A TENDER MAGIC

Author: Linda Madl ISBN: 0759941637 5/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: HARD SHELL WORD FACTORY
Time Period: 1346

The Heiress Out of necessity Leandra of Lyonesse knows more about archery than the fine art of pleasing a man. She paces the castle's battlements with an archer's bow clutched in her delicate hands. Constantly threatened by brigands, she has accepted the proposal of a powerful, older earl who can protect her homeland. But, she is woefully ignorant of the ways of men and women. Fearing this marriage might fail without help, she does the only thing she knows to do... she secretly seeks the help of a potent potion of love. The Knight Handsome Sir Garrett Bernay values honor above all. He is enraged that, instead of fighting beside the king, he must escort Lady Leandra to wed his liege lord. His disposition does not improve when the lady and her archers mistakeningly fire on his ship. Nor is he pleased that the lady's eyes flash with emerald fire and her skin is as smooth as ivory. She belongs to another. But he is strong. He's certain no power on earth can make him steal even one tender kiss. The Love Potion It was meant to inspire selfless love and seal a marriage. But the mists of fate swirl around Lady Leandra and Sir Garrett. Now the elixir, brewed to bind two hearts forever, sweeps a knight and lady toward a rendezvous with desire...and to a destiny decreed by an irresistible love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I absolutely loved this book. Leandra and Garrett were such excellent lead characters that I could not take my eyes off of A TENDER MAGIC for one second.

With warring in the land, Reginald of Tremelyn can trust only one man to safely deliver his bride to him. That man is Garrett Bernay. He is a handsome knight with a past that is full of shame. He is looking to right the wrongs of his fathers before him. There is one way to do that—be loyal to his liege lord, no matter the consequences. He has no idea how hard of a job he has undertaken when he sets off for Leandra of Lyonnesse.

Leandra is one of those characters that you can't help but love, right from the first. She is strong, courageous and ready to take a lion head on if it means saving her people from poverty. She has even procured a love potion to make sure that the earl loves her, to ensure that her marriage will go well, even though she does not love him in return. She finds herself attracted to Garrett despite her best efforts, and that leads both of them to a very sticky situation.

When her potion ends up in the hands of her mischievous cousin, you think that everything is doomed. But, without ruining the story for any avid readers, I will just say that I loved the ending of this story. It truly had a wonderful ending for every character, with a great little twist that wrapped everything up nicely. I was extremely happy to read A TENDER MAGIC, and proud to add it to my shelf of keepers.

Kristal Gorman