Guest Review: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble - HP Mallory

Jolie Wilkins, book 1

Genre: Urban fantasy/paranormal romance
Pages: E-book, 206
Published: 2010
Review by Lis

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

----------

Remember how a while back I reviewed How to Kill a Warlock? That was H.P. Mallory's second book. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is the first. I got both books at the same time, but decided to wait a bit for the second review. After reading the book I wonder how I managed to wait this long!

The set-up for this book is much the same, though unlike in the other book, Jolie has no idea who she is. When the book starts she is just one of the many women out there trying to make a living. In her case as a fortune-teller, because she is aware she can do things others can't. This all changes when Jolie meets tall, dark & extremely hot (and 150+ years old) warlock Rand. Rand quite literally turns her whole world upside down when he tells Jolie she is a witch. Of course, the meeting is not just that random, Rand wants her help with a dead and see-through client.

The stories might be different, but there are elements between the stories that are the same. Without trying to make this a compare feast, the biggest was the host of (male)characters that meet the main character and have an interest or two in her. Don't get me wrong, I loved the characters. H.P.  Mallory certainly has quite the talent for writing funny, witty and likeable character. Even the evil queen b(w)itch  Bella was likeable, even though she is evil with a capital e. Again the strength an weakness of the book was in its characters. If you want to know who they are...well you're just going to have to read the book, now don't ya? Suffice to say, there are enough (hot ones) to keep you interested!

What I especially liked about this book, apart from the story, was the world building. Many authors take the (paranormal)setting for granted. This author doesn't. As a result you have a vivid picture of the world the characters live in and how it functions. While the subs or paranormals in the book are nothing new, basically your average witches, warlocks, vampires, ghosts and werewolves, the author manages to write them in an entertaining manner.

What I liked less was Jolie's constant doubting of herself. Get over yourself woman! Sorry, sometimes that really annoys me in women. Yes, everyone has their doubts, but the reader is constantly reminded of her shortcomings and her struggle to accept that she is a witch. Though I did like that she grows throughout the story and that she is the one to make a move on Rand, while Rand is the one trying to be a gentleman and restrain himself. Hehehe, beware modern women, old man!

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble  is a witchy wicked read. It might be chick lit (or not, depending on how you look at genres), but it's quite an entertaining and funny read that will have you thirsting for more. Did I mention yet that Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is basically a set-up for an epic battle lurking just out of view, beyond the horizon? No? Well it is. And you'll definitely want more!

 Lis is back with one of her fun reviews!