The Case of the Earth Spell

Hillcrest Witch Mysteries #7

by Amorette Anderson

Are you ready to learn some Earth Magic?  Penny Banks, amateur sleuth and witch-in-training, is hitting the books. This time, she's studying elemental magic -- Earth Magic in particular.  At the same time, a skeleton turns up in her friend's back yard. Could it be a missing Earth Magician, who disappeared six years ago?  It's up to Penny and her friends -- and their familiars -- to solve the case, and learn some Earth Magic at the same time.  This is the seventh book in the Hillcrest Witch Cozy Mystery series. If you like uplifting, imaginative stories with characters that are like friends, then you’ll love Amorette Anderson’s delightfully magical stories! Do you want to read this paranormal cozy series in order? Here's your The Case of the Love Spell Book #1: The Case of the Power Spell Book #2: The Case of the Banishing Spell Book #3: The Case of the Desire Spell Book #4: The Case of the Trust Spell Book #5: The Case of the Vision Spell Book #6: The Case of the Voice Spell Book #7: The Case of the Earth Spell Book #8: The Case of the Water Spell Book #9: The Case of the Air Spell Book #10: The Case of the Spirit Spell Book #11: The Case of the Fire Spell Book #12: The Case of the Freedom Spell Book #13: The Case of the Happiness Spell

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Magic, Fiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2019

Reviews

[Pam Morarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of this book for an honest review. So glad it can be a really positive review. First I strongly suggest that you read each book in the series in order, since Penny Banks, our heroine, goes through serious character development in each book. She begins as a ditzy blond who is trying to make it in her small mountain town as a PI after taking an online course. In book one she is gifted with a book that teaches how to become a witch, and her knitting circle becomes a coven as the four women start following the instructions in this how to manual for witchcraft. As Penny develops her witchy chops, she also becomes a better PI, and a good thing she does as murder abounds. Each book has her growing as a person, a witch and a PI. And a special mention of her familiar, her pet cat Turkey, who now communicates with Penny telepathically. This entry in the series is my favorite yet, as Penny learns the Earth Spell, her first venture into elemental magic, and she uses it to solve a 6 year old murder that suddenly has relevance today. This is a fun read, and I highly recommend it.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Reading the paperback version is so much easier at least for me and I think you get more of a book. It's a book everyone can read. I suggest you read. Yes that's mean I highly recommend it. Read book multiple times and I will read again.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You know Penny, some people are so afraid to fail that they never try.“

Penny’s at it again! Another spell, another case....another “problem”. Seems the realms are disharmonious and when an old body is found up near Marley’s mine... our intrepid detective, her coven and her familiar need to “right the wrong” that not only could ruin Cora’s wedding, but have another cycle of years out of wack!

Can she reunite the Coven of Murdock and find out who killed the “missing member”? Will Cora’s wedding to Silas go off without a meltdown? Will Turkey overdose on sardines? And just what does Max have up his sleeve...or in his heart, this time?

I just love these books: a bit snarky, a bit witchy, and a whole lot of fun. Amorette Anderson has conjured a great series that gets better and better as it progresses. Highly Recommended 5/5

[I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]

[Eve Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish and couldn't put it down.
The main character Penny and myself have a lot in common, for instance I get easily distracted and am very clumsy 😊 this is what makes me love this character.
Although I love all of the other characters in the little coven. And the men in the book are hot 😍🔥 which definitely adds a bit more spice 😉😉
There are plenty of twists and turns that leave you guessing right until the end, with a wedding being arranged in between the investigation 🙀
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, and paranormal book's then you'll definitely enjoy this book 💜

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny is helping Marley at he mine site. They are having Silas level out an area. In doing so they come across a Skelton. Thinking it is some animal until Silas notices the necklace around the neck.


Cora’s wedding is happening in a few days and now is not the time for guests to be coming in.

With the familiars helping and her friends Penny will have only a few days to solve this case and the get realms all in harmony.

Another great story in this series. You can’t put the books down they are so well written and with great characters. You have mysteries, romance and laugh out loud moments.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series just keeps getting better and better. Each book builds on the previous one. Penny and the girls are more confident on each outing. It is a delightful series and I would urge everyone who comes across this to give the series a read.

This is an excellent departure from the world of today into a world of “what if’s”. I’d sure like to possess magical powers myself. Please check it out!!

[Carol Krout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC book for free for an honest review.
Penny, apprentice witch is growing in her abilities. She's making sure Cora's wedding is going to be perfect. But she has a dead magical being and four warlock suspects. No problem,right?! The Terra Coven has a lot to do with the wedding and investigating plus a new spell to learn all in six days. Can Penny and her friends pull it off?
This series just keeps getting better and better.

[Tracy Holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly magical. A story that slowly builds until a most intense and magical crescendo. I absolutely loved this book. The series is phenomenal. The amazing part is each book in the series takes the ongoing story to new heights. I received this book free as an Arc copy and I am volunteering freely to review it. It is a series well worth reading. Each book eagerly awaited.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was my favorite story yet in this series. The witches are coming into their own. Penny has gained a lot of confidence. The Coven sisters are growing in their witchery and in their personal lives. They now all have boyfriends so their circle is increasing. Penny's familiar Turkey, is still hilarious and smart and helps her solve cases. And the ending was definitely a teaser for things to come.

[Sylvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this was the best book so far. It was different to see Penny working so hard to figure out what happened to the bones she found in her friend's backyard while using her PI training more. She is evolving to be more confident and she is also growing as a witch. Can't wait to read the next one!

I received a copy of this book part of an ARC team and this is my honest opinion.

[Tonia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved this book for free as an ARC from bookfunnel. As usual an enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors Amorette. All the characters have grown so much and working in a cold case gave it a different feel.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another good book in this series. I love the group of women who are learning to be witches by studying a book that Penny inherited. These women have each others' backs. When Silas digs up a skeleton while leveling/extending a parking area, Penny realizes that it is "other realm" business. She and her friends investigate. More than solving a murder is at stake.

[SOS · Rating 4 out of 5]

The universe is out of alignment, out of balance, and it’s effecting everyone in the five magical realms: Earth, Air, Fire, Spirit, and Water. It causes a deep internal ache in Private Investigator Penny Banks. As she studies witchcraft and helps organize her friend and coven mate Cora’s wedding, Penny also sets out to reunite the warlocks of the Coven of Murdoch, as they are the only ones capable of realigning things. She also needs to solve the murder of one of the Coven’s members, the Earth representative, Earlich. It’s a lot to take on, but Penny, with the help of her cat/familiar, Turkey, and her friends, is up to the challenge.

This book offers a touch of madcap comedy, sweet friendships, a tiny bit of romance, some magic, and, of course, a mystery. I’ll admit to thinking I’d figured out the person behind the death of the Earth member of the Coven of Murdoch, but I was wrong. I did think the ending allowed a very obvious person to be the one who did commit the murder, but I didn’t see it coming. I mean, I thought it was too obvious. This made the ending a bit flat.

This was the first book in this series that I’ve read. I read an advanced reader copy of the book, so there were a few typos, but that’s to be expected and usually fixed before final publication. I enjoyed the story and thought the writing quite good. Penny, however, takes some getting used to. She’s a good hearted person, but she’s a little odd. I loved most of the other characters in the story, but Penny seemed to rub me the wrong way. She comes across as rather immature compared to everyone else in the book. Still, she is the one who wound up saving the day, and Cora’s wedding, and the universe. Not bad work for a short week.

This is a light, enjoyable read. If you like Nancy Drew type mysteries or sweet and silly paranormal mysteries, you’ll likely enjoy this book. I did. I also thought that maybe the author is on to something. If we could only find our version of the Coven of Murdock to sing our universe into harmony, life would be so much happier.

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I appreciate her generosity, but it had no influence on the opinions expressed in this review. Those opinions represent my honest opinion of this book.

[John Shrek Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎊🍾🎩💍💑 5 stars ✨

“THE CASE OF THE EARTH SPELL: A HILLCREST WITCH MYSTERY

First edition. May 9, 2019.”

Read on: iBooks, KyBook (1, 2, & 3), SmashWords, Kobo, Good Reads, and others as I find them. This book was presented to me for an ARC review.

Started: 19 Mayo 2019
Finished: 22 Mayo 2019
Amazon: ?

Title:
Happily Ever After ~ magical style ....

How to spark interest in a new member of the town: “Start describing his appearance for his upcoming wedding in his alternative form (werewolf), and wearing a tuxedo, no less. That would have to be the wedding to remember. The only question would be: Would it be the right paw, or not?”

So much for a nice easy job for a backhoe (move some lumps out of the way for a new “homestead”, and uncover human bones. The plus side is Silas is honest, some people would act like they didn t see them.

The more I read of this series, the more I convinced that Turkey has far more intelligence than the average calico. This is definitely a very unique counter balance to Penelope, and provides a good “roundness” to the spells.

{Note to self: if I ever visit Colorado again, to bring at least one can of sardines — in case I come across a witch with a cat, bird, or similar for a familiar.} Nice to know what/how to bribe Turkey!

Possibly the main thing about murder is: there is no stature of limitations. At least here in the Earth Realm, so the one who committed it shouldn t have shown up for the wedding.

This case set seems to be coming together like a typical cold case. Our knitting circle witch coven should be able to figure out who, even with the false lead or so thrown in.

You ll have to get this book and see how they do it. Who knows, you might even catch a werewolf in a tuxedo.

Live life,
John Shrek Walters

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another whimsical mystery from Amorette Anderson. A lot has happened in this series in a short amount of time for its inhabitants. Lots of love, life and death, but all in great fun.

It is nearly time for Cora’s wedding! Marley is settling in to the fact that she now has money. Annie’s new love has moved in with her, and Penny’s relationship with Max is going strong.

Money hasn’t change Marley. She still isn’t the kind to want to build a home in a traditional house. However owning the mine and land around it where she likes to park her van has advantages. In an effort to make her view a bit nicer and park closer to the trees for her owl familiar, she decides to have an area off the parking lot leveled.

When they find a skeleton as soon as the project gets started, it becomes a job for her best friend, PI Penny Banks. The site is very near the portal between realms. If the skeleton ends up being otherworldly in origin there’s no need to involve the police. Penny and her coven should be able to handle a supernatural murder.

But with Cora’s wedding in less than a week, will the investigation wreak havoc with the joyous event?

Kindle Unlimited edition

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny and the gang are back again and this time they are learning the earth spell. Cora is getting married so everyone is excited about it. Just one problem, they find a dead body who happens to be from the Coven of Murdock. This coven does a singing ritual that creates harmony between the five realms. But there hasn’t’t been harmony since a member disappeared six years ago and each Warlock went their separate ways. Can Penny, Turkey and the rest of the coven get them back together and if they try, what’s going to happen to Cora’s wedding?

This is another fantastic book from the Hillcrest Witch Mystery Series. It is filled with unique and interesting paranormal and human characters. As usual things are not as simple as Penny hopes, there are twists, turns, obstacles and creative situations that make an interesting storyline with a great ending. Anderson is so creative and weaves a great story that has everything you would want from a paranormal mystery, suspense, humour, abundance of clues, some action, great dialogue and some romance. If you have not read this series and you enjoy cozy paranormal mysteries then you really need to start reading it.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wedding of the year or a big shambles

Actually a good read. Still not keen on her vampire. A case of a skeleton being dug up when Marley tries to fix a new spot for her van. The coven is growing not only in power but also confidence in the strengths and weaknesses.
Getting the groom to level her chosen spot for her van should have been fairly routine. Until a skeleton was unearthed. A skeleton wearing a necklace that Azure later confirms came from a coven of warlocks. A coven that sings every two years and brings the realms into harmony. However the last time was six years ago and that failed as one member of the coven went missing at the crucial time. But there's the wedding, a handful of left over invitations, a rash decision and a mad rush to find out what happened as the coven is set to sing again on the same day as the wedding? Then there is the new spell they have to cast. Will they be successful? Will they find out who killed and buried the body? What about the missing members of the coven? How do they fill them in time?

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready to learn some Earth Magic?
Penny Banks, amateur sleuth and witch-in-training, is hitting the books. This time, she's studying elemental magic -- Earth Magic in particular.
At the same time, a skeleton turns up in her friend's back yard. Could it be a missing Earth Magician, who disappeared six years ago?
It's up to Penny and her friends -- and their familiars -- to solve the case, and learn some Earth Magic at the same time.

This is book seven in the Hillcrest Witch Mystery series.
Penny is back with the girls again.
This time around they are a lot more confident about things which is good to see.
Each time around we are seeing growth in the characters and I love it.
The books just get better and better each time.
I loved the plot and storyline in this one so much.
Recommend Reading! Recommend the whole series as well.

I recieved an ARC from the lovely talented author and this is my honest voluntary review.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical in every sense of the word!

PI Penny is getting really comfortable with being a witch. When Penny and her friends find bones, they believe them to belong to a magical being, and therefore they don’t call the police. They investigate The Case of Mr. Bones and his Bling themselves. But of course there’s more. A real challenge for Penny: the five realms are out of balance. And it’s up to her to help restore the harmony between the realms. But she’s easily distracted LOL!

Penny rides her bike everywhere and I like that. For a PI she’s not very observant though! I can’t help but laugh out loud at her! Penny, Penny, Penny, still blurting things out without thinking first! There’s some very imaginative magic in this book, very Penny-like! SO FUNNY!!!

I like the fact that Penny and her friends were humans and are now well on their way to becoming witches. They weren’t born with powers, they are learning now, so there’s hope for me yet!

[Cinda Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amorette Anderson keeps getting better and better with this series. While Silas Switchback is moving dirt for Marley on the old mine property, he discovers bones. The witches-in-training, the Terra Coven -- Penny, Cora, Marley, Annie all feel the bones belong to a magical being so they decide to investigate :The Case of Mr. Bones and his Bling" on their own. The gals are working through their spells from The Art and Science of Becoming a Witch. They are currently on the Earth Spell. The realms are out of alignment and it is up to Penny to set things straight. With Penny's mind going in several directions this could be a difficult task. I like that Turkey, her familiar, seems to be assisting her with the cases more and more as well as financially. All of the gals now have familiars and significant others. I like how Amorette has developed the characters in each book and we are seeing them grow as they learn how to be witches. This is a must read!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who was picked to be able to read this book before release I have to tell that part. But I will also give an honest opinion on my feelings about this book. Once again Ms. Anderson has kept Penny, her coven and myself busy trying to keep up with the latest mystery for her to solve. Not only is Penny growing as a witch she is growing as a person and finding what she has been searching for since her mother's death. To say I enjoyed reading this is an understatement, which explains my staying up too late last night, couldn't put it down until the end. With each case that Penny solves the character continues to grow and strengthen as does each character in the book. Every new book in the series gets better and better and leaves you waiting and wanting the next one! I totally recommend the entire series as a wonderful way to join the world of magic! Can't wait for the next one!!

[Penny Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. The coven, Penny, Annie, Cora and Marley, have so much going on in this book. There is a murder to solve, a wedding to prepare for and attend, and getting all the realms back in harmony, which can only be done if the murder is solved. The girls (women) all have their familiars now and all our involved in a relationship. Their next spell to overcome is "The Earth Spell" which helps bring everything together in this case. I truly liked all of the Hillcrest Witch Mysteries, but this is by far the best. I love Turkey but I can't wait to see more interaction from the other familiars. Eagerly awaiting book 8. I am anxious to see where things will go involving the Mansion. I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest and unbiased review because I want to. The writing is great and the stories hold your interest to the end.

[Kimberly Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic mystery

I have fallen in love with Penny and Turkey and the witches of the Terra Coven. Quirky, funny and smart in ways that just shock you sometimes. Now that the ladies are getting ready for Cora's wedding which they all want to be perfect, they can't let anything bad happen to ruin the day! But, there's another coven that needs their help and well that's where our Penny comes rushing in to figure out the problem and solve the crime. With help from Turkey and Marley and her boyfriend vampire Max Penny learns alot more than she bargained for in this story. Absolutely fun read! You will laugh out loud! Highly recommend this series to anyone who loves quirky, heroic witches and sassy familiars!

[Kathy Brenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I do love the characters and how they interact eith each other. In this book Cora is to be married in only a few days when Penny and Marley discover the skeletal remains of a person whilst getting the ground ready for a place to park Marley's van. Upon more investigation it becomes apparent that it is the remains of a warlock who went missing six years prior, presumed dead. The only ones who could have killed him were members of his coven, who were responsible for keeping all the realms balanced. The next balancing day was the day of the wedding and it so badly needed doing. Penny and her coven had those few days to work out who was guilty and to get the rest of them to rebalance the realms.

[Monina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 7 The Case of the Earth Spell by Amorette Anderson.
She has exceeded my expectations as a writer. I have fallen in love with her writing. I love this book and the more I read her books the more I love them and the series The Hillcrest Witches.

She has kept my interest in all her books. Penny and the coven members keep growing in their magical studies and together they are able to solve another case after they find a skeleton in a parking lot. They find out that they have to restore the balance between realms by finding out who the killer is.

I find this story the most intriguing one of all and the way they had to solve it, my oh my, it was the best and I knew I could not stop till I found out how it ended.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this series. I love how each one builds upon the last one. Becoming a witch isn't easy as Penny & her friends find out. It is actually a lot of studying and work. Penny is truly coming into her own now. She is so much more confident as a witch and as a private investigator. In the first book, she literally stumbled into solving her case. In this book, she knew what she had to do to find the answers and she did it. She was so very confident in her skills. I really enjoyed seeing her grow over the series. Things are really looking up for this little coven and I am looking forward to the next book.

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Silas Switchback, a werewolf and owner of Black Wolf Construction agrees to level some "lumpy land" for Marley Greene, Penny Banks, an amateur witch and private investigator, was unprepared for Silas to uncover bones...

Especially not a deceased warlock's bones!

Penny and Marley quickly decide they need to solve the mystery of the bones and so begins the case of "Mr. Bones and his Bling". Too bad Penny has her best friend's wedding to attend to while she's trying to solve the mystery...

Multiple suspects, clues that don't add up, a wedding that HAS to be perfect... Oh what's a witch-in-training that's also a private investigator to do?

[Disney14604 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need to learn the next witch spell, solve a past murder, deal with harmony, and be the best Maid of Honor there is . Do all this at the same time and immediately. Could you do it?

Great cozy mystery that is easy to read. You can read this one out of sequence but you will want to go back and gain some of the details that are in the previous books.

I know that based on feedback that the author has added material that is not in my ARC copy. Kudos for the author for listening to her audience and adding the feedback given.

This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.

[Rachelle Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting adventure with Penny and her witch coven sisters. Plans are in action for the big wedding and as things are heating up the girls land another mystery case to solve. They are on the Earth magic cycle, and are finding once again the mundane and magical worlds are connected. Art therapy plays a role in this intriguing story and gives Penny a break in the case. An unexpected house guest gets Turkey craving sardines, much to Penny's disgust. Can she roll with the punches and mal oderous fish? Read this delightful story and join the fun!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author at no cost and voluntarily review.