If you have read the earlier books by Ms. Rice and enjoyed them, then you will love this one too. I have read most of the Unexpected Magic series and enjoyed them. This book set in modern times seems to be a little harder to get in to for some reason but it was definitely worth the effort. There are lots of characters (and I mean Characters!). Some cute, some funny, some quirky and some a little scary. There are several different mysteries going on that seem like they may overlap somewhat. There is some romance too but more magic? or is it magic? You'll have to read and decide for yourself. Very interesting book!! Looking forward to reading the next one in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it. ( )

The writing is excellent with well-developed characters, a tight, well-written story, a complex and interesting mystery and a lovely romance. The mystery will keep you guessing right up until the end – it is filled with plots and sub-plots and so many twists and turns.

Samantha (Sam) Moon arrives in the small mountain town of Hillvale, California without an actual memory of who she is, where she comes from – nothing – it is all a total blank. The only reason she has any idea of her name is that she found it written on something in her car – well – she thinks it is her car – after all, she was driving it. How did she get here – there is an address programmed on the GPS – did she program it? Why is she here? She’s been in a bit of a befuddled state, but her mind is finally clearing a bit – at least she can think – but she still has absolutely no idea who she is or why she is in this place.

Hillvale is a mysterious, very small town populated with what the locals call Lucys and Nulls. The Nulls are pretty much just what the name says – plain, ordinary, logical with no belief in anything that is magical or mystical. The Lucys seem – and many actually are – looney. They often talk in jibberish and never, ever get directly to the point and say what they actually mean. They have various talents – some assist restless spirits to the other side, some tell futures by reading tarot cards, some create spells and sculptures that protect people and spaces – well, you name it and there is someone with that talent. Many of the people are hold-overs from the old hippie commune days. Days that are better forgotten, but can’t be. They were days filled with drugs, betrayals, fraud, and evil.

Chen Ling Walker is more than he seems. He’s the county deputy assigned to patrol and police the Hillvale area – but – that isn’t all he is. He’s here on a mission – he intends to find out what happened to his father when he was in this area nearly 20 years ago. Walker is sure his father was murdered here, but his body has never been found. Walker fully intends to find out what happened, but the locals are tight-lipped and will not speak to anyone – especially an outsider. Walker is still trying to recover from the murder/suicide of his wife and son, so he has taken a sabbatical from his job as CEO of his own company. He had to get away – and this is the perfect thing for him to do.

The descriptions are so vivid that you can feel the evil surrounding you. Your heartbeat will speed up and you can only wonder who or what is causing all of that evil. More and more is revealed as Sam remembers who she is and how she got here. Then, she learns more about her family background and her ties to this place. She is in danger here – the evil is stalking her.

Can she and Walker save her from that evil? Can they solve the mystery behind the disappearance of Walker’s father? Can two people from such different worlds find love and happiness? Well – you’ll just have to read the story to find out!

Now, I will say that I’d have liked MORE at the ending – an epilogue – an additional chapter – something. Perhaps we’ll learn more in additional books in the series, but I’d have liked to see how/if Sam and Walker work things out in this book. Will they end up living in his town or hers? Will they be together at all?

The book is interesting and filled with lovely, quirky characters that you’ll quickly come to like. I think it might be fun to live in a town like Hillvale.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher." ( )

Sapphire Nights is book #1 in Patirica Rice’s new series "Crystal Magic" series. Promises to be an enjoyable and inventive series. It has suspense, romance, secrets, a bit of magic, charming characters,
reconciliation and a riveting good vs evil plot. Well written with mysterious storytelling and quirky characters. The storyline is unpredictable, intriguing and truly fascinating. The characters will definitely keep your attention and the plot kept me turning pages.
Storytelling is definitely Patricia Rice's forte. Definitely a masterful and brilliant author. A must read for fans of romance, mystery, magic, small towns, secrets and riveting storytelling. I look forward to book 2.
I received a complimentary copy, however, all opinions are my own. ( )

Sapphire Nights by Patricia Rice
Crystal Magic #1

Can you imagine driving to a gps destination not knowing who you are or anything about yourself? Well, that is how this book starts out with Samantha Moon heading to Hillvale hoping to find out who she is, why she is on the road and just what is happening. When she arrives she is taken in by the “Lucys” and told to avoid the “Nulls” – but – that is easier said than done.

Chen Ling Walker is a man on a mission – he wants to find out what happened to his father nearly two decades ago. He is a policeman but also has a business to run. When human bones are found it sets more in motion than many expected.

With a history of hippies, murder, land fraud, a commune, artists and magic this story is action-packed, provides a mystery to be solved and throws in a delightful romance that was a real treat. I had trouble putting this book down and am eager to read what happens next in this series. I have enjoyed every book I have read by this author and this is no exception.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )