Bewitching Henry: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery Novella

by Michelle Francik

On a dark, stormy night, Stella Spinney comes face to face with Midnight. Midnight, the kitten, that is. From the time Stella slams on the brakes until they find Midnight’s lost little boy, the action--and sarcasm--never stop. Meet witch cousins Stella and Pixie; enchanted, talking cat, Henry; and vampire accountant, Chester. Can the gang outfox a werewolf, save a little boy, and get a little black kitten safely home in time for the All Soul’s Halloween Party? Find out in this enchanting novella!

Author's This novella was previously published in a collection of stories, called Black Cat Crossing, that made the USA Today Bestseller list. The book was discontinued, and I got my rights back to my story. I’m publishing it as a stand-alone novella, but it does connect my Enchantingly Season 1 series with my upcoming series, Pixie’s Pies and Potions. “Bewitching Henry” takes place just after Stella’s story in “When Witches Come True,” (Pixie and Henry are introduced in that book, as well.)

Audible Audio

First published July 28, 2021

About the author

Michelle has always loved to write and create imaginary worlds. She loves to make people laugh and feel better. Her stories have characters we all know or wish we knew. They find themselves in familiar but dangerous situations and have to find their way out. Men are strong, but loving. Women are smart, funny and strong. They love with all their hearts-family, life, each other. But they tend to get themselves into trouble, and half the fun is wondering how they'll get out of the next jam!
Michelle writes for Sweet Promise Press and also self-publishes. You can find her books on Amazon!

Her Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2L6kup3

Her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/MFrancik-aut...

Reviews

[Samantha Troelsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Halloween Mystery

This is the first book I have read by this author and I want to learn more about the characters, especially Henry! It was short, sweet, and to the point. It also fits the term cozy mystery perfectly. I wanted to cuddle with a hot chocolate and blanket while reading.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rescuing Adam . . .

Driving to her cousin Pixie Barlowe’s bakery in the pouring rain on dark stormy night, Stella Spinney screamed as a dark shape ran across the road and stopped in front of her car. Only a quick spell kept disaster from happening. A kitten named Midnight was frozen in place, literally from her spell, fluffed up and eyes filled with terror, the claws torn and ragged, and a dark spot on her back that looked like blood. Stella had a cat carrier in her car for her own cat, so she gently put the kitten inside. Time would start up again any moment now. She decided to continue to Pixie’s bakery where she and Henry, Pixie’s talking gray tabby, could help her with this problem.

According to Midnight, they apparently need to find Adam, Midnight’s lost 6-year-old little boy who was out in the woods somewhere alone and injured. They had to save Adam. He sprained his ankle when he tried to run home from the woods, and he sent her for help. The wound on her back was from a wolf that attacked and bit her. She was luring the wolf away from Adam when she ran across the road and Stella captured her.

The gang of friends -- witch cousins Stella and Pixie; talking cat, Henry; and Pixie’s vampire accountant, Chester Vance -- are now assembled to search for Adam. Will they save Adam? Can they get Midnight and Adam home in time for the All Soul’s Halloween Party?

This sounds like a great beginning to a new series. I hope we can expect more stories. I did feel the witches sounded like teenagers at times instead of adults with the questions they asked. But I enjoyed the varied cast of characters we were introduced to.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this story as part of the original Black Cat Crossing anthology and to see it out in the wild, standing on its own, kind of makes me “squee!” in giddy delight. Especially knowing that it’s about to be the kickoff to a whole new series starring the irascible Henry of the title. This is a quick cute story that, for those of us already familiar with Stella, introduces us to Pixie and her companions in Spinney Hills. Showing us who they are and some of their abilities, while setting the stage for where the author will take us next. There are a few chills and a whole lot of “awes” in this story. Overall, I’d call it just plain sweet fun.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine discovers a new friend and gets involved in a new mystery. All in a day's work.

This is a cozy witch mystery of novella length. The story is well written and easy to read and filled with many of the standard tropes of the genre. There are some loose ties to another series by the author, but it is written as a standalone. I love our cast who provide plenty of fun. Overall, the story is highly entertaining and I hope to see more of these characters.

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight is a kitten that almost gets hit by a car while trying to divert a wolf from the little boy she belongs to. With the help of the witches and their familiar talking cat Henry, they find out what is going on and with help of vampire Chester, they will track the boy down and get him medical help. The banter between Henry and Midnight was fun. Loved the comical group as they find the boy and fight against a wolf. The party sure sounded like fun.

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

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella takes place after the book called When Witches Come True, but I wasn't lost with the characters with not having read that book. This story has a little bit of everything, a sarcastic cat, vampire's, witches, werewolf, and the rescue of a little boy Adam whom Midnight the kitten belongs to. Looking forward to what comes next in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

when witch Stella finds a hurt and frightened kitten in the road in a storm, she turns to her cousin and witchly baker Pixie, her talking cat Henry and vampire friend Chester to find and rescue the human who belongs to the kitten

action, adventure and friendships in a variety of forms and species

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

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters. What a diverse bunch. Two witches, a vampire and a talking cat. They seemed alive. I loved Henry and his owner. Henry had great vibes. The kitten Midnight was so spunky. I loved the meeting between Henry and her.

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

[The Literary Chimera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic paranormal cozy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clean
Triggers:
Supernatural creatures
Lost child
Blood/injuries
Injured animals

"Bewitching Henry" is a sweet tale of a harrowing rescue. Two witches, a vampire, a kitten, and a talking cat make quite a team. There is enough humor to break up the tension and even a small hint of romance. It is a fantastic paranormal cozy.

[Aineenmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great plot. I loved this book. The plot was very well written and I cannot wait for another book. I really enjoyed this book. This was done by a new favourite author of mine.

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

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bewitching Henry by Michelle Francik is a sweet cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages until the very end. I enjoyed reading this story. This story was part of an anthology "Black Cat Crossing" that is perfect to read during Halloween or any other time of the year. Enjoy.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch cousins Stella and Pixie, along with vampire accountant, Chester, talking cat, Henry, and a scared kitten named Midnight, join forces to find Midnight’s human, Adam, lost and injured in the forest where danger lurks. Can they find Adam before something else does?

A fun, quick read!

[TERRY BUCKMORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute paranormal cozy mystery novella. I haven't gotten to read the series yet so I'm not sure of the overall tone, but this seemed more geared towards a YA audience.

[Mel Rogers]

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[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella in part narrated by Midnight, the lost kitten, which tells of her human, a young boy who had run away from home and was lost in the forest. Fortunately, Midnight was rescued by Stella, a witch, whose cousin's familiar, Henry, is a talking cat. And the group set out to help Midnight find her human.

A sweet little mystery with lots of sass and humour. I enjoyed Henry, grumpy, gruff and impatient, hiding a heart of gold and the cousins are also lovely young ladies. Quick fun read.