Merely Magic

Ms. Price has written a compelling tale that's sure to enchant the reader as much as her heroine, Ninian Malcom Siddons, enchants her hero, Drogo Ives. Local legend declares that when a Malcolm and an Ives come together, disaster will strike the village. However, the only real disaster that strikes when Ninian and Drogo act upon their attraction is the shattering of Drogo's heretofore tenacious hold on logic and science as the only explanations for all mysteries of the universe.
Ms. Price combines plenty of humor, sizziling sensuality, and mystery as she weaves a magical story full of twists and turns and compelling characters. Ninian and Drogo captured my heart but the mysterious "Adonis" and Drogo's tormented brother, Dunstan, have captured my curiosity so intensely I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be long before we Patricia Rice fans are turning the pages of books starring "Adonis" and Dunstan--and what of all those wondrous, beautiful and "magical" Malcolm cousins? I'm clearing a shelf in eager anticipation for sequels to MERELY MAGIC.

Magic rules over the hearts of lovers and friends once again, as romance author Patricia Rice presents her fans with another charming fairy tale of love and passion. Ninian Malcom Siddons has always known she was a witch. After all, she is a Malcom woman and all Malcom women are witches. But Ninian uses her "gifts" as a healer to help the village where she grew up. But her life was solitary and lonely, that is until Lord Ives appears on the scene determined to turn her life upside-down.
Drogo Ives is more interested in the stars and planets than everyday life, that is until he spies upon a pretty peasant girl who reminds him of moonbeams. The devilishly handsome lord finds himself entranced with the lady who claims she's a witch. With his thoughts turning towards having a family of his own, Drogo soon realizes that Ninian has cast a spell on his heart that can't be broken. A prolific author who is known for her contemporary and historical romances, Patricia Rice makes another stop in the realm of the magical and fantastical with her new novel, "Merely Magic." Rice sprinkles a generous dose of humor throughout her charming story of love and enchantment.
Sharon Galligar Chance - Times Record News

I didn't start off reading this first book in the series. I kind of went backwards through it and I finally was able to find Merely Magic at an affordable price (since apparently it's no longer on bookstore shelves). I absolutely loved the other books in the series, but to me, Merely Magic was just kind of dull. I imagine if you begin with this book and then make your way through the series, it will be fine. However, I wouldn't suggest this book to those of you who have already read the other books in the series...unless you just want to know the actual story of Ninian and Drogo.

Setting - England 1750 --- Ninian Malcolm lived in a cottage on the outskirts of the village of Wystan, and that one word - outskirts - more or less described her life up to that point. When her grandmother had been alive she hadn't been quite so lonely. Ninian didn't mind so much the feeling of being kept at a distance, especially where it was a well-known fact that she was a witch -a witch whose healing talents were gladly accepted, even if she was not. As a healer, she had the ability to `read' or `empathize' with a person's innermost feelings, so it was disconcerting, to say the least when the newly arrived Drago, Earl of Ives could completely block both his feelings and presence from her. Dark, mysterious, and totally logical, Drago did not accept the unexplainable- nor was he about to believe in witches or anything that reeked of the supernatural.
Meeting this `moonchild' on the feast of Beltane, would forever change both their lives as they were both inexplicitly drawn together into an attraction that according to legend should end in disaster, should the Ives and Malcolms mate. With the interference of Drago's cousin Sarah, who dabbled in matchmaking and aphrodisiacs the die would be cast and whether it was Sarah's interference, or pure unadulterated lust -- the passionate mating of these two polar opposites would forever change the course of their lives into one fantastic and `merely magical' event.
I truly loved this story. The historical significance of the Malcolm/Ives mating, Drago and Ninian's contrasting personalities and especially their totally mesmerizing families consisting of Ninian's witchy aunts, and cousins, and Drago's assortment of brothers, both legitimate and not - what a circus! This was such a distinctive and unusual read - even if Drago's stubbornness made me want to slap him along the side of his head to wake him up to other possibilities! Whew! Unfortunately, I have rated this a trifle lower based on the historical aspect, only because of the references made to helium which was not discovered until 1895 and seemed out of place in the 1750 setting of the book. Nonetheless, I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author on how this odd assortment of relatives (Dunstan, Adonis, Ewan, etc.) get on with the sequels in this planned series. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for [...] ---

Great story! Ninian and Drogo(The witch and the stargazer)and both of their family characters are very entertaining and full of personality. I truly hope Paticia Rice writes a few sequels around Drogo's brothers.This is the first book by the author I've read. I will definitely be looking forward to reading all her other books. If you like romance, you won't be disappoint with this one.

This was a pretty good book. I've liked her comtemporary romance better I think. I was a little disgusted with Ninian thru out most of the book; She just let everyone lead her around by the nose. I did like the fact that Drogo was not willing to give up his marriage even before he came to believe in her. I also enjoyed the antics of both families - that part got really cute. I didn't like the fact that the mystery of Adonis was not cleared up, although I do realize that he will probably have a book of his own.

Great book. Ninian, the heroine, is delightful in her conviction to uphold the traditions of the Malcolm witches. The hero, Lord Ives, refuses to believe in witches and this becomes a constant source of conflict between the two. The introduction of the mysterious person at her wedding was interesting and left me wanting to know more, even at the end. Definitely enjoyable!