LUCKY CHARMS

Author: Carly Phillips ISBN: 9780373773312 10/2008 CHICK LIT Publisher: HQN

Long ago, as revenge on a Corwin who stole her son's fiancee, a witch proclaimed an eternal curse that every Corwin male who rnarried for love would he destined to lose his woman and his fortune... Derek thought he could outsmart the long-standing Corwin curse by breaking up with Gabrielle, his first love—and marrying someone else. Now, divorced and broke, all he has left is his teenage daughter and a healthy respect for ancient sorcery. But then Gabrielle returns, determined to defeat the curse and rekindle their passion. But will her stubborn streak and her unwavering love be the lucky chanrn Derek so desperately needs?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Carly Phillips sets her chick lit, LUCKY CHARM, in the area surrounding Salem, Massachusetts where the citizens are more than willing to believe that a woman named Mary Perkins (and her living namesake) was a witch capable of cursing the males in a family named Corwin. The Corwins have believed that if any of the men in their family falls in love, he'll lose that love and anything of value. They have lost love throughout the generations and have attributed every one to the curse, when in all likelihood most were just accidental, or self-fulfilling prophecy. Derek Corwin and his two male cousins are the current generation so marked, and Derek gave up his high school sweetheart after the Prom in order to keep her from harm. Now, he has a second chance with Gabby when she comes to town to write one of her debunking books about the Corwin Curse and reclaim her man.

Phillips has crafted a mightily tortured man. Derek married a woman he dated in college after he got her preggers and because he didn't love her, thought he'd be immune to the curse. It looks like he didn't count on a relationship based on baby without love as susceptible to divorce. At least that baby has turned into a wise-beyond-her-years 11 year-old, and he's got custody of her for the summer while her mom honeymoons in Europe. He also didn't count on his daughter Holly falling in love with him having Gabby back. All of the women in his life are bound and determined to break the century old curse. He just loves Gabby so much that he's afraid to give into this love for fear he'll lose her or she'll come to harm.

Thankfully, Phillips has crafted a strong, vibrant woman like Gabrielle. She's more than up for the challenge of winning her man back with logic, determination and cunning. She's got more than a few tricks up her sleeve and is willing to invest in a few of Victoria's Secrets to get her way.

LUCKY CHARM is fast-paced, can't-put-it-down action, suspense and horniness. The only thing that bothered me was the name-dropping feel of the product placements. Did she get paid for all the Target plugs? There has to be a smoother way to set the scene. Despite that, I recommend LUCKY CHARM to any reader who likes a good story with well-rounded characters and some hanky panky. I'm glad to see there will be stories for each of Derek's cousins.

Susan Barton