A Spirited Blend, by Lauren Elliott

 

Publication March 25, 2025

How would you like to discover you had magical powers as a full-grown adult? Let me rephrase that. How would you like to be a witch but with no real knowledge or control over your supposed powers? That's the situation in which Shay Myers finds herself. You have powers that can change lives, yours included, but no idea how to utilize them safely. Although she has had some time over the course of the series to learn certain skills, it certainly hasn't changed her life for the better. So much for all that simple twitch of the nose and all is well stuff with Samantha in "Bewitched".

In fact, her magic has made her life, if anything, more complicated and, yes, dangerous. Like, who are these people who keep showing up claiming a possible relationship to her family? Just as troubling, why is her former husband in town? What is he up to with his new wife? Why is Shay so spooked when a woman shows up claiming kinship? Surely it isn't a good omen for Shay that the woman later turns up dead, her body arranged in a ritualistic way? What's going on with the former supposed friend now in such a nasty competition with Shay's shop? Toss in the erratic relationship Shay has with Liam, who really annoyed me most of this go-round, and Shay has a great deal to deal with. Never mind that Liam's Gran keeps reassuring her things will work out. Shay obviously isn't a super patient person, especially since Liam keeps coming to Shay asking for romantic advice for his interest in other women. Oh, grrr....

On the plus side, Gran and Shay's spirit dog, well, Spirit, have her back as does, when push comes to shove, Liam. Hang on for that cliff-hanger of a life changing event near the end. The characters, even some of those that might annoy you early on, are well-developed and seem to mesh well, making you root for Shay all the more. Despite me frequent annoyance at Liam, just way too much venting over him this go-round, I fully enjoyed the read. Shay's own self-doubts make her all the more human, making it all the easier to root for her. There's even bits of good ol' fashioned Irish folklore/myth for good measure, making for an intriguing read. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for the magical early virtual peek at Shay's world. I'm looking forward to seeing where that ending is going to take us next visit.

Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine (A Salem B&B Mystery), by Traci Wilton

 

Publication Dec. 24, 2024

One of the most unique love triangles around. Charlene Morris has two beaus. One is Sam, detective with the Salem Police. The other is Jack, a doctor. I like them both. Only one problem. Jack is dead. Jack is a ghost. He's charming, thoughtful, and cares for Charlene, however, even foregoing the chance to "go to the light" in a past book in order to stay with her in his former home. Charlene cares for him and goes out of her way not to hurt him as her feeling for the very alive, handsome Sam grow stronger. Well, when she isn't busy solving murders.

This time, it's a demanding guest at her B&B who is killed. Dane Stallone is a photographer trying to make a come-back. He's arranged a stay at the B&B for himself and his twelve models. Twelve. Get it? A calendar but a wildly creative, artistic one. Quite frankly, the models chatter, part idle chit chat but mostly them carping or complaining about something, usually Dane, would have given me a headache in real life. Amazingly, they don't hold throttle down their feelings even afterward when the police are present. Unfortunately for Charlene, Sam isn't on this case and the investigating detective is not at all fond of her. Nevertheless, she keeps asking probing questions while trying to help the models with their problem. I won't detail that huge fear and problem but will remind you that this is set in Salem, Witch City, which was Dane's hometown. What was in those contracts? Would one of them have killed him to get out of them? Or would that have even helped? 

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoy my visits with Charlene, even when the guests are less than ideal. At least they were nice to look at, I guess, and as their back stories emerge, I came to like most of them. Adam was my favorite. It was nice to have Avery pop in, even if she did wind up in the hospital for her efforts. Sam wasn't as involved, not being his case, but was definitely there as support and, oh, boy, that final chapter. I can't wait to see where that goes and how it'll all work out between Charlene and the "I don't believe in ghosts" Sam. And, let's not forget Silva, the cat. and housekeeper/cook Minnie Johnson who seems to be a marvel at improvising, especially for a large group that shuns calories. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to drop into Charlene's B&B without a reservation. We do get to see how difficult, not to mention, expensive, juggling reservations can be, too.

Hexes and the Haunted House (A Williams Witch Mystery Book 4), by

 

Think it'd be great to be a witch? Dani wouldn't quite agree. Now, true, she only learned of her witchy powers as an adult, so she's struggling to understand and control them while trying to go about her normal life. She isn't always successful. Even worse, her daughter has inherited the witch gene, too, only it seems to have disrupted her life even more. As a witch with psychometry ability, which means being able to sense any emotional residue, so to speak, of emotions left behind in objects by those who touched them last, good or bad. She hasn't learned how to control this power yet, meaning she's been forced to leave college and come home, wearing gloves almost constantly to reduce the sense. Dani has the same power but not to the same extent. Grace sees visions of the past, whereas Dani sees visions of what is going to happen, visions she's rarely able to interpret. So, no, Dani and Grace probably wouldn't agree with you that being a witch is the coolest thing ever. The learning curve isn't easy.

It's both her psychometry powers and simple observation and common sense that lead Dani into another murder investigation. I won't give away that hint but it's a solid one. At the same time, Dani and Grace are leading themselves and the Retirees into investigating a haunted house. This is where you'll learn more about powers. Sarah, who seems to have the evocation power, control over elements, only has it when the moon is full. Agnes' curse, and you'll learn about this in the book, is to never be able to leave Point Pleasant, their home town. The whole story of the curse is shadowy and, to be honest, largely seems to be setting us up for more reveals in future books. And, oh, before I forget, there's a ghostly encounter, too. Never a dull moment. 

So, who killed poor Edmund Hastings? there seem to be ample suspects, largely family members. Dani finds herself teaming up with reporter friend Izzy again, tagging along as photographer as Izzy conducts interviews for a newspaper tribute to Edmund. Oh, the things she uncovers while snooping, er, investigating.In some ways I feel discover of whodunit relies too heavily on the magic but, well, that's also part of the charm. It's all a bit mysterious and intriguing, keeping me reading. I did like that Dani seems to have settled into a romantic relationship this go-round even though she still hasn't found the right time to tell him her own secrets. I'm definitely curious to see when/how she makes this big reveal. Most likely, however, there is a great deal of self-discovery ahead of her before that point, though. Over all, a quick, easy read, full of friends, backstories, magic, and, yes, just a bit of romance in the midst of that murder investigation. Thanks #BookSirens for letting me take an early peek at how life is treating Dani nowadays. Love the scene with the cat.