The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor's life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can't help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.
The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen's sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter's lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.
Touring the only "non-haunted" house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family's cabin uncovers a heritage he didn't know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.
With the majestic Rocky Mountains just outside the window, I sit at my computer with vampires,demons, witches, faeries, and a variety of paranormal creatures gathered around telling me their stories! That makes me an author of paranormal romance novels and cozy mysteries with magic spark. The everyday world is mundane, but sprinkle a little magic and you have fantastic!
Colorado is home. I share my life with a wonderful husband of many moons, our brilliant Chow Chow, a terribly spoiled companion parrot, and a forty-year-old box turtle. We enjoy hiking, biking, and camping, also love water sports including kayaking and whitewater rafting, especially on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge.
Another passion of mine is reading a good novel. You can find me any winter evening curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate, and a big bowl of popcorn. While growing up, if I didn’t like the ending of a book, I’d rewrite it, which led to writing my own books.
Reluctantly, I discovered that in real life it’s tough to rewrite an ending.
Gypsy magic, New England adventure, romance, and “non-haunted” houses at Halloween—what more could you want in a magical read? “Hidden Gypsy Magic” *has* more. With Salem, Massachusetts, as its setting, add veterinarians and animal sanctuaries, families, and friends, and you enter into a magical world of fae. Loved the story!
The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is at the center of Gwen's life. Her gypsy magic allows her gift for helping animals in need to thrive but sometimes she needs help. Brock is a local vet and they work so well together. Their love of animals connects them as does their instant attraction. But between their passions for animal rescue and very busy lives, it's hard to find quality time together. When the house Brock has always been drawn to comes up for sale, he and Gwen take a tour. It's an incredible home and seems to be made for him. Gwen senses magic but nothing sinister. He decides to go for it and this decision propels not only him but Gwen as well on a journey neither of them expects. Brock discovers the house is full of secrets dating back to the Salem Witch Trials. Can he and Gwen solve the mystery and use their hidden gypsy magic to right past wrongs or will the consequences be too severe?
Hidden Gypsy Magic is an addictive read, start to finish. From the very first page, I connected with Gwen. Her love for animals is so sweet and endearing with plenty of humor, I found myself chuckling as I read. "I mean, who does that?" I remember Gwen from a previous book and she is such a great character. The romance between Gwen and Brock is subtle but rang true. Why? We're all mega busy these days and sometimes it's hard to make time for a significant other. The plot moves at a great pace with plenty of minor characters to interact with. The historical parts dealing with the Salem Witch Trials were so well done, my historical heart swelled. The emotional narration had me ripping through the pages until the very end. Did I mention it’s an addictive read? Good. If you're looking for a magical romance between two animal lovers, pick up Hidden Gypsy Magic. This is, hands down, Tena Stetler's best book to date. A must-read for all romance readers! Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
From the very first page I was completely captivated and swept off my feet!! I finished this book in just one sitting!! Once I started reading there was no stopping!!
This is truly my favorite Tena Stetler book and absolutely one of the top books I’ve read all year long!!
I have to be honest, once I saw this book was about rescue animals, animal sanctuaries, and veterinarians, I was totally sold!! But then the author also included a spooky, eerie, mystery of a “non-haunted,” house with ties, history, and secrets related to the Salem Witch Trials. This added for a fun, adventure filled with historical content and with Halloween on the rise this felt like the perfect read!!
I really enjoyed the main characters, Gwen and Brock. I loved how likable, genuine, and realistic these characters were. I loved that Gwen was strong, passionate, caring, sweet, driven, honest, and warmhearted. She also was a bit sassy, bold, and overall total kick-ass heroine. She is the type of character you can easily relate and connect with – at least I absolutely identified with her. Gwen’s love and compassion for helping to rescue and save the animals was sweet, angelic, inspiring, and uplifting. She is definitely someone you’d want to be BFF’s with or better yet – even be her!! And that says a lot about the author being able to create such a multi-dimensional character with realistic traits and a unique personality that draws a reader into not only sympathizing with the character, but further engaging and developing a stronger bond.
One scene that just perfectly depicts Gwen’s ambience and that doesn’t give away any spoilers is when Gwen finds the abandoned Desert Tortoises and is going on about, “what’s wrong with people,” which is like the exact same thing I was saying at that moment!! How can there be people in the world that could commit such horrid, careless acts towards poor, defenseless, little creatures?!?! And then she takes the box of baby turtles to the vet clinic and is interacting with Delta, the receptionist. Delta mentions how odd it is to find these turtles in cold, New England, and asks, “how do you suppose they found their way here?” And Gwen, gritting her teeth responds: “Human interference.” I could easily picture her saying that so annoyingly and frustratingly. It just captured Gwen’s (and my!!!) passion about saving the rescue animals and her disdain of wretched people abusing, neglecting, and abandoning animals.
I also really enjoyed Brock and his strong, protective, caring, charismatic, and charming features. His love for animals was also very endearing and adorable!! Which made partnering up Gwen and Brock even more perfect as two strong, caring, driven, passionate characters with a clear devoted love for the animals in their care.
I also wanted to note that I greatly enjoyed the supporting characters such as Pepper, Lathen, Sam, Paul, Quintin, Delta, Rita, and so many others!! They were quite entertaining, played well off the main cast, and were significantly important to the success of this book!!
Furthermore, I wanted to mention the paranormal aspect with many of the characters having special "Gypsy Magic," abilities and talents, some of those include being able to connect, interact, understand, help, and heal the injured animals. I find this to be such an intriguing story line as an animal lover. If you are someone who is attuned with animals’ emotions, you’d appreciate the ability to take that one step further to really know what the animal is feeling and needing. Not to mention the power to heal a poor, defenseless animal like in the story, when Misfit, is significantly injured and Pepper is able to quickly heal her as there was no time to wait for a vet.
Also, I enjoyed the historical content of the Salem Witch Trials with a bit of a paranormal mystery intertwined that was well researched and felt properly integrated into the story.
I absolutely LOVED the entertaining names that Gwen gives the rescue animals and the other pet names that appear in this book. Such as Fluffy the hairless Iguana, RoadTrip, “RT” for short, the injured turtle that was runover by a car, Misfit the stray dog, and so on!! It was truly adorable, made for some entertaining laughs, and provided even cuter pictures in my head while I watched this story unfold like a movie.
I am a HUGE animal lover and I’ve been known to rescue many cats, dogs, squirrels, the occasional bird, and one time a baby fox. But, I have never crossed paths with turtles. Finding them to be one of the main rescue animal story lines was very interesting and intriguing!! I honestly realized I would have no idea how to help a creature so out of the norm of showing up on my doorstep – not much unlike Gwen’s encounter. I liked that this book encouraged me to further research a lesser known creature in the event I too, have a similar story in the near future. Also, I loved that the author applied her own personal knowledge as an owner of a forty-year-old box turtle.
