Review: The Seven Year Witch by Jodi Redford

Title: The Seven Year Witch (That Old Black Magic, Book 2)

Author: Jodi Redford

Release Date: June 21, 2011

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Category: Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance/

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Book Blurb:

After this much foreplay, something’s bound to combust.

That Old Black Magic, Book 2

As head mistress of Beaumont coven house, Clarissa Miles has perfected two things: keeping her sister witches from accidently turning innocent bystanders into toads, and resisting the sexy overtures of her familiar, werewolf Logan Scott.

But her resolve is vanishing—fast. Seven years ago she sold her soul to save her father, and that contract is coming due. The allure of spending her last days indulging in some dirty, naked loving is too tempting to resist.

Logan has patiently ridden out the past seven years, content to do Clarissa’s bidding and ignoring his consuming need to mark her as his. Now that the ban on witch/familiar fraternizing has been lifted, he’s off the leash and ready to launch a full-on sensual assault on her defenses. They’re destined mates, and he’ll do whatever it takes to convince her.

It’s delightfully easy to get her in bed. Get at her heart? Not so much. Especially when a deadly predator stakes its claim on her…and Logan faces a battle not only to win her heart, but save her soul. 

Book Exerpt:

She turned and caught Logan watching her, his usual cockiness absent. The tenderness in his amber eyes threatened to do her in. Not about to give in to the tears prickling at the backs of her eyelids, she began walking toward the house. The faint scritch of Logan’s jeans riding against the metal hardware of his boots let her know she wasn’t alone. Not in the physical sense, anyway. But in just about every other way, she was all on her own. She’d learned a long time ago that it hurt a hell of a lot less if she gave in and accepted the realities of her life.
“Ms. Peach shouldn’t have said that. About you not having a heart. It isn’t true.”
“How do you know?” She snorted. “Maybe I’m the world’s first living heart donor.” Her self-mockery managed to spackle the hairline crack that’d started to weaken her defenses.
“Shug, it’s okay to be upset.”
“I’m not.”
A tiny, frustrated sigh fizzled from Logan. “I still think you need to blow off some steam. Let me take you on that bike ride.”
And be surrounded by him and that vibrator on wheels? Can anyone say torture? “I already told you I can’t.”
“Why? You’ve taken care of the problem with Peach.”
“Yes, but there are a ton of other things I need to take care of.” Not the least of which was figuring out how to handle her upcoming meeting with Seven.
Faster than she could blink, Logan stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “You’re afraid to be alone with me. Admit it.”
She gave a laugh that sounded forced, even to her ears. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve been alone many times.”
“Not so often lately.” His eyes sparkled with challenge. “Not since I kissed you in your office.”
Her face uncomfortably hot, she swallowed. Hard. Damn him, he would have to dredge up memories of the kiss that’d shaken her more than a 6.0 earthquake. “You’re imagining things.”
“Am I?” He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, the soft glide of his knuckles along her skin making her shiver. The gold specks in his irises seemed to glow with an inner heat. “Or maybe you’re scared s**tless about the way I make you feel.”
“Honestly, your ego is out of control.”
“Then prove it. Come ride with me.” He twined the wayward, springy lock of her hair that refused to stay in place around his forefinger. “I promise I’ll behave.”
“Please, we both know that’s physically impossible for you.”
A noise that sounded suspiciously like the cluck of a chicken broke from him, making her teeth grind. “Thank you for proving my point.”
His cackle grew louder, and she waggled a finger in warning. “I’m perfectly capable of shutting you up. Permanently, if I so choose. Might want to remember that.”
He grinned. “Ah, shug, you know you’d miss the sound of my sexy voice.”

Favorite Quote:

“You know it’s true, Rissa. You’re the queen of my everything. You have me. All of me. Heart, body and soul.” 

Review:

I was pleasantly surprised with this book; Book 2 in the That Old Black Magic series. Sometime a follow-up novel falls short, or seems a bit too much like the first one. Not in this case! Redford kept up the action once again from start to finish. Constant excitement in both overcoming obstacles and hot, steamy sex scenes.

In Book 1, That Voodoo You Do, we were introduced to supporting characters Clarissa and Logan with hints sporadically tossed in that there was another case of mutual attraction denied to the bitter end. Thanks to Griffin and Jemma in the preceding book, the ban has been lifted, which had previously forbidden witches to fraternize with their familiars. The good being that complications were avoided between to dependent relationships, the bad being those that developed strong feelings faced dire consequences for an act of intimacy; not even allowed to speak of love.

Clarissa finds herself in a pickle with a debt coming due while trying desperately to ignore the seductive advances of her wolf familiar, Logan. Eventually, she decides to enjoy her spoils for the remainder of her time (one short week) prior to her imminent death. Clarissa just fails to mention any of this guaranteed hindrance toward a permanent future to Logan. Confused by the retracting and resurrection of Clarissa’s invisible, though effective emotional shield, Logan sets out to claim Clarissa as his mate for life guided by his wolf sense. But will death be the ultimate blockade that the two cannot break through? Read it yourself to find out!

I honestly have no complaints about this book. Knowing a bit of history of Clarissa and Logan from Book 1 allowed an easy understanding of explanations in Book 2. The book flowed easily throughout, facilitating a quick and easy read.

What I loved about this book was the correlation between the seven deadly sins and a little message relating how nurturing any of those sins, however slight, can effect life in a tremendous way. The message was subtle, but compelling. This book also briefly incorporates the family dynamic and how lasting effects can damage when players within the fold are out of whack. I also enjoyed getting to revisit Griff and Jemma and their pending nuptuals. Logan’s southern drawl and fierce dedication to his life mate is both endearing and erotic. **Le sigh** Don’t we all dream of such devotion? Pick up your copy and continue the adventure of witches, shifting familiars, a creepy demon, and a love destined from the start.

(**book received from Author, @jodiredford)