Shadow Spell. Nora Roberts

Shadow Spell
Nora Roberts
Published: Piatkus
Date: 2014
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 319
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Own book

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…

Shadow Spell is the second in a trilogy - the Cousins O'Dwyer.  It is set in the west of Ireland very near Castle Ashford.  It's full of magic, family, love and danger.

This second book is mostly the story of Connor and Meara, and how they find their way towards each other.  They have always been good friends, but now something more is opening up between them. It's wonderful and beautiful, however it also opens up Meara to danger, as Cabhan - the evil sorcerer they wage war against, turns his evil darkness towards her.

Meara believes she is not worthy of love, she holds the shame of her father leaving their family and going off, as her own.  Cabhan preys on this and suggests all kinds of things to her that make her doubt even more.  Can she welcome love and all that Connor is beginning to offer her, or will she be sucked under?

As in the first book, it is the circle of three that is powerful - Iona, Connor and Branna, and the three encircling them, Blake, Finn nad and Meara.  Of course there are the loyal, magical horse, hound and hawk as well.  To say nothing of a little cutie, Bugs who I hope we'll meet a little more of in the final book.

I also liked the linking of Connor back to the original three, especially with Eamon.  It was a nice touch. 

The dialogue is fun, if you live or have lived around Irish people for any length of time you'll recognise it as exactly how they talk.  The setting around Castle Ashford has me wanting to visit. There is plenty of action and suspense and weaving of spells.  The greatest spell for me was the warmth of friendship and love between these people and for their animals. 

Do they finally beat Cabhan? Well there is another book in the trilogy, and if they had, what would that be about now?  If you enjoy the inimitable Nora Roberts writing, then you will find this trilogy to your taste.