Enchanting the Lady (Love Spell Paranormal Romance) (Love Spell Paranormal Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

It is the year 1882, where magic rules Victorian London, where the amount of magic you possess is linked to your title, where commoners don't own any magic, where shape-shifters are immune to magic and considered as vermin by all but the Crown. For shape-shifters protect the Crown against evil relic-magic, the only magic that can defeat any other magic, but even shape-shifters have their weak moments...

At a young age Felicity Seymour, Duchess of Honor Stonehaven lost her parents, now she lives with her aunt and uncle. She has a hard time living in a world full of magic as she hardly possess any magic of her own, if she cannot prove at her testing that she inherited her parents magic she will lose her duchy and then she is in real trouble for she also lacks a dowry. What man would want her then when scarcely any man notice her now? But Felicity does attract the attention of a handsome and intriguing man, a man that makes her heart beat faster every time she sees him, a man looked down upon by society, a shape-shifter...

Sir Terence Blackwell knows the moment he sees her that she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but she also means danger as his were-lion senses pick up the dark smell of evil relic-magic on her. Since Terence is also a relic-hunter, he is determined to find out if Felicity uses this evil magic herself or if she is an innocent victim. He decides to court her but he soon is trapped in his own deceit for she takes his breath away and she is genuinely in love with him, but he has a job to do. He has to find the evil relic but at the same time he wants to protect Felicity and that is not easy in a world where nothing is what it seems and danger is always on the lookout of lurking...

This is the first part in the Relics of Merlin Series and all I can say is that Kathryne Kennedy kicked off her new series with a bang! The moment I started to read this magical and dazzling story it grabbed me and did not let go, the further I got in this fast paced story the more I devoured the pages until I reached the very last sentence on the very last page. I closed the book with a big smile on my face and it left me in awe and utterly spellbound.

Kathryne Kennedy created a whole new world that is inventive as well as resourceful by interweaving the stiff Victorian period with magic, magical creatures and a paranormal touch. It is refreshing, it sparkles and is very cleverly done. She gradually pulls you into the story with bits of information of this new world and paints a scenery so rich in detail that you wish you were a part of the story.

So the couple that takes you on a magical and enthralling journey are Felicity and Terence. Two heroes to die for, with Terence Kathryne Kennedy created a noble and honourable man, one who has always been scorn by society simply because he is a shape-shifter. A man tormented by the death of his brother, a man with a mission, namely to destroy all evil relic-magic, the same magic that destroyed his brother. The were-lion in him wants to claim Felicity as his mate the moment they meet but he tries to fight his feelings for her.

Felicity is a charming young lady from the country who has to manage in the big city without having any magic of her own, she is a bit gullible, she does not mince matters and all she wants is to be loved by someone special. So when Terence enters her life and courts her, she takes her chance and finds out there is so much more to this handsome man then meets the eye. The dialogues between them sizzle of the pages and are interlaced with a deep passion. Felicity and Terence will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride, their romance leap off the pages with such passion and flair that it will give you goose bumps!

An engaging cast of supporting characters flesh out the rest of the story, there are many well-drawn figures that enrich this story. But the main focus of the story is as it should be on Felicity and Terence. The plot is masterly, rich and stunning and it will keep you on your toes right till the very end! At the same time the plot does not have the upperhand, Kathryne Kennedy made sure that there were enough pages to interlace this exciting plot with the perfect classic love-story and that makes this story so versatile.

So with a cast of characters you will adore, a passionate romance that overflows each page and a thrilling, dangerous and dark plot you can truly say that every page of this story is a lyrical masterpiece! This refreshing and dazzling story will sweep you of your feet and take your breath away for it is a perfect read and most definitely a keeper!

Kathryne Kennedy has written a gem of a story!

5 stars

Enchanting the Lady is a period romance with a paranormal twist.
Set in an alternaive London in 1882 where magic is considered the norm and the non magical pitied, our hero is Sir Terence Blackwell, a were-lion shifter, employed by the crown to both hunt down and protect against relic magic the 'big bad' of the magic world. Sir Terence's were-lion abilities means that he is immune to magic and it's effects,he is driven by the death of his brother from relic magic, making his pursuit not only professional but personal.

Our heroine is Duchess Felicity Seymour. In order to retain her title she must prove her magic by passing a test set by the crown prince, not an easy feat as she is seemingly completely devoid of magic. Felicity has spent her life being ignored, quite literally, from being sat on, to people forgetting she is in the room. Is this an indication, as she thinks, of a plain forgettable girl, or something more sinister? Because when Terrence first sees her, he not only sees a beautiful woman, but smells the inescapable whiff of relic magic. Relic magic that is causing her to appear almost invisible to others. Is she innocent or guilty?

Enchanting the Lady is one of those books to read when you just want to relax and unwind. It's heart lies in old fashioned romance rather than the overtly sexual tone set by most paranormal romances, and depending on your view, this will either be a negative or a positive. The main characters are likeable and the author sets a good balance with the hero - an alpha character with out being overbearing. This is a light hearted novel which for me could do with more of a gothic feel. Considering the potential that is introduced, a underground of renegade sorcerers and the sinister relic magic, there was no really edge of the seat moments. As a romance is was good, I did want to keep reading. The plot was engaging and moved along quickly, but had the potential to be so much more. All in all a good book to relax with and one I would recommend - but not one to obsess about.

The Duchess of Stonehaven must face a test, and if she does not triumph, she will forfeit the title to another, and so on. The true Duchess must prove it by not failing, and she must use magic to succeed. Felicity fears the testing because the magic, while present in her, is never strong. Part of it is her own insecurities, her lack of self-worth, fearing people ignore her because there's nothing special or worthy about her. Part of the test deals with thirteen ancient relics conjured by the wizard Merlin.

Terence Blackwell is a shifter, he can also sense black magic which uses the relics. His brother was killed by one of the relics, and it's his life's vow to track them all down. When Felicity enters the testing, the magic exuded by the relic summons Blackwell. Frustrated that he cannot find the ancient item, he knows Felicity is connected to it somehow, and sets out to woo the relics, as it were. Only it backfires on him costing him more than he ever anticipated.

Kathryne Kennedy's debut book for Dorchester is a winner. She demonstrates strong world building, a well-contracted premise and engaging characters. Felicity and Terence are "real", and quickly engage the reader to caring what happens to them. Obviously, this is the first in the series of Merlin Relic books, and I cannot wait for the second book in the series.