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Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #1-5
A Witch of a Time
The Winchester witches are all about love and family – and, well, snark and sarcasm – and no one knows that better than the family members themselves, plus the people who love them. Follow Clove, Thistle, Landon, Winnie and Aunt Tillie as they share their lives – and innermost thoughts – through a series of short novellas that take you from the present, to the past, and then back again. Included in this 125,000-word compilation • Careful What You Witch For • Wicked Brew • On a Witch and a Prayer • You Only Witch Once • The Christmas Witch Enjoy your time in Hemlock Cove, because you’ll never be the same again.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
435 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Amanda M. Lee
305 books2,907 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 21, 2016
I really enjoyed these short stories. They really did enhance the series and with that said...
My issue is the fact that the author puts these shorts as things that can be read separately and makes it seem that these are just fun additions and don't really affect the main series. (As most shorts tend to be)
Unfortunately for some of the stories that isn't true. From book #5 or #6, it was already referencing things from these shorts (as it turns out) that left me confused at the time as to when something had happened. Finally, after getting fed up of mentions of Annie/Basil and Belinda at the start of book 7, I put it aside, and read these.
There is a lot that now makes SOOOO much more sense. My suggestion to the author is to redo her reading list to include these shorts (i.e. 5.5 or 6.1, 6.2, etc) because some of the stories really are important to know when reading. Every time (in the main series) incidences/characters were referenced from these shorts, it jarred me out of the story. There were a couple times I ended up backtracking and re-reading large sections because I didn't understand where I had missed it.
My issue is the fact that the author puts these shorts as things that can be read separately and makes it seem that these are just fun additions and don't really affect the main series. (As most shorts tend to be)
Unfortunately for some of the stories that isn't true. From book #5 or #6, it was already referencing things from these shorts (as it turns out) that left me confused at the time as to when something had happened. Finally, after getting fed up of mentions of Annie/Basil and Belinda at the start of book 7, I put it aside, and read these.
There is a lot that now makes SOOOO much more sense. My suggestion to the author is to redo her reading list to include these shorts (i.e. 5.5 or 6.1, 6.2, etc) because some of the stories really are important to know when reading. Every time (in the main series) incidences/characters were referenced from these shorts, it jarred me out of the story. There were a couple times I ended up backtracking and re-reading large sections because I didn't understand where I had missed it.
September 29, 2024
I struggled to get through all of these. They were more or less filler stories when I was between other books. I love the characters, but the stories felt very childish.
November 21, 2020
Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #1-5
The stories were short and fun. The problem with the audio version is that every story in this compilation had a different narrator. It was beyond irritating… Reading them instead of listening to them may be the best way to go.
A Witch of a Time (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #1-5)
1. Careful What You Witch For – Read: November 19, 2020
Told from Clove’s POV. The witchy cousins are each invited by their dad to attend the opening weekend of The Dragonfly… Of course Aunt Tillie shows up and mayhem ensues. Different narrator… Not a fan.
2. Wicked Brew – Read: November 19, 2020
Told from Thistle’s POV. Thistle finds an injured little girl wandering the road in front of the Inn. This is a touching story and explains where the new help came from. Different narrator… I loathe her “Aunt Tillie” voice. Not a fan.
3. On a Witch and a Prayer – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Landon’s POV. Landon is given a Cold Case by his boss. A woman went missing from Hemlock Cove 20 years ago. Landon gives the case his due diligence with the little extra witchy help. Different narrator… This is the first male narrator. Unfortunately, all he did was read the story. No real voice changes between the characters. Considering this series is made up of mostly female characters, this narrator choice didn’t really work well for me. He had a very deep voice, which remained mostly the same throughout.
4. You Only Which Once – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Winnie’s POV. Winnie, Bay’s mom, her sisters and Aunt Tillie step in to run a camp for teenage girls for a week after the women who were going to do it cancel. Bay, Clove and Thistle are not happy that their moms will be in charge of their camp. Much hilarity ensues. Different narrator… I do not like her voice, or the different voices that she chose for the different characters. All of them sound fake. I am not a fan.
5. The Christmas Which – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Aunt Tillie’s POV. Basically, this story is about Aunt Tillie saving Christmas for the under 10 Bay, Clove and Thistle. Another different narrator… She did an okay job.
Read:
November 19-20, 2020 – Audible Audiobook
The stories were short and fun. The problem with the audio version is that every story in this compilation had a different narrator. It was beyond irritating… Reading them instead of listening to them may be the best way to go.
A Witch of a Time (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts #1-5)
1. Careful What You Witch For – Read: November 19, 2020
Told from Clove’s POV. The witchy cousins are each invited by their dad to attend the opening weekend of The Dragonfly… Of course Aunt Tillie shows up and mayhem ensues. Different narrator… Not a fan.
2. Wicked Brew – Read: November 19, 2020
Told from Thistle’s POV. Thistle finds an injured little girl wandering the road in front of the Inn. This is a touching story and explains where the new help came from. Different narrator… I loathe her “Aunt Tillie” voice. Not a fan.
3. On a Witch and a Prayer – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Landon’s POV. Landon is given a Cold Case by his boss. A woman went missing from Hemlock Cove 20 years ago. Landon gives the case his due diligence with the little extra witchy help. Different narrator… This is the first male narrator. Unfortunately, all he did was read the story. No real voice changes between the characters. Considering this series is made up of mostly female characters, this narrator choice didn’t really work well for me. He had a very deep voice, which remained mostly the same throughout.
4. You Only Which Once – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Winnie’s POV. Winnie, Bay’s mom, her sisters and Aunt Tillie step in to run a camp for teenage girls for a week after the women who were going to do it cancel. Bay, Clove and Thistle are not happy that their moms will be in charge of their camp. Much hilarity ensues. Different narrator… I do not like her voice, or the different voices that she chose for the different characters. All of them sound fake. I am not a fan.
5. The Christmas Which – Read: November 20, 2020
Told from Aunt Tillie’s POV. Basically, this story is about Aunt Tillie saving Christmas for the under 10 Bay, Clove and Thistle. Another different narrator… She did an okay job.
Read:
November 19-20, 2020 – Audible Audiobook
May 7, 2017
Great collection
I've read a few books from Amanda Lee and loved them. So I decided to give this collection a try. Like her other stories I find myself smiling and even snickering while reading. The stories have a touch of laughter written in them. Even when dealing with death, murder or ghosts, it is done in a lighthearted way. I love the style and highly recommend these stories and the continuing stories of the Wicked Witches to anyone who wants to escape for an afternoon of highly enjoyable reading. Once you experience it you will come back for another helping.
I've read a few books from Amanda Lee and loved them. So I decided to give this collection a try. Like her other stories I find myself smiling and even snickering while reading. The stories have a touch of laughter written in them. Even when dealing with death, murder or ghosts, it is done in a lighthearted way. I love the style and highly recommend these stories and the continuing stories of the Wicked Witches to anyone who wants to escape for an afternoon of highly enjoyable reading. Once you experience it you will come back for another helping.
December 11, 2017
A great group of short stories and great series
This is a great series. This group of short stories is awesome. I love when an author puts a group of their short stories into a book so I can get them altogether. All of these short stories add to the history of the series and answer if you back history questions and feels in any missed bit of the overall story. This is a definite must read of anyone who reads this series. Keep them coming
This is a great series. This group of short stories is awesome. I love when an author puts a group of their short stories into a book so I can get them altogether. All of these short stories add to the history of the series and answer if you back history questions and feels in any missed bit of the overall story. This is a definite must read of anyone who reads this series. Keep them coming
June 9, 2019
LOVED! I didn't learn about this until I had read all of the Winchester Witch Series. I thoroughly enjoyed each one and can't wait for the next one. But I truly enjoyed this book of shorts! Being able to see things through the eyes of different characters in this book was both enjoyable and informational.
March 6, 2020
These Shorts are Long on Value
Amanda M. Lee has a snarky sense of humor that comes through and warms your heart. In her "shorts", the reader gets an intimate look into the hearts and personalities of her peripheral characters that makes her series of the Witches of the Midwest even better!
Amanda M. Lee has a snarky sense of humor that comes through and warms your heart. In her "shorts", the reader gets an intimate look into the hearts and personalities of her peripheral characters that makes her series of the Witches of the Midwest even better!
December 23, 2018
Love the shorts as they are told from points of view other than Bay Winchester's, who narrates the novels in this series. I've loved reading about Aunt Tillie's antics with Bay, Clove, and Thistle as children, Clove's take on being the "good girl" of the cousins, etc.
October 1, 2019
This is a collection of shot stories. To be honest you won't miss much not reading these. A lot of the shorts are dreams. I don't like random shorts that really don't pertain or back up the actual books.
April 25, 2022
Short stories about our favorite witches.
When we read the series there are references to past events and things that have happened outside the storyline. These short stories help fill in some of the blanks by giving us the rest of the story.
When we read the series there are references to past events and things that have happened outside the storyline. These short stories help fill in some of the blanks by giving us the rest of the story.
May 12, 2022
The Winchester Witches
I absolutely love the Winchester Witches and just finished their stories. I love all the snark, sarcasm and their loyalty to family. I will certainly highly recommend this series. You now have me hooked and I can't wait to read more of your books.
I absolutely love the Winchester Witches and just finished their stories. I love all the snark, sarcasm and their loyalty to family. I will certainly highly recommend this series. You now have me hooked and I can't wait to read more of your books.
January 30, 2018
Good book
This was a very interesting and light book. The author has a great sense of humor which makes for interesting reading.
This was a very interesting and light book. The author has a great sense of humor which makes for interesting reading.
February 28, 2019
Fun Shorts
I Love the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series, I think I am now on book 8 of 14. But while reading the main series I was pleased to discover the box sets of shorter stories that give more insight into the characters, particularly when they were younger. Fun reads.
I Love the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series, I think I am now on book 8 of 14. But while reading the main series I was pleased to discover the box sets of shorter stories that give more insight into the characters, particularly when they were younger. Fun reads.
July 1, 2019
Fine books
I wish these had been stories I haven’t already read . Where is the one that followed up with Clove being peganet
I wish these had been stories I haven’t already read . Where is the one that followed up with Clove being peganet
March 25, 2020
It's a little different reading the stories from other characters perspective. I had to constantly remind myself who was speaking but it was interesting hearing things from their point of view.
September 3, 2020
Funny, magical, and successful sleuthing thru the supernatural. A feel good series to tweak your funny bone.
September 30, 2020
I LOVE AMANDA LEE'S BOOKS, BUT ONCE AGAIN ALL THE SPIN OFF BOOKS DRIVE ME CRAZY TRYING TO KEEP UP. IF YOU DON'T READ THE SPIN OFFS IN ORDER WITH THE ORIGINAL YOU WILL MISS DETAILS.
August 2, 2022
Gud
Good fun... 6 - 10 is up in my channel now. Worth the time & money! Why is damn problem making me in put more characters? AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!
. non
Good fun... 6 - 10 is up in my channel now. Worth the time & money! Why is damn problem making me in put more characters? AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!
. non
August 24, 2019
I'm so far behind on reviewing that I'm taking a shortcut with this series. I read the entire series back to back, then the shorts, and now I'm working my way through the fairy tales. I like this author. She's great at creating lovable characters with sass and spunk - good at heart, but not rule-followers, at least not all the time. Lots of personality, warm fun families, great relationships where all turns out well in the end. And the mysteries are entertaining. I'm into contemporary fantasy, so the magical elements are fun for me. None of these books made a huge impression on me individually, but the series overall was really enjoyable to read. And it's free on Kindle Unlimited. If your looking for light paranormal fun, this author is a very good bet.
April 29, 2016
A great collection of shorts in the series. Each tale is told from the POV of a different character - Landon, Tillie, Thistle and more. The author has created a terrific cast of characters with a wonderful underlying message - they are real, they are snarky, they fight - but they are a true family that love each other unconditionally. The addition of the boyfriends creates another layer to the family - and makes for some very entertaining adventures! A light paranormal read that I found totally entertaining!
April 4, 2016
I just read the whole series!
These shorts fill in the gaps of the main series and instead of being written from just Bay's perspective we gain an insight into other characters. Like the main books this is well written, with superb characterisation and a huge dollop of humour. I need more!!!!!
These shorts fill in the gaps of the main series and instead of being written from just Bay's perspective we gain an insight into other characters. Like the main books this is well written, with superb characterisation and a huge dollop of humour. I need more!!!!!
April 22, 2016
Fabulous!
I love that the short stories are in from other characters in this series. My favorite would be from Aunt Tillie's perspective. Love this whole series! I can't wait to read more.
I love that the short stories are in from other characters in this series. My favorite would be from Aunt Tillie's perspective. Love this whole series! I can't wait to read more.
August 14, 2016
Great stories told by different Characters
Loved reading stories from different characters perspectives! Great job on this one! Can't wait to read more about the Winchester Witches.
Loved reading stories from different characters perspectives! Great job on this one! Can't wait to read more about the Winchester Witches.
April 2, 2016
Fun and enjoyable read
I really like these short stories. They weren't all that short though. The author pulls you into the character's lives.
I really like these short stories. They weren't all that short though. The author pulls you into the character's lives.
April 4, 2016
Love the Wicked Witches of the Midwest Series
Really like this book with all the people focusing on their point of view (I still like Bay's the best ... And Aunt Tillie's of course)
Really like this book with all the people focusing on their point of view (I still like Bay's the best ... And Aunt Tillie's of course)
August 15, 2022
The stories are out of order in this publication. Better read the stories in reading order according to the author.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews