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As soon as I opened up to Sandra Ross's book "Bewitched: A Sensual Fantasy Romance," comparisons to a certain classic 1960s sitcom of a near-identical title sprang to mind.
However, the protagonist, Aislinn, a witch similar to the late actress Elizabeth Montgomery's character, Samantha Stevens of television's "Bewitched," in no way resembles the latter. Aislinn, living in Salem, Massachusetts (yes, the same locale where numerous denizens of the Plymouth Colony were persecuted for allegedly practicing witchcraft over three centuries earlier), is the proprietor of a small business, the Atrium, which she runs with her assistant, Darius. As a practitioner of the ancient art of Wicca, Aislinn specializes in promoting and selling potions that aid her clientele's love lives.
Before you start humming bars to the Searchers' classic 1964 hit "Love Potion No. 9" (which, I admit, I began doing when researching Ross's tome), know that Ross's allusion to the song title seems deliberate, since Aislinn is fond of romantic-themed holidays such as Valentine's Day (which, not coincidentally, is fast approaching in the book). Our fair Madam Ruth (minus the gold tooth) comes across as a sweet, kindhearted woman whose primary business purpose seems more altruistic than profit-oriented, as she takes great delight in providing her loyal customer base with said love potions. In so doing, Aislinn self-soothes her own longing for intimacy by acting as a surrogate Cupid for lovers. She seemingly does so to build up her own fragile ego and to ease her own internal pangs of loneliness and melancholy.
Ross provides the reader with a well-paced storyline as she slowly reveals tidbits of Aislinn's past relationship with a long-lost lover by the name of Jericho. Ross introduces Jericho, a warlock (male witch) to the reader via his continuous search for Aislinn. As warlocks and witches are immortal, he is able to pursue her over the centuries until he reunites with her in the present. Miscommunication is the order of the day (or century, if you prefer), and was the source of Aislinn's and Jericho's initial falling out. Long-dormant passions are re-lit within Aislinn and Jericho, and the romance turns turgid and alive with unbridled passion and lust for each other.
Ross describes the relationship between Aislinn and Jericho with vivid detail and description. She is careful to maintain and extend the emotional ties between the two lovers throughout their reunion. A skilled writer, Ross provides the reader with continuous excitement and passion from beginning to end.
There are numerous passages in the Bible that speak to the concept of love, but one particular one, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version), speaks to the heart as follows: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight with evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." With apologies to Paul (who ostensibly wrote these words), anger and score-keeping can be observed to a certain degree within the story; nevertheless, "Bewitched" stays true to the overall adage of love conquering all and people living happily ever after.
In the TV series of the same title, the characters of Samantha and Darrin Stevens general
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Aislinn is a witch and she runs a small shop that specializes in potions,
reading and charms. At her side is her faithful employee, Darius, and her
cat, Freya. Freya is always by Ainslinn’s side and they share a special bond
with each other. At this particular point in the year it happens to be Valentine’s
Day – the busiest time of year for her and her shop but also a painful reminder
of lost love. However, lost things can often be found again and this is the case
when Jericho returns out of the blue and walks into the door. Jericho is very
high up in the magical word and his return causes all kinds of complications
and it isn’t long before Camilla arrives to discuss the implications of Jericho
being back. Ainslinn is overwhelmed by his return and she has two years of
anger to deal with but soon everything begins to make sense and follow on
the rightful path.
This is the kind of romance that I enjoy to read – a story that has a good plot
and is developed well, with descriptive characters and a bit of steamy
chemistry. I found this book very easy to read and also one of the most
interesting plots that I have read in comparison to Ross’ other stories. I also
found the level of writing, with regards to tense and grammar was also vastly
more improved – I tend to be quite a stickler with that as it really bugs me
when poor quality English is printed and sold. All in all, a worthwhile
purchase.
I have always been a fan of Wiccan stories since I first watched the movie `The Craft'. I also watched the TV series in the late 90's to early 2000's `Charmed' which is about the witch sisters and their power of three.
This story is like one of the episodes of Charmed as it talks about love potions, witch covens, cat familiars, and other trinkets of magic and witchcraft. While reading the book, I can actually see in my mind the triquetra knot symbol - it is a three-pointed symbol representing three-way unity with a circle running over it representing eternity. This is one of the many witch themed books I have read but this book stirred up memories of the TV program I liked before.
Very much clear in this book, though, is the love story of Aislinn and Jericho.
Aislinn thought the love of her life is dead. As she is a very beautiful woman, she can have relationships with others of her kind but there is no one she wants but Jericho. (I suppose this is true love calling.) A few days before Valentine's Day, Aislinn felt a tingling but familiar feeling that only Jericho evokes in her. And lo and behold, when she followed this, there is the very man standing outside her door, his back to her seemingly looking for someone. Aislinn is actually that 'someone' Jericho is looking for, his long-lost love.
I like the story's idea. I like the premise of two lovers who lost each other, found each other again and that they are also a witch and a warlock in love. Their love for each other never wavered even if they circumstances forced them to live without each other for a long time. The steamy scenes of the two are also electric and stimulating. They can't get enough of each other as they have to make up for the years they spent apart. This seemed like a fantasy contemporary story where there are good witches who protect the people and bad witches who destroy other witches for power. But definite in the story is it being a romance as it focuses on Aislinn and Jericho's love for each other.
For the story alone, I'm solved.
On the other hand, I wish Aislinn see herself in the mirror and don't praise herself. Sure, she is beautiful but I think, it is more effective if the praising will come from other characters like Darius or Jericho. By praising herself, she came out a little proud.
Another point is that it was not able to close some plot lines it opened in the story. There is discussion but there is no resolution made which means the story is still open for a new adventure and it depends on the reader's imagination on how it is going to end. If you look at it that way, it is good for the mind, I think.
In summary, I enjoyed the premise, the plot line and the love story. There are still some points in this story to cover and improve but all in all, it is good.
Writergrl11
Posted January 6, 2013
If you like witch stories you'll want to get your hands on this one. Aislinn is a witch. One who's been betrayed by another of her kind. But of course that was years ago. She's pushed it out of her mind and away from her life. But she can't do the same with the man she loved that was the one to do it. His betrayal hurt her deeply and now that he's back in her life she's not sure if she can deal with him again. Except he says he didn't betray her. He says that he was almost killed by something else.
This book is about passion and love. It's about overcoming some of the crazy things in life and learning to move on. This is about forgiveness and yes definitely about passion as well. These two have loved one another for years and they've been apart for a long portion of that. There's bound to be some pent up sexual energy around there somewhere. And there is. Sandra always has a great style for the sexual events in a book and she writes them extremely well. She's very good at describing everything in her books so you feel like you're actually there.
I think anyone that's interested in romance should read this book. It's about love of course and the power of it. That's what makes it a great romance novel. There's sex of course but that's not the main focus here. The main focus is on their relationship and of course on the people that are determined to tear them apart. The ones that are determined to kill Jerciho and now Aislinn as well.
I really liked the way that everything went. The only thing that I wasn't so sure about was that Aislinn seemed to forgive Jerciho pretty quickly. Sure he had a reason for what had happened and claimed he didn't betray her but she seemed like she was just too willing to believe him and so she just believed him right away.
If you really like romance you'll love this book too. She's so willing to forgive mainly because she just wants to believe that he didn't betray her. It's the same way any woman would feel if the love of her life had hurt her deeply. She'd want to believe it wasn't true. So if you like the power of love and what it can do then you'll be able to forgive this minor lapse.
For my friends that like romance, this is another book for the must read list. I really thought it was good how everything ended up happening and I think they would really like the love and the little bit of suspense and adventure that's thrown in.
TanyaO
Posted November 28, 2012
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Romantic and dengerous
A beautiful woman with broken heart has moved to a small city to forget her pain and to begin her new life here. A lot of thrillers start like this. Yet, Sandra Ross wrote something much more interesting, than typical horror story. Here you can find everything – an amazing love story, magical fantasy and a scary detective and sensitive erotica. Everything is in one book. That’s why I like it.
The other important moment for me is a story of love, the one and eternal. Aislinn tries to forget her love. She thinks that her lover betrayed her. When he found her, it becomes clear that he was the only one, who was betrayed. It confirms that a heart is never wrong. If it is impossible to forget someone, you should think more, maybe things are not same as you see them at first view. And when you understand that you have found your destiny, everything else is not important, even a danger that almost killed her love and now is hunting for both of them.
It’s a great love story and a great fantasy. You can’t relax while reading. Each page of this story has tension and a secret.
CatherinePeters
Posted November 26, 2012
Modern witchery
Bewitched is a story delving into the paranormal dimension of the unknown. A clever superimposition of romance within the juxtaposition of witchery and Valentine's Day, modern day reality and fantasy land.
The story revolves around a witch called Aislinn and her missing lover and a dangerous force lurking in the twilight hunting the couple down. Unlike witches of yore, this is a modern day witch with the mandatory feline companion called Freya. Aislinn lives the normal life of a small time shop-owner in a hamlet of a town called Mystic, along the Atlantic Ocean. Aislinn specialises in love-potions and tarot reading. Comfortably ensconced within this pattern of life, the only missing link being Jericho, her long lost love. It is that time of the year when Cupid strikes, when the whole world is basking in love and roses.
Jericho reappears and they are united but the happiness is short-lived as the mysterious force is still out there looking for them. The force which has previously hunted down Jericho is now looking for both of them.
Ross has crafted a storyline which contains drama, romance, mystery, fantasy not to mention the dig at witchery. It is a quaint story set within the quaint backdrop of a small sea-side town. A little bit of everything for everyone. With the meeting of Aislinn and Jericho, the romance switch gets turned on full blast. Readers looking for romance and sensuality will not be disappointed. A good casual read if you are looking for an intriguing mystery set in the twilight zone.
I really love these types of books; those that take me out of this world with supernatural happenings and romantic intrigue.
Bewitched by Sandra Ross does both. The title itself brought me to think about other books that I have read and enjoyed that contained magic.
Bewitched is a well written story that takes you through the life of a real witch and her romantic muse. The book doesn’t stifle you with supernatural occurrences, but the presence of such is still very pronounced. You are kept aware that the main character has powers over the mystery of magic and you are kept on your toes because of this.
Her lover, Jericho, is a man to dream about. He is described so well, I wished he were real. His name, as it sounds, is a strong one. Even by saying it, you can feel the strength roll off your tongue. This strength is put forth in the book. Again, not in a stifling way, but one in which you can sense his strength without it having to be said to you.
Ross writes with a good pace. You are not bombarded with information all at once. Instead, she keeps her pace very well, giving you tidbit by tidbit of information, stringing you along and keeping your interest through the entire book.
The romance itself is a very heated one. You may be left flushed after you read the happenings between the main characters.
If you are a gal or guy who loves a good supernatural romance, then this is one for you.
ASmithAR
Posted October 25, 2012
Sandra Ross's Bewitched: A Sensual Fantasy Romance really hit it on the nail. She not only pulls you in with the thrilling story, but captures your total attention with the sizzling love making and totally erotic theme. Sandra Ross has provided her readers a sensual and thrilling story about a love lost and then found again.
Aislinn, the main character, and her cat, Freya, finds what she considers a new home in the small town of Mystic, Massachusetts to recover from a horribly broken heart and to survive as a practicing witch with her cat Freya. She has been missing her lover Jericho, the only man she had ever loved, even though she feels that he betrayed her. However, little did she know her beloved lover Jericho was trying to find her. Aislinn never believed that he would ever be able to find her, even though she could feel that he was still alive. But, he found her anyways and with this he sends the story into a passionate love fest between the two of them. Aislinn later learns that he beloved Jericho did not betray her, but that she was the one that betrayed him. Now that they're together, the passion is more than anyone can handle, and the danger that has looked for and nearly killed Jericho could now be looking for both of them.
With the turn of each page Sandra Ross draws you in an keeps you wondering and reading. Would they be able to escape? What's going to happen next? I definitely recommend this book to those who like passion, sex, and thrill all at the same time. She keeps you hot and bothered and thrilled on the edge of your seat the entire time, not wanting to put the book down until you know what happens and how it ends.
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