Game of Witches: Witches of New York, Book 2

Witches of New York #2

by Kim Richardson

After dealing with Rifts and demons, I thought I’d get a few days off. But I was wrong.

Guests avoid The Twilight Hotel like the plague after the teeny-weeny demon invasion. To keep the hotel from financial ruin, management decides to host a Casino Week to get things going again. Sounds great. There’s just one problem. People in our paranormal community turn up dead.

Worse, paranormals are acting crazy—like full-moon crazy—and vampires and shifters are taking snacks out of humans.

Soon I find myself neck-deep in the crapper once again, and things between none other than the sexy man-beast, Valen, and me are even more perplexing than ever before. He’s shut me out. And I don’t know why.

So when a new nemesis stirs things up in New York City, it’s up to me to settle the score.

And I’m ready for them.

Game of Witches is perfect for fans of urban fantasy, mystery, slow-burn romance, and humor. Get ready for this heart-pounding and laugh-out-loud magical adventure!

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Urban Fantasy, Witches, Audiobook, Magic

Audible Audio

Published March 22, 2023

About the author

Kim Richardson is the award-winning author of the bestselling SOUL GUARDIANS series. She lives in the eastern part of Canada with her husband, two dogs and a very old cat. She is the author of the SOUL GUARDIANS series, the MYSTICS series, and the DIVIDED REALMS series. Kim's books are available in print editions, and translations are available in over 7 languages.

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

On the plus side
I still find things interesting - the whole idea of crazy witch wanting to transform human into paranormals to rule the world, mwaahahahahaaha "insert evil villain laugh is quite good for crime motivation.

UNFORTUNATELY

OMG!!! I am FRUSTRATED with Leana!! Seriously, woman, it's EMBARASSING read how you are ruled by your libido, and acting like a fool when it comes to Valen. Heck, even Leana said it herself in this book

"I'd screwed up because I wasn't focused. My head had been filled with Valen and that blonde. I'd been hurt and angry at the giant but mostly at myself for letting my heart fall for this man

And at that point, Leana just made ASSUMPTIONS, she got jealous without knowing the full picture, she didn't ask Valen, she let her libido ruled her decision (meaning she screwed up the investigation because yes, she preferred to go chase the villain alone rather than asking for help).



I AM ANNOYED AND FRUSTRATED !!!

Sorry series, but I cannot deal with more of Leana acting like this in the next books. It wasn't a fun experience. So this is where I stop with the series.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to Figure Things Out . . .

Wow, fast-paced and action-packed, this story doesn’t slow down! Having recently dealt with demons and trying to get things back to normal, Leana is seeing people acting strangely, bodies seem to be turning up, and Valen is not responding as expected either! She had shared a very special kiss with him, and was hoping that would progress into the relationship she wanted with him. As she looked for him and finally found him, she was unprepared to see him with another woman, holding her hand and smiling. Embarrassed as the hostess laughed at her reaction, she quickly left without saying a word.

She briskly walked the dark streets without paying attention to where she was going. Passing a pile of black garbage bags near one of the buildings, she saw 3 pairs of legs sticking out from under the bags, the victims apparently recently deceased judging by the state of their decomposition. Nothing was making any sense! Can Leana find out what’s going on here? Or will she end up losing everything that matters to her?

I enjoyed this second book even more than the first! The odd happenings keep the reader in suspense and wondering along with Leana what is causing the strange behaviors. Grab your copy and follow along to see where this all leads Leana and whether she can set things right somehow.

[Florence Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une intrigue différente par livre, mais les mêmes personnages qui reviennent. Ça a un rythme rapide, pas de longueur, love it!

[Paula Galindo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho y ahora tengo muchas ganas de leer el siguiente libro y el resto de la saga 👌🏻

[Véronique Laplante Grenier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game of Witches is the second book in the Witches of New York serie by Kim Richardson.

Leana thought that after having to deal with rifts and demons she would have a couple of days off, but she was really wrong. But some persons are acting really strange an she found bodies. Something is going on and the clues aren't making any scence. Leana need to discover who is causing this before more people are murdered. And her relationship with Valen barely start to go somewhere. Also after having found him with another woman, she's starting to think this will go nowhere.

I have really loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in the serie. I have received an arc of this book from the author.

[Dominique Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 🌟
Meilleur que le premier (moins axé sur le sexe et plus d’action)
Une véritable intrigue
Mais on dirait encore un brouillon avec des phrases de première année, et des erreurs de frappe.
Valen-Valet?! Des lettres manquantes, des conjugaisons au mauvais temps de verbe… dommage.
Je veux quand même lire la suite!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave 4 1/2⭐️ easy enjoyable read and leaves you wanting more

[Janice Mahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Slow burn romance. Self aware and confident FMC Leighanna. She knows she is amazing and shows it. I love her confidence and willingness to get things done.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book in the Witches of New York series, we start just after the last book ended. People are still avoiding the hotel like they will get the plage if they even come near it. So, depredate, they have our detective FMC greeting people at the front... well what little people there is. While the hotel does what it needs to do in order to survive, supernatural's start going crazy and going on un-aliveing sprees before falling over un-alived themselves. This was another fun book in this series I plan on eventually continuing. The biggest flaws were that the FMC kept jumping to random conclusions and just running away from her job like she didn't have one.

[Jack-Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, the protagonist is a 40 year old woman, who just discovered her husband for almost 16 years (give it or take) cheating on her. I should have suspected this was going to be bad just from that first scene where she was just nonchalant about it, everyone acted weird and just nothing really happened, well except for the part where she cassually broke his manhood.

An then everything was just forced and unnatural, dialoges where ilogical, and just bad. But the worst was when the character herself said, and I quote, "I was acting like a jealous twenty-year-old girlfriend, which I wasn’t. I was a grown-ass woman, and I needed to start acting like it." And YES, yes you should've. But she never did, just kept repeating this internal dialoge and never did anything about it.

The thing about these kinds of stories, in my personal perspective, is that you don't get to know the characters, and they don't establish realtionships in an organic or logical way, they just form this sort of bond out of nowhere. And it creates a disconection from the inside-world.

In this book, sometimes people hate on the protagonist for NO reason. It's not funny nor for development, it serves no purpose. For example, she meets the staff and there's this weird guy seems to despise her. She's never met him before, we don't know and won't know a thing about him, he's just there. On the other hand, the people working at the hotel inmidiatelly make her their family, without even knowing a single real thing about her. Also she falls in love with this guy, whom she doesn't even know if he is single (and apparently she doesn't care if he isn't) or at least his favourite colour, nothing. WE don't even know our own protagonist's favourite color or hobbies. The story just... happens.

[Agnieszka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dialogs were atrocious, having no sense and no control over yourself in your 40 is a no go for me neither.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A TERRIFIC FOLLOW UP

There is much action and excitement at the Twilight hotel where our Starlight Witch heroine is employed in her status as a Merlin, and where she has taken up residence with her new paranormal friends Elsa, Julian, Jade and Jimmy.

This terrific follow up to the first book in the ‘Witches of New York’ series is suspenseful right from the start, with the correct amount of twists and turns.

One cannot help but root for Leana in her quest to uncover the truth behind some unusual killings. The chemistry between her and man-beast Valen is eclectic, at times affecting some of her decisions. We admire the good characters and despise the power hungry, cruel ones with evil intentions. The combination of those opposing characteristics, of course contributes towards a thrilling storyline.

Author Kim has a knack for creating ingenious visual imagery through her unique way with words, sharing a sensory experience which gives us the chills. This irresistible tale, keeps us hooked until the unexpected twist at the very end. Wow! Can’t wait to find out what happens next.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot holes

Details that don't tally with the previous novel. Form holes in the plot that are difficult to look past. Bearing in mind that you have new to series readers who will read a series straight through rather than reading one with a break until the next is published is key. It's advisable to reread your previous novels and ensure you aren't changing the background.

When Leana draws the power of the moon, she burns away all of her clothes... not only was this forgotten but you had her claim she tossed the dress because it ripped and stated that only Valen had been naked when actually he'd rescued her, presumably equally naked as he is when in giant form. If this isn't the case, then the first book should have clarified things far better.

Irritating and unnecessary cliffhanger, if the writing is of good quality, you shouldn't need to drop bombs to set up another book.. it shows a lack of confidence in your readers' commitment and trust in yourself as an author. It's not a 'penny dreadful' part work

[Marcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying listening to this series up until the author felt the need to write in a subtle racist section out of the blue.

Chapter 13

Healers working on the kidnapped humans, the author , for some weird reason, felt the need to have the MC stop a healer, mention he is a black man (what difference does stating his skin hue make), then have the MC go “Karen” on him with a bunch of ridiculous questions. It also seems like the Healers are all African American and the MC and her friends are all white. When she yells at the Healers about removing equipment causing the giant to “come to her aid” he threatens the Healers for information🤢 This entire section of this book was triggering and disturbing.

It is annoying enough to have the MC, a Starlight witch, act like a love struck HS girl over the giant shifter but now she is a “Karen” too and her friends are her enablers?

I hope things evolve to a more positive energy in this book, because that misstep is hard to “overlook” and a massive turn off of reading anything else the author writes.

Very disappointing.

[H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

esta novela comienza más o menos en el punto que acaba la anterior. en el hotel twilight, hay un problema demoníaco que arruina su reputación y, como resultado, la dirección resuelve organizar semanas temáticas para atraer el público. pronto, es evidente que el problema va más allá de un demonio por aquí o por allá, por lo que leana debe interrumpir su intento de vacaciones para atender los asuntos que requieren el cargo. también me gustó muchísimo leerla. creo que los pasajes con más valor son los que describen peleas, batallas e involucran la magia donde, a pesar de su poca confianza en sí misma y baja autoestima, la bruja protagonista sobresale con creces. la autora tiene un talento especial para narrarlos. también en este libro vemos un progreso en la relación con valen, que está escrito de una forma preciosa, y los amigos de leana, julian, jade y elsa. para pasar una tarde muy entretenida, alejada de todos los problemas. recomendadísimo.

[Elc56 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: possible non-specific spoilers ahead.

I really enjoyed this trip back to the Twilight Hotel. Leanna & co were dealing with the fall out from the events of book 1 and facing a new horrific problem that def raised questions about gene manipulation.

The book rattled along at a great pace, and there were moments of real jeopardy that made me gasp, and for a moment I really thought a major character was lost! I really love this series, the characters have real depth and are multi layered, and I love how real Leanna feels even in the midst of the paranormal chaos. However, this book lost 1 star from me for the most evil cliffhanger! Such a mean ending! So of course Im gonna read book 3...i need to know wth is going on with that Grey Council!

Once again, Annalise McCoy is a wonderful narrator and gives such depth & emotion to the characters without going over the top. Can't wait to hear her bring book 3 to life.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this story just gets better and better with each chapter written. This book picks up right where book one left off and let's just say it shot out like a speeding bullet. With the strange and unusual characters in this book it is just plain interesting and intriguing.

This book starts off with trouble in paradise between Leana and Valen, which in turn leads to the discovery of dead paranormals. But these paranormals are strange and don't put off the normal energy vibes that most paranormals do. And so the story begins and ends with an oh shxt moment.

This book was an adrenaline rush from page one. I could not put this book down nor can I not read the next one. I mean who can not read the next one after an ending like that. These books are fun, dangerous and oh so sinful.

[Simone R Newsome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still holding out hope

As my title says, I'm still holding out hope. I like this series, but seriously, the characters are so immature for them to all be 40+. It gets irritating sometimes, but I'm still digging the plot, and Valen is my favorite character. His character building is probably the best of all. Leana still seems too immature and confusing. At some points, she seems like a total bada$$, and at other times, she seems like more of a whiny, extremely insecure pushover who constantly makes nonsensical decisions. And yet, I'm still finding it hard to believe that someone with 10+ years of experience in her field can make such rookie mistakes. Idk...on to the next in the series, I guess.

[Kilgallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series and it was a quick and cozy read. I am again impressed with the main character being over 35 and not a supermodel. There are some weird continuity problems surrounding the rules of use of starlight magic that were established in book 1. This was a little confusing as there was no attempt to explain the change in rules....just a fairly major change. I also found the main character, although supposedly a mature woman tends to have the emotional reactions of a much, much younger character. I do really enjoy the world building here and the recurring characters are a real part of the charm of this series. I do hope they continue to play an active role as the series continues.

[April Mollenkopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this series is even better than the first. So much going on with so many little twists. Leana has another case to solve, but none of the clues add up.

Things with Valen are heating up and just starting to get good. But Leana sees something that makes her question the kiss they had shared.

Love these two as main characters as well as all the crazy side characters . Can’t wait to see what mischief they all get into next.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leana and the rest of the residents of The Twilight Hotel are back for another crazy adventure. this time it is not the Hotel that is in trouble. And Leana has to figure out why paranormals of all kinds are going crazy. And what is up with Valen. It was a bit snarky, funny, a puzzle/mystery to solve, and Leana must survive to the end because her luck is wild. Entertaining and fun to read if want a easy fun story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leana’s story gets kick up a notch and doesn’t slow down one bit. It is filled with action, suspense, emotional turmoil, mystery, drama and angst. I was riveted to my seat, gripping my kindle tightly and turning the pages quickly to see what the hell was going on. There are a lot of strange happenings that kept me guessing the whole way through.

I am highly enjoying this new series and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like this book more. I really do. Its got great side characters. A growly alpha type love interest and a talking toy dog. What's not to love. But it just misses the mark. It's almost too predictable. The bad guys are always bad and horrible, they read like a cartoon character. No shocks on who dunit! It's just all a bit cliche. Which is a shame as the premises is good.
Also, what's with the hotel tenants. What are they there for? Do they pay rent? Are they staff? Confused

[Mrs S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures continue …

Leanne continues her adventures with Julian, Lana, Elsa and Jimmy - along with the very sexy Valen! But all is not as it appears when rabid vampires and were creatures appear. Can they figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?!

A fast-paced story with characters that have you on their side within the first few moments of meeting them! I am very definitely addicted to this series!

[Kiiirie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only finished this book because it was a gift.
Dialogue was atrocious, Lianas decision making annoying and the romance plot could’ve been solved if she acted like she was actually 41 years old and not like a teenager.
She is still bad at her job but at least in this one she tried to do it?
The magic was pretty cool I guess
Also, the same descriptions again and again and again. I don’t know how the book got published like this.

[Anette Batson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cliffhanger ending

The book it's self was ok. I hate books that end on a cliffhanger or supposed "books" that are not stand alone. Has anyone ever went to a bookstore and actually purchased a serial? I don't think so, so why are they continuously being pushed as books on this medium?

[Susanne Tz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zweiter Teil der Reihe um Leana und ihre "Hexen-Gang". Ich mag die Figuren; dass Leana solche Freunde hat, bringt einen Wohlfühlfaktor ins Buch. Der Fall selbst ist eigentlich gruslig und die Kampfszenen durchaus brutal. Die Mischung ist sehr gut und unterhaltsam.

Für mich ein wenig zu viel Hormon-Hin-und-Her, aber der Romance-Teil in Büchern ist mir sehr schnell zuviel :)

[Debra Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting sequel to book one!

Book two was as good as book one! New characters were introduced, some good.. some bad, and more danger presented itself. The main power behind the bad guys is still free, so it's up to our heroine and her friends to save the day. Really enjoyable reading! Recommend!

[Severine Tiwinee · Rating 4 out of 5]

comme le 1, aucune surprise dans l'histoire on voit un peut tout venir. mais ca se lit bien j'ai passé un bon moment. j'espère quand meme qu'au bout d'un moment elle va arreter d'en faire des caisse avecValen le géant sexy parce que 6 tome a 50% basé sur Valen est sexy je veux le ken c est un peu long.

[S Spurr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game of Witches
Witches of New York Book 2
Kim Richardson

I really enjoyed this second book. Lots of drama, mystery & turmoil as Leana is thrown straight into another strange case with Crazy paranormals.