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Dame of the Midnight Relics #8
Unearthing Gaia's Heartstone
Being a Relic Keeper is never simple, but this time I might be in over my head.
When a mysterious artifact called Gaia's Heartstone goes missing from a secretive coven in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I'm called in to retrieve it—because that's what I do. But containing dangerous magical relics before they cause catastrophic damage is never easy, and something is definitely off about this new job.
Glowing groundwater, plants aging decades in hours, and random gravity wells are just the appetizers on this smorgasbord of magical chaos. I'm also up against the Sisters of the Northern Pines who aren't telling me everything. And heir leader Sylvia has secrets darker than the ancient forests she protects.
There's just no such thing as a simple assignment in this business.
With my best friends Kaiya and Aeira by my side, we're diving into a centuries-old conspiracy and nothing is as it seems. The Heartstone isn't just a magical trinket—it's alive, it's choosing sides, and it might just select me as its new vessel. Did I mention relic keeping doesn't come with hazard pay?
I've handled treacherous artifacts before, but this one threatens to reshape the very earth beneath our feet. And I'm beginning to think containing it might require a sacrifice I'm not prepared to make.
If I fail, it won't just be Michigan's wilderness that pays the price—the magical balance of the entire world hangs in the balance. No pressure, right?
When a mysterious artifact called Gaia's Heartstone goes missing from a secretive coven in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I'm called in to retrieve it—because that's what I do. But containing dangerous magical relics before they cause catastrophic damage is never easy, and something is definitely off about this new job.
Glowing groundwater, plants aging decades in hours, and random gravity wells are just the appetizers on this smorgasbord of magical chaos. I'm also up against the Sisters of the Northern Pines who aren't telling me everything. And heir leader Sylvia has secrets darker than the ancient forests she protects.
There's just no such thing as a simple assignment in this business.
With my best friends Kaiya and Aeira by my side, we're diving into a centuries-old conspiracy and nothing is as it seems. The Heartstone isn't just a magical trinket—it's alive, it's choosing sides, and it might just select me as its new vessel. Did I mention relic keeping doesn't come with hazard pay?
I've handled treacherous artifacts before, but this one threatens to reshape the very earth beneath our feet. And I'm beginning to think containing it might require a sacrifice I'm not prepared to make.
If I fail, it won't just be Michigan's wilderness that pays the price—the magical balance of the entire world hangs in the balance. No pressure, right?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2026
35 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Trim
368 books769 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 21, 2026
Wow what a ride! Nylah, Kaiya & Aeira are in the thick of another paranormal investigation and retrieval. Things get crazy really fast and it was hard to put my kindle down.
Excellent story and the characters are amazing butt kicking women who take on paranormal beings like it was nothing. Well not nothing they do have to fight and save the world.
This story was action packed and kept me reading. The author does an excellent job keeping the story moving until you realize the book is done.
Highly recommend! But if this is your first book by the author I highly recommend starting at the beginning because you get to know the characters and why they are retrieving paranormal artifacts.
In fact, I highly recommend all of the authors books! You won't regret it.
Excellent story and the characters are amazing butt kicking women who take on paranormal beings like it was nothing. Well not nothing they do have to fight and save the world.
This story was action packed and kept me reading. The author does an excellent job keeping the story moving until you realize the book is done.
Highly recommend! But if this is your first book by the author I highly recommend starting at the beginning because you get to know the characters and why they are retrieving paranormal artifacts.
In fact, I highly recommend all of the authors books! You won't regret it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Witches, The Artifact, and The Wardrobe of Memories
This is book 9 of Dame of the Midnight Relics and helps to have read previous for character history and origin.
Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira are called on to look into the disappearance of a mysterious artifact, Gaia's Heartstone that went missing from a very secretive coven located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This artifact though is more powerful than they realize and connected to many magical maladies now taking place across the planet. The problem is it appears the artifact was initially stolen from the rightful owners and was being used for nefarious purposes such as memory removal or memory death and control of others against their will. In researching what occurred, the ladies uncover disturbing facts that lead to the disappearance of the artifact.
The secretive coven was lead by Sylvia who turns out has been practicing blood magic to continue the misuse of the artifact and may be working with another previous member, a dark practitioner, Eleanor, that means to steal the artifact and use it to gain ultimate power and control. The artifact though, has been under a form of protection with the Fenris guard and dire wolves although they were being controlled by the misuse. The theft of the artifact and removal from it's sacred post has unleased negative forces, such as the Hunger Wraiths, that threaten them all.
Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira along with the Fenris guards, loyal members of the coven and the dire wolves team up, with a magical oath, to take on locating the darkly empowered and the artifact. Nylah's relic hunter abilities are put to the test while she attempts to keep those skills under cover.
