2) A Little Night Magic by Lucy March

The Blurb :

Olivia Kiskey needs a change. She’s been working at the same Nodaway Falls, New York, waffle house since she was a teenager; not a lot of upward mobility there. She’s been in love with Tobias, the cook, for the last four years; he’s never made a move.

Every Saturday night, she gathers with her three best friends—Peach, Millie, and Stacy—and drinks the same margaritas while listening to the same old stories. Intent on shaking things up, she puts her house on the market, buys a one-way ticket to Europe, and announces her plans to her friends . . . but then she meets Davina Granville, a strange and mystical Southern woman who shows Olivia that there is more to her life than she ever dreamed.

As Liv’s latent magical powers come to the surface, she discovers that having an interesting life is maybe not all it’s cracked up to be. The dark side of someone else’s magic is taking over good people in town, and changing them into vessels of malevolence. Unwilling to cede her home to darkness, she battles the demons of her familial past and her magical present, with those she loves at her side . . . and in the cross fire.

Can the most important things in life—friendship, love, magic, and waffles—get her through the worst that the universe can throw at her?

My Review :

A little Night Magic caught my eye because of its bright unusual cover and cool title. The blurb does give away quite a bit of the first few chapters but it had me thinking this could be a nice easy, fun and interesting read. It also came across as a story that doesn't need to much concentration and thought. A bit cozy, a little paranormal and maybe just a smidge of romance. It turned out to be all that and slightly chick-lit but don't hold that against it! It was well worth reading.

Liv was a nice woman to get to know and I think a lot of readers will be able to identify with her. In love with someone who doesn't want her and stuck in a sleepy town she decides to give it all up and travel. While most of us have wanted to do this the large majority don't. So I admired Liv for buying the ticket and making the decision. Of course, as the title and blurb tell us, magic becomes involved in Liv's life and it was refreshing to have her not accept it straight away. She takes some time to deal with it and doesn't go on a mad witch spree. Even more reasons that made me like Liv.

The magic aspect of this story has its own unique twists to it and isn't over the top. The other characters are nice, friendly and worth getting to know. The plot is easy going with some nice complications and surprises. All in all it was a quick read that made me giggle and at one point even brought a tear to my eye. A little Night Magic left me happy and satisfied, happy that I had taken the chance on this book and satisfied with the way things worked out for all involved.

Although I would like to hope that this was a first in a series I believe this is just a one off story. Everything is done and dusted by the end and nothing is left open. Maybe the author will write another book based in this world with the same concept. I certainly would read it.

If you like Molly Harper's or Linda Wisdom's books then A little Night of Magic is worth adding to your wishlist. It won't be making my best read of the year list but I will be looking out for more work by the author.

*** A Little Night Magic releases on the 31st of January)