Book 95, 2023

This Wicked Magic by Michele Hauf

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



At work yesterday I finished reading This Wicked Magic by Michele Hauf. It's book 2 in the "This Witchery" series, and it's part of Silhouette's 'Nocturne' line. The main characters are Certainly (CJ) Jones and Viktorie (Vika) St Charles.

After visiting the realm of demons, CJ has returned with several of them having hitched a ride on his soul. So long as he stays in the light he can maintain control. When he is out too late one evening and it grows dark, CJ's only chance is the illumination from the headlights of a nearby car. Vika and her sister Libby, both witches, make their living cleaning up supernatural crime scenes. When a dark witch approaches seeking assistance, Vika can't help but be drawn to him. Together, they begin a quest to exorcise the various demons from CJ's soul. Vika's kind heart, however, may put her own soul in peril.

I found another Nocturne book with a heroine who was strong and capable without having to be beaten and assaulted to make her tough. Thank heavens. While the main plot consisted of CJ and Vika trying to rid his soul of his demonic hitchhikers, there was more than that going on. CJ was in a battle with another dark witch, while Vika's sister Libby was making cow eyes at a soul bringer. The plot was unique and engrossing. Of course, the inevitable love fest happened unrealistically quick, but then these are shorter books. Some things weren't explained well, such as how Sal the man ended up as Salamander the cat, or why everyone was so blasé about the fact that witches routinely need to eat a vampire's heart if they wanted to remain immortal. Um, wouldn't that be murder? Hm.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Don't fall so far you can't see the light for the darkness."
♦ He had a good idea which witch was up to what witchery, and why.

Intriguing, exciting, and sexy. Four stars.

Book 96, 2023

Midlife or Death by Cindy Stark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I polished off an ebook last night: Midlife or Death by Cindy Stark. It's the first book in the "Sweet Mountain Witches" series, starring 40-year old Daisy Summers.

Although a practicing witch, Daisy prefers solitude over any coven activities. She is content running her cat café and socializing with friends. With the town's annual Beltane celebration looming, there is heightened excitement because a new council member will be chosen. Daisy doesn't care; no one from her branch of the family has been chosen to serve in years. However, with her mother recovering from knee surgery, it falls on Daisy to attend to represent their line. Daisy is surprised when she realizes how fun the celebration is. Having a handsome stranger ask her to dance is icing on the cake. When her drunken cousin, Merry, tries to cut in and causes a scene, Daisy is mortified. And when Merry is found murdered later that night, Daisy is a person of interest. Determined to clear her name, she begins asking questions around town. She is aided by her employees and Gideon, the striking man who seems to be attracted to her. Suddenly, Daisy's quiet life is much more exciting than she had anticipated.

Ebooks can be hit or miss. This one was delightful. Daisy is an engaging character, and I enjoyed the excitement of the festival and a potential budding romance right along with her. The plot was fast paced, although I would have liked to see more of Daisy's every day life; instead, most of the latter part of the book was devoted to her investigation.

Favorite line: People liked to mock crazy cat ladies, but it was a fulfilling way of life.

Very good, and I will look for more in the series. Four stars.