Reviewer: Holly Magic in the Wind by Christine Feehan
Series: Drake Sisters #1, Sea Haven
Also in this series: Turbulent Sea, Hidden Currents, Hidden Currents, Dangerous Tides, Water Bound, Spirit Bound, Air Bound, Fire Bound, Bound Together (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart, #6)
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: September 27th 2005
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 112
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First in the Drake Sisters series from the "reigning queen of the paranormal romance"--#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Carpathian and Sea Haven novels.
The story of Sarah, the eldest of the extraordinary—and magical—Drake sisters, now rewritten and expanded, in this very special collector’s edition…
“Sarah Drake has come home.” Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he’s heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name—a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah’s clifftop home, and seeks to shelter him there.
But Damon has not arrived alone. A killer has tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House. But Sarah has her own secrets, and danger—as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known—is just a whisper away…
Magic in the Wind previously appeared in Lover Beware.
Christine Feehan is the author of Dark Wolf, Dark Lycan, Air Bound, Leopard's Prey, Samurai Game, and numerous other bestselling novels.
From the Paperback edition.
Holly‘s review of The Drake Sisters
I recently re-read the Drake Sisters series by Christine Feehan. I have a love/hate relationship with this series. The sisters are amazing to read about. I adore their relationship with each other and the paranormal elements (they’re all psychic in one way or another). But there are things I hate, namely the heroes. I hate how controlling and quasi-abusive they are. Only..I don’t hate them. At heart, they really only want what’s best for their woman. Which is kind of hot. But the way they talk to them sometimes is just..wrong. I can’t explain it, except to say I hate how much I love them.
Magic in the Wind
New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan presents the story of Sarah, the eldest of the extraordinary-and magical-Drake sisters, now rewritten and expanded, in this very special collector’s edition.
“Sarah Drake has come home.” Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he’s heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name-a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah’s cliff-top home, and seeks to shelter him there. But Damon has not arrived alone. A killer has tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House. But Sarah has her own secrets, and danger-as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known-is just a whisper away…
It’s been many years since I re-read this novella. I remember liking it, but not really loving it, the first time around. I have to say that’s still the way I feel. Though I enjoyed quite a bit of it, I didn’t absolutely adore it.
One of my biggest problems was the inconsistent way Sarah acted. she was supposedly a bodyguard, one of the best in security, but she often deferred to Damon, the man she was supposed to be protecting. Similarly, Damon knew he needed protection but refused to accept it from Sarah, because she was a woman.
Otherwise I did enjoy their relationship. They worked well together outside of their professions. I liked that both Damon and Sarah really cared about the other, wanting them to be happy and needing to be near one another.
The suspense plot was just ok. Considering the page count, I suppose I can’t complain too much, but I would have liked to see things explored a bit more on that end.
3.5 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
Twilight Before Christmas
Bestselling novelist Kate Drake is one of seven sisters gifted with amazing powers of witchcraft. Returning home in time for her northern California town’s annual Christmas pageant, Kate catches the spirit of the season and decides to open a bookstore in a charming but run-down historic mill. Decorated former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Granite, now a local contractor, doesn’t mind working in the undeniably eerie house — not if it means getting closer to Kate. There’s something about the quiet, sensual woman that powerfully attracts him.
When an earthquake cracks the mill’s foundation and reveals a burial crypt, Kate senses that a centuries-old evil has been unleashed?and that it’s coming after her. Though Matt vows to guard her from dusk till dawn, Kate knows she will have to summon all of her and her sisters’ powers to battle the darkness threatening to destroy both Christmas and the gift of soul-searing passion her hometown hero wants her to keep forever….
I only re-read the Drake story in this collection this time around. I do plan to re-read the other novella soon, though. I can’t remember my feelings about this book the first time around, but I really enjoyed it the second time.
I love that Sarah and Matt have both been lusting after each other from afar for years, without the other realizing it. I also loved that each of them felt clumsy and silly around the other. It was cute watching Matt turn red and Kate stumble along.
The storyline was one I enjoyed as well. I like watching the sisters come together to fight evil, especially when it’s really difficult for them. Yes, yes, I’m a sadist. I know.
4 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
The third daughter of seven in a magical bloodline, Abigail Drake was born with an affinity for water and a strong bond with dolphins. After she witnesses a murder, she flees right into the arms of Alexsandr Volstov. On the trail of stolen Russian antiquities, he’s a relentless Interpol agent–and the man who once broke Abby’s heart. But he isn’t going to let the only woman he’s ever loved slip away again.
This is my least favorite book in the series. I always start off hating the hero, Aleksandr, for what he did to the heroine, Abbey, in the past. Then I start hating Abbey for pushing him away and making up lame excuses for why they can’t be together.
I understand her being scared of his ruthless streak, but why continue to sleep with him, lean on him and lead him on? It isn’t until later in the book that we realize why Aleksandr did what he did to protect Abbey, so most of the book they both annoyed me.
There are some good parts. I love the dolphins and the interactions between the sisters. I also love the glimpses of Jackson and Ilya.
The main relationship frustrates me. In the end, I’m not sure I fully believed in their HEA.
3.75 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
Dr. Libby Drake is sensible and practical. To her more adventurous sisters, she’s always been the “good girl”. Certainly not the kind to attract the attention of a genius like Ty Derrick—until a tragic accident leaves the handsome biochemist at her mercy.
Acting on her uncanny ability to heal, she stirs in the reawakened Ty his own long-suppressed desires for the woman who saved his life. But he’s not the only man with designs on Libby Drake. Her miraculous and selfless power has also captured the attention of a dangerously influential admirer. He’s pursuing the elementally gifted beauty for his own wicked purpose. And he’s willing to go to deadly lengths to make it happen.
This book drives me absolutely insane. Ty annoyed the every lovin’ crap out of me. I have no idea why Libby liked him so much. He was cynical and overbearing in the worst possible way. He’s a skeptic – a man of science – and doesn’t believe Libby and her sisters really have magical “powers”. That’s fine – I’m somewhat of a skeptic myself. But he constantly belittled Libby, putting her down and making her feel bad about herself. And yet she stayed with him – which makes her just as much of a tool as him.
Plus, this is the book I call The Great Editing Fail Book. There are so many little inconsistencies and mistakes I wanted to pull my hair out. Libby is wearing a skirt walking down the stairs, but jeans walking up it. Jonas isn’t driving a Jeep, but two minutes later it’s a cruiser. Things like that drive me nuts and this book was riddled with them.
I do love the interaction between the sisters, though.
2 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
One of seven daughters in a line of extraordinary women, Hannah Drake has been the elusive object of affection for Jonas Harrington for as long as the young man can remember. If only the stunning super-model was driven by a passion other than her career. But Jonas isn’t the only one with desires for Hannah.
From the shadows has emerged a vengeful figure who stalks the beauty with one terrifying purpose: to strip her of all she is and destroy her. Only one man was destined as her protection. Now, out of a storm of danger, Jonas must guide the woman he loves from a sinister darkness that threatens not only Hannah, but the entire Drake family.
I’m starting to think re-reading this series back-to-back isn’t a very good idea. The things I loved about it the first time around are being overshadowed by inconsistencies in the storytelling, poor editing and the caveman tactics of the heroes.
Those issues aside, this is a hard book to read at times. Hannah has always been the most beautiful of the Drake sisters. She makes her living as a supermodel. Getting stabbed 20-something times and almost dying was a very traumatic experience for her, especially since it ruined her beauty. I don’t mean to imply that she’s shallow, but it was a hard thing for her to deal with.
I liked the way Jonas supported her through her recovery. It was good that they understood each other so well, and were able to offer each other comfort and support. But prior to that he really skirted the line of verbal abuse. He constantly put her down and made fun of her. His reasons for doing so were mostly alturistic – he understand that Hannah was only a model because she wanted to please her sisters, not because she truly enjoyed it. He wanted her to see that she was more than just a pretty face. Plus, he was concerned about her having an eating disorder.
But good intentions pave the road to hell, and Jonas’ good intentions didn’t make up for the fact that he was a jerk to Hannah. What was supposed to feel like sexual tension and verbal foreplay between the two was ruined by how terrible he made Hannah feel about herself. She truly thought Jonas looked at her as nothing more than a Playboy centerfold. Her already low self-esteem feel even farther after her attack. This is where Jonas redeemed himself.
I did think parts of her recovery weren’t dealt with. More of the inconsistencies from above. She was physically in pain, yet able to make-out with Jonas – with him lying on top of her. She could barely walk, yet could stand for long periods on her balcony. Things like that.
The major issue I had with her recovery was her eating-disorder. It’s mentioned several times in previous books that she has an eating disorder, and it’s mentioned in this one that she doesn’t eat. But that isn’t ever addressed. Other than a few throw-away thoughts or comments from Jonas and Hannah about it, it was completely brushed aside. Eating disorders are a very serious thing. The recovery is long and hard, yet Hannah was just magically cured?
I think Feehan could have explored that aspect more and backed off on the suspense plot a bit, which I found rather boring.
Aside from my issues, I enjoy the emotional aspects of the book. The way the sisters come together to support one another is fabulous. Though Hannah and Jonas both frustrated me at times, I was emotionally invested in both.
4 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
The star: Joley Drake was born with a legacy of unexpected magical gifts, but it was the gift of singing that made her an overnight sensation—a rock and roll goddess trapped by fame, fortune, and ambition. Heated by the flush of success, Joley could have any man she wanted. But there’s only man who can give her what she really needs.
The bodyguard: Ilya Prakenskii, cool, inscrutable, dangerously sexy, and working in the shadow of his infamous reputation—that of a secret Russian hit man on the payroll of a notorious mobster. He’s the last man Joley should get close to, yet when her life is threatened on tour she has nowhere left to turn. But in the seductive safe keep of Ilya’s embrace, is Joley really as secure as she imagines?
This was the book that I started my re-read with. There was a scene I wanted to read and I only meant to skim through it – then found myself full immersed. This book has always been my favorite of them. Until this last re-read.
I still liked this book, but the small inconsistencies bothered me a lot more this time around. The way Joley kept getting distracted in the beginning bothered me. It seemed liked her safety was important some of the time, but mostly a non-issue. Considering there’s someone trying to kill her and Ilya is her bodyguard, that didn’t jive for me. I was also frustrated by how easily she “forgot” about the young girl who went missing in the first chapter. She gets agitated about it and vows to question the band members and the crew, but weeks – and several cities (she’s on tour) – later, nothing has been done.
I still enjoyed their relationship. Ilya and Joley were great together. Joley’s resisting frustrated me some, but I understand her reasons. I loved Ilya the first time around and that didn’t change with the re-read. He’s fully invested in Joley right from the beginning. He knows she’s the one for him and he doesn’t waver from that. He only wants what’s best for her – mentally, physically and emotionally. I love how he supports her and stands behind her.
While I enjoyed this, I would have to say Hidden Currents was better.
4.25 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
From afar, Sheriff Jackson Deveau has always loved Elle Drake, the youngest telepath of seven sisters. After a long time away she’s finally returning home to the small coastal village of Sea Haven. But someone has been following Elle, someone who doesn’t want her to make it back. And when Elle fails to arrive, her disappearance strikes fear in the hearts of everyone who loves her. Now it’s left to Jackson to uncover the mystery of Elle’s vanishing, and rescue her from an unseen danger. But Sea Haven is no longer safe for anyone, and it’ll take the powers of all the Drake sisters and their men to survive the coming storm.
This is Elle’s book, the 7th and final sister. It’s hard to read in the beginning, because Elle has been kidnapped. Feehan is very graphic about her abuse at the hands of her kidnapper for the first 100 pages or so. After that it settles down into the meat of the romance. I adore those parts. There are many things that bother me, though. Like Elle’s physical recovery. Within days she’s completely healed? Really? She spends a month being raped and tortured, but doesn’t even need to see a doctor or go to a hospital? Really? I could pull my hair out just thinking about it.
In previous books, I was unsure about Jackson. He seemed closed off and..almost cold. I knew there was something in his past that had scarred him, but I had no idea what. Finding out really just added another layer of depth to his relationship with Elle. I expected him to be domineering and cold, but instead he was tender and sensitive, staying strong for Elle and yet giving her space.
Elle was a very strong woman. Though she suffered at the hands of a monster for months, she did her best to work through her pain and trauma. She didn’t just lie down and die. Her need for Jackson scared her at first, because she was afraid to rely on him completely, but after awhile she came to value him and appreciated that he was constantly with her.
The connection between Elle and Jackson was strong right from the beginning. Watching them heal together and learn to trust one another was the more powerful part of the story, I think. In the face of their relationship, the drama of Elle’s capture and subsequent torture took a back seat. Therefore I don’t think Stavros seemed as much of a threat as was intended. I was so focused on Elle and Jackson that Stavros seemed more an annoyance than anything.
Definitely the best of the series. I was really surprised at the direction she took the story. Although tough to read at times (because of the content) overall it was very well done. Kudos to Feehan for closing out the series in such a great way.
4.5 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here
Overall I’m pretty satisfied with the series as a whole. There are many things that bother me, but there are just as many things that I love. If you enjoy this type of paranormal romance (psychic powers), I recommend this series.
Still haven’t managed to finish that book or read the rest of Chapter 3 of Hidden Currents. I am so going to have to do it, but I don’t want to be depressed while reading a romance.
I absolutely hated the last book in the series. I couldn’t get over how quickly she seemed to get over being tortured. Especially the man Stavros killed in front of her. The beginning was great, but I felt like the Stavros threat was an after though.