Isca and Avalon, Britain - Roman Era

Living a forbidden life of magic, and training those blessed with magic, Gwendolyn has been chosen as the successor who will lead Avalon when her elderly uncle dies. It is a burden she does not want, but will obey. When an extremely powerful and deadly new enemy arrives in the Roman encampment just beyond Avalon's mists, Gwen must break both rules and trust to seek out a weapon with which to defeat him. Gwen harbors a dark secret rooted in Deep Magic and she recognizes the same magic in the stranger. Her only hope to save Avalon is to find a way to combine both the Light and the Dark within a sword the Lady has shown to her in a vision. Gwen knows of only one person who can help her create it. The Roman who also knows her secret and has secretly occupied her mind since she last saw him.

Marcus Aquila has thought constantly about Gwendolyn since he and her brother Rhys saved her from the Deep Magic torment inflicted upon her. He has never spoken of Gwen's secret, but has longed to see her again. When she arrives alone in Isca and asks for his help in creating a sword, Marcus is both pleased and puzzled. He can sense a lie in her, which makes no sense. Marcus makes swords for a living and has long wanted to create one of Chalybs, bright iron, and with Gwen's help he believes it may finally be possible. That Gwen intends to infuse it with magic unnerves him. He cannot, however, deny either her request or the temptation to possess her in every way possible.

DEEP MAGIC is filled with the imagery and magic of Druids during the Roman Era. Gwendolyn is fiercely independent and looking for a way to both uphold her duties and find happiness. Marcus is a proud hard-working Roman who eschews the luxury he can afford in favor of manual work. Both are misunderstood by their families and find their individuality at odds with what is expected of them. Their romance is both forbidden and heartfelt. Strong, lyrical writing with well drawn settings and characters bring the story alive. Suspense and twists hold the reader’s attention and an intense ending make this a satisfying read. DEEP MAGIC is an enchanting tale.

Jennell