Midnight Magic

I constantly wonder with the influx of Scottish historicals that you'd think England and Scotland were the only two countries in Great Britain. Wales and Ireland have an amazing history, and I appreciate writers you don't follow the pack, but go looking for fresh lore, original stories. Anton does this in the first of a trilogy set in Wales. In 1145, during the turbulent period when Stephen was trying to control the English crown, Alberic of Chester comes to the attention of the King. In payment for slaying William de Leon's son, a baron opposing Stephen's right to the throne, Stephen raises the bastard-born Alberic to a knight and gifts him with the barony Camelen Castle. As the new Lord Camelen, Alberic must deal with the three daughters of the former baron. He must take one as his lady wife, send the other to be fostered at Court, and give one unto the keep of the Church. Gwendolyn, the middle daughter of the former baron, awaits the return of her father. When the new knight comes, without a word, she fears the worst has happen. She learns both her father and brother died opposing King Stephan and that this man now bearing the ring of her father, the Dragon's seal, is the man responsible for their deaths. Gwendolyn feels compelled to steal the ring back from Alberic and sets out to use magic. Only, the magic leaves Gwendolyn open to be seduced by the handsome lord. I utterly adored Gwendolyn and Alberic, the secret of the seal and a refreshing story that takes advantage of the amazing history of Wales. It leaves me eager for the remaining two sisters' books, for we KNOW the third one won't want to join the Church!

This is one of the best historical fiction/romance novels I have read in a long time. (I read alot.) Good characters-I liked them.

Setting - England, 1145 ---- After the latest battle in the ten year dispute over who would wear the crown of England, Alberic of Chester, the unacknowledged bastard son of the Earl of Chester was singled out by King Stephen. Alberic had slain the opposing baron's son William de Leon and now with both the baron and his son dead, King Stephen acknowledged Alberic by making him a knight. He then slipped onto Alberic's finger the dead baron's ring, the `seal of the dragon', and granted him the barony, Camelen castle, and surrounding lands. Along with the castle Alberic was to deal with the baron's three remaining daughters as follows: take one to wife; send one to court; and give the last to the church. Standing on the ramparts of Camelen, the middle daughter Gwendolyn waited for the return of her father. Two knights approached and recognizing only the elderly knight without her father, she feared the worst. The worst was not only her father AND brother both dead, but the very tall, very handsome knight was to be the new baron and HE now wore the `seal of the dragon'! Knowing the only way to invoke a powerful spell would be to retrieve the ring from Alberic's finger Gwen set out to seduce him into complacency, never realizing that in so doing, she left herself open to be seduced by him. Delightfully original, with characters that you will instantly fall in love with, Anton is bound to seduce you with this charming love story featuring the legacy behind the `seal of the dragon'. With the many engaging secondary characters, I find myself highly anticipating stories featuring the other two sisters - Emma and Nicole - as well as uncovering more of the mystery behind the `dragon' legacy in this new and wonderful `Magic Trilogy'. Anton's initial offering is one tasty appetizer whetting this reviewer's appetite for the main course. Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com

In 1145 Alberic of Chester kills William de Leon in battle; William's father Hugh also died in the skirmish. Afterward the victorious King Stephen knights Alberic, gives him Castle Camelen formerly owned by de Leon, and directs him to marry one of the three surviving daughters. Alberic arrives at Camelen, but is not welcomed by any of the former liege's daughters. Especially hostile is ten years old Nicole who tries to assassinate him for killing her brother and the middle daughter Gwendolyn, who stands up to him. The oldest Emma shows courage as she refuses to allow debilitating headaches to keep her from performing her duty to honor her father and brother. Heeding his King's advice, Alberic selects Gwendolyn, who insists she is betrothed to Madog ap Ideal; he plans to send Emma to court and Nicole to a monastery. As Gwendolyn observes how honorable Alberic is and that the "Arthurian" ring taken from her father will not come off his finger symbolizing true love, Madog plans to attack what he claims is his property even if innocent lives die. MIDNIGHT MAGIC is an enjoyable medieval romance in which the ring provides a fresh look at true love in spite of the denials of the heroine. The story line provides a taste of the English civil war in which nobles chose between Stephen and Maud without making the losers in this case (William and Hugh) into ogres deserving death; in fact based on the behavior of the three sisters their male family members treated them with respect as Alberic does too at least with the older pair. Shari Anton provides a fine historical tale that readers will appreciate. Harriet Klausner