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Hidden Magic: The Eldritch of Hallows
In Hidden Magic, the first in a series about a secretive Eldritch sanctuary where magical beings fight to remain hidden from the outside world, a woman finds love—and the truth about herself—in a mysterious village in North Carolina. Sasha’s perfect life is destroyed when her wealthy fiancé Edward reveals his violent abusive side. Her harrowing, headlong escape leads her to Hallows, a mysterious hamlet in North Carolina when her car inexplicably breaks down. Hiding under a false identity, she takes the night shift at a local diner to pay for repairs. Despite her need to remain hidden, she is soon drawn into the life of Hallows. Sheriff Jake Wulfrick takes a personal interest in the beautiful newcomer. The sexy lawman finds her intriguing and desirable and Sasha must fight her own attraction to him. Peculiar things start to happen around her. Her blind landlady, Aunt Amelia, is oddly unaffected by her handicap and seems very much in charge. People appear in two places at once. Inanimate objects move on their own. Villagers watch her with suspicion and hostility. Soon she realizes Hallows has its own secrets and Sheriff Sexy is much more than he appears. The young woman’s arrival threatens to expose the supernatural nature of Hallows. And Sasha herself is about to uncover her parents’ lies about her own magical identity. When evil follows her to Hallows, will she be able to use her newfound powers to save herself, Hallows and the man she has come to love?
592 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2020
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 31, 2020
A finely realized fantasy set in a secretive Eldritch sanctuary where magical beings fight to remain hidden from the outside world, McDougall’s debut in The Eldritch of Hallows series tells the tale of one woman’s search for truth about her own identity.
Sasha’s perfect life turns upside down when her wealthy fiancé reveals his violent abusive nature. Determined to escape the damaging relationship, Sasha sets for a new place, leaving her city and old life behind. Her search leads her to Hallows, a mysterious hamlet in North Carolina. Despite her initial reservations, Sasha finds herself drawn into the mysterious lives of locals. The ruggedly handsome Sheriff Jake Wulfrick holds a strange attraction for Sasha, and there are peculiar things happening around the town. Struggling to make sense of the things, Sasha gets entangled in a sinister game of an enemy who is determined to realize their own ulterior motives.
McDougall has created her magical world assiduously in which magic is real and magical creatures and artifacts abound. There is a plethora of magical creatures, including shapeshifters, faes, witches, and their powers and territories, all existing inside a social order very similar to the world of humans.
Created with inventive detail, the luxurious setting dazzles. The premise is intriguing, and the conventional love story of Sasha and Jake is made more interesting by McDougall’s wit and felicitous use of language: the irresistible chemistry between the couple adds to the heat, and the love scenes are insanely intense. McDougall has a rare aptitude for building character by internal dialogue without slowing the pace.
The intricate plot dazzles with its complexity and a multitude of entertaining characters who are seldom what they seem add to the intrigue. Sasha is a dauntless heroine, diffident yet plucky. Once she gets over her apprehensions, her tempestuous romance with the handsome Sheriff is great fun. Jake is absolutely charming. The secondary cast is sketched with conviction. The large cast of different magical beings at times may daunt readers, but clever dialogue, intriguing storyline, and interesting setting keep them invested.
The fast-moving plot with magical spells, shapeshifting, rampages, secrets, intrigue, hidden evil, and humane magical creatures keep the reader turning pages nonstop. There’s plenty of glitter and flash, but a well-realized cast and skillfully executed plot add to the depth. The ending suggests there'll be a lot more action in the next book.
This is entirely intelligent and engaging read.
Urban fantasy lovers will be greatly rewarded.
Sasha’s perfect life turns upside down when her wealthy fiancé reveals his violent abusive nature. Determined to escape the damaging relationship, Sasha sets for a new place, leaving her city and old life behind. Her search leads her to Hallows, a mysterious hamlet in North Carolina. Despite her initial reservations, Sasha finds herself drawn into the mysterious lives of locals. The ruggedly handsome Sheriff Jake Wulfrick holds a strange attraction for Sasha, and there are peculiar things happening around the town. Struggling to make sense of the things, Sasha gets entangled in a sinister game of an enemy who is determined to realize their own ulterior motives.
McDougall has created her magical world assiduously in which magic is real and magical creatures and artifacts abound. There is a plethora of magical creatures, including shapeshifters, faes, witches, and their powers and territories, all existing inside a social order very similar to the world of humans.
Created with inventive detail, the luxurious setting dazzles. The premise is intriguing, and the conventional love story of Sasha and Jake is made more interesting by McDougall’s wit and felicitous use of language: the irresistible chemistry between the couple adds to the heat, and the love scenes are insanely intense. McDougall has a rare aptitude for building character by internal dialogue without slowing the pace.
The intricate plot dazzles with its complexity and a multitude of entertaining characters who are seldom what they seem add to the intrigue. Sasha is a dauntless heroine, diffident yet plucky. Once she gets over her apprehensions, her tempestuous romance with the handsome Sheriff is great fun. Jake is absolutely charming. The secondary cast is sketched with conviction. The large cast of different magical beings at times may daunt readers, but clever dialogue, intriguing storyline, and interesting setting keep them invested.
The fast-moving plot with magical spells, shapeshifting, rampages, secrets, intrigue, hidden evil, and humane magical creatures keep the reader turning pages nonstop. There’s plenty of glitter and flash, but a well-realized cast and skillfully executed plot add to the depth. The ending suggests there'll be a lot more action in the next book.
This is entirely intelligent and engaging read.
Urban fantasy lovers will be greatly rewarded.
October 13, 2020
I just finished this wonderful book. Its is well written with a riveting plot. The sights and sounds or Hallows come to life on the page. The characters and environments are bold and colourful.
The action is chilling, the romance is engaging and the threats feel real.
Reading this story you could almost believe in the Fae, Shapeshifters, Trolls and Witches. Come walk through this adventure I guarantee you won't want to put it down. Nor will you be able to keep you from yelling at the characters at the times of their crisis.
Wonderful! Engaging! Thrilling!
The action is chilling, the romance is engaging and the threats feel real.
Reading this story you could almost believe in the Fae, Shapeshifters, Trolls and Witches. Come walk through this adventure I guarantee you won't want to put it down. Nor will you be able to keep you from yelling at the characters at the times of their crisis.
Wonderful! Engaging! Thrilling!
January 27, 2021
This book has something for every fantasy, paranormal, and romance lover. There are witches, shapeshifters, vampires, and a whole host of other beings. A woman with abilities that she doesn't know she has ends up in the perfect town for her. She runs into a sexy law officer who can shape-shift into a wolf. Several things have to be learned, dispatched, and otherwise taken care of before they get their HEA.
Grab this book. It's the first in a series. I can't wait for more.
Grab this book. It's the first in a series. I can't wait for more.
March 14, 2021
I'm sad, sad that I finished Hidden Magic: The Eldritch of Hallows already. Visiting the magical village of Hallows with Sasha and Jake quickly became a welcome and much anticipated part of my evening.
This book has it all. Awesome, well-rounded characters, an engaging plot, and lots of magical beings! The world-building in this novel was top notch and I genuinely loved the small town feel it gave. It reminded me of a Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, only Hallows had trolls, mages, shapeshifting wolves, and lots of magic!!
The romance between Jake and Sasha was a pleasure to watch unfold and there was plenty of action and suspense in the plot to keep me on the edge of my seat.
5/5 stars! I highly recommend Hidden Magic to all readers interested in romantic fantasy!!
This book has it all. Awesome, well-rounded characters, an engaging plot, and lots of magical beings! The world-building in this novel was top notch and I genuinely loved the small town feel it gave. It reminded me of a Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, only Hallows had trolls, mages, shapeshifting wolves, and lots of magic!!
The romance between Jake and Sasha was a pleasure to watch unfold and there was plenty of action and suspense in the plot to keep me on the edge of my seat.
5/5 stars! I highly recommend Hidden Magic to all readers interested in romantic fantasy!!
October 23, 2020
The first-time author, Elana McDougall, delivers an engaging fantasy filled with romance, magic, secrets, threats, and more! In Hidden Magic, the author successfully transports the reader to a mysterious village called Hallows, in North Carolina. We are first introduced to Sasha, who finds herself in Hallows after escaping an abusive relationship. While she is living here under a false identity, she becomes aware of peculiar things happening around her. She soon realizes Hallows and the people who live there are much more than what they appear to be. This intricate story and each character introduced will keep you on your toes, wanting to know what will happen next!
April 10, 2021
If you love fantasy and paranormal thrown into the mix with a great romance, then look no further. This debut novel has a bit of everything—witches, shapeshifters, vampires, and a host of other beings that make for a diversified town. A hidden spot in the North Carolina mountains that I would love to discover. There is a woman that has more to her than even she knows, a handsome law officer that can change into a wolf, and a delightful cast of secondary characters. Grab a copy of this book! Then you'll be anxiously awaiting the next book just as I am.
January 19, 2021
This is a fascinating book! A real page-turner that I simply couldn't put down. The secret hidden village of Hallows is a place that anyone would want to live in (but you need to have magical powers!) Added to the mystical element, Elana McDougall has included a romantic love story that really brings the story to life. I don't usually read this genre but I'm glad I chose to read this one. The Eldritch of Hallows is a delightful story for all.
February 4, 2022
An amazing read!!
I was intrigued when I started reading Elan McDougall’s ‘Hidden Magic: The Eldritch of Hallows’ as although it is a fantasy series, it is based in the present day. Sasha Petri, fleeing an abusive relationship heads south, till instinct tells her to pull off the highway, and head inward. When her car dies, just outside a small town called ‘Hallows’, you instinctively know, that from that moment on, her life will never be the same. She had been brought to this place for a reason.
Elana McDougal’s paranormal romance novel, ticks all the boxes. There is passion/love, hate, and jealousy within its pages, which allows you to empathise with these characters. Her writing style is brilliant, as it flows easily, slowly drawing you into the story, immersing you into this world of magic. Where it differs from other novels of this genre, is that the people of ‘Hallows’, are just like you or I going through their everyday lives, but with the exception that they are the descendants of all those who were persecuted for their special powers over the centuries. Each person is unique, in that they possess their own mystical talents, handed down to them through their ancestors, and it is just by pure magic they stay hidden from the outside world by means of a shield.
I loved this book. It is a page turner, and I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. A must read for all fantasy lovers.
I was intrigued when I started reading Elan McDougall’s ‘Hidden Magic: The Eldritch of Hallows’ as although it is a fantasy series, it is based in the present day. Sasha Petri, fleeing an abusive relationship heads south, till instinct tells her to pull off the highway, and head inward. When her car dies, just outside a small town called ‘Hallows’, you instinctively know, that from that moment on, her life will never be the same. She had been brought to this place for a reason.
Elana McDougal’s paranormal romance novel, ticks all the boxes. There is passion/love, hate, and jealousy within its pages, which allows you to empathise with these characters. Her writing style is brilliant, as it flows easily, slowly drawing you into the story, immersing you into this world of magic. Where it differs from other novels of this genre, is that the people of ‘Hallows’, are just like you or I going through their everyday lives, but with the exception that they are the descendants of all those who were persecuted for their special powers over the centuries. Each person is unique, in that they possess their own mystical talents, handed down to them through their ancestors, and it is just by pure magic they stay hidden from the outside world by means of a shield.
I loved this book. It is a page turner, and I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. A must read for all fantasy lovers.
March 14, 2022
A sweet and magical read! We meet MC Sasha as she's driving on a lonely road through North Carolina. When her car breaks down, she finds herself in Hallows, a mysterious town untouched by modern technology, like smartphones and WiFi. As Sasha settles in, she meets many of the townspeople, including Sheriff Jake Wulfrick, to whom she has an instant attraction. As the story progresses, we discover not is all what it seems in Hallows- and perhaps Sasha has a bit of magic in herself, as well. Overall, I enjoyed this story. McDougall's magical world building is fun and many of her characters are quirky and likable. I would have liked more buildup/slow burn with the attraction between Sasha and Jake; their instant attraction is very instant! Overall, though, this was a great story to curl up with on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Recommend!
September 20, 2021
If you like romance with magic and suspense, I highly recommend this book. It grabs your interest from the first paragraph, and keeps right on rolling along. The characters were all likeable, except of course the villain, who was enjoyably dislikeable. The imagery is well described, and the town of Hallows comes across as a truly magical place.
This is book one of a ( as of now ) two book series.
This is book one of a ( as of now ) two book series.
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October 12, 2020Magical story and brilliant descriptions
I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. The characters are amazing, and the vivid descriptions transported me to the center of Hallows. I highly recommend this novel!
I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. The characters are amazing, and the vivid descriptions transported me to the center of Hallows. I highly recommend this novel!
June 24, 2021
Love it!
This book was delicious! I love the description; I could see every scene in my head as I read it. It was a great read.
This book was delicious! I love the description; I could see every scene in my head as I read it. It was a great read.
January 21, 2022
Great read, full of a bit of everything, romance, suspense, mystery, fun, I love that it’s Book Two and even though I didn’t read Book One I was able to follow the story and not be lost.
January 23, 2022
Excellent!
July 28, 2022
Hidden Magic, A Review
What a wonderful story! Full of twists and turns, great characters, a great plot. I loved it. Highly recommend it.
What a wonderful story! Full of twists and turns, great characters, a great plot. I loved it. Highly recommend it.
December 20, 2022
Sometimes I can't put my finger on why I lose interest in a book, this is one of them.
June 7, 2021
Magic on Every Page!
From the first chapter, I knew this story was going to suck me in! Enchanting, romantic and mysterious, Hidden Magic was an absolute page-turner.
From the first chapter, I knew this story was going to suck me in! Enchanting, romantic and mysterious, Hidden Magic was an absolute page-turner.
Read
November 19, 2021Love this! Romance! Shapeshifters and magicians.
This is the sort of book to help you escape this pandemic. Curl up on the couch and lose yourself in Hidden Magic.
Sasha is a strong, feisty heroine on the run and Jake is a very dashing hero determined to win both her trust and her love. I loved the witty banter between them. The sex scenes--wow!! Then you have the fantastic peoples of Hallows who bicker and quarrel while hiding what they are from this stranger. Then you throw in a shocking murder and you can't put it down. There are laugh-aloud moments like when a thief steals a backpack with a giant's second head and marble decorations on houses bully people passing by. There's lots going on but it all wraps up in a dramatic climax and of course, a perfect happy ending. I recommend it.
This is the sort of book to help you escape this pandemic. Curl up on the couch and lose yourself in Hidden Magic.
Sasha is a strong, feisty heroine on the run and Jake is a very dashing hero determined to win both her trust and her love. I loved the witty banter between them. The sex scenes--wow!! Then you have the fantastic peoples of Hallows who bicker and quarrel while hiding what they are from this stranger. Then you throw in a shocking murder and you can't put it down. There are laugh-aloud moments like when a thief steals a backpack with a giant's second head and marble decorations on houses bully people passing by. There's lots going on but it all wraps up in a dramatic climax and of course, a perfect happy ending. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews