The Sun Witch
Linda Winstead Jones
Berkley, Dec 2004, $6.99, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0425199401

In Colubyana, the Fyne witch rejected the wizard making him so angry he cursed the Fyne women so that their love will always die. Over the next three centuries any Fyne witch who married for love watched either their mate die young or ultimately hate them. Of the three current generations of Fyne siblings, the oldest Isadore watched her spouse die as he neared his thirtieth birthday. She and her sisters vow to never marry or fall in love. Still the youngest Sophie plans to enjoy men.

After watching his brother die and their cause fail against the emperor's army, rebel Kane Varden wants to die until he meets Sophie. They make love and she leaves him with a spell of good luck. Over the next year Kane wanders the empire with success in cards and women, but never forgets Sophie. He travels to find her and see the woman of his dreams holding their infant daughter. He wants both in his life, but she fears the Fyne curse.

This entertaining fantasy romance will elate readers with the troubles that affection causes for anyone foolish enough to fall in love with a Fyne witch. The fast-paced storyline moves forward rather quickly due to the lead couple as Kane wants to press his luck by risking his life in his love for Sophie who fears he will die if she allows her heart to rule. Sophie's intriguing older sisters, the taller and more dangerous than most men Isadore and the nurturing visionary Juliet, add depth to understanding the curse and other magical elements. Readers will take immense delight with this tale and look forward to Juliet's turn to challenge the curse.

Harriet Klausner