From Publishers Weekly
O'Day-Flannery (
Here and Now, etc.), mistress of the time-travel romance, kicks off Tor's new paranormal romance line with this compelling but sentimental tale. At the age of 20, Maggie O'Shea, a shape-shifter who can change from human form into a multitude of animal forms, learned about the unconditional nature of love from fellow shape-shifter Marcus Bocelli, who took her under his wing. Fourteen years later, Maggie owns a Philadelphia bookstore and occasionally works for Marcus, her sometimes lover, healing the hearts of cynical men so they may move on and find their true love. Maggie's latest assignment from Marcus, to ease the pain of wealthy widower Julian McDonald, draws her close to Julian as she forces him to open up about the deaths of his wife and son. Their subsequent love scenes, while explicit, are tastefully written and filled with emotion. Tension arises, however, from Maggie's belief that she must eventually leave Julian so that he can find his "true love." A subplot focusing on Sen. Gabriel Burke's desire for Julian to be his political successor adds depth and intrigue to the supernatural elements. Though this tale may be too tame for fans of paranormal romance mavens Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon, it should please those who appreciate a traditional romantic plot arc, as the author focuses primarily on romantic tension and the sacrifices of real love.
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From Booklist
Tor debuts its new paranormal romance line with best-selling O'Day-Flannery's tale of a shape-shifter who works for a mysterious foundation that has been trying to enlighten humankind for centuries. Magdalene O'Shea, who fears that she is destined to end up alone because of her shape-shifting abilities, owns a self-help bookstore, but her secret mission is to teach men to love. While she loves her unknowing clients, she doesn't fall in love until she meets talented businessman and widower Julian McDonald, the mysterious foundation's secret pick for their next political insider. Things nearly end in disaster, however, when they fly to Julian's Bermuda home and Maggie goes for a midnight swim as a dolphin and is captured in a fishing net. When she is rescued by Julian's housekeeper in barracuda form, she discovers that there are other women shape-shifters who have found love. This combination of romance, adventure, and the paranormal is especially enticing because of its hints of a
Da Vinci Code-like secret society.
Diana Tixier HeraldCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
