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Australian Supernatural: Goldfields #1
The Power Within
A vampire with a thirst for revenge. A witch who doesn’t know she’s a witch. In this small Australian town, darkness is waiting to rise…
When Holly Burke’s eccentric aunt dies, she’s drawn to the country town of Dunloe. The small community is haunted by its violent Gold Rush past, where deadly paranormal secrets lay as thick as gold in the hard quartz below their feet.
Oblivious to the supernatural world, Holly soon finds herself in the middle of a war for power that’s been raging for almost two centuries. A power, according to legend, her family holds the key to. The catch? She has to die.
Trapped between two warring sides—witches and vampires—Holly must unravel the secrets hidden deep within the pages of history in order to save her future.
For without the power within, she doesn’t stand a chance.
The Power Within is the first book in the Australian Supernatural: Goldfields series. Set against the backdrop of Victoria’s vibrant Gold Rush history, it tells the story of a young woman who is swept up in a struggle for power between witches and vampires that began almost 200 years ago. Mystery, murder, and magic combine in this thrilling Urban Fantasy adventure!
When Holly Burke’s eccentric aunt dies, she’s drawn to the country town of Dunloe. The small community is haunted by its violent Gold Rush past, where deadly paranormal secrets lay as thick as gold in the hard quartz below their feet.
Oblivious to the supernatural world, Holly soon finds herself in the middle of a war for power that’s been raging for almost two centuries. A power, according to legend, her family holds the key to. The catch? She has to die.
Trapped between two warring sides—witches and vampires—Holly must unravel the secrets hidden deep within the pages of history in order to save her future.
For without the power within, she doesn’t stand a chance.
The Power Within is the first book in the Australian Supernatural: Goldfields series. Set against the backdrop of Victoria’s vibrant Gold Rush history, it tells the story of a young woman who is swept up in a struggle for power between witches and vampires that began almost 200 years ago. Mystery, murder, and magic combine in this thrilling Urban Fantasy adventure!
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2022
113 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Nicole R. Taylor
63 books337 followersNicole R. Taylor is an Australian Urban Fantasy author.
She lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne dreaming up nail biting stories featuring bad-ass witches, duplicitous vampires, hunky shape shifters and devious monsters.
She likes chocolate, cat memes and video games.
When she’s not writing, she likes to think of what she’s writing next.
AVAILABLE SERIES:
The Witch Hunter Saga (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Crescent Witch Chronicles (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Arondight Codex (Urban Fantasy)
And more coming soon!
Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com
Want to be notified about new releases? Sign up for the VIP newsletter and get occasional free books, bonus stories, and more:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/n...
Fancy some FREE Urban Fantasy books? Check out Nicole’s Free Reads:
http://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/bo...
She lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne dreaming up nail biting stories featuring bad-ass witches, duplicitous vampires, hunky shape shifters and devious monsters.
She likes chocolate, cat memes and video games.
When she’s not writing, she likes to think of what she’s writing next.
AVAILABLE SERIES:
The Witch Hunter Saga (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Crescent Witch Chronicles (Urban Fantasy) Series Complete!
The Arondight Codex (Urban Fantasy)
And more coming soon!
Find out more about Nicole and her books by visiting:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com
Want to be notified about new releases? Sign up for the VIP newsletter and get occasional free books, bonus stories, and more:
https://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/n...
Fancy some FREE Urban Fantasy books? Check out Nicole’s Free Reads:
http://www.nicolertaylorwrites.com/bo...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2023
Darkness Under All
The two stars are for a well written tale with characters who sometimes, but not always, fight the darkness--even if it's within themselves. The main character Holly is on the side of light, as are the mortals we've been introduced to.
The lack of more stars is because the foundation of this series *is* the darkness, based on this book and the descriptions of the next three books in the series. Sure, it's awesome they are battling the darkness, but the darkness surrounds them, is very powerful, and is seemingly never-ending. There is detailed violence.
Words are a kind of magic too. When darkness dominates a story, I am exposing my mind to a lot of dark stuff I do not need in my head. My way of fighting darkness is to not dwell in it, not in real life and not in the media I immerse myself in.
I do not recommend this book; I will be deleting it after posting this.
The two stars are for a well written tale with characters who sometimes, but not always, fight the darkness--even if it's within themselves. The main character Holly is on the side of light, as are the mortals we've been introduced to.
The lack of more stars is because the foundation of this series *is* the darkness, based on this book and the descriptions of the next three books in the series. Sure, it's awesome they are battling the darkness, but the darkness surrounds them, is very powerful, and is seemingly never-ending. There is detailed violence.
Words are a kind of magic too. When darkness dominates a story, I am exposing my mind to a lot of dark stuff I do not need in my head. My way of fighting darkness is to not dwell in it, not in real life and not in the media I immerse myself in.
I do not recommend this book; I will be deleting it after posting this.
December 11, 2024
All kinds of awesome. Articulate, energetic, pacey, imaginative.
This book was a refreshing discovery, a gem. I've already purchased the second, have started it, am enjoying it.
The Aussie setting is richly explored and utilized without laboring the point (it's no Crocodile Dundee thank God.). In line with this, the backstory of the 1850s Australian Gold Rush adds yet another point of interest in an already interesting book.
This short novel is a quick read and an immersive one. And with all the aspects (the different magics, the different 'beings', the twisting plot), it could have been padded out to twice its length. So it's a credit to the author that she kept this lean, mean and moving forwards.
The author is talented with the English language, a cut above most self-published fantasy I've tried to read, and has polished this, taking pride in it.
Highly HIGHLY recommend. Fresh and exciting.
This book was a refreshing discovery, a gem. I've already purchased the second, have started it, am enjoying it.
The Aussie setting is richly explored and utilized without laboring the point (it's no Crocodile Dundee thank God.). In line with this, the backstory of the 1850s Australian Gold Rush adds yet another point of interest in an already interesting book.
This short novel is a quick read and an immersive one. And with all the aspects (the different magics, the different 'beings', the twisting plot), it could have been padded out to twice its length. So it's a credit to the author that she kept this lean, mean and moving forwards.
The author is talented with the English language, a cut above most self-published fantasy I've tried to read, and has polished this, taking pride in it.
Highly HIGHLY recommend. Fresh and exciting.
February 21, 2026
Nearly fisrt half of the book is dull, somehow the MC doesn't grow with those chapters where she's still unawere of what lays behind the natural apparence of the world. The fact that readers are aware from the beginning doesn't help. I was close to drop the book.
Then everything is discovered and the plot uncoils developing at fast pace. The characters show them more traits and vampire or witch doesn't define them. I finally finished to discover that this wast first half of the second book leaving faar too many open threads.
The rating is average of two different parts. I try to forgive the author for the unexepected cliffhanger. But I certainly didn't appreciate.
Then everything is discovered and the plot uncoils developing at fast pace. The characters show them more traits and vampire or witch doesn't define them. I finally finished to discover that this wast first half of the second book leaving faar too many open threads.
The rating is average of two different parts. I try to forgive the author for the unexepected cliffhanger. But I certainly didn't appreciate.
February 10, 2024
A good read
I sat & read this in one sitting. Not to give anything away, but this is a book about star crossed lovers. It starts with an unfortunate event. Then involves an innocent heir. Vampires & witches with serious ambitions thrown in, none of the ambitions are wholesome or good. Each antagonist ends up self-destructing by their own hand & short sighted choices. Great story telling with well thought out characters hundreds of years in the making.
I highly recommend this read. It appears to be suitable for teenagers onwards.
I sat & read this in one sitting. Not to give anything away, but this is a book about star crossed lovers. It starts with an unfortunate event. Then involves an innocent heir. Vampires & witches with serious ambitions thrown in, none of the ambitions are wholesome or good. Each antagonist ends up self-destructing by their own hand & short sighted choices. Great story telling with well thought out characters hundreds of years in the making.
I highly recommend this read. It appears to be suitable for teenagers onwards.
May 6, 2024
When Holly Burke inherits all her eccentric aunt’s house and assets, she leaves her boring job in Sydney and moves to the small town of Dunloe, Victoria. She discovers that her aunt wasn’t just eccentric, but a witch and she has left Holly in the middle of a war between the local coven and a re-awakened vampire out for revenge.
Fave scenes: Holly helping Sarah at her house and Holly rescuing Jin.
Fave scenes: Holly helping Sarah at her house and Holly rescuing Jin.
October 2, 2023
melodramatic
This isn’t a bad story, but comes off like a soap opera. Too much is going on, and there are too many old vendettas. The author leaves a nice cliff hanger but not enough to hook me.
This isn’t a bad story, but comes off like a soap opera. Too much is going on, and there are too many old vendettas. The author leaves a nice cliff hanger but not enough to hook me.
February 21, 2024
Brilliant
Twists, turns and romance at times sad placed in unusual location but the detail and description lead you on along and deserted path. Be interested to see what happens next in the story line .
Twists, turns and romance at times sad placed in unusual location but the detail and description lead you on along and deserted path. Be interested to see what happens next in the story line .
September 3, 2024
An awesome book!
I can’t believe that they have been killing Burk witches for 200 years. I hope another book comes out with these same characters so I can follow them. The last part has me wanting to know more about the Burk in the book.
I can’t believe that they have been killing Burk witches for 200 years. I hope another book comes out with these same characters so I can follow them. The last part has me wanting to know more about the Burk in the book.
October 28, 2023
Good Read
Love reading this author. The story lines have the ability to hold one’s attention as well as one’s curiosity. Good read.
Love reading this author. The story lines have the ability to hold one’s attention as well as one’s curiosity. Good read.
February 20, 2024
Slow moving plot, there's action but not a lot and it did hold my attention for the duration of the book.
September 7, 2024
Enjoyed book. Read in only couple days. The story gave you closure and ready to begin the next one in series.
April 25, 2024
OMG loved it can't wait till I can get more of the series
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews