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Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty #2
Magical Alienation
Book 2 in the "Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty Magical Mystery Series" - When fake psychic Samantha Brennan heads to Sedona, Arizona as spiritual advisor to the aging bad boy of rock, Rand Riker, she never expects to uncover the most shocking secret the government has kept for the last sixty years: the truth about the being in the spaceship that crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. With its rock stars and shape shifters, gods and haunting militia leaders, MAGICAL ALIENATION will turn what you think you know upside down. Even Samantha's favorite partner in crime, goddess-in-hiding FBI Special Agent, Annabelle Haggerty, wrestles with the most destructive paradox of her life. While the rock people twist the surface of the earth and Sedona heads into the darkest night the planet has ever seen, Samantha wonders which, if any of them, will survive. But she should know by now that when Celtic gods are involved, nothing is ever as it appears.
- GenresFantasy
238 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
23 people want to read
About the author
Kris Neri
36Ìýbooks55ÌýfollowersMy latest novel is MAGICAL MUSHROOMS, the third adventure in my Samantha Brennan and Annabelle Haggerty Magical Mystery, featuring a questionable psychic who teams up with a contemporary goddess hidden within the FBI.
The earlier books in the series are HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE and ANNABELLE HAGGERTY. Both novels were Lefty Award nominees for Best Humorous Mystery Novel and MAGICAL ALIENATION was a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.
I've written one women's fiction-crime crossover, HOPSCOTCH LIFE, featuring quirky protagonist Plum Tardy. HOPSCOTCH LIFE is also a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.
I also write the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity and Lefty Award-nominated Tracy Eaton mysteries, featuring the daughter of eccentric Hollywood stars, REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, DEM BONES' REVENGE, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE and the latest, REVENGE ON ROUTE 66, which takes place in the quirkiest spots along the Southwestern Route 66, and which is a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award finalist.
I also write thrillers and short stories.
I've published some sixty short-plus stories, which have appeared in periodicals and anthologies in the US and overseas. I'm a two-time Derringer Award winner and a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee for my short fiction. One of my Derringer Award winners, "L.A. Justice," is the story in which my Tracy Eaton series was born. You can read that and another Tracy Eaton short story, as well as some other stories, on the Stories page of my website: .
I teach writing online for the prestigious Writers' Program of the UCLA Extension School, and other organizations.
I have been a lifelong voracious reader. My tastes are varied. I love mysteries -- both cozies and those that are darkish, but humorous mysteries are my favorites. I also read thrillers, urban fantasy, humorous urban fantasy, general fiction, and loads of personal growth books -- in short, a little bit of everything. As a former bookseller, I've read it all!
The earlier books in the series are HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE and ANNABELLE HAGGERTY. Both novels were Lefty Award nominees for Best Humorous Mystery Novel and MAGICAL ALIENATION was a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.
I've written one women's fiction-crime crossover, HOPSCOTCH LIFE, featuring quirky protagonist Plum Tardy. HOPSCOTCH LIFE is also a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award winner.
I also write the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity and Lefty Award-nominated Tracy Eaton mysteries, featuring the daughter of eccentric Hollywood stars, REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, DEM BONES' REVENGE, REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE and the latest, REVENGE ON ROUTE 66, which takes place in the quirkiest spots along the Southwestern Route 66, and which is a New Mexico-Arizona Book Award finalist.
I also write thrillers and short stories.
I've published some sixty short-plus stories, which have appeared in periodicals and anthologies in the US and overseas. I'm a two-time Derringer Award winner and a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee for my short fiction. One of my Derringer Award winners, "L.A. Justice," is the story in which my Tracy Eaton series was born. You can read that and another Tracy Eaton short story, as well as some other stories, on the Stories page of my website: .
I teach writing online for the prestigious Writers' Program of the UCLA Extension School, and other organizations.
I have been a lifelong voracious reader. My tastes are varied. I love mysteries -- both cozies and those that are darkish, but humorous mysteries are my favorites. I also read thrillers, urban fantasy, humorous urban fantasy, general fiction, and loads of personal growth books -- in short, a little bit of everything. As a former bookseller, I've read it all!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 19, 2012
This is a neat cross between fantasy and suspense, with romance overtones thrown in. The duo of Samantha Brennan, fake psychic, and Annabelle Haggerty, FBI agent/real Celtic goddess make their second appearance here. The first, “High Crimes on the Magical Plane,� was nominated for a 2010 Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery Novel.
It’s a stretch to call these books mysteries, since there's no murder in this one, but they sure are fun and there's a lot of mysterious stuff. A good bit of suspension of disbelief is needed, but you can tell that, right? An aging rock star, who may be some sort of supernatural being, or not, hires Samantha to be his personal spiritual advisor for his upcoming tour: Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll. It pays well, so she flies to Sedona for the kickoff concert. However, that first concert is going to be a benefit for an onerous person, Normal Frankly, who has been accused to trying to kill a senator and is holed up with his personal militia and some hostages. Two gangster-types accompany Sam and the rocker on the private jet trip to Arizona and Sam can’t tell who’s in charge, the bodyguards or her employer. Her old nemesis god, Angus, the hunk she can't resist, tests her resolution and muddies the waters.
Sam soon realizes she’s receiving signs when Camelback Mountain sticks a tongue out at her. The reader becomes privy to the thoughts of the Area 51 creature as a harmonic convergence that will be accompanied by a full moon approaches. The creature and others are determined to make use of this phenomenon, but Annabelle seems to have lost her powers and needs Sam to help her through the event. Some are putting the harmonica-thingie, as Sam calls it, to good use, some plan evil deeds. But which group is which?
It’s hard, at some points, to see how Samantha is going to land on her feet in the end. A whole lot of subplots converge in Sedona for the thrilling climax of this magic-studded read.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Choke� for Suspense Magazine
It’s a stretch to call these books mysteries, since there's no murder in this one, but they sure are fun and there's a lot of mysterious stuff. A good bit of suspension of disbelief is needed, but you can tell that, right? An aging rock star, who may be some sort of supernatural being, or not, hires Samantha to be his personal spiritual advisor for his upcoming tour: Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll. It pays well, so she flies to Sedona for the kickoff concert. However, that first concert is going to be a benefit for an onerous person, Normal Frankly, who has been accused to trying to kill a senator and is holed up with his personal militia and some hostages. Two gangster-types accompany Sam and the rocker on the private jet trip to Arizona and Sam can’t tell who’s in charge, the bodyguards or her employer. Her old nemesis god, Angus, the hunk she can't resist, tests her resolution and muddies the waters.
Sam soon realizes she’s receiving signs when Camelback Mountain sticks a tongue out at her. The reader becomes privy to the thoughts of the Area 51 creature as a harmonic convergence that will be accompanied by a full moon approaches. The creature and others are determined to make use of this phenomenon, but Annabelle seems to have lost her powers and needs Sam to help her through the event. Some are putting the harmonica-thingie, as Sam calls it, to good use, some plan evil deeds. But which group is which?
It’s hard, at some points, to see how Samantha is going to land on her feet in the end. A whole lot of subplots converge in Sedona for the thrilling climax of this magic-studded read.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Choke� for Suspense Magazine
August 6, 2012
A magical addition to the Samantha and Annabelle series. Take gods, aliens, and humans, mix them up in Sedona, AZ and figure out who is what.
January 21, 2017
This is the second book in the series, and it begins with some backstory review, while also setting up of Samantha's current client and situation. A little patience and you'll soon be swooped into another magically mysterious adventure with all-too-human Samantha Brennan, who can't seem to avoid clashing with the divine. A fun read.
December 12, 2011
Magical Alienation
By: Kris Neri
Copyright November 2011
Publisher: Red Coyote Press
When fake psychic Samantha Brennan heads to Sedona, Arizona, as the spiritual adviser of the aging bad boy of rock, Rand Riker � she never expects to uncover the most shocking secret the government has kept for the last sixty years: the truth about the being in the spaceship that crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947.
But questions abound in Sedona in the days leading up to an awesome harmonic convergence, which sends Sedona’s mysterious energy off the charts. Such as why Rand defends the most reviled man in the country, militia guru Normal Frankly, accused to trying to kill Arizona’s charismatic senator, Kenny Campbell. Or why Kenny’s real definition of family values doesn’t jibe with what he claims in the photo ops. Even Samantha’s favorite partner in crime, goddess-in-hiding Special Agent Annabelle Haggerty of the FBI wrestles with the most destructive paradox of her life.
With gods and goddesses wielding unimaginable powers, and the shape shifting rock people twisting the very surface of the earth, as Sedona heads into the darkest night the planet has ever seen, Samantha wonders which, if any of them, will survive it. But she should know by now that when Celtic gods are involved, nothing is ever as it appears.
Samantha just had to get out of town, she needed a break from her current life in Los Angeles, and in particular from an unmentioned FBI Agent she knows. She met aging rock star Rand Riker at a party and found herself working as his personal advisor. She had reached the high life, or so she thought. To paraphrase an old revered movie line, Monsters and Goddesses and Aliens, Oh My!
Having Special Agent Haggerty showing up on her doorstep to tell her she’s going to be working together again is NOT what Sam wants to hear. It’s bad enough that Rand is going to give a Benefit Concert for the person accused of attempted murder of Senator Kenny Campbell. Now she’s supposed to work for the Feds also? No Way. She’s introduced to a cat named Mellencamp who is roaming around the courthouse� in fact the cat introduced himself.
If none of this seems to make any sense to you, and you’re wondering where this mystery all comes together. I strongly suggest that you buy, borrow or steal a copy of the book. I’m giving it FIVE stars and a bullet point. I can’t wait for Madam Samantha, and Haggerty’s next case to appear on the bookshelves of a store near you.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book at the request of the author who only hope for a fair and impartial review.
By: Kris Neri
Copyright November 2011
Publisher: Red Coyote Press
When fake psychic Samantha Brennan heads to Sedona, Arizona, as the spiritual adviser of the aging bad boy of rock, Rand Riker � she never expects to uncover the most shocking secret the government has kept for the last sixty years: the truth about the being in the spaceship that crashed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947.
But questions abound in Sedona in the days leading up to an awesome harmonic convergence, which sends Sedona’s mysterious energy off the charts. Such as why Rand defends the most reviled man in the country, militia guru Normal Frankly, accused to trying to kill Arizona’s charismatic senator, Kenny Campbell. Or why Kenny’s real definition of family values doesn’t jibe with what he claims in the photo ops. Even Samantha’s favorite partner in crime, goddess-in-hiding Special Agent Annabelle Haggerty of the FBI wrestles with the most destructive paradox of her life.
With gods and goddesses wielding unimaginable powers, and the shape shifting rock people twisting the very surface of the earth, as Sedona heads into the darkest night the planet has ever seen, Samantha wonders which, if any of them, will survive it. But she should know by now that when Celtic gods are involved, nothing is ever as it appears.
Samantha just had to get out of town, she needed a break from her current life in Los Angeles, and in particular from an unmentioned FBI Agent she knows. She met aging rock star Rand Riker at a party and found herself working as his personal advisor. She had reached the high life, or so she thought. To paraphrase an old revered movie line, Monsters and Goddesses and Aliens, Oh My!
Having Special Agent Haggerty showing up on her doorstep to tell her she’s going to be working together again is NOT what Sam wants to hear. It’s bad enough that Rand is going to give a Benefit Concert for the person accused of attempted murder of Senator Kenny Campbell. Now she’s supposed to work for the Feds also? No Way. She’s introduced to a cat named Mellencamp who is roaming around the courthouse� in fact the cat introduced himself.
If none of this seems to make any sense to you, and you’re wondering where this mystery all comes together. I strongly suggest that you buy, borrow or steal a copy of the book. I’m giving it FIVE stars and a bullet point. I can’t wait for Madam Samantha, and Haggerty’s next case to appear on the bookshelves of a store near you.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book at the request of the author who only hope for a fair and impartial review.
November 24, 2011
Samantha Brennan, a fake psychic that has more real psychic abilities than she is aware of, is once again enlisted to aid Annabelle Haggerty, a Celtic goddess, living a mortal's life as a FBI agent, on a serious crime.
Samantha has won herself a job as psychic adviser to an aging rock star. They are off to Sedona for a concert that gets hijacked. But, is all what it appears? Of course not when you are dealing with deities and mortals.
Annabelle needs Samantha even more this time as her powers are ebbing while persons are being killed and held hostage. The action never stops for this duo.
Have you ever wanted real answers to who lives at Area 51? Are rocks simply rocks? Sedona is in for the world's darkest night as the Celtic gods fight for ruling order. Samantha must solve the mysteries and save her best friend, can she do it?
I'd strongly advise you reading this fast-paced, surprising story, and action that will have you glued to the book while you laugh out loud. It is a "Magical Alienation" which might make you even cry. I know I'm anxious for the next volume.
Samantha has won herself a job as psychic adviser to an aging rock star. They are off to Sedona for a concert that gets hijacked. But, is all what it appears? Of course not when you are dealing with deities and mortals.
Annabelle needs Samantha even more this time as her powers are ebbing while persons are being killed and held hostage. The action never stops for this duo.
Have you ever wanted real answers to who lives at Area 51? Are rocks simply rocks? Sedona is in for the world's darkest night as the Celtic gods fight for ruling order. Samantha must solve the mysteries and save her best friend, can she do it?
I'd strongly advise you reading this fast-paced, surprising story, and action that will have you glued to the book while you laugh out loud. It is a "Magical Alienation" which might make you even cry. I know I'm anxious for the next volume.
December 12, 2011
I'm a big fan of Kris Neri's Tracey Eaton Series, so, though I'm not a big paranormal fan, I knew this would be a fun read and I wasn't disappointed.
Samantha Brennan thinks her cushy new job as fake psychic with a fading Mick Jagger like rock star feels like just the thing to boost her wobbly career. Jetting from LA to Sedona for his comeback performance and a support rally for a local politician all feels great to her too. But, Sedona brings her smack dab in the middle of trouble� again. This time with a puckish alien whose real identity will startle not only his Army captors but annoy the Celtic gods and goddesses who, unknown to Samantha, are about to bring on a celestial war. All is centered around the harmonic convergence that will create not only changes in the atmosphere but changes for Samantha and her FBI friend and Celtic goddess, Annabelle Haggerty.
I found myself laughing at the whimsy and humorous characters, scowling at the bad guys and just plain enjoying the start to finish wild ride of this very humorous, very creative and entertaining read. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Samantha Brennan thinks her cushy new job as fake psychic with a fading Mick Jagger like rock star feels like just the thing to boost her wobbly career. Jetting from LA to Sedona for his comeback performance and a support rally for a local politician all feels great to her too. But, Sedona brings her smack dab in the middle of trouble� again. This time with a puckish alien whose real identity will startle not only his Army captors but annoy the Celtic gods and goddesses who, unknown to Samantha, are about to bring on a celestial war. All is centered around the harmonic convergence that will create not only changes in the atmosphere but changes for Samantha and her FBI friend and Celtic goddess, Annabelle Haggerty.
I found myself laughing at the whimsy and humorous characters, scowling at the bad guys and just plain enjoying the start to finish wild ride of this very humorous, very creative and entertaining read. Fun, Fun, Fun!
July 25, 2016
Madame Samantha, the fake psychic known as Samantha Brennan has been hired by the aging Bad Boy of Rock Riker, leader of the Devil's Disciples. She has hit the big time, finally. All she needs to do is a few reading and rake in the money; and yet she can't shake the ominous feeling that something bad is about to happen. Not that she believes any of that whoo whoo garbage. Despite her previous experiences with Celtic Gods and magical happenings.
Rand and his entourage are making a lot of news supporting a militia leader and are doing a fundraiser in a park. Before everything went haywire.
Celtic Gods, Roswell, aliens, curses and the like are found in this book. I like the characters. In this outing the plotting was a little hard to follow....
Rand and his entourage are making a lot of news supporting a militia leader and are doing a fundraiser in a park. Before everything went haywire.
Celtic Gods, Roswell, aliens, curses and the like are found in this book. I like the characters. In this outing the plotting was a little hard to follow....
January 3, 2015
Book #11 for 2014
I'm a big fan of Neri's Tracy Eaton series, but I just didn't connect well with this novel. It may be partially because I hadn't read the first book in this series, so I was bewildered most of the time, unsure of who everybody was and how they were connected. It may also because it shares some of the same elements as Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series, but the storytelling style is completely different, so maybe my narrative expectations were a bit off.
I did really enjoy the wacky humor, though. I may not have understood a lot of it, but I could tell Neri had a fun time with these characters. I may just go back and read the first book sometime. But first I think I'll get caught up with Tracy Eaton.
I'm a big fan of Neri's Tracy Eaton series, but I just didn't connect well with this novel. It may be partially because I hadn't read the first book in this series, so I was bewildered most of the time, unsure of who everybody was and how they were connected. It may also because it shares some of the same elements as Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series, but the storytelling style is completely different, so maybe my narrative expectations were a bit off.
I did really enjoy the wacky humor, though. I may not have understood a lot of it, but I could tell Neri had a fun time with these characters. I may just go back and read the first book sometime. But first I think I'll get caught up with Tracy Eaton.
December 27, 2011
Samantha and Annabelle take Sedona where no one, even the Roswell alien, is quite who they seem to be. This romp has more twists than the vortex at Bell Rock. "Magical Alienation" is a mystery filled with wild fun and exciting silliness. Mix a fake psychic and a Celtic goddess (gone FBI agent) with a politician, rock star,and an alien. Throw in a god war and you won't have a doubt why Ms. Neri's imagination brought her to Sedona.
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