Reviewed: April 28th, 2023
Released: June 21st, 2022
Genre: Humourous Fantasy Romance
A heartwarming and humorous blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery featuring a witch with domestic powers and the royal household he serves . . . dinner.
When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.
But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated . . .
Filled with fascinating characters, courtly intrigue, political machinations, delicious cuisines, cuddly companions, magical hijinks, and will-they-won’t-they romance, The House Witch is the first in a captivating new series, guaranteed to satisfy the tastes of any reader.
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical tale of a witch who turns up at the King’s palace as the new cook and proceeds to create a warm and loving environment for all to live within, not without breaking a few eggs of course!
Fin has been told all his life he is a failure. It’s been beaten into him so much that he believes it, and has settled on doing something he enjoys, cooking. He is an excellent cook, and as we progress through the book, we find he has a strong moral core, he is a protector, a House Witch. One who creates a safe place to live and relax.
I chuckled my way through many chapters, the wry humour is delightful, the characters engaging and the world they live in rich and detailed.
The magic is wonderful, and Fin is a fantastic character you can’t help but love and root for. Fin’s helpers in the kitchen make the story. The Kitchen knights are the butt of much humour, Hannah is a force to be reckoned with and Peter, though quiet comes through in the end. Lady Annika is a force all of her own and marks Fin’s card pretty early on.
A delightful story you won’t want to put down.
Purchase The House Witch via Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback | Audiobook
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback | Audiobook
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 