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Magic Trilogy #3
Moonspun Magic
She felt his tongue gently stroke her lips...and his hands, caressing her shoulders, moved downward to mold her hips. "No, please," she said, sobbing with desire...
Beautiful Victoria Abermarle feared and fled the imperious desires of handsome Damien Carstairs, Baron Drago. But there was no escaping her own desires when she was rescued on the lawless highways of Regency England by Damien's identical twin, Rafael Carstairs.
Though Rafael matched the strength and daring, he was gentle where Damien was violent, caring where Damien was callous. The icy terror that Damien inspired melted in the flames of passion that Rafael ignited. And in a whirlwind of adventure, intrigue, and danger that set brother against brother and good against evil, Victoria fought to make the overwhelming power and glorious fulfillment of love the winner...
Beautiful Victoria Abermarle feared and fled the imperious desires of handsome Damien Carstairs, Baron Drago. But there was no escaping her own desires when she was rescued on the lawless highways of Regency England by Damien's identical twin, Rafael Carstairs.
Though Rafael matched the strength and daring, he was gentle where Damien was violent, caring where Damien was callous. The icy terror that Damien inspired melted in the flames of passion that Rafael ignited. And in a whirlwind of adventure, intrigue, and danger that set brother against brother and good against evil, Victoria fought to make the overwhelming power and glorious fulfillment of love the winner...
408 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1988
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February 7, 2017
Please note that I gave this 3.5 stars and rounded it up to 4 stars here.
Trigger warning: Rape.
I read this for Romance Book Bingo 2017: Twins square.
I have to say that the third book in this trilogy is my favorite. Maybe because this book calls back a location from one of Coulter's medieval books, I want to say "Fire Song". I have to look it up. Either way, I loved the little Easter eggs that are dropped. Plus we get to see characters we have known now through two other books. I really did enjoy that Frances/Hawk seem very much in love. So you can kind of block out the horribleness of the first book now. Plus I really enjoyed the heroine/hero in this one. For those who are looking for "Virgin Best First Time " square, you can use this book for that one as well.
Our heroine Victoria flees from her sister's husband Damien Carstairs, Baron Drago. Yeah he apparently thinks that rape is not that big a deal. Do not get me started on Victoria's appalling sister as well. I ended up feeling sorry for her, since it's pretty apparent her marriage to Damien is awful and on some weird level she likes it. When Victoria runs away she ends up being rescued by Damien's twin brother Rafael. Readers meet Rafael in the second book in the Magic Trilogy, so it was nice to see him get his own story-line. As good as Rafael is, we get to see though that Damien is awful.
Rafael is gentle and kind and decides he is going to do whatever is necessary to keep Damien from hurting Victoria. You can see that it pains him to see that his brother seems to just be "wrong" and not care. And Damien seems to loathe Rafael for having the same face. Yeah, there was some weird twin stuff happening in this book. There is also some grossness though with Rafael trying to control Victoria through sex.
Yeah I don't know why either. It's dumb.
And there is some jealousy of Rafael believing his brother that perhaps Victoria was really with him sexually which I was wondering about his intelligence at this point. Rafael tries to play a trick on Victoria, but as we quickly find out though, Victoria is able to tell Rafael and Damien apart from each other simply by how her body responds. I guess if one man tried to rape me I would always be on edge around him.
There are some familiar and beloved secondary characters in this one. I absolutely loved Frances and Lyon's aunt in this one. The men, meh to you. They were fine, but the women really shine.
There is a secondary plot going on with men abducting young women in the area and raping them. So yeah, stay away if you don't want to hear some terrible men's justifications for what they are doing. And weirdly this book made me think of Nora Roberts "Brotherhood in Death" which had that same type of plot in it. I really wasn't happy with the final resolution to that storyline, but I get it though, the times were that things like that were not seen as a great deal until a girl of quality is kidnapped. Apparently when it was the poor it was a hard shrug.
The writing was okay, but the plot with the gross club kidnapping and raping women take up a great deal of the book. I did like the love scenes. Give me a good love scene and I am usually all over a book.
I think the flow was okay too, nothing to complain about there. Even though I have read this book a million times (exaggerating) it always feels new to me. Maybe because this ended up being my favorite couple out of the three couples who are featured.
Trigger warning: Rape.
I read this for Romance Book Bingo 2017: Twins square.
I have to say that the third book in this trilogy is my favorite. Maybe because this book calls back a location from one of Coulter's medieval books, I want to say "Fire Song". I have to look it up. Either way, I loved the little Easter eggs that are dropped. Plus we get to see characters we have known now through two other books. I really did enjoy that Frances/Hawk seem very much in love. So you can kind of block out the horribleness of the first book now. Plus I really enjoyed the heroine/hero in this one. For those who are looking for "Virgin Best First Time " square, you can use this book for that one as well.
Our heroine Victoria flees from her sister's husband Damien Carstairs, Baron Drago. Yeah he apparently thinks that rape is not that big a deal. Do not get me started on Victoria's appalling sister as well. I ended up feeling sorry for her, since it's pretty apparent her marriage to Damien is awful and on some weird level she likes it. When Victoria runs away she ends up being rescued by Damien's twin brother Rafael. Readers meet Rafael in the second book in the Magic Trilogy, so it was nice to see him get his own story-line. As good as Rafael is, we get to see though that Damien is awful.
Rafael is gentle and kind and decides he is going to do whatever is necessary to keep Damien from hurting Victoria. You can see that it pains him to see that his brother seems to just be "wrong" and not care. And Damien seems to loathe Rafael for having the same face. Yeah, there was some weird twin stuff happening in this book. There is also some grossness though with Rafael trying to control Victoria through sex.
Yeah I don't know why either. It's dumb.
And there is some jealousy of Rafael believing his brother that perhaps Victoria was really with him sexually which I was wondering about his intelligence at this point. Rafael tries to play a trick on Victoria, but as we quickly find out though, Victoria is able to tell Rafael and Damien apart from each other simply by how her body responds. I guess if one man tried to rape me I would always be on edge around him.
There are some familiar and beloved secondary characters in this one. I absolutely loved Frances and Lyon's aunt in this one. The men, meh to you. They were fine, but the women really shine.
There is a secondary plot going on with men abducting young women in the area and raping them. So yeah, stay away if you don't want to hear some terrible men's justifications for what they are doing. And weirdly this book made me think of Nora Roberts "Brotherhood in Death" which had that same type of plot in it. I really wasn't happy with the final resolution to that storyline, but I get it though, the times were that things like that were not seen as a great deal until a girl of quality is kidnapped. Apparently when it was the poor it was a hard shrug.
The writing was okay, but the plot with the gross club kidnapping and raping women take up a great deal of the book. I did like the love scenes. Give me a good love scene and I am usually all over a book.
I think the flow was okay too, nothing to complain about there. Even though I have read this book a million times (exaggerating) it always feels new to me. Maybe because this ended up being my favorite couple out of the three couples who are featured.
September 30, 2013
While fleeing the advances of her brother-in-law, she runs into his identical twin brother. While trying to repair the family rift, they stumble upon a mystery involving a revival of the Hell Fire Club. The story was sweet, the sex easy to skip, and the mystery rather intriguing. The denouement was rather fast, and the quick change of the villain almost unbelievable, but it was an enjoyable read. On an interesting side note, this was the second book I picked up at the library that week which involved the Hellfire Club.
I did reread this novel again a couple of months later and I realized that I couldn't do so again because the hero is such an ass (and I never use that word).
I did reread this novel again a couple of months later and I realized that I couldn't do so again because the hero is such an ass (and I never use that word).
August 21, 2012
I think I liked Moonspun Magic the best out of the Magic trilogy. I had liked Rafael's character in the previous book, Calypso Magic. It was nice to see that he wasn't really a pirate, but a spy for the government. While a bit naive, Victoria give Rafael a run for his money. I thought they were well matched. Since this is a trilogy, the characters from the first two books show up in this one. It is always nice to "catch up" with familiar characters. Ms. Coulter has also added in a very evil character here. Damien Carstairs is a really despicable man. I felt badly for Victoria that she has to put up with a cousin-in-law like him.
The only issue I had with the book is that it does have some uncomfortable content. Damien (the evil twin) and other men in the community are a part of a secret society that kidnap and gang-rape young servant virgins in the surrounding villages. The scenes are handled fairly delicately given the subject matter. But, the general attitude of the men towards the servant girls was appalling and might be hard for some readers to stomach.
In all, this was a good close to the trilogy. I do recommend it if you are looking for a good historical romance. The audio was done fairly well and worth a listen!
The only issue I had with the book is that it does have some uncomfortable content. Damien (the evil twin) and other men in the community are a part of a secret society that kidnap and gang-rape young servant virgins in the surrounding villages. The scenes are handled fairly delicately given the subject matter. But, the general attitude of the men towards the servant girls was appalling and might be hard for some readers to stomach.
In all, this was a good close to the trilogy. I do recommend it if you are looking for a good historical romance. The audio was done fairly well and worth a listen!
October 11, 2010
The hero and heroine were okay, but the villain did some horrible things and got away scot-free. He really needed to get what was coming to him and I was disappointed that he didn't.
March 20, 2020
A very intrigued and awesome love story that finishes this interesting detective and adventurous trilogy. It impressed me as the second book. Why? Because the theme of secret societies what I love the most in suspense romance was discovered and half-opened here. I know, some people do not love to read about such things but I adore, so that was my gem for reading. Plus, we cannot know how fake or real the stories about those secret societies, right? ;)
The stories about twins is very interested in Romance genre and I was super excited to read this book because it has this topic. A dark, dangerous and hot Damien Carstairs made me fall in love with him comparing with his disgusting bro. His twin-brother was a real Devil. I thought how everything will end if they hate each other so much and many people can mess up to differ them- blood shedding or something else? I was puzzled.
However, I was very surprised by the end. Sometimes I think villains cannot change themselves but as I see sometimes the rules can be broken.
The steamy romance between Victoria and Damien was amazing but I rolled my eyes when Victoria tried to do everything just not to show her scar on a leg and stupidly hid it from Damien. Despite Damien asked her why did she hide something from him, she lost Damien's trust. However, everything was solved. But... Why female characters behave so in the Historical Romance stories? I cannot get it! Why need to put yourself in danger and hide serious facts from a man? That's stupid. LOL. But I also noticed men doubt in women's virginity and mostly time blame them in their unfaithful behavior. That's double stupid, lol.
Anyway, I enjoyed the story and my rating is 5!
The stories about twins is very interested in Romance genre and I was super excited to read this book because it has this topic. A dark, dangerous and hot Damien Carstairs made me fall in love with him comparing with his disgusting bro. His twin-brother was a real Devil. I thought how everything will end if they hate each other so much and many people can mess up to differ them- blood shedding or something else? I was puzzled.
However, I was very surprised by the end. Sometimes I think villains cannot change themselves but as I see sometimes the rules can be broken.
The steamy romance between Victoria and Damien was amazing but I rolled my eyes when Victoria tried to do everything just not to show her scar on a leg and stupidly hid it from Damien. Despite Damien asked her why did she hide something from him, she lost Damien's trust. However, everything was solved. But... Why female characters behave so in the Historical Romance stories? I cannot get it! Why need to put yourself in danger and hide serious facts from a man? That's stupid. LOL. But I also noticed men doubt in women's virginity and mostly time blame them in their unfaithful behavior. That's double stupid, lol.
Anyway, I enjoyed the story and my rating is 5!
April 16, 2020
Awesome.
January 26, 2015
both the hero and villain were evil. rafe only had to dominate her sexually and all would be fine? I was disgusted by this. I tried to finish but couldn't. luckily I remembered I was reading on my kindle or I would have thrown it across the room as I have with others. just another horrible book were it wasn't rape because she climaxed. if coulter is male then this crap is exactly what one would expect from a male "romance" writer. if its a woman, the story is even more insulting to anyone male or female who has been forced to enjoy it. I will not be reading anymore Coulter books.
December 15, 2010
Saddly as this book was sent to me (with a pile of others) from overseas it's unlikely that I'll ever be able to read the first two books in this series. They aren't even in the library!
This was a great story though at times a bit predictable, and the amount of times I wanted to reach into the story and shake Victoria and tell her to "just show him the damn leg" were uncountable.
This was a great story though at times a bit predictable, and the amount of times I wanted to reach into the story and shake Victoria and tell her to "just show him the damn leg" were uncountable.
March 21, 2009
I read this back in the early 90s and only vaguely remember Captain Rafael Carstairs. I haven't begun it yet...it's on my too-read-next table.
Coulter was rather harder on her heroines during these years. I found myself wanted to slug Rafael frequently.
Coulter was rather harder on her heroines during these years. I found myself wanted to slug Rafael frequently.
November 17, 2013
Two major issues: The H spent the majority of the book proud of his ability to control his wife through sex, since wives, like children and ship crews, need to be kept in their places. The evil twin villain enjoys gang raping YOUNG virgins, but in the end he's not all that bad? What!?
March 2, 2015
I enjoyed this book it had an interesting cast of characters in the story, the plot was well used in the sense that it's been used before. The middle was a bit soft because it kept rolling around the same theme. But, it had a strong finish.
3.5
3.5
August 8, 2017
Pretty dark topics (rape) throughout vs happy fluffy romance. Raphael acted like an idiot to Victoria over and over and just expected her to forgive him - it was pretty annoying.
December 31, 2020
By and1515
Rafael was to stunned to fully react to everything changing so drastically in a matter of moments and now his heading to Cornwall.
He understood that his twin brother was now married to a shrew man's daughter who clearly held tight to the purse strings.
Her cousin's husband scared her she couldn't figure out why?
Victoria's hopes of escaping her situation rested solely with David.
However those plans went up in flames with every word he spoke leaving her devastated.
Victoria had no other choice she needed to leave even if she didn't know where she could hide from the monster who scared her.
Rafael was trying to make heads or tails of this poor girl rants when he finally figured out why she was so terrified of him.
He won't let her continued to wonder around by herself he'd find her somewhere she might feel safe.
Rafael was becoming very good at pretending to be his older brother and what he found out about her inheritance had him thinking.
Victoria never realized her descion to learn more about the terms of her inheritance would lead to her very nearly been kidnapped.
But lucky her a wonderful Lady wasn't afraid to step up and rescue her by threatening to shot someone.
Rafael knew it was only a matter of time before his brother figured out where they were staying.
But now he could reassure his brother that he was more then up to the task of taking care of his fiancee Victoria and of course everyone knew by now about their engagement after all the announcement was in the paper.
Victoria should have known his brother would find away to destroy them before they ever began.
Rafael didn't have a clue as to fix them he allowed his sick brother's words to take root in his head.
Time... Time can make everything better and when Rafael is tasked with discovering the member of a secret society with a perchance of performing horrible acts against people.
Rafael hated he worried his wife but now he would make sure she forever his number one priority.
Rafael was to stunned to fully react to everything changing so drastically in a matter of moments and now his heading to Cornwall.
He understood that his twin brother was now married to a shrew man's daughter who clearly held tight to the purse strings.
Her cousin's husband scared her she couldn't figure out why?
Victoria's hopes of escaping her situation rested solely with David.
However those plans went up in flames with every word he spoke leaving her devastated.
Victoria had no other choice she needed to leave even if she didn't know where she could hide from the monster who scared her.
Rafael was trying to make heads or tails of this poor girl rants when he finally figured out why she was so terrified of him.
He won't let her continued to wonder around by herself he'd find her somewhere she might feel safe.
Rafael was becoming very good at pretending to be his older brother and what he found out about her inheritance had him thinking.
Victoria never realized her descion to learn more about the terms of her inheritance would lead to her very nearly been kidnapped.
But lucky her a wonderful Lady wasn't afraid to step up and rescue her by threatening to shot someone.
Rafael knew it was only a matter of time before his brother figured out where they were staying.
But now he could reassure his brother that he was more then up to the task of taking care of his fiancee Victoria and of course everyone knew by now about their engagement after all the announcement was in the paper.
Victoria should have known his brother would find away to destroy them before they ever began.
Rafael didn't have a clue as to fix them he allowed his sick brother's words to take root in his head.
Time... Time can make everything better and when Rafael is tasked with discovering the member of a secret society with a perchance of performing horrible acts against people.
Rafael hated he worried his wife but now he would make sure she forever his number one priority.
January 22, 2019
First of all it’s been quite a long time since I read the last books in this series...
This book was really fun to read and I’d consider it a page turner—you don’t really need to pay attention, but you can still enjoy the book. It’s been welcome in between more serious books I’m reading for my masters.
That being said, the rape subplot was just cringey. It certainly didn’t age well and quite frankly it felt heavy-handed. I just didn’t care for it. The villain was exposed and I not only didn’t care, but it seems the book didn’t either, since nothing came of it! It really just felt like a “women in the fridge” type of trope. No bueno, in fact I skimmed most of these parts because they were boring and just didn’t work for me. That being said, good on Coulter for at least trying something new.
The main plot was fun and what made me want to read it, but only because I liked Rafael in the previous book in the series. I liked Rafael and Victoria and I think they fit together the best of all of the series couples. Though Rafael was honestly nerve wracking at times and Victoria painfully naive. They were cliche, but I still enjoyed their story.
All in all a fun, but frivolous read.
This book was really fun to read and I’d consider it a page turner—you don’t really need to pay attention, but you can still enjoy the book. It’s been welcome in between more serious books I’m reading for my masters.
That being said, the rape subplot was just cringey. It certainly didn’t age well and quite frankly it felt heavy-handed. I just didn’t care for it. The villain was exposed and I not only didn’t care, but it seems the book didn’t either, since nothing came of it! It really just felt like a “women in the fridge” type of trope. No bueno, in fact I skimmed most of these parts because they were boring and just didn’t work for me. That being said, good on Coulter for at least trying something new.
The main plot was fun and what made me want to read it, but only because I liked Rafael in the previous book in the series. I liked Rafael and Victoria and I think they fit together the best of all of the series couples. Though Rafael was honestly nerve wracking at times and Victoria painfully naive. They were cliche, but I still enjoyed their story.
All in all a fun, but frivolous read.
January 10, 2017
The final book in the trilogy was very well written. Considering it has been quite sometime since I read the first two books it was like reading another novel entirely that could stand by itself if necessary. I really appreciated that. Of course the identical twin thing does get rather overused at times but it's the skillful handling of the plot device that makes or breaks a book and I thought the author did a wonderful job. There was of course the standard twin shenanigans as well as The typical misunderstandings that happen in these novels but it was still very interesting and worth reading.
May 7, 2023
3.5 stars
Things I liked about this book
-Victoria and her character development
-Humor
-Smut scenes were *chiefs kiss*
Things I didn't really like
-Lack of communication at times
-Rafael's occasional treatment of Victoria (had to remember when this book was written)
-The villians didn't face any consequences; just a slap on the wrist for such heinous crimes
TW: sexual assault (including of minors)
Things I liked about this book
-Victoria and her character development
-Humor
-Smut scenes were *chiefs kiss*
Things I didn't really like
-Lack of communication at times
-Rafael's occasional treatment of Victoria (had to remember when this book was written)
-The villians didn't face any consequences; just a slap on the wrist for such heinous crimes
TW: sexual assault (including of minors)
July 15, 2024
Could have been astronomically better. Some redeeming storyline qualities, but frankly too much rape and incest to be considered a recommendation to anyone. First published 1988. Sounds about right. I think the female author has a strong idea that women are absolutely the ‘weaker sex’ and should remain that way. An updated release of the story without the womanizing and woman bashing would be worth checking into.
