What do you think?
Rate this book
If This Be Magic
Lithe, honey-haired Townsend Grey was at home on England's fog-enshrouded fen—until she came face to face with Ian Moncrieff, a towering half-French, half-Scottish nobleman. With his taunting words and piercing blue eyes, he made her his own. Man and wife, they re-turned to France still wrapped in the heat of their first touch. But for Townsend it was a journey into doubt. Had Ian married her for love, or the French chateau that came as her dowry?
In Paris a revolution was swirling around Versailles, and games of sensual intrigue, dangerous liaisons! and explosive flirtations threatened to tear them apart. Was the man whose powerful arms had claimed her back in England just another arrogant, decadent member of the French court? And now, as she dared to make a clean start far from pampered aristocrats, how would she live without his tantalizing
In Paris a revolution was swirling around Versailles, and games of sensual intrigue, dangerous liaisons! and explosive flirtations threatened to tear them apart. Was the man whose powerful arms had claimed her back in England just another arrogant, decadent member of the French court? And now, as she dared to make a clean start far from pampered aristocrats, how would she live without his tantalizing
346 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
32 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Tanner Marsh
31 books29 followersEven though Ellen was born in Germany, she was raised in New Jersey (insert Jersey joke here). That’s probably why she suffered extreme culture shock when her family moved to South Carolina when she was sixteen.
After all, it's hard to be uprooted from a pretty colonial town, say goodbye to lifelong friends, and be dragged 800 miles south by your parents. Ellen freely admits that the transformation from Jersey Girl to Southern Belle was a rocky one.
But steeped in history, the Lowcountry of South Carolina is the perfect place for a writer to live, because Charleston’s gorgeous historic houses, cobblestone streets, and moss-draped gardens serve as the ultimate “romance laboratory.”
So 40 years later has Ellen acclimated to living here? "Heck yeah, y’all."
After all, it's hard to be uprooted from a pretty colonial town, say goodbye to lifelong friends, and be dragged 800 miles south by your parents. Ellen freely admits that the transformation from Jersey Girl to Southern Belle was a rocky one.
But steeped in history, the Lowcountry of South Carolina is the perfect place for a writer to live, because Charleston’s gorgeous historic houses, cobblestone streets, and moss-draped gardens serve as the ultimate “romance laboratory.”
So 40 years later has Ellen acclimated to living here? "Heck yeah, y’all."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 26, 2023
Read: 5/24/23
4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this book! It had all the ingredients for a good Bodice-ripper.
The couple met when the Duke's great aunt is sick while on their journey to the Highlands. Ian has to dock the ship to find a doctor. Easier said, then done! There is heavy fog, and he is almost robbed by a boat pirate. Luckily, the h is there to help. Townsend (cute name) knows the Ferns like the back of her and takes Ian to town.
Townsend for the first time is smitten, which is understandable because Ian is the most handsome man she's ever seen. Ian is enchanted and steals a kiss from the fern girl. It's only later that he discovers she's from a wealthy family.
Later, the two are compromised when they are caught in the act by Townsend's meddlesome aunt. Ian manages to keep the incident quiet. No one can force him to marry! Later, he changes his mind and asks Townsend to marry him. The fact that no one is pressuring him must mean he cares for her, right?
What Townsend doesn't know is that Ian only changed his mind after learning about a château that is part of dowry. Ian is very jaded after living at Versailles. He doesn't get emotionally involved. Still, the marriage starts off great. The couple can't keep their hands off each other. Then Townsend's lovelorn cousin tells her about the dowry.
Now, Townsend is living at the French Court with her husband, who doesn't care about her. She has to navigate in this treacherous court and be humiliated by all the women around him. Spoiler: he doesn't cheat on her. I love how strong Townsend is. She won't sink into despair or self-pity.
Ian tries his best to ignore his feelings for Townsend. He can't understand why he can't take a mistress. He also can't control the jealousy he feels towards other men around his wife. Though he knows Townsend would never cheat on him. Still, it takes the H a long time to realize he loves her.
Most of the book takes place at Versailles at the beginning of the Revolution. There is a reason Ian is at court... revenge!. His back story is very interesting. The author gives all her characters such depth, which makes me want to read more about Townsend's family.
All in all, this was a good romance! I love that Ian isn't instantly in love with Townsend. Their relationship is more realistic. It was enjoyable to watch them grow to love each other. Add a fast-paced story with plenty of intrigued and you have a good book!
Sidenote: I hate when h give up their virginity so easily.
4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this book! It had all the ingredients for a good Bodice-ripper.
The couple met when the Duke's great aunt is sick while on their journey to the Highlands. Ian has to dock the ship to find a doctor. Easier said, then done! There is heavy fog, and he is almost robbed by a boat pirate. Luckily, the h is there to help. Townsend (cute name) knows the Ferns like the back of her and takes Ian to town.
Townsend for the first time is smitten, which is understandable because Ian is the most handsome man she's ever seen. Ian is enchanted and steals a kiss from the fern girl. It's only later that he discovers she's from a wealthy family.
Later, the two are compromised when they are caught in the act by Townsend's meddlesome aunt. Ian manages to keep the incident quiet. No one can force him to marry! Later, he changes his mind and asks Townsend to marry him. The fact that no one is pressuring him must mean he cares for her, right?
What Townsend doesn't know is that Ian only changed his mind after learning about a château that is part of dowry. Ian is very jaded after living at Versailles. He doesn't get emotionally involved. Still, the marriage starts off great. The couple can't keep their hands off each other. Then Townsend's lovelorn cousin tells her about the dowry.
Now, Townsend is living at the French Court with her husband, who doesn't care about her. She has to navigate in this treacherous court and be humiliated by all the women around him. Spoiler: he doesn't cheat on her. I love how strong Townsend is. She won't sink into despair or self-pity.
Ian tries his best to ignore his feelings for Townsend. He can't understand why he can't take a mistress. He also can't control the jealousy he feels towards other men around his wife. Though he knows Townsend would never cheat on him. Still, it takes the H a long time to realize he loves her.
Most of the book takes place at Versailles at the beginning of the Revolution. There is a reason Ian is at court... revenge!. His back story is very interesting. The author gives all her characters such depth, which makes me want to read more about Townsend's family.
All in all, this was a good romance! I love that Ian isn't instantly in love with Townsend. Their relationship is more realistic. It was enjoyable to watch them grow to love each other. Add a fast-paced story with plenty of intrigued and you have a good book!
Sidenote: I hate when h give up their virginity so easily.
September 22, 2009
This was a very well written and very informative novel about the French Revolution. I finally found out what color puce really was and where the term came from (means flea in French and was a favorite color of the queen). Learned a great deal about events leading up to the revolution, the abosolute decadence of the court, and there was a good love story with enough sex scenes to add spice.
May 24, 2023
This was a great story, which sweeps you into the atmosphere of France at the start of the Revolution, court life at Versailles (with all its intrigue, immorality and ridiculous protocol), King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (each in their own way unfit to be monarchs) and the common people, whose righteous grievances turned into a wrongful nightmare. Within this background is the marriage of Townsend Grey and Ian Moncrieff, which doesn't start out in the best of circumstances, but has intense physical passion and enduring love. It it took a while for Ian to realize the love part, as he was more interested in acquiring the vineyards of Sezac, the estate Townsend inherited, whereas she fell in love with all the illusions of a young innocent woman, only to have them shattered when she discovered the truth.
What makes this book different is that when she discovers her husband's less than romantic motives for their marriage, instead of the usual running home to her family or at least running away from him, she decided to stick it out and make things work, although it seemed an uphill battle, as he could be cold and distant, which made her hurt and angry, and for a time the only place they connected was in bed. There's also the OM, Henri, who's older, sophisticated, hiding his true identity, and a man Ian has reason to hate and seek vengeance on, and is not pleased to have as a rival. On Townsend's part, she sees him as a friend, an older man who she can turn to for advice and to escort her to the many social events she's required to attend, when her husband is absent or indifferent. Henri takes advantage of this, which triggers events that cause near disaster, as well as a few months separation, but this leads to a reconciliation and a new start at Sezac.
However, with the political and social upheaval in the country, as well as a trouble making ex-mistress of Ian's, the idyllic time doesn't last, and there's quite an ordeal ahead for them both to face, as Townsend unwillingly gets caught up in a peasant uprising and all the violence that goes with it.
There's quite a bit to recommend this novel, but also some drawbacks. It was entertaining as well as informative to learn something about working in vineyards and making wine, while seeing Ian and Townsend grow closer through this shared interest, but it seemed like too much of their marriage was focused on sex. While it's great to have all that passion, there should have been more scenes with the two of them talking, working out their differences and saying what was in their hearts, besides giving each other orgasms. And, with the way they both loved Sezac so much, and had so many plans for creating a superb wine and exporting it to India and the Caribbean, it's highly unlikely that they would give this all up, even with all the turmoil, and their need to leave the country. Ian's sudden desire to run his family's estate in Scotland, which he never cared for, just didn't ring true. He had changed his outlook and attitude quite a bit as the story progressed, but that shouldn't include giving up a dream that he was making real. Also, Townsend, who had Sezac up and running before Ian even got there, loved that place so much, it's hard to believe she'd accept giving it up so easily, without seeming to care all that much. Even after everything she went through, including being in fear for her life, I still can't see her so eager to get back to England, when Sezac seemed so much her home.
I could say more, but I don't want to give away too much detail. I'd recommend this, and though I don't think it's a four star book, I wish I were able to give it three and a half.
What makes this book different is that when she discovers her husband's less than romantic motives for their marriage, instead of the usual running home to her family or at least running away from him, she decided to stick it out and make things work, although it seemed an uphill battle, as he could be cold and distant, which made her hurt and angry, and for a time the only place they connected was in bed. There's also the OM, Henri, who's older, sophisticated, hiding his true identity, and a man Ian has reason to hate and seek vengeance on, and is not pleased to have as a rival. On Townsend's part, she sees him as a friend, an older man who she can turn to for advice and to escort her to the many social events she's required to attend, when her husband is absent or indifferent. Henri takes advantage of this, which triggers events that cause near disaster, as well as a few months separation, but this leads to a reconciliation and a new start at Sezac.
However, with the political and social upheaval in the country, as well as a trouble making ex-mistress of Ian's, the idyllic time doesn't last, and there's quite an ordeal ahead for them both to face, as Townsend unwillingly gets caught up in a peasant uprising and all the violence that goes with it.
There's quite a bit to recommend this novel, but also some drawbacks. It was entertaining as well as informative to learn something about working in vineyards and making wine, while seeing Ian and Townsend grow closer through this shared interest, but it seemed like too much of their marriage was focused on sex. While it's great to have all that passion, there should have been more scenes with the two of them talking, working out their differences and saying what was in their hearts, besides giving each other orgasms. And, with the way they both loved Sezac so much, and had so many plans for creating a superb wine and exporting it to India and the Caribbean, it's highly unlikely that they would give this all up, even with all the turmoil, and their need to leave the country. Ian's sudden desire to run his family's estate in Scotland, which he never cared for, just didn't ring true. He had changed his outlook and attitude quite a bit as the story progressed, but that shouldn't include giving up a dream that he was making real. Also, Townsend, who had Sezac up and running before Ian even got there, loved that place so much, it's hard to believe she'd accept giving it up so easily, without seeming to care all that much. Even after everything she went through, including being in fear for her life, I still can't see her so eager to get back to England, when Sezac seemed so much her home.
I could say more, but I don't want to give away too much detail. I'd recommend this, and though I don't think it's a four star book, I wish I were able to give it three and a half.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews