Bonds of Magic, Book 1
Synopsis: Lord Gabriel Phel wants one thing: to restore his shattered House to its former station in the Convocation’s complex and arcane society. Fortunately, through a wild chance of birth, he was born with the magic of a powerful wizard, the first in his family in generations. If he can obtain a familiar to supplement his skills, ideally one who is a highborn daughter who can also be his lady wife, then he’ll be that much closer to restoring House Phel. And to exacting his ultimate revenge on the Convocation that destroyed his family.
Lady Veronica Elal doesn’t have many choices. To her bitter disappointment, she will never be the powerful wizard she and her father hoped she’d be. Instead Nic is doomed to be a familiar like her mother, a second-class citizen in the Convocation, and one destined to be bonded to a wizard, serving his purposes for the rest of her life. Her one hope lies in entering the Betrothal Trials—and choosing a wizard from the Convocation candidates that she can manipulate. Whichever one of her suitors impregnates her will claim her as familiar and wife, and she can use her wiles to rule her wizard master, and the House she marries into.
But Gabriel throws a wrench into Nic’s careful scheming, by seducing and fascinating her. When she finds she’s pregnant by the rogue wizard she can never hope to control, Nic does the unthinkable: she runs.
Review: This is a new series by Jeffe Kennedy and I was curious to get into this first volume. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had a great time with this novel and can’t wait to read the sequel!
Nic doesn’t have an easy life. While she was hoping to become a wizard, she has become a familiar: a person who must ally with a wizard who will use her as a source of power. In every family, familiars are considered inferior beings, and are only there at the will of the wizard. Nic would like to escape this life or find a wizard she can manipulate, but it all backfires.
Gabriel is a man I loved getting to know. He is sweet and endearing, but he is also determined and stubborn. He wants to rebuild his House and Nic is the only way to do it. Yet he wants her to choose him and will do anything to help her and understand.
I was drawn into the story and was curious to see how our heroes would fare. And now that I’ve finished the novel, I can’t wait to read the sequel, because I’m sure it will be full of twists and turns.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I have heard great things about this author’s books. This sounds like a really good start to the series. I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
Joyousreads
I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the books in this series. Very interesting!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I have really enjoyed some series by this author as have Melanie and some of my other blogging friends. I am in fact shocked Melanie hasn’t reviewed this one yet as I keep track of this author through her reviews.
Angela (Angel's Guilty Pleasures)
Glad to see you enjoy and want to continue. I’ll have to check out this author.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
She does write good fantasy romances, so I’m not surprised you had a fun time with this one!
blodeuedd
That guy looks like someone, hmmm
Carole Rae
Poor Nic!
And can I just say that the guy on the cover does not look amused AT all.