I Dream of GeniesAuthor: Judi Fennell
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebook Publishing
Book #1 in Genie series
ISBN: #978-1402241895
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
He needs to change his luck, and fast! Matt Ewing would gladly hunt down a fortune in lucky pennies if he thought it would help save his business. But for all his hoping, Matt’s clueless when his long-awaited lucky charm falls in his lap in the form of a beguiling genie. He just can’t believe that this beautiful woman could be the answer to his prayers…
She’s been bottled up for far too long! Spending 2,000 years in a bottle would make any woman a little stir-crazy. So when Matt releases Eden from her luxurious captivity, she’s thrilled to repay him by giving him the magical boost he needs…
But for all her good intentions, Eden’s magical prowess is a little rusty and her magical mistakes become more than embarrassing. And though Eden knows falling in love will end her magic and immortality, she can’t help but be drawn to the one man who wants her just for herself…
What I’m talking about:
Eden is a genie – one that broke the Code and was imprisoned in her bottle for close to 2,000 years with only a talking cat for company. She sits in an antique store window, and her favorite part of the day is when handsome Matt runs by on his daily jog. When a freak accident suddenly sets her free and into the arms of Matt, she takes advantage.
Eden and Matt both feel a strong connection. She blames her magic at first, but soon they realize they cannot deny their mutual attraction. However, there is no time for lengthy courtships or even a night on the town. Eden is a fugitive and is soon captured by the evil Faruq, who returns her to the magical realm of Al-Jannah.
Welcome to a world of magic, adventure, sexy genies and talking animals. Ms. Fennell blends pop-culture references and old world mythology to create Al-Jannah. It’s like Easter morning as you discover all of these little eggs she has cleverly written into her story.
I cannot help but laugh out loud at Ms. Fennell’s humor. A genie named Eden (thank you Barbara) and a Ewing (who shot JR?), this story is fill with enough pop culture references to make E! News proud. As Judi mentioned in her interview HERE yesterday, she grew up on TV shows like: Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Munsters, Addams Family. She transforms and transplants her childhood influences into a witty, campy love story.
I have to admit it did take me a while to fall into the story. The characters didn’t grab me right from the start, but I’m going to blame it on school vacation and dealing with two kiddos glazed over from too much TV and post-Christmas let-down. Once I was able to sit down and read without distraction, the story started to grow on me. Matt and Eden are cute… butterflies and kittens type of cute. Yes there is passion and some hot smex, but they are Darrin and Samantha at heart. Their mis-adventures are a joy to read and easy to digest. There are no hard-to-follow side plots and every piece of the story comes together in the end.
I Dream of Genies is campy yet clever – humorous yet tender. It’s a fun read and the ending melted my heart. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Fennell has planned next from the world Al-Jannah.
My Rating:
3.5 stars: Liked it a lot – recommend (B+)
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of I Dream of Genies to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks for sponsoring the giveaway of Judi Fennell’s latest book. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of yesterday’s interview or today’s review of I Dream of Genies. One entry per person. Winners restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses, only. Contest open from now until 9:00 PM EST on Friday January 7, 2011. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org.
Nice review! Judi’s “Tritone” series was like this one (or so it sounds). Fun, campy and light. Just something different to make you laugh and help you get over that last overly heavy UF book you just read.
Great review. I like the sound of campy. I grew up on I dream of Jeanie & Bewitched. I will have to chk this one out.
Wonderful review! I found your blog through Twitter and I believe from Julie (YMandKAC) retwetting one of your posts! I will have to put this down and a TBR book series!
How to your giveaways work?
I love the sound of this series.
Thank you for the thoughtful review!
All the best,
RKCharron
Thanks all!
@Deannalynnc: The giveaway is simple – you just entered by leaving a comment (as long as you are US or Canada mailing address). Everyone that comments gets ONE entry and I use random.org to determine who the winner/s are. Hope that makes sense. Hope you enjoy the blog! -Jen
Thanks so much for the review. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for having me on the blog!
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review!
brk.nlssn@gmail.com
That does make a lot of sense and since I already comment I hope I was added to the giveaway. 🙂 Now on to read your newest post!
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