Mysterious Saturday Review: One Potion in the Grave

* Book 2 in the Magic Potion Mystery Series *

When an old friend comes into Carly's shop, she almost doesn't recognize her. Carly does however recognize the tingles of danger. Katie Sue followed her dreams and made them come true - at the expense of leaving everyone in the town behind, including her sisters.

Now, even when her sister's health is at an all time low, she's back in town for revenge. With a big wedding taking up Carly and her family's energy, she wants to help Katie Sue.

The closer they get to the wedding, the more things start to unravel. Carly's nervous about Katie Sue's talk of revenge. When she can't find her friend later in the day, the nerves start to grow. What should have been a happy moment in someone's life turned to murder and distrust. Carly desperately wants to figure out what happened to her old friend.

My Thoughts: Relationships make the book in this small town series - from Carly and Dylan to Carly and Delia, to Carly and her crazy family. I like the tension between Carly and Dylan and the slow burn of will they or won't they get back together. I like the new relationship between Carly and her cousin Delia - how they're learning to trust each other, how they're becoming friends, and how they're putting the past behind them. I really enjoy Carly's aunts - they lighten the book with their antics.

With the wedding in town, everyone's buzzing about the wealthy family and the girl who was once part of the town. The relationships intertwine and become heated with the desire for revenge. Not to mention the family that Katie Sue left behind in town - her family needs her. 

It's hard to imagine people's motives in heinous behavior, but this book showcases it all: revenge, greed, lust for power, the bond of family, and murder. An impressive feat for such an enjoyable book.


Cover Thoughts: Mysterious
Source: My Library

Overall Thoughts: A delightful second book in this magical series where relationships, gossip, love, and hope run the town that will make you smile and laugh and wish to spend a day or two in town.

Mysterious Saturday Review: A Potion to Die For

Carly Bell Hartwell makes healing potions. She's more in demand than ever until a dead body turns up in her shop with an empty potion bottle in his hand.

Now Carly's looking to clear her name and get her reputation back. In between asking questions, snooping, and breaking and entering - she has her hands full with family and relationship drama. Can she figure out the murderer before her reputation dies?

My Thoughts:  a strong start to a new series. I liked the small town charm and how quickly gossip spreads. I liked the unfinished business between Carly and Dylan (the lead investigator for the case, who happens to be her ex-finace). I really liked the relationship between Carly and her cousin Delia. I can't wait to see what kind of trouble they get into next.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library.

Mysterious Saturday Review: A Witch Before Dying

 * second book in the series - Read my review for the first book*

Darcy works for her aunt at As You Wish - helping mortals with projects and witches with projects and wishes. She agrees to help out fellow witch Eloide clean out her mother's home.

Eloide's mother has been missing for over a year. Eloide can't afford rent on both houses anymore. She has no idea what happened to her mother but her mother had a very powerful wishing necklace, which plenty of people would love to find.

While in the house, Darcy and Eloide find a body and it's been there for quite some time. Now Eloide wants Darcy to look into her mother's murder. There's been rumors surrounding her disappearance. Can Darcy separate truth from all the rumors and can she figure out the murder and what really happened to the necklace?

My Thoughts: A charming new installment to this series. I love the small town setting, complete with humans and witches. I really like learning about the craft rules along with Darcy, who's new to town. I adore Mimi and I like how she and Darcy are learning together.  Plus I'm so interest to find what happens next between Darcy and Nick! I find the town characters fascinating, although not all delightful. I can't wait to learn more about Harper. I liked learning about the necklace, especially it's history and it's power. A great cast of potential murderers proved creepy, making this a fun light enjoyable read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the glittery swirls however, the woman is MUCH to thin on the cover.
Source: My Library
Up Next: The Good, The Bad, and the Witchy will be out next April

Mysterious Saturday Review: It Takes a Witch

Darcy and her sister have just moved to Enchanted Village after their father died. Upon his death, they learn the truth about their lives. They are Wishcrafters witches - which means they have the power and the obligation to grant wishes.

The town was created as a tourist destination to hide witchcraft. Part of the rules for Wishcrafters witches is complete secrecy. They can only tell another crafter of their secret.

Darcy's still learning the rules of her trade. She's still getting used to the town and the people. When a well known woman turns up murdered and her grandmother's boyfriend the main suspect, she dives into the deep end with an investigation.

Will she lose her craft through her lack of craft knowledge or her life from her lack of knowledge about the town and it's people?

My Thoughts: First in an new fun series with magic, romance, action, job issues, and family drama. I loved the twist at the end - I didn't see that coming, but it was so sweet. I love the small town feel. I love the secrets uncovered as Darcy and her sister get to know the townspeople. So looking forward to more in this series!


Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the swirls and the sparkle


Source: My Library


Fun Fact: Heather Blake is also Heather Webber


Up Next: Witch Before Dying comes out in August 2012