Bright Dark Curses

Good Bad Magic #5

by Isa Medina

Lights, camera, curses!

It's official—I'm the luckiest witch ever! I have my own witchy shop, a great boyfriend, and my favorite book is being turned into a movie right here in Olmeda.

Okay, so the shop is still on probation, Ian is still busy with the fallout from Halloween, and the movie has brought back the city's most infamous curse—anyone filming in Olmeda will come to regret it.

When magic-involved incidents start happening on the movie set, the strays and I are asked to investigate. Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of suspects and motives, and, as the saboteur grows bolder and one of the local shifters is injured, we’re also short on time to figure out who it is.

To make things worse, there’s an undercover Council witch in my shop with a cold attitude and a potion test. If I fail it, they might take the shop away. If I don’t find the person sabotaging the movie, they might escalate the violence. If Ian doesn’t return home ASAP, I might expire from longing.

Olmeda might be the one currently cursed, but I'm starting to think I'm a little cursed myself!

Join Hope in her quest to have the best witch shop in the Urban Fantasy world of Good Bad Magic, featuring witches, shifters, demons, one sexy bounty hunter, and all kinds of magical creatures. Full of humor, banter, plenty of heart, and a slow-burn romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Romance, Humor, Supernatural

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2024

About the author

Isa Medina loves writing and reading Urban Fantasy books, playing MMORPGs, and scouring the Internet for pet pictures and beautiful art.

As a child, she was first introduced to the world of Fantasy through Dragonlance and she has never looked back. She also has a soft spot for Gothics and treasures all her old Victorian Holt paperbacks. If it has Fae, ghosts, vampires, demons, mythical creatures, or magic in it, she's all in.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Avery, owner of the Tea Cauldron in Olmeda, can hardly believe her luck when she finds out that her favorite book is being filmed in town. When incidents start to happen at the scene of filming she is told that there's a curse involving everyone who tries to shoot a movie in Olmeda. Being a witch, Hope knows there is no magic able to curse anything, so the question is if someone is trying to sabotage the movie and why?

The mystery parts of these books are hardly remarkably, but I don't read them for the mysteries. I enjoy the cozy setting, the wide representation of paranormals (witches, shifters, demons, mages etc), the easy-going vibes and the feeling of found family that surrounds Hope and her friends. I look forward to follow them on more adventures!

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope is a fairly happy witch, one of her favourite books is being made into a movie right there in town. But there seems to be a curse on the filming.
While trying to investigate the curse by helping Key, she is also being tested by the Council. While thinking of Ian, who is still away, she is torn between what to do to help and how to stay out of the way.
Ms. Bagley is both a pain and a helper, the ghost does not want to be stuck in a container in a shed so she is a bit nicer, funny too. Fluffy is adorable as always. Brimstone (aka Jeremy) is now a helper in the shop to the delight of female customers.
This book has a nice mystery, with some humour, great characters and story, some romance (finally) and it is a quick, easy fun read. Unfortunately, I now have to wait until January until the next installment.

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope is a less than powerful witch trying to secure her tea shop, trying to get the council to acknowledge that she DOES deserve to own it. Which is a little difficult, Sonia, head of the council, doesn't REALLY like Hope, AND she's on probation for another few months. So all Hope needs to do is keep her nose clean, generate positive interest in her shop and Bob's your uncle for a slam dunk! Yeah.... right...as if THAT is smooth sailing!

Hope is such an bundle of joy, although she exudes hope and positivity, she is well aware of her failings. Added to that, she has to keep the supernatural community happy with potions and spells. Not easy, her predecessor, Bagley, dabbled in dark magic and the same is expected of her. Oh boy did I get lots of laughs at how she keeps her shadier cliental at bay! She kinda of twists the truth, letting them think she's given them a dark magic portion when in reality, she's giving them coloured water. Placebo effects work wonders! I really do love her enthusiasm, her zest and zeal, her inate caring, her belief in second chances. I mean, she even wants to give Bagley a second chance! Gotta love the snark and otherwiseness that comes out of Bagley's mouth!

I enjoyed this book immensely, although I did miss Ian and the burning attraction between them, I got a full dose of cuteness from Fluffy and Rufus! I loved seeing Hope throws Hutton off centre, he's Ian's half brother, notoriously almost permanently scowling. I do enjoy the lightness of the characters, I love how the author kept them all pertinent and real. Dru is one of my favourites, she's just so much fun! She sure gives Bagley a run for her money with mouthing off. But she's an awesome friend, despite her utterances to the contrary. And Key, how cool that she's being more assertive, learning to take charge of the situation. Oh, the situation I'm taking about is there appears to be some sabotage going on, a curse that everyone is on about, and Key goes all out to solve the mystery, with Hope of course.... She's slowing being accepted into the community, her quick mind working to her advantage, even when the odds are against her, she never gives up, she's so determined to make her grandma proud, and I love how she refers to her late grandma for affirmation, while keeping the hounds from her door, that would be the council, and solving yet another mystery!

Lovely, humourous, quick read, all the elements of mystery nicely done, well concealed until the last. This book had a slightly different vibe to it, more on the mystery/murder and whodunit, than on the romantic aspects, but we DID get to see a satisfying resolution to both! Had me doing a "YES!!!!" fist pump! A delightful and well flowing read. I'm still intrigued....is it a kraken, is it a squid, is it an octopus.... I'm dying to know. I'm dying to read the last book, to see Hope achieve all she aspired to.

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute and fun book in the Good Bad Magic series! Dru is finally getting her own shop, so Jeremy (Brimstone) is now working for Hope. This gives Hope more time to help investigate when Key calls her about strange things happening on a movie set. Learning there may be a curse on the town, Hope knows this is her time to help as the town’s resident witch. But the timing couldn’t worse when a Council witch comes in trying to secretly test Hope. And to make mattters worse, Ian is still gone dealing with the bounty hunter guild.
Hope is still the eternal optimist but I think Dru is starting to wear off on her! Even though she still has her affirmations, they are starting to get a little more “gray”. And I absolutely love how she is now paraphrasing things her grandma would say, but in a way that includes dark magic or murder. And she is really starting to give Hutton a taste of snark in their banter.
I did miss having Ian around for a lot of the book, but having Key, Shane, Alex and Dru featured more was definitely interesting! I like Dru and I definitely would like to read more about her as well! I think a little bit of Hope may be rubbing off on her as well!
As with all the other books, this is the perfect blend of humor with mystery. You really will keep guessing up until the end. And speaking of guessing, I am still anxiously awaiting finding out what the tentacle in the sink is! I adore this cute series, but I would keep reading if for no other reason than to find out what the deal is with Tiny Kraken!!

[Motive of the Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Hope, Dru, Brimstone and the rest of the crew, I have a lot of fun.

This time we are following Hope to the movie set, where weird things are happening and most probably Olmeda is cursed; or maybe not Olmeda, but all movie sets, which try to film there. Hope is ready to help, but the timing isn't the best because she needs to pass the test assigned to her by Council witch, Ian is still gone and busy with the bounty hunter guild business. Hope won't give up, she has friends, who are ready to help.

My favorite character is definitely Dru. I love her! She is sarcastic, rational and honest to the point of pain. I can't wait to see her own business in the next book. I really hope her ex-boyfriend will leave her alone because this dude gets on my nerves. He is hopeless, desperate and he thinks only he can help/save Dru, but...I think he is the worst what happened to her. Can a Tiny Kraken eat him?

A lot of entertainment gave me Bagley. Especially her interactions with Tiny Kraken were amazing and I was laughing so much. It's interesting to see how Hope tries to resocialize Bagley. Her methods are simple, but I'm waiting to see the results.

I really like Isa Medina's writing style. It's light, easy to follow and I really want to visit Olmeda.

Cozy mystery is one of my favorite genres, especially for fall. If you are looking for something cozy with the crime in the background, I highly recommend you "Bright Dark Curses". Generally you should check the whole "Good Bad Magic" series because this one is book 5.

I can't wait for more. As always big thank you for Isa Medina for trusting me with ARC.

[Jen T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright Dark Curses Is the fifth book in the Good Bad Magic series and I'm happy to say the series is still going strong! In this story Hope and the gang are investigating a series of mysterious events that are interfering with a movie that’s being filmed in town. Ian's out of town, so Hope and the strays are trying to identify the culprit before anyone else gets hurt.

As always, I really like Hope and her optimism. No matter how many things go wrong, she doesn't let it get her down for long. She and Ian are a cute couple, so I was happy when he finally returned from his trip. (I have to admit that one of my favorite parts was when Hope and Doyle commiserated about the fictional author making her readers wait for five books.) I love how Hope’s group of friends keeps expanding and Brimstone is becoming one of my favorite supporting characters in this series. I really like his quirks and I'm excited that the next book looks like it will feature him more prominently. It was also fun to see more of Tiny Kraken as well. I really enjoy this book and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Jilleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet Hope book that hits it outta the park!

I love these cozy stories, with Hope the aptly named witch that can find the good in everything.

Also, we have a new mystery. Apparently the town is cursed when it comes to making movies. So when Hope's favorite books are being translated to the screen, she's beyond excited, but there's one problem. The whole production seems to be falling victim to the curse. Since she's the council witch in town, she's asked to help end it.

The usual suspects are around, and the mystery is a bit more complex than any Hope has had to deal with yet. But as usual, she has her friends, her borrowed puppies, and her trusty werewolf mate to help her through everything that could go wrong.

Luckily, plucky Hope doesn't let things get her down for long! She'll find an answer any way she can as long as it's 'good' magic.

You have to read this series, feel good is a perfect description, along with funny, sweet, action packed, and absolutely unputdownable!

[Rick Boisclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Bad Magic maybe

Book 5 of this fantastic series by Isa Medina shows us fangirl Hope at her best working with her friends on a local movie set which seems to be cursed. Nothing can prepare her however for a council test, a new neighbor and more importantly an absent Ian. She has a lot on her plate but the positive attitude to always show everyone her sunny side. Dru is also on the warpath and needs Hopes help to open her shop. All the while things keep getting worse at the movie set including a dead star. Leave it to Hope to think she is just in her element. Nice addition to the series and it leaves you wanting more.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book five and this fantastic series continues on! This time with Hope and the gang investigating magical mishaps on the set of the movie being filmed. With her beau out of town, it’s down to Hope to find the perpetrator before someone gets seriously hurt and In amongst everything someone is testing Hope and her shop! Phew, it’s a well paced, action filled read brimming with mystery, suspense, a little snark, a little sass and quite a bit of humour that kept me guessing with the twists and surprises. It’s a great series filled with great characters and this is a great addition to this incredible series.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story in the Hope chronicles that leaves you smiling. All the gang are involved Hope's own brand of optimism infects everyone.
She has Bagley whom she is determined to rehabiliate, Dru who is opening a shop and on the way to intimidate the paranormals, ahem cajole nicely to support her venture, she comes across the film studio and from there deals with all sorts of things, while missing Ian.
When Iam finally returns, it all gets wrapped up and she is instrumental in sorting it all out so that Dru get's what she wants.
There is a weird new neighbour though and he is a bit of puzzle.

[Barbara’s Booknalysis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is going strong

What a fun book this was to read! Hope is such an entertaining character. Her offbeat introspections, somewhat oblivious positivity, and humble-brag style kept me smiling all through the book.

The fun cast of characters are all here again and they are just as entertaining as in the earlier books. I can’t wait to see in the final book in the series if we’ll get a few loose ends tied up. Will Dru ever be nice? Will Ms Bagley get to hear the end of the audiobook? Will we ever find out all of the moments of fame that Brimstone has had in his past??

Stay tuned to (potentially) learn the answers to these questions and more in book 6…

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

another cute read!

Hope continues you are absolute best to remain positive. Help her community and get through probation. Of her very own which store. Hope helps Dru campaign so she can get her own store next to Hope all the while. She helps the strays solve the curse of the films in Olmada. This is another sweet easy read. It’s fun and witty. It’s a nice break from some of the darker reads. Hope banter with the town people and grumpy. Dru is laugh out loud funny. Highly recommend!

[loosestocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok

I almost lost interest in this book as it seemed to lose a lot of its cozy tea shop in a small town charm. It felt like the series was getting away from cute tea shop owner to overeager amateur sleuth who sticks her nose into everyone's business. I skimmed most of the mystery plot points, which didn't leave a lot of interest outside of some slight progession of a few characters' stories. I hope the next book gets back to her as a shop owner. For someone who said this was her dream, Hope doesn't seem to really want to spend a lot of time in her actual shop.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like 3.6 stars!

i will say, i wasn't thrilled that hope and ian were split up for the beginning part of this book, esp. with the big teases from the last book. like they're finally a thing!!! and they're so cute! but my favorite overarching plot (and something that featured a lot in this book) is derek slowly being integrated into hope's little rag tag team. i love how he begrudgingly helps the gang and i really hope to see his relationship with ian mend because their indifference and antagonism towards each other wasn't rooted in themselves but their parents.

fun read!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one more book in the series, and the author hits me with a cliffhanger? Lucky for her, I bought the whole series as soon as I could. I still say cliffhangers should be outlawed! Regardless of my complaints, the story is a great one. The characters are outstanding, all of them from nasty old witch ghost to Fluffy the wonder dog and all between. I really like Hope, and Dru is the demon of Snark. The plot is straightforward and the premise is finding out what the curse really is and eliminating the threat. I definitely recommend this story.

[Renee Marski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curse on a movie set

A movie is filming in Olmeda and Hope gets called to set because the set seems to be cursed. Accidents keep happening. As Hope and team investigate, someone contacts Hope asking for help. He bought potions to cause the accidents but now it was out of control. On top of that, a council witch was in town testing her. Hope has to scramble to find the crystal she needs and help catch the dark witch that is terrorizing the set. All while staying on the council's good side.

Such a fun story in the series!

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, can I say how much I love Hope? She is such a thoughtful, caring warm person and she will bend over backwards to help her friends out. In this latest installment she showcases all these attributes beautifully and even manages to get Mrs Bagley to be helpful!
I am loving the relationship with Ian, she is managing to crack through his grumpy shell and he is doesn't mind in the slightest!
Fab read, can't wait to see what happens next!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time we've got curses and a movie set! Good Bad Magic is a fun and light cozy fantasy series with a sunshine witch and her grumpy bounty hunter (who also happens to be a shifter), speckled with the occasional mystery. The series is infused with Medina's usual humour, and I cannot wait for the next book. Highly recommended to all fans of urban fantasy who like their stories to be on the cozy side.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, the characters grow on you as the series develops. Hope is a Pollyanna. But you can't help but cheer her on. I'm starting to think Dru deserves her own series. Gotta love that cynical demon. These stories are light and entertaining. Rom/coms.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow lots happening in this book. Ian is away so Hope and the others handle the happenings, including murder, on their own. Although Ian does give some helpful information. Ian and Hope’s relationship continues to grow. Of course the murder is solved. What an ending will definitely need to read the next book to see what is wrong with Brimstone.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope found her crew

Hope has a way of attacking trouble, but with the help of her friends and her optimistic look on life, she somehow always figures out how to fix the problem. I am really enjoying this series, the characters are so much fun and so is figuring out who the bad guys are. I am very glad the series is ongoing and am looking forward to the next book.

[Jennifer Slusher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series until I got to this book. She knows she's on probation with the Paranormal Council and they can terminate her owning the shop with a valid reason. So instead of calling the cops she decides to move and hide a body? Solve the murder herself? No Thanks. Too much stupidity for one book

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dru is becoming a firm character favourite as this series continues, I was cheering her on when she got her own shop! Hope grows so much in this book and finds her own voice more. Really enjoyed this cosy mystery.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The oh so positive and outgoing Hope delivers again. A fun story, some detective work with friends and ofcourse a problem with her magic abilities and the potions ordered.
The ordering of a magic stone was hilarious and so recognizable.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous books, much heavier on the plot and mystery rather than character development. Kinda tired of everyone taking advantage of Hope's helpful nature but overall it was an entertaining read.

[Anna Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are kinda cute. It’s got just the right balance between awkward and suspenseful. I’m wondering if Hope has more magic than she knows though.

[Melanie Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful

A fun little story with lots of twist and turns. I like the action I’m the chemistry and the fun atmosphere of the story.

[Jasmine Breeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy this series

Fun paranormal series. Really enjoy the dogs and the sarcasm from Dru. The characters are developing well and like learning more about them

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute comfort book series that’s got me in the mood for fall

[Abigail Schumacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t even read a good amount of this book - fully skipped the entire plot and just read the main characters relationship progress - was barely a part of the book