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Witching After Forty #1
A Ghoulish Midlife
Widow and empty nester Ava Harper never dreamed of turning forty without the love of her life. Nor did she know she would bury her favorite aunt, who raised her after the death of her mother, a few years later. Then again, she doesn't have the power of foresight. No, her powers are much darker. Powers she has kept behind lock and key.
With her only son off to college and her life savings depleted, Ava returns home to Shipton Harbor, Maine. She's only there to clean out, fix up, and sell the family home. But like everything in her life in the last five years, things change.
Arriving in Shipton Harbor is like stepping into another world. Her high school rival is married to her best friend and is set on making up for every devious thing she did when they were teens. The magic in the house reawakens, making it impossible to sell. And to top it all, the sheriff looks like he belongs on the cover of a romance novel.
When an old friend of the family turns up dead, Ava must delve deep into the powers she's repressed all her adult life to find the killer.
Now she must open up to her own wells of dark magic to find the murderer while working with the hottie sheriff she's sure has his own secrets.
With her only son off to college and her life savings depleted, Ava returns home to Shipton Harbor, Maine. She's only there to clean out, fix up, and sell the family home. But like everything in her life in the last five years, things change.
Arriving in Shipton Harbor is like stepping into another world. Her high school rival is married to her best friend and is set on making up for every devious thing she did when they were teens. The magic in the house reawakens, making it impossible to sell. And to top it all, the sheriff looks like he belongs on the cover of a romance novel.
When an old friend of the family turns up dead, Ava must delve deep into the powers she's repressed all her adult life to find the killer.
Now she must open up to her own wells of dark magic to find the murderer while working with the hottie sheriff she's sure has his own secrets.
Audible Audio
First published November 30, 2020
2076 people are currently reading
1645 people want to read
About the author
Lia Davis
290 books1,567 followersIn 2008, Lia Davis ventured into the world of writing and publishing and never looked back. She has published more than twenty books, including the bestselling A Tiger’s Claim, book one in her fan favorite Ashwood Falls series. Her novels feature compassionate yet strong alpha heroes who know how to please their women and her leading ladies are each strong in their own way. No matter what obstacle she throws at them, they come out better in the end.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.
While writing was initially a way escape from real world drama, Lia now makes her living creating worlds filled with magic, mystery, romance, and adventure so that others can leave real life behind for a few hours at a time.
Lia’s favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers, but it’s her home and she loves it! Sign up for her newsletter, become a member of her fan club, and follow her on Twitter @NovelsByLia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
July 11, 2021
Read only if you are a middle-aged woman who lost the love of your life (but who also refers to your only son as the other love of your life) and want to imagine what it might be like to fall in love again with a magically handsome sheriff's deputy who has teal AND blue eyes:
"I found it hard to stare into his unusual teal and blue eyes. At the same time, it was impossible to look away. He didn't have two different color eyes. They were a mix of teal and dark blue. Teal being the dominant color. I'd never seen eyes like those before."
The writing sounds like something I would have tossed off for a hasty book review, minus my normal plethora of commas and semi-colons, and consists of moment-by-moment internal narration from someone totally unlike me:
"When I entered the kitchen and spotted the bottles of water, my hospitable side got the better of me. I put the bottles in a cooler and covered them in ice, then dragged them onto the porch. There. Now they had plenty to drink if they needed it...
I settled down at my desk to write, but my attention kept drifting out the window. I had the perfect view of their work truck and couldn't help but notice how young and fit several of the construction workers were. I spent more time watching them work and admiring the view. I really had to stop myself from ogling before I was caught being a creeper. Plus, none of them set my insides on fire like a certain cop I ran into at the grocery store three days ago.
And I will not think about Officer Walker.
After lunch, during which I nearly convinced myself to make sandwiches for the entire crew, I sat back down to work. Oh, I offered to make lunch, but they politely declined. It was the mother in me to make sure everyone was taken care of. Maybe I'd get a pet to care for since my son abandoned me for higher learning."
This is at 25% and the most magical thing that's happened is that the house made a sound like breaking glass and scared the construction guys away. Oh, and an undead cat has made two uninteresting appearances. I mean, it's a cat. It could have scratched someone and given it pestilent necrophages at the very least. You know what would be original? Ghouls as construction workers.
I tried to do my due diligence before buying, but was suckered anyway. There's a reason all the reviews say, "good job setting up the characters." At a quarter of the way through, I'm not even sure what our main conflict is. Selling a house that doesn't want to be sold, perhaps, except it's more on the line of Goosebumps than Poltergeist.
I'm not even going to get into the eighth-grade writing style. If this was in paper format, I'd fully expect 1.5" margins.
If there's anything that demonstrates the fallibility of Goodreads' rating system, it's the fact that this has managed to garner a 4.36 rating. I need to go read about drug dealers to get this one out of my head.
Update: speaking of drug dealers, I have a book addiction. Because I had to know, am I selling this short? What's the deal with the five star ratings? So I moved into skim gear and finished. It was both better and worse than I expected. Literally, nothing happens until 50%. You read that right. The reviewer who said, "this is all exposition" wasn't exaggerating. The murder is kind of laughable. Relationships between the characters go from "hey, I just met you and I'm not sure I like you," to complete trust and (thematic spoiler) in a chapter. Worse, the protagonist turns out to be (brace yourself) a Super-Speshul Snowflake Deluxe (as is The good stuff: teamwork. A friendship with another woman who is as adventurous as our heroine is lame. A hilarious zombie butler.
I'm super bummed and irritated: why does the middle of women's lives in urban fantasy have to be so boring and full of uncomplicated emotions and experiences? I'd agree with the reviewer who thought the characters acted like they are twenty. If there's one thing life has emphasized, there's way more complexity than I've found in this sub-genre, and I'm kind of pissed that it's basically being sanitized. No kids + no husband = bored and sad. Life goal is return to 'normal.' Someday I'm going to write one where a woman owns her anger, frustration and joy and embraces the shit out of the changes.
"I found it hard to stare into his unusual teal and blue eyes. At the same time, it was impossible to look away. He didn't have two different color eyes. They were a mix of teal and dark blue. Teal being the dominant color. I'd never seen eyes like those before."
The writing sounds like something I would have tossed off for a hasty book review, minus my normal plethora of commas and semi-colons, and consists of moment-by-moment internal narration from someone totally unlike me:
"When I entered the kitchen and spotted the bottles of water, my hospitable side got the better of me. I put the bottles in a cooler and covered them in ice, then dragged them onto the porch. There. Now they had plenty to drink if they needed it...
I settled down at my desk to write, but my attention kept drifting out the window. I had the perfect view of their work truck and couldn't help but notice how young and fit several of the construction workers were. I spent more time watching them work and admiring the view. I really had to stop myself from ogling before I was caught being a creeper. Plus, none of them set my insides on fire like a certain cop I ran into at the grocery store three days ago.
And I will not think about Officer Walker.
After lunch, during which I nearly convinced myself to make sandwiches for the entire crew, I sat back down to work. Oh, I offered to make lunch, but they politely declined. It was the mother in me to make sure everyone was taken care of. Maybe I'd get a pet to care for since my son abandoned me for higher learning."
This is at 25% and the most magical thing that's happened is that the house made a sound like breaking glass and scared the construction guys away. Oh, and an undead cat has made two uninteresting appearances. I mean, it's a cat. It could have scratched someone and given it pestilent necrophages at the very least. You know what would be original? Ghouls as construction workers.
I tried to do my due diligence before buying, but was suckered anyway. There's a reason all the reviews say, "good job setting up the characters." At a quarter of the way through, I'm not even sure what our main conflict is. Selling a house that doesn't want to be sold, perhaps, except it's more on the line of Goosebumps than Poltergeist.
I'm not even going to get into the eighth-grade writing style. If this was in paper format, I'd fully expect 1.5" margins.
If there's anything that demonstrates the fallibility of Goodreads' rating system, it's the fact that this has managed to garner a 4.36 rating. I need to go read about drug dealers to get this one out of my head.
Update: speaking of drug dealers, I have a book addiction. Because I had to know, am I selling this short? What's the deal with the five star ratings? So I moved into skim gear and finished. It was both better and worse than I expected. Literally, nothing happens until 50%. You read that right. The reviewer who said, "this is all exposition" wasn't exaggerating. The murder is kind of laughable. Relationships between the characters go from "hey, I just met you and I'm not sure I like you," to complete trust and (thematic spoiler) in a chapter. Worse, the protagonist turns out to be (brace yourself) a Super-Speshul Snowflake Deluxe (as is The good stuff: teamwork. A friendship with another woman who is as adventurous as our heroine is lame. A hilarious zombie butler.
I'm super bummed and irritated: why does the middle of women's lives in urban fantasy have to be so boring and full of uncomplicated emotions and experiences? I'd agree with the reviewer who thought the characters acted like they are twenty. If there's one thing life has emphasized, there's way more complexity than I've found in this sub-genre, and I'm kind of pissed that it's basically being sanitized. No kids + no husband = bored and sad. Life goal is return to 'normal.' Someday I'm going to write one where a woman owns her anger, frustration and joy and embraces the shit out of the changes.
January 9, 2021
3.5 Stars!
A fun, quick read that left me wanting to know more!
A fun, quick read that left me wanting to know more!
December 4, 2020
Proof that life begins after 40
The authors did such an amazing job of bringing this quirky, hilarious story to life. The way they combined the reality of life with the humor of abnormal had me cracking up laughing, probably in places that I shouldn’t have. I love the mystery of the hunt for truth and the ever evolving growth as Ava finally becomes her true self. There were many bumps in the road, but from the first chapter the authors had me hooked for the long haul. This was a fantastic series starter and I am looking forward to reading more.
The authors did such an amazing job of bringing this quirky, hilarious story to life. The way they combined the reality of life with the humor of abnormal had me cracking up laughing, probably in places that I shouldn’t have. I love the mystery of the hunt for truth and the ever evolving growth as Ava finally becomes her true self. There were many bumps in the road, but from the first chapter the authors had me hooked for the long haul. This was a fantastic series starter and I am looking forward to reading more.
May 29, 2021
The premise of this book is pretty good but the execution sucks. I couldn't connect with anyone. They were all so boring. At one point I thought the love interest was in his 20s that's how they acted.
Read
July 4, 2021I got super bored and quit early. It’s just pages of exposition.
January 20, 2024
3.5 stars. Such a fun little book.
December 1, 2020
Lia Davis and La Boruff teamed up and Brought an amazingly funny and heartwarming story about Ava Harper to life and the struggles of being a witch after 40, a widowed mom having to deal with selling the family home. But going back to her hometown is something that is not only difficult for her but also brings with it lots of Mystery and the struggles of doing what she needs to do. Is it possible that Ava will find herself again or will she throw it all away and turn her back on her ancestral home and all that goes with it?
Will Ava and her newfound crew be able to figure out who is behind the Witch murders and put a stop to it? Will Ava find love again?
I absolutely loved reading this little quirky read, it was full of laughter, who done it, and rooting for Ava and Crew to get their sleuthing skills done and perfecting her magic she locked away. I hope there is more to this book and series as I cant wait to see what else lays in store for the Gang in this book. Would love to give it more than 5 stars because it deserves it.
Will Ava and her newfound crew be able to figure out who is behind the Witch murders and put a stop to it? Will Ava find love again?
I absolutely loved reading this little quirky read, it was full of laughter, who done it, and rooting for Ava and Crew to get their sleuthing skills done and perfecting her magic she locked away. I hope there is more to this book and series as I cant wait to see what else lays in store for the Gang in this book. Would love to give it more than 5 stars because it deserves it.
July 5, 2021
This was an interesting concept but the writing was terrible. Tenses changed within paragraphs, there was no consistency with what had been said before (the child was being babysat by the mother's mother-in-law, then by her mother; the protagonist was only going to be in town for a day, but later revealed she had got Netflix connected at the house for while she was there, etc) and words were used wrongly - someone shook someone's hand "rigorously" instead of "vigorously", but the worst of all was when the footsteps "loudened"! There is no such word! It should have said, grew louder. Not recommended.
January 31, 2022
I enjoyed the cast of characters and the mending of bridges between Olivia and Ava.
I really really liked the a 43 year old had a 5 year old in this book (even if it was in addition to two kids away at college) I am tired of seeing just empty nester 43 year olds with hot flashes.
This book set up the characters nicely but the plot, oh boy the plot, it felt like they threw everything at it and wanted to see what stuck. It was very busy, but I liked the cast of characters enough to see if it settles down in the next book.
I really really liked the a 43 year old had a 5 year old in this book (even if it was in addition to two kids away at college) I am tired of seeing just empty nester 43 year olds with hot flashes.
This book set up the characters nicely but the plot, oh boy the plot, it felt like they threw everything at it and wanted to see what stuck. It was very busy, but I liked the cast of characters enough to see if it settles down in the next book.
December 1, 2020
What a awesome read definitely not what I was expecting!! Who would've have thought that necromancer could be so funny. Add that good combination of supernatural, murder mystery, and plenty of twists to keep you hooked from beginning to end. So looking forward to seeing what else is in store for this series. As always my review are totally voluntarily and no monetary compensation was received and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 2, 2021
Disappointed
Shame that I have up but it was long winded and nothing happens as of a third of the book where I have up. Thought this was suppose to be a romance mystery. Instead the MFC just constantly talks about missing her son that is away at college and her husband that's passed.
Shame that I have up but it was long winded and nothing happens as of a third of the book where I have up. Thought this was suppose to be a romance mystery. Instead the MFC just constantly talks about missing her son that is away at college and her husband that's passed.
January 19, 2022
enjoyed
This was a really cute read and I really enjoyed it. I am totally looking forward to of these characters.
This was a really cute read and I really enjoyed it. I am totally looking forward to of these characters.
August 26, 2024
2.5 stars: It was very fine. Mildly entertaining. Pretty short so that was a plus. Maybe future books would be more exciting, but I’m not sure yet if I will continue with the series. Audiobook narration was also just very fine. Her male voices were kind of annoying.
April 10, 2021
I love trying all the paranormal women's fiction that's been coming out lately, featuring heroines over the age of 40. It's so refreshing to finally be able to find paranormals with older main characters. Unfortunately, this book didn't work as well for me as the others have that I've tried. The story started off well, as Ava, a youngish, 40+ widow, returns to the small Maine town where she grew up to fix up, then sell off her recently deceased aunt's Victorian house. Ava comes from a distinguished family of witches, and she herself is a rare breed, both a witch and a necromancer, however, she's suppressed and denied her necromancy powers since she was a young teen out of fear. Once she returns home, the murder of a close friend of the family and the appearance of a witch hunter bent on revenge cause her to finally acknowledge and start to use her darker powers.
The plot had real promise, the problem was in the execution. This book needed better content and line editing. For example, an important plot point hinged on Ava not knowing any details about the family lives of some of her aunt's closest friends, but that's pretty unrealistic since Ava knew these people well, and more importantly, they were people that she'd known and interacted with her entire life. The book was also clearly written in first person present tense, then changed over to first person past tense, but I caught more than a few cases where the change had not been made. Since I read a review copy, maybe the errors were corrected before publication since they shouldn't have been hard to catch. My thanks to Booksprout for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
The plot had real promise, the problem was in the execution. This book needed better content and line editing. For example, an important plot point hinged on Ava not knowing any details about the family lives of some of her aunt's closest friends, but that's pretty unrealistic since Ava knew these people well, and more importantly, they were people that she'd known and interacted with her entire life. The book was also clearly written in first person present tense, then changed over to first person past tense, but I caught more than a few cases where the change had not been made. Since I read a review copy, maybe the errors were corrected before publication since they shouldn't have been hard to catch. My thanks to Booksprout for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
May 25, 2021
Heads downhill about 1/3 through
The first third was pretty ok, but after that it goes downhill. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
The first third was pretty ok, but after that it goes downhill. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
December 3, 2020
I adored this one! It is hilarious to read, quirky with a hint of romance, magic and a hint of cosy mystery. I was sucked right into the story, Ava's life is depressingly messed up, and I loved her inner dialogue. This is a hoot to read, can't wait for more!
December 3, 2020
Meet Ava Harper
Ava Harper is a woman in her early forties, five years a widow, oh and happens to be a witch! We follow Ava back to her home town after she drops her only son off at college. She us headed home to fix up and sell her old family home. She meets up with old friends, old enemies and a few new and mysterious people. She went home to sell a house but with a mystery and murder in the air, a few strangers in town and magic all over it she is drawn in to a life she didn't know she wanted.
I am hoping she stays and makes a go for the sexy sheriff.
The main character is relatable and fairly interesting. The story is well paced and well written, characters have a good sense of back story and detailed well without being to much. The story is exciting and a good read. I recommend this book as a wonderful escape.
Ava Harper is a woman in her early forties, five years a widow, oh and happens to be a witch! We follow Ava back to her home town after she drops her only son off at college. She us headed home to fix up and sell her old family home. She meets up with old friends, old enemies and a few new and mysterious people. She went home to sell a house but with a mystery and murder in the air, a few strangers in town and magic all over it she is drawn in to a life she didn't know she wanted.
I am hoping she stays and makes a go for the sexy sheriff.
The main character is relatable and fairly interesting. The story is well paced and well written, characters have a good sense of back story and detailed well without being to much. The story is exciting and a good read. I recommend this book as a wonderful escape.
July 21, 2021
I was in the mood for something lighthearted and just plain silly. This book fit that bill to a T. The majority of this story is spent introducing us to the characters and the ultra quirky town of Shipton Harbor. These included a possibly-undead cat with loads of attitude, a ghoul butler who reminded me of my very favorite Benson episodes, and a sentient house that does not want to be sold. The murder mystery is a fairly small part of the story. However, the Keystone Cops approach Ava has to the whole affair left me howling with laughter. Since humor was the main reason I picked this book, I’m pretty much okay with that. I thought these characters were a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to reading more about them.
November 30, 2024
A Ghoulish Midlife
Witching After Forty, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Looking for a short end of the month read.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via HC Public Library
Dates Read: 11/28/24 - 11/28/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Coleen Marlo
The Characters:
Ava Harper:
:
BFF (Sam?), BFF’s Wife, Sheriff, New Necromancer in Town
The Story:
This is just my kind of series. Fast paced, whitty, delightfully ridiculous at times. I’m glad there are a lot of stories, I see a binge in my future.
Witching After Forty, Book 1
I Picked Up This Book Because: Looking for a short end of the month read.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via HC Public Library
Dates Read: 11/28/24 - 11/28/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Coleen Marlo
The Characters:
Ava Harper:
:
BFF (Sam?), BFF’s Wife, Sheriff, New Necromancer in Town
The Story:
This is just my kind of series. Fast paced, whitty, delightfully ridiculous at times. I’m glad there are a lot of stories, I see a binge in my future.
December 2, 2020
Quirky tale of life after 40 with magical houses, ageless cats, necromancy, and other witchy things to keep you entertained. I have noticed a growing number of authors exploring the “after 40” possibilities and have been enjoying the ever expanding offerings. Some have similar scenarios yet each author puts their own unique details into them. This author does a wonderful job introducing her characters as well as providing a solid base for future books in this series. Looking forward to more. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
December 1, 2020
A Ghoulish Midlife is the first in a delightful paranormal cozy mystery series that you will want to devour. Ava Harper is a witch hybrid who has neglected/denied the necromancer side of her heritage. Circumstances have forced her into dealing with it now as she returns to her hometown and a murder. I really enjoyed the charming characters and witty dialogue. I look forward to future adventures with Ava and her friends.
December 1, 2020
Great read
This was an amazing start to a new series. I don't usually like most midlife books but I throughly recommend this one. I enjoyed it it from start to finish. The characters are are fantastic, funny, and a little crazy. I can't wait to see what Ava and crew get up to next.
This was an amazing start to a new series. I don't usually like most midlife books but I throughly recommend this one. I enjoyed it it from start to finish. The characters are are fantastic, funny, and a little crazy. I can't wait to see what Ava and crew get up to next.
December 2, 2020
The character work was well done and the story line was engaging. This book was a fun read that kept me laughing and kept reading to see what was going to happen next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2023
Loved it. Had some free time so made a cuppa and started reading. Finished that cuppa so made another and carried on. Love books like that. I want an Alfred.
May 3, 2021
I enjoyed reading it. The main character ava is a witch/necromancer who is untrained. Then a witch hunter gets involved and ava ends up inheriting a ghoul. It gets crazier even. You gotta read the book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2020
Good book that combines the supernatural, a murder mystery, and romance into a fun to read book. The characters, especially Ava are well done and feel real and the story has plenty of twists to keep you interested.
December 2, 2020
Loved it!
It was an easy to read story with a lot of action, twists and new beginnings. A very enjoyable, yet sometimes emotional book.
It was an easy to read story with a lot of action, twists and new beginnings. A very enjoyable, yet sometimes emotional book.
November 29, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! I never thought I would find necromancers so humorous! Ava is such an awesomely funny but endearing character. I can’t wait to see how her relationship with Drew blossoms!
September 15, 2021
I loved this book! It was so much fun to read.
November 27, 2020
Ava had been away from her home town for to long. Putting her powers hidden away she just wanted to repair and sell her aunts home. Little did she realize her life was going to change. There is a hunter on the loose and she was a target . I loved this book I can’t wait for the next one to learn more about her new friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews