Sandy Seances

Isles of Mer #1

by Paula Lester, M.E. Harmon

Magic and Murder in Tropical Paradise

One day can change everything.

For Waverly Windswept, witch, fashionista, queen of snark—but also suffering pre-midlife crisis—that fatal day arrives when her estranged, grifter sister goes missing. Waverly goes on the hunt to find her loved one where she was last seen—a tropical paradise home to a secretive people.

But from the moment she arrives, Waverly is tossed into a murderous fray as she unravels secrets people will kill to hide. Then there are the ghosts, mermen, hidden treasure, and the rugged private investigator who all complicate Waverly's quest to find out the truth.

Will Waverly find what’s been lost, or will the killer hot on her tracks torch the witch in paradise?

226 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2021

Reviews

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandy Séances is a tropic murder mystery just in time to heat up the winter blues! Waverly (she might be familiar to those who have read these authors previous series) is full of heart, snark and has a way with people.

She is dealing with a lot in her life, not just at her job when she discovers her sister is missing. She decides it’s her place to help out (take over?) and find out what is going on. In order to do just that Waverly finds herself in paradise and she finds it is a very different place from home. She fits in and stands out and if there is one thing Waverly does with gusto, it’s inserting herself into new places, winning over new people and finding the truth.

I really enjoyed the mix of people Waverly encounters in this story as well as the way the authors wove the mystery and the new world building. Though Waverly may have been familiar she really shines in this story and comes into her own.

The story is fast paced, full of great humorous moments, awesome magic and an ending that satisfy but also leaves the reader wanting the next the next adventure.

[Sue-Dee Numb · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the Crystal Springs series that Paula Lester and M.E Harmon wrote, I liked Waverly Windswept the court secretary at the council building, she was always ready with a snarky response to Cascade. So when I realised this was Waverly's own series I was excited to read it. Paula Lester & M.E Harmon did not let me down.
Waverly knows she wants more in her life than what she has, Yes she has a stable job, But she has just been turned down for a promotion. Customer service isn't easy and Waverly does not suffer fools gladly, she is a great character and this story gives a great insight into a person who is prickly on the outside but has so much to offer on the inside.

Well written with an interesting and engaging plot, characters who are fun and so much more than first impressions.
I like that Waverly is taken away from Crystal Springs, we are not surrounded by familiar characters and scenery so Waverly is able to shine, as does Griffin the shifter P.I. she hires to help her investigate her missing sister and navigate the Isles of Mer a tropical archipelago of islands where Witches and magic are looked at with fear and disdain and are not as welcome as they are in Crystal Spring's. (neither are her Manolo Blahnik's!)

Maybe, just maybe Waverly can find that something more she is looking for.

[Wannee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Start to a New Fun Enjoyable Cozy Mystery in Tropical Paradise!!!

Sandy Seances is the first book in Isles of Mer Tropical Witch Cozy Mysteries Series.

Waverly’s sister is missing, and she is trying to find her that lead her to Sandy Seances, a tropical paradise home to a secretive people. Waverly encounters ghosts, mermen, hidden treasure, and the rugged private investigator who all complicate Waverly's quest to find out the truth.

I really love this book, I had a great fun reading it and enjoying it tremendously, it's a quick fast paced cozy mystery full of paranormal, suspense, action, humor, wonderful quirky characters, and romance. It is a real page turner and very entertaining, the story keep me glue to the seat trying to figure out the mystery while laughing out loud. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans and I am 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.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine has a knack for getting to the truth, even when people don't really want to hear it. So when her sister goes missing, she is all over the case. Again, whether the locals want her there or not.

This is book one of the series, so a good place to start

This is a cozy witch mystery so all good there. But we also throw in mermaids and other exceptional beings and things get really interesting. The story is well written and easy to read with a diverse cast (see above) that provides plenty of friends and foes for our heroine to deal with. The setting is a nice tropical paradise, or it would be if it wasn't for all the trouble. I love our heroine and enjoyed her snark, although she can be a bit of a handful. The mystery was also a good one with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Overall, it was a great introduction to another cozy witch mystery and I look forward to seeing more in the future.

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waverly always seems a bit power mad, rule oriented in her position working with Arch Sirens.

A snafu with a fire drake, and a crazy mystery that might be a message from her sister lead her to an island chain populated by Mer, with restrictions on witchly activities

A certain sharky PI is an added twist

can they find her missing sister? is a bit of romance in the offing, or is it all a prelude to an ending? or to a mysterious mythical sea lord of some kind?

an intriguing ongoing adventure!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waverley's sister Kai has gone missing - and it seems that no one is really looking for her! When she gets to the island where Kai has been living, she enlists the help of Griffin, a PI to help in her search.
But will they find her in time? Or will Waverley die in the attempt to rescue her sister?
What is the truth about the lost Dowry Treasure? Slight cliff hanger ending - and I cant wait to read more! Love the characters in this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waverly is missing a sister and her last location is a tropical island that is home to mer people who do not want trouble invading their turf. There is a hidden treasure and a very interesting P. I. in the mix of clues and in curious situations. The banter is terrific as they forge ahead. Loved the characters sith their diversity and skills. Totally glued to the pages and can not wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize that family is family no matter the distance, the circumstances for the distances, and the strains that can be placed on familiar relationships, you will do anything to help them out. Waverly does just that when her sister goes missing.

As it was good to read about Waverly in other books, it was good to really get to know her here. Waverly's personality is really put to the test with this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, I really enjoyed it! Waverly’s sister is missing, and she is determined to find her. A beautiful setting takes you on a sunny escape. I love all the different characters! The story flows so well, I couldn’t stop reading! It’s a fun and interesting read, I’m looking forward to the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sunny Lovestories · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was over the moon to see Authors Lester and Harmon out with a new series and better yet the Waverly was still our struggling to get through life heroine. This time wayward sis is off the grid. She is at Sandy Seances where there is more than just a midlife crisis and other witches to worry about.
Funny and frustrating, solving problems is never easy let alone when you throw in hardly ever seen Mermen.
I can't wait for book 2

[Rie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an excellent read!
Loved the writing style! Easy to follow and good pacing! It didn't felt rushed nor slow-paced!
And the characters were well developed. I really liked the Mc and all the things she did to solve her case.
The main mystery was pretty good, loved those hints of the Bride's Dowry and in the end, everything was wrapped up nicely!
Looking forward to the second book!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waverly ends up on a tropical island looking for her missing sister. Fun characters and magic made this an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this book. The book was well written and interesting. I enjoyed all the twists and turns. I could not read it quick enough.

[Myra Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice!!!

This is an excellent spin-off series from the Crystal Springs series. Lester and Harmon are great at writing unique plots and that's so important for a good book.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written and has well developed/loveable characters. Very well told story and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!