Customer Reviews
Curses and Plots - By: Helen Hancox, 14 Aug 2008 
Oliver Leighton, the Earl of Norcroft, is the last man standing after a bet amongst four men as to whom would remain unmarried the longest. Rather ironicallly, Oliver was never opposed to marriage, as the other three men were, but simply desired only to marry for love. He hadn't felt the need to get married but now that his friends had moved on into their new lives he feels a little lonely.
When Oliver returns to his country estate he is soon surprised by the arrival of an unconscious woman who appears to have amnesia. Over the next days the woman tries to remember her life - she doesn't even know her name & so Oliver & his mother calll her Kate. As Oliver spends time with her he begins to wonder if she's the ideal future countess - but nothing can be done when they don't know who she is.
As Kathleen MacDavid recovers her memory she realises she has falllen in love with Oliver - & that her meeting with him isn't as accidental as it appears. Can Oliver understand why they have to marry, will he believe in the curse that has beleaguered their families for hundreds of years, & even if they marry, will the curse ever be broken?
This was an enjoyable & lighthearted tale with most of the action taking place between Oliver & Kate/Kathleen as she tries to remember who she is. The difficulties of her amnesia were well written although once her memories came back I felt the story faltered a little. Oliver himself was occasionallly a rather variable character, switching from being stiff & haughty to warm & friendly in a rather changeable manner. The story was perhaps a little drawn out in the end but it was a pleasant enough read with a couple of sub-plot romances.
Originallly published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
