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Starry Hollow Witches #1
Magic & Murder
Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.
Short on both cash and time, Ember Rose does her best as a single mom in New Jersey, serving up attitude along with repossession notices. When a repo job goes sideways, she and her daughter find themselves in imminent danger--until a visit from estranged relatives turns their world upside down. Ember, Marley, and their Yorkie are transported to Starry Hollow, a paranormal town where witches rule and magic is as normal as pizza. Where Ember goes, though, trouble seems to follow. When a member of the coven turns up dead and the sexy werewolf sheriff identifies Ember as a suspect, she decides to take matters into her own hands like only a Jersey girl can.
Short on both cash and time, Ember Rose does her best as a single mom in New Jersey, serving up attitude along with repossession notices. When a repo job goes sideways, she and her daughter find themselves in imminent danger--until a visit from estranged relatives turns their world upside down. Ember, Marley, and their Yorkie are transported to Starry Hollow, a paranormal town where witches rule and magic is as normal as pizza. Where Ember goes, though, trouble seems to follow. When a member of the coven turns up dead and the sexy werewolf sheriff identifies Ember as a suspect, she decides to take matters into her own hands like only a Jersey girl can.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
1900 people are currently reading
1944 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Chase
345 books1,463 followersAnnabel Chase is the author of urban fantasy and cozy mystery novels. She would love to live in a magical town where she can shop at Ready-to-Were for the the perfect outfit, flirt with hot angels and vampires, and cook gourmet meals without exerting any effort. Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Annabel-Chas... or on her website at www.annabelchase.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
May 13, 2024
3.5 stars. It's a very fun book if you can get past the narrator and her horrible fake new joisey accent. But hey, can't be all bad, my new jersey born and raised father got a kick out of the narrator trying 🤣 not much can make my 69 year old father laugh that much
October 22, 2021
Mon avis en français
My English review
I really liked the series I read by Annabel Chase on the furies and I was quite curious to discover something else. I did read Outcast, but it was more YA.
Ember Rose lives as best she can with her daughter. But it’s far from easy and her last job brings a dangerous man on her doorstep. Saved at the last minute by a family she didn’t know, she discovers that she is in fact a witch. Taken to the town of her relatives, our heroine and her daughter Marley, will have to build a new life. But when Ember stumbles upon the dead body of a young girl in the woods, she is determined to find out what happened!
I had a good time even if, for the moment, I prefer her other series. The beginning is a little long, but then the events follow one another and I enjoyed following the characters. Ember is a determined woman who loves to talk. It puts her in some pretty funny situations.
This was a fun first volume and I’m very curious to find out how Ember is going to do in her new life, but also to see her exchanges with the handsome sheriff!
My English review
I really liked the series I read by Annabel Chase on the furies and I was quite curious to discover something else. I did read Outcast, but it was more YA.
Ember Rose lives as best she can with her daughter. But it’s far from easy and her last job brings a dangerous man on her doorstep. Saved at the last minute by a family she didn’t know, she discovers that she is in fact a witch. Taken to the town of her relatives, our heroine and her daughter Marley, will have to build a new life. But when Ember stumbles upon the dead body of a young girl in the woods, she is determined to find out what happened!
I had a good time even if, for the moment, I prefer her other series. The beginning is a little long, but then the events follow one another and I enjoyed following the characters. Ember is a determined woman who loves to talk. It puts her in some pretty funny situations.
This was a fun first volume and I’m very curious to find out how Ember is going to do in her new life, but also to see her exchanges with the handsome sheriff!
Read
May 27, 201920% Dnf - not for me
June 18, 2020
Disappointing
I didn’t like Ember. At all. I missed the fun, I missed the wit, I missed any kindness. I usually LOVE witch cozies! But this one fell short for me. Ember, she was jaded, and had such a negative tone. I did like daughter Marley.
Some things happened in the beginning that were so incredibly unrealistic! I didn’t work in the repo business itself, but I did work in a job that had a lot to do with that. And I know, what happened is just not real. It couldn’t have happened IRL because it’s just not how it works. Impossible. So, not enough research?
All things combined, I started out disliking the story and the main character. And it’s hard to come back from that, yet I decided to continue, because maybe when I got to Starry Hollow it’d get better. And it looked like it would. And right at the moment I thought, hey, maybe… Ember said something very negative and demeaning again and I couldn’t get over that second hump.
I stopped right then and there. I read some other reviews and there was one who said ‘I kept reading but it never got better’. So I don’t know if I will ever pick it up again to continue. Likeability of the main character is one of the most important parts of a book for me. Especially of a cozy. I love a bit of snarkiness, I love a bit of sass, but I just didn’t make the connection with Ember; she’s just too hard around the edges. But the most important thing was that she described things that just weren’t possible. And I don’t mean the magic, I have enough imagination for that. I’ll give you my biggest grief, but it’s a bit spoilerish, so don’t read further if you don’t like spoilers.
One minute the guy is in front of the truck threatening her, keeping her from being able to drive off, the next he’s letting air out of the back tire (the BACK tire!) and kicking the side. Why not drive off quickly then? It’s obvious he stepped away from the front, she can just get away! Things get worse from there.
It’s just one example, I could give you 2 more and I didn’t even get much further than Chapter 5.
Over and out. I want to apologize for sounding harsh, because I do realize it sounds unkind. I promise I don’t mean to be! I know that every book contains the blood, sweat and tears of an author. And I do appreciate that. So I am sorry.
I didn’t like Ember. At all. I missed the fun, I missed the wit, I missed any kindness. I usually LOVE witch cozies! But this one fell short for me. Ember, she was jaded, and had such a negative tone. I did like daughter Marley.
Some things happened in the beginning that were so incredibly unrealistic! I didn’t work in the repo business itself, but I did work in a job that had a lot to do with that. And I know, what happened is just not real. It couldn’t have happened IRL because it’s just not how it works. Impossible. So, not enough research?
All things combined, I started out disliking the story and the main character. And it’s hard to come back from that, yet I decided to continue, because maybe when I got to Starry Hollow it’d get better. And it looked like it would. And right at the moment I thought, hey, maybe… Ember said something very negative and demeaning again and I couldn’t get over that second hump.
I stopped right then and there. I read some other reviews and there was one who said ‘I kept reading but it never got better’. So I don’t know if I will ever pick it up again to continue. Likeability of the main character is one of the most important parts of a book for me. Especially of a cozy. I love a bit of snarkiness, I love a bit of sass, but I just didn’t make the connection with Ember; she’s just too hard around the edges. But the most important thing was that she described things that just weren’t possible. And I don’t mean the magic, I have enough imagination for that. I’ll give you my biggest grief, but it’s a bit spoilerish, so don’t read further if you don’t like spoilers.
One minute the guy is in front of the truck threatening her, keeping her from being able to drive off, the next he’s letting air out of the back tire (the BACK tire!) and kicking the side. Why not drive off quickly then? It’s obvious he stepped away from the front, she can just get away! Things get worse from there.
It’s just one example, I could give you 2 more and I didn’t even get much further than Chapter 5.
Over and out. I want to apologize for sounding harsh, because I do realize it sounds unkind. I promise I don’t mean to be! I know that every book contains the blood, sweat and tears of an author. And I do appreciate that. So I am sorry.
October 6, 2017
Ember Rose is a woman who had to grow up too fast and suffered much loss in a short period of time. But the thing that keeps her pushing forward and counting her blessings is her daughter, Marley. Working as a repo agent isn't just hard, but dangerous. And one day, Ember sets out to do her job and the guy whose car she takes back isn't just angry...he's psychotic.
But with the crazy bad comes the crazy..good? Thanks to circumstances, Ember realizes she has family other than her daughter and they aren't human. She, her daughter, and their little yorki, PP3, are whisked away to Starry Hollow to learn more about the past and build towards a different future.
Unfortunately the present decides to be just as big as a handful as it was back in Jersey when Ember comes across the body of a coven member.
I recently came across the author's work with her Spellbound series and fell in love. I was both eager and apprehensive when I found out that she was creating a 2nd series that I thought of as a spin-off from Spellbound.
To be clear - it became obvious right off the bat that though it is in the same time period and "verse" as Spellbound, it's in no way a spin off. The town is mentioned once in passing but this series is definitely one that stands on its own.
The main character, Ember, is spunky with a hint of immaturity. I loved the relationship between her and her ever serious daughter, Marley and couldn't get enough of them. The supporting characters also hold a lot of promise and found them to be their own persons and look forward to getting to know them better.
The story has that cozy mystery feel that I thought laid enough clues for the ending to be understandable. My only issue with it (the mystery part of the story) was it came a little too obvious for the fact that the pool of other suspects wasn't strong enough to really throw me off.
As for the writing/story (aside from the mystery part) - very well done though there were moments I felt things were a little too convenient. but it's the first in a series so I tend to be very generous with letting some things go.
Still it was a fun read that has me impatient for the next in the series and one I'd definitely recommend.
But with the crazy bad comes the crazy..good? Thanks to circumstances, Ember realizes she has family other than her daughter and they aren't human. She, her daughter, and their little yorki, PP3, are whisked away to Starry Hollow to learn more about the past and build towards a different future.
Unfortunately the present decides to be just as big as a handful as it was back in Jersey when Ember comes across the body of a coven member.
I recently came across the author's work with her Spellbound series and fell in love. I was both eager and apprehensive when I found out that she was creating a 2nd series that I thought of as a spin-off from Spellbound.
To be clear - it became obvious right off the bat that though it is in the same time period and "verse" as Spellbound, it's in no way a spin off. The town is mentioned once in passing but this series is definitely one that stands on its own.
The main character, Ember, is spunky with a hint of immaturity. I loved the relationship between her and her ever serious daughter, Marley and couldn't get enough of them. The supporting characters also hold a lot of promise and found them to be their own persons and look forward to getting to know them better.
The story has that cozy mystery feel that I thought laid enough clues for the ending to be understandable. My only issue with it (the mystery part of the story) was it came a little too obvious for the fact that the pool of other suspects wasn't strong enough to really throw me off.
As for the writing/story (aside from the mystery part) - very well done though there were moments I felt things were a little too convenient. but it's the first in a series so I tend to be very generous with letting some things go.
Still it was a fun read that has me impatient for the next in the series and one I'd definitely recommend.
September 12, 2017
This book is a fun read! I enjoyed the characters. I would have like a little more description of the town but maybe that will come in later as I read the other books in the series.
February 11, 2025
A fun start to a new, cozy mystery series. I look forward to what comes next in this series.
March 25, 2021
I was pleased with the first 6 books. There was a love triangle which interested me and seemed pretty tame on the angst, but Alec refused to offer Ember anything more and she began making a relationship with the sheriff. The problem for me is that Alec goes out of town and comes home with another woman in tow. The other woman mentions that she stands in the doorway in sexy lingerie to temp Alec away from his writing at home. Ember isn't having sex with the sheriff and I find it a double standard that she has to watch Alec with this other woman knowing that he's having sex with the other woman and practically living with her.
Why do writers think women don't want a healthy sex life?
Book 7 ends with Ember deciding finally to take it to the next level with the sheriff when Alec decides he finally want her. She's actually stretched out on her bed in her own sexy lingerie expecting the sheriff any second when Alec shows up and she has to cancel the whole thing. So, basically, Alec gets to sex it up and Ember doesn't. Not cool. I won't be finishing the series.
There was also a couple points in the series where Embers sexual experience was explained in a way that was attached to her worth. It was as if the writer felt like she had to make it known that Ember had only had 1 lover, her dead husband, and if she'd had other lovers it would have made her a slut of something. I wished there had been a review with this kind of info before I started reading the series.
Why do writers think women don't want a healthy sex life?
Book 7 ends with Ember deciding finally to take it to the next level with the sheriff when Alec decides he finally want her. She's actually stretched out on her bed in her own sexy lingerie expecting the sheriff any second when Alec shows up and she has to cancel the whole thing. So, basically, Alec gets to sex it up and Ember doesn't. Not cool. I won't be finishing the series.
There was also a couple points in the series where Embers sexual experience was explained in a way that was attached to her worth. It was as if the writer felt like she had to make it known that Ember had only had 1 lover, her dead husband, and if she'd had other lovers it would have made her a slut of something. I wished there had been a review with this kind of info before I started reading the series.
June 11, 2020
"Trust is earned," I said firmly. "Family or not."
And Ember, her 10 going on 40 year old daughter, and their terrier PP3 find out one night while Ember crosses wits with a mobster out to kill her. Making a wish seems to open a trap door in her psyche and out pops a family fully formed, and disks them off to Starry Hollow, a paranormal village where the Rose family, of which she apparently comes from, presents as the most powerful family in town. From just the three of them to this great legacy...how's the girl from Jersey going to handle this one?
A legacy hire to the local newspaper, Ember finds herself solving a mystery she really doesn't want to be a part of. Is she up for the task?
This is my first Annabel Chase, but it won't be my last I'm sure. As a Gilmore girls/ Bunheads fan, I see the parallels in this story and those, and I'm in for the long haul here. Highly Recommended 5/5
And Ember, her 10 going on 40 year old daughter, and their terrier PP3 find out one night while Ember crosses wits with a mobster out to kill her. Making a wish seems to open a trap door in her psyche and out pops a family fully formed, and disks them off to Starry Hollow, a paranormal village where the Rose family, of which she apparently comes from, presents as the most powerful family in town. From just the three of them to this great legacy...how's the girl from Jersey going to handle this one?
A legacy hire to the local newspaper, Ember finds herself solving a mystery she really doesn't want to be a part of. Is she up for the task?
This is my first Annabel Chase, but it won't be my last I'm sure. As a Gilmore girls/ Bunheads fan, I see the parallels in this story and those, and I'm in for the long haul here. Highly Recommended 5/5
October 14, 2021
Magic & Murder was a pretty fun and quick book to devour. In it, you will meet Ember and her daughter Marley. Now these two were freaking adorable and I absolutely loved them. Maybe Marley a bit more but they were both very likable. Also they are dog people! I love dogs.. even if I think I might accidently kick a Yorkie like a football.
As for the actual mystery? Well, it was all kinds of easy to figure out and very predictable in my eyes. Then again, it is a cozy mystery book and I feel like I don't have to use much brain power to solve anything. It was still very enjoyable to see how things were going to play out though.
In the end, I'll definitely have to jump into the next book if it's on KU. Just because they seem so fun and kind of spooky for October.
As for the actual mystery? Well, it was all kinds of easy to figure out and very predictable in my eyes. Then again, it is a cozy mystery book and I feel like I don't have to use much brain power to solve anything. It was still very enjoyable to see how things were going to play out though.
In the end, I'll definitely have to jump into the next book if it's on KU. Just because they seem so fun and kind of spooky for October.
July 12, 2019
I enjoyed Magic and Murder a lot, but I feel like it was the same formula that the Spellbound series used. There are different characters and situations, obviously, but the foundation is very much the same. A single woman in her 20s finds herself in a paranormal town when she didn't even know there was such a thing. References Harry Potter seems to make a mess of things and gets involved with a murder.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it quite a bit, but if you've read both the Spellbound series and this it's going to feel very familiar.
For my full review checkout https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it quite a bit, but if you've read both the Spellbound series and this it's going to feel very familiar.
For my full review checkout https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
March 15, 2020
That was a fun read! Ember Rose is the main character, but her daughter Marley is the star in my opinion; she is 10 going on 30! To be honest, all the characters are interesting. (Even Ember and Marley's yorkie is interesting, if just for his name PP3 (Preston P
Ember finds herself in a new town and immediately finds a young murdered girl. The mystery isn't especially difficult to solve, but it's a cozy type book, so that isn't anything unusual. Even still the story is interesting.
Will continue the series.
Ember finds herself in a new town and immediately finds a young murdered girl. The mystery isn't especially difficult to solve, but it's a cozy type book, so that isn't anything unusual. Even still the story is interesting.
Will continue the series.
August 13, 2023
So Cute!
Oh boy, I really enjoyed this book. It was really cute with some serious laugh out loud moments.. Seriously I was tickle pink with Ember and Marley relationship and conversations.
I will continue on to the next book of this series and fingers crossed that this book series gets better and better as I read each book. That's all for now.. Happy Reading!😘😎
Overall Rating:
5* ~ A Very Good Read
Oh boy, I really enjoyed this book. It was really cute with some serious laugh out loud moments.. Seriously I was tickle pink with Ember and Marley relationship and conversations.
I will continue on to the next book of this series and fingers crossed that this book series gets better and better as I read each book. That's all for now.. Happy Reading!😘😎
Overall Rating:
5* ~ A Very Good Read
July 21, 2024
I absolutely love the 1st book of this series and ready to dive into the rest! It’s cute and interesting with a little sauciness, definitely a great book to breeze through and kill time. I love all the witchy references to modern day shows and movies that I love. Def worth the read!
September 26, 2022
unsure..
I really like the light, airy feel of the book and the world created. Even with a murder and a pyro. I like Starry Hollow and I was excited to see that there are over 7 books in the series.
However I have mixed feelings about the MC. I like her but she’s exasperating some times (like the coffee shop scene). BUT I hope we’ll see some growth in her over the next books so I’ll be reading the second book to decide if I’ll keep reading the rest. (Fingers crossed).
I really like the light, airy feel of the book and the world created. Even with a murder and a pyro. I like Starry Hollow and I was excited to see that there are over 7 books in the series.
However I have mixed feelings about the MC. I like her but she’s exasperating some times (like the coffee shop scene). BUT I hope we’ll see some growth in her over the next books so I’ll be reading the second book to decide if I’ll keep reading the rest. (Fingers crossed).
March 24, 2018
A slightly more gritty fantasy series from Chase (as opposed to her cozy Spellbound series). Possibly because of that, I liked this series better - Ember and her daughter Marley both have spunk and dimension, and the rest of the Rose family are functionally dysfunctional in a way that feels substantial and believable. Which is important, when you're populating your world with unicorns and fairy dust.
This isn't epic literature that is going to win prestigious awards, but it's the sort of comfortable reading when you have an afternoon where you want to curl up under a warm blanket with a mug of tea and you don't want to think. It won't give you nightmares, it won't leave you feeling drained; it's good, simple escapism and worth reading.
This isn't epic literature that is going to win prestigious awards, but it's the sort of comfortable reading when you have an afternoon where you want to curl up under a warm blanket with a mug of tea and you don't want to think. It won't give you nightmares, it won't leave you feeling drained; it's good, simple escapism and worth reading.
February 22, 2018
Really wanted to like it more
This book was tough. The protagonist was difficult to like. The dialogue and inner monologues had me rolling my eyes all the time. The pop culture references and cliches made the book feel unedited. And the mother-daughter relationship annoyed me. But I wanted to like it because the concept of random towns in the US being home to paranormal people is a great one, like Jessica Fletcher in Wonderland, but I was disappointed. I essentially gave the concept two stars and not the actual book. I hate writing bad reviews, but it was the first book in the series--one day I'll give the next one a try. Maybe.
This book was tough. The protagonist was difficult to like. The dialogue and inner monologues had me rolling my eyes all the time. The pop culture references and cliches made the book feel unedited. And the mother-daughter relationship annoyed me. But I wanted to like it because the concept of random towns in the US being home to paranormal people is a great one, like Jessica Fletcher in Wonderland, but I was disappointed. I essentially gave the concept two stars and not the actual book. I hate writing bad reviews, but it was the first book in the series--one day I'll give the next one a try. Maybe.
August 23, 2017
A solid new series
I am a huge fan of the Spellbound series, and while this new series is good, so far I don't care for it as much as Spellbound. The main character Ember is fun, but reminds me a bit of Alanis from the Tarot series (Hockensmith). The assortment of supporting characters is well-rounded, but unremarkable. The love triangle is well-established, but it's not fleshed out enough to pick sides yet. But on its own, without any comparison to Spellbound, it will be a fun read for fans of this genre.
I am a huge fan of the Spellbound series, and while this new series is good, so far I don't care for it as much as Spellbound. The main character Ember is fun, but reminds me a bit of Alanis from the Tarot series (Hockensmith). The assortment of supporting characters is well-rounded, but unremarkable. The love triangle is well-established, but it's not fleshed out enough to pick sides yet. But on its own, without any comparison to Spellbound, it will be a fun read for fans of this genre.
