Charmed by His Love by Janet Chapman

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Charmed by His Love by Janet Chapman

Charmed by His Love (release May 2012) is part of Janet Chapman’s Spellbound Falls series.  A mysterious, newly introduced hero. A young, fiercely protective; widowed mother of four. The combined magic of Pine Creek, Midnight Bay, and Spellbound Falls Maine.  The return of several beloved previous characters…all together in one novel–makes Charmed by his Love, one of the best this author has written.

Janet Chapman‘s pen (or keyboard) must be on fire. The latest three release’s can only be described as superb, and based upon the excerpt I read on the upcoming September installment; Courting Carolina….this streak is likely to continue. I have been a fan of this author for many many years, and although I love the early work–Michael MacBain (hero of book 3) being my long standing favorite male of this series–it seems Chapman only gets better with time. If I could talk to my beloved “father” Dar at this very moment…I would emphatically assure him that he most certainly did not make a mistake all those years ago, when he sent Greylen MacKeage forward in time…along with a few stowaways. 😉

There is not any ONE reason Ms. Chapman’s work speaks so profoundly to me, but a mixture of many. This author walks that precarious line between fantasy, and contemporary literature with a beautiful, formulatic blend that is sure to please all types of readers.  I do not typically tend to enjoy children characters mixed within my romances, yet this author is unrivaled in her ability to create vibrant, realistic, wonderful children–which tend to grow up into vibrant, realistic, wonderful hero’s and heroine’s; of their own journey–later in the storyarc.

What enamors me so much to this world Janet Chapman has created amongst our own, would actually be quite surprising to any who know me. This fantasy lover…immensely enjoys the REALNESS of these books.  The relationships, and yes, the intimate scenes contained within these novels themselves.  It is no secret how unrealistic the steamy sex scenes in romances can be, when compared to our own intimate experiences, however, this is not the case with this author.  The experience is 100% relatable, and authentic. Here is a novelist who is unafraid to breathe real life into her sex scenes, as well as showcasing flawed characters, who must earn the love of their destined mate.

Perhaps I am failing in my attempt to convey what I mean…so please do not misunderstand me. Take the serious trials, and tribulations of any couple you could find in reality…sprinkle in an ancient bloodline of Alpha Highlander warriors; forced to blend in with modern society–as well as a few other “special” males…and I promise there is no lack of the urge to fan yourself occasionally. I mean only to state that it is so refreshing to read a magical tale rubbing elbows with content that consists of what normal people, with real life relationships participate in.

Not only does this latest installment hold the heartpounding action, laughing out loud humor, and fast pace plotline fans expect of a Janet Chapman novel…but Duncan MacKeage is literally the fictional equivolent of my very own living, breathing husband.  His never give up, never say die work ethic.  The old world chivalry, amd mannerisms, the gruff exterior hiding the heart of pure gold–is so simliar to what I experience in my own marriage everyday…it is SCARY. 

I could not have enjoyed this book more, and have but one complaint. 299 pages to tell a story of this caliber, was not nearly long enough. Bravo Ms. Chapman, and I anxiously look forward to the next installment of the Spell Bound Falls trilogy, and pray that it will not be the last novel located within this majestic locale.

Reviewed by Miranda

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28 thoughts on “Charmed by His Love by Janet Chapman”

  1. Wonderful Review Miranda: OMG As i am reading your review i am thinking i need to get this book our Series since i have not read any of Janet Chapman’s books yet . But i have to say i am now hooked by your review and want to read Spell Bound Falls Trilogy it sounds like a bit of everything i love in a book is in this Trilogy, So 1) Thank you Miranda for your great review and 2) Thank you Janet Chapman for what sounds like a wonderful read.

  2. Thank you Miranda for the wonderful review! I felt like I knew the characters after reading this review! I am ready to enter the world of Janet Chapman! Do you suggest the earlier works first?

  3. This is a fantastic review, Miranda. But we have come to expect that from you.
    I have Chapman on my tbr, which at this point is too big. lol But I do want to read this series.

    You mention characters from earlier books. So like Jules says, if we want to read Spellbound Falls, do we need to go back further then the first book of this series. umm which is what? lol

  5. Thank you for the compliments ladies! And to think I actually believe this to be one of my lesser reviews. *laughing*

    I would definately reccomend starting out with the very first novel of the Highlander series. Charming the HIghlander I believe it is called. This is Greylen MacKeage’s story, and begins with the Wizard Pendar (“father” Dar I mentioned above) sending Grey forward in time to meet his destined match Grace Sutter–so that they will produce the child meant to be Dar’s heir to the magic within him.

    Without giving too much away…something goes wrong with the spell, and Grey is not the only one sent forward in time. Much to Pendar’s dismay. Dar is an eccentric, cranky old man who brings cominc relief throughout the entire series…until he moves to Midnight Bay with a character I will keep nameless–and so began The Midnight Bay trilogy. As I mentioned above, the early books are wonderful, and immensely enjoyable, but as with many authors, Janet seems to increase in talent more and more with each novel.

    Yes Sandy, I am a huge fan, and have been for years. 🙂 She writes other novels, but being the type of reader who loves novels set out of the realm of normal I have only ever read her Highlander series, Midnight Bay, and now Spellbound Falls trilogy. Hopefully Courting Carolina is not the end of this world she has created within the majestic state of Maine–or I will be out of work to read by her! LoL

    Thank you so much Lori, and Jules. I greatly enjoy talking about the books, and authors I love, so that others who enjoy reading as much as I can discover them too. All the books stand alone, but as previous characters make cameo’s throughout, the experience is deeper, and more enrichened by starting with the series that began it all.

    ….long winded again. *snort*

  6. I have many of Janet Chapman’s books… but not this one … yet… working on it… great review Miranda… Your reviews are always so good… sometimes better than the book…:D

  7. Fabulous review Miranda!!! I’ve not read this series, but your review has definitely piqued my interest!! I’ll definitely be looking into these!!!!!

  8. Miranda, WOW! Great review. I love Janet Chapman’s novels and wish these small towns with all these great people were real without the heavy blizzards *cough*. My heart will always belong to Greylen Mackeage. Love Michael and Robbie MacBain! So what if they have 6 toes on each foot and would have been burned at the stakes for witches at a different time in history. lol Picking up Duncan’s book tomorrow and as a true Alpha Highlander Warrior I know he won’t let me down. Oh and Miranda I’m so jealous of you and your husband. Enjoy him!

    • Thank you so much Lavonda. As I stated above, Michael MacBain *swoon* is my long standing favorite of the Highlander series. Loved Robbie as well, but I just ADORED him as a young boy growing up. His character as a child will go down in history as one of my all time favorites, the same as Rachel from the SoT series. Naturally he grew up to be a fabulous adult.

      You will love Duncan. Such a complex mix of the ancient highlander, and the modern man. I most certainly do enjoy and appreciate my man lady, and if you are jealous now, wait until you get to know Duncan. *laughing* I swear Ms. Chapman must have been spying on my hubby when she created his personality. :)Happy reading!

        • Hmmmm…..cannot imagine why that would be Ms. Barb *cough*

          Honestly, I am amazed. I have always loved Melissa Mayhue, and Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series–with Chapman coming in third. This was because there was a greater fantasy feel with MM and KMM.

          Yet with each book, the gap closes more and more. The storyarc derived of Chapman’s mind expands with each series, and the blend of fantasy, and tips. Many new and interesting fantasy elements have been brought in. Its wonderful.

  9. Great review Miranda. You say the first in the series is Charming The Highlander? I haven’t read any of her books so would like to start at the beginning of this series.

  10. Not familiar with this author, though I’ve noticed her Highlander books come up on goodreads but was sitting on the fence whether to read or not.

    Thanks for the great review, looks like I’ve just added a new series/author to my to read pile.

  11. Wow very nicely written review Miranda. I have been hearing some very nice reviews on Janet Chapman but yours just about tip my scale to give her books a try. As always I enjoy reading your sensory imagery and your impressive word choice!

  12. Just for you ladies…..The all important LIST. *laughing*

    Highlander Series: In order

    Charming the Highlander, Loving the Highlander, Wedding the Highlander, Tempting the Highlander, Only with a Highlander, Secrets of the Highlander, A Highlander’s Christmas, Highlander for the Holidays

    Midnight Bay series: In order

    Moonlight Warrior, Dragon Warrior, Mystical Warrior

    Spellbound Falls Series:

    Spellbound Falls, Charmed by his love, Courting Carolina–(release date 8/28/12)

    Other works: SInclair Brothers–Tempt me if you can, The man must marry. Puffin Harbor series–The dangerous protector, the seductive impostor. The logger series–The Stranger in her Bed, The seduction of his Wife (hopefully his own *snort*) Anthology–Ladies Prefer Rogues

    • Thank you, Miranda. This is super. I have to copy this. Once you said this is third from Mayhue and Moning, I need to move this one up to read sooner then later. ok so i start with the Midnight Bay series.

      • Ms. Barb, I would highly reccomend starting with the Highlander series. That came first before Midnight bay, and Spellbound falls. Also, like I stated in the review, Charmed by his love has appearances from characters of the Highlander series.

        Duncan himself is the son of two characters from the Highlander series. Also, a side character named Alec MacKeage (Ian’s brother from Highlander for the Holidays) is the hero of Courting Carolina. I loved that Janet brought some of her Highlanders from Pine Creek, as well as some characters from Midnight Bay–to Spellbound falls! Loved it. And I know you are a sucker for the reunion of characters in a book. 🙂

        • Plus the man I left nameless–that father Dar occopanied to Midnight Bay, was introduced in the Highlander series. You HAVE to learn how he came in the picture.

          • great review Miranda, sorry I missed it when it was posted but I was assisting with another Relay for Life. Janet sounds like an author I need to read and I have now added this list to my ever growing ‘to read’ pile. At this rate I will be reading well beyond the grave. I’d better have my list and unread books buried with me. LOL!!!

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