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Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons #3
Hammers & Hexes
When you're known as the witch who helped banish a demon lord, career options get weird...
I figured why not combine my magical talents with my home repair skills? Saltcliff's got enough haunted appliances and possessed plumbing to keep me busy. Plus, it's the perfect cover for investigating that ancient creature we accidentally freed.
Here's the this supposedly-horrific monster isn't living up to its reputation. It's leaving polite notes declining Council intervention and reading romance novels after hours at the library. Not exactly the rampage you'd expect from an earth-shattering terror.
While fixing cursed coffee makers and exorcising evil refrigerators, I've noticed some interesting patterns. The creature seems to be protecting certain couples in town. And the founding families' records have more holes than my first attempt at magical drywall repair.
Then I discover an artifact that could reveal the truth, but the Council is suspicious of my investigation. Good thing I've got backup in the form of a best friend with connections to Saltcliff's supernatural underground, a grandmother who treats magical demolitions like an art form, and a smokin' hot half-demon electrician who keeps finding excuses to "help" with my jobs.
I'm starting to think we got it all wrong about what's haunting this town. And the truth? It's going to rewrite everything we thought we knew about Saltcliff's history.
At least my new business cards look great. "Hexes & We'll fix your home's supernatural problems without blowing it up." Usually.
I figured why not combine my magical talents with my home repair skills? Saltcliff's got enough haunted appliances and possessed plumbing to keep me busy. Plus, it's the perfect cover for investigating that ancient creature we accidentally freed.
Here's the this supposedly-horrific monster isn't living up to its reputation. It's leaving polite notes declining Council intervention and reading romance novels after hours at the library. Not exactly the rampage you'd expect from an earth-shattering terror.
While fixing cursed coffee makers and exorcising evil refrigerators, I've noticed some interesting patterns. The creature seems to be protecting certain couples in town. And the founding families' records have more holes than my first attempt at magical drywall repair.
Then I discover an artifact that could reveal the truth, but the Council is suspicious of my investigation. Good thing I've got backup in the form of a best friend with connections to Saltcliff's supernatural underground, a grandmother who treats magical demolitions like an art form, and a smokin' hot half-demon electrician who keeps finding excuses to "help" with my jobs.
I'm starting to think we got it all wrong about what's haunting this town. And the truth? It's going to rewrite everything we thought we knew about Saltcliff's history.
At least my new business cards look great. "Hexes & We'll fix your home's supernatural problems without blowing it up." Usually.
- GenresFantasy
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2025
110 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Trim
354 books768 followersBrenda's Paranormal Women's Fiction
Mystical Midlife in Maine Series
1. Magical Makeover
2. Laugh Lines & Lost Things
3. Hellmouth & Hot Flashes
4. Holidays With Hades
5. Saggy But Witty in Crescent City
6. Nasty Curses & Big Purses
7. Fae Forged Axes & Chin Waxes
8. Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones
9. Underworld Frights & Sleepless Nights
10. Pixie Dust & Brain Rust
11. Magical Hands & Silver Strands
12. Deadly Quips & Furry Lips
13. Enchanted Tattoos & Lost Fools
14. Shady Secrets & Sun Spots
Twisted Sisters Midlife Maelstrom Series
1. Packing Serious Magical Mojo
2. Cadaver On Canal Street
3. Seances & Second Line Parades
4. French Quarter Fae
5. King's Day Magical Mischief
6. Etou-Fae The Hard Way
7. Hurricanes, Heros & Hail Marys
8. Royal Street Romp
9. Levees, Lost Crowns & Loa
10. Mud Bugs & Cherished Hugs
11. Creole Dishes & Deadly Wishes
Brenda's Paranormal Romance Books
DARK WARRIOR ALLIANCE SERIES
1. Dream Warrior
2. Mystik Warrior
3. Pemas Storm
4. Isis Betrayal
5. Deviant Warrior
6. Suvi's Revenge
7. Scarred Warrior
8. Hellbound Warrior
9. Isobel
10. Rogue Warrior
11. Shattered Warrior
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 17, 2025
Salty, Stinky, Satisfying
Back to Saltcliff Island!! This is book 3 of Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons and helps to start with book 1 to understand who, where and what is included.
This starts with Eliza discussing the humorous nature of her sentient house, CC and a back-and-forth with her familiar, Vesper. Visiting is her Mom, Vivian and super cool grandmother, Mimi, aka Hazel Grey, who are getting ready to move into their own house nearby. Shortly after their discussion, more visitors, being Zane and Astra, come to discuss the previous installment activities while CC humorously antagonizes Zane. During this new conversation is when Eliza decides to open a business helping the townsfolk with repairs and ghostly encounters, which Eliza thinks will also help them find the demon escapees.
Upon visiting the local mundane and empowered focus store, Morgan's General Store, Eliza tells the store owner, a hedge witch named Betty, "I'm going official with the whole Island Fixer, solving supernatural problems. Hexes & Hammers is officially open for business" to which Astra says "Her motto is 'From Creaky Floors to Ghostly Doors’”. Betty then proceeds to tell them that others on the island could use some assistance that also are experiencing unusual activities. Eliza then receives a call from Victoria telling her she needs to be on the investigative team, officially, even though Eliza was told she had "insufficient respect for proper procedures" previously. While talking, Victoria sends Eliza an email which helps explain why the council has decided to bring Eliza in to assist. Turns out this email may have come from one of their "quarry" whom they are tracking down.
Eliza then has several days of work investigating and clearing up reported issues, where some turned out to be mild and others mundane. While dealing with the influx of calls, the mysterious quarry continued to send cryptic notes warning them about various activity that could be causing issues with the local empowered. Why is a demon being polite while also asking them nicely to consider his visit polite?
At the Daily Grind, a local caffeine providing community hub and owned by Kade Hamilton, suddenly there are parchment notes mysteriously appearing in microwaves and espresso machines. The parchment contains messages from this quarry telling Eliza there may be information she doesn't have that the council may not want to share, such as 'what changes when magic is contained against its will for centuries?'. Needless to say, Eliza takes on visiting an old lighthouse with some not so obvious protection to meet this quarry.
Turns out, Eliza meets another familiar, Lysander, who appeared in the same light as the appliance parchments. Lysander was Alexander Thorne's familiar bound against his will then imprisoned with Thorne and reports there are demon lords threatening the island. As Lysander is explaining the focus of the island protections and Thorne's manner of extending his existence, Mimi appears and seems to know Lysander. Proving his protection focus, Lysander points out a demon scout on the beach looking for weak areas of the barrier and offers to assist Eliza with banishing. After banishing, Eliza is summoned to the council along with Mimi and Zane. The council agrees there is something not quite right with the barriers, demons and Lysander when they are interrupted by Betty who reports strange smells and energy around her store. At the store, and after the team discusses the possible scenarios, Betty mentions an old root cellar that hasn't been used for years and where Eliza focuses her attention. There she finds an old parchment written to The Chosen One that mentions the critical junctures, parasitic magic and weakened barriers. A fissure appears and Eliza realizes this is one of the weakened barriers that must be sealed when Lysander makes an appearance and explains what must be done, only Eliza must expend considerable magic and may not be able to with the previous installment events and focus on sealing the breach.
After a tough battle with a breach, the team takes a trip to the Daily Grind and meets with the Thursday Club of empowered. They discuss creating a network of sorts using the ley lines, a camera, and sentinel stones that are targeted at the barriers and can alert them to activity. An empowered WiFi of sorts and all in attendance offer to help.
At one of the breaches, an abandoned amusement park, a gleaming carousel has indication of demons. A scout comes forth and states his master, Baron Malphas has waited for The Chosen One. Upon strengthening the barrier and sending the scout back to the underworld, Vesper is able to put together what is actually happening and where the weakened areas, and timing, may be, with one being Eliza's house.
The team then takes on every breach point and receives a message from one who possessed an innocent that shares Eliza is the key to shattering the veil between worlds.
On to the next, they attempt to enter the lighthouse keeper's cottage. Inside, Zane, Astrid and Kade are trapped within a spelled circle. There they find Gerald Blackwood, the oldest member of the council, performing a ceremony to release Baron Malphas. Knowing they only have minutes, Eliza quickly attempts to draw the appropriate runes and stop the ceremony. Once done, Blackwood is left within a swirling vortex and when asked why, reports his family has been held by Malphas and releasing him will also release Blackwood's family. The team then collects the artifacts Blackwood was using along with grimoires and find in order for the ritual to be complete, there are five specific relics needed, with one being a pendant, the Heartstone, used by the Grey family.
Eliza, Vesper and Astra take a break from research to assist Mrs. Abernathy and come across a fae sentinel who shares the Grey family and Blackwoods used to be guardians and the ancient pact is threatened, although Eliza needs the original grimoire found along a path marked by silver, or the runes on Vesper which become something like GPS. After the sentinel disperses, they are battled by demonically possessed dolls and the Heartstone is found. Afterwards, the team travels to another council member's home, Jonathan Pierce, who is under a magical compulsion to not speak of the grimoire or the events surrounding the rifts. Later, the team heads to the cannery and find out a counter-ritual must be performed using a willing Grey family member. Upon successfully ending the ritual, the team heads back to Eliza's house to find CC welcoming them and revealing a spiral staircase. Down the staircase, they enter a large area, or chamber, with a mosaic on the floor that represents the five guardians bound to the Grey line, a raven or Corvus, drake or Drakon, fox or Vulpine, wolf or Fenris and Vesper. All guardians arrange themselves around the mosaic, and the lines of the chamber begin to glow brightly silver. A short conversation later, the team with the guardians head to the Saltcliff Community Theater, with the Thursday Club members stationed around the perimeter. Inside, Eliza finds a chamber of bound spirits that have been powering the demonic portals and rituals. With the help of the guardians, and Lysander, the chains binding these spirits are broken, leaving Eliza unconscious and drained.
Rest and a healing tonic is what Eliza needs to take on the elementary school and pixies being influenced by demonic energy. On return to CC, Eliza and Zane finally make solid plans for a real date which is interrupted by a call from Astra reporting Olivia Chen, Kade's cousin is missing and required them to visit The Daily Grind's secret basement meeting space. There they find out Olivia has an eidetic memory and knows the location of every restricted text and artifact. The last location they have of her is at storage facilities, and Kade asks Malcolm Winters to join them because he knows more about magical artifacts than anyone outside the council. While there, Eliza receives a message from an old college friend, Jade, apparently has a pendant with the Grey family name engraved that was found at an estate sale. In one of the storage units, they detect some artifacts and a living presence, which turns out to be Olivia. Eliza's worked to release Olivia and the Grey family artifacts with Vesper's help, and the team determines Malphas wants to use Eliza's power to control the water around the island. Eliza reconnects with the lost relics and heads home, where Eliza's rest is once again thwarted by a menagerie of possessed animals breaking into CC whom promptly raises defenses and attempts to dissuade the animals.
Heading to The Daily Grind where there is lots of activity and discussion about the pageant at the elementary school with the auditorium filled with most of the community and starts at 1130, just before the barrier between worlds is thin. At the elementary, they find a hidden doorway, warded and with the help of Vivian and Mimi and are able to tear down the wards to a doorway that contains more relics and a recoded message from Blackwood stating the team fell into his trap of setting decoys, and he was able to gather some of Eliza's lifeforce for his final plans. Leaving, they are accosted by Jade who ran to catch up with the pendant in hand that is actually a shielding amulet, probably just in time!
Back to The Daily Grind, Kade reveals something spectacular and has only 24 hours to utilize his skill. While there, an old magical emergency broadcast is sent out from Blackwood, telling the residents to support this new genre or face dire circumstances. The team also finds out Malphas requires a host, Blackwood, who has been preparing for this for years. Eliza then receives notification from Vivian letting her know CC is in trouble.
At the house, the Blackwoods are already there and the waters are rising. Eliza grabs Vivian's hand, and a protective shield encompasses the team and all the familiars. With others in tow helping Gerald Blackwood, the battle ensues. While the team puts up defenses, Blackwood continues the ritual and brings forth Malphas. Eliza then realizes its almost too late and the only option may be to attempt ritual inversion. Will this work? Have they succeeded?
Back to Saltcliff Island!! This is book 3 of Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons and helps to start with book 1 to understand who, where and what is included.
This starts with Eliza discussing the humorous nature of her sentient house, CC and a back-and-forth with her familiar, Vesper. Visiting is her Mom, Vivian and super cool grandmother, Mimi, aka Hazel Grey, who are getting ready to move into their own house nearby. Shortly after their discussion, more visitors, being Zane and Astra, come to discuss the previous installment activities while CC humorously antagonizes Zane. During this new conversation is when Eliza decides to open a business helping the townsfolk with repairs and ghostly encounters, which Eliza thinks will also help them find the demon escapees.
Upon visiting the local mundane and empowered focus store, Morgan's General Store, Eliza tells the store owner, a hedge witch named Betty, "I'm going official with the whole Island Fixer, solving supernatural problems. Hexes & Hammers is officially open for business" to which Astra says "Her motto is 'From Creaky Floors to Ghostly Doors’”. Betty then proceeds to tell them that others on the island could use some assistance that also are experiencing unusual activities. Eliza then receives a call from Victoria telling her she needs to be on the investigative team, officially, even though Eliza was told she had "insufficient respect for proper procedures" previously. While talking, Victoria sends Eliza an email which helps explain why the council has decided to bring Eliza in to assist. Turns out this email may have come from one of their "quarry" whom they are tracking down.
Eliza then has several days of work investigating and clearing up reported issues, where some turned out to be mild and others mundane. While dealing with the influx of calls, the mysterious quarry continued to send cryptic notes warning them about various activity that could be causing issues with the local empowered. Why is a demon being polite while also asking them nicely to consider his visit polite?
At the Daily Grind, a local caffeine providing community hub and owned by Kade Hamilton, suddenly there are parchment notes mysteriously appearing in microwaves and espresso machines. The parchment contains messages from this quarry telling Eliza there may be information she doesn't have that the council may not want to share, such as 'what changes when magic is contained against its will for centuries?'. Needless to say, Eliza takes on visiting an old lighthouse with some not so obvious protection to meet this quarry.
Turns out, Eliza meets another familiar, Lysander, who appeared in the same light as the appliance parchments. Lysander was Alexander Thorne's familiar bound against his will then imprisoned with Thorne and reports there are demon lords threatening the island. As Lysander is explaining the focus of the island protections and Thorne's manner of extending his existence, Mimi appears and seems to know Lysander. Proving his protection focus, Lysander points out a demon scout on the beach looking for weak areas of the barrier and offers to assist Eliza with banishing. After banishing, Eliza is summoned to the council along with Mimi and Zane. The council agrees there is something not quite right with the barriers, demons and Lysander when they are interrupted by Betty who reports strange smells and energy around her store. At the store, and after the team discusses the possible scenarios, Betty mentions an old root cellar that hasn't been used for years and where Eliza focuses her attention. There she finds an old parchment written to The Chosen One that mentions the critical junctures, parasitic magic and weakened barriers. A fissure appears and Eliza realizes this is one of the weakened barriers that must be sealed when Lysander makes an appearance and explains what must be done, only Eliza must expend considerable magic and may not be able to with the previous installment events and focus on sealing the breach.
After a tough battle with a breach, the team takes a trip to the Daily Grind and meets with the Thursday Club of empowered. They discuss creating a network of sorts using the ley lines, a camera, and sentinel stones that are targeted at the barriers and can alert them to activity. An empowered WiFi of sorts and all in attendance offer to help.
At one of the breaches, an abandoned amusement park, a gleaming carousel has indication of demons. A scout comes forth and states his master, Baron Malphas has waited for The Chosen One. Upon strengthening the barrier and sending the scout back to the underworld, Vesper is able to put together what is actually happening and where the weakened areas, and timing, may be, with one being Eliza's house.
The team then takes on every breach point and receives a message from one who possessed an innocent that shares Eliza is the key to shattering the veil between worlds.
On to the next, they attempt to enter the lighthouse keeper's cottage. Inside, Zane, Astrid and Kade are trapped within a spelled circle. There they find Gerald Blackwood, the oldest member of the council, performing a ceremony to release Baron Malphas. Knowing they only have minutes, Eliza quickly attempts to draw the appropriate runes and stop the ceremony. Once done, Blackwood is left within a swirling vortex and when asked why, reports his family has been held by Malphas and releasing him will also release Blackwood's family. The team then collects the artifacts Blackwood was using along with grimoires and find in order for the ritual to be complete, there are five specific relics needed, with one being a pendant, the Heartstone, used by the Grey family.
Eliza, Vesper and Astra take a break from research to assist Mrs. Abernathy and come across a fae sentinel who shares the Grey family and Blackwoods used to be guardians and the ancient pact is threatened, although Eliza needs the original grimoire found along a path marked by silver, or the runes on Vesper which become something like GPS. After the sentinel disperses, they are battled by demonically possessed dolls and the Heartstone is found. Afterwards, the team travels to another council member's home, Jonathan Pierce, who is under a magical compulsion to not speak of the grimoire or the events surrounding the rifts. Later, the team heads to the cannery and find out a counter-ritual must be performed using a willing Grey family member. Upon successfully ending the ritual, the team heads back to Eliza's house to find CC welcoming them and revealing a spiral staircase. Down the staircase, they enter a large area, or chamber, with a mosaic on the floor that represents the five guardians bound to the Grey line, a raven or Corvus, drake or Drakon, fox or Vulpine, wolf or Fenris and Vesper. All guardians arrange themselves around the mosaic, and the lines of the chamber begin to glow brightly silver. A short conversation later, the team with the guardians head to the Saltcliff Community Theater, with the Thursday Club members stationed around the perimeter. Inside, Eliza finds a chamber of bound spirits that have been powering the demonic portals and rituals. With the help of the guardians, and Lysander, the chains binding these spirits are broken, leaving Eliza unconscious and drained.
Rest and a healing tonic is what Eliza needs to take on the elementary school and pixies being influenced by demonic energy. On return to CC, Eliza and Zane finally make solid plans for a real date which is interrupted by a call from Astra reporting Olivia Chen, Kade's cousin is missing and required them to visit The Daily Grind's secret basement meeting space. There they find out Olivia has an eidetic memory and knows the location of every restricted text and artifact. The last location they have of her is at storage facilities, and Kade asks Malcolm Winters to join them because he knows more about magical artifacts than anyone outside the council. While there, Eliza receives a message from an old college friend, Jade, apparently has a pendant with the Grey family name engraved that was found at an estate sale. In one of the storage units, they detect some artifacts and a living presence, which turns out to be Olivia. Eliza's worked to release Olivia and the Grey family artifacts with Vesper's help, and the team determines Malphas wants to use Eliza's power to control the water around the island. Eliza reconnects with the lost relics and heads home, where Eliza's rest is once again thwarted by a menagerie of possessed animals breaking into CC whom promptly raises defenses and attempts to dissuade the animals.
Heading to The Daily Grind where there is lots of activity and discussion about the pageant at the elementary school with the auditorium filled with most of the community and starts at 1130, just before the barrier between worlds is thin. At the elementary, they find a hidden doorway, warded and with the help of Vivian and Mimi and are able to tear down the wards to a doorway that contains more relics and a recoded message from Blackwood stating the team fell into his trap of setting decoys, and he was able to gather some of Eliza's lifeforce for his final plans. Leaving, they are accosted by Jade who ran to catch up with the pendant in hand that is actually a shielding amulet, probably just in time!
Back to The Daily Grind, Kade reveals something spectacular and has only 24 hours to utilize his skill. While there, an old magical emergency broadcast is sent out from Blackwood, telling the residents to support this new genre or face dire circumstances. The team also finds out Malphas requires a host, Blackwood, who has been preparing for this for years. Eliza then receives notification from Vivian letting her know CC is in trouble.
At the house, the Blackwoods are already there and the waters are rising. Eliza grabs Vivian's hand, and a protective shield encompasses the team and all the familiars. With others in tow helping Gerald Blackwood, the battle ensues. While the team puts up defenses, Blackwood continues the ritual and brings forth Malphas. Eliza then realizes its almost too late and the only option may be to attempt ritual inversion. Will this work? Have they succeeded?
September 5, 2025
Eliza Grey’s move to Saltcliff and her sentient home CC, has brought her a number of surprises, but her new role as the Island Fixer, has brought her a number of problems. The latest was the betrayal of the town’s supernatural council by Thorne and the supposed release of a very dangerous entity, that everyone expects Eliza to find and capture or put an end to. Only it has been weeks since this ancient creature was freed and every clue to is whereabouts has led her and her friends in circles. It seems this creature is leaving traces of itself all over town, but hasn’t done anything to endanger anyone, instead helping to sort out magical issues instead. It starts leaving messages to the council, often through small kitchen appliances and the like, declining the council’s intervention in trying to have it recaptured. Eliza has still been kept busy with loads of small magical and often mundane events around town. Her new best friend Astra, love interest and half demon Zane, as well as her familiar Vesper, are there to help as needed, but questions form the council seem to be there to hinder rather than help! The council don’t want her to take any actions, without getting their permission first, but Eliza is definitely a spur of the moment gal and she doesn’t often think before she acts. She had rejected her magical family history for so long, and now is getting a full-on programme of magical catch-up, with her mom and grandmother Mimi both moving in nearby to help, although Mimi is a bit of a loose cannon with her huge weapons cache.
Finding out her house is built on a key intersection of ley lines and all the strange magical signatures she and the others have been picking up on all over town, seem to link to the town’s history and what was once there. It also links to stories of the founding families and a huge feud between the Grey and Blackwood families. There are still lots of secrets for Eliza and her friends and family to uncover as new dangers come to the small town, with a recurrence of a seventy-year event, which her and her family are key to stopping. This time, it won’t be simply low power demons trying to break through, but a demon lord himself and that can only happen with the willing assistance of a traitor from within the council, who knows all the weak points and has been feeding information to them! Her sentient house is hiding its own secrets, ones not even known to her current family or friends. Stolen artifacts and relics that once belonged to her family, have ended up in the council’s hands, but also into their enemies’ hands. Eliza needs to get mundanes to report strange occurrences, which she will pretend to be ghostly hauntings and she is advertising her Island Fixer role under her new company, she wants to call Hexe and Hammers, mixing home repair with paranormal investigation! The head of the council, Victoria, has hired Eliza because of her connection to the island, her power as the Grey heir and her position as the newest Chosen One, to sort out the issue of capturing this supposed dangerous creature, who is out and about freely in their town. Eliza gets a surprise introduction to the secretive Thursday Club, an underground supernatural meeting place, hidden under a business in plain view, which none of them had even guessed existed. Certain key locations in the town are important to what is about to happen and it is in the old lighthouse, that Eliza finally meets the supposedly dangerous creature loose around town, who is in fact nothing of the sort, and was being held prisoner and being used as a magical powerhouse for a council member and founding family member, who had betrayed everyone’s trust. The truth of what is actually happening in the town and who is behind it all, comes with loads of shocks and lots of dangerous battles for Eliza and her friends. Lots of magical artifacts are key to a final ritual and the opening of a gateway to the underworld and a demon lord who wants to takeover the whole town and its unwilling inhabitants! It will be a hard-won battle to survive what is coming and it seems they still may not have won and there is much more to come. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Finding out her house is built on a key intersection of ley lines and all the strange magical signatures she and the others have been picking up on all over town, seem to link to the town’s history and what was once there. It also links to stories of the founding families and a huge feud between the Grey and Blackwood families. There are still lots of secrets for Eliza and her friends and family to uncover as new dangers come to the small town, with a recurrence of a seventy-year event, which her and her family are key to stopping. This time, it won’t be simply low power demons trying to break through, but a demon lord himself and that can only happen with the willing assistance of a traitor from within the council, who knows all the weak points and has been feeding information to them! Her sentient house is hiding its own secrets, ones not even known to her current family or friends. Stolen artifacts and relics that once belonged to her family, have ended up in the council’s hands, but also into their enemies’ hands. Eliza needs to get mundanes to report strange occurrences, which she will pretend to be ghostly hauntings and she is advertising her Island Fixer role under her new company, she wants to call Hexe and Hammers, mixing home repair with paranormal investigation! The head of the council, Victoria, has hired Eliza because of her connection to the island, her power as the Grey heir and her position as the newest Chosen One, to sort out the issue of capturing this supposed dangerous creature, who is out and about freely in their town. Eliza gets a surprise introduction to the secretive Thursday Club, an underground supernatural meeting place, hidden under a business in plain view, which none of them had even guessed existed. Certain key locations in the town are important to what is about to happen and it is in the old lighthouse, that Eliza finally meets the supposedly dangerous creature loose around town, who is in fact nothing of the sort, and was being held prisoner and being used as a magical powerhouse for a council member and founding family member, who had betrayed everyone’s trust. The truth of what is actually happening in the town and who is behind it all, comes with loads of shocks and lots of dangerous battles for Eliza and her friends. Lots of magical artifacts are key to a final ritual and the opening of a gateway to the underworld and a demon lord who wants to takeover the whole town and its unwilling inhabitants! It will be a hard-won battle to survive what is coming and it seems they still may not have won and there is much more to come. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 30, 2025
Wow, things are really heating up on the island. There are more and more weird things happening on the island. CC, the sentient house is a riot, as is the cat familiar, Vesper. Mimi, Eliza’s grandma is terrifyingly aggressive and her fave thing is to blow stuff up. lol. I feel bad for Eliza’s mom who is always trailing behind and cleaning things up or trying to stop Mimi. The Council has called on Eliza, who is the Chosen One, and a bunch of idiots is all I have to say. With everything that is going on, the bunch of them seem to be like chickens with their heads chopped off. Egads. So much happens in the book. I found myself putting the AC on higher and higher from my fear sweat, and freaking out, cursing a lot and chewing on my nails with worry. So much happens in the book and there are loads of answers to questions that I had in the other two books, but now there are more questions! We find out more history about the family, and about the island and the different founding families. Astra, and Zane are in the thick of it once again with Eliza. FINALLY, Zane and Eliza acknowledge some of their feelings/interest in each other. But, there is too much stuff going on to do much about it. I really want some of the t-shirts that Eliza wears. lol. Eliza and company spend almost half the book rushing around, trying to put out magical mayhem ‘fires’. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2025
Alright, you had me at “witch who banished a demon lord” turned supernatural handyman. Seriously, Hammers & Hexes is exactly the kind of quirky, sharp, and hilarious paranormal adventure I didn’t know I needed—but now can’t live without.
Brenda Trim’s blend of magical mayhem and home repair hijinks is pure gold. I mean, who else would think to fix possessed refrigerators and cursed coffee makers as a side hustle? And that demon lord? Not your typical fiery, rampaging nightmare—instead, it’s leaving polite notes and curling up with romance novels. Yep, that’s the kind of unexpected twist I live for.
I loved how Saltcliff’s secrets unravel alongside faulty plumbing and haunted appliances, all while the banter between the heroine, her badass grandmother, and the smokin’ hot half-demon electrician had me grinning like a fool. Plus, the way the story sneaks in mystery, magic, and a dash of romance without missing a beat? Perfect.
If you want a cozy paranormal mystery with a side of snark, sizzling sparks, and just enough magical chaos to keep you hooked, Hammers & Hexes is your next must-read. And bonus? I’m totally getting myself one of those business cards: Hexes & Hammers — Fixing your supernatural problems without blowing up your house. Usually.
Brenda Trim’s blend of magical mayhem and home repair hijinks is pure gold. I mean, who else would think to fix possessed refrigerators and cursed coffee makers as a side hustle? And that demon lord? Not your typical fiery, rampaging nightmare—instead, it’s leaving polite notes and curling up with romance novels. Yep, that’s the kind of unexpected twist I live for.
I loved how Saltcliff’s secrets unravel alongside faulty plumbing and haunted appliances, all while the banter between the heroine, her badass grandmother, and the smokin’ hot half-demon electrician had me grinning like a fool. Plus, the way the story sneaks in mystery, magic, and a dash of romance without missing a beat? Perfect.
If you want a cozy paranormal mystery with a side of snark, sizzling sparks, and just enough magical chaos to keep you hooked, Hammers & Hexes is your next must-read. And bonus? I’m totally getting myself one of those business cards: Hexes & Hammers — Fixing your supernatural problems without blowing up your house. Usually.
August 3, 2025
Another great story in the series. Eliza and her gang, which includes her mom and grandmother as well as her real estate agent and handyman, are still trying to find the being that escaped during their last 'saving the world' adventure. Whatever the entity is, it has a sense of humor as it keeps sending polite letters to the council and trying to communicate to Eliza via microwave oven messages. It seems there is a 'big bad' coming and they don't have much time to stop it.
Eliza will discover a whole other side of the town's supernatural beings that congregate in a secret room under the local coffee shop, gain some new familiars, and learn a lot about her own magical prowess. Mimi has plenty of tricks up her sleeve (and in her purse!), Kade will reveal more about himself, and Zane will try to take Eliza on a date. Oh, and CC will continue to share her secrets.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Eliza will discover a whole other side of the town's supernatural beings that congregate in a secret room under the local coffee shop, gain some new familiars, and learn a lot about her own magical prowess. Mimi has plenty of tricks up her sleeve (and in her purse!), Kade will reveal more about himself, and Zane will try to take Eliza on a date. Oh, and CC will continue to share her secrets.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
August 3, 2025
This is the third book in the Forty, Fired and Fighting Demons series, and continues from where book 2 left off. Eliza has started her own business as the islands fixer of all things “unusual” and this is keeping her busy, alongside trying to renovate her sentient house who is getting more opinionated by the day. So Eliza spends her days, and nights, dealing with hauntings, possessions, exorcisms, cursed household objects, all while trying to track the ancient being that was unwittingly released in an attempt to save salt cliff and the world.
I’m really enjoying this series, I love Brenda‘s writing style, the banter is great, the character development is fab. I can’t wait to read the next instalment but unfortunately it’s not due out until October! This was another great four star read for me and I would definitely recommend it.
I’m really enjoying this series, I love Brenda‘s writing style, the banter is great, the character development is fab. I can’t wait to read the next instalment but unfortunately it’s not due out until October! This was another great four star read for me and I would definitely recommend it.
July 27, 2025
Ok ya'll, "Hammers & Hexes" is the best book yet in the "Forty, Fired & Fighting Demons" series.
The storyline is sophisticated and stays away from campy cliches. There's a slow burn romance, witty dialogue and an ensemble cast of characters that never fails to entertain.
For Hexes and Hammers, I was really glad to watch the FMC work it out internally and externally when it comes to her permanent role on the island. For a while, I was concerned that everything would be prettily solved and presented to the reader in a neat package. That would have been boring - and Brenda Trim does not do boring.
Suffice it to say, I am eagerly awaiting what comes next. I am fan!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The storyline is sophisticated and stays away from campy cliches. There's a slow burn romance, witty dialogue and an ensemble cast of characters that never fails to entertain.
For Hexes and Hammers, I was really glad to watch the FMC work it out internally and externally when it comes to her permanent role on the island. For a while, I was concerned that everything would be prettily solved and presented to the reader in a neat package. That would have been boring - and Brenda Trim does not do boring.
Suffice it to say, I am eagerly awaiting what comes next. I am fan!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2025
Another fun read from Brenda Trim! I am really enjoying this series. I get excited to see what Eliza and her friends get up to in each book. Very much a series you need to read in order to understand what's going on, as the story continues from book to book.
I love the banter that goes on among all the characters, whether it's between Eliza and her family, or her friends, even with her familiar, Vesper. It makes me laugh while I'm reading, never knowing what's going to pop out of someone's mouth. The direction book #3 took, I think has been my favorite so far. I quite enjoyed the plot and the scenarios we got in this book.
Thank you Brenda Trim, via Booksprout, for the chance to read this book. I recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of fun witchy antics and sarcastically witty, funny characters.
I love the banter that goes on among all the characters, whether it's between Eliza and her family, or her friends, even with her familiar, Vesper. It makes me laugh while I'm reading, never knowing what's going to pop out of someone's mouth. The direction book #3 took, I think has been my favorite so far. I quite enjoyed the plot and the scenarios we got in this book.
Thank you Brenda Trim, via Booksprout, for the chance to read this book. I recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of fun witchy antics and sarcastically witty, funny characters.
September 29, 2025
Action-packed witchy goodness - Eliza and the gang have to fight off another invasion, this time from a demon lord who would submerge the entire island. With the magical backing of her family and friends, she will overcome the machinations of traitors in the highest places. An action-packed tale with spells at the ready, wielded by the best (and worst) Saltcliff has to occur. I am still loving Mimi, her joie de vivre irrepressible. This time she's wearing cargo pants, locked and loaded for battle. Seriously, how does Ms. Trim do it?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2025
This book was a roller coaster ride!
Eliza Grey is Saltcliff's Fixer. Whenever there is a supernatural problem in town, the town council called her in. First the scary monster they accidently released is being helpful, which is weird. Then She finds out some of the council members are acting strange. As she runs around town, trying to stop rituals that are intended to open a way to the demon realm, she also discovers some of her family history that may or may not help.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down.
Eliza Grey is Saltcliff's Fixer. Whenever there is a supernatural problem in town, the town council called her in. First the scary monster they accidently released is being helpful, which is weird. Then She finds out some of the council members are acting strange. As she runs around town, trying to stop rituals that are intended to open a way to the demon realm, she also discovers some of her family history that may or may not help.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down.
August 29, 2025
Let me just say I did not know this was book 3. Meaning I did not read book 1or 2.
Coming into this series I n the middle I was definitely missing some pieces but overall I don’t think it hurt the story much for me.
Grandma and Elize they are funny.
Zane seems like a character I would like but I didn’t get to know him much in this story.
Though this story seems to always have something going on and a lot of things were happening all the time it was still a good book.
Coming into this series I n the middle I was definitely missing some pieces but overall I don’t think it hurt the story much for me.
Grandma and Elize they are funny.
Zane seems like a character I would like but I didn’t get to know him much in this story.
Though this story seems to always have something going on and a lot of things were happening all the time it was still a good book.
September 5, 2025
I love this series; this is Book 3. I was hooked back into the story and the character's lives, right from the start of the book and had a hard time putting it down. An exciting read, I loved it.
I love all the characters and the storyline and can't wait to read the next one. Fighting demons, Midlife Witches, and a slow burn romance.
I love reading stories from this author, they are always Awesome!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love all the characters and the storyline and can't wait to read the next one. Fighting demons, Midlife Witches, and a slow burn romance.
I love reading stories from this author, they are always Awesome!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, you are learning more about the Grey family. Saltcliff Island is being attacked and at first they think it is the creature that escaped when Thorne’s binding failed. However you find out it’s something else and that someone in town are helping the demons to escape. It was a surprise when you learn who the person is and why they are doing it. A good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2025
Hammers & Hexes: Paranormal Women's Fiction is book #3 in the Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons series by Brenda Trim.
This is such a fun series! Eliza has so much going on with her home repair and supernatural solutions company and trying to save Saltcliff from an attack. Love CC, the sentient house and Vesper, Eliza’s snarky familiar, and Zane.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is such a fun series! Eliza has so much going on with her home repair and supernatural solutions company and trying to save Saltcliff from an attack. Love CC, the sentient house and Vesper, Eliza’s snarky familiar, and Zane.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2025
Holy craziness!
Wow! I couldn't stop reading!! The story grabs you n doesn't let go! Lots going on, on crisis after another, Blakwood stringing them along and the ending is spectacular! If this was a rollercoaster it would haven a wild ride!!! Lookinf forward the next adventure and hopefully Zane and Eliza's date!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow! I couldn't stop reading!! The story grabs you n doesn't let go! Lots going on, on crisis after another, Blakwood stringing them along and the ending is spectacular! If this was a rollercoaster it would haven a wild ride!!! Lookinf forward the next adventure and hopefully Zane and Eliza's date!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2025
This book held my attention from beginning to end. The constant miss direction that they were dealing with added to the tension, the protagonist snarkiness somewhat tempered by her growing acceptance of her power made it fun to read. I loved the connection between the characters and the constant build toward the end of the book. I also like the slow burn and build to romance between her and the main male character. I highly recommend this book!
November 1, 2025
Absolutely love this book. It was very well written. I was hooked from the very first chapter. Just when I thought that something was going to happen there was a curve ball thrown. I love books that are paranormal I feel like they push the bounds. I feel like paranormal books really show the imagination and the creativity of a writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 28, 2025
Every time I read a book of this series I think it can not possibly get any more dangerous. But this book again proves that it can. Lots of danger, unexpected plot twists that keep you on the wrong footing and an ( almost unbeatable) enemy. And every time I wonder how in heaven's name are they going to get out of this? Well, again with great teamwork and an unexpected aly
September 1, 2025
Each book in this amazing series gets better than the last one. This is fun and wild read that never disappointed me, at all. More wild adventures and a cast of characters that I Love! Outstanding Midlife Series! I Highly Recommend! No Spoilers!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
A very enthralling, suspenseful read with one heck of an ending.
Haunted appliances and possessed plumbing, are just the tip of the magical chaos created by an ancient creature determined to rise and rule the world with the assistance of others. Loved it. Received a free copy and,am voluntarily posting an honest review.
Haunted appliances and possessed plumbing, are just the tip of the magical chaos created by an ancient creature determined to rise and rule the world with the assistance of others. Loved it. Received a free copy and,am voluntarily posting an honest review.
September 10, 2025
Supernatural Fixer
Eliza has opened up shop as the town's new supernatural fixer. However, things don't go as planned, and the characters shine. It was fascinating as well as suspenseful. I truly found this series to be enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eliza has opened up shop as the town's new supernatural fixer. However, things don't go as planned, and the characters shine. It was fascinating as well as suspenseful. I truly found this series to be enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 12, 2025
This is such a great series. It’s fun, it’s witty and it’s suspenseful as we jump back in feet first for the continued adventure. Fantastic world building, where we find more and more wierd things happening, likeable and intriguing characters and a storyline that has you totally hooked and ready for more.
July 18, 2025
bad intentions and town troubles can also be a path to licql and global destruction.
teamwork and focus could drive things back - but is it enough to save the realms ftom various evils?
intense magical darkness, and extreme drama
teamwork and focus could drive things back - but is it enough to save the realms ftom various evils?
intense magical darkness, and extreme drama
July 18, 2025
good story
I’m enjoying this series and watChing Eliza’s power grow. She’s has powerful support in her friends as they fight the demon trying to take over their island. All while having a slow burn romance with Zane. Looking forward to book 4
I’m enjoying this series and watChing Eliza’s power grow. She’s has powerful support in her friends as they fight the demon trying to take over their island. All while having a slow burn romance with Zane. Looking forward to book 4
September 3, 2025
Hammers & Hexes Book 3 of Forty, Fired, & Fighting Demons by Brenda Trim is an exciting continuation of this series and who can resist a snarky and witty characters...I love this crew!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 8, 2025
I really enjoy this series. It's funny but has high stakes. I love a good sentient house and a grumpy/sunshine trope.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2025
Eliza and gang are back. Nothing is as it seems and there is a lot of intrigue and fast paced action in this story along with the usual snark, banter and humour. I quite enjoyed this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2025
Good read
So I have read every book in this series and still enjoy it. Love the snark of the characters. Especially Mimi. Can’t wait for the next one
So I have read every book in this series and still enjoy it. Love the snark of the characters. Especially Mimi. Can’t wait for the next one
August 12, 2025
Enjoyed it!
The action has ramped up and the chaos is in full force. There was a big battle, but the war is not over yet. Can't wait to see what happens next.
The action has ramped up and the chaos is in full force. There was a big battle, but the war is not over yet. Can't wait to see what happens next.
September 21, 2025
Ok. Less snark. More content. Much better.
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