March 24, 2025
Ember has had a tough life, mother died just after she was born, father a few years later, pregnant by the time she left high school and her husband died a few years later, leaving her with few options. Doing repro jobs just to get enough money for rent and food, she sets out to pick up a car from an iffy character. When the man tries to set her truck on fire, she somehow calls up a rainstorm to put it out and escape.
That night when the man who threatened her shows up and attempts to burn everything down, he is stopped by some mysterious visitors. After stopping the problem, she discovers that they are her cousins and are all witches and so is she.
Transported to the magical town of Starry Hollow, Ember discovers she is actually part of the major witch family in town. Unfortunately, she has no idea what is going on. As she tries to figure everything out she stumbles across a young witch who is very dead.
This book covers her starting to learn about the magical world and trying to fit in. With the knowledge that her daughter will get magical powers within the next couple of years, she has a lot to learn.
Besides looking into the murder, she is a natural suspect as she found the body, she is also learning to be a journalist.
Her boss is an extremely attractive vampire that can read minds. The local sheriff is an extremely attractive werewolf. The three cousins are completely different from each other, the matriarch of the family expects certain things and attitudes. Ember is very lost at times.
Ember has a mouth that doesn’t quit, she very rarely thinks before she speaks, it makes for some uncomfortable or funny situations. There is also her daughter, Marley, an extremely smart girl who is adapting to the magical world quickly. And don’t forget the teacup yorkie, PP3, who is good for a laugh as well.
This is a light, quick read, with mystery, humour, no action, lots of magic at times, great quirky characters, and possible romance.
That night when the man who threatened her shows up and attempts to burn everything down, he is stopped by some mysterious visitors. After stopping the problem, she discovers that they are her cousins and are all witches and so is she.
Transported to the magical town of Starry Hollow, Ember discovers she is actually part of the major witch family in town. Unfortunately, she has no idea what is going on. As she tries to figure everything out she stumbles across a young witch who is very dead.
This book covers her starting to learn about the magical world and trying to fit in. With the knowledge that her daughter will get magical powers within the next couple of years, she has a lot to learn.
Besides looking into the murder, she is a natural suspect as she found the body, she is also learning to be a journalist.
Her boss is an extremely attractive vampire that can read minds. The local sheriff is an extremely attractive werewolf. The three cousins are completely different from each other, the matriarch of the family expects certain things and attitudes. Ember is very lost at times.
Ember has a mouth that doesn’t quit, she very rarely thinks before she speaks, it makes for some uncomfortable or funny situations. There is also her daughter, Marley, an extremely smart girl who is adapting to the magical world quickly. And don’t forget the teacup yorkie, PP3, who is good for a laugh as well.
This is a light, quick read, with mystery, humour, no action, lots of magic at times, great quirky characters, and possible romance.
April 15, 2024
+ This series is addictive like crack. The writing flows so smoothly, you're done and on to the next book before you realize it.
+ It's light and fluffy, with a bunch of funny parts
+ Has some moments of surprising emotional maturity. There's some wisdom that comes out sometimes when the heroine deals with people and handles her relationships with them. It made me think and I liked it.
+ Heroine is funny and likeable
- The way people act is unrealistically simple and needs suspension of disbelief. She runs up to people and asks them point-blank questions if they did this or that. They all obligingly answer! And honestly! Wtf. And somehow it's ok for her as a non-deputized person to be just barging in and asking questions and everyone's perfectly fine with this.
- She also tends to get stuck at the end with the villain about to kill her and her flailing about frantically caught unprepared, either because she just thought it would be a good idea to rush over and confront the villain unarmed with wand, or she had no clue and was caught unprepared when she questioned them. Pretty stupid after a while. Get a clue and have some self-defense prepared when this happens so often it's probably like every month in the series' time.
- I wasn't a fan of how the romance was done, or the existence of the love triangle at all. .
- Characterization is so-so. Everyone is likeable, though.
+ It's light and fluffy, with a bunch of funny parts
+ Has some moments of surprising emotional maturity. There's some wisdom that comes out sometimes when the heroine deals with people and handles her relationships with them. It made me think and I liked it.
+ Heroine is funny and likeable
- The way people act is unrealistically simple and needs suspension of disbelief. She runs up to people and asks them point-blank questions if they did this or that. They all obligingly answer! And honestly! Wtf. And somehow it's ok for her as a non-deputized person to be just barging in and asking questions and everyone's perfectly fine with this.
- She also tends to get stuck at the end with the villain about to kill her and her flailing about frantically caught unprepared, either because she just thought it would be a good idea to rush over and confront the villain unarmed with wand, or she had no clue and was caught unprepared when she questioned them. Pretty stupid after a while. Get a clue and have some self-defense prepared when this happens so often it's probably like every month in the series' time.
- I wasn't a fan of how the romance was done, or the existence of the love triangle at all. .
- Characterization is so-so. Everyone is likeable, though.
August 15, 2022
So Ember repossessess things like cars. Should not be a major problem until you run into a mob boss that things 'you light up my life' should be taken literally. Ember is given the hot seat but suddenly finds herself elsewhere with her ten-year-old daughter.
Things don't get a whole lot better when she finds that her name is not her real name, that she has relatives she didn't know about and that her mother was a witch and her father a wizard.
Not exactly the news she needed after nearly being burnt to a crisp.
Then there is Aunt Hyacinth, a person that seems to be straight out of either the Old South or Abbey Hall. She takes snob to new levels.
She finds out her own daughter is not exactly fully human and questions she needs answers to are not answered. I just about quit reading the book at this point. I don't like people who withhold important information.
Then there's a few odd things like chocolate cake named 'Devil's Mud' (which at that point was causing me to think her family was evil) and a reference to someone not liking the word 'moist' which is a reference to Dead Like Me.
Then there's the dead girl in the forest, disappearing books, being assigned things to do she never volunteered for and finding out that there are people living in Starry Hollow who aren't human.
That's quite a bit for anyone to handle. There' a lot going on in the book and a lot of pressure on Ember to adapt to massive changes very quickly. It's intense, rather different from many other books of it's nature, and good enough to cause me to want to continue reading books in the series.
Things don't get a whole lot better when she finds that her name is not her real name, that she has relatives she didn't know about and that her mother was a witch and her father a wizard.
Not exactly the news she needed after nearly being burnt to a crisp.
Then there is Aunt Hyacinth, a person that seems to be straight out of either the Old South or Abbey Hall. She takes snob to new levels.
She finds out her own daughter is not exactly fully human and questions she needs answers to are not answered. I just about quit reading the book at this point. I don't like people who withhold important information.
Then there's a few odd things like chocolate cake named 'Devil's Mud' (which at that point was causing me to think her family was evil) and a reference to someone not liking the word 'moist' which is a reference to Dead Like Me.
Then there's the dead girl in the forest, disappearing books, being assigned things to do she never volunteered for and finding out that there are people living in Starry Hollow who aren't human.
That's quite a bit for anyone to handle. There' a lot going on in the book and a lot of pressure on Ember to adapt to massive changes very quickly. It's intense, rather different from many other books of it's nature, and good enough to cause me to want to continue reading books in the series.
July 23, 2024
Ember Rose is a young woman who had to grow up too fast and suffered many losses in a short period of time. The one thing that keeps her going is her daughter Marley. Her job as a repossession agent is not only difficult but also dangerous. One day, Amber is doing her job and the guy whose car she takes back is not only angry but psychotic.
But with all the madness that is going on comes the good? Due to the circumstances Amber realizes that she has other family members besides her daughter and none of them are human. She, her daughter and their little Yorkie PP3 are whisked away to Starlight Valley to learn more about the past and build a different future.
Unfortunately, the present seems to be just as complicated as the past in Jersey when Ember discovers the body of a young witch.
Ember is full of energy and a little childish. I loved the relationship between her and her no-nonsense daughter Marley and couldn't get enough pf their little banter. The supporting characters are also interesting and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.
The story has a cozy mysterious atmosphere, which I think provides enough clues about the ending to make it understandable. My only problem (with the mystery part of the story) is that it's a bit too obvious since there aren't enough other suspects to really throw me off.
As for the writing style/story (apart from the mystery part) - well done, although I felt things were a bit too convenient at times. However, since this is the first part of a series, I tend to be generous when it comes to letting some things go.
Still, it was an entertaining read that left me excited for the next volume in the series, and I would definitely recommend it.
„Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you don't. That's just life. It doesn't mean you don't take the shot.“
„Giving thanks to the universe enables us to receive its many blessings.“
But with all the madness that is going on comes the good? Due to the circumstances Amber realizes that she has other family members besides her daughter and none of them are human. She, her daughter and their little Yorkie PP3 are whisked away to Starlight Valley to learn more about the past and build a different future.
Unfortunately, the present seems to be just as complicated as the past in Jersey when Ember discovers the body of a young witch.
Ember is full of energy and a little childish. I loved the relationship between her and her no-nonsense daughter Marley and couldn't get enough pf their little banter. The supporting characters are also interesting and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.
The story has a cozy mysterious atmosphere, which I think provides enough clues about the ending to make it understandable. My only problem (with the mystery part of the story) is that it's a bit too obvious since there aren't enough other suspects to really throw me off.
As for the writing style/story (apart from the mystery part) - well done, although I felt things were a bit too convenient at times. However, since this is the first part of a series, I tend to be generous when it comes to letting some things go.
Still, it was an entertaining read that left me excited for the next volume in the series, and I would definitely recommend it.
„Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you don't. That's just life. It doesn't mean you don't take the shot.“
„Giving thanks to the universe enables us to receive its many blessings.“
June 4, 2020
Cute
Easy read, cute story, likeable characters. Thus far, no real conflict, especially as Ember looked into a murder amongst the supernatural. Not the smartest thing to do when you're a "new" witch.
During a routine repo job, Ember finds herself in a dangerous situation that triggers her magic. Magic she isn't aware she processes that alerts family doesn't know she has. When they appear to save her from the same mobster who just tried to kill her earlier, they whisk her and daughter, Marley, to their hometown, Ember's birthplace. Newly ensconced in the cottage on the estate, Ember stumbles onto a body in the woods near her new home. Now a suspect, however unlikely, she embarks on her first foray to finding a killer amongst the vampires, witches, fairies and witches that make up her new community, where every knows who she is.
Ember is a very different character from those around her. Her daughter a very self-sufficient 10 year old, 3 new cousins and their children, an intimidating aunt, a gruff sheriff, and very put together new boss. Too many likeable characters to assume one killed someone, but turns out things were not what they expected.
As I said, cute story that ends happily. Ember still doesn't know how to use her magic so there will definitely be more to come.
Easy read, cute story, likeable characters. Thus far, no real conflict, especially as Ember looked into a murder amongst the supernatural. Not the smartest thing to do when you're a "new" witch.
During a routine repo job, Ember finds herself in a dangerous situation that triggers her magic. Magic she isn't aware she processes that alerts family doesn't know she has. When they appear to save her from the same mobster who just tried to kill her earlier, they whisk her and daughter, Marley, to their hometown, Ember's birthplace. Newly ensconced in the cottage on the estate, Ember stumbles onto a body in the woods near her new home. Now a suspect, however unlikely, she embarks on her first foray to finding a killer amongst the vampires, witches, fairies and witches that make up her new community, where every knows who she is.
Ember is a very different character from those around her. Her daughter a very self-sufficient 10 year old, 3 new cousins and their children, an intimidating aunt, a gruff sheriff, and very put together new boss. Too many likeable characters to assume one killed someone, but turns out things were not what they expected.
As I said, cute story that ends happily. Ember still doesn't know how to use her magic so there will definitely be more to come.
December 12, 2017
Brilliant story
I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Ember has no idea who she really is. A widower with a ten year old daughter Marley, she works to keep their meagre life going. Repossession is a thankless job but when one of them becomes violent and sets her truck alight, Ember awakens a new twist to her life.
The same man approaches her home and sets it alight. A trio turn up and takes care of the man and the fire. Both Marley, Ember and their dog PP3 are transported to Starry Hollow where she finds a new world and more family awaiting her.
Unfortunately whilst walking home she finds a body along with dealing with a new job as a journalist, new family with her cousins and getting on the wrong side of both her boss Alex Hale and Sheriff Nash who saw her as a suspect, then was unhappy about her being apart of the Rose family due to his family history did not help matters.
There is much to learn, do and see and both Marley, Ember and PP3 will never see the world in the same way again.
With fantastic characters and Ember's New Jersey wit this is a really fun read. Can't wait for the next one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Ember has no idea who she really is. A widower with a ten year old daughter Marley, she works to keep their meagre life going. Repossession is a thankless job but when one of them becomes violent and sets her truck alight, Ember awakens a new twist to her life.
The same man approaches her home and sets it alight. A trio turn up and takes care of the man and the fire. Both Marley, Ember and their dog PP3 are transported to Starry Hollow where she finds a new world and more family awaiting her.
Unfortunately whilst walking home she finds a body along with dealing with a new job as a journalist, new family with her cousins and getting on the wrong side of both her boss Alex Hale and Sheriff Nash who saw her as a suspect, then was unhappy about her being apart of the Rose family due to his family history did not help matters.
There is much to learn, do and see and both Marley, Ember and PP3 will never see the world in the same way again.
With fantastic characters and Ember's New Jersey wit this is a really fun read. Can't wait for the next one.
March 4, 2021
'Magic & Murder' hits the ground running - beats the long-winded intro chapters every time :)
Considering the fast pace I was surprised that it took 53 pages for the inevitable lurve interest to appear in the form of Sheriff Granger Nash.
Being a cosy, their relationship does not expand beyond snark – but everyone around them can see the sparks.
Of course, he's a werewolf, and Ember is a fledgling witch. He's got a chip on his shoulder about her newly-found family, and she's clueless.
There's an overall acceptance of magic, which makes a pleasant change from several recent books in which the authors try to grapple with the impossibility of magic versus the evident magic in the story.
It's very formulaic, which is not necessarily a bad thing in what is, essentially, a piece of very well-written fluff.
A murder mystery is thrown in, but as far as I can ascertain it is only there to allow the author to finish the book, allowing the next in the series to take up immediately afterwards – book two features its own mystery, bachelors turning into frogs. Book three has people's nightmares coming true.
I'll probably read four or five books in the series before I move on to pastures new.
Considering the fast pace I was surprised that it took 53 pages for the inevitable lurve interest to appear in the form of Sheriff Granger Nash.
Being a cosy, their relationship does not expand beyond snark – but everyone around them can see the sparks.
Of course, he's a werewolf, and Ember is a fledgling witch. He's got a chip on his shoulder about her newly-found family, and she's clueless.
There's an overall acceptance of magic, which makes a pleasant change from several recent books in which the authors try to grapple with the impossibility of magic versus the evident magic in the story.
It's very formulaic, which is not necessarily a bad thing in what is, essentially, a piece of very well-written fluff.
A murder mystery is thrown in, but as far as I can ascertain it is only there to allow the author to finish the book, allowing the next in the series to take up immediately afterwards – book two features its own mystery, bachelors turning into frogs. Book three has people's nightmares coming true.
I'll probably read four or five books in the series before I move on to pastures new.
January 31, 2019
This is a shared universe with the Spellbound series. Single mother Ember Rose is having a difficult time making it in the human world. When her and her daughter are in danger, they are rescued by family members they didn't even know existed. They also discover that they are witches. This is another short and fun read, and is classified in the cozy mystery genre. I'd put this one more as an UF, like the Spellbound series. Very good and enjoyable read.
There are a few inconsistencies that bother me in both Spellbound and Starry Hollow. For example in Spellbound we are told that There are a few other things that bother me, but the dialogue is very good, the story is entertaining and well told. The good definitely outweighs the bad. Well worth the read when you're in the mood for lighthearted, easy entertainment
There are a few inconsistencies that bother me in both Spellbound and Starry Hollow. For example in Spellbound we are told that There are a few other things that bother me, but the dialogue is very good, the story is entertaining and well told. The good definitely outweighs the bad. Well worth the read when you're in the mood for lighthearted, easy entertainment
April 17, 2019
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?:
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Ember Rose
Marley
Alec Hale
Granger Nash
----------------------------------
What happens?
Ember and Marley are whisked away to their new paranormal home of Starry Hollow. They have been unknowingly in hiding from their family since Ember was born. During their first night in town Ember discovers the body of the local Coven's Maiden.
Since she is first to find the body and new in town the Sheriff Granger Nash decides she is a suspect. Ember is given a job as a reporter for her family's newspaper even though she has no experience or desire to be a reporter she finds she has a natural talent for discovering secrets.
Final thoughts
This was a pleasant first book in the series. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series.
Its quirky and it has a dog! I'm also very very curious to see who is the love interest. I'm voting werewolf!
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?:
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Ember Rose
Marley
Alec Hale
Granger Nash
----------------------------------
What happens?
Ember and Marley are whisked away to their new paranormal home of Starry Hollow. They have been unknowingly in hiding from their family since Ember was born. During their first night in town Ember discovers the body of the local Coven's Maiden.
Since she is first to find the body and new in town the Sheriff Granger Nash decides she is a suspect. Ember is given a job as a reporter for her family's newspaper even though she has no experience or desire to be a reporter she finds she has a natural talent for discovering secrets.
Final thoughts
This was a pleasant first book in the series. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series.
Its quirky and it has a dog! I'm also very very curious to see who is the love interest. I'm voting werewolf!
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
May 7, 2018
This is a review for the Starry Hollow Witchs books 1 through 6, as I read them all one ofter the other so feel a series review is in place.
This series had a different feel to the Spellbound books. For a start Starry Hollow takes it's place in the world at large and time has continued to move forwards. The magic appears to be different dependant on the users and has a slightly different feel to it. Ember (like Emma in Spellbound) does arrive though from the human world and finds out she is a witch from a rather special family. There she discovers a matriarchal aunt, cousins, nieces and nephews and a whole cast of weird and wonderful townsfolk, including some rather handsome new suitors. Ember and her daughter discover the delights of a new world, along with solving some murder and mayhem on the side. The world is delightful and I recommend these books highly for a spot of light reading that will surely distract from the day to day of reality. Fun and engaging.
This series had a different feel to the Spellbound books. For a start Starry Hollow takes it's place in the world at large and time has continued to move forwards. The magic appears to be different dependant on the users and has a slightly different feel to it. Ember (like Emma in Spellbound) does arrive though from the human world and finds out she is a witch from a rather special family. There she discovers a matriarchal aunt, cousins, nieces and nephews and a whole cast of weird and wonderful townsfolk, including some rather handsome new suitors. Ember and her daughter discover the delights of a new world, along with solving some murder and mayhem on the side. The world is delightful and I recommend these books highly for a spot of light reading that will surely distract from the day to day of reality. Fun and engaging.
August 8, 2024
Ember is hilarious in this book! New Jersey born and bread ( as she thinks) working extremely hard as a single mom to put food on the table for her 10-year-old daughter. She meets her 3 cousins she didn't know existed at a great time of need and finds out she's a witch like them!
Thrusted into a new town with her daughter and PP3 (their dog) she now has to start from the ground up on learning to be a witch all while being quite self-deprecating as a mom/human.
Her banter is hilarious, and her "foot-in-mouth" moments are even better. Of course, she is the one to stumble across a dead body in the woods while trying to find a shortcut home. She's of course a suspect, but that doesn't stop her from getting to the bottom of who is really responsible.
Short and fast read and was surprised to see how many books are in the series after getting this first book from one of the many "stuff your kindle" events. I think I am going to like Annabel Chase's books :)
Thrusted into a new town with her daughter and PP3 (their dog) she now has to start from the ground up on learning to be a witch all while being quite self-deprecating as a mom/human.
Her banter is hilarious, and her "foot-in-mouth" moments are even better. Of course, she is the one to stumble across a dead body in the woods while trying to find a shortcut home. She's of course a suspect, but that doesn't stop her from getting to the bottom of who is really responsible.
Short and fast read and was surprised to see how many books are in the series after getting this first book from one of the many "stuff your kindle" events. I think I am going to like Annabel Chase's books :)
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