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Gretchen's (Mis)Adventures - Season One #0·5
Troll Hunter: Witch for Hire
Troll eradication may not be on Gretchen’s resume, but strapped for cash, she’s prepared to try her hand at bounty hunting.
And maybe a stray love potion while she’s at it. Without a decent payday in months, she's close to calling it quits, and if she doesn’t come through, her reputation — and the prospect of more customers — will be ruined.
Between an insolent spell book, an old friend too sick to run her favorite tavern and a new guy in town who is the object of every maiden’s desire, Gretchen scrambles to keep everyone happy.
Trip trap, trip trap, this troll packs a mighty punch.
A potion cocktail has unintended side effects with massive ramifications and Gretchen has no idea how she did it. If she doesn’t fix it, she’ll be forced to hang up her witches hat and serve drinks for the rest of her days.
Check out these hilarious high fantasy with stories each month for a new spin on a classic tale.
And maybe a stray love potion while she’s at it. Without a decent payday in months, she's close to calling it quits, and if she doesn’t come through, her reputation — and the prospect of more customers — will be ruined.
Between an insolent spell book, an old friend too sick to run her favorite tavern and a new guy in town who is the object of every maiden’s desire, Gretchen scrambles to keep everyone happy.
Trip trap, trip trap, this troll packs a mighty punch.
A potion cocktail has unintended side effects with massive ramifications and Gretchen has no idea how she did it. If she doesn’t fix it, she’ll be forced to hang up her witches hat and serve drinks for the rest of her days.
Check out these hilarious high fantasy with stories each month for a new spin on a classic tale.
Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2020
About the author
P.A. Mason
32 books303 followersPaula Mason is an author based in regional Victoria, Australia, and creator of Gretchen's (Mis)Adventures. She enjoys fantastical stories and faraway places as her creative outlet from her busy day job and (even busier) family.
By day Paula is a social worker and has a deep grounding in social justice and Child Protection. She works within her local Aboriginal community and is keenly interested in reconciliation and restorative justice.
To connect on social media you can find Paula over at the following platforms;
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamasonauthor/
BookBub - bookbub.com/profile/p-a-mason
Amazon - amazon.com/author/pamason
www.pamasonauthor.com
By day Paula is a social worker and has a deep grounding in social justice and Child Protection. She works within her local Aboriginal community and is keenly interested in reconciliation and restorative justice.
To connect on social media you can find Paula over at the following platforms;
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamasonauthor/
BookBub - bookbub.com/profile/p-a-mason
Amazon - amazon.com/author/pamason
www.pamasonauthor.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 1, 2020
A fun introduction to what is definitely going to be an entertaining new series! Can't wait to read more!
June 18, 2020
IF you enjoy a light read full of laughter mistjuf and a witchy sence of humor your in for a treat.A wide array of vibrant caracters with enough mayhem to keep you wanting more. Aquier a copy of "Troll Hunter:Witch for Hire "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 😋🤔😄Kat
December 12, 2024
Great prequel. Loved the characters. The storyline was wonderful. I can't wait to dive into this series. I am excited for what is to come!
April 2, 2020
If our beloved Noddy was a witch, that would be Gretchen. Fun and loveable, her (mis)adventures make for breezy, light-hearted reads.
"Troll Hunter" starts off seeming like any other high fantasy story, only to swirl around and take you down a Disney movie ride. The ending will leave you surprised - and satisfied - for its wholesome yet progressive nature.
I would really like this to be the next big thing in MG/YA fantasy.
"Troll Hunter" starts off seeming like any other high fantasy story, only to swirl around and take you down a Disney movie ride. The ending will leave you surprised - and satisfied - for its wholesome yet progressive nature.
I would really like this to be the next big thing in MG/YA fantasy.
April 1, 2020
This is a fun read. With good characters. I enjoyed it!
April 14, 2020
Fun, quirky, and clever. A delightful blend of modern, magical, and mis-adventure.
April 20, 2021
Entertaining Read
For whatever reason, I assumed, based off the cover, and maybe even the title, that this was a middle grade or YA book. I could have read this to my son, and it wouldn’t have been inappropriate or anything, but I’m pretty sure I had the target audience wrong. With that said, I still enjoyed it, but perhaps I should pay more attention to a book’s description or it’s reviews so I’m not so surprised when I start reading. Haha.
I thought it read quickly, and its pacing was so done well. The characters were unique, entertaining, and interesting.
I would’ve liked to connect to the characters and their descriptions more. I wasn’t able to picture them very well in my mind’s eye based on how they were described on the page. I had my own idea of what they all looked like, but felt the words could have reinforced that image better.
The spell book was cute, and I liked how it had its own personality. That I could see very well. Gretchen’s familiar, Mulligan, was also a nice addition. All good books have a fun cat woven through its pages.
Another thing that was done well was how the author used each character and moment to develop and move the story/plot along. No one was wasted.
The setting was good, too, but I would have liked a little more world building to understand the town Gretchen lives in. There’s some there already. I just wanted to feel more connected to it.
For whatever reason, I assumed, based off the cover, and maybe even the title, that this was a middle grade or YA book. I could have read this to my son, and it wouldn’t have been inappropriate or anything, but I’m pretty sure I had the target audience wrong. With that said, I still enjoyed it, but perhaps I should pay more attention to a book’s description or it’s reviews so I’m not so surprised when I start reading. Haha.
I thought it read quickly, and its pacing was so done well. The characters were unique, entertaining, and interesting.
I would’ve liked to connect to the characters and their descriptions more. I wasn’t able to picture them very well in my mind’s eye based on how they were described on the page. I had my own idea of what they all looked like, but felt the words could have reinforced that image better.
The spell book was cute, and I liked how it had its own personality. That I could see very well. Gretchen’s familiar, Mulligan, was also a nice addition. All good books have a fun cat woven through its pages.
Another thing that was done well was how the author used each character and moment to develop and move the story/plot along. No one was wasted.
The setting was good, too, but I would have liked a little more world building to understand the town Gretchen lives in. There’s some there already. I just wanted to feel more connected to it.
March 11, 2025
Jul
5
I’ve recently read Jitterball by P.A. Mason and it was such a fun story that I wanted to go back and read all of Gretchen’s other [mis]adventures. So it’s straight to the beginning with Troll Hunter: Witch for Hire.
Gretchen is a witch that mainly deals with potions, like love spells, cure alls. However when the Mayor comes to her with a “troll problem” she can’t refuse. Especially when the pay is so good! However finding a new home for an enchanted troll might be a bigger problem then it seems.
This was such a cute story. If you’ve never met Gretchen, her familiar, Mulligan and her friend and fellow witch, Norah, it’s the perfect place to start!!! Jitterball takes place away from Gretchen’s cottage so it was nice to have a story that centres around her hometown and the eclectic bunch of characters that live there. Especially the ones that visit the local tavern, The Salt and Bog.
If you enjoy Discworld and Legends and Lattes this story is definitely for you. It’s the perfect cozy little fantasy story to while away an afternoon and it left me wanting to read the next one right away.
August 9, 2020
Great start to the series! It's no secret I'm huge fan of Gretchen's Misadventures. I read, and loved, episodes 1-3 before picking up this one, which is a sort of prelude to the series--something of an origin story that sets the stage for the rest of it. I'm happy to say that this book has the same charming qualities that make me enjoy the rest of this series so much. Great, fun characters involved in quirky situations.
A definite plus in this story is that Mulligan, Gretchen's purple cat and a favourite of mine (and my cat), makes plenty of appearances, more so than in the rest of the series. (More Mulligan please!).
Starting the series with the Damsel Gauntlet, as I did, works just fine, but Troll Hunter is the real beginning. Overall, it's a great start to this wonderful series that sets the stage for everything to come.
A definite plus in this story is that Mulligan, Gretchen's purple cat and a favourite of mine (and my cat), makes plenty of appearances, more so than in the rest of the series. (More Mulligan please!).
Starting the series with the Damsel Gauntlet, as I did, works just fine, but Troll Hunter is the real beginning. Overall, it's a great start to this wonderful series that sets the stage for everything to come.
July 15, 2021
A quick read to set the scene and introduce a few main characters.
Gretchen is a witch with some dfficulties. Her spellbook has attitude and her broom is unreliable.
Her familiar feline is an interesting shade of purple.
People, including other magical beings, come to Gretchen for help with problems, but unless her services are needed, no one seeks her out. She does have a few actual friends. Mainly she meets them down at the bar for the less popular.
The King turns to her when all his other resources have been tested and found wanting.
Gretchen has a good heart. When she feels that what people ask for is not what is best, she finds a way to make things work out. But even a witch needs gold coins to survive!
A light hearted read with adventure included.
Gretchen is a witch with some dfficulties. Her spellbook has attitude and her broom is unreliable.
Her familiar feline is an interesting shade of purple.
People, including other magical beings, come to Gretchen for help with problems, but unless her services are needed, no one seeks her out. She does have a few actual friends. Mainly she meets them down at the bar for the less popular.
The King turns to her when all his other resources have been tested and found wanting.
Gretchen has a good heart. When she feels that what people ask for is not what is best, she finds a way to make things work out. But even a witch needs gold coins to survive!
A light hearted read with adventure included.
September 16, 2021
Gretchen is an adorable magical witch. She is not all that good at being a witch but she has a good heart and has a hard time saying no to anyone. One of her problems is that the poor girl is always broke. She takes on cases that she knows she might not get paid, but that is Gretchen. PA Mason writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. You can’t go wrong with any of her books. Take a sit grab your e-reader and plan for an evening of laughs and joy! I gave this honest, voluntary review after being given a free copy of the book.
July 25, 2020
Her roof is leaking, so Gretchen can't say no to the mayor's contract to rid the town of a troll who's moved under a local bridge; but can't the magical and no-magical folk just get along? That's what they do at the Salt and Bog, the local inn run by an ancient goblin... who's so old he keeps forgetting his brownie housekeeper quit months ago. Gretchen's not even getting paid for keeping order in the tap room there!
Find out how the whole community muddles through in this delightful start to Gretchen's adventures.
Find out how the whole community muddles through in this delightful start to Gretchen's adventures.
August 3, 2020
Fun
Fairytale land with lots of contemporary dialogue. You might find a gnome that walks into a bar and says, "What's up dude." The book is bunches of fun rolled in lots of imagination. These are the fairytales kids now would love. Gretchen is a struggling witch just trying to make a living and she's not afraid to take the tough cases, if the pay is good. She also may have a side hustle or two.
Fairytale land with lots of contemporary dialogue. You might find a gnome that walks into a bar and says, "What's up dude." The book is bunches of fun rolled in lots of imagination. These are the fairytales kids now would love. Gretchen is a struggling witch just trying to make a living and she's not afraid to take the tough cases, if the pay is good. She also may have a side hustle or two.
September 9, 2020
Troll Hunter is full of giggles and charming imagery. 4.6 stars
I love it when a plan comes together. ☺ Gretchen may not be the best magical witch, but she has a great heart helps her friends out, and even her customers when things get mixed up. In this episode, she has to help at the local bar and find an enchanted troll a job etc. There is just no clean up, but she gets lots of help fixing up her place. Nice town
I love it when a plan comes together. ☺ Gretchen may not be the best magical witch, but she has a great heart helps her friends out, and even her customers when things get mixed up. In this episode, she has to help at the local bar and find an enchanted troll a job etc. There is just no clean up, but she gets lots of help fixing up her place. Nice town
April 10, 2022
A very interesting concept! Although only a short story I would have liked to know more about the characters, especially Gretchen.
What did she look like? How old is she?
More world building would have been good as well, especially about enchanted creatures.
However, it was a very fun and quick read. The characters were likeable, the story flowed well. I would be very interested in continuing this series.
What did she look like? How old is she?
More world building would have been good as well, especially about enchanted creatures.
However, it was a very fun and quick read. The characters were likeable, the story flowed well. I would be very interested in continuing this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2024
Y'all, I don't even know where to start. This was such a fun and quick read. Gretchen gets into so much crap. The people that she surrounds herself with can't help but pick on her. And then she has a troll problem to solve.
At some points in this book I had to stop from giggling so much. I absolutely loved this short story, let your imagination go wild with this one! It's definitely a hoot!
Hands down it's a 5 out of 5 🌟 read!
At some points in this book I had to stop from giggling so much. I absolutely loved this short story, let your imagination go wild with this one! It's definitely a hoot!
Hands down it's a 5 out of 5 🌟 read!
December 10, 2020
A cute, very quick read. Gretchen has such a huge heart and really helps people out where she can, even if it means more work for her. Juergen was pretty cool after all was said and done too. I’m glad things turned out the way it all did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2021
I downloaded this for free. From the "0.5" in the subtitle, I'm guessing this is a prequel of sorts.
Not the best-written thing I've downloaded but definitely not two-star bad. It had a story going for it, and it told that story. I wish it was told a little better.
If I pick up the next book, it'll probably be after I've whittled down my TBR pile a bit.
Not the best-written thing I've downloaded but definitely not two-star bad. It had a story going for it, and it told that story. I wish it was told a little better.
If I pick up the next book, it'll probably be after I've whittled down my TBR pile a bit.
March 28, 2021
A good read, satisfying, the characters are likable.
A sweet story with a nice interesting population. Stuff happens, but no major tragedies. Enough action to spiff it up a bit, but this story is character driven. Fortunately the characters are fairly unique. No laugh out loud scenes, but certainly a smile or two.
A sweet story with a nice interesting population. Stuff happens, but no major tragedies. Enough action to spiff it up a bit, but this story is character driven. Fortunately the characters are fairly unique. No laugh out loud scenes, but certainly a smile or two.
March 21, 2023
Troll Hunter: Witch for Hire is an excellent, fun introduction to the series, Gretchen’s (Mis)Adventures. It has enough action to keep a reader wanting more and I read it straight through. I’m looking for to the next book in the series.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
August 3, 2020
Read this after “The Damsel Gauntlet” again a fun quick read..The more I read of Gretchen the more I like and the more I want. There are some clever political/social observations but not done preachily.
May 15, 2021
This is an entertaining story about a witch, Gretchen, who is struggling to make money. She can’t afford turn down the mayor’s offer to get rid of the troll under the bridge. This is a short, humorous story and I can’t wait to read more of the series.
January 7, 2022
Super fun, easy read. It's easy to enjoy, because it knows what it's trying to be and succeeding at that. If you want a deep fantasy with 100 pages of lore and wandering, this is not that, but if you want to pop into an easily-imagined small town with fun characters, then this is that.
July 8, 2022
Why didn't I read this before?
I kept thinking this book is slow to read and suddenly I was at the end. It wasn't a slow book at all just one that packs more material into every page. And very other page has hilarious images.Looking forward to the next one!
I kept thinking this book is slow to read and suddenly I was at the end. It wasn't a slow book at all just one that packs more material into every page. And very other page has hilarious images.Looking forward to the next one!
April 1, 2023
A wonderful light hearted story. Gretchen is a witch for hire, she’ll try anything. A potion gone wrong will definitely destroy everything for her. She has to figure out how to fix it and soon. Maybe if she’s lucky a romance might happen.
October 25, 2025
Gretchen’s Misadventures are true cozy fantasy tales -- a clumsy workaday witch, who seems to cause more trouble in her pursuit of solutions for other witches, her purple cat familiar, a troll, ogres, a tired old dragon, goblins, dwarves, and whomever else she comes across. Not to worry — everything comes all right in the end (even if her spellbook is mischievous).
March 12, 2026
Troll Hunter: Witch for Hire (Gretchen's (Mis)Adventures - Season One #0.5) by P.A. Mason – Gretchen and her grumpy spell book were fun characters! And my hard and fast no love potions rule is proven right once again lol! I think this would be a fun series to continue! Happy Reading!
July 24, 2020
A Fun Tale
A quirky and full of laughs tale full of witches, trolls, spells, enchantments, and potions. A quick and easy read.
A quirky and full of laughs tale full of witches, trolls, spells, enchantments, and potions. A quick and easy read.
July 26, 2020
Would have been nice to have had some kind of finish. This wasnt even a short story, maybe an opening chapter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews