Reviewer: Janet Davies
Title: Castle in Spain
Author: Kate Hofman
Publisher: The Dark Castle Lords
ISBN: 978-1-921347-04-7
Release Date: March 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Romance
Year/Setting: Present day – Spain and Budapest
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Kate's Website: romancenroses.com/katesworld
When Jennifer Miller is employed as a researcher to Conde Antonio de Ortega de Andrade y de Valdés, a noted writer and member of the Spanish nobility, she is both impressed by his Castle and the man. Her job as his researcher means she will have direct contact with the Conde on a daily basis. Although the staff at the castle indicate otherwise, Jennifer soon finds Antonio is keen to spend more than just work time with her.
Antonio has a problem and it is one the Jennifer can help him solve. His mother wants him to marry a good Spanish virgin of noble birth. However all the women who are throwing themselves at Antonio as neither good nor virginal. Besides Antonio wants more in a woman than just noble birth or purity. Fidelity, passion and intelligence rate highly with him. He sees all these qualities in his research assistant.
Jennifer is stunned when the Conde proposes they have a fake engagement to stop him being hounded by women vying for the title of Condesa. But, due to a deep attraction, she agrees to help him. What starts out as a sham engagement soon develops into something much more deep and meaningful for Jennifer. But does Antonio feel the same way? And will his scheming mother and pushy housekeeper break up whatever relationship they can have?
Castle in Spain is a classic will they –won’t they, does he love her – does she love him story. It’s traditional romance where two people love each other but are too unsure of the other’s emotions to give in totally to what they are feeling. I liked all the characters. Jennifer is smart, strong and confident. She loves Antonio but does not want to be a fling. Antonio is sweet and sensual and dumb to the fact he has to actually let Jennifer know he loves her. His mother is a snob, due to her past history, but she turns out okay. As for the scheming housekeeper Maria, she is a classic boo-hiss character you pray will get her come-uppance.
I could quite easily picture Spain and the castle and Budapest just by the author’s descriptions. I would be interested to know if the author had lived in Spain and or Budapest as her knowledge is impressive.
At the end of this book, I though "aw – that’s sweet". And I think that is what you want in a romance book, a couple of lovers who finally work out they are meant to be together and go off to have their happy ending. An enjoyable read.
Janet
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