Gwen’s review of Witch Fire (Elemental Witches, Book 1) by Anya Bast
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Berkley Sensation 5 Jun 07

Witch Fire is the first of a new series by Anya about witches, warlocks, demons, and presumably other things that go bump in the night.  Oh, and romance, of course.  This outing is set in present day Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York.  The main characters are an air witch, Mira Hoskins, and a fire witch, Jack McAllister.  There’s a large cast of secondary characters – Anya is setting us up for more books in this series and for lots of conflict that will be juicy to resolve.

The “long lost orphan who doesn’t know her own powers” chestnut notwithstanding, this was a very fun book.  Anya has created a very credible alternate reality.  The witches are powerful and fallible (always an interesting combination); the premise and details are unique, the story pacing and arcs are satisfying; and the erotic scenes are hot but don’t overwhelm the romance or the story.  All in all, a class A effort (and I’m pretty picky).

I really liked Jack and Mira by the end of the book and wanted more.  I love a good series – gives me a chance to get to know a world and its characters.

I recommend that my fellow paranormal romance fans buy this when it comes out next week.  Here’s hoping it’s the start of something wonderful.

Grade: B+ (it was too short)

Summary:
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Mira Hoskins doesn’t know she’s a natural born witch who possesses the rare–and powerful–element of air. She also never expected to find herself tied to a mahogany bed frame, captive to a man who aches to fulfill her every desire and let loose the magick that dwells inside her.
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Heat emanates from elemental fire witch Jack McAllister. The Coven, a governing authority of witches, has sent him to protect Mira from a band of warlocks who drain witches of power and life. Long ago, he saw Mira’s parents murdered by this same dark magick. He’d like to quell his guilt and offer her everything she deserves. But she’s the long-lost cousin of his boss–making seduction off-limits.
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With Jack’s strong guidance, Mira is luring forth her inner magick. But his sense of duty is quickly swelling into insatiable hunger. They warned him about the natural attraction between air and fire. Now he risks being consumed by the woman he shouldn’t want–but can’t stay away from.
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Read an excerpt.