IT MUST BE MAGIC

Author: Jennifer Skully ISBN: 0373771975 6/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HQN

What on earth had Lili Goodweather done to him? Widower Tanner Rutland couldn't believe it when he found himself tiptoeing through a redwood forest looking for a dead body. How could he think, even for a second, that Fluffy had witnessed a murder? It was no use. ONe look inter her gorgeous eyes—Lili's, not Fluffy's—and Tanner was a goner. And when he finally kissed her...pure magic. Now he had to decide if Lili's gift with animals really did exist—or if she just had a screw loose. But deep down, his heart was telling him to find the real killer and prove his Dr. Dolittle was innocent.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What would it be like if Dr. Doolittle was a woman instead of a man? Jennifer Skully plays with this scheme in her new romantic comedy, IT MUST BE MAGIC. I'm a fan of Jennifer Skully, and I know that when I sit down to read one of her books, it's going to be filled with humor, charm, tantalizing sex and, of course, great characters. IT MUST BE MAGIC is a very charming and enjoyable read that flows smoothly from one page to the next.

I will say that IT MUST BE MAGIC has a rather unique plot and I really enjoyed Lili's relationship with her cat, Einstein. Actually, it's Lili's special gift of communicating with animals that causes the trouble she has in her life. When she finds that the neighbor's cat is traumatized due to witnessing a murder, Lili embarks on a dangerous mission—with a very sexy man—to uncover what Fluffy the cat actually saw.

I know the plot sounds a bit corny, but Jennifer Skully is able to make it work by throwing in a hunky single dad, some pretty spicy sex scenes and a couple of quirky characters. Although IT MUST BE MAGIC isn't my favorite Jennifer Skully book, it's still a delightful read.

Julie Kornhausl