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Chronicles of Mahon #1
Winter Spell
Trapped inside a crystalline sphere by a malevolent sorcerer, Mara spends her days planning her escape and nights using an enchanted mirror to observe her favorite warrior, Reika.
Reika, fierce leader of a band of mercenaries, has spent her life fighting for anyone who could afford her price. Betrayed by her clan, Reika is seized from death by the mysterious goddess, Mara.
Restless and unwilling to accept captivity, Reika vows to free Mara from the sorcerer's curse or die trying.
Reika, fierce leader of a band of mercenaries, has spent her life fighting for anyone who could afford her price. Betrayed by her clan, Reika is seized from death by the mysterious goddess, Mara.
Restless and unwilling to accept captivity, Reika vows to free Mara from the sorcerer's curse or die trying.
77 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2021
33 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Murphy
27 books90 followersBrenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not swilling gallons of hot tea and writing, she wrangles two kids, two dogs, and one unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 15, 2022
A hot and short EROTIC novella, on Kindle Unlimited.
Definitely not one to read in public, a fun story, somewhat insta-lust, but with magics and mystical elements. I'm a sucker for a warrior woman, and any sort of fantastical magics with Goddesses and powers etc. So this was very interesting to me.
So if you're into fantasy, I would recommend it.
Definitely not one to read in public, a fun story, somewhat insta-lust, but with magics and mystical elements. I'm a sucker for a warrior woman, and any sort of fantastical magics with Goddesses and powers etc. So this was very interesting to me.
So if you're into fantasy, I would recommend it.
October 30, 2023
Interesting Beginning…
Very short sapphic fantasy romance. Interesting start to the Chronicles of Mahon. I look forward to reading the next installment. Being so short, there are definitely parts missing but they aren’t ‘missed’ and being a fantasy it’s easier to accept and take what you get because it’s lovely. Only mentioning in case anyone is expecting more. Being a prison, the little bit of world building is perfect and can’t wait to read more in the coming books. The chemistry between the MCs is on point and I hope to learn more about Debra, a shade but also quite important to this little story.
Very short sapphic fantasy romance. Interesting start to the Chronicles of Mahon. I look forward to reading the next installment. Being so short, there are definitely parts missing but they aren’t ‘missed’ and being a fantasy it’s easier to accept and take what you get because it’s lovely. Only mentioning in case anyone is expecting more. Being a prison, the little bit of world building is perfect and can’t wait to read more in the coming books. The chemistry between the MCs is on point and I hope to learn more about Debra, a shade but also quite important to this little story.
January 6, 2023
I sent expecting something quite so erotic. I’m not complaining, I just didn’t expect it.
Overall, I thought it was a well written novella. My biggest complaint is that the romance just seemed too rushed. It makes sense, but I would have liked more build up. The whole story was just too fast. I enjoyed it and it worked, but it could have been a bit longer.
Overall, I thought it was a well written novella. My biggest complaint is that the romance just seemed too rushed. It makes sense, but I would have liked more build up. The whole story was just too fast. I enjoyed it and it worked, but it could have been a bit longer.
January 30, 2022
4 stars. Well that was a super spicy little fantasy novella. I really enjoyed it. Mara and Reika are both really interesting characters and I liked their relationship and chemistry. I don’t know how many books are going to be in this series but I’m looking forward to book two because this series has a lot of potential to be something great. I’m excited.
April 12, 2023
Not by a Black author and Dnf at 80%
December 30, 2023
I have so many feelings and they are all about the fact that the author of this book is a white women. Do not come for me or argue with me. Argue with your mother. The story was cute and the book wasn’t too long, but the fact that this story and so many other stories like this aren’t being told by Black, brown, and other marginalized authors because there are white women out here doing this pisses me off.
November 19, 2022
Sorry I think Brenda Murphy owes most of her success to her cover artist, who is doing a fantastic job. The covers of Lilith's Sword and Queens of Ruin caught my eye and I bought the series like a dummy.
It's got a great hook - imprisoned goddess saves a warrior and they team up to take down their enemies! No character development at all, they're in love and soul bonded on day 1, there are a dozen random characters, a plot just happens, and then it's over. The sex scenes are fine, and thankfully there's no fantasy racism at work, so it gets 2 stars for that.
It's got a great hook - imprisoned goddess saves a warrior and they team up to take down their enemies! No character development at all, they're in love and soul bonded on day 1, there are a dozen random characters, a plot just happens, and then it's over. The sex scenes are fine, and thankfully there's no fantasy racism at work, so it gets 2 stars for that.
June 1, 2024
I rather enjoyed this one and am about to get the rest of them. The premise was quite good and I liked the characters, I only wish it was longer, so I had the time to get to know both MC a bit more. With the length of the story there's hardly time to develop a plot and characters' background extensively. But considering the length, it was good enough IMHO, yet it left me wanting more, the characters have this rich potential which only a novel could deliver, but hopefully having more short stories will get me what I want from them. Because I'm a picky madam.
July 20, 2023
Super Spicy
This book is short and has instant love between the two main characters. That being said, there is quite a bit of story telling going on about the trapped goddess’s situation and hints about the outside world. I would have liked to see more moments of the characters getting to know each other before spending every day “suckling” each other.
This book is short and has instant love between the two main characters. That being said, there is quite a bit of story telling going on about the trapped goddess’s situation and hints about the outside world. I would have liked to see more moments of the characters getting to know each other before spending every day “suckling” each other.
December 18, 2023
This was... not great. I thought it was simplistic, kinda like "plot what plot" porn with a very bare-bones plot tacked on. But, I hate being so harsh on probably a just-starting-out queer author, so I'm not going to give it one star. Whatever, it was a free (I think?) Kindle Unlimited read for me, at night when I couldn't sleep.
December 25, 2021
Sweet short fantasy story
Sweet little fantasy story where the Goddess gets the girl and the bad guy gets an ending. Easily could be made into a full length novel, but, even as a snapshot, it's an enjoyable light read.
Sweet little fantasy story where the Goddess gets the girl and the bad guy gets an ending. Easily could be made into a full length novel, but, even as a snapshot, it's an enjoyable light read.
December 3, 2021
Wow fantastic storyline
Wow fantastic storyline I loved how you captured my imagination straight away I couldn't put it down definitely a must read congratulations
Wow fantastic storyline I loved how you captured my imagination straight away I couldn't put it down definitely a must read congratulations
January 9, 2022
Loved it.
I thought this book was well structured with great characters. The storyline was engaging and left me wanting more. I would recommend this book.
I thought this book was well structured with great characters. The storyline was engaging and left me wanting more. I would recommend this book.
March 5, 2022
A very well-written fantasy novella with a lot of spice.
October 25, 2022
magical
In every sense of it. Purely enchanting. Strong characters filled with passion and love. You can’t help but cheer them on!
In every sense of it. Purely enchanting. Strong characters filled with passion and love. You can’t help but cheer them on!
February 24, 2023
The beginning of Mara and Reika’s story is pretty great. Lots of spice, fantasy, and magic.
November 29, 2025
short and spicy
This is a short spicy read. Interesting storyline. Liked the MCs dedication to each other. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is a short spicy read. Interesting storyline. Liked the MCs dedication to each other. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 31, 2025
While l really enjoyed the overall concept of "Winter Spell" and could see the potential in Mara and Reike's love, everything between them and the story as a whole felt too rushed. Trying to develop full blown, undying love in under 100 pages with a touch of backstory just wasn't enough for me.
I do want more of these characters though, so I will try out the next "chapter" of Chronicles of Mahon, Queens of Ruin.
I do want more of these characters though, so I will try out the next "chapter" of Chronicles of Mahon, Queens of Ruin.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews