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Midlife Crashing: Paranormal Fades- Book One
I am about to become something I didn’t know I could be. And you know what? I like it.
My name is Serena, and for me, my adult life has been nothing short of a fairytale. My early life however; not so great. I suffer from what my therapist calls lost time. I have no memories of my childhood from five to fifteen. Add to that, my crippling fear of the dark and tight spaces, and you can see why I like everything in its proper place in my life.
I thought turning fifty-five would be celebrating surviving another trip around the sun. I mean, I already have everything in life I could ask for; a great career, best friend, and a husband that I would move mountains for.
But on the night of my birthday, I am hit with something that will rock my world forever. A gruesome attack leads to the revelation that my husband is a witch, and that he works for a very shady, very secretive organization.
But it’s not just him. That night my eyes were open to all manner of supernatural beings roaming our community. I’ve been ripped out of my comfortable existence and plunged into a nightmare world filled with things that want my husband dead. But to do that, they’re going to have to get past the new me.
Turns out, this exposure to magic has done wonders for my memory. All these supernatural creatures are frightening…but I may just be the worst of them all.
At this point in my life, I thought I was already who I was meant to be. Imagine my surprise when I realized I am becoming something more powerful and more terrifying, than anything in my wildest nightmares.
My name is Serena, and for me, my adult life has been nothing short of a fairytale. My early life however; not so great. I suffer from what my therapist calls lost time. I have no memories of my childhood from five to fifteen. Add to that, my crippling fear of the dark and tight spaces, and you can see why I like everything in its proper place in my life.
I thought turning fifty-five would be celebrating surviving another trip around the sun. I mean, I already have everything in life I could ask for; a great career, best friend, and a husband that I would move mountains for.
But on the night of my birthday, I am hit with something that will rock my world forever. A gruesome attack leads to the revelation that my husband is a witch, and that he works for a very shady, very secretive organization.
But it’s not just him. That night my eyes were open to all manner of supernatural beings roaming our community. I’ve been ripped out of my comfortable existence and plunged into a nightmare world filled with things that want my husband dead. But to do that, they’re going to have to get past the new me.
Turns out, this exposure to magic has done wonders for my memory. All these supernatural creatures are frightening…but I may just be the worst of them all.
At this point in my life, I thought I was already who I was meant to be. Imagine my surprise when I realized I am becoming something more powerful and more terrifying, than anything in my wildest nightmares.
- GenresParanormalFantasy
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 4, 2022
DNF. This will be a good book for many people, but not me. I do not care for stories where the main characters are pawns between warring factions.
June 27, 2024
This had a lot of promise and then fell flat. I will say it was nice to see a main character happily married and with a partner who loves and supports her instead of the unhappy, divorced, frumpy trope.
November 30, 2021
Hooray! A 55 yr old Bad A$$
Three things blew me away about this Women’s Paranormal Fiction story, first the main female character is 55 years old and doesn’t suffer stereotyped body aches and bad back crap. Secondly, she DIDN’t get surprised with a husband having a mid-life crisis who wants a divorce and now must go live with her mom or grandma, instead, she has a wonderful relationship with Joe, her long time husband. And third, the plots and the character’s magical abilities are off the imagination charts. I’ve read hundreds of paranormal fiction stories and have never read anything like the way these dark shadow abilities are used, that was very intriguing. So kudos to this writer for a solid, entertaining story that had me eager to read at every available moment.
Three things blew me away about this Women’s Paranormal Fiction story, first the main female character is 55 years old and doesn’t suffer stereotyped body aches and bad back crap. Secondly, she DIDN’t get surprised with a husband having a mid-life crisis who wants a divorce and now must go live with her mom or grandma, instead, she has a wonderful relationship with Joe, her long time husband. And third, the plots and the character’s magical abilities are off the imagination charts. I’ve read hundreds of paranormal fiction stories and have never read anything like the way these dark shadow abilities are used, that was very intriguing. So kudos to this writer for a solid, entertaining story that had me eager to read at every available moment.
May 2, 2022
Book 1
The story started off good, but about halfway through, I totally lost interest. I finally finished it but was not impressed. I liked the characters, but the storyline lost me.
The story started off good, but about halfway through, I totally lost interest. I finally finished it but was not impressed. I liked the characters, but the storyline lost me.
December 3, 2023
It's an interesting premise at first.
But then. Then the lack of contractions, lack of characters' decisionmaking skills, lack of rational character motivation, tokenism, and Deus ex machina *all* over the place took it from middling to awful pretty damn fast.
Oh, with a lovely bit of at the very end for funsies. (eyeroll)
Now, I'd thought that there'd be some cool places that this story might explore when it comes to shadows. We don't have to go full on into Jung's idea of a shadow self or anything, but nope - none of that. It's an action movie script crossed with a supernatural romance novel, taking common failings of each and grabbing a few more for good measure along the way.
(Seriously, *why* are there so few contractions? I know speech to text is a great tool, but this book has definitely been edited - those should've been caught and corrected, since these characters are NOT formal people.)
So, if you're intrigued by the blurb, spend 10 minutes thinking about what kind of story you wish someone would write. You'll save time and probably come up with something more interesting to boot.
But then. Then the lack of contractions, lack of characters' decisionmaking skills, lack of rational character motivation, tokenism, and Deus ex machina *all* over the place took it from middling to awful pretty damn fast.
Oh, with a lovely bit of at the very end for funsies. (eyeroll)
Now, I'd thought that there'd be some cool places that this story might explore when it comes to shadows. We don't have to go full on into Jung's idea of a shadow self or anything, but nope - none of that. It's an action movie script crossed with a supernatural romance novel, taking common failings of each and grabbing a few more for good measure along the way.
(Seriously, *why* are there so few contractions? I know speech to text is a great tool, but this book has definitely been edited - those should've been caught and corrected, since these characters are NOT formal people.)
So, if you're intrigued by the blurb, spend 10 minutes thinking about what kind of story you wish someone would write. You'll save time and probably come up with something more interesting to boot.
January 29, 2022
Midlife Power
I am 55 and the heroin was 55 and such a powerful good woman. I liked that she was loyal to her husband and friends even when she found they kept secrets from her for 30years. The book was full of action and suspense and kept me reading. I hated that not one but two friends died. I would have kept the werewolf alive because of the long time friendship. I would recommend this book to older teens and upwards to 109 years of age. At 55 I like reading about older women who have strength and goodness and just good plain morals. The husband of the heroin was wonderful as well because he also had good morals and loyalty to her and friends. I so enjoyed this book. I hate that I have to join some email to read the second book.
I am 55 and the heroin was 55 and such a powerful good woman. I liked that she was loyal to her husband and friends even when she found they kept secrets from her for 30years. The book was full of action and suspense and kept me reading. I hated that not one but two friends died. I would have kept the werewolf alive because of the long time friendship. I would recommend this book to older teens and upwards to 109 years of age. At 55 I like reading about older women who have strength and goodness and just good plain morals. The husband of the heroin was wonderful as well because he also had good morals and loyalty to her and friends. I so enjoyed this book. I hate that I have to join some email to read the second book.
February 6, 2022
Fabulous 50s Woman
Yes!!! An interesting, exciting story with a 50-something female main character! Look! A unicorn!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Caan writes engaging characters and sets them loose on a NC barrier island. She created an older woman who finds herself in the midst of danger, adventure, and magic. She lets her be less than perfect: scared, and strong, tired and bold, wise and confused.
The ending left me anxious for the next book. I hope this story continues, and soon!
Yes!!! An interesting, exciting story with a 50-something female main character! Look! A unicorn!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Caan writes engaging characters and sets them loose on a NC barrier island. She created an older woman who finds herself in the midst of danger, adventure, and magic. She lets her be less than perfect: scared, and strong, tired and bold, wise and confused.
The ending left me anxious for the next book. I hope this story continues, and soon!
October 17, 2021
Loved it!!
Serena and her husband have been married for more than 30 years so why is she just now finding out that he is a witch? A murder brings many things to light including a little something that's been hiding inside her too! Great story with likeable characters and lots of excitement.
