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Again the Magic
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Plot Summary of Again the Magic
"

Avon, Feb 2004, 6.99, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0380811081

In 1832 Hampshire stable boy John McKenna and Lady Aline Marsden, oldest daughter of an earl, exchange vows of love. However, her father angrily shouts at Aline that her feelings for John prove she is her just like her whore of a mother. He warns her that if she fails to end it, he will destroy John. A heartbroken Aline tells her father he better help John start a new life or she will give her virgin body to the first available bum which will cause scandal to the family name. Aline tells John that she never loved him as he is beneath her. Her dad arranges an apprenticeship with a shipbuilder for the former stable boy.

Twelve years later, John arrives back in Hampshire accompanying his American business partner Gideon Shaw. John hates Aline for her “betrayal”, but is shocked she is not married. He begins to learn the truth about how much she sacrificed to keep him safe from her now deceased father's reach, but even before that he knew at first sight that he still loves her. This time he vows he will not let her go.

This an exciting historical romance that readers will enjoy due to a strong cast. The story line engages the reader from the moment Aline and her father confront one another, but really takes off when John returns to England after years in the United States. Though having her amiable brother as the earl instead of her acrimonious father takes away from the potential squabbles, fans will enjoy this fine second chance at love tale.

Harriet Klausner "

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

"John Mckenna was a stable hand who fell in love with Lady Aline Marsden. Theirs was a passionate and magical love that transcended the moral and social rigours of society. When Aline's father discovered this forbidden relationship, Mckenna was sent away. Lady Aline was left heartbroken and exiled in her family's estate, hidden from society. Then, Mckenna returned, more devastatingly handsome than before, and Lady Aline must summon all her strength not to show Mckenna that he still holds her heart; for if he knew that she still loves him, no power on earth will stop him from rekindling the "magic" they once shared."
Rina Hall, Resident Scholar

"No one loved McKenna the way Aline Marsden, his childhood playmate, his confidant turned lover, did. McKenna left thinking Aline had sent him away after dallying with him while Aline, punished, remained in the countryside.

Twelve years later, McKenna returned, a rich man, to the Marsden estate, on a business venture. The wounds in his heart have yet to heal and he ruthless plotted revenge. Perhaps then, he could purge Aline out of his system. But Aline at 31, had mysteriously remained unwed, and he later discovered, a virgin. Things did not add up but Aline was less than explanatory for she had a secret to hide. McKenna was not one easily to forget or forgive until Livia (Aline's sister) confided Aline's innocence and reasons in sending him away. Aline was desperate to keep McKenna from knowing her incident with the fire that her left her legs, from feet up, riddled with permanent scars.

At the same time, 24 years old Livia, a young widow felt alive once more after a fairy-tale dance with the worldly Gideon Shaw, McKenna's business partner. Unfortunately this American was too closely wed to the bottle (an alcoholic) but being with Livia was like breathing in a soothing balm. He had to make a choice, albeit a difficult one. Both Marsden ladies have their second chance at love and perhaps this time around, it would end happily.
"

Sharren Khoo, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Again the Magic
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - Regency era
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched? - poor loving rich
If one lover chases another... - they alternate
Matchbreaker Yes
Matchbreaker is - Dad

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - business executive
Age/status: - 20's-30's
How sexual is this person? - several sexual encounters
How romantic is this person? - very romantic
Sex has good effect on him Yes
Sex has bad effect on him Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - bulging muscles

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - wealthy
How sexual is this person? - naive virgin
How romantic is this person? - very romantic
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Farm/Ranch? Yes

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
What % of story is romance related? - 80%
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - licking - actual description of sex - descript. of female anatomy (the big B's) - descript. of female anatomy (the big V)
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 3-4 sex acts
Most similar books to Again the Magic
The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer
A Gift of Daisies by Mary Balogh
A Perfect Bride by Samantha James
Scandal by Pamela Britton
An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn


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Lisa Kleypas Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Katrina Lo  

SCHOLARS:
A Reader  Rina Hall  Wendy  Erin O'Donoghue  C. Young  Sharren Khoo  Randi Baldwin  L. Watson  JessC  


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