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Splintered Magic #0.5
Splintercat
When the going gets rough, the tough send in their cat...
Brigid Donovan is going through a nasty divorce. The only thing that lifts her heart and soul is her dream of buying and restoring her family's old mansion.
On a mission to accomplish this, she is thrown up against a family mystery. Who or what is the cat that stalks the mansion, and why does he call himself her protector? What does she need to be protected from?
The protection part does come in handy when her ex-husband's mistress decides she doesn't want to give up any of the benefits of having the despicable cad—mainly his billion dollar fortune. Now Brigid's quest for peace may be ended before she even gets started. Not only is the mistress a home-wrecker, she's magical, and Brigid didn't even know that world existed.
Now, armed only with her twenty-five pound Ragdoll cat, she has to face the fight of her life, ignorant, magic-less, and just plain tired.
Brigid Donovan is going through a nasty divorce. The only thing that lifts her heart and soul is her dream of buying and restoring her family's old mansion.
On a mission to accomplish this, she is thrown up against a family mystery. Who or what is the cat that stalks the mansion, and why does he call himself her protector? What does she need to be protected from?
The protection part does come in handy when her ex-husband's mistress decides she doesn't want to give up any of the benefits of having the despicable cad—mainly his billion dollar fortune. Now Brigid's quest for peace may be ended before she even gets started. Not only is the mistress a home-wrecker, she's magical, and Brigid didn't even know that world existed.
Now, armed only with her twenty-five pound Ragdoll cat, she has to face the fight of her life, ignorant, magic-less, and just plain tired.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2023
78 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Jilleen Dolbeare
40 books177 followersJilleen Dolbeare is the author of the Shadow Winged Chronicles, an urban fantasy series about a shape-shifting bush pilot in Alaska.
She loves riding horses, warm ocean beaches, and long walks in the mountains, none of which she can do in the Arctic, so she writes.
Her activities are riding her four-wheeler on cold ocean beaches (often frozen or covered with ice), and long walks to and from work when it’s 40 below—in the dark. She does keep her stakes sharp for those vamps that show up during the 67 days of night.
Jilleen lives with her husband and two hungry cats in Barrow, Alaska where she also discovered her love and admiration of the Inupiaq people and their folklore.
She loves riding horses, warm ocean beaches, and long walks in the mountains, none of which she can do in the Arctic, so she writes.
Her activities are riding her four-wheeler on cold ocean beaches (often frozen or covered with ice), and long walks to and from work when it’s 40 below—in the dark. She does keep her stakes sharp for those vamps that show up during the 67 days of night.
Jilleen lives with her husband and two hungry cats in Barrow, Alaska where she also discovered her love and admiration of the Inupiaq people and their folklore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 28, 2023
Hmm I'm not entirely sure what to think of it yet, those 50 pages went by in a blink of an eye 👀👀
Plus points for the gorgeous cover and precious kitty.
It was intriguing enough and kept my attention, but kinda felt like this book is meant for a lot younger audience? Idk or I just read tough books 😂😂
Plus points for the gorgeous cover and precious kitty.
It was intriguing enough and kept my attention, but kinda felt like this book is meant for a lot younger audience? Idk or I just read tough books 😂😂
February 1, 2023
This book was recommended to me and I got a free copy. I don't know what I expected, I have started so many paranormal and fantasy books lately and have been disappointed. But this shorter piece drew me in immediately - I liked the tone, the MC was not whiny, and the story was fast-paced. There was not enough time for word-building, but now that I know it's the first in a series, I am looking forward to learning more. Definitely will read more books by this author!
February 8, 2023
Loved it! Great prequel. As soon as I finished reading it, I went to get the first book in the series but it looks like I'll have to wait since it's coming out on the 14th... Great main characters, magic, mystery and a magnificent cat! Can't wait to see what will happen next.
February 2, 2023
This is an appealing start to a new series. The 65 pages introduce us to a likeable, relatable, determined FMC, a magical cat who will play a significant part in her new life and a handful of secondary characters. I'm in!
February 3, 2023
A fun prequel novella that introduces a really unique creature. I'll definitely be looking for book 1 in this series.
July 28, 2024
Prequel to the series. Short, quick read with a nice intro to the setting. I’m glad I read it before book one as I feel more “in the know” going into book one.
February 5, 2023
Wow stayed up til after midnight to finish this book. So realistic and it caught me from the first line. Magic and cats are my favorite of any read and Splintercat surpassed all my expectations. I felt like I was in the story right with Brigid every moment.
I can't wait to read more of Brigid's story and anything else Jilleen Dolbeare writes.
Wohoo what a great great story.
I can't wait to read more of Brigid's story and anything else Jilleen Dolbeare writes.
Wohoo what a great great story.
January 29, 2023
An action packed introduction to a new paranormal cozey mystery series, well written with an unexpected but intriguing story of starting over in midlife awakening to a magical world of harpies splintercats and a heritage steeped in an unknown world of magic. Acquire " Splintercat to so you yourself can enjoy it and become entranced in this new series. Kat
January 30, 2023
Action packed paranormal cozy novella - though the fight scene was pretty intense and bloody!
January 30, 2023
Enjoyed this looking forward to reading this series
January 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one! Adding it to my TBR list since it’s not coming out for 2 more weeks
December 2, 2024
What a delightful short story! It was a really fasted paced novella, setting out the storyline superbly. I could feel Brigid's pain at the betrayal dealt her. What a terrific character! Even though she has been downtrodden for so long by a sleezeball of a husband, she finds the courage to leave, that takes major strength. And her strength continues. She acquires her childhood home and surrounds, a fresh start, a clean slate. Perhaps "clean and fresh" is a bit optimistic, the house is in a dreadful state, yet her determination to restore it is heartfelt. To my sheer delight, the emergence of a cat sets off a whole new twist. Yes, I DO know the book is called Splintered Cat...of course there would be a cat, just saying... but what a cat! Poor Brigid, her brain is still reeling from the betrayal by her husband, how was she supposed to react when a cat starts speaking to her? A cat who informs her of a world she has no idea exists? A really cool cat, just to set the record straight!
I'm a firm fan of the author, her capacity to really capture me with the unusual, take a story and truely spin it into a unique read, even a short story such as this one, feels complete and polished, i enjoyed this so much that I now have a major problem, I NEED MORE!!!
I'm a firm fan of the author, her capacity to really capture me with the unusual, take a story and truely spin it into a unique read, even a short story such as this one, feels complete and polished, i enjoyed this so much that I now have a major problem, I NEED MORE!!!
April 21, 2023
Bridgid Coleman is going to buy her childhood home. It's been on the market for a while and on first look has really been neglected. One thing she knew for sure is the structure itself is sound and she was going to restore it to its former glory.
She let the realtor drone on and on while she drifted to thoughts of growing up here. She even opens a door to the attic that the realtor didn't have on her list of features. She doesn't hesitate and they return to the realtor office to sign the papers.
Returning to her hotel she's settling in for the night when she gets a mysterious pizza delivery. Figuring it was the realtor since her best friend Megan is the only one who knows she's here denies sending it, she enjoys it and forgets about it.
There's much to do before she can even move in, so the first thing she does is start calling contractors. She'd need someone to start soon. Craig Whelan arranges for his son Luke to come out to take a look. He's just the first of many who will have to evaluate the structure. As she is about to open the door a cat brushes up against her leg, he looks just like her childhood cat, but that would be impossible, must be a descendant.
As she walks through going over her plans in her head, the cat accompanies her, he even lets her know when Luke arrives before he even knocks.
Her next visitor is most disturbing, and definitely not invited.
We learn a lot more about Vanessa and her goal here. There is also when Brigid has to come to terms with the cat speaking to her and learns that he is a splintercat.
We actually discover far more than Brigid will remember going forward in this series. You'll have to read it to find out what all that is.
She let the realtor drone on and on while she drifted to thoughts of growing up here. She even opens a door to the attic that the realtor didn't have on her list of features. She doesn't hesitate and they return to the realtor office to sign the papers.
Returning to her hotel she's settling in for the night when she gets a mysterious pizza delivery. Figuring it was the realtor since her best friend Megan is the only one who knows she's here denies sending it, she enjoys it and forgets about it.
There's much to do before she can even move in, so the first thing she does is start calling contractors. She'd need someone to start soon. Craig Whelan arranges for his son Luke to come out to take a look. He's just the first of many who will have to evaluate the structure. As she is about to open the door a cat brushes up against her leg, he looks just like her childhood cat, but that would be impossible, must be a descendant.
As she walks through going over her plans in her head, the cat accompanies her, he even lets her know when Luke arrives before he even knocks.
Her next visitor is most disturbing, and definitely not invited.
We learn a lot more about Vanessa and her goal here. There is also when Brigid has to come to terms with the cat speaking to her and learns that he is a splintercat.
We actually discover far more than Brigid will remember going forward in this series. You'll have to read it to find out what all that is.
