Ninian Malcolm Siddons has the name of a saint but is better known as the Wystan village witch. Her herbs and simples do more to help the illnesses and injuries common among her people in her opinion, but she doesn't mind what she is called, so long as they allow her to help. The Malcolms have always helped the village of Wystan and are said to have many strange and peculiar powers. One thing the family legends repeat is that a Malcolm must never lie with an Ives, lest the village suffer.

Drogo Ives has more responsibilities than any five men should have. His younger brothers are always getting themselves into financial and or legal messes and, worse yet, can't seem to keep their falls buttoned and are steadily adding bastard children to the load he already carries. When he arrives in Wystan to use the family holding, Malcom Castle, he wants only a little peace and distance from the turmoil of his clan in London. Not only can he keep an eye on the new coal works but he may even be able to do some star gazing from the castle tower.

When Ninian goes wild herb-gathering near the stream on the castle lands, she finds the place she has used for years is blighted, with all the precious healing leaves and flowers dead on the stalk. Approaching Drogo for help she finds him much more welcoming than the village rumors would have her believe; no signs of horns or tail, but the story of having three wives appears to have some credence.

MERELY MAGIC is the first of six books in Rice's Magic series, and is as good a read now as it was when it came out more than ten years ago. I am so glad to see my favorite series back in print; not only so that I can replace my tattered and much-read copies, but so that new readers may discover the magic all over again.