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Raising Hell #1
Raising Hell
After the death of his parents, Noah Smith returns to his old hometown of Indian Springs, Alabama, to help care for his elderly grandmother and to take over the family bakery. The worrisome fact is Noah knows nothing at all about bakeries, running a small business, or taking care of little old ladies.
Nick Moody is the youngest sheriff ever elected in the county, and has a complicated history with Noah, one that he would prefer to leave buried in the past..But when a dead body is found behind the bakery, Noah has to call on the sheriff, his own ingenuity, and a little supernatural help to save the day.
Take some doughnuts, a cherry pie, a little fire and brimstone and a magic book, add in a few incantations and some polished toenails and you have a recipe for a prize-winning second chance romance—if the evil demon his grandmother and her friends have conjured up doesn’t ruin everything first.
Nick Moody is the youngest sheriff ever elected in the county, and has a complicated history with Noah, one that he would prefer to leave buried in the past..But when a dead body is found behind the bakery, Noah has to call on the sheriff, his own ingenuity, and a little supernatural help to save the day.
Take some doughnuts, a cherry pie, a little fire and brimstone and a magic book, add in a few incantations and some polished toenails and you have a recipe for a prize-winning second chance romance—if the evil demon his grandmother and her friends have conjured up doesn’t ruin everything first.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2020
76 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 10, 2020
I love this book!
I adore this author and I think this book might be one of my all time favorites from her. She writes amazing paranormal stories and I'm a sucker for anything involving magic and the metaphysical. This story was sweet with just a touch of angst to spice it up a bit. Lots of humor, especially with the group of elderly ladies in the book. The MC was so easy to relate to. I wasn't a big fan of his romantic interest at first (the Sheriff had to work hard to win me over lol), but he was what he needed to be and was a strong presence. A well done book all the way around.
I adore this author and I think this book might be one of my all time favorites from her. She writes amazing paranormal stories and I'm a sucker for anything involving magic and the metaphysical. This story was sweet with just a touch of angst to spice it up a bit. Lots of humor, especially with the group of elderly ladies in the book. The MC was so easy to relate to. I wasn't a big fan of his romantic interest at first (the Sheriff had to work hard to win me over lol), but he was what he needed to be and was a strong presence. A well done book all the way around.
July 19, 2020
Noah just went to bed one night, when he recieved a call from the sheriff's office that his nana, aunt Rose and their friend Claudie are in custody. Why? Because they broke into the town's funeral home and apparently molested a body.
And let me tell you, that call set up the premises for the funniest book I've read by this author. The three old ladies, and occasionally their friends in the book club, improvised themselves in detectives, burglars, demon fighters and witches. They were a riot and their shenanigans kept me laughing all through the book. Poor Noah and his love interest, sheriff Nick, most of the time were just mere witnesses and reluctant participants in old ladies' schemes to free the town of evil.
Told from Noah's POV, this was not a romance per se. Although Noah talks about his feelings for Nick almost from the beginning, up until toward the ending it seemed like nothing was going to happen between them. Thankfully, the two of them managed to have a heart to heart conversation and declare their love for each other, which was the perfect finale to their adventures.
Raising Hell was a delightful read and I can't recommend it enough.
And let me tell you, that call set up the premises for the funniest book I've read by this author. The three old ladies, and occasionally their friends in the book club, improvised themselves in detectives, burglars, demon fighters and witches. They were a riot and their shenanigans kept me laughing all through the book. Poor Noah and his love interest, sheriff Nick, most of the time were just mere witnesses and reluctant participants in old ladies' schemes to free the town of evil.
Told from Noah's POV, this was not a romance per se. Although Noah talks about his feelings for Nick almost from the beginning, up until toward the ending it seemed like nothing was going to happen between them. Thankfully, the two of them managed to have a heart to heart conversation and declare their love for each other, which was the perfect finale to their adventures.
Raising Hell was a delightful read and I can't recommend it enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2020
Out of focus but enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book, but it felt a touch flat to me.
The demon stuff was cool, and those little old ladies were awesome but I didn't buy the romance angle at all. All together it kind of felt a bit out of focus? Like there were two warring subplots and no real plot? Or maybe two plots that just didn't click together.
Nick was an ass*ole. And an unnecessarily cruel one at that. No part of that do I get. He just turns around? First it was kind of random but you could tell he didn't really want to come out. Then suddenly he is all in. No. I didn't buy that. I actually was enjoying the story better without him even in it. He was a jerk. And had a heck of a temper. Just no. Or make it longer so that it feels more natural.
Enjoyable but underwhelming. I really and truly liked it, but probably won't look for anything else from this author.
I really enjoyed this book, but it felt a touch flat to me.
The demon stuff was cool, and those little old ladies were awesome but I didn't buy the romance angle at all. All together it kind of felt a bit out of focus? Like there were two warring subplots and no real plot? Or maybe two plots that just didn't click together.
Nick was an ass*ole. And an unnecessarily cruel one at that. No part of that do I get. He just turns around? First it was kind of random but you could tell he didn't really want to come out. Then suddenly he is all in. No. I didn't buy that. I actually was enjoying the story better without him even in it. He was a jerk. And had a heck of a temper. Just no. Or make it longer so that it feels more natural.
Enjoyable but underwhelming. I really and truly liked it, but probably won't look for anything else from this author.
September 7, 2020
This was a sweet and funny read with a twist! Noah wakes up to a phone call that his grandmother was arrested for breaking into a morgue and doing something hinky to a corpse. Best opening line ever and enough to set the mood for the rest of the story. In the midst of the trying to battle an evil demon, keep his grandmother and her friends safe, Noah also has to deal with his childhood crush, Nick, who is the local sheriff in town. Nick is straight but has a crush on Noah who owns the local bakery. He has only ever been attracted to Noah and not other guys. There were moments that I thought Nick was a jerk but he managed to redeem himself halfway through the book. I'm glad he and Noah got another chance at love and making it work. The grandmothers and demon made this book an enjoyable read and provided some great humor in the storyline. Along the way to vanquishing the demon, Noah discovers the truth about himself so it ended on a nice and lovely note.
September 19, 2020
This was a delightful story that has all the goodies you like to have when reading. Magic, not one, but three old tiny grannies and aunt, a demon, murder, mystery, second chances, humor and belonging. Noah lives with his great aunt and granny. After his parents deaths, he felt responsible for them and moved back home. He picked where his parents left off and pulled their bakery into the present with his magically delicious donuts. The only thing that throws a klinker into the mix is Nick, Noah's childhood friend and the love of his little gay heart. The other is that his two elderly relatives are acting a little...hum...strange Nick's granny is also in the mix and the two men fear their beloved relatives are getting a little senile. Murder? A demon? Magic? The two men have to try and sort this out and their own relationship as well. A darn good book that is well worth reading.
July 21, 2020
It reminded me of the movie Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant but with a paranormal twist. It was just great!! Funny, intriguing and with a quirky romance. Witches, a demon, a sheriff that your going to want to smack at first, add in some little old ladies that like recipes and a touch of booze in their drinks and you have a winning story that you will be sad to see end. With our hero, the loving grandson, bakery owner and gay man in a small hick town and you will be hooked!! I have found a new book to help chase the blues away. Get to know Noah, you will learn to love the sheriff Nick, and some funny cute old ladies but be prepared not to be able to put it down till you're done.
August 3, 2020
I m a big fan of this author but this book frustrated me and most of the time annoyed me. The premise was great, the old ladies were charming but the 2 MC's were not. Noah was your typical doormat who pinned over Nick for years and still continues to do so even tho Nick has been nothing but a jerk to him ever since he came back to town. Nick was a selfish, arrogant jerk from start to finish, everything was done at his pace, he loves Noah but he is not gay, he wants blow jobs but that s bc he doing a favor to Noah, he decides he likes Noah but needs time to come out, in the meantime he sure liked eating his cake. Nah, this wasn t my thing.
July 23, 2020
Noah comes back home because he is worried about his grandmother. He should be, she is crazy! He has been away 10 years. He left after the boy he loved left town to join the military and they had horrible words! He comes back to run his deceased parents’ bakery. Nick is the youngest sheriff the county has ever had. It had a group of crazy old ladies, magic, brimstone, and demons!! This story was funny!! Loved it.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
July 27, 2020
My favorite Shannon West book and that's saying a lot. If you have a southern bone in your body, this will be a mind movie to end all mind movies for you. I snickered, laughed, and remembered old friends and relatives, most of whom are gone now but they sure live on in this book. So, if you need a break from the pain and harshness of these times, read this book! And, yes, there is a romance and some hot sex but the seniors stole the show. I'd love to read more about this small southern town and its people.
March 1, 2021
Book club
Noah and Nick sure have their hands full with family and those sassy ladies know how to keep life interesting. In fact, I dare say that what happens in book club stays in book club...except when it doesn’t. I loved Noah and admire his well of patience, which was sorely tested, but with Nick, it took me a while to warm up to him. His attitude came in handy though and by the end though I was a fan of both. Mysterious, paranormal shenanigans and a hard-won second-chance romance feature in this fun and lively adventure.
Noah and Nick sure have their hands full with family and those sassy ladies know how to keep life interesting. In fact, I dare say that what happens in book club stays in book club...except when it doesn’t. I loved Noah and admire his well of patience, which was sorely tested, but with Nick, it took me a while to warm up to him. His attitude came in handy though and by the end though I was a fan of both. Mysterious, paranormal shenanigans and a hard-won second-chance romance feature in this fun and lively adventure.
September 27, 2021
Enjoyable and fun even if it didn't quite work. I feel like it needed to be longer and a more developed plot.
I loved the old ladies (they stole the show for me) and I enjoyed Noah. Nick, on the other hand, could have used some more work. This series goes for the Josh Lanyon-esque gruff cop who is actually just in love with the plucky MC but it doesn't quite work. He just comes across as a cruel asshole who isn't really into Noah, who is just a doormat in this. Like a total doormat.
BTW, this badly needs an editor. There are typos galore, grammatical errors, copy errors.
I loved the old ladies (they stole the show for me) and I enjoyed Noah. Nick, on the other hand, could have used some more work. This series goes for the Josh Lanyon-esque gruff cop who is actually just in love with the plucky MC but it doesn't quite work. He just comes across as a cruel asshole who isn't really into Noah, who is just a doormat in this. Like a total doormat.
BTW, this badly needs an editor. There are typos galore, grammatical errors, copy errors.
July 28, 2020
Funny
I think I laughed through the whole book. If you are looking for something light and funny, then this is the book for you. Noah's grandmother is forced of nature. We could use a grandmother like her. I read this from kindle unlimited, I plan on buying this book so I can read again.
I think I laughed through the whole book. If you are looking for something light and funny, then this is the book for you. Noah's grandmother is forced of nature. We could use a grandmother like her. I read this from kindle unlimited, I plan on buying this book so I can read again.
August 21, 2020
A fun read
It’s a funny, quirky paranormal romance. There are grandma’s who summon demons from an old cookbook. A cop and a baker have to step in and help and relationships are rekindled in a very satisfying way.
It’s a funny, quirky paranormal romance. There are grandma’s who summon demons from an old cookbook. A cop and a baker have to step in and help and relationships are rekindled in a very satisfying way.
July 24, 2020
This was a great start to a series. Ready to read more! Bring it on Shannon West!
July 26, 2020
Lovely
Loved the story from the first page. Little old ladies a d witches and demons! Such a good love story also.
Loved the story from the first page. Little old ladies a d witches and demons! Such a good love story also.
July 31, 2020
Až na toální deux ex machina v závěru to bylo dobré. Vtipné, příjemné a stránky se otáčely vysloveně samy.
August 15, 2020
So much fun!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the first page, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the first page, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
September 14, 2020
This one was sorely lacking in the romance department but it sure was fun in the demon ass-kicking department. The grandmas stole the show in this one and what a fun ride it was.
October 4, 2020
OK
Scooby Doo + Golden Girls + gay
And so many typos. (Step one when you finish writing: find all double spaces and replace with singles. Sheesh.)
Scooby Doo + Golden Girls + gay
And so many typos. (Step one when you finish writing: find all double spaces and replace with singles. Sheesh.)
July 31, 2020
Although I liked this there was just a slight disappointment about it. Perhaps just expected it to be more!!
August 29, 2020
DNF. Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of this authors Tyger Prince series. I've also read other books by her. However, I didn't get very far in this novel before I couldn't read anymore. I understand that she was trying to make us fall in love with the "crazy, old grandmothers," but I just found them to be extremely annoying. The fact that they thought it was fun to disrespect a persons body just to obtain a recipe book, was not in the least bit acceptable, and they broke into the funeral home to do so. They just came off as a bunch of selfish, entitled, geriatric "Karens." I was too done with this book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews