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Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy #1
Witchy Tales
Look out Hemlock Cove, Aunt Tillie is on a rampage. What else is new, right?
She’s determined to move her wine business to the next level, and she needs twenty-four hours of peace and quiet to do it.
There’s only one thing standing in her way. Well, make that a whole family of obstacles… and one ticked-off FBI agent.
When cousins Bay, Clove and Thistle vow to stop their great-aunt’s wine endeavor in its tracks, Aunt Tillie is forced to come up with a unique solution. In order to keep her great-nieces out of her hair, she curses them into a book of fairy tales.
Of course, because it’s Aunt Tillie, these aren’t normal fairy tales. They’re the fairy tales she created – with a little inspiration from the classics.
Now Bay, Clove and Thistle have to work their way through a labyrinth of stories they haven’t heard since they were kids – and they have to take Landon, Marcus and Sam along for the ride.
Will Bay get eaten by bears? Will Thistle kiss a frog? Will Sam climb Clove’s hair to rescue her from a tower? And, better yet, will Landon turn himself into a prince and slip a glass slipper on Bay’s foot?
Each task becomes harder as the story progresses, and as the tales darken, things start to become dangerous.
Can the Winchester witches survive Aunt Tillie’s twisted mind? Or will they be lost in a book forever?
She’s determined to move her wine business to the next level, and she needs twenty-four hours of peace and quiet to do it.
There’s only one thing standing in her way. Well, make that a whole family of obstacles… and one ticked-off FBI agent.
When cousins Bay, Clove and Thistle vow to stop their great-aunt’s wine endeavor in its tracks, Aunt Tillie is forced to come up with a unique solution. In order to keep her great-nieces out of her hair, she curses them into a book of fairy tales.
Of course, because it’s Aunt Tillie, these aren’t normal fairy tales. They’re the fairy tales she created – with a little inspiration from the classics.
Now Bay, Clove and Thistle have to work their way through a labyrinth of stories they haven’t heard since they were kids – and they have to take Landon, Marcus and Sam along for the ride.
Will Bay get eaten by bears? Will Thistle kiss a frog? Will Sam climb Clove’s hair to rescue her from a tower? And, better yet, will Landon turn himself into a prince and slip a glass slipper on Bay’s foot?
Each task becomes harder as the story progresses, and as the tales darken, things start to become dangerous.
Can the Winchester witches survive Aunt Tillie’s twisted mind? Or will they be lost in a book forever?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
896 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Amanda M. Lee
304 books2,900 followersWhen I was a kid, I was torn between whether or not I was going to grow up and be the Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman. I flirted with being a Jedi Knight for awhile, but I wasn't up for the intense travel associated with the gig. In my teens, I settled on being a writer -- although I had no idea the effort that would entail.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
June 2, 2017
2.5 stars
The premise was creative, being thrown into a book of fairy tales by a spiteful great aunt. But, I thought the character development was shallow and the dialogue was repetitive, same conversations over and over. Picked this up as a free book on Amazon, not bad for a silly light read.
The premise was creative, being thrown into a book of fairy tales by a spiteful great aunt. But, I thought the character development was shallow and the dialogue was repetitive, same conversations over and over. Picked this up as a free book on Amazon, not bad for a silly light read.
June 10, 2015
Another great addition to this world. I was expecting it to be from Aunt Tillies POV but realized early on it wasn't. I've liked everything by this author (the only released books I haven't gotten to yet are the Avery Shaw books), but I think this series has been my favorite. I like all the characters, but Aunt Tillie has become my favorite, with Thistle close behind (with a red blanket at the ready).
I can't wait for more!
I can't wait for more!
June 10, 2015
Very Interesting!!
The author states that her "particular brand of humor isn't for everyone." Well, it definitely is for me! I love & enjoy all of her Wicked Witches books. I will say that this one was the most unusual of all of them. If you've read the other books in this series & enjoyed them, then read this one! Now excuse me while I satisfy my craving for bacon..........
