Publisher: Harlequin (June 2007)

With its magical world with a cat talker heroine, It Must Be Magic is a contemporary and humorous romance that will appeal to romance lovers and especially to cat lovers. The heroine is a cat talker and can see the world of animals through images. This spirit of this romance recaptures the innocence and childlike wonder before the world that as adults we often fail to see.

Lili Goodweather's twelve year old neighbor pleads with her to help her terrified cat Fluffy. She doesn't really believe Lili can talk to animals just like she doesn't believe in ghosts, vampires or Santa Claus. When it comes to helping her cat, however, Erika will try anything. Lili discovers that her neighbor's cat has witnessed a murder. She can't very well scare a child, so Lili has to risk ridicule and do the next best thing --- tell her father, Tanner Rutland. After the death of his first wife, Tanner Rutland has to protect his daughter. The best way to do that is to keep her heart from being broken and to focus on the cold practical facts. "Success not effort is the key" and "Everything is fine" are his refrains. He knows every answer. He's logical and out of touch with his feelings and just about as different from Lili as day is from night. So why is he traipsing through the forest looking for a dead body with Lili? When they actually do stumble across a body, Tanner must choose whether Lili can actually cat talk or is she mentally misdirected (Lili's words) as Lili fears he will think.

The reader is drawn to the lovable characters, even the secondary ones. The side romance of Lili's boss is a wonderful addition. Erika's grandfather interferes, rattles and plots behind Tanner's back. Lady Dreadlock haunts Lili --- can Lili finally get through to her like she does with animals and finally unravel the mystery of the murder? Who is this mysterious woman?

Most of all, readers will adore It Must Be Magic because it brings the reader back to that that world where goodness and magic and romance thrive. What you can't see online is the back cover. In the corner are two "new" constellations in the shape of cat paws. This book is like discovering a new constellation...magic.