Jove, May 2003, 5.99, 240 pp.
ISBN: 0515135364
Stage magician Brandon Goodfellow is considered the best illusionist in the world. Now journalist Rose Thayer, who he has not seen in a decade, visits him to warn him that she will expose his “special illusion” in her next article for Uncovered Magazine. Brandon cared deeply for Rose when they were children until she inherited the real magic of her fairy mother at puberty while he gained nothing from his Fae father.
Brandon challenges Rose to expose his secrets without using her magic. Unable to resist the dare, she accepts though she wonders why she still cares for a person who let her down when she needed him when she first displayed her magical abilities. However, Rose leaks magic by not using it, which leads to wishes granted to humans and the attention of Queen Titania of the Fae, whom demands she come to her realm. As Brandon and Rose fall in love, he must overcome his envy of her talent if they are to make it together.
Though Brandon's whining over his lack of magic seems inappropriate as he lashes out at his beloved and is estranged from his father, this “magical love” tale will charm fans. The story line is fun especially with the shock Rose goes through when she lives without her talent (sort of like having no electricity for a few days). Fantasy romance readers will enjoy this novel and look forward to a future story starring Rose's cousin and the male Fae assigned by Titania to bring Rose to the fairy realm.
Harriet Klausner
This report prepared by Harriet Klausner
