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Thwarting Magic
Margaret Ridgemont and James Treadway will marry. Period, end of discussion. Too bad she overhears him tell a friend that he likes her sister better. Pacing with the tragi-comedy of an ill-arranged marriage, magic holes are appearing in the oddest places. If Adrian Hughes can ferret out the rogue wizard responsible for creating the holes, he might receive a knighthood -- people might not die of holes in their foreheads -- and England might not crumble into the ocean. And if it were an ideal world, Adrian and Margaret would be together.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2008
53 people want to read
About the author
Ann Tracy Marr
11 books19 followersI am Ann Tracy Marr. There isn't much to tell: Fifty-ish, married, on the eastside of Detroit where the lake runs into the river. As I get older, I get funnier. Guess I'm not afraid of what people say.
Dull, right? I'm just the person next door. Nothing exciting. Except the alternate reality I write about isn’t dull. England's Regency period (think Pride and Prejudice) has gotten mixed up with a bit of magic left over from King Arthur's Camelot. Not heavy on the fantasy, mind. Magic isn't something everyone does, and when they do it, it's secret.
As one reviewer said, it works surprisingly well.
Dull, right? I'm just the person next door. Nothing exciting. Except the alternate reality I write about isn’t dull. England's Regency period (think Pride and Prejudice) has gotten mixed up with a bit of magic left over from King Arthur's Camelot. Not heavy on the fantasy, mind. Magic isn't something everyone does, and when they do it, it's secret.
As one reviewer said, it works surprisingly well.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 2, 2008
Romance and magic in Merry Old England! Electrifying!
"Thwarting Magic: Sequel to Round Table Magician" is an electrifying book that will keep you enthralled to the very end. In her second book, author Ann Tracy Marr has created a unique Regency fantasy romance, a love triangle of such realism your heart will go out to the young couple.
Margaret Ridgemont is being forced by her father to marry James Treadway. Things start with a bang in the opening chapter when she overhears him telling his best friend Adrian Hughes that he prefers her sister.
Our feisty, independent heroine is not one to be tampered with. As befits the era of this story, Margaret's a lady through and through, but she's also "one of a kind" in the way she handles the arrogant, wealthy Treadway. The servants' tongues are wagging like crazy, not to mention the more liberated leader of the Ton who admires Margaret and takes her under her wing. Together they pull a coup to end all coups, lending much humor to this tale of romance and magic in Merry Old England.
Adrian Hughes doesn't approve of Treadway's treatment of his betrothed, but he has problems of his own. There's magic afoot and the Council of Mages is relying on him to find the rogue wizard. Holes are springing up all over England ... in carpets, draperies and other benign places, but the Council suspects it will get worse and needs to stop it before "people die of holes in their foreheads or England crumbles into the ocean." As far-fetched as that sounds, the Council is deadly serious about ferreting out the wizard, and Adrian could be knighted if he succeeds.
He suspects Margaret because her mother practiced magic and the Council feels it's hereditary. Fate pulls a dirty trick on Adrian and he soon becomes enamored of Margaret. She develops feelings for him, too, but the "societal mores of the day" won't allow a "lady and a gentleman" to act on their feelings.
Is Margaret the rogue wizard The Council seeks? Or is it one of her sisters or someone else entirely? Will Adrian find the culprit in time to save England and win his Knighthood? But most important, will true love win? Will Margaret and Adrian find each other and live happily ever after? Well, as review readers know by now, I'm not about to give any spoilers, so you will have to RFY, as usual.
While being kept in suspense by the romantic and magical elements of this novel, you will also be highly amused when you learn how Margaret handles the "philandering, self-centered" Treadway, especially the scene where she rearranges his library when he dares cross her. If this lovable heroine doesn't win your heart in the first chapter, she will have you enslaved after you read this. What a woman! And Adrian is just as winning. You're in for an exciting, fun-filled read!
I find this book to be a unique, intriguing blend of Regency romance and magic. Marr has a wonderful, distinctive style of description that brings not only her characters to life but her settings as well. I can't wait to go back and read her first book "Round Table Magician."
Reviewed by Betty Dravis, November 2008
Author of: "1106 Grand Boulevard"
"Thwarting Magic: Sequel to Round Table Magician" is an electrifying book that will keep you enthralled to the very end. In her second book, author Ann Tracy Marr has created a unique Regency fantasy romance, a love triangle of such realism your heart will go out to the young couple.
Margaret Ridgemont is being forced by her father to marry James Treadway. Things start with a bang in the opening chapter when she overhears him telling his best friend Adrian Hughes that he prefers her sister.
Our feisty, independent heroine is not one to be tampered with. As befits the era of this story, Margaret's a lady through and through, but she's also "one of a kind" in the way she handles the arrogant, wealthy Treadway. The servants' tongues are wagging like crazy, not to mention the more liberated leader of the Ton who admires Margaret and takes her under her wing. Together they pull a coup to end all coups, lending much humor to this tale of romance and magic in Merry Old England.
Adrian Hughes doesn't approve of Treadway's treatment of his betrothed, but he has problems of his own. There's magic afoot and the Council of Mages is relying on him to find the rogue wizard. Holes are springing up all over England ... in carpets, draperies and other benign places, but the Council suspects it will get worse and needs to stop it before "people die of holes in their foreheads or England crumbles into the ocean." As far-fetched as that sounds, the Council is deadly serious about ferreting out the wizard, and Adrian could be knighted if he succeeds.
He suspects Margaret because her mother practiced magic and the Council feels it's hereditary. Fate pulls a dirty trick on Adrian and he soon becomes enamored of Margaret. She develops feelings for him, too, but the "societal mores of the day" won't allow a "lady and a gentleman" to act on their feelings.
Is Margaret the rogue wizard The Council seeks? Or is it one of her sisters or someone else entirely? Will Adrian find the culprit in time to save England and win his Knighthood? But most important, will true love win? Will Margaret and Adrian find each other and live happily ever after? Well, as review readers know by now, I'm not about to give any spoilers, so you will have to RFY, as usual.
While being kept in suspense by the romantic and magical elements of this novel, you will also be highly amused when you learn how Margaret handles the "philandering, self-centered" Treadway, especially the scene where she rearranges his library when he dares cross her. If this lovable heroine doesn't win your heart in the first chapter, she will have you enslaved after you read this. What a woman! And Adrian is just as winning. You're in for an exciting, fun-filled read!
I find this book to be a unique, intriguing blend of Regency romance and magic. Marr has a wonderful, distinctive style of description that brings not only her characters to life but her settings as well. I can't wait to go back and read her first book "Round Table Magician."
Reviewed by Betty Dravis, November 2008
Author of: "1106 Grand Boulevard"
March 25, 2008
This book has gathered solid reviews from Internet romance reviewers. A few comments are given below.
Amanda Kilgore, Huntress Reviews Ms. Marr weaves a charming tale, sure to appeal to Regency aficionados, that skillfully blends together two genres in a fantastic alternate history that is essentially true to the time period. You cannot help but sympathize with Margaret's dilemmas, especially her problematic family issues.
Wateena, Coffee Time Romance This is a very interesting and complex tale. Magic, good and bad is a norm… Creative characters along with an entangled plot keep this story moving along. Add in a love triangle… Romantic love scenes complete this magical tale for a fascinating read.
Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today The publication of THWARTING MAGIC follows that of Ms. Marr's ROUND TABLE MAGICIAN of a year ago, but it's really a prequel that takes place earlier in time and introduces some of the characters featured in the first book. Ms. Marr's storyworld reflects true historical events, but with a twist. Both titles are highly original and fun and can be read in either order.
Best of all, there are still young, single mages with stories to tell. If Georgette Heyer were still with us, I'd like to think she'd approve of this alternate Regency.
Maura Frankman, The Romance Studio I loved the new and interesting take of life in the ton with a magical twist. The author has a wonderfully descriptive style, especially evident in her description of the house in Mount Street and Margaret’s redecoration of the library; I could picture everything and everyone clearly.
Amanda Kilgore, Huntress Reviews Ms. Marr weaves a charming tale, sure to appeal to Regency aficionados, that skillfully blends together two genres in a fantastic alternate history that is essentially true to the time period. You cannot help but sympathize with Margaret's dilemmas, especially her problematic family issues.
Wateena, Coffee Time Romance This is a very interesting and complex tale. Magic, good and bad is a norm… Creative characters along with an entangled plot keep this story moving along. Add in a love triangle… Romantic love scenes complete this magical tale for a fascinating read.
Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today The publication of THWARTING MAGIC follows that of Ms. Marr's ROUND TABLE MAGICIAN of a year ago, but it's really a prequel that takes place earlier in time and introduces some of the characters featured in the first book. Ms. Marr's storyworld reflects true historical events, but with a twist. Both titles are highly original and fun and can be read in either order.
Best of all, there are still young, single mages with stories to tell. If Georgette Heyer were still with us, I'd like to think she'd approve of this alternate Regency.
Maura Frankman, The Romance Studio I loved the new and interesting take of life in the ton with a magical twist. The author has a wonderfully descriptive style, especially evident in her description of the house in Mount Street and Margaret’s redecoration of the library; I could picture everything and everyone clearly.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews