The Familiar: A Novel

In 16th century Spain, in Casa Ordoño lives Luzia Cotado, a seemingly poor scullery maid with a potentially deadly secret. With the power to perform Milagros, others perceive a threat to the church as imminent. When a powerful merchant takes notice and enters her into a tournament of trials to win the King’s favor, danger, deceit, lust, and a little luck take place as she attempts to keep her magic under control for physical safety and her feelings in check for her heart. The Familiar has a slow burn that causes the reader to feel it all over.

Complicated relationships open and close doors simultaneously. The reader will grow alongside Luzia as she begins her journey with nothing and ends up with much more. While reading, missing information is noticeable throughout the story, yet the overall message is understood. There are many characters with changing titles, which may cause some confusion among readers.

The “spicy-ness” level is relatively low, with the intimacy focusing on emotions versus physical. The relative accurateness of the historical elements is appreciated—readers get an entertaining and semi-educational story. The intended audience is mature for sexual scenes and violence with persecution from the church.