In New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s new novella, beautiful Jennifer Tarleton has no lack of noble suitors, but the only man who captures her attention is the one her father will never let her marry: Fyclan Morris. He’s a brash adventurer, witty, courageous…and Irish! Even worse, her father blames her for their reversal of fortune…

And it’s a fortune—or rather his grandmother the fortune teller—who foretold that Fyclan would meet “the one”, a love prophesied in the stars. He vows nothing will stand in the way of making Jennifer his bride, but is the price too high? Or is a thing called love worth every challenge?

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Excerpt:

From almost the day he of his birth, his Gran had cooed in his ear that he was destined for great things, something she’d never said to his brother—and her words had proven true. How else could a poor lad from County Cork find himself on the brink of being named a director to the powerful East India Company?

But it wasn’t just money his Gran had offered. “When you meet this woman, hold on to her,” she’d said. “Your children’s children will be dukes and princes. They will stride the world. But first, you must meet the woman.”

            “Why will I need her?” he’d asked. “Mr. Fralin says I’m the smartest pupil he’s ever taught. I don’t need a lass to help me be important.”

            His Gran had cupped his chin with her cold, frail hand. “You are right, my chava, but she will not be just any woman. She will be your destiny. Your purpose.”

To a boy, such talk was gibberish. Like every other Irish lad his age, Fyclan was mad for horses and adventure. This talk of “purpose” had been beyond his understanding—especially when it involved lasses. He was going to be a military man. He would win honor and glory and own a stable of a fifty horses, and he wasn’t going to share one of them with a lass.

However now, he was a man, and wiser to the ways of the world. He’d proven he understood money. He’d made fortunes for his superiors as well as his own. There was no telling how far he could climb, especially since many whispered Fyclan’s smart leadership had saved the Company from another bankruptcy. It was commonly allowed that if he kept his current path, he would someday be knighted.

And certainly, many of the current directors had their eye on him as a husband for their daughters, but Fyclan had not been tempted. No, he’d been waiting for her, the one his Gran had promised–the lady in blue with golden hair and creamy skin whose path had just crossed his.

My Review:

Fyclan Morris is a wealthy Irishman, who is making a name for himself in England as a successful businessman.  He isn’t interested in the young English misses who vie for his attention.  But one day, he sees a young lady on the street, and he stops dead in his tracks.  He remembers his gypsy grandmother telling him that there was a woman who was meant to be his destiny – a golden woman to his darkness.  Their children and grandchildren will be dukes and princes.  As soon as Fyclan sees Jennifer Tarleton, he knows without doubt that she is “the one.”

Beautiful Jennifer is being used by her cruel father as a pawn.  He plans to marry her off to a wealthy man, one who can help him escape the ruin he brought on himself.  It’s sadly ironic that he believes Fyclan Morris to be to blame for his downfall, rather than his own failings.  And as wealthy as Fyclan is, Tarleton’s hatred will never let him accept Fyclan into the family.  In fact, he takes joy in knowing how badly Fyclan desires Jennifer, so he can watch him suffer as he plans to wed her to another.

Jennifer is drawn to Fyclan, and with each meeting their feelings grow, and they finally decide that they have to be together, no matter the cost.  I have to say that I adore this novella and its wonderful protagonists, who are just perfect for one another.  They tried to do everything the right way, until Tarleton left them no choice.  A LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE is beautifully written, and I found it to be one of the most romantic and heartfelt books I’ve read by Cathy Maxwell.  Prepare to be totally entranced!

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