Hexes and Bones

Magic and Mayhem #2

by Alesha Escobar

A magical mob boss has offered me a job I can’t refuse.

He’s tasked me with finding his missing nephew, taken by a hexwielder wizard. These magic-users sling curses and fight dirty—and I avoid battling them at all costs. Besides, I’ve got my own problems to deal with, like figuring out why I’m able to speak with the dead. Since I’d rather not be counted among them, I’d better finish this job and pay my debt to the crime lord.

I’m trying to redeem myself, and I’m scared I’ll screw it up.

My new friends see something in me, the type of person I want to be but was never allowed to become. Despite the danger I find myself in, I promise to keep them safe and storm the gates of Hell for them if needed. I just hope I don’t slip into my old habits along the way.

Danger is on the horizon…

Whether it’s the secret government agency breathing down my neck or a coven of rogue wizards bent on revenge, I’ve got my work cut out for me. But something tells me that an even darker force is pulling the strings, and with my friends at my side, we just might stand a chance against it.

HEXES AND BONES is the second book of the Magic and Mayhem Series, an action-packed urban fantasy with a snarky, cynical wizard hero, wayward magic, and a tight circle of friends who’ll kick ass first and ask questions later. Fans of the Dresden Files will especially enjoy this series.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2022

About the author

Alesha Escobar writes action-packed paranormal fantasy with a dash of humor and romance mixed in. She’s the author of the bestselling Gray Tower Trilogy, a WW2 paranormal fantasy often described as “Agent Carter meets Hellboy.”

She is also the author of the Magic and Mayhem series, featuring Jack Crowley, a black sheep among wizards who’s called upon by a secret government organization to catch a supernatural thief who’s stolen three Names of God.

Her co-authored books include the Aria Knight Chronicles with USA Today bestselling author Samantha Goodno and the Immortal Brotherhood series with award-winning author H.M. Jones.

When she's not delving into fantastic worlds with her characters, Alesha enjoys coffee and chocolate, and spending time with her six children and her husband Luis, a storyboard artist for The Simpsons TV show.

To stay in touch and grab a free fantasy book to start reading, go to http://bit.ly/FMMReads

Alesha is also on Facebook @AuthorAleshaEscobar, so she would love to connect with you there as well!

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack, also known as the Wayward Wizard is up to his eyeballs in trouble once again. The DMA and the Cloaked Council and many others are after his friend the automaton known as Lucas, and he is doing his utmost to keep him out of everyone's clutches, as Lucas loves his freedom and his friends. He is roped into helping Alanna open up her memories, which have been locked, of the day her father was killed, as she had been present, but could remember nothing and her father had been declared a traitor. She wanted to get to the bottom of the crime which she was sure was not suicide and clear his name, but unlocking her memories was highly dangerous unless supported by a good wizard. Furthermore the magical mob boss, Mishka Tarasov called in a debt Jack had with him, and he definitely could not refuse this powerful and highly dangerous man. He was enlisted together with Baltazar and his faerie companion Olette, to find and bring back safely Mishka's kidnapped nephew. Now Nicolai had been kidnapped by a hexwielder and these were not the nicest or safest magical people to confront, but they went after the woman called Hunter. Jack had also swallowed the names of 2 Gods and was now facing a new unwanted power, that of spirit magic, he was now seeing spirits wherever he turned and many wanted his help. What other power would he unleash? However in all his troubles Jack was never alone, his dear friends Lucas, Sal, Alanna and of course his adoptive mother Willy were behind him and this encouraged him to keep doing the right thing. He hoped that maybe one day he would redeem his name and not be considered the black sheep any longer among wizards. This book is full to the brim with danger and adventures into the magical world of wizards, faeries and spirits, betrayals and not knowing who one can really trust except for one's loyal friends. I am dying to see how things will unfold for both Lucas and his inventor Kenneth Cherish, and Alanna and her inherited blade who so many wanted to get their hands on! Can Jack continue to protect all his friends?

[M'lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hexes and Bones is the next installment of Alesha Escobar's Magic and Mayhem series and just like the first book, we find Jack embroiled in both situations of his own doing and trouble that just seems to seek him out. 


Unlike the first, however, Hexes and Bones is made up of several smaller plots instead of one main one. There is the ongoing search for Lucas's creator, for the sword Witchbane, for the truth about Alanna's father's death, for Mishka's nephew, and for more info on the occultists. This means that there is a lot going on and some searches get more page time than others. In the end some mini-plots get resolved and others hopefully will be continued in the next book. 

The best part of this book though, has to be the main characters' development. You start to feel like you are beginning to understand why they act and interact the way they do, especially Lucas, who I like think is my favorite of the bunch. I am looking forward to getting to know these personalities even more.

Thank you Ms. Escobar, for allowing me the chance to enjoy more of your story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is back in book two of the Magic & Mayhem series. This book picks up where book one left off and it is a good addition to the series. Jack and his friends go through a lot in this book and at times it seemed like there was too much going on. Overall this was a great read from the action, danger, and magic to the interesting characters and unexpected twists. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Richard Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hexes and Bones continues the adventures of Jack Crowley and friends in their semi-hidden world of magic. It's a good sequel, picking up right where The Wayward Wizard left off, complete with consequences of actions taken in that book.
This is a fairly quick read, which for me means I found it interesting enough to have a hard time putting it down. I think anyone who enjoyed The Wayward Wizard or the author's Gray Tower trilogy will find this is similarly enjoyable.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing follow up to the first book. It has quite a bit more going on as there are a few things going on in this second book. Jack is a great MC and him working on Alana's problem along with everything else he had to contend with, made for a Good Read. I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Magic and Mayhem series, and it builds wonderfully on what the first book started. Our Wayward Wizard returns with his friends from the first book, as well as new (and in one case, surprising) friends this time around. The story is engrossing and kept me turning pages all the way to the end. Without giving anything away, we learn more of Jack, Lucas, and Alanna's histories, as well as seeing more of their world and its intrigues. Along the way, we get to see Jack adapting to the events of book 1, and the effect it has on his psyche. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you'll love this one. Highly recommended!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rick Boisclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought the first book on a whim but will buy all others out of need!

Ms. Escobar has created a noir magic world in LA that Raymond Chandler would envy. The world is one of magic and crime and things that go boom in the night. Jack Crowley is a name wizard who is thrust into the role of PI with a partner he doesn’t trust and a boss he cannot stand. Just another day for Jack. His friends include a h7man agent, an automaton and a bartender always ready with a rum and coke. His family is the only mother he has ever known who always wants what is best for him. He has to find a kidnap victim, help his friend find her memory and look for the automatons creator. All in a days work. I am hooked.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two and Jack is back! With a crime lord giving the orders Jack and his friends have their work cut out for them if they want to save his nephew. Trouble is bound a plenty and seems to follow Jack wherever he may go and he is lucky to have such a fantastic group of friends around to help him. Action packed, this well paced adventure pulls you into its engrossing and exciting storyline and you don’t ever want to leave. The characters continue to grow and I love that we are getting to find more out about them as the story goes on. Danger, drama, magic and so much more, if you liked book one then you will love book two!

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack, Alanna and Lucas are back and for me there was something missing that kept me at a distance a lot of the time. I did go back reread part of the first book to see if I could figure out what was missing. This one seemed more informational and not as cohesive in many areas.

Don’t get me wrong there were many areas that did tug at my heart strings plus meeting some new interesting characters kept me somewhat connected, but still wasn’t as immersed in the story as I would have liked.

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

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was what I was expecting from Magic and Mayhem series, it had what I was looking for in this type of book and from this series. I was really glad I was able to get back to this universe. I look forward to reading more from the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sn8wflake · Rating 3 out of 5]

urban

There were so many story lines to follow. At least one storyline was intentionally for the next book which annoyed me.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! That was full of excitement. A LOT of danger too. Very good story. I like how easy it is to read and not get lost in other things. I enjoyed it very much.

[Neale Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book in the trilogy the group of friends are always in some sort of trouble. I am looking forward to the next book.