Dangerous Magic

Sisters of Magic #3

by Donna Grant

With the darkness holding firmly onto his soul, Cade knows he’s destined for Hell. Men like him don’t perform the deeds he has, regardless if they came by order of the king, and not elude the darkness…A loner, Cade takes what the land provides and vows to keep the two men he thought of as brothers alive from the great evil after them. He knows his time is short and the evil is looking for him, but there is just enough humanity left in him to aid his friends. When the flame-haired witch finds him, Cade is instantly spellbound by her beauty. He can either forget her – or give in to the reckless, impossible love that could destroy her…

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Historical, Historical Romance, Demons

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2011

About the author

Donna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a hundred novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.

In addition to her novels, Donna has written short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weekly and “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.

She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews.

Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.

Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.

You an find her at www.DonnaGrant.com
as well as her website devoted entirely to the Dragon Kings and all series that encompass the Dark World at www.MotherOfDragonsBooks.com.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

What? How can he be a mass murderer of his family and no trial, no jail time, Who is this King that he just let something like that happen in the kingdom and do NOTHING? WHAT? So he couldn't fight the darkness before he killed his entire family but he could do so after he done did the dastardly deed? No man no you done did this storyline wrong. I'm not pleased at all. Happily Ever After at all costs is just wrong.

[Cassie's Lost Fallen Angel of the Reading Stars · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was the best ending to a three book series. Cade was far too sexy for his own good. And Fran was his perfect match. Both with not tempers, but were fiery when it came to them being told what to do. DG knows how to tell a tale, it was beautifully written, with a beautiful ending.

[Teresa Kilpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a trilogy, Sisters of Magic, and was enjoyed as a part of the Audible Escape package. Francesca is one of the last witches, a race cursed by one of its own to live alone with a broken heart. She knows her fate, but gives herself to a warrior that is plagued by and evil and the deeds of his past.

Cade is haunted by what he has done and the evil that made him do it. He is determined to destroy what he sees as a monster. The love of a good witch brings him back from the brink.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic

This series has been full of mystery, friendship, love and death. The last book of the series, and what a way to end it! Cade and Francesca, love does conquer all. The letter from Phineas had me in shedding tears.

Donna Grant has a way of writing that the reader becomes one with the story. Thank you!

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall this book to me was all lack luster, nothing said for how the curse was broken. The final fight was a let down and we don't get an explanation on how Nigel met his demise.

The series as a whole was a not for me. If you have free time and need something a bit mind numbing this might do. Would not recommend.

[sandy forguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story and what a just deserved ending for Nigel and his evil ways Cade deserved the happiness he found with Francesca also re-united with his brothers and their wives would recommend the 3 book trilogy another great read from Dona grant

[Sunshinyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I finished Book 3 today, start to finish, excellent series. Yeah, I know some readers didn’t like them because they were “too predictable”!! I loved all of them, strong women, strong men, fighting evil!! I loved this series as well as the Druid Glen Series.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really loved all of the couple pairings and enjoyed the overall story. The characters are lovely and have some decent growth and development.

If you love Donna Grant's other books I think you will love these as well.

Happy Reading!

[Nikki's Dragon Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 4.5 star book for me but I didn’t love it enough to round up to a 5. This series got better and better for me, leading up up to the big series conclusion with some twists and reveals that kept me hooked and intrigued

[Lee Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent series. This book was the perfect ending and a really “grab” you read.
Once again Donna Grant hit it out if the park.
For anyone picking the series up ENJOY!

[Nancy Tanguay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read

Just re-read the whole series. Makes my heart happy!
Donna Grant you’re an amazing writer, storyteller.
I wait with bated breath for each of your books.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cade and Francesca.

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess I haven't read the previous two books in this trilogy so I endered mid-struggle as it were. But the plot wasn't too complicated so I did manage to figure out what was happening in this book, but I think to fully appreciate it, you would need to read Shadow Magic (Sisters of Magic, #1) and Echoes of Magic as Dangerous Magic shows previous characters in the series.

Nigel is coming. Granted those words wouldn't normally fill you with fear, but if the Nigel in question has sold his soul to the devil, amassed a soulles army and then come to your castle to collect your soul and spread death and blood, you may feel differently! Cade has fought off the darkness slowly taking over his soul for a long time, but the end is nearing and the darkness is harder and harder to resist. He knows his upcoming battle with Nigel will be his last, he only hopes he won't slaughter his friends once the darkness has taken over his soul. He doesn't count on seeing Francesca, a witch with secrets of her own, whose very presence seems to fight back the darkness.

Anyone who likes a tortured hero will like this book: Cade has the whole tortured thing down; horrible past, check! Self loathing, check! Drop dead gorgeous (especially if you like 'em blonde) check! Completely honourable despite his protestations that he is completely evil and not to be trusted, check! I have to say I am not the biggest fan, but I can appreciate a gorgeous blonde as much as the next gal and his complete selflessness was kind of sexy as well. But I didn't really feel like I knew the characters that well, it was like he was written from a tortured hero template, and Francesca from the heroine-that-loves-them template.

As I haven't read the other two books in the series I was only getting the tail end of the overarching plot from this series and as such maybe I didn't feel the danger that Nigel was supposed to generate. I think it was also because there was always someone sneaking out the castle, I don't think the secret exit qualifies for secret anymore as half the castle seems to realize its existence!

But it was a quick enjoyable read and my first book from this author, I would definitely look in to reading more of her books.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna is truly an epic writer when it comes to the historical romance genre--this is where she shines. You can tell she takes her research seriously when writing. She places the reader in 12th century England and paints a vivid picture of the surroundings in the true language of that time.

Because this IS a series, the reader can truly get to know her characters and grow to love them. Cade instantly stood apart from the others for me. I wanted his book to be next.

If you are a lover of historical romance with a touch of the paranormal ~ Donna is your go-to gal. She has published several books in this genre ~ All of them great reads for the hopeless romantic.

This book features Cade, the ultimate tortured hero with a secretive past, who feels he is fated to die alone.


You don't deserve happiness. And God forgive him, it was the truth. Nigel wasn't the only one who needed to die. He did as well.
There are some serious hot moments in here, with instant heat and attraction between Cade and Francesca.


It was all he wanted. Just one taste. His head lowered until their lips were nearly brushing. Her magic washed over him, making his skin quiver and his heart quicken. And then he realized that if her magic could affect him, his darkness could affect her.

There is a tremendous build-up to the climax of this book. Nigel, the villan of all three books, has sold his soul to the big man downstairs and represents the ultimate evil. He is hell-bent (HAH) in destroying Cade. He lies, kills, and uses a deadly force to seek revenge on those residing in and around Wolfglynn. And that is where things fell for me in this series. I was disappointed in the wrap-up...maybe I missed something, but I was expecting a bit more. Maybe I'm just a blood thirsty bitch, but I wanted Nigel to suffer more, and when that didn't happen, I was left with a WTF moment. His death was too damn quick.

Overall, I still remain a HUGE Donna Grant fan. She pulls at my heart strings and writes such beautiful, poetic words that make me swoon.


Adrianna might have healed my body, but you healed my soul, witch. Never forget that.
See what I mean? SWOON...

3.5 stars--

[BookChick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I'm having a hard time finishing this one. I just don't feel the characters. I was looking forward to Cade's story, but Fran just turns me off to the entire book. I think Cade's past could have been delved into more. After meeting two (or three, depends if you consider Grayson part of their little witch group) other witches that were thought to be extinct, you would think Fran would get it, but she just keeps her mouth shut and goes on her merry way and does her own thing. She lies, withholds information, and sneaks around.

They are all fighting the same evil and have been for the last two books. She's been there since the beginning, she knows what's going on and what's coming, she's seen how the others have needed help in their own struggles against the evil; and yet she plays the martyr.

I just don't get the attraction between these two either. To me there is nothing there. So what she has red hair (that's what drew Cade to her) - big freakin deal, so do I. So what that he's blond and gorgeous, really, is there nothing more to a relationship than looks? Neither of them knows anything about the other except she's a witch and he's been touched by evil.

Yeah, I'm struggling, but currently my To-read list is thin and I have rarely not finished a book.


Part 2
Really after all the posturing (through 3 books) Nigel cowers that easily - "Cade. Lets talk about this."? Really, just like that? So disappointing, I expected an all out drag down, bloody mess of a fight with evil powers flying everywhere.

The dialogue is just so cheesy in spots. It feels like Grant just rushed through the book to get it out. Disappointing ending to what started as a decent series. Just can't get over the lack of character depth of the two main characters, the ending of Nigel and some of the cheesy dialogue. Though love her Dark Swords and looking forward to her Dark Warriors.

[Larena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest near Wolfglynn Castle Summer, 1128


Francesca is a bana-bhuidseach, better know as a witch. Francesca knows with the curse she lives under that she won’t have the happy ever after that she would love to have so she does what she can to find some measure of happiness in her life. Part of that happiness is helping her sister witches keep the happiness they have found in their lives and to help stop the evil that is shadowing all of them.

Cade is determined to help the two men he considers brothers to survive the evil that is hunting them and the women they have found love with. To do that he is going to have to find a way to work with Francesca, a woman that he finds an instant attraction to, but with the darkness in his soul he doesn’t dare try to have more that a working relationship. There are secrets in his past that he knows would destroy anything that they might possibly have together.

Now Cade and Francesca are in a battle for their lives and those lives of their friends and family. One wrong step could destroy them. The evil is coming and they are going to have to find a way to stop in once and for all. Once they do that they just might have a surprise themselves one in which they find a love that transcends their pasts and gives them a future they never dared imagine.



This brings a wonderful trilogy to a very satisfying end. The way all the stories are woven together gives readers a very enriching reading experience. The conclusion to the stories makes sure there are no loose ends to leave the reader wanting or frustrated. The characters are very well written and will have the reader drawn into the story before they know it. While it is sad to see the end of this series it is still a very well written ending. This is one series readers should give a try.

[L.W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I initially ordered this book, I thought it was the first one in the series. After reading a few chapters, I discovered it wasn't, but thought, well, if I can follow it, I'll finish.

It intrigued me at the start, and then other characters came into play that were from previous works. I think if I had read those other books and was more familiar with these characters, I might have enjoyed the book more. However, since those characters had been previously established, very little time was taken to reintroduce, so right there, I was at a disadvantage.

I struggled through more of it, hoping it would get better and go out with a big bang, because, like I said, it started out very well. By the time it ended, I couldn't help being disappointed as so many things were rushed through to end the story.

Mind you, this is only my opinion, and I'm sure lots of other people thought this was great. I just felt a little let down and sorrowful that a story with such an interesting tale to tell would have a little more gusto and bravado...not go out whimpering like a small child.

I was a little disappointed...but still finished. I look forward to her other works as some of the one's I've read in the past are really very good.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dangerous Magic" by Donna Grant. Book 3 (Finale) in the Sisters of Magic Trilogy.

Really enjoyed the ending to this trilogy.

Cade is being consumed by darkness. But before he is, he is determined to save his friends from the evil Baron Nigel. The darkness in Cade has been eating him alive for years but can he control it long enough to defeat Nigel? Does he have enough control so that he doesn't hurt his own friends and the beautiful Francesca.

Francesca has known what her future hold since she was a little girl. Gifted with visions while she sleeps, she knows she's the one that will defeat Nigel. All she has to do is stop Cade from killing himself and sacrifice herself.

Great ending to this trilogy. Really good chemistry between Cade and Francesca. In the other two books I said there wasn't enough magic, but this one, I think, had more than the others, which I really liked.

Overall, a really good series.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third installment of the Sisters of Magic series, the evil that has been circling the warriors and their witches will finally be conquered. Cade knows that the evil he committed in life will own him in death. His deeds are unforgivable. So not to shadow others with the darkness that consumes him, Cade lives in isolation. He protects those he loves from a distance. Until he meets Francesca. The half-sister of one of the two men he considers brothers, Cade knows he should stay away from her. But when he is left for dead in the forest, Cade can't fight the witch that saves him and refuses to let him continue his journey alone. Fran knows that her life is one cursed with loneliness and heartbreak. But she is a healer and caring for those near her brings her joy. With Cade, however, she soon finds other reasons to remain by his side. Fighting side by side, Fran and Cale will save each other while conquering Nigel. A great finally for another fun series by Donna Grant...

[Monica Boots · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third and last book of the Sisters of Magic series we follow Cade and Francesca. Cade is tormented by his past and the secrets he holds. Determined to save his friends and the woman he loves he is ready to fight the ultimate battle and destroy the evil. Francesca is a witch who has known since she was a little girl that she would be the one to fight the evil. Falling in love with Cade she is determined to save him. Another great story from Donna Grant. You just have to keep reading because you want to know what happens next. You will not be disappointed.

[Charnel du Plessis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took the box set and the first book was okay, the second became a bit boring since the same shit happens in the first book and the third book I only finished because I hate not finishing a book.

Man, in the middle of shit happening the guys "balls tightens" Seriously! I started laughing at one stage!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best of this trilogy. Yes, it still drives me crazy with her favorite phrase. Not to crazy about the love scenes when they are just part of the individual's fantasy. All three books have this fantasy nd other similarities. More a 4.5 but it is so much better than the rest.

[Lisa Briddick-martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author, however the editing in this one is poor! At one point the word hear is used for hair. There are a few fragment sentences as well. If you can look past that, it is good storytelling.

[Taj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peaceful end. What I expected. Awesome.

[Conny Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by this author. Fast paced, fluently written and the story spellbinding , a must read for fantasy romance.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final of the trilogy and by far my favourite! Cade is just delicious and his Witch is just perfect for him. Great to see an end to nasty old Nigel at long last.

[Kelly Russell]

Good finish to the trilogy

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok