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Smitten Image
In high-speed, high-tech New Chicago, 2039, magic has gone viral. Lily Barnett, a brilliant but drifty artist wanders into a strange magic shop where she impulsively guzzles a love potion. Erratic and unpredictable powers awake inside her. Her houseplants turn ravenous and strings of flamingo lights spout poetry. When she paints a portrait of her perfect man, he steps free of the canvas and stalks her. Desperate, she turns to her best friend, Daniel, for help.
But Daniel has problems of his own. He's a telepath who must shield thoughts, emotions, and desires or go mad. He wants Lily, desperately, but knows his passion will drive her away and that his friendship is of more value to her than his love.
As Lily negotiates the catastrophic blends of her fear, imagination, and chaotic magic, Daniel must fight against his own impenetrable reserve and the psychic gifts he's always despised.
Magic and love might save them, but can they survive each other?
This is a new release of a previously published edition.
200 pages, ebook
First published July 23, 2012
6 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Pam B. Morris
2 books12 followersMother, writer, artist, fantasist, escapist and get a high out of living stories inside my head of inside a book. Author of Smitten Image, paranormal romance. Madly in love with La-La Land and my Kate,Jackson and Brett. They are the essence and inspiration of my life, my saving graces... I have Meniere's Disease, an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo. Not the fun kind either. Living the dizzy life in a spinnin' world. Wrote my first really crappy "novel" at sixteen, always ACHED to be a great writer, a great artist, great at everything. Was an idealist, will never be a realist. Love to garden, knit, create bizarre art with wire, fabric and wallpaper paste, draw, dream, hang with friends, horses and my Drew doggie.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 4, 2012
I loved this book. Pam Morris has such an incredible gift with language. This book had me cheering for the hero one minute and laughing about the flamingos the next! So creative, so unique--an absolute Must Read!
July 17, 2012
Pam B. Morris’ debut book, Smitten Image, starts off as a light-hearted romp through magic and love. The visual pictures of the heroine, Lily, (“…stockings saggy at the knees, cuffs smeared with paint, and carrying a stained canvas bag…”), as well as her inner thoughts allow the reader to connect almost instantaneously. This is in spite of the fact that the world is decades in the future where the switching of magnetic poles creates a Chicago like we’ve never known.
But Lily’s romp isn’t quite as light-hearted as time goes on. She has a serious problem. How can she be with the man she loves without killing him? And not in ordinary ways—oh, no, that would be too tame for Ms. Morris. Lily’s elemental magic goes “rogue,” threatening to overwhelm the sympathetic, clairvoyant magic of Daniel. If she can’t get it under control, “…every thought, every
feeling that humans projected would overwhelm his senses and drive him insane. Literally.”
The beauty of this book is following the enjoyment and love trials of Lily and Daniel. At the same time, a little part of your brain acknowledges the universal problem: How do we fall in love without killing each other – or ourselves – in the process?
I enjoyed the plot, characterizations and most of all the visual kaleidoscope of images I got while reading this book!
But Lily’s romp isn’t quite as light-hearted as time goes on. She has a serious problem. How can she be with the man she loves without killing him? And not in ordinary ways—oh, no, that would be too tame for Ms. Morris. Lily’s elemental magic goes “rogue,” threatening to overwhelm the sympathetic, clairvoyant magic of Daniel. If she can’t get it under control, “…every thought, every
feeling that humans projected would overwhelm his senses and drive him insane. Literally.”
The beauty of this book is following the enjoyment and love trials of Lily and Daniel. At the same time, a little part of your brain acknowledges the universal problem: How do we fall in love without killing each other – or ourselves – in the process?
I enjoyed the plot, characterizations and most of all the visual kaleidoscope of images I got while reading this book!
July 2, 2012
Well, since I wrote this I must say I love it. But what else could I say... still, it is fun, very humorous with a ditzy blonde resembling someone I know very personally. For a romance, I think it offers a lot. I got into the futuristic world thing, magic everywhere, mayhem at the drop of a hat. A magic shop that never stays in one place and a lonely artist who, and I'm quoting Lily here, "is as silly as flying pigs." She drinks a love potion and then paints her perfect man who comes to life off the canvas and stalks her. And that's only the beginning... Would love to hear what you all think of it. Seriously!!
July 4, 2012
Love, Magic and Angst...what more could you ask for in a love story? Pam B. Morris' romance, Smitten Image, has all that, plus humor and characters we can all identify with. You will laugh and moan and try to push the characters together as they do their darnedest to stay apart. Thanks for the pre-read...I feel so special.
October 18, 2012
First of all, this book is out of my comfort zone, and I think it is important to challenge myself to do this once in a while. So take any comments or criticisms with that in mind.
I found myself somewhat intrigued from the beginning of this futuristic romance. I honestly had no idea what to expect, but when magic first showed itself in the story, I was somewhat nonplussed. I liked the characters--Daniel and Lily--so I chose to treat this book as a fantasy and a fairy tale. In doing that, I was able to enjoy some more of this book. Portions of what I read even reminded me of the old TV show "Bewitched."
I have to admit that as the book went on, I found myself somewhat turned off by two things. First of all, the magic became increasingly confusing and strange (probably because I know nothing about magic in books). Secondly, I was disturbed to read about the great emphasis that the physical part of the characters' relationship seemed to be what drove the characters to one another. I felt that the friendship they spoke about was almost nonexistent.
So what did I like about the book? The art emphasis, the futuristic look at this country, and some elements of the story. I could have done without the sex scene and the profanity, but many readers will have no problem with this. The premise behind the book is absolutely fascinating, but I think it could have been a little bit edgier and a little less emphasis on magic.
If you are a fan of magic and romances, I can almost guarantee you will love this book!
I found myself somewhat intrigued from the beginning of this futuristic romance. I honestly had no idea what to expect, but when magic first showed itself in the story, I was somewhat nonplussed. I liked the characters--Daniel and Lily--so I chose to treat this book as a fantasy and a fairy tale. In doing that, I was able to enjoy some more of this book. Portions of what I read even reminded me of the old TV show "Bewitched."
I have to admit that as the book went on, I found myself somewhat turned off by two things. First of all, the magic became increasingly confusing and strange (probably because I know nothing about magic in books). Secondly, I was disturbed to read about the great emphasis that the physical part of the characters' relationship seemed to be what drove the characters to one another. I felt that the friendship they spoke about was almost nonexistent.
So what did I like about the book? The art emphasis, the futuristic look at this country, and some elements of the story. I could have done without the sex scene and the profanity, but many readers will have no problem with this. The premise behind the book is absolutely fascinating, but I think it could have been a little bit edgier and a little less emphasis on magic.
If you are a fan of magic and romances, I can almost guarantee you will love this book!
August 14, 2012
Beautiful and Enchanting
Lily Barnett is a brilliantly talented, but scatterbrained painter who loses her keys at least once a week. She yearns for true love and the kind of sex that makes your toes curl.
Daniel Harris is a building manager with more than a few secrets hidden behind those glasses of his. He’s a clairvoyant Reader and in love with his best friend and neighbor, Lily.
And when Lily enters a magic shop and guzzles a love potion without a second thought, their destinies are forever changed.
The year is 2039 and the universe is teaming with mystical forces. Morris’ protagonists are as magical as the art they create and their unbridled love threatens to ruin them both. The author’s world-building is absolutely captivating and her descriptions of a future “New Chicago” are rivaled only by her exquisite depictions of color and art.
Magical, paranormal, filled with beautiful imagery and enchanting parallels between art and love, Smitten Image delivers romance in spades. If you are intrigued by magic and spells, fascinated by the world of fine art, and looking for a great summer romance, you’ll love Smitten Image.
Lily Barnett is a brilliantly talented, but scatterbrained painter who loses her keys at least once a week. She yearns for true love and the kind of sex that makes your toes curl.
Daniel Harris is a building manager with more than a few secrets hidden behind those glasses of his. He’s a clairvoyant Reader and in love with his best friend and neighbor, Lily.
And when Lily enters a magic shop and guzzles a love potion without a second thought, their destinies are forever changed.
The year is 2039 and the universe is teaming with mystical forces. Morris’ protagonists are as magical as the art they create and their unbridled love threatens to ruin them both. The author’s world-building is absolutely captivating and her descriptions of a future “New Chicago” are rivaled only by her exquisite depictions of color and art.
Magical, paranormal, filled with beautiful imagery and enchanting parallels between art and love, Smitten Image delivers romance in spades. If you are intrigued by magic and spells, fascinated by the world of fine art, and looking for a great summer romance, you’ll love Smitten Image.
June 23, 2013
What a wonderful book, filled with magic and love! I adored Lily and her world. Pam B. Morris writes in a beautiful voice about the future several decades from now. Her world-building is first-rate, and I was there in New Chicago, gobbling up all of the details of a city born from the ashes of catastrophe. Lily is a talented painter of landscapes and portraits, but she is a conflicted young woman, filled with self-doubt about the true nature of her extraordinary abilities. Daniel, her best friend, has loved Lily for years, but he's kept his feelings to himself, because of a magical secret. Together, they discover each other in new ways, to forge a bond that cannot be broken by man - or witch. If you are enchanted by magic shops, intrigued by the world of art, and ready for a great summer romance, you will enjoy Smitten Image.
(The reviewer, Deborah O'Neill Cordes, received an ARC from the author with no monetary compensation and in return for an honest review).
(The reviewer, Deborah O'Neill Cordes, received an ARC from the author with no monetary compensation and in return for an honest review).
July 30, 2012
A page-turner! I could not put Smitten Image down, a fast-paced ride through a futuristic world filled with magic, art, and mischief. Not to mention a very sweet yet intense "friendship first" romance. I liked Daniel instantly, an endearing, sexy Clark Kent type beta male who came right off the page. I loved the inside look at a painter's life; the detail about composition and color was fascinating. Morris' attention to detail made her world feel very real, the Chicago architecture and the witchcraft especially. There were motives and plot twists I wish could have been developed more, but referring to my first statement - this is an action-packed, engaging book - the story didn't suffer. I won't spoil the surprise, but the marriage proposal was a delightful twist. Overall an entertaining sensory experience that stayed with me long after I finished the book. A must-read for fans of paranormal magic.
October 14, 2012
As charming as Harry Potter, this wonderfully, magical novel put a smile on my face from beginning to end. I fell in love with Pam B. Morris’s poetic voice, turns of phrases and magical cast of characters.
Lily is a delightful heroine, quirky, passionate and absolutely loveable as she and Daniel struggle to be together under impossible circumstances. Hopelessly in love, Daniel is a admirable hero who never tries to change the befuddled heroine, but instead embraces the ardent artist she needs to be.
Again, I must mention the delightful writing and share one of my favourite lines from many: ‘Gods and favors, but the girl was a mind-tweak.’ Don’t you just love that!
It takes a creative soul to write one, and that’s exactly what Pam B. Morris does with Lily, her magical awakening and this love story. Full of enchanted lessons, whimsical descriptions and passionate romance, Smitten Image shows that love truly is magic.
Lily is a delightful heroine, quirky, passionate and absolutely loveable as she and Daniel struggle to be together under impossible circumstances. Hopelessly in love, Daniel is a admirable hero who never tries to change the befuddled heroine, but instead embraces the ardent artist she needs to be.
Again, I must mention the delightful writing and share one of my favourite lines from many: ‘Gods and favors, but the girl was a mind-tweak.’ Don’t you just love that!
It takes a creative soul to write one, and that’s exactly what Pam B. Morris does with Lily, her magical awakening and this love story. Full of enchanted lessons, whimsical descriptions and passionate romance, Smitten Image shows that love truly is magic.
July 25, 2012
Smitten Image was a magical kaleidoscope of a read. Pam B. Morris immerses the reader into a slightly future world that surrounds Lily and Daniel with wild magic, volatile lust, and an enduring love. The author’s knowledge of art and color shine through her story impeccably. The art comes alive on the page and draws you into the beautiful worlds she creates through her funny and quirky heroine, Lily. You can’t help but fall in love with Lily as she stumbles in learning how to wield and temper the new magic within her and Daniel who harbors his own maddening powers and secrets, all which threaten to keep them apart.
Smitten Image is such a creative and unique take on witchcraft, psychic powers, and magic. I highly recommend it to those looking for something a little bit different and a whole lot of awesome!
Smitten Image is such a creative and unique take on witchcraft, psychic powers, and magic. I highly recommend it to those looking for something a little bit different and a whole lot of awesome!
August 25, 2012
From page one of SMITTEN IMAGE, readers know author Pam Morris is an artist. Her descriptive words create settings and images that don’t jump off the page – instead they pull the reader into the page. You are immediately drawn into Lily’s and Daniel’s magical world where portrait subjects become alive and houseplants create fear. But as is true for all good books, the center of this magical world is the love between Lily and Daniel. Their initial inability to make their love work actually frustrated me because I did not foresee how they could eventually have their happily ever after. Fortunately, Morris relieved my frustration, and instead I was left longing for the next book from her magical world. Well done.
August 24, 2012
Magic--Excitement--Exquisite Writing! Pam B. Morris knows how to write. Her words pull you in and make you feel as if you’re living in the world she’s created. It’s a joy to read and I couldn’t wait to see what happened.—then was so sad when I’d read the last word. I wanted to live with her characters a little longer! Morris paints a character like an artist moves a brush…alive, vivid and with great emotion. This story is so fresh! So clever! So well written! I give it five stars wholeheartedly! I suggest settling in with a nice glass of wine, a cup of tea and a blanket this winter…and read this book. Its beauty will linger with you long after you’ve read the final word.
July 13, 2012
Morris portrays magical characters as intriguing as the art they create. The love and lust that swirls around them transforms from dangerous to sensual. By the end of the novel, the reader understands the wisdom in the words of one of Morris’s most lovable characters, Madame Bagasha: Love is as powerful a magic as any…”
October 25, 2012
Pam Morris has created a wonderful love story set in a unique vision of the future. Lily and Daniel are quirky, fun characters and you love them both from the start. While the world they inhabit has been torn apart there is still hope and there is magic. It's a wonderful story that I would recommend to anyone who loves romance.
February 20, 2013
This book is a fun read. The writer loves color. Some of the events in the book had me laughing out loud. I did feel perhaps it was a little long, but it was well written. If you like a little mayhem, a colorful heroine and a whole lot of magic then you'll really enjoy Smitten Image.
January 5, 2013
Full of magic and laughter. Pam Morris's writing is as joyful and free-spirited as her heroine Lily.
September 1, 2018
As much as I can't decide if I like the book, I also couldn't seem to stop reading it.
It's been a long while since I found a book that could keep me interested long enough to read the whole thing in one day, but this one did just that.
Lily and Daniel made for interesting characters and Morris wrote them well. At times they seemed incredibly two-dimensional, but they were (overall) incredibly relatable characters.
I would read more about these characters (I love Nila), but I wouldn't necessarily go seeking them out.
It's been a long while since I found a book that could keep me interested long enough to read the whole thing in one day, but this one did just that.
Lily and Daniel made for interesting characters and Morris wrote them well. At times they seemed incredibly two-dimensional, but they were (overall) incredibly relatable characters.
I would read more about these characters (I love Nila), but I wouldn't necessarily go seeking them out.
January 15, 2013
I saw this in one blog or another, as it's the current (01/15/13) Kindle deal of the day. I don't normally like to buy Kindle books, but for 0.99, I figured what the hell.
I think it was worth the ninety-nine cents, but, overall, I wasn't thrilled. The plot wasn't very linear. I kept feeling like there were all these disparate elements flying around and things could change on a dime. Nila's her friend, Nila tattled! Lily thinks of Daniel as her best friend, no, she's been secretly in love with him! No, now Lily's not willing to lose her friendship with him! Lily has magic! Quirky things happen and it's cute! No, wait, her magic is overwhelming and out of control and it Must Be Stopped! No, after careful consideration, her magic is special and an innate part of her and it Must Flourish! You get my point. It was like having whiplash in book form.
The closest comparison I can make to Smitten Image is Shanna Swendson's Enchanted, Inc.. Smitten has that fiction-y, sort of a romance, but not really feel to it. Yes, the relationship between Daniel and Lily is a major component of the book, but the majority of the relationship development has already happened when the book begins. And it's not really about them realizing their feelings for each other, so much as it is them getting out of their own way. Also, I think you could make a case for Daniel being a bit co-dependent on Lily.
So if you loved Enchanted, Inc., I'd recommend Smitten Image for the 0.99 price. If you are looking for more of a contemporary romance, save your dollar.
I think it was worth the ninety-nine cents, but, overall, I wasn't thrilled. The plot wasn't very linear. I kept feeling like there were all these disparate elements flying around and things could change on a dime. Nila's her friend, Nila tattled! Lily thinks of Daniel as her best friend, no, she's been secretly in love with him! No, now Lily's not willing to lose her friendship with him! Lily has magic! Quirky things happen and it's cute! No, wait, her magic is overwhelming and out of control and it Must Be Stopped! No, after careful consideration, her magic is special and an innate part of her and it Must Flourish! You get my point. It was like having whiplash in book form.
The closest comparison I can make to Smitten Image is Shanna Swendson's Enchanted, Inc.. Smitten has that fiction-y, sort of a romance, but not really feel to it. Yes, the relationship between Daniel and Lily is a major component of the book, but the majority of the relationship development has already happened when the book begins. And it's not really about them realizing their feelings for each other, so much as it is them getting out of their own way. Also, I think you could make a case for Daniel being a bit co-dependent on Lily.
So if you loved Enchanted, Inc., I'd recommend Smitten Image for the 0.99 price. If you are looking for more of a contemporary romance, save your dollar.
August 1, 2012
Be prepared to fall in love. You will fall in love with Lily, the ditzy, innocent, beguiling artist; with Daniel her soulmate full of compassion, integrity and virility; with art and its power to communicate on a level beyond words. This book swept me away into a world swirling with color that conveyed the intimacy, sensuality and passion binding Lily and Daniel. I have never read a book that made me ache to be an artist! Pam B. Morris takes the reader into a sense of the depth of love beyond physical, beyond cognitive, beyond emotion, and it is a powerful voyage. The magical atmosphere lends a quirky yet ominous tone to the book that was well-balanced and often surprising. The message I got was that we have the power within us to heal, to overcome and to soar. I anxiously await Pam B. Morris’s next venture into the world of love, art and passion. (This book was a gift and I received no monetary compensation for this review.)
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April 5, 2013I'm not giving this book a rating because I didn't finish it. The fact that I didn't finish this book says nothing about the quality of the story or the writing, which both seemed fine. Admittedly, this is not a genre (paranormal romance) that appeals to me. I started reading this book because I won it in a Goodreads giveaway, which begs the question, why did I enter the giveaway in the first place?
Well, upon reading the description, I envisioned a novel that focused less on the romance and more on the paranormal (and futuristic) side of things. Maybe that wasn't fair to the author and was just me misunderstanding the blurb. Either way, I'll neither praise nor critique this book. But I will say that if you are a fan of paranormal romance, this book may be up your alley.
Well, upon reading the description, I envisioned a novel that focused less on the romance and more on the paranormal (and futuristic) side of things. Maybe that wasn't fair to the author and was just me misunderstanding the blurb. Either way, I'll neither praise nor critique this book. But I will say that if you are a fan of paranormal romance, this book may be up your alley.
June 20, 2013
This was one I picked up on a lark to meet a specific part of a challenge, but I was prepared to not enjoy the story, as art really didn't interest me that much. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this story! It was a "magic awakening" story, but one set in the future where magic is sort of semi-believed in. There were a few twists in the magic universe that made it a fresh take on the situation. I really liked the Hero and the heroine in this book, they both seemed very real and approachable, just like someone I could meet here in the real world. It was an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
November 25, 2013
2.5 Stars!
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