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Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow #1
Karma's Spell
No one ever told me what to do if I ended up forty-something, divorced, and jobless.
When my ex knocks at my door with his new girlfriend I somehow manage to turn them into toads. But that’s not possible, right?
Still, my ex-husband’s car is in the driveway, and he’s nowhere to be found. Which doesn’t look great for me.
So I do the only rational thing I can think of… I run for it, straight back to the small town I grew up in. Mystic Hollow is exactly the way I remember it, except now it seems that everything I thought was normal and boring is supernatural. Even my group of childhood friends appear to be magical in unexpected ways.
And the hot guy I had a schoolgirl crush on? Apparently, he’s an alpha shifter who digs me.
Moving back home might be the fun I’ve been missing.
That is until my brother disappears. Now, it’s up to me to find him, even if I have to take on vampires, shifters, sirens, and a whole lot of crazy to do it.
I know that so long as I have my friends backing me, I’ll find him because no one wants to be on karma’s bad side...
When my ex knocks at my door with his new girlfriend I somehow manage to turn them into toads. But that’s not possible, right?
Still, my ex-husband’s car is in the driveway, and he’s nowhere to be found. Which doesn’t look great for me.
So I do the only rational thing I can think of… I run for it, straight back to the small town I grew up in. Mystic Hollow is exactly the way I remember it, except now it seems that everything I thought was normal and boring is supernatural. Even my group of childhood friends appear to be magical in unexpected ways.
And the hot guy I had a schoolgirl crush on? Apparently, he’s an alpha shifter who digs me.
Moving back home might be the fun I’ve been missing.
That is until my brother disappears. Now, it’s up to me to find him, even if I have to take on vampires, shifters, sirens, and a whole lot of crazy to do it.
I know that so long as I have my friends backing me, I’ll find him because no one wants to be on karma’s bad side...
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2020
668 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Boruff
292 books639 followersL.A. Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books, and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
May 10, 2021
Nonplussed
Do women become hardcore alcoholic binge drinkers when they turn 40? The paranormal romance genre seems to skip from 21yo new adult female characters directly to over 40yo divorcees with relatively little in between. I find the more mature set of female characters to be more confusing than anything else.
In this book, the exposition is that the fmc wakes up having consumed 3 bottles of wine - by herself. That’s equivalent to ~15 glasses of wine. It would give the fmc a blood alcohol level in the range of .50, a level that would leave most people in a coma. Why did she drink herself into oblivion? Because her husband left her for his secretary. Except it’s never that the husband just leaves his wife in these midlife books. No, the secretary is 20. He also bankrupted their business, stole her 401k, has a lawyer who intends on lying to the court and plans to take their house, and the new girlfriend literally steals her jewellery. They’re boring, moustache-twirling villains. Instead of standing up for herself, the fmc uses never-discovered-before magic to resolve the problem. She calls them toads and they turn into toads. Not shocked in the slightest that her ex has turned into an amphibian, she immediately decides that she needs to cover up the “crime” and leave town.
As a side note, why don’t any of these over 40 fmc’s have lives outside of their husbands? Jennifer Crusie’s book Fast Women was funny. Her characters had friends and lives and didn’t suddenly find themselves baffled by the concept of trash day. No one stopped being smart or capable because of a man.
Do women become hardcore alcoholic binge drinkers when they turn 40? The paranormal romance genre seems to skip from 21yo new adult female characters directly to over 40yo divorcees with relatively little in between. I find the more mature set of female characters to be more confusing than anything else.
In this book, the exposition is that the fmc wakes up having consumed 3 bottles of wine - by herself. That’s equivalent to ~15 glasses of wine. It would give the fmc a blood alcohol level in the range of .50, a level that would leave most people in a coma. Why did she drink herself into oblivion? Because her husband left her for his secretary. Except it’s never that the husband just leaves his wife in these midlife books. No, the secretary is 20. He also bankrupted their business, stole her 401k, has a lawyer who intends on lying to the court and plans to take their house, and the new girlfriend literally steals her jewellery. They’re boring, moustache-twirling villains. Instead of standing up for herself, the fmc uses never-discovered-before magic to resolve the problem. She calls them toads and they turn into toads. Not shocked in the slightest that her ex has turned into an amphibian, she immediately decides that she needs to cover up the “crime” and leave town.
As a side note, why don’t any of these over 40 fmc’s have lives outside of their husbands? Jennifer Crusie’s book Fast Women was funny. Her characters had friends and lives and didn’t suddenly find themselves baffled by the concept of trash day. No one stopped being smart or capable because of a man.
January 3, 2021
I am loving the stories about over forty women who discover the supernatural world and their place in it and this “Karma’s spell” is a great read! Forty something and divorced this had me in stitches in places especially when our mc thinks she has turned her ex and his new girlfriend into toads! Packing up and heading off to her hometown Emma discovers everything is magical and supernatural and full of mystery, vampires, shifters and sirens. This is an exciting and intriguing start to this fun filled series and I for one cannot wait to read more.
January 31, 2021
Karma complicates things for Emma (FMC) in this book and without a doubt it gives plenty of laughs with it. A messy divorce, saving someone's life and problems with her brother gets Emma to go back to her hometown - Mystic Hollow. Her and her old school friends were a root. They were like a quartet magical version of murder she wrote without the murder but with loads of detective work. It also leads to Emma finding out about a world she was oblivious about growing up but was all around her. Add to that an old high school crush - Daniel. Karma's Spell is a damn fine read with loads of laughs. I can't wait to read more books from this series
August 30, 2021
I found this to be an enjoyable read for the most part. I had a hard time getting used to the change in characters point of view that the story was being from and had to remember to look at the top of the chapter to figure out who was talking.
Having someone in charge of Karma is awesome! Emma has a lot to learn when this gift is passed on to her. She also has a lot to learn about magic when she returns to her hometown to be with her family and friends. Lots of mystery and magic in this book along with fun and romance.
I would recommend this series.
Having someone in charge of Karma is awesome! Emma has a lot to learn when this gift is passed on to her. She also has a lot to learn about magic when she returns to her hometown to be with her family and friends. Lots of mystery and magic in this book along with fun and romance.
I would recommend this series.
April 17, 2021
I would love to be karma like the main character is. I love the book. It was great and highly entertaining. Very well written too. I can hardly wait to read the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2024
3.5 cozy little read. I might continue in the series, but it didn't grip me where I feel like I have to. I definitely loved reading about the protagonist and her friends being in their 40s, though. That was quite refreshingly.
December 17, 2024
Good book
This was a good start of a series. The storyline was wonderful. The characters are loveable. The scenes swiftly moved into each other. This was a great book. I am excited to start the next book in this series. I can't wait to see what comes next.
This was a good start of a series. The storyline was wonderful. The characters are loveable. The scenes swiftly moved into each other. This was a great book. I am excited to start the next book in this series. I can't wait to see what comes next.
January 3, 2021
Paranormal Women's Fiction ho-hums right along
The premise of this novel - a forty-plus soon-to-be-divorcee, beaten down by her mean ex-to-be, acquires the power to direct karma when she saves an old lady from a speeding teen driver. She's unaware of the gift until she turns the nasty ex and his greedy girlfriend into toads. Overwhelmed, she flees to her old hometown and moves to her parents' old house which is now occupied by her autistic brother. While she reconnects with the old high school gang (who all turn out to be witches) and her unrequited crush (who turns out to be a bear shifting retired cop), brother gets disappeared - but why? Rumor has it he ran afoul of the shifters - or was it the vampires? - by cheating at the local gambling den. It's up to our plucky and sometimes vengeful heroine, her newly-adopted coven, and the bear shifter, to follow the trail and rescue the brother from becoming a human sacrifice in a sirens' ceremony. If this is all too much, too fast, rest easy. What should be a mystery and a madcap paranormal romp wheezes along at a geriatric pace, full of over-long repetitive interior monologues, and written in a bizarrely young adult tone. I forced myself to finish reading, right up until the unfortunately premature ending and the invitation to read book two. I'll pass.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The premise of this novel - a forty-plus soon-to-be-divorcee, beaten down by her mean ex-to-be, acquires the power to direct karma when she saves an old lady from a speeding teen driver. She's unaware of the gift until she turns the nasty ex and his greedy girlfriend into toads. Overwhelmed, she flees to her old hometown and moves to her parents' old house which is now occupied by her autistic brother. While she reconnects with the old high school gang (who all turn out to be witches) and her unrequited crush (who turns out to be a bear shifting retired cop), brother gets disappeared - but why? Rumor has it he ran afoul of the shifters - or was it the vampires? - by cheating at the local gambling den. It's up to our plucky and sometimes vengeful heroine, her newly-adopted coven, and the bear shifter, to follow the trail and rescue the brother from becoming a human sacrifice in a sirens' ceremony. If this is all too much, too fast, rest easy. What should be a mystery and a madcap paranormal romp wheezes along at a geriatric pace, full of over-long repetitive interior monologues, and written in a bizarrely young adult tone. I forced myself to finish reading, right up until the unfortunately premature ending and the invitation to read book two. I'll pass.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2025
I went into this one expecting some fun paranormal chaos and maybe a bit of cathartic midlife revenge magic—but what I got instead was a messy spiral of clichés, cringey dialogue, and a plot that felt like it was stitched together during a sugar crash. The main character, Karma, wakes up after supposedly drinking three full bottles of wine alone. That’s not sad-girl-in-her-feels energy; that’s medically alarming. But somehow, she’s fine. Just a bit hungover and ready to find out her entire life has gone up in flames because her cartoon-villain of a husband ran off with a 20-year-old secretary and stole everything. Of course.
