Stobie Piel, Strange Brews

Strange Brews

Stobie Piel

Love Spell, Nov 2005, $5.99

ISBN: 0505526506

Mages Eliana Daere and Damir ap Kora have competed against one another since childhood, with each trying to trump the other. A gifted herbalist Eliana believes she has the right brew to finally make her opponent admit that she is the more talented magician. However, Damir manages to switch the elixir so that she drinks the potion. Not long afterward Eliana suffers from amnesia. Feeling a bit guilty, Damir takes her into his home claiming to her that he is her husband. This feels right to the bewildered Eliana.

As they live together, they begin to fall in love. He fears what will happen to the relationship once she learns the truth about his deception. However, first both fear the darkness that threatens to engulf their land as the Norsk is assaulting the kingdom. Damir believes Eliana holds the key, but her memory is gone and recovery may save their people but probably end their relationship.

STRANGE BREWS is a fabulous romantic fantasy that grips the audience once Eliana drinks her own brew, and never slows down until the final altercation between the lead rivals. The action packed storyline makes believers out of the audience, that magic is real and that Eliana and Damir are powerful practitioners. Their competition augments a fine thriller, especially when both realize they love their greatest rival. This is an appealing tale that readers of both sub-genres will treasure.

Harriet Klausner