Thank you to the author and Netgally for the e-ARC of this book.

Ember, a witch unable to control her magic summons a morally grey demon Killian to help her solve a series murders in a paranormal infested New Orleans. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing and everything. Sparks were definitely flying, literally! I enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, entertaining and hot as hell.

Bewitched Shadows by Autumn Blake is a fantasy romance novel with a bit of mystery. As a lover of fantasy romance books I was really excited for this one. I really liked the setting of New Orleans because its a great place to have a cast of supernatural creatures. I do wish there was more of a focus on the fantasy elements. The romance between Ember and Killian got me through the story. The romance did go pretty deep because of the shared trauma. I did also really like the sister dynamics! I am curious to see where the series goes next. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

Ember is a witch with a problem. Since her parent's death five years ago she has not been able to control her magic. She has been spiraling out of control. Sex, parties, anything. However, when the murders start happening again and an offer is made to those who find the killer, she has to turn to the one man (demon, really) who can help her.

Killian is in line for the Kingdom of Pride throne, and he doesn't want it. Life has been hard for Killian. He is the illegitimate son of Satan and has been fighting his way through Satan's rank from the age of 10, when his mother was brutally killed. He is the scourge, the reaper of souls and when murders in Giai threaten Pride's ability to reap souls, Killian is tasked with finding the murderer.

When Ember summons Killian some sort of soul bond is cast between the two of them. One from the shadows and one larger than life. Will Ember find how to control her magic? Will they find the murderers? Will this forced proximity turn into something more? Is it a soul bond or is it just a hex?

Big thanks to Netgalley and Autumn Blake for this eARC. Loved it! It was a sexy romp through a new take on fantasy and mystical creatures in this world. I loved the New Orleans references. Ember and Killian were fun to read and learn about. I look forward to reading more in the 'wicked belles' series. Oh, and the spice was spot on!

2.5 stars

The story had promise, but jesus christ the writing... I went back to double-check, and this book does indeed appear to have an editor. This is not the first time I've come across an ARC that claims to have an editor, giving one the impression of it having been edited, only to have perhaps been edited not at all or maybe by a drunk person. Is this an ARC thing? Do they list an editor prior to editing?

I have so many bookmarks. Every fucking bookmark. I started off very forgiving, because this is an ARC after all, but yeah.

For starters, the author does that thing where instead of saying like, "She saw a man coming toward her," we get "She saw the man coming toward her." It just feels wrong and weird.

Also, the way Cajun accent is written is cringey and excessive. There are better ways this could have been done.

Frequently words are used either erroneously or just oddly.

"Creatures shuffled out of the demon's way with looks of fear and unwitting respect." "We weren't friends; we weren't lovers. We were unwitting partners."
Unwilling?

"The air bubbling and sparkling like champagne bubbles."
Bubbles which bubble bubblingly.

"All the while, he screamed at a decibel making that made my ears bleed."
Making that made.

"Without waiting for me to answer, he dipped one broad finger inside me, stretching and pulling." Immediately followed by "When he removed them, my body rebelled."
Them? You just specified one.

"Hell's libraries certainly lack good fiction, none of which would be considered romantic."
Wat?

"Throwing Carreau back against the stone mausoleum hard enough to crack the stone."
I would have gathered that the mausoleum was made of stone when the stone cracked.

"Staggering to my feet, to my feet. I felt lighter than I had in years."
To the left, to the left.

"With a look behind me, I choked on a scream when I realized how close behind me it was."
Just stop it.

"His wings surrounded me in a protective wall of tendons."
A wall of them.

"All the betrayals and hurt drifted to the foreground of my mind as I watched him place himself between me and the creature... I shook my head. What had gotten into me? Now was not the time to swoon over the demon."
When all my bitter pain and betrayals are at the fore of my mind, this is when I usually swoon as well.

Why are they staying and battling this dragon thing when Killian can pick her up and fly away? He picks her up, flies her away, she gets mad, and then he flies her back toward the danger that they have absolutely no fucking reason to continue fighting.

He then drops her on its back. "'Sever its neck while I keep it busy!' he yelled."
I will ignore the yelling/exclamation point combination, but how is this weak-ass bitch going to sever the fucking head of a dragon covered in fucking scales? It has claws the size of swords, which gives us a rough idea at its size (big).

"My magick grew weary from the heavy usage after so long without siphoning it. But as I straddled the beast's neck and dove the blade inside the thick, meaty skin, I realized I didn't need magick to decapitate it."
Oh.. just your strength and talent? Cool cool. Makes sense. Btw, did you mean drove? I mean, technically I suppose dove works, but this is just another example of what I mentioned above.

So, she tirelessly saws through the muscles and tendons. Her arms are exhausted. With only "one foot of meat left," it shakes her and nearly drops her. Is this a T-rex? Does it not have arms for swatting? And how is this thing so mobile with its head hanging on by a foot of meat? Killian then flies to the rescue and decapitates it with a single blow.

"My heart would belong to her forever, just as my body was hers. My face lifted to hers, eyes naked and sure, and the same truth reflected in hers."
her, hers, hers, hers.

"My hands grasped onto her shoulders to pull her deeper into me."
She is not pegging him btw.

"Splattered glassware and shredded tapestries covered the grass already seeped with black blood."
*blink*

"The witch's panicked breaths and my healing wound were the only holds barring me to the Belle house."
Are you fucking for real?

"The beast was far more dextral than any water monster should be."
dex·tral
adjective
of or on the right side or the right hand.

"Trumpets bursted from the street performers."
I see bursted is underlined with red as I type this... I wonder why.

"I took a sip of iced sweat tea."
I think I'll end it on the sweat tea folks.

Let's start off with the honesty. I read this for the smut. I needed a light book. This did fill that bill.

It's kinda cheesy though. The main character Ember is one of four witch sisters that live in New Orleans. Somewhere near the beginning of the book it says that all the supernaturals in this story are immortal. (that comes to play in a minute)
There is a murder mystery entwined in the porn story. Something is going around killing vampires, witches, werewolves, etc.

Wait...what happened to them being immortal?

Anyways. Ember summons up her a demon named Killian. (I do love that name) He swears she has cursed him into thinking he is her mate. Neverminded that she can't use her magic because of trauma.
I think I actually rolled my eyes and knocked my brain loose when Ember told someone to "take a picture it would last longer."
Does anyone really say that?

I'm going with 2 stars because well I did read it and did not hate it. It was what I needed right at the time.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

Well - Autumn Blake - where have you been all my life? Get on this series all supernatural romance fans - you are not going to regret it!

This first book in the series focuses on the second Belle sister, Ember, who is a little bit of a hot mess. She doesn't have control of her magic, she might drink and carouse (do the kids still say carouse these days?) a little too much and she might have a bit of a thang for a hot, off-limits demon, but she is one feisty character I immediately took to.

Believe me, the fact that Killian is Satan's son, does not preclude him from the being the world's biggest cinnamon cream puff. All protective and brooding and sweet. The guy is hot, and it's just cause he comes from hell.

I loved the instant chemistry between Ember and Killian, I loved the sisterhood, the world-building and the humorous moments. This was a really fun read and I am here for the rest!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of bewitched shadows by autumn Blake. This was a cute romance between witch and demon. The new fad. Branching out of magical creatures to interest fantasy readers.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review*

What can I say other then WOW, this book is amazing, Thinking I was just going to be reading a Romantic Fantasy, was I shocked when As I read there was a Mystery aspect to this book. Between the Demons and Witches, the only setting that makes sense for this type of story would be New Orleans. The family aspect of this book was definitely up there. definitely need to get a hard copy so i can do a re-read and plus this cover is amazing

What happens when a witch unable to control her powers teams up with a morally grey demon to solve a series of murders in paranormal ridden New Orleans? Sparks fly, the good kind and the bad. Ember comes from a prominent family in the coven and has had trouble with her magical element since long before her parent's unsolved murder. Killian is doing everything it takes to meet his obligation and take his crown, leaving the mortal plane for 100 years. The resurgence of the same kind of grisly murders that took her parents, bring Ember and Killian together whether they like it or not.

I have to be honest and say I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. The description didn't strongly appeal to me, but I generally enjoy paranormal fantasy type stories so dove in. I also was NOT expecting the SPICE this book delivered.

I was initially confused and concerned by the relationship between our primary characters as there are immediate illusions to an established, tumultuous awareness between Ember and Killian, but as the story progressed that was contradicted. The author makes repeated references to it being well established that they do not like one another and have had encounters, but only one is ever described and it's frankly not much to write home about. I'm not sure if the intention was to establish an "Enemies to Lovers" situation, but there's more menace in the racism between the types of paranormal creatures than between our protagonists. Werewolves dislike Witches dislike Demons and everyone seems to dislike Vampires and distrust the Fae.

As first books go, Bewitched Shadows did well to set up the cast of characters and the world in which our story takes place. The factions are well defined and the initial plot point is nicely resolved while still setting up a storyline for the second in the series. While Killian and Ember's characters were well dug into, I would have liked to have seen more depth and nuance to the surrounding characters that I imagine will become relevant in further novels.

Overall, if you're looking for a spicy paranormal read that hits on all the major supernatural being groups with layers of political intrigue, romance and magic then Bewitched Shadows belongs on your TBR. Grab a glass of your favorite beverage, a blanket and enjoy!

I don´t know how to feel about this one. It wasn´t good but not bad either.
It has action, romance, witches, the setting was perfect, so overall was an ok read.
I really don´t like urban fantasy and this book reminded me of that genre so maybe this was the reason I didn´t enjoyed it more.

Although Killian is a demon and can literally drag Ember to Hell, the only place he wants to drag her to is his bed. As tempting as she is, he refuses, and finds every excuse to tell her off when they do run into each other on occasion. This is until one night Ember summons him to her bedroom and he's forced to enter a pact with her.

Killian truly believes that Ember cast a spell on him that somehow makes his shadows believe she's his mate and there's no way this can't be real. Ember agrees to remove the supposed spell before Samhain or be forced to return to Hell with him. In return, Killian will help her track down whoever is harming her coven and the other magical beings that live on Earth. She can finally prove to her grandmother and her sisters that she's serious about her magic and her coven.

The characters were sexy and spicy and I loved Killian and Ember. The constant bickering, but protectiveness that they have for one another is perfect. I did kind of see who the villian was going to be right away, but I didn't care. I thought this was a great first read for me and can't wait to read more from this series!

Oh how I LOVED this book!

I haven’t read many books with magic in them but this was def a great place to start.

Ember Belle. Almost like the black sheep of her family and coven. Struggling to grief the death of her parents and oblivious to how that plays into her ability (read inability) to tap into her magic, spends her days living her best sexual life. Until tragedy strikes and her wake up call begins.

Killian 🥵 our broody, hate the world, revenge seeking, MMC. Idc what anyone else says…. I love him. He has that wounded but ready to love spirit that just needed the right person to unlock.

Together these two had me laughing, rolling me eyes in a GET IT THE F TOGETHER YOU TWO, and cheering all at the same time. The sexual tension between these two was done well and when we finally got to where we were going 🥵🤤 I wanted more and more.

The mystery and magic of it all was fantastic. It actually took me longer than it probably should have to put it all together but I was focused on the spice build up 🤣

I also really loved the bond of the Belle sisters. It was giving Charmed vibes. While I wanted them to trust in Ember a bit more, I understood why they didn’t.

Overall… the growth in Ember and Killian, the spice, the magic, the tension, the extra supporting characters… I lived for it all!!! I can’t wait for the next in the series.

I gave this book 3 stars because while it had some faults it was overall an enjoyable read.

Pros:
- captivating characters
- fast paced
- character development

Cons:
- I would have liked some more world building in the beginning of the book regarding some of the characters powers.
- errors in spelling and grammar at times (took a bit away from the experience but not enough to stop reading)
- becomes a bit repetitive in events that occur (at times it seems as if the book could have been shorter)

I would recommend this book to you if you are looking for a supernatural murder mystery romance. And don’t mind the occasional spelling/grammar mistakes.

Recieved an e-arc on NetGalley and loved it! It had demons, witches, and a New Orleans setting—what’s not to love? Though NOLA is already known for its sorcery and spells, Blake introduces even more magic and mystery to this supernatural city. It's perfect for fans of The Originals and other adult urban fantasy series!

"Don't be ashamed. All of those bitten by life's teeth and survived to live an- other day bear the marks on their soul."⠀
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Autumn Blake, Bewitched Shadows ⠀
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Bewitched Shadows by Autumn Blake is a sexy Romantasy featuring Witches, Vampires, Demons, and Werewolves all set in the mystical New Orleans. This story was an entertaining read that definitely played on the enemies to lovers trope. ⠀
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Ember was a free spirited femme fatale with a heart of gold and I adored her relationship with her sisters and grandmother. She was a spit fire and didn't let anyone hold her back from her goal of rooting out the evil that took her parents from her. ⠀
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Killian is moody, broody, and seggsy as hell! Quite literally, since he's the demon heir to the throne of the underworld. He thinks his attraction to Ember is the result of a spell but that doesn't stop him from falling for her and her haphazard antics. ⠀
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I enjoyed the contemporary magical realism and liked how the world building used New Orleans reputation for all things occult. The family bond of Embers clan and the Good versus evil battle made this murder mystery/ magical whodunnit a unique, exciting read. I'd love to get more stories from this world!

Bewitched Shadows (The Wicked Belles #1)
by Autumn Blake

*Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Pub Date: April 4, 2023

~ A fiery witch...
Ember Belle is a total mess. When she's not partying with the local shifter pack or causing mayhem around New Orleans with her three sisters, she does anything to avoid confronting her out-of-control fire magick and the grief from losing her parents. However, when an opportunity arises to obtain a magical item that could solve all her problems, she decides to take her life into her own hands.

A cold-as-ice demon...
Killian Inferno's only desire is to spend his final weeks of freedom in New Orleans, away from his duties as the future Lord of Pride. What he doesn't expect, is to be summoned by the amateur witch who has been haunting his dreams. A seductress who needs his expertise to solve a recent murder by any means necessary. Even sorcery. ~
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I was initially stoked to get my hands on a mythical/fantasy book of witches, demons, werewolves, and vampires co-existing amongst mortals in New Orleans. I also loved that this book is intended to be the first of a series centered around sisters. Who doesn’t love a good fantasy series?

The brightest spots in this novel centered around the sisters and their antics together. I do wish that there had been a deeper development of their relationships because there was so much potential! They were believable and charming and I wanted more, yet sadly it fell flat. I’m hopeful that this will be expanded upon in the rest of the series. *hint hint*

The romance between the two main characters started off too hot and heavy, too early for me. Like, where in the smut did this come from?! I struggled to feel a connection to them and their love story but overtime their banter became more enjoyable, as did their spice. 😅

If you’re looking for an easy read that brings some mystery, romance, and some chapters that make ya question if you need Jesus - this may just be the book for you.

I wasn’t blown away and it isn’t high on my recommendations for fantasy romance reads, but will I likely read the next book in the series? If not for the wild smut alone, probably.

⭐️⭐️.5/5

This would've been a stronger story if there was more lore-building. It was still a really good read, but I wish there was more information about the witches/gatherings. It was still good information, but it would've been a lot better with just a little more.

It was quick to get through, but kind of weird to decipher. The vocabulary kept switching from older style to today and it was a little difficult to bounce between the two.

The murder investigation is my favorite part of this story (I have a soft spot for "crime" stories). It had all the right elements, with some unexpected ones as well. Who doesn't love a hot demon/bad boy trying to "do good"?

(It does have werewolves and vampires, not in a Twilight way, so don't let that deter you.)

I received an advanced review copy free with the expectation of an unbiased review, which is being left voluntarily.

I was so excited when my request got approved for this book. If you read the synopsis you’ll know why. I was not disappointed, it was such a quick and fun read. This is one of those interconnected standalone series, and was just so well-done. I thought the plot could actually do better with an extra chapter or two to really develop the romance a little more but ultimately it was just a really enjoyable read. The characters and plot were fleshed out and so well-done.

Ember is reckless and rebellious. She has trauma and just doesn’t know how to cope with it, but she is desperate to have control. She was a really fiery and sassy character that I enjoyed reading about. I loved how much she adored her family, she protected them and would do anything for them. It rooted her with purpose.

Killian was such an interesting character, and I think he was a great companion. He had his own story and development, and issues. I loved his growth and how they supported each other in the end, they pushed each other to be the best.

This was definitely a romance book more than fantasy, but it had a really cool aesthetic. I loved the fantasy setting though, it was super cool and vivid, the fairytale setting was so well-done. I really enjoyed the short novel, it didn’t feel like a full length novel, I finished it so quick.

This book follows a witch who summons a demon to help solve the murders in her community. The only issue is that her magick is unstable and she accidentally hexes him into thinking he has feelings for her. He makes her a deal that he’ll help her solve the murders and in turn, she has to release him from her spell or else her soul will be taken to Hell. Will they be able to solve the murder? And break the spell that feels a lot like love?

This book was magick, vampires, witches, demons, and a murder mystery all rolled into one book! I found myself suspicious of everyone and still not having a clue who did it, which I loved. I hate when you can figure it out early on and have to read the whole book just to confirm what you already know.

I loved Ember’s fiery spirit and her perseverance to do the right thing. She had a lot of personal growth throughout the book, which was fun to follow. Killian was a character I could root for and enjoyed watching him realize what really mattered in life.

My only drawback was that the vocab of the book would have drawn me in more had it been a little more…modern? I can read older style of writing as well as modern but this kind of had a weird mix that made it a bit hard to get into. If that even makes any sense.

This books was amazing fun. Maybe it’s too character driven instead of plot driven but I enjoyed Ember and Kylian’s feelings, struggles and thoughts. The bond between them was amazing and they had the most pure of chemistries. Also, the belle family itself, I love them all, they feel cozy and loving.
Overall it was very enjoyable. It has its flaws but I think there’s room for improvement as the series goes on.
I can’t wait to read about Jade’s life and possible romance with the vampire prince.