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Spells and Sins #2

Envy and Magic

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Trying to keep her mind off the mess of her personal life, Sam Harris throws herself into the training she could never get a handle on as a teen. Maybe if she works hard enough, she can even become a witch who, you know, can actually use her powers. But nothing is free, and if she wants to train, she has to become a full fledged member of the Families.

But when she's assigned one of her first tasks for the Families, to find out who is burning the homes of local witches, she's once again confronted with the man she'd hoped to never see again: Detective Derek Pierce.

Derek is determined to figure out what the witch community has to do with the fires before anyone gets hurt. Anyone human at least. His investigation hits a brick wall when Sam and her family get in his way. Now the only way to find the answers is to work with the one woman he never wanted in the middle of this mess.

Except the person behind the fires is closer than any of them realize. And the closer they get, the closer they become to being the next targets.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2019

156 people are currently reading
79 people want to read

About the author

Melody Raven

33 books56 followers
Melody Raven is a Michigan girl through and through. She is overly attached to her rescue pit bull, Rigby, and spends her time not writing chasing all sorts of worldly pleasures.

She travels all over the world, devours entertainment in any form, from books to movies to podcasts, and collects amazing experiences like a hoarder on a TV show.

Melody also writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance under the name Mallory Crowe. Her life's motto is "if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing".

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5 stars
83 (41%)
4 stars
73 (36%)
3 stars
40 (20%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,277 reviews57 followers
August 4, 2019
Sam and Derek's paths cross again, each investigating a string of arsons in town. Derek hasn't quite given up his goal of bringing Sam's family to justice and Sam is now working for her grandmother (the head witch of the area). When the fires start killing people, Sam and Derek join forces once again to determine the person responsible.

I really like the dynamic between Sam and Derek and was happy to return to their story. Things have changed a little in book 2. I think Derek was more protective of Sam and Sam a little less badass. I still enjoyed the mystery they solved together. HOWEVER, the cliffhanger ending was ridiculous. Everything up to that point was great, but it was so out of left field that I lost a little respect. It boils down to this: I'm frustrated but I like Sam and Derek enough to want to read the next book. I'm not sure what I will do if something similar happens at the end of book 3. I have limited tolerance - you feel me?
Profile Image for Tiera McMillian.
1,160 reviews44 followers
August 8, 2019
3.5-4 stars. This series has really turned into a paranormal detective series. In this second book we really get to see Sam putting pieces of the puzzle together while working with Derek. Apparently her new role as Sentry for her grandmother Claudia is basically detective, judge, and jury. Now if only she could get a handle on her powers.. whatever they are supposed to be. I still can't figure out whats going on with that.

After the events of book one Sam goes off to study with the head of their witch house, Claudia. A series of arson crimes are occuring across the city targeting certian witches.. in alphabetical order. Sam in her new role is out to find answers. Of course, Derek is looking for his own answers as he is still trying to pin something on Sam's family. It looks like Derek and Sam's life are even more intwined as we find out who is causes the fires only to be pointed in the same direction as the last book. Someone is looking for more and more power.. and Claire is still target #1. Claire apparently has her own secrets though as she begins training with her magic.. Secrets she is supposed to keep even from Sam.

This series has really started taking shape here in book 2 its obvious there is way more intrigue than what book 1 had uncovered. I'm really likeing where this is going. Sam and Derek this go round seem to have tons of chemistry. Sam was described as quirky and a little awkward in book 1 but in book 2 shes almost like an entirely different character. Its interesting to see her growth. I'm really wondering if she is ever going to get a handle on these powers though. I'm ready for her to be bad A. Its not over though... I can't wait to see what else is in store for these people!
Profile Image for debturk1970_bookvibes.
1,824 reviews18 followers
March 12, 2019
An Exciting & Surprising Follow Up!!😱🔥🌟
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)

Another cracking read in this exciting witchy series!!👍 Sam has become one of her Grandmother's, Claudia, Sentry's, much to Derek's disgust when he finds out. Sam's magical training hasn't been going any better with her guidance than with anyone else's 😔 Claudia decides that putting her in the field with her most trusted guard, Bastian, may bring Sam the control she's missing!!

Derek is following leads on what he thinks are magic related add-ons when he meets Sam for the first time since sending her away 3 months before!!🙈 He's horrified to see she's become a sentry. Eventually they agree to share intelligence to a degree.

Sam's life is very nearly ended 😢 It pulls them back together as a couple 🔥💘🔥 He is instrumental in figuring out who the big bad is after Claire is once again kidnapped 😱🔪🌙 Can they save everyone in time and is Derek going to be safe from her Mum & Grandmother though??😳

This ends on an almighty shocker for our couple!!😱🙈 Another cracking read 👍

Debbie, 1970, UK
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,769 reviews19 followers
January 3, 2021
Cliffhanger warning!

This is book two of the series, and is set approximately three months after the first book.
Sam is working for her Grandmother, when she runs across Derek during the course of a job.
Derek has been investigating some attacks he is sure are magic related, and he is not particularly happy to see Sam there.
The two of them end up teaming up to track down the “bad guys”, with frequent dangerous encounters.

Part mystery, part urban fantasy, this series follows an inept witch and her love interest homicide detective.
It’s an entertaining series, with an intriguing universe and a fascinating storyline.
The overarching storyline of dark magic, continues throughout several books, although each book has a mystery solved within it.
This book also has a cliffhanger ending/book-hook for the next book in the series.
Recommended for fans of urban fantasy with a mystery style twist.
Profile Image for Kira.
1,539 reviews
June 26, 2019
Book 2 was so suspenseful and intense, I was on the edge of my seat through every page! As I said before, I am not a fan of books about witches and magic, but this story is so much more than that and Melody Raven really knows how to tell a great story. We get to see Sam and Derek back together again, after a little bit of a hiccup, and they really are a power couple to be reckoned with. We get to learn even more about this society and Sam's family. You think your family is messed up, well just wait and see. I also am glad we got to see more of Claire and I am extremely intrigued in learning more about her past. All in all, this book is a real page turner. On to book 3!
Profile Image for Audrey O'Neil.
426 reviews8 followers
January 24, 2022
I'm torn. I enjoyed this entire book, but it had a total shit, predictable ending.

The first book ended on a stupid, angsty argument between the FMC and the MMC... and now this one ended similarly but involving her overbearing, awful family... who she clings to. 🤦🏻‍♀️😑

Like, okay. You're just terrible at writing endings. But... I wanted to continue and the ending makes me not at all want to. So, I'm done with this series now.😒
149 reviews
July 9, 2019
Well written

The story is well written and expanding on book 1. My dislike of the storyline is throwing the H/h under the bus at the end of the book. I truly hope they get their HEA.
1,027 reviews
September 19, 2019
Great paranormal read

I loved the second book in the series as much as the first. I wasn’t surprised at who the witch working with Tommy was. Hopefully I. Boom three Sam and Derek can get together and stay together as they deserve it.
3,323 reviews30 followers
February 8, 2021
Envy & magic

Sam is an on again, off again kind of witch but she belongs to a powerful family of witches. Derek is police detective who Sam is in love with. Circumstances with witchy communities is power and jealousy.
Profile Image for Marie Clifton.
117 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2021
Good adventure

Besides a few word issues there is a twist you would never expect. Sam's sister is using dark magic. Plus the ending leaves you hanging to want to read more. Look forward to see what happens.
Profile Image for Stephanie Willett-marion.
187 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2019
Adventurous

Absolutely love these books. It has everything I want in them. Can't wait to read the next book. Must read
875 reviews
October 13, 2019
Envy and Magic

Another installment! Interesting tactic, cliff hangers to continue to read the books. The story has agood poot and characters. The action and adventure are in target.
29 reviews
March 19, 2021
Very enjoyable with a good storyline and well rounded characters.
Profile Image for Isa.
193 reviews5 followers
July 28, 2021
This author has cliffhangers down to an art, even with my most hated plotlines I’m still going to read the next book 🥲
Profile Image for Kevin.
2,640 reviews37 followers
April 17, 2022
After two books, I stopped caring what happens next to these characters.
378 reviews
June 13, 2022
Awesome

Oh wow, that ending and what was with those twists, I did not see that coming at all!
Great plot and growth in this book!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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