2003 EPPIE Award Finalist for Best Historical Romance Novel
Re-Released! New Price!New
Cover!
My
classic Regency Romance, THE MAGIC TOKEN has now been re-released!
The
idea for THE MAGIC TOKEN, a reade-favorite Regency romance, came from a desire
to combine a Regency tale with a touch of magic--the kind of magic where you
might wonder, is this a coincidence or is it magic? Coincidentally (or was
it?!) during my research for this book, I came across this sentence in a biography
on Charles Darwin:
“[Charles’] friends enjoyed his tall stories:
he claimed to one that he owned a Roman coin.”
While
his friends didn’t believe him, I did! THE MAGIC TOKEN soon took shape.
For
my “What if” scenario, I used: What if a golden coin had the power to change
one's fortunes?
A MAGICAL TOKEN--When Amanda Barclay receives a magic
token as a gift from a stranger, she is more than skeptical about whether this
gold coin can change her fortunes. But then the very man who captured her heart
years ago suddenly appears. Is it destiny or cruel fate? Does he even remember
her? She desperately needs the position he offers as governess, but how can she
endure being near to a man so beyond her reach?
A DIFFERENCE IN RANK--Marcus Hamilton, Duke of Yarborough,
is a man burdened by family and political responsibilities. He does not have
the time nor the inclination to dally with women beneath his station. But a
chance meeting throws him together with Mandy, the engaging young sprite from
his past, causing him to reevaluate his beliefs. For once in his life, the call
of love beckons far stronger than the duties and obligations of his
position.
THE
MAGIC TOKEN was quickly picked up by a now defunct publishing house where it
grew to best-seller status, along with earning 5 star reviews from Amazon.com,
Visionary Insight Press, and The Romance Studio. My novel also was an EPPIE
Finalist for Best Historical Romance.
Cover for 2002 edition
In
2012, THE MAGIC TOKEN was republished by Uncial Press, republished THE MAGIC
TOKEN. In fact, one reader posted this comment about my Regency on a blog: “The
book THE MAGIC TOKEN by Susanne Knight would also make a good musical.” Wow!
I’m still flattered!
After receiving a gold coin,
Amanda suddenly becomes governess to the sister of a duke. Is her good fortune
a coincidence, or is it Fate?
I recently decided to have the rights returned to me
for all my Uncial Press books--a total of five novels and three short stories.
THE MAGIC TOKEN is the sixth to be re-released. It’s now available on at Amazon.com
and Smashwords.com!
Here’s
the new cover:
An old woman gives skeptical Amanda a magic coin. It couldn’t possibly
work, but how else can she explain her sudden good fortune?
This
book is part of the Elegant Regencies line.
Here are some fabulous reviews:
* 5 Hearts! The supporting
characters are very good. I love Dona Inês weaving in and out of the story
along with Pritchard, Nannette, Gregory and most especially Duca di Maggiore.
Ms. Knight has given us a truly fun story! I enjoyed how she wove the magic
into this, and that coin was just great! Another thing I liked about her story
is the little pieces of history she added, like the line about the Marquess of
Londonderry… of course, I’m a complete period geek and had already looked this
up years ago. This is such a good read! I especially liked the epilogue where
we see who Amanda passes the coin to for its next magic turn! Oh, and yes, I
have read at least one other story by Ms. Knight (which I liked) and now I have
to find her other work since I loved this story!--The Romance Studio
* 5 Stars! Another fine book
from Ms. Knight! Her meticulous research into this period piece shines
throughout this wonderful story. From beginning to end, her words paint the
scenes with rich visuals which enrich the story line of the two main
characters. You will be invested in this story after just a few pages and will
not want to put it down. This book deserves its place among the other novels of
Ms. Knight.--Visionary Insight Press
* THE MAGIC TOKEN is
gloriously magical and loads of fun! Susanne Marie Knight has taken a magical
plot device and whipped up a charming tale in THE MAGIC TOKEN. Her characters
are full blown and interesting, while the minor characters add spice. Ms.
