Twilight Magic

TWILIGHT MAGIC by Shari Anton 1006 Magical Trilogy #2 Lady Emma had visions of her lover since she was very young but never expected to see him in the King's Chambers being accused of murder. Darian of Bruges, a mercenary, found himself accused of murder he didn't do and then the king forced a wife on him that he didn't want. Magic, intrigue, and romance. What more can a girl want! Happy Reading ReadingGenie

I read the first book and enjoyed the historical romance which was surprisingly well done from an historical perspective. Unlike one of the other reviewers, I thought this was pure heart fluttering romance. I thoroughly enjoy the way the characters are developed and the personalities so well drawn. I am now not so patiently waiting for the book about the youngest sister.

Shari Anton once again delights her fans with the second book in the de Leon sisters `Magic' trilogy. In TWILIGHT MAGIC, Lady Emma de Leon (the eldest) has been sent to court - a virtual prisoner and shunned because of the traitorous acts of her father and brother in supporting Queen Maud. In an attempt to gain an audience with King Stephen to plead leniency for her youngest sister, she slips into his hall behind his courtiers. While there Emma sees a man whom she's had a psychic visions of for many years, a man whom she knows would one day be her lover. When Darian of Bruges is charged with murder, he knows he is being framed but cannot produce a witness to his whereabouts. Emma knows he is innocent and in a rash move announces that Darian was with her the entire night. This pronouncement not only puts her reputation in tatters, but also finds her immediately wed to Darian by order of the King. Darian had sworn he would never marry and was bound to have the marriage annulled as expediently as possible. However, the longer the two spend time together, and no matter the vast difference in stations, the thought of an annulment becomes much less appealing. Anton serves up this second stand alone story with liberal amounts of intrigue, danger, compassion and the right amount of historical detail. Emma's affliction of excruciating headaches were explained away in a very originally creative manner that supported the plot. Both Emma and Darian were perfectly cast and loved the witty dialogs between them. Emma knew him to be the lover of her dreams and while Darian knew himself to be loyal to his king he did not feel that as a mercenary he would be worthy of Emma. Their adventures as they battled an evil Bishop in proving Darian's innocence proving the true villain made for a wonderfully adventurous tale, and further supported a robust cast of secondary characters and one wonderfully BIG dog! This book, as stated, stands alone , but I will say that I personally cannot wait to read the rest of this series and discover what delightful adventures await the headstrong and youngest de Leon sister Nicole! Terrific read, super author!

In 1145 London Lady Emma de Leon is frustrated with King Stephen as she petitions him to allow her younger sister Nicole to come home from Bledloe Abbey to live with her married other sibling Gwendolyn. The monarch has no time for Emma as he is fighting a civil war. The King's brother Bishop Henry offers strong circumstantial evidence that accuses Flemish mercenary Darian of Bruges of killing Edward de Solis. Darian provides no alibi so Stephen says he must be executed. However, Emma says he was with her last night. Henry is irate and insists she lies; but Emma describes scars on him. She knows Darian intimately though they never met before as he has been the man this witch has made love with in her dreams. He wants nothing to do with her, but Stephen forces them to marry. They flee the city for Kent though Darian plans to investigate who framed him for murder starting with which friend betrayed him. The second de Leon "magical" medieval romance is a fun tale that hooks readers from the moment Emma speaks up and never slows down until the final confrontation with a sly villain. As with the first novel (see MIDNIGHT MAGIC), readers obtain a taste of the impact of the English civil war between Stephen and Maud. On the top of a whodunit, the relationship between the witch and the mercenary make for a superb historical as she knows he is the one and he knows she is the one he must avoid as she bewitches him. Harriet Klausner

Ms. Anton does it again!! With her endearing characters, historically rich world and distinctive voice, she effortlessly transports you to a time when Knights, Lady's and honor abound. Ever since she was a child, Emma de Leon has suffered visions. After a few traumatizing ones involving her loved ones, she found a way to suppress them. Yet the strongest vision, one of the man who would one day be her lover, has haunted her for years. When a family matter finds her at the Kings court, she at long last sees the man in the flesh. No sooner does her elation at finally seeing him crest, he is accused of a horrible crime. In her heart Emma knows he's innocent and steps in to save his life. The end result of her helpful act sees them wed by the Kings order. Emma's new husband is none too pleased with her for butting into his life, and for more reasons than just their hasty nuptials he believes there is no future in their marriage. Little does he know Emma has seen that they not only have a chance at a future, they have a chance at love. Darian of Bruges has always been a faithful and loyal subject to the crown. So when the King orders he wed a stranger, Darian obeys without question. But he's not happy about it. Sure the woman is everything a man could want in a wife. Emma is beautiful, spirited and loving. However Darian is a wounded soul who believes himself not worthy of her. Not to mention, he's grown accustomed to his solitary life as a mercenary. Even so, the more time he spends playing husband to this intriguing Lady Emma, the more his heart yearns for the peace and contentment he feels when they're together. Will Darian be able to swallow his pride and become the man he sees in Emma's eyes? Or will his one chance at true love and happiness slip through his fingers? I have been a fan of this very talented writer for years and she keeps upping the bar with each effort. No one can write medieval romances like her. She peppers the perfect amount of accurate historical details through the story to bring her well fleshed out characters to life. Twilight Magic is a wonderful, heartwarming tale that will sweep you up in the times and carry you away into a wonderful romance. Emma and Darian are delightful, and it is a pure joy to watch their love for one another blossom. I eagerly await the third book in this magical series about the De Leon sisters.