For the Love of Magic

                                            

For the Love of Magic
by Janet Chapman is part of a series that I really enjoy since it combines my favorite genres of fantasy and romance!  It is releasing at the end of the month.  Sadly, I have not had the opportunity to read the title that came just before it (The Heart of a Hero) but I wasn't at all lost, however I still am anxious to read that one too!





My review:


For the Love of Magic by Janet Chapman is part of the ‘Spellbound Falls Romance’ series.  Rana Oceanus has taken a stand and moved away from her beloved husband Titus, relocating in a whimsical house on the shore of the Bottomless Sea which was created by her son Max.  Even though the immortal Titus has no doubts that his mortal wife loves him, she is acting uncharacteristically secretive and moody even as she overcomes some of her fears to master some of the modern inventions such as manual transmission vehicles.  Titus is juggling a few things including a life-changing decision and his life is somewhat complicated by a recently formed cult which seems determined to add a new deity to the already crowded pantheon.  The lives of many of the inhabitants of Spellbound Falls and its surrounding areas are going to be radically changed, one way or another, but it may be a matter of opinion as to whether it will be for the better or for worse.

This fun contemporary series does an exemplary job of combining romance and fantasy.  The author gives glimpses of the various families which are melded from a variety of times, cultures and beliefs.  The very real fear that Rana is coping with is easily understood while the light notes that are introduced by the precocious youngsters who seem to be proliferating in the region are a constant delight.  I love the struggle depicted as the very protective males strive to allow the women in their lives freedom to be themselves even as they occasionally risk more than their mates are comfortable with.  The lovely magical elements continue to enthrall and I particularly enjoyed the physical manifestation of the struggle between the male and female members of the cult as the poor deity is being formed as well as the ongoing inventive conversion of the orcas into very competent land guardians.  Readers who are new to the series would benefit from reading prior novels but will still undoubtedly be captured by the spell of this story even if they lack extensive knowledge of all of the characters.  Another excellent addition to a very entertaining series that promises to have even more upheaval in subsequent titles, can’t wait to see what else sprouts from the fertile mind of this talented author.


© Night Owl Reviews

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.


My apologies, the blog has been quiet for a few days because I have been scrambling to get a few other things done...and I had 5 dates set aside at the request of a publicist...who somehow inexplicably failed to provide any material...after explaining briefly that there were some delays.  After that...nada...which is a little frustrating, especially since I try not to double-book things and now I have to try to fill the rest of the dates or contact the folks I turned away.  I sometimes hear complaints about the irresponsibility of bloggers but it is important for others to realize that we are juggling a myriad of things also so it is important for both sides to keep their commitments!

Courting Carolina and a quirky video

Courting Carolina  
by Janet Chapman is part of her 'Spellbound Falls Romance' series.  I love this series although I confess that I haven't had time to read all of the prequels but I certainly want to one of these days.  (Of course, it would help if I cut down on the number of projects I have going on, not to mention the proofreading jobs that are slowly trickling in).  I love the mixture of magic and realism in this series.  The author addresses common concerns such as childcare, ecology, family interference but does so using fantastical characters who carry on conversations with sea denizens, mountains, and the earth herself.  The dichotomy between beings who are capable of actually moving mountains or traveling through time and their fumblings when faced with the prospect of meeting their true love or courting recalcitrant mates or even doing such pragmatic things as camping in the wilderness gives depth to these delightful tales.  There are fun and quirky elements, including a fascinating creature named Kitalanta who has more than one form and wonderful cameos by beings who were introduced in previous books.  Don't pick up the book unless you have a block of time set aside because once you fall under its spell, you won't want to put it down you have finished it.

My Amazon review for Courting Carolina is at this link.  As always, a 'yes, this was helpful vote' is appreciated.

My review on Night Owl Reviews for Spellbound Falls is at this link and Charmed By His Love is at this link.


 




 Midnight Bay series:
    


Also....I'm not usually a video watcher but I enjoyed this one....


I can't tell if anybody has actually looked at the post about the squid skin that changes color according to the music that is being played...but it is really fascinating...almost like a screen saver.  For those who are grossed out at the idea of it being a squid, it is just a microscopic section of skin--no tentacles in sight!   My blogpost that contains the links is here.

Charmed By His Love

Charmed By His Love   
by Janet Chapman is a delightful continuation of her 'Spellbound Falls Romance' series.  I have not read all of the books in the series that pre-dates this one but several of the characters from the 'Midnight Bay' series (Moonlight Warrior, Dragon Warrior, Mystical Warrior, Highlander for the Holidays)





seem to cameo in the 'Spellbound Falls' series.  Set in beautiful Maine, complete with time-traveling Scotsmen who have their own brand of magic and capped with delightful children who keep the adults on their toes, what is not to like about this series?  The women who ensnare the hearts of these strong warriors are wonderfully capable in their own right and have been tempered and strengthened by their past experiences which allows them to stand up to the domineering males who benefit from having a woman's touch in their lives.  The four children who star in this particular novel are all under the age of 9 but they definitely have their own roles to play in this delightful story of the determinedly self-reliant widow who was introduced in Spellbound Falls.


My Night Owl Reviews are at the following links Spellbound Falls and Charmed By His Love.  Charmed By His Love will be released at the end of May which gives you time to get caught up with the series although each of the books can be read as a stand-alone.

Two great reads soon to be released

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep and Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman will be released at the end of the month!  Both were fascinating reads and I will look forward to sharing my review with you soon.  If you have not read the first books in the series by Jennifer Estep, I suggest you start with those so that you can get to know the fascinating cast of characters and appreciate this one even more.  Spider's Bite is the introduction to the series about Elemental Assassins and ensnares you in the wonderful web about Gin Blanco and her remarkable talents and skills.  My Night Owl Review for Spider's Bite is at this link.