Summary:
Romance. Magic.
Murder.
Dominic Kopecky dreamed of becoming a member of New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police—a dream dashed when he failed the test for magical aptitude. Now he spends his days drawing the hexes the MWP relies on for their investigations.
But when a murder by patent hex brings crow familiar Rook to his desk, Dominic can’t resist the chance to experience magic. And as the heat grows between Dominic and Rook, so does the danger. Because the case has been declared closed—and someone is willing to kill to keep it that way.
The 13th Hex is the prequel short story to the all-new Hexworld series. If you like shifters, magic, and romance, you’ll love Jordan L. Hawk’s world of witch policemen and the familiars they bond with.
NOTE: This is a previously published work. The title, author, and/or publisher may have changed.The 13th Hex was originally published as part of the Charmed & Dangerous anthology. Only minor details have been altered for this reissue.
I'll start off by saying that I did not read this in the original anthology Charmed & Dangerous. The thought of a new series by the great Jordan L Hawk is a great way to start any day so when I woke and found The 13th Hex on my Kindle, I jumped at it. I love paranormal, witchcraft, magic, mystery, historicals, and romance so when they are all wrapped in one, I am in reader heaven. Normally, a novella would automatically be docked half a bookmark because of it's shortness but when the storytelling is this good, I just could not in good conscience not give it a full 5. Dominic and Rook are the perfect witchcrafting detecting pair. Unlike Miss Hawk's Whyborne & Griffin and Spirits series, it looks like Hexworld will feature a different witch/familiar pair with each story, which for me can some times make starting the next book a little more trying and takes a few chapters to "get into" the story but I still look forward to Cicero & Tom's story in the next Heworld on May 6, 2016.
RATING:
Summary:
Will a dark history doom their future together?
New York copper Tom Halloran is a man with a past. If anyone finds out he once ran with the notorious O’Connell tunnel gang, he’ll spend the rest of his life doing hard time behind bars. But Tom’s secret is threatened when a horrible murder on his beat seems to have been caused by the same ancient magic that killed his gang.
Cat shifter Cicero is determined to investigate the disappearance of one friend and the death of another, even though no one else believes the cases are connected. When the trail of his investigation crosses Tom’s, the very bohemian Cicero instinctively recognizes the uncultured Irish patrolman as his witch. Though they’re completely unsuited to one another, Cicero has no choice but to work alongside Tom…all the while fighting against the passion growing within.
Tom knows that taking Cicero as his familiar would only lead to discovery and disaster. Yet as the heat between them builds, Tom’s need for the other man threatens to overcome every rational argument against becoming involved.
But when their investigation uncovers a conspiracy that threatens all of New York, Tom must make the hardest decision of his life: to live a lie and gain his heart’s desire, or to confess the truth and sacrifice it all.
“Now the fun begins,” Rook said, and toppled backward off the building.
Dominic leapt forward with a strangled cry. An instant later, a black shape soared back up out of the abyss between buildings, feathers gleaming the light of sunset.
“Close your eyes and concentrate on me.”
Dominic gasped. It was as though Rook had spoken directly in his ear, even though he currently swooped idle loops above the roof. How could such a thing be?
Magic. For the first time in his life, he was truly touching magic.
He did as ordered. Instantly, he found himself flying.
No, he wasn’t flying—he still felt the building firmly beneath his feet. But seeing the world through Rook’s eyes was the next best thing.
New York spread out beneath them, the setting sun casting a golden glow across the jumble of buildings. A flock of pigeons startled into the air as Rook passed over their roosting place.
Then they were spiraling down, down, between the cliffs of the buildings and toward the street. Dominic’s heart beat faster, and a cry rose to his lips.
But he didn’t open his eyes.
At the last moment, Rook pulled out of the dive, gliding low over the heads of the crowd. His claws scraped the hat of a cab driver, and Dominic heard the outraged shout as they swooped away.
Rook’s wings beat hard, taking them higher. The tangle of wires laced across the sky provided both obstacle and challenge. Rook danced among them, each easy flick of feather twisting him like an acrobat. This was freedom—freedom and wonder and the sheer joy of being alive.
Rook circled back and Dominic had the disorienting experience of seeing himself through the familiar’s eyes. Dominic blinked hastily, just in time to see Rook flutter in and land on human feet.
“Did you enjoy?” Rook asked hopefully.
A laugh of wild delight bubbled up in Dominic. Without thought, as naturally as breathing, he stepped forward and slid his arms around Rook.
Rook’s eyes widened slightly, and for a fraction of an instant Dominic thought he’d misunderstood everything. Then Rook kissed him.
Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny and single mother. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.
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The 13th Hex #.5
KOBO / ARe / SMASHWORDS
Charmed & Dangerous
Hexbreaker #1(Coming May 6, 2016): GOODREADS TBR
