Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Legacy of the Witch (the Portal #0.5) by Maggie Shayne

As a child, Amarrah loved her grandmother’s stories of three witches who were members of the king’s harem—but they were more than just stories. Amarrah knew she had been there with them…and now their legacy, along with an ancient box that once belonged to them, lies in her hands.

Charged with keeping the box safe, Amarrah is heartbroken when it is stolen from her while she moves to America. Years later, she is shocked to see it on TV and is determined to get it back. Tracking the artifact leads her to Sergeant Harrison Brockson, a handsome soldier who stirs memories of a man she knew centuries ago in ancient Babylon. Is Harrison the key to finding the box—or could he be her destiny?


Type: Paranormal Romance, Witches, novella
Heat: 1 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5

As soon as I spotted Legacy of the Witch, I had to grab it up and you know, it was a great little novella. It really does a fantastic job of setting up the world of the Portal series (which is awesome) and easing you into a storyline that can be a little complicated at times since it deals with past lives and the reincarnation of a group of sister witches.


I really liked both Amarrah, a witch searching for a scared box and Harrison, a war hero that somehow wound up with the box while serving overseas. There's a pretty instantaneous and familiar connection between them which becomes clear during flashbacks to her life in Babylon with the sister witches the series revolves around. It was really interesting to see how everything and everyone connected in both the past and the present.

The novella's pretty exciting. There's danger and mystery along the way as they hunt down the box and sort out everything that's happening around them. I'm a total greedy girl though and would have loved a little more on both her past life in Babylon and the romance in the present but really it was a great taste of the series and a fun read. If you're thinking about picking up the series I'd definitely recommend grabbing a copy of Legacy of the Witch first :)

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Maggie Shayne is best known as the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels, nearly 30 novellas, a former soap writer, (The Guiding Light, As the World Turns,) a former advice columnist (Shayne on You,) and RITA Award winner. But what’s less known about her is that she’s been a practicing Witch for almost as long as she’s been a published author.

Known within the Craft of the Wise as LadyHawk the Mythmaker, Maggie studied in the Black Forest Circle Seminary for three years, earning her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree elevations there. A licensed minister of Wicca, Maggie was later made a Craft Elder, and co-founded a new Wiccan tradition called RavenMyst Circle. Her coven, The Coven of the Redtail Hawk, turned out five new high priestesses, several of whom went on to form covens of their own, and making Maggie, according to the Old Ways, A Witch Queen.

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For extra entries in the Grand Prize Drawing check out our review of Legacy of the Witch and leave a comment!
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What do you think of introduction novellas? Do you like that little taste of the series before starting or do you like to jump right on in to the series?
Have a favorite Maggie Shayne book?

56 comments:

  1. It's depend. Sometimes i discover a novella and i think it's a great sample of teh writing style and universe but it's not a prequel and sometimes one prequel done to be an introduction just doesn't add up to what has be done and i'm disappointed but in general i don't mind them^^ ( i read a novella two days ago- conclusion of a serie- but i want to start the series now^^;;)

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    1. ouos forgot^^ i haven't read anything by thisauthor but this novella is to said at least intriguing^^

      Merry Christmas!!

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    2. I'm not big on the ones that aren't complete stories on their own and are more like a prologue. But ones like this work pretty well since they're stand alones.

      Ooo what novella did you read?

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  2. I don't mind a bit of intro through a short prequel. :) I love too many of this writer's books so it's hard to pick one! I love paranormals in general!

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    1. Yep this was just a nice short one that really did a good job I thought. And yay! So glad to hear you're a fan of Maggie's!!

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  3. I can appreciate both options. However I usually like to dive right in. Enjoyed the interview and am a long time fan of Maggie Shayne. She's awesome ;)
    lorih824@yahoo.com

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    1. Yes!! So excited to hear yall are fans too!! I tend to just jump right into a series too but have started to go back and check out the ones for series I like and you know I've been enjoying them. It's fun to get that little taste of the world again :)

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  4. Thanks for the heads up...I just uploaded it to my kindle!

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  5. I don't have a favorite Maggie Shayne book, I love everything I've read. :D I think the introductory novellas are a wonderful idea to get a taste of what the series is going to be like.

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    1. Fabulous answer! LOL I've really liked everything I've read so far too!

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  6. I like having an introductory novellla to get a taste of a new series. It gets you immersed into the world and ready for the whole story!

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    1. Oh yeah I forgot to add I love this one! I read it last week. It is great!

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    2. Ahhhh yay you liked it!! Have you tried the first book? It's so good! I'm getting ready to start book 2 this next week :D

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    3. I haven't read the first book yet. With all the Christmas stuff going on I haven't read much of anything in the last week lol

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    4. LOL oh I get that. I'm so behind on my reading right now. I've got book 2 waiting for me and was hoping to get to it before the 1st of the year but just didn't get there. But soon!

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  7. Having a prequel is good sometimes. I also like to just jump right in. I don't really have a preference. I haven't read any of Maggie's books, so I don't have a favorite yet.

    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  8. I don't mind prequels as long as I have the first book handy. Nothing like enjoying the prequel only to find out you don't have the first book at hand.

    Adria
    Breath of Life Reviews

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    1. Oh I know! I can't do em unless I have the next one ready to go. Those little tastes of the series can really hook ya!

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  9. I like the introductory prequels as long as I can get my hands on the next book. I don't want to read a prequel and then find out the book is not out yet. I especially like the prequels for new to me authors.

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    1. I like em for new to me authors too so you can see if they're a good fit :)

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  10. I downloaded the prequel and I'm looking forward to reading this. The past life aspect is what's drawing me and that they are having to remember and right wrongs. I could go on and on about this subject.

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    1. It's really an interesting twist and seeing how their current and pasts connected. You don't get to read too many of those. Hope you enjoy it!

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  11. Hi Maggie! I have several of your books and I love them! I can't wait to read your next one. Merry Christmas!

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  12. I have the free novella and the 1st book in my maassive TBR pile!!
    Heard GREAT things about Maggie!!!
    I've read a few short stories in anth!

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    1. Oooo happy reading PM! She's a really entertaining :) Hope you enjoy!

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  13. I have read a few of Maggie's book (at the moment, names have taken the preverbally backseat and vacated my mind which is in recovery zone from the
    B U S Y day I had yesterday with my 4 daughters, LONG car trips between visiting different family members...)
    I like prequels sometimes...

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    1. Oh goodness. Hope yall've recovered from the adventures! LOL

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  14. I love introduction novellas...a great way to introduce all the possibilites of a series and especially a new author!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. I've only read novellas in print anthologies, and I'm not sure if the were introductions to a series or not. But I thinks it's a good idea if you are discovering a new author.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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    1. Agreed! It's nice to see what they can do before jumping into a full length!

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  16. My 1st Maggie Shayne book was Fairytale and I was hooked on her books.

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    1. Oooo I haven't read that one yet! It's on my Nook though :)

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  17. I think introduction novellas are a great idea, though I don't usually come across them until after I've started a series. Lover's Bite is my favorite Maggie Shayne book.

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    1. You know that's usually how it works for me too!

      Lover's Bite. I'll have to add that to the list :) So many books and way too little time!

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  18. Intro novellas can be useful in laying out the groundwork of the world building and the characters, making it much easier to jump into the story in future books. Also, it's up to readers if they want more info and explanations about the series, which they can get reading intro novellas.

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  19. Sometimes I like them, especially if the series starts out in the middle of a story and you feel like you missed something. Believe me, I have crossed quiet a few of those. On the other hand, if you don't pick up the novellas, you can be just as lost.

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    1. Yeah I've definitely run across a few of those too. My favorites are where they're all easily read as stand alones.

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  20. I can enjoy intro novells, if the following book is already released, or very, very soon to be released. To wait a year for a continuation, that is something i only do for the full length ones LOL

    Happy New Year!
    //Linda

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    1. Oh yeah me too. Otherwise I just wait to check em out until closer to time. I like having it all in my reach too :)

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  21. Ooo I want this! Sometimes I do like the prequel novella's but often they are just too short, and I want more. Best thing is, don't start reading them until you have the first full length book as well.

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    1. LOL that's usually how I feel too. I'm such a greedy reader ;)

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  22. I love Maggie Shayne books, so I read & loved the novella. Usually I dive right in to the novels, and if I like them, I'll fall back and read the novellas & short stories.

    Happy New Year & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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    1. Ahhhh yay so glad you love her too! I always like hearing that :)

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  23. I usually prefer to jump right in. The novellas I do like though are those written between books of a series, the ones that are background stories or side stories of characters I've already become attached to. It's like getting a nibble to hold you over until the next book.

    The Portal series sounds intriguing. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

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    1. Ooh yes I love those! It's so hard to wait between full length releases in some series and fun to get a little taste here and there :)

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  24. Maggie is the best I love everything she does

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  25. Maggie is the best I love everything she does

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  26. Maggie is the best I love everything she does

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  27. I do like them and how they give you an intro to the series. They have introduced me to quite a few new series.

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  28. No matter for me to have a prequel, sometimes make me interest for more story :)

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  29. I can appreciate both options. I like them all!!

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  30. Novellas are OK. Sometimes you can find out certain things about characters that you never knew about.

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  31. Introduction novellas? I like them ONLY if they are 'complete' stories- as in they are not big cliff hangers. I don't mind if the story is left open for future play, but end current action and character interaction.
    I just read one where the 2 main characters spend the night by aren't even sure if they will end up together, it was that open ended. That is what drive me crazy in "prequels" and introduction stories- where they really are nothing more than a ploy to get us to buy more stories.
    Like the new trend in 'serials' that never resolve anything. I want to tell those authors to write a novel already. Kind of like the brand new idea of 1-time paying of a running serial that auto-downloads. For people who like these, this is a much better idea.

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  32. I do like Introduction Novellas and I have read this book, loved it! I haven't came across one of Maggie's that I didn't love. I have looked and dug for her books everywhere...

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I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

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~Anna

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