Helen Scott Taylor

I was hoping for a little bit more from Helen Scott Taylor's "The Magic Knot". This is a contemporary paranormal about a half-Fae, half-pisky who learns the truth about her lineage with the help of a sexy half-Fae, half-leprechaun.

When Rose heads for her latest accounting job in Cornwall, the last thing she expected to encounter was a sexy biker with a serious attitude. Although her mother had always warned her never to enter Cornwall, after her mother's death Rose is feeling lost and wants show more to search for her Cornish father. What she finally finds in this magical land will change her life...assuming she lives through it.

Niall is a protector. Right now he has his hands full hiding his sister and brother from the eyes of the Fae Queen. The last thing he wanted, or expected, was the beautiful woman he meets at his brother's pub turning out to be not only a Pisky Queen, but his mate.

It started out with such promise, but for me, the scope of the story was too much for just 300 pages. There were chunks of information left dangling, or missing, and the action moved at an incredible pace. The main characters didn't seem to have much time to connect which left me confused when they fell in (and out of) love so often and so quickly. The setting, on the other hand, was fabulous and made me want to visit Cornwall again. I think in the end I'd have to say the editing of the story was likely what caused me problems. I'll be looking to see what Helen Scott Taylor comes up with next and hope the scope is more agreeable to the length of the story. show less

Goodish, rather weird. Interesting characters, with hidden depths slowly revealed. Interesting situation, too. The semi-rivalry between Niall and Jacca is nicely handled - particularly when Jacca is the only one who can help Rose. The various groups of Faerie are interesting - I don't know if I've ever heard of piskies before (as opposed to pixies). And Ciar is fascinatingly nasty. Tristan is just nasty. And definitely setting up further stories - Michael and Jacca, at least, possibly also show more Ana. I'll be looking for them. show less

Just two hours before his wedding, Jack Summers realizes that he's about to make a huge mistake. An even bigger mistake is telling his fiance exactly that. Thinking that there must be another woman, she backs him into a corner and demands an answer. The truth seems to go in one ear and out the other. What is the man supposed to do? A little white lie won't hurt, right?

When her boss announced his upcoming nuptials, Melanie Marshall stepped in as manager of Greyfriar House Hotel. Suddenly her show more boss is back sans wife in tow. As if she doesn't have enough to worry about, like losing her job, her life has just gotten more complicated. The scorned ex-fiance shows up and drops a bombshell. Melanie never saw that one coming.

Five years ago, Melanie Marshall's husband committed an unforgivable crime, leaving her and their son Ryan to deal with the aftermath. Shunned by the people in the village, as well as her own parents, she took her son and fled. She avoids dating at all costs. She finds men untrustworthy, but she also knows that any man would take off once they found out the secret she's been keeping. Now Jack is looking at her differently, as if seeing her for the first time. He comes to care for her and Ryan. As their relationship grows, she knows she owes him the whole truth, even if that means losing him. Jack only hopes that their connection is strong enough to keep her from running again.

This story was a surprising blend of charm, humor and angst. Melanie struggles with the demons of her past, and Jack has the patience of a saint where she is concerned, but he's not afraid of pointing out when her self preservation hurts his feelings. Her control starts to slip when Ryan becomes attached to Jack, and she realizes that he can connect with her son in a way she never can. Her fears are not completely unfounded. Reading about how judgment had been passed on her and seeing her as guilty by association was really sad. What made me angry was the fact that those grown ups didn't think about what their vitriol might do to an innocent little boy. Jack and Melanie's intimate relationship is hinted at, but this story didn't need anything graphic to convey their turn from friends to lovers. When Melanie has a setback, Jack's mother and sister ride in to the rescue. I think the moral(s) of the story would be not to pass judgment without thinking about the consequences, running from problems doesn't solve them, anything good is worth waiting for, and if you really love someone, you'd set them free if you had to.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you Carina Press via NetGalley for the ARC.

Disclaimer: A review in exchange for the ARC was not promised. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and in no way represent the views or opinions of the publisher/distributor. show less

My Synopsis:

The Magic Knot (The Magic Knot Fairies series - Book 1) by Helen Scott Taylor

(For review from the author)

Rosenwyn Tremain is in for more than a few surprises when her accounting firm sends her to Cornwall to investigate the finances of an inn that is having financial difficulties. She plans to use her extra time to find the father she has never known.

But, Tristian Jago isn't at what she expected. When Rose begins to learn about her roots as the Cornish pisky queen and how her show more father has imprisoned what remains of her troop, she is shocked and dismayed. The stones she wears around her neck, given to her by her mother, along with an ancient deck of Tarot cards, holds the key to her past, as well as her future.

Irish fairy twins, Niall and Michael along with the help of an old friend from the past, Nightshade must help Rose free her troop. Will her uncanny connection, through the magic knot to Niall end in pain or will true love prevail? Will Rose's father, Tristian get his ultimate revenge on the pisky troop? Will Nightshade, find redemption for his mistakes? You'll have to read to find out...

My Thoughts:

Helen Scott Taylor does a wonderful job of meshing the supernatural elements of this story. From the Cornwall countryside to the rolling hills of Ireland, it seems almost natural that there may be fairies living among us.

I am of Celtic heritage and I was very interested in what the writers take would be on some of the myths and legends of Ireland and Scotland, like fairies and Leprechauns. I was very pleased with her ideas and the storytelling was just excellent. I liked the book a lot. The idea of the magic knot was captivating. I found myself thinking about the bonds that are formed between people and how in a sense we can hold that person's happiness in our hands, like Rose when she was holding Niall's magic knot. Very cool! show less