Customer Reviews

Magic at Midnight (Signet Regency Romance)

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Ten or so years ago, in an attempt to expand the readership for Regency novels, the two major publishers of these books-Signet and Zebra-added elements of fantasy, time-travel or sensuality. Not all of the books contained all of these elements, but apparently a majority of the readers didn't want any of them, so it was back to the traditional again. This was greatly aided by the appearance of Colin Firth in the A&E/BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice". A good trade, if you ask me. Except . . .

Some authors can handle all of these added ingredients with zest and gusto, creating a world previously not thought of by us more ordinary mortals. Such an author is Sandra Heath. MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT is a time-travel that moves from contemporary New York to Regency Gloucester in the blink of an eye-and back again! There are definite fantasy rudiments, as well. As to the sensuality? Well. It would be advisable to wear flame-proof gloves while holding this book to read it. Or at least one such glove on one hand while the other holds a fan, vigorously wielded. Mercy!

This is NOT a weak-kneeed, lily-livered Regency novel; not meant for the more timorous reader, either. And, for once, a cover quote is completely accurate. No less an expert than Mary Balogh offers this opinion: "Brilliant time travel . . . sizzling sensuality."

Kathryn Vansomeren had it all: a handsome architect husband, a job with a TV station, and a gorgeous apartment in New York City-and a baby on the way. Then, the job went sour, she lost the baby, her husband's work became over-demanding, and the final straw-their long-anticipated vacation in England had to be postponed. Or did it? Just because Philip couldn't go didn't necessarily mean that Kathryn had to stay home. So she didn't.

Lady Marchwood-Rosalind-was `given' in marriage to a man she could not like, let alone love, leaving her vulnerable to the more gentle charms of a neighbor, Thomas Denham. Sir Dane Marchwood will not be a complacent husband, conveniently looking the other way. In fact, when he sees the two in what he thinks an amorous embrace, he challenges Thomas to a duel.

Kathryn and Rosalind alternate identities, before agreeing on the only sensible solution, one that will-in time-benefit each of them. History cannot, of course, be changed.

The descriptions of Regency Gloucester blend into the modern setting with a smoothness that has to be read to be appreciated, but then, this is the author's home city. She knows it well, and utilizes the surrounding area as an added character in the book. Marchwood Castle may not exist-may never have existed-but it is indeed very real on these pages. This is another on the long list of masterful novels by this gifted author. Be warned, however, there is more than sweet kisses between the lovers. Keep that fan handy!

After seeing kellytwo's gushing endorsement of this ten-year-old book, I found a copy of it in my TBR pile and started reading it.

Okay, she was right about the bedroom scenes being hot, but there were a lot of things that bothered me about this book. First of all, both the heroine and her counterpart from the 19th century are guilty of adultery, which is something that bothers me in ANY romance, but particularly a Regency.

Secondly, it seems odd that when the two change places--as they do several times--they are in each other's bodies, but not really. I mean, the real Rosalind is pregnant, but when Kathryn is in Rosalind's body, she is NOT pregnant. Okay, I know this is fiction, but this is just not believable.

Thirdly, I find it difficult to believe that the whole of this novel takes place in a matter of three days, and even more unlikely, when Kathryn (in Rosalind's body) explains the whole thing to Rosalind's husband. . . only MINUTES after he killed Rosalind's lover in a duel, that he is in any frame of mind to even listen to her incredible story, let alone BELIEVE it. I mean, the guy has just killed a man because of her, as he had done with his first wife as well. . . and yet he was calm enough to listen to her outlandish explanation and forgive her on the spot???

Fourthly, it really bothered me that although it was Rosalind who was working so hard to switch places with Kathryn, she always managed to mess things up when she returned to the past. I mean, if Rosalind knew that her lover was going to be killed and she was already planning to escape to the future, why would she keep sending him messages for her husband to intercept? It was almost like she was deliberately trying to sabotage things for Kathryn. . . who she expected to clean up the mess she left behind. Oh, I know the author tried to explain this by insisting that "the basic facts of history" could not be changed, but let's face it, Dane left with a faithful, loving wife rather than a pregnant, cheating wife HAD to change the basic facts of history, even if the author conveniently left this out.

All in all, I have to say that I really don't care for "innovations" such as time travel and paranormal activities in a Regency, especially when they aren't logical or believable. And frankly, these books are too short to allow the kind of depth that would be necessary. So many "required" elements of a Regency were left out in exchange for the time travel plot, which was sketchy at best.