Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.
She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.
She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?
Dr. Karen Hulene Bartell, author of Wild Rose Pass, The Keys: Voice of the Turtle, Christmas in Cahokia, Holy Water: Rule of Capture, Lone Star Christmas, Angels from Ashes, Christmas in Catalonia, Sacred Gift, Belize Navidad, Sacred Choices, and others, is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural that lift the spirit. Dr. Bartell lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband Peter and her "mews"—three rescued cats and a rescued CATahoula Leopard dog.
An Excellent Mysterious Romance As an avid reader of mysteries, I had my doubts when I started reading Karen Bartell’s fantasy romance. Those doubts soon dissolved as I traveled with her heroine, Ava, through Japanese cities and folklore. What I love about mysteries, the puzzle and the thrill of following a trail of clues and not knowing what would come next, were present in every page of Fox Tale. I was drawn into the confused and buffeted psyche of Ava. I couldn’t help rooting for her valiant efforts to resolve the physical, emotional, and mythological conflicts between the characters and to marshal the facts of mystifying situation events. I also love to learn things from my reading. As an added bonus, Dr. Bartell’s characters were tour guides to culturally important landmarks and traditions in the Japanese cities of Kyoto and Tokyo, allowing me to visualize places I have only heard of.
If you are looking for something different, Karen Hulene Bartell’s paranormal romance ‘Fox Tale’ could be for you.
Early into the novel it is obvious Chase, one of the key male characters, is not what he seems. Before long the reader is immersed in Japanese folklore about creatures that have the ability to shapeshift into human or other forms. This will intrigue some readers, especially those who enjoy the paranormal aspects of the novel and especially enjoy delving deep into Japanese ways and culture as well. There is also a lot of travel to destination spots in Japan, and at times descriptions of eating Japanese food dominate the plot. Some of this moves the story along and is central to it and some of it is detail. As this wealth of detail regarding Japanese culture takes up a lot of the storyline, other readers will be impatient for more action with the romantic side of things.
Karen Hulene Bartell is an able writer and indeed her style of writing is at times more that of a literary writer than a popular writer. This shows best in her active descriptions, especially when her heroine, Ava, writes or dictates extracts for her magazine travel articles. For instance here she sets a scene, “A stark contrast to the afternoon’s backlit mist, the lanterns cast an eerie red glow, saturating the darkness with a mystical yearning, an expectation that something magical is about to take place” (p63).
For the first half of the book, Rafe, the second key male character, does not seem as well drawn or interesting as Chase. As the story develops, and Ava starts to have feelings for both men, the reader becomes more involved in both the story and its outcome. Be aware there is one sex scene with some heat.
I suspect readers with different likes would rate ‘Fox Tale’ differently. Those liking a paranormal story with lots of Japanese culture, including an indulgence in Japanese food and drink, travel, language and legend, would rate it a 5 or more. Those preferring a fast turn-the-page romance would probably give it a 4. My rating is 5 because the novel tries to give and succeeds in giving more than the average romantic novel does. Recommended as a unique read.
When I started reading Fox Tale I didn’t know what to expect after reading the summary but what I found lying between the pages was way different than anything I could ever have imagined. Fox Tale pulled me into its world the moment I read that first page.
From that moment on I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading as I tried to figure out what was going on. I kept guessing and wondering what it was all about from beginning to end. The twists just kept coming. I do believe I began to get a little dizzy just trying to keep up with all of them. LOL! I didn’t know what to expect from one page to the next. Fox Tale is a surprising read, to say the least.
Fox Tale kept me guessing as to what was real and what was not. There were times when I was wondering if someone wasn’t a little on the crazy side. It was intense with all the weird things that kept happening, especially with one of the characters.
I very much loved the world-building for this one as it was awesome. I don’t think I have ever read anything like it before. I can’t give Fox Tale enough praise as I truly loved it. I love the paranormal elements of the kitsune.
I would love to read more from the world of Fox Tale! I highly recommend Fox Tale to anyone who loves a good paranormal story! Grab a copy of Fox Tale today for a surprising and wonderful read!
If you’re a fan of paranormal romance, “Fox Tale” by Karen Hulene Bartell is a journey you won’t want to miss. Our protagonist, Ava, starts off with a fear of heights that’s as tangible as it gets. But her life takes a thrilling turn when a stranger saves her from a perilous mountain mishap. Quite an entrance, wouldn’t you agree?
The plot thickens when this enigmatic savior introduces Ava to the world of Japanese kitsune—shape-shifting foxes. Suddenly, she’s plunged into a realm of supernatural intrigue. The chemistry between Ava and her savior, Chase, is electric, like sparks flying on a warm summer night.
But just as Ava starts getting comfortable with Chase, her ex, Rafe, reappears, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions. It’s a classic love triangle, with Ava torn between a budding romance and an old flame.
Adding to the suspense, Ava’s instincts warn her of impending danger. But what’s a good mystery without a protagonist who ignores a few warning signs, right? It’s this thrill of the unknown that keeps us flipping pages into the wee hours.
What sets “Fox Tale” apart is Bartell’s skill in weaving unique paranormal elements into the narrative. The blend of natural mirror warps with supernatural distortions is truly innovative. And the choice of foxes as the shape-shifters? Pure genius.
In conclusion, “Fox Tale” is a must-read for those who appreciate relatable characters, engaging backstories, and edge-of-your-seat plots. If you’re intrigued by shape-shifting tales, consider this book your next obsession. Trust me, it won’t disappoint.
Ava tumbles into the supernatural after a rescue by a stranger. Torn between two men, Ava discovers there might be truth behind the myth of kitsunes (shape shifting foxes). Fox Tale is a gripping paranormal romance I couldn’t put down. Karen Hulene Bartell weaves an incredible story with shape shifting foxes and romance. The characters are well-written. The world building is astounding. The romance fantastic. Escape to someplace mystical and full of shadows with Fox Tale.
Ava is the heroine in Fox Tale and what a great woman she is. I connected with her right away. I kept wanting to hug her as I was reading. She’s a wounded soul who undertakes a phenomenal journey. She’s also torn between two men. Which one will she choose? You’ll have to read this book to find out.
The rest of the characters are colorful yet shrouded in mystery. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Chase and Rafe. Each character has their own personality and voice.
The world-building is what makes this book so fantastic. Layer upon layer, Karen Hulene Bartell builds a world full of myth, supernatural, and metaphysical. The more I read, the deeper I was drawn into this magical world. I felt like Alice following the rabbit. Bravo to the author on an incredible job.
I don’t know much about kitsune, I’m more of a were shifter kind of gal. But after reading Fox Tale, I’m hooked. A jaw-dropping paranormal romance not to be missed.
This is a hard review to write. Fox Tale is a paranormal romance. The paranormal side of things is facinating and it's what kept me turning the pages, keen to know how it would all unfold. For me, the romance did not work. Mostly because I did not like either of the male characters.
The whole story is built around Japanese folklaw, something that I know less than nothing about. We have shape-shifters, possession by good and evil foxes and immortal beings with grudges that span the centuries. I loved this side of the story and really wanted to know where it would go.
As I mentioned before, I wasn't keen on either of Ava's potential love interests. I'm trying to explain why here without giving away too many spoilers. They both come waving more red flags than is healthy. I couldn't understand why Ava would give Rafe the time of day after what he did to her previously. He gives an explanation and there is more that we learn later, but that just made me dislike him even more.
This may well be a personal thing and as I said, I really enjoyed everything else in the book so don't let my issues put you off. This really is a good read. I found the Japanese culture facinating. I also polished this book off in a little over 24 hours, so you can see it was one I enjoyed. If you're looking for something a little different, then I would suggest that you won't go far wrong with this.
After a stranger rescues Ava from falling down a mountain, he distracts her fear of heights by telling her stories of Japanese kitsune-supernatural tales of shapeshifting foxes and sets her on a mind-blowing journey. Karen Hulene Bartlett has written a cleverly plotted story that deftly weaves ribbons of fantasy into a taut plot driven by choices, love, loss, trust, and the inner strength one must summon to face one’s fears. This thriller moves at a breakneck clip and readers are swept into a mystical, magical world. Barlett has created flawed, but believable characters who drive the plot. The well-developed characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. Readers find themselves rooting for the protagonist from the beginning to the end of the tale. Part romance, part fantasy, part thriller, part redemption with a second chance at life and love, Fox Tale will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a love story fueled by fantasy and reality and believe that things are not always what they appear to be.
Ava West is on her first international writing assignment in Japan. Her fear of heights makes the climbing mountains and towers a challenge but also leads to her meeting Chase who has a mesmerizing way of showing her the soul of Kyoto. He shares not only the places but the legends of Japan with her. Ava's travelog takes the reader to these beautiful places and shows them to you through her eyes. I loved learning about the shape-shifting kitsune and seeing the shrines. The book switches locations between Kyoto and Japan and even to the past. It took a bit for me to be certain "where" I was in time and place but it fit Ava's sense of imbalance. Her friend Mia and past love Rafe are also key characters in the story.. The heavy paranormal aspects of the story outweigh the romance of it almost until the end. It is an intriguing, well written tale that will keep your attention to the very end. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are my own freely given.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Ava is in Japan, writing a travel article. Meeting Chase, with his wonderful tales of Japanese myths and legends, helps her write a different take. But she never expected to meet up with her ex, Rafe, who left her two years ago without a word. Both men are hiking things. Can Ava choose?
I don't read reviews before I read a book, not anymore, but I will read them AFTER I've read said book, but before I write my review for one reason only: did they feel the same about this book as I did.
In this case: nope. They all loved this book and I . . . didn't.
I'm not saying I didn't like this book, I just found it hard work.
It's almost all written from Ava's point of view, in the first person. Rafe gets two very small bits, not even a chapter, in the third. I needed more from Rafe, and Chase, to be fair, to offset Ava.
There is a huge amount of repeated wording. Mostly around how Ava feels and thinks about Chase. "Apart from his silver hair, he looks young" or words to that effect are the most common. It began to get a bit much. "Seven hundred and seventy *something*, next winter" is another. The same things about the fox stories from Japanese lore pop up time and again too.
Apart from that, I liked this book. I couldn't see where it was going, nor how it was getting there, so when it did all go down, I was surprised and I liked the way it all happened.
Although there is the repetition of the lore, I did enjoy reading about the Japanese traditions and myths and legends.
There are some difficult topics here: death of a spouse, suicide, mental health issues and readers do need to be aware. Things are not how they seem, however, but the warning still needs to be made.
This is the first I've read of this author, and I always ask myself, will I read more? Not at this time. I won't say no to reading something else at a later date though.
In Fox Tale, Karen Hulene Bartell weaves a story rich in Japanese culture and folklore, a splash of romance, and a setting so immersive, it becomes a character all its own. When Ava is assigned to travel to Japan to gather content for an article she's assigned to write, she's put on a path that leads her to discover more than just the beautiful country--she discovers the stories passed down for generations just might hold some truth. When a friend becomes entangled with an entity that puts her life in peril, Ava must turn to a former lover and mysterious new friebd to help save her. As folklore becomes reality, danger mounts, and the past comes back to offer a second chance, Ava's trip to Japan proves to be more than an assignment--it becomes a trip that changes her life, her outlook, and her heart.
The blurb snagged me. I always enjoy novels rich in history or culture, and this one takes place in Japan. I swear the author’s been there because everything about this country came alive while I read.
I enjoyed the heroine Ava. She’s come a long way from her university days when she met and fell in love with Rafe, who broke her heart by marrying another woman. Now living in NYC, and working for a tourist magazine, she’s on assignment, staying with her former university roommate while in Japan.
When Ava meets Chase on a mountain and Rafe, her ex, comes back into her life, she questions if it’s coincidental. Karen Hulene Bartell spins an entertaining read with this supernatural thriller. Her choice of cities in Japan are perfect backgrounds for suspense, romance, and mystery. As the pages flew by, I had to wonder if myth could turn into legend. Find out why when you read Fox Tale! Highly recommend.
When you visit an place with ancient history, you can expect to learn from the enduring architecture and those who preserve them. When that same ancient history is still at play today, you get Fox Tale - a mystery and romance that will have you hungry for more. Nothing is simple for the characters - not love, not work, not travel... not even the flow of time. Fox Tale had me guessing to the very last page. It's a must-read!
I have read several of Dr. Bartell’s books so when I started reading Fox Tale I knew it would be great. This book was unlike any other of her books that I have read so far, intertwining Japanese folklore and mystery with romance. The plot has many layers, delighting the reader through many twists that leaves a smile on the readers face until the very last page. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
This was an interesting book on the Japanese mythology of the Kitsune. Part modern romance, part adventure, part mystery with a little bit of paranormal mixed in. I really enjoyed the setting in Japan and all the wonderful places that Ava visits, all of which seem to have her climbing new highs, despite her fear of heights.
Fox Tale is one of my favorite books by this author. She excels at creating intriguing and skillfully woven plot intricacies, which keep the reader engaged (and guessing) from beginning to end. The suspense at the climax is superbly developed. Along the way, she introduces us to an aspect of Japanese culture we would probably never encounter under normal circumstances.
This is a story of forgiveness and healing, as well as the darker side of relationships. Readers who have experienced mental/emotional manipulation will recognize the kitsune’s method of controlling others to achieve his aim. Then the author unexpectedly reveals even more complex layers of manipulation, all tied together seamlessly. Those scenes come across as authentic and lend a nicely creepy feel to this tale of good (but flawed) versus supreme evil.