Check out my review and two teasers here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2012/10/feasted-on-deceiving-witch-nex... ( )

First, I have to say I bought this book based on the two mystery series the Ms. Ramirez writes, which are two of my favorites. So I wasn't expecting a full on romance. Full-on romance isn't really my genre, but I still enjoyed the story quite a bit - I loved the interaction between Storie and her best friend and I enjoyed reading about all the prep work that went into the Storiebook Cafe. Of course, it's great fun to read about Storie being a witch and working her magic. The romance was, well, steamy.

Overall, a fun read and I'd read a sequel to see what happens next between Storie and her family... ( )

A brilliantly written novel. I love small southern town settings and this one was wonderful. The writing as solid and vivid, easy and clear to picture what was going on. The characters were great and leapt to life right off the page. I loved the way the magic element worked with Storie's witch powers. Some really interesting world building towards the end of the novel as more the magic world was revealed. The heat between Storie and Reid was sizzling with a great will they won't they push and pull. From their initial meeting when they were teens to meeting again as adults, they had awesome chemistry and I loved watching them figure each other out and get around their own personal issues.

All in all a fantastic read. ( )

Review to come soon as I get feeling back in my hand. Stupid carpal's tunnel :(
******************
2.5 stars, rounded to 3.

This was a cute story with some steaminess thrown in. I liked the play on names, e.g. Storiebook Cafe (named after Storie of course), the Astrid name and flowers tie-in, etc. Reid is the sexy cowboy storefront neighbor who has a little history with Storie from the last time they met when she was tearing out of town.

Storie is a witch whose powers are waning. She and her best friend are opening the cafe and book store in her podunk, small, hometown in an effort to set up her best friend's children and for Storie to finally feel at home somewhere. The building was left to her by her father.

I did enjoy this story, but I felt that it was disjointed and jumped around a bit. It could use a healthy dose of connectivity, fleshing out, etc. While I don't mind the Endora-style pop up of the mother, the resulting conversation was rushed and the decision made gave me whiplash. What happened to the strong, independent Storie that is going to make a go of it? She didn't even know she HAD siblings and yet she's ready to rush to their rescues? Where were they? Why didn't they come to meet her? For a story that is lacking in a healthy dose of magic and her history, this came out of nowhere. Storie feels out of place, but there's no mention as to who taught her magic, why she seems so at ease with it, etc.

I liked the bit with the abandoned little terrier, but again the interactions later felt rushed and disjointed to me and left me with a frown as I was reading and watching Storie's decisions.

Steamy factor was good, story had great potential and had cuteness factor, plot movement was a bit choppy for me.

Thank you to the publishers for my review copy! ( )

Reviewed by Kim
for Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Have you ever met someone, spent less than a hour with them and have them brand themselves into your mind? I mean the kind of branding that has you thinking about them eight years after the fact? This is what happens to Storie Bell and Reid Malone. On one of the worst days of Storie's life, she meets the one person who she can't stop thinking about, Reid Malone.

Storie has just learned something about herself that she didn't what to know, but it explained a lot. She needs an escape and the lake is just the place to go. Reid is at the lake to do a little fishing and relaxing, until a thunderstorm comes out of nowhere and he sees Storie jump into the lake for a swim. Now, everyone knows lightning and water don't mix. Thus, Reid has to pull Storie out of the water before it's too late. The attraction between these two is instant, but Storie is leaving town and never coming back. She can't possibly do anything with a guy she just met.

Fast forward eight years and Storie's father has passed away. Storie is back in Bloomington, Texas with her best friend Harper to open a cafe and bookstore in place of the gas station left to Storie by her father. To Storie's surprise, the one person she doesn't want to see is back in town and just so happens to be her next door business neighbor, Reid Malone.

Reid wants to buy the gas station building from Storie for his father, Jiggs. Jiggs knows there's something in the building that can help him with his multi-million dollar moonshine contract. If he doesn't find what Storie's father has given him in the past, the contract offer goes away and Jiggs will have nothing to leave for a legacy. Reid sets out on a mission to get what his father needs, no matter what he has to do to achieve it. In the process if Storie happens to land in his bed, so be it.

Overall, I have to say I liked Deceiving the Witch Next Door. I was surprised by the direction the book took. I can't say the story dragged on and on. I was expecting the romance part to come into full swing sooner than it did. While the ending was complete for now, I think it left a very big gap in the future. But in the end, you find out what someone is willing to risk for the one they love.

Rating: 3.5

Source: Publisher ( )