This book has such a fascinating, creative story line, excellent writing style with detailed scenes, strongly developed characters, is steady paced, and keeps you entertained through the last page.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This book is Book Three of A Witch’s Journey Book Series. This book can be read as a standalone, however, there are significant character and story line overlap from the previous books. Even with the overlaps and having not read the other books in this series, I did not get lost or find it confusing. I think this book wouldn’t be puzzling to other new series readers, but I personally would think it would make more sense and have a stronger impact on the understanding of this book series, if you started with book one first.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all paranormal romance readers and animal lovers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Hidden Gypsy Magic by Tena Stetler is an amazing story to read. This is book number three in this amazing series that I have loved reading very much and can not wait to see what else this author will write. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwen Taylor is so busy running her wildlife animal sanctuary in the historic town of Salem, Massachusetts, she doesn’t have much time for dating. Brock Scutter is also busy with his veterinarian practice. After he buys a new house that’s imbued with magic, he and Gwen soon learn a surprising secret about the Salem Witch Trials. Brock and Gwen are interesting characters. Their romantic relationship started off slow due to their demanding jobs and the injured animals under their care, but they had great chemistry and a strong friendship. They’re also learning how to use and hone their magical abilities. The secondary characters were fun, especially Pepper and Lathen. Pepper is one tough cookie—or should I say kickass witch? Even though this story is a standalone, it connects with two other novels that are part of the multi-author Lobster Cove series. I haven’t read those books, so I was a little confused at times when references were made to past events. Anyway, I enjoyed the story for the likable H/h, the beautiful New England scenery, and the bits of magic weaving everything together. 4 Stars
Gwen Taylor is dedicated to her life's work at the Salem Wildlife Sanctuary where no animal is ever turned away. She has a special affinity for the animals and knows that they hear what she says to them. There's a poaching ring in the area and some turtles are found abandoned by the road. A little guy has a damaged leg and her clever name for him is Road Trip. There is so much wit interspersed with the magic of their surroundings and the location of Salem. Dr. Brock Scutter is a veterinarian who has a similar passion for treating wildlife. He and Gwen have known one another, but their shared dedication to the animals brings them together again and again. Being that it's Salem, it's a good bet that there's some magic in the air and, perhaps, some dark magic. Both of them have gypsy magic and their abilities are certainly unique. Brock finds a house he's been interested in for a while and he takes Gwen to walk through it with him. What they discover is another world and there is magic in the air. This is a truly satisfying story whose major focus is on the animal rescue and the sweet relationship they have with their rescuers. Add in an entire family with gypsy magic and it's a special kind of paranormal read. The narration is wonderfully done by Nikki Zakocs, with a dynamic voice that makes every character unique. Her "Salem accent" is spot on and brings the story to life.
It’s a feel good book with a heart-warming story. Set in Salem, Massachusetts it makes the perfect Halloween read, not scary but contains intriguing events surrounding Halloween and the Salem Witch Trials. Yep, I put a different twist on the historic event.
Easy, breezy and comfortable right from the start, "Hidden Gypsy Magic" is a joy to read.
I will say that it's clear this book is part of a series, and I haven't read the others, so felt a little "plopped into the middle" of the story when it starts. There are a good half dozen or so characters introduced in the first chapter alone and there's kind of an assumption that you know them already. They clearly know each other well, and there's history (like when the H/h make a casual date right off the bat or when there are discussions of babies, etc.) so that was a little tough at the start, but it smoothed right out.
I love that one of Brock's requirements for the house he's hunting for is that it's not haunted. Of course, living in Salem, that's understandable. I also appreciate that there is an easy camaraderie between Brock and Gwen. The small town feel, here, too was wonderful. I'm a sucker for character driven stories, and this one has that in spades. It's not hard to get attached to everyone in the book (so it's wonderful that it's a series...and I'll have to hunt down the others).
I also love the menagerie of animals we meet throughout the story--given the animal sanctuary and veterinarian angle, that's not necessarily surprising, but honestly the author makes each one unique and interesting and certainly characters in their own right.
The heat level, too, was just right for me. Not exactly behind closed doors, but not super explicit. Just perfectly romantic with a touch of spice. Loved!
So, honestly, except that this didn't exactly stand alone--I mean, I wasn't lost after the first couple of chapters, but I still felt like I was missing something--this was a great book. And the author's voice and skill sold me on trying her other books. Good job and 4 solid stars!
Gwen Taylor's life revolves around Salem Wildlife Rescue where she can help the animals thanks to a gift from her Irish Gypsy heritage. Still, she needs a veterinarian as well and Brock Scutter has signed on after expanding his practice to include wild animals. They're also drawn to each other and try to make time to see each other around their busy schedules. But when they take a tour of a house that Brock wants to buy, magic opens to both of them. And they soon come across a mystery from the past that needs to be solved and brought to light if they want a future together.
This was the third book in the Witch's Journey series and I loved it! I actually binge read the series upon discovering it. This book was Gwen and Brock's story and it was absolutely fabulous. Start with a book about two animal lovers who work hard to make a difference then add some magic, romance, and a little suspense and you get a story that won't let you go. This heartwarming book was well-written with well-rounded characters and a well-thought-out plot. I was drawn into this enchanting tale and kept hooked from start to finish, not wanting to put it down. I highly recommend both book and series which is best read in order.
