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Retired Witches Mystery #2
Looking for Mr. Good Witch
Everyone’s favorite retired witches from Spell Booked have returned and are diving into troubled waters to find a sinister sea witch…
WITCHY WOMAN
A sea witch has been leaving bodies in her wake up and down the Carolina coast, baffling authorities who are finding drowning victims with no water in their lungs. The fin-icky female will continue to kill young male witches until she finds her perfect man—the one who survives her mating ritual—so she can live for another hundred years. And now coven hopeful Brian Fuller is about to be ensnared in her net.
Retired witches Molly and Elsie, along with the ghost of Olivia and her daughter Dorothy, need all the help they can get to stop the sea witch. Aided by a selkie and a crème puff–craving mermaid, they’re determined to keep Brian out of her murky clutches. But are they all about to get in over their heads?
WITCHY WOMAN
A sea witch has been leaving bodies in her wake up and down the Carolina coast, baffling authorities who are finding drowning victims with no water in their lungs. The fin-icky female will continue to kill young male witches until she finds her perfect man—the one who survives her mating ritual—so she can live for another hundred years. And now coven hopeful Brian Fuller is about to be ensnared in her net.
Retired witches Molly and Elsie, along with the ghost of Olivia and her daughter Dorothy, need all the help they can get to stop the sea witch. Aided by a selkie and a crème puff–craving mermaid, they’re determined to keep Brian out of her murky clutches. But are they all about to get in over their heads?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2015
About the author
Joyce Lavene
78 books648 followersaka Elyssa Henry and Joye Ames, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 6, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Molly, Elise Olivia, and Dorothy are back and trouble is brewing. Their spell book is still missing, Olivia is not happy as a ghost, and young male witches are dying at the hands of a very feisty witch. Even their own Brian may not be immune. The elderly witches are still hoping to retire and were hoping that with Brian and Dorothy they only needed to recruit just one more witch to join their coven. They need to free the coast from this wet witch and hang her out to dry but they may seal their own fate in the process.
Fantasy has never been my genre and things like werewolves and selkies would usually have me running for the hills but Joyce and Jim Lavene eased me into their paranormal stories slow and easy, a ghost or two here, then a witch or two there, then Larry the werewolf in this series, how could you not like a werewolf named Larry. The witches in this story are charming as well. They are like Samantha and Endora on the old Bewitched television show. Living and even working in the world among us mere mortals. There powers are to be kept secret but with a shop like Smuggler’s Arcane and all the events taking place it is easy to forget to keep their abilities on the Q.T.
This story was fun and entertaining. I must say my favorite character was a mermaid named Muriel who is quite fond of pastry, even her sharp little teeth didn’t scare me away. But Muriel is just one of many amazing characters the Lavene’s bring to life on these pages, even though a few of them are dead :) or living their second or third or more lives in other bodies.
So much happens in this story but the pace isn’t rushed. I usually spread a book over 2 evenings but I couldn’t do that with this one. I kept thinking, just one more chapter, just one more and soon it was way past my bedtime but I couldn’t stop until I reached the end. To say I was totally engaged would be an understatement. This story had me spellbound.
Kudos to Joyce and Jim, they had me completely captivated!
Molly, Elise Olivia, and Dorothy are back and trouble is brewing. Their spell book is still missing, Olivia is not happy as a ghost, and young male witches are dying at the hands of a very feisty witch. Even their own Brian may not be immune. The elderly witches are still hoping to retire and were hoping that with Brian and Dorothy they only needed to recruit just one more witch to join their coven. They need to free the coast from this wet witch and hang her out to dry but they may seal their own fate in the process.
Fantasy has never been my genre and things like werewolves and selkies would usually have me running for the hills but Joyce and Jim Lavene eased me into their paranormal stories slow and easy, a ghost or two here, then a witch or two there, then Larry the werewolf in this series, how could you not like a werewolf named Larry. The witches in this story are charming as well. They are like Samantha and Endora on the old Bewitched television show. Living and even working in the world among us mere mortals. There powers are to be kept secret but with a shop like Smuggler’s Arcane and all the events taking place it is easy to forget to keep their abilities on the Q.T.
This story was fun and entertaining. I must say my favorite character was a mermaid named Muriel who is quite fond of pastry, even her sharp little teeth didn’t scare me away. But Muriel is just one of many amazing characters the Lavene’s bring to life on these pages, even though a few of them are dead :) or living their second or third or more lives in other bodies.
So much happens in this story but the pace isn’t rushed. I usually spread a book over 2 evenings but I couldn’t do that with this one. I kept thinking, just one more chapter, just one more and soon it was way past my bedtime but I couldn’t stop until I reached the end. To say I was totally engaged would be an understatement. This story had me spellbound.
Kudos to Joyce and Jim, they had me completely captivated!
September 25, 2015
Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down! I'm really enjoying the series and seeing how these characters are progressing and learning from each other is really fun.
The ladies are still looking for their spell book as well as trying to find replacements for themselves so that they can retire soon. Dorothy is trying to learn but, she is Olivia's replacement and Brian is still on the fence about joining the coven. This would be enough on their plates but, a serial killer has come to town killing witches which has not only brought Joe's ex-wife to town as his partner, but has put young, male witches in danger. Add to that, The Bone Man has a deal to make with Molly, and it's one she can ill afford to pass up.
The ladies are still looking for their spell book as well as trying to find replacements for themselves so that they can retire soon. Dorothy is trying to learn but, she is Olivia's replacement and Brian is still on the fence about joining the coven. This would be enough on their plates but, a serial killer has come to town killing witches which has not only brought Joe's ex-wife to town as his partner, but has put young, male witches in danger. Add to that, The Bone Man has a deal to make with Molly, and it's one she can ill afford to pass up.
January 20, 2016
In Looking for Mr. Good Witch, the second in the Retired Witches series by Joyce and Jim Lavene, the story of aging witches Olivia, Elsie, and Molly (along with assorted friends) really hits its stride. As in the first novel in the series, the dialogue is sharp and funny and the characters are well drawn, but this time around the plot has more meat on its bones.
Someone is killing young male witches along the southern coast, leaving few clues beyond a little seaweed and sand. Meanwhile, our trio of aging witches are trying to find enough young witches to take their place in their coven so they can retire, while also hunting for their stolen spell book—a pursuit that keeps getting shunted aside while crises erupt. Molly’s husband, a police detective, is investigating the murders in the mundane world, and Molly helps him as much as she can while trying to avoid the wrath of the Grand Council of Witches, which doesn’t approve of witches telling ordinary humans about their world. To protect her husband, Molly makes a pact with a terrifying local entity, the Bone Man (a favorite character for me, who gets a good deal of page time in this story). In addition to the witches there is a werewolf, a selkie, a mermaid, a sea god, and a sea monster, the latter described with grisly relish.
We are squarely in the realm of cozy mystery, and as is crucial to the genre, the down-to-earth nature of the improbable characters is what makes for the fun. Although this book ends with a blatant cliff-hanger (third book coming! yay!), the arc of the story told here is satisfyingly resolved, a few loose ends/continuity issues aside (e.g., there’s one scene when the sea monster is in two places at once). The Lavenes have created an internally consistent and highly enjoyable world, one I am happy to retreat to whenever I can.
Someone is killing young male witches along the southern coast, leaving few clues beyond a little seaweed and sand. Meanwhile, our trio of aging witches are trying to find enough young witches to take their place in their coven so they can retire, while also hunting for their stolen spell book—a pursuit that keeps getting shunted aside while crises erupt. Molly’s husband, a police detective, is investigating the murders in the mundane world, and Molly helps him as much as she can while trying to avoid the wrath of the Grand Council of Witches, which doesn’t approve of witches telling ordinary humans about their world. To protect her husband, Molly makes a pact with a terrifying local entity, the Bone Man (a favorite character for me, who gets a good deal of page time in this story). In addition to the witches there is a werewolf, a selkie, a mermaid, a sea god, and a sea monster, the latter described with grisly relish.
We are squarely in the realm of cozy mystery, and as is crucial to the genre, the down-to-earth nature of the improbable characters is what makes for the fun. Although this book ends with a blatant cliff-hanger (third book coming! yay!), the arc of the story told here is satisfyingly resolved, a few loose ends/continuity issues aside (e.g., there’s one scene when the sea monster is in two places at once). The Lavenes have created an internally consistent and highly enjoyable world, one I am happy to retreat to whenever I can.
October 1, 2015
LOOKING FOR MR. GOOD WITCH, book two in the Retired Witches Mystery series, is a witch’s brew of mystery, paranormal, and fun. Positively magical! I was entranced through the entire book. The story was well plotted and filled with incredible detail. The characters wonderfully flushed out for only the second installment of this series. The writing so fantastic that I felt like I was much more than a mere reader, but indeed a quiet observer hiding in the shadows of each scene.
Readers of multiple genres are going to love LOOKING FOR MR. GOOD WITCH. And be sure to pick up a copy of SPELL BOOKED, the first book in this series, if you haven’t already read it. While you don’t have to read it to understand this story, you’ll really enjoy reading them back to back.
I’m stating for a fact, I would never have started reading para-cozies if not for authors Joyce and Jim Lavene. The first cozy mystery I bought for myself (I’d been borrowing my sister’s when I first started reading the genre) was the Lavene’s first book in the Sweet Pepper Mystery series, THAT OLD FLAME OF MINE, under their pen name J. J. Cook. (You have to check out that series if you haven’t already!) Their writing had me hooked on the first page of that book, and has kept me under their spell ever since.
Readers of multiple genres are going to love LOOKING FOR MR. GOOD WITCH. And be sure to pick up a copy of SPELL BOOKED, the first book in this series, if you haven’t already read it. While you don’t have to read it to understand this story, you’ll really enjoy reading them back to back.
I’m stating for a fact, I would never have started reading para-cozies if not for authors Joyce and Jim Lavene. The first cozy mystery I bought for myself (I’d been borrowing my sister’s when I first started reading the genre) was the Lavene’s first book in the Sweet Pepper Mystery series, THAT OLD FLAME OF MINE, under their pen name J. J. Cook. (You have to check out that series if you haven’t already!) Their writing had me hooked on the first page of that book, and has kept me under their spell ever since.
November 7, 2015
Looking for Mr. Good Witch is the 2nd book in the Retired Witches series. I enjoyed the first book Spell Booked very much so was looking forward to catching up with Molly and her friends. They want to retire to Boca but must first find witches to replace themselves. There is also the problem of the missing spell book that needs to be found. If that was not enough they had to accomplish before they could retire, young male witches are being murdered. Brian who is a possible recruit for their coven seems to be the next target of the murderer. Molly makes what seems to be an impossible deal with the Bone Man to assure safety of her family from the witches council.
There are spells, a werewolf, mermaids, a ghost and humor as the coven strives to solve the murders and look for the solution to Molly's deal with the Bone Man. It was an imaginative humorous read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
There are spells, a werewolf, mermaids, a ghost and humor as the coven strives to solve the murders and look for the solution to Molly's deal with the Bone Man. It was an imaginative humorous read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 2, 2017
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first. Brian has finally joined the coven!!!! I'm really excited to see who the last witch to join would be. I hated to reach the end of the book, always has me ready for the next adventure. Dorothy' s dad Drago has appeared and that is not a good sign. Can't wait to read the last book.
July 27, 2018
3.5 stars. Another good book in this series.
October 26, 2015
Sexual Content: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content: None
Violent Content: Negligible
What a delightful new Cozy Mystery series. It definitely touches on the paranormal realm considering the witches (one of whom is dating a werewolf) are getting help from “The Bone Man” and a mermaid in order to find out who is killing young men up and down the eastern seaboard. As Molly Addison Renard discovers, all of the dead men are witches. And there’s no apparent cause of death. All of this tells Molly that it’s the work of a very powerful witch. She needs to sneak that knowledge to her human husband, a homicide detective, so he knows to be extra careful. She has to be very cautious because if it becomes known that a human is aware of witches, his mind will be wiped. If keeping her husband safe isn’t enough stress, the husband’s ex-wife—and also a homicide cop—is staying with them for a few days.
There’s other drama from the other witches in the coven. Molly would like to retire as a witch (especially since her powers seem to be fading), but they need to train their replacements first. Finding the replacements has been another challenge.
I loved the characters in the book. They are well thought out and could very easily be my grandma’s coffee klatch. They are almost sisters in their teasing—and sometimes fighting—each other. Molly is very smart and catches subliminal cues, but sometimes her indecision was irritating to me. I wanted her to go big or go home. Overall, I really did like Molly, but I must admit to times of frustration with her.
The mystery is not an easy one to solve but they really work hard to get on the right page and find the witch killing men before she strikes again. I was worried for their safety several times, but these witches have a knack for staying in one piece.
All in all, this was a delightful cozy mystery with a paranormal bent. I think lovers of both paranormal and cozy mysteries will find this a fun new series.
-- ROBYN
All books reviewed by Once Upon a Romance are furnished by the publisher or publicist for a fair and honest review.
September 26, 2015
I love this series! The witches of Smugglers Arcane are still trying to locate their missing spell book, as well as dealing with various mysteries and personal issues.
Once again, the story is well-written, the characters are developing deeper relationships and their magic skills also seem to be getting stronger as the witches learn to work as a team with their new recruits.
I am loving the mother/daughter relationship between Dorothy and Olivia, especially when it comes to Olivia's reactions to the romance between Dorothy and Brian (with whom Olivia was involved before her death--yes, death. Olivia is a ghost, having died in the first book).
Judging by the end of this book, I have a feeling the next one will have a lot more interaction between those two, and I can hardly wait. This is rapidly becoming my favorite Lavene series.
Once again, the story is well-written, the characters are developing deeper relationships and their magic skills also seem to be getting stronger as the witches learn to work as a team with their new recruits.
I am loving the mother/daughter relationship between Dorothy and Olivia, especially when it comes to Olivia's reactions to the romance between Dorothy and Brian (with whom Olivia was involved before her death--yes, death. Olivia is a ghost, having died in the first book).
Judging by the end of this book, I have a feeling the next one will have a lot more interaction between those two, and I can hardly wait. This is rapidly becoming my favorite Lavene series.
October 20, 2016
This is the second book in the series, takes up right where the first left off. The big concern in this book is hearing that several male witches have been killed along the sea shore. Molly's coven is worried about Brian, who is their lone male. Sure enough, he comes under the spell of the sea witch. Molly and group have to find out who she is, and return her to her husband, the Bone Man before she kills Brian. The Bone Man has promised to protect Molly's family from the witch council if she can do this. In the meantime, Olivia is developing her skills as a new ghost. I have liked all books by this author, but prefer their renaissance series the best. Looking forward to the 3rd book in this one.
October 3, 2015
I absolutely love this series! Molly, Elise, and Olivia are a delightful trio of witches. This is the second book in the series and this one brings you face to face with sea witches and sea God's! With young male witches dying this trio needs to find out who is doing this before someone close to them dies next! This book will definitely keep you up all night reading! I was giving this book for a fair and honest review! I highly recommend this book and any other book by Jim and Joyce Lavene! You will not be disappointed they are a highly creative team that will keep you delighted for hours!
November 5, 2015
I really did like this story! It took me a bit to get into since almost every character is a witch so there are a lot of spells that are discussed and the council is a force to be contended with. I know Joyce (may she rest in peace) and Jim Lavene are great storytellers so I knew it would be a good one. And I was right. I really liked all the purple clothes. Purple was Joyce's favorite color. Anyway, the story was very imaginative and well written. And what a surprise at the end! A very different cozy but very good!
October 12, 2015
Magic Everywhere
This is one of the best books I have read by the Lavenes. This a fantastic story we have senior, young lovers witches. There are water, earth, fire an air witches there even a ghost witch. There is a water spirit and irish God. The Boneman is back and a parody of a fairy tale. Magic occurs continuously throughout the story with an amulet and a bubble. This a restful fast read. I already looking forward to next books to see what is happening to my new friends
This is one of the best books I have read by the Lavenes. This a fantastic story we have senior, young lovers witches. There are water, earth, fire an air witches there even a ghost witch. There is a water spirit and irish God. The Boneman is back and a parody of a fairy tale. Magic occurs continuously throughout the story with an amulet and a bubble. This a restful fast read. I already looking forward to next books to see what is happening to my new friends
September 15, 2017
Didn't enjoy this book as much as the first book in the series. The immaturity of these older witches is a bit much for me. And Dorothy...they need to reel her in. For her to have been this sweet, young, innocent librarian at the beginning of the series, she sure has quickly become a brat.
Regardless, moving on to book 3 now to finish off the series. I'm guessing it's ending after book 3 since Joyce passed?
Regardless, moving on to book 3 now to finish off the series. I'm guessing it's ending after book 3 since Joyce passed?
September 28, 2015
Looking For Mr. Good Witch had me going through all types of emotions. It was exciting, funny, emotional, and had my heart racing. I really enjoyed learning about the history behind Molly's amulet, and I cannot wait to see what happens next to this growing coven. What more can I say, but that I highly recommend this book! I loved it! I hope there are many books to come in this series.
January 3, 2017
LOOKING FOR MR. GOOD WITCH is the second book in the Retired Witches Mystery series, and is a wonderful mixture of mystery, paranormal, and laughter. The story was well plotted and filled with incredible detail without being wordy. Elsie and Mollyare witches and want to retire so they are looking for replacements to keep their small coven going. Olivia was the 3rd lady in the coven - but she was murdered in the first book so technically has already retired - except she is now a ghost. Olivia's daughter, Dorothy, has increadible power but has trouble controlling it - some hilarious things happen while she practises her craft. A male witch called Brian is still on the fence about joining the coven. The plot is all about Brian - a sea witch is looking for a mate and has been murdering unsuccessful candidates up and down the coast. She now is fixated on Brian. The 3 witches, and ghost, have to find out who the sea witch is and then stop her.
I had every intention of reading this when I picked it up in October - but other than marking it 'currently reading,' other books got in the way and it disappeared under the pile beside the bed!. Finally, when I picked it back up - I could hardly put this book down! I'm really enjoying the series and there is one more to go. Sadly the husband and wife co-authors, Joyce and Jim Lavene, died before they could write any more - but there are other completed series they have wrotten that I will be looking up.
I had every intention of reading this when I picked it up in October - but other than marking it 'currently reading,' other books got in the way and it disappeared under the pile beside the bed!. Finally, when I picked it back up - I could hardly put this book down! I'm really enjoying the series and there is one more to go. Sadly the husband and wife co-authors, Joyce and Jim Lavene, died before they could write any more - but there are other completed series they have wrotten that I will be looking up.
October 29, 2017
This is the second installment of the Retired Witches Mystery. This book picks up six months after the first one ends. The Main characters, Molly, Dorothy, Elise, and Olivia remind me of The Golden Girls. With some quick wit, entertaining, fun, enjoyable read.
The witches Spell Book is still missing and there trying to find it, but right now it has to be put on the back burner, due to the fact, there's a witch going around killing all the young male witches. Also there's another story that plays into this one. Molly has been seeing the Bone Man in her shop, around her house, in her dreams. She decides to go and see him, only to find out he wants her to find his wife and bring her to him. The only problem with that is he doesn't tell Molly who she is, but he does promise to keep her husband and son who aren't witches safe from the witches counsel.
The witches Spell Book is still missing and there trying to find it, but right now it has to be put on the back burner, due to the fact, there's a witch going around killing all the young male witches. Also there's another story that plays into this one. Molly has been seeing the Bone Man in her shop, around her house, in her dreams. She decides to go and see him, only to find out he wants her to find his wife and bring her to him. The only problem with that is he doesn't tell Molly who she is, but he does promise to keep her husband and son who aren't witches safe from the witches counsel.
July 26, 2018
Someone is killing the witches down the Carolina coast and both police and witches are baffled. The witches learn that a female witch is looking for her perfect man to mate with her so she can live for another hundred years. And now she is after the retired witches coven hopeful Brian Fuller. I really like this series. Mollie and Elise along with their ghost friend Olivia have to deal with their declining powers all while trying to solve deadly mysteries. If you love the paranormal this series is definitely for you!
July 11, 2018
Fun cozy mystery. Molly, Elsie, Brian and Dorothy are still trying to solve who murdered Olivia. As the second book in the series, this story stayed true to the original premise. Want to read more about the characters portrayed in this series. They are both fun and intriguing. Looking forward to finding out the answers to questions left unanswered in the future books in this series. Highly recommend this book and the series to all cozy mystery lovers.
December 16, 2019
I'm very sad that both Joyce and Jim Lavene have passed on to the great library in the sky. I enjoy their books and they will be missed. I've read all the books in the Renaissance Faire Mysteries series and had started the Retired Witches Mysteries having read Spell Booked years ago. I have one more book in the Retired series to read and I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as I did Looking For Mr. Good Witch. Fun to remember the characters and get to know them again.
May 3, 2023
What took me so long to read this series? Excellent characters and world building (how the witches use their powers especially), and an unusual plot. Mr. Bones is a fascinating character from book one and plays a big part in this book. Don't miss this - it's a sold paranormal cozy, not fluffy or superficial and a great read. I'll move on soon to book 3!
November 6, 2023
I liked this one, similar plot to the first one, but just as enjoyable. Not sure how I feel about the romance aspect, but it is what it is. Can't escape it. Get to know the characters more in this one. The plot twist you kind of see it coming. Still a solid read. I'll do the last one to wrap up the series for sure.
November 27, 2017
This is the second book in this series and it's sort of hit a stride. I grew up vacationing Wilmington often and loved reading about places I've grown up visiting. I like the characters and the world this series is building. I love the elements within these stories. I look forward to the third.
May 30, 2018
Three and a half stars. Interesting story, but not quite my cup of tea. The quirky characters I found a bit more annoying than anything. Still, I borrowed the next one from the library as well, and it was good enough that I'll read that one too.
September 27, 2018
I only recently discovered the Lavene's and this series is my favorite. I was so shocked to learn that both of them had died fairly recently. I hope they knew how much enjoyment their books gave to people.
Read
January 2, 2020Weaving witches, sea witches and old events, Joyce and Jim Lavene build an interesting challenge for Molly and her friends to solve. Each story adds new characters and opportunities for the development of the current characters. Please keep writing!
January 12, 2021
I loved this one every bit as much as the first book. I really highly recommended this series. The plots are interesting, the books are well written, and the characters are the type with which you want to keep spending time. I love these books.
June 1, 2017
Paranormal cozy mystery, complete with star-crossed lovers.
June 28, 2017
This is my first read o the retired witches series....entertaining, but leaves me skeptical about their powers .... don't know if I'll read another??!!??
January 24, 2018
This series caught me by surprise. I absolutely love the characters and I find these books so enjoyable to read. Can't wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews