SOLVED. UF/PNR series, Desert/SW setting, witch, magic house? [s]

[Teri-K]

I recently read the Ilona Andrews series starting with Clean Sweep. It reminded me of a book I read about 10 years ago. I'm sure it was part of a series. I may have read a short story or novella rather than the first book. I'm pretty sure I read the ebook, so I don't have any sense of the cover.

As I remember it the MC is a witch or person with magic of some kind. I'm pretty sure she lived in or near the desert SW USA, New Mexico perhaps. She lived in a house or perhaps an Inn that had some magic or where she could use her magic.

I'm not sure of the plot. It seems that someone was under attack and she used the house to help protect the magical beings inside the house. I think there was a guy she was interested in, but maybe they weren't close yet. I think some characters were human and some not.

I can't think of anything else and I've googled lists of this type of book to no avail, so I'll be happy for any suggestions. Thanks!

[Brittany]

Perhaps the Witches of Cleopatra Hill series by Christine Pope? Book 1 is Darkangel.

[Teri-K]

Brittany wrote: "Perhaps the Witches of Cleopatra Hill series by Christine Pope? Book 1 is Darkangel."

That wasn't it, but thanks for the suggestion!

[0possum]

Charles de Lint wrote a couple of books/stories set in the desert with magic and magical beings. The older ones are more like what you mentioned. Maybe Forests of the Heart There's one with an artist named Beatrice (or something similar) that sounds vaguely like your description. It may be a short story in one of his compilations.

[Teri-K]

0possum wrote: "Charles de Lint wrote a couple of books/stories set in the desert with magic and magical beings. The older ones are more like what you mentioned. Maybe Forests of the Heart There's on..."

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately that's not it; I've actually never read anything by de Lint yet.

[Jennifer]

I think I know what you're talking about. How about the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews: https://www.goodreads.com/series/1177...

In the first book, she helps someone who is injured hide from people pursuing him. And meets a wolf-shifter who's living across the street hiding in plain sight.

[Teri-K]

Jennifer wrote: "I think I know what you're talking about. How about the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews: https://www.goodreads.com/series/1177...

In the first book, she helps someone who..."

That's the series that I read that made me think of this other book. :) But thanks for the suggestion.

[Teri-K]

I found it. I realized if I'd read it as a novella it had to be in a collection with Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs, because they're the only UF authors I follow that closely. So I went through all their anthologies and found the novella.

Double Hexed by Allyson James.

(I read it in the Hexed anthology.)

Thanks for people who tried to help!