R. A. Macavoy

From back cover Bantam Spectra paperback October 1986: Re-enter the fantastic world of the Black Dragon.... If you were among the many readers who lost their hearts to R. A. MacAvoy's remarkable first novel Tea with the Black Dragon, you are invited to rejoin Mayland Long and Martha Macnamara in an astonishing new adventure filled with music, mystery, and magic. And if, by some chance, you've not yet had the pleasure of their company, prepare yourself for a special sort of treat. But be warned. In the world of the Black Dragon, nothing is quite what it seems....

Nazhuret is embarking on his final adventure. He is ending a long period of exile, once again taking up the sword in defense of freedom. His old friend the King is suddenly and unexpectedly assassinated, leaving the kingdom in chaos. Accompanied by his beloved daughter Nahvah, Nazhuret faces the darker side of human nature -- with both their lives at stake.

Who was the mole called Albatross? Was he Brigadier James White, the revered head of British Intelligence? Was he Humphrey Grant, his second-in-command? Was he Jon Kidson, the perfect technocrat and brother-in-law to the woman assigned to unearth Russia's most deadly mole? Was he Tony Walden, the man assigned to be the woman's cover? British Intelligence had to find out before it was too late for Britain and perhaps even the world . . .

Lens of the World is a fantasy novel recounting, in his own words, the coming of age of Nazhuret, an outcast and orphan who rises from his lowly estate as a ward of the Sordaling military school to become a mighty warrior, philosopher, and confidant of the king of Bestinglon himself. The first of a series.

Martha Macnamara knows that her daughter, Elizabeth, is in trouble, she just doesn't know what kind. Mysterious phone calls from San Francisco at odd hours of the night are the only contact she has had with Elizabeth for years. Now, Elizabeth has sent her a plane ticket and reserved a room for her at San Francisco's most luxurious hotel. Yet she has not tried to contact Martha since she arrived, leaving her lonely, confused and a little bit worried. In steps Mayland Long, a distinguished-looking and wealthy Chinese man who lives at the hotel and is drawn to Martha's good nature and ability to pinpoint the truth of a matter. Mayland and Martha become close in a short period of time and he promises to help her find Elizabeth, making small inroads in the mystery, before Martha herself disappears. Now Mayland is struck by the realization, too late, that he is in love with Martha, and now he fears for her life. Determined to find her, he sets his prodigious philosopher's mind to work on the problem, embarking on a potentially dangerous adventure.

"I found Damiano's Lute very absorbing. The author's ability to bring to vivid life the general background of this period of history, and yet interweave it with the type of fantasy which was actually accepted in that day of positive faith is truly amazing. I really found this book to be more compelling than the first. The scenes of the Black Death—dreadful as they were—come through as if taken from eyewitness accounts. This is fantasy at its highest point. Ms. MacAvoy's talent is a strong, flowing one."—Andre Norton This novel is a sequel to Damiano. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance, this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard's son, an alchemist and the heir to dark magics. Shattered by the demonic fury of his dark powers, Damiano Delstrego has forsaken his magical heritage to live as a mortal man. Accompanied only by the guidance of the Archanagel Raphael, the chidings of a brash young rogue, and the memory of a beautiful pagan witch, Damiano journeys across a plague-ridden French countryside in search of peace. But the Father of Lies reaches out once again to grasp him. And to avert the hellish destiny awaiting him, Damiano must challenge the greatest forces of darkness, armed only with the power of his love and the music of his lute. The final volume of this trilogy is Raphael.

Set against the colorful and magical backdrop of Ireland, The Grey Horse chronicles a time when the Irish people suffered under harsh English overlords who sought to destroy their culture and way of life. Into the Irish town of Carraroe, a magnificent, completely grey stallion appears. The horse brings with him the promise of better times and magical happenings, for he is actually the shape-shifted form of Ruairi MacEibhir, journeyed to such a time of danger in order to win the hand of the woman he loves.

"I am greatly impressed with Ms.MacAvoy's Damiano. Her style is masterly and her sorcerous duels hold one spellbound. You seldom find such telling evocation of striking witchcraft scenes, and the weaving of the whole tale is like viewing one five-hundred-year-old masterpiece just about to be cut finished from an artists's loom. I recommend it highly."—Andre Norton"Damiano is a treasurable read. Roberta MacAvoy is undeniably a writer to watch."—Anne McCaffreySet against the turbulent backdrop of the Italian Renaissance this alternate history takes place in a world where real faith-based magic exists. Our hero is Damiano Dalstrego. He is a wizard's son, an alchemist and the heir to dark magics. But he is also an innocent, a young scholar and musician befriended by the Archangel Raphael, who instructs him in the lute.To save his beloved city from war, Damiano leaves his cloistered life and sets out on a pilgrimage, seeking the aid of the powerful sorceress Saara as he must walk the narrow path between light and shadow, accompanied only by his talking dog. But his road is filled with betrayal, disillusionment and death, and Damiano is forced to confront his dark heritage, unleashing the hellish force of his awesome powers to protect those he loves.The further volumes of this tale are Damiano's Lute and Raphael.