The young woman waited alone by a marble column inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Anxiety and fear escalated to panic, as she realized that she did not possess a memory. A stranger, Harry Grover, approached with the perfect solution. With a smile, he explained that he was a recent widower with a large estate. She should accompany him to the New York countryside of Duchess County. Unsure of any other options, the beautiful stranger with blue-black hair followed him into his black limousine. They were swallowed by the darkness.
Enchanted was a delight for me to write. Imagine finding yourself alone, with no memory, while attending a gala event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The young stranger experienced a panic attack. Eventually, she approached a handsome, older man. After hearing her story, he invited her to stay a few days in his pool house. He lived in Duchess County, New York. The black limousine was swallowed into the darkeness.
Mr. Grover and the beautiful stranger with blue/black hair lived together many months as friends. The attraction existed like a magnet between from the beginning. How could they fall in love? What if she remembered another life with husband and children? What a dilemma!
This story of two damaged souls is told by Mr. Grover's housekeeper of many years. She knew the first Mrs. Grover, who committed suicide when she received a death sentence of an inoperable brain tumor.
Travel with the couple on exotic adventures without leaving the comforts and securities of home. Fall in love with the beautiful stranger and handsome, wealthy widower, Mr. Grover.
Excerpt
ONE: DOTTIE’S STORY
Some marriages survive while others fall apart. Loss, betrayal, death, even murder could not loosen something so profound which appeared impenetrable in this couple, but why? Bumps and dips in the road created pain and fear. At the end, perseverance combined with commitment allowed this couple’s incredible love to endure. Why was their love unending?
My name is Dorothy George. Never, did I subscribe to the title “maid or housekeeper.” Mr. and Mrs. Harry Grover called me, “Miss Dottie,” until the day they died. It never occurred to me, way back at the beginning that I might witness the death of my beloved Mrs. Grover. The day they buried her, I also died. At least, I wanted that because I loved her so deeply. Edwina Grover was like my daughter. Not every domestic employee can state that with honesty.
When I look back at the beginning, it makes a smile cover these old lips which have laughed
Professional Reviews
Enchanting!
I just thought I loved,Linda's previous books I've read.When she asked me to read this one,I knew I had to put my others down and get started right away.Linda has a way of mixing,great writing with Faith thrown in,without being overwhelming.
This is a true love story,not only between the characters,but their Love for God. Imagine this,You find yourself in a strange place,no idea of who,what,how,when,why..Now imagine,you've lost your one true love,you're lonely,just trying to find a reason to love,to smile,to believe again.Hope,is given to two lives,the one without a memory, the other, who is just lost and alone.Oceans away,another story us unfolding,based on lies and deceit.One has to do with the other. For one to survive,the old must be forgotten and said goodbye too.For them both to survive,the truth will set you free.A tale of love,respect,fear and joy.As told from a journal of a housekeeper,who becomes more like family to the one with no memory then anyone else. A story of deep respect.A tale of a love,that can only be matched by a fairy tale.The only thing in the way is the return of her memory. Will it all end or will love prevail,and forgive?
Mystery And Curiosity Drew Me In
Enchanted is the name of the estate of the wealthy man who rescues the protagonist in Gerald’s mysteriously gripping plot centered around a woman who experienced traumatic amnesia. The story presents a some subtle Christian themes to include; chastity, forgiveness, hope and redemption to name just a few. I say subtle because Gerald does a great job of sticking to the plot lines without sounding too preachy, making the story appealing to a broader audience.
The story is told from the point of view of Harry Grove’s house keeper, Dottie George. Though Dottie narrates the tale, there is enough dialog among the characters to make them interesting and human. Gerald’s characters aren’t without flaws - deception and conniving behavior by both protagonist and antagonists alike bring them all to life.
Is the plot believable and are the character’s actions probable? Those answers are perhaps best left to readers to decide for themselves. Though I prefer a better balance of plot versus character in the fiction that I choose to read, I commend Gerald for mastering the art of mystery and grabbing my attention from start to finish. The plot had me wanting to find out all the details of what would happen next and what happened that caused the main character to loose her memory in the opening passage.
As most independently written and published work I’ve read in recent years, this novel does have a few copy edit flaws, but not enough to detract from a well presented story. I read the Kindle version and thought the formatting could use some improvement, but again, nothing about it detracted from my reading pleasure.
Her Determination Not To Like This Edwina-Want-To-Be!
A gripping story with an interesting theme. I found it difficult to stop reading. From the beginning, I was drawn into this tale of deception and mystery. Imagine finding oneself standing alone in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Suddenly, you realize that not only are you alone for this grand gala, you have no memory.
This suspenseful tale is told from the third person. Dottie George, the housekeeper for the Grovers, identifies herself with the first Mrs. Grover. Her determination not to like this, “Edwina want-to-be,” is hysterical. Soon, she warms to this apparently innocent houseguest. The only distractor is Don Donahue. He refuses to be pulled into the, "Elizabeth fan club."
I enjoyed the deep characterization of each of the story elements. Murder, intrigue, lies, and deceit are skillfully woven in a love story of emotional depth. The travel to places that I could only dream about added to the appeal of this five-star book. It truly is Enchanted.
The fifth and final book of the Jade Owl Legacy sees a full battle for life as we know it. The world is threatened by the denizens of the Jade Village leading the China Hans through a fantastical world and to a conclusive battle.
