What do you think?
Rate this book
Midlife Witchery #1
Magical New Beginnings
When life goes sideways, embracing the adventure is the fastest way to set things right.
One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth.
There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five. I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we’d live an ordinary life. So I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary.
I’m half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life. Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn’t going down without a fight.
After all, she’s already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?
One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth.
There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five. I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we’d live an ordinary life. So I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary.
I’m half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life. Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn’t going down without a fight.
After all, she’s already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2020
1970 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Trim
354 books765 followersBrenda's Paranormal Women's Fiction
Mystical Midlife in Maine Series
1. Magical Makeover
2. Laugh Lines & Lost Things
3. Hellmouth & Hot Flashes
4. Holidays With Hades
5. Saggy But Witty in Crescent City
6. Nasty Curses & Big Purses
7. Fae Forged Axes & Chin Waxes
8. Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones
9. Underworld Frights & Sleepless Nights
10. Pixie Dust & Brain Rust
11. Magical Hands & Silver Strands
12. Deadly Quips & Furry Lips
13. Enchanted Tattoos & Lost Fools
14. Shady Secrets & Sun Spots
Twisted Sisters Midlife Maelstrom Series
1. Packing Serious Magical Mojo
2. Cadaver On Canal Street
3. Seances & Second Line Parades
4. French Quarter Fae
5. King's Day Magical Mischief
6. Etou-Fae The Hard Way
7. Hurricanes, Heros & Hail Marys
8. Royal Street Romp
9. Levees, Lost Crowns & Loa
10. Mud Bugs & Cherished Hugs
11. Creole Dishes & Deadly Wishes
Brenda's Paranormal Romance Books
DARK WARRIOR ALLIANCE SERIES
1. Dream Warrior
2. Mystik Warrior
3. Pemas Storm
4. Isis Betrayal
5. Deviant Warrior
6. Suvi's Revenge
7. Scarred Warrior
8. Hellbound Warrior
9. Isobel
10. Rogue Warrior
11. Shattered Warrior
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
dnf
January 3, 2021DNF 35%
Ugh... I just couldn't handle any more complaints about aching knees and hot flashes.
If they'd been edited down by 50%, the book would have been 100 pages shorter. And all of the complaints came from ONE former ICU nurse. Makes no sense to me that a medical professional would not have found some help.... Unless, their new vocation was pissing and moaning...
Ugh... I just couldn't handle any more complaints about aching knees and hot flashes.
If they'd been edited down by 50%, the book would have been 100 pages shorter. And all of the complaints came from ONE former ICU nurse. Makes no sense to me that a medical professional would not have found some help.... Unless, their new vocation was pissing and moaning...
December 20, 2020
I'm sorry but there is nothing about the book that I like.
First time to read this author and I didn't finish the book. No sympathy for the character; hated the romantic interest. The chapters didn't flow, they got lost. A few short storylines not fleshed out and that included the characters. An article in a womens magazine has more storyline than this book! All tied together with the woes of getting older.
I love the older heroine books (being one myself!) However it reads like this author looked up the symptoms of getting older and followed a plot list 1. mention hot flushes, 2 aches and pain 3. damaged joint usually knee. 4 Repeat every five paragraphs or so. Rinse and repeat.
I don't normally leave reviews but this book was just irritating.
First time to read this author and I didn't finish the book. No sympathy for the character; hated the romantic interest. The chapters didn't flow, they got lost. A few short storylines not fleshed out and that included the characters. An article in a womens magazine has more storyline than this book! All tied together with the woes of getting older.
I love the older heroine books (being one myself!) However it reads like this author looked up the symptoms of getting older and followed a plot list 1. mention hot flushes, 2 aches and pain 3. damaged joint usually knee. 4 Repeat every five paragraphs or so. Rinse and repeat.
I don't normally leave reviews but this book was just irritating.
March 17, 2021
Another one that for whatever reason, I just couldn't get in to and connect with. It might be because the last books in this genre I read blew me away though so maybe I was just expecting too much or had a book hangover? Either way, this just wasn't for me.
January 19, 2021
Get. An. Editor.
Firstly, the sheer amount of typos and grammatical errors was staggering. The lack of editing was ridiculous. Even if you can get past that dragging you out of the story, the story is unoriginal, Mary Sue fantasy. The plot is very disjointed and skips past important character development and relationships. I don't care about a single person in the story because no time was spent in making them interesting or developing them at all. It is as if she gets bored writing the actual meat of the story, and decides instead to careen from dramatic fight to the next dramatic moment without any plot getting you there. I finished it out of sheer stubbornness, and regret wasting my time on it.
Firstly, the sheer amount of typos and grammatical errors was staggering. The lack of editing was ridiculous. Even if you can get past that dragging you out of the story, the story is unoriginal, Mary Sue fantasy. The plot is very disjointed and skips past important character development and relationships. I don't care about a single person in the story because no time was spent in making them interesting or developing them at all. It is as if she gets bored writing the actual meat of the story, and decides instead to careen from dramatic fight to the next dramatic moment without any plot getting you there. I finished it out of sheer stubbornness, and regret wasting my time on it.
January 20, 2021
Uggh. Why do the authors of so many of these books think that women over 40 are all out of shape with bad knees/arthritis? I cannot relate to this at all. I get it - we aren't in our prime any more, but making a 40-45 year old woman sound geriatric has gotten really old.
Story wise - this was just barely OK. There was so much more that the author could have explored with Fiona developing her magical powers... and her relationship to other characters in the story (trying to avoid spoilers here).
Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe if I can't find something to read, so chances are pretty low.
Story wise - this was just barely OK. There was so much more that the author could have explored with Fiona developing her magical powers... and her relationship to other characters in the story (trying to avoid spoilers here).
Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe if I can't find something to read, so chances are pretty low.
dnf
January 5, 2022I made it to page 50 and couldn't handle another complaint about how decrepit her body was. She was only 45. Jeez, we get the point. You're on your way to the old folks home. I'm out.
February 25, 2021
The story line itself is good, middle-aged American woman, widowed with 2 college age kids inherits her grandmother's house in a small village in England where she spent many summers growing up. Magic begins to happen, good versus evil, with some new friends and a sexy guy thrown into the mix. Good stuff, and I love the genre that celebrates maturity instead of putting it to pasture.
HOWEVER, this was the most poorly edited book that I have ever suffered through, and the fact that it gives credit to the editor by name is - well, I certainly would not have wanted to take credit for it....punctuation was awful, commas where there should not be commas, and places where a comma was needed. Sentences would end mid-thought with a period, and then the thought or phrase would be continued in a new incomplete sentence. It required some concentration at times to figure out which character was talking because of incorrect or missing paragraph delineations. One character's name was misspelled (Filarion/Fialrion), words misspelled -it's/its - to/too, though/thought - and the tense in the story would CONSTANTLY switch back and forth from past to present, often in the middle of a sentence. On a bright note, Kindle gives a reader the ability to send in editing suggestions, so hopefully they will pay attention and fix what should have never been present in the finished copy. And yes, I started the second book - again the story line is good! - but it looks like the same hideous editing - i.e., flee market. So...yeah, there's that.
HOWEVER, this was the most poorly edited book that I have ever suffered through, and the fact that it gives credit to the editor by name is - well, I certainly would not have wanted to take credit for it....punctuation was awful, commas where there should not be commas, and places where a comma was needed. Sentences would end mid-thought with a period, and then the thought or phrase would be continued in a new incomplete sentence. It required some concentration at times to figure out which character was talking because of incorrect or missing paragraph delineations. One character's name was misspelled (Filarion/Fialrion), words misspelled -it's/its - to/too, though/thought - and the tense in the story would CONSTANTLY switch back and forth from past to present, often in the middle of a sentence. On a bright note, Kindle gives a reader the ability to send in editing suggestions, so hopefully they will pay attention and fix what should have never been present in the finished copy. And yes, I started the second book - again the story line is good! - but it looks like the same hideous editing - i.e., flee market. So...yeah, there's that.
March 23, 2021
2 1\2 Stars
Note this book ends in a cliff hanger so in NO way is any issue resolved when the book ends. The book takes the same elements of the story,: " I didn't know I was a witch", " I don't know what to do" and "I"' m trying to learn but don't know how to get the information" and spends the entire story repeating the same elements. Reading this book was like slogging through sand trying to get something out of the story. Not a good example of the mid life stories written, I won't be continuing with this series.
Note this book ends in a cliff hanger so in NO way is any issue resolved when the book ends. The book takes the same elements of the story,: " I didn't know I was a witch", " I don't know what to do" and "I"' m trying to learn but don't know how to get the information" and spends the entire story repeating the same elements. Reading this book was like slogging through sand trying to get something out of the story. Not a good example of the mid life stories written, I won't be continuing with this series.
September 27, 2022
This book as the potential to be great, but as other reviewers previously already mentioned, the flow between one moment and the other can be erratic. In between passages, there are holes. To give an example: A new female character shows up (a mermaid), and the main character apparently already met them, but you can’t find that passage in the book. Also it goes from peaceful one second, deranged the other minute with evil fae fighting hard core and people almost dying, to go to peaceful again as if nothing happened and everyone is okay again a few hours later… Also, the main character is only in her 40’s and sounds like she is in her 70’s! I really tried my best to stick to it, but I stopped half trough! It feels like the book didn’t got edited or the job was badly done.
March 30, 2023
Enjoyable, nice to have a lead in my age group!
For once a magical story not involving Young adults but a middle aged lead character !
An enjoyable well paced story of a middle aged woman finding out she has magick, and a lot of enemies due to her families bloodlines.
With good friends and yes a love interest, she finds more than she bargained for starting a new life.
Only 1 little niggle in that there's no way in hell she's find an old mustang cheap second hand as easily as she did in the uk!
For once a magical story not involving Young adults but a middle aged lead character !
An enjoyable well paced story of a middle aged woman finding out she has magick, and a lot of enemies due to her families bloodlines.
With good friends and yes a love interest, she finds more than she bargained for starting a new life.
Only 1 little niggle in that there's no way in hell she's find an old mustang cheap second hand as easily as she did in the uk!
December 30, 2020
“ When life goes sideways, embracing the adventure is the fastest way to set things right!”
This is a great first book in this female over 40 something magical read! With a well written addictive storyline we meet Fiona our widow who is totally shocked to find out she is part fae and in fact a guardian between the fae world and earth! With hot flashes, Ibuprofen, caffeine and magic to assist her in this amazing adventure, I look forward for more!
This is a great first book in this female over 40 something magical read! With a well written addictive storyline we meet Fiona our widow who is totally shocked to find out she is part fae and in fact a guardian between the fae world and earth! With hot flashes, Ibuprofen, caffeine and magic to assist her in this amazing adventure, I look forward for more!
February 21, 2021
What's not to enjoy about a woman in midlife discovery she is a witch/fae but not just an ordinary magical person but the guardian of the portal and very powerful.
With staunch friends the brooding guy next doo who is smoking hot, in more ways than one, mer-people, brownies and the list goes on... if you love paranormal woman's fiction this book is for you.
With staunch friends the brooding guy next doo who is smoking hot, in more ways than one, mer-people, brownies and the list goes on... if you love paranormal woman's fiction this book is for you.
August 12, 2024
This book was okay. I didn't like how mean the main male character seemed to be. This story didn't hold my interest as much as some other books by Brenda Trim. It definitely didn't enjoy it enough to continue given it's 50+ books long.
July 25, 2025
It’s a really short book and yet it I had a hard time getting in to it. Not sure if I’ll continue the series. 3 ⭐️ was a round up
March 16, 2021
"Losing a spouse is one of the hardest things you can go through. Especially if you loved them. Losing a child is a close second. "
is she for real ? Loosing a child is second ? Shoking considering the character is the mother of three, meaning she believes the loss of one of her children would have hurt less that loosing her Tim. I suspect it s the opinion of the author, still..stupid.
"Losing a child is a close second. But your husband or wife is the person you decided to spend your life with. '' yeah, a life partner is intrinsic to life plans, but you invest a part of your soul into your child's future. You don t loose a freind, you loose part of your soul forever when you lose a child.
is she for real ? Loosing a child is second ? Shoking considering the character is the mother of three, meaning she believes the loss of one of her children would have hurt less that loosing her Tim. I suspect it s the opinion of the author, still..stupid.
"Losing a child is a close second. But your husband or wife is the person you decided to spend your life with. '' yeah, a life partner is intrinsic to life plans, but you invest a part of your soul into your child's future. You don t loose a freind, you loose part of your soul forever when you lose a child.
April 10, 2021
Fun read but could use a little better transitions
So I liked the overall story arc but I felt there were some issues with transitions. Sometimes the author was a little too repetitive about details like Violet being a bookstore owner. It was mentioned a few times more like you would reiterate from one book to another rather than chapter to chapter. At other places I felt more details could have been added ... for instance the abrupt transition of Bas helping to teach her (very few details) to all of a sudden they are practically a couple. I would think a good editor would point out that these disconnects and encourage the author to rework it a bit for a better flow.
So I liked the overall story arc but I felt there were some issues with transitions. Sometimes the author was a little too repetitive about details like Violet being a bookstore owner. It was mentioned a few times more like you would reiterate from one book to another rather than chapter to chapter. At other places I felt more details could have been added ... for instance the abrupt transition of Bas helping to teach her (very few details) to all of a sudden they are practically a couple. I would think a good editor would point out that these disconnects and encourage the author to rework it a bit for a better flow.
April 28, 2021
Great story, but needs editing for readability
The storyline for this book is excellent. However, I found it a difficult read due to what seems to be a lack of editing. I promised myself to give it at least the first hundred pages before making a conclusion. By that point I had fallen in love with the storyline and decided to finish it, but had continued issues with readability due to grammatical errors, words left out of sentences, and other things that an editor would catch. No offense to the author, I give you kudos for publishing this awesome story, I just feel like going back and having an editor give it a look over would really increase your ratings and followers.
The storyline for this book is excellent. However, I found it a difficult read due to what seems to be a lack of editing. I promised myself to give it at least the first hundred pages before making a conclusion. By that point I had fallen in love with the storyline and decided to finish it, but had continued issues with readability due to grammatical errors, words left out of sentences, and other things that an editor would catch. No offense to the author, I give you kudos for publishing this awesome story, I just feel like going back and having an editor give it a look over would really increase your ratings and followers.
March 18, 2023
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
midlife, cozy mystery, small village, paranormal
I found much that I was drawn to with this story. Midlife Wichtery was just one of them. Much of her life she had been shielded on who and what so was truly to the world. She was a gift and her parents and grams knew she would be important to the world one day. She just needed to survive long enough to do so. She returns to England to settle her grams affairs. She finds more than she could have ever bargained for. She was now the head of her family legacy. She had much to learn and little time to do so. There was something afoot in her little village. There was someone(s) not happy to have her in town. She needed to learn and learn quick. She finds herself facing a new world with just her friend from childhood and a new friend. Then there was Sebastian.
She is not the guardian to the portal from Fae realm to the mortal world of Earth. She was over 40, empty nester, widowed, and starting over with a new more dangerous life. The Backside of Forty were a girl power group. There was action, adventure, and a possibility of something. I had fun with them all and felt the pains of battels.
This was my first trek into the magical world of midlife witchery with Brenda Trim. I personally fell in love. I wanted more and got it. Naomi Rose-Mock did a fab job. I enjoyed her voice, cadence, and inflections. She brought something to the table. She made it clear Americans and England voices. I could clearly understand the difference between male and female. I was very excited to move onward with the next installment in the Midlife Wichtery series.
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
midlife, cozy mystery, small village, paranormal
I found much that I was drawn to with this story. Midlife Wichtery was just one of them. Much of her life she had been shielded on who and what so was truly to the world. She was a gift and her parents and grams knew she would be important to the world one day. She just needed to survive long enough to do so. She returns to England to settle her grams affairs. She finds more than she could have ever bargained for. She was now the head of her family legacy. She had much to learn and little time to do so. There was something afoot in her little village. There was someone(s) not happy to have her in town. She needed to learn and learn quick. She finds herself facing a new world with just her friend from childhood and a new friend. Then there was Sebastian.
She is not the guardian to the portal from Fae realm to the mortal world of Earth. She was over 40, empty nester, widowed, and starting over with a new more dangerous life. The Backside of Forty were a girl power group. There was action, adventure, and a possibility of something. I had fun with them all and felt the pains of battels.
This was my first trek into the magical world of midlife witchery with Brenda Trim. I personally fell in love. I wanted more and got it. Naomi Rose-Mock did a fab job. I enjoyed her voice, cadence, and inflections. She brought something to the table. She made it clear Americans and England voices. I could clearly understand the difference between male and female. I was very excited to move onward with the next installment in the Midlife Wichtery series.
May 22, 2025
I've had my eye on this since it first came out. Forgot about it for a bit and then seen it was free on Amazon recently so I grabbed it!
Here we follow Fiona who is starting a new life after the death of her husband and her grandmother. However, nothing is as it seems. After inheriting the house, she finds that magic is 100% real and she has some huge shoes to fill. She is responsible for guarding this portal between the Faery and Earth. She is new to having these powers so she will have to relay on her new friends to help her.
I really enjoyed the premise behind this. I especially loved that we have an older set of characters here. The majority of them seem to be 40+ so that is really cool! Rarely do you get a UF or PNR with older characters. Loved it. Plus the whole portal thing was cool!
Fiona was a sweetie. She acted like she was 80 instead of being in her 40s though. It did get annoying....like we get it hon. You can stop.
I didn't like Bas....the love interest.....maybe in the next book he gets better. I think Fiona could do better if I'm being honest here.
The mystery was interesting enough and it kept me reading on. However, I had issues with the ending. It just ended. You could call it a cliffhanger...sure....but it felt like the author just cut the book in half is selling the other half as book 2. It was just so dang abrupt.
I also did find myself struggling a bit with reading this. It felt so chunky in places and the pacing was really off. It just didn't flow for me like I would want.
All-in-all, I did enjoy the premise and the majority of the crew. It was nice and refreshing. I might read book 2 if it is free....someday. I hope book 2 is edited a little bit better and flows better. We shall see. I'll give this 2 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Fiona
Least Favorite Character(s): Bas
Here we follow Fiona who is starting a new life after the death of her husband and her grandmother. However, nothing is as it seems. After inheriting the house, she finds that magic is 100% real and she has some huge shoes to fill. She is responsible for guarding this portal between the Faery and Earth. She is new to having these powers so she will have to relay on her new friends to help her.
I really enjoyed the premise behind this. I especially loved that we have an older set of characters here. The majority of them seem to be 40+ so that is really cool! Rarely do you get a UF or PNR with older characters. Loved it. Plus the whole portal thing was cool!
Fiona was a sweetie. She acted like she was 80 instead of being in her 40s though. It did get annoying....like we get it hon. You can stop.
I didn't like Bas....the love interest.....maybe in the next book he gets better. I think Fiona could do better if I'm being honest here.
The mystery was interesting enough and it kept me reading on. However, I had issues with the ending. It just ended. You could call it a cliffhanger...sure....but it felt like the author just cut the book in half is selling the other half as book 2. It was just so dang abrupt.
I also did find myself struggling a bit with reading this. It felt so chunky in places and the pacing was really off. It just didn't flow for me like I would want.
All-in-all, I did enjoy the premise and the majority of the crew. It was nice and refreshing. I might read book 2 if it is free....someday. I hope book 2 is edited a little bit better and flows better. We shall see. I'll give this 2 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Fiona
Least Favorite Character(s): Bas
November 17, 2020
Fiona and crew are awesome! I'm really loving these stories about mid-life adventures and discovering the magical side in their lives! This group Fiona comes to town because her grandmother died and she decides to stay. Her kids go back to America to finish their schooling and Fiona starts the adventure that jumps starts her new life! Even with all the aches n pains of mid life she jumps in with both feet on the ground and running.... she is not afraid to learn more and to jump in and help her new friends. Camille, Aislinn, Violet and Bas are really great group and Fiona meets a lot of really interesting characters and makes a ton of friends! In this story the kick the bad guys butts, knock a few heads and try to save as many "others" as they can. Camille, Aislinn and Violet try and teach Fiona as much as possible as fast as possible so she can take over as guardian.... the sooner the better. Things start to fall into place and Fiona has several "aha" moments as she remembers visiting her grandmother when she was younger. Bas comes across as an ass but after she proves she's there to stay and do something about it he starts to melt for her and finally at the end of the book they've at least admitted they have feelings for each other! The girls are thrilled to say the least.
Looking forward to the next book Magical Matters! I have a couple other books of Brenda's, Dark Warrior Alliance, and I really enjoy her writing style! Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Looking forward to the next book Magical Matters! I have a couple other books of Brenda's, Dark Warrior Alliance, and I really enjoy her writing style! Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2020
Fiona discovers late into her human life that she isnt human at all but a powerful hybrid and Guardian to a world she had no idea actually existed. With the help of new friends she comes into her powers much like a child learning to read..sometimes you make mistakes and sometimes you get it right perfectly. Unfortunately her presence has attracted danger to the magical area she now lives in and it will take all her friends to keep everyone safe.
The book ends a bit unfinished but not so much a cliffhanger. Its definitely written to be continued. We are constantly reminded of the aches and pains of a midlife person as if we need reminders shes no spring chicken. I'm not sure that added any value or credence to the story but its brought up enough the author seems to think its important you know Fiona is in her painful 40s. The price for this book is reasonable and I'm interested to keep reading on in the series hoping it gets a bit better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout but I've also decided to purchase the series.and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book ends a bit unfinished but not so much a cliffhanger. Its definitely written to be continued. We are constantly reminded of the aches and pains of a midlife person as if we need reminders shes no spring chicken. I'm not sure that added any value or credence to the story but its brought up enough the author seems to think its important you know Fiona is in her painful 40s. The price for this book is reasonable and I'm interested to keep reading on in the series hoping it gets a bit better.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout but I've also decided to purchase the series.and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2020
Brenda Trim certainly has some magic when writing. This series starts with a bang. The stories about mid-life adventures and discovering the magical side in their lives is fantastic. Fiona and Crew live up to their magic.
Fiona comes to town because her grandmother has passed, and she decides to stay. Fiona starts the adventure that jumps starts her new life! Even with all the aches and pains of mid-life she jumps in with both feet.
Fiona’s new friends Camille, Aislinn, Violet and Bas add to the adventure of this story. This is a very heavy character read. The growth and adventure of this story was wonderful.
This I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and found myself laughing several times. I am truly loving this new midlife trope. Looking forward to the next book Magical Matters! This author surpassed my expectations with this one. Trim was a new to me author. This is a new to me sub-genre. I really enjoyed the story.
Fiona comes to town because her grandmother has passed, and she decides to stay. Fiona starts the adventure that jumps starts her new life! Even with all the aches and pains of mid-life she jumps in with both feet.
Fiona’s new friends Camille, Aislinn, Violet and Bas add to the adventure of this story. This is a very heavy character read. The growth and adventure of this story was wonderful.
This I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and found myself laughing several times. I am truly loving this new midlife trope. Looking forward to the next book Magical Matters! This author surpassed my expectations with this one. Trim was a new to me author. This is a new to me sub-genre. I really enjoyed the story.
November 30, 2020
Fiona is a middle-aged widow and the mother of three grown children. She is also an ICU nurse. She has done for others her whole adult life. When her grandmother leaves her a house in England, she takes a risk and leaves her old life behind. Little does she know what she is getting herself into. She is a witch., and the new Guardian of the Fae portal. All of the fantastic stories her grandmother told her when she was a girl are true.
While at Cottlehill Wilds, she makes new friends and forms a coven. Her new neighbor is very grouchy, but a good guy. She now has to determine good from evil, and fight off those who would like to take over and destroy our world.
Brenda Trim had my attention at middle aged heroine. She is honestly portrayed, and the fantasy of the story is captivating. It does end on a cliffhanger, so hopefully the next book will be out shortly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
While at Cottlehill Wilds, she makes new friends and forms a coven. Her new neighbor is very grouchy, but a good guy. She now has to determine good from evil, and fight off those who would like to take over and destroy our world.
Brenda Trim had my attention at middle aged heroine. She is honestly portrayed, and the fantasy of the story is captivating. It does end on a cliffhanger, so hopefully the next book will be out shortly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2021
As the title states, this 1st book in a 10 book series is about Fiona discovering magic is real and learning how to use that power. Magic is mainly about intent.
Fiona had several close friends helping her learn different things about her magic within. She has a sexy protector named Sebastian who is helping her wake up her desires within that she thought were dead and he is also awakening in more ways than one even though he has been fighting mythical creatures for centuries.
Since the first book is primarily written to introduce characters and their personalities, I often don’t like it as well as the following reads. Same here. I’m anxious to hit Book 2!
And since the closing of this book was Fiona and her magical coven fighting off the Fae Queen, the next book will hopefully be the ending of that queen because she has been killing of people in town.
Next book - Mind Over Magical Matters
Fiona had several close friends helping her learn different things about her magic within. She has a sexy protector named Sebastian who is helping her wake up her desires within that she thought were dead and he is also awakening in more ways than one even though he has been fighting mythical creatures for centuries.
Since the first book is primarily written to introduce characters and their personalities, I often don’t like it as well as the following reads. Same here. I’m anxious to hit Book 2!
And since the closing of this book was Fiona and her magical coven fighting off the Fae Queen, the next book will hopefully be the ending of that queen because she has been killing of people in town.
Next book - Mind Over Magical Matters
April 15, 2024
This was an intriguing book and I enjoyed it. Not sure I'm ready to embark on a 50-book series but I will get the next one to see if it measures u[ to this one!
Amazon synopsis:
One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth. There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five.
I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we’d live an ordinary life. So I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary. I’m half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life.
Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn’t going down without a fight. After all, she’s already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?
Amazon synopsis:
One day I was just a widow facing the prospect of an empty nest, living a life that was anything but enchanted. The next, I had discovered my magical roots, and my rightful place as the Guardian of the portal between the Faery and Earth. There was shock. And there was fear. After all, no one plans to start over at forty-five.
I intended to grow old with my husband. I thought we’d live an ordinary life. So I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste this opportunity to live in a world I always thought was imaginary. I’m half-witch, half-faery, and facing dangers as real as the ache in my bad knee. Ibuprofen and caffeine keep me going, and I could do this for the rest of my life.
Whoever thinks my family home is an easy mark better take notice: the new Guardian in town isn’t going down without a fight. After all, she’s already learned to let go of her simple existence and believe in the extraordinary power inside of her. What could possibly stop her now?
November 4, 2020
Great start to a series that is going to be full of magic and hot flashes. Fiona has come to Pymm's Pondside to settle her grandmother's affairs and decided that this is where she belongs. Her children are grown and don't really need her around anymore and her husband died of cancer and she needs a change. It doesn't take her long to figure out that her grandma didn't tell her a few things. Like the fact that she is half fae, that she has strong magic, and that she is a Guardian for a portal to the fae realm. Just a few little things. Between her menopause, her hunky but aloof neighbor Sebastian, and her two friends, she is in for a lot more adventure than she ever signed up for. But she is a Shakleton and she is not going anywhere.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
March 1, 2021
Excellent story!
I actually couldn't put this book down. The storyline was compelling and fascinating. The characters were captivating and still portrayed in a way that allowed me to identify with each of them. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The only negative was the lack of proper editing which showed itself in grammatical errors and poor section transitions. Normally I would have put this book down after the first chapter because of that. It says a lot for the storytelling talent of the author that I kept going. I would suggest either a better proofing program or beta readers to avoid this in the future. Her talent is too compelling to have her readers distracted or repelled by errors so easily corrected. If not for those issues I would have given the book a 5-star rating.
I actually couldn't put this book down. The storyline was compelling and fascinating. The characters were captivating and still portrayed in a way that allowed me to identify with each of them. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The only negative was the lack of proper editing which showed itself in grammatical errors and poor section transitions. Normally I would have put this book down after the first chapter because of that. It says a lot for the storytelling talent of the author that I kept going. I would suggest either a better proofing program or beta readers to avoid this in the future. Her talent is too compelling to have her readers distracted or repelled by errors so easily corrected. If not for those issues I would have given the book a 5-star rating.
January 29, 2024
A thoroughly average entry in the paranormal genre. Woman comes into her powers after a lifetime of ignorance, and must immediately save the world. Okay.
Make friends quickly - such good friends you place yourselves in peril for each other. Check.
Lust after the untouchable next door. Check. (Additionally, the few paragraphs of "erotica" are sadly misplaced.)
Perhaps Trim is in one way similar to an author friend who has learned her books almost always end up within a few hundred words (in her case, 100K). Trim apparently hit her limit, and just stopped. There is little in the way of which story lines end and which are carried into the next book; it's not even a cliffhanger. It just ends.
Add weak editing, and it's thoroughly forgettable. Average, an okay read, but forgettable.
Make friends quickly - such good friends you place yourselves in peril for each other. Check.
Lust after the untouchable next door. Check. (Additionally, the few paragraphs of "erotica" are sadly misplaced.)
Perhaps Trim is in one way similar to an author friend who has learned her books almost always end up within a few hundred words (in her case, 100K). Trim apparently hit her limit, and just stopped. There is little in the way of which story lines end and which are carried into the next book; it's not even a cliffhanger. It just ends.
Add weak editing, and it's thoroughly forgettable. Average, an okay read, but forgettable.
October 29, 2024
I like that the main character is a 45 year old woman with aches and pains and symptoms of perimenopause. I like that she's a powerful witch but has no concept of that. Even after she learns that she's a witch and displays great power, she's still convinced that her magical power is not much. She doesn't have low self-esteem in general, she just knows that she's inexperienced and ignorant in this area and can't grasp how far she comes over the course of the book. I find that to be a realistic response to her overwhelming situation. The sexual tension between her and Bas is hot and I look forward to where that goes in future books. I was also amused by the Harry Potter references, especially since if I was trying to wrap my head around a magical world that I didn't understand I can see myself trying to relate it to something I know- like Harry Potter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2020
Starting over at 45 can be a good thing. This is my first book reading about a woman finding out she is a witch so late in life, but it was awesome and so well worth reading. Fiona has spent her whole life looking after others, now its her chance to shine. Finding out your a witch and a guardian of the fae portal can be quite interesting and its definitely a new way of life. What else does she have to do? Her husband is gone, her children are grown and out of the house, so why not stay in England and take her rightful place as the Guardian. She makes some new friends and meets a new man, who all help her maintain the safety of the world.
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews