TV news reporter Caitlyn Rieley believes magic is for fools. Her assignment: prove Shay Evers, superstar illusionist, is a fake. Still, when she meets the almost mystical Shay, the charismatic magician ignites dreams she’s never encountered. In her sleep, Caitlyn visits a world beyond imagination, a land of beauty and wonder, yet one vaguely and strangely familiar…a place where she desires to stay forever with Shay. Book Description.
Available from Sept 3rd 2012 as ebook.
I was given this copy by author free for review, but as always on the basis that my opinion is honestly held, and whether paid for or free my views are not influenced by that. Integrity is important to me and gushing false reviews do neither author nor reader any favours. As always my views are what I honestly feel about this book.
Caitlyn is a TV news reporter hoping to build up her career. Magic isn't real she believes so when she's offered the chance to stay at the home of star illusionist Shay Evers she jumps at the chance to see him in a different environment convinced she'll be able to pick up where he's faking it and expose him. However she hadn't factored in how she would feel about her growing attraction to him. Shay has his own secrets from her, he's in love with her and there's just two weeks left to break a curse bringing her death – but she has to go home to another realm to solve it and believe that magic is real. Its a tough order for him and his mysterious friend Rhys. As the story unfolds secrets become unraveled yet sometimes they just lead to even more confusion. Caitlyn faces danger from sources anxious to ensure she doesn't break the curse.
I enjoyed this book, it will appeal to adults and teens alike with its blend of magic and romance. Its fits well within the paranormal romance genre having a second “realm” where magic is normal linked to the conventional world. Most of the action takes place here in this world but we see enchanting glimpses of the other realm throughout the book. Its written in 3rd person POV and easy to follow. The descriptions of the magical enchanted events are simply beautiful and I could visualize the places so well. Caitlyns dresses especially were simply breath taking in the way they were verbally drawn.
The characters were well described visually but I seemed unable to fully empathise with them – I’m not sure why, maybe its just because I could “see” them but I couldn't really understand them – we didn't get enough about them as people, their hopes, fears, emotions etc. Shay appears as a lovely, caring, generous character, easy to fall in love with, but we don't really learn much about the other characters, his friend Rhys, Caitlyn – and as she's a main character we need to know her in depth, and her friend Marcy. Given that they were such close friends there was little interaction between Caitlyn and Marcy in Wales, and when there were accidents I’d have expected more concern for each other rather than the “oh gosh you could have died!” and then going off to do something unnecessary. If it was my friend I’d have wanted to be with them constantly.
The book ticks all my usual boxes for a five star, its fantasy/paranormal romance, a good length at 223 pages, well edited and pretty error free, good plots and dramatic events and excellent value at $5.99. There's a good mix of both text and dialogue to keep it interesting. If only I could have taken more to the characters and really cared about what happened to them I'd have given it five stars but somehow I felt too detached from them to get really involved. Maybe a bit more about them personally would have made it more lifelike for me – I have to feel “part” of the book to really enjoy and give five stars. This one gets four stars for the reasons I've written. I feel a bit bad for that as clearly the author has taken a lot of time and trouble over this book, and I’m sure other people will rate it higher.
Reviewed by Midnight Ruby
Reviewed by Midnight Ruby
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