Customer Reviews

Shifting Love (The Foundation, Book 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book has three strong themes: shape-shifting, a Da-Vinci-Code-secret society out to save humanity, and a journey to self-discovery theme.

This was a good book. Basically, there's a "Foundation" of shapeshifters throughout time who try to quietly save humanity, and they do so in different ways. One way is to "save" bitter, cold people, who may one day be playing important roles, by making them fall in love with someone from the Foundation who teaches them the right path/how to love again.

That's where the heroine Magdelena comes in. Her assignment this time is to "save" Julian, a powerful man who is unknowingly being groomed for an important role. She has to make him fall in love for her, and learn to love again. Of course, they fall in love, and there's another handsome shapeshifter in the picture.

Okay, it was a good book, but it wasn't for me. First of all, I like to read paranormal for the sheer magic and edginess (think Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton). This book was really sentimental. The kind of book that's about a person's journey to self-discovery. Like the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun", which I wouldn't touch with a long stick. There was a lot of introspection, and very little action or excitement. Secondly, I'm not into the Christian overtones (secret society out to serve in the misunderstood name of biblical Magdalene). Third, I didn't like the idea of teaching men to love other women by sleeping with them then leaving them. The overlay of religious tones, public service and sexual education reminded me of the Kushiel trilogy by Jaqueline Carey, except that it didn't work for me in this modern setting book. I didn't like the idea of the heroine sleeping with these men over the last fourteen years, because someone told her to do so in the name of love/service.

So if you like journey-to-self-discovery themes like "Under the Tuscan Sun" or Nora Roberts books, or you liked books like the "Da Vinci Code" (which I haven't read, but apparently there are similar themes) or you don't mind the love-'em-and-leave-'em approach, then this one may be for you.

On the other hand, if this is a sample of what Tor's new paranormal romance line is going to be like, it's definitely better written than Harlequin's Bombshell series, which also features paranormal elements and some action.

The first romance books I ever read were time travels by Constance O'Day Flannery. Her early books took me on adventures full of love and romance, opening up a whole wonderful genre to me.

Just when I was starting to think that romance (at least the genre) had gotten boring and stale, and had nothing left to offer me, Ms. O'Day Flannery comes along and opens a new world to me again.

SHIFTING LOVE is not just about finding a lover and a happily ever after. This book truly explores the nature of love and life, and how opening your soul and truly living is our only purpose here.

There are other reviews that can give you a synopsis of how this story unfolds, but they can't tell how renewed you will feel after you read it. SHIFTING LOVE is a book that is filled with joy, insight and most importantly, hope.

Over the yeas I have recommended alot of books to friends. I have even lent out a few. This is one of the rare times where I will actually go and buy a bunch of these books, hand them to the people I love, anbd make them read.

It took me at least four or five tries to read this book as I'd get frustrated and annoyed with the characters, the storyline, the plot, and well, everything!

I agree with other reviewers that the premise of a secret society and shape shifting are quite unique and interesting, and Maggie's shop "Soul Provisions" and the description of her apartment captured my interest.

However, the good stuff stopped there. Maggie's preoccupation with the mysterious lover from her past was very confusing - I kept wondering if they were going to get back together and the new love interest would be kicked to the curb. That didn't happen of course, and Maggie went the old "accidently I'm pregnant" route and then there was a misunderstanding and then of course, the hero rides in on a white horse (metaphorically speaking) and it all works out.

The problem with this book is that it is your basic Harlequin romance story with a couple of "paranormal" elements dropped in, such as the shape shifting, the "preparing men for their next great love" and this secret society business. It's messy and silly.

The book is a very hit and miss affair with many, many, many misses! It's truly one of the worst books I've ever read. But I can see by reading the other reviews that some other people loved it so....to each their own!

Blessed or cursed since childhood with a shape shifting gift, Maggie (Magdalena) has been something of an outcast her entire life. When she dared love, it ended in a painful moment that shifted the course of her entire life. Found by another with her gifts, Maggie begins to understand how her talents can help others, and begins to use them to heal the broken hearts of lonely men who need that special touch to realize their own potential. When she is given her newest assignment, it is supposed to be just another such case, albeit slightly more important on a global level. Even though she has loved every assignment, Julian McDonald is special. Healing his broken heart means totally giving him hers, although the greater plan calls for them to part.

One of the best things to say is that this is a different book, not something that has been done ten thousand times before now. The premise is original and the characters engaging. Though edgy, there is a sweetness as well, and is definitely worth recommending.

Amanda Killgore

One I am a great fan of constance o'day flannery, her time travel series are simply put, out of this world. i really would like to know what made her think that she could write about a super secret agency of shape shifter out to help the world one high powered person at a time, is beyond me. This novel dragged on and on and on..... The string of though is endless, the reaccuring ex-lover/mentor/trainer in and out of her life is a bit trashy! I would not buy this novel if I were you.

I am HUGE fan of everything and anything of C.Oday Flannery. Everyone of her books is a keeper and her usual style as you may know is time travel.. This sure as heck is no time travel romance.. it is at times a shake your head and reread that last line to make sure you got that right kinda book.. I was hesitant and wary of the ideas of a shape shifter being believable.. but it was.. it was very well written and insightful.. Maggie the Shape shifter can transform herself from human to animal form with a thought.. where you think its totally unrealistic... Oday makes it real... her visual descriptions are excellent and makes it real in your head.. I love a book that allows my imagination to take shape what is written on the pages and this book does that.. Its weird but oddly believable.. its way out there in the realms of rational thinking but then who said we have to be rational all of the time.. I enjoyed this book.. i found the characters believable and well defined...The love story was beautiful and sensual.. it was hot and steamy and everything else good about a romance novel shape shifer or not.. As with all of Odays other books this too is a keeper on my shelf... For those loyal to the wirter .. you will enjoy it.. but then .. to each his own...

Magdalene "Maggie" O'Shea is a shape shifter. She can become any animal at will. For over fourteen years Maggie has been part of a foundation, a society, devoted to bringing the world back into balance. Maggie is given an "assignment", a man's name, every two years. The man is one who has shut himself off from love. Maggie is the one who comes before the real one can show up. Maggie is the one who heals the man so he can love again. Then she gently pushes him toward another. This assignment will be her last. Maggie is ready to retire.

Entrepreneur Julian McDonald is rich, cynical, and bored. Since the death of his wife and son he rejects relationships. He has a new lady on his arm every other month. He meets Maggie at a charity auction. She is unlike anyone he has met before. He intends to keep her, no matter how hard she resists or how often she claims that she is not the one for him.

**** The secret society is the most enticing part of this novel. But personally, I adore super natural and/or fantasy with my romance and was disappointed in how little the shape shifting was used. Overall, the novel came across as a light reading type of romance with just a bit of shape shifting thrown in. As the beginning of a new type of genre for the publisher, Tor, it is excellent. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Here is a brief description of this book from the distributor --Magdeline O'Shea owns a successful store in Philadelphia devoted to improving the mind, body and soul. A shape-shifter, she is part of a secret foundation responsible for keeping the world in balance since the Dark Ages. Maggie's true gift is teaching unhappy men how to love again.

Maggie has helped seven men learn to love so far, and she's never fallen for her assignments...until now. Julian McDonald is a successful entrepreneur still dealing with the tragic deaths of his wife and child. Using her shape-shifting powers, Maggie discovers things about Julian to help her win his heart. Although their romance feels so right, she is bound by duty to let him go, because the plans for the balance of the world hinge on him. But Julian has his own ideas about his destiny, and they all include Maggie.

Sorry for the title, I like alliteration. This is really more 3.5 stars. It's a really good book, and pretty good as romances go; very little sex/smut in this one. (Which doesn't necessarily make it good, as I usually read romances for the smut.) The shapeshifter aspect of this is what makes the book - the best romances have something BESIDES the romance going on, and this one does a good job. Maggie is a fun heroine and Julian is a little cookie-cutter, but he's a rich young widow, so who can blame him.
The pregnancy thing was a little too forced, but I like that Maggie was honest about it, both with herself and Julian. I really wanted to see a lot more shapeshifting out of this book; the aspect was underplayed to the romance part, and just the hint of what Maggie and Marcus' shapeshifting sex life was like heated up the room. All in all, a good book; well written, goes down smooth, strong female character.

I bought this book a second time after reading it years ago. I recently read part 2 and wnated to refamiliarize myself with the original. All books by this author are good and of you are into the paranormal, this is a good book.