Venus and Cupid were determined to find a soul mate for Jason Stavros, whom the late Eulalie Bidwell took in after his highbrow ex-wife took him to the cleaners. Understandably, he was wary of women--especially women like Merrill Prescott the Fourth, with a wealthy family, background and name. Not only was she Eulalie's lawyer and dear friend, however, but she was also his soul mate. He just didn't know it.

Eulalie left Jason and Merrill with joint custody of her Kerry Blue Terrier, Psyche's Folly, who had just inherited $75 million. Merrill was reluctant to move into Psyche's house with Jason, both because of her Grandmother's strong sense of propriety, and her growing attraction to him. However, stopping Eulalie's gold-digging family from getting more than they deserved provided enough motivation to ignore the gossipmongers and move in.

But Jupiter had decided that Merrill was to be his next conquest, and banned all Pantheonic manipulation of human affairs--leaving Venus and Cupid apparently helpless. Knowing that Blythe wanted Merrill to marry the right kind of man, Jupiter entered the picture on Blythe's arm as the perfect southern gentleman. But his bespelled gifts repelled Merrill instead of ensorcelling her, who would not be bought. All her life Merrill had been told that her background, schooling and name were her greatest assets, and now she had found a man who didn't give a damn about any of them. She was in love with Jason, although she didn't want to be, and because of her background, Jason didn't trust her.

Venus and Cupid, undaunted by the new rule, attempted to help Jason and Merrill get together. From masquerading as interior designers to possessing their dogs, they helped Jason and Merrill realize their love for each other. When Eulalie's greedy relatives kidnapped Psyche, Jason and Merrill had to work together, and they discovered their true feelings.

THE BEWILDERING BEQUEST is a humorous tale about finding out that people aren't always what they appear, and learning to trust. The characters are well written and convincing, and I as a reader felt as reviled by Jupiter as Merrill did--I was relieved when she wasn't taken in by him! The Pantheonic gods add real comedic element, as their bumbling efforts to bring Jason and Merrill together occasionally result in driving them apart, and the evil greedy relatives also provide moments of humor. In THE BEWILDERING BEQUEST, JM Jeffries has created an enjoyable, entertaining love story.

Reviewed by: Melinda Stanners
© July 2004