Island Magic — Elizabeth Goudge

A lonely wanderer... A magical island... And Two People Bewitched By Love....

The Channel Islands were divided in allegiance between France and England. Of French blood, and yet subjects of Queen Victoria, the islanders were curious hybrid creatures. But now, in 1888, England is slowly stretching out her arms to them.

Colin du Frocq is eight years old, and his dreams are of the sea that surrounds his home. By day he steals away and takes to the sea in any boat that is sailing. At night he lies in bed listening to the waves beating against the shore. Then one night, in a wild storm, a ship drives onto the nearby cliffs and a strange man enters Colin's life, changing Colin's course forever.

A twist of fate brought Ranulph back to a springtime place that had forgotten him. A proud and beautiful woman offered him refuge, even though she did not understand why, as she trembled before his gaze.

Now Ranulph could feel the spell of the Island twisting around him, binding him to the world of love and companionship he had rejected forever.

A storm-wracked sea had brought him home. It was the magnificent fury of another storm that taught him the splendor of life and the power of love.