Instead of dealing with it like the allegedly smart, successful woman she’s meant to be, Karma accidentally turns them into toads—literally—and then goes into full cover-up mode like this is some high-stakes supernatural crime thriller. But it’s not. It's just a bizarre mix of random magical elements tossed in with no explanation, no rules, and no sense of coherence. The story bounces from scene to scene without any grounding, introducing witches, shifters, and other paranormals just because... why not? And the characters—flat as pancakes. Every one of them felt like a stock personality with a paranormal label slapped on. The love interests? Insta-everything, zero chemistry. The friendships? Supposedly deep, but all tell and no show.
The writing tried to be punchy and funny but ended up sounding like a half-hearted sitcom script. I kept hoping something would click—some twist, some emotional weight, something—but it just got more ridiculous with every chapter. I don’t mind a little silly in my fantasy, but this crossed into the land of pure nonsense. Instead of feeling empowered, the main character felt like a pity party on legs with accidental powers and no plan. I won’t be continuing the series. Once was more than enough.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
Instead of dealing with it like the allegedly smart, successful woman she’s meant to be, Karma accidentally turns them into toads—literally—and then goes into full cover-up mode like this is some high-stakes supernatural crime thriller. But it’s not. It's just a bizarre mix of random magical elements tossed in with no explanation, no rules, and no sense of coherence. The story bounces from scene to scene without any grounding, introducing witches, shifters, and other paranormals just because... why not? And the characters—flat as pancakes. Every one of them felt like a stock personality with a paranormal label slapped on. The love interests? Insta-everything, zero chemistry. The friendships? Supposedly deep, but all tell and no show.
The writing tried to be punchy and funny but ended up sounding like a half-hearted sitcom script. I kept hoping something would click—some twist, some emotional weight, something—but it just got more ridiculous with every chapter. I don’t mind a little silly in my fantasy, but this crossed into the land of pure nonsense. Instead of feeling empowered, the main character felt like a pity party on legs with accidental powers and no plan. I won’t be continuing the series. Once was more than enough.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
April 14, 2021
Karma's Spell was my first book from these authors and I found it to be a really fun, quirky, and hilarious book. If you don't find this book to be funny, there's either something wrong with you, or you haven't reached midlife yet. These ladies have totally hit the nail on the head on the good, bad, and the UGLY about women in their 40's. This is the perfect example of someone taking the time to reevaluate their life in this pivotal time of their lives, and deciding what to treasure, and what needs to change whether it be something about themselves or the people around them. Or even a change of scenery as it was for Emma in this story.
I love how she goes back to her hometown to regroup after her divorce and ends up finding about the supernatural world she had already been drawn to while growing up. She has a great support system of quirky friends who don't need some big, strong, smart man to swoop in and save the day for them. It's very empowering. I just hope that Emma finally starts making some moves towards Daniel and doesn't keep pushing him away forever even though it's refreshing to see her take some time to rediscover herself after her horrible divorce.
My only criticisms would that the humor seems a bit forced sometimes, and the writing is a bit clunky at other times. There are just times where it's sort of a fourth-wall situation talking to the reader, then changes to third person descriptive in long paragraphs that really should be broken up. It's me being kinda nitpicky and wanting these writers to improve their writing to up this series to the next level though. I'm happy I found this one just before the next one comes out so I don't have too long to wait for the next installment.
I love how she goes back to her hometown to regroup after her divorce and ends up finding about the supernatural world she had already been drawn to while growing up. She has a great support system of quirky friends who don't need some big, strong, smart man to swoop in and save the day for them. It's very empowering. I just hope that Emma finally starts making some moves towards Daniel and doesn't keep pushing him away forever even though it's refreshing to see her take some time to rediscover herself after her horrible divorce.
My only criticisms would that the humor seems a bit forced sometimes, and the writing is a bit clunky at other times. There are just times where it's sort of a fourth-wall situation talking to the reader, then changes to third person descriptive in long paragraphs that really should be broken up. It's me being kinda nitpicky and wanting these writers to improve their writing to up this series to the next level though. I'm happy I found this one just before the next one comes out so I don't have too long to wait for the next installment.
April 13, 2021
KARMA'S SPELL is the first book in the Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow series. This cozy mystery series will need to be read in the order of release.
How many times have I muttered, “Karma will get you.” Now imagine if I could be karma instead. Would that be a good thing? Probably not. Not a good idea for any of us to be karma, right? Especially right after a cheating husband decides to wipe out our lives – job, home, and even family heirlooms. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind being karma when I see someone doing a good deed and meting out some kindness, too.
Emma’s friends grew up knowing they were witches and other supernaturals. She isn’t clued into this world until she suddenly turns her toad of an ex and his floozy into toads. She didn’t know she could do that! When she panics and returns to her hometown, her old high school girlfriends are there to catch her, support her, and help her navigate her new reality. Throw in a hot shifter sheriff just to spice it all up and life is looking up for Emma.
This story is fun with plenty of laughter. I loved following Emma and her friends as they put on their detective caps to follow the clues and used their witchy powers to save the day. This is a great read. A great first book in a new series and I’m looking forward to more in Mystic Hollow.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via BookSprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: KARMA'S SPELL
Series: Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: L.A. Boruff
How many times have I muttered, “Karma will get you.” Now imagine if I could be karma instead. Would that be a good thing? Probably not. Not a good idea for any of us to be karma, right? Especially right after a cheating husband decides to wipe out our lives – job, home, and even family heirlooms. On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind being karma when I see someone doing a good deed and meting out some kindness, too.
Emma’s friends grew up knowing they were witches and other supernaturals. She isn’t clued into this world until she suddenly turns her toad of an ex and his floozy into toads. She didn’t know she could do that! When she panics and returns to her hometown, her old high school girlfriends are there to catch her, support her, and help her navigate her new reality. Throw in a hot shifter sheriff just to spice it all up and life is looking up for Emma.
This story is fun with plenty of laughter. I loved following Emma and her friends as they put on their detective caps to follow the clues and used their witchy powers to save the day. This is a great read. A great first book in a new series and I’m looking forward to more in Mystic Hollow.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via BookSprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: KARMA'S SPELL
Series: Magical Midlife in Mystic Hollow #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: L.A. Boruff
April 16, 2021
Karma has been turned over to Emma who ran out in the street to save an elderly woman from the neighborhood hot rod kid. Emma dislocates her shoulder, confronts her cheating husband and his 20 something girlfriend and turns them both into toads!! Seems karma powers has been transferred to Emma and we follow her along as she learns more about karma, how she lets lose with it and learns how to control it.
She returns to her hometown Mystic Hollow and her brother Harry who still lives in their parents home. Running chores she meets old friend Beth and lets lose with a karma. Beth is amazed and together they begin working to understand Emma's powers. Seems that Emma did not know that Mystic Hollow is a magical town with witches, vampires, shifters and others. Emma returns home to find that Harry has been kidnapped. Beth calls in reinforcements and the hunt is on. Emma meets up with the local wolf shifters and gets some help from them by pointing her to the local vampire club. Her old high school crush, Daniel, is retired police chief who gets involved and about 1 step behind Emma throughout.
Emma has a final confrontation with the Sirens who are going to sacrifice Harry to get their waterfall working again Emma bargains with them to save his life.
This is a good story about friendships that span a lifetime, new beginnings from defeat, cherishing family and friends and taking life into your own hands and moving forward.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She returns to her hometown Mystic Hollow and her brother Harry who still lives in their parents home. Running chores she meets old friend Beth and lets lose with a karma. Beth is amazed and together they begin working to understand Emma's powers. Seems that Emma did not know that Mystic Hollow is a magical town with witches, vampires, shifters and others. Emma returns home to find that Harry has been kidnapped. Beth calls in reinforcements and the hunt is on. Emma meets up with the local wolf shifters and gets some help from them by pointing her to the local vampire club. Her old high school crush, Daniel, is retired police chief who gets involved and about 1 step behind Emma throughout.
Emma has a final confrontation with the Sirens who are going to sacrifice Harry to get their waterfall working again Emma bargains with them to save his life.
This is a good story about friendships that span a lifetime, new beginnings from defeat, cherishing family and friends and taking life into your own hands and moving forward.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2025
So far, this is probably the best first book in a series that I have read in a L.O.N.G time!!!!
While some of the "plots" were tropes, the writing was (IMO) spectacular. From page 1, I felt I knew the main character, Emma, and the author did not deviate from it. From the beginning, I was chuckling, and the way that Emma dealt with her cheating spouse and his much younger sport bunny was ingenious. The way that Emma discovered the world of magic and her talent in particular was hilarious.
To make things easier, Emma returns to her small hometown. She moves in with her brother, Henry, who is quite weird, and his girlfriend. While shopping for groceries, Emma runs into a high school friend, and she tells her how she dealt with her husband and his side trick. The friend is overjoyed, as the town has many people with magical abilities.