November 23, 2023
Brigid Donovan is at a crossroads in her life. After closing the door on a terrible relationship, a divorce and the loss of the business she worked so hard for, she’s moved back to her childhood town and bought back the family estate so she can return it to its former glory.
Imagine Brigid’s surprise when she discovers that her childhood cat, a stunning ragdoll cat named Mr. Mittens, is still there. When her ex-husbands mistress shows up and reveals herself to be magical - and determined to get rid of Brigid for good - who she soon discovers that Mr. Mittens is much more than he seems, as is she!
Overwhelmed by the revelation of the magical world, Brigid and Mr. Mittens must save her life and defeat the wicked mistress.
This book is a quick, delightful read with some twists and turns that keep you guessing. Brigid is endearing and Mr. Mittens is hilarious, even if he doesn’t mean to be. Jilleen’s writing is some of the best I’ve read, keeping your focus on the story without a hitch, while making you fall in love with the characters one sentence at a time.
She’s definitely won a fan in me! 😍
Imagine Brigid’s surprise when she discovers that her childhood cat, a stunning ragdoll cat named Mr. Mittens, is still there. When her ex-husbands mistress shows up and reveals herself to be magical - and determined to get rid of Brigid for good - who she soon discovers that Mr. Mittens is much more than he seems, as is she!
Overwhelmed by the revelation of the magical world, Brigid and Mr. Mittens must save her life and defeat the wicked mistress.
This book is a quick, delightful read with some twists and turns that keep you guessing. Brigid is endearing and Mr. Mittens is hilarious, even if he doesn’t mean to be. Jilleen’s writing is some of the best I’ve read, keeping your focus on the story without a hitch, while making you fall in love with the characters one sentence at a time.
She’s definitely won a fan in me! 😍
December 28, 2024
This was a fun, quick read and a great start to what I hope will be a fun series too. Brigid is going through a divorce and one way to get away from her cheating scumbag of a husband is to buy the former family mansion in the middle of nowhere. The huge house is definitely a fixer-upper, but it brings back lots of happy memories for her, including a cat that looks just like the one from her childhood.
Shame her husband's mistress turns up with every intention on killing her. You see, this mistress is no ordinary woman, but a vicious Siren who will stop at nothing to get what she wants - Brigid's money, her man and her death! Luckily for Brigid, her cat is no ordinary cat either - it's a splintercat, one who can turn into a huge beast of the cat who helps take down the siren!
I loved how Brigid dealt with the news that magic is real and she should have it! She knew she would not be ready for it just yet, but hopefully that will change in the first full book in the series.
Shame her husband's mistress turns up with every intention on killing her. You see, this mistress is no ordinary woman, but a vicious Siren who will stop at nothing to get what she wants - Brigid's money, her man and her death! Luckily for Brigid, her cat is no ordinary cat either - it's a splintercat, one who can turn into a huge beast of the cat who helps take down the siren!
I loved how Brigid dealt with the news that magic is real and she should have it! She knew she would not be ready for it just yet, but hopefully that will change in the first full book in the series.
June 6, 2025
A prequal to the Splinter Magic series (which I have not yet read), Brigid decides to buy and restore her old family mansion as a new start after her contentious divorce. There she finds a familiar cat, who is her self-declared protector. Brigid isn't sure what she needs protection from until her husband's mistress begins to stalk her with otherworldly malice.
The writing isn't noteworthy, and the themes of lost magic and cat protectors fairly commonplace to to this sort of fantasy, but I really enjoyed the way the cat character and the human-familiar relationship was portrayed much more than I have in similar books. I wouldn't quite call this a paranormal cozy, because it was honestly pretty bloody. Given the way the prequal ends, I wonder if there will be some repetition in the first official book in the series (which was published previously), but I'll likely give it a try for the cat's sake.
The writing isn't noteworthy, and the themes of lost magic and cat protectors fairly commonplace to to this sort of fantasy, but I really enjoyed the way the cat character and the human-familiar relationship was portrayed much more than I have in similar books. I wouldn't quite call this a paranormal cozy, because it was honestly pretty bloody. Given the way the prequal ends, I wonder if there will be some repetition in the first official book in the series (which was published previously), but I'll likely give it a try for the cat's sake.
September 15, 2025
This was a great story! I’ve already read Splintered Magic, so it was really cool to go back to the beginning of the story and her first encounter with magic. (Although she won’t remember it!)
Brigid (Heroine) is leaving her (cheating) husband and trying to buy back the house in which she grew up. There’s even a Ragdoll cat that looks just like the one she had when she was a kid.
THEN …he starts communicating with her telepathically!! She thinks she’s been under too much stress and is only daydreaming! As if that’s not enough to drive her crazy, the little ‘floozy’ that wrecked her marriage turns up, trying to kill her!
Ms. Dolbeare has a great sense of humor, and it shows. You really should try out her books.
(There you go, Ms. Dolbeare. Hopefully you can now sell lots of books, so you can afford plenty of cat food and don’t get eaten by the little bastards with their terrifying, savage little faces! 😂🤣)
Brigid (Heroine) is leaving her (cheating) husband and trying to buy back the house in which she grew up. There’s even a Ragdoll cat that looks just like the one she had when she was a kid.
THEN …he starts communicating with her telepathically!! She thinks she’s been under too much stress and is only daydreaming! As if that’s not enough to drive her crazy, the little ‘floozy’ that wrecked her marriage turns up, trying to kill her!
Ms. Dolbeare has a great sense of humor, and it shows. You really should try out her books.
(There you go, Ms. Dolbeare. Hopefully you can now sell lots of books, so you can afford plenty of cat food and don’t get eaten by the little bastards with their terrifying, savage little faces! 😂🤣)
June 23, 2023
We love an all knowing magical cat guide!
An action packed prequel that introduces you to the world of Splintered Magic while leaving plenty unknown to get to know the characters better in the book.
Brigid is a woman working through a divorce, moving to a different state and buying back her childhood home. She didn't expect the path her life has taken, and that was before she is introduced to shapeshifting cats, Sirens, Fae, and the knowledge that magic is real.
Left with questions like "what will she learn about her family?" "How will she get her magic back?" It gets you excited for the series!
It jumps into the action quite quickly, which left me a little confused why a siren out-for-blood would have left her vengeance til the time of the story and not earlier, but that's just a little nitpicky.
An action packed prequel that introduces you to the world of Splintered Magic while leaving plenty unknown to get to know the characters better in the book.
Brigid is a woman working through a divorce, moving to a different state and buying back her childhood home. She didn't expect the path her life has taken, and that was before she is introduced to shapeshifting cats, Sirens, Fae, and the knowledge that magic is real.
Left with questions like "what will she learn about her family?" "How will she get her magic back?" It gets you excited for the series!
It jumps into the action quite quickly, which left me a little confused why a siren out-for-blood would have left her vengeance til the time of the story and not earlier, but that's just a little nitpicky.
May 14, 2023
In the aftermath of a messy divorce, Brigid returns to her family home and buys the dilapidated, empty house despite the enormous challenge of extensive renovation. What she’d reckoned without, is finding a cat already in residence – a cat that looks just like her childhood feline, Mr Mittens.
And then he starts talking to her...
I really enjoyed this short read – well-written, great characters, and a blistering pace which packs a great deal of both story line and world-building into just 66 pages. Oh, and Mr Mittens is awesome! I would love to have a Splintercat as a companion.
As a freebie prequel to an existing series this novella did its job admirably – I immediately bought book #1, Splintered Magic.
And then he starts talking to her...
I really enjoyed this short read – well-written, great characters, and a blistering pace which packs a great deal of both story line and world-building into just 66 pages. Oh, and Mr Mittens is awesome! I would love to have a Splintercat as a companion.
As a freebie prequel to an existing series this novella did its job admirably – I immediately bought book #1, Splintered Magic.
March 5, 2023
I loved Jilleen Dolbeare’s Shadow Winged, so I couldn’t wait to read this prequel to her new series. Splinter Cat introduces the reader to Brigid. Recently divorced from an odorous ex, she manages to purchase her childhood home, but she finds more than the ordinary there, not least her (very) old cat. When the need arrises, the blue-mitted ragdoll shifts into a Splintercat—a 400lb big-cat folklore creature from the Pacific Northwest. And yes, it’s fierce. The story is magical and mysterious, and has delectable cosy-midlife-paranormal vibes that I sank into. Although this novelette hints at much more to come in the series, it is a perfect standalone to curl up with for a few hours.
February 10, 2024
Splintercat(Splintered Magic #0.5) by Jilleen Dolbeare is a very good prequel of the series. I enjoyed reading from start to finish and definitely recommend. In this book Brigid is going through a nasty divorce. She visits the property that used to belong to her family and on a crazy whim she signs on the dotted line to buy. The mansion comes with a 25 pound Ragdoll cat that she is sure she met when she was a child, but that's impossible isn't it? She finds that there is more to the cat and herself than meets the eye. Which is good when a magical foe with a grudge comes calling and she will need all the help she can get
May 7, 2023
Such a fun start to the series. Brigid is back in her home town, ready to start her life over again. Except someone is stalking her. When her ex's mistress shows up and threatens her, Brigid doesnt know what to think. When her cat reveals that magic is real, Brigid is even more confused. By the end of the book, her whole world has been turned upside down.
The world building was great and the characters fun! A great first installment.
The world building was great and the characters fun! A great first installment.
April 3, 2024
This is the prequel novella to the Splinter Cat series that I got for free. It's really good. I liked it a lot. I haven't read the series so it's just a jumping off point. I am intrigued. Brigid is getting divorced because her husband had a baby with his secretary. She buys her old home and plans to restore it. Her husband's girlfriend comes around and threatens her. It's a whole thing. She also has a cat following her. It's definitely an awakening story.
July 31, 2024
Odd story. I've read a number of stories about women buying old family houses and discovering (or rediscovering) magic. This one was just... meh. Even the exciting parts were kind of flat. Everything just kind of feels off. A first-person limited perspective should feel intense and intimate, but it felt muffled and vague, like this was a sketch or a first draft that still needs life breathed into it.
January 1, 2025
Intriguing prequel
I enjoyed meeting Brigid and Mr. Mittens, but I can’t say that about Vanessa—she was quite the pill. The story encourages the reader to suspend rational thought and embrace a world of magic.
I’m anxious to read more of Brigid’s adventures, such as how she’ll deal with her weasel of her soon to be ex-husband. I’d recommend this series to anyone who enjoys paranormal stories.
I enjoyed meeting Brigid and Mr. Mittens, but I can’t say that about Vanessa—she was quite the pill. The story encourages the reader to suspend rational thought and embrace a world of magic.
I’m anxious to read more of Brigid’s adventures, such as how she’ll deal with her weasel of her soon to be ex-husband. I’d recommend this series to anyone who enjoys paranormal stories.
February 15, 2023
I 've gotten a free copy from thsi book, and this is how I feel about it :
Meh .......
the whole 'divorecee'line is done time and time again
the 'oh my do I have magic 'done and dusted ( 1 star )
the whole PWF is getting pretty predictable
a fast read for a commute , waiting at some office or a lunch break
coverart : 2 stars
I will not persue the rest of this series
Meh .......
the whole 'divorecee'line is done time and time again
the 'oh my do I have magic 'done and dusted ( 1 star )
the whole PWF is getting pretty predictable
a fast read for a commute , waiting at some office or a lunch break
coverart : 2 stars
I will not persue the rest of this series
March 12, 2023
Hi goodreaders.
I've finished "SplinterCat" a few ago. I've been thinking about a review, which, as a Cat Fan, can only be honest. I love it.
Preternaturals, Wyrds, Guardians, wise protagonists, plot twists.
Excuse me.
Meow!
No, I didn't mean you, Cat. I just like that cat! Fine, I like the author, too. Yes, that's a mean lady. Would you please stop screeching? Ugh!
See you around. 😶
I've finished "SplinterCat" a few ago. I've been thinking about a review, which, as a Cat Fan, can only be honest. I love it.
Preternaturals, Wyrds, Guardians, wise protagonists, plot twists.
Excuse me.
Meow!
No, I didn't mean you, Cat. I just like that cat! Fine, I like the author, too. Yes, that's a mean lady. Would you please stop screeching? Ugh!
See you around. 😶
November 14, 2023
This book is the prequel to the series and will have you in for a ride. Brigid is going through a devorce and decides to purchase her family home even when it looks like it has more problems than its worth. But the house calls to her and when she arrives she finds a cat that she swears she has seen before. This opens her up to a whole new world. Loved.
January 5, 2024
This is a very easy book to like. It is about going through rough times and then following your dream back to that wonderful old house you grew up in, and were happy in. It checks off that box that we wanted as a child, to find out there really is magic in the world. It's the prequel for the series, which is where I'll be headed.
🦋✋🏽🐺
🦋✋🏽🐺
October 15, 2024
This was a fun easy read that makes me want to dive into the series.
Dolbeare did a great job of making me care about the characters. It can be really hard in a short story, but she nailed it.
I loved Mr. Mittens and Dana. A half-faerie, half-kelpie. How cool is that?!
The mistress was an interesting bad guy, and Brigid was a likable protagonist.
Dolbeare did a great job of making me care about the characters. It can be really hard in a short story, but she nailed it.
I loved Mr. Mittens and Dana. A half-faerie, half-kelpie. How cool is that?!
The mistress was an interesting bad guy, and Brigid was a likable protagonist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews