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Believe in witches, for sometimes you need magic to ward off the evil in darkness.
It was my junior year at Hawthorne University when Mira dealt me a reversed Lovers card. That meant trouble in paradise. I thought nothing of it until Alondra introduced me to a new witch from outside our coven—Enora. Enora’s precisely the sort of witch you’d call wicked. Even worse, she used to be in love with my boyfriend.
I just wanted a normal year. But as our leader fought illness, I fought with my friends trying to hold the Hawthorne coven together. I felt abandoned. And my loneliness dropped me into trances where I wandered the dark forest alone. These altered states were created by my magic, but I learned that they were spurred on by something far more sinister.
Where did this evil come from? The wicked witch? The old devil? I had to find out because it threatened the people I love.
Windstorm is the sequel to Broomstick.
The books in this series are complete self-contained novels not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers cannot be avoided, but Windstorm is a stand-alone novel that can be enjoyed without reading the first book.
It was my junior year at Hawthorne University when Mira dealt me a reversed Lovers card. That meant trouble in paradise. I thought nothing of it until Alondra introduced me to a new witch from outside our coven—Enora. Enora’s precisely the sort of witch you’d call wicked. Even worse, she used to be in love with my boyfriend.
I just wanted a normal year. But as our leader fought illness, I fought with my friends trying to hold the Hawthorne coven together. I felt abandoned. And my loneliness dropped me into trances where I wandered the dark forest alone. These altered states were created by my magic, but I learned that they were spurred on by something far more sinister.
Where did this evil come from? The wicked witch? The old devil? I had to find out because it threatened the people I love.
Windstorm is the sequel to Broomstick.
The books in this series are complete self-contained novels not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers cannot be avoided, but Windstorm is a stand-alone novel that can be enjoyed without reading the first book.
Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2020
7 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Hawke
36 books757 followersA.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 29, 2020
Oh I loved this. It’s a great sequel to book one “Broomstick” . It’s an exciting new adult college paranormal romance that is full of witchcraft, hot and steamy scenes, suspense and has a great storyline! I found myself lost in this world once again as the world building is awesome and just sucks you in and is every bit as good as book one!
August 27, 2022
More of like a 3.75 if I'm being honest. I love the witchy vibes and everything but it all felt very juvenile. I know they are in college but the mentality of the students felt more like middle or early high school. That's what made it hard to read.
December 9, 2023
*4.75 stars: book; 5 stars: audiobook*
This is book two of this series. While it can be read as a standalone, even though it picks up shortly after the events at the end of book one, it is more enjoyable when read in order. If you have triggers, be sure to check the warnings before reading. Also have tissues handy because there are a few tear jerking moments.
I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and read along with the e-book using my Kobo plus. Alexa Elmy did another amazing job with the narration of this book. How she is able to alter her voice and express all the emotions to make you feel like you are really there is enviable.
I enjoyed this book just as much as the previous books and was surprised by multiple events throughout reading. This one seemed to have a bit more mind tricks in it and second guess what is reality for Candace and what isn’t. I really liked that.
I loved that Candace was more out of her shell in this book than the first one. I love that her and Mira have become closer. I was shocked that Candace is still having issues with coming to terms with having powers and accepting that magic is real thing and her role in that world.
I found myself getting aggravated more with Candace and the way she was behaving. She seemed more selfish and childish in this book, so I found myself cheering Maddie and Bryce on when they put her in her place a few times. I’m hoping that with the events of this book, she will do a lot more growing up, become less selfish and let people actually explain themselves when issues arise.
I was even more shocked than last book that Liam never showed up, even when he claimed he would always be there for Alondra. I was hoping that things would have been explained with what happened to those two and how she ended up with Bill. All I got was they were possibly married and divorced by Uncle Henry. I’m still holding out hope for an answer in the next one. I also found myself wondering if Maddie’s mom/Aunt Jane was included in Alondra’s list of people to make amends with, if so I wonder how that went.
Regardless of the few negatives in this review, I still enjoyed the plot and can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received an advanced listeners copy via AXP. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is book two of this series. While it can be read as a standalone, even though it picks up shortly after the events at the end of book one, it is more enjoyable when read in order. If you have triggers, be sure to check the warnings before reading. Also have tissues handy because there are a few tear jerking moments.
I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and read along with the e-book using my Kobo plus. Alexa Elmy did another amazing job with the narration of this book. How she is able to alter her voice and express all the emotions to make you feel like you are really there is enviable.
I enjoyed this book just as much as the previous books and was surprised by multiple events throughout reading. This one seemed to have a bit more mind tricks in it and second guess what is reality for Candace and what isn’t. I really liked that.
I loved that Candace was more out of her shell in this book than the first one. I love that her and Mira have become closer. I was shocked that Candace is still having issues with coming to terms with having powers and accepting that magic is real thing and her role in that world.
I found myself getting aggravated more with Candace and the way she was behaving. She seemed more selfish and childish in this book, so I found myself cheering Maddie and Bryce on when they put her in her place a few times. I’m hoping that with the events of this book, she will do a lot more growing up, become less selfish and let people actually explain themselves when issues arise.
I was even more shocked than last book that Liam never showed up, even when he claimed he would always be there for Alondra. I was hoping that things would have been explained with what happened to those two and how she ended up with Bill. All I got was they were possibly married and divorced by Uncle Henry. I’m still holding out hope for an answer in the next one. I also found myself wondering if Maddie’s mom/Aunt Jane was included in Alondra’s list of people to make amends with, if so I wonder how that went.
Regardless of the few negatives in this review, I still enjoyed the plot and can’t wait to see what happens next.
I received an advanced listeners copy via AXP. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 23, 2023
Another WOW! This has been a great series & I still have one book to go (Which I'll be starting as soon as I finish writing this review. BTW, The 70's King Crimson Starless & Bible Black live mega box set goes really well with the theme of this series!). This is the 2nd in the official series & the 4th including the 2 prequels (one of which is a full novel).
Ms (or is it MR?) Hawke is a tremendously skilled writer. I compared the first 2 official books in the series with Aleister Crowley & Steven King. I don't have a comparison here. Just extremely well done, & full of evil. There is a "whodunnit", but if I told you it would truly be a spoiler, so we won't go there.
Just buy the series & read it! If you like intelligently written haunting paranormal with a pinch of (FANTASY) Satanism thrown in, you'll love this series.
I do.
I think what sets the author apart for me compared to others in the genre is intelligence & maturity in her thinking. I rarely give contemporary books 5 stars, because 5 is supposed to be reserved for the best of the best, but I just realized I needed to go there for this one.
I'll be sad when I finish the last book, but the author has a couple more series I haven't yet read........
I received a copy of this book at no charge, and I'm leaving an honest review.
Ms (or is it MR?) Hawke is a tremendously skilled writer. I compared the first 2 official books in the series with Aleister Crowley & Steven King. I don't have a comparison here. Just extremely well done, & full of evil. There is a "whodunnit", but if I told you it would truly be a spoiler, so we won't go there.
Just buy the series & read it! If you like intelligently written haunting paranormal with a pinch of (FANTASY) Satanism thrown in, you'll love this series.
I do.
I think what sets the author apart for me compared to others in the genre is intelligence & maturity in her thinking. I rarely give contemporary books 5 stars, because 5 is supposed to be reserved for the best of the best, but I just realized I needed to go there for this one.
I'll be sad when I finish the last book, but the author has a couple more series I haven't yet read........
I received a copy of this book at no charge, and I'm leaving an honest review.
September 29, 2023
Cadence Hawthorne and her best friend Maddie, are starting another school year at Hawthorne University. They are witches who belong to a coven led by the High Priestess, Alondra. Cadence's boyfriend, Bryce, is a TA for Alondra and the high wizard in the coven. At the end of last year, Alondra announced that she had terminal cancer and that she was handing over her powers to Cadence. Cadence's witch name is Windstorm, which makes sense since she summons a thunder and lightning storm when she is angry. Alondra invites three witches from another coven and their leader's name is Enora, at one time girlfriend of Bryce. Her power is casting spells to make a person have a vision of the past or present. She shows Cadence visions of Enora and Bryce together, and that's just the beginning of the trouble she causes. Cadence gets angry when she sees her boyfriend with her and she doesn't handle it very well. When she doesn't give Bryce a chance to explain, it's enough to come between them. This story is fantastic and insightful, the kind that keeps your attention while, at the same time, stretching your imagination.
Alexa Elmy does a wonderful job with the narration. Her dynamic voice and excellent pace brings the characters to life with individual personalities and attitudes!
Alexa Elmy does a wonderful job with the narration. Her dynamic voice and excellent pace brings the characters to life with individual personalities and attitudes!
August 31, 2020
🔮🔮ONE RIVETING THRILL RIDE🔮🔮
Incredible! Hawke delivers with this skillfully spun debacle, hitting all the hot spots and showcasing the thrills, sowing the seeds and watching them grow, binding this baby together seamlessly. Ramping up the exuberance and intensity, rocking this action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block buster, keeping you riveted on a razors edge wrapping this jewel up sleek, shiny and tight. Traipsing a minefield of daring drama, perilous intrigue, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and cunning deception, maneuvering through the manipulations of sinister deeds, vicious iniquity and heinous intent, searching clues and dispatching foes, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. The characters are authentic, complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Hawke, thanks for sharing this incredible gem with us.
Incredible! Hawke delivers with this skillfully spun debacle, hitting all the hot spots and showcasing the thrills, sowing the seeds and watching them grow, binding this baby together seamlessly. Ramping up the exuberance and intensity, rocking this action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, block buster, keeping you riveted on a razors edge wrapping this jewel up sleek, shiny and tight. Traipsing a minefield of daring drama, perilous intrigue, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and cunning deception, maneuvering through the manipulations of sinister deeds, vicious iniquity and heinous intent, searching clues and dispatching foes, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. The characters are authentic, complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Hawke, thanks for sharing this incredible gem with us.
February 27, 2022
One sentence review: A pleasant and action-packed second instalment in this paranormal YA series!
'Windstorm' is the second instalment in 'The Hawthorne University Witch' series - and it did not disappoint! If you've read 'Broomstick', this one will keep you on your toes even more with an action-packed plotline.
I wish I could give this book 5 stars, but it was a bit too repetitive for me to rate it higher than 'Broomstick' (which I also gave 4 stars). However, this book delivered on the action and there seemed to be an interesting event throughout.
This novel followed more of the witch plotline compared to the first book. The battle of her love-hate relationship with her witch self was much more prominent in this book, which gave this book more depth. The twists at the end were pleasant surprises, which has me questioning everything in book three!
Overall, I recommend this witchy book - Even if you haven't read the first book this could be read as a standalone novel. I'm looking forward to finishing book three and seeing what happens next!
'Windstorm' is the second instalment in 'The Hawthorne University Witch' series - and it did not disappoint! If you've read 'Broomstick', this one will keep you on your toes even more with an action-packed plotline.
I wish I could give this book 5 stars, but it was a bit too repetitive for me to rate it higher than 'Broomstick' (which I also gave 4 stars). However, this book delivered on the action and there seemed to be an interesting event throughout.
This novel followed more of the witch plotline compared to the first book. The battle of her love-hate relationship with her witch self was much more prominent in this book, which gave this book more depth. The twists at the end were pleasant surprises, which has me questioning everything in book three!
Overall, I recommend this witchy book - Even if you haven't read the first book this could be read as a standalone novel. I'm looking forward to finishing book three and seeing what happens next!
July 17, 2023
I received this audiobook, the second in the Hawthorne University Witch series, free and was asked to provide an honest review. One thing I always pay attention to is the narrator. Alexa Elmy did an excellent job and was able to alter her voice sufficiently to create different and believable characters. I found this book quite original, including the scene toward the end that is reminiscent of the final scene from Carrie. Tension builds nicely as the novel twists and turns to its apex. The author A L Hawke uses first person present tense to provide a sense of immediacy.
Set primarily on the Hawthorne University campus, this New Adult spicy fantasy touches on Magick throughout the ages from Sumeria onward to modern practitioners. Fortunately, Hawke paints his/her images with light brush strokes, allowing the reader/listener to fill in the details. By adding in lectures on painters, we’re cued into the surrealistic nature of the novel and more readily accept the visions and dreams sprinkled like spice throughout. But beware! You may never look at your professors the same way again.
Set primarily on the Hawthorne University campus, this New Adult spicy fantasy touches on Magick throughout the ages from Sumeria onward to modern practitioners. Fortunately, Hawke paints his/her images with light brush strokes, allowing the reader/listener to fill in the details. By adding in lectures on painters, we’re cued into the surrealistic nature of the novel and more readily accept the visions and dreams sprinkled like spice throughout. But beware! You may never look at your professors the same way again.
May 17, 2023
Audiobook: This was the second book in "The Hawthorne University Witch Series", and it was as entertaining as the first one. Cadence Hawthorne was trying to hold the coven together as the leader was coping with her illness. Bryce's past was causing trouble with his relationship with Cadence. I liked the characters' growth arcs. The underlying theme was somewhat lighter than the first book. Alexa Elmy's narration was good, and her performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have posted this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2023
This is the second book in the Hawthorne University Witch series. I started the series with this book and didn't feel shortened because I hadn't read the first installment. I enjoyed these well-built characters that are also pretty diverse, everything is easily imaginable because of the details given in the story. I liked the pace of the storytelling and all the twists and turns kept me well over my bedtime. Alexa Elmy narrated perfectly.
September 1, 2020
This is a very good storyline with intrigue, deception, and complex characters. I did not read the first book in this series but there is enough information to read without confusion. This book started out at a reasonable pace but slowed right down making me a little reluctant to continue, but I'm glad I did. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
September 6, 2020
I did not read book 1 and I believe that Book 2 gives enough of a backstory that I was able to enjoy it without reading the first. This is a steady read, slow at points but interesting enough that I got through those parts. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the witchcraft & coven elements of the story. This was my first by this author and I look forward to more
July 13, 2023
Windstorm by A.L. Hawke is the second book in the Hawthorne University Witches series. In this book, Cadence Hawthorne and her coven of witches wereback at Hawthorne University for a new school year. Their professor/coven leader is terminally ill and Cadence is supposed to be taking her place as High Priestess, but she s
February 29, 2024
There is a lot of strange and bizarre things going on in this book. Surprises, depravity, murder, very unexpected twists and turns. The topic, and waiting to read what happens next, keeps the suspense going until the end. The writing is sometimes choppy and not sure who is speaking or thinking due to unclear proper pronouns. But otherwise, a good read, and a series.
August 27, 2020
This mystical book has a bit of everything. A little romance, some mystery and a whole lot of magic. I liked the characters and the author really had me second guessing where the book was going to end.
November 23, 2020
A great stand alone!! This is part of a shared world and I have read book 1 I highly recommend reading it too! This story is well written and I devoured it! I hope to see many more story's from this world! Amazing job!
March 11, 2021
Book 2 is by far the best in the series. It has enough of background information that it can be read as a standalone instead of as a series.
The book is medium paced and well connected.
Thank you Vibebookreviews for this ARC copy. This review is my unbiased opinion about the book.
The book is medium paced and well connected.
Thank you Vibebookreviews for this ARC copy. This review is my unbiased opinion about the book.
July 31, 2023
Windstorm
Great book. The story of Cadence or Windstorm, Bryce, and the coven and their trials and tribulations that they go thru thru this present year of college. Really exciting the way it is told.
Great book. The story of Cadence or Windstorm, Bryce, and the coven and their trials and tribulations that they go thru thru this present year of college. Really exciting the way it is told.
September 1, 2020
Received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review. This is my honest opinion of this book
A lot of suspense, some romance, and a whole lot of magic. A.L. Hawke really out did the writing of this book....it was a roller coaster ride. So much happening in this book that really had me reading well into the night.
Cadence and Bryce are still in a romance but is there trouble in paradise? Or just magic being used to separate the two of them. And who is the new witch on the scene....is she good or bad? I wasn't a big fan of Enora...
The usual cast of characters that you read about in Broomstick....which if you haven't read this book then you need to...it is the first one in the Hawthorne University Witch series and will give you insight to all the characters.
A lot of suspense, some romance, and a whole lot of magic. A.L. Hawke really out did the writing of this book....it was a roller coaster ride. So much happening in this book that really had me reading well into the night.
Cadence and Bryce are still in a romance but is there trouble in paradise? Or just magic being used to separate the two of them. And who is the new witch on the scene....is she good or bad? I wasn't a big fan of Enora...
The usual cast of characters that you read about in Broomstick....which if you haven't read this book then you need to...it is the first one in the Hawthorne University Witch series and will give you insight to all the characters.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews