In this short story, available author H.P. Mallory presents a never-before-seen point of view—through the eyes of Rand Balfour, a drop-dead gorgeous warlock and the love of Jolie Wilkins’s life.
While the undead wage a brutal civil war, Rand Balfour has only one thing on his mind: protecting his true love, Jolie Wilkins, the savvy and spirited witch whose powers have made her the toast—and target—of the new Underworld order.
For Rand, keeping Jolie safe means guarding against allies and enemies alike. First there’s Sinjin Sinclair, a dangerously seductive vampire who has his fangs set on Jolie, and who Rand suspects of harboring a sinister agenda. Then there are the factions of supernatural creatures causing chaos at every turn. But most shocking is Rand himself, whose wild desire for Jolie may put her very life at risk. Torn between his duty and his passion, Rand must summon all his strength to withstand temptation, even if it costs him the one woman he cannot bear to lose.
I’m a huge fan of anything paranormal and I always have been. I get super excited whenever they have those Twilight Zone Marathon days and anything ghost or vampire related will always attract my attention.
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A short story in the Jolie Wilkins world told from Rand's POV. It's very short, covering the scenes from book two with the werewolf bite and the near-bonding.
I really didn't get anything new from this novella and wouldn't have been happy if I'd paid money for it, but luckily it was tacked on to the end of The Witch is Back. It's basically just a retelling of events thorough Rand's eyes, but the thing is, unlike other POV snippets where you're dying to get the other person's take on it, I was already quite satisfied with what I perceived to be Rand's side of the story with regards to the bonding and Sinjin's interferences, etc.. And I was right in my assumptions, so I didn't really learn anything new here. Rand loves Jolie, is jealous and irritated by Sinjin, and is scared to bond with Jolie in case one of them dies in the war. You already knew all that, right?
Now a Sinjin point of view, seeing as we have no clue what his true motivations are... now THAT would be interesting!
This is Not an original short story as advertised. I'm not a big enough masochist to go back to book 2 to verify, but I'm pretty sure that 80% of it was cut directly from the prior book. Rand's 'perspective' didn't add Any-Thing that wasn't already made plain in the preceding book. And if I'm being completely honest I'm a little torqued at being offered something new and receiving nothing but MORE repetition
I had of course heard that Be Witched was told in Rand's point of view and was excited to see a new scene through his eyes, so I was very surprised to find that this was only Rand's point of view of the night he and Jolie almost bonded.
So you get nothing new from this book. It's like Midnight Sun is to Twilight. Yes, it was nice to read it in Rand's point of view, but what was the point? Why rewrite that specific chapter in Rand's point?
I actually though it made Rand sound whiny and insecure actually. In the 50 pages, he's always jealous of Sinjin and worry about others with Jolie.
Out of H.P's two series, this is my favorite one and I'm ready for the fourth book. Unfortunately this didn't help my craving. I've been reading a few novellas here recently and they've all been just a small extra plot not in the main book, not a retelling.
I knew this was a Novella when I started but that didn't stop me wishing it were longer. I loved going back to a couple important scenes from Toil and Trouble and seeing them from Rand's point of view. How he interacts with Sinjin when Jolie is not around, his true feelings for her which we all really knew but are so hard for him to voice to her, I could go on for ages...
I would have loved there to be more! I would also absolutely love a story from Sinjin's point of view, what does that vampire get up to when he is not with Jolie and annoying Randall?
Some of my favorite passages:
Sinjin Sinclair was a blood bastard.
Sinjin shrugged before a grin lit up his mouth, a grin that said the entire conversation had been an act, a mere farce. "I would never put our lovely witch in harm's way. In actuality, I quite agree with everything you have said, my dear Randall."
He smiled without a trace of humor. "Well, I must admit that I am disappointed in your categorization of me, Randall, but I am quite pleased to learn that you believe Jolie is taken in by my ... hmm, how did you phrase it again? Ah, yes, by my charm."
I didn't care if she hogtied Odran, John, and Sinjin and did so all at the same time. I would not risk her safety.
Trent, is far from making my favorite people list. He's a braggart, narcissistic, and he didn't treat Jolie well during their short romance. Truth be told, I can't stand the bastard.
This was a short Novella that describes the events that take place near the end of the second book of the series but from Rand's point of view. It was a fun read and it was fun to see things from Rand's point of view.
This novella doesn't cover anything new; it just covers part of book 2 but is written from Rand's point of view. It gives some additional insight into why Rand did the things he did and made the decisions he made. Some of Rand's actions which seem a bit mysterious from Jolie's perspective are well explained from Rand's perspective.
It was also nice to read this right before I started reading Book 3, Witchful Thinking (which I got for review). This novella does an excellent job jogging your memory about what happened in Book 2 and sets up things nicely for where the story starts off for Be Witched. Included in this is a excerpt from Witchful Thinking as well.
