Touch of Night

Niclas Seymour is a descendent of an ancient Welsh clan. He has the magical ability to hear people's thoughts and feel their emotions. It's both a blessing and a curse. For years he was able to hide the fact he had power. But when he made the mistake of sharing some of his information, and it turns out poorly with a person taking their lives, Niclas is cursed never to find rest in sleep. For three years he has not found peace and he's willing to do what it would take in order to break the curse and this means helping Miss Julia Linley a distant cousin to the man who killed himself. If he can escort her to Wales and assist her there is a chance the blood curse will be lifted. But there is something magical about Julia. She brings him a moment of calm when they touch and he wants to this peace. While they travel together to Wales they are forced into spending time together which allows them to finally get to know each other. Niclas is drawn to the little beauty and when their passion grows he finds himself working hard at keeping things level. Their journey to Wales is fraught with dangers and Niclas knows the evil wizard Earl of Cadmaran is on the road and it's only inevitable they will meet. Will he be able to protect Julia from Cadmaran, and will they be given a chance at a happy ending? First off the reader should know that there is not a sizzling sex scene to be found but before you write this off as not being a worthy read...WAIT. Ms. Spencer Paul has an incredible imagination and this story is a very good example of this. Niclas and Julia are given a lot of page time together and as a result you're able to see the growth in their characters and understand the passion that grows between them. This is a magical read with a unique premise of having to break a blood curse. Niclas is a perfect "tortured soul" and the reader can't help but fall in love with him. Julia is soft and kind, a wonderful complement to him and exactly the balm that he needs. Romance is not all about the physical act and sometimes a read is richer for the lack of love scenes. Falling in love is about the attraction, the feelings, the learning...it's all part of the process and Ms. Spencer Paul uses this approach when penning this story. There are plenty of secondary characters that populate the pages and she's done a fine job of setting up the next book in the series by introducing us to the hero Kian. This is book is a strong read and one I have little trouble recommending. If you're looking for a sexually driven book this may not be the one for you. If on the other hand you're looking for a romance that is full of heart, emotion, and depth with a touch of magic look no further.

Susan Spencer Paul has always had the ability to entertain and with her newest series featuring the magical mortals of the Seymour family she has created a world that will enchant and intrigue the reader long after the last page is turned. Set in London and Wales she introduces the reader to Niclas Seymour who has the ability to `read' the minds of the people around him. Three years earlier he discovered his best friend's wife was unfaithful. Believing himself responsible to warn Drew of her infidelity without taking into account the frailty of human emotions, Niclas' best friend Drew committed suicide. Because it was Niclas' magic that inadvertently led to the spilling of a mortal's blood, the Guardians saw fit to lay a blood curse on Niclas in punishment of his misdeed. Three years later, Niclas has not slept, cursed to never know a moments peace he has one chance to redeem himself before going entirely mad. With nothing to lose and everything to gain Niclas begs his cousin and family patriarch, Malachi, to allow him to escort Drew's distant relation Miss Julia Linley to rescue her aunt from the clutches of one of the Seymour's mad cousins. The chance this would be the cure for a blood curse was minimal, but Niclas was willing to try and whether or not it worked, somehow, just being in Julia's presence brings a calm to Niclas that he hasn't had in years. Their journey is fraught with a kindling passion and danger including a confrontation with the evil wizard the Earl of Cadmaran, a confrontation that will either break the curse or end Niclas' life. *** This was a wonderful magical romantic fantasy from an inspired author whose imagination and creativity knows no bounds. I've yet to be disappointed by anything I've read by this author. Niclas has got to be one of the most tortured souls ever created, not having been able to sleep for three years and the weaker he became, not able to control his ability of reading emotions from other people. Meeting Julia for the first time was such a relief as here was the one mortal whose emotions were not overwhelming him, but whose very presence and touch had such a soothing effect on him. Julia was also developed beautifully for her role in being Niclas' savior so to speak. She was a late bloomer having been out for seven seasons, Julia noticed Niclas before he'd removed himself from society and fallen in love with the suave, elegant man. From that very first moment there could be no other man for her. Her ability as a mere mortal without magic and whose emotions could not be read by Niclas was part of the surprising ending that was delivered beautifully in a lovely wrap-up to this story and as a beginning to this marvelous series. Be prepared to be enchanted and thrilled by this master wordsmith. Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Please, please, if you are a fan of the paranormal romance, read this book. I usually don't read authors that I am unfamiliar with, but I took a chance on this one and I was so pleasantly surprised. This book introduces a wonderful family of sorcerers who are trying to survive in English society without the rest of the world finding out what they are. Niclas and Julia are amazing in this book. Niclas has been cursed and cannot find rest until he finds a way to undo the harm that he inflicted with his magic. He is restrained and a true gentleman. Julia is a beautiful, sweet woman who has convinced herself that she will never marry. You also find out that she has secretly loved Niclas from afar for a very long time. Watching them find their love for each other and getting introduced to the other family members is an absolute joy. There were wonderful characters and they just came alive for me as I was reading this book. The villain of the piece is also fascinating, and I confess, probably my favorite character. I do so love the dangerous men! You will not waste money buying this book. Please keep in mind though that this is a historical paranormal romance; those looking for erotica should look elsewhere. This is a really sweet love story and should be appreciated as such.

