Fangs and Frenemies: A Cozy Paranormal Mystery

Blue Moon Bay Witches #1

by Sierra Cross

A quirky genius bobcat shifter.
A sassy ex-cheerleading vampire.
A sweet—but slightly neurotic—cupcake-baking witch.
They fight crime.

Hazel Greenwood’s magical career and love life are finally looking up at twenty-eight. Take that, shallow Beige Witch mom and sisters -- and everyone else who ever made her feel like an outcast, just because she inherited Granny Sage's powerful Green Magic!

But when a mean girl from the past goes missing, Hazel’s suddenly thrown back into old high school dramas, romantic rivalries, and angst. To clear each other's names, three supernatural frenemies must set aside ancient grudges and learn to trust each other.

Because in the cozy, windswept village of Blue Moon Bay, Oregon, nearly everyone’s guarding a secret. And they all involve magic. Will these three women, who usually can't stand each other, finally bond while cracking the mystery —or are they cursed to fail?

If you like smart sleuthing witches, snarky humor, heartwarming friendship, and the slowest of slow burn romance, escape to Blue Moon Bay today!

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Witches, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Cozy

268 pages, ebook

First published September 4, 2019

About the author

I live for magic. Modern magic, infused with heart and humor. Sometimes with an edge. Always with bright romantic sparks.

When I’m not spinning urban fantasy tales, you can find me flying after my 6-year-old witchling, cackling with my coven, or savoring a book while cuddled up with my cat familiar and, of course, coffee.

Want to know when the next book drops? Sign up for my newsletter at www.sierracrossauthor.com

Reviews

[Lyra (Cardan's tail's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this utterly ridiculous? Yeah.
But did I enjoy it? Definitely!

RTC maybe?

[Nia Hornischer · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is bad. got it on stuff my kindle day. would not recommend

[Sidney Friends · Rating 1 out of 5]

I truly don’t have much positive to say about this book, other than im honestly proud of myself for finishing it. I can appreciate a cheesy, endearing story. But this was super corny and so ridiculous. Some of the super natural abilities are not explained well, and brought up so casually as if the reader is supposed to already be clued in as to what is going on.

[Jori · Rating 1 out of 5]

The beautiful cover art on this really sold me but this book was awful.
I tried holding onto the mentality that this was high fiction and just roll with it but golly this was hard to push through.

Her obsession with her boyfriend = of course something’s wrong and although I didn’t see what was wrong with him I knew it would be annoying.

Also I didn’t realize they were actually going to try to solve this until like 60% through and their sleuthing was conveniently solved for them at every turn.

I didn’t like half the characters, the plot was mid, the writing was low key awful. Hazel is annoying and judgey and stupid and I really didn’t like her at all. Her grandmother is also annoying, Hazel is supposed to be so strong but can’t do basic things? And instead of helping or spending time teaching her, her grandma uses that as a reason to not let her take over the bakery? Lame.

The actually killer did surprise me, didn’t see David and Estella coming. How they planned to kill Hazel was super lame and I almost stopped there but I was so close to the end. And then the girls saving each other by talking about their feelings was so ridiculously stupid I gagged. AND THEN the magical save at the end???? So stupid, a complete waste of my time omg. I wish I had never seen this beautiful cover art and fell for it.

[⋆❀₊˚⊹♡ kenna ⋆❀₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was just not good. i only finished because i wanted to see if my prediction was right with who did it. i was right. this was so cringey and over the top it was borderline unenjoyable.

[Sydni · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so glad I got this book for free on “stuff your kindle day”, because there’s no way I would have paid for this. I almost did not finish this book because there were so many typos in it— all of which I reported to the publisher via my kindle. The plot and story line were all over the place, and almost very confusing to keep up with. If one thing was “resolved” or “uncovered”, another thing would pop up out of nowhere. A good majority of the magical abilities the characters had were not explained well enough to be able to understand or they were brought up as the reader should just “know”. The main character, Hazel, was so annoying, insecure, and just all over the place. Do not waste your time just because the cover is cute and it’s a “spooky/ witchy” read.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this novel so much that I immediately brought the second when I finished this one... on the night before my best friends wedding no less! It was such a cozy, uplifting story and had a great amount of twists and turns with some very lovable characters.
However, the only thing, is I would love some more descriptive scenes. Im always left guessing where the characters are.

[christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

i don’t even know what i just read

[Teodora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop cringing at the dialogue it felt like torture

[Noi (in & out)]

Update: No thank you.
-------------------
This feels right for fall.

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason this book "worked out" is because the FMC is an incredibly judgmental clueless doormat. She didn't even figure out the mystery herself.
(The book actually did not work out at all)

[Kristin Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read pretty much just like every other Hallmark type Halloween/fall themed book. Witches, shifters, and vampires all live in a small town in Oregon unbeknownst to the mortals surrounding them. When one of the FMCs former classmates is murdered the day after her wedding, three friends (former high school enemies) band together to solve her murder before one of them can be next. If you enjoy those easy to read, cozy little stories that wrap themselves neatly in a bow by the end, this one is worth a couple of hours.

[Tilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,75⭐️
This was beyond ridiculous but still pretty entertaining!! Read it in a couple sittings and overall had a good time, but the writing was definitely not for me, the dialogue and phrasing was SO cringeworthy sometimes and it just put me off, but if you’re looking for a fast cozy mystery it might be a good option!!

[Alexandra Cusson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character was so unlikeable, she was selfish and a really bad friend and had limited comprehension about the fact that not everything is about her.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

"Even the most balanced people, I reasoned, had jagged places in their hearts. Beautiful but dangerous edges that it might hurt to crash into."

[Annait L.J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished reading. Mostly glad it’s over bc the FMC was annoying and contradictory in every aspect of her being. Respects her grandmother but immediately questions her judgment about her boyfriend? Plans to get better at being a witch but makes absolutely ZERO strides in doing such? Derogatory mindset but still claiming she’s such a good witch? Being the ABSOLUTE WORST partner to a familiar to the point she’s been deceived by the true bad guy (who is so obvious. honestly where is the mystery??) chapter after chapter? Yeah. If I were her grandmother, I’d refuse to hand over the bakery too. And for someone so “emotionally regulated” she’s the worst at communicating her feelings to the person she considered her best friend. You’re quite literally a witch. I’m not saying mind control, but there are ways you can get actual closure (like the dream potion you so casually used to spy on literally everyone else.)

If the next book is from the POV of Max or Britt, then maybe I’ll consider it but nah. So far, I’m good.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and quirky ready and very entertaining. I got quite a few laughs and a lot of surprises. There were things that happened in this book that I would have never expected to happen. I definitely think the toffee chews with the “rambling juice” could come in handy lol.

If you like a lighthearted paranormal read then I recommend this book for you. Looking forward to book #2 to see what happens.

I received this book from author in exchange for an honest review and my opinions are my own.

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got this for free on stuff your kindle day. It was not good, I’m not sure why I continued reading it 😬

[Ashli Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable, and mysterious, and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next! Perfect cozy read for anyone who loves the supernatural and coffee.

[Patty (IheartYA311) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a challenge. It is not one of my preferred genres so I didn't think I was going to like it, but I loved it! I expected it to be cheesy, unreal and over the top but it was the opposite. It was a good story with interesting characters. I really like the new cover - the old one definitely would have made me look the other way if I had seen it first. I'm hesitant to give it a 5 star review because it could have had a stronger and more complicated emotional impact. I dislike first person POV but it was OK here. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Natalie Raffelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was a perfect cozy little spooky mystery.

Our main character, Hazel, is a green witch. While coming into her powers, she also runs her grandmother’s bakery. These baked goods make a great vessel for her magic throughout the book which I find very fun! Blue Moon Bay is a small town with a LOT of magical creatures! I loved learning more about the books cast and all the people we thought were ordinary having secret magical lives as well. I wonder if a majority of the town knows of all the magical beings that exist around them… I might be a little freaked to find out vampires are secretly running around town 🤔

This was a great comfy read with several plot twists I definitely did not see coming ?! Overall, a very cute book to start October 🥰

[Darian Barnhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute in a no thoughts, just vibes kind of way. I ate up every second of it.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Cranky Stars


What a fantastic read, the author writes with humour. It not only had me wanting to keep reading but also smiling through it.


It starts with a young apprentice witch who will taking over the family bakery from her witch grandmother. She is a middle child and always felt left out, to make it worse she was bullied at school. The only time that she felt happy was with her grandmother at the bakery.
Her grandmother always put a spell of good luck into her wedding cakes. This one day Hazel was doing the spell but near the end of the spell the bride came in for the cake, followed by the mother-in-law. The bride was only one of her bullies, she was as polite as she could be. The mother-in-law asked for Hazel to go to the wedding, she didn't want to go but her grandmother said she could finish the spell while she was there. She gave in and went but her boyfriend, a perfect boyfriend, couldn't go with her. He was the perfect match for her and she was very happy with him.


Well that sounds simple enough, but how that is wrong. Strange things started to happen, through out the book. It is a good twist and turn murder/who-done it.


I can't say much more for fear of giving away spoilers, but I can say that this is a very original storyline and I will be first in the queue to read the second book out next year.

[meghann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. Hazel's life is going pretty well. She is supported and mentored by her grandmother, she's feeling more confident in her abilities as a green witch, and she even has a new relationship. Baking the cake for her high school bully's wedding leads her down a path of secrets, deceit and uncovers truths about the people she thought she knew well. When those they care about become suspects in the disappearance of the bride, Hazel teams up with her former best friend and one of their high school tormentors to solve the case. I love how Hazel grew in this, took more risks and found her voice. The banter between Hazel, Max and Britt was so entertaining. I can't wait for book two to come out next Spring.


***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through the goodreads group Lovers of Paranormal, or LOP.***

[Liwy · Rating 3 out of 5]

He decidido leer Fangs and Frenemies ya que, una vez que llega septiembre, para mí empieza oficialmente el otoño. Durante esta época del año, me gusta leer historias cozy o de terror, y este libro parecía un buen elegido para la primera opción.

En Fangs and Frenemies nos encontramos a Hazel como protagonista, una joven bruja que parece al fin tomar las riendas de su vida: ha heredado la magia verde de su abuela, ha encontrado una pareja estable que adora y tiene un trabajo que la apasiona. Lo malo es que, precisamente, la cafetería de su abuela (y en la que trabaja) no parece ir tan bien debido a otro negocio recién abierto, que cada vez atrae a más clientela. Así, cuando la cafetería de Hazel recibe un pedido de una tarta de boda, esta no solo se asegurará de prepararla sino, además, de bendecirla con su magia. Por cosas de la vida, resultará que la boda es de, ni más ni menos, que de la chica que le hacía la vida imposible a Hazel durante los años de instituto. A pesar de ello, ella seguirá obstinada con su objetivo, hasta cuando tenga que volver a mezclarse con la gente de su pasado, y que finalmente la llevará a un descubrimiento sorprendente: Ashley, la novia, ha desaparecido.

Este es un libro que llevaba ya bastante tiempo en mi lista de pendientes de Storytel, y que al final me he animado a leer ya que me ha parecido una buena opción para la temporada de otoño. Fangs and Frenemies contiene una mezcla de factores que puede dar lugar a una lectura muy cozy: brujas, un pueblo pequeño y pasteles. Es cierto que a nivel de ambientación esta es bastante pobre y no me ha quedado muy claro ni siquiera en qué época del año transcurre, pero sus elementos más fantasiosos y mágicos han llevado a que me pareciera muy adecuada para los primeros días de otoño.

Respecto a los personajes, estos son más bien sencillos, resultando simpáticos y poquito más. Hazel es al final la que conocemos más y creo que precisamente este motivo es el personaje que más me ha gustado. Se trata una chica más bien bonachona y simple, algo patosa y a veces demasiado dura consigo misma. Creo que transmite mucha cercanía debido precisamente a los fregados y los momentos incómodos en los que se mete, pudiendo tener ocurrencias graciosas. Sí siento que muchos momentos ha rozado ya lo quirky , pudiendo hasta provocar algo de pereza o vergüenza ajena; pero, en general, me ha parecido una protagonista agradable de leer.

Tenemos numerosos personajes secundarios, siendo los que tienen más importancia Max, Britt y el novio de Hazel (ya no me acuerdo su nombre, es que han pasado semanas desde que me lo he terminado😭).
Max es la exmejor amiga de Hazel, quién se ha alejado bastante de ella con el tiempo y que ahora parece estar metida en su propia burbuja. Este es un personaje que no me ha gustado especialmente, al final la conocemos a través de los ojos de Hazel y eso ha hecho que me resultara muy distante y fría. Max parece más bien seria, ensimismada en sus pensamientos y sin tener unas habilidades sociales demasiado fuertes, por lo que tampoco llega al lector.
Britt es una excompañera de instituto de Hazel y esa me ha gustado algo más, aunque tampoco me ha parecido espectacular. Siento que es un personaje que se mete en la historia de una forma muy repentina y con calzador, y parece que la autora “fuerce” que te caiga bien. Britt es una chica mucho más segura de sí misma que Hazel, con un sentido del humor ácido y sin miedo de decir lo que piensa. No obstante, para mí ha sido el prototipo del típico personaje femenino que destaca por ser guapo y soltar comentarios para chinchar los demás, pero resultando simpática. No sé, no me ha parecido muy profundo.
El novio de Hazel me gustó ya que me pareció un tipo relativamente normal, que transmite mucha tranquilidad y que parece estar en la misma onda que su pareja. Sus escenas transmitían mucha calma y equilibrio, y por ese motivo no me ha gustado nada el giro que se le ha dado. Creo que la “evolución” que ha tenido ha sido muy inorgánica y forzada, que ha terminado siendo uno de estos plot twists que no resultan demasiado realistas.

Respecto la trama, esta es sencilla, centrándose en dos aspectos fundamentales: el misterio de la desaparición de Ashley y la amistad de Hazel con Max y Britt. Admito que ambos temas me dejaron bastante indiferente, sobre todo el primero. Respecto a la amistad de las tres chicas, esa me ha parecido más cercana e interesante ya que ha permitido explorar otros temas más complejos. También está la subtrama del novio de Hazel, que me llamaba bastante la atención pero que se ha resuelto de una forma que no ha sido de mi agrado.

Finalmente, el desenlace se deja en un punto abierto, dejándonos entender que va haber una continuación (que la hay). Es un final algo acelerado pero que me ha gustado y encajado con el resto del libro.

En resumen, Fangs and Frenemies es una historia muy sencilla con personajes muy sencillos también, y que puede ser una opción interesante para cuando apetezca leer por entretenerse sin romper mucho la cabeza. No creo que sea un libro particularmente memorable, pero está bien para pasar el rato.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great fun read that once I started I just could not put down! Well written I was intrigued by the who dunnit storyline and I loved the female mc’s, our witch, our bobcat and our vampire! Filled with magic, demons, shifters, witches, vampires, some sweet baked goods and many twists and turns, I have to say I did not see the ending coming at I cannot wait to read the next book!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️ this book was really ridiculous, but if you’re looks for a cozy mystery with fantasy characters, this is a good option

I felt like the story dragged on at times and there was so much happening, I was often confused. Too many characters that we never saw but needed to know their names, and I honestly thought this could have been about 100 pages less

[steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. honestly, i was struggling to finish this book. the premise of the story was interesting and the mystery solving was actually decent. i am intrigued by the ending & might end up reading the next book, but i was cringing a lot at some parts of the story.

[Lumi · Rating 2 out of 5]

muy malo pero entretenido

[Sydney Robertson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good. Don’t read. It took me entirely too long to finish this because I had to force myself to read it :/