Touch of Desire
Susan Spencer Paul
St. Martin's, Oct 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0312933894

By 1823, the Earl of Graymar, Malachi Seymour, assumes he will spend his life with no one ever getting close to him. A bit sad, but not melancholy he believes he must avoid love or even a close camaraderie because he has a responsibility as the powerful Sorcerer, Dewin Mawr that supersedes love let alone friendships; secrecy is key.

Popular author Sarah Tamony has arrived at Castle Glain to investigate the rumors she has heard about his Welsh clan having magical abilities. He tries to ignore her demands for an interview, but at night dreams of stubborn Sarah. She finds him fascinating and the more she hears about the mysterious Malachi the more she desires him. However, she demands and has always reported what she finds while he must hide the truth. As they argue, fuss and fight, the sorcerer and the author fall under the magical spell of love, but unless they find a compromise involving her findings, this enchanting relationship will fail.

The newest "Touch: historical romantic fantasy (see Touch of Passion and Touch of Night) is a superb tale of love's enchantment. The storyline is driven by the lead couple as he must prevent her from revealing what she uncovers in order to keep his clan safe while she cannot fathom how the truth could hurt. Love complicates their already complex relationship. The final spin is a tribute to one of the sub-genre's great authors as places both Susan Spencer Paul writes a fabulous Regency relationship drama inside a believable fantasy setting.

Harriet Klausner