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Inferno Bound
Not yet published
Expected 10 Feb 26Just because I look like a sweet witch next door doesn’t mean I fight like one.
I was supposed to be the girl who went to a state college, joined my hometown coven, and dodged invites to multi-level marketing parties. Trusting the wrong vamp damned me to a different life.
Now? I’m the pint-sized assassin no one sees coming.
Framed for a crime I didn’t commit, I was forced to become a Shadow, using my fire elemental powers to do the Enclave’s bidding. A decade working alongside the world’s most ruthless bloodsuckers and shifters honed me into a weapon capable of surviving a brutal world.
When a mission pops up in my hometown with the vamp who framed me as the target, I’ll beg, bribe, and coerce my way onto that team. Despite the broody lone wolf lobbying to keep me off this mission, I’ll do anything for vengeance. Even attend my high school reunion.
Inferno Bound is the prequel to the Alchemy of Witches series. If you love fast-paced urban fantasy with quirky characters, found family, and slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, this is the series for you.
I was supposed to be the girl who went to a state college, joined my hometown coven, and dodged invites to multi-level marketing parties. Trusting the wrong vamp damned me to a different life.
Now? I’m the pint-sized assassin no one sees coming.
Framed for a crime I didn’t commit, I was forced to become a Shadow, using my fire elemental powers to do the Enclave’s bidding. A decade working alongside the world’s most ruthless bloodsuckers and shifters honed me into a weapon capable of surviving a brutal world.
When a mission pops up in my hometown with the vamp who framed me as the target, I’ll beg, bribe, and coerce my way onto that team. Despite the broody lone wolf lobbying to keep me off this mission, I’ll do anything for vengeance. Even attend my high school reunion.
Inferno Bound is the prequel to the Alchemy of Witches series. If you love fast-paced urban fantasy with quirky characters, found family, and slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, this is the series for you.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 10, 2026
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Liv is another exceptionally interesting character this very talented author brought to life, she's snarky, sassy and her "couldn't care less" attitude is, at times, hilarious! A small town girl, who left home many years ago a disgrace, had became, in her words, "a killer with a score to settle—even if I didn’t look like it. People rarely saw past the rosy cheeks, petite build, and strawberry-blonde hair." Yep, she's dynamo in a small package... and incredibly good at her job. What led her to being what she is, was first orchestrated by someone she believed in, someone she'd do anything for (and did!) She was lied to, manipulated, used for her witchy powers. Then arrested. Publicly, embarrassingly. All the blame firmly on her 16 year old shoulders. Only, by manifesting into an elemental witch, she suddenly became a hot commodity for the government, she's "enlisted" to a lifetime sentence by the Enclave. Do as they say, when they say, and voilà, an assassin is born...An assassin who has vengeance on her mind, an assassin who's a bit of a loose cannon, who drives her partner Grif insane. To be honest, she drives many to grind their teeth, she does things her way, not like Grif, who was all about cold efficiency on the job. There was nothing he hated more than someone going off script. And she, heck, she loved to go off-script.
When you get glimpses of her past, which Ms McBride teases me with, by giving me just enough to get the picture, hells, I'm ready to deal in revenge! Eli is a leech, not only a vampire but literally sucking a "victim's" confidence one drop at a time. He's the ultimate smooth talking sleezeball who uses his charm and sweet talk to get them to do as he wants. He's so subtle about it, and when they're too far in, he wiggles it for all it's worth! Liv was such a victim, she idolised him, believed him, helped him and he turned his back on her when she was caught. But that and revenge apart, Grif and Liv's assignment is to observe, to find out what Eli's agenda is, not to end him. Except...yes, you got it, Liv is Liv, Liv plays to no one's tune, as hard as she tries! I love how multi layered Lisa's characters are, there are slivers of layers that she peels off one at a time, enticingly, making me drool to see them laid wide open. Then there's Rafe, constantly bearing a scowl, is rather hot, even Liv has to admit it, "Rafe might irritate me, but with hard-fought muscles and tousled dark hair, the man was a work of art." And Aleksei, the boss man, is a by the book kinda guy, so Liv really tries his patience, over and over again! As is the plot, layered and unexpected.
