Review: The Magical Library (Charmed Love Book 4) by Aimee O’Brian

In the small town of Hazard, the past never stays buried—and love may be the most powerful magic of all.

Whitney Hopewell, Hazard’s newly elected mayor and former librarian, is determined to protect the town she loves. When a smooth Boston developer offers a sleek solution to Hazard’s affordable housing crisis, she’s cautiously hopeful. Derrick Cross is charming, intelligent, and undeniably intriguing. Convincing the local innkeeper to rent him a room feels practical. Helping him with his historical research feels personal.

But Derrick hasn’t come to Hazard to help. He’s returned to settle a centuries-old score. His family’s downfall is tied to the town’s founding, and transforming Hazard’s quaint charm into soulless urban sprawl is his long-planned revenge. Falling for the woman fighting to save it threatens everything.

As Whitney and Derrick grow closer, sensing a deep connection neither can explain, secrets surface. A hidden tunnel, a looming hurricane, and a magical heritage quilt that reveals dreams of true love force them to confront history, heartbreak, and desire. 

 

My Review:

Entertaining with a touch of magic. 

When Hazard Mayor, Whitney Hopewell sleeps under a special quilt, that is said to predict soulmates, she dreams of a boy she met as a child.  But who is this boy?  Could he be the stranger who has just come to town?  Derrick Cross has arrived in Hazard and he comes with a hidden agenda.  But Hazard is a special town and things don’t always work out as planned.  It has a way of bringing people together.  This book is full of surprises and so much fun to read. It’s a wonderful addition to the series. 

 

Review: The Witch and the Gatekeeper (Daughters of the Witches of Time, Book 1) by Leigh Ann Edwards

Ancient Celtic magic, forbidden longing, and destiny bind a healer and a guardian in ways neither can deny…

Eilis O’Brien has always found purpose as her village’s healer, a calling that helps quiet her secret love for Cian Rafferty—the low-born guard she can never hope to marry. But when she’s threatened, her overprotective father, the chieftain, forbids her to work. Retreating to a forgotten wing of their castle, Eilis discovers a hidden chamber and magical mirror, linking her across time to three young witches, descendants from the legendary Witches of Time. Together with the witches, Eilis must awaken her magic to fight the dark forces hunting her.

Cian Rafferty has fought his whole life the cursed burden of gatekeeper. His birthright destroyed his family, but under Chieftain O’Brien’s guidance, he finally has stability and a future—even though it cannot include Eilis, despite their deep love.

But when a demon captures Eilis and drags her into the realm that claimed his mother, Cian embraces the destiny he fought to save her. Together they challenge an ancient evil with only their love to protect them.

 

My Review: 

A magical love story. 

I was drawn to the book right from the start and struggled putting it down.  It is full of passion, romance, magic and family matters.  But most of all, it is filled with love, a secret love between a healer, Eilis O’Brien and guard/gatekeeper Cian Rafferty.  This is an amazing book and the perfect start to a new series.

 

 

 

Review: The Love Feud (Love is in the Air, Book 3) by Janine Amesta

It’s all part of the marketing game—fake hate—unless she falls for her ex again….

Hailey Moreno has many regrets about letting her family down since her father’s death. But breaking up with her secret boyfriend years ago after his father underhandedly tried to buy her family’s hot-air balloon business, isn’t one. The Selene family is her enemy until she’s charged with creating a Central Oregon hot-air balloon festival. Now she needs her ex’s cooperation and perhaps more.

Ryland Selene always had it bad for Hailey. She’s the one who got away. When she reaches out with an opportunity, Ryland knows he should be cautious but he jumps in, determined to win a second chance with Hailey.

When Ryland proposes planning the festival together, Hailey’s reluctant. Then she hits on what sounds like a fun scheme. Create a fake family feud for social media buzz. Too bad Ryland can’t follow a script…and neither can her heart. But all the pretend drama allows them to be vulnerable and connect in a way they didn’t before. Can faux hate turn to real love?

 

My Review:

A fun secret love story. 

A fake hate scheme and a secret relationship make this an unforgettably fun book and the perfect way to end the Love is in the Air series.  I couldn’t wait to see how exes, from rival hot air balloon companies, Hailey Moreno and Ryland Selene, pull off their feud on social media to get publicity for the festival they are working on together.  

But there is more to this story, once they get working together, they renew their relationship.  Now they have to keep it a secret from everyone, including their families.  This book was so much fun to read, I just couldn’t get enough of it.