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Auras & Embers #1
Gideon Bean
All Gideon Bean wants is to be left alone to burn corpses in peace. Is that too much to ask?
Nothing exciting happens at Peterson Cremation Services – exactly how Gideon prefers it. All his life, he has seen things – scary and bizarre visions that weren’t really there. Working the night shift at the crematorium and days at Simon’s Shell Shack lets him keep his head down and ignore the strange world around him. The last time Gideon reacted to one of his hallucinations, he ended up in a psychiatric hold. He can’t let anything like that happen again – it would break his mother’s heart.
Then suddenly, a woman with flaming wings and fiery eyes crawls out of a crematorium oven one night.
Dacey Menet is a Mythical who is reborn in fire. She’s investigating a series of local murders and disappearances, and she is enraged to have been one of the victims. Now Dacey needs Gideon’s help to catch her murderer.
Because it turns out his ‘hallucinations’ are real – Gideon Bean can see magic.
Nothing exciting happens at Peterson Cremation Services – exactly how Gideon prefers it. All his life, he has seen things – scary and bizarre visions that weren’t really there. Working the night shift at the crematorium and days at Simon’s Shell Shack lets him keep his head down and ignore the strange world around him. The last time Gideon reacted to one of his hallucinations, he ended up in a psychiatric hold. He can’t let anything like that happen again – it would break his mother’s heart.
Then suddenly, a woman with flaming wings and fiery eyes crawls out of a crematorium oven one night.
Dacey Menet is a Mythical who is reborn in fire. She’s investigating a series of local murders and disappearances, and she is enraged to have been one of the victims. Now Dacey needs Gideon’s help to catch her murderer.
Because it turns out his ‘hallucinations’ are real – Gideon Bean can see magic.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2024
146 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Gwen DeMarco
89 books114 followersGwen DeMarco is an avid reader, wine & coffee drinker, gardener and a lover of all things nerdy. Gwen loves to write paranormal romance novels with a focus on the weird and wonderful. She loves to write a good snarky heroine and a grumpy male lead. Sophie and the Odd Ones is her first foray into the world of shifters, fae, ogres and vampires.
Gwen is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a glass of wine or mug of coffee in her hand.
Gwen is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has two teenage children. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a glass of wine or mug of coffee in her hand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 18, 2024
Good
Gideon Bean works in a crematorium, but he isn’t expecting one of the clients to suddenly come back to life sporting firey wings.
He’s surprised to find himself discovering the existence of the Mythical world, with bizarre magical beings, and people who can do all kinds of magic- after all, he had always been told that the things he saw weren’t real.
Now he’s helping Conclave agent Dacey investigate a series of mythical murders, life has never been so interesting…
We’re back in Sophie Feegle’s world, and this book takes place concurrently with most of the series (though before the events in book five). This book is set in the same world, but is totally separate from Sophie’s series. Ideally you’d read the first three books of her story first, just to begin to understand the world a little better, but it’s not necessary for the enjoyment of this tale.
Gideon is a fascinating character. Seemingly meek and mild, he’s a man with a quiet sort of strength. He’s close to his mother, and though he’s not ruled by her, he does feel obligated to take care of her (it’s rather sweet actually). It’s enjoyable to watch him as he gains some much needed confidence and learns to actually use his gift.
Dacey is irreverent and fun. An energetic character, she really does epitomize her other form, which isn’t your standard phoenix! A bit of a trouble maker, she’s definitely someone who will draw Gideon out of his shell.
It was nice to be back in the mythical world, which is a fascinating one any way you look at it. Gideon’s story feels like there might be a lot more to it than we’ve yet seen, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.
A fun read for contemporary fantasy lovers, and a must read for Sophie Feegle fans.
Gideon Bean works in a crematorium, but he isn’t expecting one of the clients to suddenly come back to life sporting firey wings.
He’s surprised to find himself discovering the existence of the Mythical world, with bizarre magical beings, and people who can do all kinds of magic- after all, he had always been told that the things he saw weren’t real.
Now he’s helping Conclave agent Dacey investigate a series of mythical murders, life has never been so interesting…
We’re back in Sophie Feegle’s world, and this book takes place concurrently with most of the series (though before the events in book five). This book is set in the same world, but is totally separate from Sophie’s series. Ideally you’d read the first three books of her story first, just to begin to understand the world a little better, but it’s not necessary for the enjoyment of this tale.
Gideon is a fascinating character. Seemingly meek and mild, he’s a man with a quiet sort of strength. He’s close to his mother, and though he’s not ruled by her, he does feel obligated to take care of her (it’s rather sweet actually). It’s enjoyable to watch him as he gains some much needed confidence and learns to actually use his gift.
Dacey is irreverent and fun. An energetic character, she really does epitomize her other form, which isn’t your standard phoenix! A bit of a trouble maker, she’s definitely someone who will draw Gideon out of his shell.
It was nice to be back in the mythical world, which is a fascinating one any way you look at it. Gideon’s story feels like there might be a lot more to it than we’ve yet seen, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.
A fun read for contemporary fantasy lovers, and a must read for Sophie Feegle fans.
April 4, 2025
Gideon Bean is your average adult, mostly. (Aside from a few hallucinations every now and then.) He keeps to himself and works 2 jobs to pay rent. It just so happens one of those jobs is at a crematorium overnight. Nothing exciting ever happens until one night he puts a box in the fire and a woman with wings of fire comes out. After meeting Dacey, his life will never be the same.
Gideon is a perfect unassuming MC. He really is just an average person living a normal life. And once he gets pulled into the world of mythicals, he realizes that he wasn’t as crazy as he thought he might have been. After a little hesitation, he ends up jumping right into the world of mythicals like a natural. Dacey is such a fun character! Even through she’s an agent of the Conclave, you’d never know it. She is the perfect complement to Gideon. She knows how to pull his inner strength out of him.
This book is set in the same world as Sophie Feegle but with new characters and a new location. This story has us in Florida. The workplace setting is similar since this a crematorium, but that type of setting really works for both series. It helps you get a feel for the MC isolation at first.
There is a lot of building up of the story and suspense in this book and then towards the end you are hit with the action. I loved the plot and then once you get to the showdown, it’s so hard to put the book away! You just have to know what will happen! And of course there were twists you didn’t see coming as well!
I listened to on audible, so I can’t wait for the next audiobook to be released!
Gideon is a perfect unassuming MC. He really is just an average person living a normal life. And once he gets pulled into the world of mythicals, he realizes that he wasn’t as crazy as he thought he might have been. After a little hesitation, he ends up jumping right into the world of mythicals like a natural. Dacey is such a fun character! Even through she’s an agent of the Conclave, you’d never know it. She is the perfect complement to Gideon. She knows how to pull his inner strength out of him.
This book is set in the same world as Sophie Feegle but with new characters and a new location. This story has us in Florida. The workplace setting is similar since this a crematorium, but that type of setting really works for both series. It helps you get a feel for the MC isolation at first.
There is a lot of building up of the story and suspense in this book and then towards the end you are hit with the action. I loved the plot and then once you get to the showdown, it’s so hard to put the book away! You just have to know what will happen! And of course there were twists you didn’t see coming as well!
I listened to on audible, so I can’t wait for the next audiobook to be released!
October 5, 2024
Not The Bean You’re Expecting
Auras&Embers1
Aaahh! Back in the US of A, with Mysticals at the ready! Even if it is down in the Florida panhandle 😏
Gideon Bean is working two jobs, to make ends meet, after his stint at college got him thrown in a psych ward and expelled after seeing a vampire attack. No one believed him.
Now he works the graveyard shift at a crematorium at night and in a souvenir shop by day. Neither of them tax his energy nor his intellect - both keep him under the radar. Until a body regenerates in the retort oven.
When a woman emerges with fiery wings and a lot of attitude, (and no clothes) Gideon has an inkling that things have taken a turn toward the truly weird. Candace Mento is pissed that someone murdered her and her partner - they find his body set for cremation and with a false cause of death, with the same two signatures that were on Dacey’s paperwork.
Finding out the root of the conspiracy is the focus of this story, but the meat is that Gideon is half-Mystical himself. His power is auramancy, that lets him see through glamour, and identify energies. He just needs training…. His mother is mundane and religiously conservative, so her weirdo meter only has two settings, so far.
This will be a time of growth for both of them.
Auras&Embers1
Aaahh! Back in the US of A, with Mysticals at the ready! Even if it is down in the Florida panhandle 😏
Gideon Bean is working two jobs, to make ends meet, after his stint at college got him thrown in a psych ward and expelled after seeing a vampire attack. No one believed him.
Now he works the graveyard shift at a crematorium at night and in a souvenir shop by day. Neither of them tax his energy nor his intellect - both keep him under the radar. Until a body regenerates in the retort oven.
When a woman emerges with fiery wings and a lot of attitude, (and no clothes) Gideon has an inkling that things have taken a turn toward the truly weird. Candace Mento is pissed that someone murdered her and her partner - they find his body set for cremation and with a false cause of death, with the same two signatures that were on Dacey’s paperwork.
Finding out the root of the conspiracy is the focus of this story, but the meat is that Gideon is half-Mystical himself. His power is auramancy, that lets him see through glamour, and identify energies. He just needs training…. His mother is mundane and religiously conservative, so her weirdo meter only has two settings, so far.
This will be a time of growth for both of them.
September 13, 2024
Gideon Bean is a name to remember!
I really enjoyed Ms. DeMarco’s Sophie Feegle series and this new book is in the same world so it has lots of promise. The titular Mr. Bean is a young man who lives with his mom in the Florida panhandle and has two boring jobs and a fear of ever being sent to the mental facility again. Just keeping his head down and his life boring. That is until the night at his job at the crematorium when the woman started banging on the furnace door. The rest is a whirlwind of new introductions to a world he didn’t know existed much less was a part of and a powerful part of at that. A whirlwind case of magic and evil leads to a tumultuous result where he learns he is much stronger than he ever knew. Great opening to what I hope is a short wait to a second book in the series.
I really enjoyed Ms. DeMarco’s Sophie Feegle series and this new book is in the same world so it has lots of promise. The titular Mr. Bean is a young man who lives with his mom in the Florida panhandle and has two boring jobs and a fear of ever being sent to the mental facility again. Just keeping his head down and his life boring. That is until the night at his job at the crematorium when the woman started banging on the furnace door. The rest is a whirlwind of new introductions to a world he didn’t know existed much less was a part of and a powerful part of at that. A whirlwind case of magic and evil leads to a tumultuous result where he learns he is much stronger than he ever knew. Great opening to what I hope is a short wait to a second book in the series.
April 21, 2024
Fun urban fantasy
Gwen's characters are an interesting change from a lot of urban fantasies. In this series, Gideon is an archetypical awkward young man crushing on the cute girl he met at work. The fact that he first met her while she was naked, sprouting wings of fire, having just revived from being cremated is where we first get a clue this is going to be a fantasy. Developments from there are fast, action filled and magic filled. It is a great read for when you want to be entertained without having to think too hard or remember complicated world building. I will definitely read the next one in series.
Gwen's characters are an interesting change from a lot of urban fantasies. In this series, Gideon is an archetypical awkward young man crushing on the cute girl he met at work. The fact that he first met her while she was naked, sprouting wings of fire, having just revived from being cremated is where we first get a clue this is going to be a fantasy. Developments from there are fast, action filled and magic filled. It is a great read for when you want to be entertained without having to think too hard or remember complicated world building. I will definitely read the next one in series.
May 21, 2024
Audiobook: I enjoyed this first book of the "Auras & Embers" series. The audiobook captured my imagination from the opening paragraph until the very end. Gideon worked nights at the "Peterson Cremation Services" where nothing unusual happened until the night that a living woman crawled out of the crematorium. The story had some fascinating twists. I liked all the paranormal beings that populated the novel. The characters were brilliant, unique, and strong. Janine Granda's narration was entertaining. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review which included my opinions.
February 24, 2024
Can't wait for book 2
I was a huge fan of the Sophie Feegle series so a new series in the same universe was exciting. Gideon Bean has a fascinating skill he doesn't know he has. Finding out about him and his new crew was great. Obviously, there is a lot if explanation but the culminating fight with the bad guys gave me enough excitement for the whole book.
Bring on the next one quick, Gwen!
I was a huge fan of the Sophie Feegle series so a new series in the same universe was exciting. Gideon Bean has a fascinating skill he doesn't know he has. Finding out about him and his new crew was great. Obviously, there is a lot if explanation but the culminating fight with the bad guys gave me enough excitement for the whole book.
Bring on the next one quick, Gwen!
March 2, 2024
I absolutely adored this book! I am a true Gwen DeMarco fan. I started reading the Sophie Feegle series and just fell head over heels for Gwen’s writing and her characters. This book is her newest series in the Sophie Feegle world, and hands down, I loved this book. It is sooo good. If you are looking for an amazing series to get lost in, look no further. This gorgeous story is so entertaining, and great character building. I am so excited for the next book in this series.
April 13, 2024
fun and excitement
Great start to a new series! Interesting story and characters that are both well developed. Gideon notices something at work that leads to new friends, mystery, danger ,and Magic! Loved reading as he learns about the parts of the world previously hidden as they come into the light. With new friends to guide him, Gideon steps into the deep end. Fun, exciting, and interesting storyline. Ready for the next book.
Great start to a new series! Interesting story and characters that are both well developed. Gideon notices something at work that leads to new friends, mystery, danger ,and Magic! Loved reading as he learns about the parts of the world previously hidden as they come into the light. With new friends to guide him, Gideon steps into the deep end. Fun, exciting, and interesting storyline. Ready for the next book.
December 23, 2024
Fun intro into a new series. This is set in the same world as Sophie and the Odd Ones - which I really enjoyed. Gideon has a history of mental instability and is currently working 2 jobs and living with his mom. He encounters Dacey in the crematorium where he works and comes to realize that all he thought was an instability is actually Mystical power. Investigation into a string of serial murders introduces Gideon to a new way of life. I look forward to Book 2.
December 25, 2024
This is the first in what I hope is to be another great series from Gwen Demarco. It is well written with engaging characters albeit they are a bit weird, It's a voyage of discovery for Gideon when Dacey comes in to his life and they become embroiled in investigating murders. Discovery that is of himself, for he has hidden powers that even he did not recognise. Janine Granda once again excels with the narration bringing her own voices to well developed characters. Highly Recommended.
May 9, 2025
This author is new to me but I am devouring her work like crazy. I loved the Feegle series and this one is just as good. I was cracking up when the banging started and despite knowing why there was knocking the rest of the story was just a surprise. I love this authors character and world building. Her storylines are unique and are just fun to read for listen to. Narration was great! Can’t wait for the next book!
March 19, 2024
Good
This was.. good. Not as good as Sophie and my favorite vigilante (don’t call her a serial killer) Ruby 😁💕 and the odd ones but the characters will hopefully grow. This first book was a bit slow in places but the mythos are alive in the conclave. I was really hopping for a guest appearance from the odd ones but Giddy and Darcy are holding their own.
This was.. good. Not as good as Sophie and my favorite vigilante (don’t call her a serial killer) Ruby 😁💕 and the odd ones but the characters will hopefully grow. This first book was a bit slow in places but the mythos are alive in the conclave. I was really hopping for a guest appearance from the odd ones but Giddy and Darcy are holding their own.
March 22, 2024
First time reading this author, Enjoyed the story and characters, Gideon seems like a sweet guy. Dacey and him seem like they would be perfect together as coworkers and possibly romantic later on. I didn't find out until the end that this is a universe that the author has other stories written in. I'll be sure to pick them up to read as well.
March 14, 2024
Fun and engaging read.
I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were interesting and relatable. and the world and magic systems seem well thought out. I look forward to the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were interesting and relatable. and the world and magic systems seem well thought out. I look forward to the next book.
April 21, 2024
Fun New Series!
A good start to a new series. Well written, enjoyable characters. This is more like a teaser than anything else- I feel like the surface has barely been scratched into this world and I’m excited to see where it goes.
A good start to a new series. Well written, enjoyable characters. This is more like a teaser than anything else- I feel like the surface has barely been scratched into this world and I’m excited to see where it goes.
June 4, 2024
Gideon Bean
I liked it. Gwen was an author I wasn’t familiar with but the story sounded interesting so I tried it. Glad I did. Liked the characters. They were developed slowly and well. Plenty of action. Good story line. Hopefully this will turn into a series. Recommended.
I liked it. Gwen was an author I wasn’t familiar with but the story sounded interesting so I tried it. Glad I did. Liked the characters. They were developed slowly and well. Plenty of action. Good story line. Hopefully this will turn into a series. Recommended.
July 18, 2024
Surprised
I wasn't sure, but I actually found myself glued to the book. Maybe because it was so different than my usual "mid-life" reading. But for whatever reason I liked the book. If there are more in the series I'll give them a try too.
I wasn't sure, but I actually found myself glued to the book. Maybe because it was so different than my usual "mid-life" reading. But for whatever reason I liked the book. If there are more in the series I'll give them a try too.
April 8, 2025
Liked this book.
It seemed a little slow in the beginning, so I read other things. It was more interesting to me when I picked it back up. All those mythical creatures they talk about! Good storyline. I like Gideon. He reacts like a lot of us would.
It seemed a little slow in the beginning, so I read other things. It was more interesting to me when I picked it back up. All those mythical creatures they talk about! Good storyline. I like Gideon. He reacts like a lot of us would.
April 21, 2025
Great start for a new series!
Loved the book and start of the story. All I can say is poor Gideon😁 The primary characters are good and The support for them is spot on. I can't wait for the next one.
Loved the book and start of the story. All I can say is poor Gideon😁 The primary characters are good and The support for them is spot on. I can't wait for the next one.
May 26, 2025
I really like this story,storyline and characters in this book. Already have the nectone and will start it as soon as I post my review Narrator does afine job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline!!
February 24, 2024
3.5 stars
February 29, 2024
Excellent. This story is very original and fun to read.
March 27, 2024
Loved this book!
Finished it in one mad dash of a session!
Finished it in one mad dash of a session!
May 5, 2024
I enjoyed this new book by the author. It is similar but with new characters. I liked Gideon and Daisy. Janine Granada narrated this book well.
June 30, 2024
A solid start for a new urban fantasy.
February 25, 2025
enjoyable
looking forward to more in this series and world. Gideon and Candice are perfect, and I want to read more about them!
looking forward to more in this series and world. Gideon and Candice are perfect, and I want to read more about them!
March 31, 2025
Nice new book back into the same world as Sophie Feegle and the Odd Ones. Missed the world of the Mythicals so nice to get more. It would be interesting to see how Gideon grows or to focus more on Dacey as a main character
June 3, 2024
I’m so glad to return to this world!
A fabulous start to a new series. I can’t wait to read more and hopefully revisit with a few old friends.
A fabulous start to a new series. I can’t wait to read more and hopefully revisit with a few old friends.
June 13, 2025
A wonderful new adventure in a familiar world.
Really looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Really looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews