Meredith Allard

I'm always sad to see a really interesting speculative fiction love story go wrong. This book made me want to read a really good novel about a woman who acutely feels what the victims of the Salem witch hunt felt, the empathy and emotions and memories all traveling strong and clear through time itself, so that she can only be one thing. One of them.

This book was not that. It was a vampire story combined with something that was trying to be about a reincarnated "witch," but stalled in the show more middle. Almost childish in its simplicity, the author didn't spend time digging deep or fulfilling the potential of the idea. The characters who inhabit her modern-day Salem were an embarrassing assortment of two-dimensional vampires, werewolves and "real witches" who snap their fingers and make things poof.

Equally as bad, the romance was...lifeless... no pun intended. Even when a seductive idea goes horribly wrong, the time spent reading can sometimes be redeemed by a good love story at the heart. In this book, I felt absolutely no attraction between the characters. In fact, they were so ill developed, I couldn't imagine them having the intense emotions a real person would have in such a situation. In the end, I took this as a learning experience for me as a writer. I don't recommend it to anyone, though, even as a lesson. show less

HER DEAR & LOVING HUSBAND was an intriguing combination of historical fiction and paranormal romance. The book's blurb does an excellent job of summarizing the story, and to avoid spoilers, I don't want to add too much more. I have a fascination with the Salem Witch Trials, so I was drawn into this story right away. The author brought that terrible time to life through vivid and chilling details in the characters' flashbacks.

This was a character-driven story. The romance between the main show more characters, James and Sarah, is rather sweet, and the love scenes are mild. They both come into their relationship with heavy emotional baggage, which keeps things from getting too hot and heavy quickly. I love how James was so patient with Sarah, and he gave her time to come to terms with his secrets.

I enjoyed how the author wove together past events with the present. For example, there is a reporter in the book investigating vampires with the intent to "out" them to society. James is determined not to let that happen, because he doesn't want vampires hunted and persecuted the way witches were in Salem.

HER DEAR & LOVING HUSBAND is a well crafted gothic romance and nicely researched historical novel in one. The pacing was slow in places, but overall the story held my interest. If you're looking for a sweet love story with paranormal elements, this book is sure to please.

I received my copy from the author through Bewitching Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. show less

I'm always sad to see a really interesting speculative fiction love story go wrong. This book made me want to read a really good novel about a woman who acutely feels what the victims of the Salem witch hunt felt, the empathy and emotions and memories all traveling strong and clear through time itself, so that she can only be one thing. One of them.

This book was not that. It was a vampire story combined with something that was trying to be about a reincarnated "witch," but stalled in the show more middle. Almost childish in its simplicity, the author didn't spend time digging deep or fulfilling the potential of the idea. The characters who inhabit her modern-day Salem were an embarrassing assortment of two-dimensional vampires, werewolves and "real witches" who snap their fingers and make things poof.

Equally as bad, the romance was...lifeless... no pun intended. Even when a seductive idea goes horribly wrong, the time spent reading can sometimes be redeemed by a good love story at the heart. In this book, I felt absolutely no attraction between the characters. In fact, they were so ill developed, I couldn't imagine them having the intense emotions a real person would have in such a situation. In the end, I took this as a learning experience for me as a writer. I don't recommend it to anyone, though, even as a lesson. show less

I was drawn to this book by the promise of the covers; the image on the front and the synopsis on the back. I did not get what I was expecting or, if you ask me, what I was promised. Sometimes that can be good but this time, at least in my opinion, it was a disappointment. I was expecting a tale about the Salem Witch Trials, a reincarnated spirit or two and a bit of fantasy and time travel. What I got was a mash up of all the (SPOILER ALERT) vampire/werewolf otherworldly stuff that is so show more popular now. I do not generally like vampire stories so I would like to know I am getting one upfront.

The historical aspects where the Salem Witch trials do come in was interesting and the writing is well done. I just felt like I was given something I did not ask for and that frustrates me with a book synopsis. Quite often you make a reading decision based on what is written on the back of a book and find yourself reading something so different from what you expected...

Had I not accepted it for review I would not have read the entire book. I did and it had appeal in areas but the romance was a bit bland. I understand there are sequels and I suspect they will answer the questions left at the end of this book. If you are a fan of the vampire/werewolf/paranormal genre then I suspect you would enjoy this book. show less