Deep Magic (Love Spell Historical Romance) (Love Spell Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Joy Nash follows up The Grail King (Romantic Times' Best Historical Fantasy of 2006), with the second in the Druids of Avalon books, Deep Magic. It's already getting attention, earning a Psyche Award Nomination. Considering she is coming off the USA Today best-selling book the Immortals: The Awakening (a series with fellow authors Robin T. Popp and Jennifer Ashley) Deep Magic only reinforces what a talented author Nash is.

In this tale, the Druids have long suffered persecution at the hands of the Romans. Using the magical mists to shield Avalon, they have hidden there in safety. Only that idyllic life is threatened by a Roman sorcerer, a young rogue solider who has the powers to penetrate the protective mists. It falls to Gwendolyn to save Avalon, in her role of Avalon Guardian. Gwendolyn must use everything to protect Avalon, even powers she has been forbidden to call in her quest to discover the enemy. She is a shapeshifter, a wolf, but this side of her nature she cannot control. Marcus Aquila, is a Roman blacksmith. The handsome man who once saved Gwendolyn's life, and now has earned her love. He hides her, protects her, and with her magic he is able to forge a sword on par with Excalibur. Only the wolf side of her nature threatens their love, even threatens Avalon.

The story is strong, pulling the readers into the magical world Nash has fashioned. Her world-building allows the reader to walk into this dark age period, giving you strong history, lore and myth skillfully mixed and conjured to satisfy.

You might also to get Celtic Fire, Nash's debut book, which actually introduced some of the characters to this series.

With her grandfather Cyric falling ill and close to dying, Gwendolyn knows the time is coming near where she will step into the role she was raised to be from birth - Guardian of The Mists. These mists protect Avalon from invaders and enemies primarily the nearby Romans who are setting up camp in search of precious metals. Fearful of the Roman Leader Strabo, whom Gwendolyn fears has powerful dark magic by his aura surrounding starts seeking alternatives to protect her home fearing that all the teachings and ways she has followed in the Light will not be enough. Gwendolyn has been keeping a dangerous secret from her brother and grandfather. She has been embracing the Deep Magic that calls her, she is able to transform into a wolf - something she knows that could prove disastrous has the wolf gains more power over her. One day she will not be able to return to human form. But when a vision provides the answers to the impeding battle with Roman Leader Strabo, she goes to a family friend Marcus Aquila, a master blacksmith and Roman. She hopes that with Marcus crafting the sword with her magic embedded deep in the sword, she will have the power needed to defeat this enemy and protect her home.

For over a year Marcus Aquila has not been able to get Gwendolyn out of his mind. With her brother Rhys they saved her from danger - while she was in wolf form. He has never forgotten the beauty of watching this wolf turn into a woman in his arms, something that should disgust him but he finds enticing erotic. When Gwendolyn arrives on his doorstep, he is surprised but when she further elaborates what she wants from him, he is elated but apprehensive. While Gwendolyn is giving him the chance to make the sword of his dreams forged with the rumoured bright iron. He wonders how he is going to keep his passion and desires to himself as she works side by side with him in his workshop without taking what he wants - making sure she never returns back home and her betrothed.

Gwendolyn was a character of great conflict with a large responsibility on her shoulders. While she respected the teachings she followed about the Light, she knew deep down inside that she had to follow the calling of her deep magic. Meanwhile she was also falling in love with Marcus, she could not ignore the powerful feelings that swirled around them when together. Truly torn on how to proceed and hoping she would be forgiven for her betrayal; it was a powerful and well-written novel that captured my attention. I found myself sympathizing with all characters, as the novel made me gasp in shock when dark secrets were revealed and fearful in others as it appeared deep magic had finally taken it's hold. But the love Marcus felt for her was also powerful and together they battled the odds and magic changing lives and Avalon forever.

Deep Magic was a beautifully depicted love story. I've always loved storylines about Druids and Avalon, Joy Nash did not disappoint as she crafted her tale about this magical and mysterious time. Being my first novel from Joy Nash it certainly will not be my last. She captured my interest, has her writing flows off the pages easily placing you there. I am eagerly looking forward to next installment in The Druid's of Avalon series.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Gwen is a Druidess sworn to protect the land of Avalon from all who would do them harm. Always longing to roam, this desire has grown worse ever since she was cursed by her cousin and imprisoned in her wolf form with Deep Magic - the power of the gods. Now a greater danger threatens Avalon and Gwen will do anything to protect the sacred isle, even delve once more into the forbidden Deep Magic.

Marcus Aquila hates magic after it nearly destroyed his family several years ago. His sister has been cursed with magic her whole life but now her visions are growing worse. As much as he despises magic, if that's what it takes to ease his sister's suffering, he'll do it. Even if it means making a deal with the beautiful Druidess who has tempted him in his dreams ever since he rescued her from the curse imprisoning her in the body of a wolf.

Gwen and Marcus strike a dangerous bargain - she will teach his sister the spells necessary to ease her suffering and Marcus will use his black smith abilities to forge a very special sword of the rare bright iron. This sword, Exchalybur, will be cast using both Light Magic and the dangerously unpredictable Deep Magic, so powerful no one should ever try to wield it. Without it Avalon will fall. Soon however Marcus and Gwen discover that the strongest magic is their love for one another. But will even that be enough to thwart imminent danger?

I've been a fan of Joy Nash ever since I read Celtic Fire a few years ago and I was eager to read her latest book, Deep Magic. Everything I've come to expect from her stories is once again found here. Passionate love stories, powerful magic, danger and intrigue, wounded souls, redemption - Deep Magic has it all. Here Joy Nash even delves into the beginnings of another story I've always loved, that of Excalibur.

Gwen has been deeply scarred by her imprisonment (detailed in The Grail King) and has yet to recover. Deep Magic has a strong hold on her soul and even her beloved twin brother Rhys cannot help her resist the allure of such raw power, forbidden though it is. The only one who can help her is Marcus, though she does not understand their bond. Marcus cannot get Gwen out of his mind so when she suddenly appears at his door, he wonders if his dreams have been fulfilled, at the same time he fights the passion between them.

The villain Strabo is evil and cruel, warped by obsession and his own tampering with Deep Magic. His desire to conquer Avalon is very hazy in the beginning until his story begins to unfold, where we discover secrets that will change the way Gwen sees Deep Magic and its danger forever. His ties to the Druids are shocking to say the least and as I began to suspect the true nature of his role in the book, I could not put it down, waiting to see what surprise would next be revealed.

If you are a fan of powerful magic and compelling romance in your stories to read, then Deep Magic is a book for you. What's even better is there is so much to tell about the Druids of Avalon, we can be guaranteed more stories set in this land of magic where blending cultures and beliefs is the norm.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.