Terri Pray is one of those authors whom, once you’ve started reading one of her stories, you never want it to end. Sure, you eagerly read on, following all the twists and turns, feeling every emotion her hero and heroine are feeling. You feel their pain due to the emotional upheavals they’re experiencing and body-drenching heat when they make love, but you never really want it to end, unless there’s another book waiting in the wings to be read.

In A Touch of Magic laws prevent a witch from using her magical skills and casting spells, but Hailey, who is a witch, decides she must. She’s too torn up inside seeing the pain in her best friend, Karol’s eyes. For a long time Hailey has guessed Karol’s unfaithful husband was being abusive and she must act now, before something awful happens to her friend. Hailey has never understood why Karol married Brian, the bully, as she refers to him.

Hailey had attended high school with an unremarkable guy named Darryl. With Hailey’s aunt’s assistance she meets Darryl Indigo again, now an empath, which means he can see into another person’s life. Darryl had been infatuated with Hailey in high school, and with her appearance in his life again he realizes he still possesses strong feelings for her. From the moment she places her small hand in his, she puts her faith and trust in him to take her on a journey into her friend Karol’s mind and life. After following Darryl and seeing her friend’s sadness, Hailey is left shivering and sobbing. She turns to Darryl for comfort. Soon his sweet kisses turn into lustful want and need—things Hailey hasn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time. Hailey drops her shields, allowing Darryl to see into her heart and soul. In the end, the two of them join forces and work their magic on Brian, a magic that will forever change how the brute treats Karol.

A Touch of Magic was an unusual read, riveting and passionate. I was especially drawn to Darryl’s calm, quiet masculinity and gentle strength. Hailey is a true-blue friend to Karol and an excellent match for Darryl. I found the entire concept of the mores of the day regarding witches and empaths to be interesting. I highly recommend A Touch of Magic for anyone who appreciates a high quality, quick, entertaining read.

Reviewed by Nancy Pirri

© May 2006