A Man to Call My Own by Johanna Lindsey

#7. A book by Johanna Lindsey

Rating: 4 stars

Back Cover:
A Man To Call My Own introduces us to a charismatic pair of twins, Amanda and Marian Laton, who, after the sudden death of their father, are sent to live with their aunt on a sprawling Texas Ranch. As the twin sisters- on of whom is nasty, the other nice- both find themselves pursing Chad Kinkaid, the cowboy son of a neighboring ranching family, LIndsey skillfully charts the intoxicating course of first love- and all of love's attendant twists and turns- that end in one of the Laton twins' winning the heart of a man she can call her own.

My Review:
Marion and Amanda are identical twins with completelydifferent personalities. Amanda has been spoiled so completely that Marion disguises herself under large spectacles, dowdy clothes, and tight buns so that she can become invisible to everyone else leaving Amanda the center of attention and no competition for any of the beaus coming to call.After the sudden death of their father the girls are sent to live with their aunt in Texas. Their father's will stipulates that neither girl will be able to obtain their inheritance before getting married and that their aunt must approve of the marriage or their won't be an inheritance.Amanda was coniving, deceitful and just plain mean. Poor Marion was always trying to smooth or prevent the ruffled feathers that Amanda left in her wake.Chad Kinkaid has been helping Aunt Kathleen out on her ranch since a big blow out with his father sent him packing the night of a huge storm. He is sent to fetch the twins from station, only to find that they have already traveled on towards the ranch. Upon meeting up with Amanda and Marion, he has an instant attraction to the beautiful Amanda. He refuses to act on it until he can get her back to the ranch and see if the feeling is mutual.
A Man To Call My Own had a pretty decent plot. I liked it for the most part. I got tired of Amanda's antics and Marion's refusal to change and tell the truth of the matter. I really dislike what happens with the girls inheritance. This was a little much. Not wanting to give anything away, I cannot delve into that whole situation. This was an O.K read. I think that I might have enjoyed it a little more had I actually read it instead of listening to it on audio. (The reader wasn't bad, I just hated the men's voices)

Mesmerized by Candace Camp

Back Cover:

HER CROSS TO BEAR

All her life, Olivia Moreland has denied her clairvoyant abilities, working instead to disprove the mediums that flock to London. But when Stephen, Lord St. Leger, requests her help in investigating an alleged psychic, she can't ignore the ominous presence she feels within the walls of his ancient estate. Nor can she ignore the intimate connection she feels to Stephen, as if she has somehow known him before...

HIS GIFT TO TREASURE

The last time he'd lived in Blackhope Hall, Stephen had watched as his elder brother claimed both the family title and the woman he loved. Now, following his brother's death, Stephen reluctantly returns home and finds his family ensconced in scandal. Who is behind his brother's murder--a dark spirit or the psychic who claims to have channeled it? And what is it about the psychic investigator Olivia Moreland that awakens his long-dormant passion?

As they search for answers, Stephen and Olivia discover that the only way to fight a powerful evil is with a powerful love...

My Thoughts: I chose Mesmerized from the list of reviewed books during the Summer Readers of Romance challenge. I honestly could have read this book for the "Spooky" selection. Candace Camp is a new to me author, saying that I think I have found another author that I will have to pick up frequently.

I was totally gripped from the beginning with the shock to Olivia's system when she first lays eyes on Stephen, him experiencing the same shock. Olivia was totally offended by Stephen, who seems to have lost all of his manners while living in the Western United States. Stephen ends up hiring Olivia to investigate a medium who has her clutches in his mother.

They end up spending quite a bit of time together researching the "lost souls" of Blackhope Hall, all the while the connection between the two is growing and the tension could be cut with a knife.

I have to say that I think is probably the best paranormal book that I have read in a while. I was completely caught up in the ghosts and seances, my skin was crawling. I loved the flashbacks in time to another couple and their forbidden love. I loved this book!!

I do have a few hang ups with the description on the back cover though:

1. I don't know that Olivia really had any clairvoyant abilities, at least it did not seem that she did.

2. Rodrick's, Stephen's brother, death was not really explained at all. We don't know what caused his death. There was never any mention to trying to find his murderer throughout the novel. Rodrick did speak through the medium several times, often complaining of the unrest of all the souls trapped in Blackhope Hall, but never of his death.

Rating: 5