A good read for extending the Witching Season

November 2, 11:00 AMTampa Books ExaminerJulianne Draper

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No Rest for the Witches cover art

St. Martin's Press

No Rest For The Witches is a short story compilation from four stars on the Romance scene, MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, and Christine Warren—and though not exactly current (being first published circa 2007), the stories herein dish out some suspenseful, sexy fun.

For instance, in MaryJanice Davidson’s novella "The Majicka”, Ireland Shea is just minding her own business, taking care of a houseful of magical friends (a vampire, werewolf, a fairy, and a very ticked off, hexed SUV) when visiting the cemetery one night she trips over a zombie—literally. And Ireland, being a collector of such paranormal strays, takes it upon herself to take the zombie in and find the person who disturbed her eternal slumber—no matter how much her housemates hate the idea. The real fun begins when they’re confronted with a millennia-old drunk battle master who claims there’s more to Ireland than meets the eye.

Lori Handeland’s “Voodoo Moon” sees an FBI agent tracking down a serial killer in Louisiana; but when she finds the local Sheriff dead, she has no choice but to turn to the (very hot) owner of the town’s one voodoo shop for (a hem) a little unconventional help in hopes of putting the restless murder to rest—permanently.

Cheyenne McCray’s novella “Breath of Magic” combines the tale of Balor, the evil Celtic god whose legendary eye could destroy all it looked upon, with a witch named Sydney, who is gifted with the power of the Druids, who, with the help of an ancient Celtic warrior (alive and well and now living in San Francisco) try desperately to keep that weapon out of the god’s hands, for the good of all mankind. Whether or not Sydney and Conlan can figure out exactly what to do with each other, on a private basis, is another matter altogether.

Finally, Christine Warren’s “Any Witch Way She Can” is, as near as I can tell, part of Ms. Warren’s “Others” series and concerns Randy, the one family member who doesn’t shapechange. But she’s got quite the reputation for catting around, but for a recent date, who stood her up. Now she decides to try a little love spell; but when that spell goes awry and she ends up in her grandmother’s have naked, she can do nothing but accept the help of her grandmother’s colleague, a witch named Michael—and a very sexy witch at that. Yet Randy believes her spell failed. Besides, there’s more going on at her grandmother’s house than meets the eye, and Randy and Michael are called upon to save her grandmother’s position in the Others council, if they can keep their hands off one another long enough to do so, is the question.

The stories in No Rest For The  Witches run the gamut from comedy to cop-drama and, though a little bit quirky at times, it should appeal to all the Charmed fans out there, and anyone else who indulges, and loves, the little witch that resides in all women.

(As ever, you might be able to find this at any of our local Barnes and Noble, or Borders bookstores, or failing that, try one of the used bookstores around town. If  that fails, you can, no doubt,  find a copy at Amazon.)