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Sweet Tea Witch Mysteries #1
Southern Magic
If only takes a second for life to go to heck-in-a-hand-basket!
In less than twenty-four hours Pepper Dunn loses her job, her boyfriend, and her home.
It's the worst day of her life.
But when Pepper discovers she’s a witch and has inherited the most important store in the magical town of Magnolia Cove, Alabama, she’s as happy as a pig in mud.
Too bad the shop is a familiar pet store and Pepper doesn’t like animals—not even a teensy bit. Determined to sell the shop and get the heck out of town, Pepper’s plans go haywire when a local storeowner winds up dead and Pepper gets accused of murder.
Thrust into a magical mystery, Pepper teams up with a mysterious private detective and a cat so traumatized by the murder that she’s not talking—and that cat could hold the key to Pepper’s innocence.
Now Pepper must avoid trouble, solve the mystery, and placate her new grandmother, who keeps a strict ten p.m. curfew that’s enforced by the talking end of her shotgun.
Sounds like a simple day in the life—as if. Can Pepper solve the murder or will she become the next victim of the Magnolia Cove murderer? And most importantly, will Pepper learn to love the animals she’s in charge of?
Find out now!
In less than twenty-four hours Pepper Dunn loses her job, her boyfriend, and her home.
It's the worst day of her life.
But when Pepper discovers she’s a witch and has inherited the most important store in the magical town of Magnolia Cove, Alabama, she’s as happy as a pig in mud.
Too bad the shop is a familiar pet store and Pepper doesn’t like animals—not even a teensy bit. Determined to sell the shop and get the heck out of town, Pepper’s plans go haywire when a local storeowner winds up dead and Pepper gets accused of murder.
Thrust into a magical mystery, Pepper teams up with a mysterious private detective and a cat so traumatized by the murder that she’s not talking—and that cat could hold the key to Pepper’s innocence.
Now Pepper must avoid trouble, solve the mystery, and placate her new grandmother, who keeps a strict ten p.m. curfew that’s enforced by the talking end of her shotgun.
Sounds like a simple day in the life—as if. Can Pepper solve the murder or will she become the next victim of the Magnolia Cove murderer? And most importantly, will Pepper learn to love the animals she’s in charge of?
Find out now!
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2018
2647 people are currently reading
5704 people want to read
About the author
Amy Boyles
135 books1,473 followersHey, I’m Amy,
I write books for folks who crave laugh-out-loud paranormal mysteries. I help bring humor into readers’ lives. I’ve got a Pharm D in pharmacy, a BA in Creative Writing and a Masters in Life.
And when I’m not writing or chasing around two small children (one of which is four going on thirteen), I can be found antique shopping for a great deal, getting my roots touched up (because that’s an every four week job) and figuring out when I can get back to Disney World.
If you’re dying to know more about my wacky life, here are three things you don’t know about me.
—In college I spent a semester at Marvel Comics working in the X-Men office.
—I worked at Carnegie Hall.
—I grew up in a barbecue restaurant—literally. My parents owned one.
If you want to reach out to me—and I love to hear from readers—you can email me at amyboylesauthor@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
I write books for folks who crave laugh-out-loud paranormal mysteries. I help bring humor into readers’ lives. I’ve got a Pharm D in pharmacy, a BA in Creative Writing and a Masters in Life.
And when I’m not writing or chasing around two small children (one of which is four going on thirteen), I can be found antique shopping for a great deal, getting my roots touched up (because that’s an every four week job) and figuring out when I can get back to Disney World.
If you’re dying to know more about my wacky life, here are three things you don’t know about me.
—In college I spent a semester at Marvel Comics working in the X-Men office.
—I worked at Carnegie Hall.
—I grew up in a barbecue restaurant—literally. My parents owned one.
If you want to reach out to me—and I love to hear from readers—you can email me at amyboylesauthor@gmail.com.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
November 21, 2021
Southern Magic
(Sweet Tea Witches #1)
by Amy Boyles
I enjoyed this cozy paranormal mystery with Southern nutty characters and a light stressful atmosphere. It was a delightful read and something I think I was in need of. A fun story, good plot and characters, and stimulating enough to be enjoyable!
Will follow series when more go on sale on chirp! The narration was great!
(Sweet Tea Witches #1)
by Amy Boyles
I enjoyed this cozy paranormal mystery with Southern nutty characters and a light stressful atmosphere. It was a delightful read and something I think I was in need of. A fun story, good plot and characters, and stimulating enough to be enjoyable!
Will follow series when more go on sale on chirp! The narration was great!
November 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook
Like I needed to start ANOTHER series.🥴
I literally have four books going, but I didn’t feel like reading any of them, so I decided to read this. It was really good! It had some drama, tension, and witty dialogue that made me want to read more!
Highly recommended if you love paranormal mysteries.
Like I needed to start ANOTHER series.🥴
I literally have four books going, but I didn’t feel like reading any of them, so I decided to read this. It was really good! It had some drama, tension, and witty dialogue that made me want to read more!
Highly recommended if you love paranormal mysteries.
June 23, 2022
I thought that this book was good
April 27, 2018
Reviewed at Haunted Bookshelf
Pepper’s day has gone from bad to downright horrid as the day wore on. She’s lost her job through no fault of her own, she’s lost her place to live also through another person’s actions and her boyfriend’s indifference and his desire for fantasy football as well as other things has made this day a sarcastic just great experience. Unfortunately it’s not over just yet as before nightfall she’ll discover a nasty, dangerous person lurking around her car and a talking cat who tells her to run and to where. Yeah, a talking cat – and Pepper has no soft spot for animals as she’s allergic. A mysterious envelope holding a key points to her future… and a lot more chaos to come.
Southern Magic is full of everything that draws me to a Paranormal Cozy Mystery – a main character to like who may flounder but has a strong base, lots of interesting, fun and dangerous secondary characters and a mystery or two to solve. I loved the Southern charm and sass in this story, I had no doubts but that I was in the South. There are hints as to what is going on and we’ll solve some things and leave other things a bit up in the air to be discovered along the way. I happen to love subtle hints that lead me to the culprit in a way that could be easily overlooked. That is why I enjoy Cozy Mysteries, give me a puzzle to solve and I’m a happy reader. If you love all things witchy Paranormal and Cozy Mysteries then you’re sure to enjoy Southern Magic. I had fun, I was entertained and would gladly recommend this story to any Paranormal Cozy Mystery reader. I’ll be continuing this series and I’m already looking forward to what comes at us next.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription
Pepper’s day has gone from bad to downright horrid as the day wore on. She’s lost her job through no fault of her own, she’s lost her place to live also through another person’s actions and her boyfriend’s indifference and his desire for fantasy football as well as other things has made this day a sarcastic just great experience. Unfortunately it’s not over just yet as before nightfall she’ll discover a nasty, dangerous person lurking around her car and a talking cat who tells her to run and to where. Yeah, a talking cat – and Pepper has no soft spot for animals as she’s allergic. A mysterious envelope holding a key points to her future… and a lot more chaos to come.
Southern Magic is full of everything that draws me to a Paranormal Cozy Mystery – a main character to like who may flounder but has a strong base, lots of interesting, fun and dangerous secondary characters and a mystery or two to solve. I loved the Southern charm and sass in this story, I had no doubts but that I was in the South. There are hints as to what is going on and we’ll solve some things and leave other things a bit up in the air to be discovered along the way. I happen to love subtle hints that lead me to the culprit in a way that could be easily overlooked. That is why I enjoy Cozy Mysteries, give me a puzzle to solve and I’m a happy reader. If you love all things witchy Paranormal and Cozy Mysteries then you’re sure to enjoy Southern Magic. I had fun, I was entertained and would gladly recommend this story to any Paranormal Cozy Mystery reader. I’ll be continuing this series and I’m already looking forward to what comes at us next.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription
April 22, 2018
I couldn't finish it. Basic writing errors that are distracting, like every time a character speaks, mid conversation, to another character they call that character sugar, or kid... Even if it means that every other sentence they speak in a single conversation is that way. That, among other writing inconsistencies throw you out of the story so often it's distracting and I was having a hard time caring about the character as it was.
