True love, without the use of magic, will free the great Merlin from his own mystical prison but can it be done?



Back in the day, the great wizard Merlin fell in love with a woman who loved another. Merlin cast a love spell on her and in retaliation, she cursed him and all his future generations. The first-born son of each generation will have the opportunity to choose fated love without the use of magic.



Rolf was brought to Merlin when he was only ten years old and the fate of Merlin and future generations is in Rolf’s hands. Rolf thinks he’s learned from his ancestors’ mistakes but destiny is a funny mistress because when he meets his beloved, the woman who can break his family’s curse, she’s already engaged to another.



Melissa has been engaged to Charles Roker, a duke, from the time she was small. A partnership between two families to strengthen alliances, not for love. Melissa starts having intoxicating dreams about a mysterious man with dark hair and when he appears at King Henry II’s coronation, she’s left to wonder if his story of fated love and Merlin is true. Desire wars with allegiance to her father but she has one ally: the Queen. She must choose between love and loyalty. Can she marry a man she barely knows yet his kisses make her dizzy as if she’s drunk too much spiced wine? And what about this curse? Will true love conquer all or will magic cease to be?



I was captivated by the historical romance from the first page and honestly, didn’t want it to end. Wynne is historically accurate throughout the book, from the clothing to historical people/events to how society behaves and even cultural traditions (such as weddings and coronations). I was immersed in the 12th century and it was glorious.



I loved Roker, Melissa’s fiancé, and it was quite enjoyable seeing his evil mind process events out of his control. He fought for Melissa’s hand and when fate intervenes, his world is turned upside down. His actions, as well as his frame of mind, amped up the suspense and intrigue.



At the end, Rolf’s Quest is a testament to love and lovers. It reminded me of The Princess Bride as well as Ladyhawk. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series!



Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author (via Netgalley) in the hopes I’d review it.



My Rating: 5 stars

Publisher's Description:
A wizard, a curse, a fated love…
When Rolf finally discovers the woman who can end the curse that has plagued his family for centuries, she is already betrothed. Time is running out for the royal wizard of King Henry II. If he cannot find true love without the use of sorcery, the magic will die for future generations.

Melissa is intrigued by the mystical, handsome man that haunts her by night and tempts her by day. His bizarre tale of Merlin, enchantments, and finding genuine love has her questioning his sanity and her heart.

From the moment Melissa stepped from his dreams and into his arms, Rolf knew she was his destiny. Now, he will battle against time, a powerful duke, and call on the gods to save her.

My Thoughts:

This book is more of a fantasy than a romance. Although it contains a bit too much magic for my taste I did like the book. It reminds me of tales I read as a teen or pre-teen such as Arthurian legend but just a little more grown up nature.
I gave this book 3.75 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and 2of 5 flames for sensuality.
I received a complimentary digital ARC to read and review which in no way affected my opinion of this book. This review is left voluntarily.

I mildly enjoyed this book, why you ask? Because all in all, it just felt mild. I gobble up books set in the medieval time period and I always enjoyed Camelot stories and Merlin, so I thought this would be a hit, but it wasn't for me. Rolf is a descendent of Merlin, who is still alive kind of in a tree, and has to fall in love and be loved by a woman without magical intervention.
Melissa is traveling to London with her parents to meet her betrothed and get married. She meets or has shadowy dreams about Rolf, he can shape shift, but she is satisfied with her betrothed once she meets him. Rolf shows up at court and begins to court her and eventually wins her hand.
I can honestly say I lost interest in the book after a passionless wedding night between them. There was more passionate build up than there was actual passion. If you are looking for a medieval adventure, relatively "clean" book with little or no passion, then this might be the book for you. Didn't work for me.

Rolf’s Quest is a magical blend of history and romance taking place during the rule of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. They play a role in Rolf’s pursuit of Melissa. Melissa was betrothed at ten ‘name days’ to the Duke of Sunderland’s son and heir. Her own father is the Earl of Garrick. She and her parents are on their way to meet her betrothed in London and to attend the king’s coronation. Melissa will wed the duke not returning to her childhood home with her parents.

On the way there, she steps away from her family during a rest stop and sees Rolf in the forest glen. Although they make eye contact, they do not speak. Her father quickly searches for her and childes her for the danger possible away from the group, but he does not see Rolf. Melissa is completely mesmerized with Rolf not even knowing his name. They have a connection she does not understand. Rolf invades Melissa’s dreams through his magic allowing her to get to know him and spend time in nightly sensual dreams.

Rolf is known to be a seer by the king and his consort, yet, he has magical ability that is inherited. He is, also, one of the king’s advisors. Rolf’s magical and shifting ability come through his ancestor Merlin. Rolf wears an amulet given him by Merlin to protect him at all times.

Merlin is locked in a tree by a long time spell from a woman on whom he had cast a spell. The tree in which Merlin is trapped is dying. It is up to Rolf to break the spell by finding true love. He cannot make her fall in love with him, but allow her to determine her love without magic.

The Duke of Sunderland is understandably angry about the turn of events of his betrothed choosing Rolf over him. What follows is the sweet tale of love, of family, of friends and of anger. This is my first Aubrey Wynne novella. I loved the way she allowed the story to be interwoven with heroism and magic with just a touch of sensuality, enough to make it interesting, but to leave the love to your imagination. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was very good and well written. I enjoyed the story line and the characters. The plot contained magic, romance, and several trials that the characters needed to overcome. I liked the creativity of the plot and how the author was able to tie into the legend of Merlin.
Merlin loved a woman who did not reciprocate. She cursed his line and the only way to break the curse is to fall in love with the woman who can end the curse. The catch is she must return his love and he cannot use magic to force love on her. For centuries, Rolf's line has failed and he is their last chance at breaking the curse.. He has the chance to end the curse when he meets the woman from his dreams, Melissa. However, she is already engaged but Rolf will work his "magic" to make her see they are meant to be together. Rolf has several magical abilities and he is able to appear in Melissa's dreams. Melissa is attracted to Rolf, but feels she has to marry Lord Roker for her family, in particular her father. Rolf is an adviser and King Henry's warrior. The king is able to postpone the request for Melissa and Roker's betrothal. Over that time, Rolf explains the curse to Melissa and she begins to see their lives can be more than just passion and falls in love with Rolf. Lord Roker is not happy when Melissa chooses Rolf. He promises to reclaim her. Melissa and Rolf work to try and free Merlin before the curse takes him. However. dangers lurk around every corner. Melissa and Rolf will need to overcome these in order to free Merlin. Will their love be enough to free Merlin or will others cause their love to fail?