***Review*** Dangerous Magic by Alix Rickloff

Dangerous Magic by Alix Rickloff

 

Released : 31th October 2011

Publisher: Carina Publishing

Series : No

Format :Kindle

Source : Digital ARC Netgalley

Buy at : Amazon | Amazon UK |Barnes & Noble 

Author Site:  Alix Rickloff 

 

 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Cornwall, 1812

Gwenyth Killigrew, the Witch of Kerrow, has seen the tragic fate that awaits any man she's foolish enough to fall in love with. Yet she yearns for a daughter to carry on her healer's wisdom and otherworldly gifts of Sight. When Rafe Fleming, a notorious smuggler, washes ashore near her home, she thinks she's found the man to father that child.

Rafe knew his time as an outlaw was coming to an end. He just hadn't realized it would be on the dangerous Cornwall coast, in the home of an alluring witch. After Gwenyth saves him, they strike a bargain: he'll give her a child, and she'll help him find a proper wife so he can reenter society and pick up the pieces of his shattered life.

But the more time Rafe spends with Gwenyth—in and out of bed—the more he questions what he thinks he wants. He must choose between the wife he needs and the woman he desires...if falling for Gwenyth doesn't kill him first.

 My Review:

 

I was given a digital ARC of this book to review for Netgalley.

Gwenyth is known locally as the Witch of Kerrow, she possesses amongst many things the gift of Sight.  One of her visions has shown the death of the man she will fall in love with. Gwenyth craves a child, so she can pass her gifts on to.  One stormy night a mysterious and injured stranger is in need of her healing skills.  After nursing the stranger, Rafe, a notorious smuggler back to help, the pair grow closer and both agree on an offer to solve each other’s problems.  Gwenyth wants a child and Rafe needs Gwenyth’s powers to help him find a suitable bride.

A dramatic tale set in England, with elements of witchcraft and the sinister world of smuggling.  A dark, mysterious and magical tale of romance between two strong characters.  This was a  rollercoaster of a ride – at times I had to put the book down for a while and pick it back up as there were up and downs  and excitement in the middle.   I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I found it was a nice refreshing change.  I felt the character dialect was spot on with the location and the time period. I truly fell in love with the characters and the Cornish setting.  Some of the story was based in other parts of England but my heart belonged to the dramatic Cornish coastline.

The chemistry between Gwenyth & Rafe was electrically charged I felt the air around sizzle.  These two people seemed to be destined to be together, but there seems to be obstacles and manipulative people trying to come between them.  The path to true love never runs smooth; you can certainly see that for these two. Ok I must admit at times, I did feel really frustrated as I wanted this couple to be happy and too many misunderstandings got in the way.

My favourite character was Gwenyth; she was a strong independent female character, who had a heart of gold.  I really did feel all her emotions throughout the book. She really loved Rafe but she was willing to let him go as she didn’t want her visions of his death to come true.

The story was well laid out, I was really happy with the start, middle and ending.  I would definitely read more books by this author.  

Rating: 4/5 - I thought this was a good mix of romance and mystery.

Cover rating: 3/5 - This cover does suit the book, but it's not quite to my taste.

About the Author:

Novelist, Margaret Chittenden said, “Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing.”

That life of staring at walls is one I’ve worked for since my first completed manuscript, Meet the Fuzzy Family, was penned in the fourth grade.

Still an undiscovered gem, if I say so myself!

In the years that followed, various detours lured me from my path. College where I graduated with a degree in European History and a minor in Anthropology. A career in the direct-mail industry (Junk mail is considered a dirty word!) and marriage to my very own hero.

But the dream remained strong. And in 2002, after joining Romance Writers of America, I picked up my pen where I’d left off and began to pursue the elusive profession of writer.

Four manuscripts, an agent, a Marlene award for best Historical, and a Golden Heart Final in Short Historical later, the dream became reality with the sale of Lost In You—a Regency-Set Paranormal—to Kensington Books.

Now, happily shut up in a room and staring at a computer, I can’t wait to introduce readers to the Other—mortals bearing the blood of the Fey—and the world they inhabit. A world that lies beyond the glittering balls and damped muslin of the Regency so many think they know so well.

Dyw genes!