Bewitching

By: Jill Barnett

Narrated by: Anne Johnstonbrown

Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

What's a duke to do when a carefully selected bride rejects him rather than marry without love? He salvages his pride by marrying the next woman who falls into his arms.

Joyous Fiona MacQuarrie bewitched the Duke of Belmore the moment she appeared from nowhere and knocked him over...literally. Joyous MacQuarrie is a Scottish witch whose powers of white magic are not always easy for her to control. When Alec's pride makes him choose to marry her, Joy turns the life of the most serious and snobbish duke in England upside down.

Too soon Alec finds his well ordered and controlled life a mess, because he married a witch - one who turns him to fire when he kisses her, who charms everyone around her, and threatens to destroy both their lives as scandal looms over her.

Too late, Joy discovers she's desperately in love and not even the strongest magic can seem to turn her into a proper duchess, or make her husband love her. Passion holds them spellbound in an irresistiblely funny and tender tale of two opposite but lonely hearts.

©1993 Jill Barnett (P)2013 Bell Bridge Books

Magical and Charming

Few books bring me to tears these days but my romantic heart sorrowed near the end even when I knew the H and h were in for a happy ending. Anne Johnstonbrown’s voice was perfect for this fairytale. Unfortunately, mispronunciations caused me to drop a star. For instance, the town of Reading is pronounced “Redding.” I’m not usually a fan of magic but the inept Scottish witch captured my heart.

Loved this cute story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Really enjoyed the plot and the humor; thought it was a really sweet love story.

Here is a great one!

Where does Bewitching rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Out of all the historical romances I have read and there are a huge number this is right up there as one of my favorits.

Who was your favorite character and why?

all of the characters were charming, funny, and well developed.

Which character – as performed by Anne Johnstonbrown – was your favorite?

Anne did a fabulous job with all the characters and this is the first time in a long time when a narrator has done a good job with all the character's voices.

Any additional comments?

If you like reading historical romances I highly recommend this book. There was humour, sadness, love, twists and turns, beautiful love scenes and the narrator read it all beautifully.

I'm not happy to pay for this! American narrator

The Duke is just mean, rude and I couldn't stand it.
Joy was a very patient door mat.
It's not that, women are often doormats. It's that I don't feel like I understand enough about her magic and there was too little time spent with the Duke being a decent human AND BIG AND the narrator was American and couldn't pronounce words. She's got a great voice! Her Scottish accent isn't too bad. It kinda blends into Irish sometimes but all of the main male characters are in American accents and it's kinda weird. Also fete, livery and a few other words are repeatedly pronounced incorrectly! WHERE ARE THE PRODUCERS??
So, I give it 3 stars. I enjoyed it but I will probably never read it again.

Narrator ruins it

This is a beloved book for me. I can't even try to guess how many times I read my worn-out paperback copy in the 90s. Having not read this one in 25+ years, I was so excited to revisit this story.

Unfortunately this narrator made an absolute mess of this story. He is supposed to have a British accent, she is supposed to have a Scottish accent. This narrator apparently couldn't keep them straight. Sometimes he is Scottish, sometimes she is British. Sometimes they have no accent at all. The side characters' accents came and went, with no consistency. Words are pronounced wrong all throughout. Macabre, livery, wonder (pronounced interchangeably with wander) and ducal (which was said every couple of minutes) were incorrect. I'd also like to give a special shout-out to the time the narrator said 'carnage door' instead of carriage door.

This book deserved better.

Charming!

What made the experience of listening to Bewitching the most enjoyable?

This story has funny moments that are unforgetable, like the night after the theater, or when Joy tries to tell Alec she is a witch...

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Joy. She is so innocent, and sometimes naive... is impossible not falling in love for her.

Which character – as performed by Anne Johnstonbrown – was your favorite?

I have three favorites characters: Joy, with all her confused way. Alec with his arrogant and aristocratic way to protect himrself from everything and everyone. And Steven, who is so naive as child can be.,

Any additional comments?

This book is wonderful.

Always makes me smile

Have loved Jill Barnett books always. Her character's are a delightful to read about. recommended

Not the Story You Think It Is.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I like paranormal romances. I also like them to surprise me and not be to mushy. I don't like to read just any kind of romance novel. There has to be be something unique about it or i may not finish it, This book seemed predictable, but then there was an unexpected surprise toward the end that made it a different book for me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bewitching?

When Alec learned his family's secret.

What about Anne Johnstonbrown’s performance did you like?

I really didn't like her. Its just her tone i think. It made me think of one of those cheesy romance novels with a lot of sex and no real substance. She wasn't a distraction. The story made up for the tone i don't like.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Steven's trials and tribulations.

A Classic Long Awaited, 80's/90's Humor

Would you listen to Bewitching again? Why?

If you are a Jill Barnett fan, then this was an auto download and long awaited. I found it on audible when surfing my old fave authors. If you are a classic romance lover, then this is for you.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bewitching?

This was written in the 80 or early 90's and reflects the romance writing of that time. If you did not enjoy that period or are new to classic core romance, beware.

What does Anne Johnstonbrown bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She did a great job of Joy, but not so much on our beloved Duke. The core romance story carries this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

With all the vampire stories now on film, this would be in line with Maleficent, but a softer tone.

Truly Bewitching

This book was everything that everyone said it would be and soooooooo much more. The highs and lows in this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.