NYT bestselling author Patricia Rice presents the third book in her beloved School of Magic series: Victorian Edinburgh belongs to staid professors, not the flamboyant daughter of a Hindu princess. Lacking any of her Malcolm family’s psychic abilities, Azmin Dougall flees her ancestral home of India for Edinburgh, fearing she’ll be a pigeon in a family of peacocks. But she’s willing to risk … pigeon in a family of peacocks. But she’s willing to risk everything to aid a friend’s escape from an abusive husband—and to test her newly discovered, weirdly-perceptive photography skills.
Dr. Zane Dare is done with risk. Because his work introduced disease into his family home, his sister is dead, and his niece, Louisa, is an invalid left in his care. As a bachelor, and one who spends all his waking hours researching a cure, he has no means of entertaining an adolescent girl. In desperation, he asks the School of Malcolms to provide a governess.
Zane is appalled when they send Azmin. A decade ago they shared an enchanted summer that ended in crushed dreams. Worse yet, introducing a defiant Hindu princess into his household will jeopardize Zane’s precarious research position. And Azmin isn’t about to trust a man who scoffs at her incipient psychic abilities—until his frail niece wins her love.
But after Azmin’s photograph reveals the man courting Louisa may be dangerous, Zane and Azmin must set aside their differences to protect the girl who could teach their hearts to love again . . .
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An Illusion of Love by Patricia Rice
The School of Magic Series #3
Somewhere back on the family tree Princess Azmin Dougall and Dr. Zane Dare might have relatives that were close but if so…it was long ago. The fact that the family line has hit or miss paranormal abilities means that the two might or might not have something “special” they can do. Neither Azmin nor Zane have magical genes but Azmin is beginning to wonder if her photographic skill might be leaning that direction. Ten years have passed since Azmin and Zane spent time together during summer holidays and both have changed. And yet…the spark of friendship and perhaps more seems to have been banked as embers that could be fanned into more if the two are amenable.
What I liked:
* Zane: responsible, intelligent, caring and a wee bit too focused on “the cure” for his niece. He is a scientist lost in research.
* Azmin: a woman with one foot in two cultures but not really feeling she belongs in either. She dreams of finding her paranormal ability, finding a way to use her photography to help others and hopes to be able to one day help battered women.
* Louisa: a young woman impacted by a childhood illness that has left her easily weakened by exercise – she is a delightful creature with a bright outlook in spite of everything she has experienced.
* Keya: a friend of Azmin’s that escaped her abusive husband. She has learned photographic skills and is much more than meets the eye.
* The supporting characters: one that falls for Keya, some that come to work in Zane’s household, the animals that are skilled beyond measure and some others
* That some of the poor were helped by Zane, Azmin and others
* The fun factor of being a little bit different
* Azmin’s hair ornament that was…a wee bit lethal
* The setting, plot and writing
* The way everything worked out in the end
What I did not like:
* The reminder that bigotry existed then and still exists today
* Knowing that abuse was and is still in the world
* Basically…all the bad things that happen in life or happened in the lives of those in the story
Did I enjoy this story? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
I am loving this series. Azmin is so different. Not only because she can look at photos and see evil, but she looks so different than the young women in Scotland. Her complexion is dark and she isn’t one to sit by and let a man take care of her. Zane is a doctor, but has given up his practice for research. He is trying to find something to help his niece. Zane knew Azmin when she was very young and he was attracted to he then. Now she is stunning and is very much against marriage. As he spends more time with her, he knows he can’t live without her. As they face danger, he will do anything to protect her and she will do the same for him. Can he convince her to stay with him?
Psychic Gifts and Villains.
As a child Azmin felt left out, not only because of her Indian blood but because through her Malcolm ancestors she seemed to have inherited no gifts. However as an adult photographer, strange dark shapes and white lights are appearing in her photographs – she just has to try and work out what they mean. Her life is complicated by the reintroduction of Dr Zane Dare into it and the threat she perceives to his invalid niece Louisa.
There are lots of threads to this story, there is the growth in Azmin’s talent and the rekindling of a flame between her and Zane. Then there is the injustice of man’s allowable violence towards women within marriage and medical research into heart disease. They are all cleverly interwoven into a highly enjoyable and fast paced story.
We re-meet Phoebe (from Book 1) and her animals Dog and Wolf who play a part in identifying villains but there is no necessity to have read either of the two earlier books to enjoy this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars. I much enjoyed stepping back in time to Edinburgh of the 1870’s and the humor and suspense built into this story. There is a 2nd chance at romance for Azmin and Zane as well as a bit of danger sparked by Azmin’s efforts to help abused women. Lady Phoebe and her husband Blair from book 1 play minor supporting roles in the efforts to outwit the villains.
There is a lot going on, but all is neatly tied up at the end.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.
An Illusion of Love (School of Magic # 3) by Patricia Rice.
I am a fan of Patricia Rice’s writing style and I have read a lot of her books. I like how she does her research and weaves the social issues of society through the story line.
This time our leading couple is Azmin Malcolm Dougall and Alexander (Zane) Dare and the story is set in 1871 in Edinburgh, Scotland, where they meet again after 10 years. They first met at Iveston Hall when she was 16 and he was 24 and enjoyed each other company for the summer. As with all Patricia Rice’s “Magic” books; there are a myriad of interesting characters from all walks of life, snappy dialogue, chaos and mayhem with a dash of magic and a great storyline to arrive at the Happy Ever After. I liked it. 4 stars.
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.