Audiobook Review:

This author takes you back to the times of Fae, curses, and where those of honor do the right thing. Where not all is resolved as you finish the last page, she will leave you smiling eager to pick up the next in the series.

Annelise is much like many a young girl – shy with a desperate wish not to be so. Since Kinfairlie and Ravensmuir are magical lands where the Fae abound, so it is, there is a natural spring in the glade where village folk come to pray for healing. It is also a place many a young maiden pray for their dearest desire, placing a ribbon soaked in the spring on a bush whose limbs grow over the spring. Annelise wished for boldness, a husband and both very soon. She knew herself to be so shy she couldn’t possibly entertain a young man’s interest.

Author Claire Delacroix introduces Garrett MacLachlan into the tale, on the trail of a cunning wolf he’s been tracking for weeks. Reaching the natural spring, the wolf is drawn to the water for it has a thirst it must quench. However, seeing the young woman, Annelise, it changes its mind, a morsel to eat was more in demand. Garret sees the way of things when he reaches the spring, killing the wolf directly. Strong this man might be, as gorgeous a man there would be, but, sadly, he cannot be among men. His curse is strong and he is better living alone…except when he meets Annelise he finds some peace. How can this be?

Will the prayer at the spring bear fruit? Will Annelise be bold enough to reach for what she wants?

Will Garrett, gifted by the gods, yet cursed, be able to believe in himself and demand better for himself?

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld, with her warm alto voice knows how to tantalize a listener. Her voice modulation easily captures the gender, emotion and spirit of each character. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to her in other narrations. She’s extremely talented, perfectly grasping the poignancy of each scene.

As with all I’ve read or listened to by Claire Delacroix, she holds me entirely engrossed and never am I disappointed with the telling. I love the rather archaic pattern of speech she uses in the Jewels of Kinfairlie and Lammergeier saga. Her stories are a perfect blend of magic, suspense, passion, honor, deceit and greed. She has me listening well beyond the time I should be doing something else. Simply delightful entertainment–on that you can rely! If you haven’t started reading Claire Delacroix, you are missing a wonderful magical land where dreams do come true, yet danger lurks beyond the shadows. ( )