Title: Calculated Magic
Series: Dreamspun Beyond 30
Author: SJD Peterson
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novel (230 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (16th October 2018)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 4.5 Hearts
Blurb:Â Never too late for love.
Three-hundred-and-fifty-year-old warlock Tikron must find his true love or forfeit his immortality. But if he hasn’t found his ideal mate in all these centuries, the prospects don’t look too bright.
That is, until he sees mathematician Richard Beaumont. It’s love at first sight and Tikron’s future just go a whole lot brighter.
Except Richard doesn’t believe in love at first sight. He doesn’t believe in love at all. He certainly doesn’t believe in magic. His life is ruled by statistics and logic, and they tell him a relationship with Tikron has only a 10 percent chance of success. That’s unacceptable—even if the attraction between them is off the charts.
With his powers waning and the clock ticking down, Tikron’s last hope is showing Richard the true meaning of magic.
ISBN: 978-1-64080-720-4
Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I was not sure at all what to expect from this book. I had to look back to find out in January 2017 I heard the audio for SJD Peterson’s My Hometown in Dreamspun Desires and despite giving it a high rating, I don’t really remember it but from my review I know that it was a fluffy type of romance, which is exactly what Calculated Magic is.
The story is about cursed warlock, Tikron. Warlocks are an immortal race of paranormals, however, thanks to his greedy clan leader, Tikron has been cursed. If he doesn’t find his true love by his 350th birthday, his life could very well be forfeit. The problem is, after centuries of loneliness and meeting, loving mortals he finds it hard to open his heart to find the one who could be with him for the rest of his days (the loophole is that a true love can share his life force). Fair enough, I suppose. Other than his mother and his best friend Ry, he only has family who cannot see him because they live in the clan that he can longer be apart of.
Tikron is a kind heart and he definitely deserves the fluffy romance treatment, but even his romance is not smooth when he meets mathematician Richard Beaumont.
Richard’s character was difficult for me to get a hold on. I know I’m already reading a paranormal book, but a man who was raised by two mathematicians that base all decisions on calculations and risk analysis was a but ridiculous for me. Other than that, Richard is exactly what I would expect from a human finding out about magic and for that part of his character I really liked him. He is at heart a lonely man and really needed some love in his life that wasn’t provided by his beloved dog Albert.
But Tikron is up for the challenge. There are a couple stand out points for me that made me really liked this story. Firstly, I liked the fact that Tikron, despite being scared of his fate past his birthday, did not tell Richard he was on a time crunch. The other thing that I really loved was Tikron’s best friend, Ryxium, aka Ry. Ry is a sweetheart. Part of me hopes that he gets his own story and his own HEA. He is a wonderful friend and although he is a flirt he only wants the best for his best friend and will do anything to save him. There is one funny scene where he helps Tikron out in a park. That boy has sass!
This is a fluffy romance, low on angst and drama. Mixed with the paranormal setting I found it to be relaxing read. If you’re after an easy going romance, even with one of the MCs being a bit odd, then this is the book for you.