Magic Print Shortz is a unique and innovative product that combines the art of printing with the excitement of magic. It is a form of magical entertainment that has been designed to captivate and amaze audiences of all ages. The concept behind Magic Print Shortz is simple yet effective. Using special technical techniques, a magician is able to create a visually stunning image or message on a blank sheet of paper. This can include anything from a playing card to a personal photograph or even a company logo. The magic begins when the magician hands the printed sheet of paper to a member of the audience.
It’s only when Ethan helps her take out the trash – by which I mean the comatose body of her first stalker – that Ravenna gets the idea that there’s more to Ethan than initially appeared. Which is, of course, more than true.
Who were people with psi powers as portrayed in the Victorian and contemporary set Arcane Society series and its offshoots, which were published under the author s Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz pen names. The necessary parts of the background history are always explained, while the occasional mention of a particular person or incident is more in the form of an Easter Egg that brings a smile if you know but lack of that knowledge does not detract from enjoyment of the book in hand.
The magic begins when the magician hands the printed sheet of paper to a member of the audience. They are then invited to examine the paper and ensure that it is indeed blank. However, with a simple wave of the magician's hand or a tap of their magic wand, the image or message suddenly appears on the previously blank paper.
Review: Sweetwater and the Witch by Jayne Castle
Welcome to the world of Harmony, where--despite its name, things are anything but--danger lurks just beneath the surface in this new novel by New York Times bestselling author, Jayne Castle.
If there's something Ravenna Chastain knows, it's when to end things. And after she almost winds up the victim of a cult that believes she's a witch, it's easy to walk away from her dead-end career, ready for a new start. But where to find a job that would allow her to use her very specialized skill set? The answer is clear: she becomes a matchmaker.
But even a successful matchmaker can't find someone for everyone, and Ravenna considers Ethan Sweetwater her first professional failure. After nine failed dates, Ravenna knows it's time to cut Ethan loose. But Ethan refuses to be fired as a client--he needs one final date to a business function. Since Ravenna needs a date herself to a family event, they agree to a deal: she will be his (business) date if he will be her (fake) date to her grandparents' anniversary celebration.
What Ethan fails to mention is that attending the business function is a cover for some industrial espionage that he's doing as a favor to the new Illusion Town Guild boss. Ravenna is happy to help, but their relationship gets even more complicated when things heat up--the chemistry between them is explosive, as explosive as the danger that's stalking Ravenna. Lucky for her, Ethan isn't just an engineer--he's also a Sweetwater, and Sweetwaters are known for hunting down monsters.
My Review:
When I originally saw the title of this latest entry in the Harmony series, at first I thought it was going to be a Western – or at least a Weird West – kind of story. (The rhythm of the words in the title keeps taking me back to the movie McCabe & Mrs .Miller which was a sort of Western. I digress. Again. I know.) Harmony is absolutely wild enough and definitely weird enough to resemble the Weird West, but it’s a far-future lost colony world that presented some unique challenges to the first settlers and still does to their descendants even two centuries later.
The planet of Harmony – which doesn’t generally exhibit all that much harmony or we wouldn’t have this marvelous series – was settled by a group of human colonists that included members of the Arcane Society and their allies back on Earth. Who were people with psi powers as portrayed in the Victorian and contemporary set Arcane Society series and its offshoots, which were published under the author’s Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz pen names.
(If the setup sounds a bit familiar, it’s also the setup for the Celta series by Robin D. Owens, so if you like one you’ll like the other.)
By the time in Harmony’s history when this story takes place, Harmony has lost all contact with Earth, and the upheavals of that loss have settled back into a history that is still well-remembered but no longer as influential as it once was. Not that there aren’t some people looking to recreate the past glories of their ancestors. Even if those so-called glories are only in the minds of past – and present – psychopaths.
Which is what this entry in the series turns out to be about. Two people who think they can do their criminal predecessors one better, and two people who stand in their way. And eventually stand together to do it.
Escape Rating A-: What makes this entry in the series so much fun is the witty banter and slowly building romance between Ethan Sweetwater and Ravenna Chastain. She’s a police profiler turned matchmaker, and he’s the client she’s supposed to find a match for but it’s not working. At all. Which he refuses to acknowledge or let the project go for reasons that Ravenna doesn’t see but the reader probably does.
It’s only when Ethan helps her take out the trash – by which I mean the comatose body of her first stalker – that Ravenna gets the idea that there’s more to Ethan than initially appeared. Which is, of course, more than true.
He presented himself as a mild-mannered, kind of dorky engineer. And he is. But underneath that unassuming persona lurks a man who knows just who to call and how to dispose of a not-quite dead body. Ravenna is worried that he might be connected to the mob.
Ethan, on the other hand, knows that she’s his match. Lucky for him – in a twisted sort of way – the deadly adventures that keep finding them give them plenty of chances to bond into a relationship where they both know they’ll have each other’s backs through thick, thin, nightmares and flame-throwers.
All they have to do is convince each other it’s for keeps. And keep fighting to make sure that they will be a “keeps” to have.
That this turns out to be a delightful romance to go with the deadly danger has to do with the personalities of the three protagonists; Ethan, Ravenna, and Ravenna’s dust bunny Harriet. They make one hell of a team where each has a crucial part to play in taking down the villains and having a bit of fun along the way.
Dust bunnies excel at finding the fun in EVERYTHING!
One final note; there is obviously a long and storied history to Harmony but each book stands pretty much on its own. The necessary parts of the background history are always explained, while the occasional mention of a particular person or incident is more in the form of an “Easter Egg” that brings a smile if you know but lack of that knowledge does not detract from enjoyment of the book in hand. The romances are always self-contained to the individual book. That being said, the books in the series are a bit like potato chips in that you won’t want to read just one.
And I guarantee you’ll wish you had your own dust bunny to chortle at your side as you read!
Related Posts:
- Review: All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz
- Stacking the Shelves (504)
- Review: Guild Boss by Jayne Castle
The magic of Magic Print Shortz lies in the secret method used to create the hidden image or message. It is a carefully guarded secret that only magicians who have been trained in the art of printing can master. This ensures that each performance is unique and keeps the audiences coming back for more. Magic Print Shortz can be performed in a variety of settings, from small intimate gatherings to large stage performances. It is a versatile form of entertainment that can be adapted to suit any event or occasion. Not only is Magic Print Shortz a visually impressive form of magic, but it also provides a memorable and interactive experience for the audience. The element of surprise and mystery keeps the spectators engaged and eager to see what will happen next. In conclusion, Magic Print Shortz is an exciting and enchanting form of magic that combines the art of printing with the wonder of magic. It is a unique form of entertainment that is sure to leave a lasting impression on any audience. Whether it's a private party, corporate event, or a stage performance, Magic Print Shortz is guaranteed to captivate and delight all who witness it..
Reviews for "Fashionable and Functional: Magic Print Shortz for Everyday Wear"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the quality of the Magic print shortz. The fabric felt cheap and flimsy, and the colors started fading after just a few washes. Additionally, the fit was awkward - too tight in some areas and too loose in others. Definitely not worth the price, in my opinion.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated the Magic print shortz. The pattern looked nothing like the picture online, and the colors were dull and faded. The shorts were also way too short for my liking, and the material was uncomfortable against my skin. I wouldn't recommend these shorts to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to try out the Magic print shortz, but I was left disappointed. The sizing was completely off - I ordered my usual size, but the shorts were way too small. The material felt cheap and itchy, and after just a few wears, the seams started to come apart. Definitely not the quality I was expecting.
4. Mark - 1 star - The Magic print shortz were a complete waste of money. The fabric was thin and uncomfortable, and the waistband was tight and unflattering. The print looked like it was poorly painted on and started peeling off after just one wash. Save your money and buy something else.