Enchanted Afternoon (Calhoun Chronicles Series #4)

Enchanted Afternoon by Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs continues to entertain her readers, in the

4th Calhoun Chronicles Series "Enchanted Afternoon".

You'll Enjoy This Read !!

A solid read and strong author....

I have read quite a few books by Susan Wiggs this past 12 months. This author is great at weaving a detailed story line, pulling you back in history and creating interesting and unique characters. She spends little time in developing passionate love scenes so, if you want that, look elsewhere. She spends little time making the main content of the book about sex and attraction, if you want that, look elsewhere. If you want a warm hearted story deep with emotion and is fulfilling from beginning to end ¿ stop here. I wasn¿t sure I would like this book as a number of readers didn¿t care for this follow up to Halfway to Heaven. The first book was about sister #1 ¿ Abigail. This book was about sister #2 ¿ Helena. I think anyone who read the earlier book was interested in hearing the story that made up Helena and Michael¿s broken love story. Although this book was intricate and detailed, I think the most glaring thing lacking in this story was the true connection that was made again between Michael and Helena the second time around. Clearly, their joint son William was the main link and then the woman¿s retreat they created together at Moon Lake Lodge was the second link. Their continued love and attraction for each other seemed almost lost in the background of all the other events going on in this book (battered woman, suppressed woman¿s rights, a legal system in place for a male dominated society only, impossible divorces even when a woman needed it and so on). I think Ms. Wiggs did a good job of allowing Helena to evolve from a pampered and beautiful daughter of a rich and powerful Senator into a mature, independent and intelligent woman in her late 20¿s ¿ early 30¿s. She didn¿t crumbled up and loose it in the face of adversity as expected. Instead, she got smart and she got strong. I also liked that many of Michael¿s quirky characteristics remained in this book too ¿ that his socks didn¿t match, his clothing was often rumpled and messy, his hair too long, his beard too thick, his mind brilliant but, scattered and his heart big but, tender and shy. Micheal and Helena¿s son William was a joy to read about. He was curious, interesting and appealing as a boy. You could really feel his wonder regarding the world at large and his ever growing fascination with everything around him. Another little mad scientist in the making. I would have wished for more direct romance between Helena and Michael. I think the author had them at odds and fighting and arguing of the past and their differences a bit more than I would have liked. I would have enjoyed some more tender and affectionate moments between the two. This was an enjoyable novel to find out Helena¿s story and put closure to the lives of the two sisters. So¿I gave three stars for a solid read and a top author. Three and a half stars really. Not quite four or five thought.

delightful historical tale

Inventor Professor Michael Rowen breaks the heart of Helena Cabot because he believes she, as the daughter of the most powerful US Senator, would never marry him. Pregnant with Michael¿s child, Helena turns to New York¿s Junior Senator Troy Barnes. They forge a loveless marriage of convenience that has fooled the international upper crust into believing this couple shares the perfect matrimony.

Almost a decade later, two events destroy the Barnes couple alliance. First her father dies leaving Helena with no protector. Second Troy learns that William is not from his seed. Fearing retribution for herself and her son from her authoritative abusive husband, Helena tries to obtain a divorce, but no attorney will go up against Troy. Desperate she flees to Upstate New York and opens a woman¿s shelter, but also turns to Michael for help. Though neither trusts one another William is Michael¿s son and Helena, knowing Troy has a rep to maintain, is coming.

Names aside (Helena and Troy!), ENCHANTED AFTERNOON is an exciting nineteenth century romantic intrigue that provides readers with a vivid look at the plight of women in a society granting no rights. The story line is fast-paced once the key cast members are introduced so that the reader understands how they react to tribulations. Though how Troy hid his true colors from his spouse even if she lived in Sarasota Springs while he in Georgetown for much of that time seems a stretch, the audience will relish Susan Wiggs delightful historical tale.

Harriet Klausner

Loved This Book!

What a wonderful story! I dearly love Ms. Wiggs's gilded age novels, but this one is truly special. The characters, the social issues, the setting all blend to create a fascinating read. Don't miss this one!

The Back Excerpt from Susan Wiggs website

For those of you who can't wait for this book to come out, here is the back excerpt from susan wiggs website. I know I can't wait. As the wife of an ambitious senator, Helena Cabot is the leading lady of Saratoga Springs. But beneath the façade lies a terrible deception. Helena married for all the wrong reasons¿and discovered too late that her husband is a dangerous man. Fearing for her safety, she ends her marriage and flees to legendary Moon Lake Lodge, where she creates a refuge for other women in need of a safe haven. And there she finds the courage within to become the woman she was meant to be. But Helena can¿t outrun her past. In desperation, she turns to Michael Rowan, a man she once loved but lost. A brilliant inventor, Michael is still ruggedly handsome, still defiantly unconventional. For Helena, the road to trusting Michael and her own heart is long and hard. And danger lies ahead. But Michael has just discovered a shattering truth¿and a reason to stay and fight for the woman he once lost.

a terrific sequel

Susan Wiggs is a gifted writer with nice attention to historical events, human nature and even animals. She is to be commended for developing strong female characters who can assert their personalities without losing their femininity. She also creates the kind of male who's not quite perfect; someone in need of the right woman's touch. I really liked Helena and Michael as they played such an integral part of Abigal & Jamie's story. At the end of Halfway to Heaven, you are left hoping that things will work out for Helena. This book does not disappoint. Helena has grown as a person in many ways and deserves the happiness that she thought she lost years ago. The pace is fast and the supporting characters are memorable. I really like the way Susan Wiggs incorporates issues like abuse (in this case)and portrays it accurately. I believe readers should read Halfway to Heaven first to better appreciate the background; however, this is still a good story, even if the former is not read yet. Lastly, thumbs up for the setting of beautiful Saratoga Springs. The historical Spa and the famous racetrack are nicely woven into the story.

Unforgettable romance to sweep you away

Saratoga Springs in the 1880s (I think--exact date not given) is the backdrop of this luminous and touching historical romance. Helena Barnes scandalizes the town by divorcing her abusive husband and setting up housekeeping at Moon Lake Lodge, and welcoming other hurting women into her safe haven. She is trying to forge a life of her own, but she can never forget eccentric professor Michael Rowan, her one true love and a man who has just discovered he's the natural father of her eight year old son. He comes back into her life, bringing adventure, laughter and passion, reawakening her heart to love. If you read Halfway to Heaven, you met Helena and are probably wondering about her. Wonder now more. Here she is! Glorious!

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