Serena and her husband have been married for more than 30 years so why is she just now finding out that he is a witch? A murder brings many things to light including a little something that's been hiding inside her too! Great story with likeable characters and lots of excitement.
October 27, 2022
Premise of the book was interesting, but the MC was so impetuous - she makes a big deal about her 55 years of experience. But doesn’t seem to have any common sense. And everything happens without development . She tells total strangers her secrets. And there’s too much deus ex machina type revelations.
January 9, 2023
Midlife Crashing
Enjoyed this book so much! Loved the mixture and variety of paranormal beings and how they worked together. Also, I love that the main character is a mature woman-strong, intelligent, confident and comfortable in her own skin. I recommend to anyone who enjoys these qualities in a book.
Enjoyed this book so much! Loved the mixture and variety of paranormal beings and how they worked together. Also, I love that the main character is a mature woman-strong, intelligent, confident and comfortable in her own skin. I recommend to anyone who enjoys these qualities in a book.
February 21, 2023
Such a great addition to PWF!
I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of PWF to date. Most of it seems to be women surprised by a divorce who are starting over. This one featured a couple who truly love each other and work together as revelations come from both of them. Such a nice change! Can’t wait to read the second one
I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot of PWF to date. Most of it seems to be women surprised by a divorce who are starting over. This one featured a couple who truly love each other and work together as revelations come from both of them. Such a nice change! Can’t wait to read the second one
October 26, 2023
Confident
I must say this book took awhile to warm up too and I was ready to kick myself for buying the set. But it finally picked up some speed and my interest. But the Fade did the trick. Still not totally sure it is to be totally trusted. Losing the wolf in the first book was awful. Hopefully another is in the future? Maybe Mike is more than we see?
I must say this book took awhile to warm up too and I was ready to kick myself for buying the set. But it finally picked up some speed and my interest. But the Fade did the trick. Still not totally sure it is to be totally trusted. Losing the wolf in the first book was awful. Hopefully another is in the future? Maybe Mike is more than we see?
October 21, 2021
Loved it!
There was a lot of angst and tension in this story. There was a lot of revelations as well. This book set the stage for the series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
There was a lot of angst and tension in this story. There was a lot of revelations as well. This book set the stage for the series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 19, 2021
Unique
Fantastic, unique story line. Fast paced and almost impossible to put down. Well developed characters with intriguing connections to other characters. Looking forward to next book.
Fantastic, unique story line. Fast paced and almost impossible to put down. Well developed characters with intriguing connections to other characters. Looking forward to next book.
November 28, 2021
Finally a husband 😊
I love the different midlife series by quite a few different authors, but all the husbands were dead or cheaters or divorced. I’m happily in my midlife with my husband and I happy to see a series where the husband loves and supports his ride or die!!
I love the different midlife series by quite a few different authors, but all the husbands were dead or cheaters or divorced. I’m happily in my midlife with my husband and I happy to see a series where the husband loves and supports his ride or die!!
November 17, 2021
Exciting!
A fun new take on the supernatural. I also really appreciate that the husband and wife are a team. A great cast of characters too.
A fun new take on the supernatural. I also really appreciate that the husband and wife are a team. A great cast of characters too.
January 9, 2022
M.J. Caan great series
Midlife Crashing. I read the first book in this series. I'm certainly intrigued and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Midlife Crashing. I read the first book in this series. I'm certainly intrigued and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
September 18, 2022
Entertaining and interesting
October 19, 2022
good new universe
And a unique story line with characters you wish you knew But why is she so afraid of the dark
And a unique story line with characters you wish you knew But why is she so afraid of the dark
October 24, 2022
Interesting
I found this book interesting but not exactly my cup of tea. It was well written, don't get me wrong. I just can't get excited about the fade direction of the plot.
I found this book interesting but not exactly my cup of tea. It was well written, don't get me wrong. I just can't get excited about the fade direction of the plot.
May 20, 2023
A little too out there for my liking.
June 29, 2022
A very different mid life crises
Great cast of characters and unique story line that brings a whole new aspect to this genre.
New author for me and I am on to book 2.
Great cast of characters and unique story line that brings a whole new aspect to this genre.
New author for me and I am on to book 2.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews