Jessica Inclán

Contemporary Paranormal/Les Croyant de Trois Series

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How awesome would it be if everyone read minds?

Imagine the good we could do: We could thwart evildoers before their plans turned to reality, redirect our children before they went astray, and learn the secrets of what really goes on inside the minds of the guys we love.

My husband says the latter would be a waste of time.

"You wanna know what guys think," asks he. "I'll tell you. We don't."

Hmmm. I don't like that answer.

I like to think that guys are always musing on all we mean to them, how they can better please us, and how they're still as turned-on by us as they were the first time they were turned-on by us.

It's that finely honed ability to baldly deny reality that makes me such a fan of romance.

And novels like "When You Believe," a new romantic fantasy by Jessica Inclán that is as unique and mystical as it is sensually enthralling.

Talented poet Miranda Stead is running from thugs when she stumbles through a physics-defying vortex and into a secret meeting of folks in Hogwarts-style robes who aren't so happy to see her pretty face.

Before she can process that, she's literally swept off her feet by a member of the group -- a gorgeous man who seems to know her thoughts and desires even as she thinks and feels them.

Sariel Valasay is bewildered by the immediate connection he feels with Miranda.

And he's stunned by her acceptance of his telepathy, as well as his being a descendent of the age-old Croyant des Trois -- men and women dedicated to using their innate magical powers and skills to protect Moyenne, humans with no magic, from Croyant who've gone bad.

Sariel knows he shouldn't act on his feelings for Miranda -- not when the evil Quain and Sariel's scheming ex are set to use their Croyant powers to subjugate humanity.

Yet as Sariel tries to clear Miranda's mind of memories of their time together, he sets into motion events that may prove love is powerful magic in its own right.

"When You Believe" is an exceptionally cool novel.

Inclán's mythology is fascinating and sophisticated, yet refreshing in its simplicity; one isn't stopped cold by frequently having to refer to a glossary.

The word "fluidity" comes to mind. A languid, lovely passage of time early in the novel, and a smooth transition to thrilling action as the plot moves forward, makes the novel utterly engaging -- a real treat.

Inclán is a talented writer, adept at creating concise descriptive prose, and comfortable, yet dynamic dialogue. She's got a canny ability to combine the two when characters communicate telepathically.

I'll assume you're not a mind reader and communicate my message about "When You Believe" this way:

Buy the book.

www.JesscaBarksdaleInclan.com

Next week's review and AuthorView: "She's No Princess," by Laura Lee Guhrke