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Two warrior angels. First friends, now lovers. Their future? A WILD UNKNOWN.


Touch of Night

Touch of Night, August 2005
by Susan Spencer Paul

St. Martin's Press
Featuring: Julia Linley; Niclas Seymour
352 pages
ISBN: 0312933878
Paperback
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"Regency romance with a paranormal twist."

Fresh Fiction Review

Touch of Night
Susan Spencer Paul

Reviewed by Sabrina Marino
Posted July 5, 2005

Romance Paranormal | Romance Historical

It's 1818 in London and Niclas Seymour is cursed. He suffers a blood curse that leaves him unable to rest his mind, causing a continuous weary state of being. His mind is constantly filled with the emotions of every mortal around him, and it's driving him toward insanity. For this reason, Niclas has not married. He would never subject a woman to his living hell. Niclas is from a long line of Welsh Seymours who wield magical powers of varying strengths. Generations of his family members have lived among mortals in England. Niclas must perform an act of goodwill toward someone who's related; a man he unwittingly conveyed the emotions of the man's wife, thus causing the distraught man to commit suicide. It's only through a kind act that Niclas can pin any remote hope that it will be enough to lift the curse. Julia Linley has loved Niclas Seymour from afar for eight years. She's rebuffed all interest from other men leaving her in spinster status with no hope of marriage, according to her family. Julia's family is convinced that Niclas' uncle is trying to force Julia's aunt into marrying him. Niclas is drawn to Julia the moment he meets her. Incredibly, he can't sense her emotions, and she has the power to calm the many voices in his mind and give him moments of peace, as long as she touches him. He's sure that Julia has magical powers, since there's no other explanation. Niclas convinces Julia's family to allow him to escort Julia to her aunt's home in Wales, since he knows how to deal with his unruly uncle. But more importantly, Julia is distantly related to the man who committed suicide, and Niclas hopes that his aid to the family might be enough to remove the blood curse. As Julia and Niclas journey to Wales, he must protect her from an evil wizard who means to harm Julia to achieve his goals. Niclas is willing to die to protect her. TOUCH OF NIGHT is a pleasant combination of historical romance with a touch of paranormal to treat readers.

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SUMMARY

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?


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