Seth Tanner and his brother Jesse’s fun evening debunking local urban legends ends with Jesse’s gruesome murder. Seth vows revenge on Jesse’s killer – too bad the murderer has been dead for a hundred years. Seth uncovers a cycle of ritual killings that feed the power of a dark warlock’s immortal witch-disciples, and he’s hell bent on stopping Jackson Malone from becoming the next victim. He’s … used to risking his neck. He never intended to risk his heart.
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Prepare to climb the walls, readers! Morgan Brice has paired two men whose start is marred by secrets and distrust. Both men are adorable as each character is charming, brave, talented, nurturing, and affectionate. Each man is an obvious and wonderful complement for the other. But each man has a past that makes their coming together uncertain and precarious. All these things come together to make readers pull for these men’s safety, sanity, and happiness in a life they share as a loving couple. Our men go through some things to get to a good place with each other and their journey is credible and plausible given their respective past lives. I ask readers to trust that the author brings things about suitably in getting our men to that happy place with each other.
Seth Tanner’s challenges start with the tragedy that occurred in his life after returning from the military. Seth loses a boyfriend before entering military service. As a gay combat veteran who served after “Don’t ask don’t tell”, life still wasn’t exactly rosy so he elected to stay in the closet during his military commitment. Then a ghost hunting cum camping trip turned fatal for his younger brother and resulted in his personal injuries. Trying to convey the supernatural reasons for the attack resulting in his psychiatric confinement–not anything anyone would want to admit to any person whose confidence they are trying to gain. While confined for psychiatric care, Seth’s parents died in a car accident and the family home was burned to the ground then his boyfriend Ryan abandons him at a time when he was most needed. Seth spends two years after the incident learning about the supernatural world and training to fight malicious entities.
Jackson “Evan” Malone’s challenges start with growing up in a religious community where being gay is considered an immoral choice. Pairing with another young man in the youth group, Evan was outed by him during the spiritual conference. His parents were contacted and he runs away from home when they prepare to send him to conversion therapy. Though Evan is a minor under the age of 18, his parents make no attempt to find him proving that their love for him was conditional upon his being normal. Evan had the added unpleasant experience of getting involved with a stalker who started out normal enough. When readers first encounter Evan, they discover his fear of being tracked down by the man yet again. He had been physically assaulted and psychoemotionally abused by him so his concern for his safety is very rational and wholesome.
Seth Tanner shows up in Richmond with the goal of saving Jackson Malone from being the next victim of a ritual murder that punishes the twelve men who eliminated a supernatural entity near Terra Haute Indiana about a century ago. The ritual ensures the immortality of the twelve witches who continue to serve the entity each sharing a portion of their power with it once every twelve years. Seth visits a bar and meets Sonny never realizing that he’s the very man he came to town to save until the warlock’s goons bust in his apartment door to capture him for the ritual. Seth saves Evan from capture and explains the frankly unbelievable supernatural nature of attacks. Evan is understandably skeptical given his past and the additional information Seth is unwilling to share. It also doesn’t help that Seth has to resort to some illegalities including breaking/entering to search properties and hacking to locate information and persons.
Giving all they have going against them it is a minor miracle that they get there at all, such is the absolute beauty of the novel! The writer could NOT have written this novel ANY other way and have it believable! Yes, readers tear their hair out! Yes, readers pace the floor! Yes, readers will cry and yell! But many may never experience a more satisfying end of a book! Morgan Brice gets it all perfect! The world-building is incredible and the character development is astounding. In addition, the pacing
(the rate at which the writer introduces key elements in the story) and balance (the distribution of varying types of elements in the narrative). With an awesome premise and compelling storyline, the author produces an extraordinary novel.
Witchbane is an intense, action-packed book that sets the stage for a new supernatural series by Morgan Brice. In a world filled with paranormal creatures and magic, there are the inevitable evil elements that prey on the innocent. Seth’s family was destroyed by an evil witch and his followers, and now Seth’s life has focused on revenge and protecting anyone else the evil witches might target. The last thing Seth expected was to find the love of his life when he ends up in Richmond. From there, Seth and Sonny are thrust together where they will have to face dangers that threaten to tear them apart. I really enjoyed the action and suspense, as well as the steamy romance. The audiobook was well done and easy to listen to.
This story is another one of increasingly more common urban fantasy series that sets a team on a quest to hunt monsters that are harming unsuspecting folks.
The characters are engaging, the setting is decent, the plot has some interesting developments, and the romance is steamy.
I would like to see some more vivid descriptions of scenery, monsters, and fights. One of the perks of writing urban fantasy stories is the opportunity to show the reader something new or unique. This is just the first book so I hope the author takes advantage of this opportunity more in the rest of the series because I like the descriptions of regular urban settings.
Kale Williams adds some flavor to the story with his narration, and I look forward t listening to the entire series.
Interesting book and a great start on a new series.
Seth and Evan are so amazing as a team, and as a couple. Their chemistry is amazing, and their love scenes are so hot! This book has everything that I love. There is romance, supernatural beings, and a really action packed storyline. It is full of interesting characters as well. Had me on the edge of my seat many times. Can’t wait for the next book. Also, I really enjoyed the narration by Kale Williams.
More sugar please
Morgan Brice excels in writing the paranormal suspense. Her stories are creepy, spooky and always action-packed. Once I start a book, I don’t want to put it down, and Witchbane was no exception! I’m used to books ending with a bang but this one threw me for a loop and started with one. Seth lived through something horrific and is on a quest to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else. He meets Evan who becomes his partner in more ways than one.
Evan and Seth have an amazing chemistry and connection. Both are slow to trust but they also don’t want to let go go of each other. They are fierce, protective and stubborn. “You can’t be a hero if you’re dead.” Evan especially has reservations but I understand why. All of Seth’s actions or non-actions are done from a place of concern and worry for Evan’s safety. The villain, on the other hand, was clever and sneaky. There were so many intense scenes in this book but I think my favorite ones involved the library and the extra help Seth received. They gave me the chills. The ending kept me on the edge with many twists I didn’t see coming. A fantastic paranormal story that will make you believe in magic.
Enjoyable. A fantastic urban fantasy that pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the characters they were real, raw and emotional. I really enjoyed their journey together.
I had to think long and hard about this one, but when it came down to it, I liked the book, but not as much as the Badlands series, and the narration was good. Let me break it down.
Story: 3.5 stars
As I said, I liked the story. It had action and suspense, but I also found it repetitive. It started out on a high note, and started to fall flat, only to pick back up again. And I have to admit, there were times when Evan seriously got on my nerves and I wanted to knock some sense into him. Now, I don’t want you to think I didn’t like this. I did. The story is original and intriguing, and on top of that, I really liked Seth. It was a good book to get into and I do plan on reading the other books in the series.
Narration: 4 stars
Kale Williams narrated this book, as he did for Badlands. Once again, his narration was good, he was able to bring the characters to life, but it seemed that he had a slightly harder time connecting with these characters compared to Badlands. Especially Evan, but then again that character was very back and forth. He still did an excellent job of making each character unique so that you could tell who was talking when.
Overall: 3.5 stars
I’m giving this book an overall rating of 3.5 stars. The story is good, the narration great, but there were a few things that didn’t quite hit the mark with this one. I’m hoping that since this is a series, once I read the other books I’ll feel a little more settled and change my mind. I still think you need to one click this book and give it a listen/read today!
Morgan Brice lays the groundwork for a spectacular series in Witchbane. A fast-moving thriller with tons of magic, mystery, and steamy romance – it starts with a bang and never lets up. Even better, as an audiobook, Kale Williams adds intensity with his emotional performance and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here!
Fans of the TV show Supernatural are going to love this series. We get the best of both worlds with paranormal mysteries plus a crazy hot romance. There’s great chemistry between the main characters, and what starts as sizzling lust only gets hotter as their connection grows.
Morgan Brice writes some riveting descriptions in this story, and starts with a grisly murder scene which rivals some of the best horror I’ve read. I’m not spoiling anything by warning you of what the blurb describes as Seth’s brother’s “gruesome murder” – it’s not for the faint of heart.
Between the supernatural events surrounding the murder, followed shortly by his parents’ fatal car crash and the destruction of his family home, Seth knows this is more than a run of bad luck. When he uncovers what a group of witch-disciples have been doing for the past hundred years, Seth is out for vengeance!
The trail to the next victim leads Seth to Richmond, Virginia where Evan is working as a bartender. Seth stops in for a meal, and when they make a date, he’s got no idea Evan is the next victim. Although neither man is looking to dive into a relationship, the lovin’ is spectacular… and Evan does need a bodyguard, right?
I enjoy the way Morgan Brice writes the dual points-of-view, allowing some of the scenes to be retold from both characters. Seeing how each man reacts to the same situation, and how it impacts their actions, really helps to get to know them. These are two hot-headed alpha males and I see moments filled with lots of make-up lovin’ in their futures.
Looking at where this series can go, I’m anxious to uncover the mystery behind Seth’s parents’ deaths, I want to know more about Evan’s stalker, and I’m hoping we’ll learn the history of the witch-disciples. The main thing nagging at me after listening to Witchbane? I’ve just got to watch that bodyguard movie!
This is my review of the audiobook:
This is the story of regular guy Seth, who changes his entire world view when he loses his brother in what turns out to be a paranormal ritualistic sacrifice. Seth wants revenge, and he also wants to make sure this doesn’t keep happening to other innocent people. Enter Jackson, or Evan, who is the next planned sacrifice. If only Seth could make him believe that.
I loved this story, and I found Seth and Evan to be very relatable. My heart broke for each of them at different parts of the story. The narrator did a great job with the different characters, and he helped bring the very strong writing to life in a way I really enjoyed. I will be purchasing the next book in the series in audio format as well, and I’m excited to see what happens next in the lives of these men.
Witchbane by Morgan Brice is the first book in The Witchband Series. It is an Urban fantasy that includes paranormal aspects, thrilling scenes and lots of steam. The story immediately caught my interest and kept it entirely until the end. I love Seth and Evan and enjoyed their interactions. I definitely am looking forward to more of this series.
Narrator for the audiobook is Kale Williams, who does a fantastic job. Smooth voice that is very easy listening to. Very good!
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
This might have been more of a 3 ½ martini book than a 4-martini book, but it’s not like you can just leave half a drink lying around. Basically, if you like the TV series Supernatural you’ll love this book. It fits in well with the SPN world, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to see my favorite pair of screwed-up brothers stumble in, steal the whiskey, say something snarky, and stumble out again.
Seth is an extremely likeable character, a guy who processes his trauma well and channels it toward helping people in a way that seems healthy. (Hm, maybe it doesn’t fit in with the Supernatural world quite as well as all that…) Anyway, he’s smart, tough, and sensitive. He does have a tendency to play his cards a little close to the vest, but that’s kind of understandable under the circumstances.
Evan, on the other hand, is a little harder to warm up to. Sometimes I liked him. Sometimes I liked him a lot less, particularly toward the end. He’s generally a reasonably smart guy, but sometimes he does things even my nine-year-old would know were colossally bad ideas and this is a HUGE problem. By the end of the book I seriously questioned whether or not I wanted to see Seth with a guy who was such a liability.
But, you know, love and stuff.
The action fast-paced and the plot is both clever and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it unfold. The prologue went on for a lot longer than I had patience for and involved a lot of info-dumping; I think a little more editing would have been helpful. By about the second or third chapter I didn’t care about that anymore, I just wanted to see what happened next.
I recommend it. It’s a fun read and I think most folks would get something out of it. If you’re sad that SPN is coming to an end, pick this up and explore a similar world for yourself.
Three and Half Magical Moments!
No spoilers!
I had a lot of fun with this read – a bit of Supernatural dotted with some whodunit blended with some steamy romance – What’s not to like?
The pace of the story is steady and kept me engaged and eager to see what happened next – there are some scenes that I would have enjoyed a bit more dialogue and page time on though I think if the couple stays together then we, as readers, will get the little bits and pieces in future installments
Lots of mystery and action that was easy to get lost in – as for the characters there where two main that I believe the series will focus on and some supporting that I am sure we will get to know better in future installments
Jackson – We do not get a lot on him except he is one of the descendants and if Seth doesn’t find him in time he is about to be one of the sacrifices and Seth does not have a whole lot of information on him which is not helping the time crunch
Sonny – fun , sexy and down to earth – I am a bit on the fence with him – I liked his character, a lot – I just felt at times that his strengths were downplayed (don’t want to give away any spoilers ) like he was being smothered -I am not sure if it was because of the circumstances or another character behavior
Seth – Lost Angry Lonely – Seth is in search of vengeance IMO he is trying to amend for what he feels is his fault – his brother’s death
As for the bad guys just wait for it – You think you know then Whammy tailspin
This is an easy read with lots of OMG! and WHAT, NO! moments that are sure to keep the reader entertained
I read a comp copy
Captivating right from the start, Seth’s introduction to the world everyone else is blind and oblivious to is harrowing and gory. The horrible, painful, and formative moment sets the tone in a way that was difficult to forget. When Seth meets Evan we have a deep understanding of what drives him to do what he does and feel what he feels. Their interactions are subtle, tame, and hopeful until they decide to act on the barely banked passion they both feel; it’s the sense of promise in their hesitancy that makes me want more from them together. Once things really ramp up action-wise it’s clear that there’s going to be a whole lot of adrenaline-fueled arguments and sex but only time will tell if they can translate that into the softer, more stable things that make a lasting relationship.
The story is definitely dramatic once it gets to the point. There’s a bit of a feeling like it took forever to get to the details that mattered but I can’t say that the slog through everything to get to the point wasn’t informative, entertaining, or necessary. We get to know both men very, very well allowing us to root for them individually and together right from the outset. The confrontation was big, loud, and bloody…nothing there was glossed over so it fit the tone of the overall story. By ending where it did, we were left on a high note full of passion and a hope for more.