Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It At Amazon | Publisher
About The Book
Blake Maxwell needs a perfect gift for his niece. Unfortunately, he’s running late. And Treasures, the best magical toy shop in town, has just closed for the night. But he’s hoping the beautiful magician owner might take pity on him.
Ivy Treasure has been working late, inventing new enchanted toys. They’ve closed up the shop, about to finally go home for the night. But the very attractive man outside clearly loves his niece, and could use Ivy’s help … and Ivy just can’t resist opening the door.
The Review
Blake Maxwell works too hard for the Department of Magical Transportation, in his new position as a junior Congressional Representative for New York. Being privileges and not political, he’s the son of a famous mother who wrote the book for thaumatological metallurgy, and a father who writes best-selling mysteries, as well as a sister who is a doctor and married to one.
The job keeps him so busy that he’s missed the many reminders to pick up a gift for his five-year-old niece’s birthday. He arrives at Treasures with a few minutes before closing, but when he gets there the door is already locked. He can see someone is still inside, and continues to knock but they don’t seem to hear him. He fears that he won’t get a gift or cupcakes for his neice. How could he have failed at something so simple?
Treasures is a centuries-old upscale toystore with a fine reputation. It’s a magical place that has been passed down through generations of family, and offers gifts of precision, intricacy, and exclusivity that bring joy and happiness to all.
Blake is about to give up when by sheer luck he finally gets the clerk’s attention. To his surprise, it’s not a clerk – it’s Ivy Treasure themself. Ivy is the genius, scion, business manager and magical talent, as well as the future heir to the powerful toy-making empire.
Will Treasure be able to help Blake? Will he make the birthday party on time? And what other magical surprises lay in wait for him?
Noone creates a beautiful, magical tale full of love and joy to warm the heart, along with a sweet romance. The author makes Ivy and Blake both likable and lovable.
The magical activity, with all the amazing gifts, is colorful and makes the little shop a wonderful fantasy world – a very clear and descriptive short story that takes the reader to a fun and fantastical place.
Delightful!!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.