Salt Magic Skin Magic

There is a mystery at the heart of this fantasy-romance set in old England. The book cover does not do the story justice, so it’s best to ignore/forget it, if possible. The plot has some unexpected twists and the resolution is satisfying. I appreciated how the world of Faerie is depicted in this story – very much an alien dimension. Not much time is spent in that world, but the sense of danger keeps the story wild and unpredictable. My favorite character may have been the Salt.

* * * * *

Lord Thornby has been trapped on his father’s isolated Yorkshire estate for a year. There are no bars or chains; he simply can’t leave. His sanity is starting to fray.

When industrial magician John Blake arrives to investigate a case of witchcraft, he finds the peculiar, arrogant Thornby as alarming as he is attractive. John soon finds himself caught up in a dark fairytale, where all the rules of magic—and love—are changed.

To set Thornby free, both men must face life-changing truths—and John must accept that the brave, witty man who’s winning his heart may also be about to break it. Can they escape a web of magic that’s as perilous as love?

***

“Magic, folklore, dark deeds, and hot romance combine in this wildly enjoyable, inventive story set in a lovely alt-Victorian Gothic world. More please!”
—KJ Charles, RITA™-nominated author of THE MAGPIE LORD and SPECTRED ISLE

“Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch is the sort of book you want to read again the moment you reach the end. Beautifully written, with a romance that is by turns sweet and scorching, it belongs on the keeper shelf of any lover of paranormal historical.”
—Jordan L. Hawk, author of the WHYBORNE AND GRIFFIN and HEXWORLD series

The Purple Fantastic Steam rating gives this a 3 out of 5. It gets steamy at times, but always in service to story and character development.