"A Lost Touch of Magic" is a historical, paranormal romance by Amy Tolnitch, another talented writer from Medallion Press. This is the fourth book in her 'Lost Touch' series and while each story is loosely connected, each is also a stand-alone read which doesn't require any knowledge from previous books to understand and get the full story. Tolnitch has a deft touch with romance and manages to capture my attention anew each time I pick up one of her books.

Padruig is the rightful Laird of both Castle MacCoinneach and his clan. Now, thanks to a visit from the ghost of his dead sister, he's headed back home to set things right. But first he needs some allies and heads for the home of Laird de Grantham, a friendly clan from his father's time, to request his aid. de Grantham's assistance will come with a price...the hand of his daughter in marriage. Despite Padruig's protests, the Laird is firm and so Padruig agrees--vowing to do all he can to protect and spare the lass from his own fierce desires.

Aimili has dreamed of marrying Padruig since she was a small girl, but the Padruig of her dreams is NOT the same scarred man who appears at her father's gate asking for aid. When she learns of her father's demand, Aimili is furious! While it's true she has some unusual talents and would rather spend time with animals, her father shouldn't have to force any man to marry her! But in the end, Aimili has no choice but to marry a man who doesn't appear to want anything to do with her.

Although neither of them know it yet, clan MacCoinneach has an old and powerful enemy lurking within the walls of the castle. An evil man with strange talents who escaped his captors and harbors a grudge against 'the MacCoinneach'. They, and the clan, will need allies more powerful than mere humans to defeat him.

Sensuous romance, high fantasy, and lyric prose come together in "A Lost Touch of Magic" to create a smashing fairy tale for the older crowd. Even though I found some rough spots and a few plot holes, none of it was enough to keep me from devouring this book like a box of chocolates. The characters, including the secondary cast, were all complex with interweaving motives. The story itself unfolded smoothly with increasing tension and suspense towards the end. Set in Scotland, with sexy highlanders and mysterious Fey, fans of both historical romance and paranormal romance will enjoy the latest by Amy Tolnitch. ( )