TOUCH OF DESIRE

Author: Susan Spencer Paul ISBN: 0312933894 10/2006 HISTORICAL/PARANORMAL Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
Time Period: England - 1823

My Dearest Reader, For as long as I can remember, my life has been a solitary one. Do not think me a pitiable recluse, for, as the Earl of Graymar, I have taken my place in Society when I must, and enjoyed both the company and pleasure of desirable lovers. But as the Great Sorcerer, or Dewin Mawr, as magic mortals call me, I have always believed that my destiny and the duty I owe to all those who possess unique powers, has precluded love, marriage, and true companionship. I was resigned to my lonely fate. Until now… Sarah Tamony is unlike any mere mortal woman I have ever known. Passionate and bold, she has heard the whispers about my people and discovered that I belong to an ancient Welsh clan descended from magic. Yet the dark secrets of magic mortals seem to hold no terror for her—instead she asks to know more, even seeks to reveal the truth in the popular tales she spins. This I cannot allow. For centuries, my kind has striven to maintain our privacy, fearful of what might happen if our powers should be exposed to the world. Sarah has learned a great deal about magic, but there is still much she does not know, and dangers she cannot fathom…dangers that grow closer every day. Her lightest touch ignites a deep hunger in me, and her love is a prize I would risk my life to own…for she has already stolen my soul… Your obedient servant, Malachi Seymour, Castle Glain Tarran, Wales

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Though this one was somewhat anticipated by me, I find that it isn't what I hoped it would be. When reading about the most powerful sorcerer of sorcerers, I expect some serious magic, not just flying and wooing of the heroine with party tricks. I also need a little more spice, more conflict, and definitely a better heroine.

How can I say this nicely? Honestly, I can't, so here it is: The heroine is one of the most annoying heroines I have had the displeasure to read about. She is so sure of herself, so self-centered and so like Velma from Scooby-Doo that I cannot believe she is placed within the confines of the year 1823, despite the magical element to this story. Sure, there are forward thinking women aplenty in many historical romantic works, but Sarah takes the cake. Sneaking out alone in the middle of the night to travel for MILES (to a place she has never been, mind you) that houses The Great Sorcerer, and I am supposed to believe she isn't even a bit afraid. Not! Perhaps she doesn't realize that during that time not a lot of women even knew the direction to go in because they were in closed carriages? Or perhaps in that neck of the woods there were no thieves on the roads or forests that stretched forever? Whatever the case, I truly find her and that part of the plot ludicrous and outlandish for my taste, even being a paranormal.

One thing I do like is how things are wrapped up nicely in a magical package at the end, although I suspect there may be one more book in this series. Other than that, I truly don't find this one all that entertaining.

Shannon Johnson