4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Charming Fairy tale for adults, 2 Jan 2010
By Mona Risk - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Phoenix Charm (Mass Market Paperback)
The Phoenix Charm is indeed a charming paranormal romance. The story of Michael, the smooth-tongued, quick-to-laugh twin brother of Nial we met in The Magic Knot. When he roams through various worlds with the lovely Cordelia, Michael reveals his inner strength and depth of feelings as he offers his life to save his little nephew. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, description and fast pace of this new fairy tale by Helen Scott-Taylor.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Puts the fairy back in fairy tale, 9 Feb 2010
By Arwen "AKA Arwen" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Phoenix Charm (Mass Market Paperback)
Michael O'Connor is the twin brother of the new king of the piskies. Nial is the steady, dependable one while Michael seems determined to have a good time. He lacks responsibility or so it seems to Cordelia Tink who is a wise woman with a secret. They don't much like one another or so it seems. Then one of the king's sons is stolen. Michael and Cordelia must go into the Underworld to retrieve the child. The character growth in this book is very well done.
This is one of the best books I've read recently. Truly magical world building that isn't like anything else. Helen Scott Taylor has a way with words. I stayed up late to finish this and was sad when I realized it was over. I will definitely put this on my keeper shelf. Cordelia was a heroine I could cheer for. She grew and changed and blossomed in this book and not just because of a man's love. She learned about herself and created possibilities in her own life. The unique link between she and Tamsy intrigued me. Taylor doesn't overwrite her books. She takes what could be just another story about fairies and turns it into a unique setting with engrossing characters that will leave you hungry for the next book. Definitely going on my list of favorite must-buy authors.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Romantic Fantasy at it's best!, 2 April 2011
By Wendy L. Hines "MindingSpot" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Phoenix Charm (Mass Market Paperback)
Cordelia is the Pisky Wise Woman and since the King is away for a few days, she's been left in charge. While alone, she spends time looking into her divination bowl and spies upon Michael doing erotic things with other women. She yearns for him but cannot act upon her desires. She is half water nymph and her allure is dangerous.
Michael is fairy and his rakish charm and handsome looks are widely known by the women folk. His recent companion, Nightshade, is a Nightstalker aka Vampire. Though they may share a blood bond, Michael wishes it to go no further to Nightshades dismay. What Michael would really like to do is get a peek under Cordelia's high buttoned long dresses.
When a portal to the Underworld is unexpectedly opened, the guardians blame Cordelia and Michael and take the King's son Finian as part of the bargain to seal it. Michael and Cordelia, her cat familiar Tamsy, her son and Nightshade start a trek to the Underworld to beg favor of Finian's release. Along the way, Michael is given the Phoenix Dagger from his father Troy, who says he will need it to free Finian.
The council denies Michael's request for Finian's release, so he offers his life for Finian's. Michael's curse is the Phoenix Charm. He cannot die. If he is stabbed with the Phoenix dagger, than the Phoenix dagger can bring him back to life if he is grounded in the living world. They work out a plan among them, and Michael must bond with Cordelia so he can return to the living after he frees Finian. The problem arises when, after Michael gives Cordelia his mind, body, and soul, she only gives him her body. Her soul and mind are already bonded to her familiar Tamsy. Hopefully that will be enough, but even the greatest of plans can run afoul.
THE PHOENIX CHARM is a romantic fantasy of epic proportions. Ms. Taylor does a remarkable job of world building. Her attention to detail had me entranced. The sizzling passion between Michael and Cordelia, along with the jealously of Nightshade had me up late turning the pages breathless to see what would happen next. Romantic Fantasy at it's best!