Familiar Magic
Shannon DevlynFantasy romance
Available from RuneStone Publishing
ISBN: 1-59648-003-3
September 2004
| Since birth Audrey O'Connor has known two things. One, that she'll be the ruler of her people and two, that she'll marry Lord Sebastian MacAllister. The marriage was arranged to protect the High Council that governed their people. It would keep power out of the hands of Gavin Mackenzie, a man thought to be responsible for the death of Audrey's parents, and his clan. Audrey never expected love from an arranged marriage, but that didn't stop her from falling in love with Sebastian. Then one night she found him with another in a lovers' embrace. Brokenhearted Audrey vows to do her duty, but locks her heart away.
Sebastian MacAllister is a Familiar; he can change into a large feline. He is also a secret agent for the Keepers, a group that watches over the Mages and Familiar's. Sebastian watched Audrey grow into a red haired beauty. He'd desired her for a long time, but for some reason she hated him. Not understanding, Sebastian wonders what the future holds for them. Gavin MacKenzie wants to control the High Council. He thinks it's time for his clan to destroy the humans and take their rightful place in the world. Humans were inferior to them. Why should they hide? The humans should be serving them, not living side by side. All he has to do is get Audrey out of the picture and he has a plan that will do just that. An ancient relic called the Myst Wand, both the source and symbol of great power, is stolen and Audrey is kidnapped. Sebastian must find them both or their world will be destroyed. But how can he save Audrey when she has somehow been sent through time to the sixteen hundreds; a time of witch trials, and where just having red hair branded one a witch and guaranteed a terrible death. Shannon Devlyn has an untamed and impressive muse and together they dream up extraordinary stories of fantasy for her readers' pleasure. The elements in this story are in part both fact and fantasy. Witch trials were a real part of our history and time travel is a concept we all dream of at some time in our lives. Add in wonderful characters that can shape shift into beautiful cats and people with magical powers, throw in a romance worth going through time for and an evil villain plotting to destroy their love and world. Mix well and you get one very extraordinary tale that will give you hours of reading pleasure. The secondary characters are also wonderful with Lord Simone and Lady Maureen who seemed very close, I found the Keepers very interesting as well. Who are they really? Will Sebastian save Audrey from a witch's fate and how will they get back to their own time? If so will their marriage be for duty only or will love mend old wounds? For hours of delight be sure to read Familiar Magic by Shannon Devlyn. Enjoy!
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Reviewer: Diane Tugman |