The team heads to an old mining infrastructure where experiments were or are being held and is heavily protected. They attempt to investigate the protections and rituals being used while fending off mechanical spiders and bears. Upon escaping, they are greeted by a surprise in the form of Agnes, the original coven historian for over 60 years only Agnes was glamoured as Meredith. Agnes though, is more than that, possibly a demon and states she had been using Eleanor as a tool to achieve her goals. With the ladies surrounded by a magical containment circle, apparently designed specifically by Agnes for the ladies magical signatures, they hear motorcycles that have runes who are the Iron Fangs, working with Agnes only Nylah's anger broke loose along with her magic and combining her skills with Kaiya and Aeira, they manage to break through the containment leaving the Iron Fangs scattered around like discarded action figures.
The team figures out their next stop with more twists and turns uncovered including discovering Agnes may be under a compulsion by Eleanor which means...what? How does this impact their findings or who is really behind all this?
Needless to say, Nylah's daughters are kidnapped and brought to an underwater cave where the altar and artifacts are being held, along with the displaced spirits. Nylah is of course, incensed and terrified for her daughters. The team manages to get to this underwater cave and takes on the battle with Eleanor, seeing Agnes pulled under compulsion. Nylah's skills are required for her to release the artifacts from their misdirected prison and releasing the trapped spirits. Agnes manages to break free and assists with breaking the containment that had imprisoned Nylah's daughters. With the artifacts, spirits and Nylah's daughters freed, the team takes on the Hunger Wraiths. Can they find a way to release them or imprison them safely?
Read this interesting story to find out what happens! This is a good story although the flow is a little challenging.
This is book 9 of Dame of the Midnight Relics and helps to have read previous for character history and origin.
Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira are called on to look into the disappearance of a mysterious artifact, Gaia's Heartstone that went missing from a very secretive coven located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This artifact though is more powerful than they realize and connected to many magical maladies now taking place across the planet. The problem is it appears the artifact was initially stolen from the rightful owners and was being used for nefarious purposes such as memory removal or memory death and control of others against their will. In researching what occurred, the ladies uncover disturbing facts that lead to the disappearance of the artifact.
The secretive coven was lead by Sylvia who turns out has been practicing blood magic to continue the misuse of the artifact and may be working with another previous member, a dark practitioner, Eleanor, that means to steal the artifact and use it to gain ultimate power and control. The artifact though, has been under a form of protection with the Fenris guard and dire wolves although they were being controlled by the misuse. The theft of the artifact and removal from it's sacred post has unleased negative forces, such as the Hunger Wraiths, that threaten them all.
Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira along with the Fenris guards, loyal members of the coven and the dire wolves team up, with a magical oath, to take on locating the darkly empowered and the artifact. Nylah's relic hunter abilities are put to the test while she attempts to keep those skills under cover.
The team heads to an old mining infrastructure where experiments were or are being held and is heavily protected. They attempt to investigate the protections and rituals being used while fending off mechanical spiders and bears. Upon escaping, they are greeted by a surprise in the form of Agnes, the original coven historian for over 60 years only Agnes was glamoured as Meredith. Agnes though, is more than that, possibly a demon and states she had been using Eleanor as a tool to achieve her goals. With the ladies surrounded by a magical containment circle, apparently designed specifically by Agnes for the ladies magical signatures, they hear motorcycles that have runes who are the Iron Fangs, working with Agnes only Nylah's anger broke loose along with her magic and combining her skills with Kaiya and Aeira, they manage to break through the containment leaving the Iron Fangs scattered around like discarded action figures.
The team figures out their next stop with more twists and turns uncovered including discovering Agnes may be under a compulsion by Eleanor which means...what? How does this impact their findings or who is really behind all this?
Needless to say, Nylah's daughters are kidnapped and brought to an underwater cave where the altar and artifacts are being held, along with the displaced spirits. Nylah is of course, incensed and terrified for her daughters. The team manages to get to this underwater cave and takes on the battle with Eleanor, seeing Agnes pulled under compulsion. Nylah's skills are required for her to release the artifacts from their misdirected prison and releasing the trapped spirits. Agnes manages to break free and assists with breaking the containment that had imprisoned Nylah's daughters. With the artifacts, spirits and Nylah's daughters freed, the team takes on the Hunger Wraiths. Can they find a way to release them or imprison them safely?
Read this interesting story to find out what happens! This is a good story although the flow is a little challenging.
January 5, 2026
Nylah, Kaiya & Aeira are in the thick of it this time. The Pleiades, Phoebe calls Nylah and tells her that she needs her to handle the retrieval of a stolen artifact from a coven up in Michigan- Gaia’s Hearthstone. There are a lot of disturbances that are spreading outward. Since Phoebe is 8 months preggers with triplets of the god, Aidon, son of Hades & Persephone, there was a lot going on. Her people were all out on their own missions. Arjun, Nylah’s husband will stay home with Maisy & Amelie. Those two are learning quickly and want to help, but they are still teens and need to finish schooling and won’t be going out on the dangerous missions for a while yet.
We find out that things are getting really bad because Gaia’s Hearthstone was stolen and that its wards on very scary things are breaking. HOLY COW! Seriously, I needed the AC on, was chewing on my nails and was fear sweating and muttering curses all over the place with my eyes so wide, I think I stopped blinking for at least half the book, lol. The fight scenes are epic. The mythos is awesome. Another Apocalypse, check. Loads of bad guys, check. Bunch of scary stuff happening, check. lol
I love Brylan, the Pegasus, because he is so vocal and protective of Nylah, Aeira, & Kaiya. He is awesome. Who wouldn't want to ride a Pegasus to work? From the moment they touch down near where they are supposed to meet the coven leader, Sylvia, things get bad. They continue in the bad zone until it gets to the freaky bad zone and onward to the next and next and next zones from there.
As we meet members of the coven and the investigation begins, my uh oh freakometer hit new tones. I felt sick to my stomach for half the book. Our relic hunters hit a bunch of dead ends with the investigation and then weird things begin to happen. Rare and freaky mythological creatures show up and they are ticked and hungry. It was like watching a horror movie. I actually screamed a few times when I turned the page and read something that freaked me out, lol. There are a bunch of revelations that change EVERYTHING!!
Omg. I cried a lot during this book as it just broke my heart. Then a bunch of small little things that bothered me began to get bigger and bigger and I realized a few things that I won’t say, because they would be spoilers. lol. Then things get oh so so so so bad. Where unspeakable things happen and they want to do so much more of the same. There is a lot of evil things talked of in this book. It bothered me, but our relic hunters kicked some major booty in this book. The Heartstone is so much more than was said at the beginning. But, like I’ve said before, more bad is coming for all the different people in the series- for the Backside of 40 in England, for Phoebe in Maine, and to the Twisted Sisters in NOLA. I can’t wait.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We find out that things are getting really bad because Gaia’s Hearthstone was stolen and that its wards on very scary things are breaking. HOLY COW! Seriously, I needed the AC on, was chewing on my nails and was fear sweating and muttering curses all over the place with my eyes so wide, I think I stopped blinking for at least half the book, lol. The fight scenes are epic. The mythos is awesome. Another Apocalypse, check. Loads of bad guys, check. Bunch of scary stuff happening, check. lol
I love Brylan, the Pegasus, because he is so vocal and protective of Nylah, Aeira, & Kaiya. He is awesome. Who wouldn't want to ride a Pegasus to work? From the moment they touch down near where they are supposed to meet the coven leader, Sylvia, things get bad. They continue in the bad zone until it gets to the freaky bad zone and onward to the next and next and next zones from there.
As we meet members of the coven and the investigation begins, my uh oh freakometer hit new tones. I felt sick to my stomach for half the book. Our relic hunters hit a bunch of dead ends with the investigation and then weird things begin to happen. Rare and freaky mythological creatures show up and they are ticked and hungry. It was like watching a horror movie. I actually screamed a few times when I turned the page and read something that freaked me out, lol. There are a bunch of revelations that change EVERYTHING!!
Omg. I cried a lot during this book as it just broke my heart. Then a bunch of small little things that bothered me began to get bigger and bigger and I realized a few things that I won’t say, because they would be spoilers. lol. Then things get oh so so so so bad. Where unspeakable things happen and they want to do so much more of the same. There is a lot of evil things talked of in this book. It bothered me, but our relic hunters kicked some major booty in this book. The Heartstone is so much more than was said at the beginning. But, like I’ve said before, more bad is coming for all the different people in the series- for the Backside of 40 in England, for Phoebe in Maine, and to the Twisted Sisters in NOLA. I can’t wait.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2026
The disappearance of a mysterious artifact, Gaia's Heartstone is the latest challenge for Nylah, Kaiya and Aeira. The artifact was stolen to be used for nefarious purposes and if they do not retrieve it terrible things will happen.
Brenda Trim has once again written an entertaining story you can lose yourself in. She writes amazing and imaginative paranormal stories that are full of action, fun and lots of sarcasm. This is book 9 in the Dame of the Midnight Relics series and book 59 of Midlife Mysteries & Magic series. I highly recommend both series, you will not regret reading it starting with the first book in the Midlife Mysteries & Magic (Magical New Beginnings) or the first one in the Dame of the Midnight Relics (Surprised by a Supernatural Start).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brenda Trim has once again written an entertaining story you can lose yourself in. She writes amazing and imaginative paranormal stories that are full of action, fun and lots of sarcasm. This is book 9 in the Dame of the Midnight Relics series and book 59 of Midlife Mysteries & Magic series. I highly recommend both series, you will not regret reading it starting with the first book in the Midlife Mysteries & Magic (Magical New Beginnings) or the first one in the Dame of the Midnight Relics (Surprised by a Supernatural Start).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 10, 2026
Tense, lies, deception and release.
The story started off on the right foot but that slippery slope of lies caught them real fast! Lies, deception are the name of the game with a seriously unhinged witch at the center. Centuries of lies and murder have caught up to her and everything is starting to unravel in a bad way. The girls do what they do best and kick butt, which goes into hyper speed when Nylah's daughters are taken and brought into the fray! A mother's fury can be scary! They win the day with the help of the Fenrir and Dire wolves. Looking forward to another exciting adventure with these three!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story started off on the right foot but that slippery slope of lies caught them real fast! Lies, deception are the name of the game with a seriously unhinged witch at the center. Centuries of lies and murder have caught up to her and everything is starting to unravel in a bad way. The girls do what they do best and kick butt, which goes into hyper speed when Nylah's daughters are taken and brought into the fray! A mother's fury can be scary! They win the day with the help of the Fenrir and Dire wolves. Looking forward to another exciting adventure with these three!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this book down. As the series continues, the storylines grow more sophisticated and delightful.
I've long held an unspoken assumption that within magical circles women of 'like' talents supported each other with peace and love...etc. and in most books this is how magical communities are portrayed. What I absolutely loved about latest installment of the Dame of the Midnight Relics series is that in "UGH" (hahaha) you get a real representation of a small group dynamic. A powerful / popular individual, the followers, the wannabe's... it's all there and it makes for a very compelling read.
If you haven't read this series before, DO IT!
I've long held an unspoken assumption that within magical circles women of 'like' talents supported each other with peace and love...etc. and in most books this is how magical communities are portrayed. What I absolutely loved about latest installment of the Dame of the Midnight Relics series is that in "UGH" (hahaha) you get a real representation of a small group dynamic. A powerful / popular individual, the followers, the wannabe's... it's all there and it makes for a very compelling read.
If you haven't read this series before, DO IT!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nylah, Kaiya, and Aeira head to Michigan's Upper Peninsula after a call from Phoebe. A coven of witches has had a relic stolen and now dangerous magical anomolies are occurring in the area. What they find is a convoluted mess. They soon figure out that they have no real idea who they can and can't trust. The history of the Heartstone is one of betrayal, murder, and magical bindings. In the end, a highly PO'd witch will be what's needed to restore order. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
This is book 9 of Dame of the Midnight Relics. The gang is all back for another adventure. Gaia's Heartstone is missing, and magic has gone haywire. They will face danger at every turn. I love that surprises are placed throughout the story and some twists I did not see coming. My favorite part of this book is the cross over characters.
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.
January 13, 2026
Balance of Magic
When Gaia's Heartstone goes missing, Nylah and her crew are sent to retrieve and deliver it to it's guardian. However, nothing is as it seems and something magically shady is going on. This story was exciting, suspenseful and full of twists. I could not put it down as it kept my interest the entire time. What a book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Gaia's Heartstone goes missing, Nylah and her crew are sent to retrieve and deliver it to it's guardian. However, nothing is as it seems and something magically shady is going on. This story was exciting, suspenseful and full of twists. I could not put it down as it kept my interest the entire time. What a book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2026
Unearthing Gaia's Heartstone book 9 of Dame of the Midnight Relics by Brenda Trim is another great adventure for our gang. I love the danger, mystery and surprises throughout the story and some twists and turns I did not see coming. Highly recommend!.
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.
February 2, 2026
We are back and this time we are chasing the Gaia's Heartstone a mysterious artefact that’s been stolen and not for good reasons. It’s an intriguing read, suspenseful and full of betrayal, danger and twists and turns to keep you spinning as our fantastic characters kick ass and try to work out who they can and cannot trust. Fabulous addition to this incredible series!
January 6, 2026
Interlocking magical signatures things being done to innocent witch's and trapping ghosts and animals in cages for centuries. Not a good thing but Nylah and her cohorts. Always find a way.
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.
January 6, 2026
another crazy bunch of adventures connected to friendships, family and magical mishaps and mayhem
the best bits of this series is the people and magical entities, and how they relate, connect, and try to survive the drama and action.
lust, love, crazy power grabs and bits of awwweee!
the best bits of this series is the people and magical entities, and how they relate, connect, and try to survive the drama and action.
lust, love, crazy power grabs and bits of awwweee!
January 27, 2026
This is a wonderfully written book. I absolutely enjoyed it quite a bit totally kept me captivated. most definitely will be reading this over several times.
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.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews