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Magical Midlife in Retrograde #1
Mercury Rising
Midlife—when the magic really begins…
Happy Birthday and hello Mid-life crisis to me. At forty-five, I thought life was over. Dead-end job, empty nest...it was just me and the cat. But when I lost my house and moved in with my senior citizen mom—that was the icing on my cake. Then, out of nowhere, my luck changed—or so I thought. I won a trip to an Inn...
Who knew the prize would be learning I’m not just a broke, divorced, empty-nester—I’m a witch.
Join Mercury a she discovers her hidden past and the world of magic waiting for her at the Phoenix Inn.
Book one of the Magical Midlife in Retrograde series
Happy Birthday and hello Mid-life crisis to me. At forty-five, I thought life was over. Dead-end job, empty nest...it was just me and the cat. But when I lost my house and moved in with my senior citizen mom—that was the icing on my cake. Then, out of nowhere, my luck changed—or so I thought. I won a trip to an Inn...
Who knew the prize would be learning I’m not just a broke, divorced, empty-nester—I’m a witch.
Join Mercury a she discovers her hidden past and the world of magic waiting for her at the Phoenix Inn.
Book one of the Magical Midlife in Retrograde series
- GenresFantasyMysteryParanormal
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2023
190 people are currently reading
1390 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Aspen
6 books50 followersHi, I'm J.B. Aspen and I'm a magical midlife mystery writer who loves all things chocolate. If you love paranormal books with a cozy mystery flare, Urban Fantasy, and of course, magic! Then you'll love my books. Join Mercury and Mr. Yow, her intrepid Siamese cat, as they explore a brand new world of magic and midlife and empty-nesting. Oh, and a few murders too!
Come to the Phoenix Inn and explore your next Paranormal Women's Fiction. Discover murder, mystery and mayhem...and a little bit of magic—mid-life style!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 3, 2023
Title: Mercury Rising
Author: J. B. Aspen
Series: Magical Midlife in Retrograde, #1
Pages: 288
Publisher: Independently Published
Date: April 27, 2023
Summary:
Midlife—when the magic really begins…
Happy Birthday and hello Mid-life crisis to me. At forty-five, I thought life was over. Dead-end job, empty nest...it was just me and the cat. But when I lost my house and moved in with my senior citizen mom—that was the icing on my cake. Then, out of nowhere, my luck changed—or so I thought. I won a trip to an Inn...
Who knew the prize would be learning I’m not just a broke, divorced, empty-nester—I’m a witch.
Join Mercury as she discovers her hidden past and the world of magic waiting for her at the Phoenix Inn.
Review:
I am a sucker for a paranormal mystery. Add in the fact that this book has a sentient house/inn, a cat, and a woman NOT in her twenties. It was obviously written for me.
The book begins on Mercury’s 45th birthday. She has two wonderful daughters, has been divorced for several years, and her ex has just sold her house out from under her. Her only choice is to move in with her mother in a senior retirement village.
That’s not a terrible thing. She loves her adopted mom. It’s just her mom is living a more exciting life than Mercury has ever had.
Oh, yeah. Adopted. She was adopted when she was a toddler and has no memories of her birth family.
And that turns out to be key to the story.
Mercy is a witch and she had no idea.
I loved this book and will definitely buy the sequel when it becomes available. The writing was engrossing, and although there was the necessary world building, it was not cumbersome.
The book was written in first person which I normally do not like. However, the author did an excellent job and I hardly noticed it.
The only thing I wished for was more of Mr. Yow. Who’s that? The cat, of course.
Right now, April 27, 2023, Mercury Rising is available on Kindle Unlimited.
I have already preordered the sequel, Mercury Falling, which is due out on March 14, 2024. I can’t wait.
This book was sent to me by the author in return for an honest review.
Author: J. B. Aspen
Series: Magical Midlife in Retrograde, #1
Pages: 288
Publisher: Independently Published
Date: April 27, 2023
Summary:
Midlife—when the magic really begins…
Happy Birthday and hello Mid-life crisis to me. At forty-five, I thought life was over. Dead-end job, empty nest...it was just me and the cat. But when I lost my house and moved in with my senior citizen mom—that was the icing on my cake. Then, out of nowhere, my luck changed—or so I thought. I won a trip to an Inn...
Who knew the prize would be learning I’m not just a broke, divorced, empty-nester—I’m a witch.
Join Mercury as she discovers her hidden past and the world of magic waiting for her at the Phoenix Inn.
Review:
I am a sucker for a paranormal mystery. Add in the fact that this book has a sentient house/inn, a cat, and a woman NOT in her twenties. It was obviously written for me.
The book begins on Mercury’s 45th birthday. She has two wonderful daughters, has been divorced for several years, and her ex has just sold her house out from under her. Her only choice is to move in with her mother in a senior retirement village.
That’s not a terrible thing. She loves her adopted mom. It’s just her mom is living a more exciting life than Mercury has ever had.
Oh, yeah. Adopted. She was adopted when she was a toddler and has no memories of her birth family.
And that turns out to be key to the story.
Mercy is a witch and she had no idea.
I loved this book and will definitely buy the sequel when it becomes available. The writing was engrossing, and although there was the necessary world building, it was not cumbersome.
The book was written in first person which I normally do not like. However, the author did an excellent job and I hardly noticed it.
The only thing I wished for was more of Mr. Yow. Who’s that? The cat, of course.
Right now, April 27, 2023, Mercury Rising is available on Kindle Unlimited.
I have already preordered the sequel, Mercury Falling, which is due out on March 14, 2024. I can’t wait.
This book was sent to me by the author in return for an honest review.
April 30, 2023
Mercury Rodgers is having a crisis. She's having to move back in with her mother after her ex-husband demands she sell their former family home. Her receptionist job isn't very exciting or lucrative, and there hasn't been any action in the romance department since her marriage broke down over a decade ago. With her two daughters out at college, she's ready for a new direction. Her widowed mother informs her that she's submitted many applications for financial aid for "mature students" who want to go back to college. Mercury hadn't thought about it, but she's willing to give the idea some thought. When an official looking envelope arrives inviting her to a weekend getaway, complete with a competition for a large cash prize, she eagerly accepts. While she doesn't expect to win, she figures a free all-expenses-paid vacation is nothing to sneeze at. When she arrives, she begins to have second thoughts. The Phoenix Inn is located on an island. Her fellow contestants all seem to know something she doesn't. She is soon informed that the competition is for witches and other supernatural beings. The winner will become the permanent innkeeper of the Phoenix, which is used as a refuge by those who seek shelter from the world of the "mundanes." The Inn itself is directing its search for a new keeper and has specifically requested that Mercury be one of the finalists. Mercury knows she was adopted as a young child, and she even has hazy memories of a fire which claimed the lives of her mother and sister. Everyone insists on calling her Mercury Quicksilver and tells her about the long line of Quicksilver witches. While Mercury knows nothing of this, she soon realizes that she might have to embrace her unknown magical powers in order to survive. Because someone or something is killing off her fellow contestants. When Mercury claims innocence about the sinister events, or even how she came to be there, it only makes her look suspicious to local law enforcement who are investigating the strange occurrences at the inn.
I enjoyed the book and the story moved along at a nice pace. Still, Mercury was something of an annoyance, constantly putting herself into danger, being slow on the uptake, and generally coming off as not the brightest witch in the coven. I did wonder how the witches' powers all sort of came and went -- I mean, surely a witch in danger would be able to "magic" themselves out of danger more often than not? It was interesting to encounter the various supernatural entities and see how they interacted when faced with a leadership crisis!
I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
I enjoyed the book and the story moved along at a nice pace. Still, Mercury was something of an annoyance, constantly putting herself into danger, being slow on the uptake, and generally coming off as not the brightest witch in the coven. I did wonder how the witches' powers all sort of came and went -- I mean, surely a witch in danger would be able to "magic" themselves out of danger more often than not? It was interesting to encounter the various supernatural entities and see how they interacted when faced with a leadership crisis!
I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.
April 29, 2023
A New Beginning . . .
Mercury Rodgers at forty-five already thinks her life is over. She hated her job and then her ex-husband sold the house. With no money, her only option is to pack up the cat and go home to live with her mom. When she receives an invitation to The Phoenix Inn, which is not in very good condition, it isn’t for the reason she expected. They need a new Innkeeper, a strong one with enough magic to stabilize the Inn before it implodes. Otherwise, people won’t be safe. But they keep referring to her by the wrong name. Is there really a “Mercury Quicksilver” attending? Jack tells her about the Inn and how she can find out for sure whether she is a witch. She wants to know, so she agrees to the test and he leads her through a secret passage behind the fireplace. She finds out she is indeed a witch, and that will take some getting used to. But when the murders begin and contestants start getting killed, will Mercury try to hunt down the killer? Will she be the only one still there to claim the contest prize when it’s over?
This is Mercury’s time to realize her own value and gain confidence in herself. She has felt broken for too long. Now she is ready to step up and make her life what she wants it to be. If she stays here, will she be able to look for her mom and sister to see if they might still be alive? Will the Phoenix Inn be her new beginning?
You will meet so many quirky characters here and I can see this is going to be a fun series to stick with. Just finding some answers to Mercury’s questions will give her some peace and a new reason to start to live again.
Mercury Rodgers at forty-five already thinks her life is over. She hated her job and then her ex-husband sold the house. With no money, her only option is to pack up the cat and go home to live with her mom. When she receives an invitation to The Phoenix Inn, which is not in very good condition, it isn’t for the reason she expected. They need a new Innkeeper, a strong one with enough magic to stabilize the Inn before it implodes. Otherwise, people won’t be safe. But they keep referring to her by the wrong name. Is there really a “Mercury Quicksilver” attending? Jack tells her about the Inn and how she can find out for sure whether she is a witch. She wants to know, so she agrees to the test and he leads her through a secret passage behind the fireplace. She finds out she is indeed a witch, and that will take some getting used to. But when the murders begin and contestants start getting killed, will Mercury try to hunt down the killer? Will she be the only one still there to claim the contest prize when it’s over?
This is Mercury’s time to realize her own value and gain confidence in herself. She has felt broken for too long. Now she is ready to step up and make her life what she wants it to be. If she stays here, will she be able to look for her mom and sister to see if they might still be alive? Will the Phoenix Inn be her new beginning?
You will meet so many quirky characters here and I can see this is going to be a fun series to stick with. Just finding some answers to Mercury’s questions will give her some peace and a new reason to start to live again.
April 29, 2023
An exciting new series
I related to Mercury right away. She’s the kind of person who thinks of others before herself and that made me root for her. This author has a way of drawing the reader in. I was in a bit of a reading slump and this got me right out. Wow. This is good. But then came the middle of the book and things changed, and what I mean, my experience changed. Mostly it was that name thing, oh boy, that was just too often, too much, for too long and at one point it started to irritate me. Because she should have realized by now. It really was so very obvious! At one point she actually KNOWS the truth, but still denies it. I like my main character smarter than that. So that was a slight let down, but then it picked up again and I stayed up way too late finishing the book, and that’s why I am giving 5 stars, because it did give me that excited feeling. But if that name thing had been less repetitive, less frustrating, then it would have been even better! And the author does have to be careful not to put scenes in the book that are too nightmarish, some moments came close to being too scary, too gory, too graphic in the violence for a cozy. But all in all, well done and I’ll for sure read the next book and recommend this to all my book loving friends! The plot actually reminded me of an Agatha Christie book, but then with magic!
I related to Mercury right away. She’s the kind of person who thinks of others before herself and that made me root for her. This author has a way of drawing the reader in. I was in a bit of a reading slump and this got me right out. Wow. This is good. But then came the middle of the book and things changed, and what I mean, my experience changed. Mostly it was that name thing, oh boy, that was just too often, too much, for too long and at one point it started to irritate me. Because she should have realized by now. It really was so very obvious! At one point she actually KNOWS the truth, but still denies it. I like my main character smarter than that. So that was a slight let down, but then it picked up again and I stayed up way too late finishing the book, and that’s why I am giving 5 stars, because it did give me that excited feeling. But if that name thing had been less repetitive, less frustrating, then it would have been even better! And the author does have to be careful not to put scenes in the book that are too nightmarish, some moments came close to being too scary, too gory, too graphic in the violence for a cozy. But all in all, well done and I’ll for sure read the next book and recommend this to all my book loving friends! The plot actually reminded me of an Agatha Christie book, but then with magic!
May 3, 2024
Mercury Rodgers is celebrating her 45th birthday alone. She will be leaving her house soon. The girls are heading to college and she's heading to stay with her mother in a tiny cottage. She's roused from sleep by her yowling cat. Her house is on fire.Her mail is delivered to her mom's house and she receives an invitation. She's thinks it's for a wedding. But it's a from The Phoenix Inn, Sarbrooken, Wisconsin. But it's addressed to a Mercury Quicksilver. Her last name is Rodgers!She opens it and reads that she's been chosen as a finalist in a competition and the reward will be one million dollars but she has to show up to qualify. Three weeks later she's heading to what she hopes is an adventure and hopefully money. If she knew what was going to happen she should have stayed home.
She meets people who are odd but interesting. There she meets Bethesda Grim, who becomes her friend. She is flabberghasted when she learns there is no money but she will sign her life away as the inn keeper. What is wrong with this picture? To make matters worse, there is a murder. The worse part is that some of them think she did it!! What should she do? These people are totally crazy!! And magic!!!??
A fantastic start to a new series that will keep the reader enthralled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She meets people who are odd but interesting. There she meets Bethesda Grim, who becomes her friend. She is flabberghasted when she learns there is no money but she will sign her life away as the inn keeper. What is wrong with this picture? To make matters worse, there is a murder. The worse part is that some of them think she did it!! What should she do? These people are totally crazy!! And magic!!!??
A fantastic start to a new series that will keep the reader enthralled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2023
Mercury is well she is not having a good day. It is her birthday and she is having a mid life crisis, she turned 45 and is divorced, an empty nester with a dead end job. It is just her and her cat . After selling the house that she raised her family in and moving in with her mom. Things start to change when she wins an all expenses paid vacation to the Phoenix Inn. Where things change for Mercury , there is more to her then just being a mom and and empty nester . Mercury is a witch and now is her time to shine.
Mercury is one of those characters that you love to read . She is a woman who has been through so much and having to rebuild her life after a divorce. Mercury thinks that she has hit rock bottom and we get all the feels from her . Then we get to see her change and become the strong woman that was hidden underneath the woman who feels like she was broken and not good to anyone anymore . We also get to meet a whole cast of characters that are there to either help or hinder her in her becoming the woman she needs to be.
Mercury Rising is one of those books that when you start you will fall in love with. The characters are well written and funny . I love that the character is not your young know it all , she is a woman who is who wants to happy again . I truly like this authors style of writing and I knew I would be sucked into the story from the first page . It has a lot of twists and turns that will have you on the edge o your seat most of the time. If you want a good start to a series check it out .
Mercury is one of those characters that you love to read . She is a woman who has been through so much and having to rebuild her life after a divorce. Mercury thinks that she has hit rock bottom and we get all the feels from her . Then we get to see her change and become the strong woman that was hidden underneath the woman who feels like she was broken and not good to anyone anymore . We also get to meet a whole cast of characters that are there to either help or hinder her in her becoming the woman she needs to be.
Mercury Rising is one of those books that when you start you will fall in love with. The characters are well written and funny . I love that the character is not your young know it all , she is a woman who is who wants to happy again . I truly like this authors style of writing and I knew I would be sucked into the story from the first page . It has a lot of twists and turns that will have you on the edge o your seat most of the time. If you want a good start to a series check it out .
