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Witching After Forty #12
A Normal Midlife
Something’s gone wonky in Shipton Harbor… Widow, author, and mother Ava Harper should’ve never moved back to Shipton Harbor. After her husband Clay died, Ava couldn’t stay in the house she’d shared with him, so she packed her old Hyundai and drove home. The plan is to fix the old place up and sell it, all while trying to figure out where the next chapter of her life will take her.
Wait a minute...
Hasn't she already done this? Her life is so normal, but lately, it feels like something is missing. Even after running into her childhood best friend, Sam, Ava can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.
Like she's having a bad case of deja vu. Her life is fine . It’s normal, if a little boring. Why can’t she shake the nagging feeling that she’s missing something very important? A note from Lia and The beginning will feel very familiar. Stick with it because not everything is as it seems. Welcome to Ava’s Normal Midlife.
Wait a minute...
Hasn't she already done this? Her life is so normal, but lately, it feels like something is missing. Even after running into her childhood best friend, Sam, Ava can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.
Like she's having a bad case of deja vu. Her life is fine . It’s normal, if a little boring. Why can’t she shake the nagging feeling that she’s missing something very important? A note from Lia and The beginning will feel very familiar. Stick with it because not everything is as it seems. Welcome to Ava’s Normal Midlife.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2023
272 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Lia Davis
290 books1,567 followersIn 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite Ashwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 5, 2023
Holy cow! Ava a ‘mundane’? Say it ain’t so! I’m kind of at a loss for words at the end of this book. It was a rollercoaster ride of Hellish proportions. It took me to places and presented possibilities that I’d not really considered before. And now that they’re out there in the world, I’m very curious to see what the authors will do with them.
I received a complimentary copy of this story through Booksprout.
I received a complimentary copy of this story through Booksprout.
June 20, 2023
This is book sixteen of the Witching After Forty series and the characters are all finding themselves in a suddenly normal kind of life, with no magic. Not that any of them even realise they had magic! Ava is back at her Aunt Winnie’s home and ready to check what needs fixing and then get it up for sale. Her son Wallie managed to help her pack up a year ago, but she hasn’t been ready to face it until now. She is back in her childhood home of Shipton Harbor and she has met her old friends Sam and Snoozerton. Coming out of the grocery store she nearly crashes into a man, Drew, who along with another man Ian and a woman are running by and chasing a wanted person. Somehow she knows the man who stopped her from falling is called Drew and something seems off. Even Sam has been having some weird dreams or visions of a different life. What is happening and where has Lucy-Fur been in the last year?
The rest of the magical gang are living different lives, as if a different reality is going on. The events at the end of the previous book are key to what is happening in this one and why the characters are acting the way they are. Olivia and Phira are suffering and Ava figuring out her sense of déjà vu, is going to be key to them all getting back to their real lives. They are going to have to work out what is wrong with this picture and fast! Someone has gained far too much power and has locked their access to their memories, their reality and even the different realms. Those left behind have to cover for the others, as they also try to find a solution to what has happened. A nice twist on the normal life of this magical group of friends and family, with glimpses of reality seemingly unreachable. Nice to see Luci and finding out more about Snoozer! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The rest of the magical gang are living different lives, as if a different reality is going on. The events at the end of the previous book are key to what is happening in this one and why the characters are acting the way they are. Olivia and Phira are suffering and Ava figuring out her sense of déjà vu, is going to be key to them all getting back to their real lives. They are going to have to work out what is wrong with this picture and fast! Someone has gained far too much power and has locked their access to their memories, their reality and even the different realms. Those left behind have to cover for the others, as they also try to find a solution to what has happened. A nice twist on the normal life of this magical group of friends and family, with glimpses of reality seemingly unreachable. Nice to see Luci and finding out more about Snoozer! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
June 5, 2023
Since this is Book 16 in the series, I strongly recommend starting from the first and reading in sequence. In this book, Ava and some of her family get magically warped into an alternate timeline. The characters are there, but quite different from previous books. It starts as Ava returns to Shipton Harbor to put the family house, known in previous books as Winston, up for sale so she can move on five years after Clay’s death. Shopping for groceries, she meets a school friend, Winston Snoozerton. At the house, Lucy-Fur tries to talk, but Ava doesn’t understand her. Lucy-Fur recalls that a witch cursed Ava and her extended family. Meanwhile, Olivia and Phira are walking into Hell, where they are attacked by Crystal, an evil witch, and Luci is killed. Meanwhile, on Earth, Crystal is accused by Snoozerton of being an evil witch who is trying to accumulate power to dominate everyone. Ava’s family fights a long battle on several fronts in Hell and the Earth, with help from Faery, to defeat Crystal and get the gates to Hell closed.
June 8, 2023
Reconstructing the Past . . .
If you feel like the series you love has just moved over to an alternate universe or something, don’t necessarily write it off as your hallucination. This story line will take a crazy mis-step as Ava Harper is cursed to boring normalcy! It does mess with your mind a bit as all the characters you know are somewhat “different” now as you join Ava’s confusion and try to figure out what is going on. Will Ava finally figure everything out? Is there any way she can fix things and make the story “right” again for the readers? Grab your copy and, if you start to get dizzy, lie down on the couch for a few minutes and let the magic work – because the book will inevitably draw you back to find out more about this situation!
Kudos to the authors for such a clever approach. It kept us busily trying to figure out why nothing was as it seems. And would it ever go back to what it was?
If you feel like the series you love has just moved over to an alternate universe or something, don’t necessarily write it off as your hallucination. This story line will take a crazy mis-step as Ava Harper is cursed to boring normalcy! It does mess with your mind a bit as all the characters you know are somewhat “different” now as you join Ava’s confusion and try to figure out what is going on. Will Ava finally figure everything out? Is there any way she can fix things and make the story “right” again for the readers? Grab your copy and, if you start to get dizzy, lie down on the couch for a few minutes and let the magic work – because the book will inevitably draw you back to find out more about this situation!
Kudos to the authors for such a clever approach. It kept us busily trying to figure out why nothing was as it seems. And would it ever go back to what it was?
June 7, 2023
Our heroine has the sense that something is wrong, but she can't quite put her finger on what. That should be enough of a clue that things are definitely not normal.
This is book sixteen of the series, but, it works pretty well as a standalone. While you will be missing some of the details, the essentials are covered early on.
This is a cozy witch mystery with lots of different paranormal elements thrown in. I am rather fond of this genre, so I have been enjoying this series. The story is well written and easy to read with a intriguing and diverse cast as well as a fun setting. The story itself moves at a good pace and includes plenty of action, intrigue and humor to keep things interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this latest addition and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book sixteen of the series, but, it works pretty well as a standalone. While you will be missing some of the details, the essentials are covered early on.
This is a cozy witch mystery with lots of different paranormal elements thrown in. I am rather fond of this genre, so I have been enjoying this series. The story is well written and easy to read with a intriguing and diverse cast as well as a fun setting. The story itself moves at a good pace and includes plenty of action, intrigue and humor to keep things interesting. Overall, I enjoyed this latest addition and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
June 4, 2023
Ava finds herself in a boring world after Wallie leaves for college.
sadness and loss rule a world that seems empty and filled with sorrows
Olivia and Phira are trapped in Faery, living with the death of Lucifer
Some fates are far worse than their own deaths
can they find their way back to magic? save themselves? prevent demons from overwhelming the earth? redeem He$&?
a challenging midlife series of adventures that really highlights the bonds between chosen family members and blood kin in the world they have built themselves
sadness and loss rule a world that seems empty and filled with sorrows
Olivia and Phira are trapped in Faery, living with the death of Lucifer
Some fates are far worse than their own deaths
can they find their way back to magic? save themselves? prevent demons from overwhelming the earth? redeem He$&?
a challenging midlife series of adventures that really highlights the bonds between chosen family members and blood kin in the world they have built themselves
July 6, 2024
Disliked the 1st half of the book, better when Ava breaks out of Crystal's dream world. Also disliked Olivia's impatience. I think the main reason she is impatient is because she is not at where all the action is, in Hell. Since the beginning of this book Olivia have attached herself to Ava because she's magical & trouble seems to find her. Even after finding herself a magical being she still attaches herself to Ava but not as much but still a lot. I would say she is obsessed to the drama in Ava's life that not being there makes her crazy & demented. Yes her husband is trapped in Hell & her dad is dead but mainly it's because she's separated from Ava & her drama. Always disliked her clinginess to Ava. She has no life & has to cling to Ava for some "fun".
Rune Academy is opening its doors now to new students & when John mentions what male godmothers are called, why did Lia (the author) make Ava seem surprised by this news, she already knew this via Olivia, in a previous book. Timeline off again???
Rune Academy is opening its doors now to new students & when John mentions what male godmothers are called, why did Lia (the author) make Ava seem surprised by this news, she already knew this via Olivia, in a previous book. Timeline off again???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
Love this book, if you have read any of the series you will feel that at the start of this book you are in an alternate reality but it is all a by-product of what happened at the end of the last book.
I am not one for spoilers so not going to change the habit of a life time but really want to say to the authors thank you from one of my favourite characters in the series.
This series feels like a universe and has so many interesting characters that the author could write about, I hope it doesn't end any time soon.
The characters are realistic and the story is told from different points of view so you don't just empathise with one character. There is a warmth and humour to the writing that the characters feel like family.
The ending is not a cliff hanger as such it is almost an introduction to where the story is going next.
Looking forward to book 17
I am not one for spoilers so not going to change the habit of a life time but really want to say to the authors thank you from one of my favourite characters in the series.
This series feels like a universe and has so many interesting characters that the author could write about, I hope it doesn't end any time soon.
The characters are realistic and the story is told from different points of view so you don't just empathise with one character. There is a warmth and humour to the writing that the characters feel like family.
The ending is not a cliff hanger as such it is almost an introduction to where the story is going next.
Looking forward to book 17
June 8, 2023
OMG this was great!
The book picks up right when the last one ended except its like the story starts over with Ava living a NORMAL life without magic… until Snooze, in human form, reminds her about her real life. She wakes up still in the Hell realm along with her husband and friends who were all put to sleep and in this dreamscape. She is able to wake them, and on their way out, they find Luci who is still ALIVE! They make their way back to the gates and get home, but Crystal has somehow amassed more power and is also out along with some demons. Luci had given Olivia his power which she happily returns to him so he can send the demons back. Loads of fun and action! Loved this book so much!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book picks up right when the last one ended except its like the story starts over with Ava living a NORMAL life without magic… until Snooze, in human form, reminds her about her real life. She wakes up still in the Hell realm along with her husband and friends who were all put to sleep and in this dreamscape. She is able to wake them, and on their way out, they find Luci who is still ALIVE! They make their way back to the gates and get home, but Crystal has somehow amassed more power and is also out along with some demons. Luci had given Olivia his power which she happily returns to him so he can send the demons back. Loads of fun and action! Loved this book so much!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2023
This is the sixteen book in the Witching After Forty series. You need to read the previous books before this one since they all build upon each other. The whole series centers around Ava and her move back to Shipton Harbor. Another crisis has befallen Shipton Harbor, Ava, and her family. She needs to find the truth about what is going wrong and it all seems to center around a power hungry witch. I always love popping into Ava's world for a little adventure. If you enjoy cozy paranormal romance you'll enjoy this series. Can't wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2023
Overall the book was ok and we did find out additional info about some characters. Quick and sort of unsatisfying closure of one storyline with the "villain". This story actually was super short with little progress in the plot. I found it frustrating and way too fragmented. It's beginning to feel like it's time to close the series.
To emphasize the short story feel, 10% of the book (yes, 89% into the book) was an "appendix" which was the intro into the well-established series about Jax and Hailey. The first few chapters of their first book. Really?
To emphasize the short story feel, 10% of the book (yes, 89% into the book) was an "appendix" which was the intro into the well-established series about Jax and Hailey. The first few chapters of their first book. Really?
June 6, 2023
Ava and her family have been cursed to lead a normal life! This alternate reality story is full of familiar, yet not quite characters we’ve grown to know in the last 15 books in the series! The race is on for Ava to remember who she really is, find the witch who cursed her, and close the gates of Hell before it all breaks loose!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked this one where Ava and her crew were zapped by a witch when they helped Lucifer get into hell. Lucifer's defense has him appear to be dead but he wasn't. I liked how they all got back to their proper lives and place and rescued Lucifer. Even better I especially liked Crystal's punishment.
June 4, 2023
This series is a riot and this one fit right in. At the beginning had me questioning what was going on but it was entertaining as always with a dash of mystery and head scratching. Good story and hilarious characters as always. Ava was a blast as always. And the usual people who make this series a blast to read are present as usual.
June 5, 2023
I struggled to open this one, still annoyed about the cliffhanger at the end of book 15, but I couldn't resist the temptation and am very glad that I caved. Excellent follow up, all my questions and answered and I'm happy moving on now! I don't like dropping spoilers, so won't add any more other than to say this is a fine read.
June 5, 2023
OMG, these girls are trying to give me a heart attack!!! I was soooo sad by the end of a fiendish midlife but I knew that some how that was going to be all right. This one got me confused for a second because she was normal and her life was so different but things didn't stay that way. I really loved this story!!!! and as always, I cannot get enough of this series and I need more books
June 14, 2023
Possible spoiler
Ava and gang are in He'll, literally. They are enchanted to sleep, but Ava awakens a nd gets the others up. HOWEVER, the book starts almost identical to the very first in this series so don't give up on it. As usual the story is masterfully created, with enough suspense and excitement to keep the reader attracted to the very end.
Ava and gang are in He'll, literally. They are enchanted to sleep, but Ava awakens a nd gets the others up. HOWEVER, the book starts almost identical to the very first in this series so don't give up on it. As usual the story is masterfully created, with enough suspense and excitement to keep the reader attracted to the very end.
June 15, 2023
After that cliffhanger ending in book fifteen I wasn't sure where the author was taking us but now that I read A Normal Midlife I appreciate the crazy twisted journey they have taken us on. Loved it and now I wait for the next book in the Witching After Forty series to see how this series ends. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
August 27, 2023
Serious plot twist! I am happy that deep down Ava, Drew, Ian, Lily, and Sam were able to figure things out. I do love and approve of the punishment Luci bestowed upon Crystal. What a nasty person she is. I wonder why. Was it really for power? Did she really believe it would work? I bet she will show up in future books. I loved reading this book and I LOVE this series! So much fun!
December 10, 2023
WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER👿
Hmm....what to say,.......no spoilers. Well, full on activity even more so than usual and very unexpected events. I must say, this series has me hook, line and sinker and l am loving the characters and species that make up this disjointed community. WELL WRITTEN RECOMMENDED SERIES.
Hmm....what to say,.......no spoilers. Well, full on activity even more so than usual and very unexpected events. I must say, this series has me hook, line and sinker and l am loving the characters and species that make up this disjointed community. WELL WRITTEN RECOMMENDED SERIES.
April 7, 2024
Appreciated the authors’ heads up about the start of this book
I have enjoyed this series immensely. To say I appreciated the authors’ heads up about the start of this particular book (#16) is an understatement. And Olivia’s drama trauma was a tad much, but I powered through and made it to the end happy.
I have enjoyed this series immensely. To say I appreciated the authors’ heads up about the start of this particular book (#16) is an understatement. And Olivia’s drama trauma was a tad much, but I powered through and made it to the end happy.
June 1, 2023
Good series!
I look forward to each book. Enjoyable and interesting. Suspenseful and definitely laughs.
I like authors who can be creative and consistent and she hits both marks.
I look forward to each book. Enjoyable and interesting. Suspenseful and definitely laughs.
I like authors who can be creative and consistent and she hits both marks.
June 2, 2023
Interesting read
What a twist thinking we were starting from the beginning again. Definitely like the version where everyone has their person. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Loved it
What a twist thinking we were starting from the beginning again. Definitely like the version where everyone has their person. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Loved it
June 2, 2023
That was different
I'll be honest, I was so confused at the beginning that I had to go back and read the last couple of chapters of the previous book, but once I'd figured out what I'd forgotten, the book became the fun read I was expecting. So, stick with it, it's worth it
I'll be honest, I was so confused at the beginning that I had to go back and read the last couple of chapters of the previous book, but once I'd figured out what I'd forgotten, the book became the fun read I was expecting. So, stick with it, it's worth it
June 7, 2023
Fun read....
I love all the characters in this book. I'm glad that Lucifer got held back. LOL I like the interactions with all the main characters in the story. I can't wait to get to the next book in the series when it comes out.
I love all the characters in this book. I'm glad that Lucifer got held back. LOL I like the interactions with all the main characters in the story. I can't wait to get to the next book in the series when it comes out.
June 12, 2023
As usual, couldn't put it down.........when I did I kept wondering what was going to happen. So went to bed and kept going till I read it.
Why do I always do this...............just love these books!
Excellent series!
Why do I always do this...............just love these books!
Excellent series!
June 15, 2023
Great Story
And great series. I was confused at first but then caught on quickly. It helped that the author added a note at the beginning about the start of the book. All I will say about the story is, what a relief! Glad that got resolved.
And great series. I was confused at first but then caught on quickly. It helped that the author added a note at the beginning about the start of the book. All I will say about the story is, what a relief! Glad that got resolved.
July 8, 2023
Witching After 40 #16
The story was a little confusing for the first chapters until the author explained why the characters were not remembering the actual life they had. I almost stopped reading but glad.i.didn't because it was really a good story.
The story was a little confusing for the first chapters until the author explained why the characters were not remembering the actual life they had. I almost stopped reading but glad.i.didn't because it was really a good story.
November 23, 2023
I have grown very fond of Ava's story and character development within this series at book sixteen. I look forward to seeing if she will get her HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2023
Never a dull day for Ava and crew! Let's not even talk about Normal. There is something afoot and there seems to be more Normal around Ava and the gang than normal. How will that play out and is Normal possible for Ava?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews