The Crone Wars Series by Lydia M. Hawke

She wanted purpose. She found dark magick and war.For Claire Emerson, there is nothing ordinary about turning sixty.First, there are the crows. Then, a pendant that unlocks a gate to a house in the woods--which comes with a snarky gargoyle, an entirely too-sexy wolf shifter claiming to be Claire's protector, and a legacy that turns her reality upside down... moreShe wanted purpose. She found dark magick and war.For Claire Emerson, there is nothing ordinary about turning sixty.First, there are the crows. Then, a pendant that unlocks a gate to a house in the woods--which comes with a snarky gargoyle, an entirely too-sexy wolf shifter claiming to be Claire's protector, and a legacy that turns her reality upside down.Because divorced, menopausal grandmothers with creaky hips and hot flashes? They don't just randomly discover they're next in a long line of powerful women protecting the world from the dark magick of Mages.Claire's first instinct is to turn tail and run back to the safety of baking cookies and reading bedtime stories. But when it becomes clear the Mages have targeted her, she may have no choice but to accept her calling. There's just one problem: she never got the lifetime of training she was supposed to have, and her magick is... well, unreliable would be an understatement.With the Mages threatening everything she loves, can Claire learn what she needs to in time to become Crone? Or will she be the one to lose an ancient war—and her life? less

She’s running out of time. And so is the world.Claire Emerson is up against the clock. After learning on her sixtieth birthday that she’s one of four Crones destined to save the world, she’s been desperately trying to acquire the lifetime of magic she missed out on. But the mages who are out to destroy everything she loves aren’t waiting, and when one of the other Crones ends up on Claire’s doorstep—wounded and unconscious—Claire knows she’s out of time... moreShe’s running out of time. And so is the world.Claire Emerson is up against the clock. After learning on her sixtieth birthday that she’s one of four Crones destined to save the world, she’s been desperately trying to acquire the lifetime of magic she missed out on. But the mages who are out to destroy everything she loves aren’t waiting, and when one of the other Crones ends up on Claire’s doorstep—wounded and unconscious—Claire knows she’s out of time.Leaving the safety of her warded house, she goes in search of the remaining Crones… only to find them under siege by the mages and the nearly indestructible monster they control. And without control over her powerful elemental magic, she has no idea how to rescue them.Can Claire harness her powers in time to help her fellow Crones defeat the mages—or will her efforts bring even greater disaster? less

She knows she’s powerful. But is she enough?Claire Emerson has turned her back on destiny. After failing to master her unpredictable elemental magic, it’s clear to her she doesn't belong—and her fellow Crones agree. But just as she leaves her magical life behind, she learns that one of the Crones has turned the others over to the mages and Morok, the dark god they serve. Knowing Morok can use the Crones’ magic to reclaim his own powers, she has no choice but to go after them—alone... moreShe knows she’s powerful. But is she enough?Claire Emerson has turned her back on destiny. After failing to master her unpredictable elemental magic, it’s clear to her she doesn't belong—and her fellow Crones agree. But just as she leaves her magical life behind, she learns that one of the Crones has turned the others over to the mages and Morok, the dark god they serve. Knowing Morok can use the Crones’ magic to reclaim his own powers, she has no choice but to go after them—alone.Tracking down and confronting the traitor is the easy part. Getting past the mages who hold the Crones captive is going to be a little more difficult… especially when Morok opens a portal to another world that threatens everything Claire holds dear.Can Claire unleash her full powers in time to save her companions—and the world? less

With great powers come great repercussions.In the aftermath of her victory over the dark god Morok, Claire Emerson is ready for some well-earned peace and quiet, and for some healing time with her protector, Lucan. But tranquility evaporates when an ancient god arrives on her doorstep demanding sanctuary--and blaming Claire... moreWith great powers come great repercussions.In the aftermath of her victory over the dark god Morok, Claire Emerson is ready for some well-earned peace and quiet, and for some healing time with her protector, Lucan. But tranquility evaporates when an ancient god arrives on her doorstep demanding sanctuary--and blaming Claire.Claire's final battle with Morok tore apart the very fabric that separated the worlds, and now the Between is devouring the Otherworld, leaving the gods no choice but to flee to Earth. The chaos that follows them turns Claire's entire world upside down. Again.Repairing the damage she caused while keeping a bunch of unruly deities in line won't be easy, but she's up to the challenge--until she learns that one of the deities is Morok, whose defeat wasn't as complete as she believed. Now, with her magick spread increasingly thin, Claire has no choice but to again fight a war she thought she'd already won. And this time, Morok isn't alone--but neither is she.As alliances form and new enemies emerge, will Claire's struggle to restore balance be enough to save the world? Or will it plunge them all into utter annihilation? less