Fortune's Curse

Witches of Long Beach #1

by J.C. Yeamans

Frustrated, longing for love, and…cursed.

With the help of her arrogant Morkie familiar, Fortune Whittle is a single woman in her forties straddling two worlds—the Unremarkable world of humans and the hidden fae realm that has invaded her city. But she’s not just an ordinary woman. She’s a cursed witch, hiding her secret and struggling to control her magic without the help of a charmed copper band. Should she submit to Nana’s demands to join the local coven for help, or continue her quest in solitude?

After the tampering of a portal in a local lagoon, Fortune begins to question everything. Two gorgeous men—one a local Unremarkable detective from England and the other a Tylwyth Teg fairy—compete for her attention while she races against time to uncover the cause of a mysterious series of drownings.

Fortune’s Curse is Book 1 in Witches of Long Beach, an enthralling, character-driven urban fantasy series. If you like urban fantasy with flawed but strong heroines, found family, mystery, humor, and sizzling romance, you’ll love this new series from author J.C. Yeamans.

This is a dynamic series, and the books should be read in order. Contains profanity and adult situations.
A content review for all books in this series can be found on the author’s website.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Sign up for my newsletter at https://jcyeamans.com/ to stay informed on new releases, and join my reader group Books Around the Cauldron at https://www.facebook.com/groups/jcyea....

J.C. Yeamans is an international selling author of Romantic Contemporary Fantasy. A resident of Delaware for the majority of her life, she now resides in Southern California. She writes character-driven fantasy fiction that explores folklore and the supernatural through the elements of mystery and romance.

She has published multiple works of fiction and is the author of The Bearsden Witch and Witches of Long Beach series.

Reviews

[Cat B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a marvellous start to a new series from this author. J.C. writes wonderful full bodied characters. Flawed and sometimes jaded but most definitely engaging. Our protagonist in the Witches of Long Beach series, Fortune, lives with her Nana and her "Morkie" familiar. Fortune is adverse to joining a coven lest they discover her secret. I was excited when this first of a new series dropped and I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and eagerly await the second. If this is your genre then you are in for a treat. If it's a new fork in the road for you then come on in, the water's fine although maybe a bit crowded...
I received a copy of this book via the author and I voluntarily leave my opinion of the tale.

[Lu Finegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortune Whittle comes from a long line of witches and everyone expects her to be strong and powerful in the craft. However, a curse renders her magic unreliable and useless. “Fortune’s Curse” is set in Long Beach, California, where witches, fairies and other magical creatures hide in modern-day society.

I found this story and concept intriguing and the characters very real and believable. They are imperfect and make mistakes, have anxieties and fears just like we all do. Fortune’s snarky familiar, Norm, is a fresh and fun departure from the expected cat. The witches and beings living among “unremarkables”, while hiding their true nature, is a commentary on how individuals approach new friendships and relationships. How much do we share with our coworkers, new friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, as they get to know us? We make cautious decisions as we let people into our world little by little and only let our closest friends see our true selves.

I hope to see more in this series from J.C. Yeamans. I recommend this for anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy with relatable characters.

4/5 Lu Finegan 2/2026

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her snarky familiar Norm at her side, Fortune Whittle tries not to think too much about the curse she has been living under all her life making her a witch with magic that is hard to control. Without the charmed copper bracelet that Fortune must wear at all times, she cannot consider joining the local coven and have everyone know about her curse. But when a death occurs near her home, Fortune knows that the killer is not of this world and now an unremarkable, (someone with no magic,) police detective is wondering if Fortune knows anything about the murder. Attracted to the police detective who is not magical will not make her grandmother happy, but the heart feels what it feels. Someone is killing innocent people and Fortune knows that there is strength in numbers and she must attend coven meetings to get some help in stopping a killer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to Book 2. This is my honest and voluntary review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune Whittle is a witch, a cursed witch. Because of the curse her Nana has made her a bracelet to supress her uncontrollable magic. She has a Morkie familiar that is helping her try to gain some control.
It seems someone has tampered with a portal in a local Long Beach lagoon and they have turned the salt water to fresh. After that they learn of people being killed and Fortune connects the two happenings and thinks something came through the portal and is commiting the murders. Her Nana has them join a coven hoping they can her Fortune with the curse, but they end up helping her with the problem at the lagoon. She also meets an unremarkable police officer that she likes, but she is still interested in a fairy she has been with.
An exciting story in a new series.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune is still trying to control her magic with the help of Norman, her familiar, and her grandmother. Perhaps she is doing this the hard way but she really does not want to join the local coven.When more than one drowning occurs it is obvious it is not a coincidence. In a town where magic has to stay hidden she steps in to find who is doing this. Time is of the essence and with the help of two handsome men who are vying for her attention, at least she is not alone. I truly love how J.C. Brings the characters to life. Each journey that Fortune has is page turning, sit on the edge of your seat story.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortune Whittle is a cursed witch. Her Nana worries about her so much and does not want her to get into trouble and push her ability to control her powers. I both enjoyed and disliked her Morkie familiar Norm. However, he truly wanted Fortune to open new possibilities. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Fortune and the detective. But Fortunes love life is not easy, her exes also appear as everything unfolds. There is a lot to enjoy about this book, it took me a bit to get into but in the end it kept me engaged. I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lorraine Conniff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hoping this is the first of a new series by J C Yeamans, I am hooked.... Fortune is a witch who lives with her grandmother and her familiar Morkie. Unfortunately her magic fires up when she doesn't want it to, so her Grandmother makes her a magical bracelet which holds her magic at bay.
Someone has been tampering with the water in the local lagoon, so Fortune and her Gran join forces with the local coven to try and solve what is happening. She has two males, one a Tylwyth Teg Fairy and the other human, vying for her attention. Then there are murders....

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when an otherwise-skilled and knowledgeable witch can't use her magic without disasters happening? JC Yeamans has given us an intriguing answer in Fortune's Curse, her latest mystery. It's the first of a new series, set in the same alternate world as her Bearsden Witch series, so following the same rules of magic. If anything, it's even better than the Bearsden Witch series, which I loved. I can't wait to read more in this new series!

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid way to start a new series we have cursed witch that makes using her magic dangerous, a magic dog familiar that is a little mischief, and a nosey grandma. We got love triangles , mysterious deaths that we have to solve it was a fun read and looking forward to the next book in the series

[Shelly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortune is a witch. She has a difficult time with her magick. Her Grandma and her familiar, Norman, try to help her but Fortune doesn't really believe anything will work.
A series of drownings gets her involved with the local coven. The killer is a supernatural being but the police can't know that.
It really takes a village to solve these crimes.
I enjoyed this book. Fortune is intelligent, snarky, and funny. There are a lot of characters to keep straight but we are reminded who they are. I did find the book to be rather wordy. Still, a very good introduction to this new series.

[Amanda Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! I love the mystery surrounding both main character and the happenings in town. It's Fun and Sassy and really amazing. The relationships between Fortune and the people around her and connects with is complicated but full of friendship and love.

[Olivette M Aviso · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting character J.C .'s heroine is! She keeps up with all the mischief and keeps her love life rich and rewarding too. Hmmnn...and I see there are more volumes of this busy lady ready to be investigated. Great start for the series!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of a new series. Loved the new cast of characters 👌. Looking forward to the next installment of the series. Highly reccomend for anyone needing a super natural, mid life, mystery.

[connie deloach · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start for a new series. Loved the storyline and characters. Unputdownable. Can’t wait for the next 😁

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this author's first series, Midlife Witch, and looked forward to the start of this new series. It did not disappoint! Fortune is in her 40's, single, and a witch with unpredictable magic due to a family curse. She has to contain the magic with the help of a bracelet that has been charmed by her nana, who is a powerful witch. Strange things have been happening in Long Beach, a portal may have been compromised and there are unexplained deaths, so Fortune reluctantly agrees to work with the local coven to hopefully solve the mysteries and just maybe get a grip on the curse that haunts her. As in the Midlife Witch series, the characters take center stage. Fortune is a bit edgy, with a strong personality that is nearly matched by her nana. Her unusual familiar, Norman, is a fun, quirky addition to the cast of supporting characters; which include fae, 'Unremarkable' humans, and other witches. If you like urban fantasy, with compelling and unusual characters, a good mystery, with plenty of snark and friendship thrown in, be sure to pick up this start to what promises to be a terrific series!

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating
A remarkable tale of a cursed witch living in both the unremarkable world and the realm of the fae. I absolutely loved this clever and different view of the magic around us. The people have depth and reality beyond the written word. The events were a mix of every day normal and magical happenings. I received my copy as a gift from the author and can’t wait for the next book!