"Fine historical fantasy romance"
In 1755 London Lucinda Malcolm Pemroke hides in an alcove
of the Royal Art Gallery that displays the infamous
painting she drew just to see reactions. Her painting
depicts the sinking of a yacht with the heir to Lansdowne
on board while his cousin laughs. Everyone assumes that the
Prophetess as everyone calls Sinda assumes from her
painting that the cousin Trevelyan Rochester murdered his
relative to inherit the estate. Trev has just returned from years overseas planning to find
a wife in polite society. Instead he is a pariah the center
of a scandal caused by a painting from the artist LMP. Trev
confronts Lucinda to withdraw her portrayal, but she is not
what he expected. She is stunned to see him as she never
met Trev before drawing the picture before the vessel sank.
As Trev continues to pursue Sinda in disguise as artist
Lucy Jones, they fall in love even while she paints new
pictures that begin to clarify what happened to his cousin
and one that is not quite finished endowed with him in the
buff. There is much ado about this fine historical fantasy
romance with a touch of the amateur sleuth to enhance its
magic. Readers will enjoy the relationship between the fey
artist and the beleaguered "model" who leans more towards
confronting her with his kisses than forcing her to absolve
him of the rumors that he murdered his cousin. Sub-genre
fans will want to read all the charming Malcolm Magic
novels (see THE TROUBLE WITH MAGIC, THIS MAGIC MOMENT, and
MERELY MAGIC). Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 2, 2005
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted January 20, 2007
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