The Lure of Song and Magic

Successful television producer Dylan “Oz” Oswin has been lured to the California desert town of El Padre by a series of text messages hinting that he ask former tween singing sensation Syrene for help locating his young son, Donal. Oz hides his true intentions from Syrene, now called Pippa, and proposes turning her children’s books into a TV series. However, Pippa is reluctant to return to the limelight, despite her attraction to Oz and sympathy for his missing son, because she wants to hide the power of her magical voice. Fans of Rice’s original Magic series (Magic Man, etc.) will enjoy reading of the Ives and Malcolm families’ modern offspring and be intrigued by how the computer age has shaped how they hide and use their magic. While Pippa and Oz’s romance lacks chemistry, it’s balanced by the unique premise and beautiful California desert setting. (Jan.)