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Druid Heir #1
Midlife Dawn
*Shivers of excitement shot up my spine. It was time to draw a line under the past and find a new me.*
By forty, Alisha thought she’d be living her best life. When her idiot husband gambles away their savings, she divorces him and throws herself into teaching her night class in godforsaken London. That is, until her mum dies in a car crash and Alisha suspects foul play. To top it all, the Metropolitan Police don’t seem to have heard of the detective investigating the case. Alisha’s first instinct is to have a nap and hope it all goes away, but she’s her mother's daughter. Secrets set her off like a bloodhound.
When a mysterious man tells her she’s the last of an ancient magical druid lineage, she laughs in his face, but she’s intrigued. She wants to believe there’s more to life than a messy divorce and a dead-end career. It doesn't seem crazy to follow him into the undergrowth in Crystal Palace Park. Not even when she hears her cat telling her to stop.
To avenge her mum and survive a new magical world, she just needs to pull on her control pants and hold on for the ride.
-For fans of Paranormal Women’s Fiction and magic-wielding heroines over forty.-
By forty, Alisha thought she’d be living her best life. When her idiot husband gambles away their savings, she divorces him and throws herself into teaching her night class in godforsaken London. That is, until her mum dies in a car crash and Alisha suspects foul play. To top it all, the Metropolitan Police don’t seem to have heard of the detective investigating the case. Alisha’s first instinct is to have a nap and hope it all goes away, but she’s her mother's daughter. Secrets set her off like a bloodhound.
When a mysterious man tells her she’s the last of an ancient magical druid lineage, she laughs in his face, but she’s intrigued. She wants to believe there’s more to life than a messy divorce and a dead-end career. It doesn't seem crazy to follow him into the undergrowth in Crystal Palace Park. Not even when she hears her cat telling her to stop.
To avenge her mum and survive a new magical world, she just needs to pull on her control pants and hold on for the ride.
-For fans of Paranormal Women’s Fiction and magic-wielding heroines over forty.-
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2021
343 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
N.Z. Nasser
16 books120 followersN. Z. Nasser is a writer of paranormal women's fiction. Her stories are about women who change the world, filled with magic and rooted in friendship. A lover of barefoot walks along the beach, she is glad to have left behind her career in the civil service and to never wear heels again. Whether she is writing in her garden office or wrangling laundry, she is happiest with a cup of tea at her side. She lives in London with her husband, three children, two cats and a fox-mad dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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January 14, 2022I have to admit that I didn't get very far. A few pages in and I was already annoyed with the protagonist. Way too much time spent inside her head with her essentially explaining herself to herself. It seemed like most her focus was on telling us how special, unique, smart, different she is rather than showing us or better yet simply taking us on her journey, telling us a story...
Maybe I'll get back to it one day, cause the premise itself would've been enticing enough (never heard of the Indian Druid connection before).
Maybe I'll get back to it one day, cause the premise itself would've been enticing enough (never heard of the Indian Druid connection before).
December 29, 2021
No spoilers.
I was the lucky winner of a giveaway by the author herself, and what a fabulously FANTASICAL romp through contemporary London!! Druids, Werewolves, and witches, oh my! As an American, we don’t get to enjoy the awesomeness of druids very often (except in video games and table top games), and I am so looking forward to continuing Alisha’s journey!
Highly recommended!
I was the lucky winner of a giveaway by the author herself, and what a fabulously FANTASICAL romp through contemporary London!! Druids, Werewolves, and witches, oh my! As an American, we don’t get to enjoy the awesomeness of druids very often (except in video games and table top games), and I am so looking forward to continuing Alisha’s journey!
Highly recommended!
October 31, 2021
An Engaging, Fun & Feisty Read!😉🐆🐺🐭✨🙏🌹💥
Life Definitely Begins At Forty!😍💘🐦🌀
Midlife Dawn: (Druid Heir Book 1) A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel
🔶I won an early copy of this book in a competition. I am under no obligation to review it, not even in relation to the competition win!🔶
This is initially, a slow building storyline, setting up the pieces & players on the board. Just when you get a bit cocky & think you've got a handle on where it might be taking you - BANG, it swerves, speeds up & goes else where!🙈 Lol
Alisha is a recently divorced English teacher. She lives in London, has one douchey brother & wonderful, loving parents. Then her Mum dies in a tragic car accident. Aside from it breaking all of their hearts, it also breaks a binding spell placed on their Druid heritage that the children knew anything about!💥 Her life will never be the same again. Her BFF, Marina, is a vet. They're sisters at heart, so of course she's all in for this new turn their lives are taking.💞 She can also now see the 'Otherworld' that had been hidden by the binding. She's very encouraging of Alisha breaking her dry spell with new guy (wolf) on the block, Ezra!🔥😍 Ezra is a bit of a conundrum. He's wildly hot but they aren't sure if he's trust worthy.😕 Alisha's attraction to him is undeniable, their chemistry certainly sizzles.🔥💘
Someone 'on high' wants Alisha's help as the Druid Heir, but they can't interfere too much!😇🙏 Even with training it's unlikely Alisha & co will be enough to defeat what's coming, they'll need allies!😳 Will the Senate in charge of all Peculiar's step in to help or will sticking to the rules matter more to them?? Could some rebel & assist in their cause anyway? What of the humans or 'Humdrum's' Shadow Squad?😲
I loved the concept & world building in this book. The Wildwoods, where the Peculiar's are based is amazing.✨🌳 All the differing magics & varying abilities within them, leave so much scope for more!😍 The training scenes were scary good.😳 The witches & their servants/spy network were genius storytelling.✨ Although there is an obvious bad guy to take down, I was left debating if there are even more within the Wildwoods itself. Could the entire system be corrupt?😲
The storytelling reminded me of the way Elizabeth Hunter drew me into the Glimmer Lake series.😍 The bond between Alisha & Marina very much spoke of lifelong friendship, their banter was on point. Echo the Bengal cat, turned magical Leopard, was the snobbiest & snarkiest character by far, he was hilarious!😆
I can't wait to see where these characters go next. I highly recommend this new to me author & her series.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
Life Definitely Begins At Forty!😍💘🐦🌀
Midlife Dawn: (Druid Heir Book 1) A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel
🔶I won an early copy of this book in a competition. I am under no obligation to review it, not even in relation to the competition win!🔶
This is initially, a slow building storyline, setting up the pieces & players on the board. Just when you get a bit cocky & think you've got a handle on where it might be taking you - BANG, it swerves, speeds up & goes else where!🙈 Lol
Alisha is a recently divorced English teacher. She lives in London, has one douchey brother & wonderful, loving parents. Then her Mum dies in a tragic car accident. Aside from it breaking all of their hearts, it also breaks a binding spell placed on their Druid heritage that the children knew anything about!💥 Her life will never be the same again. Her BFF, Marina, is a vet. They're sisters at heart, so of course she's all in for this new turn their lives are taking.💞 She can also now see the 'Otherworld' that had been hidden by the binding. She's very encouraging of Alisha breaking her dry spell with new guy (wolf) on the block, Ezra!🔥😍 Ezra is a bit of a conundrum. He's wildly hot but they aren't sure if he's trust worthy.😕 Alisha's attraction to him is undeniable, their chemistry certainly sizzles.🔥💘
Someone 'on high' wants Alisha's help as the Druid Heir, but they can't interfere too much!😇🙏 Even with training it's unlikely Alisha & co will be enough to defeat what's coming, they'll need allies!😳 Will the Senate in charge of all Peculiar's step in to help or will sticking to the rules matter more to them?? Could some rebel & assist in their cause anyway? What of the humans or 'Humdrum's' Shadow Squad?😲
I loved the concept & world building in this book. The Wildwoods, where the Peculiar's are based is amazing.✨🌳 All the differing magics & varying abilities within them, leave so much scope for more!😍 The training scenes were scary good.😳 The witches & their servants/spy network were genius storytelling.✨ Although there is an obvious bad guy to take down, I was left debating if there are even more within the Wildwoods itself. Could the entire system be corrupt?😲
The storytelling reminded me of the way Elizabeth Hunter drew me into the Glimmer Lake series.😍 The bond between Alisha & Marina very much spoke of lifelong friendship, their banter was on point. Echo the Bengal cat, turned magical Leopard, was the snobbiest & snarkiest character by far, he was hilarious!😆
I can't wait to see where these characters go next. I highly recommend this new to me author & her series.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
July 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this midlife book, I loved the fact that though Alisha is over forty, and just coming out of an abusive marriage, she takes on a battle with the Gods, and proves that women can look forward to great changes in their lives rather than a mid-life crisis. Alisha's mum died in an accident, however their are pointers which show that she might have been purposely killed, especially as more scientists were dying off like flies. Alisha takes on the challenge to find out and take vengeance on whoever killed her beloved mother. She discovers a whole otherworld were magic and creatures out of myth lived and thrived. She is given a mentor, accepts that her bengal cat was now a magical leopard, and together with her best friend Marina, embark on the biggest challenge yet. They train and try to find out their magical powers, then they find allies and plan to embroil an evil god, proving that women in their forties are kick-ass and will take shit from no one, not even a god!! I loved this book with it's quirky characters, it's magic and the great bond of friendship and I look forward to reading more books in this series, and I highly recommend this book to all the women out there hitting their midlife change!
October 27, 2021
This is the first paranormal Women’s fiction book I’ve read, and it was incredibly refreshing to read about a 40 something year old woman who discovers that she has magical abilities.
I liked NZ Nasser’s writing style; the language is engaging and and beautifully descriptive, bringing scenes, settings and characters to life. As the book is set is London, I especially liked how it remained true to people and place, with references to cockney rhyming slang and British colloquialisms.
It was easy to get behind protagonist, Alisha Verma, who is a likeable, intelligent, fun character with a good sense of humour and oodles of gumption.
All in all, I enjoyed discovering this genre, and I look forward to the next instalment of this series.
I liked NZ Nasser’s writing style; the language is engaging and and beautifully descriptive, bringing scenes, settings and characters to life. As the book is set is London, I especially liked how it remained true to people and place, with references to cockney rhyming slang and British colloquialisms.
It was easy to get behind protagonist, Alisha Verma, who is a likeable, intelligent, fun character with a good sense of humour and oodles of gumption.
All in all, I enjoyed discovering this genre, and I look forward to the next instalment of this series.
October 31, 2021
Great, Great Book!!!! Absolutely hilarious moments, a first class cast of characters, some tender moments, and fantastic worldbuilding are all words I would use to describe this book to someone. The characters Nasser imagines are so well thought out and their interactions with one another and how incredibly well written into the story they are will have you turning pages all night long. The story is really unique and interesting too. The story's settings make me wish I could draw so I can truly see with my eyes what she has my mind seeing in my imagination. I want to read the whole series right now!!!
January 8, 2022
This book took me quite long to read because other books that came in from the library not long after I started it and then the holidays happened, but I really did enjoy it. I might have enjoyed it even more had my reading of it not been broken up so much. This is an entertaining entry into the relatively new genre of Paranormal Women’s fiction. I like Alisha and all of the supporting characters, especially Echo. He cracks me up. Read this one through Kindle Unlimited but it’s definitely worth buying if you enjoy this genre.
April 12, 2022
Alisha in just getting her life back on track after her divorce when her mother dies in a tragic car accident. After that her life turns upside down. Not only is she dealing with the loss of her mother, but her mothers image is fading away in all the pictures. She then learns that she is a druid and that her powers had been bound as a child and she doesn't know what the powers are or how to use them. She meets Ezra, a seeker, who is sent to help train her and then the adventure begins.
The story is filled with interesting characters from the otherworld that I loved getting to know.
The story is filled with interesting characters from the otherworld that I loved getting to know.
November 13, 2021
I love the fact that this book introduces me to a new culture. I love reading books about characters that have something new to teach me. I also loved the magic and the characters. This is a great well written book that makes me want to know these character in my real life. I Loved Every Page!!!
I received an ARC from the author and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and Feel that this is a Wonderful Story!!!
I received an ARC from the author and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and Feel that this is a Wonderful Story!!!
April 22, 2022
magic is real
A fun fantastic adventure that will keep you on your toes trying to figure it out! It keeps you guessing as you hop from on magical mayhem moment to the next! Magic exists, magical beings and gods exist, but not all gods are good! This one causes accidents and murder, he exists to cause evil. Can they avenge her mums murder and prevent more? Read and see as she comes into her powers!
A fun fantastic adventure that will keep you on your toes trying to figure it out! It keeps you guessing as you hop from on magical mayhem moment to the next! Magic exists, magical beings and gods exist, but not all gods are good! This one causes accidents and murder, he exists to cause evil. Can they avenge her mums murder and prevent more? Read and see as she comes into her powers!
February 10, 2024
The main character was incredibly dumb and continuously made embarrassingly stupid choices. The writing was also oddly choppy. The story jumped around strangely, and certain things didn't make sense. Like in the final fight, everyone was being burned, but somehow one of the witches died of blood loss. All it said was that she was hit in the stomach, but by what? The enemy didn't have weapons and his power wouldn't have made her bleed.
November 25, 2021
Such a vibrant, fun romp
I adored reading this—it was so refreshing to read an older protagonist getting to go and have adventures, and I loved the cast of characters so much. Echo in particular made me laugh out loud several times, and In general I just wanted to escape into this world! Excited for the next book!
I adored reading this—it was so refreshing to read an older protagonist getting to go and have adventures, and I loved the cast of characters so much. Echo in particular made me laugh out loud several times, and In general I just wanted to escape into this world! Excited for the next book!
March 22, 2022
Great book
I thoroughly enjoyed This paranormal mystery. The author brought the characters to life for me with vivid descriptions. The book moved at a brisk pace which kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning to find unmanageable happen next. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I thoroughly enjoyed This paranormal mystery. The author brought the characters to life for me with vivid descriptions. The book moved at a brisk pace which kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning to find unmanageable happen next. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
August 22, 2023
It begins
What happens when all you know is a lie at midlife? So much fun finding out your magical but then dealing with the fallout. The author weaves her knowledge of mythology throughout the story fashioning different cultures seamlessly. The characters deal with life's wins & losses in typical human fashion.
What happens when all you know is a lie at midlife? So much fun finding out your magical but then dealing with the fallout. The author weaves her knowledge of mythology throughout the story fashioning different cultures seamlessly. The characters deal with life's wins & losses in typical human fashion.
January 26, 2022
New twists to old legends
Fantastic and intriguing start to a new series. All sorts of magical legends and mythology come to life. Look forward to getting to know the characters more after their defeat of the sun god!
Fantastic and intriguing start to a new series. All sorts of magical legends and mythology come to life. Look forward to getting to know the characters more after their defeat of the sun god!
February 2, 2022
Impressive
I love finding new authors that are gifted storytellers with great characters. This series is thankfully unique from the basic repetitive format of the midlife paranormal genre. I was impressed with the quality of the writing especially from a newly published author.
I love finding new authors that are gifted storytellers with great characters. This series is thankfully unique from the basic repetitive format of the midlife paranormal genre. I was impressed with the quality of the writing especially from a newly published author.
May 11, 2022
This was a struggle from the beginning. I thought the storyline sounded interesting but the execution was just missing something.
I couldn’t development any connection with the main characters and the characters and storyline lacked depth.
I couldn’t development any connection with the main characters and the characters and storyline lacked depth.
June 14, 2022
A gripping, entertaining story of a forty year old woman discovering the existence of magic and her place in it. I loved the sidekick Marina, the cat Echo, and the love interest Ezra, and the many verbal jabs between them all.
Can't wait to read book 2!
Can't wait to read book 2!
July 7, 2022
fantastic world building
NZ Nassar knocks it out of the park with this fab addition to the PWF genre. The world building is unique and rich. Who wouldn’t want a leopard sidekick?
Can’t wait to see what is next for Ashira and Ezra.
NZ Nassar knocks it out of the park with this fab addition to the PWF genre. The world building is unique and rich. Who wouldn’t want a leopard sidekick?
Can’t wait to see what is next for Ashira and Ezra.
July 22, 2022
midlife women
It’s wonderful to have midlife women going through typical midlife problems with fantastic adventures.
Loved the characters and their development through out the story. I’m looking forward to the next book.
It’s wonderful to have midlife women going through typical midlife problems with fantastic adventures.
Loved the characters and their development through out the story. I’m looking forward to the next book.
November 21, 2022
druids and gods
I’m not sure about this book. There’s a lot of different stuff in it but I just couldn’t seem to get into it. Might try the second one later right now I’m taking a break from them
I’m not sure about this book. There’s a lot of different stuff in it but I just couldn’t seem to get into it. Might try the second one later right now I’m taking a break from them
June 17, 2023
awesome read
A mature, intelligent, kick-it protagonist? Definitely not a cookie cutter character. Followed by a unique storyline that kept me engaged start to finish. I’m so glad there’s more to the series!
A mature, intelligent, kick-it protagonist? Definitely not a cookie cutter character. Followed by a unique storyline that kept me engaged start to finish. I’m so glad there’s more to the series!
February 23, 2024
Magic
This book was magical with humor, sadness, and twists. Magic users trying to stop an old God that no longer is worshipped. He has gone on a murdering spree. The book was a pager turner, hard to close. I really enjoyed this story.
This book was magical with humor, sadness, and twists. Magic users trying to stop an old God that no longer is worshipped. He has gone on a murdering spree. The book was a pager turner, hard to close. I really enjoyed this story.
April 9, 2025
A Wonderful Paranormal Mystery
An interesting paranormal mystery, that introduces a 40-year-old woman to a life much more interesting than that of a divorcee. A magical world, a talking cat, and a handsome mentor. What more could you ask for in a novel?
JBH
An interesting paranormal mystery, that introduces a 40-year-old woman to a life much more interesting than that of a divorcee. A magical world, a talking cat, and a handsome mentor. What more could you ask for in a novel?
JBH
November 6, 2021
Loved it
I really enjoyed this book. I got a chance to visit London as well. It was like an adult Harry Potter book.
I really enjoyed this book. I got a chance to visit London as well. It was like an adult Harry Potter book.
December 5, 2021
DNF. 50% through and the MC is just a bit dim. Really, her mentor is a werewolf so when one appears in her class in response to her distress call, she makes plans on how to ‘handle’ a wild wolf?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
Midlife Dawn
Such an exciting book with vengeful Gods, Druids, Witches, Vampires, werewolves, and so much more. A great book to read!
Such an exciting book with vengeful Gods, Druids, Witches, Vampires, werewolves, and so much more. A great book to read!
February 7, 2022
The new world this story begins is very interesting! At first I liked Echo but as the story goes on he gets really annoying .
March 18, 2022
Original story
Off to read the next adventure. A book worthy of a rainy day. Mixed mythology and supernatural races. A great beginning tale
Off to read the next adventure. A book worthy of a rainy day. Mixed mythology and supernatural races. A great beginning tale
April 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! The world building is incredible and very detailed. An unexpected delight!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews