A Kiss of Fate

July 5, 2004
Love and magic prove to be comfortable bedfellows in this enchanting mid-18th-century romance from Putney (A Twist of Fate
; The Bartered Bride
), which launches a new series focused on the Guardians, a group of English and Scottish folk who possess supernatural powers. Gwynne Owens, daughter of an English Guardian, has grown up as a scholar of the group's lore, though she has few powers of her own. An early, platonic marriage left her a wealthy widow, and though she values her independence, she finds it hard to resist her attraction to Duncan Macrae, a Scottish mage who is adept at manipulating the weather. As Duncan aggressively courts Gwynne, the winds of war between England and Scotland grow stronger, along with the Guardian council's sense that a catastrophe is imminent. Gwynne eventually marries Duncan, but when the uprising of Bonnie Prince Charlie occurs, she realizes she must betray her husband, who has aligned himself with his countrymen. Putney plays out the consequences of their decisions until the very end, keeping readers enthralled all the way up to the inevitable coming together of hero and heroine. Their final love scene is a touch trite, but overall, Putney does a fine job of weaving magical elements together with actual historical events to create a rich, romantic tapestry.

March 1, 2004
Scottish laird Duncan Monroe has a secret power-as a Guardian, he can read minds and master nature-and when he falls for a tempestuous widow, the power is roused in her as well.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2004
Adult/High School-An excellent historical romance with a nice touch of fantasy. The setting is Scotland during the unsettled time when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried to take the throne. Gwynne thinks that she is a mundane, an ordinary human, but she is well aware of the Guardians's mystical powers to cast spells and influence human events, albeit very slightly. When the powerful Guardian Council asks her to marry Duncan Macrae, she does not understand this request, but she obeys. After her wedding night, she learns that she is actually a powerful Guardian who receives her power after her first sexual experience. Conflicts develop as to how much help Duncan will give to Prince Charles. Putney is a master at describing the time period-the feuds, customs, and clan loyalty come alive with special flair. This story could be used to introduce mature readers hooked on romance to fantasy.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2004
Gwynne, the daughter of an eighteenth-century librarian and widow of one of the powerful Guardians, has always wished she had inherited the Guardians' magical talents, but she is an excellent librarian and scholar of Guardian history. Gwynne is consequently overwhelmed when she meets Lord Ballister, a Scottish laird and the most powerful Guardian weather worker in generations. And he is instantly besotted. Wanting nothing to do with him because of the visions of bloodshed she has when close to him, Gwynne nevertheless agrees to marry him at the behest of the Guardian Council, and her wedding night reveals that she really does have a Guardian gift. Then their love for each other and dedication to the Guardian cause bring new challenges when Bonnie Prince Charlie arrives in Scotland. Skillfully entwining fantasy with historical romance, veteran writer Putney presents a multilayered tale that takes its time in creating an authentically detailed world in which the magically gifted work in secrecy. Entranced readers will be delighted to know that Putney has other books planned in this alluring milieu.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

May 15, 2004
Born into a legendary family of mages known as the Guardians, Gwyneth Owens believes that she has little inherited power. She does, however, have a destiny to fulfill. When the Guardian elders seek to forestall a coming disaster by invoking her Guardian oath and asking her to marry Duncan Macrae, Lord Ballister, the most powerful weather mage in the realm, she cannot honorably refuse. Although they are already attracted to each other, Gwyneth can't forget the single kiss from him that sent alarming visions of destruction flaming through her mind-or the sword that he held in his hand. Intelligent, compelling characters that appeal to both heart and mind, a brilliant blending of history and fantasy, and a beautifully unfolding love relationship combine to produce a magical tale. Building on the Guardians concept first introduced in her novella "The Alchemical Marriage" (published in the anthology Irresistible Forces), Putney puts a unique spin on reality, magic, and love and takes romantic fantasy to a new level. Putney is a New York Times best-selling writer and lives in the Baltimore, MD, area. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/04.]

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.