The third exciting book in NY Times bestseller Patricia Rice’s Unexpected Magic historical romance series!A blind marquess who detects lies…A spinster who hides behind deceit…Can even magic bring them together?
Scorned by suitors for her statuesque size, Harriet Stansbury bolts when opportunity offers a position in a mad marquess’s eccentric household.Once a dashing rakehell, Duncan Ives, … household.
Once a dashing rakehell, Duncan Ives, Marquess of Ashford, lost his eyesight in a murderous assault. Abandoned by his fiancée, unable to ride the vast fields of his estate, he vents his frustration on political reform. On impulse, he hires the intriguing, smoky-voiced Harriet even though he knows she’s lying—like him—with almost every word she speaks.
At first Harriet is a godsend, oddly anticipating what he needs and abating his worst rages. But when her stepfather accuses Duncan of ruining her, the scandal threatens everything he’s salvaged from the wreckage of his life. Avoiding scandal for the sake of his country, Duncan agrees to marriage. With her secret gift of empathy, Harriet isn’t so certain. She’s falling in love with the impossible marquess, but dare she risk her wounded heart for a man who can’t love her? And can Duncan learn to trust a woman whose tempting curves paralyze his good sense, but who is far more than she seems?
Romantic Times Review 4 1/2 star Top Pick: “Known for her masterful talent for writing whimsy, humor and mayhem, Rice gives the reader a delightful romantic adventure in the third book of her Unexpected Magic series. Along with her recurring characters, she pairs a statuesque Malcolm female who is the perfect foil for the blind, arrogant, frustrated Ives male. She includes sensuality, an abduction, political skullduggery along with lively verbal bantering in this mystical, magical tale of love”– Joan Hammond
Scroll up and get your copy of Theory of Magic today!
Unexpected Magic Series in order:
Magic in the Stars Book # 1
Whisper of Magic Book #2
Theory of MagicBook #3
Aura of MagicBook #4
Chemistry of Magic Book #5
No Perfect Magic Book #6
more
Harriett Townsend is about to be sold into marriage by her stepfather. But the suitor never arrives, and Harriett goes out to walk off her anger. Lord Ashton, who had been blinded in a riding accident in the spring, has just beaten off a thief. The footman accompanying Ash had chased the thief, leaving Ash stranded. Harriett introduces herself as Christine, helps Ash home, and ends up asking for a job, hiding the fact that she’s an heiress herself. Until she is twenty-five, she can’t control her own money and property, and that won’t happen for six months. She needs to hide from her stepfather until after her birthday. This is how the romantic romp begins. Ash’s home is small and crowded, populated by brothers, sisters-in-law, twin boys, servants, and the occasional dog. The book gives a birds-eye view into British politics as Ash is heavily involved in politics. A thread of magic runs through as Celeste can use her voice to compel actions, Christine can see emotions, and Aster can read star charts. The book was wonderful, funny, with great dialogue and a fast-paced plot. The book goes beyond the typical romance.
I had to give it four stars because it has a disturbing storyline. Having said that, I highly recommend this book. It has some of the most interesting and absorbing characters. I laughed often and cried some. THIS STORY HAS IT ALL!!
I really like this story.
Christie runs away from her stepfather who is trying to marry her off to someone in order to get control of the land she will inherit. She ends up working as a companion to Duncan (Ash) who is blind due to an accident. His family is great, the magic is that Ash can tell when people lie and Christie can feel what others feel. Loved this story, the characters are great and unusual. The H/h relationship grows and is interesting. Really enjoyed the story.
After I read this book I went back and read the series. I think this is the best of the series, because the characters were very engaging.
This was a very different story than I usually read but I did find it interesting along with the characters.
The main characters held my interest with their humorous banter and intellect and sharing of their emotions.
There were a lot of characters with a chaotic household and a tinge of magic or their special gift each person had.
It was a bit of fun filled with excitement, frustrations, kidnapping, descriptive intimacy, and so much more.
I did do some skipping of parts that didn’t seem pertinent to the main plot.
The ending was worth reading and had a wonderful HEA.
Mature reader:
Descriptive Intimacy
Heat level 2 out of 5
Really enjoyed this book Had a few words I had no idea what they meant.
Misfitted for Each Other
Duncan is a blind and very angry marquess who is too proud to accept help. Harriet is a self-conscience (almost) spinster who keeps a magical gift hidden. Together these two misfits may just be what the other needs to complete them.
Although this novel is a bit too long, still the plot and characters draw the reader into their chaotic world. The pace only drags in a couple of places, but otherwise Patricia Rice deftly moves each scene along. Ms. Rice also does a great job of balancing dialogue, thoughts and descriptions so as not to make the reader want to skip pages, especially since in doing so the reader might just miss many of the humorous moments.
All in all, I enjoyed Theory of Magic.
Content 411: In addition to common swearing (h*ll, d*mn) there is also passionate kissing, sexual verbiage and sexual intimacy.
Wow! What a great unique story! I loved that Christie/Harriet and Ashford weren’t perfect, yet they were so strong. It was so entertaining to read of all their special gifts. Not your usual, run of the mill story. I stayed up half the night reading their story.
This was a thoroughly entertaining book. Historical fiction, interesting characters, humorous situations and a fun plot line.
Duncan Ives, Marquess of Ashford, was blinded in an attack in the first book of this series and in this story meets his match. Frustrated by his inability to care for his vast estate, he moves to London with the intent to help lead reforms to help the common man. Harriet Stansbury is a plus size woman who has been rejected by her suitors despite her wealth so she decides to go into hiding for six months until she can take claim to her inheritance. Unexpectedly she take a position in the Ives household and with her Malcolm gift of empathy is able to anticipate Duncan’s need and ease his way in his darkness. He can detect lies and knows immediately that Harriet is being untruthful, but is so intrigued that he keeps her close so he can solve her mystery. All around them swirls danger as opponents to the reforms try to destroy Duncan’s creditibilty. This is another fun read in this series and I am already beginning book 4.
After reading all the others of this series, it seems I saved the best for last. Well, book 1 is a very close second. All the Ives males get involved here, down to Ash’s illegitimate twins. There is humor, political intrigue, suspense and some romance. The interaction between Ash and “Miss Chris” is a joy to follow.
Update 30 April 2021: Some things are really worth repeating, such as reading this again. Still as engaging as when I first read it three years ago.