Splendid You (Magical Love)

Rating:
Summary: Splendid Story
Review: Egyptology is at the center of this story about Julia Hanson and Dr. Simon Archer. When the story opens Julia and Simon are going to meet face to face for the first time after years of exchanging letters about Egyptology. Only Simon is shocked to find out that Julia is not the old woman that he had imagined, but a 27 years old heiress with a body to die for. To find their way to each other he has to overcome his prejudice against a woman interested in 'manly pursuits' and she has a life-altering encounter with a 2000-year-old mummy. Splendid You introduced me to some of the most engaging secondary characters that I have ever read about with fully fleshed personalities and complete story lines themselves. There are encounters with Egyptian gods and goddesses' brushes with reincarnation and a most interesting spirit who does some great body hopping. This book was a fun fast read and I unreservedly recommend it if you like stories of this type.

Rating:
Summary: Spell binding
Review: In 1849, Julia Hanson heads to London to meet noted Egyptologist Simon Archer. Though they have never met, the two have corresponded for the past two years, as Julia loves everything about Ancient Egypt. However, their initial meeting turns sour and awkward because Simon expected an elderly woman not the vibrant, beautiful twenty-seven year old. When she mentions she wants to accompany him on his next dig, he turns chauvinistic and rejects the notion of an English lady at an archeological site, comparing her to his mother and sisters.

That night, she sneaks into the British Museum to see the exhibit of his latest find, artifacts from the tomb of Anket. Something weird happens and Julia becomes convinced that Anket has entered the nineteenth century. As Julia and Simon spend time together, they fall in love, but their relationship depends on his opening his mind to the capabilities of women. Then there is the strange occurrences centering on Anket.

SPLENDID YOU is an entertaining Victorian romance that brings to the forefront the nineteenth century love affair with anything from Ancient Egypt. Supernatural elements are added to the historical elements to make a strong mix although some purists will question their need. Julia is a wonderfully intrepid character while Simon struggles with a paradigm switch caused by her. The support cast adds the depth that makes 1849 seem alive. Lynn Bailey writes an interesting tale that will give much pleasure to sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner