Scan barcode
romancejunkie1025's review
4.0
3.75 stars. overall an interesting read, though I'm still not sure I like the format
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
4 Magical Stars!
In the Air Tonight is the first book in the Sisters of the Craft series. This was also my first book by this author and I have to say, I’m definitely a fan. This book was gripping, suspenseful, a little on the eerie side with a story I was instantly immersed in; and a whole lot on the sexy and sweet side with a wonderful, building romance between two amazing, connectable characters. The paranormal world the author creates is very much steeped in the real world with a side of mystic and mystery. She creates intense and chilling scenes but also includes angsty and fun moments.
I enjoyed this read from the moment I started it as it opens with a heartstopping prologue set in the past, where Henry and his wife Pru, are about to be burned at the stake, accused of murder and witchcraft. Using the last of his magical energy, Henry sends his three infant babies forward in time, in a desperate attempt to save his family.
After such an intense beginning, I was hooked. This story then continues on with chapter one opening to present day, where Raye Larsen is living quietly as a local in the small town of New Bergin, Wisconsin. But she’s different. She’s dark and mysterious. She looks nothing like the blond hair, blue eyed townspeople. Throw in the fact she can secretly see dead people, her life filled with strange occurrences, she doesn't have many friends and she has a strained relationship with her adoptive father, all of which makes her sort of an outcast.
But Raye’s quiet life is about to come to an abrupt end as ghastly and shocking murders have struck the inexperienced people of New Bergin, bringing in Detective Bobby Daucet of New Orleans PD, as he chases the similarities of his own case across state lines. When Bobby and Raye meet, an instant connection is formed. But with his cynical views and painful past, Bobby’s walls are so thick, Raye has a hard time being herself. It doesn't help that witches are being murdered and she knows things she shouldn't and can't be honest with him as their bond grows... along with her powers.
Bobby and Raye aren’t the only two main characters in this book. We meet Henry and Pru again and I loved how the author “brings them back”. It was very well crafted and I loved their part of the story!
In the Air Tonight is the beginning of a trilogy, each book involving one of the three sisters. This book has well developed characters, compelling dialogue, a fantastic mystery that kept me guessing and haunting scenes, but it was also light and fun in places which helped balance it out. The story had a Charmed tv series vibe to it but it definitely stands out on it’s own. I enjoyed the vivid canvas the author paints of the towns people, the atmosphere and the picturesque setting of New Bergin with it’s unique spice of life.
With a foreshadowing Epilogue, I can't wait to see what happens next in book two!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
4 Magical Stars!
In the Air Tonight is the first book in the Sisters of the Craft series. This was also my first book by this author and I have to say, I’m definitely a fan. This book was gripping, suspenseful, a little on the eerie side with a story I was instantly immersed in; and a whole lot on the sexy and sweet side with a wonderful, building romance between two amazing, connectable characters. The paranormal world the author creates is very much steeped in the real world with a side of mystic and mystery. She creates intense and chilling scenes but also includes angsty and fun moments.
I enjoyed this read from the moment I started it as it opens with a heartstopping prologue set in the past, where Henry and his wife Pru, are about to be burned at the stake, accused of murder and witchcraft. Using the last of his magical energy, Henry sends his three infant babies forward in time, in a desperate attempt to save his family.
After such an intense beginning, I was hooked. This story then continues on with chapter one opening to present day, where Raye Larsen is living quietly as a local in the small town of New Bergin, Wisconsin. But she’s different. She’s dark and mysterious. She looks nothing like the blond hair, blue eyed townspeople. Throw in the fact she can secretly see dead people, her life filled with strange occurrences, she doesn't have many friends and she has a strained relationship with her adoptive father, all of which makes her sort of an outcast.
But Raye’s quiet life is about to come to an abrupt end as ghastly and shocking murders have struck the inexperienced people of New Bergin, bringing in Detective Bobby Daucet of New Orleans PD, as he chases the similarities of his own case across state lines. When Bobby and Raye meet, an instant connection is formed. But with his cynical views and painful past, Bobby’s walls are so thick, Raye has a hard time being herself. It doesn't help that witches are being murdered and she knows things she shouldn't and can't be honest with him as their bond grows... along with her powers.
Bobby and Raye aren’t the only two main characters in this book. We meet Henry and Pru again and I loved how the author “brings them back”. It was very well crafted and I loved their part of the story!
In the Air Tonight is the beginning of a trilogy, each book involving one of the three sisters. This book has well developed characters, compelling dialogue, a fantastic mystery that kept me guessing and haunting scenes, but it was also light and fun in places which helped balance it out. The story had a Charmed tv series vibe to it but it definitely stands out on it’s own. I enjoyed the vivid canvas the author paints of the towns people, the atmosphere and the picturesque setting of New Bergin with it’s unique spice of life.
With a foreshadowing Epilogue, I can't wait to see what happens next in book two!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
canadianbookaddict's review
5.0
I had never read any other books by Lori Handeland and I have to admit I had never heard of her until about a week ago but this book sounded interesting so I just had to read it.
In the Air Tonight is the first book in the Sisters of the Craft trilogy and I have to say I am so happy I read it and can't wait to read the other two books. This urban fantasy got me hooked from the very beginning. It has a bit of mystery, romance, humour, witches and ghosts. I love the story and the characters.
I couldn't put this book down and I didn't want to. Once it was over I wanted to start the next book.
I highly recommend In the Air Tonight by Lori Handland.
I give this book 5 out of 5.
In the Air Tonight is the first book in the Sisters of the Craft trilogy and I have to say I am so happy I read it and can't wait to read the other two books. This urban fantasy got me hooked from the very beginning. It has a bit of mystery, romance, humour, witches and ghosts. I love the story and the characters.
I couldn't put this book down and I didn't want to. Once it was over I wanted to start the next book.
I highly recommend In the Air Tonight by Lori Handland.
I give this book 5 out of 5.
tamreel_stitches's review
4.0
Lori Handeland writes such great stories. This was a great book, funny at times, a definite page turner.
kblincoln's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
Perfectly serviceable urban fantasy with witches, a romance with a Louisiana police officer, and a bit of the good, old, human sacrifice in a small town in Wisconsin.
Despite the lutefish cameo, the Wisconsin flavor of New Bergin didn't shine through as much as I would have like, nor did the insta-hot relationship between the two main characters win me over, nor did the slightly uneven nature of the witches' magic make sense to me.
So....the book felt a little slow midway after all the shiny rubbed off. I found myself finishing it just to finish it.
Perfectly serviceable urban fantasy with witches, a romance with a Louisiana police officer, and a bit of the good, old, human sacrifice in a small town in Wisconsin.
Despite the lutefish cameo, the Wisconsin flavor of New Bergin didn't shine through as much as I would have like, nor did the insta-hot relationship between the two main characters win me over, nor did the slightly uneven nature of the witches' magic make sense to me.
So....the book felt a little slow midway after all the shiny rubbed off. I found myself finishing it just to finish it.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
**WARNING: I stayed away from spoilers, but this review talks about all the books in the Sisters of the Craft Series**
You can't read one of the books in the Sisters of the Craft series without reading them all so I decided to write a series review instead of individual book reviews.
IN THE AIR TONIGHT follows Raye. I found her to be strong and loyal, but lonely. Being adopted has made her a bit of an outsider in the town she great up in, but she doesn't really have a want to go anywhere else. Bobby drew her attention pretty quickly and they had a lot of chemistry. He has some issues believing in the supernatural so has a hard time with Raye's abilities.We learn a lot about where the sisters come from and why the conflict exists in IN THE AIR TONIGHT.
HEAT OF THE MOMENT follows Becca. She has a great family and never knew she wasn't a blood part of it. She is independent, confident in her career, but we find out that she is still heartbroken over her teenage love OWEN. They both have to work through their pasts to make it to the future stronger and together. I really loved Reggie. I don't know how someone couldn't, he was a great addition to the story.
SMOKE ON THE WATER follows Willow. Everyone, including Willow thinks she's crazy. She currently resides in a psychiatric facility. When the man she's been having visions of for years walks into her life as her new psychiatrist she doesn't know what to think besides the fact that they belong together and he is going to save her. I don't have a ton of thoughts on the events of SMOKE ON THE WATER that revolves around getting to know Willow. That part of the story was a little slow, but I enjoyed the addition of Mary in her story and it really drew the other books into the story before the sisters actually all met up. The relationship between Willow and Sebastian wasn't as smooth as the other couples, but it really couldn't be easy because of where they were and their relationships.
I actually loved each of the sisters in their own way. They were all able to complement each other and work together from the start. Each book did a great job in continuing the major storyline and building up the world it takes place in. The story was wrapped up nicely at the end of SMOKE ON THE WATER and although I would have loved to read more about the sister's futures, I was happy with the way things ended. The Sisters of the Craft series gave me a great few days of reading. If I was you, I would wait until they are all out so you can read them back to back.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can't read one of the books in the Sisters of the Craft series without reading them all so I decided to write a series review instead of individual book reviews.
IN THE AIR TONIGHT follows Raye. I found her to be strong and loyal, but lonely. Being adopted has made her a bit of an outsider in the town she great up in, but she doesn't really have a want to go anywhere else. Bobby drew her attention pretty quickly and they had a lot of chemistry. He has some issues believing in the supernatural so has a hard time with Raye's abilities.We learn a lot about where the sisters come from and why the conflict exists in IN THE AIR TONIGHT.
HEAT OF THE MOMENT follows Becca. She has a great family and never knew she wasn't a blood part of it. She is independent, confident in her career, but we find out that she is still heartbroken over her teenage love OWEN. They both have to work through their pasts to make it to the future stronger and together. I really loved Reggie. I don't know how someone couldn't, he was a great addition to the story.
SMOKE ON THE WATER follows Willow. Everyone, including Willow thinks she's crazy. She currently resides in a psychiatric facility. When the man she's been having visions of for years walks into her life as her new psychiatrist she doesn't know what to think besides the fact that they belong together and he is going to save her. I don't have a ton of thoughts on the events of SMOKE ON THE WATER that revolves around getting to know Willow. That part of the story was a little slow, but I enjoyed the addition of Mary in her story and it really drew the other books into the story before the sisters actually all met up. The relationship between Willow and Sebastian wasn't as smooth as the other couples, but it really couldn't be easy because of where they were and their relationships.
I actually loved each of the sisters in their own way. They were all able to complement each other and work together from the start. Each book did a great job in continuing the major storyline and building up the world it takes place in. The story was wrapped up nicely at the end of SMOKE ON THE WATER and although I would have loved to read more about the sister's futures, I was happy with the way things ended. The Sisters of the Craft series gave me a great few days of reading. If I was you, I would wait until they are all out so you can read them back to back.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
readinggrrl's review
4.0
I was totally enamored by the book from the very beginning. I could barely put it down even when fighting sleep. You can almost say I fell under its spell.
The ghosts that follow Raye were all fascinating and their stories very interesting. When Bobby Doucet comes to town from New Orleans he brings with him a whole slew of new ghosts, ones whose cases he couldn't solve and one that is very personal. But Bobby doesn't believe in ghosts or people who see them so can Raye trust him enough to reveal her secret?
The Witch Hunters are creepy, the romance fun and the underlying story of Raye's mysterious adoption, who she really is and who her biological parents were keep you turning the pages. Imagine having to fight who you truly are to fit in? And then once you learn that what you think you can do is only the tip of the ice berg of what you are really capable of. Then you discover you have 2 sisters out there somewhere who are in danger and you are falling in love with a man who doesn't believe in what you can do.
