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Mystic Inn #9
Spellbinding Secrets
In Book 9, the newlyweds have finally found the home of their dreams. But as they settle into their new abode, they soon discover that their quaint and charming home is hiding dark secrets and a haunting past.
When a long-forgotten cold case is uncovered in the garden, Angelica and Vance find themselves embroiled in a dangerous investigation filled with twists and turns. With the help of their supernatural friends and their detective skills, they race against time to uncover the truth and bring closure to a case that has been left unsolved for far too long.
When a long-forgotten cold case is uncovered in the garden, Angelica and Vance find themselves embroiled in a dangerous investigation filled with twists and turns. With the help of their supernatural friends and their detective skills, they race against time to uncover the truth and bring closure to a case that has been left unsolved for far too long.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2023
59 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Damore
95 books161 followersI'm a mystery author with a soft spot for romance and humor, too. I love all things girlie with a dollop of danger, have a strong affinity for the color pink (especially in diamonds and champagne), and, not to brag, but chocolate and I are in a pretty serious relationship.
My books are fun and flirty, and feature smart and sassy sleuths. If you love books with a dash of spice and twist of whodunit, you're going to love my work!
My books are fun and flirty, and feature smart and sassy sleuths. If you love books with a dash of spice and twist of whodunit, you're going to love my work!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 2, 2024
I was bored for 80% of this book. I dunno. Cold cases are always tricky though I generally like them but here I pegged the culprit right from the first mention. There were some twists and turns, yes, and I had my doubts for a while (hence the 20%), but it soon became clear again that I had been right all along.
There was no danger, no real sweet moments between the newlyweds (seriously, you hardly could guess they were a couple, let alone newlyweds), very few emotions, regulars who didn’t show up at all, weren’t even mentioned and so many details just don’t add up.
While I was glad to see Rocky becoming part of the family, still no word on Gunner’s fate. And why make a gargoyle into a pet when he acts wholly as a dog? I would have expected more difference there.
And also, what’s up with that Penelope alter ego? Since book 1, Angelica transfigured into a cat, but only since the last book that form suddenly is named Penelope - without any explanation to that. It’s stuff like that that get on my nerves more and more. It’s just sloppy and that doesn’t include the spelling mistakes you also have.
Well, one more book to go and then I’m happy to move on to something new - and hopefully better.
There was no danger, no real sweet moments between the newlyweds (seriously, you hardly could guess they were a couple, let alone newlyweds), very few emotions, regulars who didn’t show up at all, weren’t even mentioned and so many details just don’t add up.
While I was glad to see Rocky becoming part of the family, still no word on Gunner’s fate. And why make a gargoyle into a pet when he acts wholly as a dog? I would have expected more difference there.
And also, what’s up with that Penelope alter ego? Since book 1, Angelica transfigured into a cat, but only since the last book that form suddenly is named Penelope - without any explanation to that. It’s stuff like that that get on my nerves more and more. It’s just sloppy and that doesn’t include the spelling mistakes you also have.
Well, one more book to go and then I’m happy to move on to something new - and hopefully better.
April 15, 2023
Newlyweds Angelica and Vance are renovating their first house to make it their home. With things falling down and needing repair, they have their work cut out for them. But the home has character and they will make it theirs. But of course, things can't go smoothly for the couple when their pet Gargoyle, Rocky digs up a corpse buried in their side yard. We are treated to the couple with the sheriff trying to figure out who it is since their next door neighbor's wife went missing a while ago. Add to that, ghost, Percy the desk host at the Mystic Inn reeking havoc on some mortal ghost hunters staying there, missing persons and a statue who was cursed. The author is adept at taking all the handing threads of the plots and subplot and weaving them into a great story you just can't put down until the end. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
May 22, 2023
What happens when you're renovating your new home, and you find a long-dead body?
Well, you may not know what to do, but Angelica and Vance soon find themselves immersed in a mystery that started when Rocky - their pet gargoyle - digs up a skeleton in his new backyard! All their supernatural friends join in to get to the bottom of the mystery, and meantime, you can bet that these loveable characters keep the entertainment going. An excellent addition to this series, with another chance to visit with well-loved characters. I especially love Rocky!
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Well, you may not know what to do, but Angelica and Vance soon find themselves immersed in a mystery that started when Rocky - their pet gargoyle - digs up a skeleton in his new backyard! All their supernatural friends join in to get to the bottom of the mystery, and meantime, you can bet that these loveable characters keep the entertainment going. An excellent addition to this series, with another chance to visit with well-loved characters. I especially love Rocky!
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
April 14, 2023
1 + 1 + 1 = 3
A skeleton is found. At about the time the coroner thinks the woman died there were two women who went missing. The first one turned out to have changed her name and recently moved back to town. The husband of the second missing woman decided to finally put a finding charm on his wife trying to find her. Turned out the killer caught his wife trying to solve a true crime she was writing about and was turned into a marble statue, thankfully a reversible spell. The ghost who helped find the statue of the missing wife turned out to be the victim. By catching her killer she was set free at last. Three crimes solved.
A skeleton is found. At about the time the coroner thinks the woman died there were two women who went missing. The first one turned out to have changed her name and recently moved back to town. The husband of the second missing woman decided to finally put a finding charm on his wife trying to find her. Turned out the killer caught his wife trying to solve a true crime she was writing about and was turned into a marble statue, thankfully a reversible spell. The ghost who helped find the statue of the missing wife turned out to be the victim. By catching her killer she was set free at last. Three crimes solved.
September 1, 2025
Another book in one of my favorite series. Vance and Everley buy a house which is in the Victorian style. Unfortunately the house seems to have a number of problems with one thing after another going wrong with it.
So, that's one of the things they have to figure out. Is this just a normal thing in an old house or is it something darker going on?
Aunt Thelma's planning for her golden jubilee which is good.
There's a buried body in Vance and Everley's back yard which is not so good.
Then there's a woman who is as hard as a rock. Literally. Can they free her from that?
There's a lot going on in this really good continuation in the series.
So, that's one of the things they have to figure out. Is this just a normal thing in an old house or is it something darker going on?
Aunt Thelma's planning for her golden jubilee which is good.
There's a buried body in Vance and Everley's back yard which is not so good.
Then there's a woman who is as hard as a rock. Literally. Can they free her from that?
There's a lot going on in this really good continuation in the series.
September 22, 2025
5 ⭐️
Angelica is on the case again! After buying her new home, she discovers another mysterious death in her backyard. This sends on her a wild chase to uncover who it is with Vance and her all of her friends and family in Silver Lake. There are a few spins and twists as she follows the clues to find out who the missing person is that was discovered in her yard and if there was nefarious reasons for the disappearance.
I adore this series. The perfect cozy mystery pallet cleansers for me. I can always finish these books in 2-3 hours.
Angelica is on the case again! After buying her new home, she discovers another mysterious death in her backyard. This sends on her a wild chase to uncover who it is with Vance and her all of her friends and family in Silver Lake. There are a few spins and twists as she follows the clues to find out who the missing person is that was discovered in her yard and if there was nefarious reasons for the disappearance.
I adore this series. The perfect cozy mystery pallet cleansers for me. I can always finish these books in 2-3 hours.
April 3, 2023
Married life for Angelica and Vance is anything but boring. They’ve bought a new home and so many surprises, or rather shocks, await them. This series just gets better and better. I was totally hooked as there were so many twists and so many questions and totally filled with hilarious parts. Percy is at his best and Rocky, the gargoyle who thinks he’s a puppy, bring so many laughs. Angelica is on quite a journey in this one. All around great! I can’t wait for the next adventure.
April 10, 2023
Spellbinding Secrets is Book 9 in the Mystic Inn series by Stephanie Damore.
This is such a great series and keeps getting better.
Angelica and Vance have found their dream home. But there are many things in store for them that they were not expecting.
This was such a fun book and great mystery with lots of twists and turns.
The characters are well written with such a great perfectly paced plot.
I can't wait for the next book in this series.
This is such a great series and keeps getting better.
Angelica and Vance have found their dream home. But there are many things in store for them that they were not expecting.
This was such a fun book and great mystery with lots of twists and turns.
The characters are well written with such a great perfectly paced plot.
I can't wait for the next book in this series.
April 13, 2023
Spellbinding Secrets is an amazing mystery. I love this series. In this well written, well plotted book, it seems that even more than usual is going on. I do not want to give anything away so I will just say that I was up way too late finishing it because I could not put it down. Even when I thought I figure something out, I was wrong. I love how Ms. Damore put all the pieces together and solved all the mysteries!
April 24, 2023
Love this series of non-frightening paranormal cozy mysteries. Spellbinding Secrets finds the newlyweds setting up housekeeping in their new home, which begins to fall apart. The characters in this multi-layered mystery are well drawn and the storytelling is top notch. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
June 30, 2023
Whoo boy. All kinds of things happen in this book. A couple of missing person cold cases keep Angelica and Vance busy as well as trying to get their new house move in ready. Just when they think they have one solved, they find out that they are wrong. I loved this book as I love the entire series! So much fun to read!
November 5, 2024
Exciting and Spooky
That book was so good I had to keep reading. A lot going on, a house in need of TLC and a mystery needing to be solved. One thing leads to another solving several cold cases bringing us to a clever ending. Most excellent.
That book was so good I had to keep reading. A lot going on, a house in need of TLC and a mystery needing to be solved. One thing leads to another solving several cold cases bringing us to a clever ending. Most excellent.
April 3, 2024
Twists and turns
So many twists and turns in this one which makes for a great mystery. Throw in a little paranormal help and the result is a fantastic book.
So many twists and turns in this one which makes for a great mystery. Throw in a little paranormal help and the result is a fantastic book.
April 13, 2023
Spellbinding Secrets is an amazing mystery. I love this series. In this well written, well plotted book, it seems that even more than usual is going on. I do not want to give anything away so I will just say that I was up way too late finishing it because I could not put it down. Even when I thought I figure something out, I was wrong. I love how Ms. Damore put all the pieces together and solved all the mysteries!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews