Cover Image: A Potion for Passion

A Potion for Passion

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Reading a historical romance written by Ms. Keysian is a must, as she has a way of drawing readers - especially this reader -- into her stories with engrossing main and secondary characters and interesting plots where the characters go through a lot to be together and this story was no different.

Really, this was a well-written, engaging read with strong characters that have interesting back stories, a couple with lots of chemistry, a plot that had me reading this story in one sitting and an ending that had me cheering for this couple.

I really liked Flora. She's determined to break free from her overbearing sister who loves to interfere in her life. She also knows she shouldn't trust Lawrence, but for some reason being around him is comforting because she can be herself. Falling for Lawrence wasn't in the cards for Flora, but sometimes life is full of surprises. While Lawrence, he's mysterious and has plans for his life. He never counted on Flora coming into his life, but he's drawn to her and he can't help but want to protect her. Be there for her when it seems her sister certainly isn't. She'd rather judge Flora than accept her for the woman she is.

Overall, Ms. Keysian is a wonderful author and I can't wait to read more of her books.

Was this review helpful?

The second book in the Wanton in Wessex a well written story that held my interest until the end. Miss Flora Hartington and Lawrence Campion's story of a man who does not really know who he is. I enjoyed seeing this story come together.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book. It had unique and colorful characters and an interesting story. If you are looking to read something a little different with a HEA then this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

I did not care for this story so I did not finish it. Thank you for allowing me to attempt to read. It was very slow and did not hold my attention.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book by Elizabeth Keysian and it was a page turner! Flora and Lawrence will have you laughing and feeling the passion these two share. I can't wait to read book 3.

Was this review helpful?

When it comes to Ms. Keysian, I don’t have to question a thing; I’m going to read it and I’m going to love it. This author has wiggled her way into my heart and my reading pile with her amazing writing, engaging characters, defined worlds, and the interesting storylines. Just say yes to Keysian and enjoy the adventure...I always do!

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

Was this review helpful?

This delightful book is the second book in the Wanton in Wessex series. However, if you haven't read the first, this one totally stands alone. Most Regency romances center around the lords and ladies of the ton, but not this book. The closest Flora gets to the ton is being an aunt by marriage to a man of the peerage. Our hero Lawrence is a traveling apothecary. He wants to become a real healer, but is attempting to earn money for passage to America by traveling around, performing medicine shows and selling his tonics. Oh....he also sells goods on the side, goods of dubious origins that he buys from a very disreputable person.

When Flora uses one of Lawrence's tonics that turns her hair a bright red, she is not happy. Flora has bought lots of remedies from Lawrence because they work (usually!) ...and she is also drawn to our handsome hero. The two began an adventure with traveling medicine shows, wreckers of ships and redcoats. This is a nice change of pace from the same old cookie cutter romances. This is one fun, romantic read.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I have received no compensation for this review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Since her sister's daughter married an Earl, Miss Flora Harrington has enjoyed having her home to herself. Except for the busy body vicar and his wife that her sister set to spy on her. Flora just wants to save enough to go into partnership with a milliner and decorate hats. At the moment though she is distracted by the handsome travelling doctor selling his wares from his caravan.
Lawrence Campion was brought up by travelers who abducted him as a toddler. He has no desire anymore to discover his roots. He is happy with his slightly dishonest life, and the side benefit of all the women he wants.
Our adventurous heroine will get much more than she bargained for. Our naughty hero has some dramatic risks to take.
An unusual and highly entertaining romance with fabulous characters. Lots of fun. I loved it.

Was this review helpful?

Flora has sworn off love and is determined just to leave town and be free. Then, the traveling apothecary Lawrence comes into town, and she tries to get some medicine to calm her frazzled nerves. She gets a lot more than she bargained for, as she starts falling for Lawrence and he starts falling for her. Lawrence has a bit more up his sleeve than simply being an apothecary. He likes Flora, but he doesn't know if he should drag her into his life.

I have to say, it did take me a little bit of time to really get into these characters. But once I got into the characters, I fell in love with them. Flora was independent and had just decided not to love anyone anymore, but then she finds Lawrence and decides to give love a try again. Lawrence never got the chance to be loved, and he was always traveling. Lawrence just has to figure out how to break through Flora's shell and get to her heart. 

The plot moved smoothly, and it wasn't as fast-paced as some historical romance novels are. I felt as if I really go to know the characters and were able to see their individual lives and personalities as I continued with the story. There was a lot of chemistry between the characters which is another thing that I missed from historical romance novels! These two truly loved each other, and the author makes sure that this is clear. 

I can't say too much about Lawrence's true past, as it has a lot of spoilers, but I have to say that it was one of my favorite things about this story. He has such a complicated backstory that I couldn't wait until more and more was revealed about him. 

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone looking for a new adult historical romance/slight suspense and mystery novel to read. 
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

Was this review helpful?

This is an interesting story of a shy spinster blossoming into a lovely, feisty vixen and the adventures she faces. Lawrence, whose character is often in question, is redeemed and reformed when he falls in love with Flora. The story gives a good look at the nefarious business of scavenging and those that made a living off of the misfortunes of sailors and merchants. The romantic journey this couple takes is filled with stops and starts and so many interruptions it is heartwarming when they finally find time alone.

Was this review helpful?

Miss Flora Hartington is a spinster of twenty seven. Her sister and her daughter moved in with her. Her daughter marries an Earl and her mother moves into the Dowager cottage. She sets her spies in the guise of Reverend Daniels and his family. She justs wants to be left alone so she can be independent and free. Dr. Lawrence Campion is a traveling peddler and con man. He wants to be a Doctor but he hasn't had the money. He is saving to go to America.
I enjoyed the interactions of the characters and their eccentricity. They tend to deal on the wrong side of the road. The storyline is a little complicated by it kept my interest. It was well written, moved smoothly and held your attention. The description of the surrounding flora, fauna, tents, and wagons
helped bring your attention to the antics of the characters. One good example was when he had to pull a tooth from a shady character to save him he knew from the soldiers. It was humorous.

I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed this.

Was this review helpful?

This is not your typical historical romance. Flora and Lawerance have different reasons for wanting to go on the road together. And find out really their both looking for a life independent of who and what everyone else sees them becoming. And along the way, they fall in love with each other's true self and not who they thought the other was.

Was this review helpful?

I received an advanced review copy of A Potion for Passion.

This story had unique characters which I found refreshing. Lawrence, the hero is a traveling doctor and Flora, the heroine is a woman whose every move is monitored by people assigned by her sister.

There are memorable scenes and unique characters.

Flora doesn’t live her life the way she would like to since she’s constantly under scrutiny and feels pressured to maintain an image of propriety. Lawrence is a wanderer who has never wanted to settle and doesn’t get emotionally involved with anyone.

I enjoyed the interactions between Flora and Lawrence and it was great to see these two characters change and grow as the story progressed.

Was this review helpful?

A Potion for Passion by Elizabeth Keysian is the story of Flora Hartington and Lawrence Campion.
Lawrence is a traveling apothecary who wants to get enough money to go to America to purse becoming a Doctor. Flora is tired of her sister and other being in her business. Flora wants independence and adventure. Flora ends up hitching herself to Lawrence who wants to protect her but also has his goal of leaving for America. Their feelings and attraction for each other was growing but would their goals allow for them to be together.
I know when I see Ms. Keysian name on a book that I am going to be getting a great story...and this one was no different. Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

I love to be surprised and this adventure took me on a new journey I did not expect. A medicine man who pulls his wagon from place to place hawking his elixirs and a spinster who is trying so hard to be independent if the town and her sister will just let her. A unique circumstance you say? Well it was and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Ephraim, no Campion, no really Lawrence has a travelling apothecary that has come to Flora's town numerous times. Flora has just gotten out underneath her sisters thumb when her sister moved out. But oh no, half the town watches her and reports back anything they see! She just wants an adventure and to go out on her own and start a hat business. Having been a patron of Lawrence's and bought many of his concoctions that actually worked, she is given one that has a disastrous outcome. So they have more contact and that is when it starts!
She ends up traveling with Lawrence but there are so many unanswered questions as to what is Lawrence's real background? What is he involved in besides his apothecary trade?
As these two are together there is no telling what will happen.
Prepare to be enchanted at Lawrence and Flora in this well written and story that will grab you from the start!!

Was this review helpful?

When Miss Flora Hartington bumps into a handsome, kind traveling apothecary, she sees her chance at adventure, so she jumps at the opportunity. But this is a temporary solution to her very big problem of her family trying to control her entire future.

Kidnapped by traveling folk as a child, Lawrence Campion has no idea who he really is. The last thing he needs when he wants to go to America where he can become a real doctor is the beautiful and feisty Flora. However, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, and then be off to fulfill his dreams. But Lawrence has a past that is quickly catching up with him.
Will the secret he carries destroy both his and Flora's plans?
Are these two destined for one another?
This is the second title in this standalone series. Elizabeth Keysian has done a good job with both titles though this one may be my favorite of the two.
There is just a bit of suspense a lot of mayhem and just enough romance to keep your interest.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3 of 5 flames. There is intimacy involved but not really scorching in nature.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Flora Hartington is a respectable young lady who lives alone after her beloved fiance parishes in a shipwreck. She finds herself drawn to the improper Dr. Lawrence Campion and his herbal remedies. As their connection develops, Flora finds that she has been masking her true self. Even though Dr. Campion is a highly skilled medical person, he engages is in a not so honorable working relationship with a group of thieves. These thieves cause ships to crash, so they can steal the supplies from the ships. Dr. Campion occasionally purchases these supplies to sell for a profit. Flora is unaware of this side of Dr. Campion's business dealings when Dr. Campion finds himself in the middle of one of the ship attacks by his gang of thieves colleagues. Dr. Campion wants to do the right thing and save a life but will that be endangering the life of Flora.

The development of Flora and Lawrence's attraction and working relationship was a bit slow and at times unsatisfying. However, some of the supporting characters were quite interesting with I believe more depth than maybe even the main characters. The very end was a thrill ride, but it took a long time to get to that. Also, the side story of Dr. Campion's background didn't quite feel like it fit into the story, even if I did enjoy the Epilogue. Basically, if you can get through a couple hundred pages of a not too exciting storyline and narrative, the ending is well done and almost makes it worth it.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great historical fiction. It's well-written, has amazing, well-developed as well as interesting characters, and it's quite entertaining read. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend to all book lovers. It's definitely one of a kind book that kept me intrigued, especially because of the mysterious way Lawrence Campion acted from the start. I really loved his character.
Flora is tired of her interfering sister. She plans to leave town and start her life somewhere faraway so that her sister can no longer bother her. She is old enough to know that marriage is not in the cards for her any more. Now she just wants to love an independent life, where she can do whatever she loves to do and not have her every action questioned by her nosy sister and her spies. What she didn't count on is falling for Lawrence Campion, he is not the man she should trust but she can't help but feel drawn to him for some reason.
Lawrence goal is to earn enough money so that he can sail to America. There are things from her past that are still haunting him. Maybe if he went to America he will finally be free. Unfortunately, Flora is a complication he didn't anticipate. But he is willing to protect her at all costs. Also he can't help but feel attracted to this amazing woman. Still shackling himself with one woman is not at all his intention, no matter how beautiful the said woman is.
It's a well paced and interesting historical novel that anyone would enjoy. It's worth a read. I loved the story.

Was this review helpful?

I liked the two main characters, Flora and Lawrence. Flora’s personality was suppressed by her elder sister and her informants. Lawrence was a charming, handsome, travelling salesman who dabbled in contraband goods. I loved that Flora was able to be free of her usual restraints when she was with Lawrence and to embrace her true nature. They were very attracted to each other but couldn’t see a future, given their differences. This was a very engaging story with some dangerous moments and surprises. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

This book was a definite departure from the stories of the ton. Miss Flora Hartington finds herself captivated by the travelling apothecary Lawrence Campion. In him, she sees an adventure whilst he is desperate to earn sufficient funds to travel to America, and does need romance. I must admit that it took some time to embrace both characters; Flora is very naïve whilst Lawrence appeared to be just a bit too smooth. However, their clear attraction to each other and their dialogue proved to be very entertaining. This together with attention to detail regarding the period in time, made for an enjoyable read .
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?