More Than Magick [Paperback]

[Note: This review pertains only to the story "Magick Men" by Rhyannon Byrd.]

Magick Men: A Shot at Magick --
Lachlan McKendrick -- Scottish Warlock extraordinaire -- needs a woman, but not just any woman. Lachlan needs his soul mate, or else the spell that the High Council of Magicks has cast upon him will prevent him from ever having sex with a woman again! Unless, of course, he doesn't mind if she turns into an animal at the crucial moment ... Yes, a real, furry animal. You see, the Council is trying to encourage him to settle down and sire little Lachlans (or Lachlanettes). But Lachlan only has ... eyes ... for one woman -- Evan, the shapely American barista at the coffeeshop down the street. Unfortunately, Evan is a mortal woman, not a Witch, and Lachlan just can't bring himself to expose her to the danger of sex with him. Of course, Evan has other ideas...

This is one of the Ellora's Cave Quickies at a short 45 pages. It is rated E-rotic, and certainly lives up to its billing! For a short story, there is a lot of action. The sex scenes are very hot, with both hero and heroine enjoying each encounter thoroughly. While I thought it was a fun read, I have to admit that I thought the crude language a bit overdone. I don't mind "dirty talk" when it takes place in the midst of sex, but it seemed like every other word in the entire story was Anglo-Saxon. If you are sensitive to strong language, you might want to avoid this one.

Magick Men: A Shot Of Magick by Rhyannon Byrd

Lachlan McKendrick is a Warlock, and currently living his own personal hell. His meddling uncles have cursed him. He can only achieve orgasm with a woman, and if she is not his soul mate, she is turned into a real-life animal. Now his dreams are filled with Evan, the lovely mortal who works at the Wicked Brew. Lachlan doesn't do mortals. Drawn to her despite himself, Lachlan doggedly fights destiny with his every panting breath.

Evan has been watching the magnificent, brawny man for weeks. She feels the intense attraction and wonders at Lachlan's resolve to avoid it. But she is no weak-minded woman to run away from his glares and growls. After all, there is something special about that Magick Man, and she is determined to have him for her own.


Once Upon A Midnight Blue by Shiloh Walker

Aric, Master of Arms, has fought hard for King Alhdeade during the long years of war. In a callous act of betrayal, the king leaves Aric to die. Fueled by the need for revenge, Aric with the help of his fae companion, Blue, steals away the Princesse Amery for nights of passion.

Princesse Amery, step-daughter to the king, is in an untenable situation. With the king ready to force her to marry him, Amery is determined that he not have a virgin bride. Having mourned Aric when she thought him dead, Amery is jubilant and radiant during her nights spent with the handsome warrior.

Blue is unwavering in his belief that Aric and Amery belong together. He sets a plan in motion that he hopes will set past sufferings right, and forge a future for the two young lovers.

Spell Of The Chameleon by Titania Ladley

Three hundred years ago, Mia Foxe cast a spell on the town cleric, Abraham
Warwick. He has remained in solitary existence these past centuries, and for some unknown reason, Mia is drawn back to the ghost town to set him free.

Abraham has plans of his own. After three hundred years without the sight,
scent or touch of another human being, he's stored up many fantasies of revenge to enact upon Mia's form. She's denied him human companionship for far too long, and Abraham is determined that she now pay him back - with interest.

I am, admittedly, not a fan of anthologies. Most authors can't quite get that emotional connection I require in a story for my own personal enjoyment. That being said, I was drawn to purchase More Than Magick because, as many are aware, I'm an avid fan of Rhyannon Byrd. I must say she delivered in spades! This introduction to the McKendrick family of Witches and Warlocks is, quite simply, a decadent delight. In Magick Men: A Shot Of Magick, Lachlan is fierce and arrogant, and his words alone made me melt into a drooling puddle. Evan is strong-willed, yet demure. They are a great combination that left me hungering for more!

Once Upon A Midnight Blue is furiously fast-paced. There was so much
information packed into a short story, that I felt it would do better as a full length book. I am a bit disappointed in Amery's childish poutiness toward the end of the book, I feel it doesn't fit well with her character. Beyond that, the pages are filled with steamy ménage scenes that will make many readers quite breathless.

Titania Ladey's quick fantasy story Spell Of The Chameleon is, for the most part, too implausible for me. I find it rather unbelievable that after being in solitude for three hundred years, Abraham is at first hating Mia, then quickly desiring her, then abruptly loving her. That is too far beyond my scope of believable fantasy. Other than that, if you
don't mind your stories missing the emotional connection though packed with sex, this book is for you.

All in all, I loved Ms. Byrd's story, enjoyed Ms. Walker's and would have passed on Ms. Ladey's. More Than Magick is worth the money for the first story alone. However, if you don't want to pay full price for this anthology on written page, and enjoy reading ebooks, simply purchase and download the individual books from Ellora's Cave. You will find them under each author's name.

Jolie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Delightfully sensuous and magical book especially the story Magick Men - A Shot of Magick by Rhyannon Byrd. The hero is wonderfully alpha and magical and the heroine is a strong woman who has found her mate and is determined to get her man. Once these two hook up the passion is off the chain.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars