A Kiss of Fate (Putney, Mary Jo) [Hardcover]

There are supernaturally endowed Guardians who lived amongst the Mundanes, mere mortals. The Guardians each have special talents, and were sworn to protect the Mundanes. Years ago, Gywnne's father, a powerful Guardian too a Mundane to wife. This was not forbidden, but was discouraged because a Guardian man needed an equally strong woman to balance and enhance his powers. As Gwynne grew up in her father's home, she inherited his love for history and lore. When her father died, she was seventeen. Alone in the world, she passively accepts marriage to a man over 50 years older than she. Over fifteen years pass, with Gwynne still working in the library of her childhood home, keeping companionship with her late husband's sister. She's content to pass through life like some hothouse flower.

When Duncan McCrae, the Lord of the Storms, sees Gwynne he knows she is his destiny. Gwynne is a pain to Duncan (and the readers) by her willingness to avoid life. When Duncan makes it clear to her he wants her for his wife, she is shocked and rebuffs him. Gwynne believes she does not have any power and hesitates to welcome a union with such a powerful Guardian.

Duncan accepts Gwynne's mandate to leave her alone and is preparing to depart for his home in Scotland. Gwynne is been summoned by the Guardian Council and told she must marry Duncan. Gwynne hesitates, but finally accepts as a member of the Guardian society she must married Duncan. She is warned that war between Scotland and England is looming, and that Duncan will need her. He is a Scot, but his loyalties lay with Hanoverian rules in England. This will make his power as a Guardian very pivotal for both countries.

Duncan and Gwynne marry within days and start their journey toward Scotland, just as Bonnie Prince Charlie has landed in Scotland to raise the Clans. Gwynne and Duncan soon discover she is an Enchantress mage, a woman who can control men through her sexual aura. She did not know this, because Enchantresses only unlock their power after they have slept with a man they truly love.

Within short order, Duncan and Gwynne are tossed into the Jacobite rebellion and Gwynne soon sees her husband is using his power to help the Scottish cause, and only she can stop him.

While the premise holds so much promise, this novel is missing the usual Putney "Fallen Angel" fire. The two leads just don't capture the emotions or the heart in true Putney Style. Thunder of Roses and all the Fallen Angels are just so much more than this book. Since it dealt with Scotland, and the lore angle, I REALLY wanted to love this book. It an enjoyable read, just pale, The whole plot had so much potential she totally left untapped. Even the prose was failed to sparkle - "her waist was so tiny he could span it with both hands"....how many times has that overused phrase been trotted out in Historicals? A writer of Putney's strengths and talent should never fall back on something that worn out. And referring to Gwynne's wedding night as being "initiated in the ways of Aphrodite"...<g>

The second half of the book is much stronger and I was glad to see it picked up and started to come "alive", but it never overcame to "shallow" emotions of the characters. Putney is truly one of the greatest writers in Romance today. Thunder of Roses and Dancing on the Wind are prime examples of just how evocative her prose are. A Kiss of Fate is just not true Putney.

Everyone carries a spark of magic in his soul. Guardians just have more ...

"Guardians" have always lived among "Mundanes" (A.K.A. normal people). Guardians are those humans who have mage talents. There are several different types of mages with various levels of talent. Each take an oath, to swear to support what was good for the largest number of people. They were never to use their powers for harm, self gain, or to interfere with the normal process of the world such as war.

Gwyneth Owens had, at one time, a Guardian father and a Mundane mother. She lived among the Guardians and took the oath, even though she had never shown any magical abilities. She would have been content to live out her remaining days in the vast Guardian library. Fate had different plans for Gwynne. She caught the eye of Duncan Macrae, Lord of Thunder, a powerful Weather Mage of Scotland. Though attracted to each other, Gwynne refused his offer of marriage. One with such power should marry his equal. However, the Guardian Council's scrying glasses showed dark times ahead. There was talk of a Jacobite rebellion. Prince Charles, The Pretender, had landed in Scotland and civil war loomed ominously. Gwynne was all but ordered to marry Duncan. No one could see why, but as his wife Gwynne would give him balance. She could make sure his emotions never clouded his judgement. As the Lord of Thunder, Duncan's power of controlling the weather could sway the outcome of the war, which was against the Oath.

Soon Gywnne would learn about her own dormant mage talents and why they took so long to show. Only Gwynne's talents and her love for Duncan and the clan can keep the rivers of Scotland from running red with blood.

***** W-O-W-! This is not to be missed! It is the first of a new breathtaking series by the best-selling mistress of historical romance, Mary Jo Putney. Fans will want this one in hardback so it can be read many times in the future. (And just wait until you meet Gwynne's cat. It is half wild cat and very protective of her.) Excellent tale that will keep readers glued to the pages! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I was fascinated by the magic but disenchanted with the storyline. Hero, despite being--supposedly at least--a powerful man and mage, was rather weak and lost his appeal as the novel progressed. I found his reaction after the betrayal and his release from prison unconvincing, irrespective of how necessary the heroine's actions were. I mean under any circumstance who would behave the way he did after Gwynne's betrayal? I had at least expected that she'd have to work a little to regain his trust which would have certainly spiced things up a bit. No such luck.

Heroine to me was rather arrogant and self-righteous. She was wonderful in the beginning but also lost her appeal as the story went on. Though she was right about the uprising, she doesnt seem wont to compromise otherwise. It was her way or the highway, and the hero left her unchallenged too often for my taste.

I think the author henged the story on plot points that were believable but not developed to there fullest potential. This is very disappointing coming from a respected author such as MJP. I also believe other more interesting points of conflict were ignored, for example the consequences of Gwynne's enchantress power and its toll on her marriage among other things.

Another thing that irked me about the novel was its many references to modern ideals. This was supposed to be a historical, after all. As many liberties Scotswomen may have enjoyed I doubt they could have denied a man access to his child in the 18th century. More likely, automatic custody would have gone to the man.

All in all, two and a half stars ... and that's only because the paranormal aspect of it was so entertaining. Burrow it from the library as I did, don't waste your money on a purchase. Thank goodness, I didn't.