Halfway Hexed

Some days it doesn't pay to be a witch, even one with malfunctioning powers. 

Back of the Book
Pastry-chef-turned-unexpected-action/adventure heroine Tammy Jo Trask is finally ready to embrace her mixed-up and often malfunctioning magic. Too bad not everyone wants her to become all the witch she can be. First, there are the local residents who form a scripture-spouting posse and kidnap Tammy to “defend” Duvall against witchcraft. Next, someone saddles her with a secret package chock full of dangerous visions, just as the president of WAM—the World Association of Magic—arrives with his entourage to investigate her. And who worse to examine Tammy’s entanglement with off-limits and drop-dead gorgeous wizard Bryn Lyons than his ex-girlfriend? Not to mention that the clash between the locals and the magical visitors leads to a series of unnatural disasters that may doom them all. Will Tammy Jo's magical synergy with Bryn be enough to help her save the town or will her enemies succeed in putting Tammy out of commission for good? One thing’s certain: this would-be witch is ready to rumble, Texas style…

My Thoughts
Halfway Hexed is third in the Southern Witch series and I have to tell you it's not the best of the three. Not to say it's bad by any means but the first two were much stronger- much more entertaining. As a reader, you'll want to start with the first, then make your way to the latest installment.

Look I'll be frank 80% of the time I had no idea exactly what was going on. She's kidnapped. She escapes by pulling off a feat that is physically impossible. She's kidnapped again. The Witch council is in town. There's some mystery surrounding the dead relatives. The town is determined to burn Tammy Jo as the witch she is. I think I'm going to put the book down and go take a nap.

However just as I'm about to write this off as a complete piece of drivel, Kimberly Frost rallies, pulls her head out of wherever it was residing and finishes with a flourish that makes me think I need to go back and re-read the book because anything that ends this well can't be all the bad. Maybe. Or maybe I'll pick up the newest Deborah Coonts and move on.

From one kidnapping to the next it's hard to keep track of all the people who want to do away with poor Tammy Jo. The religious nuts in town think that if they somehow make the witch disappear the town's problems will get whisked away. The Witch council is determined to take over the town. The ancestor's don't want Bryn and Tammy Jo to co-habituate.

I'm bummed. I loved the first two. This one is lukewarm at best. Please, please Ms. Frost pull it out for the next one.