Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
Series: Magic #1
Published by Indie
Published on: January 20, 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 102
Format: eBook
Source: Freebie
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Billy Blade is a hardworking, hard living, razor sharp musical force. Mysterious behind his dark shades, the rough around the edges Texan mesmerizes with his haunting harmonica and tantalizes with his dangerous looks and smooth country charm. His latest album is topping the charts. He’s the newly crowned King of the Bacchus Krewe. He’s definitely living the rock star dream.
Exotic Creole beauty Thyme Bellerose couldn’t be more content. She has it all. An adoring grandmother. A handsome Tulane medical student beau. A satisfying job in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Her life is as rich as the ice cream she creates. She’s got everything under control.
But control is an illusion. Dreams can turn into nightmares. And now during Mardi Gras, otherworldly powers stand ready to shape their destinies in ways they could never imagine.
Shadow and light. Magic and mystery. Reality and myth. All come together in a place where rules bend and lines blur. Even those between life and death.
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I first read about this novella on a blog and pretty much immediately bought it. And then once started, I couldn’t put it down. Set a supernatural book in New Orleans, and I am a happy reader, and this one is steeped in all things New Orleans.
Thyme is a beautiful young woman that works in her grandmother’s ice cream shop. She has a serious boyfriend and a good life. But someone is wanting her to sell the ice cream shop because it sits on prime real estate. Leon is a very strange man, and used to getting what he wants. When he realizes that there is something different about Thyme, it doesn’t bode well for her, to say the least.
Thyme is the kind of character that was almost a total innocent. The people in her life love her mostly, and she is just a good person. She adores her boyfriend, Shane, and he adores her right back. She completely embraces her life in New Orleans. Shane is rich, and a medical student. He has a mother that doesn’t approve of Thyme due to the side of town she lives in, and her bi-racial heritage. I loved that he didn’t care what his mother thought.
The prologue of this novella, is all about Billy a superstar country/pop singer on tour with his band. He has his own supernatural ability. When the prologue was over and the novella actually began, it jumped to Thyme’s story, and left Billy behind.
The Thyme part of the story starts pretty normally until Leon comes into the picture. You realize that he is very evil, and actually gradually realize that there is something supernatural going on. Of course since it is in New Orleans, that’s pretty much a given.
I ended up really loving this story until the end, when I read the massive cliffhanger. That’s probably the fastest I have ever bought a follow up book. I had to know what was happening. I highly recommend this novella, and as of my writing this, it is free, so moving on to the next book doesn’t hurt the pocketbook quite as bad. Keep in mind, there is quite a bit of violence, horrific at times, so it is an adult read for that reason.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I also love New Orleans, but your warning about horrific violence, makes me hesitate. I will await your review of the first full lenght book.
Aurian recently posted…Julie Kenner – Silent Confessions – Read for #LLC2015
The violence is just in the last part, I loved the story enough that by the time the violence got there, while it bothered me, I was really invested in the story. I have read the second one and loved it as well. Review will be coming shortly 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
Free AND paranormal AND set in New Orleans? *orders from Amazon* I might save this for my flight to New Orleans this summer. I love loading my Kindle with novellas and short stories for when I travel. Thank you so much for putting this one on my book radar! 🙂
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Fierce: Sixteen Authors of Fantasy with Mercedes Lackey $100 Giveaway
You’re welcome! I can’t wait to hear how fast you order part 2 🙂 And New Orleans in the summer? I did that in July once and I have never felt heat and humidity like that in my life.I hope you have a great time though!
I know! I’m not looking forward to the heat and humidity, but I am looking forward to the book conventions. I have Author Reader Con in New Orleans July 29-August 2nd and Speculative Fiction Con in Orlando September 25-27th. Holy heat and humidity, Batman!
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Fierce: Sixteen Authors of Fantasy with Mercedes Lackey $100 Giveaway
That’s a pretty good reason to go!Maybe there will be a cold snap..I know I am dreaming 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
Yay!! I’m so glad I could tempt you into reading Strange Magic, Lorna. And that you loved it! 🙂 Have you read part 2 yet? I can’t wait to see what you think of it. I believe Mankin will be using those characters and NOLA in future books as well. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…My TBR List ~ March ~ What Should I Read Next?
I could not remember who I needed to thank for this-so thanks for recommending it! I have read part 2, and I am in the middle of the review for it. I loved it! Did you recommend The Problem with Crazy to me? I can’t remember things, sorry! Anyway I loved that one as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
You are so bad for my one click addiction..snickers..it was free so heck why not..lol. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…COYER| It’s a Wrap
That’s what I thought too and I was super glad I bought it!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
At first I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to read this book or not, but I’ve read some good reviews about it and for free I can’t resist giving this series a try. Great review!
Lola recently posted…My To-Be Read List #7: poll
If you love paranormal romance with a side of mythology you might really like this one. And thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
For some reason the gothic mystic setting of New Orleans is almost impossible for me to resist. I really think I would like this as much as you did Lorna, wonderful review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review and Giveaway: A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson
Thank you! I think you will enjoy it too 🙂 And you are right NO is just the best place to write a supernatural story about.
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
I haven’t read many supernatural books set in New Orleans, only 1 Night Huntress book and I really enjoyed it! Sounds like this one did the setting justice. Great review Lorna!
Jeann recently posted…Chatterbox: How do you cope with a slow book? [POLL]
Thank you! There really is lots of books out there that are set in New Orleans and are supernatural.Just perfect for that sort of thing-I think 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
Gosh I still need to read Part 2! I should get off the internet & start reading! Love this though. The ending was ugh! Strike through the heart!
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Liked It: Eterna Files by Leanna Renee Hieber
Yes, that’s why I started book 2 pretty much as soon as I finished this one. I loved both of them 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
I do like a good freebie 🙂
blodeuedd recently posted…Carole’s Sunday Review: One of the money – Janet Evanovich
Me too!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin
Arg, massive cliffies. But at least you loved the story
Yes, but since the second one was available already it wasn’t so bad 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
Oooh… this really sounds incredible! Love it when a novella can suck you in so quickly and you need to read more. I am curious about Leon *wink*
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Naomi recently posted…Teaser Tuesday #134 – Six Brothers by Lili St. Germain
Oh, Leon is a piece of work and only gets worse-a true villain. Loved the second part as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Strange Magic Part 1 by Michelle Mankin