The Witch's Familiar: Familiar Mates Book 1, T.J. Nichols

Loved the premise, wished for more answers and believable romance.

With a supremely interesting premise I eagerly dove into the story.  Getting to know Jude in the beginning was an okay way to start out, but besides realizing that he was immature in many ways and really milquetoast, there were a whole lot of questions brought up with the very first chapter, most of which get zero answers and only serves to set the scene for some shady circumstances and players that may or may not come to any kind of a conclusion in the series itself.

The best part of the story was the confrontation with the mystery creature.  Those animals were fascinating and I really, really wished there was more on-page about the research into what the culprit could be, what they can do, and suggested solutions for them after realizing that eradication may not be the best idea that came from Jude, not the mysterious and dubious council that sent him on a mission intended to fail.  This story really needed more of any kind of procedure, findings, showing character's intelligence, and conviction.

As for the romance, well, I can't say there really was one.  While the motel scene was jarring in a unique way, I can't say there was anything endearing about the individuals or the couple.  Both men were romantically challenged and a true relationship never got a chance to really build at all before difficult decisions were made and we get to an HFN that didn't feel believable.  I wish so hard that there had been as much to love about the actual story as there was in the synopsis.  The next story in the series has an interesting premise too, but in all honesty, I don't think I'll be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

He can hold lightning in his hand, but will love slip through his fingers?

Jude Sullivan has one more chance to prove he isn’t a danger to the paranormal community. If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human.

As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch.

Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy.

After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to quit fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again.