The author states that her "particular brand of humor isn't for everyone." Well, it definitely is for me! I love & enjoy all of her Wicked Witches books. I will say that this one was the most unusual of all of them. If you've read the other books in this series & enjoyed them, then read this one! Now excuse me while I satisfy my craving for bacon..........
August 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book - it was fun and quite inventive, with the usual fantastic snarkiness in dialogue. I'm quite a fan of snark. But also, Aunt Tillie's "take" on the classic fairy tales never ceased to make me giggle. Great job! I'll probably read this one again sometime.
May 26, 2025
“‘Fine,’ Thistle conceded. ‘After that, though, I’m going nuts.’
‘That’s going to be a short trip,’ Landon said.”
“The road less traveled may be more exciting, but it’s also probably not paved. If it’s not paved, that means there are snakes. If there are snakes, they’re going to bite you. If you get bitten, you’re going to cry. If you cry, don’t come running to me. I can’t stand it when you cry. It gives me a headache. – Aunt Tillie’s Wonderful World of Stories to Make Little Girls Shut Up”
I cannot believe I forgot about this series! I marked this book as a Want to Read in GoodReads back in 2021! I really wish I’d remembered, because this series mixes in with the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series by Amanda M Lee. I’ve read all the books in that series and I specifically remember Bay mentioning Aunt Tillie sending her and her 5 person crew (Landon, Thistle and Marcus, Clove and Sam) into a fairy tale book of nightmares. This Witchy Tales is that book Bay was talking about! But I didn’t know Lee had actually written the book Bay talked about.
The point I’m at in the other series is Bay and Landon are married, Clove and Sam are married with a baby, and Thistle and Marcus… well, they’re still together, but not married yet. Interesting is what it is that I’m sort of going back in time with reading this series. I’m ok with that though. I can’t seem to get enough of the Winchesters and now I’ve got 5 more books of them to get through.
What I’d like to say though is that if you like this book be sure to read the other series at the same time. I honestly don’t know exactly how to do that, but maybe go based on the publication dates. That would make this book fit in between books 6 and 7 of the other series, I believe. Book 1 in the other series is “Any Witch Way You Can.” So start the other series first and once you get finished reading book 6 (“Witch Me Luck,”) read this “Witchy Tales” book. Think of this book as 6.5.
Well, I’m off to read book 2 in this series though…
‘That’s going to be a short trip,’ Landon said.”
“The road less traveled may be more exciting, but it’s also probably not paved. If it’s not paved, that means there are snakes. If there are snakes, they’re going to bite you. If you get bitten, you’re going to cry. If you cry, don’t come running to me. I can’t stand it when you cry. It gives me a headache. – Aunt Tillie’s Wonderful World of Stories to Make Little Girls Shut Up”
I cannot believe I forgot about this series! I marked this book as a Want to Read in GoodReads back in 2021! I really wish I’d remembered, because this series mixes in with the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series by Amanda M Lee. I’ve read all the books in that series and I specifically remember Bay mentioning Aunt Tillie sending her and her 5 person crew (Landon, Thistle and Marcus, Clove and Sam) into a fairy tale book of nightmares. This Witchy Tales is that book Bay was talking about! But I didn’t know Lee had actually written the book Bay talked about.
The point I’m at in the other series is Bay and Landon are married, Clove and Sam are married with a baby, and Thistle and Marcus… well, they’re still together, but not married yet. Interesting is what it is that I’m sort of going back in time with reading this series. I’m ok with that though. I can’t seem to get enough of the Winchesters and now I’ve got 5 more books of them to get through.
What I’d like to say though is that if you like this book be sure to read the other series at the same time. I honestly don’t know exactly how to do that, but maybe go based on the publication dates. That would make this book fit in between books 6 and 7 of the other series, I believe. Book 1 in the other series is “Any Witch Way You Can.” So start the other series first and once you get finished reading book 6 (“Witch Me Luck,”) read this “Witchy Tales” book. Think of this book as 6.5.
Well, I’m off to read book 2 in this series though…
September 18, 2024
Cute concept that I think could be a really awesome story, but this felt really densely compacted and underdeveloped.
September 14, 2017
Awesome twist on your everyday fairy tales
While I love reading, and I stick to fantasy/sci-fi mainly, I never considered myself a fairy tale kind of girl, but know all of the classics having read them and watching the movie renditions. After reading Witchy Tales, I have a new outlook on the classics, especially the ones with princesses. Never really cared for them, once I hit my teens, I figured the girls to be wussies who were too lazy to fend for themselves... Seeing Bay's and Thistle's side kind of backs my thoughts. Sure its nice to think everyone has a Prince Charming out there, but then again, your soulmate doesn't need a Prince or Princess.
Went off topic, this book is just as awesome as all of the others!! Cannot wait to dive into the next Winchester adventure!!
While I love reading, and I stick to fantasy/sci-fi mainly, I never considered myself a fairy tale kind of girl, but know all of the classics having read them and watching the movie renditions. After reading Witchy Tales, I have a new outlook on the classics, especially the ones with princesses. Never really cared for them, once I hit my teens, I figured the girls to be wussies who were too lazy to fend for themselves... Seeing Bay's and Thistle's side kind of backs my thoughts. Sure its nice to think everyone has a Prince Charming out there, but then again, your soulmate doesn't need a Prince or Princess.
Went off topic, this book is just as awesome as all of the others!! Cannot wait to dive into the next Winchester adventure!!
January 13, 2023
Witchy Tales: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fairy Tale
As usual Amanda Lee has outdone herself in this book. The theme of this book was ingenious and very fun to continue reading their adventure.
As usual Amanda Lee has outdone herself in this book. The theme of this book was ingenious and very fun to continue reading their adventure.
May 3, 2019
There are at least two series of Midwest Witches books by Amanda Lee. One is what I would call the 'regular' series and the second is the fantasy series which has quotes from various characters interspersed with the regular chapters.
This is the first book you should read before you read any of the others since there are references to the events in this book in several of the others.
In this case Aunt Tillie is about to sell a bunch of liquor illegally. Landon and the family make their opposition to her plan quite evidence. Dangerous to do with Aunt Tillie.
They end up in a fairy tale book. You've got the Three Bears, Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk and various other tales. They have to solve the tales and survive and hope they somehow get back in time to stop Aunt Tillie.
A really cute starting book.
This is the first book you should read before you read any of the others since there are references to the events in this book in several of the others.
In this case Aunt Tillie is about to sell a bunch of liquor illegally. Landon and the family make their opposition to her plan quite evidence. Dangerous to do with Aunt Tillie.
They end up in a fairy tale book. You've got the Three Bears, Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk and various other tales. They have to solve the tales and survive and hope they somehow get back in time to stop Aunt Tillie.
A really cute starting book.
June 12, 2024
I'm a bit confused...
As I read the 25 book series Witches of the Midwest (these are fantasy books, the other series is the story of Bay Winchester), and the author kept mentioning that all of the cousins, and their boyfriend's, were trapped in a Fairy Tale book. But in more than one of the 25 book series mentioned, something about 3 young girls that Landon and Bay got attached to. But there was nothing in this first book about the 3 girls. I'm hoping, I guess, that there's another trip into a Fairy Tale book, again that explains the little girls? Lol
I really enjoyed this first book!
Amanda M. Lee is Awesome at writing about these peculiar witches.
The things that Aunt Tilly does AND gets into (and gets away with 🤭) are legendary!
I kinda wish I had a great aunt that was as much fun! Even without the magic. 🥰
Thank you
As I read the 25 book series Witches of the Midwest (these are fantasy books, the other series is the story of Bay Winchester), and the author kept mentioning that all of the cousins, and their boyfriend's, were trapped in a Fairy Tale book. But in more than one of the 25 book series mentioned, something about 3 young girls that Landon and Bay got attached to. But there was nothing in this first book about the 3 girls. I'm hoping, I guess, that there's another trip into a Fairy Tale book, again that explains the little girls? Lol
I really enjoyed this first book!
Amanda M. Lee is Awesome at writing about these peculiar witches.
The things that Aunt Tilly does AND gets into (and gets away with 🤭) are legendary!
I kinda wish I had a great aunt that was as much fun! Even without the magic. 🥰
Thank you
February 28, 2018
While Amanda M. Lee does a great job at keeping you on the edge of your seat with all of her stories, I must say that after reading the first Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy, as of right now I prefer the Mysteries. I love the characters of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest, so I will continue to read the Fantasies and all the other Wicked Witches of the Midwest books. Hopefully I will enjoy the subsequent Fantasies more than the first one. That said, what I appreciated the most about this book is that it fills in some of the gaps in the Mystery books as Amanda often references events from the Fantasies (and Shorts) in the Mystery books.
May 15, 2022
Aunt Tillie needs to move a lot of homemade wine. However, her annoying nieces and at least one of their boyfriends (FBI agent Landon) need to be gotten out of the way. So what does she do? She traps them in a book of fairty tales. But not just any fairy tales, these are the stories Tillie used to tell Bay, Thistle, and Clove when they were young. There are morals to be learned but they are very specific to TIllie's own morals.
I had known there were some books in between the main series of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest but only stumbled across this one recently. This story was fine even if it was a bit heavy-handed.
I had known there were some books in between the main series of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest but only stumbled across this one recently. This story was fine even if it was a bit heavy-handed.
July 21, 2023
I think every author takes their swing at fairy tales at some point during their writing, and this particular book put a spin on a ton of them but the read was actually exhausting. It was just one catastrophe to the next with no break, emotions were high, bad tempers all around and no breaks.
It was still told from Bay's point of view, which I thought it would've been from Aunt Tillie's so that through me for a loop, I was actually hoping to get a different point of view.
I will say Bay and Landon have made some great character growth so there's that.
Otherwise, if this book is not significant to the series, you could probably skip it and not miss too much.
It was still told from Bay's point of view, which I thought it would've been from Aunt Tillie's so that through me for a loop, I was actually hoping to get a different point of view.
I will say Bay and Landon have made some great character growth so there's that.
Otherwise, if this book is not significant to the series, you could probably skip it and not miss too much.
November 26, 2017
Not the best...
I trudged through this all the way to the end because I am a completist when it comes to books. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the majority of this. The concept of everyone learning the lessons from the different fairy tales was interesting but the fact that she took everyone's most annoying traits and amplified them resulted in a very trying read that I almost did not make it through. I love the setting and the concept of these books but the characters really need to experience some personal growth, hopefully this will have helped them achieve it.
I trudged through this all the way to the end because I am a completist when it comes to books. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the majority of this. The concept of everyone learning the lessons from the different fairy tales was interesting but the fact that she took everyone's most annoying traits and amplified them resulted in a very trying read that I almost did not make it through. I love the setting and the concept of these books but the characters really need to experience some personal growth, hopefully this will have helped them achieve it.
February 7, 2024
Everyone gets trapped in a book
I didn't get to read all the shorts in order. I read the main books and shorts before finding this series, so I've heard references to getting stuck in a book. Here is that story.
It's pretty cute. The fairy tales are fractured, Aunt Tilly style. The characters have to face their flaws and not kill each other while working out the lessons Aunt Tillie wants them to learn.
Afterward, Thistle is the only one who really goes after Aunt Tillie. Maybe revenge is best served cold sometimes, but I would've liked to see it.
I didn't get to read all the shorts in order. I read the main books and shorts before finding this series, so I've heard references to getting stuck in a book. Here is that story.
It's pretty cute. The fairy tales are fractured, Aunt Tilly style. The characters have to face their flaws and not kill each other while working out the lessons Aunt Tillie wants them to learn.
Afterward, Thistle is the only one who really goes after Aunt Tillie. Maybe revenge is best served cold sometimes, but I would've liked to see it.
April 14, 2025
love love your style of writing
Yes, I truly love your style of writing I laugh through all of your books but this that’s the cake 🎂!! Thank you for all the amazing writing that you do!! I’m a bit snarky too so I appreciate your style. On this book I’ve laughed so much my granddaughters were asking me about this book, so I shared part of this book with them and they were laughing 😂 right along with me and they are teenagers and sometimes in their own world 🌎 lol 😂
Thank you again
Fita
Yes, I truly love your style of writing I laugh through all of your books but this that’s the cake 🎂!! Thank you for all the amazing writing that you do!! I’m a bit snarky too so I appreciate your style. On this book I’ve laughed so much my granddaughters were asking me about this book, so I shared part of this book with them and they were laughing 😂 right along with me and they are teenagers and sometimes in their own world 🌎 lol 😂
Thank you again
Fita
November 14, 2018
There’s nothing wrong with this book, I just hated it
Spoiler alert!
There’s nothing wrong with this author or this book. I just hated this one. I hated it top to bottom. And what really really get me is that Aunt Tillie didn’t get her cummupence. So, to recap: I hated the story, I hated what happened to the characters, I hated that the villain is let off the hook. All the hate.
Spoiler alert!
There’s nothing wrong with this author or this book. I just hated this one. I hated it top to bottom. And what really really get me is that Aunt Tillie didn’t get her cummupence. So, to recap: I hated the story, I hated what happened to the characters, I hated that the villain is let off the hook. All the hate.
April 14, 2020
This was a never-ending tale of whiny characters. Bitch, bitch, bitch.
The only saving grace, I like Aunt Tillie’s twisted changes. Why would the princesses wait to be rescued by the prince or whoever? Not that I’m feministic about it, but some of the situations could’ve been dealt with without anybody else. It’s not just a moral for little girls, but for anyone who just sits there waiting to be helped boy or girl, man or woman.
The only saving grace, I like Aunt Tillie’s twisted changes. Why would the princesses wait to be rescued by the prince or whoever? Not that I’m feministic about it, but some of the situations could’ve been dealt with without anybody else. It’s not just a moral for little girls, but for anyone who just sits there waiting to be helped boy or girl, man or woman.
March 27, 2022
Very disappointed.
The idea of being cursed into a book was fine but I'm disappointed that was the whole story. Until now the character development and story lines were well developed. But in this book, no matter the situation everyone just argued. It became tedious to read. I was only able to finish it by setting a chapter a day goal. This is the first book in a long time that I wish I'd never started.
The idea of being cursed into a book was fine but I'm disappointed that was the whole story. Until now the character development and story lines were well developed. But in this book, no matter the situation everyone just argued. It became tedious to read. I was only able to finish it by setting a chapter a day goal. This is the first book in a long time that I wish I'd never started.
January 4, 2018
First of all, I love all of Amanda’s books. This one was awesome and hilarious but it did get a bit repetitive. I loved the idea but when it got to the beanstalk turn, I was ready to be done. I’m also so tired of Aunt Tillie’s character and I don’t understand how she is so well loved. Granted she does have some good points, most of the time I just wish she’d go away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2019
Aunt Tillie strikes again...
I really enjoyed this book. It took away from the normal day to day lives of Bay & her family & introduced us to the wickedness that is Aunt Tilly. The lessons within are good to remember and hopefully help to broaden the lives of each character in the Wicked witches of the Midwest books...
Good clean fun read with lots laughs...
I really enjoyed this book. It took away from the normal day to day lives of Bay & her family & introduced us to the wickedness that is Aunt Tilly. The lessons within are good to remember and hopefully help to broaden the lives of each character in the Wicked witches of the Midwest books...
Good clean fun read with lots laughs...
May 8, 2020
Freaking hilarious!!!
I always enjoy anything written by Amanda M. Lee, but I usually prefer the main books in her storylines. That being said, this book is definitely a new favorite for me! Tons of fun and twists and turns in the story! I also think that the underlying “lesson” about women being powerful, capable and strong in their own right is spot on!!!
I always enjoy anything written by Amanda M. Lee, but I usually prefer the main books in her storylines. That being said, this book is definitely a new favorite for me! Tons of fun and twists and turns in the story! I also think that the underlying “lesson” about women being powerful, capable and strong in their own right is spot on!!!
June 25, 2020
Magically amazing as always!
I read the entire series and was a bit upset there wasnt anymore. I was so excited to come across the fantasy series. I read the entire book in a few hours (helped me forget I was hooked up to chemo.) Cant wait to finish the rest! Amanda please continue with this series and others like it, we all love your sordid sense of humor!!
I read the entire series and was a bit upset there wasnt anymore. I was so excited to come across the fantasy series. I read the entire book in a few hours (helped me forget I was hooked up to chemo.) Cant wait to finish the rest! Amanda please continue with this series and others like it, we all love your sordid sense of humor!!
October 14, 2020
A Winchester witches fantasy story.
Aunt Tillie gets angry and sends Bay, Thistle, and Clove into a book of fairy tales to keep them from stopping her from selling he wine. Along with the cousins are their boyfriends Landon, Marcus, and Sam. It was a funny and entertaining story but on to the next story.
Aunt Tillie gets angry and sends Bay, Thistle, and Clove into a book of fairy tales to keep them from stopping her from selling he wine. Along with the cousins are their boyfriends Landon, Marcus, and Sam. It was a funny and entertaining story but on to the next story.
May 23, 2023
Good read
This book is every faery tale imaginable....plus. When Aunt Tillie gets even, she really gets even.There is humor, loads of angst, danger, bickering galore, and lessons to learn. But in the end the Winchester cousins and their mates win the day (or night as the case may be). Highly recommend.
This book is every faery tale imaginable....plus. When Aunt Tillie gets even, she really gets even.There is humor, loads of angst, danger, bickering galore, and lessons to learn. But in the end the Winchester cousins and their mates win the day (or night as the case may be). Highly recommend.
June 21, 2017
Fun, sooo funny, crazy fun read. Laugh out loud, off my chair, on the floor laughing. This series is a family of totally dysfunctional witches with a wicked sense of humor, sarcastic wit and trouble tattooed on their foreheads. Wickedly fun read and my personal favorite in this series so far.
July 2, 2017
Hilarious!!
The gang get stuck in a fairy tale book by Aunt Tillie. But there's a very big difference to the tales.
All of their personality traits get enhanced in the book. Will they ever get out?
Read on to find out!!!
The gang get stuck in a fairy tale book by Aunt Tillie. But there's a very big difference to the tales.
All of their personality traits get enhanced in the book. Will they ever get out?
Read on to find out!!!
July 23, 2017
Brilliant
I can't get enough of these books, the characters are funny,clever,witty,strong it has everything, if your looking to Escape then these r what u need to read, would love to c these as films
I can't get enough of these books, the characters are funny,clever,witty,strong it has everything, if your looking to Escape then these r what u need to read, would love to c these as films
October 11, 2017
I just love fairy tales.
The Winchester family fairy tales are the best. Throughout the book, Aunt Tillie teaches lessons to her niece's that I found both profound and enlightening. I highly recommend spending a couple of hours with this one.
The Winchester family fairy tales are the best. Throughout the book, Aunt Tillie teaches lessons to her niece's that I found both profound and enlightening. I highly recommend spending a couple of hours with this one.
October 17, 2017
One of the better ones.
This is a good read. Wasn't an all nighter like some of the others, but a fine two nighter. This one shows Aunt Tillie's genius off nicely. Can't get enough of the old girl!
This is a good read. Wasn't an all nighter like some of the others, but a fine two nighter. This one shows Aunt Tillie's genius off nicely. Can't get enough of the old girl!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews