For three centuries, Van Barlowe has been desperately searching for the alchemist, and he is convinced he has found exactly what he needs and more in Sidra. She holds the key that will rescue his family from ruin, but it is locked within a vault of time and magic that exists within Sidra herself. Van fears Sidra may break during the unlocking process, but he is under the constraints of a ticking clock. If he cannot quickly convince Sidra to trust him, he and all the members of his family will die.

Ciar Cullen creates stories that are rife with sexual tension, and Love's Alchemy is no exception. Van Barlowe is a wealthy, handsome and very sensitive immortal. Sidra is a hard-working professor with a passion for Isaac Newton. Sidra wants Van, and he desires her not only because he believes she holds the answer he's been searching for, but because he's fallen in love with her. The fact that she's mortal doesn't matter to him, but the fact that she will one day grow old, while he remains forever young, does matter to her. Having convinced herself that he is too good for her, she is determined to leave him once she's played her part. And no matter what Van says or does, he cannot change her mind. Though I can understand self-doubt and the tendency of individuals to repeat past mistakes, I had difficulty accepting Sidra's lack of confidence as the only thing keeping these two apart. They had so much going for them, including love, that I lost patience with Sidra when she constantly pushed Van away.

Ms. Cullen's premise for Love's Alchemy is unique and her characters are fascinating. She gives the reader a personal insight into Isaac Newton's personality that is totally believable, whether it is actually true or not. Readers who enjoy stories filled with demons, ghosts, unrequited love and reincarnation should discover Love's Alchemy gives them all they could want, and more.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Kathryn
April 8, 2010