I received a free copy of this book from Piatus in exchange for an honest review, thank you! I also want to thank Piatus for inviting me to participate in the "The Dark Witch blog tour"! 

 

There lived a witch called The Dark Witch many centuries ago who gave her life in a bid to stop an evil witch called Cabhan. But she gave her powers to her three children before she died.  Now in the present time, Iona Sheehan, Connor and Branna O´Dwyer, descendents of the Dark Witch must try to stop the evil Cabhan for good.  

   

I’m not totally against romance. I just am a bit picky and I have a need for believable love stories. This book lacked that. Heck it lacked a great deal, like a good story. I mean I can take it that a book has some flaws, but this book is a flaw. It’s my second Nora Roberts book I read (Yes I have only managed to read one before and that was years ago) and Dark Witch really don’t make me eager to read another one for a long time. I mean this is the first book in a trilogy about three men and three women.  All the stuff about witches and magic is just filler for Nora Roberts to match up her characters with each other.  First out is Iona and Boyle McGrath the owner of the local stable where she gets a job. Soon they are more than employer and employee (insert roll eye smiley) and also soon they have a BIG misunderstanding because of something he says. Will they ever make up?

 

 

This review is really bringing out my sarcastic side. But I was so sick and tired of this book when I read it then my first review got lost when I was about to save it in Microsoft office Word. The only plus side is that I think this review is actually better than the first one I wrote…

 

Will I read the next book in the series? No. Will I ever read a Nora Roberts book again? Perhaps, but then it will be one that has got great reviews. 

It will be hard to find something good to write about this book...

 

Honestly I rather work than read this book...

 

 

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published March 25th 2014 by Berkley (first published March 1st 2014)
original title Shadow Spell
ASIN B00FFFNA1Q
edition language English
series The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #2
characters Connor O’Dwyer, Meara Quinn
setting Ireland
other editions (18)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love…

Book Two of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Shadow Spell

With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…

Don’t miss Book One in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Dark Witch

And the final book in the trilogy
Blood Magick

My Thoughts

Just as powerfully moving to me as Book 1 Dark Witch with the added benefit of seeing Connor and Meara become the couple that they should have years ago. Friends now turned lovers as well only adds power to the bonds already forged since childhood and the additional power is sorely needed in the quest to defeat the evil sorcerer Cabhan once and for all!

I am so ready for the conclusion to this trilogy, it has been a lovely interlude with cherished characters who will be sad to see go but so need to finally have Branna and Fin come together and find happiness. I surely hope that when book three releases in late October of 2014 that the library will have a copy of Blood Magick to borrow or I will be left forever forlorn not knowing how things ended!

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 368 pages
Published October 29th 2013 by Penguin Publishing
original title Dark Witch
ASIN B00BC25992
edition language English
series The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #1
characters Iona Sheehan, Branna O’Dwyer, Connor O’Dwyer, Boyle McGrath
setting Cong, County Mayo (Ireland) Ireland
other editions (28)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

Don’t miss the next two books in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy

[b:Shadow Spell|18527947|Shadow Spell (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, #2)|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384821301s/18527947.jpg|26233574] and [b:Blood Magick|18754961|Blood Magick (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, #3)|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396638553s/18754961.jpg|26645636]

My Thoughts

As with each book that I have read written by author Nora Roberts was looking for a smooth flow, likable charming characters, appealing location and plenty of the imaginative twists that make reading her work recognizable.

Magic, love, mystery, suspense, family, friendships and more. What a wonderful example of why this author is one I return to again and again knowing her story, characters, plot lines and style of writing will make it very easy to immerse myself in her book world allowing everything around me to fade away!

In the books beginning we learn about Sorcha,the ancestress and original Dark Witch, her son Eamon-daughters Teagan and Brannaugh and how in 1263 the battle between good and evil began.

The main tale takes place however in 2013 when American Iona Sheehan comes to County Mayo Ireland to visit the place brought to life in stories told to her by her grandmother.

On her first day she manages to meet her cousin Branna O’Dwyer, gets a chance at a job with local stable owner Boyle McGrath and for the first time in her life feels a sense of belonging.

Learning that she is part of the triumvirate that now houses the powers of the Dark Witch Iona also finds a well of strong magic inside that she must learn to harness and control to help Branna and Connor defeat Cabhan who is the evil witch that has plagued their family for centuries trying to steal the magic passed on through Sorcha’s bloodline.

Amidst learning her magic Iona embraces her new life wholeheartedly, along with making new friends she also finds herself finally falling head over heels in love with a man for the first time in her life. After a few stops and starts she believes that the one she has chosen feels as strongly as she does, a belief that is tested early on leading to them argue but remain friends after clearing the air.

As always the romantic elements lend spice to the main story line, and as always it is such a pleasure to see how the obstacles to true happiness are overcome one by one. The main question still remains though whether all the preparation for the final showdown between good and evil will be enough and whether the O'Dwyers and Iona Sheehan, their American cousin, will prevail over Cabhan.


The answer to this and other questions will be found within the book and must be experienced firsthand so do not wait but grab your copy soon.

Looking forward to continuing with [b:Shadow Spell|18527947|Shadow Spell (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, #2)|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384821301s/18527947.jpg|26233574], book 2 in series sooner than later.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Overall I loved it but she almost lost me with potatoes in Ireland in 1268 on page 9. NONONONONO. It wasn't until 1570 that the Spanish brought them back to Europe and I found that link in 2 seconds.

It's entertaining but nothing deep.