"Charming Ives-Malcolm romance"

All her life Lady Felicity Malcolm Childe has had the ability to see inside a person whom she just touched. Now in her teens, Felicity hates her talent that to her feels more like a curse, as she cannot get close to anyone. Her family, especially her mother, has done their best to keep her safe and to help her in using and controlling what they consider a gift.

Unable to deal with her tensile powers especially after seeing the handsome Ewen Ives, Felicity decides to go to Scotland to obtain the tome A Malcolm Journal of Infusions that will enable her to rid herself of her prowess. However, when Ewen and Felicity are caught in a compromising position, they are forced to marry. He helps her adapt to her magic, but will the debt ridden philandering inventor realize the treasure he has in Felicity or will he throw it all away chasing other skirts?

The third magic tale (see MERELY MAGIC and MUST BE MAGIC) is a charming Ives-Malcolm romance that fans of the series will appreciate. The lead duo is a fun couple who will make the audience laugh and cry depending on the moment. Though the mischievous magic of the Malcolms vs. the pragmatism of the Ives was used twice before and the forced marriage numerous times, Patricia Rice spins her usual enchanting tale that shows the magic is in her novels as fans will value her latest book.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 25, 2003

The magical Malcolm women and logical Ives men return-in Patricia Rice's most magical novel to date...

Felicity Malcolm Childe's gift for experiencing visions through touch has always felt more like a curse than a blessing. Only the maddeningly handsome Ewen Ives provokes tingles of pleasure rather than pain, but he is already betrothed. Her last hope is to let him escort her to Scotland and help her find the ancient book of spells that could allow her to extinguish her gift-and free her from its burden.

Summary

Felicity Malcolm Childe's gift for experiencing visions through touch has always felt more like a curse than a blessing. To deflect the more agonizing images generated by her suitors, she covers herself from head to toe. Only the maddeningly handsome Ewen Ives provokes tingles of pleasure rather than pain, but he is already betrothed. Now her only hope is to persuade Ewen to take her to Scotland to find the ancient book of spells that could allow her to reverse her gift—and free her from its burden...

Ewen may be a brilliant inventor who can move rivers and harness lightning, but he also knows better than to underestimate the mischief-making Malcolm sisters. In spite of his misgivings, he can't let the mousy, heavily clad Felicity travel to Edinburgh without a proper escort. Little does he suspect that beneath Felicity's unsightly cloak is a serenely practical woman whose remarkable beauty and courage will utterly captivate him—and ignite a fiery passion with the power to fulfill both their dreams.