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Fire Witches of Salem #4

Mayhem and Ember

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Who died and made me queen?

Technically nobody, but my mom and sister did take an impromptu trip to the underworld, forcing me into the role of high priestess of the Salem coven.

And I am so not cut out for the job.

As if that's not enough responsibility for one witch to handle, I still have to summon a ticked off demon prince, convince him to help us break the family curse, and battle the beasties slipping through the rifts in the thinning veil…while hiding the fact that we're the ones who caused the rifts in the first place.

Holy Hecate. Fighting monsters I can handle. Leading a coven? Not so much.

But if I don't step up and figure out how to take charge, every witch in Salem will die.

Good thing I'm a fast learner.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2024

38 people are currently reading
71 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Pulkinen

65 books798 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Pulkinen has always been fascinated with things that go bump in the night. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing and her love of a good happily-ever-after, and becoming a paranormal romance author seems like the only logical career choice. 

Before she decided to turn her love of the written word into a career, Carrie spent the first part of her professional life as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher. She loves red wine and chocolate, and in her free time, she likes to read, take pictures, and spend time with her family.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
9,376 reviews140 followers
June 4, 2024
Another great book to the series! The author once again brings strong characters and weaves an intriguing story filled with magic, suspense, drama and action. Add in a hot and steamy chemistry between the sassy witch and sexy demon prince and she delivers a terrific read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.
Profile Image for Diana Page.
1,031 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2024
Wow, great continuation of the series. ! This is Ember’s arc and it’s fantastic. Great storyline, wonderful characters. Fast paced and it leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what Mayhem will do when he gets back to our side of the veil ! 4✨’s
2,999 reviews44 followers
June 18, 2024
This is book four of the Fire Witches of Salem series and Ember Holland has been left as the High Priestess of the Salem Coven, after first her parents and then their oldest sister Cinder, went to Hell, to try and stop her youngest sister, Ash’s curse. A curse that could mean she will be responsible for the deaths of everyone in their coven. It is a curse that has been passed down in their family line for some four hundred years and previously, any third daughter was killed off at birth, to avoid the curse happening. Ash’s mother had bound her fire powers, to stop the curse being brought into play. Ash is already connected to one of the Princes of Hell, Chaos, after accidentally summoning him when she inked his sigil on her arm, finally getting him out of her head and into his own body. Chaos has fallen in love with Ash, calling their relationship fated, which she has finally come to accept. Their powers counteract each other, calming his and allowing her latent powers to come forth. Now they need to get the other two Princes of Hell, Mayhem, then Discord, to enable the curse to be broken and their family returned hopefully.

On top of that, their roles as Veil Keepers, is getting ever busier as the veil has been weakened with the release of Chaos. The actions of a witch they thought was one of them, a light witch within their coven called Chrys, has betrayed them all in the pursuit of power and position, and allowed even more demonic and fae creatures to come through the veil. Halloween is getting ever closer and thus the veil will be at its thinnest and they will face their greatest challenges. They also have to hide the fact their family is the reason behind all of these increased rifts, because of the curse. Ember is the warrior of the sisters, whilst Ash is the potion making one, but suddenly having to lead the coven as well, is an added burden she never wanted. They have Mayhem’s skull after defeating Chrys, so must now call him and hope they can get him to agree to work with them. The three princes have been released from the prison they were put in by a previous witch they trusted, Isabel, so getting him to work with them may be difficult! But Discord refuses to come when called, saying he had already completed his debt to another witch, which must have been their sister Cinder, and he will only come through if they bring him a powerful amulet, that was once his! Mayhem wants this amulet for himself and isn’t going to play nice, if it means he can get his hands on it and be more powerful than his brothers, for once! Ember has to accept that Mayhem is beign useful at times, but he doesn’t know how to act human or control his powers, or think of the consequences. Mayhem wants Ember, but first he must show that his powers affect Ash, but have the opposite effect on Ember herself, to prove their fated bond. But matters do not go exactly as he might have hoped and we must await the next book to see what happens next! Lots of witchy battles and weird creatures of fae and demonic kind to defeat, as well as working on breaking a curse and having to work with powerful demons.

I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Rebel.
2,654 reviews
June 20, 2024
The narrative is a delightful blend of humor, tension, and witchy charm. The protagonist’s relatable struggle with imposter syndrome makes her an endearing character, and her rapid evolution into a capable leader keeps readers hooked. The author does an excellent job of portraying her growth, from her initial reluctance to her determined resolve to protect her coven.

Amid the chaos of summoning a vengeful demon prince, battling creatures slipping through rifts, and concealing the truth about the rifts' origin, the protagonist’s journey is fraught with peril and self-discovery. The plot is fast-paced, with twists and turns that keep the suspense high. The stakes are ever-increasing, making it a true page-turner.

The supporting characters add depth to the story, especially the demon prince whose reluctant alliance with the coven brings a dynamic mix of tension and intrigue. The portrayal of the coven and its members adds a rich layer of community and familial ties, emphasizing the protagonist's heavy burden and the importance of her leadership.

"Mayhem and Ember" seamlessly blends action, magic, and humor, making it a compelling read for fans of paranormal fiction. The challenges of leading a coven, combined with the supernatural threats, create a riveting storyline that is both entertaining and heartwarming. If you’re looking for a book that offers a fresh take on witchcraft and leadership with a dash of humor, this one is definitely for you.

The protagonist’s journey from uncertainty to confidence is inspiring, and her fast-learning nature gives hope that even the most daunting tasks can be managed with determination and a little bit of magic. "Mayhem and Ember" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mix of magic, mayhem, and personal growth.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
725 reviews4 followers
September 11, 2025
***This review is for the book and audiobook***
This series is about the Holland family. Ash and Ember Holland are Fire Witch sisters that live in Salem, Mass. This book centers around Ember and Mayhem. In the last book, Ash and Chaos become a power couple. Chaos is a Prince of Hell, or demon, and the brother of Discord and Mayhem. When the story begins, the witch coven meets to determine goals, which are to get Ember’s sword back, summon Mayhem, break the curse against the coven, find Cinder and Discord, and to keep fighting the beasties that are slipping through the veil, They get the sword easily, but summoning Mayhem didn’t go according to plan. Mayhem had been imprisoned for a long time and was one angry demon when he was released. Mayhem made a tentative agreement to work with the coven, but his real goals were to get Ember as his mate, kill Chaos, and kill the love of Chaos’ life, Ember. The adventure begins and it is a hilarious, fun trip. Along for the ride are some familiar faces: Miles, Shade, Patrice, Inga, and others.

Pulkinen has created another literary treat, complete with witty and snarky banter between the characters, excellent world building, and a solid plot. I always enjoy the delightful Hollie Jackson as narrator, who with her pleasant voice is able to transform this book into a storytelling feast with her character distinction, pacing and rhythm, and emotional delivery. I really enjoyed the story and think the excellent narration added to the experience for me. If you are looking for a well-written, well-narrated paranormal romcom story full of interesting characters, I would recommend this book for you.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,856 reviews
June 7, 2024
Ember is thrust into the position of High Priestess of the Salem coven after her mom and her sister both take a trip to the underworld. She's not sure she's right for the position, but she's doing her best. And now they have to summon an angry demon and ask him to help them break a family curse. In addition, they have a number of creatures who are coming through the thinning veil that they have to fight. Can Ember get things done to break the curse and help her family?

I've really enjoyed this series and this book is not exception. Carrie Pulkinen is an excellent author and storyteller and is one of my favorites in the paranormal romance genre. This book was weel-written with well-developed characters and a fast-paced storyline. I was drawn into this tantalizing tale from the first chapter and kept hooked throughout. Carrie weaves a wonderful story full of action, drama, intrigue, magic, and suspense as well as some steamy interaction between a spirited witch and a seductive demon. This is definitely a can't-miss book that you won't want to put down. I loved this and am looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I recommend reading in order to get the most out of things.

I did receive an ARC of this book, and this is my honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Toni.
2,366 reviews24 followers
June 19, 2024
Ember, Ash Chaos and her other team members are fighting a far that looks like a cockroach. Shiver! They manage to survive. They can now try to summon Chao's brother,Mayhem. They manage to get him to materialize but picking him down is s not of a chore. He agrees to help while thinking he will kill the witches after. Their one mission is to bring Discord to help break Ash's curse. Little by little they get closer until they get him here. That's when they find her wants one thing in trade--an amulet. So now they are on another mission. Will they find the amulet in time? Mayhem is intrigued by Ember. She is a warrior witch. Will he be able to end her when the time comes? Will Ember be able to keep her hormones in check? Time is fleeting and the fae are closer to taking over the human realm. Will they manage everything they need to do to save their family and the world?
Another fantastic story in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
145 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2024
Demons and witches, can they be soulmates?

This is a very funny and exciting book!
There is always something happening, either there is action taking place or there is some serious banter between Ember and Mayhem that is both funny, hot and intriguing. Ember is such a hardcore witch and i love how the author has manage to give her a soft side but still keeping the hardcore side intact and realistic.

And Mayhem, well he certainly match his name, and he is such a fun character, i can't wait to read more about him and how he will handle is own little secret quest.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because i found Embers reactions at times a bit exaggerated and there were a few times I wanted more description of the environment, i couldn't really picture in front of me what I was reading.

But, i really really like this book, have already purchased the next in the series because the ending was "oh my god!! What are they going to do now?".
I can recommend this book to anyone who likes banter with sexual tension, witches and demons and mystery.
Profile Image for Reader_for_LifeTLG.
2,752 reviews17 followers
June 16, 2024
Mayhem and Ember - I loved this addition to the series! Mayhem and Ember strike sparks off each other from the getgo. They rub each other the wrong way even as they feel the heat simmering between them. He's intrigued by her warrior skills; she's beguiled by his impressive physique. If snark is a love language, they're gonna be so happy together.

The fae are encroaching on the mortal realm and Discord won't help until his amulet has been recovered. One more obstacle the sisters don't need, as the insect-like fae bring death to all they encounter. Besides, do they really want another demon prince walking amongst the humans, this one with nigh unlimited power? Yeah, nope, but they'll cross that bridge later. I plowed through this one, it was so engaging. I can't wait for the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
237 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2024
Loved this one, the dialogue between Ember and Mayhem is brilliant. Caustic, sarcastic and rude. Still battling the Fae that are coming through the Veil, the animosity between our 2 main characters only complicates matters. A few more things come to light that will make things more difficult for the coven. Should they try and join with the dark coven in Boston or will this add to their problems. They have only found a part of the crystal that will help bring Discord and hopefully their sister and parents back to them. But will Ember and Mayhem be able to work together? How will she react when he admits to her that they are mates? Will she carry out her continual threats to kill him?
Can't wait for the next one.....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I voluntarily leave this honest review.
Profile Image for J.
4,078 reviews21 followers
October 22, 2025
This is book 4 in Carrie Pulkinen's Fire Witches of Salem series and we have main characters Ember Holland who's been left by her family to be High Priestess of the Salem Coven and demon Mayhem who has been brought out of prison by his demon brother Chaos and Ember's younger sister Cinder to help break a family curse. There is no love loss between these two, but the chemistry is there, and a bond begins to form albeit reluctantly. I really enjoyed the start of Ember and Mayhem's journey and with the cliff hanger ending am eager for more. This was a captivating storyline with action, adventure, danger and more that all flows smoothly and delivered with beautiful narration.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
2,340 reviews10 followers
June 10, 2024
Mayhem and Ember by Carrie Pulkinen is the story of well….Mayhem and Ember! This is the continuing saga of The Fire Witches of Salem. Ember is the high priestess of the coven…though, it was never what she wanted. She and her sisters still want to break the curse placed upon her family…and to do that, they have to enlist the help of a VERY unwilling demon, Mayhem. But, there’s more happening here than anyone could have imagined!!

They are all thrust into a situation they don’t want, can’t control, and it creates unintended mayhem (pun intended)!! This is wild, exciting journey through the lives of these characters…that will leave you gasping for more!! Ends in a major cliffhanger!! Excellent read!!
Profile Image for Jeannie.
293 reviews6 followers
June 7, 2024
Dangerously exciting!

I have read all in this series so far and recommend reading from the beginning. This book starts out fast and keeps you entranced the whole time. There is always something happening. I love these characters they are so alive with personality and attitude. Not gonna lie and say I like cliff hangers, but believe me these books are worth the painful wait for the next. Chaos was fun and exciting, but Mayhem is dangerously enthralling. The witches certainly have a flair for dramatically entertaining situations. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,667 reviews9 followers
June 10, 2024
Mayhem and Ember (Book 4 of Fire Witches of Salem) by Carrie Pulkinen. Fantasy romance with plenty of gloom and potential gloom all around. Ember is up for the challenge or so we hope. I liked the authors writing style as she fills the story with detail, witty inner dialogue, and crazy drama. The characters although seem out of this world, she brings them to life and makes them seem relatable in a charming way that has you routing for the HEA for all. Bring on book 5- I’m ready to help conquer. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,918 reviews116 followers
June 13, 2024
This is a great series and this latest addition is a great continuation. Ember has had to step up in the coven to become high priestess as her mum and sister are in the underworld. Ember is a great character but is not sure is she is the one for the job especially when it comes down to summoning a demon to break the curse. Fast paced and well written, the author draws you in once again with an exciting and gripping storyline and well developed characters. Brimming with action, adventure, drama, danger, magic, suspense and intrigue, this had me enthralled from start to finish.
Profile Image for Jaime Yates.
933 reviews11 followers
June 22, 2024
This is book four of the Fire Witches of Salem series. Mayhem and Ember" seamlessly blends action, magic, and humor, making it a compelling read for fans of paranormal fiction. Ember Holland has been left as the High Priestess of the Salem Coven. Brimming with action, adventure, drama, danger, magic, suspense and intrigue, this had me enthralled from start to finish. I loved this addition to the series! I would highly recommend this book and the entire series. The next book can't come soon enough!
1,814 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2024
Ember has a tendency to hit first then ask questions later, or jump in feet first to danger. She doesn't feel like she should be the high priestess of her coven, but circumstances have made her be it. Ember finds herself drawn to the violent demon prince Mayhem, is it worth resisting it? I can't wait to find out what happens next, I was drawn into this fantastic story and loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
320 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2025
Another amazing listen to audiobook from a very talented author. I have listened to several of hers. They have amazing, storylines, fantastic characters and terrific world building. It is a definite must listen to, and if you get it in the e-book, it is a definite page Turner must read I would highly recommend this one and all the other ones that are by this author. The narration is fantastic. It just draws you deeper into the story so your imagination can visualize everything that is happening
Profile Image for Your_bookish_fantasy Kerri-louise Whitham.
157 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2025
Really truly enjoyed this, just like the other books in this series there is a lot of sass and spice and girl power. I love the witches and the princes of demons, I love the side characters and how we got to know so much more about them.

The character growth in this book is truly brilliant. And as always the world building is epic.

The spice is great but over too quickly for me peraonally- however the banter and comedic timing is perfection!
6,028 reviews45 followers
May 21, 2024
the Salem coven continues its struggles with demonic and fae forces, as well as a family curse

when hearts and egos get tangled into the mix, more than one kind of Chaos follows

messy battles and messy feelings get pulled into a mix of fighting to save the realms, their coven, their families and themselves

intense, conflicting and occasionally steamy drama and action

1,760 reviews45 followers
May 21, 2024
A suspenseful, magiccal, intriguing and fast paced plot line with a hot demon prince and a sassy, self confident witch, ...love the chemistry between the characters.

Intense, emotional, steamy, and sweet~wtmo.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for DJ.
501 reviews
May 29, 2024
I thought / felt Mayhem was about to do a turnabout.
I have been both right and wrong in the past.
I am seeing a pattern to this series; three books per demon. With; hopefully, a resolution by the end of their trilogy / arc.
Is Boston Coven at fault of all the rift openings; the minor demon incursions? Or is it Ash’s curse which is causing all the problems within Salem?
2,552 reviews22 followers
June 11, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed "MAYHEM AND EMBER" This is an intriguing, interesting, suspense filled magical romance, steamy, sassy, hot demon prince, sassy self confident Witch, intense, emotional rollercoaster ride, twists that keeps you turning the pages.
Embers mom & sister took a trip to the underworld forcing her to become high priestess of Salem Coven, she so doesn't feel like she an do the job that's alot of responsibility for one Witch to handle. Ember has to summon Mayhem the ticked off Demon Prince & convince him to help them break the family curse, battling the beasties slipping through the rifts in the thinning veil, while hiding their the ones who caused the rift in the first place.
I definitely recommend to get this riviting story Ember can fight monsters but leading a Coven she doesn't think so, if she doesn't do something every Witch in Salem will die, will she accomplish what she has to save the Realms, Coven & themselves its a must read to see what happens.
EXCELLENT RIVITING ADVENTURE I LOVED IT
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
33 reviews
June 9, 2024
A great read. Couldn’t put it down. I absolutely blitzed my way through the pages. The only problem I have now is that I've finished and need to wait until the next instalment arrives.
Twists and turns through out. Really looking forward to learning more about Discord and Mayhem. Especially with the ending......dun dun da
2,187 reviews28 followers
June 11, 2024
What an exciting story! First read books 1-3 first. Ember is in a position that she never really wanted and trying to make the best of it. Mayhem and Ember have a story that is fun to read! I will be waiting at the cliff for what comes next. I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kristin .
553 reviews
June 12, 2024
Such an immersive book. The plot was filled with drama, action, spice and mystery. It was such a page turner that I couldn't put it down.
The characters are very endearing. Yes, even the demon Mayhem. The banter between him and Ember is snarky and hysterical. The side characters are a plus as well.
I would highly recommend this book and the entire series. The next book can't come soon enough!
176 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
I loved this book! It had me hooked from the start. It was full of twists and turns and all kinds of action! I loved the writing as it was easily comprehensible and easy to follow the storyline. The only negative I would give this book would be the cliffhanger ending, but that happens with quite a few books.
Profile Image for Jessica Mcmillan.
73 reviews
June 24, 2024
I received an arc copy of this book! I read all the previous books so far and just like the past one this was also fast paced but kept you interested and had great story development and I loved the chemistry between the characters and the back and forth between them as well. Can’t wait for thr next book!
Profile Image for Jodie Cary.
937 reviews7 followers
August 21, 2024
Awesome story, Awesome read. I love Ember and Mayhem. I love the chemistry between the two of them. I was hooked back into the story and did not want to put it down. I love all the characters and the storyline. This is Book 1 of the Trilogy and starts where Book 3 of Chaos and Ash's story ends.
I can't wait to read the next instalment. Well written, I loved it!!!
Profile Image for Amanda.
734 reviews9 followers
September 9, 2024
Another great read in the series. I enjoyed getting to know Ember more. Ember is not sure she's right for the position of high priestess, but she's doing her best. This was a good story with action, suspense, and magic. I highly recommend you read this book. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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