To Love a Witch

Novel Nibbles

by Debora Geary

Jake thought he had a juvenile delinquent witch in need of rescue. Romy couldn't decide if he was a kidnapper, liar, or too good to be true.Throw in Tattoo Boy, sparking fingers, and a seven-year-old who can see the future, and you have all the makings for a romance. Really. Well, there's some really great linguine and a duet from West Side Story, too.

Novel Nibbles are snack-sized reads. Short novels for your lunch break, your iPhone, and any other time a quick read is the perfect length. They are about 20,000 words (70-80 pages).

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Witches, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Short Stories

71 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 29, 2011

Reviews

[Sidney W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Love A Witch is billed as a novel nibble because of its brevity, and that's why I selected it. For you Kindle readers, it is 974 locations in length, estimated to be 71 pages. I had just finished reading Stone's Fall which is 610 pages and was looking for something I could finish in a hurry. I hesitated at first because of the title and because the next book to read for my neighborhood book club is about the Salem witch trials. But this one by Debora Geary looked different. It looked like it could be humorous so I started it. I'm glad I did.

To Love A Witch is a romantic comedy plus. In the author's world there are different types of witches. Jake, who is a monitor for the Witch Sentinel System, is investigating a possible problem at the Franklin County Youth Detention Center when he discovers Romy. Jake is a witch with special control powers, one of which is to be able to fly on his bike. Romy is a witch with fire-throwing abilities she never learned to control.

Jake learns of other problems in the area due to his predecessor and he sets about, with Romy's help, to solve them. The two are drawn together, and Romy learns to control her witchcraft before incinerating Jake.

I laughed through the first three fourths and cried during the rest. It was that type of book.

[Cyn Bagley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked Geary for my new author experiment because I was interested in her modern witch series and being totally honest, her books were reasonably priced. This particular story is more a novella than an actual novel, but it is well written and easy to read.

Romy is a fire witch that fell through the cracks of the Witch Sentinel system when she was fourteen. Because she was considered an arsonist, she spent years in juvie in the mundane system. However the new Sentinel finds her as she tries to keep her elemental powers under control. They have an amusing meet when the Sentinel, Jake, kidnaps her from the juvie hall where she is teaching drama to some of the juveniles.

This book was very enjoyable with the interaction between the two romantic characters. Also, a cautionary tale for those people who have powers that transcend the normal. "A untrained witch is a dangerous witch." This book was more in the paranormal chick-lite for those of you who like chick-lite with a twist.

I found it enjoyable.

[B.C. Deeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on Debora's To Love A Witch late one night when I couldn't sleep and gave it a try - for 99 cents it wasn't a big investment. And it was just what I wanted. A cute, short and easy read that sent me off into dreamland with appropriate thoughts of a hot,gallant hero I could love and a heroine I could identify with. It's hard to find sweet romances that also embrace the paranormal element for some reason but I love them. I'd much rather my uber-alpha hero had magical powers rather than one who has to suck my blood. I've since picked up the first of her `A Modern Witch Series' and she again delivered a wonderful story. These aren't for readers who are looking for a Laurel K Hamilton or JR Ward type paranormal read, but if you are looking for something light and entertaining, I would suggest you take a chance on Debora's books.

[Gretchen Fatouros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not long enough, but helped with witch central cravings. Can't get enough Debora Geary's books.

I'm always a sucker for a nice romance. Added magic, a plus. Can't help but enjoy Jake and Romy. Debora Geary does a great job of understanding people, and really adds dimensions to the entire book. Just wish there was another book with Jake & Romy after this one.

Order for reading these books:
Modern Witch (Modern Witch #1)
Hidden Witch (Modern Witch #2)
Witches on Parole (WitchLight #1)
Witches Under Way (WitchLight #2)
Witches in Flight (WitchLight #3)
Reckless Witch (Modern Witch #3)
A Witch Central Wedding (short story)
Nomadic Witch ((Modern Witch #4)
A Different Witch (Modern Witch # 5 - I haven't read yet)

If you still need a Witch Fix from this "world":
To Love a Witch (A Novel Nibbles title)
To Have and to Code - Nell and Daniel's love story - I haven't read yet

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

InTo Love a Witch, Jake finds his love, Romy when he tries to rescue her and finds out she didn't need to be rescued. He works for an agency that finds and helps young witches that as children and they get their powers it gets them in trouble due to lack of control. Jake is new to the Arizona territory and the guy before him worked for forty years and ignored all female witches so lots of young women are in trouble.

This sets the plot for an interesting full of fire and earthquakes as the two witches with different powers learn to work together and fall in love. I love the way they could make flying love. The little girl Jolie was also a wonderful character and added much to the plot. Wonderful short novella!

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not related to Geary's Witch Central characters ... YET! Geary says it will be hooked in to those stories in the future, in some sure to be wonderful, not yet released (or written?), Witch Central story.

Oh,and ps, story is a delightful little read, all on its own.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goorreads Description- Jake thought he had a juvenile delinquent witch in need of rescue. Romy couldn’t decide if he was a kidnapper, liar, or too good to be true. Throw in Tattoo Boy, sparking fingers, and a seven-year-old who can see the future, and you have all the makings for a romance.

Really.

Well, there's some really great linguine and a duet from West Side Story, too.

I really don't like fantasy books from going all the way back to high school when we were forced to read The Hobbit and other "high" fantasies, so now as an adult I think I am missing out on some good books simple because I'm too afraid to try. I don't like made up worlds and people, weird mystery powers, and searching for rings. So now that I have listed all the reasons let me tell you you why I picked this book and actually liked it.

I had to pick a fantasy book to read for a bookclub and immediately my heart started racing, so I picked up my handy Kindle and started looking and found To Love a Witch. I read the description and it passed some of my initial tests....it is set in the real world and no one is worried about a ring! LOL!! A bonus was that it was a short story! So off I went to read my fantasy and I have to say that I liked it! It was too short to really like it or say it was amazing but it was the perfect book for a girl afraid of fantasy. Let's just say this was "fantasy-light". Jake works for the Sentinal of Magic and works in his zone of New Mexico to find young witches and work with them to learn to control their magic and use it in non-harmful ways. An alert comes in that magic is being used and he goes to find the witch. Expecting the witch to be young he is surprised to see that Romy is an adult and running a theater program in a juvenile detention hall. Romy is skeptical at first after many years of trying to tamp down her magic, not understading it, but Jake convinces her, with a little help from Franco and Carlas best Italian food ever, to work with Carla. Carla is a fire witch herself and wants to teach Romy to be in control of her magic and not just spark and cause fires, which landed Romy in a lot of trouble when she was young. Meanwhile Jake learns that is predecessor has been ignoring over 70 female witches because he didn't like the girls. So it's Jake misssion to find and make sure these girls are ok. Romy sees that Jake is a man to trust and soon finds herself falling in love.

See that wasn't so bad was it? I liked the story. It was basically a love story + witches. Most importantly, it made me think that maybe my fear of fantasy will eventually go away if I keep dipping my toes in the fantasy waters and this was the perfect starter book. So if you are like me and despise fantasy, try To Love a Witch and see what you think. I know I was surprised and you may be too! 3 stars!

[Andie Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I'll say that Ms. Geary gave me a free copy of this "novel nibble" after I reviewed Matchmakers 2.0. I'll try to be as objective as possible, but wanted to be upfront about that.

Like Matchmakers, this is a fun, short read that is great for airplane rides, waiting in line, or just an afternoon of light reading. The story is fast-paced and interesting. I don't normally read paranormal fiction, but the witches are fun and interesting, and the author's inclusion of a group of people looking out for the social welfare of teen witches was amusing and clever. The characters were decent, considering the length of the story, although I thought Romy was a little trite as a character. She came off a bit like a stereotyped "tough girl" to me.

There were no formatting errors or kindle problems that I noticed. Definitely enjoyed the story, and will read more of this author's work when I'm looking for light fiction!

[Witchbaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slight spoilers in the review but it’s revealed in the first 10% of the story.

Take a kid that was thrust into the foster care system & add fire. Romy spent several years incarcerated in juvie for her own natural powers escaping. Add an egotistical ass who feels that only boys should be taught witch craftery and then add 10 plus years to the mix. Now you have an untaught fire witch setting off Witch Sentinel’s Alarm System. And it makes for a truly interesting read. I loved the fact that Romy decided to return to juvie to make a difference with the kids still inside touches me.

Yes this is a fast paced read but oh so worth it. I adored the mix of characters.

This book (while short) is a complete story, with some wonderful characters & I’m seriously hoping that this short will ultimately link into the Modern Witch series, because I would love to see Jolie & Aeveryn become friends.

[Dear Velvet · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Romance - With Witches!

I received this Nibble from the author, and found it to be as with the first Novel Nibble in the series, a short and sweet romance, with believable, heart-warming characters

Jake is a witch hunter who is also a witch, tracking down talented newbie witches who have slipped through the net and are in need of guidance, education and friendship.

In a world where the last hunter was not interested in female sorcerers, failing to contact them as little girls and help them deal with their skills, leaving them vulnerable to misunderstandings and suspicion, Jake decides to take a stand and help free the local female witch population from years of prejudice and neglect.

Then he meets Romy, sassy, talented and bruised by her past.
And so the fun starts.

It's a great short read, and even if you don't think you'd ever love a witch, if you love romance, this could certainly satisfy your cravings.

[Mandolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romy doesn't want to be rescued...it's a little late for that, since she already suffered through juvenile detention and has the soul-scars to prove it. She's finally learned to bottle away her magical power and isn't going to let anyone - even a hunky witch on a motorcycle - convince her that it is anything but harmful. Can Jake get under her tough girl shell and help bring out the amazing witch that is cowering inside? She melts his heart with her fiery personality and causes his world to tremble - literally! But can he get into her heart? With a lot of pasta, a few wild flights and some good acting, maybe, just maybe, he can...

I LOVED this story! It felt just like a few chapters excerpts from some of Debora's best books. The characters were well developed, the plot was fast-paced and interesting and the heart and soul of the book just shone. Wonderful read that felt like a full book condensed into a very tiny space!

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet and funny story about Jake, who is a Sentinel. He has been recruited to an area that has been sadly neglected and as such, he finds that a lot of witches have fallen through the cracks. He says that he is not a knight in shining armour, preferring references to Jean-Luc Picard and using a flying motorcycle (think Hagrid but not as big!). From the start Jake is funny, warm and caring but sure as hell not to be messed with.

Romy is a fire witch and is one of those who fell through the cracks although she has done "ok" with her life. She is afraid of her magic and of the feelings that Jake produces within her. Will she carry on fighting her magic and Jake, or will she take a leap of faith and trust in her new found friends.

Loved this book and would love to know if the world within this story is in any of Deborah Geary's other novels, which is something I'm now going to investigate. Brilliant novella, brilliant author, highly recommended.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is sort of a social worker for witches. He is new to the job, but is dedicated. He begins searching for a witch who hasn't got her powers under control--she's accidentally started a few fires. He ends up at a juvenile detention center and when he uses a spell, he finds her. He's going to get her out of there and quick.

She doesn't want rescuing. She's not a juvenile either; she's a grown woman who is helping the kids there put on a production of "West Side Story". Jake is floored; but she is a witch. Romy has been fighting her fire power for 15 years now. She doesn't want it. Jake wants to help. She reluctantly agrees to listen. She meets a few people through Jake and things begin happening; curiosity, learning, magic, hope and even love.

This was a short story, but it was gloriously full of situations, feelings, fear, etc. I, for one, will be reading more of this author.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Love a Witch is a new "Novel Nibble" or a novella by Debora Geary. I've read some of her other writings and enjoyed them and this was no different. Although I feel that the witch, vampire, were-animal characters are being done to death, this provided a nice little twist. Jake is a male earth witch and basically a witch social worker out to find young witches in trouble and provide assistance. He receives an alert and heads to a local juvie detention center and meets Romy. He initially thinks that she is a juvenile witch in trouble but quickly learns that she is an adult. Romy may have trouble controlling her fire abilities, but definitely doesn't need social worker assistance at her age. Romy and Jake introduce us to some great characters (you'll love Carla and Jolie), and have some interesting interpersonal encounters. A great and quick romantic read.

[Urs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second of Debora Geary's Novel Nibbles. I was apprehensive about reading this because I am not really into witches.

The story is centered around Romy, a witch who has had trouble controlling her powers all of her life. Quite by accident, Romy encounters some people that help her learn to control her power. She also gets a chance at love along the way.

As with Matchmakers 2.0, the other Novel Nibble that I read, Debora Geary has crafted a set of enjoyable characters in an interesting, and humorous story. I look forward to reading a full length book from this author.

[Karen Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a reason why Debora Geary's Witch books are so popular. They are heavy on the magic / paranormal without all the darkness and danger that fills the genre. I'd even go so far as to call them uplifting and positive, which is rather rare for witch books in general. Perhaps it's because the characters in Geary's books are not pitted against Bad Guys or Evil-doers. Rather, their biggest struggles are internal... learning to harness their powers, trust others, "do no harm" so to speak.

This novella may have been meant as a way to give readers a taste of Geary's great witch series, but it's fab bit of fun to read all on its own. The characters are sassy and fun, the setting interesting and the writing (as always) is spot-on. I do hope Geary takes these characters and brings them back for a full length novel!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a nice short story but wished it was longer. Jake just moved to a new area to be on lookout for new witches who needed help to control thier powers or rescuing. He finds Romy who he thinks is in juvenal and tries to help her escape. Romy tells him he is 15 years to late. She is in charge of drama thier to help teens to cope and learn how to act. Jake finds out that for 40 years that part of the country the old sentinal was ignoring female witches and reporting false reports over 80 girls were left to themselves. Jake fines romy a teacher now and he looks to help find the rest of the girls. Jake can make earthquakes happen when he looses control. Romy has fire thats causes her lots of problems.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

www.breesabookworm.com

Novel Nibbles are these awesome books that only take like an hour to read. They are perfect for a quick read on a Saturday afternoon, during lunch break, whatever. I love them!

This is the second Debora Geary Novel Nibble I have read, the first being Matchmaker 2.0. Hit the link to go to my review. That book was good, and so was this one! Even though they are short, they have a complete story and a solid romance that doesn't feel too rushed.

Anyway, the book was good! I liked both the characters. It's written in first person going back and forth between the main leads. Jake is a total hottie, and Romy is likeable.

[Brie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always from this author, this was a fun read. Wish we got more of Jake's background, it seemed like it was quite interesting, however, the novella format doesn't leave a lot of time for exploration.

It may just be because I recently read another of this author's stories (To Have and to Code, but it seemed like the same character appeared in both stories and this story occurred prior to that one, which caused there to be some very glaring technical anachronisms, but I can overlook that and enjoy the story.

I would love to see more books about Witch Sentinel, but I'm pretty sure the author is buried under the Witch Central/Fisher's Cove stories. :)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a neat story. A little contradictory to a few tenants of the other series, but not really. In this series witches are discovered and helped by 'wardens'. In the other two series individuals and families helped to discover and assist witches. Though the other series were limited to Berkley and Nova Scotia so it is possible there are other systems set up in different parts of the world. I did enjoy that the new warden was trying to correct decades of mistakes, and succeeding one or two people at a time.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm afraid I'm going to start sounding like a broken record for this author, but all her stories are just so much fun! While the story (and characters) are completely different from the first "Novel Nibbles", they both share this quality I just can't quite put my finger on... it's like all her stories include people I would like to know in real life - smart, funny, caring, but still flawed enough to feel real. I just want to step into these books and live there.

[Emilystarr373 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying, earthquakes, fire and fun. Debora Geary knocks another one out of the park! This delectable little novel nibble stars Jake a witch hunter/finder who searches for new witches that have come into their powers that have somehow slipped through the cracks. Once found he brings them safely into the witching community. Now insert tough as nails Romy..she's battle weary and very leery of any guy that says he's here to help and the fun begins..

[Laura Jerwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am hooked on this authors books. Lovely story but only gave 2 stars as far too short. Think if it had been fleshed out a bit it would have been as good (or better) as her other books.
Would recommend if you've read her other books, but not if you haven't as it's not the best introduction to her fantastic work.

Hope these characters appear in the other books a bit more and we get some back story.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is looking for young witches who need help with their magic. Romy is a witch who is trying hard to forget the magic that got her into a lot of troubles while growing up. Now she is helping other kids to get a second chance through arts, and one fine day Jake and Romy's paths cross. She can't believe him at first and he has a hard time trying to figure her out, but it eventually turns out into a delightful short-story filled with lovable characters, a lot of sparks and italian food.

[Chris Adonn · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Love a Witch was definitely a FUN read. The story was interesting and very different from the average fantasy romance. I loved the concepts, characters and the engaging writing style of the author! Well written from start to finish. In fact it was un-put-down-able! I’d gladly recommend this book to anyone who loves a sweet romance with a strong dash of magic.

[Bkwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

WAY more fun than I'd thought. I like the world she's created, I like the characters, and even though this is more of a "novelette" than a novel, the story was satisfying. It got me to actually buy one of her books (I picked this one up when it was available for free on the Kindle), which, oddly, I'm not enjoying as much.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Debora's Nibbles! They are interesting, witty, short and so much fun. She never fails to draw me into the story and I simply love the characters she develops. I hope she writes some more with Jake and Romy and their mission to help young witches. Debora has such a vivid imagination; I can't wait for the next Nibble! I would recommend this to everybody who needs a little escapism.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still fun, but this was a more traditional romance than the other books, focused on a man and woman falling in love, and the love seemed a little compressed, a little simplistic and there were a lot of inconsistencies with other books.

This just didn't have the same level of development or thought as her other books.

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute paranormal romance novella that had plenty of action and an interesting enough plot but not a lot of reality. I did like the part about helping juvenile delinquents find a way to a better life. Jake believed Romy was an untutored young witch and tried to rescue her from a detention center for kids.

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a short story, it got me hooked on the rest of her magic books, which are fantastic.

Only one complaint, what ever happened to him marrying a brunette? It gets brought up as if its going to be important and then is never mentioned again.