MYSTIC GUARDIAN

Author: Patricia Rice ISBN: 0451221699 7/2007 PARANORMAL/HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/SIGNET ECLIPSE
Time Period: Brittany, 1789

Somewhere off the coast of France, a sun-kissed island lies hidden from discovery. For centuries, the people of Aelynn have used their magical abilities to protect a sacred chalice. But when a beautiful maiden from the outside world inadvertently takes the chalice, she sets in motion dangerous and far-reaching consequences... Trystan l'Enforcer is Aelynn's powerful guardian. His duty is to enforce the magical shield that safeguards his island kingdom. Loyal and ambitious, Trystan intends to marry a woman whose family will help him guarantee the isle's isolation. But when a sultry beauty washes up on his shore, his plans take a confounding turn. For she stirs in him a carnal hunger that risks everything he is and must be. Now he must work with her to recover Aelynn's most scared object—before the chaotic forces unleashed by the chalice's disappearance lead to devastating destruction.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

MYSTIC GUARDIAN by Patricia Rice begins the new Mystic Isle Series with adventure, romance and intrigue. If this is any indication of what the rest of the series will offer, it is going to be one worth reading.

In a small village on the coast of France, Mariel waits for the Golden God her mother spoke of long ago in prophecy. Her family and friends are starving, and the young woman believes this God will save them. One day she spots him standing on the deck of a ship as it sails away. Without pause, Mariel jumps into the ocean and follows the ship to a small magical island off the coast. And there, on Aelynn, the story of a woman with the ability to swim like a fish, and Trystan, the Guardian of Aelynn, begins.

It is a story that, if you enjoy magic and myth, is delightful. Well written, with sharp dialogue and dimensional characters, it was a pleasure to read. When Mariel steals a sacred chalice and sells it to feed her village, the tale winds through the pages of history. I enjoyed being taken to Versailles with its court, dukes and duchesses. Even the angry mobs and sword fights were intriguing because through it all, the underlying love story between Mariel and Trystan held me captive.

MYSTIC GUARDIAN does not disappoint and I eagerly await the next installment.

Kay James