Friday, April 18, 2008

Review - 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover



Title: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover
Author: Linda Wisdom
Publishing Date: April 2008
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: D
Sensuality: Hot

Jasmine Tremaine (Jazz) is a 700 year old witch with a penchant for trouble. She has the bad habit of using her magick for her own benefit, usually when she looses her temper, which is forbidden. As punishment, the High Council has banned her from their “witch world” casting her into our mortal world. She lives in Los Angeles has the fun job of banishing curses for people. She also is a chauffer for All Creatures Limo Service. This world is inhabited with all kinds of magickal creatures, werewolves, elves, vampires etc. Speaking of vampires, her ex-lover Nick Gregory, who she hasn’t seen in thirty years, needs her help. Over the past few years vampires have been steadily going missing. Nick wants Jazz to help him solve the mystery of the missing vampires. She doesn’t want anything to do with Nick, because every time she helps him she winds up in jail.

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is quite a silly, whimsical read. There are quite a cast of eccentric secondary characters starting with Irma, the ghost who haunts Jazz’s 1956 convertible Thunderbird sports car. Jazz also owns a pair of bunny slippers, Fluff and Puff who are indiscriminant when it comes to food. Then you have Dweezle, the owner of All Creatures Limo Service, who looks like a big green olive with three arms. There is quite a bit of world building but it all felt a bit shallow to me. The impression I came away with was only superficial. A more in depth look into Jazz’s world was needed to claim my attention. As it was, my mind would wander and I found it difficult to keep the pages turning.

Jazz’s personality comes across as a little abrasive with some attitude. She does show a sweeter side sometimes, too. She has been hurt by Nick in the past but she can’t help herself for being attracted to him. She doesn’t want to have these feelings for him and she tries to fight it. Nick just wants Jazz and has no qualms about letting her know. The story focuses mainly on Jazz. We only get into Nick’s head a tiny amount. I would have liked for there to be more on the relationship between Nick and Jazz. The world building seemed to be more of the focus of this book, rather than the romance. I was looking for something light-hearted but what I got was more slap-stick or screw-ball comedy. It’s just not my cup of tea.

Here is what others had to say:

Ramblings on Romance

16 comments:

Ana said...

ooooo, how interesting. Such diverse opinions - I just got this book and can't wait to see what I am going to think. Although I do love me some screwball comedies!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill,
thanks for the review. I was intrigued by the blurb, but not quite sure, if I should buy it.
Now I'm certain, that it's not a book I want to read.
it sounds very much like Urban Fantasy meets chick-lit. I'm not very fond of both genres.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. I loved the book. I saw that my favorite authors, Yasmine Galenorn and Annette Blair loved it, so I picked it up and finished it in one sitting. And knowing that it's the first in a series has me waiting for the next book.

Teri C

Terese Ramin said...

Kat, don't judge this book by romancerookie's review. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is an absolute treat in all ways. There's both substance and screwball in it - though if you're looking for a **traditional** romance, this isn't it. Wisdom's 50 Ways... is the start of a series of witchy comedies. The second Jazz and Nick book,Hex Appeal comes out this fall. I can't wait to see what happens with Jazz, Nick, Irma and the rest of the group.

Terey

Wendy said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book, it sounds quirky and fun - great review! :)

Jill D. said...

Ana, I do hope you enjoy it. I really wanted to like it, but alas, I did not. You will have to let me know what you think.

Kat, Hi and welcome to my blog! it sounds very much like Urban Fantasy meets chick-lit. Hmmm... that is an interesting way to put it. I didn't think of it like that but its an apt description.

Teri C., Hi and welcome to my blog! I am really glad to hear that you liked it. I read an interview with Linda Wisdom and she is such a nice person. I really wanted to like this book and I felt bad giving it a D rating. I just felt like I had to be honest and this wasn't the book for me.

Terese, Thanks for stopping by! I am glad to hear that you liked the book as well.

Wendy, Hi and welcome to my blog!
I hope it will be a book you enjoy reading. Just because I didn't get into it doesn't mean others won't. I will be curious to hear your thoughts when you do read it.

Linda Wisdom said...

A friend told me about this. The thing is, it doesn't hurt my feelings. I've been doing this for a long time, plus I know my writing won't be enjoyed by everyone. And if someone doesn't like it, better they have legitimate reasons why than a vague reason.

I'm just glad enough people love the book and are willing to speak up and say so.

Linda

KT Grant said...

Jill D:
No likey Fluff and Puff? I want a pair of them :)

Jill D. said...

Hi Linda! Wow, stopping by to see little ol' me! Sorry it wasn't under better circumstances. I still plan on reading some of the books on your backlist. I just have to find them first because some are out of print!

Katie, Different strokes, for different folks and all that :)

Linda Wisdom said...

Jill,

All of my backlist except for two books are category romances, although some are paranormals.

I've never liked a person who didn't like a book because of hero or heroine's hair color or occupation.

Linda

Linda

Linda Wisdom said...

Katie,

I actually found little Fluff and Puffs that I'm going to take to my signings. And they're easier to take than my regular bunny slippers. Less dangerous.

Linda

KT Grant said...

Jill D: That is perfectly okay :)

Linda: I befriended Puff and Fluff on my My Space page :)
Awww... lil' slippers. Too cute!

Brie said...

The problems that Jill experienced with the book were along the lines of the ones I had with it.

I thought that the paranormal elements were interesting, but I would have enjoyed seeing less of the world building and more of the romance.

Linda Wisdom said...

When I first came up with the idea Nick was a very minor character and not even a part of Jazz's past. I planned an entire series of Jazz books, but I wasn't sure if he'd be the hero or if it would turn out to be someone else. As I moved further into the book, Nick evolved more and he's in a lot more of the second book, plus they're showing up in future books that feature the other witches.

Linda

ElaineCharton said...

This is why there are so many different books. Because not everyone likes the same thing. Having said that I will say I literally devoured the book in one sitting and am eagerly awaiting the next one.

Jill D. said...

Linda, I didn't realize that Jazz and Nick are getting a second book. I just thought the other witches would each get their own story. Hmmm... that clears up a few things.

Hi Elaine! Welcome to my blog. I glad to see you enjoyed it!

Hi Brie, We usually have the same tastes, don't we?