Description, Excerpt, Author Bio, Order
EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-587496-06-6
GENRE: Regency fantasy romance
AUTHOR: Ann Tracy Marr
Regular price is $4.99
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Round
Table Magician by Ann Tracy Marr Twist legend into truth. Merlin's magic is not myth, but history. In a Regency era England influenced by Camelot and the Round Table, a girl with an impish streak finds trouble. Taken hostage by a smuggler, Martha Dunsmore is saved by an 'angel'. She finds him again at a country house party. |
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Clandestine magician, espionage expert, heir to a duke, Brinston is the perennial hero--and Martha's angel. When he ignores her, she mocks and challenges him. On a mission for the government, Brinston has no time for dalliance. Convincing Martha that espionage should be left to the male pushes his patience, if not his magic, to its limits. Together
they must trap a thief before madness becomes murder and treachery
becomes treason. If
you really enjoy Marr’s Round Table Magician vote
for it as the Best Historical Romance. |
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REVIEWS: "I loved the Arthurian theme skillfully blended in with the regency and loved spotting the various magical references throughout. ...this is a book to savor … definitely an ace. I really hope Ann Tracy Marr is writing the stories of Vera, Hurst, and of course Brin’s lively family—for these characters so seem to leap out the pages and are crying out for books of their own." Reviewed by Raakhee Suryaprakash for The Road to Romance Nominated for a Cupid and Psyche Award by The Romance Studio www.theromancestudio.com for excellence in romantic fantasy fiction. "Martha and Brinston’s love story is a very rocky one, with enough passion to keep everyone interested and the mystery of the missing pages with it’s elements of danger and intrigue is very exciting, with a surprising conclusion. Even the latter portion of the story at Whole House is engrossing in its own way. I look forward to more of this author’s work." Reviewed by Maura Frankman of The Romance Studio, 4 HEARTS "Imagine a world where King Arthur and his Knights were not merely legends, but actual historical figures where magicians walk among everyday folk. This is the sort of world where Lord Brinstone and Martha Dunsmore live. Aside from the magical aspect though, it is much the same as the world that did exist in the Regency era, complete with societal rules that strictly governed behavior, and thus, even a noble deed might have consequences. Brin finds that stepping in when Martha needs a helping hand in a fight and then escorting her home may have compromised her honor, so he must be prepared to wed her. The thing is, he doesn't really know her, and furthermore, he is a wizard and involved in covert operations. He does not want to tell just anyone such a thing, but Martha has a magical secret of her own as well. As they get to know each other, Brin will discover the truest magic is love. "Those who feared that the Regency genre might be dead need not worry. It is kept alive and healthy by such authors as this who employ their fertile imaginations to reinvent the world. Gentle humor and romance are combined deftly and pleasantly in this relaxing read." Reviewed by Amanda Kilgore of Eternal Night and Huntress Reviews "Set in Regency England Ms. Marr pens a intriguing tale. Creating an alternate universe where the rules of King Author and the Round Table is actually history and not legend brings an original and fresh twist. Martha is a delight and Lord Brinston is just what a hero should be. The cast of characters brought to life are lively and fun to read. The dialogue was witty and entertaining. I hope this is the start of a series set in this universe, and I eagerly look forward to Ms. Marr's next endeavor." Reviewed by Meme of Coffee Time Romance, 4 CUPS "Romance combined with the touch of a fairy tale will please a lot of romance readers, taking us back to our childhood and the days when damsels in distress were rescued by princes. The land of happy ever after with its bumpy road to reaching it still lives in this fun read by talented author Ann Marr. "Martha Dunsmore is rescured by a stranger during a melee at a shop near her school. There is a strong attraction on both sides, but one is a mere girl and the other a man of standing and rank. How can they ever be anything more than nodding acquaintances. "Who is this stranger called Lord Brinston. Where does the Round Table fit in? These and many other questions are raised and you will have to read the book to find out. A tale with lots of movement, intriguing characters and set in a time and place that acts as a bridge to Camelot of Merlin's day and the Regency era. "Villainy's afoot, a girl grows up as she tries to identify the villain, lots of fun with a group known as The Banshees and a step back in time to a slower paced era. "Recommended as a fun read any romance fan will enjoy, especially if they ever loved On'ce-Upon-A-Time stories." Reviewed by Anne K Edwards "ROUND TABLE MAGICIAN is a fun book!… The novel is full of likable personalities and imaginative scenes and dialogue. The growing attachment between Martha and Brinston is highly entertaining. But where, you may ask, does the paranormal come in? The Regency England of the ROUND TABLE MAGICIAN is not the Regency England found in our history books. For one thing, Avalon and the magic days of King Arthur and Merlin were real and their influence still lingers; the court resides in Camelot, near London; the Holy Grail lies safely in the Tower of London, and Waterloo was a joust between England's and Napoleon's knights. Yet Prinny is still Prince Regent, and the customs and manners are similar to those in traditional Regencies… Ms. Marr has this to say on her website about her alternate Regency period: "Magicians may be feared, but there are ten in England alone. At least three of them are young, handsome and looking for love." I hope this means at least two more of her enjoyable romps will be coming soon. ROUND TABLE MAGICIAN is a winner that begs for sequels." Reviewed by Jane Bowers of Romance Reviews Today |
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Excerpt: Pausing to straighten a watercolor on the wall, Martha said, "Well enough a thought, but for the here and now, I think we are justified to retaliate." The picture tilted the opposite direction and Martha raised her hands to it again. "I have been mulling possibilities." Not satisfied that the picture hung straight, Martha stood back from it and tilted her head. Vera coaxed, "Leave that. Every time a door closes along the hall, the picture rearranges itself." "But it offends me," Martha replied absently, reaching to tip the corner a smidge. Just then, a door closed and the picture sagged to the left. "Pooh," she exclaimed. "Is there a problem?" a deep voice enquired. Both girls swung around. Lord Brinston pulled a negligent hand from the pocket of his inexpressibles. He looked at Vera, then at Martha, and repeated his question. "No, my lord," Vera said as Martha began, "The picture..." He moved shoulder to shoulder with Martha and looked at the painting. "I see." He removed the picture and propped it against the wall. "That is easily remedied." Taking hold of Martha's hand, he placed her thumb just below the nail protruding from the plaster. "Lean against it hard," he said. She leaned and he placed his hands over hers with his thumbs on the nail. He experimentally pushed, then moved behind Martha. "Can't get it straight that way," he muttered, and pushed again. Lord Brinston murmured in her ear, "Lean harder, my girl." So Martha leaned. But he leaned also, pressing the length of his body against hers as he pushed at the nail. His hands, warm and hard, not moist in the least, surrounded hers as his form seemed to envelope her with the masculine aroma of lemon and leather. Hot lemon, hot leather. Lord Brinston was a furnace that sparked a fire in the girl. Martha opened her mouth to protest just as he said, "There," and stepped back. "You can take your hand away now, Martha." She shifted and he hung the picture back on the hook, where it hung square. "Just a little trick I learned. Now, if you will excuse me." With a short bow, he sauntered down the corridor. Vera and Martha watched him go, then they turned to look again at the watercolor. It hung perfectly straight. "Well," was all Vera could think to say. "I'll tell Dalton." She grabbed Martha's unresisting hand and pulled her along. Once inside the safety of Vera's room, Martha began to recover her poise. Glowing fireflies stung where he had touched her hand. Her back also. What was happening in her stomach didn't tingle--it burned with feverish joy. "So, what shall we do?" Vera crossed to the table and began stuffing floss willy-nilly into her embroidery bag, knots and all. Martha didn't answer; she hadn't a clue what Vera was referring to. She'd had a firm purpose that morning: avoid thinking of Lord Brinston, avoid Lord Brinston. He could have cooperated. Why had he kissed her? Martha was afraid to know. Vera threw the bag; it clipped Martha on the shoulder. "Wake up. I said, what shall we do to Janice?" With an inward shake, Martha's imp pushed Lord Brinston to the back of her mind. She bent her head close to her friend's ear and began to speak. Hushed voices and muted giggles bespoke a prank in preparation. "Mind now, this was not original to me. I heard of it happening to another." Martha would not claim the inspiration. Nor would she confide the existence of coals--red hot, incinerating coals of desire--in her stomach. Her attention was best turned on someone other than mystifying aristocrats. Someone like Janice, who needed a setdown. "But it is perfect." Vera bounced on a seat, flouncing the forgotten embroidery bag to the floor. "When shall we act?" "You know the old saying; 'Never put off till tomorrow what you may accomplish today.' Shall we see what we can bring about now? Then I would like to search the attic." Vera's grin faded to puzzlement. "What is in the attic?" "The papers, silly. They might be hidden there." Around the corner of the hall, Lord Brinston leaned his forehead against the cool plaster wall and groaned. |
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Author BIO: A biography of the author. This is more frightening than writing a book and publishing it. With a novel, I am putting my ideas in front of you to judge. With information about me, you are judging me. Gulp. I am Ann Tracy Marr. There isn't much to tell you: Fifty-ish, married, kids in college. Hobbies include genealogy, reading, and needlepoint. Most people would say I'm boring, I am afraid. As I get older, I get funnier. Guess I'm not afraid of what people say after all. Three cats - one creaky old, one sassy young. The third? Scared of noises she can't sort out, and with an eating disorder. Whenever she gets scared, she eats. Since she is half deaf, there are a lot of noises that frighten her. So the third cat is fat. But sweet. Would you like to see my website? Here it is-- http://www.freewebs.com/marr794/index.html Dull, right? I warned you. I'm just the person next door. Nothing exciting. Except locked away in my head - and now making its way into the e-book world - is a wonderful alternate reality. England's Regency period (think Pride and Prejudice) has gotten mixed up with a bit of magic left over from King Arthur's Camelot. Not heavy on the fantasy, mind you. Magic isn't something everyone does, and when they do it, it's secret. If you like Regency romances, my world shouldn't upset you. It is a chance to enjoy a glimpse of what could have been our past if Merlin had been real. BTW - the American Revolution didn't happen. England and America parted amicably with the help of a magician. |
