The Marriage Spell
by Mary Jo Putney
Published by Ballantine
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By Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian
Prolific romance writer Mary Jo Putney has created another magical Regency world, with fantastic characters.
In this Putney world, wizards and healers are tolerated, if not accepted members of society. The Marriage Spell is the story of Jack Langdon, who is injured in a hunting fall on the estate of wizard Andrew Barton. He is healed by Abigail Barton, who requests his hand in marriage before attempting a dangerous healing circle with all the neighborhood wizards helping.
Jack has two broken vertebrae in his neck, and his right leg is broken in four places; and he has broken ribs and internal bleeding--it will take the magical skills of all the wizards, Jack's two friends, Ashby and Ransom, and even Jack himself to save his life. Jack and his friends met at a special school, where the gentry sent their young sons to suppress any magical talents, and Jack has always suppressed any magical skills.
Abby, of course, releases Jack from his promise of marriage, even though she is wildly attracted to him; and he realizes he is attracted to her as well, and they see qualities they admire in each other. After weeks of recovery, they do marry, and begin their life together.
They must face two huge hurdles, though: the first when Jack goes to London to visit his sister, the Duchess of Alderton, and take his place in the House of Lords. There Abby must be introduced to polite society, where wizards are feared and looked down upon. The second and more dangerous challenge is when Jack returns to the failing family estate in Yorkshire, where his mother and stepfather live.
Armchair Interviews says: The Marriage Spell is a light and hopeful story of finding love, and fighting darkness and bigotry.