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Mystical Midlife in Maine #8

Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones

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Being held prisoner is just the beginning of my descent into despair. It's the poison and the desperate escape that seal the deal. The stakes are higher than ever when I wake up tied to a strange table. Once I have my bearings, I realize that the Dark witch battling me from the very beginning may very well have finally won our war. My morale is low as I'm helpless to fight her, and soon I find myself on the brink.

Anything could happen this time, and I'm fully prepared. My nursing skills are rusty, but when I need them most, I discover they aren't entirely lost. Surgically removing demonic stones isn't my idea of a good time, but I have to do whatever I can to ensure that evil does not win. To top it off I still have to rescue my mate, and I can't do that alone. Thank goodness I have the help of my best friend, my dragon, and a dwarf.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2022

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5 stars
579 (65%)
4 stars
228 (25%)
3 stars
60 (6%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Debbi.
9 reviews
October 15, 2022
not sure I liked this

From the beginning it wasn’t a joy to read .. I know it’s an evil witch but I for one had a hard time continuing the book to the end. Frequently I just wanted to be done and had to push myself to finish it. I’ll admit I skipped paragraphs to get through 😢
Profile Image for Krista.
440 reviews17 followers
November 9, 2022
For the first time I found a title in the series a bit disappointing. It just jumps right in from the actions of previous book and did not really have the magic of the others. Major cliffhanger. I will continue with series but this one was dreary
Profile Image for Melinda.
850 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2022
Lost one star for the cliffhanger. Lost two stars for the ridiculous and painful filler this book is. I like the characters, but this book was about nothing.
3,005 reviews44 followers
November 10, 2022
This is book eight of the Mystical Midlife in Maine series and jumps straight into a scene of Phoebe, the Pleiades, as a prisoner of a witch who has used loads of black magic and blood magic to take down her whole group, including her love and god, Aidon. Her best friend Stella was also injured, the last Phoebe saw of her and she has no idea if Aidon (Aidoneus) is even alive. The dark witch Zaleria has somehow gained enough power to badly hurt Aidon, which should have been nearly impossible and has cut off Phoebe’s ability to connect to her own magic or even her mate bond with Aidon. She is starting to feel in despair and is fed visions of what will happen to the rest of her family and loved ones, if she doesn’t do as her captor wants. Zaleria wants Phoebe to give her Pleiades powers to her, something that can only be given freely, but if she does, then Zaleria will use her dark powers to destroy the world and all she loves. Phoebe may not have known anything about magic just over a year ago, but she never wanted the powers Hattie wanted to pass to her, which made her the perfect person to take over Hattie’s mantle! Zaleria is one witch who certainly doesn’t think Phoebe should have been given those powers!
Phoebe has an incredibly sore head and blood from the back of it, plus a number of over injuries, made worse when Zaleria uses her dark magic against her and she can’t defend herself. She is getting tortured and dark magic is making her feelings of despair grow, which she later finds out are due to the demonic stones of the title! When Zaleria shows her Stella and threatens to kill her, if she doesn’t comply, she almost gives up. The darkness within her is spreading and even Stella is not her usual self. Phoebe has to try and make Zaleria break down one of her own wards without noticing, dividing Phoebe from Stella, to give them any chance of escaping. Phoebe and Stella manage to figure out about the demonic stones, with the help of her familiar Tarja. Removing them helps Phoebe immensely, but Zaleria has carved runes on Stella’s arms, poisoning her system with dark magic, which could turn her into a Tainted witch, from which there is no return! Getting out of the underground lair that Zaleria has imprisoned them in, isn’t easy, but Phoebe needs to get Stella to a healer and then try to locate Aidon. It is all she can think of! Zaleria is not alone though, there are a large number of Tainted witches, whether there voluntarily or not, who try to stop them. They are met by dragon shifter Tsekani, his love interest and wolf shifter Muragh, and dwarf Thokruman, who help them out.
In their pursuit of Aidon, they find another lair of Zaleria’s and this time they expect traps, but they soon are nearly exhausted by them all. They don’t have much magic left to fight Zaleria and her minions of they appear, but the story ends on a massive cliffhanger yet again, which is a bit disappointing. Just as the story had gotten over one high of their escape, then finding Aidon, it ends as Phoebe wonders whether she will have skills to save the love of her life, Aidon. They haven’t faced Zaleria again, not that any of them would have been capable of stopping a dark witch of her power at the time! Phoebe may well need to call in all of her allies and friends, in her efforts to save him and we are left wondering what on earth it was that managed to take out a god and the Pleiades! Need to wait for the next book in the series to see what happens with Aidon and whether they can stop Zaleria and her dark plans. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Laura Moylan.
1,652 reviews
October 27, 2022
Phoebe is Pleiades witch of North America and although not a born witch, has been doing well in her new job, although she has had the heck beaten out of her in all of the last seven books. After her divorce from a nasty piece of work Miles she moved back home to Maine from NC. She took a job as a nurse for an old eccentric woman with cancer named Hattie. She was living with her mom, Mollie, her daughter, Nina, and her Nana, Amelie. After being dumped into the magical world and almost dying protecting Hattie, the Pleiades witch, Hattie, who was dying anyway chose Phoebe as her heir almost a year ago. There must always be the seven Pleiades witches or the world and magic would be out of balance and really bad things would happen.

Massive amounts of magic, mischief and mayhem ensued during that time. Her family are now witches, and her son, Jean-Marc is an esoti, her son goes to school in NC. Her mate, the son of Hades, Aidoneous, and her bestie Stella, who she gave magic to by accident were knocked silly.

This book starts with her captured by a nasty piece of work a Tainted/Dark witch Zaleria. After going in and saving her ex Miles, the dragon shifter Tsekani flew off with him. The power of a Pleiades must be freely given. Zaleria wants that power.

I can’t wait for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Anne-Marie .
991 reviews23 followers
October 1, 2022
WOW! Wish I could give this more than a 5 star rating because it deserves it!
What an action packed story...had me on the edge of my seat reading well past bedtime! I was afraid to put it down because I might miss something.
Brenda Trim doesn't disappoint when you read one of her books! They will pull you into the story and not let you go until the story is done (or when sleep wins over). Brenda's writing is flawless and flows smoothly to keep you vested in the book!
Phoebe and Stella are taken by a dark witch, Zaleria and her daughter. They are kept by themselves until Stella is brought in with Phoebe to be tortured because Phoebe won't give her magic to Zaleria. A Pleiades witch can only give her magic to someone else willingly or when it's left to a daughter...but Phoebe won't give her magic away. No one knows where Phoebe and Stella are being held and their friends can't sense Phoebe's magic....
One other thing is that Phoebe's mate, Aidoneus, is missing as well. Zaleria has him locked up but Phoebe can't feel him. Like I said the story was full of magic and action!
Highly recommend this series...you won't be sorry once you start reading it!

Thank you to Brenda Trim for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones for an honest review. These are my words and my words alone....they are not eloquent but they are from the heart!
Did I say I LOVED this book?!
Profile Image for Denise.
3,826 reviews
October 2, 2022
Starting right where the last book left off, we join Phoebe as she regains consciousness and realizes that she, Stella, and Aidon were caught in a trap set by Zaleria. The last she saw of Aidon, he was incapacitated and bleeding. Stella had also been badly injured. Phoebe realizes that she has a wound on the back of her head and that she can't reach her magic or Tarja. Now what?

Join Phoebe as she fights to save herself and her best friend from Zaleria's dark magic and her attempts to force Phobe to give up her Pleiades magic. Then the two witches rejoin their allies and set off on a search for where Zaleria is keeping Aidon, because Phoebe is not letting that witch with a capital B use the love of her life for nefarious purposes. No way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,946 reviews21 followers
October 13, 2022
Good

WARNING! CLIFFHANGER! This one is a fairly big one; almost as big as the last book!

Picking up where book seven’s cliffhanger left off, we find our intrepid heroine kidnapped, and alone under Zaleria’s command. Forced to fight dark powers trying to claim her, Phoebe struggles to survive, and to find the friends she knows were taken with her.

There’s an ongoing story in this book, and it’s actually not finished by the end of the book.
Phoebe faces some new challenges, and even though the immediate difficulties are solved, the ongoing and underlying ones are not.
I only have one question though… why didn’t she ever consider calling Hades?!

Another enjoyable installment in this paranormal women’s fiction series, that fans of the genre will enjoy. (However, if you hate cliffhangers, maybe hold off on books 7 and 8 until at least book 9 is released).
Profile Image for Cristy.
757 reviews13 followers
October 14, 2022
Oh my gosh talk about riveting I couldn't put it down. The turmoil that Phoebe is going through just makes you want to weep. She doesn't know if Aidoneus is alive or not because she can't feel the mate bond. If this isn't enough of a hardship to deal with she has to watch and hear her best friend Stella being tortured and turned. With some creative manipulation, Phoebe tricks Zaleria into putting out a ward spell to protect all those that Phoebe holds dear.
This was such an intense read, but Phoebe and Stella are survivors. Together they escape Zaleria's underground hell hole. With all her friends by her side they track down her mate. Unfortunately yet again another cliffhanger..........leaving you wanting so much more!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
807 reviews6 followers
October 18, 2022
I absolutely love every series Ms. Trim has written. What I say next would normally make me drop the rating. However, this lovely author, I'm giving a pass. Warning...this story ends with a pretty big cliffhanger. That out of the way, it was amazing! Pheobe and Stella are on their own for most of the book. The great part, they are an awesome team. Saying much more will give away spoilers, I refuse to ruin the read for you guys. Start with book one, you will not be disappointed. The next book can't come soon enough. Thanks for another winning story for those of us 'midlife' folks.
222 reviews
October 27, 2022
Very suspenseful read which leaves you breathlessly waiting for the next book. Phoebe is facing her biggest challenge yet. Fighting the dark powers of Zalderia who kidnapped her and is holding her hostage until Phoebe gives up her powers. Soon she is joined by Stella and they finally escape but not without harm to themselves. Time is against them as Phoebe'=s mate, A god, is still missing and in Zalerias' clutches. And then they find him but... Next book please! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,076 reviews46 followers
November 2, 2022
stumbling in to try to rescue her Ex might cost Phoebe far more than a sad daughter

battling darkness drains, challenges and changes more than just Phoebe.

Will Tarja and Stella survive the strains?

Tseki encounters a someone special from hid youth who might be key to their efforts for escape and recovery

will the faces in their team be changing?

intense drama, action and heartbreaking romance and relationships challenges.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
201 reviews
October 18, 2022
Good but, seems like it ended abruptly.

Thank God Phoebe and Stella are alive, even if it is just barely. Aidon is missing, Zaleria has him but, Phoebe can not longer feel their mate bond and she is on the verge of completely giving up to her fears and anxiety. Thank goodness she still has her friends...
This was an awesome book but, it ended rather abruptly. I highly recommend this book, series and all the inkslinger's other midlife series.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
536 reviews4 followers
October 30, 2022
This is one super tense story! High voltage drama, lots of bodily damage, intense psychological pressure and on overwhelming supply of physical and mental draining of reserves. Escapes are made at a very high price to each member and now time to regroup and heal... then on to conquer! So looking forward to the next chapter in Phoebe's life!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tahnia Ross.
2,184 reviews10 followers
November 1, 2022
Phoebe regains consciousness while tied to a wooden chair. When Phoebe remembers what happened, she immediately wonders what happened to Stella and Aidoneous. Then the Tainted witch Zaleria enters Phoebe's prison. This story is full of action and anxiety, ending in a whopper of a cliffhanger. I very highly recommend reading this book.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carrie.
238 reviews
November 17, 2022
Closer

The constant battling and besting Phoebe is enduring ought to show up in some spectacular way. She needs to have some truly heroic events of pure Phoebe power and win. The help is awesome. I envision the masses backing her up around the world and together being a united force against evil. I think each book has been smaller versions of this. Keep writing her as the uniquely powered Mundie converted witch she is.
Profile Image for Pogo Frankman.
26 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2022
I am really enjoying this series and plan on continuing to the end. It has everything I enjoy in a book, despite the cliffhangers at the end of each segment. I would love to read the story as a whole but will continue to take whatever this author is ready to give us. The story is that good, and thankfully the author writes quickly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
784 reviews11 followers
September 30, 2022
Filled with suspense from cover to cover, Brenda Trim has continued her Mystical Midlife in Maine series with this latest installment. The detailed plot explodes into action when we pick up from Pleiades capture and her determination to survive the evils of dark magic. In her search of her mate she must fight to preserve her magical friends. Nice read!❤️❤️.
Profile Image for Veronica LaRoche.
4,679 reviews62 followers
October 4, 2022
Phoebe, Stella and Aidoneus are captured and must do anything too get home and stop Zaleria. Phoebe will be tested more than ever. Phoebe & Stella are a duo know one should ever cross. I can’t wait too read what will happen next. Another great read with characters that I enjoy reading about.


I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Karen Fisher.
1,308 reviews12 followers
October 9, 2022
Hold on to your seat because this book is full of action. Phones and her crew go from one intense situation to another. The concept of "Pixie droppings and troll boogers" being in a potion you had to drink made my stomach roll. The ending was totally unexpected.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sarah Smith.
407 reviews
October 19, 2022
Ok so once again this book ends on a cliffhanger. We meet some new characters while others are absent because of the situation Phoebe finds herself in. The characters and world building are being added to with each subsequent installment and I can’t wait to read the next book!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
597 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2022
This book picked up where the last book left off and took you on a rollercoaster of a ride with Phoebe and Stella being caught by Zaleria! The action was non stop and then just when you thought that we would get an actual ending we got another MAJOR cliffhanger! I can’t wait for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,312 reviews28 followers
October 29, 2022
I loved this fun and surprising story. Phoebe and Aidoneus have some crazy times. This story does not disappoint and picks up nicely from book 7. Sexy and entertaining story that was great to read! I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Brenda Ellis.
667 reviews9 followers
October 31, 2022
With every installment I love this series and this author even more. They're getting stronger, smarter, better than ever and rocking middle age. The new powers that continue to show up keep things interesting. I can't wait to see how far they can go to help paranormals and save NOLA from the evil ones.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,311 reviews18 followers
November 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this entry in the Mystical Midlife in Maine series, the cover was goregous and really helped my enjoyment of the book. The plot was great for a paranormal fiction book. I really enjoyed the journey and look forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for JoAnn.
246 reviews
November 10, 2022
Love This Series!! The plot line is fantastic and exciting—a real page turner as you don’t want to put the book down. The author has the talent to make you care about the characters in her stories. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprount and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,763 reviews
August 26, 2024
Brilliant Series

Demonic Stones & Creaky Bones (Midlife Mysteries & Magic Book 21) by Brenda Trim. After fighting with Stella against Zaleria for our lives Phoebe and Stella manage to escape but then it’s finding Aidoneous. After searching they finally find but he is unconscious.
Profile Image for Tami.
502 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2022
It is amazing how Phoebe and Stella rescued themselves from Zaleria and her daughter and then went looking for her fated mate Aidoneus to rescue him from Zaleria.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,518 reviews24 followers
September 29, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book, the storyline is filled with action and adventure. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Sharon Smith.
191 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2022
I was waiting for this release and it did not fail to be worth the wait! I love the Characters and the many twists and turns in the series. I however do not love the cliff hanging endings that really have me anxious for the next book in the series (well played Brenda Trim, well played). I love the way this author writes.....so I am highly recommending this series and Author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews