Halloween meets Christmas with demons and witches
all wrapped up in a modern-day, paranormal romance
retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol!
Try as I Smite
(Brimstone Inc. #4)
by Abigail Owen
Published: October 26th, 2020
Bah humbug just got a lot darker.
Alasdair Blakesley is the head of the Covens Syndicate. He shouldn’t need to look beyond the witches and warlocks he governs, or his own abilities, to solve any problem. But a demon infestation means he can’t trust anyone who may be possessed. The last person he wants to ask for help is also the only person who can fix this, so he sucks up his pride and storms into her office.
And she turns him down cold.
As the owner of Brimstone Inc., Delilah’s passion is helping others with their supernatural problems. But Alasdair is the last man Delilah wants to tangle with. The infuriating man sees too much and demands even more. And did she mention the way he sets her body on fire?
Not that it matters — demons are the only things with which she cannot interfere. Too bad a higher power steps in and sends them both on a crash course of each others’ pasts, presents, and futures.
How is a Christmas Carol nightmare supposed to solve his demon problem without breaking the rules she’s bound by?
Alasdair Blakesley is the head of the Covens Syndicate. He shouldn’t need to look beyond the witches and warlocks he governs, or his own abilities, to solve any problem. But a demon infestation means he can’t trust anyone who may be possessed. The last person he wants to ask for help is also the only person who can fix this, so he sucks up his pride and storms into her office.
And she turns him down cold.
As the owner of Brimstone Inc., Delilah’s passion is helping others with their supernatural problems. But Alasdair is the last man Delilah wants to tangle with. The infuriating man sees too much and demands even more. And did she mention the way he sets her body on fire?
Not that it matters — demons are the only things with which she cannot interfere. Too bad a higher power steps in and sends them both on a crash course of each others’ pasts, presents, and futures.
How is a Christmas Carol nightmare supposed to solve his demon problem without breaking the rules she’s bound by?
~ BOOK REVIEW for Try As I Smite ~
****(4) out of 5
This time around we finally get more than just a glimpse of Delilah, the elusive proprietor of Brimstone Inc., the catch-all agency for paranormals in need of assistance. She helps just about anyone with anything, especially the underdog. Although her methods are rather mysterious and somewhat unconventional, they definitely seem to be effective.
But she won't help Alasdair. Which upsets him to no end, especially given how hard it was for him to ask for her assistance in the first place. It isn't that she doesn't want to help though, just that she can't. And the reason is such that she can't even explain to him why not. Which just makes him even more irate.
When Delilah and Alasdair are thrust together and sent on a journey into their respective pasts, however, many previously unknown things come to light for each of them about the other, as well as about themselves.
There is much suspense and intrigue in this volume, with some very serious consequences to be had, both for them and for the world, if the pair are not able to work out what to do next to thwart their enemies. And that is just the outside forces plaguing them and threatening the world. The demons they must face within themselves and between each other are perhaps even more formidable, if not quite as dangerous.
Some of the secondary characters here, although little time is spent on them, are quite interesting in their own right; and there are those that do give significant insight into the mindset of Alasdair and Delilah. A few old friends resurface from other books in the series, even if just briefly; but it is nice to have at least a mini-update on them.
The love story between these two is a good one, and the love scenes quite toasty. It makes for an intriguing, delightful, and all-around interesting book. One that I definitely recommend!
I received a free eBook copy of this title from NetGalley,
and have willingly provided an honest review.
About the Author:
Abigail Owen is a multi-award-winning author of paranormal romance and upper YA/new adult fantasy romance. Other favorite titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, Dr. Seuss quoter, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocaholic.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal, swoon-worthy hero and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
Abigail also writes award-winning steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy as Kadie Scott (kadie-scott.com), and sweet contemporary romance and Amish romance as Kristen McKanagh (kristenmckanagh.com).
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal, swoon-worthy hero and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
Abigail also writes award-winning steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy as Kadie Scott (kadie-scott.com), and sweet contemporary romance and Amish romance as Kristen McKanagh (kristenmckanagh.com).
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