Overall worth the read if you are a fan of this series. It is a fun series and it was fun to hear things from Rand's perspective. It also does a nice job summing things up so that you can remember where book 3, Witchful Thinking, is going to pick up at.
I enjoyed this short novella. Quick look at some scenes from the last Jolie book from Rand's point of view. Cute but not a necessary read for fans of Rand, Sinjin, and Jolie. I am ready for the new installment of the series.
I liked reading Rand's point of view. It is always fun to get to read what the other character is thinking. This was his point of view of a very frustrating moment between Rand and Jolie.
This is a short between the books novella - 2.5 in a series of 5 books. It’s light reading and a nice October read with witches, vampires, wolves, etc.
After reading reviews on this and book 2, I realized I really should read book 2 as this was only a few excerpts from Rand’s perspective. Now reading book 2, and have already covered the parts in 2.5 in just the first part of the book. Would have missed lots had I skipped that book.
Be Witched : A Witch Romance Series (Novella) (Witch, Warlock and Vampire Book 9)
Be Witched : A Witch Romance Series (Novella) (Witch, Warlock and Vampire Book 9) I really enjoyed reading Rand’s prospective. It allowed more of a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of one of my favorite characters. I couldn’t put this book down… I absolutely love ❤️ this series…. Definitely recommend reading this series
This was good for a novella. I didn't know the back story, but I figured it out easily enough based on the information given. There was much more spice than I expected for such a short book! 7/10. Good not great, but probably would have been better if I'd read the start of the series.
This was the first novella I guess I didn't research enough because it wasn't fully stand-alone. Oh well, there was a bit of talk in it that was a bit... outdated? in a way for me anyway, so I'm not sure if it's something I'd pick up the entire series for.
You get rand point of view and what he thinks and feels are different. With everything he thinks he have to give up or hold back from is heart-wrenching. He just shows he is stubborn and loving.
Another very will written romantic thriller in the series. The characters and story lines are interesting and will developed. I would recommend this novella to anyone who is looking for a quick read. Enjoy reading 2020☺⏰
I am a BIG...HUGE H.P. Mallory fan. I have read and Love both her series Dulie O'neil & Jolie Wilkins series. So I may be a little bias here...lol
From Goodreads :
In this sexy and spellbinding original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, bestselling author H. P. Mallory presents the exciting Underworld from a never-before-seen point of view—through the eyes of Rand Balfour, a drop-dead gorgeous warlock and the love of Jolie Wilkins’s life.
While the undead wage a brutal civil war, Rand Balfour has only one thing on his mind: protecting his true love, Jolie Wilkins, the savvy and spirited witch whose powers have made her the toast—and target—of the new Underworld order.
For Rand, keeping Jolie safe means guarding against allies and enemies alike. First there’s Sinjin Sinclair, a dangerously seductive vampire who has his fangs set on Jolie, and who Rand suspects of harboring a sinister agenda. Then there are the factions of supernatural creatures causing chaos at every turn. But most shocking is Rand himself, whose wild desire for Jolie may put her very life at risk. Torn between his duty and his passion, Rand must summon all his strength to withstand temptation, even if it costs him the one woman he cannot bear to lose.
My Thoughts :
The novella starts out with the retelling of the second book in the Jolie series, Toil and Trouble, from Rand's point of view. He is Jolie's Warlock love interest.
As I read, I got so involved with the story. H.P. Mallory did such a wonderful job writing this novella. It helped me understand Rand better, with his give it to her, take it back, love interest in Jolie. I hate to give spoilers so I wont include any, but If you love this story as much as I do, This short story of only 55 pages in epub format, helps the story along and gives a little bit of insight from were Rand is coming from. The loss he has felt, and never wants to feel again. The Pain he went through. I almost cried.
I definitely recommend this novella. The best part is that its only $.99 right now on both Amazon & Barnes and Noble :D I Hope you enjoy this read as much as I did.
BE WITCHED (Jolie Wilkins/Rand Balfour novella) by HP Mallory
Sinjin Sinclair and Rand Balfour were now aligned in the war between Bella and the supernatural powers. While recovering from her recent run-in with the Dougal the fairy, fighting for her life as well as the promise of support by King Ordan of the Fae, Jolie was unaware that the vampire and the warlock were in a war of words over the right to claim Jolie as their own.
Rand's feelings for Jolie were confusing. He had refused to claim Jolie as his own, knowing that the relationship between witches and warlocks were for life. He had promised to protector her and guard her with his life, but his fight with Sinjin would be interrupted by a scream and an attack against Jolie by another of the supernatural powers.
Vampires and Witches were immune to one another's powers therefore Rand must bespell Jolie so that Sinjin can heal her wounds. But the allure of a vampire's sexuality during a feed was too much for Jolie, and she fell prey to the sexual desires and the site and images were overwhelming to Rand who had yet to reveal the true extent of his feelings for Jolie.
Rand's need to be close to Jolie would find them together, but once again Rand's sense of honor would hold him back from staking a claim on Jolie. Rejected and feeling betrayed, Jolie would force Rand to make a decision that would affect both of their lives. But Rand had a secret and Jolie was too hurt to realize that his feelings went beyond protector and friend, but to lover and mate.
BE WITCHED is a short story that looks at the relationship between Sinjin, Rand and Jolie. Both males desire Jolie, but it is Rand's growing feelings for Jolie that could place them both in danger. A welcome addition to HP Mallory's Jolie Wilkins series.
This novella was from Rands point of view. I didn't need Rand Balfours perspective on his and Jolies relationship. Being her protector and employer, he cared for her a lot, but so far it didn't go any further than that. They weren't lovers because Rand didn't want to Bond with her. It frustrated her and she felt she had no choice but to end their relationship. It all seemed redundant. We knew the whole scoop reading the 2nd book Toil and Trouble anyway.
The whole novella was about the time Jolie had returned to Pelham Manor after dualing with Odrans strongest fae, who incidently turned himself into a dragon. She had wanted the faery kingdom to ally themselves with Rand to battle the wicked witch of the west , Bella. There was no doubt, without the faeries, Rands army would not stand a chance against Bella and her army. So, Jolie had struck a deal with Odran. If she could prove her magic powers were strong enough to defend herself from Odrans strongest fae in a fighting match, then she made Odran promise he would ally his forces with Rand Balfour. She did win and she had been recovering from the fight in her room, when she was attacked by a werewolf.
She almost turned werewolf. If it hadn't been for Sinjin that is. He saved her life by sucking the poison out of her but that didn't settle Rands mind about Sinjins motives towards Jolie aka Poppet evidently. Rand detested him. Anyways I heard it all in Toil and Trouble and I felt this novella didn't make a difference and was totally unecessary. It didn't change anything and his character was too contrived.
I am still on Rands side though. I am Team Rand. I can't make up my mind if this picture could be Sinjin or Rand. What say you? It could be Sinjin except with shorter hair.
Yep, as soon as I was done with Toil and Trouble I immediately downloaded Be Witched. To be honest, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in both Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and Toil and Trouble fairly mad at Rand. Sure, Book 2 helped me at least understand where he was coming from and even made me sympathize with him, but I’d still like to smack him for treating Jolie the way he has. I just had no choice but to pick up Be Witched to see if would help me understand him a little better.
So what’s the verdict? The juries still out. I know, that was a cop out, but it was honest. Yes, I enjoyed the story. It did give me a little bit more insight into Rand and what made him say and do the things that he did. Yet, just because it was coming from his point of view, doesn’t mean that I agreed with his decisions any more than when the same scenario was coming from Jolie. I’m still glad that I read it and it helped me get a little bit more of my Rand/Jolie fix coming down off of Toil and Trouble. It just didn’t help me sympathize with Rand any more than I did before.
I have a friend who wanted to "borrow" my Rand stories. Before I transferred them to her I thought I'd read over them again.
I read all of Mallory's books as soon as I can get my hands on them. I have no idea what the appeal is. They aren't especially well written, they're very predictable and sometimes on the verge of silly. Throw in the sappy romantic bits and, really, I should avoid them like the plague. But I don't...go figure. Kind of like popcorn, I guess.
These novellas written from Rand's point of view? Crap! Way too squishy, squashy romantic. He is constantly fighting his physical urge for her, and I get that, but his reasons are just so stupid. He respects her but still can't let her make her own decisions. Believes in her strength, but won't let her fight her own battles. He's like a pms-ing teen!
I will continue to read everything Mallory puts out, but I am not even going to waste my time re-reading the other Rand POV's before I give them to Jane. Waste of time. (second time around, I mean!)
I was super excited for this novella, I have been missing The Jolie books and thought it would be a nice treat to get inside Rands head. Plus the cover, oh how I love this cover. Unfortunately this book just did not do it for me. I knew we would be replaying the same things in the last Jolie book but from Rands P.O.V so I don't want to complain to much, I should have known what I was getting into. But I still was just not very impressed. Rand came across way to whiny and now I don't like him as much as I did before.He spent most of his time in this story being jealous of Sinjin and obsessing over Jolie. It didn't come across as sweet either just whiny and lame. I am not really sure why she choose these few chapters to put out from Rand because we really didn't get anything too exciting and definitely nothing new. Sorry H.P Mallory, I love you and will totally be reading Witchful Thinking, but this one just wasn't for me.