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Allegra Darling #1
Cold as a Witch's Toffee
The dog is talking... The dog is talking!
When Allegra Darling, star fitness instructor, inherits an ice cream shop from her Uncle, she is shocked, appalled, and at a loss. Allegra Darling doesn’t eat carbs, and she won't be caught dead selling them. When she goes to the little town of Knox Hills to sell the property, her Uncle’s attorney gives her the absolute worst news possible. She can’t sell the shop. If she does, she loses her entire inheritance.
Things get even worse when her stockbroker fiancé breaks up with her over email… for a plus-size model. Distraught, Allegra goes to the ice cream shop and devours an entire tub of Toffee Twist ice cream. Unable to move, she sleeps on the floor in a puddle of her tears mixed with the last shreds of her dignity.
Allegra is in for a huge shock the next morning when she wakes up to find her Uncle’s lawyer dead in the shop. What was he doing there? Who killed him? How is Allegra going to prove to the town of Knox Hills she didn’t murder him? After all, everyone saw her fighting with him the day before.
But, that’s not the biggest surprise. Something happens to Allegra when she moves into her Uncle’s old house. Magic she’d forgotten comes alive inside of her when she steps inside her childhood refuge. She’ll have to harness her new powers and find a way to solve the crime one spell at a time.
Cold as a Witch's Toffee is the first book in An Allegra Darling Cozy Mystery Series. It is a clean read suitable for all ages.
This novel was previously published under the same title. This is a new edition that has been substantially edited and has a brand-new ending!
When Allegra Darling, star fitness instructor, inherits an ice cream shop from her Uncle, she is shocked, appalled, and at a loss. Allegra Darling doesn’t eat carbs, and she won't be caught dead selling them. When she goes to the little town of Knox Hills to sell the property, her Uncle’s attorney gives her the absolute worst news possible. She can’t sell the shop. If she does, she loses her entire inheritance.
Things get even worse when her stockbroker fiancé breaks up with her over email… for a plus-size model. Distraught, Allegra goes to the ice cream shop and devours an entire tub of Toffee Twist ice cream. Unable to move, she sleeps on the floor in a puddle of her tears mixed with the last shreds of her dignity.
Allegra is in for a huge shock the next morning when she wakes up to find her Uncle’s lawyer dead in the shop. What was he doing there? Who killed him? How is Allegra going to prove to the town of Knox Hills she didn’t murder him? After all, everyone saw her fighting with him the day before.
But, that’s not the biggest surprise. Something happens to Allegra when she moves into her Uncle’s old house. Magic she’d forgotten comes alive inside of her when she steps inside her childhood refuge. She’ll have to harness her new powers and find a way to solve the crime one spell at a time.
Cold as a Witch's Toffee is the first book in An Allegra Darling Cozy Mystery Series. It is a clean read suitable for all ages.
This novel was previously published under the same title. This is a new edition that has been substantially edited and has a brand-new ending!
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2019
602 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bourgeois
233 books342 followersSara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 4, 2021
Fun read.
Great storyline fun characters with lots of action magic and mayhem with plenty of humor and a touch of romance. Join Allegra, a fitness and health-obsessed blogger and Utube fame-seeking wannabe as she returns to the small town she knew as a child to collect the inheritance left by her uncle. A house, a business, lots of cash, and her witchy magic, say what!! And just to top it off her talking DOG familiar, a fun read well worth a look, Baz.
Great storyline fun characters with lots of action magic and mayhem with plenty of humor and a touch of romance. Join Allegra, a fitness and health-obsessed blogger and Utube fame-seeking wannabe as she returns to the small town she knew as a child to collect the inheritance left by her uncle. A house, a business, lots of cash, and her witchy magic, say what!! And just to top it off her talking DOG familiar, a fun read well worth a look, Baz.
February 12, 2020
I randomly picked this book to read, knowing that I really like the author's Wicked Witches of Coventry series. This series starter definitely didn't disappoint. There were quite a bunch of suspects in the murder that Allegra found herself in the middle of after her recent personal fiasco and arrival in her old hometown.
I wasn't quite sure who to trust, but I definitely trusted the little white talking dog. I think he was my favorite character! The twist of who was the killer was a total surprise. I'm anxious to keep reading in this series!
I wasn't quite sure who to trust, but I definitely trusted the little white talking dog. I think he was my favorite character! The twist of who was the killer was a total surprise. I'm anxious to keep reading in this series!
March 20, 2020
This is a new author to me, I discovered her book after flipping through KU to see if there was anything that stood out to me in the Witches/paranormal romance section, and after seeing this cover for Sara Bourgeois’ book and reading the blurb I thought I was in for a right treat, however I only got to part way through chapter 2 and I just couldn’t carry on. I honestly thought that this book was going to be another cosy read, however I was clearly wrong…. I just found myself being appalled by what I was reading, I hated how spoiled and entitled Allegra was, the fact she was judging the weight of her stylist was just wrong, it’s hard enough that many people out in the real world struggle with their own body, but the way that this author has written her character judging someone who’s not super thin is just wrong. People in the world struggle with their weight or how their bodies look and they don’t always overcome all the bullying they end up receiving when their in school, so why on earth would it be okay to judge someone like this author has done with her character when there could be so many people who love to escape to books could discover this and it might actually do more damage to them? Surely authors want readers to pick up their books and fall in love with their stories, their characters…. I get that some people due to the way they’re brought up feel like they should have everything at their feet, I get that as I’ve seen it happen in real life, but the way that this character is, it’s just a huge way to turn me off a book…. It’s not often I don’t finish a book, because even if I don’t feel like the story is for me, I like to try and give the authors the benefit of the doubt, but with this book how it was I just couldn’t carry on. The blurb has been written as a way to grip you, which it did with me and then as soon as you start reading you’re taken to a different world and the blurb doesn’t fit with the contents of the book.
I do feel for the author because this could have been an amazing book, but for me I was just let down so early on.
Anyways, just because it’s not for me, you may find that this is something you’ll enjoy, so be sure to take a look for yourself and see what you think.
I do feel for the author because this could have been an amazing book, but for me I was just let down so early on.
Anyways, just because it’s not for me, you may find that this is something you’ll enjoy, so be sure to take a look for yourself and see what you think.
June 5, 2023
Allegra Darling, self absorbed fitness influencer thinks she’s got it all. Focused on building her brand she has no interest in taking over the ice cream shop left to her by her uncle. She figures she’ll sign the paperwork and sell the shop and get back to her life with her wealthy boyfriend. But her uncle has made provisions that prevent her from getting the inheritance if she sells. When the smarmy lawyer offers to circumvent the trust if she’ll sleep with him, Allegra is appalled. After a public argument with him, she finds out that her boyfriend has dumped her via email and cut off all her financial access. Even worse, she finds that someone has uploaded an unflattering video and she’s cancelled. Stuck in Knox Hills, she goes to the shop and drowns her sorrows in a carton of toffee ice cream. Crashing from the sugar overload, she awakens to find the lawyer dead and herself a suspect. With multiple women accusing her, Allegra needs to clear her name in order to salvage her reputation.
Allegra starts out as an extremely unappealing character, judgmental and entitled. She cares more about her image and strictly controlling her life, what she eats, what she does, etc. Losing everything and given a second chance with an inheritance from her beloved uncle allows us to see a different side to Allegra. She rediscovers her magical heritage and realizes that her behaviors were a way to suppress that part of herself. As she investigates the murder and learns to harness her magic, she becomes a more likeable character. Her familiar, Voodoo, is delightful. With her childhood friend, Rowan, and bookstore owner/supernatural hunter Alex vying for attention, she’s able to forget her cheating ex. She also forges the beginning of a friendship with police officer, Bethany. A good twisty mystery with plenty of suspects.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Allegra starts out as an extremely unappealing character, judgmental and entitled. She cares more about her image and strictly controlling her life, what she eats, what she does, etc. Losing everything and given a second chance with an inheritance from her beloved uncle allows us to see a different side to Allegra. She rediscovers her magical heritage and realizes that her behaviors were a way to suppress that part of herself. As she investigates the murder and learns to harness her magic, she becomes a more likeable character. Her familiar, Voodoo, is delightful. With her childhood friend, Rowan, and bookstore owner/supernatural hunter Alex vying for attention, she’s able to forget her cheating ex. She also forges the beginning of a friendship with police officer, Bethany. A good twisty mystery with plenty of suspects.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2023
A wonderful book!
I didn't immediately like Allegra, but I believe that she’s not supposed to be likeable at the start, to show her growth, to show how far she’s come, how she changed. And somehow I did immediately know it'd be alright. I could feel the vulnerability behind the rigid regimes, I could sense her anxiety and insecurity. Somehow I found myself caring for her when it all fell apart around her, even though she was still uptight and kind of smug at that point. I truly wanted to cry for her when she was so lost. I really felt it, felt that panic, and that’s the sign of a great book for me. Her journey back to her true self was well done. So if you find yourself not really taken with her at the start, stick with it, it’s so worth it! Her personal growth is part of the plot!
The tone of the book drew me in and kept me there, I smiled my way through, I love how it was told with humor. I found the whole thing to be well-written, well-plotted, and well-developed. What a fun book!
I didn't immediately like Allegra, but I believe that she’s not supposed to be likeable at the start, to show her growth, to show how far she’s come, how she changed. And somehow I did immediately know it'd be alright. I could feel the vulnerability behind the rigid regimes, I could sense her anxiety and insecurity. Somehow I found myself caring for her when it all fell apart around her, even though she was still uptight and kind of smug at that point. I truly wanted to cry for her when she was so lost. I really felt it, felt that panic, and that’s the sign of a great book for me. Her journey back to her true self was well done. So if you find yourself not really taken with her at the start, stick with it, it’s so worth it! Her personal growth is part of the plot!
The tone of the book drew me in and kept me there, I smiled my way through, I love how it was told with humor. I found the whole thing to be well-written, well-plotted, and well-developed. What a fun book!
August 25, 2021
Entertaining Paranormal cozy mystery series
This is a very entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Aalegra is an exercise guru on the way up in the big city. She is on the verge of becoming famous is engaged to a rich stockbroker and her life seems on track to be spectacular. Until a decent. Her uncle dies and leaves her a bit of an inheritance. Read on and find out what happens. It is a very entertaining and at times funny and it other times leans toward the dark but always entertaining and a fun read. Check it out
This is a very entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Aalegra is an exercise guru on the way up in the big city. She is on the verge of becoming famous is engaged to a rich stockbroker and her life seems on track to be spectacular. Until a decent. Her uncle dies and leaves her a bit of an inheritance. Read on and find out what happens. It is a very entertaining and at times funny and it other times leans toward the dark but always entertaining and a fun read. Check it out
March 7, 2022
I'm trying to decide whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. There's just too much that Is not making sense. First she doesn't need anything cause she's on this fitness thing. Then she discovers she is a witch and uses her magic and it turns out it takes an enormous amount of calories to do magic, which doesn't make sense to me.Then there's all kinds of kinds of stuff that happens and it's just not as much fun as I thought it would be.
In addition, there's absolutely nothing that points us to who the bad guy is so we don't get any advance notice on this. And the ending just feels contrived, not even remotely believable.
In addition, there's absolutely nothing that points us to who the bad guy is so we don't get any advance notice on this. And the ending just feels contrived, not even remotely believable.
September 9, 2021
Started out rough
So, the first few chapters were tough. Alleges had absolutely the worst character for a heroine. However, luckily that changed. Her inheritance from a beloved uncle at what would be a low point in her life reminds her of who she was before she became the entitled person her fiance dumped. What she wasn't expecting was to find out she was a witch and that she would find herself a suspect in a murder all in the same day. With her new familiar at her side, she sets out to clear her name while adapting to her new life in her renewed childhood hometown.
So, the first few chapters were tough. Alleges had absolutely the worst character for a heroine. However, luckily that changed. Her inheritance from a beloved uncle at what would be a low point in her life reminds her of who she was before she became the entitled person her fiance dumped. What she wasn't expecting was to find out she was a witch and that she would find herself a suspect in a murder all in the same day. With her new familiar at her side, she sets out to clear her name while adapting to her new life in her renewed childhood hometown.
July 18, 2023
Cold as a Witch’s Toffee is the first book in a new series by Sara Bourgeois. It introduces Allegra Darling, who at first look seems to be the kind of person we all love to hate in cozies, but it soon becomes clear that there’s more to her than meets the eye, when she’s dragged back to the town of Knox Hills, because of the death of her uncle Leo and the fact she’s inherited his ice cream parlour. Allegra soon finds herself wrapped up in a number of mysteries, most importantly who killed the lecherous lawyer who was found dead in her shop! Highly recommended, can’t wait for the next one.
February 8, 2020
Was expecting another cozy
There should honestly be a warning on here about eating disorders. I couldn't finish the book because of the obvious eating disorders and body shaming that was going on in the first several chapters. The characters are extremely two-dimensional beyond that. Who wears a sports bra and athletic shorts to a meeting with a lawyer about your dead uncle's will?
There should honestly be a warning on here about eating disorders. I couldn't finish the book because of the obvious eating disorders and body shaming that was going on in the first several chapters. The characters are extremely two-dimensional beyond that. Who wears a sports bra and athletic shorts to a meeting with a lawyer about your dead uncle's will?
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February 25, 2020Fun Read
This book is a quick fun cozy that Sara Bourgeois does so well. I like that Allegra is a bit flawed but does realize it. My only complaint is that Bourgeois' book sometimes need more depth but for a quick book that doesn't drag out a plot with tons of filler then it's perfect. I sometimes get bored with longer books but that doesn't happen with this author. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
This book is a quick fun cozy that Sara Bourgeois does so well. I like that Allegra is a bit flawed but does realize it. My only complaint is that Bourgeois' book sometimes need more depth but for a quick book that doesn't drag out a plot with tons of filler then it's perfect. I sometimes get bored with longer books but that doesn't happen with this author. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
June 1, 2020
I started the book and by the end of the first chapter I was ready to put it down. No one can be as annoying as Allegra Darling was. Self centered, self absorbed and single minded to the point of me wanting to strangle her. I decided to continue and did enjoy the book. It was amusing and a great attitude changer for Allegra once she realized she was suspected of murder. That and finding out she was a witch with a familiar.
January 24, 2020
A promising start to a new series!
I really could not stand Allegra in the beginning of this story! Thankfully, I put my trust in Ms. Bourgeois ( I've loved all her other heroines) and kept reading. Allegra is a quirky character with an iron will and take charge personality. She's also a new witch and a murder suspect! A delightful story! Can't wait for the next!
I really could not stand Allegra in the beginning of this story! Thankfully, I put my trust in Ms. Bourgeois ( I've loved all her other heroines) and kept reading. Allegra is a quirky character with an iron will and take charge personality. She's also a new witch and a murder suspect! A delightful story! Can't wait for the next!
January 31, 2020
Oh what a tangled web Emergency here.
I totally enjoyable cozy mystery that leads into witchcraft. What happens when you discover leader that you’ve been at Witch all along? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys do you know? Enjoy this book so sit back read to your hearts content
I totally enjoyable cozy mystery that leads into witchcraft. What happens when you discover leader that you’ve been at Witch all along? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys do you know? Enjoy this book so sit back read to your hearts content
April 14, 2020
When I first started reading this I thought I was going to hate it....it hated reading about a privileged, spoil brat of a person who treats people badly. But I was glad to see that she was able to completely change when her life went sour and that she wasn’t really that person just trying to play a part. This was a great read....so many shocks...so amazing
February 19, 2020
Refreshing
So she's a witch who discovered the truth when she went to claim an inheritance left her by her uncle. Done by many other authors but this has a fresh feel to it. I intend to read the next book.
So she's a witch who discovered the truth when she went to claim an inheritance left her by her uncle. Done by many other authors but this has a fresh feel to it. I intend to read the next book.
April 17, 2020
Exciting
A very interesting book with lots of action to keep your interest thorough out the whole book. Makes you want to start the next book soon as possible. Recommend anyone who enjoys reading mysteries to check it out.
A very interesting book with lots of action to keep your interest thorough out the whole book. Makes you want to start the next book soon as possible. Recommend anyone who enjoys reading mysteries to check it out.
April 25, 2020
A few typos
Good story. I’m glad they have a talking dog, instead of a cat. But, it should be proof read more carefully. I noted over 7 mistakes. Words wrong, words left out, etc. Please try to be mire careful before you publish a book.
Good story. I’m glad they have a talking dog, instead of a cat. But, it should be proof read more carefully. I noted over 7 mistakes. Words wrong, words left out, etc. Please try to be mire careful before you publish a book.
May 29, 2020
New (to me) series!
I always find it challenging to start a new series and become acquainted with new characters...but this one was quite easy! Any series with a dog is gonna be good!
I always find it challenging to start a new series and become acquainted with new characters...but this one was quite easy! Any series with a dog is gonna be good!
July 7, 2020
Cold as a Witch's Toffee
This was a really fun cozy mystery. Allegra Darling grew on me and herself. The characters were very interesting, and I was drawn in despite myself. I will read the next book in the series.
This was a really fun cozy mystery. Allegra Darling grew on me and herself. The characters were very interesting, and I was drawn in despite myself. I will read the next book in the series.
February 22, 2021
Sometimes you get more than you bargained for
Wow twists turns rotten cheating chicken men, good men good women, rotten cheating women. What more can you ask for Oh twisting plot suspense and boom!
Wow twists turns rotten cheating chicken men, good men good women, rotten cheating women. What more can you ask for Oh twisting plot suspense and boom!
September 3, 2021
Cute
Fun, unique story with crazy characters. It would have been five stars but the end felt abrupt and had me confused for a minute. More details on the solving would have been nice.
Fun, unique story with crazy characters. It would have been five stars but the end felt abrupt and had me confused for a minute. More details on the solving would have been nice.
September 5, 2021
Ice Cream and a Talking Dog
Just a quick k little light hearted read . Not to deep or involved but great for an afternoon read. Intense at first but with some amusing bits, too. A complete, stand alone story so you won't feel compelled to buy the next, but I will.
Just a quick k little light hearted read . Not to deep or involved but great for an afternoon read. Intense at first but with some amusing bits, too. A complete, stand alone story so you won't feel compelled to buy the next, but I will.
September 23, 2021
fun!
The first book in the series is a yacht-load of fun. Whether or not it was intentionally written that way, the whole book reads like a tongue-in-cheek mystery. Be prepared to be entertained. And smiling.
The first book in the series is a yacht-load of fun. Whether or not it was intentionally written that way, the whole book reads like a tongue-in-cheek mystery. Be prepared to be entertained. And smiling.
January 24, 2020
Decent beginning
Great story line, could have been fleshed out SO MUCH MORE. Seemed more like an outline than a book, but still enjoyable!
Great story line, could have been fleshed out SO MUCH MORE. Seemed more like an outline than a book, but still enjoyable!
February 11, 2020
Algebra Darling Mystery #1
I didn't expect to like the story. It was a wonderful surprise. Totally worth reading and getting to know the characters and storylines.
I didn't expect to like the story. It was a wonderful surprise. Totally worth reading and getting to know the characters and storylines.
February 20, 2020
What an Ending
I didn't expect that ending ..wow
Between all her troubles she solves the case and ends up with more than she bargained for..
I didn't expect that ending ..wow
Between all her troubles she solves the case and ends up with more than she bargained for..
March 28, 2020
totally didn't see it coming
This is a quick fun read.
looking forward to the next book. I enjoy how it is different from other books.
This is a quick fun read.
looking forward to the next book. I enjoy how it is different from other books.
April 21, 2020
I've enjoyed reading this book... Looking forward to reading the rest of them.
July 23, 2020
Cute
This is a very nice book for a Six or seventh grader. It kept you amused and was written well.
This is a very nice book for a Six or seventh grader. It kept you amused and was written well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews