Hazeldine, Volume One

Hazeldine #1

by Angie Bee

On the edges of the Wild West, in a remote and rugged area of Wyoming, is a small frontier town: Hazeldine.

The residents are hardy, independent — and unusually eccentric. While cowboys patrol the range, tending to cattle and sheep, witches openly sell their wares on Main Street. Shapeshifters prowl the night. The saloon is haunted. Gamblers have magic as well as luck on their side, and the farmers are really in tune with the earth.

It's a place some are drawn to. Like Celeste Preston, a not-so-merry widow on a deadly mission. And it's a place where everyone can find a place to belong, no matter how many teeth (or fangs, or claws) they have.

Hazeldine is where the weird meets the Old West.

252 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2020

About the author

Angie Bee is a novelist, freelance writer, and pop culture pundit. She has five tattoos (so far), has lived in the Midwest and New Zealand, wrote a thesis on the socio-political commentary in zombie films, and dreams of one day meeting Guillermo del Toro. Her ultimate goal in life is to be the lady all the neighborhood kids suspect is a witch.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more an exercise in world- and character-building than a story. Hazeldine is a town of the Old West where there is diversity of race, ability, and sexual identity and more than a little magic. While we start out following Celeste Preston, who has a fascinating backstory, the book wanders from person to person, with such a large cast that there needs to be a guide in the front to keep them all straight (and even then it was challenging). There are many plot threads that are started, from George Godfrey's isolation to Jenny East's challenge to the various budding romantic pairings, but they aren't resolved in this first volume; that would be fine, but none of them end on cliffhangers either — they're just there, with a vague notion that there might eventual be further developments if you keep reading. I liked what Bee was trying to do with this book, and I wish it hadn't been so scattered and had had more of a central plot.

[Shadow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book!! It’s light reading but I wouldn’t call it fluffy, very down-to-earth. And the DIVERSITY omg I love it. A variety of nationalities and backgrounds, no shortage of female characters, at least one non-binary character, several gays, an ace character, deaf characters…

A dash of romance, a bunch of twisty intrigue, lots of “realistic” magic and several magical/mythical creatures all together in an incredibly open-minded, charming little midwestern oasis somewhere in the American frontier. This book one was a bit of a slow burn but by about halfway I suddenly realized just how INVESTED I’d become in these characters and their stories and the goings-on of the town. The way Angie Bee weaves so many different themes all into one book is absolutely beautiful. It ends on a cliffhanger mystery and I can’t wait to get into book two!!!

It’s reminiscent of Holes and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

LFL find. Interesting. "Light" reading, "fun" even though it deals with murder etc. Not my usual fare but I'm in the mood for something different and so I'm giving it a shot.
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Warmed up to it a lot, to the point where I want more. Recommended if your library happens to have bought it. Especially if you like Legends & Lattes etc., I think.

"'You know that old myth about lucky rabbit feet? Turns out, it's gotta be a jackalope foot to really work.'"

"Magic couldn't fix everything - she was beginning to accept that. But she still had absolute faith in the power of a stubborn woman."

[Kelsey Isom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for Pride or any fantasy fans of the LGBTQ Community. Hazeldine Volume One introduces a fantastical world set in a wild western desert, filled to the brim with magic, representation, and unapologetic queerness. You will feel seen reading this book.

It's good to know there are more volumes forthcoming, because everyone should want to visit, and maybe grow roots, in Hazeldine.

[Catie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non conventional fantasy that is so worth the read. The characters keep you coming back for more. A new favorite for sure! It’s refreshing how inclusive and nonplussed the story is about each character’s lifestyle and eccentricities. A great addition to the fantasy LGBTQ+ genre.

[Amber Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, the characters are amazing and have pulled me throughly into the story.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! If only I could travel to Hazeldine, for now it’s such a welcome escape from the day to day grind. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who just needs that really good read ❤️

[Erin Finlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!!!! Can't wait to get book 2!!!!

[Laurie Mastrolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! It was a quick read (read it in a day). It was a fun book. I was a little hesitant at first because it isn’t my normal genre. You say western, I immediately think of all the Louis L’Amour books I read with my dad. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to reading the next ones and continuing the story.