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Fae-Touched #1
A Touch of Magic
After returning to the straight and narrow, Cary Westfield hopes to rebuild his life as a stage magician. Only thing is, the success of his new show is entirely dependent on a strange medallion inherited from his late grandfather—an amulet that holds a rare and inexplicable power to captivate the wearer’s audience.
Ty prides himself on his ability to obtain any item of magical significance—for the right price. When a mysterious client hires him to steal a magical amulet from a neophyte illusionist, he’s sure it will be a quick and easy job, earning him a nice chunk of cash.
As it turns out, nothing is sure when greed and powerful magic are at play. When a mob boss with far-reaching aspirations beats Ty to the snatch, Cary and Ty form an unlikely partnership to get the amulet back. The unexpected spark of attraction between them is a welcome perk, but each man has his own plan for the prize.
All bets are off, however, when it is revealed the magical amulet holds a darker secret than either of them had bargained for.
Ty prides himself on his ability to obtain any item of magical significance—for the right price. When a mysterious client hires him to steal a magical amulet from a neophyte illusionist, he’s sure it will be a quick and easy job, earning him a nice chunk of cash.
As it turns out, nothing is sure when greed and powerful magic are at play. When a mob boss with far-reaching aspirations beats Ty to the snatch, Cary and Ty form an unlikely partnership to get the amulet back. The unexpected spark of attraction between them is a welcome perk, but each man has his own plan for the prize.
All bets are off, however, when it is revealed the magical amulet holds a darker secret than either of them had bargained for.
182 pages, ebook
First published May 28, 2018
2 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Isabelle Adler
12 books112 followersIsabelle Adler writes M/M romance, sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy.
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 8, 2018
this was okay, but nothing particularly special. i thought that the sex came far too early; there wasn't much (in fact, pretty much no) build-up or tension, so it fell rather flat. again, the plot was okay, but nothing i haven't seen before. it was quite a typical urban fantasy, with nothing to make it stand out. i think i might take a break from UF for a while; most of them are exactly like each other and there isn't much variation.
May 29, 2018
If you’re looking for a sweet, fun m/m romance packed to the brim with magical artefacts, powerful sorcerers and a sorceress, mob bosses, thrills, danger, a daring heist, sleight of hand, and a hot and heavy romance, this is the book for you!
From the very first chapter, this book is packed full of action and chemistry.
Cary (I’m not too sure how to pronounce this so I went for Gary, with a C) – is an amateur illusionist whose popularity is spiking faster than it should which draws the attention of some rather unsavoury characters, and Ty, a very particular thief, specialising in magical objects.
After a rocky start to their relationship, involving a robbery at gunpoint, Ty and Cary’s relationship comes together really quickly (erm, no pun intended).
The romance/attraction did feel a little rushed at the beginning but as the story progressed it got decidedly better and felt much more natural. I think I swooned a little each time Ty said, ‘Baby.’ 😍
I really liked the magical element of the story and the supporting characters. There’s plenty of action and suspense that really help to keep the plot moving at a steady pace and I really enjoyed the light-hearted humour sprinkled throughout.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet, action-packed story and devoured it in a few hours. I’m looking forward to the next in the series, which I hope answers some questions I still have.
If you'd like to read more reviews, take part in giveaways and more, I'd love for you to head over to My Endless Shelf.
From the very first chapter, this book is packed full of action and chemistry.
Cary (I’m not too sure how to pronounce this so I went for Gary, with a C) – is an amateur illusionist whose popularity is spiking faster than it should which draws the attention of some rather unsavoury characters, and Ty, a very particular thief, specialising in magical objects.
After a rocky start to their relationship, involving a robbery at gunpoint, Ty and Cary’s relationship comes together really quickly (erm, no pun intended).
The romance/attraction did feel a little rushed at the beginning but as the story progressed it got decidedly better and felt much more natural. I think I swooned a little each time Ty said, ‘Baby.’ 😍
I really liked the magical element of the story and the supporting characters. There’s plenty of action and suspense that really help to keep the plot moving at a steady pace and I really enjoyed the light-hearted humour sprinkled throughout.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet, action-packed story and devoured it in a few hours. I’m looking forward to the next in the series, which I hope answers some questions I still have.
If you'd like to read more reviews, take part in giveaways and more, I'd love for you to head over to My Endless Shelf.
May 30, 2018
Man, this is not an easy book to rate and review. It was ok and I kind of liked it. Ugh.
So, around the 40% mark or so I was almost ready to throw in the towel. I hate doing that on any given day but especially don’t want to do it with an ARC, but I was close. I just felt like I wasn’t getting it. I actually went and skimmed some of the reviews to see if I was alone on my island again. Surprise! I was. So many reviews with key words like chemistry, action, hot and heavy romance. Um, I felt like there was no chemistry between Cary and Ty. None. There wasn’t even really any of that chemistry that takes place in their head. Like I think he is hot as burning but I hate him kind of thoughts. There was also just so much going on. I didn’t know if this was a criminal/mob book, because come one, these two guys were criminals, a caper, a paranormal romance or a book about the Fae, um, the title anyone?? Don’t even get me started about that.
I persevered.
And it did pick up but was still very, very busy. I guess with a first book in a new series you have to set the stage but I still am unsure what that stage is.
So, I enjoyed the second half way better than I did the first half. I’ll even go so far to say it was action packed and slightly exciting but again, there were too many different things going on and not enough explanation on any of them. I was truly left unsure of what even was going on. I get it though, there is a setup for more.
What never improved for me though was the romance. These two guys were so freaking flat. I never felt their connection and BOOM they are in love. Why??? They didn’t talk to each other even when they could. There was no trust whatsoever and really, Ty would have been totally fine had Cary just left. I just never got it. Aaaaaaannnnndddd…if there are going to be more books about the same couple, why rush this part of the story?
I am totally here for the Fae.
I’ll give the next one a shot for sure, hopefully there are some needed explanations.
**ARC provided by IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.**
So, around the 40% mark or so I was almost ready to throw in the towel. I hate doing that on any given day but especially don’t want to do it with an ARC, but I was close. I just felt like I wasn’t getting it. I actually went and skimmed some of the reviews to see if I was alone on my island again. Surprise! I was. So many reviews with key words like chemistry, action, hot and heavy romance. Um, I felt like there was no chemistry between Cary and Ty. None. There wasn’t even really any of that chemistry that takes place in their head. Like I think he is hot as burning but I hate him kind of thoughts. There was also just so much going on. I didn’t know if this was a criminal/mob book, because come one, these two guys were criminals, a caper, a paranormal romance or a book about the Fae, um, the title anyone?? Don’t even get me started about that.
I persevered.
And it did pick up but was still very, very busy. I guess with a first book in a new series you have to set the stage but I still am unsure what that stage is.
So, I enjoyed the second half way better than I did the first half. I’ll even go so far to say it was action packed and slightly exciting but again, there were too many different things going on and not enough explanation on any of them. I was truly left unsure of what even was going on. I get it though, there is a setup for more.
What never improved for me though was the romance. These two guys were so freaking flat. I never felt their connection and BOOM they are in love. Why??? They didn’t talk to each other even when they could. There was no trust whatsoever and really, Ty would have been totally fine had Cary just left. I just never got it. Aaaaaaannnnndddd…if there are going to be more books about the same couple, why rush this part of the story?
I am totally here for the Fae.
I’ll give the next one a shot for sure, hopefully there are some needed explanations.
**ARC provided by IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.**
May 29, 2018
I enjoyed this paranormal romance. The leads are Cary, who’s trying to make it as a stage magician after getting out of prison, and Ty, who uses his sensitivity to magic and other skills to track down and retrieve items for his clients. The two of them meet when Ty is hired to obtain a magical amulet that belonged to Cary’s grandfather. Ty steals the medallion from Cary, and then it’s promptly take from Ty by a mobster and his sister, a sorceress. Cary wants his grandfather’s legacy back, and Ty wants to preserve his reputation and get the amulet for his client. So, even though they don’t really trust each other, the two of them team up and hatch a plan to get the medallion back. But, of course, things don’t go according to plan, and that includes the attraction they feel for each other that complicates their partnership.
So, both Ty and Cary are likeable rogue types, and they make a good match. The fantasy element is sufficiently interesting, with both human magic and Faerie coming into play as part of the plot. Ty’s sorcerer friend Sebastian livened up the storyline, and I’m hoping he shows up in other books in the series.
Since this novel is the first in a series, I do kind of wish the author had chosen to grow the romance between the two men a little more slowly. There’s no need to have them get to the “I love you’s” quite so quickly if you have multiple books to work with. You can let their attraction grow a bit before getting to that point, and then it feels more earned, which I appreciate.
That minor quibble aside, I do want to read the next book. There’s a mysterious link between Ty and the Faerie realm, and I want to know what it is, so I’m in.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
So, both Ty and Cary are likeable rogue types, and they make a good match. The fantasy element is sufficiently interesting, with both human magic and Faerie coming into play as part of the plot. Ty’s sorcerer friend Sebastian livened up the storyline, and I’m hoping he shows up in other books in the series.
Since this novel is the first in a series, I do kind of wish the author had chosen to grow the romance between the two men a little more slowly. There’s no need to have them get to the “I love you’s” quite so quickly if you have multiple books to work with. You can let their attraction grow a bit before getting to that point, and then it feels more earned, which I appreciate.
That minor quibble aside, I do want to read the next book. There’s a mysterious link between Ty and the Faerie realm, and I want to know what it is, so I’m in.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
Books with magic are always a draw for me and I am always looking for something new that reaches out of the usual magic seen in a lot of books. I can’t say that A Touch of Magic succeeded in that regard as the magic seen here was basic and somewhat haphazard, even when there were full-scale sorcerers on page.
Cary and Ty are thrown together out of circumstance. They are both fairly alone in life and trying to get by. Ty has little memory of his early life and he basically remembers life with his mentor, Leland. But that relationship ended when Leland severed ties and Ty has no idea why. Cary has no idea at all what he is capable of and relies on an amulet that belonged to his grandfather to sustain his small magic show. What follows is a chase as the amulet changes hands and while Ty and Cary think they are working together, old instincts die hard.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
Books with magic are always a draw for me and I am always looking for something new that reaches out of the usual magic seen in a lot of books. I can’t say that A Touch of Magic succeeded in that regard as the magic seen here was basic and somewhat haphazard, even when there were full-scale sorcerers on page.
Cary and Ty are thrown together out of circumstance. They are both fairly alone in life and trying to get by. Ty has little memory of his early life and he basically remembers life with his mentor, Leland. But that relationship ended when Leland severed ties and Ty has no idea why. Cary has no idea at all what he is capable of and relies on an amulet that belonged to his grandfather to sustain his small magic show. What follows is a chase as the amulet changes hands and while Ty and Cary think they are working together, old instincts die hard.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
September 21, 2020
As a fan of Adler's other works, I was interested when I saw that she had a modern, urban fantasy romance out and decided it would be next on my TBR. I settled in to giving it a read, thinking that a couple of chapters would be a fun, quick adventure to get my Saturday started.
And then I didn't stop.
And then I finished the book.
And I loved it.
We are introduced to Ty as he is "stalking his prey," so to speak. He's been hired to nick a powerful artifact from a "common" (i.e. someone who doesn't know and usually can't perform magic). Then we have ex-con and currently popular stage magician, Cary, who is trying to put his life back together and stay on the straight and narrow. Kind of difficult when a handsome, mysterious man steals your grandfather's medallion from you. All of that gets infinitely more complicated when someone else steals it from BOTH of you. Ty and Cary are forced to team up to retrieve the artifact, though the motives behind the partnership vary greatly and the emotions beneath the surface begin to heat up.
Honestly, writing like this is why I will always keep coming back to Adler's work. She has such a great grasp on pacing and description that, despite there being plenty of times when characters took a break or a breather, there was never a lull in the tension. Finding out more about each character and watching relationships begin to blossom, kept the book engaging and raises the stakes for the reader. The more I read, the more invested I was in Cary and Ty's success, both in their quest to retrieve the artifact and in their esteem for each other. And, while we are on the subject of words that sound like "steam," Adler perfectly captures the desperation, tenderness and sensuality that draw Cary and Ty dangerously close throughout the story.
I will say, though I NEED MORE BAS. Sebastian, a character introduced in the book, is so intriguing to me. I found him to be this delightful mix of the Marquis de Carabas from Neil Gaimen's Neverwhere and Adrian Țepeș/Alucard from Netflix's Castlevania series. I would love to see more of this character or to get into his backstory.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of the genre. It was an exciting, fun, and occasionally romantic adventure in urban fantasy, and I'm sure you would enjoy it.
Also, I'm pretty sure there was a reference to Pride & Prejudice and Mrs. Bennett's poor nerves...
And then I didn't stop.
And then I finished the book.
And I loved it.
We are introduced to Ty as he is "stalking his prey," so to speak. He's been hired to nick a powerful artifact from a "common" (i.e. someone who doesn't know and usually can't perform magic). Then we have ex-con and currently popular stage magician, Cary, who is trying to put his life back together and stay on the straight and narrow. Kind of difficult when a handsome, mysterious man steals your grandfather's medallion from you. All of that gets infinitely more complicated when someone else steals it from BOTH of you. Ty and Cary are forced to team up to retrieve the artifact, though the motives behind the partnership vary greatly and the emotions beneath the surface begin to heat up.
Honestly, writing like this is why I will always keep coming back to Adler's work. She has such a great grasp on pacing and description that, despite there being plenty of times when characters took a break or a breather, there was never a lull in the tension. Finding out more about each character and watching relationships begin to blossom, kept the book engaging and raises the stakes for the reader. The more I read, the more invested I was in Cary and Ty's success, both in their quest to retrieve the artifact and in their esteem for each other. And, while we are on the subject of words that sound like "steam," Adler perfectly captures the desperation, tenderness and sensuality that draw Cary and Ty dangerously close throughout the story.
I will say, though I NEED MORE BAS. Sebastian, a character introduced in the book, is so intriguing to me. I found him to be this delightful mix of the Marquis de Carabas from Neil Gaimen's Neverwhere and Adrian Țepeș/Alucard from Netflix's Castlevania series. I would love to see more of this character or to get into his backstory.
I highly recommend this book to any fan of the genre. It was an exciting, fun, and occasionally romantic adventure in urban fantasy, and I'm sure you would enjoy it.
Also, I'm pretty sure there was a reference to Pride & Prejudice and Mrs. Bennett's poor nerves...
May 29, 2018
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
If you'd ask me if my favorite genre is fantasy I would say: no, not really. But over the time I started to adore especially those books I'd call urban fantasy or those which aren't particularly high fantasy.
Isabelle Adler's book caught my attention when I was scrolling through my twitter timeline and followed the hashtag #1lineWed (in short: a hastag to follow shared lines of a WIP on Wednesday). The small snippets were amazing and when I had the possibility to read the book I devoured it.
The tension is perfectly balanced, the suspense is right there from the start, the moment Cary and Ty meet each other. It getting more and more interesting when they are forced to form a partnership - something which isn't what they've expected but soon something they won't miss anymore.
The relationship between those two is tentative growing, it's mixed with the new events, especially severe changes in Cary's life, but although they appear unlike and have other values and beliefs they make a good team and complete each other on a fundamental level.
The revealings within the book are suprising, one peak of tension is followed by another, there is rarely time to take a breath, to pause or to enjoy the shared time. In fact with having so many things connected to each other, you're highly anticipating the end of the book as reader - and the HEA which is provided is sweet but also - with being the first book in the series - a promising start of what's coming next for Cary and Ty. :3
The book contains - as the genre and tropes say - magic, paranormal activities; you're invited into a magical world, where magic power and abilites are mixed with daily events, jobs and "ordenary" people. I liked how rarely someone is batting an eye when magic is used, and the way the sorcerers, those who are powerful magicians and who are able to ignite the magic in things and special chosen people or change ordenary stuff in magical tools, were displayed is pretty interesting and... I dare say diverse. We have three sorcerers in the book and I was especially fond of Ty's friend Sebastian, nickname Bas, and his unconventional way of clothing, acting and had to laugh a lot about his unique attitude. :3 I actually hope that we see him in book 2 or that he maybe gets his own book? :3
Cary, as someone who isn't tought as a sorcerer but inherits a great deal of magic, deeply slumbering inside him, is a person who's learning how to deal with the new powers, to trust and use the new abilities.
Between Ty and Cary is a bond which is growing stronger and stronger and both get something out of their forced and unlikely partnership; it's emotional and sweet without being too cheesy. I really adored the scenes and the mutual feelings, first shown pretty hesitant - though some scenes are fueled with sexual tension - and tentative. :3
For this book, which is the first I've read by the author, I give 5 full stars. Great magical, paranormal adventure with an amazing balance of emoitional parts, suspense and quirky, totally adorable characters you really want to meet again. :3
Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words
If you'd ask me if my favorite genre is fantasy I would say: no, not really. But over the time I started to adore especially those books I'd call urban fantasy or those which aren't particularly high fantasy.
Isabelle Adler's book caught my attention when I was scrolling through my twitter timeline and followed the hashtag #1lineWed (in short: a hastag to follow shared lines of a WIP on Wednesday). The small snippets were amazing and when I had the possibility to read the book I devoured it.
The tension is perfectly balanced, the suspense is right there from the start, the moment Cary and Ty meet each other. It getting more and more interesting when they are forced to form a partnership - something which isn't what they've expected but soon something they won't miss anymore.
The relationship between those two is tentative growing, it's mixed with the new events, especially severe changes in Cary's life, but although they appear unlike and have other values and beliefs they make a good team and complete each other on a fundamental level.
The revealings within the book are suprising, one peak of tension is followed by another, there is rarely time to take a breath, to pause or to enjoy the shared time. In fact with having so many things connected to each other, you're highly anticipating the end of the book as reader - and the HEA which is provided is sweet but also - with being the first book in the series - a promising start of what's coming next for Cary and Ty. :3
The book contains - as the genre and tropes say - magic, paranormal activities; you're invited into a magical world, where magic power and abilites are mixed with daily events, jobs and "ordenary" people. I liked how rarely someone is batting an eye when magic is used, and the way the sorcerers, those who are powerful magicians and who are able to ignite the magic in things and special chosen people or change ordenary stuff in magical tools, were displayed is pretty interesting and... I dare say diverse. We have three sorcerers in the book and I was especially fond of Ty's friend Sebastian, nickname Bas, and his unconventional way of clothing, acting and had to laugh a lot about his unique attitude. :3 I actually hope that we see him in book 2 or that he maybe gets his own book? :3
Cary, as someone who isn't tought as a sorcerer but inherits a great deal of magic, deeply slumbering inside him, is a person who's learning how to deal with the new powers, to trust and use the new abilities.
Between Ty and Cary is a bond which is growing stronger and stronger and both get something out of their forced and unlikely partnership; it's emotional and sweet without being too cheesy. I really adored the scenes and the mutual feelings, first shown pretty hesitant - though some scenes are fueled with sexual tension - and tentative. :3
For this book, which is the first I've read by the author, I give 5 full stars. Great magical, paranormal adventure with an amazing balance of emoitional parts, suspense and quirky, totally adorable characters you really want to meet again. :3
Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words
April 28, 2020
More like 4.5 stars.
I love Isabelle Adler's writing, and I'm a huge fan of her Castaway Prince books, so I was surprised that this one passed by my notice.
Adler's characters are very vivid. They are quite real to me and I have no problem creating them as real people in my mind's movie version that I create as I read any book. Ty is our main character, and he's gruff, rough, and reserved, but still a little soft on the inside. Cary, the love interest, is equally as rough, having had a bit of a difficult upbringing and making some previously poor life choices, but he is certainly the more demonstrative and sensitive of the two.
Adler played up the tug of war of emotions between these two characters really well, and I enjoyed the tension that arose between them as they willfully ignored their blossoming relationship. It was also a bit refreshing to see Adler let the two gay men have sex right off the bat instead of agonizingly making me wait until they had resolved their emotional issues. In fact, I find this plays out like this in the real world more often than not. Now, not always, but when I was a fresh, young, gay guy, having a one night stand with someone was relatively common, and then that encounter often led to a friendship and on the rare occasion, a relationship. Adler's story here mimicked my real-life and I loved that. It was relatable. <-- that's a key element in a really good story!
The magic was interesting, and clearly has a whole set of dynamics layered into the human fabric, like, who has it, and who doesn't. Even if you do have it, not everyone can wield it the same as the next person. But, we are left wondering where magic came from, the extent of its powers, the rules...and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It certainly left me wanting to read more. <--- there's another key element in a really good story.
We had a couple of twists and turns. There was more than one villain. And there was pain and struggle in order to come to the book's conclusion. <---Yet a third element of a really good story. Something that is difficult to wrangle in a good Urban Fantasy tale is how to come to a satisfying conclusion without magic fixing everything. Adler was able to do this, and in fact, it was the mighty sorcerer who is too cocky and confident in his powers that led him to his ultimate downfall. See, kids, magic doesn't solve everything!
Now, it says this is Book 1 of the Fae Touched series, and I certainly hope I get to see more of Ty and Cary. They make a good couple, and I'm curious to see where this all goes.
I love Isabelle Adler's writing, and I'm a huge fan of her Castaway Prince books, so I was surprised that this one passed by my notice.
Adler's characters are very vivid. They are quite real to me and I have no problem creating them as real people in my mind's movie version that I create as I read any book. Ty is our main character, and he's gruff, rough, and reserved, but still a little soft on the inside. Cary, the love interest, is equally as rough, having had a bit of a difficult upbringing and making some previously poor life choices, but he is certainly the more demonstrative and sensitive of the two.
Adler played up the tug of war of emotions between these two characters really well, and I enjoyed the tension that arose between them as they willfully ignored their blossoming relationship. It was also a bit refreshing to see Adler let the two gay men have sex right off the bat instead of agonizingly making me wait until they had resolved their emotional issues. In fact, I find this plays out like this in the real world more often than not. Now, not always, but when I was a fresh, young, gay guy, having a one night stand with someone was relatively common, and then that encounter often led to a friendship and on the rare occasion, a relationship. Adler's story here mimicked my real-life and I loved that. It was relatable. <-- that's a key element in a really good story!
The magic was interesting, and clearly has a whole set of dynamics layered into the human fabric, like, who has it, and who doesn't. Even if you do have it, not everyone can wield it the same as the next person. But, we are left wondering where magic came from, the extent of its powers, the rules...and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. It certainly left me wanting to read more. <--- there's another key element in a really good story.
We had a couple of twists and turns. There was more than one villain. And there was pain and struggle in order to come to the book's conclusion. <---Yet a third element of a really good story. Something that is difficult to wrangle in a good Urban Fantasy tale is how to come to a satisfying conclusion without magic fixing everything. Adler was able to do this, and in fact, it was the mighty sorcerer who is too cocky and confident in his powers that led him to his ultimate downfall. See, kids, magic doesn't solve everything!
Now, it says this is Book 1 of the Fae Touched series, and I certainly hope I get to see more of Ty and Cary. They make a good couple, and I'm curious to see where this all goes.
June 18, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
This was a pretty standard urban fantasy story, but it was a fun read and I liked Ty and Cary so I feel like I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars [maybe more like 3.5 rounded up but still]. The story has a good pace and a good mix of magic and thriller which I definitely like. However I feel like calling the series 'Fae-Touched' might be a bit confusing with this first book because there aren't any actual Fae in it and they don't even really get mentioned til about 3/4ths of the way through the book so I spent a lot of time wondering when that was going to come in.
Honestly my only big problem with the book is that there is only one female character in it, which I was able to mostly get past but it's still kind of annoying. I get that if you are writing M/M romance then your two leads have to obviously be men, but there is no reason any of the other characters *had* to be men and a few could easily have been women with no major plot differences. Still, it was a nice short read and I'll probably check out the next one when it comes out.
This was a pretty standard urban fantasy story, but it was a fun read and I liked Ty and Cary so I feel like I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars [maybe more like 3.5 rounded up but still]. The story has a good pace and a good mix of magic and thriller which I definitely like. However I feel like calling the series 'Fae-Touched' might be a bit confusing with this first book because there aren't any actual Fae in it and they don't even really get mentioned til about 3/4ths of the way through the book so I spent a lot of time wondering when that was going to come in.
Honestly my only big problem with the book is that there is only one female character in it, which I was able to mostly get past but it's still kind of annoying. I get that if you are writing M/M romance then your two leads have to obviously be men, but there is no reason any of the other characters *had* to be men and a few could easily have been women with no major plot differences. Still, it was a nice short read and I'll probably check out the next one when it comes out.
June 2, 2018
Solid paranormal romance series opener and no cliffhanger!
Put an amateur magician unknowingly in possession of a powerful magical amulet (Cary) together with a thief who specializes in magical artifacts (Ty) and throw in some mobsters and sorcerers/sorceresses, and you’ve got ‘A Touch of Magic.’ The various magical items and mob interactions were interesting to read about, and the slow burn romance between our two leading men was sweet.
LGBT friendly. #ATouchOfMagic #NetGalley
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
Put an amateur magician unknowingly in possession of a powerful magical amulet (Cary) together with a thief who specializes in magical artifacts (Ty) and throw in some mobsters and sorcerers/sorceresses, and you’ve got ‘A Touch of Magic.’ The various magical items and mob interactions were interesting to read about, and the slow burn romance between our two leading men was sweet.
LGBT friendly. #ATouchOfMagic #NetGalley
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
July 16, 2018
I love it when a book takes me by surprise and that's exactly what happened with A Touch of Magic. This is the first book I've read by Isabelle Adler, but since I'm now intrigued by the Fae-Touched series, it most definitely won't be my last.
Cary knew his grandfather's medallion was powerful, but he had no idea what the magic it contained was capable of. When Ty steals it from him he never would have guessed that he would eventually be joining forces with him to get it back from yet another thief. Their alliance was tenuous, but their mutual attraction was too hard to ignore.
There were quite a few twists and turns in A Touch of Magic and a few unexpected connections that kept things interesting. There was just enough mystery, magic and romance to keep the pages turning. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Fae-Touched series.
I received A Touch of Magic in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Cary knew his grandfather's medallion was powerful, but he had no idea what the magic it contained was capable of. When Ty steals it from him he never would have guessed that he would eventually be joining forces with him to get it back from yet another thief. Their alliance was tenuous, but their mutual attraction was too hard to ignore.
There were quite a few twists and turns in A Touch of Magic and a few unexpected connections that kept things interesting. There was just enough mystery, magic and romance to keep the pages turning. I can't wait to see what happens next in the Fae-Touched series.
I received A Touch of Magic in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 19, 2018
A fun book of magic, deception, and romance.
Ty is a professional thief who steals magical items for his clients. Cary is an upstart stage magician who doesn't know he's got real magic inside of him. When Ty steals Cary's amulet, which belonged to his grandfather, the two of them end up in a high-stakes heist to get the amulet back from the mob.
The book is action-packed and full of romance, but Adler doesn't skimp on the character development. I like how Ty is a mushy "bad" guy with a soft heart, which he's afraid will get broken if he lets himself love again. Cary is instantly attracted to Ty but doesn't want to commit to love before he knows Ty won't betray him. Together, the two of them are more of a sweet romance than an "always fighting and then having it out in the bedroom" couple. Fans of slow burning romances might be disappointed for this reason. Personally, I enjoyed watching the two of them learning to trust and communicate. By the end, I believed they had a great partnership in store, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
Ty is a professional thief who steals magical items for his clients. Cary is an upstart stage magician who doesn't know he's got real magic inside of him. When Ty steals Cary's amulet, which belonged to his grandfather, the two of them end up in a high-stakes heist to get the amulet back from the mob.
The book is action-packed and full of romance, but Adler doesn't skimp on the character development. I like how Ty is a mushy "bad" guy with a soft heart, which he's afraid will get broken if he lets himself love again. Cary is instantly attracted to Ty but doesn't want to commit to love before he knows Ty won't betray him. Together, the two of them are more of a sweet romance than an "always fighting and then having it out in the bedroom" couple. Fans of slow burning romances might be disappointed for this reason. Personally, I enjoyed watching the two of them learning to trust and communicate. By the end, I believed they had a great partnership in store, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
May 19, 2018
I received a copy of A Touch of Magic by Isabelle Adler via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. Of all the types of fantasy available, I still enjoy magic thanks to reading LOTR in fifth grade. One of the things I liked most about this book was the two protagonists, Ty and Cary, were not skilled magic users, one because he has minimal innate ability, the other because he does not know real magic exists and does not realize his own talents. They both have troubled pasts that affect their present lives, making them believably three-dimensional. The reader is eventually introduced to the world of sorcerers, both good and bad, and their search for more power. The author skillfully weaved together the many disparate threads of the story into a satisfying climax where the good guys barely survived and some of the bad guys got their just desserts. I already look forward to the next book in this series that is off to an auspicious start.
May 27, 2018
I reecived this book as an ARC thanks to Net Galley and Nine Star press!
this story shocked me in the best possible way!
the story centred around Ty and Cary both thieves in their own right and magic!
while I was expecting more Fantasy the plot grabbed me and wouldnt let go! Part Lord of Illusions, part Smokin Aces,, part Doimino this book was non stop! and the charcters! I didnt like Ty to start out but that soon changed! And Cary I Loved from the start!! One rough around the edges and one soft to the core! and their romance equal parts sweet and SO SO spicy!! left me begging for more! and can we just take a moment to appreciate how great and Funny sebastian was? I think after Cary he was my Favorite!! All in al alothough not what I excpected I loved this story with all my heart! cant wait to see what becomes of Ty, Cray, and Bas in future adventures!! thank you once again Nine star Press!!
this story shocked me in the best possible way!
the story centred around Ty and Cary both thieves in their own right and magic!
while I was expecting more Fantasy the plot grabbed me and wouldnt let go! Part Lord of Illusions, part Smokin Aces,, part Doimino this book was non stop! and the charcters! I didnt like Ty to start out but that soon changed! And Cary I Loved from the start!! One rough around the edges and one soft to the core! and their romance equal parts sweet and SO SO spicy!! left me begging for more! and can we just take a moment to appreciate how great and Funny sebastian was? I think after Cary he was my Favorite!! All in al alothough not what I excpected I loved this story with all my heart! cant wait to see what becomes of Ty, Cray, and Bas in future adventures!! thank you once again Nine star Press!!
June 20, 2018
***I was provided a copy of this book for review from NineStar Press through NetGalley.
Though this is not a typical genre for me, the plot of this book and the caper that it promised drew me in. I felt that the main characters were fleshed out really well, but many of the side characters were a little less full; however, with the length of this book that is understandable. I definitely wanted to know more about Bas and why he is the way he is.
The action and pace of this book made it a quick, enjoyable read. I would have loved a little more of the world and mechanics of the magic in the world worked out as sometimes it seemed a little inconsistent, but again with the length of the book that is understandable. All in all it was a fun read with a lot of action and twists.
Though this is not a typical genre for me, the plot of this book and the caper that it promised drew me in. I felt that the main characters were fleshed out really well, but many of the side characters were a little less full; however, with the length of this book that is understandable. I definitely wanted to know more about Bas and why he is the way he is.
The action and pace of this book made it a quick, enjoyable read. I would have loved a little more of the world and mechanics of the magic in the world worked out as sometimes it seemed a little inconsistent, but again with the length of the book that is understandable. All in all it was a fun read with a lot of action and twists.
May 25, 2018
A Touch of Magic was an enjoyable action-romance with two engaging leads and an interesting plot. I liked the way the characters gradually came together, and the pacing throughout was good. I found it a good set-up for future adventures between the pair, and I hope that in forthcoming titles we will get to learn more about Ty's background and Cary's powers. I would also like to see more of Sebastian Monroe. He was a delightful secondary character whose comments constantly made me smile. Overall, a most enjoyable MM PNR. 4.5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
June 10, 2018
This is a book I wish there was more of. It was good as is, but it left me a little bit hungry for more, in particular for learning more about the characters within.
Ty is an enigma, wrapped in a….no I’m just kidding. He’s a bad boy with a heart of gold and I do truly love him. He’s lovely, and he might possibly have an inkling of it.
Cary is a sweetheart, but definitely not as sweet as he seems. He’s a total secret badass.
My favourite character though was definitely Bas, who is flamboyant and interesting in equal measures.
This book is a fun heist-like romp. I thoroughly enjoyed those parts of it, but this book is not the greatest if you are looking for slow-burn romance. But if you’re looking for instant attraction, and gratification then this is definitely the book for you.
I’m excited to see this universe expand, and the magic within it to do so as well.
Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Ty is an enigma, wrapped in a….no I’m just kidding. He’s a bad boy with a heart of gold and I do truly love him. He’s lovely, and he might possibly have an inkling of it.
Cary is a sweetheart, but definitely not as sweet as he seems. He’s a total secret badass.
My favourite character though was definitely Bas, who is flamboyant and interesting in equal measures.
This book is a fun heist-like romp. I thoroughly enjoyed those parts of it, but this book is not the greatest if you are looking for slow-burn romance. But if you’re looking for instant attraction, and gratification then this is definitely the book for you.
I’m excited to see this universe expand, and the magic within it to do so as well.
Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 29, 2018
This is the first book in the Fae-Touched series. Isabelle Adler is a new author for me and I really loved her style and this story. This story centers on magic being real. It contains mob bosses, sorcerers and thieves. It is a strange combination of characters, but the author pulls the story together wonderfully. The characters are well developed and the story moved at a great pace. It is a great start to a series, I can’t wait to read the next installment.
May 31, 2018
arc review
This is such a delightful and fun read. Its kind of like a queer pnr magic oceans eleven with mafia. Its a fun right on the hunt to steal back an amulet. The magic is interesting Sebastian is my favorite and I just imagine him with a British accent. This is a fun rom with an interesting magical world. Looking forward to more in this universe
This is such a delightful and fun read. Its kind of like a queer pnr magic oceans eleven with mafia. Its a fun right on the hunt to steal back an amulet. The magic is interesting Sebastian is my favorite and I just imagine him with a British accent. This is a fun rom with an interesting magical world. Looking forward to more in this universe
December 28, 2020
A Touch of Magic
A fun story full of dangers around every corner, amazing magic and dazzling romance through it all! I really enjoyed the story. It was exciting and kept me entertained the whole way.
A fun story full of dangers around every corner, amazing magic and dazzling romance through it all! I really enjoyed the story. It was exciting and kept me entertained the whole way.
June 10, 2018
It was okay. I liked the characters, but it spent too much time with the magician-dude kidnapped and/or unconscious.
March 22, 2022
I ended up skimming through a decent chunk of this. I felt like some parts were dragging.
June 15, 2018
I really really liked this book and it’s characters!
The beginning was fun – Ty bursting into Cary's dressing room to rob him of his amulet! – but it took me a while to get fully invested in Ty and Cary's story. They grew on me with every page and I just had to see them get together for real :)
I enjoyed the semi-fast pace, the action and suspense – mobster bosses and all! – as well as the back and forth romance between our guys!
Very well done! I ill definitely pick up any further installments.
Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review
The beginning was fun – Ty bursting into Cary's dressing room to rob him of his amulet! – but it took me a while to get fully invested in Ty and Cary's story. They grew on me with every page and I just had to see them get together for real :)
I enjoyed the semi-fast pace, the action and suspense – mobster bosses and all! – as well as the back and forth romance between our guys!
Very well done! I ill definitely pick up any further installments.
Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review
Read
June 11, 2018Category: Romance, Genre: Paranormal
Word Count: 68800
Pages: 182 (e-book edition)
Sex Content: Explicit
Pairing: MM, Orientation: Gay, Identity: Cisgender
Warnings: Violence, some of it ending in deaths of minor characters
Available from these vendors:
NineStar Press
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Amazon CA
Smashwords
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Also available in print from major retailers.
Word Count: 68800
Pages: 182 (e-book edition)
Sex Content: Explicit
Pairing: MM, Orientation: Gay, Identity: Cisgender
Warnings: Violence, some of it ending in deaths of minor characters
Available from these vendors:
NineStar Press
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Amazon CA
Smashwords
Kobo
Barnes & Noble
Also available in print from major retailers.
June 5, 2018
*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in return for an honest review*
*Spoilers Ahoy!*
Now let me start by saying that this book took my completely by surprise. After years of searching for a well-written LGBT fantasy romance and the disappointment that followed at every turn, I had all but given up on finding something worthwhile and had long since turned to fanfiction to find the connection I was looking for (Gigolas will forever be my OTP ngl) but with this I was given characters that made me... feel. I found myself honestly intrigued by what would happen next to Ty and Cary.
Thrown together by the theft of the amulet Ty has just stolen from Cary, the two men go hunting for an organized crime ring to get back what is owed to them. With both men out for themselves in the beginning, it was interesting to see the both of them draw closer together as the novel progressed.
What I liked:
Magic
Morally ambiguous characters
Humor
Realistic gay characters that didn't fall into the typical Top/Bottom dynamic.
Bas. Just in general.
What I want in the next book:
More explanation on Ty's past
More Fae!
A proper backstory on Cary's stint in prison
More Bas!
More jobs for Ty! What good is a magic thief without work?
In all, I find myself excited for the next instalment of the Fae-touched series and can't wait to see where the boys find themselves next. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on another ARC!
Cheers,
Lexi!
*Spoilers Ahoy!*
Now let me start by saying that this book took my completely by surprise. After years of searching for a well-written LGBT fantasy romance and the disappointment that followed at every turn, I had all but given up on finding something worthwhile and had long since turned to fanfiction to find the connection I was looking for (Gigolas will forever be my OTP ngl) but with this I was given characters that made me... feel. I found myself honestly intrigued by what would happen next to Ty and Cary.
Thrown together by the theft of the amulet Ty has just stolen from Cary, the two men go hunting for an organized crime ring to get back what is owed to them. With both men out for themselves in the beginning, it was interesting to see the both of them draw closer together as the novel progressed.
What I liked:
Magic
Morally ambiguous characters
Humor
Realistic gay characters that didn't fall into the typical Top/Bottom dynamic.
Bas. Just in general.
What I want in the next book:
More explanation on Ty's past
More Fae!
A proper backstory on Cary's stint in prison
More Bas!
More jobs for Ty! What good is a magic thief without work?
In all, I find myself excited for the next instalment of the Fae-touched series and can't wait to see where the boys find themselves next. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on another ARC!
Cheers,
Lexi!
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