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Witches of Willow Hollow #1
Cupcakes and Conjures
Welcome to Willow Hollow, Tennessee, where nothing’s worse than a witch who can’t magic… Except for a murder in the Taste of Magic Bakery. Just ask Harper Dade...
The death of an obnoxious ghost tour host in her aunt’s bakery lures Harper into searching for evidence to prove her aunt and her quirky friends innocent.
Yet Aunt CeeCee and the others were the only ones inside the bakery.
Suffering a sudden surge of wishcraft, Harper, along with her newfound familiar, examines clues surrounding the cupcake creation class gone wrong and delves into a mystery where the victim Lewanda Gail isn’t quite ready to move on.
In the meantime, Bub the half-grown cat claims, “Trouble rode to town on a broomstick and is here to stay.”
And he has a lot to say… On nights of the full moon.
The death of an obnoxious ghost tour host in her aunt’s bakery lures Harper into searching for evidence to prove her aunt and her quirky friends innocent.
Yet Aunt CeeCee and the others were the only ones inside the bakery.
Suffering a sudden surge of wishcraft, Harper, along with her newfound familiar, examines clues surrounding the cupcake creation class gone wrong and delves into a mystery where the victim Lewanda Gail isn’t quite ready to move on.
In the meantime, Bub the half-grown cat claims, “Trouble rode to town on a broomstick and is here to stay.”
And he has a lot to say… On nights of the full moon.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
401 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Kat McGee
52 books48 followersSoutherner Kat McGee writes paranormal cozy mysteries set in the magical South, including visits to the mystical shores of Maine and the haunting streets of New Orleans, with a bit of mayhem thrown in. Fast-heading toward crazy-cat-lady status, she enjoys chocolate nonpareils, and her favorite mystery book and movie is Where the Crawdads Sing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 10, 2023
A cozy mystery that is a tad light on the mystery and a bit heavy on the supernatural.
Fun but I don't think I will make a habit of reading this series.
Fun but I don't think I will make a habit of reading this series.
February 13, 2022
Out-of-balance
Harper is magicless and can’t bake, yet she works in a bakery among witches. That will surely mean lots of fun! And yes, there was fun. And a lighthearted, sarcastic, self-criticising tone that I very much appreciated. The case itself was good. Then why did I only give this an ‘okay’? Well, because I felt it was almost slapstick in the slip-and-slide humor. And so often! I felt it was very much overused and then it loses its power, I think. It’s all about balance. A bit of slip-and-slide fun, then back to the case: now that would’ve been fine. How many times can you ruin a paint job? Well, let me tell you: that’s once, twice, three times. How many times can you mess up a crime scene in a very VERY chaotic way? Also once, twice, three times! And I was like ‘this is overkill’. And I must point out that after all this, we’re still only two chapters in. So that was out-of-balance for me, sometimes bordering on unbelievable.
Conclusion: while I could tell there’s a good story in there, it was overpowered by too much silly drama.
Harper is magicless and can’t bake, yet she works in a bakery among witches. That will surely mean lots of fun! And yes, there was fun. And a lighthearted, sarcastic, self-criticising tone that I very much appreciated. The case itself was good. Then why did I only give this an ‘okay’? Well, because I felt it was almost slapstick in the slip-and-slide humor. And so often! I felt it was very much overused and then it loses its power, I think. It’s all about balance. A bit of slip-and-slide fun, then back to the case: now that would’ve been fine. How many times can you ruin a paint job? Well, let me tell you: that’s once, twice, three times. How many times can you mess up a crime scene in a very VERY chaotic way? Also once, twice, three times! And I was like ‘this is overkill’. And I must point out that after all this, we’re still only two chapters in. So that was out-of-balance for me, sometimes bordering on unbelievable.
Conclusion: while I could tell there’s a good story in there, it was overpowered by too much silly drama.
February 24, 2020
This is a cute cozy mystery with some paranormal elements to it like witches, werewolves, ghosts and shifters living in Willow Hollow. Harper had moved away from the town with her family many years ago and after her divorce she decides to move back into town with her aunt. She stumbles, literally, into a murder in the bakery of Lewanda Gail. Harper is actually a witch, but does not have any magic at this time. She investigates the murder and tries to determine who the murderer really is. Lots of secrets that still need to be revealed about the town and her past that has been hidden from her by her parents. There are a few areas in the story that were a little confusing, but overall it was a good fun read. I voluntarily reviewed this book.
April 17, 2020
This is a fun magickal sleuth type of book. I liked how the main character didn’t fully know her past and I’m still not sure on how I feel about her parents. Also is Sis an actual sister to the main character or is it her actual name? I loved the stuff to do with the cat familiar oh and hot chocolate.
October 11, 2021
Crazy but brilliant
If Miss Marple were a witch then this would be her story. Meet Harper divorced disheartened and struggling to find her place after returning to her childhood home. Unfortunately, home is full of witch's shifters and other magical creatures after a murder in her aunt's bakery and inadvertently being sapped by wish magic she is force by the magics curse to ask all the questions and solve the crime. A laugh out loud romp filled with magic snark and humor with plot twists to keep you turning pages well worth a look, Baz.
If Miss Marple were a witch then this would be her story. Meet Harper divorced disheartened and struggling to find her place after returning to her childhood home. Unfortunately, home is full of witch's shifters and other magical creatures after a murder in her aunt's bakery and inadvertently being sapped by wish magic she is force by the magics curse to ask all the questions and solve the crime. A laugh out loud romp filled with magic snark and humor with plot twists to keep you turning pages well worth a look, Baz.
August 22, 2021
A very good start for a series. Will be reading more.
August 24, 2020
We are proud to announce that CUPCAKES AND A CASUALTY by Kat McGee is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
February 13, 2020
Cupcakes and Casualty is my first read by Kat McGee, and might be her first published book (at least under this name if she has a different one).
While the story was good and kept me interested, especially the mystery surrounding the murder of Lewanda Gail, there was just so much that didn't gel and made for a rough read at times. There were times while reading I was confused as to what was happening or to whom, because there really are a lot of characters to keep track with and who does what. There were a few inconsistencies like whether Tate actually writes about witches or not because at one point he says he doesn't but then he says it's his duty to. There is more information that I do wish we were given, like why Bethany is so against being with Tate and mentions that they don't go together, especially when at the end Harper's aunt has no issues showing affection to a shifter.
Harper Dade is a witch without magic. After divorcing her husband who took off with her inheritance, she's found her way back to Willow Hollow working as an assistant baker with her aunt CeeCee. However, things start to go sideways when an outsider (someone who isn't born with any supernatural abilities in this case) is murdered. Now it's up to Harper to discover who murdered Lewanda, especially since the rest of the witch sisters have already said good riddance and have no will to find the killer. But during this process secrets will be revealed with each of the sister witches, including secrets that involve Harper and her no magic-ness (is that a word?)
Will I read more in this series? Of course, because even though this started out rough and at times I was left wonder "who the heck is this" I'd like to see how Harper finally comes into her own with her magic finally becoming known...and maybe more about this curse Harper's mother placed on her.
While the story was good and kept me interested, especially the mystery surrounding the murder of Lewanda Gail, there was just so much that didn't gel and made for a rough read at times. There were times while reading I was confused as to what was happening or to whom, because there really are a lot of characters to keep track with and who does what. There were a few inconsistencies like whether Tate actually writes about witches or not because at one point he says he doesn't but then he says it's his duty to. There is more information that I do wish we were given, like why Bethany is so against being with Tate and mentions that they don't go together, especially when at the end Harper's aunt has no issues showing affection to a shifter.
Harper Dade is a witch without magic. After divorcing her husband who took off with her inheritance, she's found her way back to Willow Hollow working as an assistant baker with her aunt CeeCee. However, things start to go sideways when an outsider (someone who isn't born with any supernatural abilities in this case) is murdered. Now it's up to Harper to discover who murdered Lewanda, especially since the rest of the witch sisters have already said good riddance and have no will to find the killer. But during this process secrets will be revealed with each of the sister witches, including secrets that involve Harper and her no magic-ness (is that a word?)
Will I read more in this series? Of course, because even though this started out rough and at times I was left wonder "who the heck is this" I'd like to see how Harper finally comes into her own with her magic finally becoming known...and maybe more about this curse Harper's mother placed on her.
May 3, 2024
Wow. A master class on the overuse of imagery, simile, metaphor, and comparison. Some similes are reused within a couple of pages. Rarely a paragraph appears without at least one comparison mechanism. My brain screamed "ENOUGH" part way through -- almost, but not quite, to the point where I didn't finish.
In addition, it's obvious no editor or copy editor reviewed it prior to publication. An editor would have questioned why Harper has been in town for three weeks, but has to be shown to her room at the inn after the murder, and has to go buy new clothes to replace those she was wearing. Where has she been for three weeks??? A copy editor would have noted the places where a word or two is missing, or those where the words are all there, but it seems the author may have intended to rewrite but had to answer the doorbell while working and never got back to it. Perhaps she planned a final edit, but it never happened.
It's my deep-seated hope that every book has some redeeming social value that kept me going. I needn't have bothered. By tomorrow, I will not remember one thing except I have no desire to read the next in the series, or any other by the author.
The Goodreads entry is confusing. One place says the book was published about 3 weeks ago, but there are more in the series. Another place says it was published 3 years ago. I see no publisher listed. I wonder if the entire series was written and then dumped onto Amazon, but I'm not going to read further to find out.
In addition, it's obvious no editor or copy editor reviewed it prior to publication. An editor would have questioned why Harper has been in town for three weeks, but has to be shown to her room at the inn after the murder, and has to go buy new clothes to replace those she was wearing. Where has she been for three weeks??? A copy editor would have noted the places where a word or two is missing, or those where the words are all there, but it seems the author may have intended to rewrite but had to answer the doorbell while working and never got back to it. Perhaps she planned a final edit, but it never happened.
It's my deep-seated hope that every book has some redeeming social value that kept me going. I needn't have bothered. By tomorrow, I will not remember one thing except I have no desire to read the next in the series, or any other by the author.
The Goodreads entry is confusing. One place says the book was published about 3 weeks ago, but there are more in the series. Another place says it was published 3 years ago. I see no publisher listed. I wonder if the entire series was written and then dumped onto Amazon, but I'm not going to read further to find out.
August 15, 2020
Harper Dade’s ex-husband emptied their bank account of the inheritance from her parent’s estate and fled the country with his executive assistant. In a week, the “other woman” returned home, having had her life savings stolen by the jerk. Harper in the meantime came home to Willow Hollow and is an Assistant Baker for her Aunt CeeCee in the Taste of Magic bakery. Her frosting rosebuds on the cakes looked more like chubby snails, but she was trying and would no doubt improve… soon.
Lewanda Gail stops to chat with Harper, then has to go join the baking class that is about to start. Harper lets her use the side door. Then Bethany stops to chat when a loud scream erupts! When then run back to see what happened, Lewanda is lying dead on the floor with a bloody rolling pin beside her and a chocolate cupcake smashed on her face!
Harper is actually a witch, but for some reason, that we find out eventually, she does not have any magic. She feels compelled to investigate the murder. It seems there are lots of secrets in the town, including some about her family. Will she finally track down the murderer?
This was a good start to the series, and I loved the cover. The story line was well done, but we had so many characters to keep up with that at times it got confusing. But I love cozies, so I will be staying with this series to see what comes next, especially when a certain someone’s magic begins to show up and present us with a whole new set of possibilities.
Lewanda Gail stops to chat with Harper, then has to go join the baking class that is about to start. Harper lets her use the side door. Then Bethany stops to chat when a loud scream erupts! When then run back to see what happened, Lewanda is lying dead on the floor with a bloody rolling pin beside her and a chocolate cupcake smashed on her face!
Harper is actually a witch, but for some reason, that we find out eventually, she does not have any magic. She feels compelled to investigate the murder. It seems there are lots of secrets in the town, including some about her family. Will she finally track down the murderer?
This was a good start to the series, and I loved the cover. The story line was well done, but we had so many characters to keep up with that at times it got confusing. But I love cozies, so I will be staying with this series to see what comes next, especially when a certain someone’s magic begins to show up and present us with a whole new set of possibilities.
February 16, 2020
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
There is nothing worse then not being able to do magic , just ask Harper Dade . While Willow and Harper are trying to figure out who or what killed a local in their bakery and why are they having so many baking disasters . They work hard to figure it all out and to top it all of her familar shows up as bub the cat and wants to be heard . Will Harper ever survive the happenings that are happening .
The characters are cute and quirky and well written . Harper is a witch without magic and she is in a place where magic is happening every day . She feels like she is the odd man out. Afrer divorcing her husband after he ran off with her inheritance she is lost and wants to find a place to be . She is feisty and just wants to fit in.
This book was one of those cozy mysteries where you sit down to read it and well can't figure out how it is going to work out . The mystery of who killed Lewanda had me interested enough to keep reading . As I read i found some of it to be hard to read . I just felt that it kind of dragged and just didn't really gel together . It felt off and a little difficult to read . Don't get me wrong the characters were well written and with any cozy mystery the characters are quirky . Over all i did enjoy this book and honestly want to see what happens in book two . So if you want a quirky cozy mystery this is the one for you
There is nothing worse then not being able to do magic , just ask Harper Dade . While Willow and Harper are trying to figure out who or what killed a local in their bakery and why are they having so many baking disasters . They work hard to figure it all out and to top it all of her familar shows up as bub the cat and wants to be heard . Will Harper ever survive the happenings that are happening .
The characters are cute and quirky and well written . Harper is a witch without magic and she is in a place where magic is happening every day . She feels like she is the odd man out. Afrer divorcing her husband after he ran off with her inheritance she is lost and wants to find a place to be . She is feisty and just wants to fit in.
This book was one of those cozy mysteries where you sit down to read it and well can't figure out how it is going to work out . The mystery of who killed Lewanda had me interested enough to keep reading . As I read i found some of it to be hard to read . I just felt that it kind of dragged and just didn't really gel together . It felt off and a little difficult to read . Don't get me wrong the characters were well written and with any cozy mystery the characters are quirky . Over all i did enjoy this book and honestly want to see what happens in book two . So if you want a quirky cozy mystery this is the one for you
August 24, 2024
Cozy but not comfy
I have mixed feelings about this book. Firstly, it's a fantasy murder mystery so I like this part of the story. Secondly, there are at least two subplots: A romance, and a slapstick comedy. I love the way familiars and witches do things in this unique universe. The slapstick stuff was too much for me. All the subplots were convoluted and made me happy to take lots of breaks from reading.
The mystery was all twisted up by those subplots, so the distractions kept me from figuring out who done it. I liked that, because most of the time I figure it out by a third of the story. Having said that, I had a hard time getting into the story. Maybe I would have been more interested if there had been more character development for Harper in the beginning, and higher personal stakes?
I also felt a little queasy because of the slapstick comedy. How many people and objects were harmed in the wake of these people's destruction? For a "cozy" mystery, things are very violent.
There's a lot of potential for this story to be revised or the author to improve. I'm not sure if I will read another one of the Witches of Willow Hollow mysteries.
Some typos, but I was more distracted by the cast of thousands and their subplots than any spelling or grammar issues.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Firstly, it's a fantasy murder mystery so I like this part of the story. Secondly, there are at least two subplots: A romance, and a slapstick comedy. I love the way familiars and witches do things in this unique universe. The slapstick stuff was too much for me. All the subplots were convoluted and made me happy to take lots of breaks from reading.
The mystery was all twisted up by those subplots, so the distractions kept me from figuring out who done it. I liked that, because most of the time I figure it out by a third of the story. Having said that, I had a hard time getting into the story. Maybe I would have been more interested if there had been more character development for Harper in the beginning, and higher personal stakes?
I also felt a little queasy because of the slapstick comedy. How many people and objects were harmed in the wake of these people's destruction? For a "cozy" mystery, things are very violent.
There's a lot of potential for this story to be revised or the author to improve. I'm not sure if I will read another one of the Witches of Willow Hollow mysteries.
Some typos, but I was more distracted by the cast of thousands and their subplots than any spelling or grammar issues.
August 14, 2020
This was a good start to a new series, that I hope to continue reading. I have read A LOT of Cozy Witch Mysteries, (I think every one is jumping on that band wagon) and this one has a good chance of succeeding. It was a bit slow to start, but once the wheels hit the pavement, it finally took off. '
Harper Wade finds herself penniless thanks to her ex cleaning out the bank account and leaving her high and dry. She has to move back to her home town where she works with her Aunt CeCe as a not so good assistant baker. Things are heating up in the kitchen when a dead body turns up and Harper must do what she can to help solve the mystery.
Written as a 1st person, single pov with a completed mystery ending.
Good story concept, likable characters, good detailed descriptions.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Harper Wade finds herself penniless thanks to her ex cleaning out the bank account and leaving her high and dry. She has to move back to her home town where she works with her Aunt CeCe as a not so good assistant baker. Things are heating up in the kitchen when a dead body turns up and Harper must do what she can to help solve the mystery.
Written as a 1st person, single pov with a completed mystery ending.
Good story concept, likable characters, good detailed descriptions.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 11, 2021
Wow
What a wonderful paranormal cozy mystery! I loved it so much. Harper helps her Aunt CeeCee paint her bakery door with her name as Assistant Baker. First, she meets Lewanda Gail who claims to provide Ghost tours. After a brief chat Lewanda enters the bakery. Harper's friend Bethany joins her for a conversation while they hear someone screaming inside. Harper and Bethany find Lewanda's corpse in the kitchen with a cupcake placed on her face. Nor ell is the screamer. She claims to have been locked inside the cooler and Is the first person to have discovered the body. The suspicion falls on Harper's aunt CeeCee and her friend RubyMae who assists her in the kitchen. Harper discovers her lost magic after a bottle of elixir spills on the floor. She decides to investigate Lewanda's murder to clear her Aunt with the help of Tate, a reporter cum werewolf. The story is thrilling with appropriate twists. It's a must-read for cozy mystery lovers.
What a wonderful paranormal cozy mystery! I loved it so much. Harper helps her Aunt CeeCee paint her bakery door with her name as Assistant Baker. First, she meets Lewanda Gail who claims to provide Ghost tours. After a brief chat Lewanda enters the bakery. Harper's friend Bethany joins her for a conversation while they hear someone screaming inside. Harper and Bethany find Lewanda's corpse in the kitchen with a cupcake placed on her face. Nor ell is the screamer. She claims to have been locked inside the cooler and Is the first person to have discovered the body. The suspicion falls on Harper's aunt CeeCee and her friend RubyMae who assists her in the kitchen. Harper discovers her lost magic after a bottle of elixir spills on the floor. She decides to investigate Lewanda's murder to clear her Aunt with the help of Tate, a reporter cum werewolf. The story is thrilling with appropriate twists. It's a must-read for cozy mystery lovers.
February 3, 2020
Strange read that keeps you glued
It didn't seem to gel in places but think that will all come clear as we read more books and find out more about not only the town, the residents but also our heroine. It could have just been me but I admit I floundered in places, completely lost. The plot she the murder of a resident tour guide. A tour guide that seems to have used blackmail on several prominent business owners. Her threats to reveal unsavoury witchy secrets has now led to her death.
Our heroine is a damaged divorcee, a witch with no power until the death and an encounter with a potion.. now she not only has a familiar but also a mission to find the killer due to her wish over t dead body. Add in shifters, lies and secrets from the past. Will she be able to unravel the truth surrounding the death?
It didn't seem to gel in places but think that will all come clear as we read more books and find out more about not only the town, the residents but also our heroine. It could have just been me but I admit I floundered in places, completely lost. The plot she the murder of a resident tour guide. A tour guide that seems to have used blackmail on several prominent business owners. Her threats to reveal unsavoury witchy secrets has now led to her death.
Our heroine is a damaged divorcee, a witch with no power until the death and an encounter with a potion.. now she not only has a familiar but also a mission to find the killer due to her wish over t dead body. Add in shifters, lies and secrets from the past. Will she be able to unravel the truth surrounding the death?
February 23, 2020
First of all, can we talk about how cute this cover is? I know, I know-- don't judge a book by its cover. But the blurb and the cover definitely drew me in. Well done.
As for the book itself, there were elements I liked. Harper is a likable main character and there are enough story elements and unresolved backstories to make the idea of sequels engaging. The concept of a tourist town inhabited by witches and shapeshifters is fun. I'm having a difficult time putting my more critical points into words. I found the dialogue confusing at times. Also, possibly because this is just the first in the series, it didn't feel as though the characters were well fleshed out yet. They seemed...shallow? I wasn't picking up on any chemistry, either. I am anxious to try out the next book to see if the characters develop more dimensions.
As for the book itself, there were elements I liked. Harper is a likable main character and there are enough story elements and unresolved backstories to make the idea of sequels engaging. The concept of a tourist town inhabited by witches and shapeshifters is fun. I'm having a difficult time putting my more critical points into words. I found the dialogue confusing at times. Also, possibly because this is just the first in the series, it didn't feel as though the characters were well fleshed out yet. They seemed...shallow? I wasn't picking up on any chemistry, either. I am anxious to try out the next book to see if the characters develop more dimensions.
March 27, 2020
“Cupcakes And Casualty” is the first book by Kat Mcgee that I have read. While the storyline was good I found the book just didn’t flow well, it was hard to keep track of what was happening to each of the characters at times. That being said it was a good read and the storyline did hold my interest starting with the murder of Lewanda Gail, the blackmailing mortal to Harper Dade, the witch with no magic and cursed as a child by her mother accidentally. It was a fun murder mystery with a little magic thrown in to make things interesting.
Will I read more in the series? Yes, I definitely will because even though it didn’t quite flow and I got a little lost at times, I was also intrigued by the characters. I look forward to reading more of the series to find out more about the characters and if Harper comes into her own and of course solves more mysteries.
Will I read more in the series? Yes, I definitely will because even though it didn’t quite flow and I got a little lost at times, I was also intrigued by the characters. I look forward to reading more of the series to find out more about the characters and if Harper comes into her own and of course solves more mysteries.
February 26, 2020
This is book one of a Series called Taste of Magic. This was a fun read but a little confusing at times. There were so many different characters that at times I got lost as to who was who. The story was interesting but did not flow very well at times. The story would say this and then do something else. It was strange that the police just blocked off the road and left the dead body and never did any investigating on their own. The witches say they are there for each other but never are in fact the opposite seems to be in effect. Again I was lost in the story due to so much going on at one time. There are a lot of unanswered questions about Harper which I figured will be answered in upcoming books. I did enjoy the book.
May 18, 2024
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series
This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Is a young woman who is born to a witchy family and moved away to the Monday world and became a paralegal and lived her life until one day she moved back to her hometown She worked with her aunt in her bakery. Harper thought she was a dud witch because she had no magic and she also had very few memories of her childhood. She finds out differently however. Things begin to happen a mystery is thrust upon her and life is a changing. No spoilers as this is the first book you need to get in there and read it. You will not be disappointed plenty of magic plenty of fun plenty of action and entertainment. Check it out
This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. A fun cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Is a young woman who is born to a witchy family and moved away to the Monday world and became a paralegal and lived her life until one day she moved back to her hometown She worked with her aunt in her bakery. Harper thought she was a dud witch because she had no magic and she also had very few memories of her childhood. She finds out differently however. Things begin to happen a mystery is thrust upon her and life is a changing. No spoilers as this is the first book you need to get in there and read it. You will not be disappointed plenty of magic plenty of fun plenty of action and entertainment. Check it out
February 17, 2020
Cupcakes and Casualty is quaint and cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. While there were a few places in the book that I got tangled in what character did what and who was who. I still found the book enjoyable and sometimes comedic. I enjoyed the characters Aunt Cee Cee being my favorite. Even though she's not the main character she brings in some fun perspectives and is a true southern witch! The story winds around the murder of tour guide Lewanda Gail and spins it around everyone in town having you find out that Lewanda was not so liked by everyone. Then it leaves you trying to figure out if you really know who did it. A fun quirky cuddle up read. Give it a read.
April 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this new series featuring an entire town of witches and shifters. It was confusing at times as to some of the details of the mystery, but it was pretty fast-paced and I got used to it. There were some fun shops with magical names, a sheriff who turned into a bear, a reporter who was a werewolf, and Harper herself felt like a misfit witch until her powers started coming in. But they came in sort of wonky and weird things happened if she tried to use them even though she did end up saving a couple of lives.
I know I'll be borrowing the next in the series from Kindle Unlimited as well.
I know I'll be borrowing the next in the series from Kindle Unlimited as well.
February 21, 2020
Cupcakes and a Casualty is a quirky cozy mystery. The murder of a woman who victimized business owners in the unconventional town of Willow Hollow leads to a confusing who-done-it. Harper, whose reputation proceeds her, returns to town and finds herself caught up in the who-how-motive and potential conspiracy surrounding the murder. This cozy had so much going on, witchcraft, werewolves, ghosts, shifters creating a convoluted often hard to follow story. The characters were fun and the series holds promise.
February 29, 2020
I don't read many cozy mysteries but the few that I have read are cute and keep me interested including this one. I liked it! Most of us can relate to being wronged in the relationship department. So naturally I liked Harper a lot! She's a fun character and I felt for her. There are a lot of characters in this book so I understand how people can get confused and unable to keep up but I didnt have that problem. I'm used to books having a lot. The more the better because it makes it wayyy more interesting! I recommend if you want a fun mystery that definitely keeps you guessing!
March 22, 2020
Maybe you can go home
Harper Dade comes home to move beyond her divorce. She comes home to a murder, a host of secrets, regained memories of the past. If not for the witch angle this could be an example of the dreaded women’s fiction. The witches of this small southern town support and care for one another.
This would have been five stars if the proofreading was better. The grammatical errors of this edition made it a challenge to read. I had to read some sentences several times to make sense of them.
Harper Dade comes home to move beyond her divorce. She comes home to a murder, a host of secrets, regained memories of the past. If not for the witch angle this could be an example of the dreaded women’s fiction. The witches of this small southern town support and care for one another.
This would have been five stars if the proofreading was better. The grammatical errors of this edition made it a challenge to read. I had to read some sentences several times to make sense of them.
April 14, 2020
Fun cozy witchy murder mystery
I liked this story quite a bit. Harper thinks she has no magical ability until a spilled rejuvenation potion sends her into a major batch of wishcraft. Talk about learning why threes so much truth to the cliche "be careful what you wish for".
Add in a few shapeshifters, a heap of secrets and a familiar that can disappear and it's an amusing fun puzzle to solve what's going down in Willow Hollow.
I'll definitely be looking into reading more of Harper's adventures
I liked this story quite a bit. Harper thinks she has no magical ability until a spilled rejuvenation potion sends her into a major batch of wishcraft. Talk about learning why threes so much truth to the cliche "be careful what you wish for".
Add in a few shapeshifters, a heap of secrets and a familiar that can disappear and it's an amusing fun puzzle to solve what's going down in Willow Hollow.
I'll definitely be looking into reading more of Harper's adventures
September 15, 2020
With the help of her familiar (a talking cat named Bub), the little witch who couldn't magic figured out how she could!
Harper Dade isn't much of a pastry chef, or witch for that matter, but when the Willow Hollow town witchy tour guide, Lewanda Gail Troutmeyer is found dead, lying underneath the stainless steel prep table with a cupcake stuffed into her mouth, Harper uses her former legal eagle abilities to find the killer who poisoned Lewanda Gail amongst a town full of witches, werewolves, and shifters!
Harper Dade isn't much of a pastry chef, or witch for that matter, but when the Willow Hollow town witchy tour guide, Lewanda Gail Troutmeyer is found dead, lying underneath the stainless steel prep table with a cupcake stuffed into her mouth, Harper uses her former legal eagle abilities to find the killer who poisoned Lewanda Gail amongst a town full of witches, werewolves, and shifters!
July 2, 2022
A promising start
I loved the idea of a baking witch sleuth.
I thought there was great promise in the characters and I'll be checking out more of the series in hopes they develop a bit more.
I found the story a bit confusing at times, the humour throughout verged on the slapstick, which is fine, but perhaps a little overdone.
Because of the secrecy around the protagonist's past the other characters seemed cold and uncaring for a large chunk of the story, and that made it difficult to connect to them for me.
I loved the idea of a baking witch sleuth.
I thought there was great promise in the characters and I'll be checking out more of the series in hopes they develop a bit more.
I found the story a bit confusing at times, the humour throughout verged on the slapstick, which is fine, but perhaps a little overdone.
Because of the secrecy around the protagonist's past the other characters seemed cold and uncaring for a large chunk of the story, and that made it difficult to connect to them for me.
May 5, 2023
Harper Dade is a witch who cannot perform magic.
She returns to her childhood hometown to help her grandmother run her bakery after her husband steals her inheritance and divorces her.
When a lady who we learn is blackmailing several of the witches is killed in the bakery and a potion falls and breaks, her witchcraft is activated causing her to become involved in solving the mystery of the ladies death.
This was a humorous story that while was entertaining and also had a decent amount of humor, it was also quite confusing for a good part of the story
She returns to her childhood hometown to help her grandmother run her bakery after her husband steals her inheritance and divorces her.
When a lady who we learn is blackmailing several of the witches is killed in the bakery and a potion falls and breaks, her witchcraft is activated causing her to become involved in solving the mystery of the ladies death.
This was a humorous story that while was entertaining and also had a decent amount of humor, it was also quite confusing for a good part of the story
August 16, 2020
A fun, cozy mystery with interesting characters. Newbie witches, just seem to get themselves into trouble without any assistance, or a murder - his makes for quite a bit of action. A great start of a series, but a great stand alone story - looking forward to more. Good writing to weave the real with magickal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2022
A first book in a series.
I enjoyed this story. The plot is good, and I like the characters. Harper's familiar,Bub to is cute and different from other familiars. Shifters and witches live together in Willow Hollow. I did not like those close to her did not want to tell her important things they knew about her. She should have been told more about her past, and what her mother did. It is my only complaint. I will be reading this series.
I enjoyed this story. The plot is good, and I like the characters. Harper's familiar,Bub to is cute and different from other familiars. Shifters and witches live together in Willow Hollow. I did not like those close to her did not want to tell her important things they knew about her. She should have been told more about her past, and what her mother did. It is my only complaint. I will be reading this series.
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