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Adept At Fifty #1
Chasing Midlife Demons
A NEW PWF novel from the author of Making Midlife Magic, for those who like their rosé chilled and their demons hot!
The last time the police knocked on my door, I lost my husband. Now they’re back, and this time, it’s about my mother.
She’s fine, for now, but she’s deteriorating fast. Her mind is failing her, and her body isn’t far behind. As usual, she refuses my help, so I agree to visit her homeland one last time in a tiny village in Southern France. The healing waters of Lourdes are world-renown, and that's before I’ve infused them with my own magic. I’ve never forgiven myself for failing to save my husband, and I won’t make the same mistake twice.
When we arrive, however, the holy sites have dried up and darkness stains the land. Demons lurk behind every corner, and not just my own. The secrets are piling up, and suddenly, my mother decides to clam up.
After a lifetime of avoidance, I have no choice but to finally embrace my heritage if I want to save my mother—and myself.
The last time the police knocked on my door, I lost my husband. Now they’re back, and this time, it’s about my mother.
She’s fine, for now, but she’s deteriorating fast. Her mind is failing her, and her body isn’t far behind. As usual, she refuses my help, so I agree to visit her homeland one last time in a tiny village in Southern France. The healing waters of Lourdes are world-renown, and that's before I’ve infused them with my own magic. I’ve never forgiven myself for failing to save my husband, and I won’t make the same mistake twice.
When we arrive, however, the holy sites have dried up and darkness stains the land. Demons lurk behind every corner, and not just my own. The secrets are piling up, and suddenly, my mother decides to clam up.
After a lifetime of avoidance, I have no choice but to finally embrace my heritage if I want to save my mother—and myself.
- GenresFantasyParanormalFiction
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2022
205 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Heloise Hull
20 books87 followersUnlike her namesake of medieval infamy, Heloise doesn’t intend to have her midlife crisis in a nunnery. She’d rather drink 🍸 and chant in 🧚🏼♀️ rings. Born with Mississippi mud in her veins, grown "Via Chicago." Written before coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 5, 2022
Fantastically French...
They don't call us the sandwich generation for nothing... this book is another delightful European escape from Heloise Hull. Bernadette's bargaining with her set in her ways mother who insists she's fine sounds so familiar. Same with the daughter asking what's for dinner. What we all need is a month off in the south of France.
Just watch out for cavorting demons.
They don't call us the sandwich generation for nothing... this book is another delightful European escape from Heloise Hull. Bernadette's bargaining with her set in her ways mother who insists she's fine sounds so familiar. Same with the daughter asking what's for dinner. What we all need is a month off in the south of France.
Just watch out for cavorting demons.
Read
July 1, 2023Ready for your next vacation? This time, we're headed to the South of France with a whole new lady gang ready to take on the denizens of the underworld with lots of rosé and sass. They don't call them f-it fifties for nothing!
June 5, 2022
I received this book from a giveaway.
I don't know if it would be for everyone, but I loved this book. The author has a fun writing style with jokes that kept me laughing throughout. I also appreciated the more mature outlook on life. Finally, it's nice to see a protagonist in a fantasy who isn't fifteen and in charge of the world, has everything figured out, is infallible, etc.
I don't know if it would be for everyone, but I loved this book. The author has a fun writing style with jokes that kept me laughing throughout. I also appreciated the more mature outlook on life. Finally, it's nice to see a protagonist in a fantasy who isn't fifteen and in charge of the world, has everything figured out, is infallible, etc.
June 4, 2022
Exciting start to a new series
Loved all the magic, descriptions, twists on history and paranormal characters. This is a must read series and I can't wait for more.
Loved all the magic, descriptions, twists on history and paranormal characters. This is a must read series and I can't wait for more.
July 27, 2022
Not sure how I feel
I really wanted to enjoy this, and to a certain extent I did. There really isn’t much to go wrong within the genre of WPF, but I think the chief problem here is that this entire story felt too incomplete for my liking.
I get that this was the first outing in this brand new series and we have to sit thru much world building and laying out various plots and introducing hordes of characters. But honestly, this story moved at a snail’s pace and there was so much attention to detail in places where it just seemed to be filler with no real connection to anything.
I guess my biggest gripe is that basic things weren’t exactly explained. Were Birdie and her family witches? What exactly is an adept? What’s the difference between an adept and a shifter if they both can performer summonings? Also, what exactly was Birdie’s mom? Wasn’t she the least bit curious? How come no one checked in on Clarette after it was all over? There was no mention of her and what she “found out”.
I really wanted to enjoy this, and to a certain extent I did. There really isn’t much to go wrong within the genre of WPF, but I think the chief problem here is that this entire story felt too incomplete for my liking.
I get that this was the first outing in this brand new series and we have to sit thru much world building and laying out various plots and introducing hordes of characters. But honestly, this story moved at a snail’s pace and there was so much attention to detail in places where it just seemed to be filler with no real connection to anything.
I guess my biggest gripe is that basic things weren’t exactly explained. Were Birdie and her family witches? What exactly is an adept? What’s the difference between an adept and a shifter if they both can performer summonings? Also, what exactly was Birdie’s mom? Wasn’t she the least bit curious? How come no one checked in on Clarette after it was all over? There was no mention of her and what she “found out”.
September 17, 2022
A lot of French words & magic needs more explanation.
There are a lot of French words & if you are reading this on paperback you will have a hard time understanding what they mean. Maybe keep your phone handy to look them up. If you use an ereader you should be fine if it translates words you highlight. You never figure out what type of supernatural Maman & Birdie are. Yeah they Maman says the same thing as her cousin however, I think there is more to it. I think Maman did fall from the sky literally! And these weird powers Birdie has are very powerful. I think Clarette has figured out how powerful she is. The two of them killed a lion shifter that was supposed to have 9 lives. I still think there's something off about Romaine. He always seems to mysteriously disappear before things happen. I suspect he could be a lion shifter too. Or he has some other deep dark secret. I will be interested to see who becomes the new mayor. And why they hear her dad's voice at the end of the book.
There are a lot of French words & if you are reading this on paperback you will have a hard time understanding what they mean. Maybe keep your phone handy to look them up. If you use an ereader you should be fine if it translates words you highlight. You never figure out what type of supernatural Maman & Birdie are. Yeah they Maman says the same thing as her cousin however, I think there is more to it. I think Maman did fall from the sky literally! And these weird powers Birdie has are very powerful. I think Clarette has figured out how powerful she is. The two of them killed a lion shifter that was supposed to have 9 lives. I still think there's something off about Romaine. He always seems to mysteriously disappear before things happen. I suspect he could be a lion shifter too. Or he has some other deep dark secret. I will be interested to see who becomes the new mayor. And why they hear her dad's voice at the end of the book.
June 1, 2022
A change of pace
I was pleased to win this ebook in a goodreads giveaway and even more so to find that the story and characters were both engaging. It was a nice change of pace for the MC to be a fully grown woman with a full life and experience with which to face the challenges presented- both the supernatural ones and those of everyday life and family. I look forward to exploring more from this author!
I was pleased to win this ebook in a goodreads giveaway and even more so to find that the story and characters were both engaging. It was a nice change of pace for the MC to be a fully grown woman with a full life and experience with which to face the challenges presented- both the supernatural ones and those of everyday life and family. I look forward to exploring more from this author!
May 27, 2023
Interesting start to a series with lots of possibilities for future developments. I especially enjoyed the relationships between the friends and family who offered each other support and encouragement. And the descriptions of France, both food and scenery, were highly evocative.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this free from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this free from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
September 5, 2025
Birdie's mother has dementia and before it gets too bad they go back to her hometown in France. Magic is slowly introduced in this book and it makes Birdie begin to practice and learn hers. Sitting in a cafe eating and drinking with friends and family seems so nice, but that doesn't last in this first book of the series. The setting is a nice change from the US and UK and the magic is very different from many other books I've read in this sub genre.
September 20, 2022
Author does it again.
I didn't particularly like this book at first but gave it a chance as I liked the author's other books. By the end of the book I was not disappointed. Good character development , plot and definite room for growth. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I didn't particularly like this book at first but gave it a chance as I liked the author's other books. By the end of the book I was not disappointed. Good character development , plot and definite room for growth. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 22, 2022
vacation and demons
OK the book was pretty good but very long and very confusing at times. Too much going on too much noise I guess it’s a good way to say it. Bernie is 50 And starting her life over with a trip to France with her mother who is getting dementia. And wants to go home one more time. May read the second one might have to take a little break but it was OK.
OK the book was pretty good but very long and very confusing at times. Too much going on too much noise I guess it’s a good way to say it. Bernie is 50 And starting her life over with a trip to France with her mother who is getting dementia. And wants to go home one more time. May read the second one might have to take a little break but it was OK.
May 24, 2022
Nice escapism
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. The story revolves around a middle aged woman and her relationships with both younger and older family members. Life changing decisions are made after discerning what is important in life, and what is not.
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. The story revolves around a middle aged woman and her relationships with both younger and older family members. Life changing decisions are made after discerning what is important in life, and what is not.
June 15, 2022
I want to say thank you. :) I won my copy from the Goodreads give away.
When there is magic and paranormal characters I'm in. Being in France and the descriptions, were quite fun. A little history never hurts either This is a must read! I can't wait for more. :)
When there is magic and paranormal characters I'm in. Being in France and the descriptions, were quite fun. A little history never hurts either This is a must read! I can't wait for more. :)
September 6, 2025
This is about a woman coming into her 'magic' at age fifty. There are very few of the 'middle-aged' tropes, which I think is great. The story has humour, travel, magic, romance, mystery, friendship and family. I am very much enjoying reading this series and seeing Bernadette come into her power.
September 2, 2022
Incredibly boring.
November 17, 2024
Another entertaining women's paranormal fiction. This one goes back in time to the crusades in France with a lot of history and magic.
November 23, 2022
Loved this book
Good for a laugh loved the mother in the story
Can't wait for the next book coming out soon
Well worth a read
Good for a laugh loved the mother in the story
Can't wait for the next book coming out soon
Well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews