Sandy M’s review of Blood Magick (Cousins O’Dwyer, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 28 Oct 14

Since the beginning of this trilogy, I have loved Finbar Burke. As tragic as the entire story of the Dark Witch and her descendants is, as much as they’ve endured over the centuries at the hand of evil, it’s Fin who has captured my heart – and he’s the one who bears the mark of that same evil that has triumphed over and over again. Despite the pull that evil has on the man, Fin stays true to himself, his friends, and his love.

Finbar and Branna have a history. They fell in love years ago, a young love that led to one night of ecstasy. All of their hopes and dreams came to a screeching halt that night when their joining caused the mark that Fin has born in the years since, the mark that has kept and will keep them apart until Cabhan, the witch who wants all magickal power, no longer exists. Fin has seen the world in his quest to stay away from Branna and, thus, keep his sanity. Being near her without being able to have her is too much for any man to bear.

Her sanity stays intact with her concentration on doing her duty. As a descendant of Sorcha, the first Dark Witch, it is now up to Branna and her circle to eradicate the world of Cabhan. This is their third try, the one they hope is the right charm. Mixing potions and poisons, writing and casting spells, and seeing to their everyday life only takes a woman so far. Branna gets through the holidays, but on New Year’s Eve she succumbs to the pull of Finbar. She no longer wishes to resist what has been between them for so long. They take this new reality a day at a time as they race headlong toward the day that may be their last.

In between all of this, of course, Cabhan slithers in and out of their lives, doing his best to coerce Fin and Branna, along with Connor and Meara and Boyle and Iona, who complete the circle, into his web. I love the magick utilized in both their daily lives and in the fights with Cabhan, especially when they cross into time to visit their counterparts in an earlier century and the reverse when those original three come to our time, and also the affinity each of them has with their talismans – the horse, hawk, and hound. With each contact of either evil or good, they learn a bit more to make their upcoming mission a success. Or so they hope.

I really enjoy the sense of family in this trilogy. Each of these characters takes that to heart, would die for each other if the situation called for it, tease one another as families do, as well as sit and commiserate around the kitchen table loaded down with food. Another enjoyable essence of this book is the feel of the Irish. It’s always present in word and deed, mixed in with all that magick. Will light triumph over dark? Is it possible for Fin and Branna to be together, or will he always wear Cabhan’s mark? Can they find a way to their happily ever after? You know what you need to do to find all of that out!

This has been another terrific trilogy from Nora Roberts, and I wish there’d be some followup in due course – I’d love to be part of the weddings that are planned after all these characters have gone through.

Grade: A+

Summary:

County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch.

Branna’s strength and seflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family – along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound.  But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love…

She had it once – for a moment – with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood.  Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: