Magical Prequel to Practical Magic. Alice Hoffman, 4.5 stars

The Rules of Magic
Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman has again spun a magical world within the familiar, weaving in history, geography and the mythology of the Craft.  Following siblings Jet, Franny and Vincent from their youth to old age as they deny and then embrace their unique gifts to navigate a world hostile to their magic. These three young witches, raised by parents who want to keep them safe, travel to see their Aunt Isabelle in their teens and everything changes.  It is here they learn of the family curse, that anyone they fall in love with will be ruined. 
 Falling in love isn’t as easy to prevent as each young witch hopes, and one by one they encounter their own weaknesses.  They learn that the rules they’ve grown up with are the opposite of how witches live, and learn that love and curses are out of their control.
Blended with lovely classic poetry, The Rules of Magic casts an unforgettable spell as it covers four generations of the Owens family dealing with a legacy that dates to the Salem witchcraft trials.  It is a spell from which we hate to awaken.

 I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review.

Merry and Bright, and easy and sweet Christmas romance. 5 stars

 

Merry and Bright

Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber has a gift for portraying regular people in a way that makes the reader understand that no one is really “regular.”  In this remake of a “you’ve got mail” kind of story, Merry Knight struggles to earn the money for her tuition as a temp while helping her mother, afflicted with MS, her brother Patrick, whose down syndrome seems more beautiful characterization than disability, and her overworked father make ends meet.  She’s working for Boeing, helping to get a final bid out to a customer before Christmas, and works overtime so often she has no time for a life of her own.

Feeling bad about that, her Mother and Patrick sign her up for an online dating site.  They upload a picture of the family dog as her profile, and soon she is chatting with a man who also uses his dog as his photo.

Merry doesn’t realize that the charming Jay is really her irritating boss, Jayson Bright.  The series of near misses and endearing communications, along with the interference of the trusting Patrick makes this a warm and funny Christmas story.  A perfect read for the busy holiday season where everyone wants to feel a little Merry and Bright and in love.  

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review.