Brett Richards buys a derelict castle, restores it and goes to live in it.  Still pining for a lover who left him, he is excited when he meets Victoria, a stunningly beautiful woman, with a deeply sensual nature.  Brett refuses a one-night stand, but when he meets Victoria again, she is savagely hot for him, and they begin a torrid  affair.   Brett's father is glad his son has finally found his châtelaine, but Brett's closest friends wonder whether the erotic nights with Victoria are enough for Brett.

A chance encounter at a fashionable restaurant serves to muddy the waters considerably.

Will Brett be able to forget his old love with a new one? 
 

    Reviews:

Canadian architect Brett Richards has comfortably established himself in home and business with his father, accomplished interior designer Mark Richards.  Serendipitously Brett discovers a rural castle which needs only moderate renovation, and falls in love with it. Employing his best friend Jake, construction company entrepreneur, to fix it up, Brett happily installs himself. In the process of acclimation he meets Victoria, a part-time hostess at a small Italian ristorante.  

Under somewhat unexpressed pressure from Mark to settle down after a year and a half without his beloved Katya, who accepted a contract in New York City and has not communicated in the past year, Brett dates Victoria and soon they are in the midst of a somewhat half-hearted affair. Drawn to her innocent sensuality, Brett is turned away by Victoria’s emotional ingenuousness and almost welcomes the opportunity to leave for a time, when Mark’s chest pains must be addressed by his family friend/physician.  

During the geographical and emotional separation from Victoria, Brett is forced to recognize his lack of feelings toward her. In a true series of acts of fate, Victoria is taken off his hands, and Katya reappears with the intention of taking up where they left off. Brett, a man of integrity, this time holds off on emotional and physical commitment until he is certain of both Katya’s feelings and his. 

As with all Kate Hofman’s novels, Enchanted Castle is a book to curl up with in a comfortable armchair, cool beverage near at hand. A relaxing read and a satisfying love story, with well-delineated characters, Enchanted Castle will beckon the reader to return for another round of visits with Brett, Mark, Jake, Katya, Victoria, and the illustrious housekeeper and comic relief Mrs. T.

4 Swords

Reviewed by Frost of JLFoster.biz

The Corelli Ristorante Italiano was a family owned place, authentic Italian cuisine served by an authentic Italian Chef, Signor Corelli.  It was a place of refuge for Victoria, two precious days a week where she did not have to be under the oppressing thumb of her aunt Delia Sutcliffe.  Oh Delia might be a famous writer, but her idea of a life for Victoria was not what Victoria wanted or desired.  Getting away to the restaurant was definitely a plus for her, and it was something Victoria didn’t ever think she would want to give up.  She was ill prepared for the tall, handsome, rangy man who sauntered into the restaurant that night, but he definitely caught Signora Corelli’s eye, and she immediately sent him Victoria’s way.  Signora had a twinkle in her eye, and Victoria was not exactly sure what she was thinking until she got a good look at the man on whom she was supposed to wait.  He almost literally took her breath away.
 
Brett Richards was like the proverbial “Knight in Shining Armor,” and much to Victoria’s surprise, he did actually come with a castle.  She was surprised to find he was the buyer of the Blue Lake Castle, a man only a few had seen, and about whom many were curious.  The invite to come to visit the refurbished castle was unexpected.   Victoria has no false ideas about herself.  She knows she is beautiful, but she is comfortable in her skin.  She didn’t know how to handle Brett’s invitation, but once the first was accepted, another soon follows, and she realizes she is hooked.  
 
Kate Hofman’s Enchanted Castle takes the reader on a flight of romance, with two different yet intertwined stories.  First we have Brett Richards, a man deeply in love with a woman who has apparently abandoned him for a career in the Big Apple.  Alone and weary, he soon finds a friend, another who hurts as he does, another person just like himself.  Victoria is not out for a fling, but she is nursing the deep wounds of a heartbreak much like Brett’s, and in him sees a refuge, a haven for a time and she soon finds out he feels much the same.  She has a natural talent with growing things, and  when  Brett offers her a job as gardener, to help her get out from under the oppressive thumb of a dictatorial aunt, she is more than willing to fall in with his plans.  Normally you would think fate has designed these two to be lovers, but that is not the case here.
 
Both Victoria and Bret have had to suffer the fires and trials of what they believe to be unrequited love, but there are some twists and turns in here that will make you shake your head, turn your heart upside down, and even leave it in your throat at times.  This is a story about two people who become great friends, and how they find again the one person destined to make them happy.  Enchanted Castle will thrill you, make you angry, and have you on the verge of tears, but never fear, this is a real keeper, and one you will have to read again and again.  It will be available from the Dark Castle Lords in January of 2008, so look for it the first of the year, and snag a copy while you can.

Rose at Romance at the Heart