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Betwixt & Between #1
Betwixt
A Paranormal Women's Fiction with a bit of class, and a lot of sass, for anyone who feels like age is just a number!
Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance "Dephne" Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts.
She’s only there to find out why a woman she’s never met would leave her a house. A veritable castle that has seen better days. She couldn’t possibly accept it, but the lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she’s scared of it. The house. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly.
Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who’s a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed in ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ.
She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects.
Come to find out, they think she’s a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they’re right.
Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance "Dephne" Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts.
She’s only there to find out why a woman she’s never met would leave her a house. A veritable castle that has seen better days. She couldn’t possibly accept it, but the lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she’s scared of it. The house. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly.
Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who’s a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed in ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ.
She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects.
Come to find out, they think she’s a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they’re right.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2020
2318 people are currently reading
8840 people want to read
About the author
Darynda Jones
57 books16.5k followersNYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. She penned the international bestselling Charley Davidson series and is currently working on several beloved projects, most notably the Sunshine Vicram Mystery Series with St. Martin's Press and the Betwixt and Between Series of paranormal women's fiction. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
Click here to read one of the more popular short stories by Darynda called The Monster:
https://theneverneath.com/2018/02/02/...
She can be found at http://www.daryndajones.com
Click here to read one of the more popular short stories by Darynda called The Monster:
https://theneverneath.com/2018/02/02/...
She can be found at http://www.daryndajones.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,652 reviews
July 24, 2021
Tried while inflicted with QuarantineBrain™, but nothing could redeem this for me.
Over-the top description, such as describing the purple the real estate agent is wearing as "a shade so bright it made my eyes water. Not unlike pepper spray. Or napalm." Wrong on so. many. levels. For real. As in, didn't you know actual people were burned by it, Author? Literally all of the description was similarly exaggerated, which just hurt my brain.
The hottie is literally a guy who is wearing a kilt and going shirtless while doing plumbing, which is just... ew. Plus, ginger.
Jones tries to modernize this by giving the MC have two dads, one Latino, and some sort of adoption-who-is-my-real-mother-family plots. (Side note: I had to stop and take a cultural check at her choice for making it a 'haha' situation that the kid called the non-Latino dad 'papi.' Haha, so funny).
I hate adoption plots.
Abandoned, because I couldn't see any reason to continue.
Over-the top description, such as describing the purple the real estate agent is wearing as "a shade so bright it made my eyes water. Not unlike pepper spray. Or napalm." Wrong on so. many. levels. For real. As in, didn't you know actual people were burned by it, Author? Literally all of the description was similarly exaggerated, which just hurt my brain.
The hottie is literally a guy who is wearing a kilt and going shirtless while doing plumbing, which is just... ew. Plus, ginger.
Jones tries to modernize this by giving the MC have two dads, one Latino, and some sort of adoption-who-is-my-real-mother-family plots. (Side note: I had to stop and take a cultural check at her choice for making it a 'haha' situation that the kid called the non-Latino dad 'papi.' Haha, so funny).
I hate adoption plots.
Abandoned, because I couldn't see any reason to continue.
March 26, 2021
Betwixt by Darynda Jones
Paranormal women’s fiction. 1st book in the Betwixt and Between series. A witch in Salem.
Cliffhanger for the series.
Defiance Dayne inherits a home in Salem, Massachusetts. Once she signs the paperwork, she is introduced to her own grandmother and finds out her inheritance is more than just a house. Defiance learns she is a witch. Neighbors are knocking on her door morning and night asking Defiance to help them find lost items. Defiance also learns she’s in danger.
Irreverent, snarky, entertaining and amusing.
I loved this first book. Many laugh out loud moments as well as touching scenes with her adoptive Dads. A hint of romance and best friend antics added to the joy. Corny play on words were irresistibly funny - ie playing with the wieners. Dogs!
I can’t wait to read the rest. This did end unresolved and unfinished in a cliffhanger. I’d be mad, but it was just too much fun. Plus I already have books 2 and 3 (of 4) ready to go.
I listened to the audio version by Traci Odum. She did a phenomenal job on the narration. I also have a paperback and ebook copy to keep and share.
Paranormal women’s fiction. 1st book in the Betwixt and Between series. A witch in Salem.
Cliffhanger for the series.
Defiance Dayne inherits a home in Salem, Massachusetts. Once she signs the paperwork, she is introduced to her own grandmother and finds out her inheritance is more than just a house. Defiance learns she is a witch. Neighbors are knocking on her door morning and night asking Defiance to help them find lost items. Defiance also learns she’s in danger.
Irreverent, snarky, entertaining and amusing.
I loved this first book. Many laugh out loud moments as well as touching scenes with her adoptive Dads. A hint of romance and best friend antics added to the joy. Corny play on words were irresistibly funny - ie playing with the wieners. Dogs!
I can’t wait to read the rest. This did end unresolved and unfinished in a cliffhanger. I’d be mad, but it was just too much fun. Plus I already have books 2 and 3 (of 4) ready to go.
I listened to the audio version by Traci Odum. She did a phenomenal job on the narration. I also have a paperback and ebook copy to keep and share.
February 22, 2020
I have so much feeling about this book.
First, have you watched Texas Chainsaw 3D? The one where there was this one attorney kept reminding our girl to read the letter her grandmother wrote her after she left her the creepy house? And our heroine never did read them until the end? Yeah, in this one, our girl procrastinated so much that it freaking annoyed me to high heaven. I was like, God help me. This woman is trying on my nerveee.
Second, our protagonist, Charley-whoopsie!-I mean Defiance Tiffany Dayne is a 44 year-old divorced lady with the behaviour and thinking of a teenager. Not that I'm saying an older woman cannot enjoy her life and blah blah, but she was thinking like a 18 year old gal who was excited for her prom day or something. I jumped into this book hoping I would meet a badass older heroine with some dry humour and badass personality. What I got was a copy of Charley Davidson, complete with her bestfriend sidekick, Annette-I mean Cookie.
Third, what's with the absurd introduction to this world? It was like so much of telling and no showing. The cheesy lines. The predictable twist. The cringey action (?) scenes.
My god, I can't believe I'm shitting on Darynda Jones book when I really REALLY love the Charley Davidson series. I'll just shut my mouth now.
One last thing though, I'll probably pick up the next book because this might be the fluke book for me since the Charley series also had their weak links (I'm looking at you Book 8.)
First, have you watched Texas Chainsaw 3D? The one where there was this one attorney kept reminding our girl to read the letter her grandmother wrote her after she left her the creepy house? And our heroine never did read them until the end? Yeah, in this one, our girl procrastinated so much that it freaking annoyed me to high heaven. I was like, God help me. This woman is trying on my nerveee.
Second, our protagonist, Charley-whoopsie!-I mean Defiance Tiffany Dayne is a 44 year-old divorced lady with the behaviour and thinking of a teenager. Not that I'm saying an older woman cannot enjoy her life and blah blah, but she was thinking like a 18 year old gal who was excited for her prom day or something. I jumped into this book hoping I would meet a badass older heroine with some dry humour and badass personality. What I got was a copy of Charley Davidson, complete with her bestfriend sidekick, Annette-I mean Cookie.
Third, what's with the absurd introduction to this world? It was like so much of telling and no showing. The cheesy lines. The predictable twist. The cringey action (?) scenes.
My god, I can't believe I'm shitting on Darynda Jones book when I really REALLY love the Charley Davidson series. I'll just shut my mouth now.
One last thing though, I'll probably pick up the next book because this might be the fluke book for me since the Charley series also had their weak links (I'm looking at you Book 8.)
May 28, 2020
YES!!!
I absolutely, whole-heartedly, super loved this book!!!
The chapters, first off, had those Charley Davidson memes and titles to head them... I adored this! However, Betwixt was nothing like our lovely Charley at all. Defiance is older and is a Charmling and to find out what that is, you need to read the book!
Such a Darynda book and by that I mean, fun to read with elements of 'unexpected' and somewhat mysterious added in.
This book is so easy to read, so addictive and fun. I highly recommend this... I was lucky enough to get this book on Amazon UK's Kindle Unlimited, the 2nd book is sitting on 'pre-order'. Can't wait to get my teeth into that one!
February 18, 2020
Another winner by Darynda!!
I sat down and read this book in one sitting. I'm a HUGE Darynda Jones fan and absolutely love her series with the badass Grim Reaper detective. This is nothing like that, with a new location, new interesting characters, and a story I can't wait to continue reading! This is an amazing author with a real talent for story telling. Highly recommend this book.
I sat down and read this book in one sitting. I'm a HUGE Darynda Jones fan and absolutely love her series with the badass Grim Reaper detective. This is nothing like that, with a new location, new interesting characters, and a story I can't wait to continue reading! This is an amazing author with a real talent for story telling. Highly recommend this book.
June 24, 2023
This was a fun and easy read and played its role as a series-opening book. I liked the banter of the characters and the buildup of the story.
My favorite element is communication to a relative that has passed, and I look forward to seeing how that develops in the future.
Overall, I will continue the series and look forward to seeing how the rest of it comes together. I love witty humor :)
4 Stars.
My favorite element is communication to a relative that has passed, and I look forward to seeing how that develops in the future.
Overall, I will continue the series and look forward to seeing how the rest of it comes together. I love witty humor :)
4 Stars.
December 11, 2022
4.5
I really enjoyed this fun tale of magical mishaps and family secrets. The MC is a woman in her 40's who has found her foundation ripped away through divorce. She's broke, nearly homeless and desperate, then she gets a notice of an inheritance from someone she doesn't even know. It's a huge gothic house, a house that has more needs than she's ready for. Oh but this house is worth so much more wait till you see what the basement has to offer. :X
I found Defiance (MC) a bit irritating in bits, she just wouldn't listen or take things seriously enough for me. When I got over trying to make her into someone I wanted her to be I enjoyed her much more, even started loving her character. I am in total lust with the leather kilted hottie and want one of my very own !
Cliffhanger ending, can't wait for more in this promising series Oh this would make such a great movie/series
I really enjoyed this fun tale of magical mishaps and family secrets. The MC is a woman in her 40's who has found her foundation ripped away through divorce. She's broke, nearly homeless and desperate, then she gets a notice of an inheritance from someone she doesn't even know. It's a huge gothic house, a house that has more needs than she's ready for. Oh but this house is worth so much more wait till you see what the basement has to offer. :X
I found Defiance (MC) a bit irritating in bits, she just wouldn't listen or take things seriously enough for me. When I got over trying to make her into someone I wanted her to be I enjoyed her much more, even started loving her character. I am in total lust with the leather kilted hottie and want one of my very own !
Cliffhanger ending, can't wait for more in this promising series Oh this would make such a great movie/series
March 15, 2020
3.5 stars
The characters seem to be very similar to her other series.. And while the magic aspect was refreshing the rest was more of the tried and trusted variety..
The characters seem to be very similar to her other series.. And while the magic aspect was refreshing the rest was more of the tried and trusted variety..
February 29, 2020
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of A Bad Day for Sunshine (Darynda’s upcoming release following the end of her Charley Davidson series) so color me surprised when Amazon informs me that Darynda has another new book and it’s available now. And even though I make it a hobby to sign up for Kindle Unlimited and then promptly never use it, I downloaded Betwixt and started it. Same day.
Betwixt introduces us to forty-four-year-old Defiance Dayne who is still reeling from the recent brutal divorce that left her destitute. Drowning in uncertainty about her bleak future, she’s shocked to discover she’s been bestowed an old house in Salem, Massachusetts from an elderly lady she never met named Ruthie Goode. Deciding to take a chance and see this house for herself, she hops in her vintage mint green Volkswagen Beetle and leaves Arizona behind. She arrives to find not only has she been left a house that is named Percival but that the town seems to know more about Defiance than even she does, including the fact that she might just be magical.
You ever finish a story with a smile on your face, thinking about how great it was, how fun it was, when suddenly the critiques start invading your mind and you start realizing all the things that just didn’t work? I’ve often wondered if becoming a book reviewer lessens your enjoyment of a novel because of your natural inclination to analyze the details, sometimes overly so. But I feel that while overanalyzing can uncover the bad it can also help to highlight the good and this book did have both in almost equal measure.
What this book got right… It’s a charming and whimsical type of paranormal mystery with just a hint of a potentially steamy romance. Darynda’s writing style retains its standard ease making this entertaining story one you’ll fly through. It also happens to be overflowing with snark.
“This house is gorgeous, Nette. It’s ancient and dank and dusty, yet it has so much potential?”
“Like your vagina?”
“What’s strange is that, even though Mrs. Goode only passed away three days ago, it’s like no one has entered it in years.”
“Oh, then it’s exactly like your vagina.”
What this book didn’t get right… While I love her Charley Davidson series, the overabundance of parallels between that series and Betwixt cannot be ignored. The snarky meme type chapter headers could be dismissed as a style choice by the author but the characters are literally carbon copies of one another. There’s the super special snowflake lead character, her equally funny side-kick best friend, and the overly protective alpha male love interest who she has a connection to from when they were younger and she saved him as a child. There’s also the fact that the forty-four-year-old sounds nothing like any forty-four-year-old I know, but maybe I’m not hanging with the right crowd. Would these critiques have been such an issue if I hadn’t read Charley Davidson? Maybe not. But if I had read Betwixt first and then picked up her Charley Davidson series then I still would’ve been disappointed by the similarities. While those similarities were quite distracting at times, the witchy plot was enough to retain my interest and I’m still intrigued by the possibilities for where the story could go, I just wish I could view Defiance Dayne as her own character rather than Charley 2.0.
Betwixt introduces us to forty-four-year-old Defiance Dayne who is still reeling from the recent brutal divorce that left her destitute. Drowning in uncertainty about her bleak future, she’s shocked to discover she’s been bestowed an old house in Salem, Massachusetts from an elderly lady she never met named Ruthie Goode. Deciding to take a chance and see this house for herself, she hops in her vintage mint green Volkswagen Beetle and leaves Arizona behind. She arrives to find not only has she been left a house that is named Percival but that the town seems to know more about Defiance than even she does, including the fact that she might just be magical.
You ever finish a story with a smile on your face, thinking about how great it was, how fun it was, when suddenly the critiques start invading your mind and you start realizing all the things that just didn’t work? I’ve often wondered if becoming a book reviewer lessens your enjoyment of a novel because of your natural inclination to analyze the details, sometimes overly so. But I feel that while overanalyzing can uncover the bad it can also help to highlight the good and this book did have both in almost equal measure.
What this book got right… It’s a charming and whimsical type of paranormal mystery with just a hint of a potentially steamy romance. Darynda’s writing style retains its standard ease making this entertaining story one you’ll fly through. It also happens to be overflowing with snark.
“This house is gorgeous, Nette. It’s ancient and dank and dusty, yet it has so much potential?”
“Like your vagina?”
“What’s strange is that, even though Mrs. Goode only passed away three days ago, it’s like no one has entered it in years.”
“Oh, then it’s exactly like your vagina.”
What this book didn’t get right… While I love her Charley Davidson series, the overabundance of parallels between that series and Betwixt cannot be ignored. The snarky meme type chapter headers could be dismissed as a style choice by the author but the characters are literally carbon copies of one another. There’s the super special snowflake lead character, her equally funny side-kick best friend, and the overly protective alpha male love interest who she has a connection to from when they were younger and she saved him as a child. There’s also the fact that the forty-four-year-old sounds nothing like any forty-four-year-old I know, but maybe I’m not hanging with the right crowd. Would these critiques have been such an issue if I hadn’t read Charley Davidson? Maybe not. But if I had read Betwixt first and then picked up her Charley Davidson series then I still would’ve been disappointed by the similarities. While those similarities were quite distracting at times, the witchy plot was enough to retain my interest and I’m still intrigued by the possibilities for where the story could go, I just wish I could view Defiance Dayne as her own character rather than Charley 2.0.
April 14, 2020
Betwixt hooked me from the beginning, and once Jones introduced the mysterious handyman…I slipped away and devoured this in a single sitting.
I loved the backstory, the magical elements and the secondary characters. Some are of this world and others are not. Defiance’s best friend from Phoenix, and her Dads show up. Each added to to the mix from support to humor.
Mysteries, a little danger and plenty of paranormal woo-woo made this paranormal women’s fiction a delight. There is a smidgeon of romance.. but you must read to find out.
If you have ever read Darynda Jones novels, you know how her last chapters are. Things wrapped up well and in the last paragraph she dropped a bomb that has me eager for the next installment. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
I loved the backstory, the magical elements and the secondary characters. Some are of this world and others are not. Defiance’s best friend from Phoenix, and her Dads show up. Each added to to the mix from support to humor.
Mysteries, a little danger and plenty of paranormal woo-woo made this paranormal women’s fiction a delight. There is a smidgeon of romance.. but you must read to find out.
If you have ever read Darynda Jones novels, you know how her last chapters are. Things wrapped up well and in the last paragraph she dropped a bomb that has me eager for the next installment. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 16, 2020
Classic Darynda Jones' humor with biting humor, sarcastic witty one liners, a hot alpha male, a quirky almost ADHD female lead and an awesome best friend. Throw in some paranormal woo hoo and you have one fun series I need more of!
February 22, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3 Hearts
Betwixt is the first book in a new Paranormal Women's Fiction series Betwixt and Between by Darynda Jones. This newer genre follows grow women who are around forty-ish and close to midlife when they discover the paranormal world. It is refreshing to not always read something staring people in their mid-twenties and so I'm really glad this genre is picking up a little steam with some of my favorite authors.
Defiance has just hit rock bottom for the most part. She just went through a divorce, in which he ex got everything and now has no plan, no marriage, no prospects and almost no hope for her future. So when she learns that she has just been left a house in Salem MA and needs to be there in three days to claim it, she really didn't have anything holding her back.
Defiance, with the help of her trusty side chick BFF will discover the secrets of her family and a past she doesn't know anything about. There is magic afoot in Percival, the slightly haunted house she has inherited. There is also a hot handyman in a kilt, a surly cat and a secret tunnel just for good measure. The weirdest thing is that people keep showing up at the door expecting Defiance to be able to help them.
There are a few OTT moments that Darynda is kind of known for in her dialogue between friends. Some were funny but there was one joke that felt super flat and I rolled my eyes its two time appearance. I did get a little frustrated with Defiance in this as she was, for lack of a better term Defiant and I just wanted her to draw the stupid protection symbol already. She seemed so obstinate and I didn't think there was a great reason as to why. There are also a few little timeline things that didn't seem to add up to me like I thought someone was in the room but then they just seemed to disappear and not be there anymore. They were small an didn't detract too much from the story.
This has a decent set up for a new series. A few really likable characters and an interesting small town to play with. Defiance needs a little work but there is a cool friendship, an interesting history and love interest that has a lot of potential. This ended in a bit of a cliffhanger of sorts but not enough of one that if you didn't like the first book you'd feel compelled to continue on.
Narration:
Traci Odom fits how I would expect Defiance to sound. She is a good pick for the series and performed the cast well. She really did a great job with the humor between the BFFs and how they bantered together. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3 Hearts
Betwixt is the first book in a new Paranormal Women's Fiction series Betwixt and Between by Darynda Jones. This newer genre follows grow women who are around forty-ish and close to midlife when they discover the paranormal world. It is refreshing to not always read something staring people in their mid-twenties and so I'm really glad this genre is picking up a little steam with some of my favorite authors.
Defiance has just hit rock bottom for the most part. She just went through a divorce, in which he ex got everything and now has no plan, no marriage, no prospects and almost no hope for her future. So when she learns that she has just been left a house in Salem MA and needs to be there in three days to claim it, she really didn't have anything holding her back.
Defiance, with the help of her trusty side chick BFF will discover the secrets of her family and a past she doesn't know anything about. There is magic afoot in Percival, the slightly haunted house she has inherited. There is also a hot handyman in a kilt, a surly cat and a secret tunnel just for good measure. The weirdest thing is that people keep showing up at the door expecting Defiance to be able to help them.
There are a few OTT moments that Darynda is kind of known for in her dialogue between friends. Some were funny but there was one joke that felt super flat and I rolled my eyes its two time appearance. I did get a little frustrated with Defiance in this as she was, for lack of a better term Defiant and I just wanted her to draw the stupid protection symbol already. She seemed so obstinate and I didn't think there was a great reason as to why. There are also a few little timeline things that didn't seem to add up to me like I thought someone was in the room but then they just seemed to disappear and not be there anymore. They were small an didn't detract too much from the story.
This has a decent set up for a new series. A few really likable characters and an interesting small town to play with. Defiance needs a little work but there is a cool friendship, an interesting history and love interest that has a lot of potential. This ended in a bit of a cliffhanger of sorts but not enough of one that if you didn't like the first book you'd feel compelled to continue on.
Narration:
Traci Odom fits how I would expect Defiance to sound. She is a good pick for the series and performed the cast well. She really did a great job with the humor between the BFFs and how they bantered together. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
August 28, 2021
5 Stars for Betwixt: Betwixt & Between Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Darynda Jones read by Traci Odom.
I’m so happy that I found a new Darynda Jones Series. I can’t believe I missed it being released. Fortunately there is already a couple more books for me to binge on.
This book does a great job of setting up the story. The characters are great and the situation is interesting. I really wished some of the action had taken place in Phoenix but at least the city is being talked about.
I think Traci Odom is doing a wonderful job with the narration. Her character’s voices are great. She really adds a lot to the story. I’ll have to see what else she has narrated.
I’m so happy that I found a new Darynda Jones Series. I can’t believe I missed it being released. Fortunately there is already a couple more books for me to binge on.
This book does a great job of setting up the story. The characters are great and the situation is interesting. I really wished some of the action had taken place in Phoenix but at least the city is being talked about.
I think Traci Odom is doing a wonderful job with the narration. Her character’s voices are great. She really adds a lot to the story. I’ll have to see what else she has narrated.
November 9, 2021
Betwixt and Between
By Darynda Jones
This is the start of a new series that has witches, magic, and shifters. It's light hearted and has plenty of humor. The characters are interesting but the plot very predictable. I plan to continue the series because this author usually has excellent books.
By Darynda Jones
This is the start of a new series that has witches, magic, and shifters. It's light hearted and has plenty of humor. The characters are interesting but the plot very predictable. I plan to continue the series because this author usually has excellent books.
August 28, 2021
5 Stars for Betwixt: Betwixt & Between Series, Book 1 (audiobook) by Darynda Jones read by Traci Odom.
I’m so happy I found a new Darynda Jones series. I can’t believe I missed it being released. Fortunately there all ready a couple more books for me to binge on.
This book does a great job of setting up the story. The characters are great and the situation is interesting. I really wished some of the action had taken place in Phoenix but at least the city is being talked about.
I think Traci Odom is doing a wonderful job with the narration. Her character’s voices are great. She really adds a lot to the story. I’ll have to see what else she has narrated.
I’m so happy I found a new Darynda Jones series. I can’t believe I missed it being released. Fortunately there all ready a couple more books for me to binge on.
This book does a great job of setting up the story. The characters are great and the situation is interesting. I really wished some of the action had taken place in Phoenix but at least the city is being talked about.
I think Traci Odom is doing a wonderful job with the narration. Her character’s voices are great. She really adds a lot to the story. I’ll have to see what else she has narrated.
December 13, 2022
What a fun book. I loved the humor, the heroine and her best friend were hilarious, Roane was hot, and I was very entertained by the whole story. Plus it’s getting me in the mood for Halloween. It does end on a cliffhanger so I’m off to go start book 2.
January 30, 2021
I really liked this book. It was fun and had some very funny moments. That ending was a crazy cliffhanger and that cover is to die for. I will be continuing the series.
February 21, 2020
Darynda Jones is one of my favorite authors, so I always get excited whenever she announces a new book. Normally, I have to wait a year for a new book to release, because they are traditionally published. So I was happy when I saw that she was working on a couple of projects that she would publish herself. I am very used to her writing style, which is mostly light and fun, but she is also know to throw an emotional punch every now and then. Betwixt is about Defiance (love the name), who just went through a divorce and is left pretty much empty handed. So when she is contacted that someone has left her a house, she decides to see what that is all about.
I loved that the story got straight to the point. There was no long unnecessary world-building. The side characters created an amazing atmosphere. The chemistry between Defiance and them was awesome. I especially loved her relationship with her best friend Annette. Also I loved the sexy kilt wearing mysterious handyman who pops up at super random moments. I loved the paranormal elements and I thought it didn't overpower the whole story which I appreciated. I think Betwixt is a great introduction to this series, and I already love the characters. It was funny, quirky, and mysterious. It also had a couple of suspenseful scenes which added a nice touch to the book. I also appreciated the couple of twists to the story, especially the one at the end. It has me extra excited to get my hands on the next book.
April 16, 2020
it felt like ya
Actually, if you ignore that the MC is 40-something years old, this is a ya book.
It has all the elements I hate about that genre:
*stupid heroine
*cliche plot
*instalove
*special snowflake and etc.
Our main girl, Defiance (that is an awesome name btw) just got out of a divorce with her asshole ex husband, when suddenly her long lost grandmother bequeaths her a house. Weird shit keep happening and then suddenly, she finds out that she's an all powerful witch queen. A charmling, a super rare witch sought out by hunters and warlocks and evil people.
So, instead of maybe devising a plan to hide from her pursuers and delay the inevitable, Defiance instead asks her grandmother, sorry, gigi pointless questions that irritated the heck out of me.
This girl procrastinates, like a lot. It got so annoying, I could'nt continue.
DNF at 52%
I mean, what even is the point of continuing, when the satisfaction I receive from a revelation is ruined by this girls procrastination? Nada.
And Roane, the love interest is just meh. He seems very convenient, always there when the MC is in trouble, what's up with that? Kinda sounds familiar...
I agree with the other reviews, this book is quite similar to the author's other works, namely Charlie Davidson.
Actually, if you ignore that the MC is 40-something years old, this is a ya book.
It has all the elements I hate about that genre:
*stupid heroine
*cliche plot
*instalove
*special snowflake and etc.
Our main girl, Defiance (that is an awesome name btw) just got out of a divorce with her asshole ex husband, when suddenly her long lost grandmother bequeaths her a house. Weird shit keep happening and then suddenly, she finds out that she's an all powerful witch queen. A charmling, a super rare witch sought out by hunters and warlocks and evil people.
So, instead of maybe devising a plan to hide from her pursuers and delay the inevitable, Defiance instead asks her grandmother, sorry, gigi pointless questions that irritated the heck out of me.
This girl procrastinates, like a lot. It got so annoying, I could'nt continue.
DNF at 52%
I mean, what even is the point of continuing, when the satisfaction I receive from a revelation is ruined by this girls procrastination? Nada.
And Roane, the love interest is just meh. He seems very convenient, always there when the MC is in trouble, what's up with that? Kinda sounds familiar...
I agree with the other reviews, this book is quite similar to the author's other works, namely Charlie Davidson.
February 25, 2020
4 Stars... Defiance definitely lives up to her name with all the wit and sarcasm that we love in Darynda Jones' heroines... Inheriting a house from an unknown person should raise a few red flags, but when you are down and out you also become desperate and curious... Defiance never knew how her life would change when she moved from Arizona to Salem, Massachusetts and the secrets she would uncover; not to mention the insanely sexy journeyman, the scraggly but lovable housecat, and the mysterious and seemingly sentient house... So much to discover in so little time... With humor and heart, Darynda Jones brings us another zany cast of characters set in a mystical and fantastical story that I look forward to continuing:)
April 16, 2020
Daryndra Jones rocks!
This book was epic and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series. The characters are great and addictive.😊
This book was epic and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series. The characters are great and addictive.😊
February 18, 2020
In love with this story!!!
I read this book all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! Defiance, Annette, Ruthie, and Roane are marvelous characters and each one is endearing and engaging. I look forward to reading Bewitched!!!
I read this book all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! Defiance, Annette, Ruthie, and Roane are marvelous characters and each one is endearing and engaging. I look forward to reading Bewitched!!!
March 15, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Betwixt by Darynda Jones was an interesting and sometimes humorous read. I heard great things about the author, which made me ecstatic to receive a copy of the book for review.
I liked the idea of a forty (40) year old heroine, which is a rarity in the book world. The story introduces readers to Defiance Dayne, a broke and new divorcee. However, her fortune would change when a total stranger bequeathed her a house. (If I could be so lucky. 😀)
With nothing left to lose, she journeys to Salem, Massachusetts to determine the veracity of her inheritance. What she discovered would lead to a life-changing experience.
The story took me on a journey filled with magical elements, snarky humour and adventure. Getting to know the characters turned out to be a wonderful experience. Annette, Defiance’s best friend, snarky humour had me laughing for most of the story. The rest of the cast added awesome support, in the form of humour, mystery and adventure, to this fun story.
Two things which intrigued me most about the story had to do with the mysterious handyman and the house Defiance inherited.
As the story appeared to be wrapping up, the author dropped a bombshell at the end, which took me by surprise. It, however, made the perfect setup for the second book, which I cannot wait to get my hands on.
Traci Odom narrated, and I enjoyed every moment. I believed she did a great job in voicing the characters and bringing each of them to life.
Lovers of paranormal stories would enjoy this new series by Darynda Jones.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
I liked the idea of a forty (40) year old heroine, which is a rarity in the book world. The story introduces readers to Defiance Dayne, a broke and new divorcee. However, her fortune would change when a total stranger bequeathed her a house. (If I could be so lucky. 😀)
With nothing left to lose, she journeys to Salem, Massachusetts to determine the veracity of her inheritance. What she discovered would lead to a life-changing experience.
The story took me on a journey filled with magical elements, snarky humour and adventure. Getting to know the characters turned out to be a wonderful experience. Annette, Defiance’s best friend, snarky humour had me laughing for most of the story. The rest of the cast added awesome support, in the form of humour, mystery and adventure, to this fun story.
Two things which intrigued me most about the story had to do with the mysterious handyman and the house Defiance inherited.
As the story appeared to be wrapping up, the author dropped a bombshell at the end, which took me by surprise. It, however, made the perfect setup for the second book, which I cannot wait to get my hands on.
Traci Odom narrated, and I enjoyed every moment. I believed she did a great job in voicing the characters and bringing each of them to life.
Lovers of paranormal stories would enjoy this new series by Darynda Jones.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
May 19, 2022
This is an amusing paranormal story about a forty-something woman starting anew after she's lost everything she owns to her greedy ex-husband. Fortunately, she's just been given an old house in Salem, MA by a complete stranger who willed it to her. Weird right? But I'd take it too. I mean, why question that kind of good shit? Anyhow, she moves in and meets all kinds of interesting characters and soon realizes there is so much more to this story and I'm not going to spoil it for anyone by blabbing all about it.
In the early pages, I was a little annoyed by the humor that felt like it was trying waaaaay too hard for my liking (but I'm grouchy, so there is that) but as the story went along things smoothed out and felt less obnoxious. It was fun and a little bit sexy and there were plenty of surprises, but I have to warn you that it ends on a CLIFFHANGER. Oh, how I despise the cliffhanger because it means I have to follow a series and I am the absolute worst about doing so because I'm easily distracted by shiny and new, and I usually forget everything before I get to the next book. So really, it's more of a me problem than a real problem.
Anyhow, this turned out to be a lot of fun and I'm not sorry I read it.
In the early pages, I was a little annoyed by the humor that felt like it was trying waaaaay too hard for my liking (but I'm grouchy, so there is that) but as the story went along things smoothed out and felt less obnoxious. It was fun and a little bit sexy and there were plenty of surprises, but I have to warn you that it ends on a CLIFFHANGER. Oh, how I despise the cliffhanger because it means I have to follow a series and I am the absolute worst about doing so because I'm easily distracted by shiny and new, and I usually forget everything before I get to the next book. So really, it's more of a me problem than a real problem.
Anyhow, this turned out to be a lot of fun and I'm not sorry I read it.
May 29, 2021
This book sucked. For a midlife book it suck, if it was a YA it would have sucked, if it was NA...well you get my drift.
Like the many reviewers before me, this lady procrastinated ALOT. She had ostrich-like tendencies, you know, bury your head in the sand kind of vibes. She was almost TSTL and she was in her 40s! I can see how her husband was able to steal her restaurant. ( I had a deja vu that I had said the same thing in another review, I had to go make sure I wasn't reviewing this book twice. That tells you how my recent books have sucked). Her grandmother told her people were coming to kill her and she had to protect herself by learning a spell that cloaks her, can you imagine this woman said she's not going to do it until her grandmother answered some questions. I would have cheered her on if the questions were important, she was asking questions so stupid I wanted the people after her to come put her out of her misery.
The MMC is so boring, he has the personality of a wet cardboard, actually that's too generous, I will come up with something that fits his personality. He was ALWAYS there conveniently, offering nothing except when the heroine is in trouble.
Nothing interested me in this book, I am frankly shocked that I finished it.
Like the many reviewers before me, this lady procrastinated ALOT. She had ostrich-like tendencies, you know, bury your head in the sand kind of vibes. She was almost TSTL and she was in her 40s! I can see how her husband was able to steal her restaurant. ( I had a deja vu that I had said the same thing in another review, I had to go make sure I wasn't reviewing this book twice. That tells you how my recent books have sucked). Her grandmother told her people were coming to kill her and she had to protect herself by learning a spell that cloaks her, can you imagine this woman said she's not going to do it until her grandmother answered some questions. I would have cheered her on if the questions were important, she was asking questions so stupid I wanted the people after her to come put her out of her misery.
The MMC is so boring, he has the personality of a wet cardboard, actually that's too generous, I will come up with something that fits his personality. He was ALWAYS there conveniently, offering nothing except when the heroine is in trouble.
Nothing interested me in this book, I am frankly shocked that I finished it.
March 5, 2021
Salem, Massachusetts. Present day. Darynda Jones’ Betwixt ((Betwixt & Between #1) protagonist, Defiance Dwayne discovers that she has been “bequeathed a house by a complete stranger” in Salem, MA. “Divorced, desperate, and destitute” (a little alliteration is always fun), Defiance, presently living in NM, travels to Salem to take a peek at the house bequeathed to her in this famous/infamous town. As Defiance sees ‘her’ house, she falls in love. Though the house needs a bit of work, it is a classic Salem beauty. Dephne knows that she cannot pay the lawn mowing bill much less the upkeep and improvement costs, but she has 3 days to decide. She takes the 3 days, and, wow, what she learns. Hint: “For those of you, like me, still believe in magic even though we’re of a certain age. Stay fierce. “ 4.25 stars.
October 9, 2020
One thing I love about Darynda Jones books is they are always fun. This one was a relatively quick read. The story was interesting, it took a bit before the plot really took off but once it did I enjoyed it immensely. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes in the next book!
October 14, 2020
I feel like Darynda Jones took all things that made Charley Davidson one of my favorite series, put it into a blender with a bunch of witchy stuff, mixed it good and out came the new B&B series. Hey, no complaints from me. I'm a sucker for these kinds of main characters with their sass, quirkiness and addiction to all things yummy, be it men, food or coffee.
I'm up for another Darynda journey.
Over and out
I'm up for another Darynda journey.
Over and out
January 25, 2025
This was a funny, quick read. I enjoy Darynda Jones's style. Every chapter starts with a funny quote and I love the dialogue. Defiance is a recent divorcee who has just inherited a house in Salem, Massachusetts. She learns that she is part of a supernatural world and in that world she is unique. What follows is a fun book with interesting characters. I loved that the main character is 44 and she still has a lot of life left. I can't wait to see where this series takes me.
January 9, 2021
Darynda Jones in her acknowledgement thanks the readers for allowing Defiance, Annette, Ruthie and Roane into our lives but honestly dear Darynda, we should be thanking YOU for providing us such a quirky and brilliant paranormal love story brimming with humor that had me rolling on the floor laughing.
It has been a long while that I have read a book which made me guffaw out loud, every aspect of this story leaving the fan girl in me happy. Right from page 1 where Dayne meets an all-purple clad house agent there was not a single sentence that didn’t make me laugh. I would have loved to have a grandmother like Ruthie in my life. In fact, I would have loved to have a best friend like Annette also in my life. Defiance Dayne is pushing 40 and in a terrible fix both personally and financially when a temperamental house called Percival is gifted to her. Wary and suspicious of everything, Dayne discovers her true identity of being a charmling, guided by her already dead grandmother Ruthie.
The story moves at a lovely pace with witchy events happening one after another alongside a very attractive and charming Roane who happens to take everything in his stride.
Betwixt is book # 1 in the Betwixt and Between series featuring an exquisite set of characters that for once I sincerely wished to binge-read the whole series. Surely looking forward to read the next two books.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and twitter.
It has been a long while that I have read a book which made me guffaw out loud, every aspect of this story leaving the fan girl in me happy. Right from page 1 where Dayne meets an all-purple clad house agent there was not a single sentence that didn’t make me laugh. I would have loved to have a grandmother like Ruthie in my life. In fact, I would have loved to have a best friend like Annette also in my life. Defiance Dayne is pushing 40 and in a terrible fix both personally and financially when a temperamental house called Percival is gifted to her. Wary and suspicious of everything, Dayne discovers her true identity of being a charmling, guided by her already dead grandmother Ruthie.
The story moves at a lovely pace with witchy events happening one after another alongside a very attractive and charming Roane who happens to take everything in his stride.
Betwixt is book # 1 in the Betwixt and Between series featuring an exquisite set of characters that for once I sincerely wished to binge-read the whole series. Surely looking forward to read the next two books.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and twitter.
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