Seventh in the Elemental Masters paranormal magic series based in England with this one set at the start of World War I.

Although, the book itself claims to be the sixth in the Elemental Masters series. I wonder if the series is being re-numbered chronologically since there are already six [or seven!] Elemental Masters stories out there.
1. Fire Rose
2. Serpent's Shadow
3. Gates of Sleep
4. Phoenix and Ashes
5. Wizard of London
6. Reserved for the Cat
7. Unnatural Issue

The Story
Called away to aid the Circle in London, Richard Whitestone is anxious to return home to his pregnant wife but he returns too late to help. Three hours earlier, Rebecca had gone into labor. And died. In a rage, Richard repudiates his daughter never wanting to see her again. And for 20 years, he does not. The servants raise his daughter while Puck teaches her the use of her earth magic. A magic she uses to keep the lands around them healthy and productive.

But a chance discovery sets Richard onto a new tack. Raising his wife from the dead. Further study and a chance look out the window causes Richard to realize that his own daughter would make an ideal vessel for his dead wife's soul. Already uneasy over her father's sudden interest in her, Susanne discovers part of what her father intends and she runs away. Luckily to the very place that can help her the most—Branwell Hall, the home of three earth mages and a houseful of servants in on it.

Instantly falling in love with Charles, Susanne does everything possibly to get him to notice her although, when he finally does, it's not the way Susanne had intended. The attack forces Susanne to run and run and run and run as her father continues to pursue her and any who help her.

The Characters
Lord Peter Almsley, a Water Master and the younger son of a duke, is an undercover agent for the Old Lion, the leader of the magical community in England and now he wants Peter to investigate uneasy rumors emanating from Yorkshire.

Susanne Whitestone is the unacknowledged daughter of Richard Whitestone, both Earth Masters. Strong in her power yet kindly in its wielding, Susanne attracted the attention of the Puck and gathers strong elemental allies around her wherever she goes.

Richard Whitestone is an Earth Master happily anticipating the birth of his daughter, the dreams he and Rebecca have of many children dancing through their home swirling in his thoughts. His loss causes him to withdraw from all society leaving his daughter to the care of the servants, the land to anyone's care.

Charles Kerridge is the son and heir of Michael and Elizabeth Kerridge, all three earth masters living at Branwell Hall. A happy estate where all are aware of their magics.

My Take
Oh! Another fabulous tale from Mercedes Lackey! I love the history and settings Lackey provides in her Elemental Masters series and Unnatural Issue does not disappoint with its very descriptive feel for the countryside, the people, their interactions, and Lackey's depiction of war in the trenches.

I particularly loved the similarity of the stance Puck and the Kerridges took on poaching as well as caring for the earth. It has such a homey, warm, comforting feel to it with a tremendous sense of the practical.

As I read I kept subconsciously inserting "Wimsey" into the text—this Lord Peter seems to be modeled upon Dorothy Sayers' own Lord Peter. The same appearance. The same detectival approach. The same ruthlessness. I must confess when Susanne first encounters Peter and Charles Kerridge, I kept wanting her to end up with Peter but Susanne fell in love with Charles… Lackey put an interesting twist on the whole love resolution—I did not expect the ending Lackey gave us.

I really hate that I'll have to wait for book eight (or is it seven?) to possibly find out how things turn out for Susanne. In fact, there were so many characters whose stories I've read in earlier installments that I may just have to go back and re-read them…before the next book appears as their lives seem to intertwine so much. It'll give me something to do while I'm waiting…impatiently so.

The Cover
While I'm not sure just what the title refers to—certainly her father's reaction to her birth is unnatural and, as his child, Susanne is his issue. Then of course you could always argue for her father's obsession as an unnatural issue. The cover however is easily related to the story with the beautiful Susanne gathering a basket of elementals out in an orchard with yet more elementals clustering around her in her colorful servant's garb while in the background there's a mirror showing her mother and the skeletal dead behind her. Amazing how many stories that cover tells!