"Perfumer and Djinni team up for Magical Romance"
I love a good fantasy and this one was more than good. The
hero is arrogant and haughty, but there is a core of caring
that won't be denied. The heroine is feisty and struggling
to assert her own strength, but doesn't hesitate to
sacrifice all for a loved one. Darius, the Protector of the djinn of Kaf has lost control
of his Ma-at (magic). This is a source of great
consternation; his people depend on him. While he's never
short of willing females to share his pillows, he has never
intended to take a zaniya (wife). There is room for
nothing but the Ma-at in his life. Yet a divination has
decreed that this is exactly what must be done to restore
balance and return his control. Not just any female will
do, his zaniya must be a Terran (of Earth) and of the line
of Abregaza. Darius accepts this fate, but has an innate
distrust of humans; his own best friend (Simon, the hero
of "Wishes Come True") had been bound by a treacherous
Terran. He sees this joining as merely a means to an end,
temporary. He transports to Earth in search of one Isis
Montgomery. Perfumer and aromatherapist, Isis Montgomery is looking for
a means to an end as well. She is searching for an
illusive scent that will rocket her struggling business to
the top. Her former partner had exploited her dyslexia and
her naïve belief in magic to steal her formulas and launch
his highly successful company, leaving Isis in disgrace.
Isis no longer trusts men nor has she any use for magic.
Yet when a short cut through an alley places her before
Madam Pari's shop, she feels compelled to enter. This
leads to the discovery of the scent of Isis' dreams. She
must have it for her own at any price. Madam Pari explains
that only a djinni can duplicate the formula. She sells
Isis the remainder of the perfume along with a spell to
conjure a djinni for a price and a future favor. Isis is uncomfortable with performing the spell, but she
considers the prize worthwhile. Darius transports to her
side moments before the spell is complete, just in time to
stop it! The spell doesn't conjure but binds. Darius
accepts Isis' sincere horror as genuine. He now knows his
enemy and the two agree to a bargain, three wishes for
three requests. Each intends to obtain their heart's
desire by manipulating the other. Falling in love is not
part of the plan. Lack of trust threatens their relationship, but a final
confrontation with Madam Pari (Darius' evil rival,
corrupted by power) forces them to face what is truly
important to them. They must choose between their fondest
dream and their love for one another. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful tale of two very
different souls, triumphing over their weaknesses, learning
to trust, and combining strengths to form their own special
brand of magic! Copyright © 1999
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted January 3, 2002
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