The Outcast Prince

Murky mythology and muddy motivations mar this generally pleasant romance, first in a series about the fairy land of Annwyn. Changeling Caspian Mort, son of fairy prince Felan and a mortal woman, uses his psychometric powers to determine the authenticity of antiques. Lydia Callaway hires Caspian to value the inventory of her recently deceased grandmother Nanette’s disreputable Callaway House, which she is reluctantly preparing to sell. Caspian and Lydia’s immediate physical attraction is compounded by his fairy powers; challenges to their emotional connection include Caspian’s compulsion to find a magical mirror sought by conflicting factions in Annwyn, and the effects of the conflict on the mortal world. Significant deeper philosophical concepts, such as the intriguing connections between fairies, ghosts, and souls, get only glancing mentions. While Husk has some intriguing ideas, they are not well articulated or resolved and just distract from the steamy romance. Agent: Eric Ruben, the Ruben Agency. (July)