Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts. She’s only there to find out why a woman she’s never met would leave her a … a house. A veritable castle that has seen better days. She couldn’t possibly accept it, but the lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she’s scared of it. The house. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly. Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who’s a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ. She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects. Come to find out, they think she’s a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they’re right.
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A wonderful reading experience! Can’t wait for the next one! I have yet to read a Darynda Jones book that I didn’t love.
Visiting with a dead grandmother and a grandfather who is a house? Who but Darynda Jones could make those work? Now the kilted shapeshifter would fit into in reader’s dream but natural this one is extra special. Fun, fun, fun and only a little scary and that is mostly the ex-mother-in-law.
This is so much like the Charlie series. I enjoyed the snark and humor, but kept flashing back to previous books, the similarities are overwhelming. This is a fun read, but expected something more. Can not decide whether to go on to the next book.
I stumbled across Darynda Jones last fall when someone gifted me Second Grave on the Left and after reading one page I wondered how I had missed the Grave series (this was soon follow by pure joy that I had 13 books to devour without waiting) so I was excited to find Ms. Jones has gone indie with this new series.
Once again, Jones doesn’t disappoint with her usual kick-ass humor and crazy characters – a recent divorcee down on her luck, a dead grandmother, a pizza-stealing cat, a house with a mind of its own – all wrapped up in a series of mysteries. While it does lack some of the polish of the Grave books and does end on a cliffhanger (sequel due out the end of September 2020) this was a thoroughly delightful book that left me wanting more.
What a fun book. I loved the humor, the heroine and her best friend were hilarious, Rosen was hot, and I was very entertained by the whole story. Plus it’s getting me in the mood for Halloween. It does end on a cliffhanger so I’m off to go start book 2.
Darynda Jones is one of my favorite authors, and she does not disappoint with Betwixt! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
A wonderful reading experience! Can’t wait for the next one! I have yet to read a Darynda Jones book that I didn’t love.
I love paranormal stories. Witchcraft is always a winner for me. Percival is a so funny. As is Ruthie. There is also a sexy hunk with a secret. Defiance Dayne a forty something woman Who inherits a house in Massachusetts, from an unknown woman and finds out that the whole town knows of her and expects amazing thing from her. Her friend Annette is a great sidekick. I really enjoy Darynda Jones. She always throws in some humor. I am looking forward to the next book.
I love Darynda Jones! She always has the best mix of humor, mishaps, suspense and heat. I loved this story and can’t wait for the next one. If you haven’t read her books, this is a great place to start, then read The First Grave on the Right. Best series! If you have read her, this is a great addition to your library.
I loved this book so much! The characters are well developed and well written. The story has just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and guessing what is going to happen next. I loved the unique story line as well.
Defiance Dayne is flat broke when she inherits a huge old house from someone that she doesn’t even know. And that is where all of the craziness begins. I love a story that keeps me on my toes and this one sure did. The scenes are very well written so much so that you can picture each place in your mind.
I love that the main character is in her Forties and that she is no ones pushover. This one is a must buy for anyone who loves a good paranormal fiction with a strong female lead that just happens to be more seasoned.
I can not wait until the next book in the series comes out.
A rating. I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I seriously cannot wait for book #2 in the series…so much fun and a great premise. I seriously didn’t put the book down once I started it.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
What a great read! I can’t wait until the next book comes out! You hit it out of the park, Darynda!
Excellent book. Love the house. The heroine is likable. The guy interest is super hot. Worth reading.
It was one delicious piece of cake with a magical icing and a cherry on the top! Too small for my liking left me wanting for more! I want the whole cake now. Ok, enough talking culinary but I really enjoyed this magical story with paranormal powers and I’m so glad it wasn’t another pity party. It was so funny and I laughed a lot. I loved Defiance, Annette, Ruthie, Roane, Chief Metcalf and all other characters. Now it’s impossible to be patiently waiting for the next book of series to see how the story unfolds and what’s coming for them to face, fight and stand for.
Imaginative, engaging story. Read it in a day and was liking it a lot, then . . . major cliffhanger. I’ve seen authors say that they like to build anticipation. I don’t mind a tease leading to the next book, but to just stop in the middle of a major part of a story just bugs me. This isn’t TV where we’ll see the next episode in a week. If the story is good, I’m going to go on to the next book. If it’s not good, I probably won’t be around at the end anyway. So, overall, 4 stars, but downgraded to 3 due to the cliff hanger.
Book source ~ Kindle Unlimited
Defiance “Dephne” Dayne is a forty-four-year-old divorced and broke woman who has just inherited a house from a woman she has never even heard of. She has driven from Arizona in her rust bucket VW Bug to Salem, Massachusetts to claim it because why not? And yes, I did say Salem, MA. Home of the witch trials. The house is huge and persnickety. And it comes with a cat and a gorgeous hunk of a man who lives in the basement. But, wait! There’s more! But why should I spoil your fun?
If you are a fan of Charley Davidson then this book is right up your alley. Darynda Jones does not disappoint in this new series that should prove to be just as entertaining as Charley’s. There’s plenty of magical woowoo, a rich backstory, a hubba hubba guy, a cool house, humor, and great characters. Dephne is an interesting take on a witch and there appears to be danger galore on the horizon. I’m looking forward to watching this series unfold.
Darynda Jones has a way with characters. She creates characters you can’t help but fall in love. You want to join in their world and help them with their fight. The characters in Betwixt are witty and fun. Her story is everything a paranormal women’s fiction book should be. Plus she adds just the right amount of smolder. This book is the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day. I highly recommend.
This is my first read by Darynda Jones & I am now a convert. This book is full of magic, mystery, love, friendship, loss, betrayal, hope, danger, sacrifice, hilarity & one hot handyman & his cantankerous cat. Defiance is at a low point in life & the only things going for her are her amazing adoptive parents & kickbutt bestie. Little does she know her entire world is about to be flipped upside down, shaken, tossed around, & bounced a few times for good measure. This book was so much fun! I already pre-ordered the next installment! Darynda Jones
Excellent storytelling! The setting is fantastic and leaves room for giving the reader more depth and in this case backstory. The characters come to life well but again the author leaves you wanting more, needing to know more about each one of them. The plot builds and builds throughout the whole book, each page leads you to the next. It was all very well done. Total cliffhanger ending which you kind of expect but don’t at the same time. Looking forward to the next book because I seriously don’t have a choice but to read it and find out more!
Absolutely adore Defiance and Annette, and Roane I have some work that needs to be done in my house by a tatted up guy in a kilt!
The banter is quick witted and always fast paced, if you ever read any of the Grave series this fills that huge, gaping hole that’s been in your life since it ended.
I’m thrilled that I know this is book 1, because that there was one hell of an ending, and that’s all I’m saying about that (ha, not hardly).
The dads are incredible, and I have a few people that I want to send them after – there better be a lot more next time! And the ex and the monster-in-law! The characters are just so wonderful…
Okay, back to that ending! WHY! By the way, it was a typical Darynda Jones ending, but still.
Betwixt Bewitched me from the very first page to the very last page it was such a good story…
Defiance was awesome and seriously her name is also awesome and her grandmother was amazing. the magical world that Draynda Jones dreamt up is amazing and omg I love the house and the setting and … oh the swoon-worthy kilt …lol
A seriously good supernatural story.