Title: Avaritia
Series: The Oswald Witches, #1 (This series also collides with the characters from the ‘Renovating Love’ series by the same author)
Author: Mathew Ortiz
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel (251 pages)
Publisher: Mathew Ortiz (July 26th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Welcome all to Maquintock Bay. A sleepy little town a few hours north of Boston on a picturesque stretch of New England coast. The town’s folk live a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the simpler life, even if just north of them dwell the infamous Oswald family. The Oswald Estate is only minutes north of the town but most people avoid it. The town’s history tells of witches and supernatural events at the stately mansion. Is there truth to the rumors? Witches aren’t real, are they?
Prodigal son William Oswald Blackthorne has come home to take his place as head of Oswald House and his family. He sets about renovating and repairing his family home since it had fallen into disrepair. All seemed to be going well until he butted heads with his obstinate siblings, an overbearing aunt and the opinionated staff. Just when he thought everything was hitting its stride, Rushford Harrington, the head of the construction company, refuses to send his men to the house. Who the hell does the man think he is? No one tells an Oswald ‘no’!
Rush Harrington has his hands full. His workers are frightened. The gossip about Oswald House has made it near impossible to find workers to do the renovations his company promised. Now the Oswald family members are making his life crazy with abrupt changes to the renovation plans. When he attempted to talk to William Oswald Blackthorne, the man refused to speak to him. So Rush pulled his teams. Next thing Rush knows, a handsome and irate blond man barges into his office and into his life; Rush realizes that nothing is ever going to be the same!
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Avaritia-Oswald-Witches-Mathew-Ortiz-ebook/dp/B00M5N3TBC
Review: If you are a fan of Charmed, Practical Magic and/or the Double Alchemy series by Susan MacNichol… you will LOVE this book.
The Oswald family Witches are descendants of a long line of powerful witches dating back to the Salem Witch trials. The four of them are strong, fierce, and loyal and squabble like cats and dogs most of the time. Renovation of the family home has fallen on the shoulders of William, the oldest, who is constantly undermined by his siblings Duncan and Jaime, the only girl in this quad. The strained bond between William and Duncan is only surmounted when William starts dating the owner of the company providing the renovations, Rush Harrington.
You see, hundreds of years ago during the trials, the three eldest Oswald brothers were hanged for being witches. William, Oliver and Duncan to which the youngest and only surviving brother, Jaime, fought back against the family that killed his brothers… the Harringtons. And as this story progress’s, you learn that the Oswald’s mother Mia gave them their names for good reason.
William recognizes a bond and an attraction to Rush that is only possible through a bond mates connection. And yet, he fights it every step of the way. Rush is used to being the one in charge, the man on top (pun intended) and getting exactly what he wants. What he wants now is William, their families generations old feud doesn’t apply to them as far as Rush is concerned. But Rush is a human and William fears what will happen if he falls in love, accepts the bond and has to share his family secret. More so, he fears losing Rush when he learns the truth most of all.
This was an action packed, nonstop thrill ride full of emotions, passion and drama. All the while William and Rush are trying to navigate the ever-growing bond between them, the Oswalds’ are fighting a very real threat that wants to eliminate them all. Now William faces the fear of Rush being in danger because of who William is, which only adds to the stress on their budding relationship. But the chemistry they share is impossible to ignore, especially when fate is involved.
Ortiz definitely put in his time researching the craft, the trials and the supernatural aspect of this story. It shows in the finished product and a depth to the story that otherwise wouldn’t have been there. The passion and electricity that is evident between William and Rush just from that first meeting was evident as well.
I loved the constant threat of danger and the ever-present electricity that flowed between characters.
While there were a few typographical errors, I recognized the intensity with which Ortiz writes all of his stories, so the flow and the intrigue never faded. And if you are a fan of Ortiz’s Renovations series, you get to visit with those guys at the end of this story when he ties in the families. This really is a must read, It was long and took me a few hours, but it seriously felt like minutes by the time I reached the end. I saw a LOT of Practical Magic type issues and situations. So again, if you are a fan you’ll seriously love this supernatural story.