Niclas Seymour used to be the most sought after man in the ton. Distinguished, courtly and charming is how all the ladies described him. Three years ago that all changed. What society didn't know was that Niclas is part of a group of families who posses magical abilities. Each individual's talent varies but Niclas' talent was feeling the emotion and hearing the thoughts of others. This was never a burden until he was placed under a blood curse. Niclas, with good intentions, interfered in a non-magic's life and when Andrew Payne took his life as a result, the guardians punished Niclas. For three years he hasn't been able to sleep and is now weary beyond measure. The mental exhaustion has played havoc with the control of his powers so much so that Niclas has withdrawn from the public. At the end of his rope, Niclas will do anything to lift the curse anyway he can. When he learns his cousin, Malachi, is escorting Julia Linley to their uncle's place in Wales, Niclas asks to take his place. Julia is a very distant relative of Andrew and this could be his opportunity to make amends for his part in Andrew's death. If he can aid Julia in someway, the guardians might remove the curse or he will slowly go insane. When he meets Julia, he's stunned by her beauty and her ability to calm the rioting emotion in his mind. With just a touch, Julia quiets the invading emotions and thoughts of everyone around him, giving Niclas respite for the first time in years. Combined with her generous nature, he is hard pressed to resist her allure. All his day dreams of a future with her are just that if he can't find a way to break the cursed spell. Reality melds with magic to create a wonderful historical tale in Touch of Night! Julia has had feelings for Niclas for years now and mourned his disappearance from society. Despite his haggard visage, Julia still sees the man he was and longs to ease the torment in his eyes. From page one, you'll sympathize with Niclas' plight to stop the encroaching madness. As if lifting the curse wasn't enough of an adventure or Niclas' and Julia's sweet romance, Morcar Cadmaran wants to challenge Malachi as ruler of the Families. To gain his attention, the powerful wizard has no qualms about putting Julia and Niclas in danger. These two must find a way to be together against all odds. Not disapproving families, magic, Morcar's evil, or blood curses can stop true love. Susan Spencer Paul's Touch of Night is a romantic and magical story that proves once again what an accomplished writer this creative author is! Furthermore, Niclas' cousin, Kian, has a fascinating relationship to a non-magic woman, Loris, that will no doubt be just as equally enthralling an adventure and can't be released soon enough! Tracy for ReaderToReader.com

In 1818 England, Niclas Seymour has the ability to "read" the emotions of people, but had not understood the need to consider human feelings until three years ago when he learned the hard way. He found out that the wife of his best friend Drew was cheating. Feeling it his responsibility he informs Drew, who committed suicide. His magic led to blood spilling, which places the user under a curse to atone for his mistake by performing a life risking deed for a blood relationship of Drew. A despairing Niclas no longer sleeps properly as the guilt fills his mind. He roams the night stopping muggers, but also knows that he is losing his mind with living being more painful than death. The family patriarch, Europe's most powerful wizard Malchi Seymour, warns Niclas that his sanity is slipping, but asks a favor. Drew's distant cousin Miss Julia Linley needs help to rescue her aunt from a forced marriage she does not want. Though not a curse-freeing level deed, Niclas escorts Julia on a dangerous trek through faery land where evil lurks under every rock. To his shock her voice, touch and sight eases his depression. However, he fears her reaction when she learns what he did to her relative. This fabulous romantic fantasy will grip the audience from the beginning as readers meet a tormented Niclas struggling with guilt and slipping into insanity as he cannot cope with what he caused. The story line enables the audience to believe in wizardry and sorcery, but even more so in the healing magic of love. Susan Spencer Paul writes a robust tale in which the worst demons are inside a person's soul. Harriet Klausner