Hexed in Texas: A Humorous Fantasy

by Kathy Burford

A legendary Russian witch. The heir of a voodoo queen. A chaotic magic leak at the Alamo. What could possibly go wrong?Baba Yaga steps through her magic mirror. The CEO of Laveau Pharmaceuticals makes more conventional travel plans.These two unlikely rivals are on a collision course. They are both headed for Texas, drawn by a rare event triggered by chaotic magic leaking from Alamo excavations.

Unfortunate bystander Rachel Vargas is caught between the dueling rivals as the bizarre magical effects become increasingly alarming.

“Lighthearted with a plot that is fun from beginning to end and characters that are charming . . . the perfect read.”--Readers' Favorite

“A timely and delightful distraction”

“Fun and engaging”

“Unexpected and satisfying”

(Amazon reviews)

Pure fun! Book 1 of the Baba Yaga Chronicles, in which she and her sisters confront the modern world.

If you like lighthearted fantasy with offbeat humor, clever plot twists, and quirky characters, read the Baba Yaga Chronicles!

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2020

About the author

I studied Russian and comparative literature and have been a freelance editor for many years. My most recent humorous fantasy is Hexed in Texas, in which the Russian witch Baba Yaga and the granddaughter of Marie Laveau compete for a rare item released by a magic leak in San Antonio. I spend most of my time writing, reviewing, and working on my website, Burford's Fantasy Odditorium (www.kathyburford.com), with excerpts from my books, reviews, and oddities in fact and fiction. After living in Texas for many years, my husband and I now live in my hometown, Iowa City.

Reviews

[Dj]

So I have to admit that I got this book more for curiosity to find out just what about Baba Yaga could be funny. It most versions of the individual she is either over the top terrifying or willing to assist as long as you are 'very' respectful.

This book uses a combination of both those aspects and does in fact end up being quite humorous. It gives Baba Yaga a much more in-depth personality that doesn't make you think that she is just misunderstood (something I have been hating about the rewriting of fairy tales lately). Baba Yaga is who she is and she isn't apologetic about it or even all that thoughtful about it. She curses any number of people in the book and she is helpful to a couple of others.

The guest stars in the book also add to the humor and mayhem in the book. Well worth the read.

[Joshua Grant]

Kathy Burford enchants us with a fun fantasy romp in Hexed in Texas! Baba Yaga and the heir to a powerful voodoo priestess are drawn to new energy leaking out of Texas where they face off with each other and a modern world in this comical adventure. This book was just fun, the characters were lovingly crafted by Burford, and the descriptions in this book are excellent! If you enjoy a fun and exciting take on classic myths in the same vein as Rick Riordan, come spell casting with Hexed in Texas!

[Beth]

This book really is close to unputdownable. 12/10, will read another.

[lucinda]

Love it it was fun and went really fast .Hope there will be more.

Found on Amazon unlimited and wanted something fun to read .
It's been a dark time with the quarantine.Found this and it was great

[Marva]

I was happy to find Kathy Burford. She and I have the same questionable sense of humor and utter disrespect for folklore and fantasy figures.

That's a good thing! I knew a bit about Baba Yaga and I have been to the Alamo, so combining the two was brilliant mashup.

I got a couple other of Kathy's books and hope they're along the same lines. I really can't stand oh-so-serious fantasy. GoT? LotR? Yawn to read, though the movies are fun.

Note: I rarely give 5 stars since nobody is perfect. But if Kathy continues to provide such great entertainment, I might find a 5-star stuffed between the cushions on the couch.

[Stan Hutchings]

Baba Yaga, the infamous Russian witch, smells magic and departs hastily through her mirror. She lands in San Antonio, Texas, where Rachel Vargas almost collides with her. After being hexed by Baba Yaga, things start getting weird for Rachel and San Antonio. Rocks dug up at the Alamo are flashing messages. A wild goose. A skeletal knight on horseback. Raining fish, frogs, toads, snakes, and other things. Two witches seem to be searching for the same thing: some kind of magic power. Magical manifestations (infestations?) become commonplace, including a six-headed dragon. Lots of humor as Rachel deals with an impossible boss, tries to remove her curse, meets Baba's witch competitor from the bayou, and gets "adopted" by the dragon.

[Myra Gabor]

The first story in the Baba Yaga chronicles. She's a Russian witch who came to Texas to find a wisp of an interesting scent that she detected. The story contains, besides a thinking broom, lots of spells and cliches coming to life, some of the most unappealing characters ever penned. It's billed as a humorous fantasy, but it was quite repetitious within the same chapter and even paragraph after same paragraph. I lost interest about 1/3 of the way through. I bought it because of the author's self promotion and because it only cost 99 ¢. I'm sorry that I spent that much on it.

[Janet]

This was funny and cute. It's really a 4.5 but we can't give half stars, so I upped it. I grew up on Baba Yaga stories so when I saw this as a freebie I grabbed it right away. It did not disappoint. Just the thought of my favorite witch in Texas was enough to make me giggle, and the things she got into were quite amusing. The addition of M.C. Laveau and her sidekicks, and especially her stick man John falling in love with Baba Yaga's broom, were quite amusing. I'll definitely read more in this series!

[Dolly]

I loved it

So well told. This author has created a most enjoyable story with unique and realistic characters. As bazaar things begin to happen, the characters' connections are revealed. The grand finale is exciting and very satisfying. I recommend this book to anyone who likes magic, spells, humor and adventure told in a light hearted manor.

[Edward V]

Fun!

Unique, fun and (excuse me!), Spell binding. So rare that a new version of an old take comes to life.

[Anne Kavcic]

I enjoyed this one, although many "wacky" books don't have the kind of humor I appreciate. And if you have ever read any Russian folk tales featuring Baba Yaga, you will definitely want to read this. Baba Yaga, retreating into the Siberian forest more and more as modern civilization spreads, feels the pull of a special magic and lands, through her magic mirror, in modern-day Texas. The juxtapositions are lots of fun without being overdone! And soon another witch - from Louisiana - turns up too ... and a regular, normal human is caught in the middle. Great fun!

[Liam Bergeron]

Pure fun from start to finish. Hexed in Texas is exactly what it promises a lighthearted fantasy with clever humor and a fast moving plot. Baba Yaga dropped into modern Texas is a brilliant idea, and the chaos around the Alamo kept me laughing while still feeling surprisingly well structured. The characters are quirky without being over the top, and the story never drags. This is the kind of book you pick up to relax and end up finishing in just a few sittings.

[Lori M.]

This book was an unexpected delight. I loved the clash between ancient magic and modern life, especially the rivalry between Baba Yaga and the heir to a voodoo legacy. The humor feels natural and smart, not forced, and the magical mishaps are genuinely entertaining. Rachel Vargas makes a great everywoman caught in the middle of something completely wild. A fun and satisfying read that left me wanting the next book right away.

[Tilly Hyde]

This book was an unexpected delight. I loved the clash between ancient magic and modern life, especially the rivalry between Baba Yaga and the heir to a voodoo legacy. The humor feels natural and smart, not forced, and the magical mishaps are genuinely entertaining. Rachel Vargas makes a great everywoman caught in the middle of something completely wild. A fun and satisfying read that left me wanting the next book right away.

[Patricia]

This was really interesting! Two witches converge on a Texas town, and disaster reigns (and frogs, snakes, and toads rain.) Baba Yaga, the legendary Russian witch, throws down with an ancestor of Marie Laveau from Louisiana. Magic is leaking from the Alamo site, and egg-shaped objects are disappearing all over town. It takes time to get everything straightened out and for the various characters to get un-hexed.

[Bookworm52732]

*Sigh* I have better books to read.

I gave it nine chapters, AKA 26% or 63 pages according to my kindle. It's very slow going compared to the urban fantasy I'm used to and it doesn't seem to have a point. DNF.

The only curiousity I have is how a book with so few reviews by a newish author can make it onto PRIME? I thought it was based somewhat on sales, past and current.

[Alice King]

A charming and funny fantasy that does not take itself too seriously while still delivering a well crafted story. The mix of folklore, modern magic, and everyday chaos works beautifully. I appreciated how the author balanced humor with genuine stakes and character development. Hexed in Texas is a delightful distraction and a strong start to the Baba Yaga Chronicles.

[Sebastian Wallis]

A charming and funny fantasy that does not take itself too seriously while still delivering a well crafted story. The mix of folklore, modern magic, and everyday chaos works beautifully. I appreciated how the author balanced humor with genuine stakes and character development. Hexed in Texas is a delightful distraction and a strong start to the Baba Yaga Chronicles.

LOVE THIS ❤️

[Harold Boettger]

An Enjoyable Tale

I was looking for a light humorous read an “Hexed in Texas,” filled the bill. Delightful magical romp. Well done.

[Betty]

could be a fair tail in years to come

i read this because be a texan how could i not . i have a summer cold so i’m was not happy with anything but this book i like a lot .

[stephanie huntington]

Interesting and different, looking forward to more.