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Stacy Justice #2.6
A Tale of (Two) 3 Witches
This novelette reunites Mara, Gus, Aunt Tillie and Grundleshanks the Toad (from the Toadwitch paranormal series) with Stacy Justice, the Geraghty Girls and Thor, the Great Dane, (from the Stacy Justice paranormal mystery series).
When a mysterious stranger invades Amethyst, IL, stealing souls to feed a demon and generally ruining Halloween for the local kids, three witches join forces to take him on.
As Gus, Mara and Stacy band together, they're bossed around by the cantankerous ghost of Mara's Aunt Tillie, tripped up by the spirit of Lord Grundleshanks the Poisonous Toad, backed up by Stacy's grandmother's coven, and given assistance by a local hoodoo master -- in-between episodes of Antiques Road Show, that is -- but they're still in for the Samhain of their lives.
If they don't stop the stranger's nefarious plan, the only thing they can count on is that all three of their souls will be at risk!
When a mysterious stranger invades Amethyst, IL, stealing souls to feed a demon and generally ruining Halloween for the local kids, three witches join forces to take him on.
As Gus, Mara and Stacy band together, they're bossed around by the cantankerous ghost of Mara's Aunt Tillie, tripped up by the spirit of Lord Grundleshanks the Poisonous Toad, backed up by Stacy's grandmother's coven, and given assistance by a local hoodoo master -- in-between episodes of Antiques Road Show, that is -- but they're still in for the Samhain of their lives.
If they don't stop the stranger's nefarious plan, the only thing they can count on is that all three of their souls will be at risk!
93 pages, ebook
First published December 25, 2011
114 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Barbra Annino
35 books619 followersBarbra Annino writes about strong women with a flair for humor and a penchant for trouble. Her bestselling Stacy Justice Mysteries books have hit the top ten in the Amazon charts multiple times, with Opal Fire claiming the #1 slot in the entire store. Check out her Everafter series if you like grown up fairy tales, and Fury Rising for a steamy urban fantasy. Sign up for freebies, exclusive content, release dates, and fun stuff at www.authorbarbraannino.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
March 31, 2012
Rating: 3.5* of five
The Book Report: A Kindle original short story, in the Grundleshanks the Toad series. (Well, okay, the author doesn't call it that, but I do.) It's a crossover with another mystery series, the Stacy Justice mysteries, hence the collaborator listed, Barbra Annino. The story follows the action in [Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead], but I don't know where it falls in the Stacy Justice series as I've never read one of those.
Gus, Mara, and Aunt Tillie get a letter from Aunt Tillie's old buddies the Geraghty Girls, owners of a bed and breakfast-plus-coven house in Amethyst. The letter summons Tillie to a Grand Coven on Samhain, because portents of disaster are all pointing to Amethyst, and Stacy. Oh dear...what to do...Tillie's dead, and the Geraghty sisters don't know it. Tillie, unsurprisingly to anyone who read the first book, has some ideas on the subject, which boil down to Mara and Gus getting on the stick and pointing the Escape Hybrid to Amethyst.
So they do, putting Mara's infant daughter in the care of her terrified Papa for a long weekend's trip to save the world from the Soul Eater. Which, needless to say, they do, with the help of reluctant and unwilling (at first) Stacy, the great-niece of the Geraghty Girls. A trip into Tartarus, the demon dimension, and to the Halloween (Samhain) parade, and the basement coven gathering at the B&B all converge on the defeat of the evil power of the Soul Eater, and mark Stacy's acceptance of her full powers as a witch descended from witches. We're teased a little with hints at a deeper connection between Mara and Stacy, though I suspect the connection will play a role in the next installment of one or the other series.....
My Review: The problem here's that this really good little mystery story is a little mystery story! I wanted more! Not a story, a whole novel!
Oh well, that aside, this is a perfect mood-improvement tale, and a breezy attitude adjuster. I find the ghost of Lord Grundleshanks the poison toad a perfect counterpoint to the ghostly Mr. Henderson, aka the Soul Stealer. Both are barely seen, each is a comedic gift.
I don't think it's necessary to have read the novel before reading the story, and I think anyone in need of a grin, a giggle, and a light moment in their reading day could benefit from a little visit with Mara and Stacy and Gus.
The Book Report: A Kindle original short story, in the Grundleshanks the Toad series. (Well, okay, the author doesn't call it that, but I do.) It's a crossover with another mystery series, the Stacy Justice mysteries, hence the collaborator listed, Barbra Annino. The story follows the action in [Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead], but I don't know where it falls in the Stacy Justice series as I've never read one of those.
Gus, Mara, and Aunt Tillie get a letter from Aunt Tillie's old buddies the Geraghty Girls, owners of a bed and breakfast-plus-coven house in Amethyst. The letter summons Tillie to a Grand Coven on Samhain, because portents of disaster are all pointing to Amethyst, and Stacy. Oh dear...what to do...Tillie's dead, and the Geraghty sisters don't know it. Tillie, unsurprisingly to anyone who read the first book, has some ideas on the subject, which boil down to Mara and Gus getting on the stick and pointing the Escape Hybrid to Amethyst.
So they do, putting Mara's infant daughter in the care of her terrified Papa for a long weekend's trip to save the world from the Soul Eater. Which, needless to say, they do, with the help of reluctant and unwilling (at first) Stacy, the great-niece of the Geraghty Girls. A trip into Tartarus, the demon dimension, and to the Halloween (Samhain) parade, and the basement coven gathering at the B&B all converge on the defeat of the evil power of the Soul Eater, and mark Stacy's acceptance of her full powers as a witch descended from witches. We're teased a little with hints at a deeper connection between Mara and Stacy, though I suspect the connection will play a role in the next installment of one or the other series.....
My Review: The problem here's that this really good little mystery story is a little mystery story! I wanted more! Not a story, a whole novel!
Oh well, that aside, this is a perfect mood-improvement tale, and a breezy attitude adjuster. I find the ghost of Lord Grundleshanks the poison toad a perfect counterpoint to the ghostly Mr. Henderson, aka the Soul Stealer. Both are barely seen, each is a comedic gift.
I don't think it's necessary to have read the novel before reading the story, and I think anyone in need of a grin, a giggle, and a light moment in their reading day could benefit from a little visit with Mara and Stacy and Gus.
March 25, 2012
I liked this book, A Tale of 3 Witches. It was a quick and quirky read, straight into a short story and one that I'd like to follow up with 'Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead'!!! Aunt Tillie played a fun part in this short novel and I bet the old timer is more than quirky in the next book!
March 19, 2017
I stumbled upon this short and dark tale that is a joining of Stacy Justice world and A Toad Witch world. I liked the way two authors combined their talents and creations to make a Halloween story that was spookier than I expected.
Mara, Gus, and Aunt Tillie accept an invitation to Amethyst, IL to the Geraghty Girls Inn. The invitation was extended to Tillie, but they didn't know she had died, and Tillie convinces Mara that she should go and tell them in person the sad news. When they get there, the witches know something is coming and they will need help to face it, whatever "it" is. However the joined forces figure out trouble is coming NOW. Lo and behold a mysterious guest checks in, 1 person for 2 rooms, and he has a lot of baggage. Trouble has arrived!
Fast paced and filled with more witchcraft than usually seen at the Inn, this book was scarier than I expected. It was a nice joint effort that is especially fun if you have read some of each series. I liked how they all worked together and became friends at the end. Perhaps we will see more of this combination in the future?
Mara, Gus, and Aunt Tillie accept an invitation to Amethyst, IL to the Geraghty Girls Inn. The invitation was extended to Tillie, but they didn't know she had died, and Tillie convinces Mara that she should go and tell them in person the sad news. When they get there, the witches know something is coming and they will need help to face it, whatever "it" is. However the joined forces figure out trouble is coming NOW. Lo and behold a mysterious guest checks in, 1 person for 2 rooms, and he has a lot of baggage. Trouble has arrived!
Fast paced and filled with more witchcraft than usually seen at the Inn, this book was scarier than I expected. It was a nice joint effort that is especially fun if you have read some of each series. I liked how they all worked together and became friends at the end. Perhaps we will see more of this combination in the future?
December 28, 2021
I've not read the rest of this series yet, but I was told I could read this as a stand-alone. So, I gave it a go. It was rushed; definitely would have been better if developed into a longer piece. But the characters seem likeable and the world seems interesting.
August 17, 2017
Book 51 complete.
January 6, 2013
Having read "Someone tell Aunt Tilly that she's dead" and finding this other story by the author (although this one is a collaboration), I thought it worth a go. It was entertaining enough, although it seemed to require knowledge of the previous book to develop any sort of empathy with the characters - I knew Mara and Gus, but had not met Stacy before. I would like to have got to know Stacy a bit better. Also, I'm not sure if two authors should collaborate on what is essentially a short novella, since it seemed too short a story to have it split between two characters. Overall fun, but a little too fast-moving to really hold my attention.
October 12, 2021
A novelette that blends characters from the Stacy Justice (#2.6) and Toad Witch Mysteries (#5) cozy paranormal mystery series and revolving around two, no, three witches — Mara Stephens, Gus, and Stacy Justice.
My Take
It's the usual start . . . Mara doesn't want to do anything or go anywhere.
I do love that the baby is psychic! How many mothers would love this!?!
It's melodramatic as Miller/Annino keep us hopping. I'd sure like to know what the point was to have the hallway change and the "drama" of swapping "two" for "owt". Why wouldn't someone have informed the Geraghty girls about Tillie's death?
It ticks me off when authors can't give their characters a last name, let alone give the baby a name. It doesn't need to be part of an info dump, but I do expect to eventually learn the last name of the main characters.
I reckon Miller/Annino are using third person global subjective point-of-view to allow their main protagonists to express their views and thoughts with input by some of the other characters. It is a sweet trip that allows Mara and Stacy to become friends.
There's action a'plenty with some definite characters — it does have me interested in reading more about Stacy — and it is a full story for its few pages. Well, minus some of my whining above.
The Story
Aunt Tillie's old friends, the Geraghty girls, invite Tillie up to help them with a Samhain problem — a Soul Stealer has come to town, threatening the souls of Amethyst, Illinois.
Only problem . . . Aunt Tillie is dead and they'll have to accept the help of Tillie's great-niece, Mara, and her friend, Gus.
The Characters
In the cottage Mara Stephens, a witch and new mother, inherited from her Aunt Tillie (who still lives with her . . . in a skull!), is her best friend and cottage mate, Gus Andrakis, also a witch and their three pets: two Dobes, Aramis and Apollo, and the spirit-enthused, Lord Grundleshanks, the Poisonous Toad. Oh, and Mara's new baby daughter. Zed is Mara's Ford Explorer Hybrid.
Paul is the nervous, very skeptical father. Daniel, Paul's grandfather, lives in assisted living.
The Geraghty Girls Guest House is . . .
. . . a B&B in Amethyst, Illinois. It's run by three sisters: Birdie, Lolly, and Fiona. Henderson is a guest at the B&B.
Anastasia "Stacy" Justice is Birdie's granddaughter in total denial of her genetic inheritance as well as her role as The Seeker of Justice. Thor is Stacy's Great Dane.
The Geraghtys' coven includes Iris Merriweather and Gladys Sharp. The Black Opal is a bar run by Cinnamon, Stacy's cousin. Steve Charon is the hoodoo guy.
Lisette and Lucien had possessed Mara and Paul in Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead , 1. The Soul Stealer is always out there. The Soul Eater.
The Cover and Title
The cover finds us in a dungeon with arched windows and a hexagonal?? stone table on which the long, black, curly-haired Mara is sitting, one knee bent and tucked under her other jeans-clad leg with flip flops that match her pinkish violet peasant top. In the middle is Lord Grundleshanks wearing a black witch's hat with a royal blue band. A lit red candle is behind him. On the right, the long, wavy red-haired Stacy is standing, hip-cocked with her left hand on her hip, her right arm bent upward at the elbow with her hand bent at the wrist. Stacy is wearing a red bustier and dark navy jeans with some deep cuffs with her black slip-on heels. At the very top is the title in white — except where the red "x" crosses out the "two" and pops in that "3". Immediately beneath that and above Mara's head is the series info in white. The author of the Stacy Justice series has her name spanning Stacy's thighs in a light green teal. The author of the Toad Witch Mysteries is just below Mara's name in the same teal.
The title pulls Mara and Gus together with Stacy in A Tale of (Two) 3 Witches.
My Take
It's the usual start . . . Mara doesn't want to do anything or go anywhere.
I do love that the baby is psychic! How many mothers would love this!?!
It's melodramatic as Miller/Annino keep us hopping. I'd sure like to know what the point was to have the hallway change and the "drama" of swapping "two" for "owt". Why wouldn't someone have informed the Geraghty girls about Tillie's death?
It ticks me off when authors can't give their characters a last name, let alone give the baby a name. It doesn't need to be part of an info dump, but I do expect to eventually learn the last name of the main characters.
I reckon Miller/Annino are using third person global subjective point-of-view to allow their main protagonists to express their views and thoughts with input by some of the other characters. It is a sweet trip that allows Mara and Stacy to become friends.
There's action a'plenty with some definite characters — it does have me interested in reading more about Stacy — and it is a full story for its few pages. Well, minus some of my whining above.
The Story
Aunt Tillie's old friends, the Geraghty girls, invite Tillie up to help them with a Samhain problem — a Soul Stealer has come to town, threatening the souls of Amethyst, Illinois.
Only problem . . . Aunt Tillie is dead and they'll have to accept the help of Tillie's great-niece, Mara, and her friend, Gus.
The Characters
In the cottage Mara Stephens, a witch and new mother, inherited from her Aunt Tillie (who still lives with her . . . in a skull!), is her best friend and cottage mate, Gus Andrakis, also a witch and their three pets: two Dobes, Aramis and Apollo, and the spirit-enthused, Lord Grundleshanks, the Poisonous Toad. Oh, and Mara's new baby daughter. Zed is Mara's Ford Explorer Hybrid.
Paul is the nervous, very skeptical father. Daniel, Paul's grandfather, lives in assisted living.
The Geraghty Girls Guest House is . . .
. . . a B&B in Amethyst, Illinois. It's run by three sisters: Birdie, Lolly, and Fiona. Henderson is a guest at the B&B.
Anastasia "Stacy" Justice is Birdie's granddaughter in total denial of her genetic inheritance as well as her role as The Seeker of Justice. Thor is Stacy's Great Dane.
The Geraghtys' coven includes Iris Merriweather and Gladys Sharp. The Black Opal is a bar run by Cinnamon, Stacy's cousin. Steve Charon is the hoodoo guy.
Lisette and Lucien had possessed Mara and Paul in Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead , 1. The Soul Stealer is always out there. The Soul Eater.
The Cover and Title
The cover finds us in a dungeon with arched windows and a hexagonal?? stone table on which the long, black, curly-haired Mara is sitting, one knee bent and tucked under her other jeans-clad leg with flip flops that match her pinkish violet peasant top. In the middle is Lord Grundleshanks wearing a black witch's hat with a royal blue band. A lit red candle is behind him. On the right, the long, wavy red-haired Stacy is standing, hip-cocked with her left hand on her hip, her right arm bent upward at the elbow with her hand bent at the wrist. Stacy is wearing a red bustier and dark navy jeans with some deep cuffs with her black slip-on heels. At the very top is the title in white — except where the red "x" crosses out the "two" and pops in that "3". Immediately beneath that and above Mara's head is the series info in white. The author of the Stacy Justice series has her name spanning Stacy's thighs in a light green teal. The author of the Toad Witch Mysteries is just below Mara's name in the same teal.
The title pulls Mara and Gus together with Stacy in A Tale of (Two) 3 Witches.
February 6, 2021
Since it was a free download, I decided to give this novella a read to see how two authors combined their main characters from two separate series. With novellas, I appreciate the author, in this case authors, giving enough detail that the reader can catch up quickly who everyone is, and why they're in certain situations. However, I instantly disliked the character Mara, who seemed to complain about everything, especially her fiance Paul, who was possessed by a demon. Now he's worried that the baby Mara had is the progeny of the demon, not of himself. Mara doesn't seem very compassionate about his worry, nor have any empathy, considering she's a witch, and her dead Aunt Tillie's ghost is constantly about.
With Stacy, she's about the same age as Mara, yet seems very immature and inexperienced in her role as a witch. Yet she's expected to save the world from a Soul Eater? Female Harry Potter???
Maybe if I'd read both series from the beginning, I'd have a better opinion; maybe.
With Stacy, she's about the same age as Mara, yet seems very immature and inexperienced in her role as a witch. Yet she's expected to save the world from a Soul Eater? Female Harry Potter???
Maybe if I'd read both series from the beginning, I'd have a better opinion; maybe.
December 11, 2018
The only fault I found with this book was that it was too short! I loved the incorporation of both Mara, Aunt Tillie, and Gus along with Stacy and her family. I tried to look at this book as a "filler" until the author writes another Toad Witch book but I was still disappointed when it ended so soon. But reading about Mara and Gus and Grundleshanks again was like meeting up with old friends. I hadn't read any of the books with Stacy and her family but I will definitely do so. Birdie reminds me of Aunt Tillie from the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series by Amanda M. Lee. Both aunt Tillies are my favorite characters in each series. :) For anyone who liked the Toad Witch series or the Stacy Justice series, I'd recommend this book.
March 27, 2023
"A Tale of 3 Witches" is supposed to be a standalone spin-off from the Toadwitch and Stacy Justice series, but it isn't.
While the novella does have a single mystery at its core there are constant references to what has gone before.
And Stacy seems curiously underdeveloped and flat.
Aunt Tillie (who is dead but hanging around) receives an urgent invitation to visit The Geraghty Girls Guest House for Samhain. There is trouble brewing there or, as the book unhelpfully explains:- "There's a great trine aligning in the stars and the portents are centering on Amethyst."
It's all very rushed and attempts to use humour to prop up a creaking structure.
It left me bemused.
1.5 Stars, reduced to 1 Star.
While the novella does have a single mystery at its core there are constant references to what has gone before.
And Stacy seems curiously underdeveloped and flat.
Aunt Tillie (who is dead but hanging around) receives an urgent invitation to visit The Geraghty Girls Guest House for Samhain. There is trouble brewing there or, as the book unhelpfully explains:- "There's a great trine aligning in the stars and the portents are centering on Amethyst."
It's all very rushed and attempts to use humour to prop up a creaking structure.
It left me bemused.
1.5 Stars, reduced to 1 Star.
April 13, 2021
A Tale of Three Witches is a fun, quirky, short witchy adventure filled with magick and mayhem. It was good to see Gus and Mara meet Stacy and company. Aunt Tillie had a more active role to play. Even Grundleshanks got into the picture. Overall, I enjoyed it immensely, and can't wait to read more of each of the players.
June 20, 2017
Fun cross over book with characters from 2 Great series!
Great fun to read, some of my favorite witch characters coming together.
A quick read. I hope Stacy and thee Aunts meet up with Mara, Gus and Tillie again in the future.
Great fun to read, some of my favorite witch characters coming together.
A quick read. I hope Stacy and thee Aunts meet up with Mara, Gus and Tillie again in the future.
July 24, 2018
Another Good but Short Book
I have read shorter stories where the storyline was compromised. Not in this book though. It had a great story. And now I need to check out the Stacy Justice series. Cool.
I have read shorter stories where the storyline was compromised. Not in this book though. It had a great story. And now I need to check out the Stacy Justice series. Cool.
September 28, 2017
Very short but entertaining
I chose this book because it was about a witch. I continued to read this book because I was drawn into it by the story line!!
I chose this book because it was about a witch. I continued to read this book because I was drawn into it by the story line!!
January 27, 2018
Not much toad but a lot of action.
A wonderful short story featuring Mara, Gus and Aunt Tilly. Does this mean Amethyst gets it's own line of books.
A wonderful short story featuring Mara, Gus and Aunt Tilly. Does this mean Amethyst gets it's own line of books.
September 30, 2018
A not well developed short story.
October 4, 2018
Great as always!
April 23, 2020
Loved it
Although it was short it was attention grabbing. Love it, disappointed that it ended so fast! Look forward to reading more from the authors.
Although it was short it was attention grabbing. Love it, disappointed that it ended so fast! Look forward to reading more from the authors.
December 13, 2020
Great quick read
Another great episode for Mara, Gus and Aunt Tillie. Thank you and I hope to read more of their adventures.
Another great episode for Mara, Gus and Aunt Tillie. Thank you and I hope to read more of their adventures.
January 8, 2021
Such a cliffhanger at the end!
You can't leave a book ending in such a way unless the next book is ready to open behind it!
You can't leave a book ending in such a way unless the next book is ready to open behind it!
March 9, 2017
Witchy - paranormal fun read, a bit different nice light hearted humour looks like a good series to keep an eye on.
I received this book free via instafreebie in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book free via instafreebie in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2020
Book 29 of my Goodreads Challenge 2020
A little Halloween treat
For me this was a short little story that introduced the witches from the stories of Barbra Annino . I don't feel quite as fulfilled and need to know more so off to check out Barbra's books.
A little Halloween treat
For me this was a short little story that introduced the witches from the stories of Barbra Annino . I don't feel quite as fulfilled and need to know more so off to check out Barbra's books.
October 22, 2015
As a huge fan of the TV show, Charmed, it was no big shock to why I wanted to read this book.
Just like the title suggests, this is a story of 3 witches.
Witch #1: Mara, who has a daughter with a mortal that worries that his baby may be the anti-Christ. Mara can communicate to ghosts, like her Aunt Tillie, the former super witch.
Witch #2: Stacy is a little more reluctant to her witch destiny. According to her grandma, she is “The Seeker.” Unlike Mara, she gets feelings and images of the dead.
Witch #3: Gus, a male witch, who relishes the fun gifts of a warlock.
One day, Tillie receives a letter asking for her help, but since she is dead, she sends Mara in her place. As a tarot reader, Mara sees “chaos and disaster” on this pending trip. Instantly, there is a magical connection between Mara and Stacy. But then the danger comes when a mysterious stranger checks into the B&B. What was Samhain? The Devil? And why was this being stealing souls?
Together, all 3 witches realize that they must banish this evil before it’s too late.
Like Charmed, this book had drama and funny quips, but it was a little less action-packed. I would’ve appreciated it more if we had been more involved in the personal lives of each witch (we hardly heard anything from Gus – it was mostly from the POV of either Mara or Stacy).
Still, it was a nice, quick novel, and it inspires me to continue reading the series.
-Somebody tell Aunt Tillie is dead
-The Thief who Stole Midnight
-Every Witch Way but Wicked
-Opal Fire
Just like the title suggests, this is a story of 3 witches.
Witch #1: Mara, who has a daughter with a mortal that worries that his baby may be the anti-Christ. Mara can communicate to ghosts, like her Aunt Tillie, the former super witch.
Witch #2: Stacy is a little more reluctant to her witch destiny. According to her grandma, she is “The Seeker.” Unlike Mara, she gets feelings and images of the dead.
Witch #3: Gus, a male witch, who relishes the fun gifts of a warlock.
One day, Tillie receives a letter asking for her help, but since she is dead, she sends Mara in her place. As a tarot reader, Mara sees “chaos and disaster” on this pending trip. Instantly, there is a magical connection between Mara and Stacy. But then the danger comes when a mysterious stranger checks into the B&B. What was Samhain? The Devil? And why was this being stealing souls?
Together, all 3 witches realize that they must banish this evil before it’s too late.
Like Charmed, this book had drama and funny quips, but it was a little less action-packed. I would’ve appreciated it more if we had been more involved in the personal lives of each witch (we hardly heard anything from Gus – it was mostly from the POV of either Mara or Stacy).
Still, it was a nice, quick novel, and it inspires me to continue reading the series.
-Somebody tell Aunt Tillie is dead
-The Thief who Stole Midnight
-Every Witch Way but Wicked
-Opal Fire
April 28, 2018
TIES IN WITH "SOMEONE TELL AUNT TILLIE SERIES" BY : CHRISTINA MILLER
June 26, 2013
The story centers around dead Aunt Tillie getting an invitation and a note to come to Amethyst IL because of something the author of the note (Birdie) read in the stars. This note also mentions the grand daughter (Stacy) who "... continues to fight against her destiny". So dead Aunt Tillie goes travels to Amethyst IL along with her great niece Mara and her housemate Gus, all of whom happen to be witches.
The first 3/4 of the novella was very promising. All of the characters were very well described and believable. However towards the end it seemed rather rushed as all of a sudden Stacy knows exactly what to do and it comes second nature to her. The beginning seemed like an adult story yet towards the end it had a quality not dissimilar to that of a child's fairy tale.
NB: Apparently this book brings characters from 2 different series Stacy Justice Mysteries (Barbra Annino) and Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead (Christiana Miller) together. I have not read either of these series and I'm not entirely convinced that this book makes me want to do so. If I had to read one of them, I'd probably read the Christiana Miller series mainly because I love the interaction between Mara, Gus and other minor characters.
The first 3/4 of the novella was very promising. All of the characters were very well described and believable. However towards the end it seemed rather rushed as all of a sudden Stacy knows exactly what to do and it comes second nature to her. The beginning seemed like an adult story yet towards the end it had a quality not dissimilar to that of a child's fairy tale.
NB: Apparently this book brings characters from 2 different series Stacy Justice Mysteries (Barbra Annino) and Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead (Christiana Miller) together. I have not read either of these series and I'm not entirely convinced that this book makes me want to do so. If I had to read one of them, I'd probably read the Christiana Miller series mainly because I love the interaction between Mara, Gus and other minor characters.
June 26, 2013
It was very good story but I found it confusing. I've never read any of the other books & didn't know it was part of a series, so I didn't know who all the different characters were & couldn't get a good picture of them in my mind. Julie Kenner, does an excellent job of tellin u who everyone is, in every book of The Demon Hunting Soccer Mom seies. She knows ppl will pick up 1 of her books w/out knowin it's part of a series. If the authors had done that w/ this book, I would have given it 4 stars. Now about the way it ended. I need to find out what the next book after this 1 is, cuz it had a cliffhanger endin. I DO NOT like when book series' do that. Is it a series or is it a book, that's part of a larger story. Some authors will make it clear, that their series books, aren't "stand alones" & others, for what every reason, won't. I love series books that r stand alones. The book has an endin & the only thing the next book in the series has in common w/ the last book, r the main characters & the kinda trouble they're gonna get into. This 1 book DOES make me want to read the other books.
September 23, 2012
Way too short! I was just really getting into the story and remembering who all the characters were when I realize I was halfway through the short story. I wanted so much more of the zanny fun that Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead brought to the table and I was disappointed when that fun was limited to around 50 pages. I still really enjoyed the short and I am going to try to read Opal Fire to learn more of the new characters introduced in the book. Only disappointment was that it felt too rushed and I wasn't able to really enjoy it like I would have if it was full-length. But I liked it and would recommend for those who liked Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead.
June 29, 2016
A Tale of 3 Witches by Christiana Miller and Barbra Annino is a very fast paced paranormal short story full of adventure, fun, laughs, witches, a toad ghost, a soul stealer, soul eaters and a body snacher. The authors take you on a short journey on Halloween night to save the world from evil.
I think this would be a prefect little fun read if you are getting into the Halloween spirt but due to language I do not recommend for anyone under 18. This was a very quirky and cute story full of feisty personalities that should be read with a light heart. The story is told in third person and there were very few grammatical errors throughout the story. The story does jump right into the journey with very little introduction to the characters so I do recommend that the first book be read first. I give this story 3 stars.
I think this would be a prefect little fun read if you are getting into the Halloween spirt but due to language I do not recommend for anyone under 18. This was a very quirky and cute story full of feisty personalities that should be read with a light heart. The story is told in third person and there were very few grammatical errors throughout the story. The story does jump right into the journey with very little introduction to the characters so I do recommend that the first book be read first. I give this story 3 stars.
April 20, 2016
"A Tale of 3 Witches" is a novella written by Christiana Miller and Barbra Annino. It combines popular characters from both author's series into one quick but fun read. Stacy Justice has a vision that worries her relatives. It's Halloween, and someone is stealing souls. Birdie, Stacy's grandmother, calls the coven for back up including Aunt Tillie. But since she's dead, Mara and Gus, travel to Amethyst, IL. to help.
Overall, it was a good read. A little too short for my taste. Though I was really hoping to read about Mara having her baby and meeting her brother. This novella takes place after she has the baby.
Overall, it was a good read. A little too short for my taste. Though I was really hoping to read about Mara having her baby and meeting her brother. This novella takes place after she has the baby.
March 28, 2012
I was a little nervous about reading this short story, because I really didn't enjoy the solo effort I read by Christiana Miller. But, I decided to give it a go, because I can't help but be curious about the characters, even if I didn't care for the book.
I don't know if it was the fact that two author's collaborated on this one, but it flowed quite nicely, and I actually found myself wishing it was a little bit longer.
Also...I think I'm going to look into Barbara Annino's Stacy Justice series, because I liked what I saw from her characters.
I don't know if it was the fact that two author's collaborated on this one, but it flowed quite nicely, and I actually found myself wishing it was a little bit longer.
Also...I think I'm going to look into Barbara Annino's Stacy Justice series, because I liked what I saw from her characters.
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