Shifting Love (The Foundation, Book 1)
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.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.