A STROKE OF MAGIC

Author: Tracy Madison ISBN: 9780505528117 7/2009 PARANORMAL Publisher: DORCHESTER

ONE STROKE OF MAGIC, AND EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED You know how freaky it is, to expect one taste and get another? Imagine picking up a can of tepid ginger ale and taking a swig of delicious, icy cold peppermint tea. Alice Raymond did just that. And though the tea is exactly what she wants, she bought herself a soda. No, Alice’s life isn’t exactly paint-by-numbers. After breaking things off with her lying, stealing, bum of an ex, she discovered she’s pregnant. Motherhood was definitely on her “someday” wish list, but a baby means less time for her art and no time for recent hallucinations that include this switcharoo with the tea. She has to impress her new boss, the ridiculously long-lashed, smoky-eyed Ethan Gallagher, and she has to deal with her family, who have started rambling about gypsy curses. Only a soul-deep bond with the right man can save her and her child? As if being single wasn’t pressure enough!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

In this second book in the series, beginning with A TASTE OF MAGIC, Alice Raymond finds herself pregnant and alone. She begins having hallucinations, such as her ginger ale turning into peppermint tea—not to mention the appearance of a long-dead relative.
The worst of all is that she’s having feelings for her sexy boss, Ethan Gallagher, and he may just start thinking she’s nuts.

This premise in paranormal novels usually aren’t ones that I care to read, but I came into this with an open mind. And, I found that the storyline had wacky, lovable characters, and the romance seemed to be heading somewhere steamy.

Halfway through the book, the plot fell apart. The big build-up between Ethan and Alice lead to disappointment when the love scene left something to be desired, at least in my own mind.

The sub plot with the best friend and the perplexing twist in the end, worked not at all for me. And Alice seemed too wishy washy, knowing how she felt but refusing to trust herself.

Would I read A STROKE OF MAGIC again? No, I don’t think so. But, being the curious sort, I would pick up the next book in the series, whenever it comes out because I would like to know if the next one will be any better.

Angela Arno