From the beginning to end, the enchantment of Ms. Stetler’s details of intertwining two families—past and present—was skillfully accomplished. Between witchcraft, with a bit of fae, ancient mystery unearthed and set to rights, to houses that react to its occupant’s needs, the realistic portrayal is spot on. From references to Salem’s witch trials, to the backdrop of working with animal rehab and sanctuaries, combined families, friends and coworkers, Hidden Gypsy Magic is skillfully crafted. The romance between Brock and Gwen was a refreshing realistic romance—not over the top, but satisfying, nonetheless. An intriguing read that will warm your heart. ~Carol Henry, author of Contemporary Romantic Suspense
This is the first book in the series that I have read and although past events were explained, I did feel I should have read the previous books first. The story has twists & turns, mystery, magic, relationships, romance, a whole host of characters to get to know, friends, family, support, history, lovely animals and so much love and laughter. I did enjoy reading this book but I felt it starts in the middle of Gwen and Brock's relationship and it made me feel I was missing out as I hadn't seen them meet and start a relationship, it was a feeling I felt all the way thought, probably because I liked them as couple so much. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
From the moment I stepped into the pages of Hidden Gypsy Magic, I fell into a beautiful, magical world created by the talented Ms. Stetler. I instantly fell in love with Gwen and Brock’s love story and how this author built on a previous friendship and allowed it to blossom. And the secondary supportive characters were an added bonus, along with all the animals and reptiles Gwen rescues along the way. Misfit (the dog) and Roadtrip (the wood turtle) were adorable!
Salem is a magical city—one which I have visited, and I could envision myself working at the fictional Salem Sanctuary with Gwen.
When the story was finished, I wanted to touch my kindle and disappear into the world Tena Stetler created. I highly recommend this story!
I have had the priviledge of listening to the audible version of Hidden Gypsy Magic, and I have enjoyed it a lot. I found the characters to be entertaining, and down to earth. The story line was easy to follow, and it was very well written. I am very particular about how the story is read, and I found this one to be well read. The team of Ms Stetler and her narrater to be a smooth match. I have read/listened to most all of Mrs Stetler's books and each one has its own story life. I loved Hidden Gypsy Magic and the thought of a house accepting people in is entriguing. Brock and Gwen especially are very believable and each interaction is so believable. I believe if you're looking for a book that you will enjoy reading time and again, then I recommend Hidden Gypsy Magic.
Hidden Gypsy Magic has everything I love in a story. Brock is a vet and Gwen runs a Wildlife Sanctuary. These two compassionate, passionate, capable people have a lot in common including their paranormal gifts/abilities. I loved how the author wove in people I met in other stories as Gwen and Brock care for the flock of wounded creatures they encounter. The author paints a vivid picture of a life I wish I could lead especially the gypsy magical cabin! The Salem Witch trial mystery added to the list of things I enjoyed about this story. What a wonderful world!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The third book in this series is an enchanting story of love, laughter, magic and family and my favorite so far. Some of the characters from previous books are back, which is always fun and holds the continuity of the series, and the romance between Brock and Gwen is fun, believable and sexy.
One of the things I love about this series, is that the magic is not overdone as you see in so many books. The magic is understated and the reader can almost believe it’s true.
This author has a way of making her characters realistic and likable, and you almost feel as if you are there with them, or at least wanting to escape into their world.
Hidden Gypsy Magic is book three in the A Witches Journey series by Tena Stetler. This was my first book to read by this author and I wish I had read the other two in the series first. I can’t say this book is a stand alone, because I felt lost for the first few chapters. However, the story accelerated and I found myself swept away by the tale of Gwen and Brock. There are a few steamy scenes and some twists and turns that I didn’t expect. I enjoyed the historical sections - not going to give anything away - and the “time travel” too. I recommend reading all of the books in this series. Well done.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but I will definitely be reading more from her. This is book three in the A Witches Journey series, I recommend reading the other two books first so the story fits together a little better, and wish I had done the same. That being said, this book is phenomenal. I’m a sucker for any book with animals this one is definitely one of my favorite books with animals in it. The author did such a great job with all the characters, but the way she wrote also gave the animals a great personality that some authors can’t pull off. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series and more from this author, I highly recommend this series!
Another winner from Tena Stetler! I love how she melds realistic stories with magic and mystery. The minute I saw the story dealt with rescuing and caring for animals, I knew I had to dive in. Gwen is a passionate, compassionate heroine and Brock is a worthy hero. Their chemistry is sweet and I enjoyed the humor in their interactions. The skillful use of sensory details truly made the gorgeous old house and the Salem setting come to life. I don't want to spoil the story by revealing too much...you'll have to read it for yourself!
Romance, animals, magic, and friendship draw you into this story. The characters are well-developed, and I enjoyed the strong bond between the main characters and their family and friends. While the story and romance are a bit slow in the beginning with Gwen and Brock already having a connection from a previous book, the magic keeps the story moving. The mystery surrounding Brock’s house was interesting, and I really enjoyed every scene at the Wildlife Sanctuary…turtles, an owl, and an adorable pup! Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.
Take an animal sanctuary and rescue, add the local vet, plus all sorts of magick and magical beings, and you have the makings of a whimsical romance.
Stetler's characters are absolutely enchanting, her storyline filled with otherworldly events that engage and intrigue the reader. A well-written tale you won't want to miss!
[Hidden Gypsy Magic was made available by the author for the 2022 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Gwen and Brock's busy, magical lives make a whimsical hodge-podge of a story. There was so much going and so many unique characters I was sometimes confused (truth be told I didn't read the previous books and probably should have). I loved Gwen and Brock's passion for animals, being an owl lover I absolutely loved "Lucky" and her story. There were some sweet/steamy romantic moments when Gwen and Brock were able to get away from their responsibilities. My favorite scenes revolved around the mysterious, magical "haunted house" and cabin. The addition of a unique twist regarding the Salem Witch trials and the hidden gypsy magic made for a fun afternoon of reading.
This is a wonderful read that will leave you with a smile when you finish it. The magical world created is captivating and pulls you even further into the story. I love the way previous book friends in other books are woven into the fabric of the authors book world. The characters are witty, strong, sweet and endearing. I especially love the animal friends we meets and their personality quirks. The storyline has a mixture of action, adventure, history and surprises. It makes it a lot of fun to read. I will definitely be revisiting this series in the future.
I really enjoyed the story. The mix of magical characters and events kept me reading till the end. Her descriptions of the tortoises and other animals brought me right in to the wildlife rescue. Best of all was the house. I'd love to own a place like the one in the story. To date, this is one of my favorite novels by the author.
This was an entertaining story. I felt it took a bit to get going though. Gwen and Brock made a great couple. I enjoyed their love for animals, how they protected and cared for injuries, etc. As secrets come out, their love for each other became stronger.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
This was a fun read. The author manages to combine romance, a haunted house tale, a twist on the Salem Witch Trials, and an animal rescue to create a story that’s hard to put down.
This is book three in a series and I wish that I had read them in order since the book refers back to events that obviously happened in the first two books. But there was enough background that I never felt too lost.
A well written story that kept me turning pages, I was not putting down this book until I had finished reading it. I enjoyed reading Gwen Taylor and Brock Scutter's story and they surprise they all get. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Received as a gift from an ARC program that I belong to, this was a cute read, but obviously part of a series and not the one to start on. I enjoyed it, characters were fun, and the critters were even better ;-)
Hidden Gypsy Magic brings the magic to life. If you didn't believe in magic before reading Hidden Gypsy Magic you'll believe in magic after. I love love love love this book. Tena I can't wait to read what you come up with next.
What a magical story. I loved the characters and how they learn about an enchanted house. I wanted so bad to see the house in my mind. The author did an excellent job of detailing what it looked like. Can't wait to continue this adventure with the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.