The Magic of the Loch- Coming 2012 to the The Wild Rose Press

(Shapeshifter/mystery/paranormal)

ISBN-10 #
ISBN-13 #
E-book: $  Print: $
Words: About 97k
Cover Artist: Rae Monet

E-book Available at: at:
Print Available at:

Blurb:

Michaela Grant travels to Scotland for a holiday, knowing this vacation is her last. A medical condition threatens her life and any chance of a future—until she meets Alan MacLachlin, a man forced to exist between two worlds.

Alan is the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Once every fifty years he returns to human form in search of his soul mate, the one woman who can break his curse. He believes he has found forever with Michaela, but to claim it he must figure out how to save her life.

Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat looms. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he’s threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it’s too late.

Excerpt:

His touch felt so good, warm and gentle for such a large man. She found herself leaning into his palm. Kiss me. The thought whispered in her mind, but he somehow knew what she craved.

He took her mug from her hand and placed it on the table next to his as he leaned forward, his lips hovering over hers. “Just a taste. Aye?” His seductive whisper stroked over her mouth with the effect of a soft kiss. His hand slipped to the nape of her neck, drawing her closer as he deepened the caress.

Heat spread through her, warming her from the inside out. He tasted of the sea, whiskey and sweet temptation. The more she indulged, the more she wanted. The thick beat of awareness ran through her blood, making her heart beat faster. Her hands cupped his face. His five o’clock shadow barely prickled her palm.

The kiss ended if only to take a breath, but he didn’t move away. His lips still hovered near hers as if to reclaim them again.

“I knew you’d be a good kisser.” Her voice a hoarse whisper, laced her words like an invitation for more.

His lips slid into a seductive curve. “Did ye now?”

She nodded her head, still a little breathless.

“This was a mistake, ye know.”

“It was?” She tried to move away, but he held her still.

“Shush. I only meant it was a mistake on my part to indulge with a promise of only one taste. I want so much more.” His mouth covered hers again, taking her under his spell.

Reviews

PNR PARANORMAL REVIEWS

Michaela is a young woman suffering from a brain aneurysm who wants one last adventure before her death. She chooses a vacation to Scotland, hoping to get a sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. Instead she finds two brothers, Alan and Hyatt, who have a long and close connection with “Nessie.” During her stay in Scotland, Michaela and Alan begin to fall in love, something Michaela does not want since she does not have much longer to live. But when several gruesome murders occur in the small village where she is staying, Michaela, Alan and Hyatt have to work together to catch a killer. And all the evidence points to the Loch Ness Monster as the killer.

This was a very good reinterpretation of the Loch Ness Monster story. I had never come across one before and this was a pleasant surprise. The characters are very well written and the story is fast paced right from the beginning. Also, the mystery part of the story is very good. I thought I knew who the “mystery shifter” was and it was a pretty big surprise when it was revealed. I thought I had it figured out about half way through, then found out I was totally wrong with the reveal. I am hoping this is the beginning of a series because there are several other characters besides Michaela and Alan who deserve a happy ending.

Reviewed by Felicia Wright
ParaNormal Romance Reviews
December 2011

Review by Stephanie Burkhart

Nutt pens a story that will leave you breathless with "Magic of the Loch." Alan and his brother, Hyatt, are cursed to haunt Loch Ness as preternatural creatures throughout time. Can love break the curse?

The story opens with a fast paced prologue that explains the curse Alan and Hyatt fall under. The curse can only be broken when the men find their soul mates. Fast forward to modern day Scotland. Michaela Grant suffers from an aneurysm. She travels to Loch Ness for a great adventure before her inevitable death. When she meets Alan, the sparks fly.

Unfortunately, there's another shifter who has claimed the land of the Loch. When the deaths start to add up, the sheriff's suspicion falls upon Alan and Hyatt. Alan is determined to protect Michaela, convinced she's his soul mate, but she has a mind of her own. Has Alan finally found the love of a lifetime only to have it brutally ripped away from him?

Nutt's writing is crisp and easy to read, engaging the reader from the get go. She uses a good economy of words to paint a vivid picture of the Loch. Alan and Hyatt's accents add an extra layer of authenticity to the Scottish setting. As a reader, I thought I was a patron of the Fiddler's Luck bar watching the story unfold before my eyes.

The best part of the story is the rich characterization. Alan is a noble soul, strong in his convictions and loyal to the bone. Michaela is spunky and forthright. She doesn't quite understand the attraction she has for Alan, but accepts it. Nutt's story focuses on the man, who is the creature, an aspect of paranormal stories that deeply resonates with me as a reader.

The loves scenes are sensual, embodying the attraction and intense feelings Alan and Michaela share. "The Magic of the Loch" will wrap the reader in its spell on the first page and won't let go until the end.

Stephanie Burkhart, Author
"Romance Under the Moonlight

****************************************************************************************************

I’ve been a fan of Karen Nutt’s book since I had the pleasure of reading her Time Travel Romance, Lost in the Mist of Time, and I must say, Magic of the Loch did not disappoint. I am not one to read many romance novels, but when I do there are two things I look for:

Characters that jump to life and pull me into their story, and of course, a well twisted plot.

Magic of the Loch gives a new twist to the shape-shifter scene and drew me in from the first paragraph! I found myself holding my breath in places, engulfed in the tale unraveling on my computer screen.

I’m a sucker for stories that are Celtic in origin, something that Karen Nutt manages to keep fresh and unique!

The characters, especially, the main characters, Alan and Micheala, spring to life, sparks flying between them from their first encounter. Not to mention that even I, found myself thinking, where can I find a hunk like that?? To me, that is the true test of a romance novel, is the hero someone I myself would love to find? Is the Heroine someone I’d like to be like? Does it allow me to escape the humdrum reality of my day to day? Magic of the Loch exceeds that criteria, and left me longing for more.

The landscape came to life as if the author were sitting there, simply documenting what she saw, there are few writers who have that ability, and Karen Nutt is definitely in their ranks. I felt as if I were sitting in a pub watching the events unfold, as if any moment Alan and Hyatt would walk past and give me rakish grin. A prospect that could give any girl some wonderful dreams!

This is a well-written, fast-paced novel that kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. I dare you to try to put this one down!

Martha L. McBryar, Author of The Scepter Series

Avid Readers:

"This is a fascinating story that hooks you from the beginning with a clever version of an old tale.  It provides you with a love story and a mystery that you want to solve with all the twists and turns.  One of my favorite stories by Karen Michelle Nutt." ~Reviewer, Cathy Nickol~

It's been done again. Magic of the Loch is like some of the others by this author, with the ability to draw you in and tie you to the characters in order to feel as they do, including all the love respect they share. Even after finishing the last page, you yearn for more and await the chance to greet the characters again like they were old friends. You laugh and you cry while you traverse the magical tale that is spun out before you. This is one of the ones I look forward to reading again and again as the bond of brothers that transcends time and is shaken up by love becomes yours to behold. ~Adryanna Coleman, reviewer

   Send article as PDF