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Cougar Creek Coven #1
Midlife Witch Unexpected
Middle-aged and starting over is the last thing I ever wanted on my bucket list. But since my husband announced he was gay and my daughter left for college, I don’t really have a choice.
If I’m going to get my "Happily Ever After" I have to start making new choices, starting with picking guys who like women rather than women’s makeup would be a good start. Next! I’m way past the point of caring what other people think. I’m 49, about to turn 50 and I’m pretty sure I’m entering the prime years of my life. It’s time to make my mark and do things the way I want to do them.
Like move.
I am sooooooo leaving the city that has sucked me dry with the commute and the executive position. There’s no way I’m doing that anymore. I have enough money from the divorce to buy a house, almost any house, outside of California. I take one suitcase and my jeep, and I leave town, not stopping until I get to Cougar Creek, which is so small I think it’s barely a town, but I’m all about it. This is where I will get my fresh start.
I inherited my Aunt’s home here years ago and never even visited, but the renters just moved out and I might as well make it my home. For now. But Cougar Creek has a lot more in store for me than I ever imagined. There is a load of eligible young men from the local ranches, a couple of new BFFs in similar situations, and a strange invitation to a local secret society who think I’m the new high priestess of their local coven. I didn’t stop laughing until I realized they wouldn't take “no” for an answer. They have a massive problem in the cemetery and they expect me to solve it.
But I didn’t trade in one life of rules for another one, so if they want me to be high priestess, they’re going to have to accept that I make the rules.
If I’m going to get my "Happily Ever After" I have to start making new choices, starting with picking guys who like women rather than women’s makeup would be a good start. Next! I’m way past the point of caring what other people think. I’m 49, about to turn 50 and I’m pretty sure I’m entering the prime years of my life. It’s time to make my mark and do things the way I want to do them.
Like move.
I am sooooooo leaving the city that has sucked me dry with the commute and the executive position. There’s no way I’m doing that anymore. I have enough money from the divorce to buy a house, almost any house, outside of California. I take one suitcase and my jeep, and I leave town, not stopping until I get to Cougar Creek, which is so small I think it’s barely a town, but I’m all about it. This is where I will get my fresh start.
I inherited my Aunt’s home here years ago and never even visited, but the renters just moved out and I might as well make it my home. For now. But Cougar Creek has a lot more in store for me than I ever imagined. There is a load of eligible young men from the local ranches, a couple of new BFFs in similar situations, and a strange invitation to a local secret society who think I’m the new high priestess of their local coven. I didn’t stop laughing until I realized they wouldn't take “no” for an answer. They have a massive problem in the cemetery and they expect me to solve it.
But I didn’t trade in one life of rules for another one, so if they want me to be high priestess, they’re going to have to accept that I make the rules.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2021
269 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 12, 2025
2.0 - I am going to do my best not to be mean here, but boy oh boy is it going to be difficult.
This book was sorely in need of an editor. There were grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes, and formatting mistakes on nearly every page. There were characters whose names changed after the first couple times they were introduced, a character who was mentioned and completely disappeared from the narrative, and just overall poor execution that sometimes made the book incomprehensible without context clues. I truly believe if the author had sent this to literally anyone else to proofread it would have been better, or at the very least there would’ve been less mistakes that made it seem like such immature fiction.
The plot itself was boring. Literally nothing but exposition happens for the first 100 pages. Don’t get me wrong, exposition is important, but not when it serves literally no meaning to the plot. We had this whole thing about her going to pick up her car from the police station and all these scenes where’s she’s walking around the house and discovering nothing new about it and they could’ve been completely cut and the book wouldn’t have lost anything. Again, if this book would’ve had an editor, I’m sure they would’ve been able to highlight these boring areas and suggested replacing them with important information like all the different types of supernatural creatures that exist in this world, which we don’t learn about until like 200 pages in. There were also so many moments of internal deliberation that felt copy pasted because she was just thinking the same thing over and over and coming to the same conclusion, so there was nothing insightful nor any ounce of change in those internal monologues. But when something did clearly change, we don’t get to see it! We just know that she suddenly understands her powers more because it fits the plot and she suddenly decides that she actually does want to end up with the guy. The narrative focuses on flat, non important moments rather than the dynamic moments full of change and that just makes it a drag.
The plot itself was fine. Predictable, had a few moments of fun humor in it. Had one fun twist. But overall, the actual plot is overshadowed by just how unedited the writing is. The writing and grammar is so bad that it takes focus away from the actual plot and makes it seem worse than it actually is. If the grammar and spelling had been perfect, I still would’ve found the plot mediocre at best, but maybe that’s just me.
The only reason this book isn’t getting rated one star is because I only rate DNFs one star. But this is the lowest possible two I could give. I sincerely hope for the future books in this series, the author hired an editor or at least a beta reader, but I don’t have much hope.
This book was sorely in need of an editor. There were grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes, and formatting mistakes on nearly every page. There were characters whose names changed after the first couple times they were introduced, a character who was mentioned and completely disappeared from the narrative, and just overall poor execution that sometimes made the book incomprehensible without context clues. I truly believe if the author had sent this to literally anyone else to proofread it would have been better, or at the very least there would’ve been less mistakes that made it seem like such immature fiction.
The plot itself was boring. Literally nothing but exposition happens for the first 100 pages. Don’t get me wrong, exposition is important, but not when it serves literally no meaning to the plot. We had this whole thing about her going to pick up her car from the police station and all these scenes where’s she’s walking around the house and discovering nothing new about it and they could’ve been completely cut and the book wouldn’t have lost anything. Again, if this book would’ve had an editor, I’m sure they would’ve been able to highlight these boring areas and suggested replacing them with important information like all the different types of supernatural creatures that exist in this world, which we don’t learn about until like 200 pages in. There were also so many moments of internal deliberation that felt copy pasted because she was just thinking the same thing over and over and coming to the same conclusion, so there was nothing insightful nor any ounce of change in those internal monologues. But when something did clearly change, we don’t get to see it! We just know that she suddenly understands her powers more because it fits the plot and she suddenly decides that she actually does want to end up with the guy. The narrative focuses on flat, non important moments rather than the dynamic moments full of change and that just makes it a drag.
The plot itself was fine. Predictable, had a few moments of fun humor in it. Had one fun twist. But overall, the actual plot is overshadowed by just how unedited the writing is. The writing and grammar is so bad that it takes focus away from the actual plot and makes it seem worse than it actually is. If the grammar and spelling had been perfect, I still would’ve found the plot mediocre at best, but maybe that’s just me.
The only reason this book isn’t getting rated one star is because I only rate DNFs one star. But this is the lowest possible two I could give. I sincerely hope for the future books in this series, the author hired an editor or at least a beta reader, but I don’t have much hope.
February 18, 2022
A delightful and hilarious book about a woman in her forties, freshly divorced, who finds out she is a witch and magic and other paranormal business is very real.
I have had my eyes on this book for a few months now (just a bit before it came out), but I just didn’t get to it. But now I did and boy I am happy I did because this was fun to read.
In this one we meet Mae, a woman in her forties who just went through a divorce (her husband was gay…..) and she is eager for a new beginning. Though I do think that she hadn’t expected to get a new beginning with magic, a coven, and vampires. Yep, you read that one right. Apparently her family is the big one in the region and she is next in line.
So in this book we see Mae get used to life as a divorced woman and make a new start, get used to the situation of being a head priestess, find out her magic, and fight and kick out vampires, struggle with dark Fae. Oh man, I just love the world and I adore that there are even gods and the likes. I want to meet those! I thought this one would just be magic, some witchy stuff, maybe some dead zombies. But oh no, there is much more and I am totally into it! I also loved reading more about The Hayes and all they did in the past. Would definitely love a prequel book featuring The Hayes from the past.
Mae was just a fabulous character, though I wanted to give her many hugs given everything that happens in this book. And I was also rooting for her because she had to figure out things, fast.
I wasn’t so happy with how everyone just didn’t care about her privacy at all. Maybe it is cool for you to just walk into someone’s home, but I think that is just utterly rude and I could very well understand that our MC was just not comfortable with it. I mean, on her FIRST day someone is just cooking up stuff along with their teen kids in tow. WHAT the actual HELL? I get that you were tenants in this house (and of course we learn the truth about that) but that doesn’t mean you can just barge in when someone new is there. And people just kept doing it. Like, really? She is clear about it, just don’t do it. Respect her. ARGH!
I also wasn’t such a fan of how everyone kept treating her like a child. It is not her fault that she never knew about the magic or the heritage. She cannot help it that she is thrust into this role and that she has to accept it or else. Instead of constantly being meh towards her (especially looking at you Trina) you could be supportive and excited that she is learning so fast and that she is already making up her own spells. That she is working hard and is open to all these things. That she is already thinking of the future, just in case. Mae is just such a wonderful woman and I loved how quick she tried to master the magic. She deserves way more praise.
I loved her and Branson together, though I was a tad frustrated when she learned of his true job and just decided to be rude/mean towards him. Yes, he may have had to specify before have sex with you, but still, come on girl. He likes you. You are clearly into him. The sex was mindblowingly good given the descriptions XD. Just stop being so dere dere and get on with him. Get close and comfy! Here is a man who finally is respectful to you. Finally a guy who truly likes you.
The later part of the book was just fantastic. A kidnapping, a kick-ass scene that had me rooting for our MC so much, and then some extra surprises that had me snickering and that I found to fit perfectly with the book. I definitely wanted more. More MORE!
I would recommend this book to all, we need more MCs who aren’t the youngest any more. Yes, I had some issues with how people treated our MC and how privacy was treated, but I am happy I read this book because I also had tons of fun and I just love having a MC of this age and see her do something awesome with her new life.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had my eyes on this book for a few months now (just a bit before it came out), but I just didn’t get to it. But now I did and boy I am happy I did because this was fun to read.
In this one we meet Mae, a woman in her forties who just went through a divorce (her husband was gay…..) and she is eager for a new beginning. Though I do think that she hadn’t expected to get a new beginning with magic, a coven, and vampires. Yep, you read that one right. Apparently her family is the big one in the region and she is next in line.
So in this book we see Mae get used to life as a divorced woman and make a new start, get used to the situation of being a head priestess, find out her magic, and fight and kick out vampires, struggle with dark Fae. Oh man, I just love the world and I adore that there are even gods and the likes. I want to meet those! I thought this one would just be magic, some witchy stuff, maybe some dead zombies. But oh no, there is much more and I am totally into it! I also loved reading more about The Hayes and all they did in the past. Would definitely love a prequel book featuring The Hayes from the past.
Mae was just a fabulous character, though I wanted to give her many hugs given everything that happens in this book. And I was also rooting for her because she had to figure out things, fast.
I wasn’t so happy with how everyone just didn’t care about her privacy at all. Maybe it is cool for you to just walk into someone’s home, but I think that is just utterly rude and I could very well understand that our MC was just not comfortable with it. I mean, on her FIRST day someone is just cooking up stuff along with their teen kids in tow. WHAT the actual HELL? I get that you were tenants in this house (and of course we learn the truth about that) but that doesn’t mean you can just barge in when someone new is there. And people just kept doing it. Like, really? She is clear about it, just don’t do it. Respect her. ARGH!
I also wasn’t such a fan of how everyone kept treating her like a child. It is not her fault that she never knew about the magic or the heritage. She cannot help it that she is thrust into this role and that she has to accept it or else. Instead of constantly being meh towards her (especially looking at you Trina) you could be supportive and excited that she is learning so fast and that she is already making up her own spells. That she is working hard and is open to all these things. That she is already thinking of the future, just in case. Mae is just such a wonderful woman and I loved how quick she tried to master the magic. She deserves way more praise.
I loved her and Branson together, though I was a tad frustrated when she learned of his true job and just decided to be rude/mean towards him. Yes, he may have had to specify before have sex with you, but still, come on girl. He likes you. You are clearly into him. The sex was mindblowingly good given the descriptions XD. Just stop being so dere dere and get on with him. Get close and comfy! Here is a man who finally is respectful to you. Finally a guy who truly likes you.
The later part of the book was just fantastic. A kidnapping, a kick-ass scene that had me rooting for our MC so much, and then some extra surprises that had me snickering and that I found to fit perfectly with the book. I definitely wanted more. More MORE!
I would recommend this book to all, we need more MCs who aren’t the youngest any more. Yes, I had some issues with how people treated our MC and how privacy was treated, but I am happy I read this book because I also had tons of fun and I just love having a MC of this age and see her do something awesome with her new life.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 17, 2024
This book is awful for multiple reasons. Minor spoilers follow.
For a 49yo woman, Mae is abrasively stupid. She throws attitude constantly despite not knowing anything about what is going on around her. She goes from one extreme to the other and back again so fast and so repeatedly I think I suffered whiplash - from her beliefs about magic to what to do about Branson. Half the book reads like a cozy and then there are failed attempts at being a badass adventure novel. There are continuity errors and typos galore.
Her “friendship” with Bianca serves no purpose in the book and makes no sense.
She makes a huge deal about getting locks on the doors, but after an enemy vamp installs them she isn’t concerned about maybe not using those locks??
The sex was random, out of nowhere, and then she treats him like dirt after but he just rolls with it. She goes on about him being “too young” but he’s 37 to her 49, only 12 years. Half age plus 7 rule puts him well above “too young” age of less than 31. As a 49yo woman myself, there really isn’t an “age gap” here with a 37yo man. They are both well into adulthood.
The author could use a lesson on Chekhov’s gun. Why mention calling her daughter and introducing her to Bianca and then just abruptly ending the chapter without doing it? Never mind that Mae was in the bakery, in the first place, to meet up with Trina and powwow with the coven but then abandoned the whole reason she went there when she saw Bianca and (whiplash) wanted to pretend to be normal again.
There are numerous mentions that Trina doesn’t want Mae as the HP, but no real rhyme or reason or motivation and no discussion about it.
Pages 276 and 279 - random teleportation. One second they are in the cabin (or pet cemetery, respectively) and the next paragraph they are inside the house with no transition or segue. It’s like the author forgot where the characters actually were while writing.
Page 284 - Mae says, “Are you an idiot? I mean, you’re really hot, but are you just plain stupid?" (in response to Branson seeking clarification that she likes him). Seriously? She’s 49 and that’s how she thinks a healthy discussion works? With a guy she’s been telling to buzz off and leave her alone since she screwed him a week ago? Why on earth would he think anything other than she is not interested in him?
The book is a mishmash of ideas and concepts and events with no character development or anything stringing things together.
For a 49yo woman, Mae is abrasively stupid. She throws attitude constantly despite not knowing anything about what is going on around her. She goes from one extreme to the other and back again so fast and so repeatedly I think I suffered whiplash - from her beliefs about magic to what to do about Branson. Half the book reads like a cozy and then there are failed attempts at being a badass adventure novel. There are continuity errors and typos galore.
Her “friendship” with Bianca serves no purpose in the book and makes no sense.
She makes a huge deal about getting locks on the doors, but after an enemy vamp installs them she isn’t concerned about maybe not using those locks??
The sex was random, out of nowhere, and then she treats him like dirt after but he just rolls with it. She goes on about him being “too young” but he’s 37 to her 49, only 12 years. Half age plus 7 rule puts him well above “too young” age of less than 31. As a 49yo woman myself, there really isn’t an “age gap” here with a 37yo man. They are both well into adulthood.
The author could use a lesson on Chekhov’s gun. Why mention calling her daughter and introducing her to Bianca and then just abruptly ending the chapter without doing it? Never mind that Mae was in the bakery, in the first place, to meet up with Trina and powwow with the coven but then abandoned the whole reason she went there when she saw Bianca and (whiplash) wanted to pretend to be normal again.
There are numerous mentions that Trina doesn’t want Mae as the HP, but no real rhyme or reason or motivation and no discussion about it.
Pages 276 and 279 - random teleportation. One second they are in the cabin (or pet cemetery, respectively) and the next paragraph they are inside the house with no transition or segue. It’s like the author forgot where the characters actually were while writing.
Page 284 - Mae says, “Are you an idiot? I mean, you’re really hot, but are you just plain stupid?" (in response to Branson seeking clarification that she likes him). Seriously? She’s 49 and that’s how she thinks a healthy discussion works? With a guy she’s been telling to buzz off and leave her alone since she screwed him a week ago? Why on earth would he think anything other than she is not interested in him?
The book is a mishmash of ideas and concepts and events with no character development or anything stringing things together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2022
If there was an actual editor for this book, they should find a new career. There are so many errors. Silly things like an entire sentence about coffee being made and how wonderful it smells with the next sentence being how the wonderful the chai tea tastes. I went back and read the paragraph again and still didn’t make sense. A few chapter later, the main character talks about having a flying with the caretaker of the property. I can only assume she meant fling. I will not be reading anything by this author again. I do not like the writing style. If feels very choppy and forced. I have very few books in my lifetime that I couldn’t finish but this was definitely one. I kept thinking it would get better but by chapter 11, I finally gave up and decided my time could be better spent with a book I enjoy.
November 27, 2021
Like nothing else I’ve read!
I love coming of age stories and this was that but not at the same time - it builds up slowly so if you need lots of action out of the gate you should hang in there just a bit because the author will really blow you away once the ball gets rolling well. A great series opener!
I love coming of age stories and this was that but not at the same time - it builds up slowly so if you need lots of action out of the gate you should hang in there just a bit because the author will really blow you away once the ball gets rolling well. A great series opener!
April 18, 2022
I don’t like to give 1* ratings but I didn’t enjoy this read. It’s great that an older female protagonist featured but I found the character development limited and the storyline rushed. I enjoy supernatural magical reads but I felt this needed more work. I didn’t intend to download this one on Kindle U & I don’t think I’d revisit this author.
November 19, 2021
I had never read this author before, but she’s been on my radar for some time. I was glad to get a copy of this book to try. I’ve reached a certain age myself, and I dived in to read about poor Mae’s current life after divorce. She is visiting her inherited property when things start happening beyond her comprehension, and then mayhem ensues. While this book wasn’t perfect, this was a fun series starter and well-written, and I really enjoyed the plot and characters. By the end of the book, I was fully invested, and I can’t wait to read more in this universe. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
December 2, 2021
Midlife Witch
This is an interesting storyline that appeals to me. The characters are all hiding something, and you are left wondering what exactly is going on in town. I am excited to see exactly where this goes
This is an interesting storyline that appeals to me. The characters are all hiding something, and you are left wondering what exactly is going on in town. I am excited to see exactly where this goes
November 14, 2021
Mae's life is turned upside down the day her husband informs her he is gay. She moves to a small town where she inherited a house form her aunt. Things quickly become even more complicated as she learns more about her aunt and her life. Great first book in this series.
November 28, 2021
love this new series! ... so excited for more!
November 30, 2021
Witches, shifters, demi gods, dark fae and vampires…oh my!
If you’re a fan of spunky, older heroines that are coming into their own and rocking their midlife with a few imperfections but still as confident as ever then Midlife Witch Unexpected: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel is the book for you! Melle Amade truly is a master at creating fun new worlds, creative story plots and a diversity of relatable characters that are so real and thought out you feel like you’ve known them for ages. I can’t tell you how fun it was to finally read a story with a character that you can actually relate to and cheer for as she finds joy in life and makes connections after having to start over when most are already settled down.
Feeling completely robbed of the romance fairytale of finding her one true love and living happily ever after upon her husbands coming out…many years into their marriage and one grown adult daughter later, our fearless heroine Mae takes a chance on relocating to Cougar Creek, a small town where she’s inherited land and a home from her dearly departed and estranged aunt. Little does she know that along with that Estate she’s also “inherited” her aunts coven, all the tasks and responsibilities of being their high priestess and of course the young sexy shifter Guardian that’s willing to show her that she’s exactly what he needs and more.
This book is full of humor, magical surprises and revelations, new connections and growth, supernatural dangers and sexy shifters, and of course and a few twists and turns along the way as Mae and her team try to solve the mysteries of the Estate and the cemetery in order to protect their town.
And while some readers will appreciate that there are no major cliffhangers, the ending and intro into the next story leads for the perfect setup of so many more amazing stories to come in our small little supernatural town of Cougar Creek and i can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the other residents and hopefully see their coven grow! Because while I loved all the hints and preludes of this new magical world Mae finds herself immersed in, I definitely wish we’d gotten to see more!
Overall, if you’re a fan of second coming of age stories for those who may have already lived it once and need to start over, magical twists and turns, supernatural beings and of course a second chance at love with possibly a young sexy shifter…then this book is for you!
If you’re a fan of spunky, older heroines that are coming into their own and rocking their midlife with a few imperfections but still as confident as ever then Midlife Witch Unexpected: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel is the book for you! Melle Amade truly is a master at creating fun new worlds, creative story plots and a diversity of relatable characters that are so real and thought out you feel like you’ve known them for ages. I can’t tell you how fun it was to finally read a story with a character that you can actually relate to and cheer for as she finds joy in life and makes connections after having to start over when most are already settled down.
Feeling completely robbed of the romance fairytale of finding her one true love and living happily ever after upon her husbands coming out…many years into their marriage and one grown adult daughter later, our fearless heroine Mae takes a chance on relocating to Cougar Creek, a small town where she’s inherited land and a home from her dearly departed and estranged aunt. Little does she know that along with that Estate she’s also “inherited” her aunts coven, all the tasks and responsibilities of being their high priestess and of course the young sexy shifter Guardian that’s willing to show her that she’s exactly what he needs and more.
This book is full of humor, magical surprises and revelations, new connections and growth, supernatural dangers and sexy shifters, and of course and a few twists and turns along the way as Mae and her team try to solve the mysteries of the Estate and the cemetery in order to protect their town.
And while some readers will appreciate that there are no major cliffhangers, the ending and intro into the next story leads for the perfect setup of so many more amazing stories to come in our small little supernatural town of Cougar Creek and i can’t wait to find out what’s in store for the other residents and hopefully see their coven grow! Because while I loved all the hints and preludes of this new magical world Mae finds herself immersed in, I definitely wish we’d gotten to see more!
Overall, if you’re a fan of second coming of age stories for those who may have already lived it once and need to start over, magical twists and turns, supernatural beings and of course a second chance at love with possibly a young sexy shifter…then this book is for you!
December 1, 2021
Midlife Witch Unexpected is the first book in Melle Amade’s Cougar Creek Coven series. Mae has come to Cougar Creek with one thing in mind, take some time for herself and move past the betrayal from her now ex-husband. Mae has inherited the Hayes Estate from her Aunt who passed away. While Cougar Creek seems like a quaint little town, Mae starts things off on the wrong foot with the sheriff, but she’s about to learn that this town is so much more than it appears.
Midlife Witch Unexpected is the first book that I have read by Melle Amade, and I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Mae. When I first started reading this book Mae sounded like a character I could like. I appreciated that she isn’t the typical twenty-something-year-old character that is prominent in so many paranormal novels. Instead, we get an older character who has hit a rather “rough” spot in life. I can only imagine how it would feel to learn that your whole marriage has been based on a lie. Though the lie really raises some serious questions about what was going on with the ex-husband. But Mae’s attitude throughout the book really irked me. She’s likable one minute, and then she gets an attitude with basically everyone and she honestly comes off cantankerous.
Mae honestly gives me whiplash in this book. She’s one way one minute and then literally the next page she’s done a complete 180. I think this book needs more balance and development from Mae especially. It’s too many snap changes that take away from any type of character growth and development that should be happening. The storyline has potential, and honestly does has some enjoyable moments throughout, but Mae takes away from the story for me by being so unstable.
I wanted to like this book more but I need Mae to mellow out. I’m rating this book a soft 4 out of 5 stars.
Midlife Witch Unexpected is the first book that I have read by Melle Amade, and I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Mae. When I first started reading this book Mae sounded like a character I could like. I appreciated that she isn’t the typical twenty-something-year-old character that is prominent in so many paranormal novels. Instead, we get an older character who has hit a rather “rough” spot in life. I can only imagine how it would feel to learn that your whole marriage has been based on a lie. Though the lie really raises some serious questions about what was going on with the ex-husband. But Mae’s attitude throughout the book really irked me. She’s likable one minute, and then she gets an attitude with basically everyone and she honestly comes off cantankerous.
Mae honestly gives me whiplash in this book. She’s one way one minute and then literally the next page she’s done a complete 180. I think this book needs more balance and development from Mae especially. It’s too many snap changes that take away from any type of character growth and development that should be happening. The storyline has potential, and honestly does has some enjoyable moments throughout, but Mae takes away from the story for me by being so unstable.
I wanted to like this book more but I need Mae to mellow out. I’m rating this book a soft 4 out of 5 stars.
November 15, 2021
✨Bippity, Boppity....W H A T ?!! 😮😉💖
Welcome to Cougar Creek...a small town where Mae has gone to check out the home she inherited from her dearly departed aunt! OK...so maybe she also NEEDED to get away from her crumbling life in LA after learning the love of her life (aka soon to be ex hubby) is, and always has been gay...SURPRISE! Little does she know that's the **least** of the surprises to soon come her way 😉. Family history, new friends, major revelations, surprises, magic, danger, mystery and so much more weave their way through these pages with a dash of romance. This is a wonderful introduction to a new series. I look forward to seeing how the world progresses with future books. I'm already cheering for our main character Mae!! I adore her spunk, grit, determination and heart....I'm also hoping her daughter shows up in a future book? I was hooked right from the beginning with the humor, characters, and plot....overall a total win!!! I can't wait for book two 😍.
Welcome to Cougar Creek...a small town where Mae has gone to check out the home she inherited from her dearly departed aunt! OK...so maybe she also NEEDED to get away from her crumbling life in LA after learning the love of her life (aka soon to be ex hubby) is, and always has been gay...SURPRISE! Little does she know that's the **least** of the surprises to soon come her way 😉. Family history, new friends, major revelations, surprises, magic, danger, mystery and so much more weave their way through these pages with a dash of romance. This is a wonderful introduction to a new series. I look forward to seeing how the world progresses with future books. I'm already cheering for our main character Mae!! I adore her spunk, grit, determination and heart....I'm also hoping her daughter shows up in a future book? I was hooked right from the beginning with the humor, characters, and plot....overall a total win!!! I can't wait for book two 😍.
November 22, 2021
I am loving this new trend of heroines who are completely rockin’ it in midlife… After a few bumps in the road. Mae’s starting over at a time in her life when society says she should be setting her burdens down. I think that makes her someone many of us can relate to. And now, this non-believer also has to face the fact that the world of magic is real, and she’s landed right in the middle of it. I was immediately pulled into the story. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a bit like a coming-of-age story for those of us who’ve already done it once. I really liked Mae. It was so easy to empathize with her confusion over her change in circumstances. I could practically feel her resistance to the truth of the supernatural world. I would have liked to have had the chance to see a bit more of Mae learning her way around this new world. But with the rest of the chaos going on around her, I can understand why we didn’t. I’m thoroughly intrigued by what’s going on in Cougar Creek and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
November 30, 2021
An exciting start of a new PNR series with a middle aged heroine whose dreams and happy marriage turned into illusion and broke her heart, forcing her to take a different path. Coming to the Cougar Creek, she is not only discovering her past and hidden truths about her family, but also rediscovering herself while dealing with sensory overload from the sudden change. And Branson is definitely not helping in that cause.
Mae is an interesting character and stands out among most PNR heroine thanks to her age, experience, and maturity. Yet the new start gives her also the chance to be young again (at least in the spirit and some escapades), forge new friendships, find new opportunities, and literally become a new version of herself. Magic naturally plays a role and accelerates the necessity to adapt to the change swiftly. It is also nicely showing that life does not end after age 40 or with adult kids, nor is there a limitation to exploring the world and its wonders. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one :)
Mae is an interesting character and stands out among most PNR heroine thanks to her age, experience, and maturity. Yet the new start gives her also the chance to be young again (at least in the spirit and some escapades), forge new friendships, find new opportunities, and literally become a new version of herself. Magic naturally plays a role and accelerates the necessity to adapt to the change swiftly. It is also nicely showing that life does not end after age 40 or with adult kids, nor is there a limitation to exploring the world and its wonders. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one :)
May 30, 2022
Mae is a 49-year-old woman who has come to Cougar Creek looking for a new future but what she finds is a little town where everybody knows everybody and their business. She gets lost just around a bend she missed but a man in a truck stops Mae thinks he is leering at her and when he gets out he makes her so nervous she jumps into her jeep and pulls out her gun but by that time the Sheriff informs her to put down the gun and get in his truck because she is being detained he has his girlfriend drive Mae's car to the station, he tells Mae that she will have to have someone vouch for her and will have to pick up her car the next day. When the tall hot man comes in the door Mae is attracted right away but tries to block the thoughts. Branson is her guardian and she will have to learn what her inheritance really means to her and the town. An Interesting storyline as well as the characters. Part 1 in this series. Drama, suspense, mystery, shifters, vampires, magic, kidnapping, and more to come. I purchased this book. I volunteered an honest review.
November 30, 2021
A quirky world and cast of characters
Mae decides to head to her mother’s hometown after her divorce and winds up needing a ride from Branson her first night in town. As the story progresses adjusting to the change is difficult, secrets come out of the woodwork, and not all unexpected visitors have the vest intentions. Melle Amade created a quirky world and cast of characters in Midlife Witch Unexpected, adding in the supernatural element gave it a nice bit of charm. The reader will just have to wait and see how the rest of the single ladies fair in the romance department as the series plays out.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Mae decides to head to her mother’s hometown after her divorce and winds up needing a ride from Branson her first night in town. As the story progresses adjusting to the change is difficult, secrets come out of the woodwork, and not all unexpected visitors have the vest intentions. Melle Amade created a quirky world and cast of characters in Midlife Witch Unexpected, adding in the supernatural element gave it a nice bit of charm. The reader will just have to wait and see how the rest of the single ladies fair in the romance department as the series plays out.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
November 21, 2021
This is book 1 in Amade's series Cougar Creek Coven. A great intro to this series. Our main character is Mae who's life is turned upside-down when her husband informs her that he's gay. She moves to a house her aunt left her in the small town of Cougar Creek. As if finding out your husband is gay is not enough, more surprises and mysteries come forth for our not quite young heroine (which I love btw). A great read that will captivate from the start. I love Mae and can't wait to see where book 2 will take us!
I received a free copy of this book at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
I received a free copy of this book at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
November 22, 2021
This book rocks!! Being the same age as the FMC, it was awesome to read about her life that has a new starting point for excitement and friendship. Shucking off her old persona, Mae becomes someone new and even more amazing. I can't wait to see where this journey takes the characters and how they combat evil.
SPOILER: The only thing that bugs me is that Mae was raised without magic and witchcraft and struggles with believing in it and herself, then all of a sudden, she okay with it, and whipping out chants and pulling off these pretty awesome spells. There's was really no learning curve.
SPOILER: The only thing that bugs me is that Mae was raised without magic and witchcraft and struggles with believing in it and herself, then all of a sudden, she okay with it, and whipping out chants and pulling off these pretty awesome spells. There's was really no learning curve.
November 22, 2021
I love the town name of Cougar Creek, and it really does set out what kind of a book this is.
Fun, no nonsense, down on her luck FMC, Mae, has arrived in town after her world is devastated when her husband announces he is gay after 20 years.
It's been 30+ years since her last visit and her Aunt seems to to have forgotten to mention a few things when she left her the house.
Mae is a great character, she has some brilliant one-liners and I love that she is older and not afraid to say what she wants.
The world building is interesting and there are some real characters living in the town. I would have liked to have seen more of Bianca, but hopefully she'll be in the next book.
Fun, no nonsense, down on her luck FMC, Mae, has arrived in town after her world is devastated when her husband announces he is gay after 20 years.
It's been 30+ years since her last visit and her Aunt seems to to have forgotten to mention a few things when she left her the house.
Mae is a great character, she has some brilliant one-liners and I love that she is older and not afraid to say what she wants.
The world building is interesting and there are some real characters living in the town. I would have liked to have seen more of Bianca, but hopefully she'll be in the next book.
November 23, 2021
Great start to a new series
I am loving the genre of Paranormal Womens Fiction - it's great finding heroines my own age! Mae is starting afresh, having inherited a house from her estranged aunt, and finding out her hubby was gay. Now she's trying to get to grips with life in a small town, where nothing is quite what it seems. This was a fun read with relatable characters, and while Mae's particular story appears resolved, at least for now, it's a fab start to a whole series set around the town with an over-reaching arc. Looking forward to seeing where this goes, following a strong start!
I am loving the genre of Paranormal Womens Fiction - it's great finding heroines my own age! Mae is starting afresh, having inherited a house from her estranged aunt, and finding out her hubby was gay. Now she's trying to get to grips with life in a small town, where nothing is quite what it seems. This was a fun read with relatable characters, and while Mae's particular story appears resolved, at least for now, it's a fab start to a whole series set around the town with an over-reaching arc. Looking forward to seeing where this goes, following a strong start!
November 25, 2021
An easy, fun read. Mae needs an escape when she finds out her husband is gay and her marriage obviously ends. With her kids grown up and living elsewhere, she decides to move to Cougar Creek, into a house she inherited from an estranged aunt - How little she knew of this aunt and the town she lived in, is soon revealed! Mae being middle aged woman gives her nuances that perhaps a younger character wouldn’t have - or at least not created by the same circumstances. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and even though her broken marriage has left her reeling, she’s strong and resilient. A good read.
November 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this. I have been planing to read a midlife book for a while as this year I hit 50 and reading about 18-20 year olds in romance all the time makes me feel like I've been put out to pasture! This was a great book to start my Midlife readings with. Mae is 49 and newly divorced after finding out her husband is gay. As her daughter is in college she decides to move to Cougar creek as she has inherited a house and estate there which includes a cemetery from her Aunt Emma. I'm not going to give away plot or spoilers but this is a really great book and I am very excited to find that there will be more in this series coming soon
December 1, 2021
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This is a fun start to a new series. This is a new author for me but the book sounded intriguing so I was ready to give it a shot. I glad I did. We meet Mae who is a little older when her husband announces he is gay causing them to divorce. Having to start over she moves to small town into a house she inherited from an Aunt. This is where the fun begins. Things take a few strange twists and turns creating quite the fun read as it all plays out. I was totally hooked by the end of it and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
This is a fun start to a new series. This is a new author for me but the book sounded intriguing so I was ready to give it a shot. I glad I did. We meet Mae who is a little older when her husband announces he is gay causing them to divorce. Having to start over she moves to small town into a house she inherited from an Aunt. This is where the fun begins. Things take a few strange twists and turns creating quite the fun read as it all plays out. I was totally hooked by the end of it and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
January 29, 2022
Needs an editor
This has possibilities but it's badly in need of a proof reader, at one point the sheriffs dispatcher makes coffee but then on the next page same scene they are drinking tea, and that's in the first chapter!
The spelling and grammar become painful after awhile. However their of the bones of a good story. Everything happens really fast and i struggled in places to understand how she went from zero to witch making spells on her own quite so fast.
With a little work i think there could be a better book here. I think the author needs to work on it a little longer. I'm not sure I'll rush out for book 2. We'll see.
This has possibilities but it's badly in need of a proof reader, at one point the sheriffs dispatcher makes coffee but then on the next page same scene they are drinking tea, and that's in the first chapter!
The spelling and grammar become painful after awhile. However their of the bones of a good story. Everything happens really fast and i struggled in places to understand how she went from zero to witch making spells on her own quite so fast.
With a little work i think there could be a better book here. I think the author needs to work on it a little longer. I'm not sure I'll rush out for book 2. We'll see.
July 10, 2022
This is a solid book and a quick read, but Ai can't help but feel like the author is still getting her feet under her. Aspects of the story were really well thought and developed, but others didn't seem well rounded.
What I liked:
- the idea was original, protecting the graveyard even though we don't quite know why is unique.
- the zombie dog, he sounds adorable a d I just want to give him a hug and let him know he's loved.
What I didn't like:
- the characters didn't grow much during the story, and our MC was a little childish at times for a mature woman.
- some parts of the story felt rushed.
Overall not a bad novel.
What I liked:
- the idea was original, protecting the graveyard even though we don't quite know why is unique.
- the zombie dog, he sounds adorable a d I just want to give him a hug and let him know he's loved.
What I didn't like:
- the characters didn't grow much during the story, and our MC was a little childish at times for a mature woman.
- some parts of the story felt rushed.
Overall not a bad novel.
November 17, 2021
Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. Or the slaps to the face that get dolled out leaving you hurt and bruised but extremely angry. Mae Hayes has taken this slaps and punches and is now putting life together part of that includes a house left to her by an aunt. The house is in Cougar Creek, Oregon. Run-ins with the locals, no sense of boundaries by her dead aunts friends, and the hotter than hot groundskeeper set Mae on a path she never expected and has her realizing that her life isn’t over at the halfway mark, it’s just beginning.
November 19, 2021
Midlife Witch Unexpected by Melle Amade is the first book in the Cougar Creek Coven Series. I loved this first book in this series. I found it to have a lot of really relatable themes and it really added to this wonderul book. I mean what do you do when you find out that everything in your life isn't the way you thought it was? Mae is not an ultra young heroine, but finds herself in need of starting her life over, but she finds that life, love and certainly surprises are definitely waiting in the most unlikely places.
November 22, 2021
I hadn't read anything by this author, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm in my forties and can only imagine finding out my husband of 20 years is gay! I adore the plot and characterization of the different coven members. And Branson is so yummy! The only reason I didn't give this a 5 star was because the beginning moved a bit too slowly for me and there were quite a few problems with verb tenses that would knock me out of the story. But, I can't wait to read the next book featuring Bianca, Mar's first friend in Cougar Creek. I definitely recommend this book!
November 22, 2021
Cougar creek, a double meaning I'm sure. I really enjoyed reading about Mae who discovers that the home her aunt left her comes with certain responsibilities. Also a groundkeeper who is hot but she also learns she's suddenly the head of the coven. This leads to situations she doesn't really have a clue what to do but she takes it in in stride and does the best she can. Not everyone is overenthusiastic but she'll get there. This does end a little confusing but that happens with a story that hasn't ended yet as I'm sure we'll see more soon!
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