Don't Hex with Texas

I loved this fourth installment in the Enchanted, Inc series by Shanna Swendson...think of it as Bridget Jones meets Harry Potter set in the heart of Texas! Filled with humor, romance, and a great plot, I couldn't put this book down until I finished it! This book is hilarious, and had me laughing out loud many times! Not to mention, that the love story between Katie and Owen is one of the best I've read in a very long time. This is the perfect summer/beach book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, enjoyable read! And don't forget to pick up the other three books in the series (Enchanted, Inc. (Katie Chandler, Book 1),Once Upon Stilettos (Katie Chandler, Book 2), and Damsel Under Stress: A Novel.) ****Word has it that this might be the last in the Enchanted, Inc. Series!!! Buy this book today, and help spread the word about the Enchanted, Inc. series so Shanna Swendson's publisher will publish the next book in the series. We can't let the adventures of Katie Chandler, Owen Palmer, and the rest of the MSI gang disappear!!!****

I loved this book, which I had been eagerly awaiting! The tension of whether or not Katie and Owen will actually admit to each other how they feel is fantastic. In many ways these books remind me a lot of Jane Austen (whose books I adore). I'm very pleased with the ending, and I can see that it could end here if no more books are forthcoming. But I really really would like to read more about Katie and Owen!

This was a really good fun book! It's the fourth in the series about Katie Chandler, a Magical Immune who works for Merlin at Magic, Spells & Illusions Inc in New York. Except in this story Katie has returned home to Cobb, a small town in Texas and the home of her family. This is because the wizard Owen, who cares for Katie, was put in a difficult situation in an earlier book having to choose between her and others - and he chose her. Katie decided to leave New York and her job so as not to cause a problem for Owen. After all, magical things are unlikely to follow her to Cobb as it's a very unmagical town. But now Katie's back home she starts noticing some odd things. Not only that, her mother seems to be seeing things that no-one else is - someone dressed up in strange robes doing odd dances outside the bank. Katie begins to wonder if Cobb is as free of magic as she previously thought and contacts Merlin to ask him about it. Merlin sends Sam the Gargoyle to check the town out - until Owen arrives. Katie and Owen have to investigate the goings-on together and they soon uncover a culprit closer to home, some unusual family traits and that Owen's arch-nemesis Idris is behind it all. Can Katie and Owen eject the magic from Cobb and can Katie keep her various family members out of trouble? The writing style of this book was great with events moving swiftly, characters appealing and quirky and a very slow-burn romance between Katie and Owen burning... slowly. The baddies weren't really bad, merely slightly naughty, and there were lots of opportunities for people to turn to a good path. This wasn't a dark book, the magic is a fun addition to the generally upbeat nature. I'll very much look forward to the next book in this series. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2008

I love this series and I think that Don't Hex with Texas was very nicely written without a bunch of extra nonsense written into it for no reason. I highly recommend this book. But do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with Enchanted, Inc.

Katie Chandler left her job at Magic, Spells & Illusion, Inc. in New York to return to her hometown of Cobb, Texas (population 2,500). Not that she wanted to leave, but felt like it would be best for everyone, especially for Owen Palmer, the man she loved. Cobb is not on any major magical power lines, so the chances of any magical enemies showing up are between slim and none. Katie had lived her entire life in Cobb without seeing anything remotely strange. Of course, Katie slips back into her old life seamlessly. She lives on the family farm, works at the family store (Chandler Agricultural Supply), fends off her mother's attempts at matchmaking, and is totally bored! That changes when her mom comes home talking about the strange things happening in town; things no one else even seemed to notice but her. Katie's first thought is a rogue wizard, but that is ridiculous. No major magical power lines mean weak spell casting, if any. The rest of the family wants to commit her mom, but Katie cannot help but wonder if her mom is an immune, like herself. So Katie goes into investigation mode. Sure enough, some hooded figure is casting minor spells and committing petty crimes. Katie reports the activity to her old boss Merlin (Yes, THAT Merlin!) and soon Sam, a friendly gargoyle from her past, shows up to scout around. Then Katie spies a magical advertisement in a local magazine. Phelan Idris has an online correspondence course set up and is teaching (to those with at least a small amount of magic and can actually see the ads he placed) how to work magic. This is not something Sam and Katie can deal with alone. When Owen Palmer shows up to help out, Katie realizes that time and distance have not lessened her feelings for the powerful wizard. Her matchmaking mom insists Owen stay at the farm too, in a room near Katie. Things heat up even more when Idris brings in a large group of amateur wizards and has them target Owen. But Idris forgot one thing; Cobb is still part of Texas and you simply do NOT hex with Texas! ***** Word has it (in the Advanced Reviewer Copy of this book) that this is the conclusion to the Enchanted Inc. series; however, author Shanna Swendson left one large thread dangling. Fans will be disappointed should this be the last adventure of Katie and Owen. I have high hope that the author will take that thread and run with it! As always, Shanna Swendson has blended romance, magic, suspense, and humor to make one of the best stories of the year. If you have not read the previous titles you will not be lost, but you will not get the full impact of the subplots either. My advice is to start with book one, Enchanted Inc, and read them in order. Surprises, twists, and loads of fun await any reader smart enough to pick up this gem! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.