The Marriage Spell

Oh, I had the loveliest time reading this novel! For starters, I can say from the viewpoint of a professional psychic and healer that Ms. Putney does an outstanding job describing the realities of life experienced from that world view, or at least my own personal experience of life as a psychic. Other writers are more fun, or imaginative, or inventive, but as much as a description of something hard to quantify can be said to be "real," this is real. But the very best part was the story, and the wonderful protagonists. I always appreciate reading about heroines of "abundant charms," since I can identify with that, too, but Mary Jo Putney's heroes are so often deep-down GOOD men, kind-hearted, often thoughtful, motivated by generosity and a sense of responsibility, even when crippled by some emotional difficulty. And then, best of all, there was a sense of familiarity, of re-hearing a favorite old tale. I didn't realize till a few hours after finishing the story that it has many of the elements of one of my absolute favorites by this author, the novella "The Best Husband Money Can Buy," a Christmas tale you can find in at least one collection. That story, like this one, contains many of the author's best and most valuable traits: emotional maturity, courage, and a great, generous heart which is expressed through her characters. Thanks, Mary Jo, for all the wonderful stories, and for finding a new plot in which to wrap these wonderful people.

The description on the book jacket made me slightly uneasy -- it made it sound like Abby blackmailed Jack into marrying her, a "marry me or die" kind of thing. I'm so grateful I decided to read it anyway. It wasn't that way at all. Both Abby and Jack are wonderful, well-developed characters who I really enjoyed reading about. They take their time getting to know one another; they talk to each other and they come to trust one another. Slowly and gradually, they fall in love -- their relationship felt very real and solid to me, more so than most romance novels, because of the time they took to get there. The magical subplot -- healing Jack, the prejudice against wizards and witches in this version of England, etc -- was just an added bonus. Great fun, and an excellent read!

Lately, it seems as if I've been reading a lot of slightly above average romance novels, many of which I've rated higher than I usually would because I'd forgotten what a really well written romance novel reads like. And then I picked up Mary Jo Putney's "The Marriage Spell," and was reminded again of how important an interesting storyline, credibly told, with the appropriate amount of "fleshing out," good character development and a nicely developed romance subplot are to a romance novel. Truth to tell, historical romance novels with a magical motif aren't exactly my cup of tea; but I have to admit, "The Marriage Spell" was just so beguiling and so engrossing, that I'm hoping that this is the first installment in a series that will feature the young men who had been sent to Stonebridge Academy in order to have magic beaten out of them. What happens when a lord brought up to abhor magic and all those who practice it ends up promising to marry the local healing woman if she agrees to save his life? This oft used plot premise get a fresh and tantalizing airing in "The Marriage Spell." Set in Regency-era England, where magic is an accepted way of life, even if many aristocrats frown on members of their class practicing magic, Jack Langdon, Lord Frayne, has been bred to hate anything and distrusts anyone who has anything to do with magic. But that was before he was fatally wounded in a hunting accident, and before his life hung in the balance. Now, only the local healing woman, Abigail Barton (a peer's daughter, herself) can cure him. But in order to do so, she would have to risk her own personal safety. And so, almost whimsically, because Abby has been secretly attracted to Jack for quite a few years now, she proposes that Jack agree to marry her in exchange for her risking her life to save his. The last thing she expected was that Jack would agree; or that, once she had saved his life that he would still agree to go through with the marriage. But while Jack and Abby have resolved to lead separate lives once they are married and Abby has conceived, they never expected the strong tug of attraction that would devlop between then. Is it magic? Or could two people with such opposing viewpoints on magic be actually ideally suited to each other? If you're tired of romance novels where one character or the other is always tearing about in a dreadful temper, where the hero or heroine is just too foolish, silly and immature for words, or the ones that employ the BIG MISUNDERSTANDING as a plot device, where the hero and heroine retire to their separate corners to sulk and plot, then you really want to check out "The Marriage Spell." Both Jack and Abby are likable, intelligent and mature characters who think things through before rushing off to confront and accuse. I really enjoyed all those chapters that allowed for Jack and Abby to interact and get to know and like each other, before the marriage took place. This allowed for readers to "see" the developing

I've been a Mary Jo Putney fan for years, and this spritely book reminded me why. I've always loved historicals, but after twenty years reading about dukes, marriage-minded-mamas, and the Ton, I'd gotten a little bored. Putney neatly blows all the dust off with her magical version of the eighteenth century. That it's beautifully written goes without saying; Putney's prose has always been gorgeous. Then we have delicious Jack Langdon, who strikes sparks with his lovely, intelligent healer Abby. The rest of the cast is just as engaging, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I plan to get the other books in this series as soon as I finish posting this. It's been a long time since I've been this charmed by a romance novel. Brava, Ms. Putney! Angela Knight

As a fan of Mary Jo Putney's Guardian series (see A Kiss of Fate and Stolen Magic under M.J. Putney), I was somewhat doubtful about her new Stone Saints series. It is my understanding that there are more stories to come after this superb book, which will be greatly anticipated. Abigail Barton is the daughter of a prominent baron, Sir Andrew Barton. He is also a very well-respected wizard, as it would happen. He trained Abby well, and she is quite capable of running the household in his abscence. As it would happen, the hero of the story, Jack Langdon, is mortally wounded near the Barton grounds. Abby, being a skilled healer, is able to heal him...at a high price. Her stipulation for attempting to heal a mortally wounded man is Jack's hand in marriage. Astonishingly enough, he agrees. They marry, with equal hesitation and eagerness. Many twists reveal themselves throughout the story: magic, the academy that Jack was sent to, and bits and pieces of their own pasts come to life as they grow and become accustomed to their marriage. This book was one that I could not put down. I kept telling myself, "One more chapter. Only one more chapter." I had managed to get through half the book in three hours! It kept me on the edge of my seat, breathless in anticipation. Putney continues to amaze her readers, but truly, this one shines above the others. I wasn't sure if I would like the book or not, but I truly admire her work on this book, and applaud the deft arrangements of the events in it. Putney has truly outdone herself.