Spell Cat by Tara Lain ~ Audio Review

Tara Lain - Spell Cat Audio Cover cnw74NTitle: Spell Cat

Series: The Aloysius Tales 01

Author: Tara Lain

Narrator: K.C. Kelly

Genre: Paranormal, Witches

Length: 6 hrs, 48 mins

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (17th June 2019)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: đź’–đź’–đź’–đź’– 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor – or a human. As the most pow-erful male witch in 10 generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing – despite the fact that he’s gay.

Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle – convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.

With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.

Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Spell Cat is the first book in Tara Lain’s paranormal romance series, The Aloysius Tales. This narration is actually from the recently published second edition from Dreamspinner Press. Before coming across the audio of this story, I’ve not read either edition of this story. However, I thought the plot sounded interesting and more often than not I’ve really enjoyed Lain’s work (probably with a preferences towards her recent stuff than the older stuff).

The narration of this book was performed by KC Kelly. Who did a good job, creating tones and voices not only for the two MCs, but a whole host of minor characters, which also included a couple “European” and “Russian” type accents. It was honestly a great performance and I think this is one of those books where I wouldn’t enjoy as much if I simply read it book myself.

I will admit, I did a bit of research, because from the blurb I found it confusing as to why the series was called the Aloysius Tales. Then I actually started the book and then I realised: Aloysius is the name of the damn cat.

The story starts with Professor Killian Barth, a history professor who specialises in the history of witchcraft. The subject he teaches is popular – from kids wanting easy grades to others who find it cool to study witches. He also happens to be a bona fide witch, the most powerful witch for 10 generations and is known as the witch master, a powerful figurehead in the community. The witches are dying, the witch elders telling everyone that this is because witches have been diluting their powers by “mixing” with humans. And being the most powerful male witch means that his power-hungry mother and another power-hungry elder, have orchestrated an arranged marriage between Killian and the most powerful female witch to ensure the purity of the witch line. The biggest issue being that Killian is gay.

This makes Killian a heart breaking figure because he has never allowed himself some measure of happiness. He has been told his whole life having sex with humans will deplete his powers and make him weaker, yet he is comfortable and prefers to be in the human world. Perhaps worst of all, when he meets physics professor Blain Genneau, there is an instant spark of attraction between the two men. Which only serves to make Killian more miserable.

The story, shortly after Killian is introduced to his new familiar, the black cat Aloysius, is Killian’s battle to be find out what exactly is behind the whole “humans deplete a witch’s power”. All to find a way out of his arranged marriage and maybe even find some kind of happiness, no matter how temporary. Killian is definitely the main character here, although Blaine I felt got about as much “air time” as the secondary characters such as Killian’s fiancé Lavender and Killian’s strange student Jimmy Janks. In some ways that didn’t feel very fair to their romance, but for the overall story it worked that this was predominately told from Killian’s POV, and Killian has a lot of thing going on.

I recommend this one to those that love paranormal fiction, in particular those that like witches and magic. This is a first in a series which follows the influence of familiar Aloysius on the witch community and the love lives of a select few. I’m keen to hear or read more.

Cataclysmic Shift by Tara Lain (2nd Edition)

Title: Cataclysmic Shift, (2nd Edition)

Series: The Aloysius Tales 03

Author: Tara Lain

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (September 13, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Aloysius, the magical black cat and powerful witch’s familiar, isn’t afraid to go into battle to protect his master, but the outcome of the fight turns his feline world upside down. A direct hit of magic steals not only his memories and power, but even the body he’s lived in for several centuries. When he wakes up naked on the floor of a veterinarian’s office, it isn’t as the cat Aloysius, but as the sixteenth-century French gentleman Alain Bellarose. And when Alain sees sexy and enigmatic veterinarian Luke Elliott, he decides he’ll make the best of his time as a human.

Luke is a man with secrets who generally prefers the company of animals—though the flamboyant boy who washes his face with the side of his hand and tries to lick his own privates might prove an exception.

Meanwhile, Witch Master Killian Barth and his secret weapon, Sammy, struggle without Aloysius’s power to draw on. Two evil females are circling, and seeing the coven’s weakness, they’re about to move in for the kill. When Alain’s memories return, he’s faced with the ultimate dilemma: protect his community or stay with the man he loves.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-543-9

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Aloysius is a beautiful and very powerful familiar to an amazing witch. He would do everything to protect those he loves. Then a evil witch’s hit knocked him out. Killian and Blaine rush him to a nearby vet only to loose him. Well I wouldn’t say he was lost, he was hiding in the closet. Not only was he hiding but he was also human and had no clue to who he was. However there were instances where he felt like he would. The good news is the vet was one hell of a sexy man.

Luke had grown up with a mother who thought she was a witch but of course no young man would believe. He was about to get his eyes opened wide for he has found himself falling in love with a man who had also been a cat.

With the man looking for Luke and the two witches going for the coven, it would seem that they were in need to have the cat back. This story has one hell of a twist to it. Aloysius as a cat and Alain as a human, he has no memory of his past. However his past is quite unique as it is. And Luke doesn’t want to remember his own past. Alain has fallen in love with Luke but by staying human it could cost Killian and his coven their lives. Hard to figure out which way to go.

Excitement, danger, sexy times, magic and great friends are just a hint of what comes in this story. It is an amazing journey and I can’t wait to read the next book. It gave me everything I could want in a story and so much more.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Brush with Catastrophe by Tara Lain (2nd Edition)

Title: Brush With Catastrophe

Series: The Aloysius Tales 02

Author: Tara Lain

Genre: Other Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (14th April 2017)

Length: Novel (208 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Sammy Raphael is a crappy witch, and on top of that, he can’t seem to get a boyfriend. Where other supernaturals can bring down lightning and manifest wealth, Sammy can paint. Granted, the “prophetic” paintings he creates at night always come true, but they never predict anything important. Sammy feels like a total loser with a worthless ability. One night he paints a gorgeous guy who turns out to be his secret crush, the human Ryder, but Ryder’s changed so much he’s almost unrecognizably beautiful. Then Sammy paints an angel who turns out to be a witch. But is that witch also a devil—a devil who can bring down Sammy’s whole community and everyone he loves? And why the hell does Ryder keep changing? Aloysius, the black cat familiar, always backs a winner. So why is he backing Sammy?

This story was first published with Loose Id in 2012.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-332-9

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press ebook | Dreamspinner Press paperback

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Sammy is one of a kind. What he draws seems to come true. Although he would wish he could keep his cloths on through a vision. He also never saw the true part of his visions, because to him he had no clue that was what they were. One day in class, the head witch’s cat took a big liking to him. In one of his visions, he sees a very sexy young man. A man that turns out to be the one he has a crush on.

Ryder was a shy kid and pretty damn short. However back on campus, he has grown quite a bit. He likes Sammy, but he takes up with Lucien. Lucien is not who he appears to be and danger has set in. To top it off his whole family wants to see him married, to bad his eyes are on a certain witch.

Very intriguing story and the world that they live in sounds pretty cool. I always loved the magical type stories and no one gets magic like a witch. I loved the black cat, Aloysius. He is a blast and definitely smarter than most humans. The story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.

I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. It is fully developed and the plot just rocks. I can see myself reading this more than once. I had a lot of fun and can guarantee that you will also.

Spell Cat by Tara Lain Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

tara-lain-spell-cat-banner-s-spell-cat-book-blast

Hi guys, we have Tara Lain stopping by with her new re-release Spell Cat, we have a great excerpt, some fantastic teasers, a briliant giveaway and Lisa’s review, so check out the post and click that giveaway link <3 ~Pixie~

tara-lain-spell-cat-cover

Spell Cat

(The Aloysius Tales 01)
by

Tara Lain

When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.

Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle — convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.

With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.

Continue reading “Spell Cat by Tara Lain Blog Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!”

Spell Cat by Tara Lain (2nd Edition)

tara-lain-spell-cat-coverTitle: Spell Cat (2nd Edition)

Series: The Aloysius Tales 01

Author: Tara Lain

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length:  Novel (200 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (31st October 2016)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But Killian can’t pursue a physics professor—or a human. As the most powerful male witch in ten generations, Killian must bolster his dying race by reproducing—despite the fact that he’s gay.

Even a fling with Blaine is out of the question, because Killian has been told sex with humans drains his power. But if that’s true, why can young human Jimmy Janx dissolve spoons with the power of his mind? If Killian can sort through the lies he’s been fed, he’ll still face his biggest obstacle—convincing rational scientist Blaine to believe in magic.

With his ancient and powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.

First Edition published by Loose Id, 2012.

ISBN: 978-1-63477-674-5

Product Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/spell-cat-by-tara-lain-7676-b

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  I have read a couple of this authors work and was not really impressed so when I was given this story I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to even give it a chance. However I will be the first to admit that this story rocked. I am talking rocked my entire world.  

Killian is a very powerful witch who was basically being forced to marry a female. Now the problem was not only was he gay but the female witch didn’t want to marry him either, she was in love with someone else. That was all Killian wanted someone that loved him with their entire heart. However witches were told that if they had sex with humans that they would lose their powers.  

When Killian met Blaine, the sparks flew the moment their eyes met. Too bad Blaine was human. Now I have never really been a fan of having females in a story, but let me tell you that she was a blast as well as Jimmy. I loved the twists that this story had going on. Although I could have done without the sex, power play and such. It felt like the author just threw it in for word filler. That was the only part that was a bit disappointing. Ok maybe Blaine’s reaction when he finds out Killian is a witch was a bit overdone. However there was one scene in this book that made up for all that.

Other than those reactions the story made my attention stand up. I hope that the next book is just as good. If the author keeps writing like this, then she will soon become a favorite, although I hope her sex scenes get a bit better. It is a fun, light, sexy little story that kept my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I had fun with it and can’t wait to read book two.

Spell Cat by Tara Lain

51HZ6PswIALTitle: Spell Cat

Series: The Aloysius Tales, #1

Author: Tara Lain

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/YAOI-ish

Length: Novel (255 Pages)

Publisher: Loose Id (March 19th, 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: When Killian Barth, history professor, meets Blaine Genneau, quantum physicist, they ignite their own big bang. But sadly, Killian walks away. He doesn’t do physics professors. In fact, he doesn’t do humans, because Killian is the most powerful male witch in 10 generations and, though gay, he’s expected to save his declining race by reproducing.

He can’t even have sex with Blaine, because he’s been taught that sex with humans depletes his power. But if that’s true, why can young human, Jimmy Janx, dissolve spoons with a thought? Somebody’s a lying witch.

With his powerful cat familiar, Aloysius, on his shoulder, Killian brings the lightning against deceit and greed to save Blaine from danger and prove love is the greatest power of them all.

ISBN-13 # 9781611187342
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/spell-cat.html

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: A fun, sexy fantasy that is fast reading full of grins and moans, in a good way! This is the beginning of an enjoyable series about a growing community of witches and para-normally abled, surrounding Killian, and of course that all-knowing, naught and mischievous, protective cat Aloysius. Watch out for that cat, he knows everything, and he knows when he’s needed even if his unknowing victims do not!

Poor Killian is just trying to go along with his duties, to continue the blood line and strength of a pure witch, by breeding, but that’s until Blaine, the hard and fast scientist throws a wrench in his plans and makes him question the yoke of tradition he was about to carry.

You have to enjoy quirky, fantastical, reading to like this series. Spell Cat is light and fun, the sex scenes dear and a bit silly at times, but it is fun, whimsical light reading. Yes there is a mysterious plot, a plan to foil the bad guy’s actions, and a smart kitty familiar who knows just how to put two people together.

If you enjoy YAOI, you’ll enjoy Spell Cat and the entire The Aloysius Tales series. Pull up this light-hearted, quirky book and prepare to have some sexy fun.