Customer Reviews

Damsel Under Stress: A Novel (Katie Chandler)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In reading the reviews here for the 3rd book in the Katie Chandler Series, I saw that some of you had the same reaction that I did to the ending.

I mean, this poor girl, raised in a small town in Texas which she leaves in order to go to the Big City (Manhattan), finds out that magic exists and that she, with her magic immunity, can be an important part of that world, in the first book, Enchanted, Inc. (Katie Chandler, Book 1). She also finds out that the magic world isn't one big happy family when she gets entangled with a rogue wizard who believes that might makes right, and just might want to rule the magic world through unethical spells. And as a harbinger of things to come, Katie also meets a dreamboat orphaned wizard, Owen, who is both very powerful and very shy. Around women, anyway. In "Enchanted, Inc.", things end on a happy note as Katie takes an executive assistant job (assisting Merlin. Yes, that Merlin) with a very prestigious magic manufacturing firm (MSI, Inc.) and the rogue wizard has his plans (at least temporarily) derailed.

Things pick up pretty much where they left off in book 2, Once Upon Stilettos: A Novel (Katie Chandler Series, Book 2). Katie finds out early in the book that the rogue wizard in book 1 has recovered his footing after the events of book 1, AND he seems to have recruited someone employed by Katie's company, MSI, Inc., to help him. Because of Katie's immunity to magic, she's asked to assist in tracking down the traitor. This assignment throws her more and more into Owen's company, which Katie doesn't mind even a little bit. Well, she'd like him to pay a little more attention to her as a woman and not just see her as a fellow worker.... Things get pretty bad when Katie starts losing her magic immunity, but eventually the traitor is found and confined, Katie gets her immunity back, the rogue wizard is back to ground zero, and things are looking up between her and Owen. Very up.

Ah, but this book, book 3, "Damsel Under Stress", is a little different. Again, the book starts almost exactly where book 2 ended. Just as Katie and Owen have acknowledged their interest in each other, Katie gets what she never really wanted: An inept fairy godmother. It seems that the fairy godmother is there to find someone special for Katie. Now, Katie thinks she may have already found someone special, and just wants her FG to go away. Easier said than done. And even when the FG tries to help, her spells don't seem to work out quite right, resulting in embarrassment for Katie and chaos in her vicinity. In the meantime, the rogue wizard manages to free the traitor from book 2 -- and this partnership means that he will be much, much more dangerous than he ever was alone. A whole bunch happens, including Katie meeting Owen's frosty foster parents, which could have gone better than it did, and in the end Shanna Swendson, author, gives us our first less than happy ending.

Well, I said to myself, what the heck is this? I don't like less than happy endings. At all. Ever. That's why I almost exclusively buy romance books. Sure, I love all sorts of sub-genres, from contemporary to paranormal to historical to humorous to romantic suspense, but I want my happy ending.

So I wrote to Shanna Swendson to ask her what the heck was going on. And what she had to say is very important:

"I originally planned books 3 and 4 to be a two-parter published only a few months apart, and then the publisher changed the publication date on the fourth book after the third one was totally finalized. Argh. So I do feel your pain. [Note from Roxanne: The fourth book, "Don't Hex With Texas" is currently scheduled for release in January 2008.]

"As a hint, I do look at the entire series as a romance, but I also believe that in order to earn a happy ending, the characters have to work for it and overcome some obstacles. Until now, their obstacles were external, but they really needed to be forced to confront their relationship and what it means.

"However, each individual book is not a romance, so there may be ups and downs, and the third book was meant to be the pivotal central book in the series (kind of like Goblet of Fire in the Harry Potter series).

"I have plans for a fifth book that will really resolve everything and answer most of the questions, but right now, my publisher won't commit to it because they don't think sales of the prior books are strong enough to warrant it."

Roxanne again. I'm really, really bummed. I want to see sales skyrocket on this series, because I want that fifth book! If you like this series, and you want your questions answered and you want Katie to have a real happy ending, please, tell your friends. Give these books as gifts. Buy extra copies for when yours wear out. Anything -- we really need that fifth book!

And if you agree that you'd like to see the fifth book, please mark my review as "helpful" so it will stay near the top of the reviews. That way new Amazon book browsers can read it, too.

Roxanne Pierce
rlpierce11@yahoo.com

Kathleen "Katie" Chandler works at Magic, Spells, & Illusions, Inc. (MSI) She is immune to magic of all types. This is why Katie was sought out and hired by MSI. Being an immune means that Katie can see through any magical trick, spells, glamours, or illusions that MSI's competitors and/or business associates may try. It also means that Katie can see the magical creatures that walks among the normal human population.

Owen Palmer is the most powerful wizard at MSI, next to Merlin. (Yes, THAT Merlin. You read it correctly.) Owen and Katie have started dating. Dating is rough due to a major plot being hatched by some of MSI's rogue ex-employees. Not to mention the fact Katie is going to meet Owen's (foster) parents during the Christmas holiday, and they are pretty formal/regal people.

Enter the latest new magical creature to Katie's world, Ethelinda, her inept fairy godmother. Ethelinda means well, but it seems nothing goes as expected when she meddles.

Katie and Owen must work side-by-side to defeat the villains' plans. However, not only magical spells and rogue wizards are their problems. There are also subway-dwelling dragons to deal with and it looks as if Katie's two roommates may become targets are well.

***** YIPEE! The third installment of Katie Chandler's odd life is finally out! There is more going on with the villains in this episode. MSI seems to be dealing with some magical guerrilla warfare. Fans of this series may be a bit disappointed with the ending, but they may be assured it all means that there will be another MSI novel in the future. (Hopefully the NEAR future.) Clever, magical, and even some humor to keep you grinning all the while, DAMSEL UNDER STRESS is the perfect spell to cure your horrid Monday blues. Excellent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I anxiously awaited the release of this book after devouring Enchanted, Inc and Once Upon Stilettos and I was not disappointed. This book is equally funny and entertaining.

In this installment, Katie Chandler, Verifier for the head of MSI, Inc. is being harassed by a misguided fairy godmother while trying to help Mr. Mervyn (Merlin) and hottie Owen Palmer save the world from bad magic, while still trying to make a go with Mr. Right.

Some reviewers did not like the ending, but I think that's because there wasn't really an ending. There are supposed to be 5 books in the series, with the 4th, "Don't Hex With Texas" slated to come out in January 2008. This book does not so much end as set up the next book. There's no neat wrap up of the story, because the author knew the 4th book had been sold. While I did not necessarily like the way the book ended, I see it for what it was, the middle of the whole story. The hard part is waiting for the 4th book to see what wacky hijinx this group can get into next!

I recommend this series, if you start with Enchanted, Inc. you will have plenty of time to read all three before book 4 is released in January. Enjoy!

Without revealing exactly what happens I would like to just say that the fairy tale didn't end "happily ever after". What gives? The story was just as much fun as the previous two but I was dissapointed with the ending. The whole reason I bought the book was to get my "romance fix" for the week. I feel a bit like Chandler let us all down on this one. I am so hoping there is another book in the series that will magically put us back on track after book 3 left us off at the wrong station.

Damsel under Stress picks up with the action right after the ending of Book #2. Idris is still out there threatening MSI ... but what exactly is his plan this time?

Owen and Katie get some "help" in the romance department from their own fairy godmother. Katie also gets to meet Owen's foster parents, which introduces a little mystery there as well, sure to be addressed in later installments of the series.

The series isn't quite as fresh, and the problems here not quite as interesting as in the first 2, but it's still a fun read. I love seeing Katie's friendships with her roommates expand and develop, and how they are getting sucked into Katie's world.

I'm looking forward to Book #4 ... when is it coming out?

This is a very cute series. I find it innocent and naive sounding, but worthy. Katie is innocent and naive. She's a Southern girl from Texas who still follows the old fashion rules of dating. In this third installment, she's finally dating the hero, only he's busy trying to save the business and putting the bad guy in his place. Katie goes through the insecurities of dating, wondering if she's saying, doing the right thing. Unfortunately, it all sounds a bit high-schoolish, but that's okay (remember, I said it was innocent and naive?) She also gets to meet his foster parents in this round. There were a few funny moments, but only a few and not all that funny. I still enjoyed the series and plan to read the next one.

I fell in love with this entire series right off the bat! The only thing that really bugs me is the ending in this last book. I almost wish I hadn't started reading any of the books. PLEASE come out with a new one FAST and FIX the ending in "Damsel Under Stress"!!!!

Magic exists. It's there, for real. But cleverly masked. Unless you're an 'immune', someone on who magic doesn't work. Katie is an immune. And she's hired by Magic Inc., the guys in charge. Who're a little unnerved by one of their own taking off and releasing rather bad spells on people.

The 3rd book in this series has run out of breath, a little. At the end of the 2nd book, the boy hero and the girl hero find each other. But there is no happy ever after. This book suffers from the fact that the romantic arc that kept this story going has been resolved.

The world Shanna has created is still fun. But there are very little innovations in this book - and the ones she introduces don't have the impact of the ones in the first two books.

It's still great fun to read. Just a little less... Maybe she'll pick it up again in book 4?

Once again Shanna Swendson has quenched my thirst for a fun flirty read! Damsel Under Stress is just as good as its predecessors. In the third installment of the series, there is more romantic drama/turmoil in Katie and Owen's newly burgeoning relationship. This gives the novel a more serious and substantial plot than the previous two and lends a certain atmospheric quality to the story, turning an otherwise light and fluffy read into a meaningful book. Katie and Owen have always faced adversity (mostly in the form of magic,) but in Damsel Under Stress we find that along with a deepening relationship, there are other obstacles to overcome.

Damsel Under Stress leaves the reader unsure of an ultimate happy ending. From the way events transpire in book 3, there is no telling what will happen to Katie in book 4. Despite feeling a bit cheated by the unhappy ending in Damsel Under Stress, I will continue on to see just what will happen. Shanna Swendson has created characters that I truly care about - I won't give up on them.

I just love the story line! I've already pre-ordered #4 and hope there is a #5. Katie and Owen are the best! And just the thought of magic in our everyday life would be mind boggling.