The Colonel and The Enchantress

An Enchantress Novel Book 4

Romance - Historical
518 Pages
Reviewed on 03/04/2020
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Author Biography

Celebrated for her complex characters, realistic conflicts, and sensual love scenes, Paullett Golden puts a spin on historical romance. Her novels, set primarily in Georgian and Regency England with some dabbling in Ireland, Scotland, and France, challenge the norm by involving characters who are loved for their flaws, imperfections, and idiosyncrasies. Her stories show love overcoming adversity. Whatever our self-doubts, love will out.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

The Colonel and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden is the fourth in her An Enchantress Novels series. Lady Mary Mowbrah waits faithfully for years for her sweetheart to return from the war, rejecting every suitor her mother attempts to shove her way. Duncan Starrett returns as a Colonel and a Baronet, but he also comes back with a battle-worn body and doubts about his future. The love they shared before the war has become more of a fantasy as they realize they have each changed in the past five years. Mary never doubted her devotion to Duncan, but she sees a different man now. His body is much more chiseled, but he lacks the carefree attitude that she loved. Duncan has seen the worst of men, and now he doubts if his low standing in society and crippled body are what Mary deserves in life, though he has been nothing but loyal to her. Will they both be able to set aside their personal baggage and stubborn attitudes for a chance at a love they have waited for?
 
Paullett Golden isn’t afraid to weave complex family matters into her historical romance, The Colonel and The Enchantress. The characters face the reality of recurring health issues that aren’t often seen in novels. The author’s strong points are her ability to reveal the vulnerability of her characters while showing you how they work through their differences. Though there are many sensual scenes within the novel, the characters develop a deeper love that overlooks the physical aspects of their relationship. This novel heralds the men that represent honor and bravery while showing a humbleness rarely seen. The women are strong and resourceful, yet know what they want. I look forward to reading more from Golden; she is an author that shows great promise in the historical romance genre.

Christian Sia

Paullett Golden’s The Colonel and The Enchantress is the fourth book in the Enchantress series, a historical romance with strong characters and deftly handled themes. Two young people fall in love in their youth, but it is a love that is forbidden. It cannot be. Duncan Starrett can’t be allowed to marry the daughter of a duke, Lady Mary Mowbrah. But this lowly born young man is determined to prove himself, so he goes off to war, and returns a hero with the title of Colonel, but he returns broken. While his family thinks that there is no hope for him and sends word to Mary to forget about him, Mary sees things differently and will stop at nothing to nurse the man she loves back to health. But can she succeed, and can her mother accept Duncan for her daughter?

It is poignant, at times sweet, but the emotional depth in the story is very strong. Readers encounter a man who will do anything for the woman he loves and for the five years he’s been away at war, the young lady waits. The moment of reunion after five years is emotionally charged and heartbreaking. But Duncan’s journey towards recovery is so beautifully written that the reader finds themselves rooting for the young hero. The Colonel and The Enchantress is the kind of novel that one never wants to stop reading once started. The prose is excellent, and the historical aspects of the setting are skillfully written. The reader is thrust into another time and culture, where marriage within the same social class was still one of the hallmarks that united noble families. Character development is wonderful, and it is interesting to follow two young people as they defy the odds to be together. Paullett Golden’s novel is compelling and a stellar work that is skillfully crafted.

K.C. Finn

The Colonel and The Enchantress is a work of romantic historical fiction that was penned by author Paullett Golden. Written for adults due to scenes of a sexual nature, this novel forms the fourth installment of the Enchantress collection. Set at the turning point between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this highly emotive drama focuses on the relationship between the duke’s daughter, Lady Mary Mowbrah, and her husband Duncan Starrett. They meet and fall in love when very young, but when Duncan returns from his post as a Colonel in the army and brings home a devastating injury, their relationship will be redefined and put to the test as they try to build a new future together.

Author Paullett Golden weaves a fine tapestry of deep-set emotions and complex processes as the relationship between Mary and Duncan intensifies due to tragedy. This novel continues from others in the series where the characters from previous books feature, but the plotline for this pairing is new and can be treated as a standalone tale. The historical atmosphere of the turn of the century adds depth, hardship and full living color to the tale, thanks to Golden’s descriptive talents, and the close narration of the central characters lets us into their emotional drama where we can root for them against the odds. Fans of a hard-earned love story will adore the trials and tribulations that bring strength to this endearing couple, and overall The Colonel and The Enchantress is sure to become a treasured read for Regency romance fans everywhere.

Michelle Stanley

The Colonel and the Enchantress, Book 4 is part of The Enchantresses Series by Paulett Golden. Duncan Starrett went to war, hoping to prove he’s worthy to marry Lady Mary Mowbrah, a duke’s daughter. He returns as a Colonel, paralyzed and disconsolate. Mary still wants a marriage, despite Duncan’s refusal due to his injuries, and her hardhearted mother’s disapproval of him. She and the Starretts offer encouragement and eventually Duncan, now a baron with an estate, marries his love. They try to make their marriage work, despite Duncan’s constant health problems and his insecurities. He changed physically and emotionally during the years spent at war. Mary wants to make her idea become a reality in a male-dominated society but isn’t taken seriously by men who can help. A visit from her mother also stresses the couple but Mary is determined to keep her man.

Be prepared to experience the pains, joys and passions of this young couple, Mary and Duncan, who are deeply in love. Mary is a woman who never gives up easily and is just as strong-willed as her mother. Duncan is proud, stubborn, doesn’t like advice, and reluctantly admits he’s wrong at times. The sex scenes were entertaining, not raunchy. Every character is distinct, fully developed and remarkable in their roles. If this novel is Book 4 in The Enchantresses Series, then I am very curious to read the other books Paulett Golden has written, especially after meeting other spirited enchantresses and the men in their lives. I highly recommend The Colonel and the Enchantress for your reading list.

Ruffina Oserio

The Colonel and the Enchantress is the fourth book in the Enchantress series by Paullett Golden, a fascinating blend of romance and historical fiction. Lady Mary Mowbrah and Duncan Starrett met and fell in love in 1790. Mary is the daughter of a Duke, while Duncan is the youngest son of an army colonel. Mary’s mother makes it clear that the two can’t be together. She’d prefer someone of noble birth to woo her daughter. But Duncan is determined to win their respect as a hero, so he leaves for the war. After five years, Duncan returns home, with the title of a Colonel, but a broken man — physically broken! While everyone thinks he won’t be around for much longer, Mary refuses to give up hope as she begins to nurse and look after him, goading him to live. Can Duncan heal and walk normally again?

It is interesting to watch the characters, especially after the return of Duncan from the war and as he struggles with baby steps. The prose is gorgeous and the diction well chosen, allowing readers to perceive the faintest emotions of the characters. The conflict is well-developed and the idea of forbidden love will entice readers. I wanted to see if Mary can actually stand against the wishes of her mother and get her own way and make Duncan into the man she’s always wanted. This is a novel with a vivid historical setting and themes of family, love, patriotism and the effects of war. The Colonel and the Enchantress is fast-paced and emotionally rich and Paullett Golden knows how to touch the hearts of readers. Great characters, exciting plot, and strong themes.