ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ THE WITCH IS BACK -- H.P. MALLORY

Title:  The Witch Is Back ( Jolie Wilkins Series, Book 4)

Author: H.P. Mallory

Expected Release Date:  July 30, 2012

Publisher:  Bantam Books

Copy of ARC provided by Net Galley 

FUNNY AND FEISTY WITCH JOLIE WILKINS IS BACK—OR RATHER, SHE’S BACK TO HER HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. PROPELLED INTO THE PAST TO HER OLD LOS ANGELES FORTUNE-TELLING SHOP, JOLIE HAS NO IDEA SHE POSSESSES EXTRAORDINARY POWERS, AND SHE DEFINITELY DOESN’T REMEMBER BECOMING QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD. BUT AT LEAST SHE HAS TWO INCREDIBLY SEXY MEN VYING FOR HER AFFECTION: RAND BALFOUR, WHO LOOKS VERY FAMILIAR, THOUGH JOLIE CAN’T PLACE HIS GORGEOUS FACE, AND SINJIN SINCLAIR, WHO IS TALL, DARK, AND PERFECT . . . EXCEPT FOR THE FANGS.

YET DESPITE HER STEAMY LOVE LIFE, JOLIE CAN’T SHAKE THE SENSE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT—LIKE SHE’S STUCK IN A DÉJÀ VU GONE TERRIBLY AWRY. AS BOTH MEN RACE AGAINST TIME—AND EACH OTHER—TO WIN JOLIE’S HEART, THE FATE OF THE UNDERWORLD HANGS IN THE BALANCE. AND JOLIE’S DECISION CAN EITHER RESTORE ORDER OR CREATE AN ABSOLUTE, DROP-DEAD DISASTER.

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Book Review

This review is difficult to write as I am still see-sawing back and forth as I come to terms with things that take place in The Witch Is Back. I have always been a Team Rand fan and never sway once my mind is set. I hate being wishy washy. It's not me. But I have conflicting emotions with this book and I am on shaky ground on who I think should come out on top. Rand and Sinjin--both different as night and day--fight for the love of the one woman who has captured their heart.  Should it be Rand, her true mate, or Sinjin, the Vampire who feels it is his rightful place by her side?

Rand came across a wee bit disappointing at the beginning. He seemed to give up without even beginning to fight for Jolie. It left me with a major WTF moment until the pace of the story picked up and Rand came to Jolie's rescue.

With The Witch Is Back, the story starts out with Sinjin and Jolie 'dating' and Rand now finds himself in the position of trying to convince Jolie that Sinjin's motives are false. Which becomes rather difficult, as Jolie refuses to see or speak to him. Bella is also in the picture and has put a charm on Jolie in order to keep Rand away.

Jolie struggles with why someone as charasmatic, charming, and drop-dead gorgeous as Sinjin would want to be with her. And she finds herself falling in love with the sexy Vamp. For those readers who are Team Sinjin, you will be happy to see a more passionate side to their relationship. And I must say that my own heart raced. Sinjin can be very persuasive, the dirty little devil.

However, secrets and lies plague this story and Jolie doesn't know who to believe--but she knows she has a strong attraction to both men. Even when she struggles against Rand, her feelings are strong for him and it just seems "right" in his arms. But Sinjin has made her question everything about Rand's motives.

The story starts out slow, but picks up quickly at the midway point. And although the reader is aware of Sinjin's deception, you can't help but feel sorry for him. In my heart of hearts, I think Sinjin truly loves Jolie. But his character flaws lead him to make disasterous mistakes--and a biggie one at that. His lies cost him Jolie's trust and love. And the valued friendship between the two is now on shaky ground.

There is so much that can still happen in this series. Now that things seem to be settled, will Jolie be able to forget what happened between her and Sinjin? And what of the threat of the Lurkers?

The last book, Something Witchy This Way Comes, is expected to be released September 25.