Candy Crone

The Hawthorne University Witch Series #8

by A.L. Hawke

While I'm enjoying a spicy caramel apple surprise at our local ice cream parlor, an old lady in rags rambles nonsense about candy canes to children waiting for Santa. That distracts me from prepping my young friend Cat for her college interview at Hawthorne University.

Christmas turns into creepy Halloween when all the local children, including Cat, disappear in the woods. Bryce and I search our forest but become spellbound. All this voracious casting heralds the arrival of a new witch in town. The Candy Crone.

As the Hawthorne Witch, I hold great power, but with my unborn baby kicking, the witch exploits my sins and vices through gluttony. Am I nothing more than my appetites and power as the Hawthorne Witch? Or can I accomplish something greater? If I can't sort my stuff out, Cat, my unborn baby, Chandra, and all these innocent kids living in Hawthorne are toast.

Cadence Hawthorne returns in this Christmas novella taking place after Shadow Cast, book 6, in The Hawthorne University Witch Series. Candy Crone is a complete self-contained novella not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers cannot be avoided, but the story is a STANDALONE book that can be enjoyed without reading the preceding novels.

112 pages, ebook

Published November 18, 2024

About the author

A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's that time of the year that brings candy canes, silver bells, Christmas songs and witches, plus an assortment of new and old faces. We're back at Hawthorne University with Candy Crone, the 8th book in the series. Soon, it'll be Christmas and Hawthorne University is decorated for the holidays and Cadence and her friends are in Hawthorne Sweets, their favorite ice cream parlor. She can't believe the assortment of delicious confections. There's an old crone walking through the parlor giving candy to the children and her words are definitely strangely out of place."Sweets for children to eat. Growley, Growler." When Cadence realizes that the crone resembles the witch who lured Hansel and Gretel to the forest, she must be planning to create chaos. Little does Cadence know that the candy is dangerous and is sickening the children in town. When a young woman is kidnapped, Bryce calls some of the past and present witches from Hawthorne University to help. Mira, Maddie, Cadence, Enora, Bryce, Cordelia, Courtney, Kenosha and more make a plan to rescue them. As the Hawthorne Witch, Cadence holds great power, but what powers does this unknown witch have? This is a truly fascinating Christmas story and a perfect addition to the series. As is each book in this series, there is vivid description of locations and characters that are fully-developed.
Alexis Almy does a tremendous job with the narration. Her dynamic voice, solid pace and perfect pitch move the story smoothly from start to finish as she brings each character to life.
Growly, growler.......

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to have another book (even if it's a short one!) In Mr Hawke's Hawthorne Witch Series.

A.L. has a unique (& Cool) way of looking at things. This story features a (stereotyped) old Crone witch possessed by a demon who's torturing children with candy at Christmas.

Fortunately, Candace is there to save the day! Most of the usual characters are present; another chance to say hello to our old friends.

The one negative is really more about me than the book: I'm almost 67 y.o. & it usually takes me about 1/3 of the book to remember the previous story line in a series. But once I got there, I really enjoyed this. Hopefully more to come!

I received a copy of this book at no charge and I'm leaving an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was entertained by this novella. I enjoyed the way the author included some similar elements of two other literary works: the German fairy tale of Hanzel and Gretel and the German legend of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, but she placed her own spin on them. I liked the sly wink to the Christmas season which was evident through the manipulation of Cadence through her gluttony. Although this was a standalone story and can be enjoyed as such, I found it pleasant reconnecting with other characters from this series. I thought Alexa Elmy's narration was great, and her performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook through Spotify. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hated this book.

So much of the book didn't make sense. It was random gibberish trying to sound mysterious.

I hated that the main character is way too young for her position of power, and unlike most young chosen ones she sounds, thinks, and acts like it. I would peg her as being maybe, just maybe, a youngish 21 year old, but she comes across like a valley-girl 16 tops.

The final battle was rushed and boring.

I hated how it constantly broke the fourth wall, assuming that everyone that was reading this book knew everything from all the rest of the series. I didn't. I had read book 1 and then because it was a .5 and a Christmas one at that, I thought that it would be okay to read. Nope.

Definitely not interested in reading anything else by this author.

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Candy Crone by A.L. Hawke, and it was a fantastic introduction to this author’s work.
​This is the perfect story for the winter season ☃️—best enjoyed while wrapped in a warm blanket with a hot drink. I absolutely loved the Hansel and Gretel elements; there is something inherently disturbing about a witch lure children with sweets, and Hawke executes this trope brilliantly.
​The atmosphere is top-notch. The descriptions of the locations, the character development, and the overall narrative flow are very well-done. It kept me engaged from start to finish, and the ending was highly satisfying.
​My Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, light, read. It contains some graphic witchery, but is still pretty tame. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world. Some of the characters have become well-known, but there are many more hanging around the periphery that I will need to get to know better.

I had fun with this book because it brought up different aspects of being a witch that I had not read before. It sets the book apart since the witches within live by different rules than I have known before. I like seeing differences like these and find it more entertaining than reading the same situations over and over again.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy is bad for more than just your teeth. - Cadence and her coven take on a witch who is a cross between the Pied Piper and Hansel and Gretel's nemesis. Her weapon of choice is candy, but hers doesn't remain sweet and tasty. As children are lured to her tasty lair, enemies must become friends and dark must embrace light to free the children, and Sweet Tooth Katie, from their sugar-induced haze. A fun seasonal tale to while away a couple of hours.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pregnant witch, Cadence Hawthorne, is pulled into battle against the candy crone, due to the disappearance of her friend Cat and some local children.

The story had an eerie quality more reflective in mood of Halloween rather than Christmas. It kept my interest wondering what would happen next. It definitely got creepy at times so if you are looking for a feel-good cozy Christmas story this is not it. If you like a story with some strong witches fighting evil, then you have the right story.

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Candy Crone from the Hawthorne University Witch Series. This book is a new twist of Hansel and Gretal story. Instead of brother sister it is lovers. The witch is taking over the forest and can make people go into her spell just with desserts. It is a short story but entertaining. Made me hungry while eating it. Great to read with hot chocolate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Crone (Book 8 of Hawthorne U)

Really enjoyed this book the most so far. I guess it is the most positive and uplifting and I enjoy that in my reading. Bryce and Cadence are happily married and expecting a girl. Cadence is the high priestess of the coven now. Things are going pretty good and with Endora's Cohen's assistance, they take care of the evil witch and rescue the youngest witches and children.
Happy endings!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable Christmassy novella where Candace and her coven take on the candy crone witch. A gripping dark fantasy read with incredible world building and fascinating characters as we embark on a fun, sugar induced adventure. It’s a great seasonal read with some twists and turns to keep you hooked and guessing.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow things are going to get interesting for her as she faces off a new witch in town. People are entering the woods but not returning home. They will use her sins against her but she needs to fight it for the sake of her unborn baby. See if she can overcome it all
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it was a wonderful read

[Mik Wasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun quick read