June 30, 2025
Southern Magic by Amy Boles
Sweet Tea Witch Mysteries series #1. Cozy style paranormal.
Pepper Dunn doesn’t want to move to Magnolia Cove, Alabama to take over the familiar pet store but after losing her boyfriend, her job and her home, she doesn’t have a lot of choices. A talking cat, a grandmother, and a dead store owner has Pepper in the middle of a mystery and unable to leave town. It’s time for her to accept her witch heritage and to open the pet store and help others find their magical companion.
Charming first in series with a few unanswered world building questions that I’m sure will be answered in the upcoming books. This series has a lot of books and I have a feeling it’s going to be fun to indulge.
Sweet Tea Witch Mysteries series #1. Cozy style paranormal.
Pepper Dunn doesn’t want to move to Magnolia Cove, Alabama to take over the familiar pet store but after losing her boyfriend, her job and her home, she doesn’t have a lot of choices. A talking cat, a grandmother, and a dead store owner has Pepper in the middle of a mystery and unable to leave town. It’s time for her to accept her witch heritage and to open the pet store and help others find their magical companion.
Charming first in series with a few unanswered world building questions that I’m sure will be answered in the upcoming books. This series has a lot of books and I have a feeling it’s going to be fun to indulge.
August 25, 2021
Pepper is turning twenty-five years old and she learns that she is a witch on her big day. Her circumstances find her going from Nashville, Tennessee to Magnolia Cove, Alabama, a place where only wizards and witches live. When in Magnolia Cover, she meets her grandmother, Betty, and a ton of cousins, Carmen, Cordelia, and Amelia specifically.
Pepper inherits an animal store but she doesn't even like animals, so she decides to sell it; however, a murder takes place and she is arrested and charged with the murder. Betty and her cousins want to help her prove her innocence, but Officer Todd is convinced or her guilt.
With characters like Idie Claire (love that pun) and a protective vine named Jenny, this one was just so fun to read.
Pepper inherits an animal store but she doesn't even like animals, so she decides to sell it; however, a murder takes place and she is arrested and charged with the murder. Betty and her cousins want to help her prove her innocence, but Officer Todd is convinced or her guilt.
With characters like Idie Claire (love that pun) and a protective vine named Jenny, this one was just so fun to read.
February 15, 2023
OK this is just what I needed!! I can't get enough of cozy mysteries. There are just so many different subgenres to enjoy and get lost in.
Southern Magic was a blast to read. It's funny, has talking animals, witches and a dash of romance in the air. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this one. Oh and Betty? Have mercy...if my grandma was like that...😂😂 She is a hoot.
If you like magical reads and laughing a lot...grab this one. I already have the 2nd book downloaded. This series is free on Kindle Unlimited for those that have that subscription.
Southern Magic was a blast to read. It's funny, has talking animals, witches and a dash of romance in the air. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this one. Oh and Betty? Have mercy...if my grandma was like that...😂😂 She is a hoot.
If you like magical reads and laughing a lot...grab this one. I already have the 2nd book downloaded. This series is free on Kindle Unlimited for those that have that subscription.
September 10, 2022
I think this is a cute, fun, easy read. I was in the mood for something fall-ish and this scratched the itch. I listened to Southern Magic on Hoopla. I will say that I did not enjoy the narrator as much as others I have listened to. She did a great job at bringing the different scenes to life, but her accent was irritating at times. She did not do well with changing her voice for different characters, and was particularly bad with the males. Her southern accent was overdone. It got better throughout the book. I am listening to the second book in the series now and she has also improved a little in this one. I think I would have given the book 4 stars if it were not for the narrator.
July 31, 2024
Well, what did I expect for 99 cents - for the entire 10-book series? Fortunately it's also on Kindle Unlimited, so I didn't even have to pay the 99 cents.
