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Books of the Kindling #1
Catching Stars in a Jar
She is hiding an inconceivable secret. He is facing certain death.
Could her mountain sanctuary become their tomb?
Dr. Grace Woodruff has inherited an overwhelming and extraordinary ability. As she grapples with her beloved grandfather’s legacy, she is plagued by ominous dreams about the “old magic” and their mountain. The last thing she needs underfoot is a handsome, enigmatic writer struggling with a devastating illness.
DEA agent Nick McKenzie knows his latest case will kill him. When he arrives undercover at an isolated herb farm on Woodruff Mountain, the intriguing owner works hard to scare him off. He’s falling hard for the bewitching doctor, but all his clues point to her as the source of a deadly drug called Smoky Mountain Magic.
Unaware of Nick’s suspicions, Grace struggles with the knowledge that using her gift to heal his lymphoma could expose her mountain’s ancient secret. But when Nick stumbles over the truth and discovers the real culprits behind the drug, he faces a faster, more violent death.
Will the “old magic” intervene to save them when they are both trapped beneath the mountain by an old enemy?
Catching Stars in a Jar is the exciting first book in the Books of the Kindling romantic suspense series. If you love a small-town setting, a hero in need of healing, a growing sense of peril, and a hint of something inconceivable - magical realism, then you’ll enjoy Donna June Cooper's breathtaking tale.
Read Catching Stars in a Jar and fall under the spell of Woodruff Mountain today!
(Previously published as More Than Magic by Samhain. Republished with significant changes.)
Could her mountain sanctuary become their tomb?
Dr. Grace Woodruff has inherited an overwhelming and extraordinary ability. As she grapples with her beloved grandfather’s legacy, she is plagued by ominous dreams about the “old magic” and their mountain. The last thing she needs underfoot is a handsome, enigmatic writer struggling with a devastating illness.
DEA agent Nick McKenzie knows his latest case will kill him. When he arrives undercover at an isolated herb farm on Woodruff Mountain, the intriguing owner works hard to scare him off. He’s falling hard for the bewitching doctor, but all his clues point to her as the source of a deadly drug called Smoky Mountain Magic.
Unaware of Nick’s suspicions, Grace struggles with the knowledge that using her gift to heal his lymphoma could expose her mountain’s ancient secret. But when Nick stumbles over the truth and discovers the real culprits behind the drug, he faces a faster, more violent death.
Will the “old magic” intervene to save them when they are both trapped beneath the mountain by an old enemy?
Catching Stars in a Jar is the exciting first book in the Books of the Kindling romantic suspense series. If you love a small-town setting, a hero in need of healing, a growing sense of peril, and a hint of something inconceivable - magical realism, then you’ll enjoy Donna June Cooper's breathtaking tale.
Read Catching Stars in a Jar and fall under the spell of Woodruff Mountain today!
(Previously published as More Than Magic by Samhain. Republished with significant changes.)
333 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2014
About the author
Donna June Cooper
4 books130 followersHi! I'm Donna June Cooper and I write romance - romantic suspense with a contemporary setting, a small-town feel, some laughter, some tears, a lot of fireflies, and the whisper of something ancient and inexplicable. Some readers and reviewers call that something magical realism. My series, the Books of the Kindling, focuses on Woodruff Mountain, the ancient and inconceivable power beneath it, and the family that has hidden its secrets for centuries.
The first trilogy in the Books of the Kindling series was originally published by Samhain Publishing and I am republishing it with new titles, spiffed up covers, and a bit of a polish, in other words, a rewrite!
The series was originally mislabeled as paranormal. (This was not Samhain’s fault!) It is, instead, romantic suspense with a contemporary small-town setting, and a touch of something inconceivable that some people might call magic, but might be something even more astonishing.
The next trilogy in the series is ready to go and the final trilogy, along with a few novellas and short stories, is tumbling out of this author's head in the form of outlines and notes and all kinds of good stuff!
It's been a while, but to be honest, I could not abandon this story. Maybe it's a dangerous sign if an author likes reading her own books, but...I do! I love these characters and I love the tale they are telling.
I am so excited to share the continuation of this story with you and even more excited to offer up a prequel novella, free in eBook, to subscribers to my newsletter mailing list. You are going to LOVE this prequel!
Just a bit about me, when I'm not being outpaced by my tiny "Pocket Rocket" Chihuahua on our daily "runs", I'm reading (three books at once), writing (of course!) or complaining about the heat (no matter the temperature). I am a proud child of the Appalachians who was transplanted to Texas by my gorgeous Italian husband, but I return to my mountain roots as often as possible, to Italy whenever I can, and I take you WITH me in the Books of the Kindling.
Come visit me at www.donnajunecooper.com!
The first trilogy in the Books of the Kindling series was originally published by Samhain Publishing and I am republishing it with new titles, spiffed up covers, and a bit of a polish, in other words, a rewrite!
The series was originally mislabeled as paranormal. (This was not Samhain’s fault!) It is, instead, romantic suspense with a contemporary small-town setting, and a touch of something inconceivable that some people might call magic, but might be something even more astonishing.
The next trilogy in the series is ready to go and the final trilogy, along with a few novellas and short stories, is tumbling out of this author's head in the form of outlines and notes and all kinds of good stuff!
It's been a while, but to be honest, I could not abandon this story. Maybe it's a dangerous sign if an author likes reading her own books, but...I do! I love these characters and I love the tale they are telling.
I am so excited to share the continuation of this story with you and even more excited to offer up a prequel novella, free in eBook, to subscribers to my newsletter mailing list. You are going to LOVE this prequel!
Just a bit about me, when I'm not being outpaced by my tiny "Pocket Rocket" Chihuahua on our daily "runs", I'm reading (three books at once), writing (of course!) or complaining about the heat (no matter the temperature). I am a proud child of the Appalachians who was transplanted to Texas by my gorgeous Italian husband, but I return to my mountain roots as often as possible, to Italy whenever I can, and I take you WITH me in the Books of the Kindling.
Come visit me at www.donnajunecooper.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 4, 2014
Despite being let down by some banal, even cheesy plot developments and to a lesser extent a little environmental preachiness (not that I disagree with its message), this was a wonderfully engrossing read and I had to buy and read the second book in the series immediately. (It's times like this that I really appreciate e-books!)
November 14, 2014
Beautiful magical fantasy "Indubitably, magic is one of the subtlest and most difficult of the sciences and arts. There is more opportunity for errors of comprehension, judgment and practice than in any other branch of physics." – Aleister Crowley"Processed sugar is poison." – Sandra Tennison (Ben’s mom) – Ben 10: Ultimate AlienDoctor Grace Woodruff is special. A newly-minted doctor, she works hard and cares for her patients. Especially Isabella, better known as Tink, or Tinker Bell, the young cancer victim who wraps her tiny hands around Grace’s heart. Tink, whose time is so very, very short. Grace wants desperately to do something, anything, to help. And she does.Now, terrified by what she has done, and suffering the agony of losing her beloved grandfather, Grace returns to her mountain home to take over the family’s herb business, the business they have run since the time of her great-great-great grandmother Lily, the famous Woodruff Herb Farm. But peace is not to be found."There’s something wrong with our mountain, Gracie-girl. You’re the only one who’ll hear it too.”Frightened and confused, Grace has no time or patience for the author who shows up on her doorstep, unannounced, with a reservation to stay for a week at the Woodruff cabins – a reservation that should have been cancelled when Grace sent her workers away for a two week vacation so she can get her life, and her blooming powers, under control. Nick Crowe is supposed to be writing a book on how the meth trade affects families – but it soon becomes apparent that he is a lot more than he claims.More Than Magic is AWESOME magical urban fantasy. Donna June Cooper grew up the granddaughter of a coal miner in the Appalachian Mountains, and her knowledge of and great love for the mountains shines through in her work. Poverty and the misery, grief and destructive nature of the meth trade is a strong theme. But the beauty of the land, the magic and history, the Appalachian Granny Women who heal all those who are in need, all these things play a part in creating this marvelous first book in the Books of the Kindling series.And, there are the stars. The vast expanses of the universe, spinning above the mountains, the immeasurable depths and brilliant lights."Pops had told her the new name (Star Crossing) was much more descriptive than the old Woodruff Meadow, since he often had to stop on the road to the house to let a few stars cross."This is a magical tale, a tale of wonder and joy, of loss and heartbreak, and the ties of the miraculous nature of the Earth. Make a cup of cocoa, gather up a quilt and a soft pillow, and turn on your favorite soft music. Then curl up in your favorite chair and simply immerse yourself in a world of beauty and magic. It is well worth it.
September 26, 2014
More Than Magic by Donna June Cooper is exactly that, much more than just magic! There is also a mystery, old legends or folklore, and an undercover drug investigation going on. All this in a backwoods mountain area that is remote and very superstitious. Does Grace have the “power” to heal or is some evil entity toying her mind, undermining her spirit and sanity. Nick is a stranger who takes an interest in all things Grace, from her family herb company to the mountains and dark recesses of her life. What is he after? Grace senses something “off” about Nick, but he is not inclined to share.
Grace is only back because of a cryptic message she received, she must cure the mountain, not a disease running rampant, but the mountain itself. Is it more folklore, a message to uncover evil? Is it possible Grace does have the healing power handed down through the generations?
Nick and Grace each have their own quest to uncover truths, but could it be the undoing of their budding romance or even mean their deaths?
Donna June Cooper described the mountain and its area in wonderful detail, yet there was still a feeling that something has been veiled. The characters range from sweet and quirky to inwardly strong, yet mystified by all that is happening. Well written with a wonderful blend of romance, the paranormal and the mysterious, written at a pace that tugs you in and moves you along just fast enough to not want to get the ride, Ms. Cooper must have some magic of her own, just touching her pen.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Books of the Kindling - Book 1
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 305 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Grace is only back because of a cryptic message she received, she must cure the mountain, not a disease running rampant, but the mountain itself. Is it more folklore, a message to uncover evil? Is it possible Grace does have the healing power handed down through the generations?
Nick and Grace each have their own quest to uncover truths, but could it be the undoing of their budding romance or even mean their deaths?
Donna June Cooper described the mountain and its area in wonderful detail, yet there was still a feeling that something has been veiled. The characters range from sweet and quirky to inwardly strong, yet mystified by all that is happening. Well written with a wonderful blend of romance, the paranormal and the mysterious, written at a pace that tugs you in and moves you along just fast enough to not want to get the ride, Ms. Cooper must have some magic of her own, just touching her pen.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Books of the Kindling - Book 1
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 305 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 15, 2014
Since I write historical romance books about "witches," I knew I had to try this contemporary series. I was delighted to see how well the romance, the setting, the characters, and the magic were woven together. I'm adding the rest of the series to my TBR pile!
May 4, 2014
The author contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing this and her next book, Mostly Magic, that comes out on June 3, 2014. I checked into it and decided to give it a go. The book was billed to me as a paranormal, but I would rather call it a contemporary romance instead. Sure there were some paranormal or supernatural elements to it, but there were very light compared to most of the books I read. Those who read a lot of paranormal books might find this one a little tame. Not saying it was bad, I enjoyed the story quite a bit, but thought I would put that out there for those of you used to say Laura Wright who writes a very different type of paranormal book.
I thought this was a very nice story actually. The writing was well done, very descriptive and it was easy to picture this beautiful setting which really was like another character in the story. It took me a bit to get into, not the book’s fault started it the same time my cat got sick so I was a little preoccupied and worried about that. Like most new series and new to me authors it took some time to get the rhythm of the story and to bond with the characters. The prologue does a great job of grabbing you with an interesting little story about the lead character Grace and how she awakens to her magical potential. You are soon ripped away from that and introduced the the male lead Nick. The story jumps back and forth between the heads of both characters until the love interests meet up themselves. We are still in both their heads, but much of the back ground characters drop away and we focus on these two. There is a little girl, Jamie, who plays an important part in the story along with a canine companion, Pooka. I liked how the author limited much of the story to these four, it was much easier to follow and get invested in the people most of the action centered around.
Like I mentioned this book felt more like a contemporary romance to me. The first half of the book centers around the building up of chemistry between Grace and Nick. It was what I like to call a slow burn, the characters actually got to know each other and in return we got a chance to know them too. They did not jump into the sack in the first 50 or even 100 pages the relationship progressed at a more natural realistic pace. Okay sure they fall in love faster than people might in real life, but the world of a book this was a much more subdued pace compared to much of what is out there in the romance world. Personally I thought it was a nice change of pace, and has the potential to appeal to a broader audience. Not everybody is comfortable with a book that moves at the pace of the 50 Shades of Grey. This is a great romance for those readers who might want a more realistic relationship in their books and not have to advert their eyes every couple of chapters as the characters roll in the hay again.
Like I said the first half seemed to focus on the budding romance and the second half of the book we come to the action. We are introduced to the bad guys and the very real danger they pose for Grace, Nick and the mountain. The story changed a bit and either my cat was starting to feel better or I got more invested in the story at this point. My reading pace picked up and I finished the second half much quicker than the first. The author showed us that she could captivate us with more than just an awesome setting and a sweet romance, she could get us on the edge of our seats as well. I would say most of the action involving the mystery around the drug and why Nick came to the mountain plays out in this half of the book. This is also where more of the paranormal elements come into play for the story. Still on the light side, but they do add a nice element. I would say this is a great book for readers who perhaps want to dip their toes in to the paranormal genre, but are not necessary ready for something that is way out there.
Some of the other aspects of the book I enjoyed are how the author weaves the mountain, herb and our environment into the story. I also thought the message she was giving us about how not only are some drugs a danger and destroy people but they poison our planet as well. I enjoyed her take on natural healing with herbs, I know this an aspect of the story my husband would have enjoyed. The author also did an excellent job with her characters, they were believable, likable and well formed, even the background characters had depth to them. I was also intrigued by the character Daniel, Grace’s brother, whose story is up next in Mostly Magic.
This was a different type of book for me. I’m glad I read it and am looking forward to the next one which I hope to get to next week. This book was well written and I think could have broad appeal to lovers of contemporary, paranormal and supernatural romance. There is plenty of action as well and even a little mystery in these pages. I hope you check it out.
I thought this was a very nice story actually. The writing was well done, very descriptive and it was easy to picture this beautiful setting which really was like another character in the story. It took me a bit to get into, not the book’s fault started it the same time my cat got sick so I was a little preoccupied and worried about that. Like most new series and new to me authors it took some time to get the rhythm of the story and to bond with the characters. The prologue does a great job of grabbing you with an interesting little story about the lead character Grace and how she awakens to her magical potential. You are soon ripped away from that and introduced the the male lead Nick. The story jumps back and forth between the heads of both characters until the love interests meet up themselves. We are still in both their heads, but much of the back ground characters drop away and we focus on these two. There is a little girl, Jamie, who plays an important part in the story along with a canine companion, Pooka. I liked how the author limited much of the story to these four, it was much easier to follow and get invested in the people most of the action centered around.
Like I mentioned this book felt more like a contemporary romance to me. The first half of the book centers around the building up of chemistry between Grace and Nick. It was what I like to call a slow burn, the characters actually got to know each other and in return we got a chance to know them too. They did not jump into the sack in the first 50 or even 100 pages the relationship progressed at a more natural realistic pace. Okay sure they fall in love faster than people might in real life, but the world of a book this was a much more subdued pace compared to much of what is out there in the romance world. Personally I thought it was a nice change of pace, and has the potential to appeal to a broader audience. Not everybody is comfortable with a book that moves at the pace of the 50 Shades of Grey. This is a great romance for those readers who might want a more realistic relationship in their books and not have to advert their eyes every couple of chapters as the characters roll in the hay again.
Like I said the first half seemed to focus on the budding romance and the second half of the book we come to the action. We are introduced to the bad guys and the very real danger they pose for Grace, Nick and the mountain. The story changed a bit and either my cat was starting to feel better or I got more invested in the story at this point. My reading pace picked up and I finished the second half much quicker than the first. The author showed us that she could captivate us with more than just an awesome setting and a sweet romance, she could get us on the edge of our seats as well. I would say most of the action involving the mystery around the drug and why Nick came to the mountain plays out in this half of the book. This is also where more of the paranormal elements come into play for the story. Still on the light side, but they do add a nice element. I would say this is a great book for readers who perhaps want to dip their toes in to the paranormal genre, but are not necessary ready for something that is way out there.
Some of the other aspects of the book I enjoyed are how the author weaves the mountain, herb and our environment into the story. I also thought the message she was giving us about how not only are some drugs a danger and destroy people but they poison our planet as well. I enjoyed her take on natural healing with herbs, I know this an aspect of the story my husband would have enjoyed. The author also did an excellent job with her characters, they were believable, likable and well formed, even the background characters had depth to them. I was also intrigued by the character Daniel, Grace’s brother, whose story is up next in Mostly Magic.
This was a different type of book for me. I’m glad I read it and am looking forward to the next one which I hope to get to next week. This book was well written and I think could have broad appeal to lovers of contemporary, paranormal and supernatural romance. There is plenty of action as well and even a little mystery in these pages. I hope you check it out.
February 3, 2019
I'm officially smitten with the
Books of the Kindling
series.
Magic-lite?
Characters to fall for?
A landscape I want to hibernate in with a mountain of books, a time-eluding puppy, and a spare Nick McKenzie* if he's available?
Check, check and goddamn, check.
I'm so happy, I could puke.
Oh, and the heroine is yet another badass perfect specimen of a human who I can't even be mad at for her flawlessness because I love her so damn much!
...
I sound mad but I'm so not mad.
Also.
Also, also, also.
Cooper reminded me of a phenomenon from my childhood that I had wholly forgotten about:
"Grace leaned back on her hands and gazed up at the sky. Long ago she used to lie here in the meadow trying to imagine that the stars were down and the earth beneath her was up and managing, only for a moment, that dizzying certainty that she was going to fall."
I used to do this all the time.
It used to terrify and thrill me all at once.
Thank you, Donna June Cooper.
For reminding me.
* The men of literature are ruining me.
Magic-lite?
Characters to fall for?
A landscape I want to hibernate in with a mountain of books, a time-eluding puppy, and a spare Nick McKenzie* if he's available?
Check, check and goddamn, check.
I'm so happy, I could puke.
Oh, and the heroine is yet another badass perfect specimen of a human who I can't even be mad at for her flawlessness because I love her so damn much!
...
I sound mad but I'm so not mad.
Also.
Also, also, also.
Cooper reminded me of a phenomenon from my childhood that I had wholly forgotten about:
"Grace leaned back on her hands and gazed up at the sky. Long ago she used to lie here in the meadow trying to imagine that the stars were down and the earth beneath her was up and managing, only for a moment, that dizzying certainty that she was going to fall."
I used to do this all the time.
It used to terrify and thrill me all at once.
Thank you, Donna June Cooper.
For reminding me.
* The men of literature are ruining me.
September 25, 2014
I love how Cooper takes the well-developed premise of magic and makes it her own. She also writes a story that could quite feasibly be happening in the neighbourhood next to yours today. The realism and possibilities that she presents makes the story so tantalizing. And the story doesn’t just stop at that. Cooper incorporates history, mythology, geology, and a host of other topics to deepen the reality of the story. I also appreciate how Cooper doesn’t talk down to her audience, nor does she target a specific age range. It’s one of those stories that everyone will come to love.
The characters that Cooper develops for her audience are phenomenal. They are real and approachable with a hint of mystery and magic (of course). The real & raw manner in which they are developed allows readers an insight into the story and its background. It also allows you to get up close and personal with the action.
Overall, this was a great introduction to the Books of Kindling series. I’d recommend it to others and will be avidly following the series myself.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
The characters that Cooper develops for her audience are phenomenal. They are real and approachable with a hint of mystery and magic (of course). The real & raw manner in which they are developed allows readers an insight into the story and its background. It also allows you to get up close and personal with the action.
Overall, this was a great introduction to the Books of Kindling series. I’d recommend it to others and will be avidly following the series myself.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2014
This was an interesting, romantic read, with just enough 'magic' to make it different from the typical contemporary romance, so I wouldn't shy away if PNR isn't your cup of tea. The main characters were fun and engaging; the premise and plot, believable; the romance clean and sweet. I'd recommend this book to anyone aged 12 to 100 and I will gladly read the next in the series. Nice job, Ms. Cooper!
May 23, 2014
I didn't expect to love this book, but it surprised me. Appalachian folk magic is fascinating, and there were so many wonderful details in the story - geocaching, the history of ginseng and its hunters, the characterisation of the mountain itself - that kept it from being a much more typical paranormal romance. Very cute, interesting, and surprisingly emotional. I'm excited to read the next book in the series.
January 9, 2014
4*s
review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
More Than Magic was a great introduction to the ‘Books of the Kindling’ series by debut author Donna June Cooper.
We head to Woodruff Mountain as the setting and are introduced to Nick McKenzie/Crowe an undercover DEA agent who never fails to solve a case and this time he is on the trail of a drug that’s sweeping through the streets of Atlanta known as ‘smoky mountain magic’. He knows he will find answers at Woodruff, he has a feeling in his bones, but he also feels it will be the death of him. So, posing as a writer he sets off to find those answers. However, sparks fly and a connection is made when he gets there and meets the owner, red headed Botanist & doctor - Grace Woodruff – but she is the suspect in his case and he must remain impartial. Grace is on a hiatus following a couple of life changing events and has not only put her dreams on hold but has also had to halt the production of Woodruff produce because something is not right on this mountain, not only are the tests on their produce coming back tainted but she has been having dreams, warning her of the poison spreading through the mountain and one of the last things her Grandfather said to her was that very warning, but she just can’t figure out what’s wrong. As suspicion on Grace lifts, they will both come together to solve the mystery of what’s killing the land & just who is behind the production of Smoky Mountain Magic but they’re both keeping secrets from each other that will take a leap of faith to believe.
I was very impressed with this book and it really got my curiosity going. Grace was a good character and I liked everything about her, I liked who she was and what she did, I liked her outlook on life and I especially liked her gift. Same with Nick, I appreciated what he was about, a good moral person whose fight against the drug world wasn’t only about his job. He was an admirable person, driven to make things right and I liked that he had a little something, something going on too. I really liked the romance between them, they both seemed to be in an unhappy place that soon changed & I thought that they brought the best out in each other & complimented each-others character giving you a couple that you could really route for to achieve a happy ever after. I also loved Jamie’s character, I love when young kids are shown to be the best they can be, have ambition and are encouraged appropriately, Grace was an excellent mentor/babysitter for Jamie and I loved her nurturing approach and teaching attitude that spurred Jamie on even more.
Now, I absolutely loved the setting, everything about it. I love how they lived, the environmental issues, the botany, the medicinal research, all of it was so interesting and I was really impressed with the authors descriptions & details about the botany & processes involved in testing the mountains produce, it sounds like she knew a lot about it or has done a great amount of research making it more realistic. I like how the threat was a real world issue and is shown to not only affect people but also showed how it affected the environment too & I thought it was great, the way the magic was telling her that the mountain was being poisoned. I loved everything about the mountain & it’s power, very magical in a mother nature way, in fact it’s like Grace was the mother nature for Woodruff mountain and it had rewarded her with magical gifts in which to protect it and people who she thought deserving. I also loved Graces ancestry, how it all ties to the mountain and goes even beyond Native Americans, it’s always fascinated me how the land & people can be so in tune and to be able to live in harmony, which lets face, we are not doing so maybe it’s time we tried & I really want to know more about Nicks connection to the mountain, what is hiding in his ancestry too? There is a lot about the mountain still not known, it has a mind of its own and seems to use the people in tune with it as its vessels.
I would say that the first 50% of the book was about building the relationships, getting to know the mountain & sneaky peaks at the magic & threat involved but that soon changes into a more dangerous feel as the secrets of the people & the mountain begin to unravel leading to a rather action packed showdown. I don’t think it was hard to gather who the culprits were but it wasn’t all cut and dried as we a thrown a few surprises and I know most of it had my heart pounding right up until the very end. So, this book has mystery, intrigue, action, magic, a nice dose of romance & definitely left me with food for thought, a happy feeling in my heart and an urge to go and find this mountain and remain there for the rest of my days.
review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
More Than Magic was a great introduction to the ‘Books of the Kindling’ series by debut author Donna June Cooper.
We head to Woodruff Mountain as the setting and are introduced to Nick McKenzie/Crowe an undercover DEA agent who never fails to solve a case and this time he is on the trail of a drug that’s sweeping through the streets of Atlanta known as ‘smoky mountain magic’. He knows he will find answers at Woodruff, he has a feeling in his bones, but he also feels it will be the death of him. So, posing as a writer he sets off to find those answers. However, sparks fly and a connection is made when he gets there and meets the owner, red headed Botanist & doctor - Grace Woodruff – but she is the suspect in his case and he must remain impartial. Grace is on a hiatus following a couple of life changing events and has not only put her dreams on hold but has also had to halt the production of Woodruff produce because something is not right on this mountain, not only are the tests on their produce coming back tainted but she has been having dreams, warning her of the poison spreading through the mountain and one of the last things her Grandfather said to her was that very warning, but she just can’t figure out what’s wrong. As suspicion on Grace lifts, they will both come together to solve the mystery of what’s killing the land & just who is behind the production of Smoky Mountain Magic but they’re both keeping secrets from each other that will take a leap of faith to believe.
I was very impressed with this book and it really got my curiosity going. Grace was a good character and I liked everything about her, I liked who she was and what she did, I liked her outlook on life and I especially liked her gift. Same with Nick, I appreciated what he was about, a good moral person whose fight against the drug world wasn’t only about his job. He was an admirable person, driven to make things right and I liked that he had a little something, something going on too. I really liked the romance between them, they both seemed to be in an unhappy place that soon changed & I thought that they brought the best out in each other & complimented each-others character giving you a couple that you could really route for to achieve a happy ever after. I also loved Jamie’s character, I love when young kids are shown to be the best they can be, have ambition and are encouraged appropriately, Grace was an excellent mentor/babysitter for Jamie and I loved her nurturing approach and teaching attitude that spurred Jamie on even more.
Now, I absolutely loved the setting, everything about it. I love how they lived, the environmental issues, the botany, the medicinal research, all of it was so interesting and I was really impressed with the authors descriptions & details about the botany & processes involved in testing the mountains produce, it sounds like she knew a lot about it or has done a great amount of research making it more realistic. I like how the threat was a real world issue and is shown to not only affect people but also showed how it affected the environment too & I thought it was great, the way the magic was telling her that the mountain was being poisoned. I loved everything about the mountain & it’s power, very magical in a mother nature way, in fact it’s like Grace was the mother nature for Woodruff mountain and it had rewarded her with magical gifts in which to protect it and people who she thought deserving. I also loved Graces ancestry, how it all ties to the mountain and goes even beyond Native Americans, it’s always fascinated me how the land & people can be so in tune and to be able to live in harmony, which lets face, we are not doing so maybe it’s time we tried & I really want to know more about Nicks connection to the mountain, what is hiding in his ancestry too? There is a lot about the mountain still not known, it has a mind of its own and seems to use the people in tune with it as its vessels.
I would say that the first 50% of the book was about building the relationships, getting to know the mountain & sneaky peaks at the magic & threat involved but that soon changes into a more dangerous feel as the secrets of the people & the mountain begin to unravel leading to a rather action packed showdown. I don’t think it was hard to gather who the culprits were but it wasn’t all cut and dried as we a thrown a few surprises and I know most of it had my heart pounding right up until the very end. So, this book has mystery, intrigue, action, magic, a nice dose of romance & definitely left me with food for thought, a happy feeling in my heart and an urge to go and find this mountain and remain there for the rest of my days.
August 25, 2014
For more reviews check out my blog site - Sharon's Book Nook!
*copy of book provided by the author in return for an honest review*
Romance, drama, violence, mystery and magic make a wonderful combination in More Than Magic by Donna June Cooper.
Here is why you need to read this book:
* It’s beautifully written, moves at a good pace and has a very interesting plot that keeps you on your toes.
* The characters are adorable. Grace runs the family business that she inherited and is also a doctor. Nick is a DEA officer on assignment looking for a meth lab which is known to be present in the area. These two have an instant attraction and even thought it is only a short period of time before anything happens between them it doesn’t feel rushed and was acceptable considering their circumstances.
* The author has used some fantastic imagery to describe the mountain and it’s magic.
* A very sweet romance between Grace and Nick, including a gorgeous love scene. I don’t think I’ve read one as beautiful as this one.
* Excellent emotional expression. You feel everything the characters feel.
* Drama and mystery that keeps you thinking. I found the direction of this story hard to predict and I liked that very much.
* The ending left me with a smile on my face. :-)
I only had the one dislike:
* The story started off a little slow at first but once it took off I was completely captivated.
Overall, a gorgeous book that has stayed with me long after I’ve finished. Fantastic!
4 1/2 Stars!
*copy of book provided by the author in return for an honest review*
Romance, drama, violence, mystery and magic make a wonderful combination in More Than Magic by Donna June Cooper.
Here is why you need to read this book:
* It’s beautifully written, moves at a good pace and has a very interesting plot that keeps you on your toes.
* The characters are adorable. Grace runs the family business that she inherited and is also a doctor. Nick is a DEA officer on assignment looking for a meth lab which is known to be present in the area. These two have an instant attraction and even thought it is only a short period of time before anything happens between them it doesn’t feel rushed and was acceptable considering their circumstances.
* The author has used some fantastic imagery to describe the mountain and it’s magic.
* A very sweet romance between Grace and Nick, including a gorgeous love scene. I don’t think I’ve read one as beautiful as this one.
* Excellent emotional expression. You feel everything the characters feel.
* Drama and mystery that keeps you thinking. I found the direction of this story hard to predict and I liked that very much.
* The ending left me with a smile on my face. :-)
I only had the one dislike:
* The story started off a little slow at first but once it took off I was completely captivated.
Overall, a gorgeous book that has stayed with me long after I’ve finished. Fantastic!
4 1/2 Stars!
July 12, 2019
5 Stars
More Than Magic is the first book in the Kindling series by Donna June Cooper. OMG! I am so happy I stumbled upon this gem! I purchased it purely on a whim- not knowing what to expect from this new-to-me author- and was completely blown away by this wonderful paranormal romance. I was even more impressed to discover that this was Ms. Cooper’s debut novel (although she has written a couple more since). The story is spellbinding- full of suspense, danger, mystery, magic, investigations, romance, passion, and more.
The quirky characters are really well developed, interesting, and endearing (except for the badies, who are so well developed that they were entirely detestable). The story is well woven- with lots of clever details- and plenty of action that had me glued to the pages to find out what happens. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to see what the other (2) books have in store for me!
Highly recommended reading!!
Thank you, Ms. Cooper!
More Than Magic is the first book in the Kindling series by Donna June Cooper. OMG! I am so happy I stumbled upon this gem! I purchased it purely on a whim- not knowing what to expect from this new-to-me author- and was completely blown away by this wonderful paranormal romance. I was even more impressed to discover that this was Ms. Cooper’s debut novel (although she has written a couple more since). The story is spellbinding- full of suspense, danger, mystery, magic, investigations, romance, passion, and more.
The quirky characters are really well developed, interesting, and endearing (except for the badies, who are so well developed that they were entirely detestable). The story is well woven- with lots of clever details- and plenty of action that had me glued to the pages to find out what happens. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to see what the other (2) books have in store for me!
Highly recommended reading!!
Thank you, Ms. Cooper!
June 5, 2014
Wow! I really really enjoyed this book!
I'm not sure how I tripped over it - I think it may have come up in my "recommended for you" list on Amazon or something - but however it happened, hooray!
It was a fun read that I literally plowed through, because I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters - they were endearing, but oh-so-smart and real in the way they reacted to events. I just can't tell you how fantastic it is to have a heroine with a real head on her shoulders.
It was also a fun treatment of magic. Magic in this world is not taken for granted - the characters react to it very much the way that we would. The magic is unexpected, and subtle... a living thing that tries to communicate with them in its way, help them.
Really enjoyed the characters and the world. Looking forward to more!
I'm not sure how I tripped over it - I think it may have come up in my "recommended for you" list on Amazon or something - but however it happened, hooray!
It was a fun read that I literally plowed through, because I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters - they were endearing, but oh-so-smart and real in the way they reacted to events. I just can't tell you how fantastic it is to have a heroine with a real head on her shoulders.
It was also a fun treatment of magic. Magic in this world is not taken for granted - the characters react to it very much the way that we would. The magic is unexpected, and subtle... a living thing that tries to communicate with them in its way, help them.
Really enjoyed the characters and the world. Looking forward to more!
November 15, 2014
Donna June Cooper captures the sense of place of her treasured Appalachian Mountains in More Than Magic, the first in her Books of the Kindling series.
The characters’ connections with the land link the reader to the old magic and spirituality of Cooper’s fictional Woodruff Mountain. And, the mountain is the character that, ultimately, the protagonists have to save from a very modern threat that destroys human lives while its byproduct devastates the land.
Cooper teases us with Nick’s and Grace’s back stories. Jamie, a precocious child of the ridges and hollers, charms the reader. There is more than magic among their relationships.
Cooper’s characters lured me into their lives. And, I anticipate eagerly getting lost in the words and world of Donna June Cooper’s next book in the series, Mostly Magic.
The characters’ connections with the land link the reader to the old magic and spirituality of Cooper’s fictional Woodruff Mountain. And, the mountain is the character that, ultimately, the protagonists have to save from a very modern threat that destroys human lives while its byproduct devastates the land.
Cooper teases us with Nick’s and Grace’s back stories. Jamie, a precocious child of the ridges and hollers, charms the reader. There is more than magic among their relationships.
Cooper’s characters lured me into their lives. And, I anticipate eagerly getting lost in the words and world of Donna June Cooper’s next book in the series, Mostly Magic.
February 6, 2014
Wonderful mix of romance, suspense, and magic. I loved this book. I actually loved it after only reading an excerpt. If you like a great story mixed with love, contemporary criminal types, and a bit of the woo-woo stuff, you will love it too. I highly recommend it to everyone looking for an exciting read.
November 5, 2014
Pacy and hard to put down. Sympathetic characters you really care about and a lovely descriptive style. Looking forward to reading the next!
October 23, 2017
This was okay, all a bit insta but at least they both actually acknowledge it. There was just something missing for me though. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the characters but something just felt off. BUT... I have book 2 and 3 and I definitely plan on reading them.
January 20, 2015
http://www.njkinnysblog.com/2015/01/b...
More Than Magic intrigued me with its unique title, its distinctive cover and the blurb which promised me a romance with a touch of magic while also giving me a glimpse of a mystery that had me excited. The result was that I broke my reading sequence to pick this book up first and was completely blown away by it!
I loved everything about the book. Donna creates a different world with a mysterious mountain as the hub of all activity. The beauty of the mountain and the stories that surround it had me intrigued and asking myself if the mountain is really magical?
The settings are expertly and very vividly sketched and easily make the reader feel like he/she is present there. I could feel myself enjoying the stars, the clear air, the forests and the silent and homely beauty of the Woodruff house.
The characters are easy to associate with and I felt like I already knew Grace, her Pops, Daniel, Nick, Pooka and Jamie. These were people I could easily be friends with and so rooted for their happiness in the book!
The trust and love between Grace and Daniel had me beaming. They are the perfect siblings who look after each other and are ready to face all dangers for each other. The beautiful romantic development between Grace and Nick had me sighing and praying that they get a happily-ever-after.
The mystery and history of the mountain is expertly developed and revealed. The author is successful in keeping the reader hooked until the very end. I could not keep the book down until I had finished reading the book. The whole magic and its impact on the lives of my favourite characters is wonderful to read about. I was specially spooked with the climax and had goosebumps while reading it. The unknown old magic, the secret drug business and the danger chasing Grace and Nick had me turning the pages with bated breath. The thrill of the chase, the uncertainty, the mystery and the evil lurking on the mountain is admirably brought to life in the book and will have you excited, eager to know more as well as completely spooked.
The author's writing style is engaging and she is able to create a mental picture of all the places and events. I loved her descriptions and wish I can visit the Woodruff mountain someday. :)
The only slight downside of the book was that the terminology and language of the residents of the mountain is different and was sometimes hard to understand. The author should have given a glossary to assist the reader here.
All in all, More Than Magic is definitely a must-read book and I enjoyed every second of it. 4.5 out of 5 to it and strongly recommended to everyone. Don't miss reading the book and the series which promises a story that you will not forget. I am definitely going to read the next books in the series. :)
I received the book from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
More Than Magic intrigued me with its unique title, its distinctive cover and the blurb which promised me a romance with a touch of magic while also giving me a glimpse of a mystery that had me excited. The result was that I broke my reading sequence to pick this book up first and was completely blown away by it!
I loved everything about the book. Donna creates a different world with a mysterious mountain as the hub of all activity. The beauty of the mountain and the stories that surround it had me intrigued and asking myself if the mountain is really magical?
The settings are expertly and very vividly sketched and easily make the reader feel like he/she is present there. I could feel myself enjoying the stars, the clear air, the forests and the silent and homely beauty of the Woodruff house.
The characters are easy to associate with and I felt like I already knew Grace, her Pops, Daniel, Nick, Pooka and Jamie. These were people I could easily be friends with and so rooted for their happiness in the book!
The trust and love between Grace and Daniel had me beaming. They are the perfect siblings who look after each other and are ready to face all dangers for each other. The beautiful romantic development between Grace and Nick had me sighing and praying that they get a happily-ever-after.
The mystery and history of the mountain is expertly developed and revealed. The author is successful in keeping the reader hooked until the very end. I could not keep the book down until I had finished reading the book. The whole magic and its impact on the lives of my favourite characters is wonderful to read about. I was specially spooked with the climax and had goosebumps while reading it. The unknown old magic, the secret drug business and the danger chasing Grace and Nick had me turning the pages with bated breath. The thrill of the chase, the uncertainty, the mystery and the evil lurking on the mountain is admirably brought to life in the book and will have you excited, eager to know more as well as completely spooked.
The author's writing style is engaging and she is able to create a mental picture of all the places and events. I loved her descriptions and wish I can visit the Woodruff mountain someday. :)
The only slight downside of the book was that the terminology and language of the residents of the mountain is different and was sometimes hard to understand. The author should have given a glossary to assist the reader here.
All in all, More Than Magic is definitely a must-read book and I enjoyed every second of it. 4.5 out of 5 to it and strongly recommended to everyone. Don't miss reading the book and the series which promises a story that you will not forget. I am definitely going to read the next books in the series. :)
I received the book from the author and the tour organizers and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
July 13, 2014
More Than Magic takes magic to the earthly, environmentally friendly level. Grace is a medical doctor, but her roots take her back to basics and herbal remedies. When her grandfather dies and she is brought back to their ancestral mountain. Her abilities build gradually and the effects confuse Grace. She is a doctor, everything should be scientifically explainable, but she does not trust the unknown. If she can't explain the miracles she is creating, she doesn't trust what side effects might come. This is her reasoning for resisting acknowledging the feelings Nick seems to have for her.
Nick is in for more than he anticipates when he visits Woodruff Mountain investigating rumors of the mountain producing more than just amazing herbal medicines. Nick gets swept up in the magic the mountain produces as well as the magic a certain doctor puts off.
The secrets of the mountain are interesting and definitely different. I have read stories of magic coming from Mother Earth, but this feels like more than that. It is as if the mountain comes alive with it's magic and defending itself. The descriptions of the hidden caves and natural occurring magic added to the mystery of the mountain's agony.
More Than Magic had a great climax and ending once all the puzzle pieces starting falling into place. There's lots of history and more than one crazy old lady! Nick and Grace make a great couple, and even though you think they have progressed in their relationship, Grace's concerns about the side effects of her magic rear their ugly head. I have to admit, I cried a little here. I don't cry often, but this one got me which just made the ending even more satisfying.
Here's some great news! More Than Magic will be on sale for $0.99 from now until November 15th! Go check out your favorite retailer and snatch this up! You really should read the book too, not just stare at the cover for an hour like I did! The cover for this book is amazing!
This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
Nick is in for more than he anticipates when he visits Woodruff Mountain investigating rumors of the mountain producing more than just amazing herbal medicines. Nick gets swept up in the magic the mountain produces as well as the magic a certain doctor puts off.
The secrets of the mountain are interesting and definitely different. I have read stories of magic coming from Mother Earth, but this feels like more than that. It is as if the mountain comes alive with it's magic and defending itself. The descriptions of the hidden caves and natural occurring magic added to the mystery of the mountain's agony.
More Than Magic had a great climax and ending once all the puzzle pieces starting falling into place. There's lots of history and more than one crazy old lady! Nick and Grace make a great couple, and even though you think they have progressed in their relationship, Grace's concerns about the side effects of her magic rear their ugly head. I have to admit, I cried a little here. I don't cry often, but this one got me which just made the ending even more satisfying.
Here's some great news! More Than Magic will be on sale for $0.99 from now until November 15th! Go check out your favorite retailer and snatch this up! You really should read the book too, not just stare at the cover for an hour like I did! The cover for this book is amazing!
This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict
February 7, 2014
I was thoroughly delighted by this book and recommend it for anyone who likes mystery, drama, humor, a great love story, and yes, magic. The opening, scene-setting chapter for physician Grace is both captivating and mysterious, and her very ill patient, young ‘Tink,’ absolutely charming. But what becomes of either of them? We are left to wonder.
With the opening chapter for Nick, we are introduced to a man who seems nice, affable, and certainly has friends who care about his well-being, but this intro is equally mysterious. What is he all about, what is he being sent to find out, and what is the underlying health issue alluded to?
When Grace and Nick finally meet, way back in a Southern mountain holler, the story unwinds with charismatic characters, fun writing, and rich scene-setting. However, this is not a RomCom – far from it. There is something dark, perhaps even evil going on, and Grace and Nick, along with beautifully precocious child, Jamie, must work together to uncover what that is, in order to ‘cure’ the mountain of its disease.
The writing is captivating, and one sign of a true storyteller is when I find myself so ‘inside’ the story I come out surprised I don’t actually know any of the characters personally, or have never visited the region portrayed. More than Magic is one of those, and I applaud Donna June Cooper on her first book. I look forward to many more. Very well done.
This reviewer received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review, which is given as a professional courtesy and without compensation of any kind.
With the opening chapter for Nick, we are introduced to a man who seems nice, affable, and certainly has friends who care about his well-being, but this intro is equally mysterious. What is he all about, what is he being sent to find out, and what is the underlying health issue alluded to?
When Grace and Nick finally meet, way back in a Southern mountain holler, the story unwinds with charismatic characters, fun writing, and rich scene-setting. However, this is not a RomCom – far from it. There is something dark, perhaps even evil going on, and Grace and Nick, along with beautifully precocious child, Jamie, must work together to uncover what that is, in order to ‘cure’ the mountain of its disease.
The writing is captivating, and one sign of a true storyteller is when I find myself so ‘inside’ the story I come out surprised I don’t actually know any of the characters personally, or have never visited the region portrayed. More than Magic is one of those, and I applaud Donna June Cooper on her first book. I look forward to many more. Very well done.
This reviewer received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review, which is given as a professional courtesy and without compensation of any kind.
June 5, 2026
I'm officially smitten with this series.
🌿 Magic-lite?
🌿 Characters to fall for?
🌿 A landscape I want to hibernate in with a mountain of books, a time-eluding puppy, and a spare Nick McKenzie (the men of literature are ruining me one book at a time) if he's available?
Check, check and goddamn, check.
I'm so happy, I could puke.
Oh, and the heroine is yet another badass perfect specimen of a human who I can't even be mad at for her flawlessness because I love her so damn much!
...
I sound mad but I'm so not mad.
Also.
Also, also, also.
Cooper reminded me of a phenomenon from my childhood that I had wholly forgotten about:
I used to do this all the time, and it would terrify and thrill me all at once.
Thank you, Donna June Cooper, for reminding me.
🌿 Magic-lite?
🌿 Characters to fall for?
🌿 A landscape I want to hibernate in with a mountain of books, a time-eluding puppy, and a spare Nick McKenzie (the men of literature are ruining me one book at a time) if he's available?
Check, check and goddamn, check.
I'm so happy, I could puke.
Oh, and the heroine is yet another badass perfect specimen of a human who I can't even be mad at for her flawlessness because I love her so damn much!
...
I sound mad but I'm so not mad.
Also.
Also, also, also.
Cooper reminded me of a phenomenon from my childhood that I had wholly forgotten about:
"Grace leaned back on her hands and gazed up at the sky. Long ago she used to lie here in the meadow trying to imagine that the stars were down and the earth beneath her was up and managing, only for a moment, that dizzying certainty that she was going to fall."
I used to do this all the time, and it would terrify and thrill me all at once.
Thank you, Donna June Cooper, for reminding me.
December 10, 2015
This was a great read from start to finish! I especially loved the way the author incorporated family history into the story. At no time did I feel as though I was getting a history lesson, as sometimes happens. Instead, the heroine’s connection to her family’s legacy was very much a part of who she was.
The individual struggles of both the hero and heroine led to a lot of growth for both of them as they overcame hurdles and reached a true understanding and appreciation of each other’s gifts.
The writing flows naturally, is clean and easy to read. The author takes her time and never rushes through the story. A couple of times I thought the end was near, but surprise! There’s more to the story. More to be told much to my delight. The ending, when I got there, was perfect, exactly as it should be.
I look forward to reading Mostly Magic, the second book in this series by talented author, Donna June Cooper.
The individual struggles of both the hero and heroine led to a lot of growth for both of them as they overcame hurdles and reached a true understanding and appreciation of each other’s gifts.
The writing flows naturally, is clean and easy to read. The author takes her time and never rushes through the story. A couple of times I thought the end was near, but surprise! There’s more to the story. More to be told much to my delight. The ending, when I got there, was perfect, exactly as it should be.
I look forward to reading Mostly Magic, the second book in this series by talented author, Donna June Cooper.
February 20, 2020
Nick is a DEA agent in remission from cancer. He's working what he knows is his last job; he's investigating a meth ring in the mountains. Grace is a new MD who returned home to her mountain ot take over the business after her grandfather died. The mountain has its own magic, there are places only certain people can go, it sends out feelings of hurt and darkness, and Grace realizes that she has magic too and can heal people.
This is a good book and I didn't want it to end. It started out slowly, but made up for it. The characters are adults and act like it. The action at the end was great and I really enjoyed it. The writing is good.
This is a good book and I didn't want it to end. It started out slowly, but made up for it. The characters are adults and act like it. The action at the end was great and I really enjoyed it. The writing is good.
January 3, 2015
WOW what a captivating book. I was drawn in from the very first chapter. I loved the dynamics between the characters, especially Grace and her interaction with Tink and Jamie. Donna describes everything in such great detail that I actually felt like I was there on the mountain with them seeing it through my eyes. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review, which in no way influenced my opinion of this book. I can't wait to see what comes next.
May 18, 2026
Pacy and hard to put down. Sympathetic characters you really care about and a lovely descriptive style. Looking forward to reading the next!
May 5, 2017
This book was so sweet. Written from the perspective of Nick, an undercover DEA agent and Grace, an intelligent doctor/herbal scientist who recently found out she has magic that's connected to the Mountain her family owns.
Grace accidentally heals this little girl patient and basically freaks out and leaves medical school to retreat back to her mountain where the family business of herbs resides. She notices a shift in the herbs and worries that it would effect the efficacy of the product so she shuts down her business to research it with the plans to restart business once the problem is fixed.
Enter Nick, who rented out one of the cabins her property usually offers. She reluctantly lets him stay at the cabin even though no one else is there to host him. Nick claims to be a writer researching for his next book. Nick knows that a new drug that hit Atlanta is tied to this mountain somehow and suspects the owner of the mountain, Grace, is somehow linked. Upon meeting Grace he is instantly attracted to her and confused at how she could possibly be involved, since she isn't really the shady type. Nick is also very sick/underweight but wants to finish this one last case even though he thinks it will be his last.
The story follows his investigation of her/his attraction to her despite the investigation and Grace trying to figure out her magical gift/the mountains mysterious magical source. This book is so sweet, romantic and has a hint of magic that makes it all the more interesting. I recommend this book to those who like romance and are OK with magic being in the mix.
The ONLY qualm I had with this book (SPOILER ALERT) was that the characters fell in love within 48 hours and that is just a little too unrealistic to me. It honestly wasn't that bad though, with the whole magic calls to magic thing. I get it. It's just a bit fast paced for real love. But again, magic makes the whole thing a bit irrelevant.
Grace accidentally heals this little girl patient and basically freaks out and leaves medical school to retreat back to her mountain where the family business of herbs resides. She notices a shift in the herbs and worries that it would effect the efficacy of the product so she shuts down her business to research it with the plans to restart business once the problem is fixed.
Enter Nick, who rented out one of the cabins her property usually offers. She reluctantly lets him stay at the cabin even though no one else is there to host him. Nick claims to be a writer researching for his next book. Nick knows that a new drug that hit Atlanta is tied to this mountain somehow and suspects the owner of the mountain, Grace, is somehow linked. Upon meeting Grace he is instantly attracted to her and confused at how she could possibly be involved, since she isn't really the shady type. Nick is also very sick/underweight but wants to finish this one last case even though he thinks it will be his last.
The story follows his investigation of her/his attraction to her despite the investigation and Grace trying to figure out her magical gift/the mountains mysterious magical source. This book is so sweet, romantic and has a hint of magic that makes it all the more interesting. I recommend this book to those who like romance and are OK with magic being in the mix.
The ONLY qualm I had with this book (SPOILER ALERT) was that the characters fell in love within 48 hours and that is just a little too unrealistic to me. It honestly wasn't that bad though, with the whole magic calls to magic thing. I get it. It's just a bit fast paced for real love. But again, magic makes the whole thing a bit irrelevant.
July 20, 2022
I love to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2015
In More Than Magic (Books of the Kindling #1) by Donna June Cooper, Grace inherited more than Woodruff mountain and a herbal business from her grandfather. She also inherited magic...magic she doesn't necessarily want, magic that scares her and leaves her uncertain. Her last message from her grandfather also haunts her...there is something wrong with the mountain only she can fix. A physician now living on Woodruff Mountain running the herbal business and renting cottages on her property, Grace shuts the business side of her life down when events she's not sure she knows the reason for start occurring. Kept company by her dog and a young child, Jamie, she babysits, Grace is running low on energy and life, filled with unanswered questions.
DEA agent Nick arrives unexpectedly on her property as a writer recovering from illness looking to heal and write. He is not who he says he is, but for him magic has a whole other meaning - meth on the streets of Atlanta that he is sure is coming from Woodruff Mountain. Always trusting his gut instincts, as soon as he meets Grace he knows something is not quite right...but what? She's his prime suspect, but his gut is screaming no. With his body and mind falling for her, the pull between them is almost magical. But with each having their own hidden agendas and danger of all kinds in the mountains surrounding them, can they make it through all of it to see what they can have together?
More Than Magic is a thrilling first book in the Books of Kindling series. At times frightening and at times so romantic, Donna easily pulled me right into Grace and Nick's story. I really liked both of these main characters. Both of them are driven, determined to do the right thing. I liked how they spent time getting to know one another, even if Nick's initial reasons were mixed. I felt this gave me really good insight into the characters and their lives, which made me like their story even more. I really liked the dual POV's that took us into their minds. Jamie, the child, is a strong secondary character who was so easy to picture.
Donna paces More Than Magic well, with a great mix of magic, uncertainty, healing, and the power of nature. I enjoyed how she blended all of these elements together with a romantic suspense that had me on pins and needles at times! She writes with great knowledge of her subject, and makes her characters believable. Even the paranormal aspect is one of those things you think just might be possible, which is an element of paranormal romances that I love. Her description of Woodruff Mountain is so detailed I could feel it, see the stars, the fog and the forest.
With action, danger, and romance, I'd recommend More Than Magic to romantic suspense readers who like some paranormal woven in...to keep it magic.
DEA agent Nick arrives unexpectedly on her property as a writer recovering from illness looking to heal and write. He is not who he says he is, but for him magic has a whole other meaning - meth on the streets of Atlanta that he is sure is coming from Woodruff Mountain. Always trusting his gut instincts, as soon as he meets Grace he knows something is not quite right...but what? She's his prime suspect, but his gut is screaming no. With his body and mind falling for her, the pull between them is almost magical. But with each having their own hidden agendas and danger of all kinds in the mountains surrounding them, can they make it through all of it to see what they can have together?
More Than Magic is a thrilling first book in the Books of Kindling series. At times frightening and at times so romantic, Donna easily pulled me right into Grace and Nick's story. I really liked both of these main characters. Both of them are driven, determined to do the right thing. I liked how they spent time getting to know one another, even if Nick's initial reasons were mixed. I felt this gave me really good insight into the characters and their lives, which made me like their story even more. I really liked the dual POV's that took us into their minds. Jamie, the child, is a strong secondary character who was so easy to picture.
Donna paces More Than Magic well, with a great mix of magic, uncertainty, healing, and the power of nature. I enjoyed how she blended all of these elements together with a romantic suspense that had me on pins and needles at times! She writes with great knowledge of her subject, and makes her characters believable. Even the paranormal aspect is one of those things you think just might be possible, which is an element of paranormal romances that I love. Her description of Woodruff Mountain is so detailed I could feel it, see the stars, the fog and the forest.
With action, danger, and romance, I'd recommend More Than Magic to romantic suspense readers who like some paranormal woven in...to keep it magic.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Furious Firefly Publishing, Books Go Social, and the author Donna June Cooper for this ARC of a revised republished novel, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded up.
Apparently this is a revision which included trying to describe this as “science fiction romance” instead of “paranormal romance”. For me, it’s not scifi when the theme is energetic gifts from generations of living on/connected to a source of power. Yes, the FMC is a scientist but she easily could’ve just been an herbalist/root witch without that background. Making her a scientist gives more science/magic contrast and internal conflict, but what she does is channeling of energy, in a magic way and the story is essentially a (late) coming into her powers story where she is forced to fully acknowledge her lineage and her place in it.
The relationship that forms with the MMC is very “insta” and honestly hard to believe.
I appreciated his skeptical nature and the development of his gradual realization of who the criminals actually were.
Also hard to believe was her inability to discern the true physical state of the criminal mastermind. She had enough intelligence and suspicion to figure out a lymphoma and a handkerchief, so why not the physical state?
The dream foreshadowing of a child really wasn’t necessary. I would have been happier without it.
As someone familiar with Western North Carolina and the Cherokee, etc., it was nice to see some of that in this story.
Overall, the story hangs together well enough in a very basic way (2 stars plus .5 for the dog and the cryptographer) but I’m not inspired to read anything more. The writing felt forced at times and didn’t flow for me as it does when I’m really into a story.
Part of the lack of desire to read more is the formatting of the Kindle book. Instead of the normal left margin justified, it was right margined, with a light grey (or maybe white) italicized font on a dark grey background.
I saw no special reason for this formatting choice and would have preferred an easier to read option. It felt a bit like I was fighting the book to read it. (Maybe it will change before the actual publication in April 2026)
Thank you again to NetGalley, Furious Firefly Publishing, Books Go Social, and the author Donna June Cooper for this ARC of a revised republished novel, in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded up.
Apparently this is a revision which included trying to describe this as “science fiction romance” instead of “paranormal romance”. For me, it’s not scifi when the theme is energetic gifts from generations of living on/connected to a source of power. Yes, the FMC is a scientist but she easily could’ve just been an herbalist/root witch without that background. Making her a scientist gives more science/magic contrast and internal conflict, but what she does is channeling of energy, in a magic way and the story is essentially a (late) coming into her powers story where she is forced to fully acknowledge her lineage and her place in it.
The relationship that forms with the MMC is very “insta” and honestly hard to believe.
I appreciated his skeptical nature and the development of his gradual realization of who the criminals actually were.
Also hard to believe was her inability to discern the true physical state of the criminal mastermind. She had enough intelligence and suspicion to figure out a lymphoma and a handkerchief, so why not the physical state?
The dream foreshadowing of a child really wasn’t necessary. I would have been happier without it.
As someone familiar with Western North Carolina and the Cherokee, etc., it was nice to see some of that in this story.
Overall, the story hangs together well enough in a very basic way (2 stars plus .5 for the dog and the cryptographer) but I’m not inspired to read anything more. The writing felt forced at times and didn’t flow for me as it does when I’m really into a story.
Part of the lack of desire to read more is the formatting of the Kindle book. Instead of the normal left margin justified, it was right margined, with a light grey (or maybe white) italicized font on a dark grey background.
I saw no special reason for this formatting choice and would have preferred an easier to read option. It felt a bit like I was fighting the book to read it. (Maybe it will change before the actual publication in April 2026)
Thank you again to NetGalley, Furious Firefly Publishing, Books Go Social, and the author Donna June Cooper for this ARC of a revised republished novel, in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dr. Grace Woodruff has gone home as her “Pops”who raised her has died. She struggles with her beloved grandfather’s legacy. She is tormented by dark dreams about the “old magic” and their mountain. The last thing she she wants is a good looking writer struggling with a devastating illness. DEA agent Nick McKenzie is aware that this case will kill him. Why? He arrives undercover at an isolated herb farm on Woodruff Mountain. Grace the owner tries hard to scare him off. He finds himself falling for the doctor even though all his clues point to her as the ounce of a deadly drug known as Smoky Mountain Magic. Unaware of Nick’s suspicions, Grace struggles to with the knowledge that using her gift to heal his lymphoma could expose the mountain’s ancient secret. When Nick stumbles over the truth and discovers the real culprits of the drugs, he ends up facing a more violent death.
The author has written a mystical, cozy, contemporary romance flavored with drama, sci-fi, suspense, action, and mystery, “Catching Stars in a Jar” is a perfect choice. The introduction promises a tale of ancestral magic, family legacy, scientific discovery, and an undercover investigation. It is a compelling story. The prose is intimate, reflective, and deliberate. I could feel the “sparks” and sensations running through Grace and Nick whenever they were together. The vivid imagery evoked bringing the rustic, serene, and picturesque Woodruff Mountain environment. Between following Nick’s introspective thoughts involving the suspect profile for his case and Grace’s conflicting profile, and his conversations with Jamie, I found myself laughing at the suspicion, judgment, and confusion that marked these interactions. This is an incredible debut in the “Books of the Kindling” series. I loved it! I must admit that I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions are strictly my own.
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