Relics of Merlin: Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy

This was a book I counted in the 2007 Challenge but never blogged my full review. So I'm doing it now but this does NOT count towards the 2008 challenge, hence why it is a blog entry and not a book review.

Dorchester Publishing/Love Spell Books
Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 4.5

For most of her life Felicity Seymour has been invisible to society. Always overlooked, she assumed her lack of magic and plain features were responsible. Magic determines rank any lack thereof can ruin a person, even someone like Felicity whose parents were a duke and duchess. Now on the day of her magic test, her inability to cast even the simplest spell has ruined her.

Terence Blackwell is a baronet, the only rank that can shift shape and is immune to magic. He is also on a special mission from the prince – track down all of the thirteen Relics of Merlin which are such powerful magic that no person can control them. Terence knows just what the Relics can do, as one of them killed his brother. When he meets Felicity, he can sense the Relic-magic around her. Now he needs to get close to her to find out what she knows about the Relic and if she’s the one wielding it, or if someone is wielding it against her.

Felicity needs a husband and Terence needs to find the Relic. One thing Terence never counted on was that his lion half would declare Felicity his mate. Will these two wayward souls realize in time that the greatest magic of all is love?

What a brilliant world Kathryne Kennedy has created in Enchanting the Lady. In an aristocracy where titles are determined by how much magic a person has, fantastical adventures are guaranteed. Everything we could even imagine in a world where magic rules happens here. As a result, we never quite know what to expect will happen next.

The magic in this society is beautifully woven throughout the entire novel. I could see the illusions cast and the creatures made. From fairy lights to ballrooms that look and feel like pirate ships to unicorns and dragonettes, everything is so vividly created.

Felicity is an innocent young woman who has only ever longed to find a good husband, learn to use what little magic she has, and gain possession of her birthright as soon as she passes her magic test. So when the sinfully handsome Terence begins to court her, she is thrilled at the opportunity. Until events unfold that have her questioning everything she’s ever known anyhow. Watching Felicity grow from an innocent wallflower to a strong willed belle of the ball makes for thoroughly entertaining reading.

Terence and his kind are shunned by society. His only loyalty is to his prince and his dead brother. All he cares about is finding the Relics until he meets Felicity. While initially she was only a means to an end, soon Terence is head over heels and will do anything to protect her, even turn his back on the Relic hunt. Seeing the powerful shape shifter come undone at one glance from his lady will make every woman fantasize for just a little while about what it would be like to be in Felicity’s shoes.

Fans of love and romance as well as readers who love a little magic in their books will all find something to treasure in Enchanting the Lady. What’s even better? There are so many more stories to be told about Kathryne Kennedy’s world.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.

The D2K Paranormal Junkies

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