Knight’s writing is bright, and full of that Regency flavor readers enjoy. A
sprightly romp with makes for a blast of a read!--Sime-Gen Reviews
* 4 Roses! Ms. Knight weaves
a tale of magic. The golden coin is suppose to bring the person good fortune
but seems good fortune for the book as well! This was a very lighthearted read
and very easy to finish in one sitting--so be prepared to spend time with this
story from beginning to end!--A Romance Review
* THE MAGIC TOKEN is an
enchanting take on the Cinderella fairytale, complete with an evil stepmother
and fairy godmother. This is a well-researched, well-written story with
wonderful characterizations. The duke, who has overcome his abusive childhood,
is a great hero and Amanda is a caring and compassionate heroine. There was
also a very pleasing secondary romance between the squire’s son and the
Portuguese woman’s granddaughter. THE MAGIC TOKEN was a great Regency read,
with some magical elements. If you like fairytales, give THE MAGIC TOKEN a
try.--PNR Reviews
* Susanne Marie Knight is a
talented, versatile author whose books run from this light traditional Regency
with a magical element, to time-travel, sci-fi romance, paranormal romantic
suspense, mystery, and contemporary romance.--Romance Reviews Today
* THE MAGIC TOKEN has
Knight’s usual boisterous extended family, lonely child with a flighty mother
and spunky heroine who wins the hero’s heart without even trying to. The
characters are vivid and sympathetic, and the story rolls along nicely. There
are hints of true magic in the story--the good luck charm is depicted as a
token with real power--but the romance and most of the story itself rests on the
usual day-to-day lives of the characters. Knight writes Regency romance well,
her language and the concerns of the characters clearly reflect the culture
they are living in.--PNR Reviews
* 5 Stars!! A Real Page
Turner! My family loved THE MAGIC TOKEN. It's a charming Regency imbued with
magic and lots of wonderful characters. Once I opened the book, I left all my
troubles behind and had a lively adventure with Amanda, Marcus, and company.
Isn't that what reading is all about? My heartfelt thanks to Ms. Knight. I'm
one of her fans!--Reader Comment
* OH … MY … GOSH!!! I just
finished The Magic Token! I loved it! LOVE LOVE LOVED it! You are such a gifted
writer … l love how you wove the story in and out of all the different real
historical facts. And the coup de grace was Charles Darwin--and how you read
about his mentioning he had a gold coin… wow, too cool! And I loved the
comeuppance of Nanette… LOL… I just loved the book… and Gregory! I loved your
line about how she looked in Marcus’s eyes, then they became the eyes of a
stranger! It was great! Love love loved it!--Reader Comment
* Enjoyed it very much. This
is a page-turner!--Reader Comment
* Fans of Susanne Marie
Knight will enjoy THE MAGIC TOKEN!--Reader Comment
* Leave all your cares away
and enter an exciting new world. Live the dreams and enjoy all that you
read--problems are forgotten and love, romance, excitement and live a life not
only different, but one you could never believe you could. Reading is in fact
another world--it affords you an escape and entertainment too easily left
behind because of television and movies. They can never give you the true
entertainment and excitement a good book does. Read one of [Susanne Marie
Knight's] books and compare--you will not be sorry.--Reader Comment
* A charming Regency with the
intrigue of magic twisted with the fortunes of fate played out with wonderful
characters.--Reader Comment
* A lovely story! I really
enjoyed it.--Reader Comment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As
for a real life connection to this book, along with Amanda Barclay, I too have
an interest in healing. Although I don’t use healing remedies on people in my
“village” as Amanda does, I do have a Masters of Science degree in Natural
Health.
Here
is a passage from the beginning of THE MAGIC TOKEN where a young Amanda first
meets Marcus--inadvertently and unexpectedly--in the woods on midsummer night’s
eve.
Marcus
must have noticed her melancholy. A strange, hungered expression overtook his
face. “Don’t ever change, sweet Mandy. I can tell you are one in a million.”
Clearing
his throat, he gave her the basket. “Well, my moppet, you best be getting home.
Shall I escort you?”
“No,
thank you kindly, Marcus. I should return by myself. But what about you?”
“Ah,
I am doomed to wander the woods ‘til sleep comes to claim me. You see, dear
Mandy, I suffer from insomnia. That is why I happen to be out at this ungodly
hour.”
He
took a step away from her, then bowed. “‘Tis of no import. My thanks for a
diverting evening.”
An
unfamiliar ache settled over her heart. She did not understand it; nor could
she explain it. For some unknown reason, she did not want Marcus to leave.
“Wait! I have something that might help you.”
Reaching
into her basket, she pulled out a small linen pouch filled with the herb
chamomile. “Here, steep this in boiling water to make chamomile tea. It will
let you sleep.”
Marcus’
grin made him appear younger than his years. Laughing, he shook his head.
“What’s this? Are you a traveling apothecary? My wondrous Mandy.”
She
liked being his wondrous Mandy, but his admiration made her uncomfortable. “I
want to heal people when I grow up,” she mumbled at her bare toes. Her friends
usually laughed at her when she told them her ambition.
He
accepted the pouch, then lifted her chin. “A noble aspiration. However, I do
believe you are already grown up, while I, on the other hand, have a long way
to go.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once
again, two strangers meet by chance. Or is it something more, is it... destiny?
I hope you enjoy Amanda and Marcus’ story.
Happy reading,
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing
With A Twist!
