2005-05-13 Sheer Magic

"More Than Magick" contains three great stories written by well established writers from Ellora's Cave Publishing
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Magick Men: A Shot Of Magick by Rhyannon Byrd
Lachlan McKendrick is furious when the governing High Council of Magicks (made up of his five interfering uncles) decides to put a stop to his wild oats sowing and ensure he settles down with a wife to father the next generation of Magicks (magic users|). They do this by placing a curse upon Lach, ensuring any woman he sleeps with, excluding his "bith-bhuan gra" (his soul mate) will turn into an animal. Whilst Lach is deeply drawn to American waitress Evan, he is unsure how his curse would affect a mortal and indecisive whether a relationship with a none Witch could work.
This is a great story of magic users living in the modern world and unfortunately the sequel "A Bite of Magick" is currently unvailable in print.

Once Upon A Midnight Blue by Shiloh Walker
Aric is found as a child, and having only half a caste mark, many are left in doubt over his status in society. Attaining the position of Master of Arms, Aric is responsible for his King's victory over an invading army. When Aric saves the life of a smoke elf, the magical creature offers him one wish as reward. By wishing for a quick and final victory for his men he denies himself his true desire, Princess Amery, the royal heir whom he has secretly loved for many years. However Aric's loyal service is rewarded with betrayal after he is abandoned by the King when injured. Barely alive, Aric enters the home of a witch to whom he becomes bound in service to. When she orders him down a well to retrieve a blue light, his life is changed forever. This blue light is the alternative form of Blue, an immensely powerful demi-elf who was captured by the witch whilst searching for his master, the one person he will bind himself to for eternity and grant any desire. Aric is no other than his master, and using his vast powers Blue is determined to act out Aric's revenge against the King and Pincess Amery.
This is probably the best story I have read by Shiloh Walker, reminding me strongly of the Grimms Brother stories of childhood. This story was hot and easily my favourite within this anthology.

Spell of Chameleon by Titania Ladley
High Priestess of the Chameleon Coven, Mia Foxe is drawn back to the town of Perish and the man she cursed over three hundred years ago. Clergyman Abe is somewhat peeved by his curse (a result of his attempt to burn Mia for witchcraft) and is intent on revenge when she returns. Stealing her "trifed" her source of power, Abe now faces a magic user without protection, a chameleon witch who requires sexual release once a day to recharge her powers. Tied to a bed, Mia finds herself completely at Abe's mercy, facing a frustration which has boiled for three hundred years.
Ladley's offering was my least favourite story and certainly not equal to her only EC full length novel currently in print, the fabulous "Jennie in a Bottle".