by Nora Roberts
Series: The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #1
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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…
I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts and love her tales involving a little paranormal woo-woo. Dark Witch is the first book in her new Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, and I was eager to read it. I preordered this puppy and devoured it in a single day. Set in Ireland, with witches, curses, and evil this paranormal romance offers the perfect read for a cold fall night by the fire. Mini review: Magical, suspenseful with interesting characters and lore that draw you in and make you scream, “More!”
The book begins in the middle ages where we meet the Dark Witch and her three children. We also face the evil sorcerer who pursues her. Spells are cast, fate is set and then we are brought to present day Ireland to the day Iona Sheehan arrives in County Mayo. A blonde haired American and horse lover she has sold all of her possessions to move to the place of her ancestors. As a young child, her Nan shared the family history and spoke of the lush country side. The tale that unfolds draws together those from the legend. Iona begins to feel happy and at home for the first time, but evil draws near, and battle will soon begin.
From the beginning, I liked Iona, and as we got to know her I began to adore this feisty, warm-hearted, smart and fierce woman. A horse lover and one who just says what she thinks, I loved her snark, honesty and got caught up in her enthusiasm for life. She meets her cousins Branna and Conner, and they are all descendants of the Dark Witch. Each possesses power and Iona begins to harness hers. I liked them both. Branna is sort of the leader/mother figure and is hard and demanding of herself. She is probably the most complex character, and I look forward to seeing her revealed. Conner is sweet, even tempered and loyal to his friends and family. He was cute, and I am anxious to see what he is made of. Iona meets Boyle McGarth, who manages a stable. He is tall, broad, true and strong. Words don’t come easy to him, and I enjoyed watching them interact. Every time she looks at him she gets butterflies in her stomach. Boyle’s world is turned upside down by this pixie of a woman, and I loved the banter that develops. While the romance was nice it wasn’t my favorite. Thankfully it is served as a side dish to the overall arc. We also meet Fin; he owns the stables Boyle manages and may I just say oh-la-la. He is a key player in the overall arc, and you will have to discover why for yourself. We also meet Branna’s best friend and fellow stable worker Meara. These folks quickly become an intricate part of Iona’s life and will all play a role in battling the evil. Roberts did a lovely job of introduces them all, and I find myself connected and eager to learn more about them.
In Dark Witch, Nora Roberts weaves legends and magic against the beautiful landscape of Ireland with a story that grabbed me from the onset. Each book will share a romance with one of the cousins and bring us closer to destroying evil. I loved all the supernatural elements, and the spells. Each witch is tied to an animal, and I loved this element. This is a romantic mystery, and has powerful friendships which drawn on each other, and enhanced the tale. Fans of the Sign of Seven Trilogy and Gallaghers of Ardmore will immediately feel at home. While this is a stronger tale then Signs of Seven, it still has a predictable feeling, and was my only complaint. The romance had a little insta-love feel, but Robert’s slowed things down and made it believable. She has a gift for taking magic, legends, and supernatural elements and making them feel very real and powerful.
Fans of paranormal romance, witches, mysteries and Irish settings will enjoy Dark Witch. This was an exciting start to the trilogy. Shadow Spell the second book is due out in May of 2014 and will feature Conner. Blood Magick,the third book,will be Branna’s story and is due out in the fall.
Three and half cups of Irish coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Diamond Nazaneen
Ok, i know I read your review, but if I did I’d see my comment, which isn’t here..meaning I didn’t read it. Been puzzling over that for a few minutes now and I just realized it’s bc I read it on goodreads LOL >.< ahh I crack myself up.
Anyway! I haven't read Nora Roberts yet due to my discrimination against straight romance authors. It's a prejudice that has to stop! I just read some Kresley Cole romance and decided I need to change my horrible beliefs haha, seriously though! This book looks so good and I'm dying to buy it. It's on my wishlist, so I'm sure I'll get it soon 🙂
Great review!
Diamond Nazaneen
By straight romance authors I meant…strictly romance (not another genre blended with romance) reading that back it didn’t sound right hahah!
kimbacaffeinate
I use to loathe straight up contemporaries, but this year I have been adoring them. I do love the paranormal woo-woo in this trilogy though!
Lark
Good review! I’m looking forward to reading it — it’s already on my TBR list.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I am looking forward to book two 🙂
Jenna
I can’t wait to read this one. I think I prefer her trilogies without paranormal, just because I think others do it better, but that’s not going to stop me from reading a Nora Roberts book. I did like the paranormal in the Sign of Seven trilogy better than some of the others she’s done.
Michelle
It has been a while since I last read a book by Nora Roberts. This sounds interesting! Shall start with this. Thanks for sharing your review with us!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Michelle I always have a good time when I read her books 🙂
kimberlybuggie
I’m so glad you reviewed this! Great review!
OMG I love Nora Roberts and can’t wait to read this one. i saw it when it was released and haven’t been able to grab a copy yet. Now I’m going to go out this weekend and finally get it!
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..I am a huge fan too…enjoy!
Diana Leigh
I wish the medieval part had been longer. I could read a whole book on Sorcha.
kimbacaffeinate
You and me both 🙂
aurian
I am so glad you enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading it myself, as I love her books, and her paranormal trilogies especially.
kimbacaffeinate
*high five* I love knowing you are a Roberts fan too 🙂
Silvia
Thanks for the review! It really sounds very promising 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Silvia 🙂
Lauren
I adore Ireland and romance, witches, and mysteries. I haven’t read a Nora Roberts in ages, and since this is a new series that pushes all the right buttons, I think this is a fab place to come back to her writing. Lovely review, thanks for introducing me to this!
kimbacaffeinate
I love her paranormal woo-woo trilogies 🙂
Michaela
I love me some Nora Roberts but I don’t think I have ever read any of her paranormal books, I have always been pulled to her more romantic novel. I did however grab this book when I saw it just because it looked so interesting. I’m happy to know that I won’t be disappointed :). Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Michaela 🙂
Kay
I love Nora Roberts’ paranormal books! They are actually usually all I read by her for the most part. It sounds like this one didn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to read it! I loved her Circle trilogy!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed the Circle too Kay, I read her Bride Quartet series, it was wonderful as well.
Christine
It’s been a while since I’ve read Nora Roberts regularly, but this new series definitely caught my eye — I just love anything set in Ireland (or Scotland!)
kimbacaffeinate
I am a sucker for this setting Christine and love the prophecy and witchcraft.
Sarah
I will definitely have to pick this one up. I love Roberts – her books are my comfort reading. And I loved your use of the phrase “paranormal woo-woo”!
kimbacaffeinate
*giggles* I heard Kat Richardson the author of the Greywalker series say that in a podcast and I love it. It is one of my favs.
Jenea
I am always up for a good witch book and this one sounds like just that! Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I am excited and look forward to book two 🙂
Candace
I really want to read this! I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book in years but I’ve really enjoyed her paranormal ones and love when they’re set in Ireland. I’m definitely going to read this!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I hope you pick it up 🙂
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
This sounds fun! I’m definitely a fan of witches and mysteries with a dose of romance… 🙂 Thanks for a wonderful review.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Victoria, I hope you get a chance to read it. 🙂
Lupdilup
Awesome Kimba! I have to be honest, I have only tried 5 books from Nora Roberts, the first 4 didn’t do it for me, but then I listened to The Witness, and I loved it! Now I know what people are talking about when they say they love this author.
I’ll be adding this bad boy to my TBL.
Thanks 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I liked Witness a lot. Thanks Ludilup I hope you get to try this one 🙂
Lupdilup
I just came back from audible, I went to download this title, but oh boy! Every review was a scream about how horrible the narrator is. What a shame! I so wanted to listens 🙁 now it goes on my big pile of TBR, I’ll just move it closer to the top 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
darn that stinks 🙁
Carmel
I’ve been super curious about this title; I used to read Nora Roberts back in the day and when I found out she was writing a paranormal series, my interest was piqued. Thanks for the review Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy her books, especially her trilogies with paranormal elements. thanks Carmel 🙂
Ellen
I really enjoy Nora Roberts to. This sounds like a great story. Wonderful review :).
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you get to read it Ellen 🙂
Silvia
I still haven’t read any of Nora Roberts’ titles but I do have a few at home. Now, I must say that if I had this one in particular, I would probably read it right away! As you know, I’m a big fan of paranormal romance and if you include the right dose of mystery in it, then you get my completely attention. And Irish settings? Yep, it’s pretty safe to say you recommend something I can’t say no to! Thanks, Kimberly! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes this one has a lot of my favorite elements going for it…and the Ireland setting..woot!
Chene Sterckx
I have been so excited for this book and waited for your review since I saw you got it and started it on Goodreads 🙂 I am so glad you enjoyed it and I hope I get to it soon! How on earth do you manage your reading list 😉
Great review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Some days I have no idea how I manage..hehehe
Jeann
I haven’t read anything by Nora Roberts before but this one definitely sounds interesting! Sounds a bit like a fairy tale. Thanks for the great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy her books, especially those with a little paranormal element.
lisa thomson
This sounds like one I will enjoy. I also like Nora Roberts and haven’t read one of hers for a while. It’s time…thanks for the recommendation!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy it Lisa 🙂
Pamela D
I haven’t read Nora Roberts in a while, but I loved a trilogy that she wrote a few years ago about three women and three magic keys (I can’t remember the details). I will have to check this one out! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo the Key Trilogy I enjoyed that one too 🙂
kindlemom1
You don’t even know how excited I am that you loved this and that it was a great start to a new series for her. I am a huge fan of all her paranormal works and I was so excited to see that she had a new one but I have seen very little reviews on it yet.
I need to push this one up the pile and soon!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good start, and I am excited 🙂
sharonda
I have yet to read to one of her books. Great review Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I have been reading her since I use to sneak books off my mother’s bookshelf.
sharonda
lols…I wish my mom read her type of books.
Lily B
I just got this book this week from a contest I won and I am soooo happy!!! you have no idea how excited I am to read your review and learn that this book is as good as I am hoping it would be. Honestly I Myself never read Nora Roberts before so I don’t know what to expect. But if you devoured it – I am betting on the same feeling!
kimbacaffeinate
Squee..i am happy for you, and I love all the witchy stuff and prophecies 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I hope you like it and congrats on your win 🙂
Berls
Oh I think this is a must-read for me. I get nervous when books are set in the Middle Ages b/c I’m a Medieval Historian and can have a hard time separating work from fiction, but I think this one is set in enough of a fantasy plot to make me forget to critique the historical elements. It’s been a while since I read a Nora Roberts book – guess it’s time to pick her up again! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
The Middle age part is only the intro then we are whisked to present day..almost 1,000 years later.
Berls
Oh how’d I miss that? Speed reading! Even more excited to read now!
Elizabeth B
I’ve actually never read any book by Nora Roberts, but this one will probably be my first. Everything about it sounds SO good!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I always have a good time reading her books 🙂
Dani
I haven’t read a Nora Roberts in such a long time. I saw this one and snatched it up. I am looking forward to reading it on my vacation!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I always enjoy her books.