From Bad to Cursed

Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback s a Witch.

Wild child Isidora Avramov is a thrill chaser, adept demon summoner, and despite the whole sexy-evil-sorceress vibe also a cuddly animal lover. When she s not designing costumes and new storylines for the Arcane Emporium s haunted house, Issa's nursing a secret, conflicted dream of ditching her family s witchy business to become an indie fashion designer in her own right.

But when someone starts sabotaging the celebrations leading up to this year s Beltane festival with dark, dangerous magic, a member of the rival Thorn family gets badly hurt throwing immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. To clear the Avramov name and step up for her family when they need her the most, Issa agrees to serve as a co-investigator, helping none other than Rowan Thorn get to the bottom of things.

Rowan is the very definition of lawful good, so tragically noble and by-the-book he makes Issa s teeth hurt. In accordance with their families complicated history, he and Issa have been archenemies for years and have grown to heartily loathe each other. But as the unlikely duo follow a perplexing trail of clues to a stunning conclusion, Issa and Rowan discover how little they really know each other and stumble upon a maddening attraction that becomes harder to ignore by the day.

"I am happily and completely under the spell of The Witches of Thistle Grove series."—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation

"The only flaw in Lana Harper's magical, whimsical, sexy-as-hell The Witches of Thistle Grove series is that I can't set up shop in Thistle Grove myself right this second! These books truly do cast a spell."—Erin Sterling, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Hex

“Clever, fiery, and so much fun. From Bad to Cursed is a sharply written romp with wicked imagination. It's pure magic.”—Rachel Harrison, author of Cackle

“Atmospheric and lush, this captivating story ignites the senses. The magic lends itself to big, cinematic scenes, while conflicts about familial expectations and mental health struggles ground the story with realness. The romantic relationship is emotionally rich and deliciously sexy. Issa’s wry first-person narrative effortlessly ties together the mystery, fantasy, and romance elements.”—Kirkus, starred review

“These books are intensely queer, honest, and essentially kind. I adore them so."—Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of That Ain't Witchcraft

“With a fresh, fun voice, Harper brilliantly blends romance, mystery, and magic. Series fans will not be disappointed.”—Publishers Weekly

Autorentext

Lana Harper

Klappentext

Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by the author of Payback's a Witch.

Wild child Isidora Avramov is a lover of elaborate tattoos, all things demonic, and also cuddly animals. When she's not designing costumes for the Arcane Emporium's fortune-tellers and its haunted house, Issa is rescuing animals and fostering them. She and Rowan Thorn have known each other since they both volunteered at the Thistle Grove animal shelter back in high school, where, in accordance with their families' histories, they grew to heartily loathe each other.

Rowan Thorn is the very definition of lawful good, so painfully noble and by-the-book he makes Issa's teeth hurt. But when someone starts sabotaging the festivities at this year's midsummer festival-a time during which feuding families traditionally put aside their grievances and come together in celebration-with suspiciously Avramov-esque magic, a Thorn elder gets hurt. Eager to clear the Avramov name, Issa convinces a reluctant Rowan Thorn to let her help get to the bottom of things. As the festival spins into chaos and the two unravel an unexpected conspiracy, Issa and Rowan stumble upon an almost equally disturbing attraction to each other that becomes harder to ignore day by day.

Zusammenfassung
Opposites attract in this wickedly charming rom-com by Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch.

Wild child Isidora Avramov is a thrill chaser, adept demon summoner, and—despite the whole sexy-evil-sorceress vibe—also a cuddly animal lover. When she’s not designing costumes and new storylines for the Arcane Emporium’s haunted house, Issa's nursing a secret, conflicted dream of ditching her family’s witchy business to become an indie fashion designer in her own right. 

But when someone starts sabotaging the celebrations leading up to this year’s Beltane festival with dark, dangerous magic, a member of the rival Thorn family gets badly hurt—throwing immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. To clear the Avramov name and step up for her family when they need her the most, Issa agrees to serve as a co-investigator, helping none other than Rowan Thorn get to the bottom of things.

Rowan is the very definition of lawful good, so tragically noble and by-the-book he makes Issa’s teeth hurt. In accordance with their families’ complicated history, he and Issa have been archenemies for years and have grown to heartily loathe each other. But as the unlikely duo follow a perplexing trail of clues to a stunning conclusion, Issa and Rowan discover how little they really know each other… and stumble upon a maddening attraction that becomes harder to ignore by the day.

Leseprobe

1

 

Deviously Done

 

The thing no one tells you about summoning demons is, sometimes you have to think outside the box.

 

I should know; I've been calling them up into my circles since I was a kid. My mother even encouraged it, as a slightly safer alternative to a way riskier burgeoning fascination with elder gods. (PSA, if you don't want your daughter developing an interest in the gnarlier chthonic entities before she can even ride a bike, maybe don't read her Lovecraft at bedtime. Seems obvious enough, right?)

 

The books go on about how summonings are supposed to be these disciplined, rule-bound affairs-and most of the time, they are, if you know what's good for you. The truth is, if you take sensible precautions, it's not nearly as dangerous as people think. And such a rush, too; the daemonfolk are interesting as the hells, pun intended. Sometimes they're inclined to share juicy secrets or ancient spells, the kind you won't find in even the oldest, dustiest grimoires. Other times they're so gorgeous it breaks your heart, or so horrifying that even a quick glimpse caught before you banish them is enough to leave you panting, heart battering against your ribs, blood boiling through your veins while your whole skin rolls with chills.

 

Shit, even when you play it safe, there's nothing quite like a demon summoning to make you feel alive.

 

Of course, there's always the odd time that even a pro like me fucks it up just a wee bit.

 

As usual, I'd cast my summoning circle in the warrens of the basement beneath The Bitters, in a chilly, cavernous room that had started out as Elena's third wine cellar-because who gets by with just one these days; certainly not my mother-and now doubled as my demonic lair. No windows, musty air that smelled like centuries-old stone and aged bordeaux, witchlight sconces flinging trembling shadows on the walls; the perfect ambiance for such a conjuring. The summoning spell was already whipping through me like a tempest, my protective amulets glowing hot against my chest. Everything felt like it should, all systems go.

 

But as soon as Malachus began to coalesce, I felt a twinge of wrongness in my gut, an unsettling, instinctive awarenes…