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The French Quarter Witch #1
A Dash of Sorcery
A Cat Familiar who wears a monocle...only in New Orleans Does that Look Normal Hey there, my name is Georgette, but you can call me Georgie...everyone does. I own the local art gallery for up and coming artists in the city. I can also summon Mother Nature if need be. See, I'm a witch that controls fire, wind, water and the air. As the saying goes, don't mess with Mother Nature. Although, I'm only mother to a cat familiar, Mr. Marcel. Mr. Marcel is 196 years old and never lets me forget it. He wears a monocle...I don't know why...he thinks it makes him look regal although all the other cats laugh at him. What these other cats can't do that Marcel can is identify when someone is lying or exaggerating. He also has flashes of the future, however, those can be confusing and get us into all kinds of trouble. He's my bestie and I couldn't imagine life without him. Which comes to my next best friend Veronique. She has the power to speak to the dead, which comes in handy if someone is murdered. She also assists me at the gallery. The local detective in our corner of the city is a warlock by the name of Raphael. His grey eyes put me in a trance, but I'm not sure he's interested in me. At one moment he's tender and another he's aloof. Which makes me think he has secrets. My mentor, Miss Hallie, is older than dirt. And I mean that in a nice way. The gal is old but still has the spunk of a 1200 year old. She owns the shop next to me, and performs a little tarot reading. Oh and she also raised me after my parents perished young. She likes her martinis dry and her jokes dirty. And last but not least is my nemesis, Xavier. He's a witch hunter, but mortal. He's a thorn in my side as he thinks he's more than he is. But he's got his own secrets. Some that may change his world and mine. When a murder occurs in my shop, I'm not willing to lie down and let the so called police take over. I will get to the bottom of it to restore my good name in the city of New Orleans.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2021
200 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Constance Barker
462 books204 followersConstance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 4, 2024
3.5 stars. Just get rid of Xavier 🙄he’s just a pest. Poor Veronique, getting her hear broken. Georgie, Georgie 🤦🏾♀️
May 6, 2021
This book is an excellent start to an exciting new series. Truthfully, once I read New Orleans, I have no problem thinking about witches and other supernatural things. I had a great time reading this book. The characters are quirky, the setting is one of my favorite places and the storyline kept me guessing. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2021
Georgie is excited for the exhibit she has for her gallery. Georgie finds out the headline artist has been murdered. Georgie and her familiar Marcel will help the Raphael the detective on the case. They will try to figure out which of the suspects could have done it. They keep running into dead ends. Georgie will also have to deal with a stranger that is out for magic users. Georgie realizes just how dangerous this Xavier is going to be. Georgie sees something that puts all the pieces of the puzzle together, she realizes who committed the crime.
You will enjoy the backdrop of New Orleans as well as the characters in this book. Georgie is feriously independent and powerful witch. Her best friend helps her run the gallery. She is drawn to the detective, she ignores the feelings. You will have fun trying to figure out who really committed the crime, as there are such interesting characters that could have. You will want more of these wonderful characters when you are done with this book.
You will enjoy the backdrop of New Orleans as well as the characters in this book. Georgie is feriously independent and powerful witch. Her best friend helps her run the gallery. She is drawn to the detective, she ignores the feelings. You will have fun trying to figure out who really committed the crime, as there are such interesting characters that could have. You will want more of these wonderful characters when you are done with this book.
May 19, 2021
Our heroine runs an art gallery and dabbles in a bit of detective work. Oh, and she is also a witch with some very supernatural friends. Just to keep things interesting.
This is book one of the series.
Okay, we have a witch mystery here, but there are a lot of elements going into it which take some getting used to. I really like the characters as they are very eclectic and generally have a good sense of humor. The setting is good as well and I look forward to getting to know it better in future books. The one drawback at this time is what I think of as first book syndrome. There is a lot of material introduced here in characters, setting and plot and it occasionally gets a bit jumbled. I think the end product is very enjoyable, but it takes a bit of work to keep all the elements straight. Other than that, a nice start to a series and I look forward to seeing how it comes together in the next book.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book one of the series.
Okay, we have a witch mystery here, but there are a lot of elements going into it which take some getting used to. I really like the characters as they are very eclectic and generally have a good sense of humor. The setting is good as well and I look forward to getting to know it better in future books. The one drawback at this time is what I think of as first book syndrome. There is a lot of material introduced here in characters, setting and plot and it occasionally gets a bit jumbled. I think the end product is very enjoyable, but it takes a bit of work to keep all the elements straight. Other than that, a nice start to a series and I look forward to seeing how it comes together in the next book.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
June 13, 2021
Georgie and her familiar Marcel (a snooty talking cat) run an art gallery for new artists. Georgie is a witch as are most of her friends, although they each have different powers and abilities. Georgie is pulled into a murder investigation by the local detective which starts a wild, twisting path to figure out who murdered the artist. Along the way, we meet a wonderful variety of human and paranormal characters that each have their own oddities. The story is fun and quirky, but there were times I found it a bit difficult to follow because it had twists that did not seem to have anything to do with the storyline. Overall, a paranormal mystery with a lot of humor.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2021
Book seems to copy other author's ideas
Every single Corrine Winters book seems to skip over the little things and jump right to the plot but much too soon. In this book it's straight to someone died and the detective ask the art gallery owner to help solve it. That makes no sense any way you look at it. It's like the author copies other books in the genre because these books are all pieced together from other authors books I've read. I've tried several books by Corrine Winters and there isn't a unique idea in any. I've also noticed she puts a cat on every single book cover to attract readers, I guess. I want to read a creative and unique mystery. I'm done with these authors until they can create a readable and unique idea.
Every single Corrine Winters book seems to skip over the little things and jump right to the plot but much too soon. In this book it's straight to someone died and the detective ask the art gallery owner to help solve it. That makes no sense any way you look at it. It's like the author copies other books in the genre because these books are all pieced together from other authors books I've read. I've tried several books by Corrine Winters and there isn't a unique idea in any. I've also noticed she puts a cat on every single book cover to attract readers, I guess. I want to read a creative and unique mystery. I'm done with these authors until they can create a readable and unique idea.
May 7, 2021
Off to a Wonderful Start . . .
I love that the blurb introduces us to a large number of the players to give us an idea of who they are and what their skills might be.
Georgie, a witch who controls fire, wind, water and the air, joins with the warlock Detective Raphael Laurent when a local artist is murdered. And naturally her 196-year-old familiar and best friend, Mr. Marcel, will accompany them. Unfortunately, more than a few people would not object to the victim’s death. Further complicating matters, Georgie and her friends must avoid Xavier Dumas, a witch hunter who would gladly rid New Orleans of all magic. It can be difficult searching for leads on the murder while under such close scrutiny!
I am delighted to find such a delightful new mystery from this author. I love the characters already and the twists and turns of the story line that have the reader constantly changing direction on where the clues are leading! Xavier Dumas adds yet another dimension to the story. Grab your copy and follow Georgie’s search for the murderer!
I love that the blurb introduces us to a large number of the players to give us an idea of who they are and what their skills might be.
Georgie, a witch who controls fire, wind, water and the air, joins with the warlock Detective Raphael Laurent when a local artist is murdered. And naturally her 196-year-old familiar and best friend, Mr. Marcel, will accompany them. Unfortunately, more than a few people would not object to the victim’s death. Further complicating matters, Georgie and her friends must avoid Xavier Dumas, a witch hunter who would gladly rid New Orleans of all magic. It can be difficult searching for leads on the murder while under such close scrutiny!
I am delighted to find such a delightful new mystery from this author. I love the characters already and the twists and turns of the story line that have the reader constantly changing direction on where the clues are leading! Xavier Dumas adds yet another dimension to the story. Grab your copy and follow Georgie’s search for the murderer!
May 15, 2021
A murdered and a witch Hunter walk into an art gallery...yeah, not a good joke! But that’s pretty much a way to sum up the trouble that Georgie is going to have, especially since she owns the art gallery and is a witch.
Very likable characters and Marcel, the familiar, is hysterical when it comes to food (the cookie dough chase, omg) and snarky comments. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Very likable characters and Marcel, the familiar, is hysterical when it comes to food (the cookie dough chase, omg) and snarky comments. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2021
I'm sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this one very much, even though I thought the characters had potential and the idea for the murder plot was decent. It feels as though there were two versions of the book and it was edited together and not necessarily well. Like from one chapter to the next something will happen and then it seems like it's happening over again slightly differently.
To give an example that won't spoil anything, the blurb for the book clearly states that the murder occurs in the MC's shop. It does not at all, no where near in fact. The blurb is written in first person, the book in third person. It's just disjointed.
I love cozy mysteries, so I will give this author another shot as I feel that bad editing really did play a huge part in what otherwise could have been a good story. Available on Kindle Unlimited, as are most of her other books I believe.
To give an example that won't spoil anything, the blurb for the book clearly states that the murder occurs in the MC's shop. It does not at all, no where near in fact. The blurb is written in first person, the book in third person. It's just disjointed.
I love cozy mysteries, so I will give this author another shot as I feel that bad editing really did play a huge part in what otherwise could have been a good story. Available on Kindle Unlimited, as are most of her other books I believe.
May 15, 2021
Georgie has found herself a noble adversary in Xavier. The very mention of his name irritated me. The nerve of him.
As you can tell, the writing of both authors have connected me with the characters in order to draw out the feelings that were mentioned. Only good writing, a well developed plot and storyline will do that. I do believe that this is the making of a wonderful series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As you can tell, the writing of both authors have connected me with the characters in order to draw out the feelings that were mentioned. Only good writing, a well developed plot and storyline will do that. I do believe that this is the making of a wonderful series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 27, 2021
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and the fun and entertaining storyline. A young witch who owns an art gallery in New Orleans next to a Terrell card shop by her mentor. Has a knack for solving mysteries and helps her friend a local cop solve mysteries. Read on and find out the adventures of this new cast of characters in New Orleans.
Very entertaining and worth the read.
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and the fun and entertaining storyline. A young witch who owns an art gallery in New Orleans next to a Terrell card shop by her mentor. Has a knack for solving mysteries and helps her friend a local cop solve mysteries. Read on and find out the adventures of this new cast of characters in New Orleans.
Very entertaining and worth the read.
May 16, 2021
New series
This series really doesn't make much sense. A detective enlists the help of an art gallery owner to investigate a murder. The characters dynamics are strange. Then there is a witch hunter trying to shut the gallery down. I will try to see if the next book makes more sense.
This series really doesn't make much sense. A detective enlists the help of an art gallery owner to investigate a murder. The characters dynamics are strange. Then there is a witch hunter trying to shut the gallery down. I will try to see if the next book makes more sense.
May 11, 2021
Wonderful book
Constance Barker has done it again. She has created another wonderful story. Magic, Mystery and Murder all in one book
The story keeps you intrigued as you jump in and try the murderer first.
Constance Barker has done it again. She has created another wonderful story. Magic, Mystery and Murder all in one book
The story keeps you intrigued as you jump in and try the murderer first.
May 14, 2021
Needs More
Good premise, but it felt rushed. Almost thrown together. No background, no real character development. Easy to pick out the villain. Not sure if I will read the next one. I usually like this author, not this story.
Good premise, but it felt rushed. Almost thrown together. No background, no real character development. Easy to pick out the villain. Not sure if I will read the next one. I usually like this author, not this story.
May 25, 2021
I love the New Orleans setting! I also liked that Raphael asks Georgie to help him with the case. That is very cool! I am worried about that evil little menace, Xavier. He is going to be trouble. I am excited about the next book.
June 15, 2021
I am so glad I picked this arc, this is a new author for me but I loved the blurb and I didn't regret it, I found my new witch and paranormals series. Can't wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2024
Loved it!!!!
Please keep this series going!!!! I loved all of the characters and the fact that it is in New Orleans!! My favorite magical city! I also adored the fact that a main character owns an art gallery!
Please keep this series going!!!! I loved all of the characters and the fact that it is in New Orleans!! My favorite magical city! I also adored the fact that a main character owns an art gallery!
May 10, 2021
Georgie faces lethal intent with the death of a featured artist, and a self proclaimed witch hunter at her gallery opening
Can she and her friends save the day, themselves and their livelihoods?
Sisterhood, good friends and dangerous foes
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Can she and her friends save the day, themselves and their livelihoods?
Sisterhood, good friends and dangerous foes
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2021
I read it but just barely
I like Constance Barkers writing but this was an exception. Did not care for the characters or the subject. All the other series are great.
I like Constance Barkers writing but this was an exception. Did not care for the characters or the subject. All the other series are great.
May 30, 2021
Enjoyed
This was the first book of this series that I have read and enjoyed and I am looking forward to your next book
This was the first book of this series that I have read and enjoyed and I am looking forward to your next book
June 2, 2021
Interesting and entertaining
July 12, 2021
Ok
I found this little story confusing. I really like some of MS Brokers other series, this on not so much. But give it a try.
I found this little story confusing. I really like some of MS Brokers other series, this on not so much. But give it a try.
August 5, 2021
Great Little Book
I truly enjoyed all of the characters. It was a wonderful mystery that I did not see the ending in advance. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
I truly enjoyed all of the characters. It was a wonderful mystery that I did not see the ending in advance. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 8, 2021
Wonderful
Loved the storyline. It had me guessing til the end of who the killer was. Realistic characters. I'd definitely recommend it and look forward to the next
Loved the storyline. It had me guessing til the end of who the killer was. Realistic characters. I'd definitely recommend it and look forward to the next
November 8, 2021
ADash Of Sorcery
Excellent start to a new series. Can’t picture how Xavier will wipe out the witches and look forward reading how he is going to try.
Excellent start to a new series. Can’t picture how Xavier will wipe out the witches and look forward reading how he is going to try.
May 11, 2022
DNF. Poorly written.
May 8, 2021
Georgie is a witch who owns an art gallery in the french quarter of New Orleans. When one of her artists is found dead she and her familiar join forces with detective Raphael to find the murderer. I really liked the book !
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 6, 2021
Georgie is a witch who owns an art gallery in the French Quarter in New Orleans. When one of her artists is found murdered, Georgie and her monacle wearing cat familiar Marcel help local detective and warlock Raphael investigate the murder. With a witch hunter named Xavier causing her all kinds of trouble, can Georgie solve the mystery?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2021
New Orleans. Just thinking about that city conjures up dozens of images. Images that include parades, bars, beignets, voodoo, and magic. A Dash of Sorcery has all that and more! Think witches-real witches that can conjure a ring of fire or talk to the dead. Think magic-a talking cat that is a living lie detector or a Tarot card reader that actually can predict future events from the cards. You might think you are settling in to read a book about an art gallery and murder, but it's so much more than that!
A delightful murder mystery peppered with fascinating characters and shocking revelations from people along the way make this an interesting mystery, and one that isn't quickly figured out! A great beginning to a new series!
A delightful murder mystery peppered with fascinating characters and shocking revelations from people along the way make this an interesting mystery, and one that isn't quickly figured out! A great beginning to a new series!
May 4, 2021
Good book with a while set of quirky characters and a storyline that is light and fun to read while still having substance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews