Once Upon Stilettos: Enchanted Inc., Book 2

I'm glad that this series from Shanna Swendson is proving to be solid. I was very pleased to have another book I couldn't put down. Katie Chandler is deep into her work as MSI. Unfortunatly, company secrets at leaking out, leading to the assumption that a spy has either infiltrated the company, or one of their own loyal employees has turned against them. Katie's special talents will help to solve the puzzle, unless that traitor can get to her first.

After saving the world (in ENCHANTED INC. the earlier novel in this series), Katie Chandler decides to get down to serious business--dating. She's given up on uber-wizard Owen, who clearly only sees her as a friend and is willing to settle for second best. Fortunately, there is no lack of candidates, starting with handsome Ethan. Ethan has the advantage of being a non-magical, like Katie. She can actually imagine a normal life with him. With the help of her girlfriends, and the perfect shoes, Katie sets the scene for seduction. If her dating life looks to be heading in the right direction for a change, Katie's work life is not. Evil wizard Idris is still working his nasty plans--and seems intent on creating havoc at MSI (Magic, Spells, Incorporated) where Katie (and hunky Owen) work. When it becomes clear that someone within the company is cooperating, Katie's boss, Merlin (the original Merlin, brought back from sleep but still not quite in tune with the 21st century) assigns Katie the job of tracking him or her down. That would be a tough enough task under the best of circumstances, but Katie also abruptly loses her magical immunity--the defense that has saved both herself and Owen so many times in the past. Without her immunity, Katie is susceptable to spells and magic, and in danger of losing her job. For Katie, the only good news is that, abruptly, she seems irresistable to men. When she's out with her girlfriends, the men are lining up to buy her drinks, to dance with her, to propose happily-ever-afters with her. Katie knows she isn't bad, but her girlfriends include genuine fairies (the kind with wings). Maybe it's the sense of confidence that her new red stilettos (shoes, not daggers) give her. Or maybe it's something else entirely. Author Shanna Swendson continues the story she began in ENCHANTED, INC. Maybe the future of the world isn't at stake in STILETTOS, but Katie's dating life is certainly important. Swendson's light 'chick-lit' touch and the double-fish-out-of-water aspect (with Katie being both a small-town Texas girl in New York and a non-magical in a world of magic) add charm and interest to the story. MSI's 'team-building' efforts, and Merlin's addiction to modern business fad books will create a chuckle or two for anyone who's come into contact with American business executives. Katie's little problems with telling the truth (accompanied by appropriate guilt in the case of MSI) creates a sense of anticipation as the reader knows that consequences will come and, to coin a phrase that might be apt to the story, another shoe has to fall. Fans of ENCHANTED INC. have been waiting to find out how Katie makes out (literally and figuratively) with Ethan and Owen. They'll definitely want to grab this one. If you haven't read ENCHANTED INC. yet, ONCE UPON STILETTOS can be read independently, but your reading enjoyment will definitely be enhanced by reading ENCHANTED first.

It was a thrill to read the sequel to Enchanted, Inc. and to be able to pick up where the first novel left off. The transition went smoothly, nary a hiccup. The writing is unpretentious, the characterisation homey. It reads like a letter about a friend's adventures (and even to the point of wanting to smack some of the characters upside the head). Plus, I look at gargoyles in a different and more appreciative light.

Hyped as Bridget Jones meets Harry Potter, this book delivers as a "chick lit" book with lots of magic set in New York. Allusions to fairy tales--from enchanted frogs to Cinderella spells--abound. The main character Katie searches for love in the strange, big city while dealing with her immunity to magic, a trait that has landed her a cushy job with MSI, a company that produces magic spells for mass consumption to the magical world. The mystery focuses on corporate espionage and Katie's mysterious loss of her immunity when she needs it the most. While many threats abound, none are overly frightening or graphic. As Katie herself says, there's more mustache twirling from the villain than any truly scary threats. The sexual tension is just as lighthearted and Katie achieves nothing more than a few good kisses in the book; there's no graphic sex for teen readers. This novel makes great summer reading when anything more serious might ruin your day. While this book is a sequel to Swendson's "Enchanted, Inc.", it can be read alone without much confusion, although I recommend reading both books in order to get the full effect of the world Swendson has created. Swendson's working on a third book in the series, so expect more adventures from Katie, Owen, Merlin and the rest.

Magic immune Katie Chandler has become an executive assistant to Merlin at MSU (not Michigan State, but Magic, Spells and Illusions, Inc) where her skills at exposing magical misuse are highly regarded. Everything is great for the Texas mortal especially observing and guarding the wizard Owen. However, suddenly Owen is upset because someone broke into the highly classified top secret files as only an insider could have. Katie is upset too, not so much because Owen is, but because her immune talent is starting to fail her as if someone has found a charm to dispel her skill. Buying a pair of killer truth seeking red stilettos to help her ease through her fears, Katie and Owen team up to uncover who inside their ENCHANTED INC firm turned traitor and to stop that soul before harm occurs. The sequel to the magical Enchanted Inc is a terrific tale starring the once immune magic Katie and her wizard Owen investigating who inside the firm is causing havoc and mayhem. The enchanting story line focuses on their inquiries which in turn lead to more hocus pocus and romance. After enjoying Once Upon Stilettos, chick lit romantic fantasy fans will stay tuned to the Shanna Swendson channel for the next adventure of Katie and Owen. Harriet Klausner