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Magical Renaissance Faire #1

Much A’Broom About Nothing

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Trapped in a magical Renaissance Faire and accused of murder. Huzzah!
When Adelaide “Laidey” Ryan dragged herself off the couch for a date at the Renaissance Faire, she didn’t expect to run into her cheating ex-fiancé. The day only gets better when she winds up trapped on the magical grounds and discovers she’s a witch. And the best part? She’s charged with a homicide she didn’t commit.

With the “help” of a snarky talking cat, this former Pilates teacher will have to wade through a turkey-leg sized list of suspects to find the real killer, all while juggling her new job as a broom maker’s apprentice. Despite her troubles, there’s a dashingly handsome pirate captain who has her heart aflutter. But time is running out on her sleuthing, and the lazy sheriff is eager to march her to the gallows.

Can Laidey catch the murderer, or will her snooping make her Faire game for the killer?

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2021

622 people are currently reading
470 people want to read

About the author

Erin Johnson

90 books722 followers
A native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.

In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
Profile Image for Kira FlowerChild.
738 reviews19 followers
November 24, 2025
This story is just about as silly as the title would indicate, but sometimes I enjoy silly, like when I have to sit in a doctor's waiting room literally all morning. I read about half of it there.

The book is written at young adult level and the hints of a romance are completely mild with no spice, just a couple of kisses. I chose it because my husband and I used to attend Ren Faires regularly once upon a time in both Southern California and Northern California and loved them. I'm sure there are some starry-eyed fantasy fans out there who would love to be magically trapped inside a Ren Faire, complete with witches and wizards, fairies and elves, not to mention a handsome pirate captain with a world class mustache. If you're one of them, you'll probably enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Wulfwyn .
1,172 reviews108 followers
August 4, 2021
I was definitely excited about this series when I heard about it for several reasons. Renaissance Faire. Magical beings. Trixie Silvertale being a part of it. This book by Erin Johnson is the proof that it is off to an amazing start. I don’t have words enough to express how much I love it!
Being trapped in a Renaissance Faire is a childhood dream come true. Who wouldn’t want to wake up each day there? Adelaide, called Laidey, finds herself stuck inside the fair grounds after a disastrous date. She is quickly snatched up by Macy who needs a new servant. When Laidey wakes up next to a dead master, being the new person, she is hauled off by the sheriff. With Macy’s talking cat, Mort, (oh how I want a Mort!), a new potential love interest, Bruce the pirate captain, (I’ll take one of those, too), and a new bff, Hilde, Laidey is off to clear her name and save her neck. I adore this new group of friends!
The book had me hooked from the start with Laidey’s bird loving date gone wrong. The Renaissance Faire is a magical place with all sorts of interesting characters. Pirates, witches, fairies, mermaids, gnomes, vikings, demons, vampires, who knows what all, live in this enchanted world. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this book has you. If you love romance, it’s in the mix. If you adore the magical realm, this book will enchant you. If you were ever a girl, in a room with fairy paintings on the walls, with a flashlight under the covers reading a fantasy book and then dreaming of the world inside, this is your series! I can tell you of one little girl, who now lives inside a woman, whose eyes were big and shining once again with a heart dancing delightedly, while reading way past bedtime. Make your inner child as happy as you will be by taking her, once again, into the land of enchantment. Devour this book now!
I can’t wait for book 2, by Trixie Silvertale, to release. Fortunately the wait will not be long.
I definitely need to check out more books by Erin Johnson!
Profile Image for Karen Stallman .
909 reviews99 followers
July 30, 2021
"Much A’Broom About Nothing" the first instalment in Erin Johnson's new Paranormal Magical Renaissance Faire Mysteries.

Trapped in a magical Renaissance Faire and accused of murder. Huzzah!

I loved this first instalment, set in a cursed Renaissance Faire, I found it to be super fun, humorous and Adelaide "Laidey" and her talking cat Mort are delightful and I loved Tom. Like I have said with respect to her other books Erin is very talented in her descriptive writing and because of this your pulled into the story right away. I read in about 4 hours.

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing on who the culprit was. Overall this was a great paranormal cozy and I hope there will be plenty more to come.

I highly recommend this series to all my friends.

I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,404 reviews
June 30, 2023
4.25 stars

This was such a fun and cute, cozy mystery. I was highly entertained all the way through with its humor, mystery, and world building. I loved the concept of all these magical creatures being stuck at a Renaissance fair. There were just so many different walks of life that I really enjoyed seeing on the page. And the fact that.Laidey didn’t even know she was a witch just added another layer. Plus, I loved her a little cat sidekick along with all the friends that she met along the way. The mystery was really good to two. I found my self very highly engaged from chapter 1 all the way to the end. It was just such a good story that really entertaining me. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series because it was just so fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Deb Sharp.
434 reviews15 followers
September 23, 2021
Great first book in this magical new series!

I found that I enjoyed the introduction of the characters in this Magical Renaissance Faire Mystery, I can see this becoming a very popular series .
Profile Image for Karen (BaronessBookTrove).
1,130 reviews109 followers
December 23, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Much A'Broom About Nothing by Erin Johnson is a new mystery set in a Renaissance Faire, and if you are magical, don't eat any candy there.
Will Laidey figure out who could have killed Macy Mulligan?
Adelaide "Laidey" Ryan
Laidey is the newest member of the Renaissance Faire, courtesy of an old lady selling candy that has been trapping people in the Faire for a long time. Adelaide is trying to make sense of why she was stuck since she never thought that she had anything special about her. Let alone making sense as to why she would be stuck there.

She has to figure out what she is, clear her name, and figure out this broom-making business. Oh, and lugging around her talking cat that she inherited from the lady who got killed.
Much A'Broom About Nothing CRThe Mystery
Adelaide Ryan was fast asleep in a tent owned by Macy Mulligan. Macy chose Laidey to be her slave until she could pay back the debt that she owed her. The debt is having a place to live, and paying it off would be doing whatever Macy wanted. She was fast asleep and was woken up by the talking cat to see the dead body.

Now Laidey has to find out who killed Macy before she gets publically ashamed for who knows how long or worse be killed herself for this heinous crime. I figured out who did it a bit halfway through the book, but I kept on passing that person off, thinking it was a red herring.
Five Stars
Much A'Broom About Nothing by Erin Johnson is a thoroughly enjoyable new mystery series that starts with Adelaide Ryan and her new band of friends that she has acquired, thanks to their all having to stay there for a long time. Ms. Johnson has done an excellent job on this series, and I thought I was right there with Laidey throughout the entire thing. I am curious about her magic and many other things that showed up here. I am giving Much A'Broom About Nothing by Erin Johnson five stars and recommending it.


The Magical Renaissance Faire Series

Much A'Broom About Nothing by Erin Johnson All Swell That Ends Spell by Trixie Silvertale A Midsummer Knight's Scream by Nova Nelson
Also Available on KindleUnlimited



Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Much A'Broom About Nothing by Erin Johnson.

Until the next time,

Karen Signature

Happy Reading!



Victim/Toe Tag: Macy Mulligan

Beachcomber Weapons: Viking Sword (pointy object)

Beachcomber Crime Scene: Tent (garden)

Detectives: Adelaide "Laidey" Ryan

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

Profile Image for Christine.
1,993 reviews63 followers
September 3, 2021
As someone who doesn't read a lot of paranormal books anymore, I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this paranormal cozy mystery book, but I loved it! I started reading it just to see what it was like, and I couldn't put it down. I would rate the book as 4.5 stars. The main character Adelaide "Laidey" Ryan goes on an awkward date to a Renaissance Faire which ends up changing her life. She finds out she is a witch and becomes trapped inside the Faire and to make things worse, she is the prime suspect in a murder after her first night there.

After she gets over the initial shock, Laidey starts to make friends and even meets a handsome pirate who could become a love interest in the future. I admire the way Laidey was able to bounce back from such an astonishing turn of events in her life to help others in the Faire and work on proving her innocence. The reader gets to know the other residents of the faire, including gnomes, fairies, and Vikings, while Laidey searches for the real murderer.

This was a fast-paced read that I really enjoyed. The setting and characters make the book fun to read. The mystery itself is intriguing with possible motives that are very human in spite of the magical aspect of the story. I was surprised by the identity of the killer when the crime was solved at the end. I can't wait to read the second in the series, All Swell That Ends Spell, which was written by a different author. (Trixie Silvertale)

A copy of this book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Profile Image for Lana.
2,806 reviews60 followers
July 30, 2021
This is the 1st book in the funny paranormal, mystery series. A whodunit involving a kick ass heroine, a talking cat, a mystery and a dash of romance so all in all one couldn't ask for more! Adelaide had a date at the renaissance faire, there she encounters her cheating ex, gets trapped on the grounds of the cursed kingdom of Elbion, discovers this had happened because she was a magical creature, supposedly a witch, and ends up being charged with a murder she did not commit. So she embarks on the tough job of finding the real killer and clearing her name, and she does this with the help of a talking cat called Mort, her new friend Hilde and the dashing pirate Captain Bruce. Time is running out as the lazy sheriff is eager to march her to the gallows, so she had just four days in which to solve the mystery. it was through eating the cursed candy from the crooked confectioner that she became trapped in Elbion, the old hag who ran the place brought in new blood but the curse itself was someone else's doing. Laydey had never known she might be magical and was still not sure where her powers lay but she was taking her new life in her stride and adjusting quite well to life at the faire. A great start to the mystery series through this light and fun read.
Profile Image for Federica De dominicis.
363 reviews5 followers
April 26, 2022
Love, love, love!!

I waited quite some time before picking up this book from my virtual tbr pile, expecting the need to be in the mood to be paramount to dive in a renaissance theme....I WAS WRONG!!
The humour, the writing, the plot, the characters, I can keep going on listing, everything is perfectly crafted and the mood will descend on you no matter what.
I'm now going to start the second, while eyeing the third, book. Thankfully I heard three more are in the making, because I'm now addicted!!
Profile Image for Nina Silva.
198 reviews12 followers
August 16, 2021
Oh hello, what’s this? A series co-written by three of my favourite witchy cozy mystery writers: Erin Johnson, Trixie Silvertale and Nova Wilson. Of course I’d be on board!


In Erin’s novel we meet Adelaide, a twenty-something who doesn’t know she’s magical and gets trapped in a cursed Renaissance Faire. Unfortunately for ‘Laidey’ she’s taken in by the cunning and obnoxious Macy Mulligan. Her ‘captivity’ is cut short by Macy’s murder. Of course, Laidey ends up as the prime suspect.

The mystery takes us on an exploration of this paranormal faire and all the crazy creatures who inhabit it. There are several suspects with viable motives to consider and most of them have ample means and/ or opportunity to do the deed. Each suspect points a finger to a new one Laidey would be at a complete loss if it weren’t for her new friends. It wasn’t too hard to figure out the culprit or the why but it was so much fun to follow all the threads. The big reveal is utterly delightful and I may have laughed out loud at one point!


Speaking of Laidey’s new friends, Mort, the talking cat, may steal the show, but the sweet-natured Hilde is quite charming too. The third part of the trio of sidekicks is the handsome pirate captain, Bruce. Love and mystery go hand in hand in these stories after all.


Overall, another imaginative and fanciful world created by Erin Johnson (and gang), replete with another addictive cast of characters.
Profile Image for Louisa.
593 reviews71 followers
August 11, 2021
A murder mystery with a curse and a magical twist

Love this new series by Erin Johnson. When Adeline gets tapped in a magical renaissance fair because she's of magical blood. The last thing she was expecting on top of that revelation was being framed for murder. Can she find the real killer with the help of her new friends. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Arlene Arredondo.
566 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2021
Funny, charming and entertaining!
Love the author’s writing style, and how she makes such unique characters that makes us want to read more of the story.
Nice to get lost in this fantasy world and try to figure out whodunnit.
Profile Image for Margery.
922 reviews13 followers
July 26, 2021
what an enjoyable mystery! wonderful characters and it shows how anything is possible with the support of friends. New places, new faces, she finds a home
Profile Image for Gemma.
834 reviews67 followers
July 31, 2021
Brilliant! I love Erin Johnsons books. I love the wonderful characters she creates. This is such fun to read too.
With witches, pirates, trolls, demons, gnomes, vampires, fairy, vikings! You name it, this books got it.
I've never been to a renaissance faire but this is just how I picture them to be.
I can't wait to read more in this series, see what develops with laidey and Bruce, and what hildes gift turns out to be.
Profile Image for Lisa M.
302 reviews25 followers
July 31, 2022
What’s not to like? Magic, witches, cats, fairies, pirates, Vikings, and most importantly, Renaissance Faire! A very fun, easy read. I’ll read the series!
Profile Image for Karen.
190 reviews6 followers
August 3, 2021
A promising start to a trilogy with an interesting concept: each installment is written by a different author.

This one has fun characters, including a feline whose speech sounds like it's right out of 1560! The world of the Faire is chock full of colorful places and people and, of course, a romance in the making.

Nicely done, Erin Johnson!
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews29 followers
January 11, 2023
I've always loved a Renaissance Faire. This is a multi-author series and in this first book a simple thing becomes life changing for Adelaide “Laidey” Ryan.

Laidey is trying to have a good time with her date Cliff, however, he is way too into birds for his own good. This is demonstrated at the Falconers when he knew the script word for word. Then that three things happen; her ex shows up with his new girl, she somehow directs a falcon to poop on him and she leaves her date.

She downs mead and turkey legs and enjoys the jousts and more before she is stopped on her way to the Crooked Confectioner. The Pirate Captain warns her not to eat the candy but she ignores the warning and gets some anyway.

The bell sounds the faire closing and Laidey follows. The problem is she can't leave. No matter what she does she's thrown back in.

Macy Mulligan escorts Laidey away from the gate and settles her in her tent with a chubby black cat and two white mice in appropriate cages. She's stunned to find the cat can talk and further dismayed to find she'd have to teach them new tricks for the crowds. Then Macy threw fairy dust at her, and she blacked out.

The cat wakes her the next morning a Macy is dead, when the Sheriff arrives, he arrests Laidey for the murder, throwing her in the stocks. Mort the cat stays with her. Hilde from the turkey leg stand brings her food and drink, and they become friends before the sheriff shows up again.

Now that she's been bailed out, she has to find the real murderer or face the gallows. First though, she tries once again to leave the faire. It's then she also discovers that everyone in the fair is supernatural. With Mort and Hilde's help she starts thinking about who might want Macy dead. Hilde realizes she'll need a new place to stay and a job.

They're talking about the queen and her court, which is full, when Mort enlightens her on the double curse of the Faire. The court is not only trapped here, but also immortal.

I really cackled at the line 'May she die before her time.' A sort of trial to become an apprentice to Tom at Swept Away Artisian Brooms is where Laidey begins.

We meet many interesting characters as Laidey investigates, I do like the Pirate Captain Bruce Roberts, and he seems to have taken quite the liking to Laidey.

With many twists and turns Laidey does find the actual murderer and also discovers what happened to the mice that disappeared from Macy's tent.

So much fun, laughter, stunts, romance and more!
610 reviews6 followers
July 29, 2021
Another cute and imaginative story from Erin Johnson. This is book 1 of a collaboration of authors writing in the same Renaissance Faire interacting with crossover characters from each author. I've read every one of her books since I discovered her second series. Now, I've started reading her first series, too. In this novella, Adelaide is on a bad date and runs into her cheating ex with the cheatee. Embarrassed and upset she silently wishes the falcon from the nearby show would drop bombs on their heads, when that happens, everyone is shocked, but none more than Adelaide, convinced it was a coincidence. She runs off and gets drunk wandering around the Faire and gets a hankering for sweets at a cute shop. A pirate she noticed during the falcon show steps in front of her, warning her not to eat the candy because it's cursed. Laidey doesn't listen and finds she can't leave at closing time. She's immediately scooped up by Macy, a witch, who intends to indenture Laidey and make her pay off her debt by caring for two mice and Mort, the talking cat (part of her act at the Faire). Laidey is so confused and lost that she accepts what she thinks is help from a nice woman. Macy gives Laidey fairy dust to help her sleep and then she awakens to find Macy dead and she's under arrest. Adelaide is taken to the stocks to await trial/sentencing (hanging). While enduring vegetables and water balloons thrown at her, she wonders at her mental (talking cat) and physical (hanging) health, when the sheriff and two trolls show up to release her because her bail was paid. They remind her she'll hang in four days leaving Laidey no choice but to find the murderer because it's clear the sheriff has no intention of doing his job. As the story progresses, Laidey makes a few friends along the way. I always enjoy Erin's characters, but I have to say Mort is one of my all-time favorites! A talking cat is great, but he's conveyed with the proper cattitude and he doth speaketh very well indeed.
Profile Image for Sandra Hernandez.
717 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2023
This cozy mystery feels different than most. This time you’re stuck in the renaissance festival mainly if your magical creature/person and eat the candy. In the story you have Laidey who’s fiancé cheated on her she has been miserable and upset, but decided to go on a second date with a guy who turns out not to be her tight, but take her to the Renaissance Festival. She, of course runs into her ex, and the woman he cheated on her with. Due to the break up, she had sold her Pilates studio and has pretty much been a bum. She decides not to listen to the handsome pirate and eat candy from. I’m assuming it’s like a witch. Unbeknowing to her this leaves are stuck. Luckily a fellow which decides to help her out or that’s what she thinks. Technically, she’s became a slave. She is offered room and board, but in order to do it, she has to pay it off. The witch ends up, putting her to sleep with some fairy dust. When she wakes up, she finds the dead, witch. Apparently there’s a sheriff in the Renaissance Festival, who is lazy does not really do his job but he arrest her. This is where the book gets fun. She is not meeting new people trying to prove her innocence. And adjusting to life inside the Renaissance Festival. Honestly, I love the renaissance festival. I try to go almost every year in Arizona. I love the turkey leg and because I go so often a lot of with a right I could almost picture the one I go to.
Because I enjoyed this book I decided to see what the next book would be like but I don’t think they continue with the same character. I think they tell a different character so far it looks like three characters are told within the series and then they do go back to previous characters . So like mentioned, it’s a little bit different, but still interesting I did figure out who the murderer was the main character Laidey originally annoyed me, but she kind of grew on me as I read more.
Profile Image for Sue-Dee Numb.
323 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2021
All the fun of the faire! Huzzah
After a disastrous date with a bird lover (of the feathered variety) that culminates in a strange occurrence after meeting her cheating ex and his new girlfriend in the falconry tent, Adelaide "Laidey" Ryan leaves her date and goes to leave the faire, but get's waylaid by the food. Ignoring a strange warning from a good looking pirate regarding a delicous looking sweet stall, When she goes to leave she discovers that not only can she not leave but that she is a witch, stunned and alone she is "claimed" by Macy Mulligan. Macy takes her to her tent and introduces Laidey to her work mates, a talking cat and 2 performing mice, To make sure her investment stays put, Molly puts Laidey to sleep, when she wakes up to her new reality it is to find the mice gone and Molly dead, a Viking sword through her chest, With Laidey the prime suspect and a dodgy corrupt Sherriff not interested in the truth Laidey realises to save her own neck she is going to have to find the truth out herself. Making new friends as she goes we follow Laidey as she makes her way around the various factions of the enchanted renaissance faire to find the real killer.

This is an easy to read cosy murder, apart from the enchanted faire there is not to much magic involved though told she is a witch we don't really see any magic from Laidey or those around her. The focus is more on the who done it, with a smidgen of romance and a talking cat (who doth speaketh like a Shakespeare character) don't get me wrong this does not take away from the story, There are lots of people who wanted Mulligan dead and Laidey has plenty of leads to follow. This is a book you can pick up and put down and enjoy, it is not a heavy read and the mystery is easy to follow,

I enjoyed it and look forward to the other books set in the faire
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,634 reviews25 followers
August 3, 2021
A renaissance faire what absolute fun and the author's descriptions hit the nail on the head! I couldn't put down this first book in a VERY promising paranormal mystery series! We start off with a very likeable main character, Adelaide Ryan (Laidey) who gets asked on a date to the renaissance Faire. Thinking she should get out she accepts only to find the date goes south. But while in the faire she sees her ex-boyfriend, the cheater with the girl he cheated with at the fair. She wishes something crazy would happen to them and when it does, she chalks it off as a coincidence. But when she finds it isn't, she is surprised! She discovers she's a witch. We meet some really great characters and of course Mort the talking cat with attitude. When a handsome pirate captain tells her not to eat the candy from the old hag, Macy's store, she does anyway and here is where the trouble really begins. She becomes indentured to the woman and has to take care of her two mice and the cat Mort. When Macy is found dead, Laidey gets charged with her murder and put in stocks waiting to be hung. Seems the sheriff won't look for anyone else even though Laidey is innocent. He thinks he has her dead to rights. When her bail is paid, she has only a couple of days to find the murderer before her life will end by hanging. So with the help of Mort the cat, who has the greatest attitude, the handsome pirate and a few friends along the way, she begins her investigation. There are so many laughs along the way, I had to re-read some passages because I was laughing so hard! And we find out that Laidey is stuck in this new world along with powers she never knew she had as well. I love this first book in the series and I can't wait to see what will happen next! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Julie Howard.
Author 2 books32 followers
November 23, 2022
I loved this book. I have loved all the previous series by this author but wasn't sure that I fancied this series, especially as it is written by different authors. However if the rest of the series is like this one then I will definitely be reading the rest. So glad I gave it ago, in fact I couldn't put it down and had read it in a few days. The reason I liked it so much was well everything. The characters were fun, even all the suspects had me hoping it wouldn't turn out of be them the more we learnt about them. The talking cat was a nice addition and a must for cozy paranormal mysteries. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. The only thing I would have liked to have known was why she was trapped in the Renaissance Faire, what kind of magic did Adelaide have? because she never really used it. The Renaissance Faire was an unusual setting especially with all the magical people/creatures walking around but it actually worked. A great start to a new series by a talented author that never fails to entertain.
For Adelaide the last thing she wants to see is her ex boyfriend with the woman he cheated on her with while she is on a disastrous date at the Renaissance Faire. She storms off and is warned by a handsome stranger to avoid the candy store. Unfortunately she fails to take the warning seriously and now she is trapped in the Renaissance Faire. The woman who kindly takes her in is found murdered the next morning and as the prime suspect she is sentenced to hang. Unless she can find the killer first. With the woman's death Adelaide inherits her talking cat and the two of them will have work together to narrow the list down. Can she find the killer and make a new life for herself in the strange new world she finds herself trapped in?
1,129 reviews32 followers
August 9, 2021
I love books with fun, snarky, and vulnerable female protagonists. That is exactly what I got with Adelaide “Laidey” Ryan in Johnson’s new book.

Laidey is on a date at the Renaissance Faire and becomes trapped there until a curse is broken. Shortly after her arrival, a woman is murdered and Laidey is accused of her murder. Laidey acquires the woman’s talking cat named Mort. He is hilarious and, oh so spoiled! Laidey is determined to clear her name by finding the true killer. In the meantime, she must find a job, and does so as a broom apprentice. Oh, and did I mention that she discovers she may be a witch?

This is a light, fun cozy that is perfect for those moments you just want to escape from reality. It has several engaging, delightfully unique secondary characters. Laidey quickly becomes friends with sweet serving wench Hilde and catches the eye of a handsome pirate. And the shop names at the Faire are certainly original: The Crooked Confectioner (do not eat the candy there if you are magical), Swept Away, Dungeon of Despair morgue, Pull My Turkey Leg.

The book did have some irritatingly repetitive phrases. I kept wondering about the hip thing…”planted his hands on his hips,” “planted her hands on her narrow hips,” “planted a hand on my hip,” “leaned into one hip,” etc. Too much hip action already!

My favorite snarky comment was “I’d even seen a clan of ninjas wandering through. Since I’d seen them, they clearly needed to work on their stealth training.”

I have already read the second book in the series, so am now looking forward to the third one.
1,321 reviews24 followers
July 29, 2021
I loved this tale about a “human” girl who goes to a Renaissance Fair and unbeknownst to her happens to have some magic inside of her for when she tries to leave that night she is prevented because she has eaten some candy that prevents her from leaving due to that said magic! A witch takes pity on her and decides to let her stay with her with the understanding that she’ll have to work off the debt she’ll owe her due to her generosity! However, that same witch is found dead the next morning and our unsuspecting girl is accused of killing her. Now she has to clear her name and see if she can leave this world she has unwittingly fallen into!


This is a wonderful romp with new friends and experiences that you’ll love to read about! It’s the first in a three part series by three different authors and I am looking forward to the next two to continue this magical feeling I felt by being enthralled with this story!

Give yourself the gift of smiles and joy as you delve into this story for you will come away sooo happy you decided to read this book and like me you’ll eagerly look forward to the next books in this series to “ read more about it”!

I most definitely recommend this book to chase away the gloom and doom we’re constantly being exposed to in a world gone completely crazy! Come and sit for a spell and just enjoy a fun story you’ll be glad you picked up!!
104 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2021
A unique premise for a story in the many thousands I have read over the decades and extremely enjoyable it is, with a title that pays homage to the bard himself. Laidy visits a local Renfaire on a nearly blind date only to meet up with her ex and his new girlfriend wile watching the falconry display. And this is the start of things going very wrong. Unable to leave after stuffing herself full of candy (despite being warned by a handsome pirate captain) Laidy discovers she is the latest victim of a curse. After being accused of a murder, spending tie in the stocks, acquiring a cat and being offered a new job as an apprentice broom maker, Laidy decides to work with some new friends and solve the murder (if she's found guilty, in Renfaire times the death penalty still existed) before the deadline of her upcoming trial.
Having successfully made new friends and discovered what actually happened to two missing white mice (which her newly acquired cate was accused, or suspected, of having eaten) Laidy avenges the victim of the murder and discovers that, somehow, she has made a new life which is exciting and completely different, enjoyable, and she is determined to enjoy it to the full.
An excellent novella, the first in a new series and I can't wait to read the next book to be published.
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,886 reviews20 followers
August 8, 2023
Good

This is the first in a multi-author series, following three different magical ladies as they navigate their lives within a cursed Renaissance faire.

Book one, features Adelaide Ryan, whose disastrous date to the Renaissance Faire, ends up with her being trapped there! Apparently, this Renaissance faire is full of magical beings, cursed to never leave- and this is Adelaide’s introduction to the magical world.
She’s only been there for one night, when she is accused of murder, but she’s fortunate to find some great friends at the faire, even if her nickname of Laidey does cause confusion to the residents.
With a talking cat by her side, and a friendly pirate catching her eye, Laidey is determined to clear her name, and make sure the true culprit is the one who gets the deadly punishment.

This is a fun cosy paranormal mystery, with some over-the-top Ren faire shenanigans, a variety of paranormal beings, and a little magic to round it out. It’s a lighthearted tale, sure to make the reader smile with some of the silly things that happen (I know I did), but enjoyable none the less.
Star of the book award goes to Mort, the talking cat, because he’s amusingly larger than life, though perhaps Bruce’s mustache comes in a close second ;).

An engaging, enchanting read, that paranormal cosy mystery lovers and Renaissance faire fans alike will enjoy.
Profile Image for Ivlia Blackburn.
67 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2021
In the many thousands of books I have read over the last 5+ decades this book is unique in its premise, and extremely enjoyable it is as well with a title that pays homage to the mighty bard himself.
Lady visits a Renfaire on a nearly blind date only to meet up with her ex and his new squeeze while watching the falconry display. And this is the real beginning for everything going awry. Unable to leave after stuffing her face full of candy (having ignored a warning from a rather handsome pirate Captain) Lady discovers that curses are real. After being accused of murder, spending time in the stocks, acquiring a cat, losing some mice and being offered a new job as an apprentice broom maker Lady decides to work with her newfound friends and solve the murder (if found guilty, well we all know the penalty in renaissance times don't we) before the deadline for her trial.
Having successfully found both the killer and the missing mice (thus avenging the victim and also exonerating the cat) Laidy discovers both her first real friend(s) and a new, exciting, different and enjoyable life for herself which she is determined to live and enjoy to the full.
An excellent novella, the first in what is to me a unique series which I very much look forward to reading.
1 review
August 3, 2021
This Renaissance paranormal mystery Faire book is awesome !
Laidey Ryan went to the Faire and wound up seeing her Ex with new girlfriend. Aquires an unusual Cat called Mort then is a suspect of murder? What else?
She found employment as a Broom maker while hunting for the actual murderer and meets the Pirate Captain who is looking to accuse her of Mary Milligan' s murder. Now to what else ?
She becomes attteacted to this Pirate and BOOM ...SHE FINDS OUT SHES A WITCH . WOW WHAT NOW?
HUNTING THE ACTUAL MURDER AMONG ALL THE QUIRKY ACTS IN THE Faire and Boom ...the cat Mort is talking to her. can it get any better?
Yes it can she has to be careful and resorceful to find the killer or be charged herself. Will she make it in time.
This is book 1 of a Series of 3 so far and it doesnt disappoint you. get your hands on this book and laugh and smirk and be ready to be puzzled up to last few pages. ERIN JOHNSON IS A TRUE MYSTICAL AND THRILLING AUTHOR WITH SO MANY CHARACTERS YOU CANT PUT BOOK DOWN.
WHO WOULDNT WANT AN EXCITI NG LIFE.

...FROM A PILATES TEACHER TO A BROOM MAKER WITH A CAT !
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,277 reviews58 followers
August 3, 2021
Trapped at a Ren Faire, assumed to be a magical being, and accused of murder. Adelaide “Laidey” Ryan can’t catch a break. She’s at the local Renaissance Festival with a less-than-desirable date, runs into her ex-fiancé and his new someone, and then finds herself trapped on the festival grounds. She’s taken in by Macy, the very woman she’s accused of murdering, the second day of her trapping. Now, she has to figure out who actually committed homicide before the sloth of a sheriff has her tried and convicted for something she didn’t do. After being accused of Macy’s murder, Laidey has four days to prove she’s not a murderer before she tried and hanged for the crime.

Much A’Broom About Nothing is a fun, magical mystery novella with an intriguing plot. I enjoyed Laidey’s character and her newly discovered witchy powers. After the death of Macy, Laidey takes possession of Macy’s cat, who was part of her magical act at the Faire. Mort is a fantastic talking cat and brings so much levity to the story.

This is a great start to the first book in a multi-author book series.
526 reviews7 followers
September 5, 2021
What can be worse than running into your ex-fiance and his new girlfriend while on a bad blind date at the renaissance fair? In this case Adelaide (or Laidy, as she prefers to be called) soon discovers that becoming forever trapped by a curse and unable to leave the faire, accused of murder, and needing to both find the real murderer to clear her name and learn how to survive in her new life has now become her immediate priority.

Everyone travelling with the faire is a magical creature, including herself, as she had just learned. It seems that she is actually a witch, as was discovered when she managed to make a hawk empty it’s bowels over her ex-fiance and his girlfriend. It's not an easy adjustment for someone to make, but it sure does make for an amusing story.

I enjoyed this paranormal cozy mystery. The characters are fun to read & their plight in this tale is at times amusing and other times leaves you trying to solve the mystery of who killed a witch by stabbing her with a viking's sword. It was a fun tale to read, especially if you have ever visited a renaissance faire yourself.

This was the first book in this series & one that I think will leave you wanting to read the rest of the series too. It's a quick and enjoyable read and I found it to be a lot of fun.
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