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Spell Booked - Sept 2015 Side read

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message 1: by Tina (last edited Sep 10, 2015 06:12PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Sorry, can't wait another week. And it's a side read so we've some leeway. ;-) Let's do it when you're ready.


Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery #1) by Joyce Lavene

Darn, just as I'm getting to like this character, she's a goner. Olivia is killed protecting this friendly coven's book of spells. Even so, she's dead, the book's gone. Molly and Elsie, two remaining members of their circle, witches-of-a-certain-age, can’t spell the book back as their powers are dwindling. The book is needed if they're going to retire. A young recruit agrees to become their apprentice. Her duty is to help deal with their dwindling powers and assist in tracking down Olivia’s killer. Backdrop's cozy-witchy. Love the cover. I could hang there quite comfortably.

Just started the book and am already loving it. Good writing (so far). Book starts with a mystery and stays with it. A couple mini subplots but nothing (so far) to steer too far off course. Looks like it's gonna be a winner, PI's! ;-)


message 2: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments I just bought it so all I have to do is wait for it to download and then I'll join you.


message 3: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments I'm going to start this tonight since a friend of my daughter, that got picked up by the Steeler's isn't able to play tonight. What a bummer! Just to let everyone know I am NOT a Steeler's fan, I'm a COWBOYS' fan, but If BJ didn't get hurt in the last game and was playing tonight, I was going to watch the game, but since he's on the injured list, it's a good night to start a book......


message 4: by Tina (last edited Sep 11, 2015 01:57PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Allison, that's as close to conjuring up a book as one can get. Heartened to see you are keeping up your powers...unlike fossil me who stirs cauldron 'til she gets to B&N or Ammy delivers to my door. I just may learn a move or two when reading this book. lol

P. S. On intro post -- Though this book is more cozy than August side read, I feel it's still well written. I'm enjoying it so far. We shall see if it holds up as story unfolds. ;-)


message 5: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments POOF! I'm 76% done - now that's magic, lol!

I'm really enjoying the interaction, friendship between the 3 witches. Too bad Olivia went so soon...and it such a horrible way. This reads really quickly and I love the cats too.


message 6: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments I'm not to far behind you Allison. I like the three witches and Olivia for some reason reminds me of Blanch from the Golden Girls....

The cats are a hoot, but then again I think all cats are a hoot, even my two old grumpy cats. Yes, we refer to them as grumpy old men.


message 7: by Tina (last edited Sep 12, 2015 09:44AM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
lol you two. And wow, almost done with the book. (You'll have five read to my one). It is a cozy, jaunty read and I thought too about Blanche from GG's. The spicy belle of them all. It also reminds me a bit of L. Meiers' Lucy Stone going coven or Judy and Renie from B&B series turning to witchcraft. Not exact but shades of. Guess it must be the middle-aged-boomer gal-cozy thing. Anyway, thanks for agreeing to make it our Sept. side read.

One picky point: If hubs is a cop, I'd think he'd have a clue that his wife has witchy leanings. Then again maybe he does and he's just not saying anything. Or the shop as somewhat of a front helps keep their secret.

I have four cats from same family. They were abandoned and at the time there were two more: mom and a kitten. We've lost those two since and their remaining family is getting on in age. They came to use just before 9/11. Couldn't find homes for them so we adopted the whole bunch. Whatcha gonna do? Anyway, they've been a source of amusement, happiness and often angst lol but we love them. ;-)

Onward reading!


message 8: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
LOL Dorothy's bolting when first introduced to the witches' idea. But she did return so that's encouraging. Interesting scene using Brian's essence to reveal what and where he touched and had been in the store. Wonder if it's really done (PI, TIna - it's only a story, it's only a story. lol) and if so, how close is this portrayal? Though I have my doubts, anything's possible.


message 9: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments Jill wrote: "I'm not to far behind you Allison. I like the three witches and Olivia for some reason reminds me of Blanch from the Golden Girls....

The cats are a hoot, but then again I think all cats are a hoo..."


YES! That's who Olivia reminds me of, Blanche from Golden Girls. Gosh I loved that show. I totally want to be like them when I grow up!

Tina - I'm thinking hubster is like quite a few married couples where the spouse seems to be a fixture not an active participant after awhile if that makes sense? They don't see what's right in front of them.

I finished this last night and would read more in the series. I liked how they brought in the young man as a sidekick too - makes this a little less "middle-aged-boomer gal-cozy thing" (Tina, I think you've created a whole new genre lol) which actually adds to the story I think.


message 10: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments I want to go to their little shop!!!!! It sounds so cute!

I think that hubby doesn't know she's a witch, but she can explain things away to him that he doesn't question or it makes sense.

I am enjoying this book, and I think I'll get the rest in this series to read, I'm finding it funny......when they use their magic and it's just not quite what they want to conjure up....lol


message 11: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Allison, I should be able to relate as I've one of those fixtures of my own. I suppose I could lead a double life and he'd never know it. lol

As one middle-aged-boomer cozy gal to the other (though I shouldn't assume) the game's afoot.

Glad you liked it, Allison. I didn't know what to expect but the authors seem accomplished and able to handle this sub genre. Thanks for playing along. ;-)



Allison wrote: "Jill wrote: "I'm not to far behind you Allison. I like the three witches and Olivia for some reason reminds me of Blanch from the Golden Girls....

The cats are a hoot, but then again I think all c..."


Allison wrote: "Jill wrote: "I'm not to far behind you Allison. I like the three witches and Olivia for some reason reminds me of Blanch from the Golden Girls....

The cats are a hoot, but then again I think all c..."



message 12: by Tina (last edited Sep 13, 2015 03:06PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
I do too, Jill. maybe I could have a reading to see if I've any skills of the trade.

She does seem crafty at explaining away things that she can't reveal. In this line of work she'd have to have that gift. How else does one explain when the cat turns up purple or the like. ;-)

LOL on their spells not going off quite as hoped for.
Dorothy seems a plus here.

Jill wrote: "I want to go to their little shop!!!!! It sounds so cute!

I think that hubby doesn't know she's a witch, but she can explain things away to him that he doesn't question or it makes sense.

I am en..."



message 13: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments They're gonna have to fix up a place for Olivia though. Right now she's just kind of hovering and how irritating that she would have to go wherever her stick goes? What if someone took it to the Men's room or something, lol.


message 14: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments lol....leave it to you Allison to think of the stick going into the men's room....lol


message 15: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
LOL


message 16: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments Jill wrote: "lol....leave it to you Allison to think of the stick going into the men's room....lol"

I know, right? It's truly frightening how my mind works. I'm with it all the time and I'm even scared. :)


message 17: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments I pre-ordered Book 2 already.I liked it that much!


message 18: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments I pre-ordered the second book also....lol

Now for the book did anyone see the Olivia/Dorothy connection coming? I didn't until the "Stick" came to Dorothy's hand..... Sorry for the spoiler if you're not up to that part yet.


message 19: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
I'm not that far along in the book so MsG, come keep me company. It's not too late to pick up on our Sept. main and side reads. Pghfan, I think you'd like this one. Good writing, story telling.


message 20: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments The writing is good I would agree with that Tina. I also think the character's are easy to connect with. It is a easy, funny, good pace little book....You did good Tina!!!!!!!!!!!


message 21: by Tina (last edited Sep 15, 2015 08:36AM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
No, you did good. No, you. lol ;-) But thanks, Jill. One never knows about our picks. We go in hopeful and sometimes we are rewarded with gems. And some need a little polish. In the end, it's all good. ;-)


message 22: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments I think we're doing pretty good with the side reads. So far, as I can remember, we've liked them all.

I did not see the Olivia/Dorothy thing coming either Jill. A surprise there.


message 23: by Jill (last edited Sep 15, 2015 07:58PM) (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Usually I can figure out these cozy rather quickly but not this one. Didn't see the Olivia/Dorothy thing, the rogue witch, I'm wondering if it's not Cassandra, but then again, since they introduce Olivia/Dorothy thing, is the rogue witch connected somehow to Olivia, Molly and Elsia? Or could it actually be Molly's son? then I thought, no, it's Molly's husband, and then it's like no, then I started thinking maybe it's Aleesa and that's why she's so grumpy!. We'll just have to see what comes, when everyone is caught up! So let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on! (That's my new saying now, only because I heard the song that line is stuck in my head!)


message 24: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments OH SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! JUST FREAK N' WOW!!!!!!!!! BLINDSIDED!!!!!!!!!!!


message 25: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Just had first tangle with Brian (that I know of. He may have been busy and reader was not yet made aware of). After that swan dive off the ferry, the gals really need to watch their witchy backs.


message 26: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Tina,
When that scene happened my mind automatically went to the Salem Witch Trials, where they drowned the witches and if they float they weren't witches....lol...I think you're really going to enjoy this one!


message 27: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Jill, it did have that flavor about it. A modern day dunking/drowning...depending which way it goes.

I do like this one. Keeps the interest every step of the way. So far no story-sagging.


message 28: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Your right the story doesn't slow down or drag. This was very well thought out and writen


message 29: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments Jill wrote: "OH SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! JUST FREAK N' WOW!!!!!!!!! BLINDSIDED!!!!!!!!!!!"

I know, right?? Did not see any of that coming and canNOT wait til everyone is ready to talk about it.


message 30: by Jill (last edited Sep 17, 2015 06:14PM) (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments I know right?! It' was so hard to keep thy mouth shut on that one!!!!!!!!! If the rest of the series is like this one book, we are so in for a treat!

People READ FASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!...LOL I will say this much, it wasn't what I was expecting it to be, it was much, much better. Good job on picking this one Tina!!!!!!!!

Oh I don't know if any of you have this or can find this, but we have here a wine it's called Witch's Brew, and it's really really good! You can drink it as is OR warm it up and add, some cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange peel into it and serve it warm. It only comes out here in the fall for a limited time and it's reasonably priced as well. Should of got some while I was reading this book it would of paired nicely with the book...lol

Maybe that's what we should do. We should do pairings with the books, you know kind of how they pair wines with pasta, seafood, steak... We could pair drinks with the books we are reading...lol


message 31: by Tina (last edited Sep 17, 2015 02:07PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
That Cassandra seems a Witch with a capital B. lol She may even be in league with Brian. Reading on.

Witch's Brew sounds like a fit for this tome. I'm in!


message 32: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments lol....you got that right about her Tina! Keep an open mind about Brian and remember what Olivia keeps saying about him....


message 33: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Will do, Jill. Thanks.


message 34: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments Witch's Brew sounds delish! And I like your idea of the book/wine pairings. Fun!


message 35: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Allison wrote: "Witch's Brew sounds delish! And I like your idea of the book/wine pairings. Fun!"

"LIKE"


message 36: by Allison (new)

Allison | 905 comments 'Course the more I enjoy wine with my book the sleepier I get so I tend to not finish what I'm reading, lol.

By the end of the book I did change my attitude about Brian, started kind of likeing him. Since he's so much younger than the 3 Witches he's actually a good fit with them for future escapades.


message 37: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
At the point I'm at, I def. don't like Brian esp. after the veiled threat against her family at the restaurant. We'll see how that advances.


message 38: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Allison wrote: "'Course the more I enjoy wine with my book the sleepier I get so I tend to not finish what I'm reading, lol.

By the end of the book I did change my attitude about Brian, started kind of likeing h..."


I changed my mind of Brian at the end of the book.


message 39: by Tina (last edited Sep 21, 2015 12:42AM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Olivia/Dorothy connection is made clear. It seemed to be leaning that way. I like how the authors handle apparition(s) participation. Skillfully done IMHO.

Their familiars, cats are great. I often wished mine could really talk, tell me what their thinking. And then sometimes, not. lol

Liking story enough to eventually read others in the series. The usual "So many titles, so little time" is the issue.


message 40: by Tina (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
So Molly shares her big secret with Joe...sort of. ;-)

As the story eliminates suspects, I'm grasping, trying to figure out whodunit? Will one who was eliminated return as the real perp or is it a remote choice like Joe's sidekick. Hmmm?


message 41: by Jill (new)

Jill Tool | 992 comments Tina wrote: "So Molly shares her big secret with Joe...sort of. ;-)

As the story eliminates suspects, I'm grasping, trying to figure out whodunit? Will one who was eliminated return as the real perp or is it ..."


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....that's all I'm going to say!


message 42: by Tina (last edited Sep 24, 2015 02:24PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
LOL Jill. You're such a tease. ;-)

This book's got it all: witches, ghosts, werewolves. Not a werewolf fan but it's done right and not off putting. In the final phase of story. Should have it done this weekend.


message 43: by Tina (last edited Sep 26, 2015 02:34PM) (new)

Tina (tinacz) | 6103 comments Mod
Done, done, done, done, done. Not a bad little book. They handled the witchy stuff quite nicely. And that Bone Man. Yikes. Mini - spoiler -


He turned out to be a not so bad guy afterall. lol

The perp and her sidekick, mmmm? The one just came out of nowhere. I don't believe she was introduced in story...I mean besides at very end. They say that's a "no, no." To introduce a character at end, just to have a person to stick in that slot.

Anyway, not bad. I'd probably read another one in this series. Thanks, PI's for reading and discussing Spell Booked for our Sept. side read.


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