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Midlife Mountain Magic
Midlife Mountain Magic
It all started with a cheating husband and accidental magic. Now, she is on a one-way trip to hell.
Beth Potentia yearns for more from her life. After a devastating discovery and an entirely unexpected crime spree, she is busted out of the big house by her father. She’s whisked back to her hometown, trying to wrap her head around how her life has so unexpectedly changed in a heartbeat.
Now, she has her hands full dealing with her eccentric father and the shadowy government agency he seems to head. Their first mission, to prevent a demon horde from busting through and causing worldwide havoc and chaos, might be a disaster of biblical proportions unless she can harness the magic that is her birthright.
Can Beth help her father and her new team go to hell and back before the devil himself makes his final appearance?
Midlife Mountain Magic is the devilishly entertaining first book in a new Paranormal Woman’s Fantasy series. If you like middle-aged characters with accidental magic and more sass than is good for them, a quirky cast of magical sidekicks, and a slow-burn romance, you love Renee Brume’s hellish fantasy.
Beth Potentia yearns for more from her life. After a devastating discovery and an entirely unexpected crime spree, she is busted out of the big house by her father. She’s whisked back to her hometown, trying to wrap her head around how her life has so unexpectedly changed in a heartbeat.
Now, she has her hands full dealing with her eccentric father and the shadowy government agency he seems to head. Their first mission, to prevent a demon horde from busting through and causing worldwide havoc and chaos, might be a disaster of biblical proportions unless she can harness the magic that is her birthright.
Can Beth help her father and her new team go to hell and back before the devil himself makes his final appearance?
Midlife Mountain Magic is the devilishly entertaining first book in a new Paranormal Woman’s Fantasy series. If you like middle-aged characters with accidental magic and more sass than is good for them, a quirky cast of magical sidekicks, and a slow-burn romance, you love Renee Brume’s hellish fantasy.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2023
302 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2023
In your 40’s find out you are a witch. But you have been doing strange things all your life and don’t question it at all. This book had potential but I thought the story was badly written. So many gaps that were not filled in. Would not recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
This is book one of the Midlife Mountain Magic series and the main character is Beth (Elizabeth) Potentia, whose life has become rather humdrum with a husband that doesn’t support her. She has helped his dental practice to succeed over the twenty years of their marriage, and he has repaid her by cheating on her with their latest dental hygienist, Sarah! When she finds out, some unexpected things happen, leaving the practice burning down around her soon to be ex-husband’s ears and she takes his car and wrecks it! She ends up getting arrested and calls her dad, who manages to arrive in just a few hours and sort everything out. She returns with him to her childhood home in the big house on Mt Storm. She is about to get a full on introduction to what her father really does and all about magic, which she has been shielded from her whole life. It turns out her father is a wizard and is top dog in a secret organisation, Potentia Security, that guards the portals between Earth and Hell, trying to ensure demons don’t get a hold in their world! Her father has the ear of the President of the USA, and has teams all over the country, at old mine sites that are known portals, as well as contacts with organisations they work with and share information to, in Russia and China.
She finds out that the unexpected events that occurred in front of her husband were in fact magic and she is very powerful, but untrained in magic. Her parents had sent her away to boarding school in the first grade and she resented never being allowed home for most of her life. What she doesn’t remember, apart from in nightmares, is that she was abducted by demons when she was three and her father and a small team had to go through a portal to recover her. One of the team didn’t make it back! She gets introduced to the team, Lilith their psychic, Beau a dragon shifter, whose father Dallas was lost forty years ago rescuing Beth, Clay, a Lutheran minister, Easton who acts as her dad’s security and his wife Tina who mans the desk, and Garrett Valencia their resident vampire and raven shapeshifter. Garrett has in fact been guarding her for years in his raven form, whilst she was at school! Her dad announces to them in her first meeting with them all, that he is going to retire in a year and that Beth will take over. First she needs to learn to control her wild magic and deal with divorcing her cheating husband. Thankfully, her father has lots of important friends and the charges her ex-husband laid on her were all dropped and he was told to sign his divorce papers without any trouble. Not that he listens to that, especially when his business begins to tank without his well organised and hardworking practice manager to do the books and all the other admin for him! Her daughter Lucy is using her last free summer before going off to college, by walking the Appalachian Trail with a couple of friends, and knows knowing of what her father Sean has done.
Beth is slowly introduced to what goes on upstairs in the family home, a floor she was never allowed up to, topped by another where her father’s actual office is. He has made her a wand in preparation for her coming home, knowing already that she would because of a vision from Lilith. Beth finds herself attracted to Clay , who is divorced and works part time at Potentia Security, as well as managing his parish in town. Having her added to the team seems to have Clay pushed up against her in every car ride and asked to help train her with holy water bombs, although not wasting the holy ones for practice! Those as well as fire, are very effective against the hordes of demons that try to flow through the portal. The team have a set of scanners, somewhat like in airport control towers, showing every known portal around the world. She gets shown how to monitor the scanners and fill out the resulting reports by Lilith. Her first trip to the portal under Mt Storm is an eventful one as hordes of demons and even a named one (a higher level demon), try to get through. It is obvious they are amassing their hordes and planning something big. Lilith already foresaw what would happen and it leads to Beth being temporarily possessed by a demon, which allows her a view into Hell itself, much more clearly than with her own eyes.
Her view gives her a shock, as in the distance she can see the devil himself, but chained to him is another creature, which will bring shockwaves to her father and the rest of the team. It leaves Beth needing one to one attention from Clay, which is no hardship, as well as his holy water and prayers. Her father now has to plan a mission to Hell itself and hope they can get in and out again safely, before the devil himself is aware of their presence! The time in Hell operates completely differently to that on Earth. Five minutes in Hell is equivalent to about six weeks on Earth. Her father has to arrange lots of assistance from other groups before they will be able to run the mission, not least visiting St Peter in limbo, outside the Pearly Gates themselves! Lots going on for the uninformed Beth, but she is certainly getting a crash course in what her father has done all his life and how important their role is in keeping Earth and its inhabitants safe! Added to all this is worry over her daughter’s safety out on the trial, as well as the unwelcome presence of her ex-husband and his new girlfriend Sarah. It’s a small world as she is about to find out and not everything is going to be pleasant going forward. Beth is about to embark on a dangerous new existence, that is top secret and which she can’t even tell her own daughter about, especially after Lucy starts dating one of the team! A great start to a series with some fantastic well-rounded characters, as well as danger, magic, and everything else that goes with them. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and would recommend it to all who love a bit of magic and danger, with a touch of romance. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She finds out that the unexpected events that occurred in front of her husband were in fact magic and she is very powerful, but untrained in magic. Her parents had sent her away to boarding school in the first grade and she resented never being allowed home for most of her life. What she doesn’t remember, apart from in nightmares, is that she was abducted by demons when she was three and her father and a small team had to go through a portal to recover her. One of the team didn’t make it back! She gets introduced to the team, Lilith their psychic, Beau a dragon shifter, whose father Dallas was lost forty years ago rescuing Beth, Clay, a Lutheran minister, Easton who acts as her dad’s security and his wife Tina who mans the desk, and Garrett Valencia their resident vampire and raven shapeshifter. Garrett has in fact been guarding her for years in his raven form, whilst she was at school! Her dad announces to them in her first meeting with them all, that he is going to retire in a year and that Beth will take over. First she needs to learn to control her wild magic and deal with divorcing her cheating husband. Thankfully, her father has lots of important friends and the charges her ex-husband laid on her were all dropped and he was told to sign his divorce papers without any trouble. Not that he listens to that, especially when his business begins to tank without his well organised and hardworking practice manager to do the books and all the other admin for him! Her daughter Lucy is using her last free summer before going off to college, by walking the Appalachian Trail with a couple of friends, and knows knowing of what her father Sean has done.
Beth is slowly introduced to what goes on upstairs in the family home, a floor she was never allowed up to, topped by another where her father’s actual office is. He has made her a wand in preparation for her coming home, knowing already that she would because of a vision from Lilith. Beth finds herself attracted to Clay , who is divorced and works part time at Potentia Security, as well as managing his parish in town. Having her added to the team seems to have Clay pushed up against her in every car ride and asked to help train her with holy water bombs, although not wasting the holy ones for practice! Those as well as fire, are very effective against the hordes of demons that try to flow through the portal. The team have a set of scanners, somewhat like in airport control towers, showing every known portal around the world. She gets shown how to monitor the scanners and fill out the resulting reports by Lilith. Her first trip to the portal under Mt Storm is an eventful one as hordes of demons and even a named one (a higher level demon), try to get through. It is obvious they are amassing their hordes and planning something big. Lilith already foresaw what would happen and it leads to Beth being temporarily possessed by a demon, which allows her a view into Hell itself, much more clearly than with her own eyes.
Her view gives her a shock, as in the distance she can see the devil himself, but chained to him is another creature, which will bring shockwaves to her father and the rest of the team. It leaves Beth needing one to one attention from Clay, which is no hardship, as well as his holy water and prayers. Her father now has to plan a mission to Hell itself and hope they can get in and out again safely, before the devil himself is aware of their presence! The time in Hell operates completely differently to that on Earth. Five minutes in Hell is equivalent to about six weeks on Earth. Her father has to arrange lots of assistance from other groups before they will be able to run the mission, not least visiting St Peter in limbo, outside the Pearly Gates themselves! Lots going on for the uninformed Beth, but she is certainly getting a crash course in what her father has done all his life and how important their role is in keeping Earth and its inhabitants safe! Added to all this is worry over her daughter’s safety out on the trial, as well as the unwelcome presence of her ex-husband and his new girlfriend Sarah. It’s a small world as she is about to find out and not everything is going to be pleasant going forward. Beth is about to embark on a dangerous new existence, that is top secret and which she can’t even tell her own daughter about, especially after Lucy starts dating one of the team! A great start to a series with some fantastic well-rounded characters, as well as danger, magic, and everything else that goes with them. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and would recommend it to all who love a bit of magic and danger, with a touch of romance. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
September 18, 2023
This is the story of a woman who has always had magic in her but didn’t know until she was middle-aged. She catches her husband cheating on her, nearly burns his office down, then crashes his car. She goes home to her parents and finds out the truth about herself and her family.
I like the cover very much. It’s eye-catching, colourful, and intriguing. I also liked the premise of this story. It’s filled with witches, a psychic, a vampire, and much more, but it’s not your average magical story. Although, I did find it odd that she didn’t know she was a powerful witch until she was in her forties. If she’s as powerful as everyone tells her, I would have thought she would have figured it out much sooner.
The story moves along at a good pace, giving us good background on most of the characters. I liked the main character, Beth, and found the way she reacted to everything suddenly thrown at her to be believable. As much as I love the romantic relationship building between her and Clay, I felt it happened too quickly. She’s supposed to be reeling from catching her husband banging the dental hygienist, and dealing with a nasty divorce, but she falls in love with a new guy almost as soon as she meets him. I felt there should have been more build-up to that.
I only gave this a 4-star rating as I was disappointed with a couple of things. First, although the plot line was well done, there wasn’t enough magical conflict. There was only one battle, early on, where I feel there should have been more in a story like this, and that one battle kind of fizzled almost as soon as it started. The summary for this book said, “Now, she is on a one-way trip to hell”, but there was no trip to hell. The one small battle had a glimpse into hell, and they visited Limbo later for 5 minutes, but that was it.
The other thing I was disappointed with was the ending. It just ended. Like the author hit a brick wall and didn’t know what else to do. That, and the lack of any additional/major conflict, left it very anti-climactic.
I am intrigued by the story and would be interested in the next book, but I hope the plot has more action, magical battles, and a proper ending.
I like the cover very much. It’s eye-catching, colourful, and intriguing. I also liked the premise of this story. It’s filled with witches, a psychic, a vampire, and much more, but it’s not your average magical story. Although, I did find it odd that she didn’t know she was a powerful witch until she was in her forties. If she’s as powerful as everyone tells her, I would have thought she would have figured it out much sooner.
The story moves along at a good pace, giving us good background on most of the characters. I liked the main character, Beth, and found the way she reacted to everything suddenly thrown at her to be believable. As much as I love the romantic relationship building between her and Clay, I felt it happened too quickly. She’s supposed to be reeling from catching her husband banging the dental hygienist, and dealing with a nasty divorce, but she falls in love with a new guy almost as soon as she meets him. I felt there should have been more build-up to that.
I only gave this a 4-star rating as I was disappointed with a couple of things. First, although the plot line was well done, there wasn’t enough magical conflict. There was only one battle, early on, where I feel there should have been more in a story like this, and that one battle kind of fizzled almost as soon as it started. The summary for this book said, “Now, she is on a one-way trip to hell”, but there was no trip to hell. The one small battle had a glimpse into hell, and they visited Limbo later for 5 minutes, but that was it.
The other thing I was disappointed with was the ending. It just ended. Like the author hit a brick wall and didn’t know what else to do. That, and the lack of any additional/major conflict, left it very anti-climactic.
I am intrigued by the story and would be interested in the next book, but I hope the plot has more action, magical battles, and a proper ending.
February 2, 2023
This story was something a little bit different— A middle aged protagonist whose life just fell apart, is just discovering she has magical talents.
What I loved: a middle aged MC. That was really refreshing. The cast of side characters and their unique talents were interesting, especially Garret. The writing was engaging .
What I wasn’t sure about: I was a little confused with parts of the plot. Having never been let in on the family secret, Beth is suddenly being primed to take over her dads position in what is some sort of national demonic defence, and its never explained why that should be a good idea. she jas no training, no knowlesge of what they are dealing with, and no real clue how to use her magic, yet shes on missions ro protect the earth and I don’t understand why.
The love interest. I felt the love aspect was way too rushed, and although the author tried to build tension, repeatedly telling the reader about the tension sort of spoilt it. Finding out who his ex partner was made for an enjoyable twist though. The ending. This book sort of just ends without getting to the conclusion. It isn’t a cliffhanger, it just isn’t an ending. I understand the author is setting up for the next in series, but I feel like I’ve only read two thirds of a book and it was whipped away from me before I got to finish, so that was disappointing.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I was expecting a different kind of book. The blurb tells us the MC is on a one way mission to hell, so I was expecting big excitement with life or death stakes. but what this book is really about isn’t battling demons or saving the world. The stakes are fairly low and the excitement is a little lacking. Its mostly about a middle aged woman finding herself after years of being downtrodden and taken for granted by her awful ex husband, which I kind of liked. it gave the book an interesting and unique feel, even if it’s not what I thought I had chosen to read.
What I loved: a middle aged MC. That was really refreshing. The cast of side characters and their unique talents were interesting, especially Garret. The writing was engaging .
What I wasn’t sure about: I was a little confused with parts of the plot. Having never been let in on the family secret, Beth is suddenly being primed to take over her dads position in what is some sort of national demonic defence, and its never explained why that should be a good idea. she jas no training, no knowlesge of what they are dealing with, and no real clue how to use her magic, yet shes on missions ro protect the earth and I don’t understand why.
The love interest. I felt the love aspect was way too rushed, and although the author tried to build tension, repeatedly telling the reader about the tension sort of spoilt it. Finding out who his ex partner was made for an enjoyable twist though. The ending. This book sort of just ends without getting to the conclusion. It isn’t a cliffhanger, it just isn’t an ending. I understand the author is setting up for the next in series, but I feel like I’ve only read two thirds of a book and it was whipped away from me before I got to finish, so that was disappointing.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I was expecting a different kind of book. The blurb tells us the MC is on a one way mission to hell, so I was expecting big excitement with life or death stakes. but what this book is really about isn’t battling demons or saving the world. The stakes are fairly low and the excitement is a little lacking. Its mostly about a middle aged woman finding herself after years of being downtrodden and taken for granted by her awful ex husband, which I kind of liked. it gave the book an interesting and unique feel, even if it’s not what I thought I had chosen to read.
February 13, 2023
A cute, small town midlife witchy paranormal mystery with a lot of promise. A few things let it down for me. It's a lot closer in tone to a cozy mystery (like WHO polices their 18 year old daughter's CONTRACEPTIVE choices? This really set my alarm bells ringing!) than a paramormal, but has a lot of urban fantasy/paranormal elements in terms of the big baddies and the worldbuilding. The ending is also quite flat. I won't spoil it, but it's not what I was expecting .
The book sits at an intersection between cosy witch and kick-ass paranormal adventure with a forty-something heroine. I cannot view someone who's 43 as midlife, sorry.
I enjoyed the story overall, but if it's a paranormal adventure, give me more swearing & baddass and less conservative cozy for those two extra stars.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book sits at an intersection between cosy witch and kick-ass paranormal adventure with a forty-something heroine. I cannot view someone who's 43 as midlife, sorry.
I enjoyed the story overall, but if it's a paranormal adventure, give me more swearing & baddass and less conservative cozy for those two extra stars.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 2, 2023
Although I enjoyed the book, there could have been changes that would have brought the star count up. Our MC is 40+ and just finds out she's a witch but has been doing bits of magic since teens and never questioned it? Her daughter is 18 but she has to counsel her on contraceptives once she becomes involved with a team member (never mind she's been getting cozy with a member of her hiking party). Her dad is going to turn the agency over to her even though magic has been hidden from her for her entire life and she has no idea what she's doing (but is expected to learn it real quick).
The characters were well done and relatable. Ex Sean is a prick and easy to dislike (especially since he admits he's been cheating on her for 18 years because...she let herself go after having a child and taking care of his business. Sarah is just a bitch. Beth is a bit more complicated but it still works.
The characters were well done and relatable. Ex Sean is a prick and easy to dislike (especially since he admits he's been cheating on her for 18 years because...she let herself go after having a child and taking care of his business. Sarah is just a bitch. Beth is a bit more complicated but it still works.
July 3, 2023
Ah Beth. She's the main character in this, the first installment of a series I cannot wait to finish. This book has it all: love, danger, heaven, hell, dragons, witches, a cheating spouse, a few surprise twists, adventure, humor...you name it, it's in here.
I loved it and found it hard to put down. I wanted to (sort of) be Beth (except when she has to go into the portal...you'll have to read it to find out what that's all about.)
I loved it and found it hard to put down. I wanted to (sort of) be Beth (except when she has to go into the portal...you'll have to read it to find out what that's all about.)
January 24, 2023
When I read paranormal books I tend to stick to ghosts or psychics. I was afraid I wasn't going to like this one because it's not my usual. I ended up really liking the characters and the storyline. Now I have to read the next one in the series because I'm invested. I received this as an arc from Hidden Gems for an independent review.
February 1, 2023
Beth is a middle aged woman whose dentist spouse is cheating on her. After an “accident” with Sean’s BMW she finds herself working with her Dad, having magical abilities she never knew about, and her life is changing for the better. Well written with many humorous scenes. Looking forward to the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2023
This book is great. This Paranormal Women's Fiction has different twists that you don't see coming. I like the new take on witches vs demons. Plus Beth doesn't let a divorce get her down and I'm very glad it's not a case of the woman getting the short end of the stick. I look forward to the second book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 5, 2024
It's going to be big!
So, this book isn't bad. The characters are good, some what interesting.
The problem, throughout the book it is building to a big finish. You want to keep reading to see the big battle. Only it's not in this book. It may be in the next book, but I will never know. I will not be reading it.
If you like being left twisting in the wind, then enjoy.
So, this book isn't bad. The characters are good, some what interesting.
The problem, throughout the book it is building to a big finish. You want to keep reading to see the big battle. Only it's not in this book. It may be in the next book, but I will never know. I will not be reading it.
If you like being left twisting in the wind, then enjoy.
January 28, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It draws you in and keeps your interest. Catching her husband cheating leads Beth to discovering what her father does for work and a new career. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
February 2, 2023
This is an entertaining and engaging PNR storyline where our heroine is middle-aged and discovers she has powers. Indeed a fresh start in life with magic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2023
This was a great start to a new series. The character work and story line were well written and kept me entertained from start to finish. I look forward to seeing what Renee Brume has in store for us next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2023
This well written and plotted. The characters were likeable. However, it was a fairly predictable women's paranormal midlife novel following the "middle aged woman done wrong by her man, discovers magical ability and finds new man."
I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
September 27, 2023
This is going to be another one of my favorite Midlife Paranormal Women's Fiction Series. I like how Beth Potentia finds out about her birth right while getting a divorce from her husband, moving back home to fight demons for the government, and finding a new love with a twist.
February 9, 2024
This book is incredibly good and well written. I have never read anything from these offers that I will be reading their work in the future. I love the fact that it’s a midlife book and that there are so many interesting characters and situations going on in this first book.
February 1, 2023
A new spin
This was certainly a different spin on the supernatural world. Intriguing and entertaining. It'll be interesting to see where it continues to go.
This was certainly a different spin on the supernatural world. Intriguing and entertaining. It'll be interesting to see where it continues to go.
June 10, 2024
Loved it!
I couldn't hardly put this down once I started. I liked the characters from the first page. The story flowed and was easy to read.
I couldn't hardly put this down once I started. I liked the characters from the first page. The story flowed and was easy to read.
August 23, 2024
Seemed a little disjointed. Not sure I will be reading the rest of the series.
December 15, 2023
I wanted this book to be fun. I really like paranormal cozy mysteries when the main character is older. This one has all of the correct elements but it lacks something. I can't put my finger on it to say what it is. Another thing is that the ending isn't really an ending....its a very big cliffhanger so the reader has to buy the next book to find out what happens. I don't think I'm going to waste my reading time by reading any more of this series.
I do not recommend this book!
I do not recommend this book!
January 27, 2023
Loved the book and will be reading the rest of them in the future! It does still need some editing unfortunately. But I absolutely loved reading and seeing beth come to life in her 40's and be able to kick but learn new things and love again. Idk why but I'm not a fan of clay though. I can't stand sarah and loath Sean. I'm hoping to see more of Lucy in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 24, 2023Renee Brume is my new pen name for Paranormal Women's Fantasy. The book is now available! Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMZBQHLT
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews