Tribe

by C. Vonzale Lewis

Nicole Fontane was looking forward to some much-needed rest. But something sinister has returned to her island home ready to take on the most powerful woman on Tulare. Now, tasked with solving the murder of four innocent people and the kidnapping of two young girls, Nicole will have to unravel a mystery steeped in blood and chaos before death knocks at their door once again.

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2025

About the author

My name is Carla Vonzale Lewis and I like my martinis shaken… never stirred.
Carla was born in Georgia, but please don’t mistake her for a Georgia peach. She’s more like a prickly pear. Speaking of being born, someone asked her recently if she remembered her birth. And she had to say, “Yes, I do remember that handsy doctor pulling me out into the cold. Right Bastard!!!”
Despite being born in the South, she grew up in California. Every once in a great while she gets to experience all four seasons. But mostly, it’s just heat.
When not writing, Carla enjoys reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, and trying to convince her husband that getting a dog is a wonderful idea.
And one day, she will discover how many licks it actually takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

Reviews

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a bit different (more intellectual?) then Lineage & Zealot. It's been a while since I've read those, so it took me a while to pick up the plot line. I highly recommend reading this series consecutively, rather than months in between each book.

That said, the series is very good. Character development is also excellent. While for some reason I thought the series was going to end here, that's obviously not the case, as the book ended with an important plot item unresolved.

Ms Lewis is part of a rare breed: Indie paranormal writers who are writing for adults (by that I mean intelligently; I really don't like the currently en vogue phrases "Steamy" & "Spicy"; that's NOT what you're getting here. Though not rated "G", the adult part of Ms Lewis writing is she encourages one to think.

I am curious to see where the series goes. I suspect when it does end I will likely read it a second time; but this time back to back with no break.

While to be honest I did have a few moments of confusion, I highly recommend her writing.

The intended audience is probably intelligent youngish adults; as the main characters are in
there 20's.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy, & am leaving an unbiased review.

[Michelle K · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

I was lucky enough to be gifted all 3 books in this series (to date) by C. Lewis in conjunction with the Nerd Fam!

This is murder, mystery, magic, and mayhem in the best way. There is burn and spice, but only in the necessary and perfectly timed amounts (*chefs kiss*). I love the private investigator take and how a mini "case" is solved in each book, leading up to solving the overall big-picture case to come. The Egyptian history components, unique characters, types of "magick," and plot twists make this one of the most unique plotlines I have ever read - I truly value a story that feels brand new and leaves me guessing the whole way! This writing is far advanced beyond what I have read recently, and I can only imagine the plot maps involved! Sometimes my head was spinning more than Nicole's!

Very well done, C. Lewis, can't wait to read the rest! 👏🏼👏🏼

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next book when?? That ending makes me think even bigger things at play and next book will be even bigger problems! This book picks up right where the last left off and this time the group is following a lead to a community that has had multiple sets of girls go missing. While following different leads and going down different rabbit holes, the team meets plenty of new characters and ends up in a bunch of battles!

I really enjoyed the mystery and exciting plot this series has to offer. I am constantly at the edge of my seat waiting to find out how they piece everything together and it’s like a well plaid out who done it! I also enjoyed the multiple pov this time and getting to see inside Devlins mind this time and follow some of the plot through him. I can’t wait to see how all of these sub plots and stories connect and what will happen next for this series! Overall I enjoyed this book and my rating 4.6/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy of this book, all opinions given are my own!

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book in the series. Murder, mystery with lots of special coffee.

Nicole is back at it again with the team. But with more threats coming and the crew not sure if the gods are there to help or hinder them, they go to investigate multiple murders and find more than they were looking for.

Murder, Mystery, and Blood Magick that will keep you glued to the pages. Each book just keeps getting better.

[Dave Wickenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t checked out the earlier books by Lewis, I have to ask, what the hell are you waiting for? The chronicles take place on the island of Tulare where magic is real, and the Old Gods play a role in the day-to-day life of the island. Nicole has had her powers hidden from her all her life. But now that she is slowly learning of her unique talents, she has become a formidable member of a local group of magical private investigators that hunt down those who use magic for their own gain.
Fresh from their last mission dealing with blood rituals, the group must investigate the disappearance of two your girls and the murder of their parents. But nothing they find while investigating makes sense.
With a ton of magic battles, the group race across the island trying to stop what? Human traffickers, drug runners, or rogue magic wielders bent on freeing an imprisoned old god, releasing hell on earth. Lewis packs her stories with action, snarky heroes who border on maniacs and a mystery that keeps you guessing right until the end.
Bring on the next book!

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole and her allies are once again on the move. Investigating one family at a time they are working tirelessly to rid the users of blood magic and thwart any and all plans to resurrect ancient god, perform ritualistic sacrifices, eliminate any and all cults hiding under the guise of religion and their work is still not done.

There are more families to stop. Nicole is still learning how to use and harness her magic, and her nemesis former hookup is still lurking beneath the shadows sending her constant letters and photos of his heinous misdeeds from around the globe.

Strap in because things are getting messy. I am totally invested in this series and hope the next book doesn't take too long.

Thank you, Nerd Fam, for the gifted eARC.

[Cindy Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put it down. I read the entire book in one sitting. Great action, amazing character development. I long to hear more on Devlin and Alek. The ending was fantastic, i was sad it was over after that and the bomb shell on the last chapter. I read all 3 books in one week and am now hooked on not only this series but the author. I can not wait to hear the rest of the stories from all the characters. Martha made me cry in those last chapters, it is hard for a book to do that to me.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC

[Marie Harwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I hope there are more books in this series soon, I love the characters.
"Sometimes you have to become a monster to fight another monster."
Nicole and her team of powerful mages are trying to solve crimes and eliminate forbidden magic practicers. But as powerful people get in the way and they seem to have more questions than answers; they begin to wonder if they will ever get to the bottom of things. Will they be able to put the pieces together to find who is responsible? Will they ever track down all the leads they seem to have?

[Rita Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad Tribe finally arrived. I crave this series. After reading Lineage & Zealot, I wanted more. And Ms. Lewis delivered. Nicole is one of my favorite characters of all time. She’s a mess, but finds strength in her friends & herself.

Nicole & gang solve the mystery of the four murdered people & the kidnapping of two girls despite that it puts herself & friends in danger. She never backs down no matter how much she might want. She wants to protect the innocent.

Now I am eagerly awaiting the fourth book in the series.

[Dani Baskette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a trilogy! Imagine my surprise when I finished and realized there was definitely going to be another book. I liked this one better than the first 2 books, and I liked the other 2 books! I felt like the pacing was really good, and I couldn't put it down. I think I read it in 3 sittings. (I work or it might have been 2 sittings!) I gave this one 4.5 stars. Thank you @NerdFam and @CVonzaleLewis for the gifted eARC. I received the first 3 books in exchange for an honest review.

[R.J. Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole is back and quickly finds herself drawn into a murder mystery. Although it had been a while since I read the first two books, I was still able to easily follow the new storyline. This installment felt intimate and character-driven, which I love, while also being suspenseful with plenty of twists and turns. This might be my favorite book in the series!

[Elizabeth Banks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

I tried but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't enjoy the other 2 books in the series but I thought that book 3 might change my mind but it didn't. I wasnt interested in the story or anything about it.