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Hexed and Hunted #1
Witchfire
A small town boy. A dark stranger. And secrets that no one was supposed to uncover.
When cattle begin to turn up dead on the family farm, twenty four year-old Landon Winfield assumes it's the usual culprits. But along with the string of mysterious deaths that threaten him and his mother’s struggling farm, the arrival of a handsome newcomer with strange tattoos brings Landon face to face — or more like face to frothy mouthed muzzle —with the real predator that stalks the forests of Rock Creek.
A werewolf.
Yeah, those exist. And apparently, so do people that hunt them. Crazy, right?
The shocking revelations continue as the attractive hunter Rousseau reveals that Landon is a witch and has the power to summon fire at his fingertips. But his hands aren’t the only thing that heats up as he and the hunter work closely together to rid the small town of its werewolf problem and Landon finds himself falling for the knife-wielding stranger from Texas.
As they get closer, so does the angry beast that’s stalking them and Landon must embrace his newfound power if he hopes to save the farm, his family, and the hunter that holds his heart.
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Content Warning:
- Strong Language
- Fantasy Violence
- Explicit Sex
When cattle begin to turn up dead on the family farm, twenty four year-old Landon Winfield assumes it's the usual culprits. But along with the string of mysterious deaths that threaten him and his mother’s struggling farm, the arrival of a handsome newcomer with strange tattoos brings Landon face to face — or more like face to frothy mouthed muzzle —with the real predator that stalks the forests of Rock Creek.
A werewolf.
Yeah, those exist. And apparently, so do people that hunt them. Crazy, right?
The shocking revelations continue as the attractive hunter Rousseau reveals that Landon is a witch and has the power to summon fire at his fingertips. But his hands aren’t the only thing that heats up as he and the hunter work closely together to rid the small town of its werewolf problem and Landon finds himself falling for the knife-wielding stranger from Texas.
As they get closer, so does the angry beast that’s stalking them and Landon must embrace his newfound power if he hopes to save the farm, his family, and the hunter that holds his heart.
---
Content Warning:
- Strong Language
- Fantasy Violence
- Explicit Sex
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 23, 2021
Witchfire is the first book in a new series by the highly talented Austin Oakley. It is a paranormal romance involving witches and werewolves. However, there is much talk of other supernatural creatures who will likely appear in future books.
I honestly couldn’t believe this was a debut book. It suffered none of the minor faults often found in first novels, particularly around pacing. Instead, the ebb and flow of this novel suited what was happening in the story at any point in time. Overall, the story was fast-paced but slowed at appropriate moments to demonstrate the quieter pace of rural/small-town life.
Character development was very well done with the two main characters, Landon and Rousseau, and the secondary characters, who had significant roles in the story. There were very few minor characters who were not integral to the story; this ensured the action and suspense of the story were maintained throughout.
World-building is another crucial element to this type of story. When setting a story in the 'real' world but incorporating paranormal elements, it's a fine balance between realism and fantasy. In Witchfire, the author was able to capture the slower pace of country town life, this placed the story well and truly in the 'real world'. The faster pace when the paranormal elements came into play, added to the atmosphere of 'other', being a completely different rhythm to the slower 'real world'. These changes of pace indicated to the reader that something was about to happen. They were very subtle and would not even be consciously processed by most readers, but they were important signposts and had a significant impact on the flow and emotional impact of the story. The smooth transition in these variations of pace is another demonstration of a talented writer.
Forgetting the technicalities, Witchfire is just an excellent story. Who is the mysterious Rousseau? Why is Rousseau so sure Landon is 'different'? It is certainly a change from popular typecasting that the werewolf assumes a sinister role. As presented, the werewolf has very few human traits, acting like a more monstrous feral wolf than man. Presenting the werewolf as an antagonist is an interesting direction to take, and for the seasoned paranormal reader is certainly refreshing. Of course, other supernaturals exist in this world, but I won't discuss them for fear of spoilers. Just be assured that there is definitely a line drawn between good and evil, and half the fun is working out ‘who is who’, or more correctly ‘who is what?’
Witchfire is low to medium on the heat scale, but high on the romance factor. I'm a reader who must have romance with my steam. This girl can't survive on heat alone. Although, I would have enjoyed just a bit more steam, after all, Landon and Rousseau were hot together, the romance aspect more than made up for it, and I found the whole thing hugely satisfying.
In my most humble opinion, this book and author are just not being promoted enough. This book is an extremely impressive debut novel, and I can't wait to see how this author's writing style matures and develops.
Austin Oakley is a writer to watch out for, and I, for one, can't wait until his next release.
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January 25, 2022
The snark in this one is absolutely fabulous! The first part was a bit of a touch and go, but the second part of the book was amazing. A great start to the series :)
March 28, 2022
It's not bad, I just didn't feel any connection to the characters. It dragged a lot and I skimmed almost half of it just to get it over with.
October 28, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. Hope there is more to come.
December 1, 2021
This book is good! Strange things are happening in Landon’s small town. Cattle are being killed on his farm, and some other strange deaths. Landon is concerned about his farm and his mother. One night he stays up to watch over the farm and he discover that the killer is werewolf. Plus the stranger that he met in town is actively hunting the werewolf. As if that is not enough, Landon has to find out why he can shoot fire from his fingers. He and the hunter must team or the werewolves will not stop.
November 26, 2021
Promising
3.5 * rounded up.
The story was compelling and whipped along at a good pace. I liked Landon and loved Rousseau, and I felt the supporting characters were well drawn.
Let down by poor proofreading.
3.5 * rounded up.
The story was compelling and whipped along at a good pace. I liked Landon and loved Rousseau, and I felt the supporting characters were well drawn.
Let down by poor proofreading.
December 12, 2021
Interesting plot and characters. I cared about Landon and Rousseau and enjoyed their banter and watching them fall in love.
The writing was well done and had me up until dawn reading. I loved that there was just the right amount of description to keep me grounded, and I didn't have to skip paragraph after paragraph of unnecessary scenery.
There are a lot of questions still left with this couple, and I'm sure we'll meet lots of interesting new side characters during their travels, but this book is complete, no cliffhanger (yay!). I'm looking forward to book 2, which is releasing in 2022...hopefully EARLY 2022. (No pressure.) 😉
The writing was well done and had me up until dawn reading. I loved that there was just the right amount of description to keep me grounded, and I didn't have to skip paragraph after paragraph of unnecessary scenery.
There are a lot of questions still left with this couple, and I'm sure we'll meet lots of interesting new side characters during their travels, but this book is complete, no cliffhanger (yay!). I'm looking forward to book 2, which is releasing in 2022...hopefully EARLY 2022. (No pressure.) 😉
December 11, 2021
This was fantastic!
I'm not a reader of pnr but after a hilarious post from the author I figured I'd give this book a go. I was not disappointed! This was such an awesome mix of humor and suspense! I loved the build up of the relationship between Landon and Rousseau, especially while Landon learned about his abilities as a witch.
This was low steam and it's more than fine that it was! The story was amazing!
I'm not a reader of pnr but after a hilarious post from the author I figured I'd give this book a go. I was not disappointed! This was such an awesome mix of humor and suspense! I loved the build up of the relationship between Landon and Rousseau, especially while Landon learned about his abilities as a witch.
This was low steam and it's more than fine that it was! The story was amazing!
February 23, 2022
This was just OK for me. Why? When I read an M/M book, I want that relationship (meeting, romance, sex, bumps in the road) to at least be an important plot point. In this book, it wasn’t. You could have taken out all of the gay stuff without altering the book much. This was disappointing. On the plus side, the banter between Landon and Rousseau was entertaining.
November 29, 2021
Wow
A stunning debut book by Austin Oakley. Witches, Hunters and Werewolves. This book is full of wit, sarcasm, mayhem, and yes, even love. Brilliant! Can’t wait to read what Austin fills book 2 with!!!
A stunning debut book by Austin Oakley. Witches, Hunters and Werewolves. This book is full of wit, sarcasm, mayhem, and yes, even love. Brilliant! Can’t wait to read what Austin fills book 2 with!!!
December 21, 2021
Great start
An amazing book from a new author! It be honest I couldn't tell the writer was newly published. The book was well thought out and well written. Loved the twists and turns that kept me guessing through out!
An amazing book from a new author! It be honest I couldn't tell the writer was newly published. The book was well thought out and well written. Loved the twists and turns that kept me guessing through out!
April 5, 2022
Wow
This book surprised me. It was so thoughtful and well written. Landon was funny and engaging and Rousseau was awesome. This was a new to me author but I can't wait to read more.
This book surprised me. It was so thoughtful and well written. Landon was funny and engaging and Rousseau was awesome. This was a new to me author but I can't wait to read more.
April 17, 2022
Witchfire
This was a great book. I particularly enjoyed reading about the witch coming to terms with his power and learning that there is more out there than he ever knew! Russeau was an enigma that turned out to be a true friend and more. Definitely worth reading!
This was a great book. I particularly enjoyed reading about the witch coming to terms with his power and learning that there is more out there than he ever knew! Russeau was an enigma that turned out to be a true friend and more. Definitely worth reading!
January 3, 2022
Didn’t love this one. Many editing errors and Landon was obnoxious to me.
January 10, 2022
3.75 stars
February 23, 2022
Fun and funny! I’m ready for the next one!
April 18, 2022
Maybe my expectations where too high but it was very underwhelming
April 8, 2023
An awesome monster hunting adventure!
This book really needs a more exciting cover to represent all the different crazy events that take place in it! The characters are very well-drawn, Landon at first seems a small-town boy but events reveal his strong character and hot-temper which will stand him in good stead when a were-wolf starts killing his farm animals. Landon meets Rousseau who personality we also learn more about. He's not just a tough monster hunter but a kind and insightful person with some baggage. There are more interesting characters both paranormal and human and it's a fun read. Not one of those goofy, "I'm an omega so I must get pregnant" books. There is plenty of action and adventure!
This book really needs a more exciting cover to represent all the different crazy events that take place in it! The characters are very well-drawn, Landon at first seems a small-town boy but events reveal his strong character and hot-temper which will stand him in good stead when a were-wolf starts killing his farm animals. Landon meets Rousseau who personality we also learn more about. He's not just a tough monster hunter but a kind and insightful person with some baggage. There are more interesting characters both paranormal and human and it's a fun read. Not one of those goofy, "I'm an omega so I must get pregnant" books. There is plenty of action and adventure!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews