A Dragon, a Shotgun, and a Ferret

If you’re waiting in limbo for the next Kim Harrison or Patricia Briggs novel, consider passing the time with the debut urban fantasy/paranormal romance book Spellbent by Lucy A. Snyder. Be advised that this is not a conventional entry in either category, and is not for the squeamish.

Shotgun slung across her shoulder, apprentice sorceress Jessie Shimmer finds herself stuck with a ferret for a familiar and on the bad side of the local VIP. The well-paced plot takes off 20 pages in with the disappearance of her mentor and love interest, leaving Jessie and the ferret alone to deal with a dragon and a demon. The gritty, no-holds-barred storytelling features some vicious scenes, a few completely off-the-wall events, and a plethora of Jessie's colorfully sarcastic outbursts.

To make up for her rash speech, Jessie tries to consider the consequences of her actions beforehand. She's rarely had it easy, and hates the idea of causing trouble for innocent people. By the end, you'll want to know more about her pariah parents, what lies hidden in her past, and what else Jessie's going to do to merit the book's ominous prologue.

Click here to place a request on Spellbent through Schlow's catalog. The sequel Shotgun Sorceress hits bookshelves in October.