Step into the enchanting world of Midlife Mayhem, where magic sparks, romance blooms, and midlife becomes the ultimate adventure! Melinda Chase’s beloved paranormal women’s fiction series follows Shannon McCarthy, a snarky ex-district attorney who discovers she’s a half-witch, half-fae hybrid at forty. With a divorce behind her and newfound powers, Shannon’s journey through a supernatural Portland proves that life’s most thrilling chapters can begin when you least expect.
Blending cozy mystery, paranormal romance, and heartfelt humor, Midlife Mayhem captivates readers with its relatable heroine and vibrant world. Whether you’re craving a tale of self-discovery or a dash of magical mayhem, this series delivers a fresh spin on happily-ever-afters for women embracing their fabulous forties.
How Midlife Mayhem Began
Before penning Midlife Mayhem, Melinda Chase was a jet-setting junior manager at a Fortune 500 company, often stuck in the jump seat on corporate flights. Tired of the grind, she traded her parachute for a pen, launching her writing career in 2020 with the series’ debut, Forty, Fabulous and...Fae?. Inspired by her own journey past forty, Chase crafted stories celebrating women who find strength, love, and magic later in life. Her goal? To prove that adventure and romance don’t fade with age, especially when witches and fae are involved.
The Heart of Midlife Mayhem
The series kicks off with Forty, Fabulous and...Fae?, where Shannon McCarthy returns to Portland after a messy divorce, only to learn her mom and grandma are witches—and she’s next in line. As she grapples with her magical heritage and a mysterious hunter named Hunter, Shannon uncovers her unique half-fae identity. The second book, Divorce, Divination and...Destiny?, dives deeper into her “magical puberty,” with the Fae shunning her and the Hunter’s Council on her trail. Spandex, Spells and...Shadows? follows Shannon’s quest to find other halflings, while Heels, Hexes and...Heirlooms? sees her confronting an evil fae king to unite warring realms.
Chase’s stories shine through themes of self-discovery, resilience, and defying societal expectations. Shannon’s witty, no-nonsense attitude—honed as a DA—infuses the narrative with humor, while Portland’s urban fantasy setting adds a grounded charm. The series blends cozy mystery’s intrigue with paranormal romance’s heart, appealing to fans of both genres. Each book balances magical stakes with emotional growth, showing that midlife is a time to embrace power, not fade into the background.
Why Midlife Mayhem Resonates
Midlife Mayhem has carved a niche in paranormal women’s fiction, a genre celebrating women over forty navigating life’s surprises. Readers praise Shannon’s snark and relatability, with Goodreads reviews calling the series “binge-worthy” and “smoothly written.” Chase’s focus on older heroines challenges ageist tropes, offering a refreshing take on empowerment. Her growing fanbase, evident in book club recommendations and 4.34-star ratings, shows the series’ knack for blending humor, heart, and magic into a universal story of reinvention.
- Publication Years: 2020–2022
- Number of Books: 8 in the main series
- Genres: Paranormal Women’s Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Romance
Ready to embrace your inner magic? Grab Forty, Fabulous and...Fae? and dive into Midlife Mayhem’s spellbinding world of witches, fae, and fearless women!