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Midlife Potions #3

Witchy Flash Back

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When is a witch not a witch? Jessica Lavender lived a mediocre life until she discovers she is a witch. After intense training Jess realizes that although she loves helping people, there is more to life than being a potion making store owner. Her familiar insists she is a witch above everything, but Jess's passion for baking can't be denied any longer. It won't be easy convincing Maestro to rethink his plans for her. When her new neighbor is accused of murder, Jess, along with her ghostly mom and cat familiar, are on the case. Clues don't add up while the killer stalks new prey. Will she solve the crime and a more personal mystery in time? Midlife Potions
Witchy Awakening
Witchy Hot Spells
Witchy Flash Back
Witchy Bad Blood - preorder now!

"I really loved the mystery in this book. I love the age (middle-aged) of the characters, which I can so relate to. This book kept me on my toes, there were twists and turns that I did not expect." C. A. Phipps is a USA Today best-selling author from beautiful New Zealand. Cheryl lives in a quiet suburb with her wonderful husband of over four decades. With a large family to keep her busy when she's not writing, there is just enough space for a crazy mixed breed dog who stole her heart! She enjoys family times, baking, and her quest for the perfect latte.

178 pages, ebook

First published July 31, 2023

73 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

C.A. Phipps

57 books894 followers

C. A. Phipps is a USA Today best-selling author from beautiful New Zealand. Cheryl lives in a quiet suburb with her wonderful husband of more than four decades.

With a large family to keep her busy when she's not writing, there is just enough space for a crazy mixed breed dog who stole her heart!

She enjoys family times, baking, rambling walks, and her quest for the perfect latte.

You can find her at www.caphipps.com

C. A. Phipps also writes romance as Cheryl Phipps at www.cherylphipps.com.

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,805 reviews154 followers
June 17, 2023
Witchy Flashback is Book three in the Midlife Potions series by C.A. Phipps.

I love Jess and her familiar Maestro. Jenny is coming into her powers and boy things aren't going that great LOL!

There is a murder and Jess's new neighbor stands accused of the crime.
Jess wants to help him but things get complicated.

I really loved the mystery in this book. I love the age (middle aged) of the characters , which I can so relate to. This book kept me on my toes, there were twists and turns that I did not expect.

This is really a fantastic story with great characters and a perfectly paced plot.

Looking forward to more books in this series. Highly recommend reading the first two books as they are equally as wonderful!
Profile Image for Kim.
1,166 reviews17 followers
July 16, 2023
Jess has a new neighbor, but before he can settle into his new home; he is accused of murder. Jess wants to help him, but the situation is complicated. Will she and her cat be able to clear his name before he realizes there is something a magical about Jess?

This is a fun series to read. The characters are interesting and relatable. My favorite character is Jess’s cat/familiar Maestro. We learn a little more in this book why he is so grumpy and sometimes is short on patience with Jess. The mystery is well-plotted and full of twists. I look forward to seeing the characters develop into their powers and new relationships over the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.

4,583 reviews38 followers
July 5, 2023
In Witchy Flash Back, Jessica's powers continue to expand. Slowly more back story is filled in. When her new neighbor is accused of murder, Jessica feels a need to find the real killer. I enjoyed her journey thru this well written, well plotted book. The plot is well executed. I love not guessing the ending!
19 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2023
I am having a lot of fun reading these books. It is good to finally get some answers for Jess and Jenny and how they are tied together through family. You get to understand Maestro a bit more and why he is sometimes a bit crabby. You are introduced to the mystery of Jess's father but discover that it is dangerous to know him. Another mysterious murder adds to the mix along with Jess's new neighbour which adds to the ongoing interest along with the necessities of becoming a witch.
2,291 reviews28 followers
June 20, 2023
Another murder for Jess to help solve. New characters as well as a new mystery. Jess is still learning about being a witch as well as discovering even more secrets. Jenny is learning too. Great addition to the series. Looking forward to book 4.
Profile Image for Adreana.
46 reviews2 followers
June 28, 2024
The ending seemed to wrap up rather quickly. I liked the first and second books more. The mystery was a bit lacking. It could have used 100 more pages.
34 reviews
July 11, 2023
Another thoroughly enjoyable book by Cheryl Phipps.

Jess' witchy powers are increasing as she settles deeper into her life and also in the running of her shop. A new neighbour moves in next door, however there is a murder not long after - with her love for research (juatvlike baking) and unable to to keep out of solving crimes, Jess helps the police with their investigation; much to much to frustration of Brodie aka Officer Fine.
On the other hand, Jenny comes to realise a bit more about her premonitions with the help of Mastero, Lizzy and of course Jess
4,583 reviews38 followers
July 5, 2023
In Witchy Flash Back, Jessica's powers continue to expand. Slowly more back story is filled in. When her new neighbor is accused of murder, Jessica feels a need to find the real killer. I enjoyed her journey thru this well written, well plotted book. The plot is well executed. I love not guessing the ending!
Profile Image for Kayleigh Osborne.
20 reviews
June 30, 2023
This is my favorite book so far in this series! Jess is finally starting to get some answers from her mom and Maestro. She finally seems settled into her new life and Jenny is starting to get her powers, which gives them something to bond over. There are still plenty of secrets to uncover and that's causing some friction between Jess and Maestro, but they're starting to come to an understanding. I'm looking forward to watching these relationships grow as the series continues.

When a man is murdered on Main Street in broad daylight, the police suspect Jess's new neighbor. Jess is sure they caught the wrong person and that the killer is still on the loose. Can she find the actual murderer without upsetting Brodie too much or getting him in trouble with the police chief?
3,772 reviews44 followers
June 30, 2023
Entertaining whodunit set in small town🏘

Jessica, her smart mouth cat familiar Maestro and the murder mystery kept me well entertained and perplexed. The villain who succeeded in directing the blame at Jessica's new next door neighbor was pretty well concealed until the climax, something that I prefer when I'm reading a cozy mystery.

I also liked that Jessica, despite her developing witch talent, has not abandoned the dream of holding on to her old profession while carrying on her mom's work in the local potions and lotions shop.

Fun (except for the poor victim😟).

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
1,300 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2023
Jess finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery just as she's becoming more comfortable in her new role as a witch. She's also learning more about Jenny and family secrets. C.A. Phipps creates characters you can relate to - even if they ARE witches. The characters of her new (old) hometown cover the gamut and keep things interesting as she helps solve yet another murder, and continues to consider possible romantic interests with a certain officer of the law. Looking forward to what's next.
512 reviews6 followers
June 27, 2023
Both Jess and Jenny are witches in training. Jess now has someone in the same boat as her and can confide in her assistant. More secrets arise about Jess's father, Jenny's magical lineage, issues with familiars. Still plenty of questions to carry us into the next book. I did wish we would have been introduced to the killer earlier, they seemed to come out of nowhere.
Profile Image for Larry.
3,114 reviews18 followers
May 21, 2024
I like this series and this book was no exception. The characters are becoming more endearing with each story, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out who killed the new next door neighbor's cousin and why. I definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Rhonda Jones.
2,794 reviews17 followers
December 3, 2024
Great Cozy Paranormal Mystery

Jess is torn between honoring the purpose of witches to help people versus her personal desire to open her own bakery. Plus her potion shop assistant is pushing to be more in control and hands on than the assistant is ready for. Family revelations are being uncovered and another murder must be solved. Loved it.
Profile Image for Rachella.
367 reviews3 followers
February 8, 2025
Enjoyable

I continue to enjoy the snarky but protective relationship Jess has with her familiar Maestro. I'm intrigued by how her bond with Jenny will continue now that Jenny is showing her own Witchy powers. I really liked that the mystery was driven by flashbacks and visions.
Profile Image for Valerie.
770 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2024
Another good entry in this series. The book could be read as a stand alone, but definitely recommend doing the others. Looking forward to next in the series.
Profile Image for bookswithanna.
473 reviews38 followers
September 30, 2024
Irgendwie war es so ganz anders wie band 1 und 2 👀 die ersten bände waren so cozy und echte Highlights, während mich band 3 leider gar nicht abholen konnte 😔
Profile Image for Marseydoats.
2,251 reviews7 followers
February 1, 2025
Enjoyed this! The author was kind enough to send me the alternate ending she wrote, and that made it better.
1 review
August 8, 2025
If i read it fast its got to be good. Actually i dont remember putting tjis and the one befor it also. Cant wait for the nrw one to come out.
Profile Image for Anissa.
187 reviews
February 2, 2026
Cute mystery. I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series so far.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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