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Butterfly Witch #1

Violet Spark

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A Fun, Fast-Paced Urban Fantasy Adventure

Imogen Taylor: Artist. College dropout. Gamer. Screwup.

I had big plans for art school in California, but when the best mom in the world—mine—needed help, I came home to Arbolito, Arizona instead. I even got my old high school job back, making smoothies at the Desert Freeze…in winter.

So, yeah, by day, my life is a cold, tropical-hued hell. But at night, I escape reality by plugging into my favorite video game, Legendelirium, to become a powerful, sexy witch, going on epic quests while vanquishing baddies.

Until a cute guy from my gaming world shows up at work, gives me the worst kiss ever, and my reality and fantasy lives get blended by purple goo laced with lethal, nanorobotic technology.

Now, I’ve got powers—strange, witchy ones. Scary people are after me, and I don’t know who to trust. And, get this. Somehow, it's up to me to defeat them, or it's game over.

Enter the fast, fun, urban fantasy adventure of the BUTTERFLY WITCH series, where magic and science become one—mostly accidentally.

* This is a standalone first book in the brand-new BUTTERFLY WITCH series. Contains swearing, some intense action scenes (low gore), super-slow-burn romantic interest (also low gore), and does not end on a cliffhanger—but, yeah, there's more to come! *

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2022

18 people are currently reading
964 people want to read

About the author

Elsa Jade

96 books157 followers
I grew up reading SFF, buying the biggest books I could with my chore money. While I loved the action, adventure, and exciting worlds, most of those stories were missing…kissing! Now I read and write paranormal romance and science fiction romance which I think mix the best of all worlds. I also write urban fantasy romance as Jessa Slade and sexy contemporary romance as Jenna Dales.

I spend most of my time at my computer thinking about stories, in my garden thinking about stories, or walking my dog thinking about stories. Hmm, I think there’s a theme… 🙂

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5 stars
34 (39%)
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35 (40%)
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13 (15%)
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2 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Marta Cox.
2,862 reviews210 followers
January 24, 2022
Ok I’m not a “gamer” so went into this wondering just how much virtual reality would be involved and happily can say it wasn’t written in a way that focused on terminology well out of my experience. Instead we get a very interesting story about a young woman who is kind of stuck going nowhere when unexpectedly her life ricochets from humdrum to explosive !
If I’m blunt I didn’t care for Imogen initially as yes she’s made sacrifices in order to help her mother but she’s obsessed with the world she plugs into each night to the extent that she just seems to ignore her mother repeatedly. Luckily the plot distracted me from these feelings and it was pretty full on as our protagonist not only dealt with her new abilities but also struggled with the characters who suddenly became very interested in her. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the story as Imogen was constantly wary of these men who could seem oh so helpful and yet it was obvious that no one was actually being honest. I mentioned initially having reservations about the relationship between mother and daughter and have to say that this got completely turned on it’s head as they both showed such strength and love . I won’t lie and say they were women who were kick axx but honestly they truly left no prisoners and had this reader cheering them on . I would definitely like to read more about these characters and this book had some very refreshing and thoroughly interesting ideas that blended technology with just a tiny bit of what felt magical !
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Profile Image for Kelly.
5,734 reviews228 followers
January 14, 2022
Imogen's kind of a mess when we first meet her. She's given up on her own dreams to help her mom (something she doesn't regret because she loves her mom, but she's having a tough time wrapping her head around all the same) and she deals by immersing herself in her favorite video game night after night. Which causes a bit of friction between her and her mom, come to think of it, because her mom might not know exactly what's going on, but she knows Imogen's struggling.

Then Imogen meets one of her online friends in real life and things get weird. Like, vomiting purple goop weird. Like, electrical surges when she gets upset weird. You know, that sort of weird.

Suddenly she's stuck in the middle of something she doesn't quite understand and she's not sure who to trust. She's developing abilities she's not sure she can control and her family and friends might be in danger. Nobody seems to be giving her straight answers and she has a lot to learn in a short amount of time.

Fortunately, her hardcore gaming gives her the ability to think outside the box. So even when things look grim, she's not as bad off as she might think.

Imogen might have been a mess when we first meet her, but she finds her feet. Eventually. The lady makes a few mistakes and she doesn't always trust the right people, but she knows what a quest is and she's willing to dive in with both feet once she gets an inkling as to what's going on. Am I excited to see where this goes next? YOU BET!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
1,383 reviews20 followers
January 21, 2022
An interesting story about Imogen, a young college student who returns home to help her mother with an injury. Imogen is stuck, not knowing how to move forward. But at night she allows herself to escape into an exciting roll-playing game.
This is a story that combines technology and the paranormal in significant ways with interesting characters and intriguing hints about the next book.
Profile Image for Miki.
1,039 reviews43 followers
January 24, 2022
Oh this was better than expected for sure even if you may need to wait to warm up to Imogene, really at first she was annoying me, she is loyal wanting to help her mother but otherwise her reactions were not those of her age at all... she acted like a young teenager all on hormone and gaming and no real world reaction....but after the half part of the book it get a little more funny and we warm up to her when she start thinking more.

Really i loved the twists and i'm glad there will be more in the series because if it's a great standalone without cliffhanger we want more

so great fantasy mixed with suspense, scifi and humour.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,214 reviews119 followers
July 5, 2023
VIOLET SPARK is the first book in The Butterfly Witch series. Mo (Imogen) has a normal life - in that she has dropped out of school to look after her mom, is Manager at the local Desert Freeze shop, and games until she can no longer keep her eyes open. She can't see that changing anytime soon, but when another gamer kisses her in the shop, her life explodes into something she never expected.

If you are expecting Mo to understand what is going on, to have all the answers there, to look divine, without a care in the world, then I'm afraid you've got the wrong book! Mo is completely realistic in her reactions to what is going on. You are with her all the way as she keeps the reader informed of her feelings and decisions through internal monologues.

One thing I loved (without spoilers) is both Mo and her mom are not taking any prisoners! They are not princesses to await rescue. They'll rescue themselves, thank you very much!!!

A great start to the series that I feel only dips beneath the surface. Looking forward to reading further in this series. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Jan 19, 2022
Profile Image for Melindeeloo.
3,268 reviews158 followers
January 25, 2022
This was kind if a mess to start - mostly because the MC Imogen is a mess. It does pick up at the end and Imogen's mom rocks. While this was more OK for me I will give the next a shot. This is more YA/NA.
1,240 reviews10 followers
January 24, 2022
Violet Spark is the first book in the Butterfly Witch series, an urban fantasy adventure. Imogen is fierce gamer at night and an unfortunate manager during the day, but when her two worlds collide, Imogen’s life and everything she knows is about to get rocked. New powers, danger lurking around every corner, being used as bait, and her mother missing, Imogen has had it. But can she save herself and her mother, or will her new power destroy her?

This book was really fun to read! I mostly stick to romances of all varieties, but this book focused primarily on Imogen and all of the fast paced craziness that invades her life with just a kiss. Imogen is strong and feisty, willing to put dreams on hold to help her mother, knows when she makes mistakes, but also knows what’s most important in her life. I loved so many of her interactions with the people around her, especially Jacob and Dane. I also loved that she was brave when she needed to be! I thought it was super fun that there were so many video gaming references in this book, as that consumes so much of Imogen’s life, but I think it was well written enough that if you aren’t a gamer (or married to one, haha), that you’ll be able to figure things out. I loved all of the twists and turns, not knowing who you can trust, not sure what’s truly going on or how anything is going to effect Imogen, and I was definitely hooked really quick. While there’s not a cliffhanger, you definitely know Imogen’s story isn’t done, and I am very much looking forward to reading more of her adventure!
Profile Image for Myria.
98 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2022
The most exciting thing to happen to Imogen recently is that her Elderwitch gaming profile has progressed nicely with a reasonable online following yes the virtual world is more exciting than the real world. Imogen is now back home looking after her mum who isn't well and is back at her job at The Freeze a job she so wanted to leave behind but she's got to support her mum and herself so it's better than nothing.
The only escape that she has is her virtual gaming world so when another player one that she's grown to like while talking online to suddenly shows up at her work Imogen gets very flustered yes they'd talked about meeting up yes they'd talked about a lot of things but IRL she never thought it would happen especially like this. After inviting Brayden into the back to get him a pomegranate freezie something she could only dream about happens Brayden kisses her and its nothing like she ever thought it would be as its the most awkward encounter anyone could have especially when Brayden makes his excuses to leave straight after kissing her and refusing the freezie. Not thinking it was anymore than an awkward encounter Imogen goes about her day berating herself for the awkwardness of it all then she goes and cut herself in the freezie machine when she was cleaning it omg could it get any worse for her well she was about to find out for Imogen the real world is suddenly going to become more of adventure than any one she could make up for herself online
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kreela.
659 reviews23 followers
January 10, 2022
“Really, I could only swear, cry, puke, and scream so much before it was time for something else.
Shooting purple lightning out my fingers was apparently something else.”

“. I was just one more artsy world-changer scheming to make people fart rainbows.“

Have you ever seen “Burn Notice”? That crazy spy-driven mix of action, humor, and a deep desire to understand why the main character got side-lined? This story reminds me of that, except with the side-character as the main focal point. No one cares about her personally. She is clueless about espionage but she is art-smart and knows people. Oh, and she has the item-of-interest. They don’t know it; she doesn’t know it. (Spoiler: can you say nano?)

How she operates are similar, too: borrowing her mom’s car, using a flip phone, using associates she met online, and a story based near her home. Even her mom is the surprise badxxx.

Theme:
This sentence states it all: “She wasn’t rea but only because I hadn’t let her be. She was the version of me when I wasn’t afraid, wasn’t doubting myself, wasn’t holding back.” Yeah, this is empowerment. Gaming is empowering.

This story reminds me of A. Blythe’s “Burned” series. So. Fun.
4,168 reviews21 followers
January 25, 2022
Violet Spark is the first book in the newest Butterfly Witch series by Erin Kellison. It is a fast paced urban fantasy with action and adventure at every turn. Unique as ever it is an introduction to Imogen, blending science and magic accidently. This causes more upheaval in her life but also leads her to finally figuring out who she is.

The relationship between her mother and herself is quite interesting. Remembering back to when I was a young adult with plans that were railroaded, it is authentically real. I remember some of those feelings well. Despite insisting that she is an adult that is only in her own mind. She behaves more teenager-ish. So this will be the making of her. I am glad to be along with her as she finds who she is and what she is made of.

4.5 Stars
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
22 reviews
January 25, 2022
At first I didn’t care for Mo (Imogen). First her relationship with her mom was strange and second, I’m not a gamer and that’s an addiction I just don’t get. She seems to want to live there. I can understand that a little. She dropped out of college to help her mom after she was hurt. Got her “going no where job” back to help out financially. So it was quite a shock when she got her powers lol. The story really picked up from that point now I’m looking forward to see how it ends. I received a free copy for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for April Mollenkopf.
530 reviews7 followers
March 13, 2022
Fast paced sci-fi story

I've read Erin Kellison before. This was a new genre for me to read from her. I'm not a gamer, and while there were references to the gaming world, this story didn't really revolve around that. It did take me a bit to get interested in the story because I don't normally read young adult/new adult books. But the story drew me in.

The story was fast paced and I liked the characters. Even though this book did not end on a cliffhanger, it did leave me so seeing about what will happen next for Imogen. So now I need to get the next book.
Profile Image for Linda.
375 reviews
January 13, 2022
A fun, fast read full of angst, adventure and an unlikely heroine.
Imogen dropped out of school to come home and help her injured mom at work at her old high school job.
She's a gamer at night, MojiMaiden the EldWitch. That's where she meets another player Brayden that drags her into a dangerous situation where she and her mom are kidnapped by different people and she's shoots purple flames out her hand.
Profile Image for Shaquitta Morton.
91 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2022
Ok so I have not read anything by Erin Kellison or Elsa Jade but let me tell you I will be seeking out their work from now on. I like that this story has the heroine being a real world person and seeking out virtual reality to relx and desires basically, I relate to that a lot. Then your taken on a whirlwind ride. It's slow-burn action packed ride that was fun and different from what I normally read and I loved it.
1,814 reviews8 followers
March 30, 2022
Imogen (Mo) had big plans for her life, but so far they haven't turned out how she expected. Although that might be all about to change, when her life gets more exciting than her favourite game. I loved this intriguing tale, it kept me turning it's pages with all the action, danger and suspense. I am hanging out for Imogen's next adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Angela Maher.
Author 20 books32 followers
January 13, 2022
This is a fun and fast-paced read, combining gaming, nanotechnology and fantasy into a truly contemporary adventure. People will be tempted to place this in the YA category because the protagonist is relatively young, but I would place it at least at the NA (new adult) level, and above. Absorbing story line and a lead character you can't help but like.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,323 reviews8 followers
January 24, 2022
 VIOLET SPARK by Erin Kellison and Elsa Jade is the first book in the brand-new Butterfly Witch series. It can also be read as a standalone story. Get ready for a fun and fast-paced read. Add some on-line video gaming, nanotech and fantasy and you have a wild tecno adventure waiting to happen.

Imogen Taylor dropped out of college and came home to Arbolito, Arizona to take care of her ailing mother. She got her old job back, making smoothies at the Desert Freeze, yippee.  At night she becoms a powerful, sexy witch in an online fantasy game. That is until the sexy guy from her gaming world drops into her real-life work. After experiencing the worst kiss ever, her whole life starts to change. While gaming that night, she blows a hole in her bedroom wall and her gaming glove shorts out AND it's all caught on live video with her dressed only in bath towls. Strange men claiming to be Feds, her gaming equipment vanishes from her bedroom, this is just the beginning of Imogen's nightmare. Get ready for a powerful sexy witch, strange men in suits, kidnappings murder, a mad scientist and more.

Looking forward to see what happens next in AMETHYST FLAME. I did receive an advanced copy from the author. The above is my freely given and honest review.
Profile Image for Angie Bartley.
310 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2022
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. The heroine is a little young, but once I got started I couldn't put it down. By the time I had finished I was really disappointed to remember there was no next in series yet. This is an action packed, fast paced adventure with plenty of laughs too. I fell n love with the characters and can't wait until the next one to see who we will meet
Profile Image for Mona Wallace.
1 review2 followers
January 26, 2022
ARC... When I started reading Violet Spark, I was wondering where it was going...gaming technology, isn't my forte. WOW this story was fast paced, couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next one! Don't want to spoil it, but can't wait to see what's in store for Mo.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Xochitl.
80 reviews6 followers
May 23, 2023
If you’re expecting to read about a young college student with witchy powers you’ll be disappointed to read this book. I was mislead a bit because technically Imogen is not really an witch and her powers have a more technological aspect to it. However this was still an enjoyable read that captured my attention.
Profile Image for Christine.
10.8k reviews33 followers
January 12, 2022
Arc review For honest Review imogen is back home taking care of her mom while working at the desert freeze and playing her favorite video game, Legendelirium,till brayden gets her into a bunch of trouble . this story was cute but really not my kind of story but interesting.
Profile Image for Karen Fisher.
1,282 reviews12 followers
January 15, 2022
While I am not a gamer this book showed why people are. The concept of the moths makes an intriguing story. Imogen's world kinda implodes with a kiss sending her life into a tailspin. I enjoyed this story.
Profile Image for Laura.
13 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2022
Arc....First book in the series. Cute and witty. I love how it included video games, being a gamer myself I know how immersed you can get. Shes just trying to help her mom the best way she can when the unexpected happens. can't wait to read the second
90 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2022
A game playing heroine finds herself caught up in a fast paced adventure in the real world. The tension ratchets up quickly and keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. If you love urban fantasy I can recommend this.
179 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2022
Fun Sci-Fi and Fantasy Mix

Firstly Erin Kellison is one of my favorite authors and I loved this novel. A great mix of video game Sci-fi and fantasy mix-up. Really enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the sequel.
8 reviews
January 26, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntairily leaving a review. The excerpt from the author's email caught my attention and it sounded good. At first I didn't like the main character, but eventually I did. It is different, but ultimately is a good read that is worthwhile.
688 reviews
February 3, 2022
Violet Spark.

An interesting tale, whose really the bad guy?
Mystery, mayhem and murder, with gamers playing questing games.
This tale keeps you glued to the book as the plot thicken.
Get this book now, and enjoy where fantasy meets reality.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,264 reviews18 followers
April 5, 2022
This was a wonderfully done start to a series, the characters were great and I enjoyed going through this. It was a wonderful blend of fantasy and action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shayay.
2,811 reviews55 followers
April 24, 2022
Fun read! Like the gamer angle, and the scenario of being new to paranormal aspects coming true and having cool powers. Imogen is a bit of a frantic character; she can be a bit annoying, but I appreciate that she steps up when she needs to. Overall, an entertaining read!
Profile Image for Nicole.
113 reviews
June 2, 2022
I said "yes" to reviewing because it was Erin Kellison and had no idea what I'd said yes to. This was a refreshing change of pace that was relevant to today's world, with a touch of scifi fun, plenty of nerd reality, and an absence of romance with plenty of love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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