Reviews
ParaNormal Reviews
Reviewed by Sonya Harrison
March 2009
Rating: 5 Stars
www.paranormalromance.org
A WITCH'S BEAUTY is the second installment of Joey W. Hill's mermaid series, and Hill skillfully maintains the sensuous mood of the first book while tackling darker themes this time around. David and Mina bear emotional/physical scars issued by the hands of abusive adults and their experiences have affected them profoundly as adults. Mina's internal conflict comes across in horrific detail as David's guilt and pain is quietly expressed with heartbreaking intensity. Hill pulls no punches in this tale of innocence stolen, redemption, and the healing power of love. As a result, A WITCH'S BEAUTY engages emotions and satisfies with multi-dimensional characters and a poignant love story. Mina and David endure more than anyone should ever have to (real or imagined) and this reader can't think of another couple more deserving of their happy ending.
I highly recommend A WITCH'S BEAUTY and look forward to Book 3, A MERMAID'S RANSOM, due out Late 2009.
Two Lips Reviews
Reviewed by Barbara Mazzuca
January 2009
Rating: 5 Stars / Reviewers' Choice Award / Recommended Read
www.twolipsreviews.com
Joey W. Hill can take even angels and bring out the devil in them. A Witch's Beauty reminds me of the fairy tale The Beauty and the Beast but with twists and turns only Joey W. Hill can imagine. Ms. Hill fairy tales, however, are strictly for adults only. A Witch's Beauty is a mouthwatering temptation of uncontrollable sexual attraction that even brings an angel to his knees.
Joey W. Hill is known for her uncanny ability to draw the reader into the world of BDSM, in a way that even the most skeptical of persons would find informative if not very enjoyable. In A Witch's Beauty Ms. Hill takes a break from the deeply intense aspect of that. She does not, however, stray so far as to allow the reader to forget that all relationships have a dominant and submissive aspect that must be recognized. Simply put, sex is more like a state of mind in Joey W. Hill’s stories rather than a way of life. So get ready to enjoy A Witch's Beauty, Ms. Hill's follow up to A Mermaid's Kiss and enjoy an adult fairy tale as only Joey W. Hill can tell it. I did and do every time I pick up one of Ms. Hill’s stories. Bravo!!
Night Owl Romance
Reviewed by Zollyanna
November 2008
Rating: 5 Stars Reviewer Top Pick
www.nightowlromance.com
A Witch's Beauty is the second story in a series. The series started out with A Mermaid's Kiss. After reading the first book I so wanted to get my hands on the second. Joey Hill is an extraordinary author and she keeps your tush glued to your seat. You will be there until the very end. This particular sequel to A Mermaids Kiss was an amazing story. It sizzles and you will need a fan to cool you down. You feel as though you are in the story with David and Mina. You experience everything they are and do. A Witch's Beauty is a captivating and passionate love story about how a person can bring the good out in the person they truly love.
Leontine's Book Realm
Reviewed by Leontine
November 2009
http://leontine1976.blogspot.com
A Witch’s Beauty is a story that was a rare read of perfection and poured emotions from each page. It held out on nothing, not in the good nor the bad side of life, nor the powerful passion, or the romance. I will savor this story for the rest of my life.
Recipient of the 2009 Book Realm Treasure Award - "
Joey W Hill with A Witch’s Beauty; nothing could prepare me for the impact of this story. The intense, extraordinary characters and emotional depth of this tale is only equaled by the outstanding and lyrical writing of this author."
Wild On Books
Reviewed by Jennifer Ray
November 2008
Rating: 5 Stars
http://www.wildonbooks.com
A WITCH’S BEAUTY is not always an easy story to read, but it is a spellbinding one. The traumas that both David and Mina have undergone in their past will tear your heart out, as will the trials they suffer together before they find their happy ending. Trust me when I say this couple truly earns their HEA. Throughout the story, however, we never lose our hope for them, mirroring David’s own sentiments regarding the woman he loves.
Romance Junkies
Reviewed by Natasha Smith
Month 2009
Rating: 5 Blue Ribbons
www.romancejunkies.com
Joey W. Hill continues her winning streak of tremendous releases. This time, she has penned the follow-up to A Mermaid's Kiss titled, A WITCH'S BEAUTY. Featuring Mina, the half sea-witch and half Dark One cousin of Anna, and David, a newly made but powerfully intense angel, A WITCH'S BEAUTY is a must read.
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Powerful and passionate, A WITCH'S BEAUTY pulls no punches and that is exactly why it is a must-read. Mina and David are anything but ordinary characters; they live, breathe, struggle, and love. They have hopes and dreams, and while each character changes from the beginning to the end, one thing remains certain. Love is what makes them whole, and without each other, they would just exist without emotions.
I couldn't put A WITCH'S BEAUTY down. I winced and cried and even yelled more than once. Held under Mina and David's thrall, I felt their agony and sorrow until finally, I felt their joy in each other and the love that they finally share. It was so worth it.
Bitten by Books
Reviewed by Lyda
December 2008
Rating: 5 Stars
http://bittenbybooks.com
I was impressed with Ms. Hill’s first book in this series, A Mermaid’s Kiss. So now let me put it plainly how I feel about A Witch’s Beauty in the most simple terms. I LOVED It! A Witch’s Beauty has all the elements A Mermaid’s Kiss did and much, much more. Romance, horror, comedy, tragedy, and action, it is all woven wonderfully into this tale of a sea witch and her guardian angel.
Fresh Fiction
Reviewed by Mandy Burns
December 2008
http://freshfiction.com
"This sexy sequel to A MERMAID'S KISS is another masterfully rendered paranormal romance."
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A WITCH'S BEAUTY is another masterpiece from Joey W Hill, full of riveting storylines and complicated relationships in a world where everything is possible. I just cannot get enough of her writing style. A perfect read!
Penelope's Romance Reviews
Reviewed by Penelope
February 2009
Rating: A+
http://www.penelopesromancereviews.blogspot.com/
Holy Macarena! I just finished reading A Witch's Beauty, and I am having heart palpitations. I honestly didn't think that this book could best A Mermaid's Kiss, but it did! Hill is a powerful, sensual, intense writer. Mina and David are an amazing combination...beauty and monstrousness, strength and weakness, good and evil...it's all here. Mina is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever met. Her physical manifestation of the struggle between good and evil (half of her body is physical perfection, the other half grotesque) is a poignant symbol of her inner struggle to control her Dark One blood.
I usually have trouble with irritating heroines. It's a fine line for an author to create a character who is willful and prickly, while still maintaining some likability. Mina is an incredibly well developed character and her emotional journey in this story is utterly satisfying. Although David is a wonderful character in his own right, this is Mina's story all the way.
Hill's expertise as a story-teller is never more apparent than in the chapters leading up to the climatic battle scene with the Dark Ones. Boy, does she know how to build up the sickening anticipation of what was going to befall poor David (and Mina) in the Dark One's World. I am ashamed to admit that I snuck at look at the final pages of the book to reassure myself before tackling those chapters...the awful apprehension was almost to much to bear! (I can't remember feeling that much anxiety since reading Stephen King's The Shining). Anyway, of course Hill takes her characters to Hell and back.
If I had to pick one word to describe this book and Hill's writing it would be...powerful. Wow. I am officially a Joey Hill addict (that's the sound of Amazon's CEO cackling with glee).
The Romance Studio
Reviewed by Abi
Month 2009
Rating: 5 Stars
http://theromancestudio.com
Beautifully written, this gratifying and often deeply emotional story held me within its grasp, captured by the tale of these two people as they fight for each other and for good over evil. This is not an easy book to read by any means, but it brings forth that love triumphs over all and it is a must read. Following A Mermaid's Kiss, it easily stands alone but together they reward you with powerful reading, especially if you are looking for something more than a quick read. Joey's outstanding writing brings you endearing, three-dimensional characters and vivid pictures of the world she's created. Sensual, provocative, love scenes and thrilling, exciting, actions scenes add to the dramatic story telling. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book set in this world. I sincerely hope there is one.
Review Site
Reviewed by Anne Herries
March 2010
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
http://redrosesforauthors.blogspot.com
This was a great story. You will enjoy seeing Mina learn how to control her powers and find the extent of her abilities. It is engrossing to see her learn what true love really is and see her experience it and learn that she really does deserve that love. Mina is a fun character as she does what everyone least expects. It is funny to read when she plays jokes on people to get them to leave her alone. This is one book it is a good idea to keep some Kleenex close by.
The Good, Bad and the Unread
Reviewed by Devon
January 2009
Rating: B+
http://goodbadandunread.com
Joey W. Hill is a fabulous writer. I guess I've moved into full fledged fangirl territory. Her characters are flawed, drawn to the darkness. Their desires and needs can be dark as well. But her books are never too disturbing or squicky, because the emotional bond between the characters is always evident. Hill writes about the redemption that can be found in true love and acceptance. A Witch's Beauty is another fine example of this theme, and another enjoyable read.
Risque Reviews
Reviewed by Barb
July 2010
http://risquereviews.weebly.com
Take the sea-wicked witch from The Little Mermaid and throw in a bit of The Beauty and the Beast and VOILA you have JOEY W HILL'S A WITCH'S BEAUTY. By no means is this in anyway shape or form a children's story, strictly adults only. With all the twists and turns only Joey Hill can bring across with her talented style. Where A MERMAID'S KISS left off A WITCH'S BEAUTY hits the floor running, and doesn't slow down until you get to the end. Mermaids, angels, and a seawitch - what a great combination of characters JOEY W.HILL brings together for us to enjoy.
The Romance Readers' Connection
Reviewed by Sarah Silversmith
January 2009
Rating: 4 Stars
http://theromancereadersconnection.com
Anticipated by this reader, A WITCH'S BEAUTY by Joey Hill is a fascinating follow up to A MERMAID'S KISS. This is not a light and airy story. If you are looking for that, then do not pick up a Joey Hill novel. This author gets into the nitty-gritty of life. Why are we the way we are, what makes us behave the way we do? Do we manipulate our circumstances or do our circumstances manipulate us? David and Mina are not easy characters. Mina is not going to just wake up one day and be "good". She has the blood of the Dark Ones in her, and that means they are linked with her and part of who she is. Can she find a balance? Although this is not a book or a story that every reader is going to like, if you enjoy books with depth and that are intriguing and different, then you should like reading A WITCH'S BEAUTY.
Romance Novel TV
Reviewed by Kate Garrabrant
Month 2009
Rating: 4 Stars
www.romancenovel.tv
Joey W. Hill stretches the boundaries of romance with her books. Who would have thought angels loving underwater creatures could be such great reading? I was pleasantly surprised, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the same situation I was. A WITCH’S BEAUTY is a very beautiful story that shouldn’t be passed by.
