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Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #6-10
A Holiday of Witches
The Winchester witches are back and better than ever. Spend five frightfully funny holidays with the Winchesters and the people who love them. This five-novella omnibus Did you ever wonder how Sam and Clove hooked up? Find out what Sam was thinking when he fell in love with the sweetest Winchester. A Solstice Spend a magical weekend with Marnie as she prepares for a big party and tries to control a mischievous Bay, Clove and Thistle. That’s on top of reining in Aunt Tillie, which is never easy. Witchdependence Follow Marcus during the Fourth of July weekend as he discovers someone who desperately needs help … and what it means to call the Winchesters family. Happy Chief Terry spends a fun-filled few days at the Winchester Bed & Breakfast when he’s forced out of his home. He’s excited to be part of the family – until teenagers Bay, Clove and Thistle think they’ve uncovered a crime. Merry Go back in time with Aunt Tillie as she tries to prove to a young Bay, Clove and Thistle that they didn’t discover a body … and also deliver the most magical Christmas ever.
450 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2016
About the author
Amanda M. Lee
550 books3,005 followersWhen I was a kid, I was torn between whether or not I was going to grow up and be the Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman. I flirted with being a Jedi Knight for awhile, but I wasn't up for the intense travel associated with the gig. In my teens, I settled on being a writer -- although I had no idea the effort that would entail.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 24, 2020
Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #6-10
I like these compilation of shorts for this series. I don't like the fact that nearly every one has a different narrator. It really messes with the continuity.
A Holiday of Witches (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #6-10) – Started: November 22, 2020
6) Bewitched – Read: November 22, 2020
Told from Sam’s POV. Another mystery set around The Dandridge, newly leased by Sam, and when Sam and Clove meet and romance blooms between them. Another different narrator… Male again, though it’s probably because this story is from Sam’s POV. He did better than the last male narrator but still not that great.
7) A Solstice Celebration – Read: November 22, 2020
Told from Marnie’s POV. A blast from the past. Winnie goes to a conference leaving Marnie in charge of wrangling 3 boy crazy teenage witches, the set up for the solstice celebration and Aunt Tillie. When a ghost shows up at the celebration site and Aunt Tillie refuses to help, mayhem ensues. Another different narrator… She was horrible. There really isn’t any other way to say it. I even feel bad for saying it, but I really didn’t like her narration.
8) Witchdependence Day – Read: November 22-23, 2020
Told from Marcus’s POV. This one centers around Marcus during the 4th of July festival a week and a half after Bay, Clove and Thistle were shot at. After discovering blood in the loft of his barn, at the scene of a pie theft, and at The Overlook when the breakfast bread goes missing, Marcus leads the hunt to help a man in danger. Another different male narrator… He pronounced Twila’s name wrong and every time he did it, I wanted to smack him. He mispronounced other words also, but outside of his many mispronunciations he did an okay job.
9) Happy Witchgiving – Read: November 23, 2020
Told from Chief Terry’s POV. Another blast from the past. After finding out the hard way that his house has termites, chief Terry temporarily moves out to The Outlook B & B. While there Chief Terry not only gets an up close look at the Winchester antics, but he also manages to solve a crime. This male narrator is the same one that did Witchdependence Day. It was kind of annoying because he didn’t remain consistent between the two shorts that he narrated. His Chief Terry voice was different in this one from what it was in WD. A-noy-ing. Plus all of his mistakes remain the same.
10) Merry Witchmas – Read: November 23, 2020
Told from Aunt Tillie’s POV. Yet another blast from the past. Under 10 Winchesters abound in this Christmas tale. The girls find what they think is a dead body… Until it disappears. When Aunt Tillie agrees to help them find out what happened to it, yellow and brown snow abounds in their wake. And we find out that even Margaret Little can have a big heart at Christmas. Another female narrator… She did a pretty good job, though I didn’t really like her Aunt Tillie voice. It was much too nice and normal for Aunt Tillie. It should have been way more crotchety.
Read:
November 22-23, 2020 – Audible Audiobook
I like these compilation of shorts for this series. I don't like the fact that nearly every one has a different narrator. It really messes with the continuity.
A Holiday of Witches (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #6-10) – Started: November 22, 2020
6) Bewitched – Read: November 22, 2020
Told from Sam’s POV. Another mystery set around The Dandridge, newly leased by Sam, and when Sam and Clove meet and romance blooms between them. Another different narrator… Male again, though it’s probably because this story is from Sam’s POV. He did better than the last male narrator but still not that great.
7) A Solstice Celebration – Read: November 22, 2020
Told from Marnie’s POV. A blast from the past. Winnie goes to a conference leaving Marnie in charge of wrangling 3 boy crazy teenage witches, the set up for the solstice celebration and Aunt Tillie. When a ghost shows up at the celebration site and Aunt Tillie refuses to help, mayhem ensues. Another different narrator… She was horrible. There really isn’t any other way to say it. I even feel bad for saying it, but I really didn’t like her narration.
8) Witchdependence Day – Read: November 22-23, 2020
Told from Marcus’s POV. This one centers around Marcus during the 4th of July festival a week and a half after Bay, Clove and Thistle were shot at. After discovering blood in the loft of his barn, at the scene of a pie theft, and at The Overlook when the breakfast bread goes missing, Marcus leads the hunt to help a man in danger. Another different male narrator… He pronounced Twila’s name wrong and every time he did it, I wanted to smack him. He mispronounced other words also, but outside of his many mispronunciations he did an okay job.
9) Happy Witchgiving – Read: November 23, 2020
Told from Chief Terry’s POV. Another blast from the past. After finding out the hard way that his house has termites, chief Terry temporarily moves out to The Outlook B & B. While there Chief Terry not only gets an up close look at the Winchester antics, but he also manages to solve a crime. This male narrator is the same one that did Witchdependence Day. It was kind of annoying because he didn’t remain consistent between the two shorts that he narrated. His Chief Terry voice was different in this one from what it was in WD. A-noy-ing. Plus all of his mistakes remain the same.
10) Merry Witchmas – Read: November 23, 2020
Told from Aunt Tillie’s POV. Yet another blast from the past. Under 10 Winchesters abound in this Christmas tale. The girls find what they think is a dead body… Until it disappears. When Aunt Tillie agrees to help them find out what happened to it, yellow and brown snow abounds in their wake. And we find out that even Margaret Little can have a big heart at Christmas. Another female narrator… She did a pretty good job, though I didn’t really like her Aunt Tillie voice. It was much too nice and normal for Aunt Tillie. It should have been way more crotchety.
Read:
November 22-23, 2020 – Audible Audiobook
January 17, 2020
I have enjoyed the shorts (short stories aka SS), but they need a little bit of editing help.
As much as I have really liked the ‘look back’ as I always love to know more about characters, there are a some inconsistencies very noticeable to the ‘jump back in time’ shorts. The changes in the dogs name (from something else? to Sugar) & the changes in the town name from Ashton Lake (where did this come from?) to Walkersville to Hemlock Cove (W to HC previously cited in the main storyline), as well as when certain timeline events occur but are referred back to in the main series books.
A brief family tree & timeline of when things happened would be helpful. Showing Aunt Tillie’s parents & siblings, Nieces/Aunts, ex’s (when the divorce happened), the girls/nieces , & in later books - their significant others. Add when the town name changed (since it’s a big deal), when the house became a BnB, marriage, divorce, & death dates, when people left/returned.
It would also be super helpful to re-number them to where they actually fit into the main book timeline. I think it was part of the reason the inconsistent names jumped out at me since I wasn’t reading in any kind of chronological order).
All of the prequel stories, including stories about the girls & Aunt’s childhoods, should be #0.1, #0.15, #0.22, #0.73, up to - #0.99, etc. - or - start at #0.01 & leave chunks of time up to #0.99 for blocks of years for stories to be added later.
The shorts that fit in between the main storyline should be numbered according to where they fit, such as #3.5 (if it’s in the middle of the two time periods) or #7.1/#7.9 (if it follows immediately after or immediately before the next book starts).
Adding Annie & her Mom in a SS, then reading a main storyline book - I was super confused about how everything had happened since it was referred to as a fully developed story.
All of the shorts should start with a blurb about how they fit into the timeline.
>>>
This SS begins just after the end of BOOK NAME #4. BOOK NAME #5 follows. (Or SS BOOK NAME #4.7 follows, prior to the start of BOOK NAME #5.)
<<<
Adding a blurb at the end & beginning of the main books about the shorts that fit in between would also be helpful.
>>>
Don’t forget to read the shorts in between! SS BOOK NAME #4.2 begins just after the end of BOOK NAME #4. SS BOOK NAME #4.7 starts just prior to the start of BOOK NAME #5.
<<<
These are all things that I’ve really enjoyed in other book series when the shorts/SS are very much a part of the story & should be read in the reading order, especially when new characters are added.
As much as I have really liked the ‘look back’ as I always love to know more about characters, there are a some inconsistencies very noticeable to the ‘jump back in time’ shorts. The changes in the dogs name (from something else? to Sugar) & the changes in the town name from Ashton Lake (where did this come from?) to Walkersville to Hemlock Cove (W to HC previously cited in the main storyline), as well as when certain timeline events occur but are referred back to in the main series books.
A brief family tree & timeline of when things happened would be helpful. Showing Aunt Tillie’s parents & siblings, Nieces/Aunts, ex’s (when the divorce happened), the girls/nieces , & in later books - their significant others. Add when the town name changed (since it’s a big deal), when the house became a BnB, marriage, divorce, & death dates, when people left/returned.
It would also be super helpful to re-number them to where they actually fit into the main book timeline. I think it was part of the reason the inconsistent names jumped out at me since I wasn’t reading in any kind of chronological order).
All of the prequel stories, including stories about the girls & Aunt’s childhoods, should be #0.1, #0.15, #0.22, #0.73, up to - #0.99, etc. - or - start at #0.01 & leave chunks of time up to #0.99 for blocks of years for stories to be added later.
The shorts that fit in between the main storyline should be numbered according to where they fit, such as #3.5 (if it’s in the middle of the two time periods) or #7.1/#7.9 (if it follows immediately after or immediately before the next book starts).
Adding Annie & her Mom in a SS, then reading a main storyline book - I was super confused about how everything had happened since it was referred to as a fully developed story.
All of the shorts should start with a blurb about how they fit into the timeline.
>>>
This SS begins just after the end of BOOK NAME #4. BOOK NAME #5 follows. (Or SS BOOK NAME #4.7 follows, prior to the start of BOOK NAME #5.)
<<<
Adding a blurb at the end & beginning of the main books about the shorts that fit in between would also be helpful.
>>>
Don’t forget to read the shorts in between! SS BOOK NAME #4.2 begins just after the end of BOOK NAME #4. SS BOOK NAME #4.7 starts just prior to the start of BOOK NAME #5.
<<<
These are all things that I’ve really enjoyed in other book series when the shorts/SS are very much a part of the story & should be read in the reading order, especially when new characters are added.
February 21, 2017
After reading Any Witch Way You Can and Every Witch Way But Wicked, I was looking forward to this new book by Amanda Lee.
This is a collection of novellas centered around the holidays. I was looking forward to the snarky, candid, funny repartee of the Winchester witches, particularly those from bitter, old Aunt Tillie. I’m sorry to say that this collection fell short.
Most of the stories weren’t even told in the POV of a Winchester witch. What I liked best about the previous stories was that they were told by Bay Winchester, the witch that can see ghosts. But, no, these didn’t have that. There was only one story that was told in the POV of one of the aunts, but the rest were narrated by random strangers that generated more confusion than anything else.
“A Solstice Celebration” – This was the only story I loved because this one had good ole’ Aunt Tillie. This one gave better insight to the Winchester clan as they prepare to celebrate their annual solstice celebration. However, it seems that this could be ruined by the presence of a lost ghost, something that only teenage Bay could see. Humor and mystery: two things that I love!
“Bewitched” – This was narrated by somebody named Sam, who has the same ability as Bay (they can both see ghosts.) Although this had the same witty puns and humor, this story mainly concentrated on the romantic interest between Sam and Clove. There was really no mystery. Okay, there was a missing girl from a teen party, but that’s about it. Still, there was too much lag and not enough mystery, magic, or Tillie.
“Witchdependence” and “Happy Witchgiving”, I admit, I didn’t even finish reading because they were too much like “Bewitched”—told in the POV of strangers with the Winchester witches playing in the background.
So to rate this as a whole, I’d first have to rate individually:
1. “A Solstice Celebration” – 5
2. “Bewitched” – 3
3. “Witchdependence” and “Happy Witchgiving” – 1
So the average rating would be 2.5 stars. This book was such a disappointment.
This is a collection of novellas centered around the holidays. I was looking forward to the snarky, candid, funny repartee of the Winchester witches, particularly those from bitter, old Aunt Tillie. I’m sorry to say that this collection fell short.
Most of the stories weren’t even told in the POV of a Winchester witch. What I liked best about the previous stories was that they were told by Bay Winchester, the witch that can see ghosts. But, no, these didn’t have that. There was only one story that was told in the POV of one of the aunts, but the rest were narrated by random strangers that generated more confusion than anything else.
“A Solstice Celebration” – This was the only story I loved because this one had good ole’ Aunt Tillie. This one gave better insight to the Winchester clan as they prepare to celebrate their annual solstice celebration. However, it seems that this could be ruined by the presence of a lost ghost, something that only teenage Bay could see. Humor and mystery: two things that I love!
“Bewitched” – This was narrated by somebody named Sam, who has the same ability as Bay (they can both see ghosts.) Although this had the same witty puns and humor, this story mainly concentrated on the romantic interest between Sam and Clove. There was really no mystery. Okay, there was a missing girl from a teen party, but that’s about it. Still, there was too much lag and not enough mystery, magic, or Tillie.
“Witchdependence” and “Happy Witchgiving”, I admit, I didn’t even finish reading because they were too much like “Bewitched”—told in the POV of strangers with the Winchester witches playing in the background.
So to rate this as a whole, I’d first have to rate individually:
1. “A Solstice Celebration” – 5
2. “Bewitched” – 3
3. “Witchdependence” and “Happy Witchgiving” – 1
So the average rating would be 2.5 stars. This book was such a disappointment.
August 24, 2019
I'm so far behind on reviewing that I'm taking a shortcut with this series. I read the entire series back to back, then the shorts, and now I'm working my way through the fairy tales. I like this author. She's great at creating lovable characters with sass and spunk - good at heart, but not rule-followers, at least not all the time. Lots of personality, warm fun families, great relationships where all turns out well in the end. And the mysteries are entertaining. I'm into contemporary fantasy, so the magical elements are fun for me. None of these books made a huge impression on me individually, but the series overall was really enjoyable to read. And it's free on Kindle Unlimited. If your looking for light paranormal fun, this author is a very good bet.
December 16, 2017
Extremely entertaining series
This is an extremely entertaining series. If you love the main books you were definitely love the short stories.. The short stories are from the point of view of different characters in the main books. You still have all the sarcastic and snarky with from the characters but they are from different times in the history of the characters lives. The short story is Filion a lot of the backstory and answer some of the questions that arise from different tidbits in the stories. If you love the series you have to read these.
This is an extremely entertaining series. If you love the main books you were definitely love the short stories.. The short stories are from the point of view of different characters in the main books. You still have all the sarcastic and snarky with from the characters but they are from different times in the history of the characters lives. The short story is Filion a lot of the backstory and answer some of the questions that arise from different tidbits in the stories. If you love the series you have to read these.
November 29, 2017
Good collection
This is a collection of previously released shorts about holidays with the Winchesters at different times and ages and with shifting points of view. Sometimes it's one of the boyfriends, sometimes Chief Terry or Aunt Tilly remembering when the girls were little. All in all it's a fun collection for the holidays that I enjoyed re-reading.
This is a collection of previously released shorts about holidays with the Winchesters at different times and ages and with shifting points of view. Sometimes it's one of the boyfriends, sometimes Chief Terry or Aunt Tilly remembering when the girls were little. All in all it's a fun collection for the holidays that I enjoyed re-reading.
November 29, 2020
Super funny
I have enjoyed every one of these Wicked Witches of the Midwest stories. They make me laugh. I read them to my husband to make him laugh too! I plan on reading every last one of the books in the series & then pleading the author for more! Thank you Amanda M Lee for writing such funny & interestingly funny books!
I have enjoyed every one of these Wicked Witches of the Midwest stories. They make me laugh. I read them to my husband to make him laugh too! I plan on reading every last one of the books in the series & then pleading the author for more! Thank you Amanda M Lee for writing such funny & interestingly funny books!
March 28, 2018
I've enjoyed Amanda's Witches of the Midwest books. Tillie is hiliarous.
These books remind me of the Harry Potter books except these are a family series. I would like to read about Marnie Winnie and Twilda growing up
These books remind me of the Harry Potter books except these are a family series. I would like to read about Marnie Winnie and Twilda growing up
March 11, 2020
These "shorts" are entertaining novellas that give the reader insight into the peripheral characters of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series so many enjoy. I really love Amanda M. Lee's sense of humor!
February 6, 2018
Great Book
Really a good book. Love the adventures these girls experience. Hope to be able to read this whole series. I really enjoy this author.
Really a good book. Love the adventures these girls experience. Hope to be able to read this whole series. I really enjoy this author.
July 11, 2019
Good stories
I love the Winchester s . Aunt Tilly is my favorite aunt lol . I like the stories of the girls
I love the Winchester s . Aunt Tilly is my favorite aunt lol . I like the stories of the girls
March 8, 2019
Delightful
I just finished the 14 book series, and the first 10 shorts, which include this boxset. I am so into the characters that I want to know all about them, past and present. These are delightful short stories that also pack a punch with a great plotline and mini-mystery or event. Love them.
I just finished the 14 book series, and the first 10 shorts, which include this boxset. I am so into the characters that I want to know all about them, past and present. These are delightful short stories that also pack a punch with a great plotline and mini-mystery or event. Love them.
July 23, 2019
I'm so far behind on reviewing that I'm taking a shortcut with this series. I read the entire series back to back, then the shorts, and now I'm working my way through the fairy tales. I like this author. She's great at creating lovable characters with sass and spunk - good at heart, but not rule-followers, at least not all the time. Lots of personality, warm fun families, great relationships where all turns out well in the end. And the mysteries are entertaining. I'm into contemporary fantasy, so the magical elements are fun for me. None of these books made a huge impression on me individually, but the series overall was really enjoyable to read. And it's free on Kindle Unlimited. If your looking for light paranormal fun, this author is a very good bet.
February 14, 2017
Good additions
A series of holiday themed short stories about the Winchester witches and those in their lives, sure to be enjoyed by fans of the series. Not really a stand alone read, though.
A series of holiday themed short stories about the Winchester witches and those in their lives, sure to be enjoyed by fans of the series. Not really a stand alone read, though.
February 8, 2017
Love this auther and her stories. I've read all of this series, love the characters, the plots and the humor.
February 1, 2017
Love The Stories
I just love this family. It is so much fun to see them in the flashbacks and in the present tormenting each other yet bonding over their mutual enemies. It is such a fun read. It is really great to get perspectives from the other characters like Chief Terry and Marcus who don't get as much attention.
I just love this family. It is so much fun to see them in the flashbacks and in the present tormenting each other yet bonding over their mutual enemies. It is such a fun read. It is really great to get perspectives from the other characters like Chief Terry and Marcus who don't get as much attention.
July 24, 2023
I love the Winchester Shorts
I love the shorts! They are so fun. Reading from the other characters’ perspectives is very interesting and gives insight that you don’t get in the mains. I do suggested grabbing the timeline from the website because some of the shorts fit between books.
I love the shorts! They are so fun. Reading from the other characters’ perspectives is very interesting and gives insight that you don’t get in the mains. I do suggested grabbing the timeline from the website because some of the shorts fit between books.
January 4, 2017
Love it
Oh, how I love the Winchester witches! I love the short stories, because you get to see things from a different point of view and learn a little more about the characters. The only thing I don't like is having to wait for the next book lol
Oh, how I love the Winchester witches! I love the short stories, because you get to see things from a different point of view and learn a little more about the characters. The only thing I don't like is having to wait for the next book lol
April 11, 2017
A collection of shorts from Amanda M. Lee from the Witches of the Midwest series. A lot of fun but I found the Marnie story a bit slow but otherwise pretty enjoyable.
April 21, 2017
Good books
I just wish they weren't so childish especially Landon.
All the books it gets worse when will one of the girls blow and tell their moms off or just not show up for dinner or make a statement. Each book it gets worse it's funny than after a while you wonder about the writer does she have any maturity in her!!!
I just wish they weren't so childish especially Landon.
All the books it gets worse when will one of the girls blow and tell their moms off or just not show up for dinner or make a statement. Each book it gets worse it's funny than after a while you wonder about the writer does she have any maturity in her!!!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews