Touch of Night [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Spencer Paul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2005

The Seymour family is one of the oldest and most respected families in England. However, what no one knows is that this family is also magically inclined and it's a secret they intend to keep. Niclas Seymour can sense the thoughts and emotions of others. It was only years ago that he became indirectly responsible for his best friend's death when he told him that his wife was cheating on him and he killed himself. And the law of the magical families is that if blood is shed by magic done then the offender is placed under a blood curse. Niclas has not known true sleep in three years and it is slowly driving him mad. He will do anything to lift the curse and finally be free of it. The only way that can happen is if he does a great deed for a member of his best friend's family. Such an opportunity has eluded him thus far. Then a Miss Julia Linley, also from one of the most respected families--and a distant relative of his friend---needs aide in rescuing her aunt from Niclas' uncle. It seems the man is set on marrying her aunt against her wishes. Not a great deed, but Niclas will take up this challenge on her behalf. What he does not expect when he meets Julia is that just her touch alone has the ability to drown out the voices. He craves her soothing touch, not only for the relief it brings, but for the passion she arouses in him. However, as they travel, an old nemesis appears threatening to expose Niclas and the whole magical society throughout England. And if Julia discovers his dark secrets will he lose her forever?

Editorial Reviews

Review

4-1/2 Kisses! Delightful romance at its best. This fabulous magical tale is a must read! -- Romance Divas

4-1/2 Stars Top Pick! Entrancing blend of magic and romance. A must for fans of Susan Carroll and Katherine Kingsley. -- Romantic Times Magazine

Fans of both the paranormal and Regency genre won't be able to resist this new series. -- The Rakehell

Touch of Night includes everything this reviewer craves. This story blends magic, fantasy and romance into one extraordinary tale. -- Fallen Angels Reviews

Touch of Night is a wonderful first installment of what will surely be an engaging new paranormal series. -- Book Loons

From the Back Cover

My Dearest Reader-

I beg your pardon for unburdening my secrets to you, for I am a man accursed....

I hail from an ancient Welsh clan, descended from magic-some of it dark indeed. For generations we have hidden our powers, acquired great wealth, and entered England's aristocracy. Oh, do not stare at me so! I feel your mocking eyes. You mark my muddy clothes. You think me mad. But once I, Niclas Seymour, was the most eligible bachelor of Regency England!

Then came the blood curse that left me a night-wanderer with no peace. And no hope....except Julia Linley. I can redeem myself through her, or so the Dewin Mawr, the leader of the Families (as we call ourselves), has told me. Now Lady Julia has consented to let me escort her on a perilous journey.

You doubt my words? `Tis true. This innocent lady believes me to be a gentleman. Yet as we ride into a mist-shrouded landscape of faery realms and evil sorcerers, I feel forbidden urges within me. I want her surrendering to my kiss.

You think me a monster? I ask for your mercy. Magic is a dangerous art, and passion a sword that can cleave a heart in twain. But perhaps love can slay my dark demons, or so I dare to dream...

Your obedient servant,
Niclas Seymour, Castle Tylluan, Wales

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312933878
• ISBN-13: 978-0312933876
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,562,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff, July 21, 2006

By 

Stephany Rodriguez "romance addict" (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Touch of Night (Mass Market Paperback)

Please, please, if you are a fan of the paranormal romance, read this book. I usually don't read authors that I am unfamiliar with, but I took a chance on this one and I was so pleasantly surprised. This book introduces a wonderful family of sorcerers who are trying to survive in English society without the rest of the world finding out what they are.
Niclas and Julia are amazing in this book. Niclas has been cursed and cannot find rest until he finds a way to undo the harm that he inflicted with his magic. He is restrained and a true gentleman. Julia is a beautiful, sweet woman who has convinced herself that she will never marry. You also find out that she has secretly loved Niclas from afar for a very long time.
Watching them find their love for each other and getting introduced to the other family members is an absolute joy. There were wonderful characters and they just came alive for me as I was reading this book. The villain of the piece is also fascinating, and I confess, probably my favorite character. I do so love the dangerous men! You will not waste money buying this book. Please keep in mind though that this is a historical paranormal romance; those looking for erotica should look elsewhere. This is a really sweet love story and should be appreciated as such.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic and Magical, September 20, 2005

By 

ReaderToReader.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Touch of Night (Mass Market Paperback)

Niclas Seymour used to be the most sought after man in the ton. Distinguished, courtly and charming is how all the ladies described him. Three years ago that all changed. What society didn't know was that Niclas is part of a group of families who posses magical abilities. Each individual's talent varies but Niclas' talent was feeling the emotion and hearing the thoughts of others. This was never a burden until he was placed under a blood curse. Niclas, with good intentions, interfered in a non-magic's life and when Andrew Payne took his life as a result, the guardians punished Niclas. For three years he hasn't been able to sleep and is now weary beyond measure. The mental exhaustion has played havoc with the control of his powers so much so that Niclas has withdrawn from the public. At the end of his rope, Niclas will do anything to lift the curse anyway he can. When he learns his cousin, Malachi, is escorting Julia Linley to their uncle's place in Wales, Niclas asks to take his place. Julia is a very distant relative of Andrew and this could be his opportunity to make amends for his part in Andrew's death. If he can aid Julia in someway, the guardians might remove the curse or he will slowly go insane.

When he meets Julia, he's stunned by her beauty and her ability to calm the rioting emotion in his mind. With just a touch, Julia quiets the invading emotions and thoughts of everyone around him, giving Niclas respite for the first time in years. Combined with her generous nature, he is hard pressed to resist her allure. All his day dreams of a future with her are just that if he can't find a way to break the cursed spell.

Reality melds with magic to create a wonderful historical tale in Touch of Night! Julia has had feelings for Niclas for years now and mourned his disappearance from society. Despite his haggard visage, Julia still sees the man he was and longs to ease the torment in his eyes. From page one, you'll sympathize with Niclas' plight to stop the encroaching madness. As if lifting the curse wasn't enough of an adventure or Niclas' and Julia's sweet romance, Morcar Cadmaran wants to challenge Malachi as ruler of the Families. To gain his attention, the powerful wizard has no qualms about putting Julia and Niclas in danger. These two must find a way to be together against all odds. Not disapproving families, magic, Morcar's evil, or blood curses can stop true love. Susan Spencer Paul's Touch of Night is a romantic and magical story that proves once again what an accomplished writer this creative author is!

Furthermore, Niclas' cousin, Kian, has a fascinating relationship to a non-magic woman, Loris, that will no doubt be just as equally enthralling an adventure and can't be released soon enough!

Tracy for ReaderToReader.com

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing regency fantasy, August 17, 2005

By 

Woodbuckley (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Touch of Night (Mass Market Paperback)

Fantasy set in the Regency era seems to be becoming more popular, especially with the surprise bestseller "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell". It's a nice positive to the dreaded cut-backs taking place in the Regency genre.
This very charming addition is nothing like the Clarke fantasy, being a far lighter, but not less enjoyable, view of the Regency world through a magical glass.
Niclas Seymour is a lesser magician member of the ancient magical Seymour family. The Seymours have dwelt in Wales for many centuries and worked hard to establish themselves as powerful in the land through the march of English history, while keeping their magic secret from mortal society.
When we meet Niclas, he is nearly at the end of his tether, having been placed under a 'blood curse' by his actions regarding a friend. Thus for years he has been unable to sleep or find any rest. For him this is particularly nasty, as he has the gift of reading thoughts and so he is continually bombarded by the minds of ordinary people.
In despair he meets his cousin, Malachai, Lord Graymar, head of the family and the most powerful wizard in Europe and asks for his help regarding a plan. To pay the 'blood' debt his proposes to help Julia Linley, cousin to the man whose blood brought down the curse. Julia is being sent by her family to wrench her Aunt from the clutches of Seymour black sheep Ffinian in Wales.
His lost reputation as a Corinthian and eligible gentleman are against him, but he somehow manages to convince Julia's society aunt to act as escort.
Julia is in turmoil, as she has been hopelessly in love with Niclas for years, since her disastrous debut when she was an antidote. Now, however, he instantly notices her and is very interested and not just for her beauty. She has a surprising effect on him, he cannot read her thoughts and when she touches him the thoughts of others are calmed. He feels as peace.
They set out for Wales and find their way through unexpected dangers posed by a powerful wizard enemy of the family.
Both Niclas and Julia are attractive protaganists. Great to have a magically minded gentleman, not continually in rut or tortured to screaming point by his angst. Niclas is tortured, but he doesn't wallow.
The magic is well blended into the real world - done convincingly, believably.
The story carries the reader along and sexual tension is there, without taking over the tale.
An engrossing read and there's more to come soon. I'll be waiting.