December 9, 2022
Still Love It!!!
I read this book over 25 years ago. I came across a copy at the local library and the cover was different back then. It was a great read. Fast forward to now, I went searching for this one again. It is still an excellent read as compared to other romance novels and to other authors. If historical romance moves you, you will enjoy this!
I read this book over 25 years ago. I came across a copy at the local library and the cover was different back then. It was a great read. Fast forward to now, I went searching for this one again. It is still an excellent read as compared to other romance novels and to other authors. If historical romance moves you, you will enjoy this!
August 9, 2019
Love her books
March 18, 2020
Love it
May 30, 2025
4.5 stars. Really loved this series.
Read
May 16, 20233 Books included
Midsummer Magic
A clever, beautiful woman disguises herself as a mousy Scottish lass to keep the notoriously rakish Earl of Rothermere from marrying her, only to find she was chosen for that very reason. After the earl discards her, she sheds her dowdy facade to become London society's brightest star—rousing the ire and igniting the passions of her faithless husband.
Calypso Magic
While visiting London, a beautiful young woman becomes homesick for the West Indies. Unfortunately, her only available chaperone for the perilous journey is her rakish hot-tempered cousin...
Moonspun Magic
To save a young woman from his villainous brother, a retired spy marries her—and that's just the beginning of their adventures together.
Midsummer Magic
A clever, beautiful woman disguises herself as a mousy Scottish lass to keep the notoriously rakish Earl of Rothermere from marrying her, only to find she was chosen for that very reason. After the earl discards her, she sheds her dowdy facade to become London society's brightest star—rousing the ire and igniting the passions of her faithless husband.
Calypso Magic
While visiting London, a beautiful young woman becomes homesick for the West Indies. Unfortunately, her only available chaperone for the perilous journey is her rakish hot-tempered cousin...
Moonspun Magic
To save a young woman from his villainous brother, a retired spy marries her—and that's just the beginning of their adventures together.
November 18, 2014
Moonspun Magic left me uncomfortable. I want my villains get punishments, and I want my heroes to do some heroic acts instead of spending their time inside the heroines ( pardon for my crudeness ) , but I never saw a single heroic muscle in Rafael. Every single villain was forgiven and they all lived happily ever after, probably doing their acts somewhere else or sometime later. If CC wanted to end her novel this way, she should not have invested my heart against the tales of satanic acts. Who avenged those young girls ?? I know the times were different, but that is why I read Fiction and not Non fiction.
November 26, 2012
A bit disjointed at times and overly dramatic, this is the story of the good vs. bad twin and the woman in between. A secret perverted club added, whose leader is a mystery I figured out early on, and misunderstandings and highhandedness and pride that make the main hero and heroine fight quite a bit, prolonging the drama.
It has its good moments but it's not a story I would want to re-read.
It has its good moments but it's not a story I would want to re-read.
September 16, 2011
I was wondering how it was that I read book 1 and 2 in the series and hadn't read the 3rd book Moonspun Magic. Now I know why I don't enjoy reading about clans and how this one was basically raping virgins. I had a hard time understanding how a father would get paid to have the gang take him virgin daughter for the night.
September 20, 2010
I feel jealous of this girl in this book I mean two twins, curvy body, everybody wants her, and yet she only dates the one twin! Oh, but what an interesting story plot! Very good book! I do recommend this book so READ IT!!
January 8, 2011
Ooh, I liked Rafael. He's the good twin. Although Damien is a lovely name too. Victoria and Rafael together was sweet. The usual good HEA story I've come to expect from Ms. Coulter. This is an enjoyable Sunday afternoon read.
December 7, 2015
I have been reading books by Catherine Coulter for some time now and I absolutely fell in love with Moonspun Magic. It is a great romance novel and is highly recommended to anyone looking for an adventure.
February 1, 2009
I enjoyed this book, though it was the third of the series. I think i am going back and read the first and second.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews