This is the third book in Kelley Armstrong's "Women of the Otherworld" series and I must say, this is my least favourite book (as of yet) in the series. This book is narrated by Paige, the "know it all" witch we meet in "Stolen". When I first met Paige in "Stolen", I did believe that she was a somewhat annoying character, but then again I can now say that in the first two books I was biased against the other female characters as I loved "Bitten" and Stolen's" main character of Elena Michaels so much more than the other women.Going into "Dime Store Magic" I tried to put aside my preconceived notions of Paige and I do believe that I was successful... To a point. I personally found Paige to be way too 'happy housewife' for me, I like a girl who isn't afraid to kick butt... Paige is very much a homebody- she has the cookies and milk ready for when the kids come home, she is constantly backing,and she only wears skirts as jeans are beneath her. Though I believe that more people can relate to Paige than Elena, I much prefer Elena.And as I love Elena so much, I love her partner Clay just as much (most likely more though- him being all Greek god-ish). Introduced in "Dime Store Magic" is the male counterpart of Paige, Cortez. To sum it up, Cortez is as interesting as a sack of potatoes. At first I thought that Cortez had potential when he knocked on Paige's door to offer her his assistance, standing there shuffling his papaers about, afraid to meet her eyes... I thought he was going to be some loveable dork, but alas, that was not the case. I think what bugged me most about Cortez is his language. Yes, I understand that he is a lawyer and a professional, and therefore he has to uphold a certain persona. But really? He doesn't drop the act whatsoever, you think he would lighten up a tiny bit when he was no longer in a professional setting (like the conversation between Paige and Cortez where Paige is trying to figure out what university Cortez went to. A completely unnecessary scene and in the end we don't even find out where he went!).And what I like even more about Kelley's books is the passion between the male and female leads. And I must admit, that there is no passion whatsoever between Cortez and Paige. They have no chemistry and though there is a 'sexy scene' it seems entirely forced and more than a little awkward. There is really nothing in played out in the book that shows that either is experiencing feelings for the another, save for a scene where Savannah tells Paige that Cortez kept asking Savannah if Paige was interested in her best friend Adam. I kind of wish that there was something between Adam and Paige, just because he is so much more interesting than Cortez.I am looking forward to getting to the sixth book in this series (where a. Paige will not be a lead and b. where Elena will be)...
I did a re-read of Dime Store Magic for one of my 2015 reading challenges. I can’t believe that it’s already been ten years since I first read this book.After the events of Stolen, Paige Winterbourne has taken in thirteen year old Savannah Levine whose mother recently died. Savannah is a powerful witch for her age, but impulsive. It’s a dangerous combination that has the Nast Cabal (the supernatural equivalent of the mafia) tearing Paige’s life apart in a bid for custody. As her life continues to crumble around her, Paige is forced to accept assistance from Lucas Cortez, a young lawyer with his own motives for helping.I decided to read Dime Store Magic again because I didn’t give Paige a fair shot the first time around. When I first read this, it was immediately after devouring the first two books in the series, which feature werewolf Elena Michaels. I had adored Elena and wasn’t excited to discover that the next book's narrator was going to be the twenty-something witch from Stolen. (Especially, since I hadn’t cared for Paige in that story.) While I had ended-up enjoying Dime Store Magic on my first reading, I still thought Paige was a little lack luster. It wasn’t until later in the series that I got into her and Lucas, as characters. So, I’m glad I did a re-read as I was able to appreciate them more this time around.The most interesting thing about going back to this book was seeing just how far Armstrong has come with her characters and the world. There were several moments in the story where I thought Paige, Lucas, and the ideas behind witches were rather shaky and clichéd. It felt like Armstrong wasn’t sure where she wanted to take the characters at this point in the series. Despite this, I still enjoyed the book enough that I might also re-read Industrial Magic. Overall, my grade for this book didn’t change. I would recommend Dime Store Magic to fans of the series, but I don’t think I would suggest you start off with this book. If you’re looking to get into the Women of the Otherworld series, I would suggest starting out with Bitten.
What do You think about Dime Store Magic (2007)?
I somehow missed reading this book, which is the 3rd novel in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and as I loved this series, decided that I wanted to know more about Paige Winterbourne.Synopsis: Leader of the American Coven, guardian to the preteen daughter of a black witch … it’s not the lifestyle twenty-three year-old Paige Winterbourne imagined for herself, and it’s wreaking hell on her social life.But she’s up to the challenge. When half-demon Leah O’Donnell returns to fight for custody of Savannah, Paige is ready.She’s not as prepared for the team of supernatural’s Leah brings with her, including a powerful sorcerer who claims to be Savannah’s father. Cut off from her friends, accused of witchcraft, Satanism, necromancy, murder…Paige quickly realizes that keeping Savannah could mean losing everything else. Has she finally found a battle she isn’t willing to fight?The first two books Bitten https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...and Stolen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... concentrated on Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf in the world, and now we have Paige’s story, we met before.Paige, a young witch, who has inherited the leadership of the American Coven of witches after her mother was murdered, is living a quiet life in a small town and is the guardian of a teenage witch, Savannah.When dark forces try to take Savannah away from her care, Paige and Savannah will have to fight the supernatural powers that are determined to do anything to get Savannah into their clutches.The author has created likeable and endearing characters and it comes across in Paige, Savannah and Lucas, a sorcerer, who helps them and who also is attracted to Paige. Even though he dislikes witches and struggles to gain Paige’s trust, there’s a strong bond between the two…..and the way their relationship was handled really well.An exciting, exhilarating and fun read…filled with witch and demon lore, engaging characters and a fast-paced story-lineThis is such a fascinating world where clairvoyants, demons, humans, witches, necromancers, sorcerers, shamans, vampires, and werewolves live secretly in a modern human world. I am such a fan of this series….
—Alex is The Romance Fox
Dime Store Magic is Kelley Armstrong's third Women of the Underworld book, and so far, the weakest. After such a solid debut with Bitten, I was really surprised that DSM ended up being a lesser story. The romance felt obligatory, the complexity of the levels of demons and witch magic made me wish for the simplicity of the werewolf pack in the earlier books, and Lucas Cortez's dialogue was painfully stiff and formal. The various conflicts all felt manufactured and forced - no one's motivations really made sense. I liked the continuation of Savannah's and Leah's stories, carried forward from Stolen, but I'd really like to get back to books about Elena.All that said, I still gave it three stars indicating that it was an entertaining read, but I hope Kelley Armstrong gets back in shape after this book.
—Brooke
In this part of the series Paige Winterbourne is in custody of Savannah, a 13 year old powerful witch. Anyone who knows 13 year olds knows that is a difficult task in itself but and the witch part & Paige will have to be a very strong woman.Savannah’s mother was a very powerful dark witch whom many were afraid of. Her father is thought to be a half-demon but which one they are not sure. If you read book #2 in the series then you know who Leah is. She makes another appearance in this book. Leah is working for the bad guys as usual & they want Savannah just as Leah wanted before. Now Paige is in real trouble with the Coven for all the trouble that Leah is causing even though none of it is Paige’s fault. Paige is looking for some kind of support from the Coven but none is given & they turn the back on Paige giving her an ultimatum, turn Savannah over to the bad guys & end the trouble or she will be banished from the Coven altogether.Paige now has to rely on the only person trying to help her, Lucas. The main problem with Lucas is he is a sorcerer. Sorcerers & witches are usually on opposing sides. Can Paige trust Lucas? That is the real question. Follow along this adventure with lots of action as Paige, Lucas, & Savannah’s story unfolds.I did not think that much of Paige’s character in Book #2, she came off as snotty. But I like that you can see more of her story here. You see her more grown up after what happened with her mother. You see her strength & willingness to overcome. You also see her love for Savannah despite the problems in their relationship & their closeness in age.
—Kami Dodson-Perry
