Resting Witch Face (Stay A Spell) by Juliette Cross-dual review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 31, 2022

Twelve years ago, Jules Savoie ended her relationship with the vampire overlord of New Orleans, Ruben Dubois. For good reasons. A woman in power must often make sacrifices to protect others. She knows the truth of it down to her aching heart.

When Ruben watches his best friend Devraj get married, a stinging realization hits him hard…he’s done waiting. They say time heals all wounds. In this case, it merely sharpened the pain and made one fact crystal clear. Jules Savoie is his soulmate, and nothing would keep him from her. Not anymore.

Forced to work side by side to fight for the werewolf cause, they campaign together at covens from New Orleans to London. The reignited spark burns hotter than ever before. But when a power-hungry vampire sets his predatory sights on Jules, will their love be strong enough against black magic? Or will he lose her again? And this time, maybe…for good.

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Sandy’s Review: RESTING WITCH FACE is the fifth instalment in Juliette Cross’ contemporary, adult STAY A SPELL erotic, paranormal romance series. This is syphon witch and NOLA enforcer Juliana ‘Jules’ Savoie, and vampire overlord of NOLA Ruben Dubois’s story line. RESTING WITCH FACE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order as Ruben and Jules’ story develops throughout.

Told from dual first person perspective (Jules and Ruben) RESTING WITCH FACE follows the rebuilding relationship between syphon witch and NOLA enforcer Juliana ‘Jules’ Savoie, and vampire overlord of NOLA Ruben Dubois. Twelve years earlier Juliana Savoie ended her love affair with vampire overlord Ruben Dubois fearing a type of madness some blood donors develop in the wake of feeding a vampire. Fast forward twelve years, and Ruben knows it is time to reclaim the woman he lost by escorting our heroine as she journeys to convince the high covens to allow werewolves onto the supernatural governing councils but all does not go according to plan when betrayal threatens the life of the woman Ruben loves. What ensues is the rekindling romance and relationship between Ruben and Jules, and the potential fall-out when Jules is targeted for her power and her blood.

The relationship between Jules and Ruben is one of second chances. Ruben was destroyed when Juliana pushed him out of her life but Ruben gave Jules several years to come into her powers, to accept who she was, and the man with whom she was meant to be. Ruben knew Juliana is and was the only woman that called to his heart but convincing our heroine meant walking alongside when things began to spiral out of control. Juliana has watched from the sidelines as her sisters fell in love and began families of their own but Juliana struggled with what happened in the past, knowing she broke the heart of the vampire with whom she had fallen in love. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my ‘romance’ story lines.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful, often arrogant and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Jules’ sisters and their mates, their parents, grandmother, as well as Ruben’s mother and father; his entourage Gabriel, Sal and Roland; powerful witch Clarissa; and the UK coven of vampire Edmund Stonebridge, his consort Tatiana, and UK werewolf alpha Magnus Sutherland.

RESTING WITCH FACE is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, obsession and magic, sacrifice and love. The premise is intriguing, exciting and twisted; the characters are animated, strong and dynamic; the romance is imaginative and spirited.

Barb’s Reviews:
Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross is the 5^th book in her wonderful Stay a Spell series. Juliette Cross is one of my favorite authors, who never ever fails to give us wonderful fun, exciting and steamy stories/series.  The Stay a Spell series has become one of my favorite series, but then again, I love everyone of Juliette’s series.

I have been waiting patiently for Jules and Ruben’s story, and was thrilled to learn that Resting Witch Face belonged to them.  Juliana (Jules) Savoie is a very powerful syphon witch and enforcer, who is always the one who protects her family. Ruben Dubois is a vampire overlord and also very powerful.  The story opens with a flash back to 12 years earlier, with Jules and Ruben having a steamy and strong relationship, until Jules decides to break up with him, fearing the vampire toxic blood. Over time, they developed a friendship, working together on various political paranormal issues.  Jules and Ruben agree to take a trip to meet with the High Guild councils in America and UK to approve werewolves to have a place on the board.  Jules has proof that with her sister’s tattoo spell, werewolves are no longer being dangerous, with major drops around the world. As they get ready to leave on their trip, Ruben tells Jules ‘it is time’; and Jules knows that he plans on winning her back.

Jules has convinced the council to approve the addition of the werewolves to the board, but she and Ruben know that it will be tougher when they go to UK.  In a short time, Jules and Ruben begin to feel their connection again, with their chemistry off the wall, not to mention ultra-steamy.  Ruben has waited all these years, and now they are together again, with Jules happy to have a partner who will help her, as well as protect her.  I loved them together, as they were awesome.

Danger escalates in Europe, as a master vampire, Edmund, has his eyes on Jules, and despite her love for Ruben, he is determined to make her his; using black magic.  Both Ruben and Jules suspect something strange is going on, with howling, shadows, and masquerade that is out of hand.  Edmund is the main villain in this story, with another surprise. In the last 3^rd of the story, I held my breath, as Edmund and his consort forced Jules into a dark and horrible situation. I feared she wouldn’t survive; it was real a dark and scary situation. Will Ruben be able to find her and save her?

What follows is an exciting, tense, action, romantic and sexy story that had me unable to put the book down. To say too much more would be spoilers.  I really enjoyed Jules’ friendship with Ruben’s guards, as they were fun, and also protective; there were also some excellent secondary characters. I loved seeing all the sisters.

Resting Witch Face was so well written by Juliette Cross; as it was another fantastic story in this wonderful series.  If you enjoy a paranormal romance, exciting action, surprise twists, great secondary characters, and a couple that has sizzling chemistry; you need to read this book. 

Copies supplied for review

Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance–brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.

Juliette is a multi-published author, including her Nightwing series with Kensington Publishing and The Vessel Trilogy with Samhain Publishing.

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