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Double Alchemy #1
Double Alchemy
Powerful yet tormented modern warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the silver-eyed Cade Mairston into the world of witchfinders, Withinners, and what can happen when two men fall truly, madly, deeply in love.
THE WORLD IN SHADOW
In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.
In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.
THE WORLD IN SHADOW
In modern London there lurks a warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Dangerous, powerful, tortured, sharing his body with the soul of an ancient Welsh sorcerer, Quinn is never alone—and never wholly himself. He fights against all those who would exploit his kind. He takes pleasure where he can find it.
In the forest of Hampstead Heath, Quinn’s hometown, Cade Mairston appears to him like a waking dream. Lithe, lean and silver-eyed, he evokes feelings in Quinn unlike any other: lust with true affection, immediate and shocking. Cade is clearly more than he seems. And yet, if a man of the world, Cade is innocent. He knows nothing of warlocks, witchfinders or Withinners. He knows nothing of what he is, what he might be, or what he might feel. For him, the story is just beginning. Magyck, peril and passion await.
335 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2014
16 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mac Nicol
55 books539 followersBringing lovers together, one book at a time
The official stuff
Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining. She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US.
Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.
The ‘unofficial’ stuff…
She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert or the divine Cumberbatch) walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.
Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a ‘bad influence’ (she encourages free thinking) and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard
.
The official stuff
Susan writes steamy, sexy and fun contemporary romance stories, some suspenseful, some gritty and dark and hopefully always entertaining. She’s also Editor in Chief at Divine Magazine, an online LGBTQ e-zine, and a member of The Society of Authors, the Writers Guild of Great Britain, and the Authors Guild in the US.
Susan is also an award-winning script writer, with scripts based on two of her own published works. Sight Unseen has garnered no less than five awards to date and her TV pilot, Reel Life, based on her debut novel, Cassandra by Starlight, was also a winner at the Oaxaca Film Fest.
The ‘unofficial’ stuff…
She loves going to the theatre, live music concerts (especially if it’s her man crush Adam Lambert or the divine Cumberbatch) walks in the countryside, a good G and T, lazing away afternoons reading a good book, and watching re-runs of Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.
Her chequered past includes stories like being mistaken for a prostitute in the city of Johannesburg, being chased by a rhino on a dusty Kenyan road, getting kicked out of a youth club for being a ‘bad influence’ (she encourages free thinking) and having an aunt who was engaged to Cliff Richard
.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 15, 2014
*** 3 somewhat ranting stars ***
This book started out really good and really hot! And I mean really lady boner hot.
But then the plot started and, well... it was okay, I guess.
Quinn is a powerful warlock and together with his Withinner he's even more powerful. But he
And talking about his Withinner, that's his alter ego or extra Warlock and inner voice and whatnot by the way, what happened at about 40% was... bad to say the least. O.o *shakes bad feeling off* It was explained and sorted out, but it didn't make reading about it better or easier, especially since the explanation only came after the incident.
Taliesin, the Withinner's name, redeems himself though. What was surprising for me was that in the last part of the book my feelings towards Taliesin had completely changed. At the end I actually resented Quinn more than I ever had Taliesin! What Quinn is contemplating right at the end there?! If you try, Quinn, I'm gonna smack you! Grrrr... But that's for the next book.
The bad guy . And after that the chapters just kept coming! And coming! Was this book ever going to end? I have to admit, I was flipping the pages at one point. And Quinn was such an asshole to Cade with the chest scene. I felt so bad for Cade. Quinn is so closed off and expect Cade to take him and his position all on faith. I get that Quinn's got secrets and bad memories, but geez, he doesn't have to go off like that. As Cade said, "it's not the first time". No, it wasn't! Get a grip, Quinn.
And you know what, let's just call a spade a spade, okay?
Magyck = Magic.
I don't know why author writing about MAGIC needs too make a new "fancy" word just to make it "special".
The most enjoyable part of this book, if I may humbly say so, was my updates and all the comments on them. So check them out!
Buddy read with definitely Marco, and kind of Momo and Mel and... I lost count there too. :P
I'll be reading the sequel though. But maybe not right away.
Climax
This book started out really good and really hot! And I mean really lady boner hot.
But then the plot started and, well... it was okay, I guess.
Quinn is a powerful warlock and together with his Withinner he's even more powerful. But he
And talking about his Withinner, that's his alter ego or extra Warlock and inner voice and whatnot by the way, what happened at about 40% was... bad to say the least. O.o *shakes bad feeling off* It was explained and sorted out, but it didn't make reading about it better or easier, especially since the explanation only came after the incident.
Taliesin, the Withinner's name, redeems himself though. What was surprising for me was that in the last part of the book my feelings towards Taliesin had completely changed. At the end I actually resented Quinn more than I ever had Taliesin! What Quinn is contemplating right at the end there?! If you try, Quinn, I'm gonna smack you! Grrrr... But that's for the next book.
The bad guy . And after that the chapters just kept coming! And coming! Was this book ever going to end? I have to admit, I was flipping the pages at one point. And Quinn was such an asshole to Cade with the chest scene. I felt so bad for Cade. Quinn is so closed off and expect Cade to take him and his position all on faith. I get that Quinn's got secrets and bad memories, but geez, he doesn't have to go off like that. As Cade said, "it's not the first time". No, it wasn't! Get a grip, Quinn.
And you know what, let's just call a spade a spade, okay?
Magyck = Magic.
I don't know why author writing about MAGIC needs too make a new "fancy" word just to make it "special".
The most enjoyable part of this book, if I may humbly say so, was my updates and all the comments on them. So check them out!
Buddy read with definitely Marco, and kind of Momo and Mel and... I lost count there too. :P
I'll be reading the sequel though. But maybe not right away.
Climax
March 25, 2014
Review by The Blogger Girls.
What an exciting new world to be introduced to! I absolutely loved the unique paranormal story being told here. It takes a little while to really get the gist of what’s going on, especially with Quinn and his Withinner. But once you do get the hang of things, it is quite a tale.
Quinn isn’t just any warlock, he’s like the king of warlocks. Every warlock, at around the age of 7, is paired up, body and soul, with a Withinner, or ancient sorcerer. Quinn’s Withinner is Taliesin. They can communicate and feel each other but can not be in the same place at the same time. Tal, as I liked to call him, remains back in his century, except for the times when Quinn invokes him, at which time, they change places with Quinn then being sent to Tal’s century. They work together, combining powers to keep not only Quinn safe but the other warlocks as well. Unfortunately, every time Quinn calls Tal forth, it makes it easier for the witchfinders to hone in on him.
The witchfinders, or, more accurately, witch hunters are out to destroy all warlocks and witches. One, in particular, has been wreaking some havoc, but he has yet to be found. Every time a warlock is killed, it takes a little something from Quinn. This really only skims the surface of what’s going on here. There is a bit of mystery as to who is truly involved, who isn’t as they seem, etc.
When this story begins, Quinn meets Cade, and there is instant attraction. But there is more to this than meets the eye. Unbeknownst to him, Cade is part Fey, or Water Sprite to be exact. This acts as somewhat of an aphrodisiac to Quinn which he tries to resist by magycal means. Setting that aspect aside, these guys still hit it off and they realize there is more to their feelings than just the magyk. All of this leads to some pretty hot sex. We never really find out very much about the Fey side of Cade, and I found myself getting just as frustrated as Cade about this lack of knowledge, as well as the fact that Quinn was keeping things from him in this regard.
I have to mention Tal again, because he was one of my favorite characters here, although he wasn’t present nearly as much as I would have liked. He’s snarky, cocky and arrogant, always trying to put his two cents in and even being a bit of a sneaky bastard at times. He finds ways to disobey Quinn, especially where Cade is concerned. But after he does something particularly not nice, I think he learns a tiny lesson and actually works hard to make up for it. Needless to say, there are people who won’t like this initial turn of events, but I wasn’t one of them.
There were times I felt this was a little bit more drawn out than it needed to be, but I was engrossed until the end to find out the truth. While some questions were answered, there are many that were not and many new ones kept popping up. I am a huge fan of Ms. Mac Nicol’s writing, and this story really expanded on that for me, as it isn’t like anything I’ve ever read by her before. This ends on a HFN note, with lots of unanswered questions and things still needing to play out. It left me longing for more, and I cannot wait for the next installment.
Read
July 18, 2015It seems reviews are the hardest to write, when a book is neither great nor bad, which is the case with Double Alchemy, as you have guessed correctly.
So, I will just try to tell you what I really liked, and why this book is not an amazing read.
The book starts really strong. There is ATTRACTION, and sexual tension, oh my. Haven’t read such a hot beginning and first sex scene in a while!
There is mystery, about Warlocks and Witches and Fey. I like fantasy and paranormal books, so I was intrigued by it, and think this part of the book was real good. Magic, warlock fights, betrayal, loved it. I wish we would know more about Cade’s Fey side, but I guess this is left for the sequel.
I did not like the dialogue in this book. It was artificial, because nobody in their right mind speaks in perfect sentences. What we get here is a written down dialogue, that makes the characters remain somewhat lifeless, staying on the page. That could have been so much better.
Let’s get to the protagonists, Quinn and Cade. And I think, I have to put that behind spoiler tags, though they will be mainly mild ones…
The author is in huge need of a proof-reader. I would volunteer, but since English isn’t my mother tongue… Lots of doubled words, wrong words, wrong places for words. And I think, I only get half of what’s wrong.
Oh, and not to forget… The sex in this book is HOT, I enjoyed to read about it. It’s loving and passionate, my favourite combination. But, I HATE when there is too much sex off page. We are being told that Quinn and Cade have ravaging sex and not get the detail? Come on! Don’t tell me then, at all. Don’t shut the door in my face.
While there were enough sex scenes and tender moment to keep me happy, the telling but not showing was also very prominent.
I’m not sure if I will continue with the series, though. Maybe if we read together again? That was kinda my first BR experience, with Marco, Marte, and Momo, and that was actually pretty great!
So, I will just try to tell you what I really liked, and why this book is not an amazing read.
The book starts really strong. There is ATTRACTION, and sexual tension, oh my. Haven’t read such a hot beginning and first sex scene in a while!
There is mystery, about Warlocks and Witches and Fey. I like fantasy and paranormal books, so I was intrigued by it, and think this part of the book was real good. Magic, warlock fights, betrayal, loved it. I wish we would know more about Cade’s Fey side, but I guess this is left for the sequel.
I did not like the dialogue in this book. It was artificial, because nobody in their right mind speaks in perfect sentences. What we get here is a written down dialogue, that makes the characters remain somewhat lifeless, staying on the page. That could have been so much better.
Let’s get to the protagonists, Quinn and Cade. And I think, I have to put that behind spoiler tags, though they will be mainly mild ones…
The author is in huge need of a proof-reader. I would volunteer, but since English isn’t my mother tongue… Lots of doubled words, wrong words, wrong places for words. And I think, I only get half of what’s wrong.
Oh, and not to forget… The sex in this book is HOT, I enjoyed to read about it. It’s loving and passionate, my favourite combination. But, I HATE when there is too much sex off page. We are being told that Quinn and Cade have ravaging sex and not get the detail? Come on! Don’t tell me then, at all. Don’t shut the door in my face.
While there were enough sex scenes and tender moment to keep me happy, the telling but not showing was also very prominent.
I’m not sure if I will continue with the series, though. Maybe if we read together again? That was kinda my first BR experience, with Marco, Marte, and Momo, and that was actually pretty great!
July 14, 2014
Somewhere in the 3.5-4 star range. I'm not really sure. I enjoy paranormal books and I enjoyed that aspect of this book, I think it took me a little while to get into that part of it. In the beginning when Quinn is explaining things to Cade I wasn't really feeling it. It got better for me, though, once the other characters were introduced and things were happening instead of Quinn just explaining.
There was some serious hotness in there as well, I mean, I was scouring google for an image of a cock tied in a green bow!
There were times when I felt things didn't quite flow right, but overall I liked the writing style. I didn't highlight any particular parts, but things would be intense and then a light memory would be described, or things would be crazy and then they're off to have sex, which is fine...but like I said, sometimes the flow wasn't quite right.
The insta-love thing is not my favorite, but it was explained and so I got over it pretty quickly.
Taleisin...I wanted to simultaneously kick his ass and give him a medal. I enjoyed Quinn, but he pissed me off on several occasions. He has a lot of responsibility and a lot of secrets and he wanted Cade to just take too much on faith and I felt badly for Cade because Quinn was so closed off how could he not question the relationship.
The bad guy...was bad. I find while reading I am really quite bloodthirsty.
I enjoyed our secondary characters--Percy (did his last name change in the middle of the story?) and Jomo--who I wished we got a little more of honestly.
There are several things that were left unresolved, and I will be reading the next one.
There was some serious hotness in there as well, I mean, I was scouring google for an image of a cock tied in a green bow!
There were times when I felt things didn't quite flow right, but overall I liked the writing style. I didn't highlight any particular parts, but things would be intense and then a light memory would be described, or things would be crazy and then they're off to have sex, which is fine...but like I said, sometimes the flow wasn't quite right.
The insta-love thing is not my favorite, but it was explained and so I got over it pretty quickly.
Taleisin...I wanted to simultaneously kick his ass and give him a medal. I enjoyed Quinn, but he pissed me off on several occasions. He has a lot of responsibility and a lot of secrets and he wanted Cade to just take too much on faith and I felt badly for Cade because Quinn was so closed off how could he not question the relationship.
The bad guy...was bad. I find while reading I am really quite bloodthirsty.
I enjoyed our secondary characters--Percy (did his last name change in the middle of the story?) and Jomo--who I wished we got a little more of honestly.
There are several things that were left unresolved, and I will be reading the next one.
March 28, 2014
I was totally impressed with Susan Mac Nicol taking a plunge into the paranormal wild side and I think she may have found her new calling. I started out a little confused trying to understand exactly how Quinn and his "Withinner" Taliesin worked, but it didn't take long to figure out this magycal world though and I was hooked. I was also hooked on Taliesin, and even though he was a very naughty sorcerer I still liked him...a lot. So much so that I want a Taliesin book.
But this book is about Cade, an unsuspecting water sprite fey, and Quinn, the king of all warlocks...and the magyc the two of them seem to perform whenever they are in the same vicinity. They just cannot keep their hands off each and it's hot...and dangerous...over and over again. Common theme there people...hot and dangerous, so what's not to love?
This is the first book in what I think is a two book series. By the end we are left with a healthy HFN, but lots of unanswered questions, and some that will have Cade kicking Quinns ass in the next installment...no doubt about that at all. And I can't wait!
P.S. Isn't that an awesome cover? I love it!
But this book is about Cade, an unsuspecting water sprite fey, and Quinn, the king of all warlocks...and the magyc the two of them seem to perform whenever they are in the same vicinity. They just cannot keep their hands off each and it's hot...and dangerous...over and over again. Common theme there people...hot and dangerous, so what's not to love?
This is the first book in what I think is a two book series. By the end we are left with a healthy HFN, but lots of unanswered questions, and some that will have Cade kicking Quinns ass in the next installment...no doubt about that at all. And I can't wait!
P.S. Isn't that an awesome cover? I love it!
March 20, 2016
If you're looking for a great MM and PNR read pick this up.
Quinn and Cade are an amazing couple, they are sexy and share some great banter, they go through so much in this story and I loved every bit of it!
Here's a brief recap when Quinn and Cade first see each other the attraction is magical literally! Quinn is a warlock, Cade believes he is human but Quinn quickly recognises him as fae, thank goodness they're both gay!
In a way their more than a couple as Quinn has a withinner.......his withinner is his immortal life partner, a strong and powerful warlock, it's funny as when he talks to him it's like his crazy, you'd lock him up lol. His withinner isn't completely innocent though!
So much goes on, I really enjoyed how Cade and Quinn's relationship developed along with the PNR side of the story that has many twists.
This book grabs you and won't let you go, the writing and story flows easily and keeps you hooked, if you like books where you feel you personally know the main characters and feel all there emotions you will enjoy this book.
Five sexy, lovable and magical stars
**I was gifted a copy for an honest review**
Quinn and Cade are an amazing couple, they are sexy and share some great banter, they go through so much in this story and I loved every bit of it!
Here's a brief recap when Quinn and Cade first see each other the attraction is magical literally! Quinn is a warlock, Cade believes he is human but Quinn quickly recognises him as fae, thank goodness they're both gay!
In a way their more than a couple as Quinn has a withinner.......his withinner is his immortal life partner, a strong and powerful warlock, it's funny as when he talks to him it's like his crazy, you'd lock him up lol. His withinner isn't completely innocent though!
So much goes on, I really enjoyed how Cade and Quinn's relationship developed along with the PNR side of the story that has many twists.
This book grabs you and won't let you go, the writing and story flows easily and keeps you hooked, if you like books where you feel you personally know the main characters and feel all there emotions you will enjoy this book.
Five sexy, lovable and magical stars
**I was gifted a copy for an honest review**
March 21, 2014
May contain spoilers...
DOUBLE ALCHEMY gets a big 4 ½ stars from me. I don’t think I need to tell you how much I love this author as I always say in my reviews I am a fan of Susan’s. So why not the full whammy big 5 stars?
The only thing for me was I found the start of the book to be a bit slow but as soon as the story kicked in and picked up pace I was there hooked. The world the author has created is remarkable I loved Quinn’s character and the added part of him was awesome. Taliesin amused me and I loved that he was naughty with that but he does learn a lesson in this story. I would love to know more about him. Cade is just too cute. When he first meets Quinn the attraction is strong and you have that instant love thing going on, that’s because of something that lies dormant inside of Cade. As the story goes on you can see it becomes more and once again Susan doesn’t disappoint with the sex scenes. (Fans herself) Susan also doesn’t disappoint on making me hate the bad guy and woman in this case. I was with Cade I didn’t like Mary when we first meet her either and wanted to poke her eyes out. I enjoy a good fight scene so when it came to Quinn facing off with his enemy De Vere he also finds himself in a standoff with the sneaky witchfinder to. Oh yes I was shouting at my kindle at that scene and smiled big at the end but oh that sneaky witchfinder. At the end of the book I shook my head and thought ‘Don’t do it Quinn it’s not going to bode well for you.’ And yes then came the questions so many questions I need answering. I have my suspicions that someone close to the couple is not all what they seem. I have two characters in mind but damn I’m going to have to wait till the next book to find out.
If you like story’s to contain, twist and turns, magyck, witches and warlocks. And the love story between the two male characters then one click this book because you won’t be disappointed
DOUBLE ALCHEMY gets a big 4 ½ stars from me. I don’t think I need to tell you how much I love this author as I always say in my reviews I am a fan of Susan’s. So why not the full whammy big 5 stars?
The only thing for me was I found the start of the book to be a bit slow but as soon as the story kicked in and picked up pace I was there hooked. The world the author has created is remarkable I loved Quinn’s character and the added part of him was awesome. Taliesin amused me and I loved that he was naughty with that but he does learn a lesson in this story. I would love to know more about him. Cade is just too cute. When he first meets Quinn the attraction is strong and you have that instant love thing going on, that’s because of something that lies dormant inside of Cade. As the story goes on you can see it becomes more and once again Susan doesn’t disappoint with the sex scenes. (Fans herself) Susan also doesn’t disappoint on making me hate the bad guy and woman in this case. I was with Cade I didn’t like Mary when we first meet her either and wanted to poke her eyes out. I enjoy a good fight scene so when it came to Quinn facing off with his enemy De Vere he also finds himself in a standoff with the sneaky witchfinder to. Oh yes I was shouting at my kindle at that scene and smiled big at the end but oh that sneaky witchfinder. At the end of the book I shook my head and thought ‘Don’t do it Quinn it’s not going to bode well for you.’ And yes then came the questions so many questions I need answering. I have my suspicions that someone close to the couple is not all what they seem. I have two characters in mind but damn I’m going to have to wait till the next book to find out.
If you like story’s to contain, twist and turns, magyck, witches and warlocks. And the love story between the two male characters then one click this book because you won’t be disappointed
March 23, 2014
Wow!!! Just let me lead with that. Susan Mac Nicol has kicked magical butt with Double Alchemy. I will try not to be too detailed because of spoilers...I don't want to ruin anything.
This book has it all. A very strong, passionate love affair between the lead characters Quinn and Cade that springboards Cade's introduction into a dangerous world of magic. Susan does an amazing job of creating a world inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures and gives it a wonderfully rich depth.
I absolutely loved the Withinner idea. Taliesin is a truly fascinating character all on his own and by the end of the book I was wanting more and more of him.
There's plenty of suspense and drama throughout the book as Quinn's people are being attacked and killed. Deviousness, betrayal magical smackdowns abound.
Cade struggles to understand this enigmatic man he loves, knowing that because of his position in the magical world, Quinn will never be able to share everything with him.
And Quinn...A man who has been making horrible, hard decisions since he was child. Tempered by those and shaped by the arrogance that his station requires he shows just how far he will go to protect his people...But most of all, just what he is capable of to save the man he knows is his soul mate.
I can't wait for the next book. Susan said that we would have a HEA in this one to hold us until the next in the series and she delivered...But all the things that she has set up for the next book has me going crazy with curiosity....Cade is strong right now. The thought of how he could be when he comes into his heritage makes me drool....And when I think of him standing up to 'Mr I'm in Charge' Quinn.....I am crossing my fingers here Susan.
This book has it all. A very strong, passionate love affair between the lead characters Quinn and Cade that springboards Cade's introduction into a dangerous world of magic. Susan does an amazing job of creating a world inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures and gives it a wonderfully rich depth.
I absolutely loved the Withinner idea. Taliesin is a truly fascinating character all on his own and by the end of the book I was wanting more and more of him.
There's plenty of suspense and drama throughout the book as Quinn's people are being attacked and killed. Deviousness, betrayal magical smackdowns abound.
Cade struggles to understand this enigmatic man he loves, knowing that because of his position in the magical world, Quinn will never be able to share everything with him.
And Quinn...A man who has been making horrible, hard decisions since he was child. Tempered by those and shaped by the arrogance that his station requires he shows just how far he will go to protect his people...But most of all, just what he is capable of to save the man he knows is his soul mate.
I can't wait for the next book. Susan said that we would have a HEA in this one to hold us until the next in the series and she delivered...But all the things that she has set up for the next book has me going crazy with curiosity....Cade is strong right now. The thought of how he could be when he comes into his heritage makes me drool....And when I think of him standing up to 'Mr I'm in Charge' Quinn.....I am crossing my fingers here Susan.
March 8, 2017
3.75 STARS
Not a bad read for a warlock and witch Urban Fantasy/Erotic Thriller, set in modern day London, I do love my UK novels. It kept me interested and was written by an actual wiccan (witch). A thesaurus might have helped it flow a touch more as certain words were used repeatedly. That is me being rather picky though and might be the correct terminology used by people who practice wicca.
The writing is good, the main storyline is interesting as are the MC's. It's a very sexual book though so I found that detracted from the main story a lot , I would say it borders on erotica rather than romance but it's a close call. I will read the sequel though.
I did enjoy it but it could have lost a lot of the sex but the author chose to make this part of the story with her valid reason's for the MC's so it's established within the plot at the start of the book, so I'll let just let that pass even though it's detracted from the main storyline and literally became the second major plot. If half the sex scenes were dropped and the crux of the story was focused on, it could have been a rather excellent thriller. I did enjoy this book though, but if you hate UF and wizards and warlocks, don't go there!
AND NO I'm not a prude at all in regards to sex in books but this is excessive for me but as I said the author has established why, but it's almost like filler, as in "sex sell's I'll write more filler", and boy does one MC get filled repeatedly in detail.
Not a bad read for a warlock and witch Urban Fantasy/Erotic Thriller, set in modern day London, I do love my UK novels. It kept me interested and was written by an actual wiccan (witch). A thesaurus might have helped it flow a touch more as certain words were used repeatedly. That is me being rather picky though and might be the correct terminology used by people who practice wicca.
The writing is good, the main storyline is interesting as are the MC's. It's a very sexual book though so I found that detracted from the main story a lot , I would say it borders on erotica rather than romance but it's a close call. I will read the sequel though.
I did enjoy it but it could have lost a lot of the sex but the author chose to make this part of the story with her valid reason's for the MC's so it's established within the plot at the start of the book, so I'll let just let that pass even though it's detracted from the main storyline and literally became the second major plot. If half the sex scenes were dropped and the crux of the story was focused on, it could have been a rather excellent thriller. I did enjoy this book though, but if you hate UF and wizards and warlocks, don't go there!
AND NO I'm not a prude at all in regards to sex in books but this is excessive for me but as I said the author has established why, but it's almost like filler, as in "sex sell's I'll write more filler", and boy does one MC get filled repeatedly in detail.
July 23, 2014
4.0 Stars
Warlock Quinn Fairmont and Cade Mairston ... and Taliesin. What a story. Granted, the first 1/2 of the book pissed me off and I was livid with the . But that aside, there was some wonderful world building here. And, interesting characters. I was quickly embroiled by the story and I came to truly care for both Quinn and Cade. (I'm still sorta pissed at Taliesin.)
Bottom line: Magical! Moving on to book 2.
Warlock Quinn Fairmont and Cade Mairston ... and Taliesin. What a story. Granted, the first 1/2 of the book pissed me off and I was livid with the . But that aside, there was some wonderful world building here. And, interesting characters. I was quickly embroiled by the story and I came to truly care for both Quinn and Cade. (I'm still sorta pissed at Taliesin.)
Bottom line: Magical! Moving on to book 2.
March 5, 2015
A good read that lagged a little in the beginning as the author introduced the various Warlocks, Witches and the alliances. I like both Cade and Quinn but am a little wary of why he's keeping Cades's powers a secret. I like the fact that all Warlocks have a Withinner. There seems to be many secrets among the Warlocks and hopefully they will be answerd in book two.
August 27, 2020
Drawn Out
Story began sexy , engaging and strong BUT it fizzle as it went ; that is when I began to get distracted and skipping pages to see what happens at the end.
A cliffhanger, that is what happened.
Rating falls between a 2.50 and 3 a stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Story began sexy , engaging and strong BUT it fizzle as it went ; that is when I began to get distracted and skipping pages to see what happens at the end.
A cliffhanger, that is what happened.
Rating falls between a 2.50 and 3 a stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2015
This book has a great cover. That's the best thing I can say for it. Well, that and I appreciate Quinn and Cade being 36 & 35 years old. It's nice to encounter older leads, or at least not ridiculously youthful ones. But again, those are my only true compliments for this book. And now I'm going to rant a bit.
First and foremost, though possibly backwards to mention it in the beginning, this book is seemingly ennnnnddddllesssss. I swear I prayed and prayed for the end and it always seemed hours off. Even after the baddie had been beaten, the hero gone to the hospital, healed and been released, then returned home, made love to his boyfriend (again) and ensured the wellbeing of his injured business partner, when it seems like there can't possibly anything more to the book there is another 7% left and a new angle is pursued. (One I couldn't have cared less about.)
My god this book is all over the freakin' place. To say it needs to be trimmed and tightened up is like saying one of those people with disgustingly long, curling toe nails needs a pedicure. As a start, the author could cut about 50 pseudo-sex scenes. No joke, I'm not exaggerating.
From page one, the book jumps right into the sexual attraction. It then focuses almost exclusively on it, taking a really long time to find an actual plot (which is pretty darned weak). There is simply too much pseudo-sex, much, much, much too much.
Sure, I love an occasional smut-fest erotic novel, in which I wouldn't expect to have much in line of a plot. But this doesn't seem to have been written with that intent, it just fails to be anything else. Contradictorily, however, despite having a sex scene on just about every other page (and I'm being pretty literally about that) most of it is off screen. The reader gets the kissing, the attempt at dirty talk and is told this or that might have happened, but usually the actual act isn't shown. Thus, it also fails as porn and I termed it pseudo-sex. And it too is eeennnnddddllesssss (rather, a large part of why the book feels endless).
I also have to inquire, is this romance? I ask because the a huge part of the plot is that a warlock and a fey would always be attracted like magnets. That means ANY warlock and ANY fey would be attracted to one another. Thus the characters could and would be attracted to any other warlock or fey they encountered. It has nothing, nothing at all, to do with THESE characters. That's not romantic in the least. In fact, I find it kind of off-putting. It's kind of like rape in the sense that they have no free will about it. In further fact, when the same magnetic force is used by someone other than Quinn, even he likens it to rape.
So, I am completely unable to figure out how the 'honey' and 'baby' and 'wanting only him' and 'soul mate' make sense. What makes their attraction any different than the sexual pull they would feel with any other person of said genetics? Plus, these declarations of love cropped up AS SOON AS the men had sex, as if by having sex (unavoidable sex at that) suddenly made them a couple for life.
Then there was the annoyingly 'safe sex.' Early on Quinn makes the socially mandated (but utterly unnatural and forced) fuss about ensuring they practice safe sex. Then the next time they're together they 'agreed they trusted eachother enough for a no-condom policy.' Yeah, because the diseases they were previously concerned about are only contagious when two people don't trust each-other, right? Why bother with it if your just going to throw it away?
One of my biggest mm pet peeves is seeing one half of a couple written as a woman. Cade is definitely such a character, complete with an 'inner bitch.' Not to mention calling himself a 'bitch from hell' and 'prima donna' within a paragraph on eachother and having his displeasure called a 'girl fight.' Everything from his personality, thoughts and actions (and all that shame) to how Quinn sees and treats him cues the reader into his role as a female. (And he's not described as a femme.)
Most significantly though, is the way he has no real control over his sexual urges and the implication that all a man needs is access to 'have' him. This is especially obvious when one looks at the magical pull that's supposed to exist between warlocks and fey. It's only Cade (the girl) who is helpless to resist or even think in the face of it. Both Quinn and Taliesin seem to function and hunt just fine under its influence.
(As an annoying side note, it's also inconsistent as the book progresses. It allows Cade different reactions at different times, that according to the rules previous set up in the book he shouldn't have had. For example, we're told it's an effect that always occurs, but Cade meets Percy and Magnus without so much as a twinge.)
Then there is the writing, OMG, the writing. It is really clumsy, not necessarily bad but not such that I sunk into it and lost myself. Things like the use of the word 'happy' three times in a paragraph or boyfriend 33 times in the book, groin 41 times, cock 50 times, lover 70 times, lips 71 times, chuckle 80 times, or kiss 110 flipping times. They're noticeable in their repetition. (Eventually, I had a hell of a lot more fun clocking these repetitions than reading the actual book.)
Or passages like this: "...feeling a strange disquiet as well as a familiar sexual stirring in his groin, with his cock slowly rising, scenting a possible conquest. He was used to getting rock hard when he saw something he liked but the speedy progression of his current hard-on surprised him." Well, is it slow or speedy? Or "Jomo chuckled loudly, a deep belly laugh"...a chuckle, by definition, can be neither loud nor a deep belly laugh. It's not being these things that makes it a chuckle. I highlighted a ton of such passages. For example, at one point we're told Cade is lying supine while tied into a chair.
It also often used bigger words than necessary, but not quite in the right context—like the time Quinn kisses Cade on the 'proboscis.' A proboscis is "the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir." It has been used to describe, in a derogatory way, a person with a large nose, true. But Cade wasn't suggested to have a particularly big one. So proboscis, while meaning a nose, doesn't really describe Cade's nose. So why bother with the $10 word. (And it's worth noting that I generally love big words in my lit, but it has to be appropriately used.
The exposition is clumsy too. There are a number of lengthy and...well, again, clumsy conversation in which a ton of questions were asked and answered. (This usually happens in bed, before and/or after sex was supposed to have occurred.)
The editing is a disaster. Not only because of the not quite right words, but wrong words, missing words, and mishaps; for example, swimming in the pool when someone's gone to the pond. A pond, by the way, that must be huge if it requires a buoy. (Where's the line between a pond and lake?) Plus, good lord, surely an editor would have told the author to cut at least a third of the book.
I found the internal dialogue annoying. Annoying in and of itself, but also because it was italicised in the same manner as Quinn's inner dialogues with Talisen, making them confuseable. The whole thing was also painfully predictable, with a wooden cardboard cut out villain, prone to cliché monologues.
So in the end, I'm throwing this on the short list of worst books I've read this year. Fail!
First and foremost, though possibly backwards to mention it in the beginning, this book is seemingly ennnnnddddllesssss. I swear I prayed and prayed for the end and it always seemed hours off. Even after the baddie had been beaten, the hero gone to the hospital, healed and been released, then returned home, made love to his boyfriend (again) and ensured the wellbeing of his injured business partner, when it seems like there can't possibly anything more to the book there is another 7% left and a new angle is pursued. (One I couldn't have cared less about.)
My god this book is all over the freakin' place. To say it needs to be trimmed and tightened up is like saying one of those people with disgustingly long, curling toe nails needs a pedicure. As a start, the author could cut about 50 pseudo-sex scenes. No joke, I'm not exaggerating.
From page one, the book jumps right into the sexual attraction. It then focuses almost exclusively on it, taking a really long time to find an actual plot (which is pretty darned weak). There is simply too much pseudo-sex, much, much, much too much.
Sure, I love an occasional smut-fest erotic novel, in which I wouldn't expect to have much in line of a plot. But this doesn't seem to have been written with that intent, it just fails to be anything else. Contradictorily, however, despite having a sex scene on just about every other page (and I'm being pretty literally about that) most of it is off screen. The reader gets the kissing, the attempt at dirty talk and is told this or that might have happened, but usually the actual act isn't shown. Thus, it also fails as porn and I termed it pseudo-sex. And it too is eeennnnddddllesssss (rather, a large part of why the book feels endless).
I also have to inquire, is this romance? I ask because the a huge part of the plot is that a warlock and a fey would always be attracted like magnets. That means ANY warlock and ANY fey would be attracted to one another. Thus the characters could and would be attracted to any other warlock or fey they encountered. It has nothing, nothing at all, to do with THESE characters. That's not romantic in the least. In fact, I find it kind of off-putting. It's kind of like rape in the sense that they have no free will about it. In further fact, when the same magnetic force is used by someone other than Quinn, even he likens it to rape.
So, I am completely unable to figure out how the 'honey' and 'baby' and 'wanting only him' and 'soul mate' make sense. What makes their attraction any different than the sexual pull they would feel with any other person of said genetics? Plus, these declarations of love cropped up AS SOON AS the men had sex, as if by having sex (unavoidable sex at that) suddenly made them a couple for life.
Then there was the annoyingly 'safe sex.' Early on Quinn makes the socially mandated (but utterly unnatural and forced) fuss about ensuring they practice safe sex. Then the next time they're together they 'agreed they trusted eachother enough for a no-condom policy.' Yeah, because the diseases they were previously concerned about are only contagious when two people don't trust each-other, right? Why bother with it if your just going to throw it away?
One of my biggest mm pet peeves is seeing one half of a couple written as a woman. Cade is definitely such a character, complete with an 'inner bitch.' Not to mention calling himself a 'bitch from hell' and 'prima donna' within a paragraph on eachother and having his displeasure called a 'girl fight.' Everything from his personality, thoughts and actions (and all that shame) to how Quinn sees and treats him cues the reader into his role as a female. (And he's not described as a femme.)
Most significantly though, is the way he has no real control over his sexual urges and the implication that all a man needs is access to 'have' him. This is especially obvious when one looks at the magical pull that's supposed to exist between warlocks and fey. It's only Cade (the girl) who is helpless to resist or even think in the face of it. Both Quinn and Taliesin seem to function and hunt just fine under its influence.
(As an annoying side note, it's also inconsistent as the book progresses. It allows Cade different reactions at different times, that according to the rules previous set up in the book he shouldn't have had. For example, we're told it's an effect that always occurs, but Cade meets Percy and Magnus without so much as a twinge.)
Then there is the writing, OMG, the writing. It is really clumsy, not necessarily bad but not such that I sunk into it and lost myself. Things like the use of the word 'happy' three times in a paragraph or boyfriend 33 times in the book, groin 41 times, cock 50 times, lover 70 times, lips 71 times, chuckle 80 times, or kiss 110 flipping times. They're noticeable in their repetition. (Eventually, I had a hell of a lot more fun clocking these repetitions than reading the actual book.)
Or passages like this: "...feeling a strange disquiet as well as a familiar sexual stirring in his groin, with his cock slowly rising, scenting a possible conquest. He was used to getting rock hard when he saw something he liked but the speedy progression of his current hard-on surprised him." Well, is it slow or speedy? Or "Jomo chuckled loudly, a deep belly laugh"...a chuckle, by definition, can be neither loud nor a deep belly laugh. It's not being these things that makes it a chuckle. I highlighted a ton of such passages. For example, at one point we're told Cade is lying supine while tied into a chair.
It also often used bigger words than necessary, but not quite in the right context—like the time Quinn kisses Cade on the 'proboscis.' A proboscis is "the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir." It has been used to describe, in a derogatory way, a person with a large nose, true. But Cade wasn't suggested to have a particularly big one. So proboscis, while meaning a nose, doesn't really describe Cade's nose. So why bother with the $10 word. (And it's worth noting that I generally love big words in my lit, but it has to be appropriately used.
The exposition is clumsy too. There are a number of lengthy and...well, again, clumsy conversation in which a ton of questions were asked and answered. (This usually happens in bed, before and/or after sex was supposed to have occurred.)
The editing is a disaster. Not only because of the not quite right words, but wrong words, missing words, and mishaps; for example, swimming in the pool when someone's gone to the pond. A pond, by the way, that must be huge if it requires a buoy. (Where's the line between a pond and lake?) Plus, good lord, surely an editor would have told the author to cut at least a third of the book.
I found the internal dialogue annoying. Annoying in and of itself, but also because it was italicised in the same manner as Quinn's inner dialogues with Talisen, making them confuseable. The whole thing was also painfully predictable, with a wooden cardboard cut out villain, prone to cliché monologues.
So in the end, I'm throwing this on the short list of worst books I've read this year. Fail!
December 9, 2014
This is a really difficult one to rate.
I started out hating it. Cade and Quinn are apparently ridiculously sexually attracted to each other because Cade had fey blood and Quinn's a warlock. The first much-too-long of the book is the dance that they go through first trying to resist the attraction and then reveling in it. I didn't know either of them yet, and I didn't care about them or their freakily over-active libidos.
The middle part was excellent. This world is fascinating, with warlocks and Withinners and witchfinders and fey. The bad guy was deliciously bad, and I completely enjoyed how close he was able to come to winning--it made the conflict seem more real.
The end, though, was back to sucking.
I think I'll settle on 2.5 stars, rounding down for not really ending.
I started out hating it. Cade and Quinn are apparently ridiculously sexually attracted to each other because Cade had fey blood and Quinn's a warlock. The first much-too-long of the book is the dance that they go through first trying to resist the attraction and then reveling in it. I didn't know either of them yet, and I didn't care about them or their freakily over-active libidos.
The middle part was excellent. This world is fascinating, with warlocks and Withinners and witchfinders and fey. The bad guy was deliciously bad, and I completely enjoyed how close he was able to come to winning--it made the conflict seem more real.
The end, though, was back to sucking.
I think I'll settle on 2.5 stars, rounding down for not really ending.
August 24, 2014
Okay, to be completely honest, I didn't technically finish this. The idea of the Withinner and the Warlock was pretty neat and I had high hopes for this, but despite the copious amounts of man-sex (which was pretty delicious regardless of whether or not I thought the author could have chosen better words to describe some things) I just couldn't make it all the way through. I got about 3/4. Some may be wondering why I didn't just push through the last quarter, well ... sorry to say, I just could not deal with the writing anymore. On the positive side of things (positive for me anyway) it made me much more confident in my writing skills and that one day I could publish something. This book didn't live up to it's potential for me, but maybe others will enjoy it.
March 26, 2014
Go check out the eARC Review and win fabulous prices from the Blog Tour Giveaway HERE!
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See you there!
September 27, 2020
Interesting premise, where an ancient sorcerer shares the body with a modern day warlock. So Quinn and Tailisen can swap places in time, ancient Wales or modern London. The first half of the book was Quinn pursuing and seducing Cade, who happens to be part fey water sprite. So I couldn’t help questioning, if this makes a threesome when Tailisen doesn’t leave during sex. Once Cade and Quinn are madly in love, the second half of the book was pursuing a serial killer of warlocks and witches. Overall it was ok, and I really connected with Cade, but it took a long time before I even started to like Quinn.
June 13, 2014
This is a 4.5 star review
Withinners, water sprites, witches and powerful warlocks make up just some of the cast of characters in Susan Mac Nicols’s new novel Double Alchemy. A fast paced and exciting novel set in a world where time travel and sports cars coexist, Double Alchemy explores the idea of a magnetic pull that mates us with the person we are to be with and just how far a man will go to protect the person he loves. Will he lie? Fight to the death? It is all here in an exciting paranormal format that is sure to thrill fans of the genre.
The plot is twisted and involved and to do a synopsis is perhaps my most daunting task in this review. Essentially, there is a race of warlocks and witches who exist in the modern day world. They move about secretly and have everything from their own hospitals to their own conventions hidden carefully behind cloaking magic that allows them to go undetected. Cade Mairston accidentally steps into this world when he spies a cloaked figure muttering strange incantations in the forest near his houseboat home one evening. What Cade does not realize is that he is viewing the “withinner” of the supremely powerful head warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Warlocks all have a dual personality, a second person attached to them who coexists within them. When invoked, the withinner can take over the body and appear, doing whatever bidding the warlock issues, or just spending time in its human form doing needful tasks of its own desire. The withinner experiences everything the warlock does, from lust to pain.
When Quinn meets Cade there is an electric pull, almost an unbearable physical attraction that overwhelms both men. Cade is a water sprite—a fey and, as such, is most appealing to a warlock. Though determined to fight their attraction, both men fall head over heels in love and, yes, lust with each other. But powerful forces are at work, hunting Quinn in order to make him pay for past transgressions. Congruently, there is a bold new foe on the scene who takes delightful pleasure in killing any and all magical creatures he can find. So, as the past and the present close in on Quinn and threatens not only his but the lives of those he has been given to protect, it is Cade being at risk that finally tips both men over the edge into impossible danger. Can they survive to love and cherish one another, or will the enemy win and destroy them both?
Truly this synopsis barely touches the surface of this multi-layered story with its immense cast of characters. And therein lies the genius of author Susan Mac Nicol, her ability to write a slow-building but intricate plot that picks up speed and hurtles you into one death-defying incident after another. When I first cracked this novel, I was worried. The instant lust and attraction between Quinn and Cade was full on and highly sexual. I felt the story stretched the realms of believability in its initial opening chapters. Here was the supreme leader of the warlock contingency hurling himself at a relative stranger, and seemingly content to use him sexually without any regard to the potential fall out. Had the novel stayed true to this trajectory, this review would have been so very different. However, the author nimbly turns this one around and takes us into a fully fleshed out world and dives into an intricately woven story that literally had me gasping aloud at points. It was intense and action-packed and kept me completely involved till the closing pages.
As soon as these two men were able to move beyond the magnetic lust that brought them together, we were able to get to know them and become involved in their lives. Piece by piece, Quinn’s past is revealed and, while much still remains mysteriously shrouded, we learn how, at a young age, this man became a powerful warlock who is currently tortured by some of the decisions and lives he took during his reign. We can feel Cade’s frustration at learning so little and only piecemeal snippets of Quinn’s past and, at the same time, we can understand Quinn’s reluctance to burden Cade with his murky and violent past. This story just captured my imagination, and these two men found me rooting for their relationship and their very lives to remain intact.
With a cast of endless characters who never confused or derailed the main story, Double Alchemy was an excellent paranormal story with enough plot twists to warrant several future installments. Other than its slightly jarring beginning, this novel takes its place amongst the best-written stories in this genre. I daresay that it is one of the best paranormal stories to come along in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading further installments about these two heroes.
Reviewed by Lisa at The Novel Approach
Withinners, water sprites, witches and powerful warlocks make up just some of the cast of characters in Susan Mac Nicols’s new novel Double Alchemy. A fast paced and exciting novel set in a world where time travel and sports cars coexist, Double Alchemy explores the idea of a magnetic pull that mates us with the person we are to be with and just how far a man will go to protect the person he loves. Will he lie? Fight to the death? It is all here in an exciting paranormal format that is sure to thrill fans of the genre.
The plot is twisted and involved and to do a synopsis is perhaps my most daunting task in this review. Essentially, there is a race of warlocks and witches who exist in the modern day world. They move about secretly and have everything from their own hospitals to their own conventions hidden carefully behind cloaking magic that allows them to go undetected. Cade Mairston accidentally steps into this world when he spies a cloaked figure muttering strange incantations in the forest near his houseboat home one evening. What Cade does not realize is that he is viewing the “withinner” of the supremely powerful head warlock, Quinn Fairmont. Warlocks all have a dual personality, a second person attached to them who coexists within them. When invoked, the withinner can take over the body and appear, doing whatever bidding the warlock issues, or just spending time in its human form doing needful tasks of its own desire. The withinner experiences everything the warlock does, from lust to pain.
When Quinn meets Cade there is an electric pull, almost an unbearable physical attraction that overwhelms both men. Cade is a water sprite—a fey and, as such, is most appealing to a warlock. Though determined to fight their attraction, both men fall head over heels in love and, yes, lust with each other. But powerful forces are at work, hunting Quinn in order to make him pay for past transgressions. Congruently, there is a bold new foe on the scene who takes delightful pleasure in killing any and all magical creatures he can find. So, as the past and the present close in on Quinn and threatens not only his but the lives of those he has been given to protect, it is Cade being at risk that finally tips both men over the edge into impossible danger. Can they survive to love and cherish one another, or will the enemy win and destroy them both?
Truly this synopsis barely touches the surface of this multi-layered story with its immense cast of characters. And therein lies the genius of author Susan Mac Nicol, her ability to write a slow-building but intricate plot that picks up speed and hurtles you into one death-defying incident after another. When I first cracked this novel, I was worried. The instant lust and attraction between Quinn and Cade was full on and highly sexual. I felt the story stretched the realms of believability in its initial opening chapters. Here was the supreme leader of the warlock contingency hurling himself at a relative stranger, and seemingly content to use him sexually without any regard to the potential fall out. Had the novel stayed true to this trajectory, this review would have been so very different. However, the author nimbly turns this one around and takes us into a fully fleshed out world and dives into an intricately woven story that literally had me gasping aloud at points. It was intense and action-packed and kept me completely involved till the closing pages.
As soon as these two men were able to move beyond the magnetic lust that brought them together, we were able to get to know them and become involved in their lives. Piece by piece, Quinn’s past is revealed and, while much still remains mysteriously shrouded, we learn how, at a young age, this man became a powerful warlock who is currently tortured by some of the decisions and lives he took during his reign. We can feel Cade’s frustration at learning so little and only piecemeal snippets of Quinn’s past and, at the same time, we can understand Quinn’s reluctance to burden Cade with his murky and violent past. This story just captured my imagination, and these two men found me rooting for their relationship and their very lives to remain intact.
With a cast of endless characters who never confused or derailed the main story, Double Alchemy was an excellent paranormal story with enough plot twists to warrant several future installments. Other than its slightly jarring beginning, this novel takes its place amongst the best-written stories in this genre. I daresay that it is one of the best paranormal stories to come along in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading further installments about these two heroes.
Reviewed by Lisa at The Novel Approach
April 1, 2014
I will start this review by admitting that I was a bit hesitant to read Double Alchemy. I have only read one other paranormal book, and it was far more comedy than paranormal. I enjoyed it, but it did not instill a love of paranormal. However, because it was Susan Mac Nicol, I knew this was a must read. In fact, I had previously hesitated on a few of her books, for no real reason other than my own fears! Susan writes so deeply and with such intensity that sometimes the book description has scared me off a little, although after reading them, I have no idea why. That being said, I have read all of her M/M books now, and after finally reading Saving Alexander, I said that I would no longer hesitate, and immediately bought Double Alchemy. As always, Susan did not disappoint.
This story is about Cade, an anthropologist, who happens upon Quinn, the Warlock King, in the woods. Quinn immediately knows that Cade is his soulmate, but he also has Sprite in him, making them irresistible to each other. Their attraction is immediate, animalistic, and HOT!!!! When these two men come together, sparks fly.
I absolutely loved these Cade and Quinn together. Although Quinn was the Grand Master, Warlock King, and full of magyck, Cade would not let him get away with even the slightest things. Cade saw Quinn as the human, with faults and annoying habits, and loved him anyway. Cade was never nervous about telling Quinn where to put those bad habits, either, no matter who was around. And they were able to enjoy each other, have fun and laugh together.
Quinn, on the other hand, although a true Alpha male, adored Cade, and would do anything for him, even risking his life to save Cade. They were great opposites who fit together perfectly like two halves of a whole.
One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the action. There was a lot going on, and things kept brewing up, would be settled, then more would come up. However, my concern with paranormal has always been that I wouldn’t quite understand what was happening (okay, that might have been just my own fear) but Susan made sure that the reader understood all the magyck as the men worked through all their trials and tribulations. There were so many layers to this book, and yet Susan made it possible to not only follow along but kept you wondering as to what else could come up!
Although, there is not a cliffhanger, there were definitely enough unanswered questions that I can smell a Warlock King and Fey Sprite Volume 2 ahead. And I, for one, can’t wait! (I might have seen a posting somewhere that the "Climax" is in edits. Woo Hoo!)
If I had one thing that I would say on the other side, it would be that there were a few errors in the book that perhaps should have been caught during editing, but not enough to take away from the heart of the story.
For my first true paranormal book, it was really a great adventure. For a Susan Mac Nicol, it was another amazing book. It was full of lots of undeniable love, hot sex scenes, action and interesting secondary characters (I am sure there is more to Marco than appears initially!).
I am giving this book a solid 4.9 pieces of eye candy.
This story is about Cade, an anthropologist, who happens upon Quinn, the Warlock King, in the woods. Quinn immediately knows that Cade is his soulmate, but he also has Sprite in him, making them irresistible to each other. Their attraction is immediate, animalistic, and HOT!!!! When these two men come together, sparks fly.
I absolutely loved these Cade and Quinn together. Although Quinn was the Grand Master, Warlock King, and full of magyck, Cade would not let him get away with even the slightest things. Cade saw Quinn as the human, with faults and annoying habits, and loved him anyway. Cade was never nervous about telling Quinn where to put those bad habits, either, no matter who was around. And they were able to enjoy each other, have fun and laugh together.
Quinn, on the other hand, although a true Alpha male, adored Cade, and would do anything for him, even risking his life to save Cade. They were great opposites who fit together perfectly like two halves of a whole.
One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the action. There was a lot going on, and things kept brewing up, would be settled, then more would come up. However, my concern with paranormal has always been that I wouldn’t quite understand what was happening (okay, that might have been just my own fear) but Susan made sure that the reader understood all the magyck as the men worked through all their trials and tribulations. There were so many layers to this book, and yet Susan made it possible to not only follow along but kept you wondering as to what else could come up!
Although, there is not a cliffhanger, there were definitely enough unanswered questions that I can smell a Warlock King and Fey Sprite Volume 2 ahead. And I, for one, can’t wait! (I might have seen a posting somewhere that the "Climax" is in edits. Woo Hoo!)
If I had one thing that I would say on the other side, it would be that there were a few errors in the book that perhaps should have been caught during editing, but not enough to take away from the heart of the story.
For my first true paranormal book, it was really a great adventure. For a Susan Mac Nicol, it was another amazing book. It was full of lots of undeniable love, hot sex scenes, action and interesting secondary characters (I am sure there is more to Marco than appears initially!).
I am giving this book a solid 4.9 pieces of eye candy.
March 26, 2014
Double Alchemy by Susan Mac Nicol is a brilliant, Paranormal MM novel!
Tormented, Warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the gorgeous Cade Mairston into a world of Witchfinders and Withinners and wait until you see what happens when these two men fall madly in love. Modern day London is where Warlock, Quinn roams the city. He shares his body with an ancient sorcerer, so Quinn is never alone. He will defend his kind at any price. Cade is a beautiful, lean and silver-eyed hottie and he brings feelings out in Quinn. Cade is more than he appears to be as he is a worldly man but knows nothing about the world of Warlocks.
Every Warlock at around the age of seven, is paired up, body and soul with a Withinner or an ancient Sorcerer. Quinn's sorcerer is Taliesin. They can't be in the same place at the same time. When Quinn needs Taliesin, he evokes him and they change places and Quinn is then sent to his sorcerer's century. I absolutely loved this twist and idea of swapping locations and I found it so imaginative! The Witchfinders or basically witch hunters, one main goal of theirs is to rid the world of warlocks and witches.
Quinn meets Cade, and the instant attraction and chemistry was so beautifully written as I felt their deep connection from the very start of the book. I loved the Withinner concept and Taliesin was such a fascinating character that I wanted more and more of him, he was so beautifully written about. Cade struggles to understand the complicated man he loves and his equally confusing life as he knows he will never fully understand it. Quinn has a lot to deal with as he is saving himself, his kind and the man he loves. Will Quinn and Cade have an HEA? Will Quinn and Taliesin be able to defend their kind and save their loved ones? Will everyone survive at the end of this story?
I completely loved this beautifully and highly detailed written Paranormal story! This wasn't a predictable story by any means. How Susan Mac Nicol takes us on a ride through this very creative and engrossing world that you will not forget, anytime soon and will be wanting more and more of it. I am a huge fan of this author and Double Alchemy, doesn't disappoint by any means at all. I highly recommend this hot, steamy, love, paranormal and so beautifully written story!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews!
Tormented, Warlock Quinn Fairmont must initiate the gorgeous Cade Mairston into a world of Witchfinders and Withinners and wait until you see what happens when these two men fall madly in love. Modern day London is where Warlock, Quinn roams the city. He shares his body with an ancient sorcerer, so Quinn is never alone. He will defend his kind at any price. Cade is a beautiful, lean and silver-eyed hottie and he brings feelings out in Quinn. Cade is more than he appears to be as he is a worldly man but knows nothing about the world of Warlocks.
Every Warlock at around the age of seven, is paired up, body and soul with a Withinner or an ancient Sorcerer. Quinn's sorcerer is Taliesin. They can't be in the same place at the same time. When Quinn needs Taliesin, he evokes him and they change places and Quinn is then sent to his sorcerer's century. I absolutely loved this twist and idea of swapping locations and I found it so imaginative! The Witchfinders or basically witch hunters, one main goal of theirs is to rid the world of warlocks and witches.
Quinn meets Cade, and the instant attraction and chemistry was so beautifully written as I felt their deep connection from the very start of the book. I loved the Withinner concept and Taliesin was such a fascinating character that I wanted more and more of him, he was so beautifully written about. Cade struggles to understand the complicated man he loves and his equally confusing life as he knows he will never fully understand it. Quinn has a lot to deal with as he is saving himself, his kind and the man he loves. Will Quinn and Cade have an HEA? Will Quinn and Taliesin be able to defend their kind and save their loved ones? Will everyone survive at the end of this story?
I completely loved this beautifully and highly detailed written Paranormal story! This wasn't a predictable story by any means. How Susan Mac Nicol takes us on a ride through this very creative and engrossing world that you will not forget, anytime soon and will be wanting more and more of it. I am a huge fan of this author and Double Alchemy, doesn't disappoint by any means at all. I highly recommend this hot, steamy, love, paranormal and so beautifully written story!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews!
March 31, 2014
Have you read Susan Mac Nicol before? If not here's a good place to start especially if you like paranormal. Cade is walking home one night and notices a strange cloaked man. His instinct tells him the stranger could be dangerous so he hides behind a tree. When he comes out there is a man coming towards him but it is not the same one. Quinn sidesteps Cade's kick and is instantly enchanted by the silver eyed man. Cade feels the pull but is hesitant to get involved.
Quinn uses his connections to get Cade to a charity event. When Cade shows up the passion between the two is so intense they consummate it in a back office while the event is still going on. Cade runs when it's over and Quinn has to catch up to him to explain. Quinn is a warlock and Cade has fey blood. The sexual draw between them is the draw of their blood, but it is more intense than Quinn has ever felt before.
Quinn is not just any warlock but the king of warlocks and he has not only witch hunters after him but a rogue warlock who wants revenge. And to top it all Quinn has a Withinner - a sixteenth century sorcerer who shares his thoughts and can be invoked to help Quinn. Can Cade and Quinn make this relationship work with all the obstacles?
This is a different take on magyck. Cade is a sweetheart and Quinn is an alpha male who is used to everyone bowing down to him. Cade gives him lip and doesn't let him get away with much. Cade's fey blood is a water Sprite and he is so eager to find out about himself, once he finally comes to terms with it.
The twists and turns in the backdrop of this book keep you on the edge of your seat. Mainly this is a love story and these characters are so well thought out you want to know more and more we will get! I spoke with Susan last night and she told me the second book is currently at her editor and she is hoping to have it out in May!! I can't wait! 4.5 Stars!!
Quinn uses his connections to get Cade to a charity event. When Cade shows up the passion between the two is so intense they consummate it in a back office while the event is still going on. Cade runs when it's over and Quinn has to catch up to him to explain. Quinn is a warlock and Cade has fey blood. The sexual draw between them is the draw of their blood, but it is more intense than Quinn has ever felt before.
Quinn is not just any warlock but the king of warlocks and he has not only witch hunters after him but a rogue warlock who wants revenge. And to top it all Quinn has a Withinner - a sixteenth century sorcerer who shares his thoughts and can be invoked to help Quinn. Can Cade and Quinn make this relationship work with all the obstacles?
This is a different take on magyck. Cade is a sweetheart and Quinn is an alpha male who is used to everyone bowing down to him. Cade gives him lip and doesn't let him get away with much. Cade's fey blood is a water Sprite and he is so eager to find out about himself, once he finally comes to terms with it.
The twists and turns in the backdrop of this book keep you on the edge of your seat. Mainly this is a love story and these characters are so well thought out you want to know more and more we will get! I spoke with Susan last night and she told me the second book is currently at her editor and she is hoping to have it out in May!! I can't wait! 4.5 Stars!!
May 22, 2014
I have to say I am a fan of Susan's books and truly enjoy her writing . With this said when the opportunity presented to read Double Alchemy , I jump on it. I must confess that this is my first paranormal book in any genre and I love it ...
The way the story is told makes sense to someone who is new to the paranormal books.
The characters in the story are really develop so you can understand who they are and their significant contribution to the story.
Quinn Fairmont is a human first but also a powerful Warlock , as a matter of fact , the Grand Master.
Cade Mairston is a human first , an anthropologist and professor. He is also a Fey , Sprite , lover of the water , healer but this He doesn't know yet ...
Until he meets Quinn and the extreme and powerful attraction starts to make sense.
The story of love between them is romance and magical ...
Quinn being a Warlock has many responsibilities to fight and protect his kind from witchfinders that want the Warlocks destroyed , putting his life in jeopardy many times trying to protect them and protect Cade against the enemies.
Within the story we get to meet some of this enemies like Andrew and Jeremy.
Some of the allies like Daniel and Percy ...
And the important Taliesin , Quinn's withinner a sorcerer that is part of him.
Still we haven't scratch the surface of who Cade is and the full of his powers ...
Something Quinn is trying to reveal to him at his pace.
The most interesting thing about is that Quinn and Cade fall in love , lust and they are truly soul mates. The relationship between the two is amazing , full of grace and admiration.
Besides all of this aspects , the story is one to follow and keep you wanting to know more. Next book should be as good as this one. Looking forward to it.
Complimentary copy received from the author for an honest review.
The way the story is told makes sense to someone who is new to the paranormal books.
The characters in the story are really develop so you can understand who they are and their significant contribution to the story.
Quinn Fairmont is a human first but also a powerful Warlock , as a matter of fact , the Grand Master.
Cade Mairston is a human first , an anthropologist and professor. He is also a Fey , Sprite , lover of the water , healer but this He doesn't know yet ...
Until he meets Quinn and the extreme and powerful attraction starts to make sense.
The story of love between them is romance and magical ...
Quinn being a Warlock has many responsibilities to fight and protect his kind from witchfinders that want the Warlocks destroyed , putting his life in jeopardy many times trying to protect them and protect Cade against the enemies.
Within the story we get to meet some of this enemies like Andrew and Jeremy.
Some of the allies like Daniel and Percy ...
And the important Taliesin , Quinn's withinner a sorcerer that is part of him.
Still we haven't scratch the surface of who Cade is and the full of his powers ...
Something Quinn is trying to reveal to him at his pace.
The most interesting thing about is that Quinn and Cade fall in love , lust and they are truly soul mates. The relationship between the two is amazing , full of grace and admiration.
Besides all of this aspects , the story is one to follow and keep you wanting to know more. Next book should be as good as this one. Looking forward to it.
Complimentary copy received from the author for an honest review.
March 25, 2014
Double Alchemy is an amazing story that had me at the edge of my chair wondering what was going to happen. Lord Susan sure knows how to weave a story. In this book we get to see a different side of Susan that had me giving her a standing ovation for her change from romance to paranormal. Man Susan you have rocked it and I need book two like yesterday!
In Double Alchemy we meet Quinn Fairmont who is a warlock that shares his body with a withinner named Taliesan. They balance each other out and together they fight the evil that lurks in the dark. On top of being a warlock Quinn is a philanthropist who does a lot to help out his community. Then we get to meet the gorgeous eye popping eye candy named Cade Mairston. There is something about Cade that is special and Quinn knows what it is. From the moment they meet they have this chemistry that can't be denied no matter how hard they try.
Cade and Quinn will learn a lot from each other and Quinn will do whatever it takes to take care of Cade and make sure no harm comes to him. As the danger lurks and things start to heat up between the two you get this crazy roller coaster ride of a story. Let me tell you it is full of twists and turns and filled with some crazy hot men who will do anything to be together. Will Cade realize in time what he is and what that means for him and Quinn or will it be to late for them? This is one story that had me on the edge of my seat and I could not wait to find out what was happening because Quinn and Cade definitely have this crazy chemistry going on.
In Double Alchemy we meet Quinn Fairmont who is a warlock that shares his body with a withinner named Taliesan. They balance each other out and together they fight the evil that lurks in the dark. On top of being a warlock Quinn is a philanthropist who does a lot to help out his community. Then we get to meet the gorgeous eye popping eye candy named Cade Mairston. There is something about Cade that is special and Quinn knows what it is. From the moment they meet they have this chemistry that can't be denied no matter how hard they try.
Cade and Quinn will learn a lot from each other and Quinn will do whatever it takes to take care of Cade and make sure no harm comes to him. As the danger lurks and things start to heat up between the two you get this crazy roller coaster ride of a story. Let me tell you it is full of twists and turns and filled with some crazy hot men who will do anything to be together. Will Cade realize in time what he is and what that means for him and Quinn or will it be to late for them? This is one story that had me on the edge of my seat and I could not wait to find out what was happening because Quinn and Cade definitely have this crazy chemistry going on.
April 1, 2014
at last! a M/M paranormal that nary a vampire nor werewolf appear!
enter the world of Warlocks and Withinners. Quinn comes across Cade while out. the attraction is immediate, intense and unstoppable. but Quinn is not always himself, having a Withinner, Taliesin, an ancient Warlock of immense power.
when Quinn is forced to face something he has long buried, and Taliesin betrays Quinn, Cade and Quinn's relationship is put to the test. Cade's history is revealed, and Quinn is fighting for his life.
I enjoyed this, it made a change to the wolf/vampire M/M paranormal books about. we hear from both Quinn and Cade and some other characters up to no good. I did not like what Taliesin did to Cade, but was pleased when he realised what he had done, and how he redeemed himself. the plot moves at pace, but I felt there was some pieces of the puzzle missing, maybe they will be put right in the next one, cos the blur says there will be a book 2.
the sex scenes are well written, but not every scene is described. all too often, every single scene is played out in great detail, not here, making the story the highlight of the book, not just the sex.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
enter the world of Warlocks and Withinners. Quinn comes across Cade while out. the attraction is immediate, intense and unstoppable. but Quinn is not always himself, having a Withinner, Taliesin, an ancient Warlock of immense power.
when Quinn is forced to face something he has long buried, and Taliesin betrays Quinn, Cade and Quinn's relationship is put to the test. Cade's history is revealed, and Quinn is fighting for his life.
I enjoyed this, it made a change to the wolf/vampire M/M paranormal books about. we hear from both Quinn and Cade and some other characters up to no good. I did not like what Taliesin did to Cade, but was pleased when he realised what he had done, and how he redeemed himself. the plot moves at pace, but I felt there was some pieces of the puzzle missing, maybe they will be put right in the next one, cos the blur says there will be a book 2.
the sex scenes are well written, but not every scene is described. all too often, every single scene is played out in great detail, not here, making the story the highlight of the book, not just the sex.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
March 28, 2014
I really love M/M books and I really, really love paranormal, so this book was a complete treat for me. While the book started off a bit slow, it definitely delivered. The story was gripping, romantic, and smoking hot!
This story was very intriguing and had a little bit of everything. Quinn, a King of sorts to the Warlocks, meets Cade, a water sprite. The connection between these two is off the charts and makes for very steam M/M scenes. Swoons. These boys are so very sexy! Do not even get me started on Quinn’s Withinner; he is off the charts hot and dominant. Amidst all the sexual tension is plenty of story. There are tons of warlocks being taken out and Quinn is trying to find the culprit while protecting his best friend and lover but what he doesn’t know is how many enemies he has. It seems he has them coming from every direction.
This was very well written and my very first Susan Mac Nicol book and I would definitely read her again. I really liked it and she writes some really steamy scenes.
Amie
This story was very intriguing and had a little bit of everything. Quinn, a King of sorts to the Warlocks, meets Cade, a water sprite. The connection between these two is off the charts and makes for very steam M/M scenes. Swoons. These boys are so very sexy! Do not even get me started on Quinn’s Withinner; he is off the charts hot and dominant. Amidst all the sexual tension is plenty of story. There are tons of warlocks being taken out and Quinn is trying to find the culprit while protecting his best friend and lover but what he doesn’t know is how many enemies he has. It seems he has them coming from every direction.
This was very well written and my very first Susan Mac Nicol book and I would definitely read her again. I really liked it and she writes some really steamy scenes.
Amie
April 3, 2014
This was wonderful and I want more right now! It didn’t end with a cliffhanger but there’s so much more to find out about the characters.
May 29, 2014
Loved this book, paranormal meets M/M..A fantastic combination!!! Straight on to Book two..CLIMAX!!!
Congratulations Susan on an awesome book!
Congratulations Susan on an awesome book!
April 21, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Romantic, pacey, suspenseful + fun.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
August 1, 2017
I love when I come upon a paranormal story with a fresh idea (or at least fresh to me) that opens up new avenues in the genre. Here in Double Alchemy that's exactly what I found with warlocks having Withinners, a new concept that had far-reaching effects on the characters. There's also instant attraction, something I have no issue with in a paranormal setting, and plenty of suspense, intrigue and heat...oh my goodness, the heat...
I'm a sucker for complex characters, and in this story there's quite a few of them. That called for plenty of development and complicated interactions, things that do cause the story to become longer--though for me, I really like getting into the characters and plot like that because I find it to be intriguing. There's more to most of the characters than meets the eye, and discovering what's really going on with everyone makes for an engrossing read.
Know what else does? Continual suspense. Not knowing what was going to happen next, how their enemies would come at them again, who they could trust. And on the "fan yourself" side, the intimate-and sometimes downright erotic and excitingly naughty-scenes between Cade and Quinn. A good deal of their relationship is sexual, but the author does a very good job of balancing the on-page sex with fade to black scenes so it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the story.
And speaking of the author doing a good job...while yes, at times this story may have dragged just a bit with all of the information being imparted, all of that information is actually important and contributes to the depth of the story. It's something to be expected in a book with such complex characters and intricate world building, and the author did quite well in getting everything across while still keeping my rapt attention throughout the book. Actually, I was captivated enough to stay up way too long past my bedtime to finish reading.
Double Alchemy was an exciting 4.5-star read for me, and I do highly recommend it to M/M paranormal romance fans. Be prepared for at least one disturbing scene though--one that will probably upend your opinion of Quinn's Withinner when you read it as it did for me. This story is meant strictly for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit sexual content.
I'm a sucker for complex characters, and in this story there's quite a few of them. That called for plenty of development and complicated interactions, things that do cause the story to become longer--though for me, I really like getting into the characters and plot like that because I find it to be intriguing. There's more to most of the characters than meets the eye, and discovering what's really going on with everyone makes for an engrossing read.
Know what else does? Continual suspense. Not knowing what was going to happen next, how their enemies would come at them again, who they could trust. And on the "fan yourself" side, the intimate-and sometimes downright erotic and excitingly naughty-scenes between Cade and Quinn. A good deal of their relationship is sexual, but the author does a very good job of balancing the on-page sex with fade to black scenes so it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the story.
And speaking of the author doing a good job...while yes, at times this story may have dragged just a bit with all of the information being imparted, all of that information is actually important and contributes to the depth of the story. It's something to be expected in a book with such complex characters and intricate world building, and the author did quite well in getting everything across while still keeping my rapt attention throughout the book. Actually, I was captivated enough to stay up way too long past my bedtime to finish reading.
Double Alchemy was an exciting 4.5-star read for me, and I do highly recommend it to M/M paranormal romance fans. Be prepared for at least one disturbing scene though--one that will probably upend your opinion of Quinn's Withinner when you read it as it did for me. This story is meant strictly for readers 18+ for adult language and explicit sexual content.
October 18, 2021
All reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
Paranormal isn’t usually my thing but maybe it should be because this story blew me away. The magyck was exciting, the romance hot and the world in this story is amazing. There are warlocks and withinners and other fantastic creatures, plus intrigue. One thing I love is that this story takes place in modern day London but there’s this other world we muggles (for lack of a better term) aren’t privy to, like a steamy, adult Diagon Alley, only better. Cade and Quinn’s story is suspenseful and sweet but this one does end on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the conclusion.
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