Try as I Smite by Abigail Owen – a Review

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Description:
Alasdair Blakesley is the head of the Covens Syndicate. He shouldn’t need to look beyond the witches and warlocks he governs, or his own abilities, to solve any problem. But a demon infestation means he can’t trust anyone who may be possessed. The last person he wants to ask for help is also the only person who can fix this, so he sucks up his pride and storms into her office.

And she turns him down cold.

As the owner of Brimstone Inc., Delilah’s passion is helping others with their supernatural problems. But Alasdair is the last man Delilah wants to tangle with. The infuriating man sees too much and demands even more. And did she mention the way he sets her body on fire?

Not that it matters—demons are the only things with which she cannot interfere. Too bad a higher power steps in and sends them both on a crash course of each others’ pasts, presents, and futures.

How is a Christmas Carol nightmare supposed to solve his demon problem without breaking the rules she’s bound by? 

Reading Order:
Brimstone Inc Series
Book 1 The Demigod Complex
Book 2 Shift Out of Luck
Book 3 Bait N’ Witch
Book 4 Try as I Smite

Review:

Try as I Smite by Abigail Owen is the 4th book in her Brimstone INC series. I’ve read many of the books written by this author, but only one in this series. (Bait N’ Witch).  You don’t need to read the others, they are only loosely connected via the characters, but not vital to read. 

Alasdair Blakesley is leader of the Coven Syndicate, he monitors all the witches and warlocks. We meet him briefly in the last book, but you don’t need to read them to know what’s going on in this book. 

We’ve also met Delilah in the previous book, she owns Brimstone Inc (it’s like a dating agency amongst other things) she’s a Seer, she uses her powers to help people and the supernatural to find love and solve problems) But Alasdair is a blank, she can’t see his future, and that scares her a little! 

Alasdair and Delilah have met on numerous occasions, and it’s usually a battle of words and wills, but today Alasdair needs help from the woman that haunts his nights!  But he needs help sorting the demon possession troubles out, too many accounts are being reported, as much as it pains him, Delilah is his only hope!

But they aren’t a fan of one another, he thinks she’s an interfering busy boy, Delilah thinks he’s a pompous and overbearing warlock, but he is rather easy on the eye! But she can’t help him with the demon possessions, no matter what he threatens! It took a lot for Alasdair to ask that Seer for her help, and to say no!! But there is a reason why she can’t help, but she can’t tell anyone why! And she feels Alasdair’s frustration. She tries to tell him of another person who could help….. 

I loved Delilah she loved winding up Alasdair, and I have to admit it was fun to read. I can now see why both Delilah and Alasdair aren’t a fan of Christmas…..Alasdair was a little aloof, but with good intentions, he’s head of the coven for a reason, sympathetic but sensible, and his control is legendary. 

It’s a fun seasonal read, loved how the characters are lead through their pasts to see how connected they are. There are a few twists in the book that did have me reading the sentence again. Delilah and Alasdair are so suited for one another, her free spirit and generous nature would balance his control and dominance perfectly. But when Delilah’s past is fully explained, will Alasdair listen? The Coven needs him, but he needs her!! Could it get anymore tangled? 

I would have loved this to have been longer, but the story is told within the confines of a short story. Nothing is rushed, nothing is overlooked, details are given and explanations are fully met. Well written, with the descriptions coming alive on the page. A little sexy time thrown in for good measure. 

So…. can Alasdair and Delilah contain or remove the threat of demon possession on a huge scale? At one point I’d would have said it was a huge task, at the end….. nope, not telling you, I’d rather you pick the book up and find out for yourself. Bah humbug ?

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher