Emerald Earth

The Witch Brothers Saga #1

by Adam J. Ridley

Cursed by an intolerant father, love seems out of reach. When he finds his perfect match lying broken on the side of the road, not only will he have to fight for love, but also his life.

After his father cursed him, Crea has faced decades of dead end relationships. Just as he’s almost given up hope he finds a handsome stranger broken on the side of a desolate road. Once he drops the stranger off at the hospital, he figures all is done. Nothing could be further from the truth. The stranger becomes so much more as he pursues Crea, threatening the curse. Crea learns quickly falling in love is easy, but surviving a nasty cantation that’s determined to destroy you, isn’t as much.

Eli isn’t what you’d call a social person. His love for isolation in his beloved forest fully defines him. After breaking his leg in a mishap, Eli’s life is turned upside down as his life is filled with things he didn’t even dream of having before.

Unfortunately, those dreams turn to nightmares as he and Crea, the man he’s become bonded to, battle a curse that should’ve never been cast.

Crea and Eli’s bonding must be strong enough to overcome the curse, or they could both be lost, forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, LGBT, Romance, Gay, M M Romance

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2022

About the author

Adam J. Ridley is the pen name used by Blake Allwood for his urban fantasy and fantasy novels.

I, Blake/Adam, travel full time with my husband and two dogs in a forty-foot motor home, constantly looking for inspiration in the towns we find ourselves in.

I’ve loved fantasy all my life, and after several years of writing romance, finally took the time to try my hand at a romantic urban fantasy.

The Witch Brothers Saga is my debut series. Next year, I’ll release a Selkie series and possible my first science fiction, superhero novel as well.

Thanks for joining me on this journey and I look forward to reading your reviews on the Witch Brothers Saga.

Reviews

[Vanessa Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an entertaining start to a series and seeing the confidence growth as the series progressed was so enjoyable.

The world building was intriguing I loved the way their magic worked and I’m excited to see where the series will go with the new couple.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

His father cursed him and he never thought he would find love but he may just be in for a surprise. He finds a stranger who is badly injured and life may change for them both. There are many twists and turns in this wonderful adventure so sit back and see how it all goes

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars

Emerald Earth is the first book of Adam J. Ridley’s The Witch Brothers Saga. The story starts with a brief chapter set twenty years in the past to provide details about how Crea’s family got broken, specifically about the curse Crea’s father casts upon his three sons. After that, the book unfolds in chapters that alternate between Crea and Eli as narrator. For me, the conceptualization of the two MCs was pretty clear. Crea was the one with the shitty parents and cursed to never find love with a man. Eli was the brilliant, reclusive artist who always talked about art and forests. On page, however, it was harder to keep the two straight. I felt this was largely due to how both of them seemed to have an affinity for paganism and, at least insofar as I could tell, indigenous rituals.

Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crea and his brothers live under a curse from their father. His father, realizing all his sons were gay, cursed them to never find love.

Eli lived for the forests. His art as much a part of him as the woods surrounding him. The wood spoke to him as nothing ever had. “When I was little, my grandma said I was the emerald, that I’d come from the earth and was her representative.” Crea lived for his community gardens but he knew something was missing.

The book started slow but did get better. Slow burn but there was some sweet romance along the way. Their interactions weren’t as solidified as I thought they needed to be to break the curse. At the same time the urge to tear into each other warred with the intense draw they had to be as close as possible as often as possible. Their doubts fed the curse, bringing the wolf to their dreams. Parts of the story seemed superficial and really skipped around without answering a lot of questions.

I will try the next book and hope more answers will be forthcoming.

I received an arc of this book.

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise and story surrounding the 2 MCs trying to navigate the curse, but there was a lot of telling and not as much showing. I didn't really feel any connection or the emotions between the 2 MCs, it was just told to me.

There were also a lot of coincidences and "oh this happened, lucky me" and everything just went too smoothly. I like low-angst but this was a lot of coincidences and smooth-sailing for everyone.

I'm not familiar with the practices of paganism, so I feel like there should've been some explanation to some of the roles and rituals and elements. Both the MCs have some sort of magic background or connection with paganism, but it doesn't really explain much about the casting of magic or elements of evoking the magic they (get?) have from being pagan?

I enjoyed the overall story but I think the writing can do with fleshing out some parts and also incorporating more emotions and showing of the feelings rather than being told what they felt.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 7%.

I did not enjoy Blake Allwood’s writing, so I didn’t really expect a different experience due to a different pen name. I found the writing continues to be more so a list of actions versus an actual story. There’s very little thought or feeling in the narrative.

I kept talking to him the entire time it took to get back to the town and to find the hospital. I pulled into the Emergency Department, checked on the guy, and seeing he was still alive, I rushed to the automatic doors.

CW for f-slur in prologue.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Missed the Mark

It’s an interesting story premise and the preview and description pulled me in. Unfortunately, the complete narrative fails to adequately support the storyline, with many details mentioned in passing but never delineated. This could be so much better for the reader with a little effort from the author and a good editor.

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ulysses Dietz Member of The Paranormal Guild Review Team
Rating: 4 stars
Title: Witch Brothers Saga: Emerald Earth, Diamond Air, Ruby Fire
Author: Adam J. Ridley
Publisher: Blake Allwood
Genre: paranormal romance
M/M
Publication date: 2022
Page count: TBD

These three books are technically stand-alone, but they are also a trilogy, involving the destinies of three brothers. Adam J. Ridley, Blake Allwood’s altar-ego, has created a fascinating twist on the paranormal romance and given it a mystical setting that is distinctly American. It is a world of witchcraft and wicca living in the wilderness fringes of civilization; a world where nature-bound elemental power is acknowledged—but not always embraced.
The overarching motif of the trilogy is darkness—the darkness of a terrible curse, hurled at three young boys by their politically-ambitious father when he learns that they’re all gay. It’s no spoiler, because it’s in the prologue that Creagan, Lance, and Kyle Franklyn are cursed to never knowing the love of another man. The boys strike back with a curse of their own—denying their father the love of his sons.
It's quite a set up. Each book focuses on one of the young men, as his destiny draws him inexorably back to the magical landscape of Chemeketa, Oregon, dominated by redwood forests and volcanic peaks. Each of the Franklyn boys must face the consequences of their father’s curse.
Crea, the middle son, in “Emerald Earth,” has become an urban farmer in the midst of the insane real-estate market of San Francisco. On a scouting trip to find an ideal campsite for a reunion of the brothers, he rescues a badly-injured man he finds, literally, by the side of the road.
Lance, the eldest, in “Diamond Sky,” has run the farthest, while ending up a high-powered politician in Oregon. He has to confront the man who became his grandmother’s caretaker in her last years, and who was the only one with her at her death.
Kyle, the baby of the family, in “Ruby Fire,” is a volcanologist in Mexico, forever on the run from both family and personal entanglements, working on an endless PhD and avoiding his brothers. His journey is the weirdest and most complex, entering into unseen dimensions in his native Chemeketa. This volume tips into a sort of magical fantasy, as Kyle faces the ultimate challenge with his brothers by his side.
One thing all three men share is Gwen, their witch grandmother, who took them in when her son cursed her grandsons and threw them out of their home. She is the one constant happy memory they have in common. Given the nature of the trilogy, Gwen is a central character, despite the fact that she’s dead.
Each book is quite different in tone, although they are all linked with common threads. Adam Ridley’s prose is not poetic, but matter-of-fact. The only wonder evoked is that of the beauty of nature, and the allure of the isolated hamlet of Chemeketa. Ridley’s three heroes have all turned their backs on their magical heritage in order to deal with the pain and loss of their father’s curse. They’ve also, quite literally turned their backs on the unspoiled wilderness in which their grandmother raised them and where their family’s history begins. Having been unable to outrun the loneliness caused by the curse, the three find that they have to turn back to their roots to defeat the darkness and find true happiness.
You really need to read all three close together. Plus, to my surprise, there’s a cliffhanger at the end, promising a fourth volume to come.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creagan “Crea” Franklyn and his brothers: oldest, Lance and youngest, Kyle, have been cursed by their father. With the curse Lance stands up to his father and cast a spell. All three brothers have revealed that they are gay but it is nothing new to the family as history has it, grandparents were bi. Being of a long line of pagans, suddenly his parents have found the Lord, but it’s more than that. With the spell cast there’s nothing left for the brothers to do but to leave home and live with their Grandma Gwen, in Chemeketa. Chemeketa is a small community in Oregon with a host of interesting inhabitants.

Crea now thirty-nine, lives in San Francisco and has worked the urban agriculture scheme for the area. He’s enjoyed being the Urban Farm consultant and developing grants to seek out help for the projects. But he’s been in the job for eleven years but has now lost interest. He has made a trip to Oregon to plan reuniting with his brothers, who haven’t seen each other in two years. He’s found a very special place, Crater Lake.

Eli Bane is forty, he’s a very famous wood-sculpture, and has his own business. He’s very private, stays secluded and just not very social. His love is the forest. While out in the forest, prepping, special wood pieces for his sculptures, Eli has a horrid accident. At every possible turn he can’t make it back to find help.

Luckily for Eli, Crea finds him. He takes Eli to the hospital but is stopped on the way out. Eli want’s to see him. Eli is in great pain and not very coherent but thanks Eli. On leaving the hospital, one more time, Eli leaves his information at the desk.

When Crea and Eli meet once again, things don’t go very well. Curses, spells, misconceptions and lot’s of fun interfering from the locals who seem to have Crea’s and Eli fates sorted out.

“Emerald Earth” holds no surprises, in the magical sense, as Adam J. Ridley brings this delightful new fantasy to life right from the start. Hedge witches, magic, spells, curses, strange dreams, lore, wood emerald and a ring all make up the dynamics of Chemeketa. Earth Guilds of Chemeketa each share responsibility with: air, water, fire and earth. The tale of the Kelim tribe, that lost their land in the 1800’s introduce Eli’s friend the unofficial leader of the Kel, Edward Edenfield and wife Lydia.

There’s are so many very wonderful characters besides Crea and Eli. Jennie Lambert, Lances daughter and Crea’s niece. Lee Chelsea, retired ranger, wife Idigo a hedge witch, and daughter Libby, a nurse. Hedge witches: Donna and Miranda. Jack Henry, a sweet man, who is a great cook.

“Emerald Earth” is the start of “The Witches Brothers Saga” and I was wasn’t disappointed with this first time read, from Adam J. Ridley. It has low-drama, fun and steamy moments, friendships and all the makings of a wonderful fantasy. Can’t wait to see what Adam Ridley has planned for Crea and Eli, and I’m sure it will get interesting as the brothers come together.

[isthisakink · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the HH book that ties in with this universe (Cordelia Manor), I swore I’d be back to get the backstory, and I finally made good on that threat.

I’m glad I did, and I can definitely see the growth/development of the author’s style/rhythm in this genre from this book to that one. It was distinctly lacking the same depth/detail/build. Like, it almost felt rushed, or like half of it wound up on the editing room floor. I barely got to love the characters or learn much about the world before it was over, and a lot of stuff just kinda…fucked off? I hate when things get pushed off and forgotten. I need resoluuutttiiiiooooonnns.😩

Idk. It was just really light on my favourite bits of supernatural/paranormal-centric books—er, ANY book. I’m a deep-dive ass bitch. I want literally all of the meat on the bones. Love when brain go *brrr*.

I’m hoping hard that it builds better over the following books, because I’m invested. I love the concept and the details that were given. The side characters have been interesting, and I’m assuming there will be plenty more added later to the gang. I’m here for it, and I can’t wait to keep going.

I was definitely here for the reason OV will always be superior, though, and that’s the mechanics of the relationship. Not chemistry or hot spicy bits or whatever-the-fuck else, but the interactions and emotions and inner voices of two dudes, doing the dating/fallin’-in-love bit. There’s a ~thing~ there that’s very clear in OV books, and you can just tell the characters reflect reality. Even when the depth is lacking, that feeling of realism shows up and stands out.

It’s hard to explain without calling the firing squad on myself, but it’s not coded for the girlies. That’s the best I can do. It just hits different.

3.75/5, because she messy and she lean, but she good. Honestly same, bestie. We all messy and fairly lean inside right now.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5*
I think this book has a great premise, lots of things I like in a story - romance, fate, magic, curses, family drama - but I think I was expecting it to be a bit darker than it was or diving a bit deeper into what the brothers experience with their curse
Eli and Crea meet by chance when Crea comes across Eli with a broken leg in the forest. They then seem to be joined by dreams, visions and Crea's family curse with Eli not sure what to make of things but deciding to follow his heart. There's a fair amount of highs and lows, very quickly going from one to the other between the two that it's occasionally hard to keep up. What's between them is, I think supposed to be a little bit like fated mates, without the shifter element, but I didn't really get that sense from them, apart from the beginning where there's a lot of anger for several reasons. Their physical bond definitely grew and developed but I didn't feel that they were that emotionally invested until right towards the end. I like the talk of the elements though here we pretty much deal with Earth. It's kind of mystical whilst also having elements of paganism, which we get more of when meeting with Indigo. The settings are wonderfully described, I was really able to visualise where the characters are, especially wondering through the forests they love so much.
I enjoyed the group of characters involved. Lee and Indigo give Eli that sense of family, as does Jennie when she becomes his apprentice though she has her own connection to Crea. Crea's grandmother is entertaining, even from the transition stage that she's in, and still managing to try and help her grandson. I would have liked more interaction with all three brothers with the curse being something being put on all of them but I can also see how they would be separate.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the magic system to be too nebulous to be really enjoyable. The Franklin brothers started out sounding very knowledgeable about their own magic, and yet, Crea seemed almost completely ignorant of how to access his own power and was completely resigned to a fate of being forever cursed. Did Lance experience some kind of tripled backlash after cursing their father in reaction to the first curse? Why would their grandmother have left the curse to mature for so long if it could be broken? Wouldn’t the gathered power, and knowledge, of the Che community have wanted to cleanse that stain immediately when the boys showed up?

I liked that Crea and Eli had to fight to be together, but for a force that is supposed to be so powerful, it was remarkably simple for these men to triumph. Honestly things were a bit too serendipitous - and yeah, they have the Goddess, and spirits helping them out - but we heard all about how Eli and Crea had to choose to be together and then fight with all their might against the life-swallowing power of the curse, and yet, when it came down to it, Eli had magical help to prevent the curse from effectively attacking him, and Crea didn’t fight much at all, and only ‘happenstance’ prevented the curse from prevailing.

Overall, this book was ok, and I’m willing to read the next books to see how things progress, but I wasn’t wowed.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Bronwyn Heeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s an urban fantasy.

I like how grounded the world is. It’s very well thought out and the main point of the story. It talks of witches in a way that feels as natural as it should in this world. The main plot of the curse and the brothers was intriguing enough at the start but started to feel a little repetitive as nothing new was ever given. I was intrigued and if I remember will continue the series when it comes out.

The romance has an insta-love/fated mate quality to it. it’s not insta-love at all, just the feel of it. It’s like they know they are each other’s destiny to a point where they kinda just skipped over chemistry and really getting to know each other, instead sex is there connection, and act like they’ve been together forever (but also not), and yet they act and talk like they won’t be together for the long haul, and I found myself disconnected from that element of the book.

It's a slow burn which I really liked, the plot is continuation however, well you’ll understand what you’re going to be getting by the midway point which I do think helped a lot.

[Stacie Streck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rocky start and I almost DNF'd after the first chapter but I stuck with it and I think I enjoyed it for the most part. I actually really appreciated the super low key sex scene and the MC's being intimate was rarely more than a sentence or two long. It gets tiring after a while, being inundated with scene after scene after scene. The story is very fast paced, thiugh, and stuff happens a lot behind the scenes eith only mentions of going ons in brief descriptions.

And this will put me as an outlier, but while I appreciate the true to life showing of parental homophobia, it rubs me the wrong way when an author takes that as an opportunity to make literally every other character, big or small, gay. Besides Indigo and Lee, and Gwen (basically) we don't have any straight allies which, for Crea's character, feels like it would be incredibly important. He needs that support.

Either way I think I'll be reading book two though I hope it will have a much stronger opening than this one did.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brings together interesting and nuanced world building, compelling characters, and a plot with plenty of potential. Curses, dreams, magic, witches, and more all shape the experiences of Crea and Eli. As individuals, each is intriguing, and there’s a solidly intriguing cast of supporting characters as well. I wouldn’t say the bond between Crea and Eli feels like the product of strong chemistry or emotional compatibility so much as a kind of fated necessity, but it works for where the story wants to go, and all in all the book makes for a reading experience that’s easy to get caught up in.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Kirstine Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the premise of the book, where a hateful man (a former witch converted to Christianity) curses all three of his sons after they come out, proclaiming that they'll never find love. The whole natural magic thing sounded very promising, too. The part where an MC was horribly injured and called upon his earth magic to be able to go on gave me chills.

Did not love the writing, with clunky dialogue that read more like dueling monologuing at times. The two MCs voices were too similar, and I had to go back more than once to see who was talking. The romance felt...flat, in lack of a better word, and the sex scenes were cringe-y.

[James Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. I did enjoy reading it. Crea and his brothers are cursed by their father for being gay. But he finds the man for him, literally in the middle of the road. Eli was injured in an accident and his ATV quits in the middle of the road. The two men are, for the lack of a better term, fated for each other. Now they have to work through their personal issues and love for each other. Evil stalks both of them. The paranormal aspect of this book is very subtle but it works. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this start to a new series by a new-to-me author. I enjoyed the plot-line of brothers cursed by their father for being gay. Not such an unusual occurrence perhaps, but it has more bite when magic is involved. Crea has lived without love because of his father's curse, but when he finds and helps Eli, things begin to change. I really enjoyed Crea and Eli, especially the way Eli pursued Crea. Curse-breaking may be hard, but love always finds a way.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emerald Earth is the first book in The Witches Brothers Sage. Crea has been cured by his father and endured decades of never finding love. He finds Eli on the side of the road and drops him at the hospital. Eli pursues Crea. This was a good urban fantasy story. The plot was well developed but a few things felt off, repetitive. I loved the premise and think the ongoing story line will be good. There are some really great secondary characters. Overall, a great story!

[Maria771 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Crea and Eli. It is the first book in the Witch Brothers Saga. I found this book very entertaining with lovely characters. It is a slow burning love story though not your normal romance but more urban fantasy. Curses and drama keeps you turning the pages and I am looking forward to the next one. Definitely recommended.

I received this book as an Arc and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Manuela Raimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing start of something

I really love this two, they're so perfect for each other

If you love magic, curse, dreams, witches and other things it's the right book to read

I don't know if I love one more than other, maybe not in this case.

It's always the right time for new saga, I tried to not start another one, failed every time
Thanks GRR for this new autor, I wait for the next one

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Crea had to overcome his own fears to break his curse.

Eli and Crea had a beautiful connection: it was intoxicating, all consuming and explosive.

I’m looking forward to the next book.

*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Start to This Series

This is a really interesting story. It felt a little slow early on but I think that was just due to the usual issue of having to explain the plot of the series. I really found that I couldn't put this one down and I can't wait for Lance's book next.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dea ex machina

Started well enough, magical family torn apart by homophobia, but the magic turned out to be very basic herbs and rhymes and sentient black magic curses.

Then the coincidences started railroading the characters to a confrontation and eventual happy ending. I'll give the second book a try, to see if I like this brother any more.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

the intense drama and feeling put into this story just keep me hook from page one. with being curse by someone that was supposed to protect you. will finding the key and making a fool of himself help to break it for him. now waiting for the next book to see if the oldest or youngest fall next

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this variation on the fated mates trope and its mix with Crea's father's curse. Crea and Eli are great characters and their relationship and the world building in this story kept me involved from the start. I am looking forward to reading the second book.

[Diana Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed the story. It was well written, but felt a bit rushed and at times a bit disjointed. I liked the world building, but it needed more depth. The story line was good and I will look forward to the next book.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was interesting and it wasn't a bad read. I never felt the tension, though--neither in the plot nor in the romance. I could see that there was meant to be sort of emotional anguish but didn't feel like it really made it onto the page. Still, not a bad way to spend a few hours.

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright

Good story premise and characters. A new to me author and I liked it. Looking forward to seeing where the series goes

[Haldis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, not for me.

I liked the idea of the premise, but it fell a bit short in the execution. I doubt I'll read the rest of the series.