Damsel Under Stress

by: Shanna Swendson

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

At last! Katie Chandler, transplanted from Texas to New York City, has finally snagged a date with her wizard colleague, Owen. It's taken two books, much anticipation (well worth waiting for) before the first scintillating kiss happens at the office Christmas party (end of book two).

Things are looking up for our beloved employee of Magic, Inc. Maybe. Katie may be immune to magic (which makes her invaluable for helping to keep the use of magic for good, not evil) but there is always something or someone who messes with her life. So when quirky Ethelinda (her fairy godmother) arrives on the scene, Katie dismisses her offer to help her with her love life. Katie can take care of her own love life, thank you very much!

Ethelinda is not easily swayed and pops into Katie's life, whether she's wanted or not. Mostly not. Idris' is scheming for world domination (at least in the magic world) and Katie is hot on his trail.

But the landscape of her life is littered with personal issues that threaten to interfere with the professional problems she faces. Is Owen her true love? And what about Ethelinda? She's a handful. Can she squash Idris' plans? The ongoing adventures of Katie Chandler are filled with such magical fun.

I don't read much chick-lit or fantasy, but I love Shanna Swendson's Katie Chandler novels. They're quirky and make me laugh out loud. The dialogue is snappy, the characters endearing (well, maybe not the evil ones...) and the plots are fascinating. She's taken over the throne from Buffy, Sabrina is losing ground and Bridget Jones doesn't shine as bright anymore, because we have Katie Chandler and she rules.

Armchair Interviews says: For a wonderful romp through the magic of Katie's world, read Damsel Under Stress.

Author's web site: http://www.ShannaSwendson.com