Customer Reviews

Barely Bewitched (A Southern Witch Novel)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tamara "Tammy Jo" Trask wants nothing more than to be a normal pastry chef. But last week she had to spell-cast due to werewolves (Book One / Would-Be Witch). Once she cast a spell the World Association of Magic (WAM) classified Tammy Jo as a witch and she unwillingly became subject to the laws of magic. Therefore, this week Tammy Jo's life is chaos again. WAM sends two representatives to help prepare Tammy Jo for her mandatory Initial Challenge. Should Tammy Jo refuse to take it or fail, she will face imprisonment or death. The biggest problem is that Tammy Jo cannot control her magic. But it is also strange that the Conclave has sent a wand-wielding wizard and a Class Eight fire warlock that is often used as a hit man. Not only does the magical hit man hate Tammy Jo instantly, but he claims that Mercutio (Tammy Jo's ocelot) belongs to him and he wants Merc back. Not if Merc or Tammy Jo has anything to say about it!

When a curse leads to a huge spill of pixie dust, the town goes wild. All the citizens are acting insane. Add to this that nature is growing so rapidly that vines are wrapping around vehicles and people. Tammy Jo needs the help of sinfully handsome Bryn Lyons, but WAM has declared him off-limits to her. He is not even allowed to help train her for the upcoming challenge. Her ex-husband, Zach, refuses to believe the things he saw last week had been real. So the cute deputy sheriff is in her way. Welcome to Duvall, Texas.

***** FIVE STARS! Forget everything you know about witches having warts on their noses and being evil. Forget everything you believe about faeries being tiny, full of sweetness, and darting about on dainty wings. You do not really know anything about witches and all your romantic childhood beliefs of faeries are false.

Kimberly Frost's Southern Witch series is destined for great things. Full of action, suspense, romance and humor, this story had me hooked from the first page until the last. If book one was "last week" and this book is "this week", then I simply cannot wait to see what will happen "next week" in Tammy Jo's life. Downright mystical! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Witch Tammy Jo Trask can't control her magic, and that has brought her to the attention of WAM, the World Association of Magic. They plan to test her abilities, and if she fails, well, things won't turn out well for her. To help her prepare they've sent Jordan Perth, who brings along fire witch Incendio Maldaron. Even though Tammy Jo knows that losing this challenge may cost her her life, she has bigger fish to fry.

She's accidentally let loose pixie dust, which sets the town of Duvall, Texas, on its ears, making everyone do crazy things. Tammy Jo's not sure what to do about things. Despite warnings from WAM to stay away from him, she seeks advice from attorney and witch Bryn Lyons, which puts both of them in danger.

Tammy Jo is attracted to Bryn, but there's always those feelings she still has for her ex-husband, Zach, who doesn't believe in the magical stuff but wants to keep his ex-wife by his side.

Tammy Jo has to figure out a way to gather the pixie dust to set things in town to right, and keep from being vaporized by WAM. Can she put things to right, or will Duvall be blown off the map?

Kimberly Frost's Southern Witch series is a mixture of magic and romance that keeps me laughing. Barely Bewitched, the second book, focuses more on the magical part rather than the romance, but I still found it very entertaining. The action is continual and the situations go from bad to worse for Tammy Jo and her town.

One of the things I love about this series is Tammy Jo's spunk and her ability to face anything and not back down. She is her own woman and faces her challenges head on.

I loved the way Ms. Frost wove in new elements to the series, which kept me turning the pages and wondering exactly what was going to happen next. The ending put a smile on my face and made me wish I had to make Tammy Jo's decisions.

Barely Bewitched is full of sexual tension, magical mayhem and goes from one crazy situation to another. All of this combines to provide a fun read that kept me entertained and left me wanting more.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Just when you think Tammy Jo can't get into any more trouble, she does! What a fun series! I loved Would-Be Witch with all its southern charm. It made me feel right at home. Kimberly Frost wrote a equally great follow-up.

All the characters are wonderful. Tammy Jo is just the right amount of funny and she can sure win you over with all her desserts. Bryn can win your heart over in an instant and still make you question what his motives are. And how can you go wrong with a super cat that defends you and can understand what you are saying!

If you are in the mood for a feel good funny series, which I was after Catching Fire, this is the series for you. How can you go wrong with Texas sized magic, Texas sized cats, and Texas men?

Barely Bewitched

I absolutely LOVED this book!
The tone was funny and clever, with plenty of action! The supernatural characters were accessible and entertaining--Mercutio rocks!

Once I picked this book up, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down and would love to buy a batch of Kimberly Frost books to give to friends when their days are not so magical!

Charlaine Harris/Janet Evanovich fans--YOU'RE IN LUCK!!! This book will float your boat! The perfect blend of suspense, romance and magic with a friendly flair. Can't wait for the next installment!

I love the characters wit and charm. Ms. Frost bring to life a light-hearted paranormal mystery/romance. She is on of my favorite writers because of the joy I feel when I read her work. Love the cat !!!

Barely Bewitched picks up one week later from Frost's first novel, Would-Be Witch. Tammy Jo is trying to get back to a normal life of baking after nearly being killed by werewolves the week before. However, the WAM (World Association of Magic) has different plans. After she uses her newly acquired magic inappropriately, the WAM sends two psycho witches to train her for a challenge she must pass in order to stay alive. Needless to say, her training does not go well and she again turns to the handsome Bryn to help her out.

The overall story was appealing and entertaining, but there were so many mini story lines, it became difficult to keep up. There were fairies and hobgoblins and witches, oh my!

I almost felt like the author had been watching True Blood while writing the book as it has an air of similarity to the season when the whole town went crazy...which happens in the book when Tammy Jo lets loose a whole box of faery dust.

Tammy Jo learns more about herself and her magic and I look forward to seeing what mess she gets herself into in the next novel, but also hope the next novel is a little more focused on one problem at a time.

Barely Bewitched is every bit as good as Would-Be Witch. The romance is spot on without being cheesy. The action is compelling. I love the trouble Tammy gets in because it's so reminiscent of real life. Nothing ever works out the way she plans, but somehow she gets ahead of the chaos. Eventually. There are some elements in this one that reminded me of Charlain Harris's 'Sookie' books, but Frost is such a unique writer that it never gave me pause. Not like in other books were you read something that's almost exactly like a different beloved series and become furious and disgusted at the same time. The humor in this series is geniune and made me laugh out loud more than once. I love how real everything is. There's never a dull moment. Frost has got a gold mine here, and I have become a very dedicated fan.

I am just as pleased with the second book as I was with the first. I think Tammy Jo's character is very likable. She is not depicted as perfect or flawless and she is well aware of this. Bryan is still in the story along with Zach, Edie and her faithfull feline companion. This time around alot of paranormal creatures enter into the mix and it is once again up to Tammy Jo and Bryan to help remedy the problems. It's a cute and light read.

Barely Bewitched by Kimberly Frost
Paranormal Romance -Sept. 1st, 2009
4 stars

Barely Bewitched is the second installment in Kimberly Frost's Southern Witch novels. This funny and cheery series is one that will charm new readers.

In this story the heroine, Tammy Jo has begun using her wacky magic. Unfortunately, her spells never works properly, and her illegal use of magic has been found out! Now the WAM or World Association of Magic has decreed that she is on trial and must face a challenge. If she does not comply, she will be imprisoned or put to death. Positively Medieval!! Tammy Jo has been sent two instructors to help her prepare but they seem to cause her more problems than aid. When she inadvertently lies, she sets open a curse that has the entire town going batty, and Tammy Jo must try to save all the people she has grown up with before utter mayhem breaks out. Soon Tammy Jo finds she must rely on two totally opposite men who each want her for their own.

This story was almost farcical. Tammy Jo stumbles into mishap after dizzying mishap. The heroine is very likeable and the competition between the two men who want her is even stronger. This is a charming, light book, but it is more chaotic than the first book (Would-Be Witch), which I found easier to read. I really loved Tammy Jo's ex-husband, the possessive and hunky Zach, mainly because the author really fleshes him out. However, although the other love interest Bryn is interesting, he is shrouded in mystery which made him less approachable for me.

Overall, this is a light-hearted romance that is bound to keep you entertained on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

I absolutely love this series! Tammy Jo is like the Stephanie Plum of magic. These books are fast paced and funny. It's a good mix of everything paranormal, from witches and wizards to fairys and goblins. It was well worth my time and money!