hero. But he bares it all stoically and doesn't pay much attention to anyone but the heroine and I guess that's why she feels driven to defend him despite her own slight prejudices. I really liked this book and it was a joy to read. What a lovely magical world this author has created.
March 28, 2013
First off I'm not keen on historical romance, so when I requested this off of netgalley I was unsure if I would like, but as it had a paranormal element it was worth a shot. Well I'm shocked how much I liked it, even though its historical its only based on old traditions and classes of people and there views on others.
For the paranormal part you have people who are born with magic, shape shifters, gnomes, nymphs all sorts basically, but mainly magical persons and shifters.
The story well jasmina is a magical person, who is covering for her mother who is light fingered, so jasmina returns the things she takes. When returning one item she has to cast a spell to return it safely so makes a temporary double of herself. Jaz the double turns out to be more than expected and gets up to no good.... :) Jaz attends the ball jasmina said she would not attend and meets Sir Sterling ... **sighs**. And **sighs again**... Yes sir sterling my did he get my heart a fluttering. Well he and jazz have relations of the sexual nature!!
Jasmina has no knowledge of this event so when sir Stirling sees Jasmina he kisses her!!!! Jasmina is prim and proper as her parents expect her to be and to be honest the first half of the book I was not keen on her, looking down on the gorgeous sexy sterling, did I mention his a were stallion yes he turns into a magnificent black stallion. I have to mention that jasmina even though prim and proper is a very strong, independant and stubborn at times characther. Well what of sir Stirling's characther, his handsome, loyal, strong, adorable, loveable and patient I have to say.
Life has funny turns and they end up seeing each other to help search for a special gem, stirling mssing sister and her double jazz and yes jasmina grew on me more especially when she apologised for her parents behaviour, such snobs her parents are, but she has a naughty aunt that is so much more fun.
Now the gnomes, when you get into trouble gnomes take to following you, and I have to admit they were more amusing than expected.
I really enjoyed the slow burn of jasminas growing affection, yes it annoyed me in a way how long it took but maybe that's because I fell for sterling straight away.
The characthers were great, story a total mix up of mystery, magic, love and adventure.
The epilogue omg was just...........
An easy four star read for me.
**i received this book from the publisher via netgalley**
For the paranormal part you have people who are born with magic, shape shifters, gnomes, nymphs all sorts basically, but mainly magical persons and shifters.
The story well jasmina is a magical person, who is covering for her mother who is light fingered, so jasmina returns the things she takes. When returning one item she has to cast a spell to return it safely so makes a temporary double of herself. Jaz the double turns out to be more than expected and gets up to no good.... :) Jaz attends the ball jasmina said she would not attend and meets Sir Sterling ... **sighs**. And **sighs again**... Yes sir sterling my did he get my heart a fluttering. Well he and jazz have relations of the sexual nature!!
Jasmina has no knowledge of this event so when sir Stirling sees Jasmina he kisses her!!!! Jasmina is prim and proper as her parents expect her to be and to be honest the first half of the book I was not keen on her, looking down on the gorgeous sexy sterling, did I mention his a were stallion yes he turns into a magnificent black stallion. I have to mention that jasmina even though prim and proper is a very strong, independant and stubborn at times characther. Well what of sir Stirling's characther, his handsome, loyal, strong, adorable, loveable and patient I have to say.
Life has funny turns and they end up seeing each other to help search for a special gem, stirling mssing sister and her double jazz and yes jasmina grew on me more especially when she apologised for her parents behaviour, such snobs her parents are, but she has a naughty aunt that is so much more fun.
Now the gnomes, when you get into trouble gnomes take to following you, and I have to admit they were more amusing than expected.
I really enjoyed the slow burn of jasminas growing affection, yes it annoyed me in a way how long it took but maybe that's because I fell for sterling straight away.
The characthers were great, story a total mix up of mystery, magic, love and adventure.
The epilogue omg was just...........
An easy four star read for me.
**i received this book from the publisher via netgalley**
April 15, 2013
This is really 3 1/2 stars.
Overall, Double Enchantment was an enjoyable read once you got everything sorted out. It could be because this was book 2 of a series and the world DE takes place in was already explained in book 1, but the story didn't read like a continuation. I didn't feel as if I had missed out on too much.
First, how much magic you have determines where you are in the pecking order in this world. Different castes are lauded while others are looked down upon which adds to the story. Then we have a rather strong-willed heroine, Jasmina, who in an effort to save her family name, returns items her mother has borrowed (cough cough) from others by disguising herself as a chimney sweep, breaking into their homes, and setting the jewels someplace easy to overlook but easy to find.
Then we have our shape-shifter hero who has been robbed of his birthright by a half-sibling and is searching for his missing sister who may have just run away with a ne'er do well or may have actually been kidnapped.
And of course, we have a spell gone wrong that has come to life (Jaz) who is causing all sorts of embarrassing issues for our heroine.
And lets not forget the garden gnomes that love any sort of chaos and follow Jasmina around.
Got all that? Yeah, it took me a few minutes, too. Once I got everything settled in my brain, though, I really enjoyed the ride.
The text is lively and clever. I found myself laughing out loud several times at the banter between several of the characters. I liked how everything worked out, though the epilogue was a bit too pat for my tastes, it was still fulfilling.
Overall, Double Enchantment was an enjoyable read once you got everything sorted out. It could be because this was book 2 of a series and the world DE takes place in was already explained in book 1, but the story didn't read like a continuation. I didn't feel as if I had missed out on too much.
First, how much magic you have determines where you are in the pecking order in this world. Different castes are lauded while others are looked down upon which adds to the story. Then we have a rather strong-willed heroine, Jasmina, who in an effort to save her family name, returns items her mother has borrowed (cough cough) from others by disguising herself as a chimney sweep, breaking into their homes, and setting the jewels someplace easy to overlook but easy to find.
Then we have our shape-shifter hero who has been robbed of his birthright by a half-sibling and is searching for his missing sister who may have just run away with a ne'er do well or may have actually been kidnapped.
And of course, we have a spell gone wrong that has come to life (Jaz) who is causing all sorts of embarrassing issues for our heroine.
And lets not forget the garden gnomes that love any sort of chaos and follow Jasmina around.
Got all that? Yeah, it took me a few minutes, too. Once I got everything settled in my brain, though, I really enjoyed the ride.
The text is lively and clever. I found myself laughing out loud several times at the banter between several of the characters. I liked how everything worked out, though the epilogue was a bit too pat for my tastes, it was still fulfilling.
December 21, 2010
I read and reviewed Enchanting the Lady (Relics of Merlin #1) a while back and I loved the world that Kathryne Kennedy created enough to dive into book #2. I can't exactly say that this book added much to the world itself but it was still a fun romp in a time when women wore lots of clothes and the nobility were defined by the amount of magic they could perform.
In a change of pace from book 1, Sir Sterling, our intrepid baronet, is not a relic hunter. He's hunting for his sister, who everyone assumes has run off, and he's never run across the relic scent before and doesn't know what he's on the trail of when he does catch its scent. He's a down on his luck baronet who doesn't care for Society and prefers to spend time working his vineyard. Jasmina's family, on the other hand, is entirely tied up in what's proper and accepted by Society. They frown upon the Were-animals and Jasmina has inherited some of their prejudices. On the other hand, Jasmina's mother's sticky fingers have forced Jasmina to step out of the role of a proper lady (even if it's only in secret) to keep it covered up. She's a crack at breaking and entering and often has to traverse the mean streets late at night to return the trinkets her mother "borrows".
I just like this whole world. It's fun and interesting. I get magic and were-creatures and a diabolical use of magic. I get sexy shenanigans and gardens of wondrous delights. Lovely.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
In a change of pace from book 1, Sir Sterling, our intrepid baronet, is not a relic hunter. He's hunting for his sister, who everyone assumes has run off, and he's never run across the relic scent before and doesn't know what he's on the trail of when he does catch its scent. He's a down on his luck baronet who doesn't care for Society and prefers to spend time working his vineyard. Jasmina's family, on the other hand, is entirely tied up in what's proper and accepted by Society. They frown upon the Were-animals and Jasmina has inherited some of their prejudices. On the other hand, Jasmina's mother's sticky fingers have forced Jasmina to step out of the role of a proper lady (even if it's only in secret) to keep it covered up. She's a crack at breaking and entering and often has to traverse the mean streets late at night to return the trinkets her mother "borrows".
I just like this whole world. It's fun and interesting. I get magic and were-creatures and a diabolical use of magic. I get sexy shenanigans and gardens of wondrous delights. Lovely.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
March 5, 2013
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This was so much FUN! This is a historical with a twist. Magic is the norm in Jolly Old England. It resides in different ways and amounts from the Royals right on down the line. The Baronets are shape shifters.
At one point, our leads are at a ball, dancing on moonbeams! I could just see it.
Lady Jasmina accidentally creates a double of herself, not just an image, but an almost living, breathing double. She leaves her in bed, pretending to sleep, but the double, going by her nickname of Jas, goes to the ball instead. There she falls into lust with Sir Sterling Thorn, a were-stallion. They hie off to bed...!
Okay, the cover drew me in. I don't recall reading about were-stallions before...and this cover sucked me in. And I was not disappointed. Sir Sterling is HOT..and sweet...and ALPHA.
The reason that Lady Jasmina needed a double was so that she could return a piece of jewelry that her very light fingered mother had "borrowed" from one of her friends. She apparently does this often.
Unfortunately the brooch was created by Merlin and it is a highly sought piece of silver.
So, who does Sir Sterling really love? Jaz, the sexy imposter, or Lady Jasmina with her prissy ways, but watch out when her walls fall!
Throw in a couple of mischievous garden gnomes and this was a ride (and a read) worth taking.
I'm enthralled with the world that Ms. Kennedy has created. I want more!
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for giving me the opportunity to read DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT. It was a blast!!!
This was so much FUN! This is a historical with a twist. Magic is the norm in Jolly Old England. It resides in different ways and amounts from the Royals right on down the line. The Baronets are shape shifters.
At one point, our leads are at a ball, dancing on moonbeams! I could just see it.
Lady Jasmina accidentally creates a double of herself, not just an image, but an almost living, breathing double. She leaves her in bed, pretending to sleep, but the double, going by her nickname of Jas, goes to the ball instead. There she falls into lust with Sir Sterling Thorn, a were-stallion. They hie off to bed...!
Okay, the cover drew me in. I don't recall reading about were-stallions before...and this cover sucked me in. And I was not disappointed. Sir Sterling is HOT..and sweet...and ALPHA.
The reason that Lady Jasmina needed a double was so that she could return a piece of jewelry that her very light fingered mother had "borrowed" from one of her friends. She apparently does this often.
Unfortunately the brooch was created by Merlin and it is a highly sought piece of silver.
So, who does Sir Sterling really love? Jaz, the sexy imposter, or Lady Jasmina with her prissy ways, but watch out when her walls fall!
Throw in a couple of mischievous garden gnomes and this was a ride (and a read) worth taking.
I'm enthralled with the world that Ms. Kennedy has created. I want more!
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for giving me the opportunity to read DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT. It was a blast!!!
August 20, 2008
I simply loved Enchanting the Lady. Kathryne Kennedy's first book really delivered on all levels. When that happens you often find the second book in a series a let down. An author pours their heart into that first book, so sometimes book number two is weaker or a carbon copy. Thus, I was holding my breath as I read Double Enchantment, the second in the Relics of Merlin series by Kennedy. I am thrilled to say there was no let down, no disappointment.
Lady Jasmina has a very perplexing problem. All of London are a twitter about the female who is sporting around town, making a cake of herself, and that gossip encompasses Lady Jasmina because the woman looks exactly like her. Worse, there is a sexy baronet who is acting like he knows Jasmina, and when I say "know" I mean it! Some believe that it's not a look alike creating the trouble, but Jamina herself, thus in order to save her reputation, Jamina sets about to run to ground this woman. In the foggy streets of Londontown, magic is afoot. A spell gone wrong, a mysterious organization called The Brotherhood, and a hero to die for, Kennedy gives you all the right ingredients.
The magic is Kennedy's writing. She's set up a strong series with an involving mythos that...well, enchants the reader from start to finish. Kennedy is quickly proving she is an author on the rise.
I highly recommend both books in the Relics of Merlin and eagerly look forward to the next in the series.
Lady Jasmina has a very perplexing problem. All of London are a twitter about the female who is sporting around town, making a cake of herself, and that gossip encompasses Lady Jasmina because the woman looks exactly like her. Worse, there is a sexy baronet who is acting like he knows Jasmina, and when I say "know" I mean it! Some believe that it's not a look alike creating the trouble, but Jamina herself, thus in order to save her reputation, Jamina sets about to run to ground this woman. In the foggy streets of Londontown, magic is afoot. A spell gone wrong, a mysterious organization called The Brotherhood, and a hero to die for, Kennedy gives you all the right ingredients.
The magic is Kennedy's writing. She's set up a strong series with an involving mythos that...well, enchants the reader from start to finish. Kennedy is quickly proving she is an author on the rise.
I highly recommend both books in the Relics of Merlin and eagerly look forward to the next in the series.
February 22, 2013
This is book two, but it works perfectly as a stand alone and you can just jump straight in. There is a little prologue at first explaining why and what magic is.
And on to the book. Jasmine is a proper young lady, until a spell backfires on her. Which leads her to meet a shapeshifter, and those are just so beneath her social standing. Too bad Sterling is a total hottie and sparks fly. The book is about Jasmine trying to find a missing magical relic, and the twin she created with magic. Her very naughty twin. Sterling is sent to help her, and he wants her. But he does seem to have a few issues to deal with.
Oh and there is a gnome! At first I did not like him, but he was fun in the end. And annoying! Poor Jasmine. Also loved her aunt Nettie. So glad about a thing that happened *giggles*
A magical story set in an alternate England
And now on to the spoiler....
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Sterling meets the illusion twin first and has sex with her! Wtf? And lusts after her. Then he gets disappointed when he meets the real deal. But oh she is after a while nice too. All while All I can think of is that he had sex with her TWIN! Fail!
And on to the book. Jasmine is a proper young lady, until a spell backfires on her. Which leads her to meet a shapeshifter, and those are just so beneath her social standing. Too bad Sterling is a total hottie and sparks fly. The book is about Jasmine trying to find a missing magical relic, and the twin she created with magic. Her very naughty twin. Sterling is sent to help her, and he wants her. But he does seem to have a few issues to deal with.
Oh and there is a gnome! At first I did not like him, but he was fun in the end. And annoying! Poor Jasmine. Also loved her aunt Nettie. So glad about a thing that happened *giggles*
A magical story set in an alternate England
And now on to the spoiler....
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Sterling meets the illusion twin first and has sex with her! Wtf? And lusts after her. Then he gets disappointed when he meets the real deal. But oh she is after a while nice too. All while All I can think of is that he had sex with her TWIN! Fail!
December 12, 2013
This was a re-read for me.
I like this series for the idea of magic defining rank instead of birth, so in theory those raised as nobles can lose their status (although usually to someone in the family) and the reverse (although the author has never written about such).
I liked this book showing the growth of the heroine - Jasmine. She is a very obedient daughter of an Earl. Her parents don't wish her to marry so she can continue to manage things / look out for them - she doesn't look for suitors. But as she begins to get involved in the wider world due to her own misadventures she realises how narrow and prejudice their world view is.
I liked our hero. He wasn't trying to be anymore than what he was. He was in London for a purpose and attending events to further that purpose. Sir Sterling wasn't about to social climb or apologise for his lack of status. As his relationship with Jasmine blossoms he softens somewhat but doesn't change (he doesn't need to). He's not going to let his Lady get away due to her parents attitude and he makes things happen.
I enjoyed the secondary romance of Aunt Hetty and Sir Artemis. It was cute.
This book does read alone but I'd recommend reading at least the first book in the series prior as it sets up the greater world a little better.
I like this series for the idea of magic defining rank instead of birth, so in theory those raised as nobles can lose their status (although usually to someone in the family) and the reverse (although the author has never written about such).
I liked this book showing the growth of the heroine - Jasmine. She is a very obedient daughter of an Earl. Her parents don't wish her to marry so she can continue to manage things / look out for them - she doesn't look for suitors. But as she begins to get involved in the wider world due to her own misadventures she realises how narrow and prejudice their world view is.
I liked our hero. He wasn't trying to be anymore than what he was. He was in London for a purpose and attending events to further that purpose. Sir Sterling wasn't about to social climb or apologise for his lack of status. As his relationship with Jasmine blossoms he softens somewhat but doesn't change (he doesn't need to). He's not going to let his Lady get away due to her parents attitude and he makes things happen.
I enjoyed the secondary romance of Aunt Hetty and Sir Artemis. It was cute.
This book does read alone but I'd recommend reading at least the first book in the series prior as it sets up the greater world a little better.
July 18, 2012
The story is about Lady Jasmina, who is planning on living life as a spinster taking care of her parents for the rest of her life. Jasmina for some reason is very concerned with what her parents think of her and never disappointing them, from this she takes great pride. However her mother is a thief so Jasmina has to create spells so items can be returned to their proper owner. Well one night Jasmina has a spell that goes wrong and creates a double, Jaz, who is looking for a good time and a bit scandalous. This small problem throws Jasmina and Sterling together. Sir Stirling is a were-stallion who met Jaz first and falls in love with her so imagine his surprise when he finds out he has fallen for an illusion. In addition Sterling is looking for his sister whom he believes was kidnapped.
I love the world this series takes place in and when combined with the ton the world building is just great. The story is sweet and the characters are quite likable, especially some of the side characters. There were some issues I had with the editing of the book (i.e. confusing words like of and off or he instead of she) and a few questions that were kind of forgotten about.
I love the world this series takes place in and when combined with the ton the world building is just great. The story is sweet and the characters are quite likable, especially some of the side characters. There were some issues I had with the editing of the book (i.e. confusing words like of and off or he instead of she) and a few questions that were kind of forgotten about.
September 24, 2013
This is the second book in a reprinted series by Kathryne Kennedy. It is a historical romance filled with the paranormal. I found the whole premise a lot of fun. It is set during Victoria’s reign and has both fictional and real characters for the time period. Magic is real and people have different magical talents. Lady Jasmina Karlyle uses here to protect her parents and keep their housewhole running smoothly. She is not expected to wed. Everything changes where she tries to return a broach her mother took. It is a jewel of great power and send Jasimina on an unexpected and exciting adventure.
I loved the premise and world building in the story. One unusual aspect of the world is that Shapeshifters are shunned and considered not quite right for proper society.
Jasmina is a great character. I loved her Aunt Ettie and the two shape shifters who came into Jasmina and Ettie’s lives. Sterling is wonderful and perfect for Jasmina and for me his animal shape was something of a surprise.
Double Enchantment is filled with action, adventure, danger and of course romance. Pick it up for a great read.
I loved the premise and world building in the story. One unusual aspect of the world is that Shapeshifters are shunned and considered not quite right for proper society.
Jasmina is a great character. I loved her Aunt Ettie and the two shape shifters who came into Jasmina and Ettie’s lives. Sterling is wonderful and perfect for Jasmina and for me his animal shape was something of a surprise.
Double Enchantment is filled with action, adventure, danger and of course romance. Pick it up for a great read.
January 15, 2015
Eh. I still like this magic-filled high society setting, but the story ran parallel to the plot of the first, and I found myself rushing through to get to the end. Sadly, there were no pleasant surprises along the way.
Our heroine creates an illusory double of herself so she can sneak out on an errand in the night, but she's unintentionally in posession of one of the titular Artifacts. Thus the spell's considerably more powerful than she realizes, essentially splitting her into two: her daring, scandalous double, and her prim-and-proper original self. Sadly, the interconnection between the two isn't throughly explored. Our hero, a were-stallion, spends a lot of time dashing through London (and under it -- don't ask me why the tunnels under the city are suitable for a nineteen-hand horse), looking for either (a) his sister, (b) the Artifact, or (c) the heroine's double. The action sequences were difficult to follow, but eventually (a), (b), and (c) all came together with our lead characters and all ended percisely as expected.
Our heroine creates an illusory double of herself so she can sneak out on an errand in the night, but she's unintentionally in posession of one of the titular Artifacts. Thus the spell's considerably more powerful than she realizes, essentially splitting her into two: her daring, scandalous double, and her prim-and-proper original self. Sadly, the interconnection between the two isn't throughly explored. Our hero, a were-stallion, spends a lot of time dashing through London (and under it -- don't ask me why the tunnels under the city are suitable for a nineteen-hand horse), looking for either (a) his sister, (b) the Artifact, or (c) the heroine's double. The action sequences were difficult to follow, but eventually (a), (b), and (c) all came together with our lead characters and all ended percisely as expected.
May 20, 2009
Lady Jasmina Karlyle has devoted her life and future to caring for her rigidly upright parents and hiding her mother's tendency toward kleptomania but she risks disrupting their orderly lifestyle with a spell that goes awry. Sir Sterling Thorn is a were-stallion who is only marginally accepted by the aristocracy such as the Karlyles but braves their displeasure while searching for his missing sister. The two cross paths while dealing with the repercussions of yet another of Merlin's relics and the passionate doppelganger of Jasmina (Jaz) formed by her miscast spell. Sterling seeks to recreate the erotic encounters that he has experienced with Jaz but discovers that he has many obstacles in his path to true love. An entertaining and somewhat spicy fantasy Regency tale that makes one look forward to the next chapter in the Merlin's Relics series that started with "Enchanting the Lady".
April 18, 2012
A bit of damning with faint praise - this is a cute series. This particular book had an interesting story, but some of the characters... Ok, the feeling I got was that the only reason the h's parents had reproduced was they wanted a slave. The h had spent her life knowing that the title would pass to her and she was to take care of her parents. No family of her own. Wow. The H of course, is a shape shifter. Not just any shape shifter though. You know that saying, "save a horse, ride a cowboy"? Irrelevant if the "cowboy" and the horse are one and the same. While initial meeting with h was funny (h had inadvertently created a double of herself instead of a mere illusion. H had met, took home, and married double), the h - and her parents' - snobbery towards the shifters was irritating.
Eventually, she was able to catch up to her double, and destroy the gadget that caused her spell to be a bit more...authentic than she intended. (saved the kingdom, etc.)
Eventually, she was able to catch up to her double, and destroy the gadget that caused her spell to be a bit more...authentic than she intended. (saved the kingdom, etc.)
November 26, 2015
This was a very good follow-up to the first Merlin's Gems story, and had more development of the main characters, and a somewhat more intricate plot.
The main character is trying to keep her light-fingered mother's proclivities from becoming open knowledge and frequently has to return gem-laden pieces to their owners, secretly. One of her mother's "acquisitions" is actually a very powerful magic piece, hunted by the royal government as a possible source of revolution. This makes her a prime target for royal agents, especially one shapeshifting baronet who finds her most interesting for other reasons.... She is quite fascinated by him, even though it is forbidden that a noblewoman have anything to do with a lowly shapeshifting baronet. Yet together they hunt for answers to several mysteries, and begin to find out how love really works. This is a really good book, and I recommend it strongly to all who like paranormal romance and science fantasy.
The main character is trying to keep her light-fingered mother's proclivities from becoming open knowledge and frequently has to return gem-laden pieces to their owners, secretly. One of her mother's "acquisitions" is actually a very powerful magic piece, hunted by the royal government as a possible source of revolution. This makes her a prime target for royal agents, especially one shapeshifting baronet who finds her most interesting for other reasons.... She is quite fascinated by him, even though it is forbidden that a noblewoman have anything to do with a lowly shapeshifting baronet. Yet together they hunt for answers to several mysteries, and begin to find out how love really works. This is a really good book, and I recommend it strongly to all who like paranormal romance and science fantasy.
February 19, 2010
Not quite as fluffy as the first book. I still think it was a little odd that this book which was *not* a prequel took place so many years before the first book.
Still, I enjoyed the story, especially the gnomes. Who wouldn't hate being followed (and spied on) by a couple of gnomes who enjoy mischief and are more than ready to help create some if there isn't enough to keep them from boredom? *grin*
I like the way Kennedy handled the families of both hero and heroine. All too often one or both come from criminally bad families. Jasmina and Sterling's families were neither perfect nor horrible. (Mostly.)
Kennedy did have some trouble with some of the sub-plots, though. Some seemed to fizzle out and others got wrapped up too neatly. But I intend to read the next in the series.
Still, I enjoyed the story, especially the gnomes. Who wouldn't hate being followed (and spied on) by a couple of gnomes who enjoy mischief and are more than ready to help create some if there isn't enough to keep them from boredom? *grin*
I like the way Kennedy handled the families of both hero and heroine. All too often one or both come from criminally bad families. Jasmina and Sterling's families were neither perfect nor horrible. (Mostly.)
Kennedy did have some trouble with some of the sub-plots, though. Some seemed to fizzle out and others got wrapped up too neatly. But I intend to read the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2013
Lady Jasmina has an evil twin. It was just one little spell, but it has turned into a nightmare. Now she has a double running around town, in the middle of the Season, doing all sorts of naughty things. How can she end the spell before her twin ends her reputation and marriage prospects?
Sir Sterling Thorn is a shape-shifting stallion, on the edge of Polite Society but he maybe the only one who can help and protect Lady Jasmina. Will she accept his help?
Why I started this book: I requested a copy from Netgalley and then realized that it was a reprint. So I sat down to enjoy a fun reread.
Why I finished it: Kennedy has created a unique setting. Where the rules of Polite Society and magic meet.
Sir Sterling Thorn is a shape-shifting stallion, on the edge of Polite Society but he maybe the only one who can help and protect Lady Jasmina. Will she accept his help?
Why I started this book: I requested a copy from Netgalley and then realized that it was a reprint. So I sat down to enjoy a fun reread.
Why I finished it: Kennedy has created a unique setting. Where the rules of Polite Society and magic meet.
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