I was very glad that the entire book was written in the same manner. In the past, I have found that some authors (not naming names) tend to start one way and end up writing the characters differently as the book goes on, and the same goes for the plot. This author does NOT do that!!!!
Four stars for this book because I might want to give the other books in this series five stars. :)
While some of the "plots" were tropes, the writing was (IMO) spectacular. From page 1, I felt I knew the main character, Emma, and the author did not deviate from it. From the beginning, I was chuckling, and the way that Emma dealt with her cheating spouse and his much younger sport bunny was ingenious. The way that Emma discovered the world of magic and her talent in particular was hilarious.
To make things easier, Emma returns to her small hometown. She moves in with her brother, Henry, who is quite weird, and his girlfriend. While shopping for groceries, Emma runs into a high school friend, and she tells her how she dealt with her husband and his side trick. The friend is overjoyed, as the town has many people with magical abilities.
I was very glad that the entire book was written in the same manner. In the past, I have found that some authors (not naming names) tend to start one way and end up writing the characters differently as the book goes on, and the same goes for the plot. This author does NOT do that!!!!
Four stars for this book because I might want to give the other books in this series five stars. :)
December 20, 2020
Emma is dealing with her husband leaving her. She is taking out a the trash when she sees a older woman about to get hurt. The older woman was fine but said some weird things to her. Emma ends up doing something to her ex and girlfriend. Emma decides to go home to get away for awhile.
Emma meets her old crush, she is still drawn to him. She also sees her old high school friends. They give her some news that Emma can't wrap her head around. When her brother is in danger, Emma will do whatever she can to get him back.
This was a really great first book in series. There are some really funny moments in this book, that you can't help but laugh. There is a lot more to story than what I wrote, not spoil it for anyone. You will be drawn into Emma and the other characters story. There is also the Emma and Daniel, the hint of something more. It is a rollercoaster ride for Emma. I can't wait to see what else is going to happen with all these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emma meets her old crush, she is still drawn to him. She also sees her old high school friends. They give her some news that Emma can't wrap her head around. When her brother is in danger, Emma will do whatever she can to get him back.
This was a really great first book in series. There are some really funny moments in this book, that you can't help but laugh. There is a lot more to story than what I wrote, not spoil it for anyone. You will be drawn into Emma and the other characters story. There is also the Emma and Daniel, the hint of something more. It is a rollercoaster ride for Emma. I can't wait to see what else is going to happen with all these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 31, 2020
The funny really sneaks up on you in this book! It was terrific! Emma is forty-something, divorced, and jobless. And when her ex shows up with his new lady-friend, Emma thinks she might have turned them into toads! So now was a perfect time to head back to her hometown of Mystic Hollow. Though everything looks the same there, she now sees it all as supernatural and magical! Even the guy she had a crush on in school turns out to be an alpha shifter and he just might still be interested in her!
The current problem, since there always seems to be one, is that Emma’s brother has gone missing. She is determined to go after him, but the obstacles that may get in her way are not what you would normally expect. Now it’s vampires, shifters, or sirens. Where does she start looking? And who can she turn to for help?
This was a fun beginning for what seems to be an intriguing start to a new series. Emma may be a middle-aged heroine, but this feisty female can still stir up some trouble! Grab your copy and enjoy getting to know everyone as Emma sets out to make things right!
The current problem, since there always seems to be one, is that Emma’s brother has gone missing. She is determined to go after him, but the obstacles that may get in her way are not what you would normally expect. Now it’s vampires, shifters, or sirens. Where does she start looking? And who can she turn to for help?
This was a fun beginning for what seems to be an intriguing start to a new series. Emma may be a middle-aged heroine, but this feisty female can still stir up some trouble! Grab your copy and enjoy getting to know everyone as Emma sets out to make things right!
January 24, 2021
Well, you do know what they say about karma?!?!
Emma saves an older woman from being struck by a car that surely would have seriously maimed her (at the very least). After that she unwittingly received an unexpected gift (of sorts). She learned of her "gift" only upon accidentally turning her cheating ex and his girlfriend into toads. She fled to her hometown not knowing, realizing or understanding what was happening to her. She thought she would get some downtime in her hometown to figure it all out and recover from her shoulder injury. No such luck really. She is forced to hit the ground running but, her friends help her get through.
I really enjoyed this first book of the series. It is interesting, engaging and refreshing (first one I have ever read that was solely about karma). The storyline was fun and kept you guessing. The characters are endearing, snarky, middle aged, have strong bonds and have life experience on their side. I am excited to continue reading this series, I will be waiting impatiently. I highly recommend this first in series.
Emma saves an older woman from being struck by a car that surely would have seriously maimed her (at the very least). After that she unwittingly received an unexpected gift (of sorts). She learned of her "gift" only upon accidentally turning her cheating ex and his girlfriend into toads. She fled to her hometown not knowing, realizing or understanding what was happening to her. She thought she would get some downtime in her hometown to figure it all out and recover from her shoulder injury. No such luck really. She is forced to hit the ground running but, her friends help her get through.
I really enjoyed this first book of the series. It is interesting, engaging and refreshing (first one I have ever read that was solely about karma). The storyline was fun and kept you guessing. The characters are endearing, snarky, middle aged, have strong bonds and have life experience on their side. I am excited to continue reading this series, I will be waiting impatiently. I highly recommend this first in series.
January 30, 2021
This is such an interesting unusual premise, Emma is not born supernatural, but after saving an old lady from the loon in the car up the road things change. After a frightening confrontation with her ex-husband and his (much) younger girlfriend, she retreats back to her childhood home where here brother still lives. Emma discovers there was so much to the town and her friends than she ever new as a teen.
But age and magic had opened her eyes and as she works to re forge the friendships of her childhood, her brother who she thought new nothing of the world around them outside of his hard drives diodes and monitors, turns out he is into an awful lot of things she did not know. So when he is taken she and her friends work to find out who has him. Shifters? Vampires? Or could there be anything worse lurking around Mystic Hollows.
Emma has great strength that she does not know she has, a big heart and is brave beyond measure, so will she wield her new powers for good? A really interesting read highly recommend
But age and magic had opened her eyes and as she works to re forge the friendships of her childhood, her brother who she thought new nothing of the world around them outside of his hard drives diodes and monitors, turns out he is into an awful lot of things she did not know. So when he is taken she and her friends work to find out who has him. Shifters? Vampires? Or could there be anything worse lurking around Mystic Hollows.
Emma has great strength that she does not know she has, a big heart and is brave beyond measure, so will she wield her new powers for good? A really interesting read highly recommend
March 16, 2021
What a fun new series! Emma hits midlife with a husband who has had a midlife crisis and is now dating his secretary, taken the house, car and assets that Emma paid for herself. Typical story however, what is not typical is that Emma has a new twist in her life.
Emma saves a mysterious old woman from getting run over by a car, but injures herself in the process.
Turns out the "old woman" was the Goddess, Karma, who passed her powers onto Emma.
After that she becomes the Goddess, Karma.
And strange things start to happen.
Emma's ex-husband shows up with his bratty new girlfriend to "pick up his stuff" while helping himself to Emma's jewelry.
Emma calls them out and says you are both complete toads and viola', they are literally toads!
Ha!
Emma thinks she must be hallucinating.
But she decides to go visit her childhoods girlfriends and regroup.
Meanwhile she finds out she isn't the only one with magical powers.
For those times when you see someone who really deserves what they get!
Emma saves a mysterious old woman from getting run over by a car, but injures herself in the process.
Turns out the "old woman" was the Goddess, Karma, who passed her powers onto Emma.
After that she becomes the Goddess, Karma.
And strange things start to happen.
Emma's ex-husband shows up with his bratty new girlfriend to "pick up his stuff" while helping himself to Emma's jewelry.
Emma calls them out and says you are both complete toads and viola', they are literally toads!
Ha!
Emma thinks she must be hallucinating.
But she decides to go visit her childhoods girlfriends and regroup.
Meanwhile she finds out she isn't the only one with magical powers.
For those times when you see someone who really deserves what they get!
January 22, 2023
In my quest to try out paranormal women's fiction, I decided to give this book a try. It followed Emma after her husband left her for someone younger, and she then discovered she was karma when she turned him and his girlfriend into toads. From there, the story showed Emma returning to her hometown, reconnecting with old high school friends as well as an old crush, and then trying to find her brother. On top of all that, Emma had to learn all about the magical world which had been hidden from her, as well as try to harness her magic and develop her powers. There was also the occasional chapter in Daniel, the aformentioned high-school crush's point of view. With him being a widower, his backstory was sad, but I think he and Emma will slowly find their way to one another. I really enjoyed the friendship between Emma and her three old friends, the magic was interesting, and the plot kept me intrigued. With some action and suspense, this turned into a fun one-sitting read, and I recommend it if you're in the mood for a quick read in the paranormal women's fiction genre.
December 28, 2020
Emma is a woman whose life is in an uproar. Her neighbors son is driving like an idiot. She sees an elderly lady and saves her. Getting hit and hurt by the hit and run driver. Her husband just left her for his 20 yr old secretary. Now he arrives at her home and steals her jewelry and tells her he had an illegal prenup agreement that he's going to use against her. She gets so angry that she loses her temper and calls them toads. The next thing you know is that they are toads. Not knowing what to do she goes home to her brother. She then runs into her highschool crush and old friends. Her old friends have a secret and she learns it. Why did her husband turn into a toad? Will Emma and her crush hookup? What is her friends secret? Who has kidnapped her brother and why? Only you can get the answers to the questions if you read this great book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 18, 2021
Good
** Cliffhanger Warning! The book ends on a slight cliffhanger/book hook, so while the main story is complete, the overarching background story is not, and there is a slight cliffhanger concerning it.**
When Emma accidentally turns her soon-to-be-ex-husband and his girlfriend into toads, she is shocked. Running back to her hometown of Mystic Hollow, she is inducted into a magical world she never knew before, seeing new sides of people she has known all her life, and dealing with the dangers it all brings with it.
Another series starter in the new Paranormal Women’s fiction genre, this book is an enjoyable trip into a magical world, where age is just a number, and starting life over in your forties seems to be a trend!
An enjoyable read for fans of PWF, urban fantasy and Paranormal romance.
** Cliffhanger Warning! The book ends on a slight cliffhanger/book hook, so while the main story is complete, the overarching background story is not, and there is a slight cliffhanger concerning it.**
When Emma accidentally turns her soon-to-be-ex-husband and his girlfriend into toads, she is shocked. Running back to her hometown of Mystic Hollow, she is inducted into a magical world she never knew before, seeing new sides of people she has known all her life, and dealing with the dangers it all brings with it.
Another series starter in the new Paranormal Women’s fiction genre, this book is an enjoyable trip into a magical world, where age is just a number, and starting life over in your forties seems to be a trend!
An enjoyable read for fans of PWF, urban fantasy and Paranormal romance.
August 22, 2021
Oh my gosh, that was just so much fun! There’s something about this whole book that makes me think of the parking lot scene in Fried Green Tomatoes – which has got to be one of my very favorite media moments ever. I love the idea of being able to watch Karma in action. I don’t think I can count anymore the number of times I’ve wanted to be on the bus when Karma’s driving just so I can watch bad people get what they so richly deserve. I also greatly appreciated that this book reminds us that Karma will repay good deeds in kind, as well. Being of a similar age and having similar life experiences made it very easy for me to relate to Emma and “her girls”. And I spent most of the book laughing at their antics. I’m already falling in love with Mystic Hollow and these characters, so I can’t wait to see what happens next.
January 1, 2021
Our heroine discovers she is magical, which is not an uncommon theme. What is unusual is that this is not a coming of age story, but something of a rebirth for our heroine. Life is change and our heroine is going to have her hands full keeping up with the times.
This is a paranormal romance story with a mature heroine and a small town with unexpected magic. The story and characters are both well written and easy to read. Both the plot and the setting have a lot of secrets and watching the slow reveal is half the fun of the story. I really enjoyed the way this story developed and definitely would enjoy seeing more of these characters and setting.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is a paranormal romance story with a mature heroine and a small town with unexpected magic. The story and characters are both well written and easy to read. Both the plot and the setting have a lot of secrets and watching the slow reveal is half the fun of the story. I really enjoyed the way this story developed and definitely would enjoy seeing more of these characters and setting.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
April 4, 2021
Emma saves an elderly woman from a hit and run and ends up with a dislocated shoulder. Her husband and his gf show up not long after and when she sees this woman wearing her jewelry,Emma gets mad. Now the vile couple are now toads, WTF happened. Weird stuff starts happening now and Emma is beginning to freak out. I started this book last night and OMG before i knew it i was half way done with this book. OMFG a talking kitty, I'M IN LOVE!! After the first chapter i was hooked and i didn't wanna stop. The characters are so relatable and lovable. This book is a page turner and you won't wanna put it down. I laughed and i felt her pain with her ex. I believe this is the beginning of a new PWF series and i can't wait for the next. I think y'all will love this book like i do.
April 20, 2021
Well actually Karma is a little old lady with white hair who shares the power with others apparently. Great new series, really enjoyed the She said He said aspect and how Emma, with her heart of gold is being sure to not get carried away, although I am sure she would grin and "bear" it if she was. The story flowed very nicely and I was turning pages just as quickly as I could to read what would happen next. I do so like a happy ending and a smidge of girl power. Emma is incredibly easy to relate to whether you have a sleazy ex or soon to be ex or if you are younger or older. I would be careful using the "o-l-d" word around her though. I have to wonder if the death was really an accident or if someone besides Henry came along later. Highly entertaining!
August 3, 2022
Great new series
This was such a fun read! It pulled me right in and had me "turning" pages as fast as I could. I have been enjoying many PWF series. Although there are similarities within this genre, this was refreshing and separates itself with unique world-building.
I found this series because I had just finished bingeing the Witching After Forty and Fanged After Forty series (up to the 12th in Witching and up to 5th in Fanged) and there is a contributing author that is the same in each. I highly recommend this book and and look forward to #2 in this series. There are so many great characters (the 4 friends, love interests and their grown kids). It will be fun to see what happens next.
This was such a fun read! It pulled me right in and had me "turning" pages as fast as I could. I have been enjoying many PWF series. Although there are similarities within this genre, this was refreshing and separates itself with unique world-building.
I found this series because I had just finished bingeing the Witching After Forty and Fanged After Forty series (up to the 12th in Witching and up to 5th in Fanged) and there is a contributing author that is the same in each. I highly recommend this book and and look forward to #2 in this series. There are so many great characters (the 4 friends, love interests and their grown kids). It will be fun to see what happens next.
July 9, 2025
so far.. I am 50% of the way through, and it's painful, to say the least. I am listening to this one, and the narrators are both pretty awful. the story has so much potential, but the characters lack depth, and im finding it difficult to care what happens to any of them.
I've seen this book described as a "cozy read," and that may be true. it's a no for me, but if you're looking for an easy romantasy with little to no spice, this might be for you, but dont take my word for it.
edit. I put this book on the dnf pile at 89% with 30 minutes left. I just can't do it. I do not care about a single one of the characters. the plot is filled with the most bland, generic bull shit I've ever read in my life. absolutely devoid of a single interesting moment.
im convinced anyone who reviewed this book in a positive light was paid to do so.
I hate leaving a book unfinished, but the pain of continuing on, even for 30 minutes, is too much to bear. 1 star. worst book I've ever read.
also, the audio makes it 100 times worse if that is even possible.
I've seen this book described as a "cozy read," and that may be true. it's a no for me, but if you're looking for an easy romantasy with little to no spice, this might be for you, but dont take my word for it.
edit. I put this book on the dnf pile at 89% with 30 minutes left. I just can't do it. I do not care about a single one of the characters. the plot is filled with the most bland, generic bull shit I've ever read in my life. absolutely devoid of a single interesting moment.
im convinced anyone who reviewed this book in a positive light was paid to do so.
I hate leaving a book unfinished, but the pain of continuing on, even for 30 minutes, is too much to bear. 1 star. worst book I've ever read.
also, the audio makes it 100 times worse if that is even possible.
December 21, 2020
This book is a little different from my normal type, but I loved it!
It's a slow burn romance, and most importantly for me, the heroine is 40-something! Finally! A FMC I can relate to!
Emma's life is falling apart, thanks to her now ex husband, and she returns to the small town where she grew up to discover that nothing - the town, her friends, even herself - is quite as she knew it as a teen.
There's friends to reconnect with, lingering looks with a high school crush, and a mystery to solve, all while discovering who she actually is.
This is a great start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next!
It's a slow burn romance, and most importantly for me, the heroine is 40-something! Finally! A FMC I can relate to!
Emma's life is falling apart, thanks to her now ex husband, and she returns to the small town where she grew up to discover that nothing - the town, her friends, even herself - is quite as she knew it as a teen.
There's friends to reconnect with, lingering looks with a high school crush, and a mystery to solve, all while discovering who she actually is.
This is a great start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next!
March 31, 2021
Emma's twenty year marriage has just ended. she is feeling lost and alone, when her ex arrives to collect his belongings with his new partner and the try to steel her mothers locket she looses it and turns them into toads. Frightened she hide the evidence and returns home to Mystic Springs. She meet her old school friends and discovers that they all know about the paranormal and can help her learn about her magic and rediscover her self. This is a great book with many laugh out loud moments, I look forward to reading the next in this series .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2021
Brilliant read. loving this series.
Emma is our non typical FMC, in her forties, Broken by her dying marriage. She is just trying to get through her day when her husband and new girlfriend knock on the door. Emma tries to rise above but sometimes you just cant help but loose your temper especially when face to face with the vapid woman who now has your husbands attentions and whoops hey presto: husband and girlfriend are now toads. So Emma does the only thing she could, she runs back to her hometown and her school friends who as it turns out are keeping secrets of their own.
Brilliant read. Cant wait for the next.
Emma is our non typical FMC, in her forties, Broken by her dying marriage. She is just trying to get through her day when her husband and new girlfriend knock on the door. Emma tries to rise above but sometimes you just cant help but loose your temper especially when face to face with the vapid woman who now has your husbands attentions and whoops hey presto: husband and girlfriend are now toads. So Emma does the only thing she could, she runs back to her hometown and her school friends who as it turns out are keeping secrets of their own.
Brilliant read. Cant wait for the next.
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