“The Alchemical Marriage” in Irresistible Forces (new cover available from MJP)
February 2004 and January 2006
Fantasy/Paranormal
New American Library
ISBN 0-451-21724-1
I loved having the opportunity to be in this crossover anthology with some of my favorite authors. I’m a life-long sf/f reader, and I think that fantasy and historical romance blend beautifully together. In fact, my contribution, “The Alchemical Marriage,” is a seed story for my new Guardian series for Ballantine.
My concept for the series is to use real history, but with characters who are “Guardians”—members of ancient families who have great magical powers, and who are sworn to do their best to preserve mankind from its worst impulses. Since Guardians are human themselves, they make mistakes, but they do try their best. The tension between duty and love will be a running theme in these stories, and I’m really excited to be writing them.
In “The Alchemical Marriage,” the hero, Sir Adam Macrae, is a stubborn Scottish weather magician who is imprisoned in the Tower of London because of his intemperate remarks after Queen Elizabeth executed Mary, Queen of Scots. Expecting death, he is shocked when he receives two visitors to his cell. One is John Dee, the Queen’s own sorcerer (a real historical figure), and the other is Isabel de Cortes—descendant of Spanish Marranos, and a gifted mage who is not of the Guardian families.
Dee makes a startling offer: Adam can win his life and freedom if he uses his weather mastery to fend off the Spanish Armada. But can a loyal Scot use his power to help England? Isabel de Cortes will be his assistant, and she is a woman like no other. Perhaps they belong together—if they can survive the dangerous magical work required to save Britain.
As I said, this was the seed story for the Guardians. The Guardian world has blossomed into the novels A Kiss of Fate and Stolen Magic, with a third novel in process. Fantasy elements add delicious freshness to classic historical romance settings
REVIEWS:
Irresistible Forces is a groundbreaking anthology, unlike any previous collection. Editor Catherine Asaro, a Nebula-winning author of wonderful, very romantic science fiction novels, decided to invite three science fiction/fantasy writers and three romance writers to write stories that include both romance and fantasy. The result—well, here’s part of the review from Romantic Times magazine:
“Brimming with romance and adventure—and told by some of today’s best known authors in the fantasy, science fiction and romance fields—Irresistible Forces is a must-read for all romance fans. There isn’t a single disappointment here, just top-notch storytelling from Lois McMaster Bujold, Mary Jo Putney, Catherine Asaro, Deb Stover, Jo Beverley, and Jennifer Roberson.
“Each offering is elegantly crafted…..Putney’s powerful Elizabethan adventure involving two mages who combine forces to turn back the Spanish Armada—with possibly deadly consequences for them—will keep you riveted.”
--Romantic Times
“…The anthology has been much anticipated for good reason—it delivers great writing and wonderful, vibrant characters on every page.”
--Donna Carter, Romantic Times, a Top Pick and 4 ½ star Gold rating.
“The Alchemical Marriage” is a magical story, and Ms. Putney's use of real historical events is fascinating. Even with its short length the characters are well-developed, the plot fully fleshed out, and the story both passionate and exciting. Fans of Ms. Putney (and yes, I am a fan) will be delighted to learn that this is just the first tale about the "Guardians." The Guardians will appear in future historical romances, the first being A Kiss of Fate in the summer of 2004. I for one cannot wait!….
“Whether the authors are old favorites or new to you, you'll find a mine of fertile imagination in this collection of talented writers! Ms. Asaro is right; science fiction, fantasy, and romance do complement one another. Irresistible Forces, with its variety of settings and moods, cannot help but please everyone and set booklovers of all sorts hunting for more of the same.”
--Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today
“This, without a doubt, has to be one of the best romantic fantasy anthologies that this reviewer has had the opportunity to read. Each story is unique and each has an intriguing twist to it, one that will keep you reading long into the night in order to finish this outstanding anthology.”
--Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews, http://thebestreviews.com
Last but not least, here’s a URL for the anthology as a whole: http://www.irresistibleforces.net
Read an excerpt from Irresistible Forces |
