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Witch Warrior #7

Witch With A Challenge

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Can US Deputy Marshal Cait Keane and her Dragon partner, Aza survive the “new normal� in Boston and Ireland?

A shadowy presence in this world is controlling the shifters, supporting them as they carry out attacks on the innocent citizens of Westport and the witches that protect them.

On Oriceran, something unseen has an agenda with Aza’s family and an unwilling blood donation.

The fragile balance between the Roses and Dragons has been destroyed by a pair of Syndicate assassins determined to make Boston the prize.

Cait and Aza are right in the middle of all of it.

It will take everyone along with help from the Federal Agents of Magic and one of Aza’s favorite friends, Rath the Troll to clean up these streets.

But wait, there’s more. Cait must decide if she can become a thief while avoiding her mother’s efforts to marry her off to a powerful magical to strengthen the coven.

A new and powerful enemy is becoming visible in the distance, overshadowing everything. Does Cait see it in time?

The US Marshal with something extra wouldn’t have it any other way.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2022

245 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

T.R. Cameron

118books121followers
I’m TR Cameron, science fiction author. I’ve been an avid consumer of the genre since I was six, I think, when I broke the seal on my Dad’s copies of the Asimov Foundation books. It’s been all downhill since then.

I have a day job that I love most days, and writing is pretty much my only consistent hobby. When I find time that’s not already filled with my wife, my daughter, my writing, my work, or dodging the affections of our clowder of cats, you can find me playing video games (currently Dishonored 2 � I’m a little behind the times on this one), watching things (Marvel movies, American Gods, Agents of Shield, Justified, The Expanse, Gotham), playing board games, or, naturally, reading.

My favorite authors in Sci-Fi are David Weber, Jean Johnson, John Scalzi, CJ Cherryh, and the giants: Asimov, Pohl, Bear, Heinlein, etc. I read a lot in other genres too, and am a big fan of Matthew Woodring Stover, Michael Anderle, Jim Butcher, and I could go on and on and on. If I had to choose one favorite, though, it would be Stephen R. Donaldson, whose Thomas Covenant series was transformative for me.

Probably my pie-in-the-sky dream for my writing career is that someone would make a movie or television show of my books and I could be a part of the production. Sure, unlikely, but a clowder-dodger can dream, right? My more practical dream is that I can keep writing and both entertaining and connecting with my readers for years and years to come.

Stop by to join my readers' group and get more fast-paced action in the Chaos Shift Cycle Universe for Free!

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5 stars
469 (63%)
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186 (25%)
3 stars
65 (8%)
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9 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Merhlynne.
236 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2023
Interesting!

T.R. I think you're amazing!if

That aside, I agree wholeheartedly with your Author's Notes... Lots of set-up with little payoff. Sorry.

So, before I expound upon that comment, let me first say that I was raised to believe that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything! And somehow I still feel like the odd man out in this day and age. I am in Law Enforcement and have been so severely bullied and mistreated by Cyber bullies that I haven't been on Facebook in almost 10 years. So unfortunately, I cannot participate in some of the nicer features like your reader group. Like Martha, I have learned to stay out of the limelight. With that in mind, I try to focus on the positives in whatever I watch or read. When someone pours their heart and soul into their craft and is brave enough to put themselves out there, and then is courageous enough to ask for feedback or "constructive criticism," I do my best to be super supportive and focus on the positives. Since you DID mention the Set-up vs. Payoff thing I figured I would try to offer an old man's insight for what little it's worth.

I just finished two 9-book series by Jada Fisher; Brindle Dragon boxed set and Rise of the Black Dragon boxed set. Aside from being totally unexpected AMAZING reads, the author was excellent at addressing the set-up/payoff dilemma. Now I do my very best by trying to treat each Author and their books/stories as unique and special, specifically trying my darnedest to not compare/judge them by skill level as it would be unfair to both authors. That doesn't mean that on some unconscious level this doesn't happen. CONSCIOUSLY, I do my very best to override this thought process by pushing my brain to figure out the specifics of what I LIKED about the book/series. And TRUST me when I say this review would be 10x longer if I did that! The amazing combination of magic and technology combined with the dichotomies of Cait's daytime job vs extracurricular activities is truly wondrous!

But in reading this specific book in this series I felt... distracted? There is just SO much going on that I felt things are just getting lost. To give you specifics to work with here are a few examples:
1) Cait's Marshall job. I felt like it became an honorable mention vs her amazing career, something that she enjoys. Now it seems like it is just a means to her side ventures.
2) The gang rivalry between the Dragons and the former Roses, now Thorns got lost in the shuffle. Aside from Carl's exerting his authority and challenging the leader of the Dragons (Yoshino) there wasn't much substance there.
3) Cait's blooming love interest seems more side-hustle than romance.
4) Cait's flourishing friendship with her infomancer/co-worker seemed more about Cait's side-hustle than Sabrina's friendship, although I love that you are developing her character more it seemed more of an aside to me.
5) The developing feud between the werewolves and her coven were only slightly more developed, revealing their puppet master, but that seemed all.
6) The attacks on Oriceran jumped out at you then fell by the wayside barely offering more incentive from that as-yet-to-be-determined other "big bad's" motivation is revealed.
7) Cait's interactions with her family seemed sparse.
8) Cait's lack of additional training in magic and martial arts was noticeable.

It just seemed like you are trying to cram SO much stuff into such a short book that it came off as distracted, at least to me. So I definitely agree with the Setup vs payoff comments. I know that you are weaving this wonderfully large, complicated tapestry of a story, culminating in a grand reveal... But maybe having a few smaller payoffs as you go might be more satisfying to readers?

I sincerely hope that you understand that I am not trying to be overly critical or negative in any way... You can read all my other reviews of your work. I am just trying to offer my "constructive criticism" as you brought to light the exact nature of how I was feeling after reading this book and hope it helps you in your future works! Keep being bold and brave and wonderful!

>^..^<
Profile Image for Katy.
1,434 reviews10 followers
April 13, 2024
He did it again! Lol

T R Cameron REALLY thinks big in his writing. Big, as in, there are SO many overlapping strands, that make up the whole of the story, that they become so complex, and so far reaching, that the only way to give them the time that they need, to reach fruition, is to make sure that they take plenty of time to set up properly, ready for, as he calls it, his Setups and Payoffs.

Having started to read some of the reviews, I've seen the complaint that none of the various parts have enough time, in each book, to set out their part of the storyline as they should be.

I don't believe that, myself.

I think this author is carefully, and concisely, setting up the finale, to go EXACTLY how he wants it to.

He says, quite frequently, in his Authors' Notes, that some of the characters have totally surprised him, and have led him down avenues that he hadn't conceived of, when plotting out the series.

But, I do believe that he has an end note that, no matter whether his characters play some bawdy Honky-tonk, or Bach's Concerto in A Minor, his end game stays the same so that, each time his characters refuse to do as he wants, he then picks up his Baton - to continue the musical theme - and then directs things back into at least a simulacrum of the Measure it was meant to be! Lol

Book Seven is definitely part of his Setup, as he sorts out those strands.

Not entirely, of course, as he's still in the process of creating the whole thing but, despite there being so many notes playing here, I can feel the echo of the whole thing, and it excites me, to keep on going to the next book.

Personally, I really love series that are as complex as this one is.

There's a time, and a place, for a simpler theme but, for me, at this moment in time, this complexity is just what I need to keep my brain engaged!

So, without ado, I'm off to Book Eight: 'Witch With A Crises', where I'll step straight right back into this crazy world, where Cait is living as complex a life as is possible, to try and stay sane! Lol

Once I've finished this, I will, of course, catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think about it!
Profile Image for Per Gunnar.
1,266 reviews73 followers
January 19, 2023
Overall this series is an okay read. But� that’s about it. It is puttering along at a steady pace and each book is more or less more of the same. This can be good or bad. Good if the books are really good but these books are not really really good. They are just okay.

There are essentially two main story arcs at the same time. The one with Cait’s family and their furry problem and the one revolving around Cait’s real job and the crime families. I am not a great fan of this. It feels like an attempt to fill the books by cramming in two separate stories instead for spending effort to write one story really good and with proper attention to details.

Also, these two stories have now dragged on for seven whole books without really getting anywhere. Sure, new characters are introduced, new complications and revelations have been added but it still feels like the author(s) have no clear goal in mind. It is a bit too much “dragging on� for me.

In the good side Cait and her family and friends are nice characters. I like them and the bantering that goes on between them. The magical action is also quite good reading. This nonsense with Cait’s mother’s harping about marrying some bloke with the proper standing in the magical community is quite annoying though.

Overall I did enjoy these reads but they do give the impression of being a bit mass produced urban fantasy (Michael Anderle has slapped his name on the books as well so I guess that is not really that much of a surprise actually) and the core story idea could have been better implemented.
Profile Image for Kathy Mayer.
850 reviews7 followers
March 24, 2023
Cait steals 3 paintings from a museum.

How no one has come looking for Lexi I will never know. Unless her magical veils are just that good. Surely someone has seen her at a theft or meeting others in the purple market. I still have my suspicions about Shane. He always has someone with him when Cait wants to do more than kiss. I can't help but think that is intentional. He may say he wants to do more but that could just be talk to lead her on. The take over of the Roses seems to be going well. The Thorns haven't had much very many people pushing them back. However, I am curious what 4 people Carl is having taken out by Syndicate strike teams. Surely it's not the Judges family. You would think that would be an easy enough job especially since they are being guarded by regular cops now.
Profile Image for Julie.
829 reviews
December 10, 2022
Busy few days

Cait and Aza are not slowing down, they have to figure out what's going on with a new chemist that has shown up in town, what's going on with the gangs, help out Shane and worry about what is going on at home. There is never a dull moment in this series and I look forward to the next book so the story can pick up where it left off and you can see what happens next.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
816 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2022
The gang war has escalated. The magic war is gaining footholds. Mom wants grandkids, ugh

Cait and Aza are getting deeper into all battles. Home front and werewolves, magic has relics and gangs are at it harder. To top it off Mom wants grandkids and is tired of waiting. My life is never without some battle. Oh I forgot the dragons are under attack by something. I just need to keep putting one foot down at a time and hope I don’t get blown up.
552 reviews
April 10, 2023
Cait, Lexi, Aza, Shane, Diana, Rath, Carl, Cynthia

Cait is a witch and Deputy Federal Marshal in Boston, with a Dragon sidekick. She and her family have land in Ireland, called Crough Patrick, which werewolf shifters are trying to take from them. She is cooperating with Diana and her team to try to discover what a group called Perpetuity is up to.

Characterization and plotting are excellent, although the plotting is getting over complicated.
8 reviews
Read
July 19, 2023
Exhausting series

I'm beginning to think that this series doesn't have an editor. I've seen reading sci-fi and fantasy for over 50 years and I have never read books with such disorganized plots. Its just bewildering to keep track of all the opponents and allies and cliffhanger situations. I'm grimly plowing through all the armament descriptions and explosions, searching for plot resolution. It isn't enjoyable and I doubt I will ever read any thing by this team again.
Profile Image for Randy Daugherty.
1,120 reviews43 followers
June 18, 2024
A shadowy presence in this world is controlling the shifters, supporting them as they carry out attacks on the innocent citizens of Westport and the witches that protect them.

On Oriceran, something unseen has an agenda with Aza’s family and an unwilling blood donation.

The fragile balance between the Roses and Dragons has been destroyed by a pair of Syndicate assassins determined to make Boston the prize.

Cait and Aza are right in the middle of all of it.
39 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2023
Good series

I like how as Cait goes through the books you see how she grows. As she goes though the book you see how the series Villa her out as a person, sure she could have gotten all the same stuff in book one, but then what could we look forward to. At this point, I have listened to several series on your universe, so I guess this recommend goes to all three of you.
Profile Image for Ann Zdunczyk.
1,154 reviews4 followers
December 25, 2022
Cait is doing multiple things at once

Silent auctions, guarding the judge, hunting for Carl and working with Diana and her crew. No rest for the wicked. Who is coming after the dragons and who is working with the werewolves?
Profile Image for Mari.
2,737 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2023
I liked this book and I enjoyed reading it but I wonder if the variety of story arcs put together is really necessary. It seems to me that this book tries to tell several independent stories at the same time.
Profile Image for Milton.
7 reviews
July 18, 2023
A book in a continuing series, the central character is fun, the dual plot lines entertaining enough to keep me reading, and short enough to finish in a few hours. It is escape reading, and worth the time spent.
8 reviews
September 26, 2023
Each book gets better and all too short...

I have no words for the enjoyment these books have brought. I become immersed immediately and the chaos of real life just fades away. Who needs therapy when books like these work way better and are much cheaper than the couch?
322 reviews4 followers
October 2, 2023
Changes everywhere

Here is hoping that some of Cait’s issue get resolved before the last book
The woman has a lot going on
Lots that want to kill her and others that need her skills!
Thank you
72 reviews
December 6, 2022
love it

To put it in 20 words??? Really? How about I feel her in my soul! The story you portray spins me on a journey I wish I see in reality.
Thank you so much
Jeff Howell
Profile Image for George  Lawson.
515 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2022
More great reading

As usual a great romp with piles of action. Plenty of humor goes along for the ride. I am looking forward to the next Episode
3 reviews
December 27, 2022
Good Read

As the series continues the characters start evolving
The continued shifting between the scenarios keeps you thinking
We will see in book 8
396 reviews4 followers
December 28, 2022
Witch With A Challenge

I love this series . My problem is there are two many action stories. I love the characters. I wish there would be 1-3 stories at a time.
Profile Image for Chris.
27 reviews11 followers
January 4, 2023
I could never pick this book up. I felt like the story was dragging and going no where fast. I loved the main character and her family, let's also not forget her partner. He is so funny.
Profile Image for Curly's  Ramblings.
1,995 reviews6 followers
December 26, 2023
Entertaining as always. New adventures await with battles on multiple fronts. The narrator does a great job at bringing the story to life (on audio speed 1.35x). Looking forward to the next book.
1,326 reviews8 followers
June 8, 2023
This series is fast-paced and action-packed, with never a dull moment for Cait and Aza.
Profile Image for Sarah McKevitt.
88 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2023
More challenges for Cait and Aza

If there wasn't enough going on for Cait, there's plenty more challenges and action in this book

Was happy to see more of Diana, Rath and co. Would be great if Ruby makes an appearance

Plenty of action and left me wanting more 😁
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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