Spellbound is the first book in Allie Therin’s Magic in Manhattan series and the author’s debut work. But with old enemies resurfacing and dangerous relics in the wrong hands, Arthur and Rory must fight, along with their friends, to save their city and their lives. But soon he begins to realize that Arthur is truly a caring man who just wants to protect the city–and Rory– from harm. Things start off tense between Arthur and Rory, as Rory has a lot of doubts about Arthur and his motives. Arthur doesn’t want to do anything to harm Rory and he is very aware that he is asking Rory to do something potentially dangerous, but if the relics fall into the wrong hands, the potential abuse of enormous power could be devastating. When Arthur approaches Leena Brodigan for help, both she and Rory try to keep him out of Arthur’s sights, but soon it becomes clear to Arthur that Rory is the real one with the paranormal talent. Brodigan’s shop and helping to appraise antiques and determine their authenticity, while Leena keeps up appearances up front. Disreputable folks often try to abuse paranormals for their own ends and so Rory keeps a low profile, hiding way in the back of Mrs. In Rory’s case, when scrying an object’s history, he can find himself lost in the past, sometimes for day or weeks at a time. As with many paranormals, his power can get away from him.

Rory may be a psychometric, but his gift is not fully in control. He seeks out the woman who owns a local appraisal shop, as she seems to have the abilities he seeks, but little does Arthur know that Leena Brodigan is just a cover for the real supernatural talent who works for her. Arthur is looking for a psychometric, a person who can see into an object’s past, to help him figure out what the relic does and how to keep it from being bound to a dangerous practitioner. When Arthur gets word that an amulet with unknown, but certainly devastating, powers is heading for New York, he seeks out some supernatural help. He also works to track supernatural relics that are a danger to the world. Arthur Kenzie is the wealthy son of a New York politician.

Spellbound allie therin