Ms McBride had me on the edge of my seat throughout, geez, that confrontation with Eli really spiked my pulse, I wasn't sure what the outcome would be but, yep, the author snatched my "like what now!" disbelief and tossed it like she was an expert juggler! Liv is dumped once again, this time by her "employee" and a whole new reality opens up. Everything she was, is no longer, "Just as the Enclave had stolen my future at sixteen when they sentenced me to a life as a Shadow, they’d done it again today when they yanked that life away from me." After being controlled in every aspect of her life, this severing leaves Liv in a vacuum, and my heart bled for her. The author spectacularly turned it around, again... I loved the gutsy characters, their vibrancy, I loved the pacing, I loved that Lisa fleshed out this novella perfectly, enticingly.This book is FUN! With well placed angst and action, this book has everything I could possibly ask for, even the hilarious Janis and her friends, Bea, Alyce and Helen! These four powerful witches are just as much "alternative" in their thinking as Liv is, but super supportive, super loving and super awesome! This author has a magic touch, this author is an automatic read for me, this author is superb!
.
When you get glimpses of her past, which Ms McBride teases me with, by giving me just enough to get the picture, hells, I'm ready to deal in revenge! Eli is a leech, not only a vampire but literally sucking a "victim's" confidence one drop at a time. He's the ultimate smooth talking sleezeball who uses his charm and sweet talk to get them to do as he wants. He's so subtle about it, and when they're too far in, he wiggles it for all it's worth! Liv was such a victim, she idolised him, believed him, helped him and he turned his back on her when she was caught. But that and revenge apart, Grif and Liv's assignment is to observe, to find out what Eli's agenda is, not to end him. Except...yes, you got it, Liv is Liv, Liv plays to no one's tune, as hard as she tries! I love how multi layered Lisa's characters are, there are slivers of layers that she peels off one at a time, enticingly, making me drool to see them laid wide open. Then there's Rafe, constantly bearing a scowl, is rather hot, even Liv has to admit it, "Rafe might irritate me, but with hard-fought muscles and tousled dark hair, the man was a work of art." And Aleksei, the boss man, is a by the book kinda guy, so Liv really tries his patience, over and over again! As is the plot, layered and unexpected.
Ms McBride had me on the edge of my seat throughout, geez, that confrontation with Eli really spiked my pulse, I wasn't sure what the outcome would be but, yep, the author snatched my "like what now!" disbelief and tossed it like she was an expert juggler! Liv is dumped once again, this time by her "employee" and a whole new reality opens up. Everything she was, is no longer, "Just as the Enclave had stolen my future at sixteen when they sentenced me to a life as a Shadow, they’d done it again today when they yanked that life away from me." After being controlled in every aspect of her life, this severing leaves Liv in a vacuum, and my heart bled for her. The author spectacularly turned it around, again... I loved the gutsy characters, their vibrancy, I loved the pacing, I loved that Lisa fleshed out this novella perfectly, enticingly.This book is FUN! With well placed angst and action, this book has everything I could possibly ask for, even the hilarious Janis and her friends, Bea, Alyce and Helen! These four powerful witches are just as much "alternative" in their thinking as Liv is, but super supportive, super loving and super awesome! This author has a magic touch, this author is an automatic read for me, this author is superb!
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Liv is an assassin for the Enclave serving her sentence. When she was 16, she trusted the wrong person and ended up being responsible for the deaths of innocent people. After 10 years, she is finally able to get a chance at bringing the vampire who tricked her down. She will finally be able to make sure he can't trick another unsuspecting young girl. But when everything goes sideways, Liv learns things were not what they seemed. Then she also gets news she wasn't expecting, and we see her start a new chapter of her life.
Olivia, Liv, was your average 16 year old. She was great in school, up and coming in her coven and just wanted to help people. She was innocent and naive until a vampire took advantage and had her brewing dangerous potions. When she was caught, she was sentenced to become a Shadow, a secret supernatural assassin. 10 years later, while not as hardened as other, she is a completely different person. She is definitely on the morally grey side. And I cannot wait to read more of the Stitch Witches as well! I adore those ladies!
This is a quick, short prequel but we really get to understand what happened to Liv before working for the Enclave. We got to meet her in the Riley Cruz series when she visits the Stitch Witches, so I am excited to get to know her a little more in her own series. There is a bit of action in this book with the lead up to what will happen in the main series. We get to see the consequences of Liv's choices come back to her. Oh, and I can't forget her little companion Bandit, who is cute - as far as a rat can be! (I am sure I will come to love him and can't wait to find out what secret he has!)
Olivia, Liv, was your average 16 year old. She was great in school, up and coming in her coven and just wanted to help people. She was innocent and naive until a vampire took advantage and had her brewing dangerous potions. When she was caught, she was sentenced to become a Shadow, a secret supernatural assassin. 10 years later, while not as hardened as other, she is a completely different person. She is definitely on the morally grey side. And I cannot wait to read more of the Stitch Witches as well! I adore those ladies!
This is a quick, short prequel but we really get to understand what happened to Liv before working for the Enclave. We got to meet her in the Riley Cruz series when she visits the Stitch Witches, so I am excited to get to know her a little more in her own series. There is a bit of action in this book with the lead up to what will happen in the main series. We get to see the consequences of Liv's choices come back to her. Oh, and I can't forget her little companion Bandit, who is cute - as far as a rat can be! (I am sure I will come to love him and can't wait to find out what secret he has!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want more already!!
From the first line I was hooked. This book gave an amazing insight into Liv and where she had come from. I was thoroughly invested in this character and storyline.
This Prequel novella is set in the same world that inhabits Riley and Kali, who are two of my favourite charters I have ever read and Liv might be joining them on this list. The world build for these inter links series is superb.
Ten years ago, Liv fell for the wrong person and her life was forever changed. Now she is having to deal with people from her past and is trying to figure out what the future holds for her. She is also an Assassin Witch with fire powers!!!
Liv’s character ticks all the boxes for me, Snarky and kick ass. She is dealing with and confronting a whole lot, and she does it with Charm and strength. She is trying to find her place in the world and find what she truly wants.
The story line was engaging from beginning to end, fantastic pacing as is true of all of L.A McBride’s books. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.
This series is definitely one to look out for. I don’t know where it is going but I a certainly ready to find out.
🔥 Vibes 🔥
Return to Hometown
Assassin Witch with fire power – WHAT!-
Revenge
Found family -my jam-
Witches and shifters and vampires oh my!
Packrat buddy
Enemies to lovers
Broody lone wolf
Grumpy X sunshine
From the first line I was hooked. This book gave an amazing insight into Liv and where she had come from. I was thoroughly invested in this character and storyline.
This Prequel novella is set in the same world that inhabits Riley and Kali, who are two of my favourite charters I have ever read and Liv might be joining them on this list. The world build for these inter links series is superb.
Ten years ago, Liv fell for the wrong person and her life was forever changed. Now she is having to deal with people from her past and is trying to figure out what the future holds for her. She is also an Assassin Witch with fire powers!!!
Liv’s character ticks all the boxes for me, Snarky and kick ass. She is dealing with and confronting a whole lot, and she does it with Charm and strength. She is trying to find her place in the world and find what she truly wants.
The story line was engaging from beginning to end, fantastic pacing as is true of all of L.A McBride’s books. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.
This series is definitely one to look out for. I don’t know where it is going but I a certainly ready to find out.
🔥 Vibes 🔥
Return to Hometown
Assassin Witch with fire power – WHAT!-
Revenge
Found family -my jam-
Witches and shifters and vampires oh my!
Packrat buddy
Enemies to lovers
Broody lone wolf
Grumpy X sunshine
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC Reader, all opinions are my own!**
Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, which allowed a vicious vampire to walk free, Liv’s life turned on its head, and she was forced to become a member of the world’s greatest and most deadly organization of assassins, The Shadows, who carry out the black ops work the Enclave needs doing all over the world. When the chance to return to her hometown for a mission comes up, Liv makes it HER mission and heads home to see if she can fix a little unresolved tension.
Being one of the most rare types of elemental witch in the world has its benefits…
It’s Liv’s turn!!! The third series that is set in L. A. McBride’s urban fantasy universe that got its start with the reluctant necromancer Kali James in the West Bottoms area of Kansas City is finally starring the fiery Liv. Liv has been a fan favorite since our first peek at her as the niece of one of the Stitch Witches, and this has been long anticipated. It’s been worth the wait, and I cannot put into words how excited I am for the series that this prequel kicks off. You’re going to LOVE it!
Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, which allowed a vicious vampire to walk free, Liv’s life turned on its head, and she was forced to become a member of the world’s greatest and most deadly organization of assassins, The Shadows, who carry out the black ops work the Enclave needs doing all over the world. When the chance to return to her hometown for a mission comes up, Liv makes it HER mission and heads home to see if she can fix a little unresolved tension.
Being one of the most rare types of elemental witch in the world has its benefits…
It’s Liv’s turn!!! The third series that is set in L. A. McBride’s urban fantasy universe that got its start with the reluctant necromancer Kali James in the West Bottoms area of Kansas City is finally starring the fiery Liv. Liv has been a fan favorite since our first peek at her as the niece of one of the Stitch Witches, and this has been long anticipated. It’s been worth the wait, and I cannot put into words how excited I am for the series that this prequel kicks off. You’re going to LOVE it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Inferno Bound is a prequel novella for a new series, and boy does it kick things off with a bang!
Liv (Olivia) is a fire witch with a complicated past and lots of secrets. Life took a huge turn for her as a teenager, upending all she knew when she was forced to become a Shadow and now she has vengeance in her sights. This first book covers some big events and changes in Liv’s life. There is action, peril, magic, new beginnings, some lighter moments and hints of a slow burn romance to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and really cannot wait for more. Liv is a (excuse the pun) firecracker of a character and I definitely want to get to know her better.
L.A. McBride is fairly new-to-me author, but since discovering her books, I’ve been devouring them at a rate of knots. This latest series is set within the same ‘universe’ as previous books, but can be read as a standalone series. I cannot recommend these books highly enough, both the new book and those which have come before.
Liv (Olivia) is a fire witch with a complicated past and lots of secrets. Life took a huge turn for her as a teenager, upending all she knew when she was forced to become a Shadow and now she has vengeance in her sights. This first book covers some big events and changes in Liv’s life. There is action, peril, magic, new beginnings, some lighter moments and hints of a slow burn romance to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and really cannot wait for more. Liv is a (excuse the pun) firecracker of a character and I definitely want to get to know her better.
L.A. McBride is fairly new-to-me author, but since discovering her books, I’ve been devouring them at a rate of knots. This latest series is set within the same ‘universe’ as previous books, but can be read as a standalone series. I cannot recommend these books highly enough, both the new book and those which have come before.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novella was a great introduction to this new series, set in the same world as the Kali James and Riley Cruz series. Liv is a fire elemental witch and as part of her punishment for a crime she was supposed to have committed 10 years before, she has had to become an assassin for the Enclave. She is supposed to follow orders to the letters, but Liv is far too independent and feisty to do that. If she can get the job done her way, then that's the way she will do it, regardless of what her partner or boss actually want.
Her current job takes her back home to her small town, where the vampire who caused many, if not all, of her problems has reappeared, trying his tricks again. Liv will do anything to stop him even though she is only meant to be observing him this time round. There's no way Liv will let him get away with it again!
Liv was a great character - I loved how she stood up for herself, putting herself into dangerous situations to get the results she wanted. And the reappearance of the Stitch Witches was great - I can't wait to see if there will be some crossovers with Kali and Riley at some point. I think all three of these young women would make a formidable team together! Can't wait to get onto the first full book in this series as soon as it comes out!
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but this review is my own honest one.
Her current job takes her back home to her small town, where the vampire who caused many, if not all, of her problems has reappeared, trying his tricks again. Liv will do anything to stop him even though she is only meant to be observing him this time round. There's no way Liv will let him get away with it again!
Liv was a great character - I loved how she stood up for herself, putting herself into dangerous situations to get the results she wanted. And the reappearance of the Stitch Witches was great - I can't wait to see if there will be some crossovers with Kali and Riley at some point. I think all three of these young women would make a formidable team together! Can't wait to get onto the first full book in this series as soon as it comes out!
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but this review is my own honest one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When we meet Liv, the FMC in Inferno Bound, she’s working as a Shadow assassin as punishment for a crime she supposedly committed as a teenager. An opportunity arises on a case involving the person who set her up to take the fall 10 years ago, she jumps on it, hoping to exact her revenge and clear her name. She’s only supposed to investigate and let her partner handle the interrogation, but when things go awry, the decisions she makes will change the direction of her future.
I really liked Liv, her life took a turn when she made some poor decisions as a teen, but she’s managed to thrive on her new path. Her actions in this novella have some pretty big ramifications and I’m excited to see the shenanigans she gets into with her new coven. I really enjoyed this novella, and I cannot wait to read the first book in this new series from one of my favorite authors!
I really liked Liv, her life took a turn when she made some poor decisions as a teen, but she’s managed to thrive on her new path. Her actions in this novella have some pretty big ramifications and I’m excited to see the shenanigans she gets into with her new coven. I really enjoyed this novella, and I cannot wait to read the first book in this new series from one of my favorite authors!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was super lucky to get Inferno Bound as an ARC from the fabulous L.A McBride.
