Born of Illusion
by Teri Brown
Anna's life has been one giant stage show -- Literally, she's basically always been a magician, the warm up act for her mother's spiritualist act. The not-so-secret about Anna? She's Houdini's illegitimate daughter. At least that is what Anna's mother has always claimed. As Anna gets older and their show grows bigger and more impressive, it seems that more and more people are hearing this rumour. Anna doesn't want to talk about it. She only has her mother's word. But now, their own show is so big that it has landed them a permanent location in NYC. Houdini is in town. Anna might bump into him, asking him might be too bold, but being so close to him might lead to clues, maybe?
Thing is, Anna is approaching womanhood and her own talents are far superior to her mother's. Maybe it's time to step up. A bigger role in the show? A show of her own? Figuring out what to do with her life won't be easy. Yes, they finally have a real home, but life isn't anymore settled that life on the road had been. They are dealing with psychic research organizations who have gotten wind of the mother-daughter team, but which of the two are they really after? Anna's mother, her act is just an act, right? Anna is just a magician, isn't she? Private seances might hold the answers - but are enemies infiltrating them? Oh and boys! Anna has never really had to deal with boys before since she's always been on the road. Now she's dealing with two at once. Owen, their manager's nephew, is fun -- maybe too fun and is he trying to steal her spot in their show? Cole, he's too stiff to be fun, but he gets her in ways that no one ever has, not even her mother understands her as Cole does -- but is Cole really trustworthy? Just how is he connected to the psychic studies? Does he simply see her as a guinea pig?
Set amidst 1920s NYC there are speakeasies, magic, some big names (besides just Houdini), and an overall good, albeit dangerous time. It's not a perfect story, but it's pretty darn fun and a fast read. While this is meant to become a series, it appears the books will be only loosely connected, if at all (yay - this book doesn't need to be a series, so being only vaguely connected is good -- I'd love to read more by this author but these characters had a completed story).
Thing is, Anna is approaching womanhood and her own talents are far superior to her mother's. Maybe it's time to step up. A bigger role in the show? A show of her own? Figuring out what to do with her life won't be easy. Yes, they finally have a real home, but life isn't anymore settled that life on the road had been. They are dealing with psychic research organizations who have gotten wind of the mother-daughter team, but which of the two are they really after? Anna's mother, her act is just an act, right? Anna is just a magician, isn't she? Private seances might hold the answers - but are enemies infiltrating them? Oh and boys! Anna has never really had to deal with boys before since she's always been on the road. Now she's dealing with two at once. Owen, their manager's nephew, is fun -- maybe too fun and is he trying to steal her spot in their show? Cole, he's too stiff to be fun, but he gets her in ways that no one ever has, not even her mother understands her as Cole does -- but is Cole really trustworthy? Just how is he connected to the psychic studies? Does he simply see her as a guinea pig?
Set amidst 1920s NYC there are speakeasies, magic, some big names (besides just Houdini), and an overall good, albeit dangerous time. It's not a perfect story, but it's pretty darn fun and a fast read. While this is meant to become a series, it appears the books will be only loosely connected, if at all (yay - this book doesn't need to be a series, so being only vaguely connected is good -- I'd love to read more by this author but these characters had a completed story).
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like because why read a book you think you’ll hate?