April 27, 2023
Mercury is a relatable character; she is a mother and is a bit stuck in a mundane life. Early in the story, the reader gets clues about her uniqueness, which let the reader know what to expect long before the character catches on. Once she does, things really get going and are quite exciting.
The other characters in the story are unique and interesting as well. The interactions aren't very predictable, which makes for nice twists and surprises.
One thing I look forward to in this series is what happens when the cat gets involved, and how the daughters find their destiny. And what about the love interests? Will one or both develop?
I enjoy this genre, and this author does a really nice job in it. It's a series I would definitely want to continue to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The other characters in the story are unique and interesting as well. The interactions aren't very predictable, which makes for nice twists and surprises.
One thing I look forward to in this series is what happens when the cat gets involved, and how the daughters find their destiny. And what about the love interests? Will one or both develop?
I enjoy this genre, and this author does a really nice job in it. It's a series I would definitely want to continue to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2024
Mercury Rising is a cute and quirky, cozy mystery full murder, mayhem and discovery. Mercury, you FMC, has gone through many challenges in life just to rise above each one only to be thrown another after another. The final straw brings about a resolution that she needs a change in her life and an invitation for a weekend away promising financial freedom arrives to bring on that change she desires. Once arriving for what she believes is her first adult weekend away, murder and life discoveries are made that will forever change her future. The author wraps all this up in a beautifully composed story with enough detail to give each character in the book amazing reality and leaves you wanting more. If you are looking for a solid read that gives you a bit of mystery and all the feels then Mercury Rising is a must read.
June 7, 2025
Although the book was presented as a cozy midlife mystery, I must say that except for the murder mystery ( for which I don't accidentally want to give any spoilers) there are quite a lot of intense dramatic happenings, which does not really make for cozy in my opinion. This does not mean that its a bad book, it is in fact quite a good one, just not cozy.
The characters are quirky and believable and the villains mysterious ( are they really villains or not) There is a magical inn and the characters are all supernaturally talented but the maintheme is murder and treasure. The pace is perfect, there are a few pauzes to take a breath but most of the time some kind of mischief is going on.
I really enjoyed this book, which I read kind of as a stand alone. But I also look forward to reading the next book in this series ( or maybe even the previous one if I come across it.)
The characters are quirky and believable and the villains mysterious ( are they really villains or not) There is a magical inn and the characters are all supernaturally talented but the maintheme is murder and treasure. The pace is perfect, there are a few pauzes to take a breath but most of the time some kind of mischief is going on.
I really enjoyed this book, which I read kind of as a stand alone. But I also look forward to reading the next book in this series ( or maybe even the previous one if I come across it.)
May 1, 2023
This is only my second book by this author and I have to say I liked it. It's an interesting well-written story about how Mercury tries to start her life over again at Midlife. Unfortunately, for a short while at least she has to move in with her mother, financial pressures and all that. At her mother's suggestion, she applies to go back to school and sends out some applications. But somehow she finds herself in a contest to be the new Inn Keeper of The Phoenix Inn, it's rundown but beggars can't be choosers, can they? But for some reason, they keep using her wrong last name, and some of the other contestants are being killed, and then she makes an unexpected discovery - she's a witch!
I read an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2023
a bit of magic
Mercury Rising is book one in the series Magical Midlife in Retrograde by author J.B. Aspen. So I found this author on BookTok and I’m impressed. Firstly, this isn’t a book I would normally read, but once I started I just had to finish it.
The main character is a bit melodramatic and quirky - yet it fits with the essence of the story. Imagine have a secret past, not even you knew about. A magical past full of possibilities. Only others are not to keen on you discovering who you are. There’s also some very interesting interactions with a couple of the male characters.
All in all a mystery, murders & magic- I say welcome to the world of Midlife in Retrograde.
Enjoy!!
Mercury Rising is book one in the series Magical Midlife in Retrograde by author J.B. Aspen. So I found this author on BookTok and I’m impressed. Firstly, this isn’t a book I would normally read, but once I started I just had to finish it.
The main character is a bit melodramatic and quirky - yet it fits with the essence of the story. Imagine have a secret past, not even you knew about. A magical past full of possibilities. Only others are not to keen on you discovering who you are. There’s also some very interesting interactions with a couple of the male characters.
All in all a mystery, murders & magic- I say welcome to the world of Midlife in Retrograde.
Enjoy!!
April 27, 2023
Life seems to have gone downhill for Mercury, possibly starting with her husband deciding to divorce her, but that might be about to change when she gets a letter, after she has moved into her mother's place. Her daughters are moving on with their lives, even though they are close with her. It seems like she is a finalist in a competition, can her luck change by winning it? I liked this twisting murder mystery tale, with it's quiry supernatural characters, I am looking forward to more tales from Mercury.
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 27, 2023
Mercury is starting her life over at Midlife. Unfortunately that means moving in her mother's again because she can't afford anything else. Her mother suggests that she go back to school again and sends out a bunch of application. Mercury receives what she thinks could be her way out, but end up being a contest to be the Inn Keeper of the rundown Phoenix Inn. They keep calling her by the wrong last name even they she has tried to correct them.
The other contestants are getting killed off, who will win the Inn Keeper contest?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The other contestants are getting killed off, who will win the Inn Keeper contest?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 28, 2023
This was a really fun read for me, in some aspect could totally relate to the single mom, doing everything you can to give your kids more, then getting the short end of the stick by the ex. Thinking that something great fell at your feet for the first time, turns out to be dead bodies and being the prime suspect is a plot twist I loved. Continual excitement, the unknown around every corner, besides the ghosts that love to give vague hints of what is going on. Mercury finds her true self and purpose. Great characters, mild suspense that keeps you up just to read a bit more, going in late to work so worth it. I received a copy of this book from the author and throughly enjoyed it.
April 28, 2023
Mercury is now homeless. Her ex is selling the family home so she has to move back home with her mom. She thinks that she's now lucky and her life is about to improve for the better. She wins an awesome all expenses paid trip and then all of a sudden she's a suspect in murder. This books plot is twisty and full of surprises. The characters are sassy and fun. I thought this book was adorable and funny. I really liked it.
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 28, 2023
Mercury is divorced, her home is being sold, and she is now living with her busy mom, along with her cat. A letter arrives from the Phoenix Inn, but the opportunity is not what it seems, and surprise, she is a witch. Now murders are stacking up and she needs to learn things quickly. Love the quirky characters and situations. The mysteries, timing of things, twists and surprises keep the pages turning. Terrific way to pull it all together at the ending. Looking forward to more of this 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.
December 22, 2023
Mercury Rogers is a divorced mother of two girls who are headed off to college. Her ex sells the house she has been living in and with no where else to go she moves in with her mom in a retirement community. When she receives an invitation in the mail to go to the Phoenix Inn for an all expenses paid weekend to participate in in a contest, she thinks it's a college scholarship opportunity her mom signed her up for. When she arrives she finds out that things are not how they seem and she better be careful because it looks like she's being set up.
May 5, 2024
Mercury Rising: A Magical Midlife Cozy Mystery and Paranormal Women's Fiction Adventure is book #1 in the Magical Midlife in Retrograde series by J.B. Aspen.
Mercury Rodgers’ life wasn’t going as she planned until she received a mysterious invitation. Thinking her life may change, or at least she’d have a relaxing getaway, she accepted it. I thought this started out a bit slow, but then it picked up and really took off. I enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what happens to Mercury next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mercury Rodgers’ life wasn’t going as she planned until she received a mysterious invitation. Thinking her life may change, or at least she’d have a relaxing getaway, she accepted it. I thought this started out a bit slow, but then it picked up and really took off. I enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what happens to Mercury next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2024
An awesome paranormal psychic mystery. Mercury, a witch, and her cat, Mr. Yow think she hit a midlife crisis. She is starting over at 45, winning a trip to the Phoenix Inn, this suspenseful mystery begins. I love the storyline and her characters are real, yet unique. Aspen has a well-thought-out storyline and a clear writing style. This story held my interest throughout a book. I really enjoyed Mercury trying to re-establish for life and take on this 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 24, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. A vacation changes life for Mercury. She finds out who she really is and that magic is real. As a suspect for murder, she tries to find who the culprit is with the help of her new friend. Mercury does solve it but at the cost of her friend and almost being murdered. However there is a bit of silver lining in that the Phoenix Inn has chosen her as the new innkeeper.
June 3, 2023
Great Start to New Series
I enjoyed this book. A woman having a midlife crisis, moving in with her 70 year old grandmother. She gets an invitation to an Inn on an island, and a chance to win a big prize. Well, she gets a big surprise anyways. Everyone there claims magic is real and she is a witch. Yeah, right, she thinks. She is just there for the prize and the free weekend trip. Then people start dying. This was a great book. I enjoyed the mystery and the discoveries of who and what the heroine is.
I enjoyed this book. A woman having a midlife crisis, moving in with her 70 year old grandmother. She gets an invitation to an Inn on an island, and a chance to win a big prize. Well, she gets a big surprise anyways. Everyone there claims magic is real and she is a witch. Yeah, right, she thinks. She is just there for the prize and the free weekend trip. Then people start dying. This was a great book. I enjoyed the mystery and the discoveries of who and what the heroine is.
August 27, 2024
This book really wasn’t for me. Generally, I love cozy mysteries, especially ones with magic. However, this book felt super dragged out, the main character took forever to realize things, and there were definitely some places where a proof reader was needed. I was mostly annoyed by Mercury, and most of the other characters, but I did like the idea of the Inn. I won’t be continuing the series, but I’m glad others seemed to like it
October 12, 2024
The book begins on Mercury’s 45th birthday. It's well written, fun and exciting. Mercury has two grown daughters, has been divorced for years, and her ex has just sold her/their house. Now she has to move in with her mother, in a senior retirement village. Oh, and did I mention? She's a witch. Then there's a dead body. And well, you'll have to grab the book to see where what happens next. I enjoyed this story and am excited to read more of the series.
December 28, 2024
WOW! I know that I had reviewed this book before, but it appears that it would be published next year. I loved Mercury and was surprised that she was so down on herself, but I realized that I was reading book FOUR! Talk about action and and DEAD bodies all over the run down island hotel with her being the PRIME suspect, and all she wanted was a paid vacation and win the money!! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS MORE;
April 27, 2023
I enjoyed getting to know Mercury and going on an adventure with her. When she winds up in the middle of a mystery and the prime suspect, it took a lot of my willpower to not leap ahead and find out “who dunnit “. I’m usually a reader who lets the mystery story tell itself. This book had me hooked until the very end. Can’t wait for the next!
May 5, 2024
This was a really well written, fun and exciting book. I really enjoyed my time in this world and I'm completely happy that there are more books in this series that I can get my hands on! Yes!! Can't wait to get started. This was a great start to this series and it was totally worth my time to read it.
January 1, 2025
A great read to take you out of the present and into a fun who dunnit. I enjoyed Mercury's changing and evolving character and look forward to the next book. She has growth to come as she enters a new life and begins to know herself more and more. An interesting climb into a character who has spent her life looking after others and only now, in midlife, finding her true self.
September 14, 2025
Another Midlife series that has the building decide who is the new owner. Mercury Rodgers is 45 and had a dead end job and now an empty nest at home with only her cat. Mercury lost her house and moved in with her mother but suddenly she won an all expenses paid trip to the Phoenix Inn. Murder, mystery magic and a hidden past; very interesting!
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April 17, 2023
This was a charming , suspenseful cozy mystery that absolutely sucked you in. The setting was interestingly detailed with quirky characters. A fun, exctkng, suspenseful story! I loved it!!.
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 2, 2023
This book is a quick, cozy mystery with a side of magic and paranormal. Mercury is a character that you can relate to and her story just keeps getting more interesting. I look forward to checking out the next chapter in her life!
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