HeartBeat   
Spirited conversation about reading romance
Susan Flanagan and Ann Owen discuss HOT romantic suspense, princess story, a dark but sensual new Gothic and love in Regency England.
THE SCARLETTI CURSE
In Christine Feehan's THE SCARLETTI CURSE strange, twisted carvings and hideous gargoyles adorn the palazzo where the great Scarletti family had lived for generations. But still a more fearful secret lurks within it's depths. For every bride who entered it's forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket. Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no fear of the ancient curses and no fear of marriage until she looked into the mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, no man would interfere with her gift as a healer, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her. Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave herself to his keeping, and prayed the powerful tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise.
Ann: Now I am one of those readers who LIKE Gothics as a genre! So I knew what I was getting into in terms of dark story lines, etc. here. I thought THE SCARLETTI CURSE was a well-written Gothic, and a clear change of pace from the Carpathian books Feehan is better know for. I liked the Don, loved Nonno (the grandfather) and I thought the Sophia and Kesia (the children) were done very realistically.
Susan: This was my first Gothic in many, many years! Not only that, this was my first book by Feehan and once I got into the "Gothic" mood I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed how Feehan crafted both the hero and heroine.
Ann: I liked Nicoletta, and I can empathize with her frustration at being expected to marry when she clearly wanted to do other things with her life. But I was distracted by all the Italian words sprinkled through out!
Susan: Yes, I did find the Italian to be a distraction.
Ann: I think strong characters are a hallmark of Feehan's books. I liked the paranormal element between the Don and Nicoletta. It's not always a trait of gothics, but it fit the story and worked well.
Susan: I liked Nicoletta but didn't really enjoy her character until after she married the Don.
The paranormal element worked beautifully between the two. I smiled when he could read her thoughts and feelings. What a nice touch! In a way it added a bit of humor here and there.
Ann: Now having said what I did enjoy, let me add that the side story of Portia, Vincente and Margerita came out of left field (it seemed to me) and I felt it didn't do much to advance the plot. However, I am willing to be convinced otherwise! *LAUGHING* I really liked this story - so I don't know if I wasn't paying attention to where that element was introduced or what.
Susan: If they had all sailed off together I wouldn't have missed them. I felt Feehan put them in the story to manifest evil, etc.
Ann: Alright - I can buy that. That particular storyline CERTAINLY manifested evil.
Susan: When I learned their fates - to be honest I wasn't bothered at all! Later in the story some of the aspects of why Portia, etc were they way they were made sense - but by that point - I was glad to see them go!
Ann: True - this is the first time in a long time that I felt a character's death was deserved and not harsh enough. Well, I've read two others of the new Gothic line (Candleglow) and enjoyed them. I certainly plan to read Feehan's next Gothic for Dorchester.
Susan: I would definitely pick up another gothic by Feehan. I enjoyed this book Ann. I don't think Feehan's fans will be disappointed!
Ann: I think Feehan will find some NEW fans too.
Susan: She has with me!
Ann: Hmmm, I seem to be in a "BEATING HEART" mode tonight, but that's what I'm giving this one.
Susan: I give this book a Beating Heart!
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THE SCARLETTI CURSE
Christine Feehan
ISBN 0425178579
Leisure Books
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Susan
Gives This Book
A
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Ann
Gives This Book
A
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Read more about Christine Feehan at The Best Reviews
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ALWAYS A PRINCESS by Alice Chambers
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THE SCARLETTI CURSE by Christine Feehan
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