Once Upon a Castle [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Roberts' Spellbound was...nice. But I would have to say that it was the worst story in the lot. Calin travels to Ireland to meet Bryna, who he'd been seeing in his dreams since he was born. They were lovers, or they were the reincarnations of lovers, a thousand years ago and he must go back in order to save her and their love. I'm just a bit surprised that they would find that they love each other in a day.

Gregory's Castle Doom was nice. Arianne's brother was kidnapped and his castle sieged. It turn's out that their distant cousin Julian is planning to spread his rule. Arianne knows that the only one who could help her is the exiled Nicholas, Julian's older half-brother. I liked the ending because everything is solved. And Nicholas gains back the kingdom he was born to rule. I'd say this was my favorite of the four.

Langan's Falcon's Lair...was ok, but a bit weird in the end. It started out fair enough and the rest of the story was well-written. Felicity travels to England in order to help his father's old friend, who is under a "curse". When she arrived, she met a spirit...that of the first lord of Falcon's Lair. They fall in love...even though they know there is no hope. He dies (I don't know how because he's already dead) while protecting her. And she finds "him" again in the current lord's oldest son, Chandler. Which is why I'm iffy about this story...I personally think she's transferring her love from Gareth (the first lord and spirit) to Chandler...and is that real love? But then none of the stories are based in reality, so I accept it.

Willman's Dragonspell is somewhat like Castle Doom in that both involve princesses trying to gain back their castle and kingdom. Except in this one, Tressalara teams up with a rebel. She is headstrong and feels that she doesn't need a man to rule her kingdom wisely. One of her late father's advisors overthrows and rules...killing her father himself. Tressalara disguises as a boy to find Cador, the rebel. Together with the power of the Andun Stone, they try to overthrow the evil advisor and his wizard.

In Nora Roberts' "Spellbound," Calin travels to Ireland and ends up at the front door of the bewitchingly beautiful Bryna. Together, in the culmination of a thousand year spell, these two must fight an evil sorcerer who can only be conquered by true love. Calin must return Bryna's love freely, or the evil sorcerer will triumph and all will be lost. This is written in true NR style and will have readers captivated.

Next is Jill Gregory's "Castle Doom," in which Arianne sets out on a mission to save her brother Marcus from his evil captor, Julian. She finds an ally in Nicholas, an old friend of her brother, and together they must fight the evil Julian in order to save Marcus and free the people from his tyranny. In the midst of their dangerous plight, Arianne and Nicholas unexpectedly fall in love. This story was suspenseful and romantic and highly entertaining.

In "Falcon's Lair" by Ruth Ryan Langan, Felicity travels from her home in America to Ireland to help Oliver, an old friend of her father, with a terrible curse. Something is not quite right in this majestic old castle and Felicity finds help from a handsome spirit (Gareth). With Gareth's help Felicity begins to see that this home is filled with betrayal and sets out to save Oliver and his son. However Gareth and Felicity fall in love and break the rules that govern Gareth to be together, for which there will be dire consequences. This story will touch your heart and leave you believing in magic.

The final story is "Dragonspell" by Marianne Willman and I think this one was my favourite (it's just so hard to choose because they are all so good!). Princess Tressalara, with the help of 2 sorcerer's apprentices and a dashing and dangerous rebel named Cador, sets out to reclaim her kingdom from the evil usurper, Lector. Tressalara joins Cador's rebel camp originally as Trev, a young boy, but Cador immediately sees beneath her plain clothes and dirty face to the beautiful woman beneath. Cador and Tressalara fall head over heels in love with each other and enjoy a wonderful romance that readers will love. This tale will sweep you away to the magical land of Amelonia and leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied.

This is an absolutely superior anthology. If you enjoy a good "happily ever after" and a bit of magic then you will LOVE this book. All four stories are well-written and lots of fun. You will be sad to see this one come to an end!