Would-Be Witch

Poor, poor Tammy Jo - it really does seem like the magic just skipped right over her very existence. But she is still able to live an almost normal life - although her ghostly relative ,Edie makes her appearance known around town when she's not staying in her locket, makes the story interesting.

Not only does she not have the magic that she needs, then she becomes the victim of a crime and is robbed of Edie's locket. All the while trying to find the locket, she runs into some other supernatural creatures, who all seem like they are trying to wreck havoc on her life in one way or another and that's not including her jealous, over-protective ex-husband, Zach.

Ms. Frost's writing is fresh and fun. An exciting funny read, right to the very show more end. Her characters are full of the wit that I believe most southerners have. I could practically hear the southern drawl of the words being spoken on the pages. The plot of the story was quite exciting and, never, as I read though the book, was I able to guess at who it was the stole the locket. The story kept twisting, and then I would think that I had it figured out, and then turn to the next page - and nope, wrong answer. But everything was nicely wrapped up in a little bow in the end, which was nice. Even a witch with the crazy magic should be able to find her happily ever after.

I sure do hope that there is going to be more with the adventures of Tammy Jo! show less

Despite the high price ($12 kindle edition), after reading downloaded sample I really wanted this book so bought and read.

Downloaded sample in which quirky heroine with horrid customer in an unliked job trying to take home what heroine lovingly created on commission but without paying full price (as in, yes, I like it and will be using it at the party but not at agreed upon price) tells boss and customer where to shove it. Heads home newly determined to take control of life and the on/off thing with ex-husband in very small town. On the paranormal side of things, supported by a wildchild family ghost and from a family of witches and presumably poised to come into her own powers.

Full book had a doormat of a heroine always forgiving show more everyone everything (drug her, steal from her, etc. all forgiven) and letting ex-husband and new romantic interest both shove her around. Ghost goes missing. Small town bullying, whining, gossiping, etc. and then sudden insertions of de rigeur paranormals for reasons barely understandable even at story end (vampire, werewolves, merpeople, etc.) without any real worldbuilding. Small town hid head in sand and knew nothing; violence of werewolves put down to gang violence. Same "love triangle" style romantic snarl and heroine being pushed around even at end of story.

Writing not horrible. But, telling point for my review, not interested in pursuing rest of series even if became free at the public library (and certainly not at $12 a book). Looking for a fun main character and not a doormat. show less

First off, I love the physical qualities of this book. The cover actually reflects the story inside and the art is colourfully eye-catching. The font used is quirky but then so is the main character Tammy.

The writing relaxed me, easing me in to Tammy’s life. It reminded me of the way Janet Evanovich writes her Stephanie Plum series, however the wording of some sentences confused me but that may be down to Texan slang, I’m English I don’t know much about that so some words and sentences were lost on me. Also, there were quite a few instances where the dialogue was choppy, switching topics so fast that questions went unanswered, this required me to read some lines more than once to check if I was following the conversations show more correctly.

You really got a sense of the small-town nature of Tammy’s personality, she was really clueless to some worldly things – she didn’t know what a red-light district was and she thought Gaelic was written as ‘Gay-lick’, something she associated with homosexuals!

It’s a fun entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. When it looked like characters were going to die, I didn’t worry I trusted the author, that’s how I relaxed I was reading this. Although the back of this book states it’s a paranormal romance, I wouldn’t class it as one. There is some sexual tension with Bryn, he was mysterious at first but I liked him less and less after he magically rapes Tammy twice, stealing her power, the second time taking advantage of her knowing that she was under the influence of something. I was glad when she apologised to her ex-husband Zach who despite being a bit of a sh*tty husband he still loved Tammy.

When Tammy was comparing Bryn and Zach, Zach came out on top; she could trust him and he would do his best not to hurt her. Bryn on the other hand didn’t really care about her feelings, he was selfish and arrogant. A major sticking point for Zach was that he thought that Edie was just a figment of Tammy’s imagination but he seemed to see her when he was dying, whether that was down to the bite or his near-death experience I don’t know but hopefully he’ll believe Edie exists now.

For Tammy, knowing Bryn may help her in gaining more magical knowledge – that’s a pro for him, and staying with Zach whose inattentive overbearing nature drove her mad – a con for him but overall she may be safer with Bryn but I think Zach would make her happier. She only seems to like Bryn for what he has, what he can offer like Jenson, the huge kitchen and magical resources. Oh and the fact that she’s forbidden to associate with him probably makes him more desirable to her. Weird that her other family members seemed to know his father.

My favourite character, Mercutio the ocelot, couldn’t even talk. I hate domestic cats but I love big cats. Mercutio was so intelligent I expected him to be a shape-shifter or something. The story about Bryn finding him floating on a raft was weird. I wonder where he came from.

Other questions like the possibility of Tammy’s father being fey were interesting. The absence of her mother and aunt was annoying considering how many questions Tammy has for them like: who is her father? Is he fey? Why are the Lyons on the list? I guess these will be answered in the sequel.

The ending was quick and convenient and I have to say I think it was too convenient. The author obviously didn’t want her characters to die or turn into werewolves so she waved a wand and healed them up real nice. I suppose I can forgive that considering the happy tone of the whole book, it would only be right for it to have a happy ending too. show less

Tammy Jo borders on TSTL, but this book is entertaining.

This book is a hoot. Tammy Jo Trask our heroine is one heck of a character. She came from a family of witches but for some reason her powers never surfaced. She then decided to do the next best thing... Pastry Chef. She is known to be the best there is in her small town in Duvall, Texas. So even after her quit/ got fired, depending on how you look at it or who to ask, she's still confident that somebody will hire her. She is a good girl with a rebel heart. Got married when she was 19 and divorced by the time she is 23, with her childhood sweet heart, Police officer Zach. These two characters and their still on going "non-marriage" relationship has a really interesting scenario. You can see that the love and care for each other will show more always be there but due to conflict of emotions, interest and a supernatural reasons they are better separated.

The whole thing started the night Tammy Jo and the rest of her neighborhood went to her best friend's Halloween party. Braving on wearing an unexpected scandalous dress chosen by her ghost Aunt - Edie, who lives in her family heirloom - a locket. But she managed to escape their scrutiny because earlier that day the Sheriff's house was robbed and at that moment it was the center of gossip and conversation. While chatting and somewhat avoiding uber hot, drop dead gorgeous, powerful and rich wizard Bryn Lyons, men in mask started collecting people's valuables which includes Tammy Jo's family locket. Expecting that this is one of Georgia Sue's famous party game nobody reacted until she announced that her surprise performer was a magician. All hell broke lose... Tammy Jo must retrieve the locket at the night of October 24th or Edie's soul will be lost forever.

There are only two magical families in Duvall. The Trasks and the Lyons. There was a list, a list of family names that Tammy Jo and her family should not be associated to and one of them are the Lyons. Now, she does not exactly know why but it has something to do with dark magic and/or the end of their line. But Bryn doesn't look the part. Sure he might be dangerous but not to her. The ménage à trois between Zach, Tammy Jo and Bryn is something to watch. The two men are equally enthralled by her charms and had this passion of calling her theirs. But at this point she'd rather pick her cat or her wild cat, an ocelot named Mercutio.

Join Tammy Jo and her hilarious set of friends in a wild goose chase of looking of her locket. Be there with her when she cast bad spells, run away from werewolves, be shocked and have a good amount of laugh when she met a cross-dressing flamboyantly gay vampire, swim with a merman, go to jail and be happy for her when all the other hassles are finally over. This book is really good and delightfully entertaining. show less

This is a fun, light-hearted read. Tammy Jo is having a bad week, a really bad week and despite her lack of magical abilities finds herself mixed up in more hocus-pocus than she can handle. And some of it is just plain funny. The humour is what makes the book worth reading. Tammy Jo has a sharp wit and her sarcasm is a joy to partake in.

The book does feel a little chaotic at times, with Tammy Jo trying to accomplish multiple tasks at the same time, with no real understanding of what is going on around her. Plus, the world-building is a little on the slim side. But, all-in-all, it's a fun little ride. And while the whole werewolf mystery is cleared up, this is still very much a first book in a series. There are a number of threads left show more loose and a lot of unanswered or unaddressed questions. This left me feeling dissatisfied right at the end.

I'm also at a bit of a loss about the Bryn/Zach situation. I like both men, despite their serious control issues (Zach especially). It's not quite a love triangle, but is too close to be comfortable. There's little chance of either one escaping unscathed and I find myself cringing at the prospects.

If I come across the sequel, I'll definitely be giving it a read. show less

Fluff. I tried it since it said it was 'southern' (saying 'well butter my butt and call me a biscuit' does not make it southern, just (one of many) cliche(s)) and let's face it, I knew it would be fluff. Some fluff is entertaining. Some is not. This had moments of both. I liked her cat, Mercutio, better than any other character since he actually HAD character (entertaining fluff). We meet Tammy Jo (southern name ahem?), a VERY naive sort-of witch. She doesn't know what the red light district is and thinks that Gaelic is something her gay buddy (hairstylist of course) Johnny would do, but she is (of course) an unearthly beauty, has her own special charm that has 2 men panting after her, and a raw magical talent that is stronger than show more anyone. I finished it in 2 hrs and straight up, I wish the cat had a book - his moments were all I looked for/cared about. Mercutio, that extra half star is for you, pretty kitteh! show less