Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic

The Dowser #7

by Meghan Ciana Doidge

I had everything I’d ever wanted — a successful business with a second bakery in the works, a sexy fiance who I adored, and good friends who loved to laugh almost as much as I did.

So of course it couldn’t possibly last.

Unfortunately, this time the trouble was homegrown in Vancouver, threatening my own backyard and those who were under my protection — whether they wanted to be or not.

I was, after all, the wielder of the instruments of assassination.

Apparently, cutesy cupcakes and being nice only stretched so far.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Witches, Magic

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2018

About the author

Meghan Ciana Doidge writes tales of true love conquering all, even death. Though sometimes the love is elusive, the vampires and werewolves come out to play in the daylight, and bloody mayhem ensues.

Reviews

[Meghan Doidge]

Jade is back!! And this time she is going to need all her friends. Are you all caught up on the Adept Universe, including the Oracle and Reconstructionist Series?

This is a fun romp of a book, the first in the third Dowser trilogy (Dowser 1 – 3, Dowser 4 –6, and Dowser 7- 9).

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE this series, and I liked this book. It reads more like a long opening chapter rather than a full length book, though, and that led it to land flat. I turned the page to get more story and nothing. While part of a long series, all the previous books had a complete story arc per book that tied it into the broader, overall arc. This one just set up the arc with no clear ending, not even a cliffhanger. I did enjoy the time away from the battles for some additional character development. Definitely not my favorite book of the series, but it is a necessary book to keep up with the story.

[cynthia wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more a little disappointed

I absolutely love this series I have read book. I felt something was missing in this particular book I love Jade and the rest of the characters sorry I just don't like Jade and Warner together there was more heat between her and Desmond I would more of Desmond in this series but altogether a pretty good book. A side note I think personally Jade is becoming a bit cocky.

[Belles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but the plot was really thin in this one.

[Deena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It might only be a two, but I'm setting the rating at three because Jade did get less annoying as the book went on (and she had more to do). That being said, not a whole lot actually happens in this book until about 80%. It's also much less a stand-alone than some of the earlier stories were - there are too many side stories now, and without them most of the people in this one (and half the stuff that happens) wouldn't make any sense. This is also full of spoilers for those other stories. It's also pretty repetitive, which is annoying. Yes, I know how powerful this person is - you told me two chapters ago.

I think the thing that annoys me the most is that you could not longer continue with one series without keeping up with all the others. To me, that's both a tacky marketing technique and sloppy writing.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore this series!

With each Dowser book they get so much more in-depth and so more fantastic.

I was expecting the engagement party to have some fight occur, but I'm glad it was only a little 'fire' involved lol 😉

And as we're all aware parties have their moments .

I'm giving nothing more away, other than I love the book/series and can't wait for the wedding 😁👍

Though the honeymoon may just kill Jade and Warner lol 😈😈

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of snark, cupcakes, and kiss a$$ strong female characters then this book is a must!!! Oh my goodness Meghan you rocked it ❤️

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars... I agree with other reviewers in that this felt like a transitional read; closing down the storyline related to the collection of assassination artifacts and moving into a potential storyline related to the elves... There were definitely aspects of the read associated with events that occurred in other series set in the same world, however, I did not feel as though those reads were necessary to understand this current storyline... They may have lent to a deeper understanding but were not required... I will be going back and completing those reads just to comprehend some of the undertones of this story especially those related to Kett… I am feeling more of a connection between Jade and Warner and am eager to see how that relationship continues to unfold... As always Kandy and Kett are shining stars throughout the book; I will say that I enjoyed Jade in this read as well; she showed confidence, strength, and spirit throughout... It was nice to finally see her have some backbone... Overall, I enjoyed the read and look forward to the developments related to the new storyline:)

[Divya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reread the entire series in anticipation of Book 8 and finally read this one after waiting. This is definitely an in between book which builds on the universe and gives you more insight into Jade's changing world but does not really have a start and finish story where you feel like it is a stand alone book.

[Pam Chesbro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventh

Another interesting read in the Dowser universe. Good story but not as engaging as the previous six installments. Still worth the read if you're invested in the characters. Lots of Kandy in this one of you're a fan like me. If you haven't read the other Jade novels then this is not the one to start the adventures.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

Talk about slow starting! For the majority of the book nothing even remotely exciting happens. 95% of the book is simply set up for the last few pages. It’s the same old thing - Jade still stressing about Sienna, and if she’s “good enough”. Time to move on!

[Piseog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a meh for me. It felt like an incomplete story, or a novella. The story was just getting going and it ended. I don't love all the new characters (there were a lot in this one). This is the second series in the last couple of months where I really lost interest by the end. The other series (Black Hat, White Witch) was 10 books long and I started out absolutely loving it (like this one), and by the end I couldn't wait to finish and each book was getting 3 stars at a push. I'm worried it's now just me and I lose interest because I just get sick of the characters or something. But then I think of other long series I loved, like Kate Daniels, Allie Beckstrom, The Hollows. I do feel like the quality of the books needs to improve with each book, and for the last few in this series it has really dipped. Things do start to feel repetitive too.

I am so sick of everyone naming how powerful Jade is. We get it! I was thinking of Kate Daniels, who is another powerful UF protagonist and she worked so well because it wasn't shoved down our throats every book how powerful she was. She showed that power when necessary, but otherwise it wasn't really mentioned. She also had vulnerabilities. When she was in a battle there was a bit of worry she could die. Jade just heals everything and it's all so easy because she is one of the most powerful adepts in the universe.

The romance isn't that exciting either. Warner and Jade are cute, but we aren't given enough to get really emotionally invested. I can't believe this book is 1.5 years later and they are just now having their engagement party.

Okay, positives- I liked that this storyline was different. We finally have a book where there isn't a hunt for a magical object. That has been the premise from book 2 to 6. The main characters are still likable enough and I guess I do want to see how it all ends.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This world is so engaging, and it was nice to "come home" to Jade, the original of the main characters. I'm desperate, still, for some updates on the outcomes of the characters we met in the Reconstructionist trilogy, but we get hints here.

As a warning - I forgot how much these book talk about cupcakes. Needless to say, I will be buying a dozen at my next earliest convenience. So much cupcake talk. So much... Anyway! We join Jade as she is going about her "normal" life. She's engaged to a Warner, opening a new bakery, and helping Gran with witchy things. Too bad things can't stay normal in her life for too long, though she would probably get bored if they did. In this book, while we don't get all the answers and we don't get everything wrapped up, it generally revolves around weird magical flares. That doesn't sound so bad when I write it out.

We spend the majority of the time with Jade as she navigates her love life, Kett's newest development, a massive engagement party, and hunting down the source of her itchy feet. We meet new characters, visit with old, and do glorious battle. All in all, it was pretty much a day (or day and a half?) in the life of the dowser. I still want to punch most of the guardians in the face while eating cupcakes, so it must be a traditional dowser storyline.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you can tell by fact i have read all the series, try to read in series order as the books are not stand alone stories.
Werewolves, Seers, Cupcakes, vampires, mages, Dragons and Chocolate

Below is the reading order though you can read this before but nice to read in order
1. Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic, Dowser 1
2. Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic, Dowser 2
3. Treasures, Demons, and Other Black Magic, Dowser 3
4. I See Me, Oracle 1
5. Shadows, Maps, and Other Ancient Magic, Dowser 4
6. Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic, Dowser 5
7. I See You, Oracle 2
8. Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic, Dowser 6
9. I See Us, Oracle 3
10. Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)
11. Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)
12. Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3)
13. Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7)
14. Misfits, Gemstones, and Other Shattered Magic (Dowser 8)
15. Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things That Byte (Dowser 8.5)
16. Gemstones, Elves, and Other Insidious Magic (Dowser 9)
17. The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) – bundled with Close to Home (Amplifier 0.5)
18. Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1)
19. Bonds and Broken Dreams (Amplifier 2)
20. Mystics and Mental Blocks (Amplifier 3)
21. Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4)
22. Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1)
23. Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

You really need to read the other books before reading #7, or my review for that matter. But if you ignore the warnings don't be pissed when it's not as good as it good have been or if I've given away spoilers for those books.

Jade is back! She and her crew are settling in to some well-earned quiet while preparing for the wedding. Yes, for those of you who may have missed Jade and Warner are getting married and it should be the wedding of the century . . . at least if Jade's grandmother has anything to do with it. But can that peace and quiet really last? Will Kandy be able to take the quiet or will she bite someone just for fun.

So I can't think how to add what I want to say without giving away spoilers so let me say (because I don't think it would give anything away, if so - sorry!) that I'm wondering about Jade's grandmother - I think she's got something up her sleeve and I'm not sure it will be good for Jade. We'll see. This one is 4 stars but more of it is because the cupcake descriptions. :-)

[Coreen James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best One Yet

I loved this book. all the power that Jade was controlling was so badass. I loved how she was able to fight for those she was protecting and had to kick a lot more ass and this one than the previous ones. I can't wait to see what happens next. I think I should go back now and read all the other books because I feel like I miss something and if I read them in sequence I can get the whole story as of now, but this one was by far my favorite. I love the character that Jade has become, I love the enforcer that candy has. I'm a little confused about Ketts role and that's why I feel I should go back and read the other books again get a little bit more understanding on what's going on with him. But I like the relationship that has developed between the Fantastic Four is what I'd called them

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typically, if I don't like a few consecutive books of a series as much as the first, it does not get better down the line. So I'm pretty thrilled that "Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic" has actually turned out to be my current favourite. It started picking up for me again with the 6th book ("Artifacts, Dragons, and other Lethal Magic"), which I liked just as much as the first, but this one beats them both! I don't know if it's just that Meghan's writing has matured more by this point, or if it was that the story stayed in Vancouver (my favourite parts of all the books take place in the bakery or nearby), but I am pleased regardless! Haha, thank you, Meghan Ciana Doidge, for a series that has been as comforting to me as chocolate is to Jade, during a year that really needs more comforting things.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is Better With Cupcakes!

Witches, & dragons, & werewolves, oh my! Jade, Fiancé Warner, & BFF Kandy are back protecting Vancouver Adepts from those that wish to destroy them. So many new players are added complicating an already tenuous situation, confusing Jade & friends. The reader is pulled along as Jade must uncover who is friend or foe, all while trying to celebrate her engagement to Warner. I absolutely love Jade’s & Kandy’s witty repartee, & Jade & Warner’s undying love for each other. One doesn’t need a seer to know that the friends & lovers are going to be dealing with some very heavy issues in the near future. And I can’t wait!

[Lisakmoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dowser Series has begun a new arc

This is the first installment in the third trilogy of the Dowser series. Jade is moving forward from when we were last in the Dowser-verse; plus she is being impacted by things which happened the Reconstructionist Trilogy as well as the Oracle Trilogy. There new things coming into Jade's world and we meet several new players who I look forward to learning more about.

This is definitely to first in an arc, so new ideas and new players are put in to motion along side many of the familiar characters from the previous arcs. I am excited to see what happens next!!

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4 stars

This series has been growing by leaps. And bounds. MCD is talented , creative, funny, and brutal. I liked this latest Dowser, but I was always waiting for the story to start. It's almost as if this was a segue, an interlude between book 6 and book 8. A hot mess of new characters were introduced, lots of explaining was done, and plenty of innuendo was thrown around. This was more of a teaser book for me, setting the scene for a richer Vancouver Universe. A bit of 'splainy fluff.
Good book by a great writer, but I wanted more of a meal out of this much awaited arrival.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Warned, Cliffhanger Ending

I read the first six books of this series Ina binge and throw trilogy wasn’t out yet- i just discovered it exists and was so excited to hang out with Jade, Kandy, and Kett again! I love this universe and the characters, but this book had a ton of build up and then ended right when the action started. I guess we have to get the next book to get to the fun part. Kinda crappy considering how all the other books ended. Also, I’m really bummed out that she’s going to end up with Warner. I don’t like them together, and I was hoping they’d fall apart. :/

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow I realized towards the end, that the actiol was a lot less than in the previous books. Felt like it was still at the beginning of the story, when I already were almost at the end, but the story still didn't bore me...I actually didn't realized that I was almost threw till I was nearly done with the book 🤔😊 Loved the story nonethless and it was really enjoyable 😍 Jade being completly overpowered and taking everything at ease was enjoyable and funny in this book 😂😍 Though she needs to get a challenge for the next again, otherwise it will get boring and won't work anymore... For this book it was awesome though 😍😊📚

[Angela Schauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I never write reviews but I feel compelled to write one for this book. I have read all the books in the dowser series and love them all. This book was not an exception. Each book in the series has been full of adventure, snark, witty commentary and wonderful characters. I haven't read the oracle or reconstructionist novels, so i felt a smidge lost when it came to Kett and what he has been up to, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I loved this story line and the ending. I can't wait for the next book. It definitely left me wanting more!

[A. Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this a five star, because I LOVE her books. The story just seemed a smidge more flat than usual, which was weird. I loved how it was a growing story for Jade and Kandy, but also some growing with Warner. Jade and Kandy are fantastic. I think where it dropped a star for me was it felt like the story started later in the book, which I wasn’t used to. Anyway, I still loved it and will whole heartedly continue reading and recommending her. I’m excited to see what the stories the book set up. It was a great building book for what’s to come.

[Ana Elena Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This saga has some good novels and others that are more filler than anything else.
In this novel, we find one of those filler stories that doesn't contribute much.
It is very slow, heavy, and boring, and the action only happens in the last chapter, and then mostly as an introduction to the next novel.
I don't know if it's because the saga is running out of steam or what, but even the main characters are becoming blurred, turning into almost immortal beings with tremendously exaggerated powers.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story! I loved it and highly recommend the entire series! I would give this more than five stars but that is as high as I can go within the system. It is worth at least a ten stars! We have Jade, Warner and Kandy back together again to solve a new mystery. Lots of action,romance, and humor all mixed in together make an excellent story. Let's not forget the witches involved because they play a part including mom and gran. I look forward to the next book!

[Lisa Maddison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jade is back and there are elves.

Jade is getting ready for her engagement party given by her grandmother, but first she needs to her set up a grid of magic to provide protection for the people of Vancouver. This seems to have caused magic surges that are effecting the young adepts, especially within one family. Another great installment of the dowser series, one to the next book.

[Anla Gisclair-Etheridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I have missed Jade...however by the end of the book I still had some unanswered questions. This book in my opinion is sort of a story for you to read to prepare for really big things happening in the next one. It was good. Had cupcakes and action with a little adventure, but by far not my favorite in the series.

[Linda Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read!

Jade is back! The author has the gift of creating strong, interesting characters and then embroiling them in outstandingly unique and creative adventures. Every one of the books in this series grabs you from the start and keeps you enthralled to the very end. My only regret is that I finish them too quickly because I can never put them down.

[Helen Traganos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Hit

since I discovered this author I have been following the Dowser series. The stories are good. The have it all. love,friendship, "battles" sprinkled throughout with the paranormal..This book follows very well in the series.
This author is a good storyteller. I recommend this series. Also,I intend to continue reading her other works