Courage of the Witch by Deanna Chase

Happy Book Release Day!  The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner, Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins, Hetty's Secret War by Rosie Clarke (I will feature on March 22) and One Potato, Two Potato, Dead by Lynn Cahoon are a few of the new books out today.

Courage of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the fifth tale in Witches of Keating Hollow series.  Hanna Pelsh is part owner in the Incantation Café with her mother.  She bakes up tasty treats while her mother, Mary manages the café.  Hanna has been missing her friend, Rhys Silver since he pulled away over a year ago.  They had been friends for a long time, and Rhys helped her deal with the loss of sister, Charlotte to a rare autoimmune disease.  Just when they were starting to get become more than friends, Rhys suddenly pulled back.  Rhys works at Townsend Brewery where he has been working on a new line of ciders.  He keeps active, but Rhys misses Hanna.  After what he learned about a year ago, Rhys does not feel it would be fair to Hanna to become more than friends.  Mary Pelsh and Barb Garber decide to set up their children.  Hanna is introduced to Chad Garber a pianist who has just moved to town and he immediately invites her out to eat.  Rhys sees the pair together and the green eyed monster rears its ugly head.  It is time for Rhys to make a choice regarding Hanna.  Tell Hanna what he learned that caused him to withdraw from their relationship or let her go forever.

 

Courage of the Witch is part of the Witches of Keating Hollow series and I believe it is better if you read the books in order (they build upon each other).  Courage of the Witch is well-written (as are all of Deanna Chase’s stories) with steady pacing. Deanna Chase has an engaging writing style that draws the reader into the story.  Hanna is a vibrant woman who loves to bake, spend time with her friends, and yearns for someone special in her life.  She thought Rhys was that person until he told her that they should just be friends.  Hanna began falling in love with Rhys when he took her to a dance in high school when her date stood her up.  He made it a very special night.  Rhys Silver is charming, kind and loyal.  He is in love in with Hanna and does not want to see her hurt.  Misunderstanding and miscommunication always lead to trouble.  Hanna and Rhys have a difficult path ahead of them, but the result is worth it.  As it says in the book “love is messy”.  There is laughter, heartbreak, love, drama and tears in this steamy paranormal romance.  I like the magical elements included in the story.  I just wish there was more of them.  I do want to let readers know that the story does contain foul language.  Courage of the Witch is an emotional, heartwarming romantic story that is a must read for fans of Deanna Chase.

You can find the complete list of the Witches of Keating Hollow books here.  Dragons of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase will be out on April 16.  It is the ninth book in The Jade Calhoun Series.  I appreciate you reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with my thoughts on another book that I have recently read.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Soul of the Witch: Witches of Keating Hollow

Greetings!  Deanna Chase is the author of The Jade Calhoun Series, Pyper Raine series, Witches of Keating Hollow series, Last Witch Standing series, Crescent City Fae series, and Witch Island Brides series.  Readers can follow her on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and Bookbub.  You can join her readers group--The Coven--on Facebook where you can chat about her books.  

Soul of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the first installment in the Witches of Keating Hollow series.  Abigail “Abby” Townsend is returning home to Keating Hollow after receiving news that her father, Lincoln has cancer.  It has been ten years since Abby left after the death of her best friend, Charlotte.  Abby has felt guilty since that day and has not created a potion since then.  Abby arrives in town and is surprised when she sees Clay Garrison outside Townsend’s Keating Hollow Brewery which is owned by her father.  She wishes to avoid him since Abby does not look her best but ends up in an accident which brings him over immediately (of course).  The attraction between Clay and Abigail is palpable. Abby knows a relationship is not possible since she has no intention of staying in Keating Hollow.  Clay has just gotten out of a bad marriage and has his eight-year-old daughter, Olive to consider.  Lincoln is ill from the chemotherapy and none of the potions they have obtained are helping.  Abby wants to alleviate his symptoms, but her magic is blocked.  What will it take for Abby to have full use of her powers again?  Clay has the fight of his life before him.  His ex-wife has decided to seek custody of Olive, and Clay will need his wits about him if he to win this battle to keep Olive safe.  Can Abby overcome the past, so she can have a bright future?  Come along to Keating Hollow to find out what happens with Clay, Abby and Olive in this magical tale.

Soul of the Witch is the story of witches, family, friendship, magic, guilt, tragedy, lost love, forgiveness and so much more.  The Townsend family has four girls:  Faith, Noel, Yvette and Abby who were raised by their father, Lincoln.  Soul of the Witch focuses on Abby.  The point-of-view alternates between Abby and Clay.  I like that we get to see things from each character’s perspective.  Soul of the Witch is well written and has a steady pace.  The story contains great characters with my favorites being Daisy and Olive.  Val is the villain of the story and she adds drama (one of those characters that you love to dislike).  It allows readers to see what Clay will do to protect his daughter (we get to see his core beliefs).  Abby is a complex character.  She has been living in New Orleans where she earns a living creating soaps and lotions infused with a touch of magic as well as selling her art.  Abby has a boyfriend who has become focused on himself (his career and how Abby can help him succeed).  She needs to understand what exactly happened ten years ago which means talking to Charlotte’s mother.  To move forward with her life, Abby needs to forgive herself.  Keating Hollow is a small town where everyone knows your business.  The descriptions of the delectable delights available at A Spoon Full of Magic will have your mouth watering and wishing you could transport yourself into the story.  For those of you that enjoy alcoholic beverages, there are some creative brews available at Townsend’s Keating Hollow Brewery (I am amazed at the various flavors).  My only negative comment is there is some predictability.  Soul of the Witch is a charming paranormal romance novel.  My rating for Soul of the Witch is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  There is a scene near the end that will just melt your heart (one of those “ahhhh” moments).  It is a heartwarming, magical story that will delight fans of Denna Chase (click her name to discover the authors other novels).  Heart of the Witch is the next book in Witches of Keating Hollow series.

Thank you for joining me today.  I will be featuring The Marmalade Murders by Elizabeth J. Duncan on Thursday.  It is the latest novel in The Penny Brannigan Mystery series.  I hope you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader