Reader's Favorite

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: The Goodbye Witch (A Wishcrafter Mystery, Book 4)

The Goodbye Witch The Goodbye Witch (A Wishcrafter Mystery, Book 4)
by Heather Blake


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
    

When Starla runs into Darcy's house frantic, she knows something is up, and what is up is Starla's ex Kyle. He might be on the run from the law, but he is making his presence known to Starla. Problem is that only Starla can see him. But of course Darcy is going to investigate, only now she has the backing of the elder as the town snoop of craft matters.

When Kyle turns up dead on Starla's couch, his family and Glinda are ready to convict Starla, but Nick isn't so sure and Darcy knows that Starla is innocent. Together they work to find out what is going on and why Kyle is dead and by whose hand.

This installemt of the wishcrafters mysteries has a lot of twists and Nick has to learn more and more about the craft to understand this one.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy (A Wishcrafter Mystery, book 3)

The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy (A Wishcrafter Mystery, Book 3) 
by Heather Blake


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
    

A birthday party for an eighty-year old, this Darcy can do, except for the stripper, really? Is that appropriate? Nothing can go wrong with this, right. Wrong. This is the Enchanted Village and for some reason Darcy seems to be finding all the dead bodies in town, so when she goes outside looking for the cake, she stumbles over the body of the delivery guy. Only this time, the spirit of the dead stays witch Darcy and helps her figure out this mystery.

Things heat up between Darcy and Nick - of course there are issues, in the person of Glinda, who has her sights set on Nick herself, or at least his position as police chief.

Another installment in the life of Darcy and her adjustment to being a witch and the town of enchanted Village.

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Saturday, September 15, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: A Witch Before Dying (A Wishcrafters Mystery, Book 2)

A Witch Before Dying A Witch Before Dying (A Wishcrafters Mystery, Book 2) 
by Heather


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
    

Darcy is starting to adjust to her new life in Enchanted Village and the fact that she is a witch, or crafter as they are known in the village, in fact she is a wishcrafter, which means that she can grant wishes, if certain rules are followed.

Eloide is a Geocrafter and owns the gem store in the village which is beautiful, but she has hired Darcy and As You Wish to clean out her mothers house so that she can sell it, of course that upsets some people. Poor Patrice has been missing for almost two years, she just vanished, and of course people don't do that in normal life.

When Darcy visits the house, the neighbor Yvonne tags along and makes the wish to know what happened to Patrice - oops, the next step finds Patrice stuffed in a suitcase! That is more than anyone expected. Now Nick and the police are involved and of course Darcy can't help but investigate, which leads to her working to secure a PI license.

This series is really cute. You have Darcy, who is really gun-shy around guys, then there is single dad Nick, and they are attracted but everything in the Village and other people are always in their way and making things difficult, so it turns out they are taking things extremely slow. The characters are awesome and they are so much fun to follow and learn more about, as well as learning about the whole idea of the craft, or magic. Its all done just a little at a time which makes it feel like real life.

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AUTHOR POST: Amy Boyles

Author Post:

Amy Boyles

Amy Boyles grew up reading Judy Blume and Christopher Pike. Somehow, the combination of coming of age books and teenage murder mysteries made her want to be a writer. After graduating college at DePauw University, she spent some time living in Chicago, Louisville, and New York before settling back in the South. Now, she spends her time chasing two toddlers while trying to stir up trouble in Silver Springs, Alabama, the fictional town where Dylan Apel and her sisters are trying to master witchcraft, tame their crazy relatives, and juggle their love lives. You can find Amy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/amyboylesauthor or email her at amyboylesauthor@gmail.com. She loves to hear from readers.

Author Website:  https://amyboylesauthor.com/


Series:
Sweet Tea Witches Series
Bless Your Witch Series
Southern Single Mom Paranormal Series


Sweet Tea Witches:
1. Southern Magic
2. Southern Spells
3. Southern Myths                              My Review Link
4. Southern Sorcery                            My Review Link
5. Southern Curses                             My Review Link
6. Southern Karma
7. Southern Magic Thanksgiving

Bless Your Witch Series:
1. Scared Witchless
2. Kiss My Witch                                My Review Link
3. Queen Witch
4. Quit Your Witchin
5. For Witch's Sake
6. Don't Give A Witch
7. Witch My Grits
8. Fried Green Witch
9. Southern Witching
10. Y'all Witches
11. Hold Your Witches
12. Wedding Bells and a Rat's Tale
Southern Fried Witchmas - short stories from the other characters views

Southern Single Mom Paranormal Series:
1. The Witch's Handbook to Hunting Vampires
2. The Witch's Handbook to Catching Werewolves
3. The Witch's Handbook to Trapping Demons

Thursday, September 13, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: It Takes a Witch (Wishcrafter Mystery, Book 1)

It Takes a Witch It Takes a Witch (Wishcrafter Mystery, Book 1) 
by Heather Blake


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

    

Just last month Darcy's world was falling apart, her father had dies, she was jobless and still reeling from her divorce and then there was Harper's activism that lead to shoplifting. She had no idea what she was going to do, or how to pull it all together when Aunt Velma arrived. Now Harper and Darcy have moved to Enchanted Village and learned they are witches - well wishcrafters, meaning they can grant wishes, if certain rules have bene followed.

Darcy is just trying to settle in and then there is a murder. Darcy is naïve enough to think the police can handle it, Harper wants to investigate and that sets off Darcy's mother instinct. Then again, Darcy is the only mom that Harper has known since their mother died having Harper. Harper just wants Darcy to lighten up and live life.

This is cute series, a village of witches yet it is marketed as a tourist spot, so no one knows if the witches are real or fakes. so many rules for Darcy to learn, and she just wants to fit in and relax.

Definitely a cute, fun book to read.

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BOOK REVIEW: Kiss My Witch (Bless Your Witch series, Book 2)

Kiss My Witch Kiss My Witch (Bless Your Witch series, book 2) 
by Amy Boyles


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
    

Dylan is finally getting a grips on the fact that she is a witch, and she is adjusting to life, even with Roman staying in town to be the new police chief. That is until the witch queen shows up and "invites" her to a convention of witches at the local hotel. Of course someone dies and Dylan is a basket case with her magic and ends up getting called in by the council.

With another death, this means Roman is around, but they are having to try to keep the witch police out of the picture, because the head still wants to arrest Roman. Even Grandma Hazels talk of the unicorn king turns out to be turn as Roman and Dylan are whisked away to his kingdom.

Author Amy Boyles has a way about witch stories that just make them readable and fun. You want to be involved in this town and these peoples lives, you want to know more and you want to help them all learn what it means to be a witch. Its a fun read, easy and quick.

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BOOK REVIEW: Southern Curses (Sweet Tea Witches, Book 5)

Southern Curses Southern Curses (Sweet Tea Witches, Book 5)
by Amy Boyles


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
    

Pepper is in for a shock when her "dead" Uncle Donavon crawls in through her back door. Turns out Uncle Donavon is alive, but maybe not well. He faked his own death to avoid a hit by the werewolf mafia. Oh man does this keep getting better and batter. Now he needs Pepper's help to discover what happened to Princess, the niece of the werewolf mafia boss.

Once again, such a cute story. I know its a mystery but there is something about the Sweet Tea witches that just make the whole story feel cute and fun. I love the relationships that are building between Pepper and her cousins. The relationship with Axel and the whole town in general, she is finally letting her guard down a little and not so afraid everyone is going to leave her.

Well written and worth the time. A great book to have around, especially on rainy day, It will lift you up.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: Born of Legend (The League: Nemesis Rising, Book 9)

Born of Legend Born of Legend (The League, Book 9) 
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Author post


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
    

Dagger seems to be ready to die, he is mortally wounded when he see a young boy being bargained with by sex-slave traders, and if there is one thing that Dagger is not about to let happen, is anything to a young, innocent child. There may have never been anyone around to protect him when he was young and innocent, but he won't let the same happen to someone else.

What Dagger ultimately finds in his actions is redemption, or maybe salvation. He finally finds someone to trust and love, despite his background and up bringing.

This is a long saga book - in that there are parts of the past that are brought up, things that happened to him as a child, and then throughout the years growing up. This book is a look into the twisted and deranged mind of Erdine, the grandmother of Nyk and Jullian who tired to have Nyk killed as a toddler and who inflicted unspeakable torture on jullian. Although there is a lot of the past, there is also a lot of present - and that would be the time period after Nyk has taken over and his grandmother exiled. She is not about stand for that, and she is plotting to over through Nyk.

This book takes a character from the first books that we loved to hate, and gives them a past that no one could image and turns him into someone that we can understand and want to have a better life.

This story is so complex and the way it has built from the beginning, is amazing. I can actually image this world and it feels good to read again. Everyone in the Sentella has a sordid past, things happened to them that never should have, yet they each have risen from the destruction to become the people they are today, they are not without their scars - some more visable than others, but they all have scars and the way they have turned those scars and their past into a reason to move forward, I love it.

This series is still my hands down favorite series of all time, and I have read a LOT of books!

Author Post    

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Tuesday, September 11, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: Southern Sorcery (Sweet Tea Witches, book 4) by Amy Boyles

Southern Sorcery Southern Sorcery (Sweet Tea Witches, Book 4) 
by Amy Boyles


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
    

When the "evil" Rufus shows up in town, he isn't able to take Pepper away, thankfully, but he links his magic with hers, so that if she uses her magic, it feeds him and his power grows, but even worse it still builds in her, and she doesn't get the release from using her magic, and you know what happens to a witch that doesn't use their magic. Kaboom!

This will take not just magic, but some sorcery to figure out, only problem is that the sorcerer that they went to turns up dead, and this time Pepper isn't a suspect, but she still needs to find out what happened and find a way to unlink herself and Rufus.



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BOOK REVIEW: Southern Myths (Sweet Tea Witches, Book 3)

Southern Myths Southern Myths (Sweet Tea Witches, Book 3) 
by Amy Boyles


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
    

When a baby Dragon arrives at the pet store, Pepper is in shock and wants nothing but to get rid of it. Having been raised in the human world, all she knows about dragons is that they are huge and breath fire and destroy things. It never occurs to her that she is living in the witch world and that having a dragon might be a good thing.

Too bad that Mysterio, the magician that she sold the dragon to turns up dead just as she is getting him back, and now she is on the suspect list once again. Good thing she has her cousins, Axel and Grandma Betty to help her figure out what is going on, as well as teach her a little about the dragon that is to be her familiar.

This is the third book in this series and I cam enjoying the cute nature of the book, the fun feeling of the story and the place. Magnolia Cove is where I want to live!

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Review: Born of Defiance (The League: Nemesis Rising, book 7)

Born of Defiance Born of Defiance (The League: Nemesis Rising, Book 7)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At this point in the series, we are going back in time and picking up some side characters that are tied to the original members of the Sentella in ways no one would have thought.

This is the story of Talyn - who has been raised without a father in a society that values family lines above all else, in other words his life has been hell - not as bad as Nyk's but close. This story actually goes back to the time before Nyk was discovered to be alive and took over the ruling of the society from his grandmother, who plotted to have him killed as a toddler. That in and of itself is awesome, that the author can go back and add in detail to the original story without destroying it.

We follow Talyn's life as an adult who is just trying to make his way in the world, to be better and prove that he deserves what he has - of course that is not to be because he doesn't have a father, that makes him as low as a slave in the eyes of the people, but he is determined to move from his past. He has anger issues, but there are secrets about his past that will soon come out. For now though he is starting to find the right people to make a difference.

I love that this book goes back to before Nyk took power and adds to the story in a different way, this is life on his home planet and what is happening while he is thought to be dead, and how the people there are acting. It gives more of a glimpse into the people that wanting Nyk dead and it gives glimpses into how willing they were to do anything and hurt anyone and everyone to get and keep their power.

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Review: Born of Fury

Born of Fury Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you haven't read any of my reviews of this series yet - let me warn you now - I am in love with this series! From the time I read the first book until now, I have never been disappointed and I am a major huge fan of the author! This is simply the best out there!!

At this point in the series we are getting around to Fain and his story. This takes place well after the other books, as Nyk and Syn are already married with children, so it falls in line. But at the same time, you learn about past events and new characters.

In the first book, which is Nyk's story, we learn the lengths his grandmother would go to inside her own family to stay in power. In this book we start to see how the Hauk family is intertwined with Nyk's family and how his grandmother didn't let them escape unscathed either.

I love the series, the way the families are all linked by not just their past abuses but by their own sense of family and their friendship and their ability to stand up for what is right in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Review: Scared Witchless

Scared Witchless Scared Witchless by Amy Boyles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So I discovered the author, Amy Boles through her Sweet Tea Witches series, and I loved the series, but I finished with it, so I needed something new, and once I discover an author I enjoy reading more of them.

The Bless Your Witch series revolves around three sisters, Dylan, Seraphina or Sera and Reid. Reid is only eighteen, so there is an age difference between the older two sisters and Reid. Sera owns a bakery and Dylan a dress shop. Mostly the story revolves around Dylan. The girls never knew they were witches until and article in the local paper outs them in a round about way. Now someone is out to steal Dylan's magic, and of course the only way to take a witches magic is to skin them alive.

This is a cute and fun book, I loved the grandmothers! They are both a hoot!! Since I've never had a sister I can't tell if the by-play between the sisters is true to life or not, but it seems pretty natural.

I'm looking forward to continuing this series and seeing where it leads.

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Friday, September 7, 2018

Review: The Quick and the Thread

The Quick and the Thread The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marcy has left San Francisco to open her own embroidery store, next door to her college roommate and best friend's coffee shop and bakery. Things seem to be going well until the former owner of the building turns up dead in her back room. Of course Marcy has to investigate.

I loved the town and the story and I love that in this story, the guy doesn't get the girl, in fact there are actually two guys interested in Marcy and yet she isn't sure about either one. She is fine dating and trying to figure out what life is going to hand her, which is so nice in a world of overnight success romances in books.

This has the makings to be a great series. Marcy and her best friend have some tensions going on, and that just makes it sound so much more normal, like real life and makes the book that much more fun to read and follow along.


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Review: Southern Spells

Southern Spells Southern Spells by Amy Boyles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pepper is just starting to adjust to life in Magnolia Cove when her aunts Licorice, Licky for short and Minty arrive in town determined to bring chaos. This time they bring it in the form of the annual Cotton and Cobwebs festival, and that brings a rivalry between grandma Betty and Melbalean. Only problem is that this year the rivalry turns deadly.

Once again Pepper talks Axel into helping her investigate, although Axel is doing some work on his own as a PI, and things are starting to heat up between them, no matter what they say. Now to find out how Pepper can handle the secrets in Axel's life.

Once again the Sweet Tea Witches are up to fun and this is so wonderful to read. It makes me want to live in Magnolia COve and be part of this world. It seems so fun and just were you want to be.

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Review: Southern Magic

Southern Magic Southern Magic by Amy Boyles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pepper is having a bad day. First off her rent check bounced, after her boyfriend was suppose to deposit her money, then she gets fired, and to make matters worse when she tries to go home, her roommates boyfriend has moved in and wont let her into the apartment, they don't even care about her stuff or her getting fired. As Pepper is sitting in her car, she sees a guy from her nightmare and a cat saves her. What is going on?

Turns out Pepper is a witch, who came into her powers yesterday on her twenty-fifth birthday, now she is heading to Magnolia Cove with the promise of family. Pepper is leary, after her mom died when she was born and its only been her and her father until he died, she isn't sure she can trust these people, even if they are suppose to be her family.

When Pepper tries to run out, she ends up needing saved by the resident handsome bachelor, Axel Reigns. She also gets involved in a murder and talks Axel, who is also a PI into letting her help.

The Sweet Tea Witch Mystery series is cute, fun and so engaging. You find yourself wanting to live in Magnolia Cove and be surrounded by the people and fun.

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Review: The Cottage on the Corner

The Cottage on the Corner The Cottage on the Corner by Shirlee McCoy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlotte is using Apple Valley to hide and start over. She thought she had found her true love, only to find out when he died that he was actually married to someone else and had kids with her. Charlotte's world shattered and Apple Valley seemed to be the best place to recover. She is building up a clientele of baking customers and hopes to open her own little bakery on Main street soon. The only thing she isn't looking for is a man.

Max is a deputy in town and he has always been good with life being just him, he can find a gal for the short term, but he doesn't want anything more. That is until his ex drops a three year old little girl in his lap and runs. Max has no idea what to do with a child, and the first person he turns to is Charlotte.

Small town life in Apple Valley can be crazy, and throw in a child, you have people acting out of character and life turned upside down.

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Review: The House on Main Street

The House on Main Street The House on Main Street by Shirlee McCoy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All her life Tessa has been in love with Cade, but he choose her older sister Emily, and so Tessa ran, moving across the country and making a life for herself. Now Emily and her husband are dead, and Tessa is back to clean up things and make a life for her nephew Alex. Of course Cade is now the town sheriff and still as handsome as Tessa remembers, only she doesn't want to risk getting her heart broke again.

Tessa has to figure out what to do with her young, autistic nephew and how to best reach him, even if that means giving up on the career she had built for herself and staying in Apple Valley.

Throw in a little romance, a mystery and some fun characters along the way and you have a cute story of life and love in a small town.

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Review: A Mah Jongg Mystery

A Mah Jongg Mystery A Mah Jongg Mystery by Violetta Armour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed for Readers Favorite


Angelina, Myra, Clara and June are as different as can be, but they have been a Mah Jongg foursome and good friends. Unfortunately that is all about to change now that Myra has been found dead. Of course Angelina has always watched detective television, Murder She Wrote, Perry Mason and the like, as well as reading lots of detective novels. This finds Angelina questioning what happened with Myra and investigating on her own. Widowed detective Guy has been assigned the case, and much to his and Angelina's surprise they find themselves attracted to each other. A Mah Jongg Mystery is a cute cozy mystery about an older generation playing games together and having fun, murder and romance. Author Violetta Amour has created a plausible world of the widowed and retired.


A Mah Jongg Mystery is titled as the first book in a series called Dangerous Pastimes. As fun as the theme of playing Mah Jongg is I'm not sure that game alone could support a whole series, so I am curious about what all will be in the dangerous Pastimes series. I was impressed that author Violetta Amour built this book around a group of retired grandmothers. It was nice to see a different age range for the main characters. The two mains, Angelina and Guy are both widowed, and that is another thing that is different about this story and although I love the idea of that type of love, I haven't experienced it so it is hard to relate to them in that way, but at the same time I love that they are finding another chance at a different stage in life. Overall this was a good book, clean-no sex or language, and something that a number of readers of all ages could enjoy.

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