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Siren Song #1
Black Magic's Prey
Tess has been stalker-free for fifteen years. She’s been living in trailer parks and preparing to run at any minute—all because in ninth grade she turned down the wrong Brujo. He comes from a long line of male witches (although calling a Brujo a male witch is like saying skin cancer is an ugly freckle) and even back in high school, his powers were terrifying.
He used those powers to punish Tess. To make her do things. Awful things.
Now she has a new life. She's got a good job, a decent Airstream trailer, and a best-friend-maybe-girlfriend. She's careful not to reveal too much about her dark past.
But none of that matters. No matter where Tess goes, he will always find her. Unless she's willing to trust a man who may be even more twisted than her stalker's curse.
"It's vivid and a twisted ride"
"A must-read for lovers of the supernatural!"
He used those powers to punish Tess. To make her do things. Awful things.
Now she has a new life. She's got a good job, a decent Airstream trailer, and a best-friend-maybe-girlfriend. She's careful not to reveal too much about her dark past.
But none of that matters. No matter where Tess goes, he will always find her. Unless she's willing to trust a man who may be even more twisted than her stalker's curse.
"It's vivid and a twisted ride"
"A must-read for lovers of the supernatural!"
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2018
33 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Kristin McTiernan
21 books70 followersAt 17, I had to choose between joining a convent or the Marines. The mother superior at my convent was a veteran and recommended I serve my country. Thank God for that advice because if you've read even one thing I've written, you know that #nunlife is not for me. I write about women in weird situations and my goal is to write at least one book in every spec-fic subgenre before I kick the bucket.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 12, 2020
4☆ An Enthralling, Dark Magic, Gripping Thriller.
Black Magic's Prey is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy. This isn't my normal genre so made for a compelling read!
Tess Works for Excelsior, but not for much longer as she just stabbed her boss with a mini sword right through the hand.
But Tess is hiding from someone.
Someone is stalking her and judging by her black out and mysterious behaviour, there is more to Tess than meets the eye!
But just who is this mysterious stalker who has got Tess so petrified, why does she mention that he has the ability to take over and commandeer her body and why does no one believe her!
I only have one little gripe with this book was that the Author certainly seemed to have a problem with plus size people and a fair amount of her characters were categorized as "fat", "overweight " etc.. which definitely seemed to be used in a judgemental way. I found it a lil excessive and it may of been that the Author is using it to portray Theresa's attitude towards people.
Overall the plot is gritty, pacey, dark and gripping.
The dark 'brujos' magic that surrounded Theresa certainly was intriguing and a lil scary but made for a great compelling read.
The pace ramps up pretty quickly.
There is juicy plot twists which I didn't see coming.
I didn't particularly like the characters except for Caroline, Theresa's girlfriend, she was caring and supportive of Theresa no matter what. It didn't matter to me that I didn't feel for the characters as I'm not sure I was meant to, but they certainly hit the spot for this story.
Overall a great read that had me enthralled, glued to the book, and wasn't something I had ever read before!
So if you are looking for a dark, twisty and gritty thriller that mixes dark magic, lust and a paranormal twist then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Dampebbles Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Black Magic's Prey is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy. This isn't my normal genre so made for a compelling read!
Tess Works for Excelsior, but not for much longer as she just stabbed her boss with a mini sword right through the hand.
But Tess is hiding from someone.
Someone is stalking her and judging by her black out and mysterious behaviour, there is more to Tess than meets the eye!
But just who is this mysterious stalker who has got Tess so petrified, why does she mention that he has the ability to take over and commandeer her body and why does no one believe her!
I only have one little gripe with this book was that the Author certainly seemed to have a problem with plus size people and a fair amount of her characters were categorized as "fat", "overweight " etc.. which definitely seemed to be used in a judgemental way. I found it a lil excessive and it may of been that the Author is using it to portray Theresa's attitude towards people.
Overall the plot is gritty, pacey, dark and gripping.
The dark 'brujos' magic that surrounded Theresa certainly was intriguing and a lil scary but made for a great compelling read.
The pace ramps up pretty quickly.
There is juicy plot twists which I didn't see coming.
I didn't particularly like the characters except for Caroline, Theresa's girlfriend, she was caring and supportive of Theresa no matter what. It didn't matter to me that I didn't feel for the characters as I'm not sure I was meant to, but they certainly hit the spot for this story.
Overall a great read that had me enthralled, glued to the book, and wasn't something I had ever read before!
So if you are looking for a dark, twisty and gritty thriller that mixes dark magic, lust and a paranormal twist then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Dampebbles Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
June 8, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan is the start to a new paranormal/urban fantasy series by a new to me author.
Theresa “Tess” Cooper is an HR consultant who has been living in her own trailer and ready to run at a moment’s notice for the last fifteen years of her life. You have to be able to move quickly when you are stalked by evil.
Tess has been stalked by a psychotic Brujo since she turned him down for a date in the ninth grade. The entire male only line of Brujo lived across the street from Tess and her parent’s home. When he catches up with her again, she decides it is time to return to her childhood home in Kansas City and ask for forgiveness and get help from his father, Luis.
Is Luis willing to help Tess against his son? Could his help be worse than her stalker’s curse?
I enjoyed this first book in this new series. For such a short book, only 175 pages, Ms. McTiernan does a good job of pulling me in to invest in Tess’s story and the worldbuilding was unique. The main storyline of this short book was tied up, but this is an episodic first-person saga so it leaves questions that lead you into the next book. The sex throughout the book is basically behind closed doors except for one scene which is intense and a pivotal point in the story, so I cannot discuss it. No spoilers here.
I recommend this paranormal/urban fantasy. It is a different world that I am not used to reading about and I have already purchased the next book in the series to find out where the series goes.
BLACK MAGIC’S PREY (Black Magic Book #1) by Kristin McTiernan is the start to a new paranormal/urban fantasy series by a new to me author.
Theresa “Tess” Cooper is an HR consultant who has been living in her own trailer and ready to run at a moment’s notice for the last fifteen years of her life. You have to be able to move quickly when you are stalked by evil.
Tess has been stalked by a psychotic Brujo since she turned him down for a date in the ninth grade. The entire male only line of Brujo lived across the street from Tess and her parent’s home. When he catches up with her again, she decides it is time to return to her childhood home in Kansas City and ask for forgiveness and get help from his father, Luis.
Is Luis willing to help Tess against his son? Could his help be worse than her stalker’s curse?
I enjoyed this first book in this new series. For such a short book, only 175 pages, Ms. McTiernan does a good job of pulling me in to invest in Tess’s story and the worldbuilding was unique. The main storyline of this short book was tied up, but this is an episodic first-person saga so it leaves questions that lead you into the next book. The sex throughout the book is basically behind closed doors except for one scene which is intense and a pivotal point in the story, so I cannot discuss it. No spoilers here.
I recommend this paranormal/urban fantasy. It is a different world that I am not used to reading about and I have already purchased the next book in the series to find out where the series goes.
June 8, 2020
I have to admit that while reading and even after finishing this book, I was like that was whacked.. Nothing went/happened the way I thought it would but I never stopped reading it and rolled right into book 2 and 3.
Its a paranormal series with like some gigantic twist. Some would be spoilery but the main female character and then with the males being the Brujo (sorcerer, witch doctors) the main source of the “paranormal” were different from any other series I've read.
Its a paranormal series with like some gigantic twist. Some would be spoilery but the main female character and then with the males being the Brujo (sorcerer, witch doctors) the main source of the “paranormal” were different from any other series I've read.
June 11, 2020
This is going to be a hard book to review because I’ve never read anything quite like it, and paranormal romance is not one of my go to genres, if that is even what you call this genre. Confused yet? Apologies. This is a a really unique book to me, but I’ll do my best to give you my impressions of it in a way that makes some kind of sense!
The story involves a young woman whose life has been blighted by being stalked by an individual from her childhood, whom she rejected, with the added complication that he is a powerful, male witch and can make her do horrible things from afar that blight her life. She thought she had escaped from him and was in hiding, but then she realises he has reappeared in her life, and she needs to take drastic action to rid herself of him once and for all, but her chosen path might make things worse.
It is a really interesting premise for a book and these ‘brujos’ are not a legend I have come across anywhere before, so I found that really fascinating. The plot was very pacy and entertaining, and the book is also quite short, so it was something I consumed in one two-hour sitting, and it held my attention throughout. I found the writing style convincing and easy to read, and I enjoyed the author’s voice very much, it was fresh and exciting to me.
I think there were things in the book that might prove off-putting to some people. If you are at all squeamish regarding violence or fairly graphic sex scenes, you won’t enjoy this. It is a book that doesn’t hold back from this and it is necessary to the plot. It also involves a couple of relationships that are somewhat violent, misogynistic and unequal and I think this may be triggering for people who have been on the wrong side of similar relationships in the past. I haven’t, but there were a couple of things that made me feel uncomfortable, although this is one of the driving plot points of the book, so I don’t think it was done gratuitously.
For anyone made of sterner stuff, who likes paranormal romance and is looking for something out of the mainstream, I would imagine even in this genre, this will tick all of your boxes. It certainly kept me reading from start to finish and was unlike anything I have come across before. A bold and unique read from a confident writer. I believe it is the beginning of a series, and there is definitely a part of me that wants to know what happens next!
The story involves a young woman whose life has been blighted by being stalked by an individual from her childhood, whom she rejected, with the added complication that he is a powerful, male witch and can make her do horrible things from afar that blight her life. She thought she had escaped from him and was in hiding, but then she realises he has reappeared in her life, and she needs to take drastic action to rid herself of him once and for all, but her chosen path might make things worse.
It is a really interesting premise for a book and these ‘brujos’ are not a legend I have come across anywhere before, so I found that really fascinating. The plot was very pacy and entertaining, and the book is also quite short, so it was something I consumed in one two-hour sitting, and it held my attention throughout. I found the writing style convincing and easy to read, and I enjoyed the author’s voice very much, it was fresh and exciting to me.
I think there were things in the book that might prove off-putting to some people. If you are at all squeamish regarding violence or fairly graphic sex scenes, you won’t enjoy this. It is a book that doesn’t hold back from this and it is necessary to the plot. It also involves a couple of relationships that are somewhat violent, misogynistic and unequal and I think this may be triggering for people who have been on the wrong side of similar relationships in the past. I haven’t, but there were a couple of things that made me feel uncomfortable, although this is one of the driving plot points of the book, so I don’t think it was done gratuitously.
For anyone made of sterner stuff, who likes paranormal romance and is looking for something out of the mainstream, I would imagine even in this genre, this will tick all of your boxes. It certainly kept me reading from start to finish and was unlike anything I have come across before. A bold and unique read from a confident writer. I believe it is the beginning of a series, and there is definitely a part of me that wants to know what happens next!
June 8, 2020
Rating 4.5/5
This is the kind of book I love picking up, an easy read that pulls you right into the story and keeps you glued until the end. I devoured this one in a day and it is quite short but I think it was more to do with just enjoying being taken along for the ride than anything else.
I always enjoy a book that features magic but I enjoyed having the darker element to this one, that Tess’s stalker was using his power to make her world fall to pieces and that she has to turn to someone who could be just as bad to help her. There is something about that kind of manipulation that strangely excites me in a story, I think it’s because I know the kind of conflict that it will end up in.
There were a few turns in this story that I was not expecting, it had a bit more action than I thought there would be but I enjoyed it and there were some strange family dynamics that had me asking so many questions which I am hopefully looking forward to exploring in the subsequent books. I found the magic very interesting and found myself wanting to know more but also enjoying that element of suspense with not getting given everything.
I really enjoyed this book it’s quick paced and had me gripped from the start, full of interesting characters and a slightly sinister but thrilling storyline. I will be picking up the next books in the series because I want to know where it goes next.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
This is the kind of book I love picking up, an easy read that pulls you right into the story and keeps you glued until the end. I devoured this one in a day and it is quite short but I think it was more to do with just enjoying being taken along for the ride than anything else.
I always enjoy a book that features magic but I enjoyed having the darker element to this one, that Tess’s stalker was using his power to make her world fall to pieces and that she has to turn to someone who could be just as bad to help her. There is something about that kind of manipulation that strangely excites me in a story, I think it’s because I know the kind of conflict that it will end up in.
There were a few turns in this story that I was not expecting, it had a bit more action than I thought there would be but I enjoyed it and there were some strange family dynamics that had me asking so many questions which I am hopefully looking forward to exploring in the subsequent books. I found the magic very interesting and found myself wanting to know more but also enjoying that element of suspense with not getting given everything.
I really enjoyed this book it’s quick paced and had me gripped from the start, full of interesting characters and a slightly sinister but thrilling storyline. I will be picking up the next books in the series because I want to know where it goes next.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
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May 30, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/30/2020)! 🎁
July 3, 2019
Fantastic!
I felt this was a fantastic read because at no time did I actually want to put the book down in order to anything literally anything else! The book was very well written, kept my attention at all times very creative yet stayed focused on the story line just a great piece of literature all the way around in my opinion!
I felt this was a fantastic read because at no time did I actually want to put the book down in order to anything literally anything else! The book was very well written, kept my attention at all times very creative yet stayed focused on the story line just a great piece of literature all the way around in my opinion!
March 6, 2021
Wow. I discovered the author via YouTube and curiosity got the best of me. I’m glad it did. I’m not sure what pulled me in but I loved the voice of the protagonist and the mystery of Luis and his clan of male witches. It reminds me of a modern take of Rosemary’s Baby mixed with Anne Rice’s Witching Hour.
November 29, 2018
Alright, what’s next? I know there’s more. Bring it on!
**Second time I “read” the Audible version. Throughly enjoy!
**Second time I “read” the Audible version. Throughly enjoy!
June 12, 2020
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, both in terms of the ‘brujos’ but also in that to rid herself of the reappearing threat of this blight on her life, Tess has to seek help that might be worse than what is already being done to her. The idea of being caught between a rock and a hard place, and still making that choice, and trying for the prospect of freedom makes for a compelling story that was hard to put down, especially when paired with a brisk, engaging writing style.
I do feel that I should mention that there are some darker themes in this book especially with the ‘relationship’ between Tess and the Brujo, and the control he is able to exert over her and that it does include some sex, although most of it is ‘behind closed doors’ as it were. However, I would say that it is always proportional to the rest of the narrative and propels the story forwards. It was gritty and dark, and had a sinister air behind it, especially with the plots twists that caught me off guard (in a good way) more than once.
While I felt for Tess and her situation, as a character, I didn’t particularly connect with her. Of the characters we have met so far, Caroline was my favourite, and I felt that she humanised the entire situation in a way that was sorely needed in her support and care for her girlfriend. However, as the first book in a series, there is room for the characters to develop further, and the characters matched the story, so while I might have liked more of a connection, it certainly didn’t detract from the story.
This is a short book, but it packs a punch and sets up the rest of the series, and with the twists and turns and the fascinating nature of the Brujo magic, it does leave you wanting more. Certainly, a recommended read for someone looking for an urban/paranormal fantasy with a dark twist.
https://beneathathousandskies.com/202...
I do feel that I should mention that there are some darker themes in this book especially with the ‘relationship’ between Tess and the Brujo, and the control he is able to exert over her and that it does include some sex, although most of it is ‘behind closed doors’ as it were. However, I would say that it is always proportional to the rest of the narrative and propels the story forwards. It was gritty and dark, and had a sinister air behind it, especially with the plots twists that caught me off guard (in a good way) more than once.
While I felt for Tess and her situation, as a character, I didn’t particularly connect with her. Of the characters we have met so far, Caroline was my favourite, and I felt that she humanised the entire situation in a way that was sorely needed in her support and care for her girlfriend. However, as the first book in a series, there is room for the characters to develop further, and the characters matched the story, so while I might have liked more of a connection, it certainly didn’t detract from the story.
This is a short book, but it packs a punch and sets up the rest of the series, and with the twists and turns and the fascinating nature of the Brujo magic, it does leave you wanting more. Certainly, a recommended read for someone looking for an urban/paranormal fantasy with a dark twist.
https://beneathathousandskies.com/202...
November 7, 2020
Okay this was super weird. It gets 4 for the writing. Kept me engaged the entire time even though I didn't like the plot or the direction this story was going. There was no romance? I think? It was more physical. At the end, I was like that's it? That's the end of the story. One star for the actual story.
Basically the story is about a bisexual? virgin who gets knocked up by her childhood tormenter's father, who planned the whole thing in order have a proper heir. Don't forget the heroine's girlfriend who gets dragged along for the ride.
Obviously this writer can write. Was just not my cup of tea. If you're looking for a paranormal romance, this is not it
Basically the story is about a bisexual? virgin who gets knocked up by her childhood tormenter's father, who planned the whole thing in order have a proper heir. Don't forget the heroine's girlfriend who gets dragged along for the ride.
Obviously this writer can write. Was just not my cup of tea. If you're looking for a paranormal romance, this is not it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2025
I was hooked!
I gave Black Magic’s Prey five stars — not because it’s a groundbreaking work of literature, but because it’s exactly the kind of book I don’t usually read… and yet it hooked me from page one and kept me glued till the very end.
What makes it shine is the bold, fearless storytelling and the sharp, no-nonsense prose. The character interplay crackles with energy, and the shocks and emotional beats are deployed with perfect precision.
This is the kind of book that screams for a Netflix adaptation. Fantastic work!
I gave Black Magic’s Prey five stars — not because it’s a groundbreaking work of literature, but because it’s exactly the kind of book I don’t usually read… and yet it hooked me from page one and kept me glued till the very end.
What makes it shine is the bold, fearless storytelling and the sharp, no-nonsense prose. The character interplay crackles with energy, and the shocks and emotional beats are deployed with perfect precision.
This is the kind of book that screams for a Netflix adaptation. Fantastic work!
May 20, 2019
I liked the book. It was a quick read and I hope the second book fills in some of the questions that I have. I would have given it an additional .5.
June 13, 2020
This was a nice easy-read novel. But sadly though, that even with the plot twist the story's overall appeal (with all its lore mechanics) is more of a B-movie than a fantasy series pilot.
July 7, 2020
Whoa!
I was not expecting that story! This is not a love story! This book blew me out of left field. I really liked it.
I was not expecting that story! This is not a love story! This book blew me out of left field. I really liked it.
August 27, 2020
What a nice change from vamps and shifters! A very well written and compelling beginning to a fascinating and challenging saga for a strong main character!
March 31, 2023
more twists than a tornado!
This book had me spellbound. Each time I thought the author could surprise me no more, another twist pulled me in further. I loved it!
This book had me spellbound. Each time I thought the author could surprise me no more, another twist pulled me in further. I loved it!
August 17, 2025
I've seen a bunch of McTiernan's posts and really appreciate her perspective, so I thought I'd grab a book and see how she writes. Seeing as she is a professional editor/writer/author it's no surprise that this book would be what I would define as technically proficient, and fast paced, I would have to say the subject matter she chose to include really killed this one for me.
So, we're starting of with black magic, so we know it's going to be weird creepy and voodooy; I'm fine with that. I didn't much care for Live and Let Die, but I can appreciate the genre. I will admit I lost my interest fairly early on with the two women who shower together, and make out and sleep together who "totally aren't lesbians", and a guy forcibly taking a woman's virginity to break a curse that's "totally not rape".
I'm certain there are those who would find this sort of story gripping, just as there are those who loved the plot twist from "Oldboy". Sadly, this had all the uncomfortable and turn-off without the epic hallway fight scenes.
So, we're starting of with black magic, so we know it's going to be weird creepy and voodooy; I'm fine with that. I didn't much care for Live and Let Die, but I can appreciate the genre. I will admit I lost my interest fairly early on with the two women who shower together, and make out and sleep together who "totally aren't lesbians", and a guy forcibly taking a woman's virginity to break a curse that's "totally not rape".
I'm certain there are those who would find this sort of story gripping, just as there are those who loved the plot twist from "Oldboy". Sadly, this had all the uncomfortable and turn-off without the epic hallway fight scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
This series is fantastic, I had a hard time putting it down and was sad when it was all over, as I wanted the story to continue. It has great character development, some really interesting twists and you really feel part of the world Kristin has created. Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t a super dark and disturbing tale at all. Tess has been running for so long, she finally learns the truth about what has been chasing her all these years. Can she have her freedom and what will she have to sacrifice in the process?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews