Touch of Passion

The powerful young wizard Kian Seymour has always known that the men of his magical family must find their soul mates in order to realize true happiness. When he sees Loris, an orphaned serving girl, he's sure that he has found the key to his own destiny. Although Loris is too young, Kian wants to take her home and keep her safe. In his desperate attempt to save her, he ends up using magic and unintentionally kills a man. He manages to rescue her, but this illicit use of his powers results in a cruel curse. Now safe and happy with the Seymours, Loris doesn't believe she and Kian are destined to be together. Kian's curse, which makes his touch painful to her, only reinforces this belief. Several years pass, and Kian, now lord of the family estate, still hasn't broken the curse. Although his relationship with Loris weighs heavily, it is the least of his worries. Something magical is cutting a swath of destruction across his lands without leaving a trace. So far animals and property are the only causalities, but are his people safe? Kian seizes an opportunity and sends Loris to London, but with numerous potential suitors and a possible long lost grandfather, will the city be any safer for her? Will he be able to defend his land and people? Can he ever break the curse? Part historical and part fantasy, Touch of Passion is an engaging story with tons of potential. I loved the setting, an unknown magical world hidden within a non-magical world. Ms. Paul expertly weaves the two together, and her universe comes alive. The idea of cursed soul mates was an interesting premise. However, neither Kian or Loris captured my imagination. Early in the story, they fight like young siblings, and both come off childish. I also found their courtship a bit overwrought and full of angst. To be fair, they are both young, and I tend prefer stronger leads. As the story develops and the action builds, the characters grow and do become more interesting. Malachi, the head of Kian's magical clan, totally stole the show. I can't wait for his story! Although it's the second book in the Enchanters series, Touch of Passion can be read on it's own. Cheryl reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Twins Kian and Dyfed Seymour at seventeen are wildly sowing their oats on one of their trips to London when Kian is struck with the knowledge that a thirteen year old serving girl, Loris, is his unoliaeth, his oneness, his destiny. At the same time he discovers that Loris has been sold to an owner of a brothel and he engages said owner in a card game in order to win Loris. Infuriated at losing, the brothel owner attempts to kill Kian and in defending himself Kian uses magic to throw the man across the room accidentally killing him. Because Kian used `magic' in the spilling of blood, the Guardians placed a `Blood curse' on Kian. In essence, Kian would suffer-- always aware and in love with Loris, but she would abhor Kian and experience intense pain at his touch. Ten years have passed and in that time, Kian uses an enchantment to disguise himself in an effort to reach out and become a friend and confidante to Loris without her experiencing any pain. Loris eventually discovers the truth at about the same time she is found to be the long lost granddaughter to a powerful earl and the Seymour's enemy unleashes a great evil upon the villages of Castle Tylluan. Loris is sent to London with a reluctant Dyfed who has fallen in love with a `dark sorceress' and Kian is left to deal with the evil monster. Dangerous sacrifices will need to be made to save Tylluan and all the star crossed lovers in order to survive the evil and find happiness. TOUCH OF PASSION was a terrific fantasy romance with the lead protagonists being tortured with the `blood curse' that defined their relationship. With this particular curse there wasn't much Kian could do to satisfy the Guardians to have it lifted, so he devised the only plan he could think of in an effort to overcome the limitations that were placed on him. Loris as a mortal wasn't even aware of the connection and even though told she was Kians'unoliaeth, refused to believe in such a thing as unoliaeth. The angst that existed for Loris whenever Kian was near, even though she could not understand why she yearned for him was a trial but in spite of all their bickering she remained drawn to him. Kian and Loris' story was powerfully told in both heartbreaking and sensual intensity as the two star-crossed lovers managed to exist together while under the curse. Kian was developed beautifully as a tender and gentle friend as well as the strong and determined heir to the Dewin Mawr in wanting to solve his own problems regarding the evil unleashed upon his lands. In the secondary love story between the dark sorceress Desdemona and his brother Dyfedd, Spencer Paul proves how `opposites do attract' in a most delightful way! In spite of her dark ways, Desdemona proves to be one of the more interesting characters she creates. For those who read this series in the order of publication will find out just how amusing her dark ways will be in TOUCH OF DESIRE. I read this series out of order but can honestly say each

I think this story was better than its predecessor, Touch of Night, where we first learned of Loris caring for Wales' Tylluan Manor, its baron Ffinian Seymour and his twins, Kian and Dyfed, with Loris and Kian always bickering with one another. This sequal provides a most satisfying reason as to why that is, and the story almost broke my heart in the telling! Kian is a powerful wizard and fated to be the next Dewin Mawr, head of the mystical families. Now that "dad" is married and out of the house, Kian is lord of Tylluan Manor and facing a baffling mystery as to who or what is killing the animals on his property without leaving a trace. He highly suspects the Seymours' long-time nemesis, Lord Llew, who lives next door. He also has the heartache of a blood curse placed on his relationship with Loris, because when he was trying to save her he killed a man in the process. He has found a way to be near her without hurting her; however, they cannot be truly united and this torments them both. In the meantime, twin bro Dyfed meets and tames a powerful sorceress from America, and she is the key to what is wreaking havoc on Tylluan's lands. EXCELLENT STORY from the first word to the end! I couldn't put it down! I anxiously await the next story of Malachi!

It only takes a moment for Kian Seymour to realise that Loris, the humble serving girl at a London inn, is his soul mate. Yes, she's too young, but if he takes her home to Wales, she will soon be of age and he can marry her then. Unfortunately, she has just been sold to a cruel man who refuses to release her, forcing Kian to first use trickery, then to actually have to kill with magic to save her. Because of this, he is cursed. Until he can break the curse, he will be unable to touch Loris without pain to the girl. Yet, he finds an enchantment that cloaks his true identity, allowing him to get to know his other half secretly and without pain over the years. Loris never guesses that her friend is none other than the man who she can barely stand to be around. Then, her past catches up with Loris, and she learns she has a grandfather who wants to know her. This happens just as clan wars threaten to destroy her adoptive family and magical beings terrorize the countryside. Kian and his brother must save their family from an evil alchemist with an old grudge. Moreover, Kian's need to break his curse has reached a critical stage. Somehow, the answer to both problems must be found, now. This is a fairy tale for grown ups. Loris and Kian's story is somewhat reminescent of Psyche and Cupid's, but not quite. Like the Harry Potter books, here a magical world exists alongside the real one, with the ordinary people never knowing the truth. This is a delightful read, one to treasure. Though it is a second book in a series, there is no need to have read the first to enjoy this one. Amanda Killgore

In 1811 London twins Kian and Dyfed Seymour keep visiting the Red Fox Inn owned by the Goodbodys. Kian realizes that the thirteen years old tavern wench Loris is his unolineth, his soulmate that will provide his oneness. However, he is stunned when the Goodbodys plan to sell Loris to Gregor Foss, owner of a brothel. Kian wins Loris in a card game, but when he goes to leave with her Gregor pulls out a gun and shoots him. Kian uses his magic skills to throw Gregor across the room. Gregor dies so the Guardians punish Kian for using "blood" magic by insuring Loris will detest his advances. Three years later, Kian remains frustrated while he expects his sibling to end up with his beloved although Dyfed insists he has found his oneness in someone else. Kian needs a miracle to overcome his nightmare, but does not see any forthcoming. He expects to sacrifice his need for his beloved to find happiness with another. TOUCH OF PASSION is a fantastic fantasy romance starring star-crossed lovers as Kian suffers for the tragedy that he inadvertently caused though he had solid reasoning, but the rules are strictly enforced and he knows it. His dilemma as his beloved soulmate becomes a woman just like he expected makes for an angst-laden deep tale. This is a powerful sequel stronger than the delightful TOUCH OF NIGHT. Now if Susan Spencer Paul provides us with the unolineth of the Great sorcerer Malachi. Harriet Klausner