Can a straitlaced engineer, three psychic children, and a lonely witch find love?The daughter of an earl, Lady Phoebe Malcolm Duncan has the ability to talk to animals. She longs to be a veterinarian, but education requires more coin than she possesses. When the walls of her home come tumbling down, she has to take two steps back—to servitude.Inventor Andrew Blair keeps his nose to the … his nose to the grindstone, knowing his friends and family depend on his talent for turning machines into money. He is about to embark on his biggest investment yet—rebuilding crumbling tenements in Old Town Edinburgh— until his beleaguered cousin begs him to hide his precocious children from a killer.
When the School of Malcolms sends Lady Phoebe as governess for his wards, Drew’s well-ordered beliefs are upended. Ladies don’t live in slum housing like the one he’s about to tear down, nor do they command ravens or encourage children to talk to dead mothers. It might take a vengeful ghost to show the disparate pair how to join forces, fight their fears and their enemies, and reveal a path to love.
“. . .transports readers to Victorian-era Scotland with the appealing . . . fantasy romance that opens her School of Magic series. . . Rice does a good job fleshing out her protagonists, imbuing them with convincing motivations and worthy ambitions outside of the central romance.”—Publishers Weekly
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Enjoy Patricia Rice’s books very much. Always a good read
Never a dull moment in Patricia Rice’s novels. And those that feature Malcom-Ives people definitely give you a desire to have one of their gifts. What I’ve read in all of her novels, thus far, is a very independent female taking on the constrictions of the 19th century, steadily and with sureness. And the males who fall in love? Well, it never occurred to them that having such a strong woman was worthwhile — until they meet her. Loved it and all the others; what can I say?
Love the magical creatures and author’s creativity
Fun, different, magical
I love the little magic in the story and respect between main characters. Always enjoy Patrycia Rice books.
I always enjoy her characters.Her stories are fun to read .
A romantic novel for those who don’t mind a person who can talk to animals.
The concept of a romantic mystery set in Victorian Scotland was intriguing enough to have me try something outside of my usual reading fare. I was captivated from the first page! I can’t wait to read the rest!
An enjoyable read that reflected on that time in history and how hard life was for many people.
Lessons in Enchantment by Patricia Rice is a Victorian adventure romance. Fast paced and well written, full of intrigue, magic, fun characters, action and a bit of physical romance, this book is an enjoyable read.
A very unusual war troop and two people willing to make things right.
I enjoyed reading this story. Good action, interesting characters, and a nice romance made this a fine and easy read.
Patricia makes her characters very real. I liked de hero and de heroine very much. The secondary characters were also nice.
It was refreshing to read about a male who is willing to accept thinks that he does not understand and acts upon then. One who respects unusual gifts and talents. The heroine knows her own mind and is sure about the course she wants to take. She wants to use her gift to help others, and not hide it away. They are both strong and at the same time aware of their own weaknesses. We see their frustrations, fears, intelligence and determination to do the right thing. They are great together.
The setting of this series appears to be a few decades later in history than the stories of the series Unexpected Magic. Patricia weaves history nicely into the plot. The reader is taken in a world where the nobility, who thinks to be still powerful, along with the new rich industrialists, who owns theirs richness from the industry, mines and railways, are willing to do a great deal to protect their way of life against the average working man who seek his rights.
I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
I received an advance reader copy of this book provided by the author in exchange for a fair, objective, and honest review.
Magic and Villains.
Set in Victorian Edinburgh this is a delightful story in a new series. Mixing science and magically gifted women and children, this is a treat for both fans and readers new to Ms Rice’s Malcolm women. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.