Eastside Coven: Midlife Supernaturals #4

Midlife Supernaturals #4

by T.J. Deschamps

If you like witches, supernatural misfits, and magical tomfoolery, this might be the tale for you.

Miriam Diaz has it all. Her full magic and knowledge of her past. Her father's love and blessing. Two powerful supernaturals who adore her and want to marry her. Friends who value her for who she is, not what she can do for them. A position on the Supernatural Council of the Americas. An award winning, successful bakery. She's faced the skeletons in her closet and defeated all her enemies. Her daughter is grown and starting her own life.

Her story should be done, right?

Life doesn't end at middle-age. It's the middle!

She's been a fae princess, a coven witch, a consort, a wife, a mom, a hedge witch, baker, council member, and now she's thinking of taking all her accumulated experience and creating her own grimoire.

Not only that, but she's also collecting witches, fae, cryptids, demigods, and other supes to start a coven with a magical school. The first school for all supes!

Like all ventures, there's going to be bureaucratic red tape, roadblocks, and detours, but Miriam and her magical misfit family are determined to find a way.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2024

About the author

After living all over the U.S., T.J. Deschamps made the Pacific Northwest her home. There she raises three precocious teens. T.J. likes to lift weights, read, draw, dance, and collect oddities. Loves building worlds with words. Might be a dragon. Definitely a bog witch.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read Eastside Coven: Midlife Supernaturals #4. How could one not love a story with a well supported, dynamic female supernatural character and the blending of many magical and mystical mythologies into one story? I clearly missed the part about bureaucratic red tape because this story did not work for me.

The core story is interesting and absolutely timely. Parents and allies defending children with “superpowers” against the system and adults who wish to other them simply because they are different. The depiction of a healthy, normalized polyamorous relationship is an interesting addition, especially because the relationship does not feel transgressive or unusual in the least. The fact that this all plays out in the present day Pacific Northwest, yet in lives of supernatural beings provides some distance for the reader and some lightness to an otherwise difficult topic. I absolutely appreciate the underlying themes and story and applaud the author for addressing these issues.

Yet before I delve into how this book was a miss for me, let me begin by saying this book was my first introduction to this author and to this series. I understand I am at a disadvantage entering this world. The author goes to great lengths to make sure it is possible to jump into this book without first reading the others. While I appreciate getting pieces of the backstory, the large cast of characters and their ties to each other means each time a new character is introduced the story progression slows to a crawl.

Much of the added backstory seems irrelevant and could likely be removed to focus on the main plot. I felt the more interesting aspects of this promising story were rushed, including blink and you miss it intimacy. I had such high hopes and wanted so much more than attending meetings and slogging through midlife.

Thank you to BookSirens for the free advance review copy I received. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book and I do so voluntarily.

[MaD · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the "Westside" tales by this author, I don't know what it is, but I just couldn't seem to fully engage with this one. Miriam and her crew were featured in the "Westside" stories, so they were not totally new to me, and I realize this is Book4 of Miriam's life. But, for some reason, I cannot find Miriam as intriguing as Lydia from "Westside".

The beginning of this installment felt kind of blase. I realize Miriam is supposed to be feeling at loose ends and looking for something to do with her life after "everything seems to have calmed down". Maybe feels lost and a bit uncertain of her purpose. But it seemed to drag on and drag down the story. I miss the fierce female persona we had been given previously. I guess this storyline just did not grab my attention and didn't feel as compelling as the other series.

I'd say 3.5 stars for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book that keeps me involved and following the different threads. This was very enjoyable and love this series and author. It’s interesting to see polygamy explored and although this is based in Olympus and gods times, exploring the various relationship combinations. I find it also gives me a prompt to give thought to the facts of how relationships have been over the centuries. Where courts at one time were full of people having affairs and then going through the opposite where they became purists. Thinking of it these changes made me think how what relationships we have today have probably been happening for thousands of years on and off. Out in the open then being closeted behind doors. So I got more than entertainment from this book.

[Sara Irons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miriam is doing her best to bring her life together. Her two mates, Gabriel and Phyr, are helping any way they can.

Jade, Miriam's daughter, has grown up and is now working as an agent on the Supernatural Force.

Humans now know about the Supernatural and have made an attempt to integrate the children. But, as we know, nothing ever goes as planned. Especially when the supernatural children are being treated unfairly.

Miriam, her family and friends decide to do something about the treatment of the children and start thier own school. Will the human world approve? Will all the children have a safe place to learn? You'll need to come read the story to find out.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leslie Johnson]

I really love these characters. I enjoyed getting to explore the relationship between Miriam, Phyr and Gabriel a bit more in this book, and how being an aspect of the Morrigan affected Miriam and her life. I loved the exploration of all of Miriam's relationships in this book, and getting to know more about how they lived their lives. I do wish there had been a bit more of climax with the outside antagonist(s) of this book, but I do appreciate how the internal antagonism was handled and explored.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story about being different.

This is the first of the Eastside books I’ve read so I admit to being pretty lost in the beginning when I started reading it. However, I caught on pretty quick. To me, the main thing in this story was all being different from the norm. I can’t believe an eight-year-old child was locked up and that was considered okay with the school system. I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would and highly recommend it.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG 😱 this was AWESOME story. It was a page turner and the suspense was wild. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. This was about to happen in this magic universe with powerful people. Who will save the world or destroy the world in a battle of good vs evil.

I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones

[Roberta Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book and the amazing growth of the characters! The relationship between Miriam, Phyr,and Gabriel is amazing!There's so much magic… it makes me happy. That being said, I was confused by so MANY gods and supes et al. I couldn't keep their names and powers straight. I loved the book though. I strongly suggest you read T J Deschamps previous novels before embarking on this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Unity · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no clue what was happening. There were Olympic games mentioned, and that wasn't even a plot in the last 3 books. All I know is I am confused and I still hate Gabriel he's literally useless. Also, his ex-wife being angry about Roxy going to asgard was left untied, but whatever, it's not really important anyway. I wish this book had more substance other than the wedding "tying" everything together. The school wasn't even well thought out it was just there.

[Jeanéva Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad to get back to the eastside.
Reading this series is like a trip back home. The Eastside was a place I lived in for over twenty years and I love reading stories set there. In this tome, Miriam is looking at changes all around. Baking has become more a job than a joy. The supernatural community has difficulties with their children's education, and her men are ready to formalize their relationship. This all makes for some lifestyle upheavals along the way.

[LizJ. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I really liked ready this series, but this book is just so-so not as good as the first 3 books. I was a bit disappointed and could not get into this book as I did with the other books. I hope the next book is better.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[AMBER CLARK]

A midlife paranormal romance series. A sweet, wholesome read! An awesome page turner! You won't be able to put this one down! There's so much magic. It's a battle of good vs evil. 10/10 would recommend. I loved this book. The depiction of a healthy, normalized polyamorous relationship is an added bonus!

[Karen Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The variety of beings and their lifestyles are so creative. Miriam has more control than I would. Some of the mundane deserved to be smited. The ending is perfect.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, sweet, and enjoyable!

4.5 stars