Mystic Guardian

MYSTIC GUARDIAN Reviewed by Carol Carson Monk MYSTIC GUARDIAN is the first book in a new trilogy by Patricia Rice called the Mystic Isle Series. Set in Brittany in 1789, it takes place in the fictional village of Pouchay and on a magical island off the coast of France, Aelynn. Mariel St. Just is anything but ordinary. She is a fascinating, independent, loving woman who will do whatever it takes to put food into her pregnant sister's mouth, as well as the starving people of her village. Not to give a major plot point away, but she has an uncanny swimming ability. She is the perfect match for Trystan l'Enforcer, the man who shields and safeguards his island home of Aelynn and will do anything to protect it. Mariel's mother has foretold of a visit from a 'golden god who will sail in on a ship from the past'. He will 'bear a sword of justice to save all in our village in a time of great famine and danger. He will be stronger than Hercules, faster than an Arabian steed, and more beautiful than a sun-blessed day'. When a powerful, broad-shouldered, golden-haired man sails into the harbor of Pouchay, Mariel is certain he is the god her mother prophecied would appear. But when he begins sailing away without coming ashore, Mariel jumps into the sea and swims after his ship. What follows is sheer delight! The coming together of two opposites such as Mariel and Trystan makes for pure fun. Whether it's saving both their ways of life, getting into scrapes and danger on several shores and locations, and best of all, falling in love, this book is a romantic, enchanting read. I look forward to the second book in the series, MYSTIC RIDER. Pat Rice is a gifted writer, with the ability to pull the reader into the story and hold her there, spellbound, until the satisfying end.

I was really excited to see that Patricia Rice had a new novel out and I couldn't wait to read it. I think the new world Rice has created is interesting, if a little odd. I do think that too many of the island's inhabitants are a little to mysterious, talking in riddles and giving non answers. I found Trystan to be a little cold in the beginning but I liked that he warmed up quite a bit by the novels end. I really liked Mariel in the beginning but I found her selfish attitude towards her affect on Trystan's life and her stupid actions irritating. It's not like Trystan was being completely unreasonable with what he needed her to do and her often callous disregard for his feelings turned me off. While I thought Mariel's love for her sister and need to keep her promises to her mother was admirable, she acted like her sister was still a child instead of a grown married woman who I thought needed to learn how to take care of herself. Not to say Trystan was perfect but he was very understanding with Mariel's actions. It may sound like I didn't like this book a whole lot but I felt the love that Trystan felt for each other was real, the secondary characters were well developed and brought a lot to the story, I liked Mariel a lot better by the story's end, and Rice has set the stage for the upcoming novels in the Mystic Isle series. So if you want to read a novel about a new world, island mysteries, and alpha males and females then Mystic Guardian is the story for you.

Night Owl Romance Reviews: http://www.nightowlromance.com Mystic Guardian by Patricia Rice Mystic Isle Series - Book 1 Score: 4.5 Reviewer: Tammie King Mystic Guardian by Patricia rice is a compelling start to a wonderful new series. It's magical, historical and just what I've been looking for. I love paranormal romance and historical and Mystic Guardian is a wonderful combination of the two. I've started to see less historicals on the market and lots of paranormals. Since I love paranormals that's great, but I sure miss a good historical. I'm glad to see that the historicals have found a way to grace the shelves with a new upbeat paranormal twist. Mariel, a French woman, and her sister are starving. Things are not good and her sister has a babe on the way. If they do not find food soon they will die. Wheat is costly and they do not have the money for bread. The girls mother has passed away, but prior to her passing she had a vision. She told the girls that a golden god would save them. Just when thing got really bad a golden man pulls into port and then takes off. Mariel dives into the sea and goes after him. As it turns out Mariel has a special gift. She can swim like and fish. Trystan l'Enforcer is the golden god and yes he has special powers and his people are part of a secret society. They live on an island that is protected by a forcefield. When Mariel passes the force field her life changes. If she is to leave the island she must bind with one of the islands men or be put to death. She must also were a ring of silence. As Mariel and Trystan clash we see a coming together of sea, soul and love. Ms. Rice has written a great first book and I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series. Keep your eyes pealed for the next in the Mystic Isle Series. I'm not sure who it will be about, but I hope there will be books for both of the seer's and for Trystan's sea crew. Mystic Guardian includes a bit of French history with a huge dollop of fantasy romance to get the magic stirring.

In 1789 Pouchay, Brittany, although the villagers are starving to death including her sister Francine, Mariel St. Just has one hope to save all. Before her mamam died, she dreamed of a golden god saving her people. When Mariel sees Trystan l'Enforcer at sea, she follows him. To his shock, the protector of the Isle of Aelynn watches her come ashore; an impossible event due to the force field preventing outsiders from coming onto the isle. Even more mystifying than Mariel reaching the beach is his immediate attraction to the Frenchwoman. He soon realizes the God chose her as his soulmate and that she must be a hybrid, more mermaid than purebred human. Still in spite of his desire for her Trystan refuses to intervene on behalf of the villagers. Mariel steals the battered chalice that she plans to sell for food before swimming to France. Trystan follows to bring her and the sacred Chalice of Plenty back to Aelynn where it belongs. Despite rumblings of discontent among the people and the danger she and Trystan face in retrieving the chalice, Mariel cannot deny the sensual charge sizzling between them. But what do the Oracle of Aelynn's predictions portend for this golden god and his siren of the sea? This is a terrific historical romantic fantasy that uses the events leading up to the French Revolution as a realistic anchor for the mystical elements. The lead couple is a strong pairing as both are in love with the other, but also feel that loyalty to their respective people must come before personal desires. Sub-genre fans will want to read the first Mystic Isle thriller as Patricia Rice provides a charming magical tale of two worlds. Harriet Klausner

What a terrific story! I've read just about every book Patricia Rice has written and liked them all, but I love that in Mystic Guardian, she's gone further into the paranormal, in a fresh and interesting way. Her mystic superman is gorgeous, and the mermaid is every bit his match. I also enjoy the way she has used the first drumbeats of the upcoming French Revolution to enrich the story and build tension. I really look forward to the next Mystic book!