Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?
Not this redhead.
Devon Murphy has never believed that there were fairies at the bottom of the garden, but when he’s in an accident on his way to his grandmother’s house and comes face to face with the biggest, baddest wolf he’s ever seen, he’s forced to reconsider.When his grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much … grandmother asks him to look into a string of suspicious accidents, he finds a much bigger mystery to unravel. From his childhood best friend to the too-attractive Deputy Wade Hunter, everyone in Rowan Harbor seems to have something to hide. Devon has to get to the bottom of it all before the accidents turn deadly.
This novel is intended for adult audiences, and contains swearing and sex scenes.
It is the first of nine books in The Rowan Harbor Cycle, not a standalone. Devon and Wade will return in book four to continue their story, so this book contains a HFN, not their HEA.
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Sam Burns is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has a talent for mixing in just the right amount of humor with the drama and action. Blackbird in the Reeds is a great example of this. It is a wonderful start to the Rowan Harbor Cycle series. The romantic pairing is Devon and Wade and they have excellent chemistry right from the start. The book is so much more than just a romance, though. The secondary characters are great. I enjoyed reading about Devon and Jesse’s friendship as much as Devon and Wade’s romance. The book ends with an HFN. I am already in love with Rowan Harbor and its citizens so I am off to read book 2!
This has all of the makings of a phenomenal series. This first book was awesome. The plot had me flying through the pages. I want to get to know everything about all of the characters, including all of their fascinating secrets. I’m definitely planning to binge the rest of the series.
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 4
Story – 5
Interesting world, great narration.
I haven’t read many books that have a mixture of magical creatures so this was a fun book for me to listen to. I’ll admit that it’s something I probably wouldn’t have picked to listen to except that the author will be at the Coastal Magic Convention in February 2022. I’ll be there and wanted to read at least one of her books before the convention – now I want to read more in this series.
I found all of the characters to be interesting and the mystery really good. The audio performance by Chris Chambers was very good and I look forward to listening to the other books in this series that are available in audio format.
Writer Sam Burns thoroughly enchants readers with her Rowan Harbor Cycle series starting with Blackbird in the Reeds. We encounter Devon Murphy who is returning to his hometown of Rowan Harbor after he gets a letter from his grandmother. He crashes his car into a tree avoiding a deer and finds himself being scrutinized by a couple of unnaturally attentive wolves. Getting the car hauled off to the garage after the accident, Devon meets the local very handsome deputy Wade Hunter who is the brother of childhood friend Jesse.
Looking into a string of suspicious accidents involving a teacher who he befriends, Devon discovers the secrets of Rowan Harbor. The secrets involve the supernatural character of many of the citizens especially those of the founding families. Werewolves, vampires, even practitioners of magic exist in the community and he discovers he’s part fae from his grandmother. There is even a sentient tree residing in the forest nearby. It is discovered that the accidents originate with a person who is afraid of those who may threaten the community of Rowan Harbor.
There’s an ethereal quality to the story of Rowan Harbor as the writer fills out the narrative with information from the characters’ past. Readers learn a bit about Devon’s life before he moves back to town–his personal experiences with a teacher at college and his mother’s relationships with men. We are able to glean the qualitative difference between Devon and his mother with respect to their fae gifts for attracting and controlling individuals. Devon distinguishes himself as a man who is truly caring of others and it is no surprise the mantel of looking after the town through service on the council is passed to him from his grandmother.
Blackbird in the Reeds is written by Sam Burns. Devon is from a small town called Rowan Harbor. He hasn’t been back in a very long time. Everyone in town made him fell welcomed and like he left. But Devon wasn’t sure if Rowan Harbor was home. Devon had so many things happen to him at the beginning of the story but without those unfortunate events he would have never met deputy downer aka Wade Hudson. From the moment they met Devon couldn’t help but think about deputy Wade even though he tried really hard not to like him or even think of him in that way but it seemed like everyone wanted them together.
I really enjoyed the whole story and couldn’t get enough of wade of Devon and their story and their is just at the beginning stages so I can’t wait to see where the next book in the series takes us.
Rowan Harbor was not to normal small town. This town was very protective of its towns people and didn’t like knew people coming in. When accidents start happening to a new women in town Devon steps in to help and figure.out who.is trying to hurt this women in the end they figure it out.
This book pulled me in from the opening. Devon is such an integral part of a town he hasn’t lived in for many years – the people celebrate him and consider him a part of the town rather than shunning him for leaving Rowan Harbor. I though it was funny that there were people in the town that thought he lived there still. This was unique as so many books with characters returning to a town deal with drama surrounding that character’s choice or reasons for leaving it. Additionally, Devon struggled with the concept of home but he accepted the comfort of being back in Rowan Harbor without constantly lamenting being back and constantly insisting he was leaving.
I was intrigued from page one, but as other characters fell into place and other pieces started to reveal themselves, I couldn’t put it down.
There is so much to like about this book and so many reasons to continue this series – small/quirky/supernatural-filled town, mystery, romance, (second-chance) friendship, magin, talking tree, and the list just goes on.
I strongly recommend this book.
Page Turner!
From beginning to end I was captivated by my need to know more. What’s up with the folks of Ravon Harbor? Why did Devon’s grandmother call him home? The answers just led to more intriguing questions which happily kept me turning the pages. While Devon’s story ended, there is still so much more I need to know. So, I will definitely be reading more of this series.
I can’t wait to dive into the next book in this series.
Devon is on his way to his grandmother’s house when he is in a car accident caused by none other than a big bad wolf! Some unexplained accidents are happening in this town, a town that does not like outsiders and outsiders equals anyone not born and raised here. Devon becomes his own detective at his grandmothers request. The more he uncovers the more he realizes all is not as it appears. A great story filled with fairytale creatures and things that go bump in the night. I look forward to seeing more of these characters in the next books in the series and see the other secrets of other characters. A happy for now for Devon and his new found love. I hope they have a HEA in an upcoming book.
This is book one of a nine book series. It’s original, creative, and well written. I’m eagerly awaiting the last book, which should be out soon.