This book is full of emotion, fun interactions and a town that I found creepier than the thought of witches and witch hunters roaming the earth. I loved this book, such a fun read, I can't wait to read the next two.
The ghosts that follow Raye were all fascinating and their stories very interesting. When Bobby Doucet comes to town from New Orleans he brings with him a whole slew of new ghosts, ones whose cases he couldn't solve and one that is very personal. But Bobby doesn't believe in ghosts or people who see them so can Raye trust him enough to reveal her secret?
The Witch Hunters are creepy, the romance fun and the underlying story of Raye's mysterious adoption, who she really is and who her biological parents were keep you turning the pages. Imagine having to fight who you truly are to fit in? And then once you learn that what you think you can do is only the tip of the ice berg of what you are really capable of. Then you discover you have 2 sisters out there somewhere who are in danger and you are falling in love with a man who doesn't believe in what you can do.
This book is full of emotion, fun interactions and a town that I found creepier than the thought of witches and witch hunters roaming the earth. I loved this book, such a fun read, I can't wait to read the next two.
bookfessional's review
3.0
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Raye Larsen is a twenty-seven year old kindergarten teacher. She lives in the same small town she grew up in, the same small town where she has never fit in (b/c typical small town nonsense).
Raye is adopted, you see, and in addition to having dark hair and eyes in a town of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Scandinavians . . . she can also see ghosts.
BUT.
When she was four---yes, four---she overheard her adoptive parents discussing her oddity, and when Dad suggests they "take her back," she modified her behavior to never again betray her awareness of things normal people can't see.
I've got all kinds of problems with that.
My personal perspective on adoption is that once you've made a commitment, you don't get to "take them back" anymore than you'd get to take back a child you share DNA with.
But as sympathetic as I was to the instability and emotional distress hearing that would cause a child, I had a hard time respecting an adult who hasn't come to terms with that childhood distress, preferring to avoid her gifts in favor of trying to fit in (especially when this group of people is so ridiculously small-minded):
No. I wouldn't.
So I thought Raye was chicken and an idiot, which is never good, but I also thought she was . . . I don't know, a dork, maybe? (Not in a geektastic way.)
At first I thought it was a forty-something trying to write a twenty-something, and that may be it, but I've got a twenty-five year old sister, and I'm pretty sure she'd get all the random references Raye was making . . . She just wouldn't ever make them herself . . . b/c dumb.
Like who says a guy flexes "like Arnold"?
1. Arnold's not flexing much these days.
2. Gross, man.
Or how about while flirting with the new guy in town:
Unfortunately, YES, you did. *is vaguely uncomfortable b/c vicariously embarrassed*
Then there's Bobby.
Bobby sounds hot---dark skin, dark hair, blue eyes, Creole---but Bobby is named Bobby (yuck), and I'm not going to say that he thinks and says things that no man would ever think or say, b/c absolutes are inherently flawed . . . However, I will say that I've never met a man who says and thinks things like Bobby, and if I ever did, I would not be attracted to him:
B/c when a guy sees a pretty girl in the shower he's thinking about her neck . . . Riiiiiiiiight.
There's also a guy who gives him "the creepies." *frowns and squints*
SO. I had a lot of issues with the characters, but I feel like they were mainly personality conflicts, so there's a good chance you won't be similarly bothered.
And aside from my character issues, the story is really cool. It involves witches and witch hunters and secret societies, and the history may even be legit. I didn't take the time to look all of it up, but I know that parts of it are true, and the rest of it is believable, so even if it isn't, the melding of fact and fiction is my favorite part, and I felt like it was incredibly well done.
Overall, IN THE AIR TONIGHT by Lori Handeland was a decent first installment in her new SISTERS OF THE CRAFT trilogy. The majority of what I disliked about the book were issues of personal preference, and even with the character clashes, the story was interesting enough to ensure that I read the second book (like right after I finish this review). I'll let you know how it goes. *crosses fingers*
Raye Larsen is a twenty-seven year old kindergarten teacher. She lives in the same small town she grew up in, the same small town where she has never fit in (b/c typical small town nonsense).
Raye is adopted, you see, and in addition to having dark hair and eyes in a town of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Scandinavians . . . she can also see ghosts.
BUT.
When she was four---yes, four---she overheard her adoptive parents discussing her oddity, and when Dad suggests they "take her back," she modified her behavior to never again betray her awareness of things normal people can't see.
I've got all kinds of problems with that.
My personal perspective on adoption is that once you've made a commitment, you don't get to "take them back" anymore than you'd get to take back a child you share DNA with.
But as sympathetic as I was to the instability and emotional distress hearing that would cause a child, I had a hard time respecting an adult who hasn't come to terms with that childhood distress, preferring to avoid her gifts in favor of trying to fit in (especially when this group of people is so ridiculously small-minded):
Despite having seen spirits all of my life, I’d spent most of my time avoiding them, or trying to ignore them, rather than understand them. Wouldn’t you?
No. I wouldn't.
So I thought Raye was chicken and an idiot, which is never good, but I also thought she was . . . I don't know, a dork, maybe? (Not in a geektastic way.)
At first I thought it was a forty-something trying to write a twenty-something, and that may be it, but I've got a twenty-five year old sister, and I'm pretty sure she'd get all the random references Raye was making . . . She just wouldn't ever make them herself . . . b/c dumb.
Like who says a guy flexes "like Arnold"?
1. Arnold's not flexing much these days.
2. Gross, man.
Or how about while flirting with the new guy in town:
“Maybe I should take you to the doctor.”
“I’d rather we played doctor.” I clapped my hand over my mouth. Had I said that?
Unfortunately, YES, you did. *is vaguely uncomfortable b/c vicariously embarrassed*
Then there's Bobby.
Bobby sounds hot---dark skin, dark hair, blue eyes, Creole---but Bobby is named Bobby (yuck), and I'm not going to say that he thinks and says things that no man would ever think or say, b/c absolutes are inherently flawed . . . However, I will say that I've never met a man who says and thinks things like Bobby, and if I ever did, I would not be attracted to him:
She put her hand in his and stepped beneath the water, lifting her face to the stream, arching her long, slim, white neck like a doe worshipping the moon . . . She resembled a nymph beneath a waterfall, a mermaid in the surf.
B/c when a guy sees a pretty girl in the shower he's thinking about her neck . . . Riiiiiiiiight.
There's also a guy who gives him "the creepies." *frowns and squints*
SO. I had a lot of issues with the characters, but I feel like they were mainly personality conflicts, so there's a good chance you won't be similarly bothered.
And aside from my character issues, the story is really cool. It involves witches and witch hunters and secret societies, and the history may even be legit. I didn't take the time to look all of it up, but I know that parts of it are true, and the rest of it is believable, so even if it isn't, the melding of fact and fiction is my favorite part, and I felt like it was incredibly well done.
Overall, IN THE AIR TONIGHT by Lori Handeland was a decent first installment in her new SISTERS OF THE CRAFT trilogy. The majority of what I disliked about the book were issues of personal preference, and even with the character clashes, the story was interesting enough to ensure that I read the second book (like right after I finish this review). I'll let you know how it goes. *crosses fingers*
wilovebooks's review
5.0
Loved this! Raye is a great character. She was adopted and lives in a small town in Wisconsin and has never quite fit in. She also sees dead people. I really enjoyed her voice. Also, living in a smallish town in Wisconsin myself, I enjoyed the Wisconsin references, like the Badgers, Packers, and Leinies. :) Things get serious when there is a murder in the town. When it is linked to a serial killer in New Orleans, Bobby comes to town and they cross paths. Ghosts, murder, romance. I just loved this and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next book!