Don't Hex with Texas (Katie Chandler, Book 4) (Paperback)

by Shanna Swendson (Author)
Key Phrases: student wizards, magical immunity, rogue wizard, New York, Dairy Queen, Phelan Idris (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
As Swendson continues her exciting Enchanted Inc. series, magic-immune Katie Chandler is back in her hometown of Cobb, Texas. Katie has left New York City and her beloved job at Magic, Spells, and Illusions Inc. to protect Owen Palmer, the handsome wizard she is crazy about. Working with her hapless siblings at her parents’ store doesn’t exactly make up for the excitement she is missing out on in New York until strange goings-on start happening in Cobb, leading Katie to wonder if the magic has followed her home. When she discovers her old nemesis, Phelan Idris, has concocted a plan to train wizards over the Internet in the hopes of building an army, Katie contacts MSI. She is surprised when Owen himself shows up, and is relieved to find the chemistry between them is hot and heavy. But when the pair learns Idris is in town and planning a deadly endgame, they fear their enemy may prevail this time around. Another page-turning installment in one of the best romantic-fantasy series being written today. --Kristine Huntley

Product Description
Everything’s bigger in Texas–including romance, magic, and danger!

Katie Chandler has fled fast-paced Manhattan and returned home to a simpler life, working at her family’s feed-and-seed store in Cobb, Texas. In a painfully selfless gesture, Katie had left the sexy wizard Owen Palmer to battle his demons in the magical realm–after all, Katie just seemed to attract evil, which only made Owen’s job a lot harder. But now it seems that trouble has followed her home: Despite the fact that Merlin, Katie’s old boss at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., has assured her that Cobb is free of enchantmen, (magically speaking), Katie begins to notice curious phenomena.

Cobb is being plagued by a series of inexplicable petty crimes and other devilish mischief, and after her experiences in Manhattan, Katie knows “unauthorized magic” when she sees it. As this new darkness strikes deep in the heart of Texas, Owen appears (literally) to investigate. Now Katie’s friends and family must show the bad guys why it’s bad luck to hex with Texas, while Katie and Owen combine their strengths like never before to uncover a sinister plot before evil takes root in the Lone Star State.

“Enchanting . . . Trying to start a romance with the world hanging in the balance is not optimal, but it sure is funny.”
–Romantic Times, on Shanna Swendson’s Damsel Under Stress

“Winning . . . [a] smart, snappy novel.”
–Booklist, on Shanna Swendson’s Once Upon Stilettos

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345492935
• ISBN-13: 978-0345492937
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 4 in The Katie Chandler Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanted Inc, Book Four, May 2, 2008

By	Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Katie Chandler left her job at Magic, Spells & Illusion, Inc. in New York to return to her hometown of Cobb, Texas (population 2,500). Not that she wanted to leave, but felt like it would be best for everyone, especially for Owen Palmer, the man she loved. Cobb is not on any major magical power lines, so the chances of any magical enemies showing up are between slim and none. Katie had lived her entire life in Cobb without seeing anything remotely strange. Of course, Katie slips back into her old life seamlessly. She lives on the family farm, works at the family store (Chandler Agricultural Supply), fends off her mother's attempts at matchmaking, and is totally bored! That changes when her mom comes home talking about the strange things happening in town; things no one else even seemed to notice but her.

Katie's first thought is a rogue wizard, but that is ridiculous. No major magical power lines mean weak spell casting, if any. The rest of the family wants to commit her mom, but Katie cannot help but wonder if her mom is an immune, like herself. So Katie goes into investigation mode. Sure enough, some hooded figure is casting minor spells and committing petty crimes. Katie reports the activity to her old boss Merlin (Yes, THAT Merlin!) and soon Sam, a friendly gargoyle from her past, shows up to scout around. Then Katie spies a magical advertisement in a local magazine. Phelan Idris has an online correspondence course set up and is teaching (to those with at least a small amount of magic and can actually see the ads he placed) how to work magic. This is not something Sam and Katie can deal with alone.

When Owen Palmer shows up to help out, Katie realizes that time and distance have not lessened her feelings for the powerful wizard. Her matchmaking mom insists Owen stay at the farm too, in a room near Katie. Things heat up even more when Idris brings in a large group of amateur wizards and has them target Owen. But Idris forgot one thing; Cobb is still part of Texas and you simply do NOT hex with Texas!

***** Word has it (in the Advanced Reviewer Copy of this book) that this is the conclusion to the Enchanted Inc. series; however, author Shanna Swendson left one large thread dangling. Fans will be disappointed should this be the last adventure of Katie and Owen. I have high hope that the author will take that thread and run with it!

As always, Shanna Swendson has blended romance, magic, suspense, and humor to make one of the best stories of the year. If you have not read the previous titles you will not be lost, but you will not get the full impact of the subplots either. My advice is to start with book one, Enchanted Inc, and read them in order. Surprises, twists, and loads of fun await any reader smart enough to pick up this gem! *****


Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another clever installment, May 1, 2008

By	freelancer and mom (Kansas City) - See all my reviews

The fourth book in the Katie Chandler proves to be just as charming. Don't Hex with Texas is a great follow-up to Damsel Under Stress, which left Katie and Owen's lives hanging in the balance. A new cast of characters makes this book fresh. I'd really like to see a fifth book so we can continue to enjoy Katie's magical world!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent addition to the series, May 2, 2008

By	Chelsey Hawks (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this series and I think that Don't Hex with Texas was very nicely written without a bunch of extra nonsense written into it for no reason. I highly recommend this book. But do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with Enchanted, Inc.