The Magic of You (Malory Novels)

This is great continuation to the Malory Anderson series. I love the story of Amy and Warren and really enjoyed watching it play out and come to a conclusion. I can wait to read the next book in the series.

Amy Malory had become a beautiful young woman and made her Ton debut.
But as a Malory, she had a stubborn personality and when she decided on something, she hardly changed her mind.
When Amy met Warren Anderson, after all the confusion of the marriage between James Malory, Amy's uncle, and Georgina Anderson, American, Amy was certain that Warren was the right man for her.

She did not think he was much older than her, that he was very unfriendly and lived in turmoil with James (worried about the happiness of his only sister, Georgina), that he did not want to live in England and, more importantly, he hated the British people.

No, the only thing that mattered to her was that one day he would love her and be her husband.
So when the four Anderson brothers came to England at the time of the birth of Georgina's child, Amy saw her opportunity to won Warren. Now she was an adult, about the age of marriage, and she was sure he would notice her.

In fact, Warren had already noticed Amy, but first, she was too young, Then he had a huge broken heart when, years ago, he was engaged and was cheated. His fiancee preferred his worst enemy. And he still knew that his ex-fiancee was pregnant but would not let him name his own son.
Warren decided that no woman was trustworthy, none would have the right to his love, save for his younger sister.

Amy rolled up her sleeves and fought for the love of her life ... and this eventually led to a great deal of confusion, which could end in someone being killed by a certain Chinese group.

Warren did not know he needed in his life for someone like Amy; Someone who could make him laugh again.
The Malory family, Amy's uncles, did not like to hear of her niece's interest in one of the Andersons, but the two families were known to be tenacious and in the hour of danger they knew what the family unit means.

A charming, funny novel with stubborn and terribly passionate characters.
If you liked James and Georgina's story, you will love this one.
5 stars

"The Magic of You" has many strong points, the main one being Amy Malory. I love this girl, she knows what she wants and she will stop at nothing to get it. I get so tired of reading about bitchy, shrewish heroines who fight their feelings and complain endlessly. Amy is so different, she doesn't cry, bitch, rarely feels sorry for herself. She is courageous, determined and hilariously honest. People who find her too bold are forgetting that she isn't out to simply seduce Warren, she wants to MARRY him and make him happy. If she has to sleep with him to help him fall in love with her, she is willing to do that to win him. I really liked Warren as well, he held out as long as he possibly could, but in the end, she was quite persuasive and how could anyone not fall in love with Amy? This couple has great chemistry and their age difference didn't bother me at all. It made sense for them and Warren needed someone who wasn't jaded, hardened, or had baggage like he did. Also, their age difference was quite common then. Heck, it's not unheard of nowadays! My only qualm with this book is that JL really overdoes it explaining past books, relationships, and this book is supposed to be about Amy and Warren yet I don't think we even see them interact until Chapter 8! I felt that James and Georgina were in the book more than Amy and Warren and that's too bad b/c A & W had wonderful scenes together, there were just too few of them. I like the Malory family, but each book should really focus on the couple it's about and not the constant bombardment of the whole family into every chapter. So I give it 4 stars b/c I loved Amy and Warren and I just wish there had been more of them and less of the rest of the Malorys.

First off, here is the series in sequence: 1. Love Only Once 2. Tender Rebel 3. Gentle Rogue 4. The Magic of You 5. Say You Love Me 6. The Present: The Malory Holiday Novel
Even in the first book of the series, Love Only Once, Amy was described as a dreamer, aggressive and strong willed. She speaks her mind and shows her heart. So if you like woman who are the seducer in the book then this one is for you. As for me, I normally prefer the man being the seducer while the woman are innocent and naive, however, in this circumstances, I wasn't offended by the way Amy reached out to Warren. Ms. J.L. wrote it well and it wasn't disgusting or degrading to woman. Warren had a dark past that made him hard and distant to love so it is understandable that Amy should be the one to reach out to his hard heart and try to make it soft again. The Malory family conflicts, bickering & arguements is once again an add on spice to the book.
I have notice that all books in this Malory series (except for the first one) contains lots of repetitive informations. There were times I had to skip parts wherein a Malory or two will start discussing the story or happenings of the previous books, sorta like a short summarization for those who have not read it. For readers like me who have read the series in sequence, It's kindda useless info. and i won't lose anything to skip it... At first, this style of writing didn't seem to bother me but when I got to the third book of the series, the summarization of the first two books was getting to me. Imagine my restlessness when i was reading the 4th and the 5th book! I skipped more parts then cuz I didn't need to read the summary of the 3-4 previous books which i already know about. Whew! I say it would have been better for Ms. J.L. to leave readers some thrill to pick up each book and read each story for themselves.

Rating: 4
Description: As wild and reckless as the most incorrigible of her male cousins, Amy Malory has reached a marriageable age and has set her sights on a most inappropriate mate: the straight-laced American ship captain who once nearly had her Uncle James hung for piracy.
Warren Anderson is shocked by the brazen advances of his despised enemy's beautiful niece. Though determined to resist her, he burns for the enchanting British minx. And an impassioned heart implores him to surrender to a love that could stoke the smouldering fires of a family feud into a dangerous, all consuming blaze.
Review: Book 4 in the Malory family is the story of Amy Malory and Warren (Georgie's brother). After reading Georgie and James' story, I was most curious about how Warren and Amy's story would play out. The hatred towards Warren from the Malory's and Amy's boldness sounded like a good one. Though it's not as good as Gentle Rogue, it's pretty darn good. Amy set her eyes on Warren and no other. Warren sees this as a curse and tries to stay away. Until a dire situation leaves his restraint to the wind, Amy's glad of that! Even still, the story continues on, each on different continents, but still thinking of the other. Will Warren come to Amy after she decides to quit chasing him? Of course, just how, is so sweet. You'll enjoy many appearances from other Malory family members in this story!

I listened to the audio recording of The Magic of You and though the story itself seemed interesting the reader because of her lack of English accents and not bothering to make her voice sound different for each character was annoying and distracting, it was fine for Warren, his sister Georgina and their brothers to have American accents but Amy and the rest of the Malory's should have had English acccents! The Magic of You it is about a flirty and kind of ditzy young lady named Amy Malory a niece of the Malory brothers who falls for an older American man, Warren Anderson brother of Georgina who is married to James Malory who is not to happy about young Amy's infatuation with Warren and when both Amy and Warren disappear he immediately assumes that Warren abducted Amy and sets to go after them but unknown to him Amy and Warren have actually been kidnapped by a ruthless enemy of Warren. I rated this a 2 only because of the reader's lack of proper accents and different voice sounds and if they had been used I could easily have given the audio version 4 stars. The audio cassette is abridged and I hope they rerecord it unabridged and with the proper accents and changes of voice sounds!

This story was a bit different - having the female, Amy being the persuer and boy was she. But when a girl is going after Warren Anderson you have to pursue, and pursue and have more patience and pursue some more. One might wonder why Amy - who is much a vision of Regan, Anthony and James would be the only one that could see beyond the cold, aloof hard manner of Warren, the yank that most Malory's only tolerated. Amy had set her heart on him when she met him briefly 6 mos earlier, now all grown up (18) and ready for marriage, Warren comes to England and she annouces almost immediately that she wants to not only marry him but make him smile and happy again. This whole plot would have been more of a turnoff with any other author, but with Lindsey and her being a Malory it works! Amy is quick, witty, adventourous and more endearing than many of the simpering English lasses we are so often faced with. The story is only enhanced by revisiting so many of the Malory brothers and family. This is such and interesting group you love to read about them over and over. You have to have lots of patience to get the happy ending in this book and at times you truly wonder if Warren will or can ever really smile or be happy. But keep reading it is a great story and makes you feel good to see someone care enough to turn this grinch around!!

Amy Mallory, Edward's youngest daughter, has just had her "coming out" in London society. But her heart has already been captured.. by the worst choice imaginable. Warren Anderson is Georgie's angry and sullen brother. (See "Gentle Rogue") His heart has been stomped on and he no longer trusts women. He is stunned when the lovely, young Mallory sets out to seduce him. He intends to remove himself from the presence of this witty, charming, mischevious, beauty and her troublesome family, but Amy knows that Warren needs her to melt the ice around his heart.
I love this story. Amy is wonderful and determined to be the woman to bring love and happiness back to this man's life. Warren is not the typical, charming hero you might expect, but there is something there, deep inside that you know will soon come out. A great story and wonderful addition to the Mallory stories. (Could charming Drew Anderson be next?)

The first three books of the series was well-written with likeable characters and nice plot. But this one really lacks that charm, sorry to say.

Neither the heroine nor the hero is memorable. Maybe this tells us a lesson of life: among good things, you always find bad things as well. After all, not all couples can be so endearing... One thing, imho positive, is that Amy and Warren are equally plain.

This is not a book you get angry with the author "Oh, why did she pair them up?!" They deserve one another in many respects, so voila...

I definitely agree with some reviewers about the annoying protagonists. While I did find Amy likable at first, soon after her initial appearance with Warren, she suddenly turns into this bold, needy, and obsessive person! Her desperate actions to gain Warren's attentions really turned me off. Warren, on the other hand, is still hotheaded and stubborn--and now a HUGE grouch as well! He rarely ever warms up in this story, which is very unappealing. There's too much bickering involved and hardly any romance. Of the sparse love scenes, they are comepletely uninspiring. I actually wished that Amy and Drew would have hooked up instead; I found their brief encounters more exciting! If you're curious as to why I'm giving this book a generous three-star rating, it's only because I enjoyed reading about Jeremy--who's so delightfully funny--and got to catch up with my favorite JL couple: James and Georgie. If you want to re-visit old friends from previous Malory books (i.e., LOVE ONLY ONCE, TENDER REBEL, GENTLE ROGUE), then get a copy of this book at a library. Otherwise, I wouldn't suggests purchasing it.

"This is the fourth book in the Malory series. Amy Malory, a minx and now of marriageable age, has already chosen her mate: Warren Anderson. Warren, who is bitter, cynical, and had tried to have Amy's uncle James hanged, considers himself the least appropriate person to be paired with young Amy. Though he is determined to resist Amy's shocking advances, he finds himself surrendering to her charms after they are taken captive by a Chinese warlord intent on retrieving a prized vase that the Andersons had won from him. As they are thrown together on the Chinese warlord's ship, and then narrowly escape, Amy finally succeeds in melting the ice from Warren's heart and winning his love."

I love Johanna Lindsey and the Malory family, this is by far one of my favorites. I have read it countless times and it never gets old.
Her newer books just don't have the same spark as the older ones, but thankfully this one sparkles! I recall squealing in excitement when I first saw it at the store, I read it in 2 days, would have only been one, but sadly work got in the way. And the original copies also have Fabio on the cover, who will always be "James" to me.
Sit back and enjoy this one!

First, if you are new to Johanna Lindsey's Malory series, please do not start with this book.

The Malory books need to be read in publication order to be enjoyed or even understood, as much action in this book is played out as a given that you've read the first three books, which can get very confusing.

Unfortunately, there was more minuses than pluses to make this a notable Malory book, but you should still read it to keep going with the storyline.

The biggest fault-as mentioned by other reviewers, is the great lack of tender feeling between the hero and heroine. This is one of those old school historical where there's a lot of fighting, a lot of groping, some bedding, then more fighting before the hero "wakes up" to what is good for him. Amy's insistance and machinations were also "too stupid to believe" at times, and really pointed out the 18 year age difference between characters-reinforcing the "ick" factor.

If this was any other author, I would have stopped reading the book as it was frankly annoying. But Lindsey's Malory books are like that pair of raggedy sweats you can't bear to throw out. They are in terrible taste but are comforting just the same.

So while not the best of the Malory bunch, I'd still suggest curling up with Amy and Warren for a fun afternoon adventure.

3 stars.

I have a "Love/Hate" relationship with Ms. Lindsey.. Some of her books I have found charming and her early works introduced me to historical romances, however there are some books, like the Malory series, that I find hard to stomach.

First, I'm a history major specializing in the Regency time period, so I'm very familiar of how so many marriages were arranged and/or there were large differences in ages between the husband and wife. However, we have a 36 yr old man that is paired with a 17 yr old girl, and girl she is. She is not mature for her age but her libido is way out of there! She reminds me of my 13 yr old niece many times throughout the book in her behaviour except for the 'sex kitten' part. Amy is in heat and it is unreal. Yes, this is fiction, but come on! Really? We have a staid, stuffy 36 yr old man (that is more like 46 in personality) that finds himself engaged, in more ways than one, with a 17 yr old nymphomaniac. She is not even being a seductress, she is pretty much the epitome of the girls we see in in the malls that wear clothing announcing they are available and cheap/free to any walking male.

I found it very uncomfortable to read and very unrealistic..even for a piece of fiction. Ms. Lindsey has kind of 'rewritten' history many times in the past and put modern-day mores in her historical novels frequently. Sometimes with success, but increasingly I am noticing that she is just willy-nilly on some things.

I think I have grown out of Ms. Lindsey's novels now. There are so many other writers out there now that can write historical romantic fiction that is somewhat believable... maybe a bit far-fetched in places but not so far out there that it is beyond the pale.

I love a good historical romance and most Johanna Lindsey novels deliver. I am not one to point out how "ridiculous" some of these books are and I hate people who turn their nose up at this type of book! I read them for fun and don't expect them to be quite like real life. I love it when there is adventure and when the hero does not want to fall for the heroine, but he just can't help himself.

However, there was just something a little ridiculous about a 17 year old girl so quickly falling for a 40 (or maybe 41) year old man. No matter how gorgeous, sexy, brooding, powerful he is, Amy's overly zealous pursuit of Warren was over the top. Yes, as the youngest of the Mallory clan, she would be more worldly and knowledge, but still. ?? I gave the book 3 stars because if you are a true fan of historical romance, it was a fun read with some great dialogue between the two main characters. It just wasn't my favorite.

This my favourite of the Mallory series and of all of Ms. Lindsey's books. AND one of my all time favourite romances period! Amy is the product of her Mallory upbringing and therefore completely in charge of her own life. She picks the most unsuitable, woman-hating, Mallory-hating, street-fighting sailor of a man to love. And of course her Uncles will stop at nothing to stop this romance, just like SHE"LL stop at nothing to get what she wants. Then there's the kidnapping which takes Amy and her sailor accross the Atalntic on a high seas adventure. I couldn't put the book down and I couldn't stop laughing either!

The Mallory stories are the best. I love the whole series. If I had to name one absolute favourite, it would have to be 'The Magic of You'. I love the way Amy doesn't let Warren ignore her, no matter how hard he tries. Amy has alot of spirit and is exceedingly brazen, which both shocks and excites Warren. Warren just doesn't know how to handle Amy, or the passion that flares between them. All she wants to do is make him happy. How can he be happy if they aren't together? This is a firm favourite that I have read over and over again. Bring on more Mallory stories.

The Mallory stories are the best. I love the whole series. If I had to name one absolute favourite, it would have to be 'The Magic of You'. I love the way Amy doesn't let Warren ignore her, no matter how hard he tries. Amy has alot of spirit and is exceedingly brazen, which both shocks and excites Warren. Warren just doesn't know how to handle Amy, or the passion that flares between them. All she wants to do is make him happy. How can he be happy if they aren't together? This is a firm favourite that I have read over and over again. Bring on more Mallory stories.

The plot was fine, fairly entertaining although overly dramatic. Certainly not worth a second read. (Spoiler) The whole kidnapping things is just a little over-the-top, and seriously, why why why didn't Amy start screaming?

Amy is a stalker, seriously obsessed. Warren is a grouch but having a psycho stalker would irritate anyone. There's little actual romance.

The constant hatred and malice between the men is utterly overdone and has grown tiresome. It no longer serves the plot and is just ugliness. It's time for the characters to evolve, grow and act like adults.

However, the voice of the audio book, Laural Merlington, needs to stop adding the giggle, chuckle or laugh EVERY time a character does. It was the most irritating thing about this audio book and almost had me tossing the book just so I didn't have to listen to the faux giggles/laughter. Her (in)ability to do voices did not add to the book.

I love this book!!! It was absolutely marvellous and I could not put it down. The chemistry between Warren and Amy is so interesting. Amy is a great character and possibly even more seductive than her two rakish uncles! I loved her spirit throughout the whole book. There were many parts that made me laugh, lots of sizzling moments, and even some heart-wrenching moments. A perfect Malory romance through and through.

I loved the fact that we got different bits of the story from previous characters, yet the story never wavered from the main couple. It's always great when we get to revisit Anthony and James, and they were superb in this book just as they are in all the Malory books. The moment that really stuck out for me in this story was when Warren was manning the boat during the storm and he ties Amy to himself so that he won't lose her. The whole storm sequence was very exciting, but the bit that I mentioned really made me believe that these two were perfect for each other. I also really love the scene near the end, but I won't say what happens because I don't want to ruin it for anybody, but it definitely melted my heart!

A superb book, definitely one to read! I suggest reading Gentle Rogue before you read this one though. It will give you a better idea of Warren's personality.

This entire book was a disappointment.
With our heroine chasing after a man who constantly rejects her throughout.
The only way she can thing to get him to love her is to seduce him. That would mean, according to this book, that love is born from sex?
Our heroine is convinced that she is the only one who can make him happy, yet we do not see one event where that is true.
In my opinion, Amy is extreme, rash and gives little thought to anything.
A poor book from an other wise wonderful writer.
There were so many ways to go with the character Warren, yet the love interest she decided upon give us the worst couple of the entire series.
A serious disappointment.

The fourth novel in the series has Amy Malory behaving as boldly as her uncles which leaves them in utter shock. Her behavior as well as the man she's decided will be her husband shocks her family as well as the man she has her eyes glued to. An enjoyable read.

Warren was not worth chasing! I did not think that the plot in this book was realistic. The rest of the Malorys had style. This, unfortunetly, did not. Johanna Lindsey will always be my favorite author and I love her series books. However I didn't feel The Magic Of You meet the standards of the Malorys before and after. It just didn't have that charming quality.

THIS TIME, THE MALORY IN THE FOREFRONT OF THIS LOVE STORY IS THE ONLY FEMALE MALORY, AMY. A YOUNG, PRETTY MINX OF A LADY, AMY SETS HER EYES AND HEART ON THE OLDEST ANDERSON BROTHER, WARREN. THE ANDERSONS ARE AN AMERICAN FAMILY CENTERED IN CONNECTICUT, NEW ENGLAND, AMERICA. THE MALORYS AND ANDERSONS HAVE A HISTORY INCLUDING WARTIME BATTLES, PIRACY AND KIDNAPPING. AND TEMPTOUS LOVE.

I am a HUGE Johanna Lindsey fan HOWEVER this book left me irritated and annoyed. This was the worst book in this series. I realize it is fiction but I find it hard pressed to be even remotely realistic. I know, I know this is fantasy but normally her books do have some element of REALISM in them, this one not so much! I am not saying women would just bowed down and taken anything but this was reckless UNREAL behavior from a girl (I can't even classify her as a young lady) that would have found her tarred, feathered, locked in chastity, shipped off to a finishing school for futher grooming or even killed. That aside, it just was not Mrs. Lindey's best work, I would have to say it is pretty much her worst work so far that I have read. I normally can read her books in a day but this one took me weeks to read because I kept getting distracted from the sheer silliness of the character YET it supposedly was about her being of marrying age, HOWEVER, the main character was grossly immature. In the era of this book this young woman would have been groomed for marriage especially if she is coming from a family that was well off, even the poorest of the poor young ladies would have carried themselves better than this one. I realize the women were a bit rebellious and danced to their own tune BUT they did not go this far off the mark. On this one, Mrs. Lindsey COMPLETELY missed the mark. I put this book in a box for a yard sale. I keep ALL my books and reread them...I have read some of Mrs. Lindsey's books at least five times but this one, I could not insult my other books having this one on a shelf near them!

This book was a refreshing change. I loved Amy. Her forwardness had me laughing and shocked at the same time! She was definitely the right character to get through Warren's bitterness. They made a great couple. This is one of my favorite Malory novels.

This is right up there as being my favorite Malory novel. Anytime James Malory and his brother-in-law Warren get together, there is bound to be entertainment! The fact that James would name is daughter Jack just to rile them is hysterical! This book also allows the reader (and other Malory family members) to see that James and Warren really to have something in common - a great deal of love for Georgina. This one had me laughing while walking on the treadmill at the gym! I also read it in one day, it's that captivating! As always, I can't wait for the next Malory novel.

Another Malory book in the series, not bad,but not great. I loved Amy. Warren wasn't bad,but took awhile to like him. Amy is so strong in this story you wish you knew her and could talk to her.Recommended A++++

Johanna Lindsey writes another wonderful book about the Malory's. I love how Amy is so determined to win Warren. This book is a must read when Amy's uncles, James and Anthony ( who can't love it when they get together?) try to interfer with her and Warren. Read it, you'll love it! But make sure you read the others first!

For a change the woman chases the man . I absolutely loved this book. Who could not fall in love with the charectors, and it was so much fun reading how Amy tried to get Warren. The only critism I have is that I got a bit impatient with Warren for resisting her when he obviously was in love with her. Everyone needs too have this book. highly amusing!

I have absolutely loved all the Malory novels and this one was no exception. I was enthralled by Amy's pursuit of Warren and found their story intriguing and sweet. I loved that you got to revisit James and George Malory and the continuation of their story (which I believe Gentle Rogue is the best of the Malory novels). I can only hope that Lindsey will continue the Malory storyline with the next generation Thomas, Judith and Jaqueline all grown up.