Felicity Malcolm
Childe has a gift, although it feels more like a curse to her, and she is determined to be
rid of it. Always timid, compared to
her more flamboyant sisters, Felicity has devised a plan.
She only hopes that she can be courageous enough to carry it out. All that is required for her to rid herself of her
magical ability is a book. Unfortunately,
that book is a sea away in someone else's library, and traveling has always been hazardous
to Felicity. In fact, she couldn't
count the times that she'd fainted while traveling just because she happened to touch a
person or an object that harbored particularly bad memories. Even armed with thick outer garments and
gloves, and aided by her boldest sister, Felicity fears that she won't be able to complete
her mission to retrieve the book. And
if she can't complete her mission, she can never have a normal life. After all, who could marry when – with
one simple touch – they can see the most awful thing a person has ever done? And what man has never done something evil? How will she find a husband if she is
forever suspecting potential suitors of murder or other foul play?
Ewen Ives is a
gifted inventor, always seeking a way to better the future and the circumstances of
others. But now, thanks to a mistake he may
or may not have made, he is in debt up to his handsome ears. And the only way to avoid a lengthy stay in
debtor's prison is to marry. A rich
heiress has already tentatively suggested that she might not be averse to a business-like
marriage, and Ewen is on his reluctant way to meet her when he runs into the Malcolm
sisters.
Whenever a Malcolm
and an Ives get together, trouble has always been the result, and Ewen is determined to
stay far, far away from trouble. He already
has enough to think about as it is! But
as soon as he sets eyes on the dainty, timid Felicity, he has a change of heart.
As for Felicity,
she soon discovers that Ewen has a fascinating touch, and she is quite fascinated with
touching him. Which, in itself, is an odd
thing for her to want to do, since a simple touch can sometimes result in excruciating
agony for her.
I highly enjoyed
this enchantingly magical novel by Patricia Rice. Ms.
Rice has done a superb job of making her characters both believable and touching. Her settings are rich in detail and
absorbing, and the romance between Ewen and Felicity is both hot and sweetly satisfying. Ms. Rice has crafted a wonderful hero in Ewen, one
that every reader will want to hold just as much as Felicity does.
The Trouble with
Magic contains a twist
of the paranormal, which Rice pulls off without a hitch.
Felicity's power is fascinating, and her forays into the magical are both
scintillating and convincing.
Kudos to Ms. Rice
for crafting one of the best books this reviewer has read in a long time. I thoroughly enjoy it when I read a book
that can transport me to a place away from the hectic grind of everyday life, keep me
turning pages until the very end and then have me sighing for more. The Trouble with Magic accomplished
all of that – and more! I will
certainly be reading more of Patricia Rice in the future.
Reviewed by Janean
Nusz, AuthorsArt.com, for Road to Romance
October 4, 2003 |
