Great romantic read with low drama. Fast paced novel with a great build world. Perfect read for an afternoon. Arc provided by Netgalley

Pirates! Oh my!! New series and I am in love with it. I don’t think there is a book by this author that I don’t like. Skye happens upon a ship owned by Colton. He and his crew had drank from the Holy Grail and became immortal. Now the cup is missing and it seems their immorality is coming to an end. Great beginning to this series. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the quest for the Holy Grail.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.

I reached out to the publisher for a copy of this ebook in exchange for a review.

Recently I realized I needed more pirate novels in my life. In my search I came across this series. I was born in Georgia and lived in Savannah for 5 years. This book was right up my ally!

This book was what I like to call a candy read. Fast, fun, a little sexy, and just what I was in the mood for. My only complaint was that it could have been a little longer. Thankfully the next books in the series are a little longer.

After finishing this one I immediately went out and bought books 2 and 3. Book 4 was available for request on Netgalley and thankfully I was approved. Needless to say I binged this whole series in one month. I highly recommend this series for an escapist type read or if you’re homesick for the Savannah River

As a fourth generation psychic, Skye was raised with the knowledge that there is more to this world that what we can see with our eyes. And that there are many mysteries in Savannah that will never be explained, only experienced. Shaken by the recent upheaval in her life, she has begun to doubt herself, her abilities and her place in the city that has been not only her home but her sanctuary. She wonders if she will ever be able to reconcile what her cards are telling her with what reality is showing her.

Colton knows exactly how long it has been since his pirate ship sank in the Savannah harbor and he lived. For over 200 years he has watched the world around him change. Until he and his crew were forgotten by time and destiny, or so he thought. But just because there is a whole new world around him, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for a pirate (or his crew) in it.

I loved this short story. In fact, I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author. And I’m so very glad this wasn’t just a story about Savannah, a place where young girls dream of growing up to be pirates and the ghosts are as welcoming as the residents, but the beginning of a series of books that enthrall, captivate and catapult the reader to a place where pirates are the good guys!

Great start to a new Lisa Kessler series. I adored her Muse Chronicles series, and when I saw this new book I knew I had to read it. I did feel the book was a bit on the short side, and I wanted more, but I am excited for this new series.

I love paranormal romances, but really could not get into "Magnolia Mystic." The characters were interesting enough, if a bit flat. The biggest problem is that there was essentially *no* conflict in the story; there is one brief three-page sequence when Skye questions Colton's assertion that he is really a pirate from the 18th century -- and that's it. As a psychic, Skye makes virtually no use of her powers, the villain turned out not to be much of a villain at all, and the real crisis of the story (the theft of the Grail) is carried over into the next story featuring an entirely different couple. This story needed to be longer, with more in-depth characterization, and a serious conflict with an equally serious villain. Overall, a disappointing read.

Not one of Lisa Kessler's better stories; it seemed like there was too much happening with too many tropes in book that wasn't long enough to fully branch out and delve into each trope.

This is a quick introduction to a new series about immortal pirates set in Savannah. I like that it's a unique premise. As it's a novella, there's not a lot of development for Colton and Skye's characters. I didn't love Skye, but I was interested in seeing more of Colton. I hope we see them both have an active part in future books. Most of the crew is introduced and some established more than others. Keegan's book is up next and looks to be a full-length book. I'm interested in it and giving the series a try.

Sometimes a story tries to pack too much plot into not enough pages. With so many threads, MAGNOLIA MYSTIC just cannot deliver on everything it promises. Immortal pirates, psychics, thefts, real estate moguls, secret government agencies… Enough!

The romance between Skye and Colton was so incredibly rushed that I had to double back to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. For a girl who has apparently just gotten out of a bad relationship, Skye sure moves fast. Then again, she was with a guy for almost 6 months, and already engaged, when she found out he had robbed her of all her savings. It also sounded like she hadn’t contacted the police about the theft. There’s being a pushover, and then there’s being silly

We are introduced to Colton’s pirate crew, including the captain who has turned into a villain, but a villain they still invite over; a villain who folds and decides not to do the evil thing in the last few pages of the book. I understand that the “villain-turned-hero-of-a-later-book” trope is an appealing one, but when your villain just decides to not pursue the thing he is being vilified for, he turns into an unnecessary limp noodle.

There are so many plot threads set up in this short novella that I was surprised by how little had been resolved by the end of the book. There are four separate plots that took up valuable pages that the romance needed so badly; any one of these four plots could have been used to draw the reader into the next book. The end of MAGNOLIA MYSTIC wasn’t so much of a cliffhanger as a cliff fall; uncontrolled and unpleasant.

Magnolia Mystic was so different from any romance I have read lately and I enjoyed it like crazy. This is a fast-paced romance with dang near insta love but it was so well written that it may not bother you if that isn't your thing.

The uniqueness, as well as the brilliant plot, kept me glued to the pages. This is a book full of cursed pirates. The romance is fast but so good and the plot is complex. The book leaves it with a lot of questions answered but the book does end. I can't wait for the next book. I need to find out if my suspicions are correct and I definitely want more of this story! This is one book I definitely will recommend!

Ms. Kessler has another hit on her hands! This new series is about immortal pirates, a curse, a holy relic and a sizzling love story. I loved reading about Colton, the Sea Dog's ship captain, and Skye, a psychic/mystic, and the rest of the crew! I can't wait to read about the rest of these immortal pirates! I volunteered to read and review, but enjoyed it so much that I also bought it! Highly Recommended!

Unfortunately I didn't like this one. I really love Lisa Kessler's writing style and I read most of her other books and enjoyed them very much. I just think that the whole concept of this story was a bit convoluted and the book itself was too short. Also, I didn't feel the connection between the characters and their relationship felt a bit rushed and not real.

MAGNOLIA MYSTIC was short and sweet and that is how my review will be.

Colton and Skye are a cute couple. Their attraction was strong and their romance was sweet. There were so many different things happening in MAGNOLIA MYSTIC that the romance felt rushed and lacked some development. It still felt like the main point of the book, but I think some things in MAGNOLIA MYSTIC could have been saved for the next book so that the romance could have had a little more to it.

I enjoyed meeting the pirates. I feel like their story will be exciting and I look forward to reading more about their adventures.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Magnolia Mystic by Lisa Kessler is book One in the Sentinels of Savannah series. This is the story of Skye Olson and Colton Hayes.
This was a quick and delightful read! This is a great start to a great series. It does our psychic Skye coming off a bad relationship and Colton who is a few hundred years old pirate who is out to protect her and the historic Savannah area from his former Captain.
Can't wait for the next book in this series!

A great story with immortal pirates and the psychic who catches the eye of one. She may end up being the end of their immortality. Or maybe not? Aye can't wait for more of these books.

A woman with a true physic gift and an immortal pirate. Kessler gives the reader a very imaginative story in Magnolia Mystic.

Skye’s been seeing the same thing in her cards for quite a while. She thinks it might mean the man for her is coming. Ages ago a fortune teller told Colton a woman with violet eyes would bring the beginning and end of his life. When the two finally meet neither is sure if they’ve met their fate. What they are sure of is a strong mutual attraction. Skye, even though most don’t believe in her talent, initially finds immortal pirates to be impossible. As she accepts the truth, she realizes that her love of pirates and Colton himself, make this her destiny.

The story was entertaining and interesting with good characters but a bit unfulfilling to me. . I just never felt completely invested and didn’t get that warm fuzzy feeling with these two. I didn’t feel it worthy of only a three but it’s a weak four-star rating.

reviewed by Jem

Due to a bad breakup, psychic Skye Olson’s confidence has been shaken. Once a pirate, Colton Hayes is now a protector of the port of Savannah but he is not prepared for the sexy smile and violet eyes of the Magnolia Mystic.

This romance is sweet and adventurous as Skye and Colton work through not only their emotional issues, but secrets that change Skye’s reality and a captain intent on Skye’s shop. The story is short and fast paced with lots of intrigue, sizzling chemistry and swashbuckling fun with a few surprising twists just to keep readers on their toes.

Lisa Kessler has taken what would usually be in a historical romance, sexy pirates, (oh my!), and put them in a clever paranormal romance with a few twists. The concept is fascinating and the characters are strong and charming, and I really wish this story had been a bit longer because it was quite a delightful introduction to the Sentinels of Savannah series and I am looking forward to reading Pirate’s Passion which releases in October.

This book has a main defect: it was too short. It's fun to read, an enjoyable mix of paranormal and romance.
The character are likeable and sexy and the plot get you hooked since the beginning.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

A promising start to a new series, Magnolia Mystic packs a lot in its short pages. Without giving too much away, the story is entertaining, told through interesting characters the reader can’t help but become invested in. What initially appears as a typical pirate hero and heroine who has sworn off men plot turns into something more. The story has a bit of everything from action to romance to a bit of suspense/mystery.

Some may be disappointed that it is only a novella but will look forward to the promise of more.

Kaboom. The cannon explodes as Lisa Kessler gets her Sentinels of Savannah series started right in this novella. Pirates in the modern world! It’s too much fun. In this quick read we’ve got Skye Olson, psychic, who can read Tarot for anyone else but doesn’t seem able to read and trust the cards thrown for herself, which led to a disastrous relationship she just recently exited. And there’s the cursed pirate, Colton Hayes, who hasn’t aged in about two hundred years and is determined to protect Savannah from the also cursed captain of their ship. He’s been on the lookout for Skye for a long time (can’t tell you why without spoilers). Skye and Colton’s relationship heats up super quick in this story. If it was a bit longer of a read I’m sure they would’ve taken more time to develop their connection, but have no fear, it worked. We’ve got a lot of action, romance and super sexy moments packed into the pages that kept me up late reading. Can’t wait for the next in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.