This can count as either book 1 or book 4. Since I haven’t read the previous three books that feature Scarlett working for her vampire boss cleaning up any evidence of werewolves or vampires or anything Old World from mere mortals. Scarlett is a mortal but she is a null, someone who can cancel out magic within a small radius around herself. She gets a message to see her old roommate Molly and when she arrives she finds Molly in the middle of a slaughter. Things don’t add up and she quickly decides to help her old friend clear her name. A fast-paced story but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by reading this book first.

It was great visiting with Scarlett, Molly, and Jesse again. What is even better is the fact that this is book one in a new series featuring Scarlett and her null power. This is a spin off from a previous series but it has enough information about the world where Scarlett lives to keep you from feeling lost. Molly is at the center of the mystery in Midnight Curse but Scarlett and Jesse are the two who have to work hard to keep things from going out of control. The story moves at at good pace. The side characters add to the story line. There is a satisfying ending with the hook for the next phase in Scarlett, Molly and Jesse's life.

Midnight curse by Melissa F Olson is a sci-fi and fantasy and general fiction (adult) read.
Scarlett Bernard is used to cleaning up messes. As a human who cancels out any magic around her, Scarlett’s job is to keep the supernatural world hidden—at any cost.

But on the eve of the Vampire Trials, a two-day tribunal that allows the otherworldly community to air their grievances, Scarlett receives a blood-soaked message from Molly, her estranged former roommate. Molly, a vampire, had been living with twelve human college students…and in one terrible night, she slaughtered them all.
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved the story and the characters. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

Technically this is the first book in a new series, but I consider it to be book 4 in the Scarlett Bernard series, which is fine by me since I wasn’t happy with the way somethings ended in the last book. This was the best of the Scarlett books yet!

There was a time gap of 3 years, so the characters have matured. Scarlett was decisive and knew what she wanted out of life. Despite having relationship issues with Eli, she didn’t convince herself she wanted things she didn’t to appease him. However Eli remained the same: needy and dependent. Their relationship perfectly depicted how two people can love each other but not be compatible.

Scarlett’s life had been relatively calm and uneventful until Molly contacted her about a serious problem. Molly’s life was on the line unless Scarlett could prove her innocence in a short period of time. Knowing she couldn’t do it on her own, she contacted her old friend Jesse who was somewhat reluctant to help with the case.

Jesse had been through a lot in the last 3 years. His strict moral code didn’t mesh with the old world, and it wasn’t easy for him to come to terms with that. Other issues popped up in that time like getting a divorce and fame from writing a book. When Scarlett stumbled into his life, he was lost. Working on a case for the first time in a long time reminded him of what he wanted out of life. I always liked Jesse but preferred him even more now. He finally accepted things as they are instead of expecting them to neatly fit into the categories right and wrong.

There was not a cliffhanger at the end, but I’m really looking forward to the next one just to get more time with the characters.

Good urban fantasy. When the picked it up I didn't realize it that Boundary Which was part of this world. But it isn't necessary to have read it to enjoy this book! I love a strong heroine who can kick a little butt when needed. And I really liked that her relationship with Eli felt real. All of the characters were relatable, despite the fact that there were vampires, werewolves and witches. There was plenty of action and intrigue, and enough of a mystery to keep me involved. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.

This is the first book in a new trilogy, but the fourth with the same protagonist. Things have been relatively quiet for Scarlett, and her life has settled down. Out of the blue, Molly, her old roommate, sends an urgent message: Molly has killed all her roommates and is scared out of her mind as to why she did something so terrible. It doesn’t take Scarlett long to realize Molly has been set up and quickly begins to investigate before the Vampire Trials which begin in two days. Will she find out what’s going on, or will Molly be put to death at the Trials? It was wonderful seeing Scarlett again. It’s been three since the end of the other Scarlett trilogy, but it was really easy to get back in the swing of things. I really like how she has matured, and she seems so much more comfortable with herself and the heads of the clans. As before, the book was well-written, the plot was engrossing (so much so, I almost read it all in one setting), and the characterizations were wonderful. I can't wait for the next one! I do have to say, and I have to be subtle as I don’t want to spoil the book, I was really glad to see what happened at the end because I wasn’t a fan of it in the first place. What happened? Read the book and you’ll find out! If you are a fan of Scarlett, you’ll really enjoy this latest installment; it’s the best yet. If you haven’t started the books, now is a perfect time. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the e-copy of the book. This same review will be posted on both Goodreads and Amazon.

Melissa does it again! This is one of my favorite series, and she's outdone herself! If you haven't read anything by Melissa Olsen, you owe it to yourself to give her a try! FANTASTIC!!!

I was blessed enough to receive a free ebook copy of the book via Netgally in exchange for my honest review of the book which is as follows:

I really enjoyed the characters and the action in the book. Some of the love related storyline stuff felt a bit predictable to me personally however I am really looking forward to seeing where the characters go from here in future books. I personally rate this book an 8/10.

Midnight Curse, Disrupted Magic: Book 1,  Melissa F. Olson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy, general fiction (adult).

I found Melissa’s books by way of the Boundary Magic reads on KU – I love KU!! Risk free way of trying books for a small sum each month. Melissa's novels tend to be in trilogies with some side ones in novella form.
I think if I’d come to this one without having read any of the others maybe I’d have struggled a bit more, as it is I missed the last Scarlett novel – it’s on my kindle for reading now :-) - and there were things I didn’t wholly follow.
Its a stand alone read though, even though part of a trilogy. this particular story wraps up but its clear there’s more to come.

I love the characters in this series, vampires and werewolves, witches – with a very, very few boundary witches who specialise in death magic, and Scarlett, a null - someone who temporarily wipes out paranormal elements whenshe is close to them, so vampires and werewolves are human when next to her, and witches unable to use their powers. Evens out the field a bit!

Scarlett has been involved with the supernatural world for sometime, and lives with werewolf Eli. She gets a strange message from Molly, a good friend some time ago but they’ve not seen each other for years. She takes Shadow, her Bargest ( sort of supernatural dog) and goes to see what’s wrong. Scarlett is like that, when someone needs help she wants to give it if she can. She gets a horrible surprise though when she finds Molly blood soaked and her 12 housemates dead....

Of course the Vampire Trials are coming up next day, a two day event held every three years where the three supernatural leaders gather with their members and decide over grievances. Scarlett knows the punishment for killing like this is death, but Molly doesn’t know why she did it, its not her nature, nor really any vampire, to kill and feed this way.
She wants to prove Molly was set up, but time is short. the other leaders aren’t looking beyond the obvious, and the perpetrator behind events seems determined to get Molly killed at the trials.

Its another riveting, exciting read. Scarlett has changed a lot from last time I read about her, and she’s grown in confidence and ability.
She likes her job, feels she’s doing something useful, and even though it brings her into danger again and again, she thrives in the planning and doing of making things right. Eli isn’t so happy, they love each other but he can’t understand why she persists in doing this job that risks her life again and again, and she can’t seem to make him understand its what makes her happy. Rock and hard place, and I felt for them both.

Jesse is back in a big way in this book. I love Jesse, but the poor guy is in a rough place, taken for a ride by his ex wife, who wanted his fame and money more than him. Tough stuff. When Scarlett seeks his help he’s not keen at first but soon the deadly duo are back in action. They really do work well together, trusting each other and knowing what each can and can’t do.
With Shadow's help they’ve a huge task ahead, find the perpetrators and bring them in quickly or Molly dies. Vampires – actually all Supernaturals, have a harsh but much needed rule, risking humans knowing about them means death. Its too big a thing to do half measures, there are rarely excuses accepted, so Scarlett and Jesse need to find out what's going on ASAP.

Once more I loved the story, loved the characters and the way it all played out. There are no hated “quick fix” solutions here, those where someone gets a new, unheard of so unpractised power just at the crucial moment. I hate those, I want what happens here, where the solutions come from attributes we already know about, from skills practiced, from accepted traits of the characters.
Its got a kind of bittersweet ending, one that made me sad but also made me think maybe what I wanted from very early in these books might finally happen.....

Stars: Five, a great start to another trilogy :-) I’m looking forward to more.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

A just sit down and keep reading book, bathroom breaks only, stay up late and tell all your friends book. Melissa Olson has brought her characters together in a rocket paced story that will require all the skills Scarlett has leaned in her years working for the LA Old World, plus a few she will make up as she goes. Some surprise appearances from characters not seen in while will delight many readers as well. MIdnight Curse will leave her devoted fans clamoring for the next book in this exceptional series.

Shifters, Vampires, and Witches…oh my!

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Midnight Curse (Disrupted Magic #1) by Melissa F. Olson from NetGalley in order to read and give an honest review.

I’m new to Melissa F.Olson’s work and I should ask myself…what was I waiting for?

I really enjoyed this book, her voice is unique, her characters interesting and a plot that kept me turning pages well into the wee hours of the morning. The protagonist is a cleaner of sorts, she cleans up magical “crime scenes” so that us mere mortals never find out about the paranormal “Old World”. She is a “null” who can negate magical powers within a certain radius. It is a unique ability which is helpful in keeping her safe…. most of the time.

When a former friend from Scarlett’s past, Molly, is framed for mass murder she desperately needs help to clear her name and escape the death penalty. Scarlett puts aside her baggage to save Molly, keep magic hidden and prove her innocence. With her friends, loved ones and trusty pup (okay, actually a magical monstrous Barguest) in her corner she goes against some diabolical opponents who want to keep the truth hidden at all costs.

Scarlett Bernard has been featured in a previous series and even though I loved this book as a stand-alone I wish I had read her first series. The back story given was just enough but it made me long to go back and see what led the characters to this point in their lives. I do plan on going back and reading the first series while I wait patiently (or not *pouts*) for the second book in the “Disrupted Magic” series.

This is the 1st book in a new series by this Author .

It has been 3 years since we last met Scarlett , a 'Null' human who helps the Supernatural world from being discovered by humans . Her life now that she is living with Eli is much less exciting and whist she likes the calm she is also a little bored .
Whilst attending an Art Showing with Eli she meets a 'pressed' human girl with a blood soaked note in her hand requesting 'help' from her estranged ex-roommate , the vampire Molly.
She finds that Molly has killed 12 young college students, her housemates, in an apparent blood lust , a crime which incurs an immediate death sentence .
But all is not as it seems - Molly claims that she has herself been pressed and forced to commit the slaughter, which should be impossible .
The Supernaturals are holding their yearly Trials which resolves disputes between themselves in order to maintain order . The three leaders of the Supernaturals reluctantly agree to give Scarlett 2 days to find out the truth of Molly's claim of being framed , before her trial and forgone death sentence.
Scarlett enlists the aid of ex-LAPD officer Jesse Cruz , an old friend , and along with her Barghurst , Shadow sets out to discover the truth .
The truth that not everyone wants them to reveal .
The action is fast and furious and in the end its not just Molly's life that must be saved but also that of the Supernaturals leaders .
I found the book action a little disjointed with Scarlett shot /stabbed multiple times ( how does she managed to carry on ) in such a short period of time . Her relationship with Eli prompts much soul searching by Eli , over several pages - this could have been condensed to a couple of paragraphs .
I found that I could not engage with the characters quite as much as I have in the past with the Authors previous books .

For these reasons I have given this book a 3.5 stars .

I will however still buy/read this Authors works as I find the premise/setting/characters(usually) , enthralling .

RATING: 5 out of 5

Midnight Curse is the first installment of what I would call a second arc of Scarlett Bernard series. From what I gathered from Melissa F. Olson’s website, this second arc — entitled Disrupted Magic — will be another trilogy.

Timeline wise, it has been three years after Hunter’s Trail: Scarlett is living with his werewolf boyfriend, Eli, while ex-LAPD Detective Jesse Cruz is now a divorcé who “stars” in his own book (although a ghostwriter actually done all the work).

Midnight Curse starts with Molly, Scarlett’s former vampire roommate asks for her help after a night of bloodbath, where apparently the vampire slaughters the girls she lives with. Scarlett believes that Molly has been framed and she asks Jesse to help.

First of all … I was very impressed with the progress of these characters, especially Scarlett and Jesse, compared to the original trilogy. Previously, I often thought Scarlett to be a bit too passive and Jesse to be too rigid. But I guess the past three years have done a lot for the two. Both Scarlett and Jesse have definitely matured up and that made this story exceeded the previous trilogy, in my humble opinion.

It was clear that Scarlett loved her job and she was competent at it. She learned how to defend herself more than just using her null ability; loved that Scarlett was having quite an expertise in knife-throwing! The three leaders: Dashiell (vampire), Will (werewolf), and Kirsten (witch) clearly respected her. Even if I also thought that Scarlett developed a bit of a temper — but I guess if I was dealing with an overprotective boyfriend like Eli, I would be annoyed as well.

As for Jesse, he might be started this book to be having quite a depression, after his divorce. But I found him to be more flexible with the rules of the Old World now. It was interesting because Jesse was also the one having quite a connection to Allison “Lex” Luther, the boundary witch from Colorado — so maybe that influenced Jesse’s view of how to deal with these creatures now.

Something for sure, there was an easy camaraderie between Scarlett and Jesse this time while they were working together to clear Molly’s name and found out who was really responsible (and what their plan was). They didn’t argue a lot … it made the pace of the book REALLY enjoyable, and I LOVED being with the two of them. Oh, also with Shadow. Don’t forget that Barghest turn huge ugly dog *lol*.

Of course the action was awesome too. Scarlett and Jesse only had two days to works things out — and I thought Olson was able to keep the suspense in check. From the investigation to the revelation, Olson kept me on the edge of my seat. I actually lost my good night sleep finishing this one!!

Last but not least, I loved the connection that Olson made in regards to her other series — I am sure that one particular progress in this book will make way to Lex’s next trilogy series.

This book ended without any cliffhanger sense to it; unless if you count the romance factor. I’m not really in it for the romance though; it is more of this world that Olson provides.

I genuinely have no complaints; I cannot WAIT for the next book (like I said, Olson wrote that Disrupted Magic series would be a trilogy) to be released.

So yep, my first 5* of 2017

Book 4. Scarlet races to solve a murder mystery with the help of an old friend. Unique world where as a null, Scarlet can bring paranormals back to their humanity if they are within a 15 ft radius of her. Action, surprises, paranormal with a thriller quality. Great story in this continuing series.

WOW! I loved it!

This was a terrific book... with lots of action, intrigue, suspense, and drama. The main character, Scarlett Bernard, is a Null -- she negates magic around her, causing supernatural creatures to become more human...at least while they're within her radius. This was an awesome twist from a lot of urban fantasy books that are focused on the main character having a ton of powers. It definitely changed the dynamic of the story in a really cool way! I loved learning about this world and the dynamic between the Shifters, Vampires, and Witches living in Los Angeles.

This is a new author for me so I was completely unfamiliar with her writing and world-building. Everything was explained easily enough that I found myself quickly getting sucked in, except that I felt like I was missing something. This was the first book in the Disrupted Magic series, but apparently there's another series by this author starring the same protagonist and supporting characters (Scarlett Bernard series).

Although I really enjoyed this book, I can't help but think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the other series first. It felt a little bit like I was watching one of my favorite television shows starting with the second season. Either way, I'm definitely going back and reading the other series so I can get more of a background and understanding about Scarlett, her motivations... and the relationships between the characters. I liked Scarlett a lot as a spunky, kick-ass heroine (with just enough vulnerability and shady past to make her truly likable), but I'd love to see how she's grown and developed since the first books. Not only that... but I want to know more about the supporting characters and their relationships.

If you're new to reading this author's works, you might want to start with the other series first too. While this book can be read without, you'll probably feel like you're missing something. I'd definitely recommend this series... and I think fans of the original Scarlett Bernard series will fall in love with this one too!

So what are you waiting for? For fans of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal, this is one series that you shouldn't miss! As for me, I'm going back and reading the Scarlett Bernard series while I anxiously await the next book in the Disrupted Magic series.

Loved this latest installment. Scarlett seems much more in control of her destiny. I can't wait to get to the next installment.

Great to see Scarlett back in the game again. Good character development for all the main characters, a few familiar faces from elsewhere in the Old World and plenty of good humour make this a very enjoyable read. Also, makes for an excellent game of spot the pop culture reference!