This book and series is like a train pulling out of a station, slow and steady, gaining momentum, until it's speeding along, fast but smooth. That's how perfect the pacing is, that's how well these incredible authors have me riveted from the beginning of this series and I am enjoying the ride, immensely!
With the Flame firmly back where it belongs, with her magic finally unlocked, Bea can breathe a little easier. Except....yes, there's an 'except' in the form of her guilt at having neglected her bff Maddie and there's a mystery to solve, bringing her PI juices to full alert. When 2 witches ask Bea to find a missing familiar, well, she discovers a whole host of the 'unbelievable'. From the Flame, to Maddie issue, to the Coven, to the missing familiars. The mystery surrounding the why, the who, was so expertly concealed and when the whodunnit is exposed, my jaw dropped! It's a brilliant skill these authors possess, directing me on one path, veering off onto another, seamlessly, authentically, magically.
Gosh are these characters cool! I love them all, Ernie, Yanni, Alice, Jonah but especially Ezra, Nour, Maddie and the sweetest doggy on the planet, Eva. How does one NOT love Fraser? He's utterly dedicated to Bea, he's suave and charming, he's patient and gentle and respectful and considerate and listens! Plus he's gorgeous... and completely head over heels in love with Bea, the mate thing an added bonus. He doesn't even blink in his support for Bea, doing whatever he can to ease her mind. Like with Maddie, my heavens, when he suggested a solution to help Maddie, my heart squealed with warmth. Mr Deadly Nice Guy kind of would be an apt description of Fraser. His love for Bea supercedes the bond his skin started, his love for Bea is pure, beautiful and so very hot. Bea herself has grown, she accepts, she learns, she perseveres. I love the stronger, more resilient Bea that she's developed into, how her magic has evolved. As Ernie so eloquently said, 'Your magic has come along in leaps and bounds over the last couple of months. Not just because of the return of the Flame, but also because of your increase in confidence.’ But it's the emotions she wears on her sleeve that make me love Bea. She will, and does, everything she can to right what she inadvertently started when she fled Witchlight.
The whole Ernie and Yanni 'thang' is hilarious, and sweet, and beautiful. As is the Maddie and Lestat 'thang'. Who would have thought that Lestat, a vampire assassin and Maddie would get it on, but they do. Lestat is so obviously besotted with Maddie, it makes me all gooey inside. However.... Maddie is slowly unravelling and Bea is desperate to help her. That help takes the most unexpected turn, where I was rejoicing, until the authors hit me again. Oy was I distraught when THAT happened! It came out of the blue and socked me good! There's the reminder never to be complacent or think I can predict where this story is going, each time, I have the rug pulled out from under me.... I teared up so much, I had to blink furiously to clear my vision, and then I was delivered another whammy, like frek, NOOOOOOO!!!
Anxiety, addiction, allaying real fear, acceptance, self confidence, friendship and love are the backbone to this series. These real world issues are realistically and sensitively handled by the authors. This book was as much Maddie's story as it was Bea's, and shoot, the last dozen or so chapters were heightened , unputdownable, they conveyed so much angst, in true form, which made me barley blink in case I missed something. The White Wine Coven, which started as a joke, suddenly became a life saver, literally! A sisterhood emerged between Bea, Maddie and Nour, one of complete trust, affection and respect, one that changed them all forever. And the cost, oh hell, the cost of this amazing, incredible event, almost ended me! The authors upped the tension, upped the ante with each chapter, culminating in an event that was as emotional as it was joyous.
This book, more than the rest before, tugged on every part of me, took me through so many highs, nearly annihilated me with the lows, but at the same time, left me with a sense of right. It so reminded me of why I loved the TV series Charmed so much, because, not only did this book and series charm me... well, the authors did...the power of 3 burned a trail of delight through me. I'm loving this series more with each book, I'm loving the characters more with each book and I am in major anticipation mode for the final countdown to Granny dearest... especially with that mind-blowing ending that shattered me, I can't wait for more!