This is the start of a new series (but set in the same world) as her two previous awesome series which featured Kali and Riley respectively, who are kickass FMC’s and now Liv joins the team with this new series.
10 years ago as a 16 year old, girl next door kind of witch, she trusted the wrong vampire. Convicted and sentenced she becomes part of the most deadly group of assassins, The Shadows.
Now, she’s heading back home to right the wrongs she was accused of, and maybe attend her high school reunion while she’s there.
This is the prequel, so totally not long enough. I wanted more!
Plus, the downside of being an ARC reader, I have to wait longer for the next one.
I’ve been a fan since 2022, and this is a great start to new adventures I can’t wait to read.
This is the start of a new series (but set in the same world) as her two previous awesome series which featured Kali and Riley respectively, who are kickass FMC’s and now Liv joins the team with this new series.
10 years ago as a 16 year old, girl next door kind of witch, she trusted the wrong vampire. Convicted and sentenced she becomes part of the most deadly group of assassins, The Shadows.
Now, she’s heading back home to right the wrongs she was accused of, and maybe attend her high school reunion while she’s there.
This is the prequel, so totally not long enough. I wanted more!
Plus, the downside of being an ARC reader, I have to wait longer for the next one.
I’ve been a fan since 2022, and this is a great start to new adventures I can’t wait to read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Feisty. Fascinating. Full of Fire ~ that describes Olivia (Liv) Monroe! To all appearances, shes a small-town girl next door, all pink cheeks, bouncy blonde hair, and lip gloss. However, 10 years ago, at 16, she fell in love. Liv was duped, fooled, misled, and tricked by an evil Vampire, posing as her boyfriend. An embarrassment to her Coven, she was banished. Conscripted by a supernatural Compound and trained as an assassin, she spent the next 10 years exterminating scummy supes! Now, it seems as though her ex-vampire-boyfriend is up to his nasty tricks again, targeting another teenage witch in her hometown. Liv plans to claim a spot on the mission. Can she capture Eli the Vamp and redeem her reputation? Will she finally be able to take a vacation? Can she escape attending her high school reunion?!?! LOL I loved this prequel in Ms. McBride's new series, 'Alchemy of Witches'! Set in the same world as "The Relic Hunter ' and 'Fastening The Grave' this series is definitely a 5-star read!!! Arc read available Feb 10, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This author has become an immediate read even without reading the blurb, because I just enjoy her writing so much. This was definitely the case with this prequel. Only as I started reading it did I realize that it was a minor character from her previous series. LOL! Anyway, I love how we learned her backstory, and how she’s going forward with her life after the events of her past are seen in a different light after an op she goes on. I don’t want to say anything spoiler-ish. This is a great introduction to what I’m sure will be a great series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this prequel to a new series set in the Kali James world. Liv is on a mission that’s as personal as it is dangerous and we get a glimpse into the situation that has her serving time as a shadow. If you haven’t read any of the other books in this world you can start here but I’d recommend going to the start with Kali and reading in publication order. Liv is a talented, headstrong witch with a grudge and is sent on a strictly no contact mission. It’s a short introduction to her world and is fast paced and fun.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a great way to start the series. We’ve met Liv before in some of the authors other books, however this series focuses on her. The story holds your attention and also gives us a lot more of Liv’s very interesting backstory. Characters we know from the authors other stories (geriatric witches for example) are here also. It’s a short read, however it packs a lot into it. Definitely 5 stars for me. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to start.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An interesting setup to a new series. We find out about Liv’s origin story. Without giving too much away, she’s a fire elemental witch and assassin. She visits home to face what started everything for her.
It’s a great fast-paced story with a bit of everything. She’s a determined character who beats to her own drum and to say it’s a novella, it’s a good well rounded plot with different characters and depth.
It’s a great fast-paced story with a bit of everything. She’s a determined character who beats to her own drum and to say it’s a novella, it’s a good well rounded plot with different characters and depth.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Liv is a smart young witch, that made a mistake at 16 and ended up paying for it, for years. She eventually returns home to find another young witch being conned by a sadistic vampire. Live felt she had to help. She was really smart in the way that she set said vampire up, it was outstanding. I will stop here as I do not do spoilers! I Loved It!!! I Highly Recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love this! It’s a fun look into the backstory of Liv and I am so glad she is getting her own series. It’s a different perspective as she is an ex Shadow and I think it’ll be a good way to see more of the world. Looking forward to the rest of her story!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews