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Black Magic
New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair is back with an action adventure with a paranormal twist. If you like bestselling authors Maya Banks and Heather Graham, you’ll love Black Magic . This steamy, thrill ride mixes wizards and a love that cannot be denied.
She hates using magic...
Ever since the death of her parents, Sara Temple has rejected her magical gifts. Then, in a moment of extreme danger, she unknowingly sends out a telepathic cry for help—to the one man she is convinced she never wants to see again.
He’s a powerful wizard…
Jackson Slater thought he was done forever with his ex-fiancée, but when he hears her desperate plea, he teleports halfway around the world to aid her in a situation where magic has gone suddenly, brutally wrong.
They’ve been chosen to save the world…
But while Sara and Jack remain convinced they are completely mismatched, the Wizard Council feels otherwise. A dark force is killing some of the world’s most influential wizards, and the ex-lovers have just proved their abilities are mysteriously amplified when they work together. But with the fate of the world at stake, will the violent emotions still simmering between them drive them farther apart…or bring them back into each other’s arms?
She hates using magic...
Ever since the death of her parents, Sara Temple has rejected her magical gifts. Then, in a moment of extreme danger, she unknowingly sends out a telepathic cry for help—to the one man she is convinced she never wants to see again.
He’s a powerful wizard…
Jackson Slater thought he was done forever with his ex-fiancée, but when he hears her desperate plea, he teleports halfway around the world to aid her in a situation where magic has gone suddenly, brutally wrong.
They’ve been chosen to save the world…
But while Sara and Jack remain convinced they are completely mismatched, the Wizard Council feels otherwise. A dark force is killing some of the world’s most influential wizards, and the ex-lovers have just proved their abilities are mysteriously amplified when they work together. But with the fate of the world at stake, will the violent emotions still simmering between them drive them farther apart…or bring them back into each other’s arms?
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2010
54 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
Cherry Adair
77 books1,466 followersAlways an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. "I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public." A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. "Eventually," she says, "the stories demanded to be told."
When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, "Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending."
Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, "Sit your butt in the chair and write. There's no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn't for sissies or whiners."
Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.
"What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners' wire clothes hangers.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 26, 2018
I enjoyed the story and how the characters were able to teleport.
December 9, 2012
Though I hate to admit it, Black Magic is the first book I’ve read by Cherry Adair. It was published in July 2010, and I received it at RT in April. While at RT, I attended one of her workshops on romantic suspense and knew right then I would read anything she wrote. She was outrageously funny, brazen, and fresh, and she kept us all laughing with her sly commentary and colorful language.
The Black Magic cover blurb hooked me and the first page reeled me in. I fell in love with wizard Jackson Slater. Cherry painted him with broad, bold strokes keeping him in the forefront of my mind at all times. His love interest, Sara Temple, was not a whiney, helpless woman waiting for a man to make her world all better. She was, however, a manipulated, brainwashed young woman who’d had everything important stolen from her by someone she considered family.
The story begins on Jack’s sixteenth birthday—the day the Aequitas Book of Answers proclaimed Jack as its owner. For thousands of years the book passed from father to son, and after the Book’s declaration, Jack Sr., a nasty tempered wizard prone to violence, was forced to relinquish it. He managed to break Jack’s thumb during the transfer of power, but quickly learned Jack didn’t have to tolerate abuse any longer. At sixteen, Jackson Slater, Jr. became more powerful than his brute of a father.
Skipping ahead several years, we find Jack has become a geologist and is in Australia nursing a broken heart and exploring a ley line—better known to humans as a fault line—for the Wizard Council. His goal is to explore and map all the ley lines of the world. While he’s underground, he hears his former fiancé’s voice inside his head calling his name. Thinking it’s his imagination, he continues to work until the urgency of the voice grabs his attention and he teleports to the house in South America where she lives. Dead wizards and blood everywhere lead him to fear the worst. Luckily, he finds her alive, cornered by a crazed wizard with a meat cleaver. And thus begins a chain of events that could kill them or bind them together forever.
Cherry keeps the tension ratcheted up as Jack and Sara rediscover their love for one another while trying to figure out what’s killing off the wizarding community. I’m not going to discuss the antagonist here, because I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone and I know I wouldn’t be able to stop with a summation of his evil. So suffice it to say, he’s one bad dude. He’s the kind of man you don’t want to meet in the daylight much less in the dark, and his evil permeates everything around him. I was fascinated and horrified by him, and several times just plain creeped out.
In the past two years, I’ve read a ton of urban fantasies and paranormal romances and tried to draw a comparison between them and Black Magic. I can’t think of any series or stand-alone quite like this. It’s not a light and fluffy book to kill a few hours, nor is it morose and dark. It is a tightly written, throat closing, stomach-clenching tale laced with emotional baggage—the kind that comes with loving someone who has broken your heart. I loved it. And with one book, Cherry Adair has moved to the top of my TBR list.
The Black Magic cover blurb hooked me and the first page reeled me in. I fell in love with wizard Jackson Slater. Cherry painted him with broad, bold strokes keeping him in the forefront of my mind at all times. His love interest, Sara Temple, was not a whiney, helpless woman waiting for a man to make her world all better. She was, however, a manipulated, brainwashed young woman who’d had everything important stolen from her by someone she considered family.
The story begins on Jack’s sixteenth birthday—the day the Aequitas Book of Answers proclaimed Jack as its owner. For thousands of years the book passed from father to son, and after the Book’s declaration, Jack Sr., a nasty tempered wizard prone to violence, was forced to relinquish it. He managed to break Jack’s thumb during the transfer of power, but quickly learned Jack didn’t have to tolerate abuse any longer. At sixteen, Jackson Slater, Jr. became more powerful than his brute of a father.
Skipping ahead several years, we find Jack has become a geologist and is in Australia nursing a broken heart and exploring a ley line—better known to humans as a fault line—for the Wizard Council. His goal is to explore and map all the ley lines of the world. While he’s underground, he hears his former fiancé’s voice inside his head calling his name. Thinking it’s his imagination, he continues to work until the urgency of the voice grabs his attention and he teleports to the house in South America where she lives. Dead wizards and blood everywhere lead him to fear the worst. Luckily, he finds her alive, cornered by a crazed wizard with a meat cleaver. And thus begins a chain of events that could kill them or bind them together forever.
Cherry keeps the tension ratcheted up as Jack and Sara rediscover their love for one another while trying to figure out what’s killing off the wizarding community. I’m not going to discuss the antagonist here, because I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone and I know I wouldn’t be able to stop with a summation of his evil. So suffice it to say, he’s one bad dude. He’s the kind of man you don’t want to meet in the daylight much less in the dark, and his evil permeates everything around him. I was fascinated and horrified by him, and several times just plain creeped out.
In the past two years, I’ve read a ton of urban fantasies and paranormal romances and tried to draw a comparison between them and Black Magic. I can’t think of any series or stand-alone quite like this. It’s not a light and fluffy book to kill a few hours, nor is it morose and dark. It is a tightly written, throat closing, stomach-clenching tale laced with emotional baggage—the kind that comes with loving someone who has broken your heart. I loved it. And with one book, Cherry Adair has moved to the top of my TBR list.
August 31, 2013
I need to stop taking stuff from the "free" pile.
The heroine was arguably TSTL or stubbornly entrenched in the land of denial, I never quite figured out which. The hero was... eh, fine, I guess. I liked him more as geology guy than as action hero guy (the constant, pointless references to his Ka-Bar and Sig Sauer caused massive eyerolling). The villain was gross, and the heroine's relationship with him may be why I didn't care for her.
Add to that a lot of rapey stuff, hinky sexual politics, stereotypes of all South American men as chauvenists, and insinuations that BDSM is a sign of evil, and I'm kind of surprised I made it to the end. Although I did skim the last 50 pages, that helped.
The heroine was arguably TSTL or stubbornly entrenched in the land of denial, I never quite figured out which. The hero was... eh, fine, I guess. I liked him more as geology guy than as action hero guy (the constant, pointless references to his Ka-Bar and Sig Sauer caused massive eyerolling). The villain was gross, and the heroine's relationship with him may be why I didn't care for her.
Add to that a lot of rapey stuff, hinky sexual politics, stereotypes of all South American men as chauvenists, and insinuations that BDSM is a sign of evil, and I'm kind of surprised I made it to the end. Although I did skim the last 50 pages, that helped.
January 25, 2018
Entertaining, paranormal romantic suspense book that is part of the same world as the T-FLAC series. Enough romance and suspense to keep you going, but not,memorable enough that I will reread or recommend it. That said, good read.
September 5, 2010
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
BLACK MAGIC takes a little bit of “Romancing the Stone”, adds some grown up Harry Potter, and finishes off with a whole lot of “The Temple of Doom.” Despite the flavors of adventure, magic, and romance, I never felt particularly engaged by either the plot or the characters. Unfortunately, the bulk of my thoughts after finishing BLACK MAGIC revolved around trying to create some order out of this welter of mythology and sex.
Admittedly, my failure to connect with this book could be just that, my failure. The opening leaps straight into a contrived exposition about the magic and mythology surrounding the Aequitas race. This explanation came before I was invested in the characters, or the book, and put me off from the start. Furthermore, despite the exhaustive detail provided about the Aequitas and their enemies, I was frustrated to find no detail about the parts of magic I did find interesting. Prophetic, floating book? Cool! Tell me more! ... Um... hello? Anyone out there? The mystical book was so under-explained I stopped reading to make sure I was starting at the beginning of the series (According to Wikipedia, BLACK MAGIC is first in this particular series, but it’s set in the established world of a prior series). Given how much I like to piece together magical “physics” in a book, I think I would have been better off starting with one of Adair’s earlier T-FLAC psi unit books.
Given my frustration with the magical portions of the book, I have difficulty objectively deciding if I had valid issues with the romance. I felt like too much of the book revolved around one of my least favorite romance tropes, with a break up based on lack of communication (made famous in Rebecca, and a thousand romances that followed). Despite later revelations to explain Sara and Jack’s behavior, it couldn’t make me go back and enjoy the beginning of the book. Outside what is fundamentally my own negative reaction to a common romance plot line, I enjoyed Sara and Jack. They had their moments, and I enjoyed the scent details and staging Adair includes. She made me want to hunt down ginger body soaps and an ice hotel in Greenland.
As for the villains of the book, the dastardly, snake-people, they were as obvious and unbelievable as the magic. I found several attack and attempted rape scenes both confusing and egregious. The best thing to come out of reading BLACK MAGIC was, when I solicited my husband’s help in figuring out the mythology of the book, he was derailed into a 30 minute hunt to find out if “snakes get erections” (Google yielded some obscene results, but his college herpetology text book says “Yes.”).
When it comes down to it, my dislike of BLACK MAGIC could be the result of several of my own pet peeves combining to create a gestalt dislike. In a better mood, these shortcomings might have struck me as an enjoyable comedy of romance and fantasy themes, but as circumstances had it, I could barely make myself finish it.
Sexual Content: Several explicit sex scenes, explicit attempted rape, descriptions of rape.
BLACK MAGIC takes a little bit of “Romancing the Stone”, adds some grown up Harry Potter, and finishes off with a whole lot of “The Temple of Doom.” Despite the flavors of adventure, magic, and romance, I never felt particularly engaged by either the plot or the characters. Unfortunately, the bulk of my thoughts after finishing BLACK MAGIC revolved around trying to create some order out of this welter of mythology and sex.
Admittedly, my failure to connect with this book could be just that, my failure. The opening leaps straight into a contrived exposition about the magic and mythology surrounding the Aequitas race. This explanation came before I was invested in the characters, or the book, and put me off from the start. Furthermore, despite the exhaustive detail provided about the Aequitas and their enemies, I was frustrated to find no detail about the parts of magic I did find interesting. Prophetic, floating book? Cool! Tell me more! ... Um... hello? Anyone out there? The mystical book was so under-explained I stopped reading to make sure I was starting at the beginning of the series (According to Wikipedia, BLACK MAGIC is first in this particular series, but it’s set in the established world of a prior series). Given how much I like to piece together magical “physics” in a book, I think I would have been better off starting with one of Adair’s earlier T-FLAC psi unit books.
Given my frustration with the magical portions of the book, I have difficulty objectively deciding if I had valid issues with the romance. I felt like too much of the book revolved around one of my least favorite romance tropes, with a break up based on lack of communication (made famous in Rebecca, and a thousand romances that followed). Despite later revelations to explain Sara and Jack’s behavior, it couldn’t make me go back and enjoy the beginning of the book. Outside what is fundamentally my own negative reaction to a common romance plot line, I enjoyed Sara and Jack. They had their moments, and I enjoyed the scent details and staging Adair includes. She made me want to hunt down ginger body soaps and an ice hotel in Greenland.
As for the villains of the book, the dastardly, snake-people, they were as obvious and unbelievable as the magic. I found several attack and attempted rape scenes both confusing and egregious. The best thing to come out of reading BLACK MAGIC was, when I solicited my husband’s help in figuring out the mythology of the book, he was derailed into a 30 minute hunt to find out if “snakes get erections” (Google yielded some obscene results, but his college herpetology text book says “Yes.”).
When it comes down to it, my dislike of BLACK MAGIC could be the result of several of my own pet peeves combining to create a gestalt dislike. In a better mood, these shortcomings might have struck me as an enjoyable comedy of romance and fantasy themes, but as circumstances had it, I could barely make myself finish it.
Sexual Content: Several explicit sex scenes, explicit attempted rape, descriptions of rape.
July 21, 2010
Black Magic by Cherry Adair
Paranormal Romance- July 20th, 2010
5 stars
Black Magic is a romance with paranormal, gothic and suspense elements. It was a fantastic fantasy novel that reminded me of the Harry Potter with a romance worth fighting for.
Jackson Slater is pulled from Western Australia in mapping and cataloging leylines by Sara Temple’s desperate pleas in his mind. In the blink of an eye, Jackson teleports himself to Venezuela only to discover a deep sense of evil. He finds himself in deep trouble as wizards are murdered and his magical powers are suddenly gone. He is forced to use normal human ways to save Sara. As a crazed, a man she’s known since childhood is about to strike her with an enormous knife.
Surviving, they are whisked to the Wizard Council. Where they are volunteered (threatened) to investigate a disease striking wizards and humans. It causes madness and irrevocable death. But working together is the last thing Jackson and Sara want. Three years ago they were on the verge of marriage when things went terribly wrong. Their tempestuous history cannot be forgotten or forgiven. But their passion soon overcomes any differences.
Who or what is causing this insanity? Jackson and Sara’s search brings them to a mythology that questions what they have always been told is true. If they are to survive, they must use their combined powers because their enemy is much closer than either suspects.
I really enjoyed Black Magic! It immediately grabs your attention. I loved the flashbacks to Jackson’s childhood and the motivation that drives him throughout the novel. The confusion and anger between Sara and Jackson is stirring and emotional. When the clues are finally connected I could feel the pain that had followed them through their relationship. I also enjoyed how Ms. Adair made magic and mythology as real as science. I’ve never been to South America, but I felt like I was there, talking to the people with their dialects, foods, environment, and history.
This was a rich and magical romance that I never wanted to end!
Reviewed by Jackie from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance- July 20th, 2010
5 stars
Black Magic is a romance with paranormal, gothic and suspense elements. It was a fantastic fantasy novel that reminded me of the Harry Potter with a romance worth fighting for.
Jackson Slater is pulled from Western Australia in mapping and cataloging leylines by Sara Temple’s desperate pleas in his mind. In the blink of an eye, Jackson teleports himself to Venezuela only to discover a deep sense of evil. He finds himself in deep trouble as wizards are murdered and his magical powers are suddenly gone. He is forced to use normal human ways to save Sara. As a crazed, a man she’s known since childhood is about to strike her with an enormous knife.
Surviving, they are whisked to the Wizard Council. Where they are volunteered (threatened) to investigate a disease striking wizards and humans. It causes madness and irrevocable death. But working together is the last thing Jackson and Sara want. Three years ago they were on the verge of marriage when things went terribly wrong. Their tempestuous history cannot be forgotten or forgiven. But their passion soon overcomes any differences.
Who or what is causing this insanity? Jackson and Sara’s search brings them to a mythology that questions what they have always been told is true. If they are to survive, they must use their combined powers because their enemy is much closer than either suspects.
I really enjoyed Black Magic! It immediately grabs your attention. I loved the flashbacks to Jackson’s childhood and the motivation that drives him throughout the novel. The confusion and anger between Sara and Jackson is stirring and emotional. When the clues are finally connected I could feel the pain that had followed them through their relationship. I also enjoyed how Ms. Adair made magic and mythology as real as science. I’ve never been to South America, but I felt like I was there, talking to the people with their dialects, foods, environment, and history.
This was a rich and magical romance that I never wanted to end!
Reviewed by Jackie from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
October 3, 2017
I really did not know that CA wrote fantasy romance until I saw this in another book I was reading. I decided to give it a try. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed it. While I have read many paranormal romance books, fantasy was not a genre I readily chose. Sure, I read Tolkien when I was younger and watched the movies later in life. I also enjoy many fantasy movies. I actually wish this book was a series or at least another book to it.
July 21, 2010
Ok, this is a tough book to rate...the writing is great, but I'm just not a big fan of this type of magic/evil/etc. I found some of the evil Grant caused a little depressing. Yes, there was a "happy ending", but I want to really feel good while I'm reading, not sad.
August 24, 2010
This was a good book and I recommend you read it,,,,,,,,,,as long as you don't have a major adversion to snakes..........That's all I'm gonna say.
October 21, 2020
Ugh. I'm not sure why I bothered reading the whole book. There was very little to like. Pretty much the only good thing was the way the sex scenes are written. They weren't corny or overdone, they were decent. But the characters and plot and everything else? Awful.
One thing really bothered me, and that was the ending.
It was all completely ridiculous and rage-inducing.
One thing really bothered me, and that was the ending.
It was all completely ridiculous and rage-inducing.
September 27, 2010
I'll start by saying that the cover and summary were great and I couldn't wait to get my read on. The beginning was intriguing enough to keep me going but eventually fell flat. Whatever Cherry Adair had envisioned during the writing process just didn't seem to come across for me.The characters were lacking on differing levels, creating a disconnection from them and their individual or combined stories. As I forged on with the story, it just didn't improve for me. The back history in regards to the Wizard Council, the Omnivatic, and the Aequitas was awesome. I found this most enjoyable and creative.
When it comes to our heroes, I am left with few words. Jackson Slater and Sara Temple have a history and that comes racing back when evil begins to wreak havoc. History seems to repeat itself when it comes to Jack and Sara. The romance was intense. The bond they share is interesting, yet slightly annoying. The heroine, Sara Temple, doesn't even deserve to have the title. She didn't seem to fit the role at all. I found her to be quite boring.
Overall, I wasn't pleased with my reading selection. After reading the summary, which is posted above, I was excited to read what I thought would be a very detailed, adventurous tale of the magical wizard world; it just wasn't in the cards, I suppose. I have to admit this is the first book I have read by this author and will honestly give her other work(s) a try. Hopefully the experience will be much improved.
When it comes to our heroes, I am left with few words. Jackson Slater and Sara Temple have a history and that comes racing back when evil begins to wreak havoc. History seems to repeat itself when it comes to Jack and Sara. The romance was intense. The bond they share is interesting, yet slightly annoying. The heroine, Sara Temple, doesn't even deserve to have the title. She didn't seem to fit the role at all. I found her to be quite boring.
Overall, I wasn't pleased with my reading selection. After reading the summary, which is posted above, I was excited to read what I thought would be a very detailed, adventurous tale of the magical wizard world; it just wasn't in the cards, I suppose. I have to admit this is the first book I have read by this author and will honestly give her other work(s) a try. Hopefully the experience will be much improved.
August 4, 2010
Black Magic is my first book from the author and I liked it well enough. I thought the author did a good job building the characters' magical world and I really liked the legend she created to explain how the wizarding world in the story came to be. However, what knocked a star off my rating is the heroine--she is one of those difficult "I'm independent and I can prove it" types that goes chasing the bad guy in the woods by herself and runs right into danger. She was also also a bit of a hypocrite in that she says she doesn't trust herself to use magic because she might hurt those around her but she uses "small" magic anyway to freshen up or to dress herself. If she's going to say "no magic for me" at every other page in the book, then she shouldn't use any magic at all--there should be none of that whole "small magic" doesn't count shizz. I liked the hero, Jack, just fine but he's your typical, run of the mill hero and nothing special.
I really like the way the author told the story though and I think she has a great voice. Despite the fact that I wasn't feeling the characters in this book it wasn't a bad book. I am very interested in reading more from the author and the next book in this series. 3 out of 5 stars
I really like the way the author told the story though and I think she has a great voice. Despite the fact that I wasn't feeling the characters in this book it wasn't a bad book. I am very interested in reading more from the author and the next book in this series. 3 out of 5 stars
July 30, 2010
If you pick up this book and notice that several books also refer this to T-Flac #17 and are worried that you haven't read a single book in this series, don't worry. This book stands completely on it's own as a fast paced, paranormal romance book. In fact, I had not read any books in this series and did not feel as though I was missing a thing.
In this book it has a mixture of good and bad points. Our main characters know each other and had already fallen in and out of love with each other. There was a huge falling out and we are quite honestly left hanging to find out what the problem was for half the book. That was quite frustrating and when we do find out, you can then understand how it came between the couple. Also, this book is quite predictable, but even though you know the answers before Sara and Jack, you don't know how it is going to play out. That part in the mystery as well as a lot of the hot scenes keeps you reading this story.
I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those who are wanting to read something in the paranormal romance genre. In fact, now I'm more curious as to what happens in this series by Cherry Adair.
In this book it has a mixture of good and bad points. Our main characters know each other and had already fallen in and out of love with each other. There was a huge falling out and we are quite honestly left hanging to find out what the problem was for half the book. That was quite frustrating and when we do find out, you can then understand how it came between the couple. Also, this book is quite predictable, but even though you know the answers before Sara and Jack, you don't know how it is going to play out. That part in the mystery as well as a lot of the hot scenes keeps you reading this story.
I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to those who are wanting to read something in the paranormal romance genre. In fact, now I'm more curious as to what happens in this series by Cherry Adair.
May 25, 2012
If this had been my first Cherry Adair title, I would never have read anything else by her!
I'm going to keep this short, because i feel like I've already given too much time to it:
Prologue was more or less unnecessary, H&h's relationship fizzles out because of lacking communication (one conversation could've fixed things, CA does a decent job of telling us why they don't have said one conversation, but by then I no longer cared), only so-so world building (ms Adair did a good job building the parts of the world I could care less about, but ignored the stuff I'd have liked to have known more about) and even as a PNR fan, I just couldn't get into the snake-y bad guys...Oh and words like "Aequitas" and 'Ophidian' should not appear so much in a novel without a pronunciation guide.
The heroine irked me to no end, she seemed a little too weak willed for me to ever really like her. And the story never sucked me in. I kept finding things I just had to do, in order to avoid reading this. ...so yeah 2.5 stars
I'm going to keep this short, because i feel like I've already given too much time to it:
Prologue was more or less unnecessary, H&h's relationship fizzles out because of lacking communication (one conversation could've fixed things, CA does a decent job of telling us why they don't have said one conversation, but by then I no longer cared), only so-so world building (ms Adair did a good job building the parts of the world I could care less about, but ignored the stuff I'd have liked to have known more about) and even as a PNR fan, I just couldn't get into the snake-y bad guys...Oh and words like "Aequitas" and 'Ophidian' should not appear so much in a novel without a pronunciation guide.
The heroine irked me to no end, she seemed a little too weak willed for me to ever really like her. And the story never sucked me in. I kept finding things I just had to do, in order to avoid reading this. ...so yeah 2.5 stars
May 21, 2012
I so love Ms. Adair's writing...and this book.
At first I was having difficulty getting into the story but I think that was more a personal thing than a story thing. By the second chapter I was totally into it and it took me on a wonderfully wild ride that I just couldn't put down.
I loved the characters and the complexity of the story that had great bones. I did find one piece slightly predictable but then story line twisted just enough to give me a surprise.
This was so worth while and has me chomping at the bit for another of Ms. Adair's books.
At first I was having difficulty getting into the story but I think that was more a personal thing than a story thing. By the second chapter I was totally into it and it took me on a wonderfully wild ride that I just couldn't put down.
I loved the characters and the complexity of the story that had great bones. I did find one piece slightly predictable but then story line twisted just enough to give me a surprise.
This was so worth while and has me chomping at the bit for another of Ms. Adair's books.
February 22, 2012
I read the first 2 chapters and the last, guess that pretty much says it all. The action was well written but the characters didn't touch me. I didn't feel any involvement with them - so I didn't like the book. A cautionary word - the author has written many EXCELLENT action books with gripping plots and great characters - so don't write her off. It might just have been me...
September 1, 2014
Black Magic by Cherry Adair
Magic and an ancient war between two races has Jackson Slater and Sara Temple fighting their attraction to each other and battling wizards and snakes to save the world. They must work together even though their broken hearts are still tender.
A bit creepy with so many snakes but a great thriller of a romance.
Magic and an ancient war between two races has Jackson Slater and Sara Temple fighting their attraction to each other and battling wizards and snakes to save the world. They must work together even though their broken hearts are still tender.
A bit creepy with so many snakes but a great thriller of a romance.
July 7, 2017
Never read a Cherry Adair book that I haven't loved
August 8, 2017
Enjoyed it.
December 31, 2020
I got this book because of I had read the what it is about, because I thought it was interesting that had focused on ex-spouses that are magicans and had to forced to joined together to save the world from evil snake men (or called Nagas) to preventing them to taking over the world.
I do like the beginning of the story how it was setted up by explaining the origin of how the magicans became to be. The lore made me thinks of "The Rage of Dragons" (I known The Rage of Dragons has flaws, but I love that book).
But Oh boy, Black Magic has turned out to be one of those books that I DNF'ed,because I freaking hate the main female character Sara. She is a most worse and horrible female main character that I ever had read. She freaking let her boss/lover to get away with sexual abused those poor young girls and she don't even damn about them. What a totally freaking b**ch she is. No wonder, her ex-husband had left her,but now he have to force with her to save the world after she started to treating him sh*t.
Who read this thrash!!!
I do like the beginning of the story how it was setted up by explaining the origin of how the magicans became to be. The lore made me thinks of "The Rage of Dragons" (I known The Rage of Dragons has flaws, but I love that book).
But Oh boy, Black Magic has turned out to be one of those books that I DNF'ed,because I freaking hate the main female character Sara. She is a most worse and horrible female main character that I ever had read. She freaking let her boss/lover to get away with sexual abused those poor young girls and she don't even damn about them. What a totally freaking b**ch she is. No wonder, her ex-husband had left her,but now he have to force with her to save the world after she started to treating him sh*t.
Who read this thrash!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2017
I wanted to like this more, I really did. But I just couldn't get into it. The writing was good and the story was entertaining enough, so I'm not giving it a one/two star rating. My guess is that I just didn't connect with the heroine. She was super bitchy and a hypocrite- not much to like really. The hero was just 'meh'.
January 17, 2019
Wizards oh my
I love these books, both the wizards, tflac and cutters cove, they fill all my needs. They have adventure, mystery and romance. Yes and some sexy hero’s. Looking forward to the next one!!
I love these books, both the wizards, tflac and cutters cove, they fill all my needs. They have adventure, mystery and romance. Yes and some sexy hero’s. Looking forward to the next one!!
March 15, 2023
4/5
From my personal notes -- Jack hears a mental call for help from his ex-fiance, Sara. They are both wizards. They are drawn into a war they didn't know was still going. They need to discover why an ancient evil wants Sara and save themselves.
From my personal notes -- Jack hears a mental call for help from his ex-fiance, Sara. They are both wizards. They are drawn into a war they didn't know was still going. They need to discover why an ancient evil wants Sara and save themselves.
August 25, 2020
I'll admit I'm not a big fan of erotica, but the book discription drew me in. I was disappointed. The plot is predictable and I did not like Sara and Jack at all.
April 23, 2021
Surprisingly entertaining. Found it in my bookcase - no idea where it came from.
Shades of Christine Feehan whom I quite enjoy. Cherry Adair is now on my must read more of hers list.
Shades of Christine Feehan whom I quite enjoy. Cherry Adair is now on my must read more of hers list.
December 22, 2021
Not very interesting to me, but a good book if you like a book about magic and wizards.
September 8, 2024
Interesting setting, but not the best story telling, a bit too predictable.
April 3, 2025
Quick dime store read. Plot was interesting, I’ll give it that, but the vocab was unrelatable.
May 1, 2025
loved second time around of reading this story .
July 29, 2010
Wow. Looking for a book with tension, jam-packed with emotions, and enough passion to knock your socks off? I think I found it! BLACK MAGIC by Cherry Adair is a fantastic story full of magic and mayhem, and that's just the two main characters!
Sara and Jackson are the stars of BLACK MAGIC and truly what make this book such a great read. Their history and the passion between them create some great sparks that leave the reader intrigued and wanting to know more.
Our two lovers were, at one point, engaged to be married. Life got in the way and now both, heartbroken, try to stay as far from each other as they can. Unfortunately the mysterious deaths of some great wizards draw them together and for whatever reason, the Wizard Council makes the pair work together to figure out what is going on. So what if their powers are multiplied when they work together? Doesn't anyone understand the pain that still drifts between them?
It was this pain, this issue that neither party had ever really healed from, that made the story so addicting. The first part of the book was spent begging and pleading with the characters to put their differences aside and finally hook up. The second part of the book was spent wondering why they ever listened to our advice in the first place and if this was going to be the straw that finally broke the camel's back and destroyed them.
Oh the drama! I love it.
The actual storyline of the book is good and intriguing, but in my opinion, figuring out the mystery is just the icing on the cupcake. Or perhaps it's the cupcake, because we all know that the icing in the best part. The story carries us along, giving us something to hold on to and follow, but it's Ms. Adair's characters that keep us hooked on the book. The sparks between them and the personal demons each has to deal with adds layer upon layer for us to dig through and discover.
If you're looking for a passionate romance, full of heat and magic, then I highly suggest BLACK MAGIC. The fantasy in the book was superb and we all know what I already think about the characters. Ms. Adair's writing style was clear and quite deftly pulled us in.
My only recommendation here is to make sure you have a large glass nearby of whatever iced beverage you prefer. Things are going to get hot!
Sara and Jackson are the stars of BLACK MAGIC and truly what make this book such a great read. Their history and the passion between them create some great sparks that leave the reader intrigued and wanting to know more.
Our two lovers were, at one point, engaged to be married. Life got in the way and now both, heartbroken, try to stay as far from each other as they can. Unfortunately the mysterious deaths of some great wizards draw them together and for whatever reason, the Wizard Council makes the pair work together to figure out what is going on. So what if their powers are multiplied when they work together? Doesn't anyone understand the pain that still drifts between them?
It was this pain, this issue that neither party had ever really healed from, that made the story so addicting. The first part of the book was spent begging and pleading with the characters to put their differences aside and finally hook up. The second part of the book was spent wondering why they ever listened to our advice in the first place and if this was going to be the straw that finally broke the camel's back and destroyed them.
Oh the drama! I love it.
The actual storyline of the book is good and intriguing, but in my opinion, figuring out the mystery is just the icing on the cupcake. Or perhaps it's the cupcake, because we all know that the icing in the best part. The story carries us along, giving us something to hold on to and follow, but it's Ms. Adair's characters that keep us hooked on the book. The sparks between them and the personal demons each has to deal with adds layer upon layer for us to dig through and discover.
If you're looking for a passionate romance, full of heat and magic, then I highly suggest BLACK MAGIC. The fantasy in the book was superb and we all know what I already think about the characters. Ms. Adair's writing style was clear and quite deftly pulled us in.
My only recommendation here is to make sure you have a large glass nearby of whatever iced beverage you prefer. Things are going to get hot!
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