"Fabulous romantic fantasy"

Mages Eliana Daere and Damir ap Kora have competed against one another since childhood with each trying to trump the other. A gifted herbalist Eliana believes she has the right brew to finally make her opponent admit that she is the more talented magician. However, Damir manages to switch the elixir so that she drinks the potion. Not long afterward Eliana suffers from amnesia. Feeling a bit guilty Damir takes her into his home claiming to her that he is her husband. This feels right to the bewildered Eliana.

As they live together, they begin to fall in love. He fears what will happen to the relationship once she learns the truth about his deception. However, first both fear the darkness that threatens to engulf their land as the Norsk is assaulting the kingdom. Damir believes Eliana holds the key, but her memory is gone and recovery may save their people but probably end their relationship.

STRANGE BREWS is a fabulous romantic fantasy that grips the audience once Eliana drinks her own brew and never slows down until the final altercation between the lead rivals. The action-packed story line makes believers out of the audience that magic is real and that Eliana and Damir are powerful practitioners. Their competition augments a fine thriller especially when both realize they love their greatest rival. This is an appealing tale that readers of both sub-genres will treasure.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 25, 2005

Read an Excerpt

Look for Book 2, PRINCE OF ICE — in May 2006

Summary

Eliana Daere was the greatest herbalist alive. Trained by the wizard Madawc, she could brew a potion to bring on a gentle slumber, or a philter to drop a foe dead in his tracks. Only one man existed whom she feared—one man who constantly thwarted her will, one detestably handsome, insolent and gifted sorcerer. It was his power that protected the land of Amrodel. But Damir would never turn down her offer of an alliance, and when he arrived at the Mage's Glade and drank of the Wine of Truce, Eliana would spring her trap.

He'd never trusted Eliana Daere. Her beauty had haunted him since their school days, but she was headstrong and impulsive and had reputedly aligned herself with the enemy. That was why Damir found Eliana's offer hard to swallow—he was well-prepared for treachery—and why, when she fell into his hands, he felt no remorse about teaching her a lesson. But he would not use force; he would be gentle. He would craft a seduction so potent that, in the end, she would have to admit to her own desires. It was a strange brew that had brought them together, but nonetheless the sweetest he had ever tasted.