Sunday, January 3, 2010

Review - The Phoenix Charm

The Phoenix Charm
By Helen Scott Taylor
Publisher: Love Spell
Release Date: December 29, 2009











Helen Scott Taylor continues her Magic Knot Fairies series with The Phoenix Charm. Combining magic, action and romance, it's a story that will delight and enchant readers.

Cornish pisky wise woman Cordelia Tink has been left in charge of the pisky troop while the new king and queen, Niall and Rose O'Connor (hero and heroine of The Magic Knot) are out of the country. The task of recording the troop's history is her job, but she would much rather be doing something more enjoyable, like thinking about sexy and charming Michael O'Connor, Niall's twin brother. Cordelia sometimes foretells Michael's future with her divination mirror, but she doesn't always like what she sees--Michael making love to various women. The sight of Michael's body awakens Cordelia's water nymph allure, which she keeps under control with the magical Celtic symbol wards she has painted on her body. But the wards can't keep her from feeling the desire and heat she experiences when she's around Michael.

Michael is the troop's storyteller, entertaining, engaging and free from virtually all responsibility. He is the quintessential ladies' man, but there is something about Cordelia that intrigues and attracts him. Michael is in charge of watching over his twin nephews while his brother and sister-in-law are gone. When someone opens a portal between this world and the Underworld, Michael's nephew, Fin, is trapped and held hostage by minions of Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Underworld. Michael and Cordelia must travel to the Underworld to rescue Fin. If they are to succeed, they must learn to trust each other, their companions, and themselves.

Cordelia and Michael are a dynamic hero and heroine who literally face death to rescue Fin and in turn discover a love that will save them all. Their journey is fraught with peril as they battle the darkest evil. But as their trust in one another grows, so does their love. And it's pure magic.

Cordelia rushed to Michael, pressing her palm over his heart center, willing her strength into him as he wrapped his arms around her. She inhaled the herbal, earthy tang of his skin. His lips met hers, and she kissed him with all the passion locked inside her, the allure swelling and surging like a storm within her wards, threatening to break free. She framed his face in her hands and stared into his blue eyes, darkened now with fear. “I’ll call you back, Michael.”

“Aye, lass.” He touched a finger to her lips. “I know you won’t let me down.”


I thoroughly enjoyed The Phoenix Charm, even though I did not read the first book in the series, The Magic Knot--I plan to read it immediately! Ms. Taylor has created a magical world filled with unbelievable beings that she makes you believe in. I loved Michael and Cordelia, but there are also a number of secondary characters so vivid that they simply beg for their own story to be told. Pick up a copy of The Phoenix Charm and enjoy a little magic.

~Gannon

21 comments:

  1. awesome review Gannon!
    I'm going to have to add this book to my wish list, and the first one too!!! Oh my it's only the 3rd of Jan and my list is already growing longer. LOL

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  2. Romances about Fairies aren't that common, are they? And since I always enjoy to add new experiences to old ones the books in this series will absolutely go to my TBB pile!

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  3. Thanks for the terrific review, Gannon. I adored The Magic Knot and have been anxiously awaiting the release of The Phoenix Charm. Helen Scott Taylor does a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life!

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  4. I agree - great review, Gannon. And you just have to read The Magic Knot. It was amazing! So much so that I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. Can't wait to read it!
    Margay

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  5. This sound exciting and definitely something to be added to my shopping list. Both of them of course.

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed the review, Dorthy. It really is a wonderful story! And I can completely relate to my TBB list getting growing quite large and we've only just begun the new year! LOL

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  7. LisaK, I think you'll really enjoy this series.

    I'll be interviewing Helen here this Wednesday (the 6th). I hope you can stop by and hear what she has planned for the future. :)

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  8. Thanks, PJ! Helen really does have a gift for breathing life into her characters.

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  9. Margay, THE MAGIC KNOT is at the top of my TBB list. :) I know you'll thoroughly enjoy this one! Stop by on Wednesday when I interview Helen--she has so many exciting things in store for her readers!

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  10. Dianna, I hope you enjoy the series!!

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  11. This has nothing to do with the blog today, but I got some heart breaking news today.

    One of my favorite authors has passed away.

    Kathleen Givens.

    Two of her bestfriends (Sherri Browning Erwin and Julia London) are blogging about it and remembering her over at their blog

    www.whinesisters.com


    I'm sorry to be passing on this sad news, but I thought that if she had any friends and fans here they would like to know.

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  12. Gannon, I can't wait! I'll be here for that interview.
    Margay

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  13. Dorthy, thank you for sharing the news about Kathleen Givens. She was a terrific author and a warm, vibrant woman. I had the privilege of spending some time with her at RWA National last summer. It's so hard to believe she's gone. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who knew and loved her.

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  14. Thank you, Dorthy. I met Kathleen also at RWA last summer. She was a warm and friendly woman and the romance world has lost a treasure.

    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

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  15. Great review, Gannon! I haven't heard of this or the previous book and will check both of them out. After reading a couple of other books with fairies/fae in them, I'm a little intrigued by these folks.

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  16. Deb, I think you'll really enjoy Helen's writing!

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  17. Great review Gannon! Sounds like a wonderful book and one I would enjoy.

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  18. Another great review, Gannon! Sounds like another great book to add to the ol' TBB list!

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  19. Great review I have The Magic Knot on the TBR pile must order this one as well sounds very good

    have Fun
    Helen

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  20. Andrea, I think you'll love it!

    Helen, I still have to read The Magic Knot. Since I've read The Phoenix Charm, I'm hooked on this series!

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