I guess I've been spoiled by Nova Nelson's Eastwind Witches series. It is well-written and humorous. This book tries to be the same, but it misses the mark. Extremely repetitive, over-the-top romance (not spicy, the most explicit words being "girl parts"), a plot that practically begs you to guess who the villain is (and you'd be right), plus a main character who protests too much. I mean, you go from losing your job, being homeless, and a good-for-nothing boyfriend to a place where magic abounds, you have an instant family and you inherit a business, not to mention you and "Mr. Sexy" (actual nickname) have all kinds of sparks going on, and all you want to do is leave? I don't think so.
It's fine if you're looking for fluff. Sometimes that's what I want. But I would recommend Eastwind Witches instead of this one. It has 25 percent less fluff, but 100 percent better writing.
I guess I've been spoiled by Nova Nelson's Eastwind Witches series. It is well-written and humorous. This book tries to be the same, but it misses the mark. Extremely repetitive, over-the-top romance (not spicy, the most explicit words being "girl parts"), a plot that practically begs you to guess who the villain is (and you'd be right), plus a main character who protests too much. I mean, you go from losing your job, being homeless, and a good-for-nothing boyfriend to a place where magic abounds, you have an instant family and you inherit a business, not to mention you and "Mr. Sexy" (actual nickname) have all kinds of sparks going on, and all you want to do is leave? I don't think so.
It's fine if you're looking for fluff. Sometimes that's what I want. But I would recommend Eastwind Witches instead of this one. It has 25 percent less fluff, but 100 percent better writing.
October 4, 2022
With a title like Southern Magic and a series called Sweet Tea Witches it’s not difficult to guess that this is a very southern cozy mystery about witches. In less than 24 hours Pepper loses her job, her boyfriend, and her home. What she gains is a golden key to a shop in Magnolia Cove, Alabama. With no other options she heads in that direction and is met with family she didn’t know existed. Then she finds out she’s a witch. The store that’s supposed to be her salvation is a familiar pet store. Too bad she’s allergic and doesn’t like animals. Things seem no better for her in Magnolia Cove so she attempts to sell the store and, in the process, finds a dead body, gets accused of murder, and has to stay in Magnolia Cove until the case is solved.
Southern Magic is a fast-paced, entertaining book, and it shows great promise for the future of the series. A few drawbacks were the lack of character development outside of Pepper, lack of description about the town other than the name of some of the shops, and a few of the quirky choices the author made like flying skillets rather than broomsticks. I also believe something was heavily alluded to that will pop up in a future installment and it could have been a bit more subtle.
However, on a positive note I enjoyed that Pepper was slightly unlikeable. I mean who doesn’t love animals? And her grandmother sounds like a hoot! I also like that while I can tell a romance is definitely on the horizon it was kept at a minimum in this first book. I will say it uses lots of southern slang and that will either drive you crazy or make you feel right at home. As someone that grew up in the south it was like going home. And the food. Mmm, the food!
Southern Magic is a fast-paced, entertaining book, and it shows great promise for the future of the series. A few drawbacks were the lack of character development outside of Pepper, lack of description about the town other than the name of some of the shops, and a few of the quirky choices the author made like flying skillets rather than broomsticks. I also believe something was heavily alluded to that will pop up in a future installment and it could have been a bit more subtle.
However, on a positive note I enjoyed that Pepper was slightly unlikeable. I mean who doesn’t love animals? And her grandmother sounds like a hoot! I also like that while I can tell a romance is definitely on the horizon it was kept at a minimum in this first book. I will say it uses lots of southern slang and that will either drive you crazy or make you feel right at home. As someone that grew up in the south it was like going home. And the food. Mmm, the food!
November 12, 2018
Pepper is low on rent as her checked bounced thanks to her boyfriend. Loses her job as a coworker sets her up and then loses her apartment. What is a girl to do?
She follows a cat to Magnolia Cove, Alabama. She has learned she is a witch and has family here. She has inherited a pet store that her great uncle use to own. She hates animals as she is allergic.
A local man wants to buy her shop and when is found dead they look at Pepper to be the killer.
Pepper is being chased by a man named Rufus that Axel saves her from. He is a local PI and helps Pepper with the new case. They find a cat that won’t talk as it is traumatized by the killing of its owner. There are some laugh out loud moments and I love the southern charm this book has.The characters are great especially Peppers grandmother, Betty. The book sucked me in after the first chapter.
February 14, 2020
I do feel bad giving this two stars, but per goodreads "it was ok"
I thought Pepper was an okay MC. I didn't immediately know 'whodunit' but it wasn't that difficult to figure out. I certainly got it before Pepper did. I also appreciated that there wasn't any 'instalove'. There was definite attraction, but nothing that didn't seem reasonable.
The things I weren't crazy about were the magic aspects. It seemed a little too easy. But mostly the names of the characters. All quite ridiculous.
I thought Pepper was an okay MC. I didn't immediately know 'whodunit' but it wasn't that difficult to figure out. I certainly got it before Pepper did. I also appreciated that there wasn't any 'instalove'. There was definite attraction, but nothing that didn't seem reasonable.
The things I weren't crazy about were the magic aspects. It seemed a little too easy. But mostly the names of the characters. All quite ridiculous.
March 19, 2020
They say never judge a book by its cover, and this is why. The cover certainly looks interesting, professional, and fun. The idea was intriguing, but it was very poorly executed. The writing was often awkward and sometimes just dreadful. This book seems like a first try by a middle schooler. Southern Magic needs a complete rewrite and a competent editor to live up to the promise of the cover.
April 30, 2018
Would've been a possible three stars, but the calling everyone sugar thing was suuuuuper annoying.
September 25, 2024
I had a good time. I love Amy Boyles and this is a series I can see myself devouring. The first book in a cutesy series like this is usually kind of like the pilot episode of a sitcom. I expect the next few books to be much better because the world and main characters have already been introduced. I love Pepper and what a fun job she has. I want that job!!! This is definitely going to be my fall/spooky season comfy mystery series this year. 🎃🐶🐱🐭🐰🦎🐍🐸🦜🍳
October 1, 2020
3 Stars... This was a fun, light read that was entertaining and engaging... Pepper is down on her luck when a mysterious key and a talking cat appear and turn her life upside down... A family she never knew existed and a magical legacy that she is supposed to take over are just a few of the new endeavors she must navigate... Add in the mysterious private investigator and a murder that she is accused, and Pepper's life falls into complete turmoil... Learning to embrace her witchy side may be the only way for her to survive to see what this new life may hold... I look forward to seeing what new adventures Pepper and her zany family will undertake:)
October 26, 2021
cute quick story about a new found witch who tries to help solve a murder... sounds weird, but it actually worked!
January 6, 2025
Cute, sweet and cozy.
May 31, 2022
Fun, fun, fun!
“A life that was crumbling faster than you could say peach cobbler”
Everything falls apart for Pepper. But every cloud has a silver lining; she finds out she’s a witch and that gives her an opportunity that she never knew existed. She inherits a pet store in a magical town, but she doesn’t love animals, is allergic, so… that isn’t ideal! She can talk to animals, which I thought was fun! And then, a murder, and Pepper has to solve this magical mystery, because the main suspect? Yep, you guessed it. And the witness? A cat! So Pepper has to find a way to talk to the traumatized, silent cat!
What an exciting new series! This book is well worth your money. Murder, magic and mayhem! I loved the humor, loved the style. Very cute! Betty, the grandmother, was so funny. Tough love! A great read!
“A life that was crumbling faster than you could say peach cobbler”
Everything falls apart for Pepper. But every cloud has a silver lining; she finds out she’s a witch and that gives her an opportunity that she never knew existed. She inherits a pet store in a magical town, but she doesn’t love animals, is allergic, so… that isn’t ideal! She can talk to animals, which I thought was fun! And then, a murder, and Pepper has to solve this magical mystery, because the main suspect? Yep, you guessed it. And the witness? A cat! So Pepper has to find a way to talk to the traumatized, silent cat!
What an exciting new series! This book is well worth your money. Murder, magic and mayhem! I loved the humor, loved the style. Very cute! Betty, the grandmother, was so funny. Tough love! A great read!
August 10, 2022
This was pretty adorable
Cozy series I think about witches all located in a town mortals don’t know about.
3.5 star listen.
Fmc is ok mmc is ok, side characters are ok. I’m looking forward to more world building.
Cozy series I think about witches all located in a town mortals don’t know about.
3.5 star listen.
Fmc is ok mmc is ok, side characters are ok. I’m looking forward to more world building.
October 21, 2024
This was so much better than I expected. Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, with all the fluffy banter and southern chicklit humor. It was a quick fun read, and I will definitely add the enormity of this series higher up my TBR list.
July 10, 2018
In a few short hours, Pepper Dunn loses her job, her boyfriend, her home, and becomes involved in witchcraft and murder!
When Pepper discovers she’s a witch, she doesn’t believe it. Add to the fact that she has inherited the most important store in the magical town of Magnolia Cove, Alabama, from an Uncle she never knew existed, and she begins to question life in general.
Unfortunately, the shop is a familiar pet store. Pepper dislikes animals and is allergic, so the shop is a letdown from the beginning. All she wants is to sell the shop and get back to her life, what there is of it. Her plans go haywire when a store owner winds up dead, and Pepper is caught at the scene of the crime.
Pepper must avoid trouble, solve the mystery, and placate her new grandmother, who keeps a strict ten p.m. curfew that’s enforced by the talking end of her shotgun. Or she may become the next victim of the murderer.
--
Series: Sweet Tea Witch Mystery - Book 1
Author: Amy Boyles
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Ladybug Books LLC
Southern Magic is a fast-paced, entertaining book. The first in a new series it shows great promise for the future. Amy Boyles is a wonderful writer with a vivid imagination and a knack for the paranormal. This new series should prove to be as popular as her “Bless Your Witch” books.
Pepper is a witch, but until her world falls apart, she didn’t know it. She is skeptical and not interested in magic. After losing everything in a matter of hours, she questions her life and her sanity. She isn’t the type of person who likes people or animals, and she has little time for family. Even though she hadn’t known that she had a family until a crazy talking cat, Mattie, saved her from what appears to be an evil wizard.
Some characters in this book are pleasant and relatable, in particular, Pepper’s grandmother, Betty. She is exactly what someone pictures when they think of an odd, sometimes hilarious grandmother who plays by her own rules. Pepper, on the other hand, may not be well liked for good reasons. Her dislike of animals, her ungrateful behavior, her inability to see the truth, or that she has landed in the middle of a family that cares about her gets to be exasperating.
The town of Magnolia Cove is thought-provoking but not described in detail. Hopefully, future books will flesh out the characters as well as the town. There are some original ideas in this book, flying skillets instead of brooms is very fascinating and amusing, especially when Pepper rides a skillet for the first time.
Readers will quickly figure out who the guilty party is and a few of the other secrets that are not revealed in this book but most likely will be in future installments. Unfortunately, some of them are a bit too obvious from the beginning.
One of the most irksome aspects of the book is the use of colloquialisms such as the word “Y'all.” Although it is a word used in the South quite often in conversation, when reading, it becomes annoying and grating. I liked Southern Magic and many readers will. However, there are some rough edges in this book that should get smoothed out as the series progresses.
When Pepper discovers she’s a witch, she doesn’t believe it. Add to the fact that she has inherited the most important store in the magical town of Magnolia Cove, Alabama, from an Uncle she never knew existed, and she begins to question life in general.
Unfortunately, the shop is a familiar pet store. Pepper dislikes animals and is allergic, so the shop is a letdown from the beginning. All she wants is to sell the shop and get back to her life, what there is of it. Her plans go haywire when a store owner winds up dead, and Pepper is caught at the scene of the crime.
Pepper must avoid trouble, solve the mystery, and placate her new grandmother, who keeps a strict ten p.m. curfew that’s enforced by the talking end of her shotgun. Or she may become the next victim of the murderer.
--
Series: Sweet Tea Witch Mystery - Book 1
Author: Amy Boyles
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Ladybug Books LLC
Southern Magic is a fast-paced, entertaining book. The first in a new series it shows great promise for the future. Amy Boyles is a wonderful writer with a vivid imagination and a knack for the paranormal. This new series should prove to be as popular as her “Bless Your Witch” books.
Pepper is a witch, but until her world falls apart, she didn’t know it. She is skeptical and not interested in magic. After losing everything in a matter of hours, she questions her life and her sanity. She isn’t the type of person who likes people or animals, and she has little time for family. Even though she hadn’t known that she had a family until a crazy talking cat, Mattie, saved her from what appears to be an evil wizard.
Some characters in this book are pleasant and relatable, in particular, Pepper’s grandmother, Betty. She is exactly what someone pictures when they think of an odd, sometimes hilarious grandmother who plays by her own rules. Pepper, on the other hand, may not be well liked for good reasons. Her dislike of animals, her ungrateful behavior, her inability to see the truth, or that she has landed in the middle of a family that cares about her gets to be exasperating.
The town of Magnolia Cove is thought-provoking but not described in detail. Hopefully, future books will flesh out the characters as well as the town. There are some original ideas in this book, flying skillets instead of brooms is very fascinating and amusing, especially when Pepper rides a skillet for the first time.
Readers will quickly figure out who the guilty party is and a few of the other secrets that are not revealed in this book but most likely will be in future installments. Unfortunately, some of them are a bit too obvious from the beginning.
One of the most irksome aspects of the book is the use of colloquialisms such as the word “Y'all.” Although it is a word used in the South quite often in conversation, when reading, it becomes annoying and grating. I liked Southern Magic and many readers will. However, there are some rough edges in this book that should get smoothed out as the series progresses.
May 18, 2024
This is a cute fun read. The familiars are adorable. Pepper and the rest of the characters are quirky and interesting.
February 8, 2023
The story seems to be nice, but the narration is… how to put it, not good. It’s easy to read, because the language is simple, but it has lots of bumps and unnatural expressions. And because of that it’s not as vivid and lively as it should be.
I didn’t like the characters much either. They are a bit bland and predictable, though there is a hope for better development.
The only thing I loved in this particular book was the setting, a magical town in Alabama, that’s so promising!
I really, really wanted to love that cozy mystery series and will proceed to the next book full of hope that the narration there will improve.
I didn’t like the characters much either. They are a bit bland and predictable, though there is a hope for better development.
The only thing I loved in this particular book was the setting, a magical town in Alabama, that’s so promising!
I really, really wanted to love that cozy mystery series and will proceed to the next book full of hope that the narration there will improve.
September 11, 2018
Southern Magic is a hilarious paranormal mystery. Pepper has lost her job, bounced her rent check, found her roommate has locked her out of her apartment and discovered her boyfriend cares more about fantasy football than her. It gets worse by the second. Something is after her, she hears animals talking, and she learns she is a witch. It isn't long after arriving in Magnolia Cove that she is accused of murder. The characters are quite funny and the story keeps you guessing what will happen next. It is a lighthearted murder mystery.
July 28, 2020
I wasn’t expecting great literature and I know this was a first book but the number of times characters “quirked” their lips or eyebrows, clambered somewhere, scoffed and smirked got to be overly annoying. I particularly didn’t get the overused phrase “fisted her hands”. Mostly it seemed as she put her hands on her hips.
Editing is important.
Also, I listened to the audiobook and really didn’t care for the reader’s voicing and accent of the main character.
I don’t think I can do the second book.
Editing is important.
Also, I listened to the audiobook and really didn’t care for the reader’s voicing and accent of the main character.
I don’t think I can do the second book.
September 6, 2018
A story that well have you remembering what it was like to be on the outs when things went bad. Then to find out that you are a part of a family that you never new about and that you can talk to animals and you are a Witch that will take some time to get use to, then find out that someone wants to kill you for you're magic will have you staying in town with the family that loves you so much.
February 21, 2021
I won the audiobook in a Facebook contest. I'm not sure which was worse...the story or the narrator. This was definitely sweet tea in book form. So stereotypically southern that it made my head hurt. I almost stopped listening after the first chapter, but tortured myself with 5 and then started skipping to see if it was going to get better. It didn't.
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