Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill (Arcane Shot #1)
Paranormal Romance
February 7, 2012
Berkley
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “No man should look that good in a pair of jeans,” Linda noted.
“Temptation and sin never come in ugly packaging,” Ruby returned, but she watched right along with her until he disappeared into the house.
I’ve read a few of Joey W. Hill’s Vampire Queen series and really liked the darker, erotic BDSM feel to them. Something About Witches is actually set in the same world, but with a new cast of characters. I would say this book isn’t quite as dark as the ones I have read, but still has that erotic edge that really appeals to me.
Ruby Night Divine is a witch and a gun-shop owner. Three years ago she was in a relationship with a very powerful and very old sorcerer, Derek Stormwind. Their love and their relationship was intense, which resulted in Ruby getting pregnant. Derek is a Guardian of the Light, and gets called away often to do his sorcerer thing, many times not knowing how long he will be gone. As it happens, Ruby discovers she is pregnant in one of the longer stretches Derek is gone, and he never knows about it. At eight months along, Ruby has a terrible accident, and loses the child. Devastated beyond belief, when Derek comes back, she hides the loss from him and puts a secret soul-magic spell on him to make him think he should leave her be. Ruby’s dip into dark magic starts to overtake the light in her.
Three years later, Derek has figured out what Ruby did, and he wants back in her life. He also needs her to travel to Florida to help a coven of witches who reside on the magical fault line. As Ruby is an instructional priestess, Derek asks her to go down there, fearing a very evil force, the demon Asmodeus might be trying to break through. When Ruby hears this, she knows she must go, as Asmodeus and her have a score to settle.
Something About Witches is the first book in her new Arcane Shot series and I loved it. As I said earlier, it has a dark, erotic tone to it and that really drew me in. This book isn’t so much about Ruby and Derek fighting the demon Asmodeus as rather it is Ruby and Derek trying to find their way as a couple again. They have known each other most of Ruby’s life, and deep down they love each other. But that year when Derek was away and Ruby had to deal with a pregnancy and then the loss of her most precious gift by herself, it broke something inside of her. While it opened her new powers, it also let the Darkness in, and that is something Ruby is not willing to let go of yet.
Ruby needs a dominant in her life, and these past years as she has tried to avoid Derek, she has turned to the very cold, very dominant Mikhael who she uses for physical pain and pleasure. Now that Derek is back in her life, Ruby has to start realizing she can trust Derek to give her that dominance she needs, but he can give her so much more as well. The sex scenes in this book are very explicit and has a light bdsm feel to them. Derek doesn’t put up with any crap from Ruby, and he really comes across as a sexy hero. I think many of you will like him a lot. Derek is all powerful male.
“Hey, girl” he murmured.
That was what he called her in their intimate moments. It wasn’t the affected “giiirll” of the urban scene, like “Girl, where did you get those earrings?” It was the cowboy, meeting her for the first time at the church social, doffing his hat and giving her a slow smile. When he said, “Hey, girl,” those concentrated blue eyes said he thought she was the prettiest girl in three counties, and she’d always be that way to him, even when she was eighty years old.
I loved the relationship between Derek and Ruby. It built up so well with wonderful chemistry and extremely hot romance scenes. I did get frustrated that much of the story (at least a lot of the beginning) is told in Ruby’s POV. We do get Derek’s but not as much as I wanted. I also think Asmodemus gets thrown to the side a lot of the story, but I was very invested in Derek and Ruby’s relationship so I didn’t mind that so much.
The next book in this series features Ruby’s best friend Raina and Mikhael who I mention above, has very, very dark sexual tendencies. I’m excited.
Rating: B
Recent Reviews:
Happily Ever After – 4/5
Fiction Vixen – A
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
You know I loved, loved, loved me some Derek!!! Gaaaaaa! He can call me “giiirll” any day! I can’t wait for the next book!
LOL..he was great
I need to go get this book… *skips off to buy*
Yay!
Ooooh Derek. Love him! I’m excited about this series, bring on book 2!
I can’t wait for bk 2…
I love Joey Hill’s writing, especially her heroes. Its sounds like Derek is definitely a hero I’d love. This is on the top of my TBR list. Thanks for the great review Mandi!
Oooooooh Derek! I love this guy so much. Great start to the series, excited for book 2!
I’ve enjoyed the stories I’ve read by Joey W. Hill. This one sounds really good, but how much of the book is spent on the back story with the baby dying? Is that something you “live through” in the book or are just told happened?
I think I could handle having it as a back story that’s referred to, but it would bother me to go through it in present tense or a flash back.
Also, do you think you’d have to read the Vampire Queen books first (I haven’t) or does it stand on its own?
Thanks so much for the review!
Sorry for the delay in my response!
The baby dying – it is not shown in detail necessarily. She gets into a car accident while pregnant. I don’t think the actual – “the baby is dead” is graphic. The baby’s soul lives on – which is the eventual conflict – she has to let it go.
And although this takes place in the Vampire Queen world, it is totally a stand alone.
Hmm. Thanks for your reply. This one will probably be a pass for me, but I do enjoy the author, so I know I’ll keep reading. I really appreciate the detailed reviews!
Great review Mandy, glad you enjoyed it so much.
I have never read a Joey Hill book, but I’ve seen a lot of chatter about this one. Sounds really good-and who doesn’t like a book with an “all powerful male”! Great review Mandi!
I started reading this book last week and I’ve put it down several times. While I like Ruby and Derek’s relationship, something about it isn’t grabbing me. I’m at the 50% mark with this one and I’m really debating whether or not I want to continue. I think what’s bothering me is there is so much narrative. I need more dialog to break thinks up. Maybe I’ll give it another try this weekend. I couldn’t get into her Vampire Queen series so I really want to get into this one.
Ah…maybe her voice isn’t for you. I was surprised that the conflict came more between Derek and Ruby than the villain.
I think I’m going to try this new series. I’m too wimpy for the Vampire Queen series but this one might be more my speed. Great review!
I still got that book I need to try by her, bad bad me. I always find other books to read
Oh, I’ve never read Joey Hill and I sent this one off to my review partner… Looks like I need to get this one back!
Strong heroes with tender hearts for their women, men with mad bedrooms skills, heroines you would like to be friends with, those are qualities that are present in every Joey Hill book. I would like to live in her world LOL. I really liked Something About Witches. The relationship between Ruby and Derek was lovely. Looking forward to the next book.
Strong heroes with tender hearts for their women, men with mad bedrooms skills, heroines you would like to be friends with
yes, yes and YES! :)
Thanks for the recommendation on this one, Mandi! I loved it, and can’t WAIT for the next book! \m/