Forbidden Magic by Jo Beverley is the story of Meg Gillingham and her family and their struggle to survive after the deaths of their parents in London of 1812.

Meg knows that she shouldn't use the statue that is her legacy; she knows that the power she has comes with a price; and most of all she knows that it is wrong to manipulate events by using the sheelagh-ma-gig to grant wishes.

But Meg is desperate to save her family from living on the streets and words her wish carefully:
 

"I wish that within the week, we shall all be provided for as befits our station, and with honor and happiness".

Meanwhile across London the Earl of Saxonhurst is about to have the shock of his life when his manipulating grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Daingerfield, reminds him of his promise to marry before the age of 25 or let her choose his bride.  The message arrives on the day before his 25th birthday and is has no idea as to who he can get to marry him in such a short period of time.

But with Meg's wish and a curious set of coincidental events Meg's plight is brought to the attention of the handsome Earl and he decides that she could be the perfect choice for a bride.  The toss of a coin decides in favour of Meg and the wheels are soon in motion.

Their hasty marriage is soon over and done with and Meg and her family move in with Saxonhurst and his strange assortment of servants.

But constantly hanging over Meg is the knowledge that sooner or later she will have to pay the price for the wish and she knows that the price will be very high indeed.

Forbidden Magic is a delightfully humourous story with an endearing collection of secondary characters to compliment the hero and heroinne of the novel.

Saxonhurst, or Sax as he is known to his servants and friends is an eccentric hero with a collection of strange servants and even stranger pets.  His temper is known throughout the house and his room is filled with a collection of the ugliest ornaments and items found across London, each placed for when he wants to lose his temper.  The servants even bet on what will break and when.

But even in the worst fits of temper one cannot help liking this charming Earl.  This is the only novel I have ever read where a scene with the hero in a temper can have me in stitches of laughter.

Sax's only fault seems to be his stubborn nature and it is this which Meg finds so troubling.  With her own close family she would like to see Sax make amends with his grandmother, but her meddling in his personal life is something Sax will not tolerate.  He makes it clear that he has no patience with those who try to manipulate him.  Which of course worries Meg even more since she has used magical powers to manipulate him into marriage.

But when a villain tries to steal the power of the sheelagh-ma-gig for himself Meg knows she must either risk losing the husband she has come to love by telling him the truth about their marriage or turn to his hated grandmother for the help she needs.  It seems that whichever option she chooses she will lose Sax and the love they have found together.

This delightfully amusing novel has a strong plot which makes for a very good story, but it is the well drawn characters that make it a brilliant story.

Forbidden Magic is a keeper and should not be missed by anyone.

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Also by Jo Beverley:  Lord of Midnight and Something Wicked.

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