AGAIN THE MAGIC

Author: Lisa Kleypas ISBN: 0380811081 2/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: 1832 then 1844

She gave him her innocence . . .Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable -- John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside . . . an exile from London society . . .and he took her love. Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned -- more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll . . . or risk everything for his first, and only, love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Yeah, I love it when something works! The new Lisa Kleypas, AGAIN THE MAGIC, definitely works for me. Although Kleypas has written two of my favorite books of all time, some of her stuff is hit or miss with me. I am so very glad to say this book was "hit me dead center".

The emotions of our hero, McKenna, are amazing. I felt his pain and indecision, not to mention his lust. Very few heroes really get me going like he does. (Emotionally speaking, of course!)There is just so much for him to deal with: His love for a woman far above his station, wanting nothing but to prove himself worthy of her love, though he is cleaning out the family carriages. And believing that, no matter what, Lady Aline, our heroine, will be with him always.

As fate would have it, the two have some rough waters to navigate and I hesitate to give any details to their trials and tribulations. The story is just so poignant that you have to read the whole thing to truly appreciate the place the characters are coming from.

What a fresh, sweet story with wonderful characters all around, and an emotional rollercoaster that I wanted to ride much longer than it lasted.

Shannon Johnson