Your Wish is My Command
Grade : B

With her previous books, The Legend McKinnon and Legend of the Sorcerer, Donna Kauffman has made a name for herself in paranormal romance. I am happy to say that Your Wish Is My Command extends her winning streak to three. It is a charming read about a pirate-turned-Cupid and a former boat racing champion who no longer believes in happily-ever-afters.
Jamie Sullivan, a former champion boat racer turned bookstore owner, is hunting for an extension cord, not a treasure, but that's exactly what she finds in her attic. She unexpectedly comes across what looks like an antique sword and when she frees the ancient sword from its scabbard, a perfectly costumed pirate appears before her. He claims to be former privateer Sebastien Valentin who tells her that by unsheathing the sword, she has summoned him to find mates for three souls. Jamie, of course, thinks it all a joke, although she is unnerved by the realistic apparition and by his wager that if he succeeds the first two times Jamie herself be the last soul he finds a mate for, and then he will be out of her life forever. After a kiss to seal their bargain, he disappears, leaving Jamie to tend to the bookstore/café she has recently opened with her two best friends, Ree Ann and Marta.

Sebastien is a man of his word, and before the week passes he has found a soulmate for lonely widow Marta, and already has unlikely plans for the flirtatious Ree Ann, plans that make Jamie nearly howl with laughter. Undaunted, Sebastien explains to Jamie that Oriane, the protective mother (and unfortunately for him, also a powerful island priestess) hexed him to spend his existence helping others find true love. Sebastien claims he is quite content finding matches for other people, since he himself could never be happy with just one woman when there are so many to enjoy. Jamie is not entirely convinced, and sees the sadness behind his charm. Jamie's own bad luck in love led her to promise, along with Ree Ann and Marta, never to lose her heart again, but as she watches their improbable but successful matches come together before her eyes, she dreads Sebastien's plans for herself.

Sebastien is refreshingly candid about his attraction to Jamie, as well as his puzzlement about it. He admits that although Jamie is not the type of woman to attract him, he finds himself thinking about her often. Their mutual attraction, however, is tempered by Sebastien's vow to do as he must and find a mate for Jamie, and by his rule never to get involved with someone he is trying to match up, even though they both realize there is no better match for Jamie than Sebastien himself. Although Jamie finds a way for her and Sebastien to be together temporarily, in the end she realizes that it was foolish of her to think they could simply have a fling and be done with it, with no one getting hurt.

Despite the fantastic aspects of the plot, this is basically a tale of people coming to terms with their pasts and their emotional baggage. Tomboyish Jamie, always cast aside for more alluring types, finds the courage to brave the possibility of heartbreak - and find everlasting love. Sebastien must give up his apparent nonchalance and finally admit that he is willing to risk everything for his true soulmate, Jamie, and his first two matches, Marta and Ree Ann, must get over grief and grudges to find true happiness. If you're looking for a good paranormal romance to try, Your Wish Is My Command should fit the bill nicely.

Reviewed by Claudia Terrones
Grade : B

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : January 12, 2001

Publication Date: 2001

Review Tags: magic pirate

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Claudia Terrones

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