"A wonderful story of love and magick."

Visions of human sacrifices haunt Diana Plaas' nights. She has led a rather dull and ordinary life until recently when she started having premonitions in the form of dreams. So she is all the more frightened by her recent dreams of a horrible and evil priest of the occult, Shiva. In spite of her previous dreams that came true, she wants to believe that these ones are just nightmares, however real they may seem.

Win Sayre has recently become a Mage, whose very first assigned mission is to protect Diana from an enemy she doesn't fully understand. He explains to her she is a powerful seer, steeped in strong magickal (magick with a "k" as he emphasizes) abilities, granted to her by the Goddess, whom Win and his family serve. Shiva is after her so he can steal her powers, but the only way he can do that is by killing her, making her a sacrifice to the Queen. Win's duty is to prevent Diana's death from happening... at any cost.

Diana does not believe Win and initially scoffs at his story, until the very real threat shows up at her door. Win and Diana go on the run, with Shiva and his followers hot on their tail. The two of them go to Win's Stronghold, where his grandfather is Guardian, knowing they will be safe there, protected by the strength of the magick it is built around. Here Diana can also begin training to learn how to control her talents, and finding out she is far more powerful than anyone imagined.

The more time Diana and Win spend together, the closer they grow, and the more they are drawn to one another. Everyone in the Stronghold knows they are Lifemates, Goddess included, but they remain in denial. Diana believes no one as wonderful and attractive as Win could ever fall for a Plain Jane like her. Her late husband proved to her she was nothing, putting her down repeatedly and always keeping her wings clipped. Win insists she cannot be his lifemate, as he has dreamed of the other half of his soul his entire life, and says Diana looks nothing like her. But when Shiva finds a way to penetrate the Stronghold, capturing Diana, Win realizes the truth -- his lifemate IS Diana! Now the two of them will have to draw on their love, and all of Diana's newfound abilities to battle Shiva, if they are ever to be happy together.

Ms. Taffs has written a unique story, showcasing her own magickal abilities -- those of words and imagination. The book moves along quickly and smoothly, very easy to read. The reader will be drawn into the world of Diana and Win, so engrossed the pages keep turning, almost as if by their own accord. Diana and Win grow and change, together and separate through the end. Diana goes from insecure and lacking any self-confidence, to a powerful woman who glories in her strength and abilities... and her love for her Lifemate. Win changes from a seemingly cocky, self-involved know-it-all, to a man who knows his limits and gets his might from his love for others.

There are a few good plot twists to keep one going as well. One will also be happy to know there is a sequel already in the works. Ms. Taffs has written a wonderful tale here, which will remind everyone of the greatest MAGICK of all... Love.

ã Kelley A. Hartsell, May 2002. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted June 1, 2002