Theory of Magic

My favorite of the series thus far! <br /><br />There were some less than perfect things in this book but on the whole it was so immersive and charming that I had to give it a high rating. While she adds exposition to help read it as a stand alone, I’ve found it has been helpful to read them in order. <br /><br />Things I liked:<br />-I loved the theme of family. Christie really never knew the feeling and I loved how her joy unfurled at finding a place where she belonged.<br />- I loved the chemistry of the leads. It was based on more emotion and mutual understanding than visual lust since the hero was blind which I liked a lot. Steam was still pretty mild though since when they do get together it was only a page or so.<br />- The writing. Rice’s style is so delightful, at times exciting, funny, and heartwarming. <br /><br />Weaker points:<br />(There wasn’t anything I disliked about this story but only areas where I wanted more)<br />- I needed more info on the fallout from the villain. I also wished there had been more explanation on all that had happened. When been building for three books and then everything was explained in a couple pages and my head spun.<br />- I got tired of Christie’s poor self image which was there until almost the very end. I felt like everyone had done enough to dispel her poor body image enough that it at least would not have been mentioned every few pages by the end.<br />- the gifts in this book weren’t as well explored. Christie seemed to have two-hearing ghosts sometimes and having empathy. Why those two? Was there a link? How did Duncan feel about them? And was Duncan truly able to always tell truth from lie? This was more in the story when convenient and I wanted more explanations.<br /><br />Overall a really nice edition. I think it’s going to diverge a bit now but I hope Duncan and Theo and Aster do make more appearances.<br />

This is the first book of Patricia Rice I've read as I've recently taken a liking to historical romance. This is definitely an author I'll read more from. The story begins with a blind Marquess and a woman lacking in self esteem as a result of being demeaned by her step father for years. I loved how the author develops the characters and allows us to feel their frustration, hurt, and in the end disbelief (that someone could truly love one who has been beaten down verbally for so many years).<br /><br />A great ride. I'm ready for more :)

Another win in the Malcolm-Ives family romances! I can’t enough of these wonderful pairings of magic and science!<br /><br />The blind Marquis is struggling to maintain his political seat and to obtain some control in the family home when he is surprised by the arrival of a woman whose voice not only brings him a sense of comfort but is also one he can tell when she is lying about herself. While she is around he also begins to see shadows and light. Who is she this woman of intrigue?<br />Harriet, or Chris, is devastated by yet another suitor’s rejection and on impulse she decides to take a walk. It is at this moment fate smiles down on Harriet when she meets Duncan Ives and the opportunity to leave home takes root. When Duncan hires “Christie” as an assistant he knows there is something she is hiding. “Christie” is so much bolder than Harriet and with this chance to become herself, Christie is finding she likes her new self. She is also finding that at the Ives home her senses of what others are feeling and the voices in her head are more heightened. ‘In no time at all, Christie is falling for Duncan’s twin sons and Duncan himself. <br /> As the political enemies begin to play hardball by using the twins as pawns, Christie willingly places herself in jeopardy to save the family she has come to love. But Duncan won’t allow that as he has come to realize that he loves her as well. <br />As the Ives and the Malcom’s come together to fight their enemies a startling discovery regarding Christie’s family is unearthed by Aster. It is up to Duncan to decide if he can accept that secret.<br /><br />I have always loved this blend of magic and science within these family ties. I like how it is the male Ives’ family home can cause the increased ability of the female Malcolm’s. It is also enjoyable to read of the eccentric characteristics the females tend to weld along with strong personalities. These families are strange in a sense to the times, yet they are powerful and accepted which lends to story’s development and enjoyment. Ms. Rice is a wonderful story teller who will make you laugh and wonder with her unique characters.<br />

I guess I would call this book the end to the part one series, since it finally ties up the loose ends I was so unhappy with in the second book. The characters are delightful. Miss Chris is someone I can identify with, since my sister hit 5'10" by the time she was twelve (Her daughter is 6'1") and she hated being so tall for a woman. Like Miss Chris, she is hard-working, kind and generous, so I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Chris's character. I couldn't help but cheer her on. Ash has been in all three books and remains his usual acerbic self. The way the two interact holds one's interest all through the book. There were some scenes that I thought unnecessay filler, which slowed up the pace of the book, but I really enjoyed the rest.

H is very grumpy, blind and involved in trying political times. The h is a large wallflower, and when she decides to live her life as she wants, we see her blossom into an amazing person. The H soon relies on her, with his family, his ex-mistresses, their children and, importantly himself. There are so many characters and the pace is quick, but I really liked it because it was so much fun. Plus there are some wonderful tricksy twists.

** I received an ARC of this book from the author in return for my honest review **<br /><br />The best book in the series so far. Each book in the series is better than the last. One of the things I love about the series is that the ladies are all unusual -- not just in their magical abilities, but in their looks. One is short and plump, one is elegant and of Jamaican descent, and the one in this book is large -- like a valkyrie warrior.<br /><br />I was so happy to see Ash meet his match. He had every reason to be mad at the world and to bellow at the top of his lungs when things didn't go his way. Everybody tiptoed around him and/or avoided him. Everybody, that is, except Christie. She calmed him and began to teach him patience.<br /><br />Ash was blinded in what he thought was an accident, but later learned that it was a deliberate act to stop him from implementing modern practices on his lands and to keep him from pursuing the political changes that he feels the country needs in order to prevent the same kinds of uprisings that took place in France.<br /><br />Christie grew up without knowing any of her extended family. Her mother died when she was 12 and her step-father had raised her since then. He was NOT a kind step-father and really only wanted what he could get from her inheritance. He was trying to basically sell her for her inheritance, so she decided to run away and hide until her 25th birthday in six months - when she could inherit on her own.<br /><br />I love Christie and Ash together. She is so self-conscious because of all the nasty things her step-father has said over the years -- but Ash can't see her -- and appreciates her for all of her wonderful qualities. <br /><br />It is a great story and I hope everybody will read it and love it too.<br />

Another great in a fun and inventive series. Duncan was a great hero. I liked Harriet's gift of empathy maybe the most of all I've read in this series, 6 so far. It's the most relatable for me. I didn't like her not realizing no one else experienced other’s emotions, like her, I thought that was unrealistic and overly naive. I loved the couples meet-cute and their romantic development. I thought she was perhaps too bold in the climax, but I enjoyed the drama and suspense. When Duncan was seeing her for the first time I was on the edge of my seat and very excited to see what would happen. I have read, probably, 12 books by Patricia Rice and I strongly recommend her as an author. WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy &amp; hot adult romance. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG. <br />Romance-5/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5<br />

4.5 stars. Adorable ensemble tale. All characters were fun, likable or sympathetic. Light on romance I suppose, but the household dynamics made up for it with energy and humour. Nice handling of a disability and the lifestyle changes it incurs.

<strong>Quite enjoyable with some unfortunate glitches</strong><br /><br />The author writes a goid story, but ... characters are initially confusing. It takes the reader a good while to piece who is who. Titles are incorrect; for instance, a marquess is heir to a duke and may also hold lesser titles. I'm no expert in British aristocracy, but the author needs a primer on titles. The inclusion of the marquess' two bastard sons during a time when noblemen were expected to have and support mistresses and illegitimate children is actually refreshing. Some errant apostrophes and improper capitalization show the need for a competent proofreader. However, the characters engage, the story flows at a good pace, and a touch of wry whimsy keeps it all from being dull and predictable. Overall, a good read.

A really solid and entertaining find! I want to change all of the covers for this series but based on this book I plan to find the others for when the historical romantic mood strikes me!