Review: The Cat's Meow
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 4, 2013
THE CAT'S MEOW (Witches Brew #1) by Stacey KennedyABOUT THE BOOK:  Libby is an Enchantress--a witch gifted by the Goddess to conjure spells. When a magical presence is detected around a recent string of feline slayings, Libby takes the case to uncover the reasons behind the odd deaths. Much to her displeasure, the coven also sends a sexy warlock, Kale, to assist her.While having the muscle around proves to be useful, fighting the attraction between them is worse than a hex, especially considering Kale is keeping secrets. But soon, Libby has bigger problems than the elusive warlock when her spells turn up clues that point to something far more sinister than slaughtered cats.Now Libby has landed herself in the midst of an uprising. She trusts no one and isn't safe--not from the warlocks stirring up trouble. Not from the worrisome rebellion she can't escape. And certainly not from Kale, who is weaving a very dangerous spell over her heart**********************REVIEW:  The Cat's Meow is my first Stacey Kennedy novel and not knowing what to expect was a little disconcerting.  Although going into a storyline blind, as in not knowing anything about the author or the series, I had nothing with which to compare so I had to do a little research.Stacey Kennedy takes the reader on roller coaster ride that sees Libby, a witch and an Enchantress, following the orders of her Coven as she must uncover the strange happenings involving dark magic, dead cats and a mysterious warlock who is keeping secret the real reason he has been sent to look after and guard the young witch. But it is Kale's presence in Libby's life that forces her to look at the bigger picture-not all is at it seems-there are secrets she is determined to uncover; warlocks with hidden agendas; feelings of betrayal; and someone from her past who is willing to sacrifice everyone she holds close. There is a cast of colorful secondary characters that have the potential to add something to future storylines-but there was little in the way of development in the first book.Kale is a warlock but the more involved in Libby's case Kale becomes, the more his true identity slowly unravels.  And Kale is under orders not to reveal the whole truth to the woman with whom he is falling in love. This particular part of the premise fueled much of the storyline.  As Libby worked to uncover a plot that would see demons, witches and warlocks at war, Kale was an ever-present question on her mind-why was he there and who sent him?Kale and Libby's relationship was tenuous at best.  The sexual chemistry was almost nil and I did not feel the connection between Libby and Kale.  Whether Libby was oblivious to Kale's attraction or her refusal to accept anything beyond the obvious; or the fact that she was a single-minded heroine with enough attitude to spare-Kale's refusal to reveal the truth amped up the heroine's anxiety and in doing so forced an invisible wall between the couple that caught me in the middle.  At one point I was rooting for Libby-understanding why she was confused and felt betrayed-then I was rooting for Kale-knowing that he had no choice but to conceal his identity from Libby-although everyone else in the storyline knew the truth-which did not make any sense.  THE CAT'S MEOW is labeled under the Urban Fantasy genre but I would place the storyline in the combination of UF and fantasy.Overall, I enjoyed THE CAT'S MEOW even though I did not feel the connection between Libby and Kale.  Hopefully Stacey can bring this couple together in such a way that I feel their wants and desires.See all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe(dot)com