Spirit of the Mist

I love when I read a book by a new (or new to me) author and walk away astounded by how good it was. That was the case for me with this one. This story doesn't fit the typical romance mold. It's something different and that something works! Murial is peering into her water mirror on a stormy night when she sees a stranger struggling in the raging sea. She has to save him, she knows, so she sneaks out of her village to the coast to aid him. It's obvious he is an exile and by law should be made a slave in Murial's village, but she's instantly drawn to the stranger who claims to be a prince. Murial wants to believe Brendan really is a prince as they fall in love. Because of a curse on the women of her family, Murial can only marry a king and, as Brendan convinces her, a prince is really just a future king. Brendan's claims to be a prince turn out to be true, but there's a secret even he doesn't know that will change both their lives irrevocably. This is wonderful, riveting story. I couldn't put it down!

Muriel gazed into her water mirror on a very stormy night and saw a man adrift in a curragh (boat) being tossed around and about to crash into the cliffs at the base of the land. Knowing that she must save him she slips down to the sea, walks into it and calls to her friends - two dolphins - to come and bring the boat and man to her. The man is Brendan, the prince of Dun Bochna, who was captured, shorn of his hair, dressed in rags and set afloat in the sea to die. Muriel, does not know who he is but she is attracted. No matter what the attraction though - she knows that she cannot marry any other than a king or her powers will be stripped from her. While the King of Dun Farraige sends riders off to find out if Brendan is who he claims to be he begins to romance Muriel without jewels and gold, but with his charm, and the bountiful gifts he could find in nature. Eventually the riders return to confirm that Brandon is who he claims to be but still Muriel gazes into her water mirror and sees a different and disturbing vision. The story continues with whether Muriel trusts what is in her heart or what the water mirror shows her as truth. The bigger question is what Muriel and Brandon both find to be the truth. SPIRIT OF THE MIST is a beautiful mystical historical romance that brings to life Druid Ireland. Brendan's origins are a major theme of this novel as are Muriel's acceptance of who he is and what he means to her. The conflicts and turmoil that this wonderful couple go through as they discover the importance of who they are is magnificently portrayed by this exceptionally fine novel. At first I was concerned that Muriel was not deserving of Brendan's beautiful and thoughtful courtship with her almost selfish attitude of - I can only marry a king - but I am happy to say that when the chips were down for Brendan she rose like a phoenix to redeem herself as the helpmate that he deserved. This is a very beautiful love story - quite enchanting!

The storm raged outside Dun Farraige Keep making visibility impossible, but Muriel looking at her water mirror sees the image of a man inside a boat struggling to live. Knowing she must rescue the person in peril though he is probably a criminal exile, Muriel cloaks herself in an aura of invisibility and sneaks past the guards to save Brendan's life.Exiles are normally turned into slaves yet somehow he persuades Muriel, the Druids, and King Murrough that he is a prince sent to die at sea for having the audacity of killing the son of Odhran who now controls Dun Bochna formerly ruled by Brendan's father. As treachery swirls everywhere amidst the mists, Brendan and Muriel fall in love, but she vows not to marry out of fear that wedlock to the wrong person will cost her the magic that she so diligently uses for the good of all.SPIRIT OF THE MIST is an exciting magical historical romance that makes Druid Ireland seem vividly alive. Though the acceptance of Brendan as a prince seems too naive for the leaders of the Dun, he remains an exhilarating lead character who hooks the reader with his deeds and beliefs. Muriel's doubts enable the audience to see deep inside her soul so that the conflict and love between her and Brendan adds depth to the engaging plot. Fans of medieval Irish romances with a touch of enchantment will want to read Janeen O'Kerry's fine offering.Harriet Klausner