"A Fantasy adventure that doesn't lack for Magic!"
Yessssssss! Just what we've been begging for, a new Djinn
romance from Ms. Nance. For those familiar with her magical
heroes, get ready for an interesting twist. Being kidnapped at the age of five had left permanent scars
on Dr. Jack Montgomery. The post traumatic stress had left
him nervous and sickly. He'd been bullied by other children
until his twin got him interested in self defense classes.
The course he'd followed from then on had ensured that he'd
always be the one in control. His work as a biomedical
engineer helped others to do so as well. So when he
discovered that magic did in fact exist he'd worked
tirelessly for two years to develop a way to negate its
effects. Never again would he be helpless as he had been
when his sister's husband Darius had cast a truth speak
spell on him. Today he had finally achieved success, at
least in theory. He hadn't expected to have to test his
device quite so soon, but when he decides to unwind with a
quick drink in a New Orleans bar his fate is sealed. Jack is charmed by the exotic beauty whose come hither look
left little doubt of her interest in him. He might have
even been tempted for once to throw caution to the wind and
indulge his desires, but it had been a long day. When he
smiles and turns away, Leila is stunned. She was known on
Kaf for her powers of seduction. The attraction spell she'd
cast had merely been insurance, but weak Ma-at had always
been her curse. She couldn't believe that the mere mortal
she'd hand chosen to father her child wasn't even
interested in her. Unfortunately another man was, and he wasn't the type
who took no for an answer. Jack might have walked away had
he not noticed the man follow Leila to the parking lot. He
couldn't stand by while another soul was victimized. Leila
is understandably shaken by the encounter, but when Jacks
takes her into his arms he has a feeling there's more going
on than the magic of her kiss. He's seeing sparks of color
that can only mean one thing. Leila is Djinn...and that
spells trouble. Thinking fast Jack switches on his device. Too late, for although they have not arrived at Leila's
home as she intended, they are definitely on Kaf, a part of
Kaf that Leila is wholly unfamiliar with. Jack isn't the
only one disconcerted with this turn of events. It should
have been a simple thing, even for her, to transport them
away from this place, but when she reaches for her Ma-at
she comes up empty. How dare the dreadful man steal her
Ma-at. Her pain is unimaginable. On her world status and
responsibilities were determined by the strength of one's
Ma-at. Leila's weak skills had earned her nothing but
ridicule. She had had to develop other talents just to
get by. Now their only choice is to find their way
out of this wilderness on foot. Though they are both angry
with each other the two make a pact to stick together until
they
reach civilization, where Jack's sister Isis (MORE THAN
MAGIC) could
transport him back to Earth. He would trust no other on
this world. The perils are greater than they know, for elsewhere on Kaf
is a Djinni whose powers have been fed by dark forces, and
who will stop at nothing to gain control of Kaf. They have
accidentally stumbled upon his sinister preserve, and once
he senses Jack's ability to negate his power, he will stop
at nothing to gain the device for himself. Danger awaits,
but the greatest danger may be to Jack's heart, for as each
day passes Leila's beauty, courage, and intelligence weave
a spell upon him that might be impossible to break. Magical! Ms. Nance weaves a spell that will keep the reader
enthralled from beginning to end. Her fantasy settings are
incredible enough to challenge Hollywood's best special
effects experts -- great fun to visualize. Jack is
fascinating hero. Always a man to rely on science and
reason, he learns that he must reach inside for his
personal power in order to focus and control his invention.
Oh, and you've got to love a man who admires a beautiful
woman for her brains. Leila is equally amazing. Short on
the most important quantity on her world, she has learned
to rely on her wits making her far more formidable and
desirable than any of her people could possibly imagine. It
amazes her that an
incredible man like Jack could admire her for those
qualities, and it only makes her love him more. More to
come, I can't wait for the next one. Leslie Tramposch - Copyright © 2002
For PNR Reviews
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted August 22, 2002
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