Deep Magic (Love Spell Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: bright iron, Deep Magic, Great Mother, Marcus Aquila (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Don't miss out on this one! Make sure you go out and get your copy of Ms. Nash's DEEP MAGIC. This author has a gifted and golden pen that flows with a magical prose. This book couldn't be recommended any higher!" -- Love Romances and More

"Nash follows The Grail King with a love story that completely envelops the reader in a magical world. Skilled at merging reality with Druid legend, she illuminates a dark age with fiery passions, political complexities, and an enchanting story..." -- Romantic Times BOOKReviews Magazine

"Nash's Druids of Avalon series is neatly ticking off the trappings of the Arthurian legend. The first book - The Grail King - dealt with the Holy Grail, of course, while Deep Magic explores the creation of the sword Exchalybur and how it wound up in that lake anyway. While this new twist on the legend is interesting, the love story remains front and center. And it is a good one... If you're looking for a setting and a storyline with something different, I heartily recommend Deep Magic." -- All About Romance

"I agree that Joy Nash will remind the reader of Mary Stewart in DEEP MAGIC, when she tells of a period in history steeped in mystery and magic, for Nash seems to be dabbling in magic herself..." -- NovelTalk

Five Hearts! "When I started [DEEP MAGIC] I hadn't read The Grail King, which is the first in the [Druids of Avalon] series. I actually picked it up because I really loved her writing for the Immortals: The Awakening. I'm so glad I did, because I absolutely loved this story, and now I'm definitely going back and reading the first one. Not because I think I need to read it in order to understand anything in the story, I just want to get more of Joy Nash's brilliant writing." -- The Romance Studio

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell (January 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0505527162
• ISBN-13: 978-0505527165
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,128 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully depicted love story, January 1, 2008

By	Laurel "The Mystic Realm" (Hamilton, ON) - See all my reviews

With her grandfather Cyric falling ill and close to dying, Gwendolyn knows the time is coming near where she will step into the role she was raised to be from birth - Guardian of The Mists. These mists protect Avalon from invaders and enemies primarily the nearby Romans who are setting up camp in search of precious metals. Fearful of the Roman Leader Strabo, whom Gwendolyn fears has powerful dark magic by his aura surrounding starts seeking alternatives to protect her home fearing that all the teachings and ways she has followed in the Light will not be enough. Gwendolyn has been keeping a dangerous secret from her brother and grandfather. She has been embracing the Deep Magic that calls her, she is able to transform into a wolf - something she knows that could prove disastrous has the wolf gains more power over her. One day she will not be able to return to human form. But when a vision provides the answers to the impeding battle with Roman Leader Strabo, she goes to a family friend Marcus Aquila, a master blacksmith and Roman. She hopes that with Marcus crafting the sword with her magic embedded deep in the sword, she will have the power needed to defeat this enemy and protect her home.

For over a year Marcus Aquila has not been able to get Gwendolyn out of his mind. With her brother Rhys they saved her from danger - while she was in wolf form. He has never forgotten the beauty of watching this wolf turn into a woman in his arms, something that should disgust him but he finds enticing erotic. When Gwendolyn arrives on his doorstep, he is surprised but when she further elaborates what she wants from him, he is elated but apprehensive. While Gwendolyn is giving him the chance to make the sword of his dreams forged with the rumoured bright iron. He wonders how he is going to keep his passion and desires to himself as she works side by side with him in his workshop without taking what he wants - making sure she never returns back home and her betrothed.

Gwendolyn was a character of great conflict with a large responsibility on her shoulders. While she respected the teachings she followed about the Light, she knew deep down inside that she had to follow the calling of her deep magic. Meanwhile she was also falling in love with Marcus, she could not ignore the powerful feelings that swirled around them when together. Truly torn on how to proceed and hoping she would be forgiven for her betrayal; it was a powerful and well-written novel that captured my attention. I found myself sympathizing with all characters, as the novel made me gasp in shock when dark secrets were revealed and fearful in others as it appeared deep magic had finally taken it's hold. But the love Marcus felt for her was also powerful and together they battled the odds and magic changing lives and Avalon forever.

Deep Magic was a beautifully depicted love story. I've always loved storylines about Druids and Avalon, Joy Nash did not disappoint as she crafted her tale about this magical and mysterious time. Being my first novel from Joy Nash it certainly will not be my last. She captured my interest, has her writing flows off the pages easily placing you there. I am eagerly looking forward to next installment in The Druid's of Avalon series.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Joy Nash has written another great book!, January 7, 2008

By	an avid reader (USA) - See all my reviews

Joy Nash boggles my mind how she weaves history, legend and a great love story together. Her first book in this series, Celtic Fire, is the story of a Roman Soldier and a Druid queen. That story is linked to the Holy Grail in The Grail King, and now to the Arthurian Legend and Excalibur in Deep Magic.

If you liked the first two books, you'll love Deep Magic. If you haven't read the first two, don't hesitate to read this one. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy Deep Magic.

Loved it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate love stories, powerful magic, danger and intrigue, wounded souls, redemption , January 25, 2008

By	Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Gwen is a Druidess sworn to protect the land of Avalon from all who would do them harm. Always longing to roam, this desire has grown worse ever since she was cursed by her cousin and imprisoned in her wolf form with Deep Magic - the power of the gods. Now a greater danger threatens Avalon and Gwen will do anything to protect the sacred isle, even delve once more into the forbidden Deep Magic.

Marcus Aquila hates magic after it nearly destroyed his family several years ago. His sister has been cursed with magic her whole life but now her visions are growing worse. As much as he despises magic, if that's what it takes to ease his sister's suffering, he'll do it. Even if it means making a deal with the beautiful Druidess who has tempted him in his dreams ever since he rescued her from the curse imprisoning her in the body of a wolf.

Gwen and Marcus strike a dangerous bargain - she will teach his sister the spells necessary to ease her suffering and Marcus will use his black smith abilities to forge a very special sword of the rare bright iron. This sword, Exchalybur, will be cast using both Light Magic and the dangerously unpredictable Deep Magic, so powerful no one should ever try to wield it. Without it Avalon will fall. Soon however Marcus and Gwen discover that the strongest magic is their love for one another. But will even that be enough to thwart imminent danger?

I've been a fan of Joy Nash ever since I read Celtic Fire a few years ago and I was eager to read her latest book, Deep Magic. Everything I've come to expect from her stories is once again found here. Passionate love stories, powerful magic, danger and intrigue, wounded souls, redemption - Deep Magic has it all. Here Joy Nash even delves into the beginnings of another story I've always loved, that of Excalibur.

Gwen has been deeply scarred by her imprisonment (detailed in The Grail King) and has yet to recover. Deep Magic has a strong hold on her soul and even her beloved twin brother Rhys cannot help her resist the allure of such raw power, forbidden though it is. The only one who can help her is Marcus, though she does not understand their bond. Marcus cannot get Gwen out of his mind so when she suddenly appears at his door, he wonders if his dreams have been fulfilled, at the same time he fights the passion between them.

The villain Strabo is evil and cruel, warped by obsession and his own tampering with Deep Magic. His desire to conquer Avalon is very hazy in the beginning until his story begins to unfold, where we discover secrets that will change the way Gwen sees Deep Magic and its danger forever. His ties to the Druids are shocking to say the least and as I began to suspect the true nature of his role in the book, I could not put it down, waiting to see what surprise would next be revealed.

If you are a fan of powerful magic and compelling romance in your stories to read, then Deep Magic is a book for you. What's even better is there is so much to tell about the Druids of Avalon, we can be guaranteed more stories set in this land of magic where blending cultures and beliefs is the norm.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2007. All rights reserved.