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Witch's Brew Cozy Mysteries #1
Pick Your Potion
Gypsies, vamps, and weres…these are just some of the people powerful witch Claudia Crestwood and her friends protect. In the city of Hartford, Connecticut—years before Salem, there were witch trials. Now the paranormal coexist with humans, more or less. With the help of her hippie aunt and cousins, her gypsy uncle, and other paranormal friends, Claudia stands on the line between humans and paras—helping to keep the peace.
When a human customer dies after an incident at the coffee shop, Claudia must dig into the case to protect the cafe and the coven. Threats have been made and what’s worse, she’s harboring a hunter wanted by the police in her basement. A hot and powerful wizard starts showing up in the shop when Claudia needs help and is at her worst. Intriguing and annoying… She isn’t sure she can trust him and his reclusive family but it’s time for her to dig deeper into the magical world.
When a human customer dies after an incident at the coffee shop, Claudia must dig into the case to protect the cafe and the coven. Threats have been made and what’s worse, she’s harboring a hunter wanted by the police in her basement. A hot and powerful wizard starts showing up in the shop when Claudia needs help and is at her worst. Intriguing and annoying… She isn’t sure she can trust him and his reclusive family but it’s time for her to dig deeper into the magical world.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2017
41 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Dragon
34 books103 followersA loyal Chicago girl who loves deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and the Lake, CC Dragon is fascinated by mysteries, sleuthing, as well as the supernatural. The southern connection comes in because her sister moved down there and the material was too fun and entertaining not to set a series there.
CC loves creating characters, especially amateur sleuths who solve crimes in their spare time. A coffee and chocolate addict who loves fast cars, she’s still looking for a hero who likes to cook and clean…so she can write more!
CC loves creating characters, especially amateur sleuths who solve crimes in their spare time. A coffee and chocolate addict who loves fast cars, she’s still looking for a hero who likes to cook and clean…so she can write more!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 21, 2020
Delicious start to a witch cozy mystery series.
February 21, 2017
As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I was hooked. A paranormal cozy centered around a coffee shop--what a great idea. And I must say the story lived up to my expectations.
Claudia is an easy to like character, with a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Not only does she have to keep the coffee shop running, but she is also the witch responsible for keeping the peace between humans and paranormals, which is never an easy task. Add in trying to solve a murder of one of her human customers, and having her grieving husband accuse the coffee shop of being involved....and it all adds up to a fast-paced ride.
You'll find elements of fantasy, paranormal, mystery, suspense, humor, and romance in this story, and will have a tough time putting it down once you start reading. I can hardly wait to get to know the characters better, and to find out about Claudia's secret.
**I received an early review copy of this book with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Claudia is an easy to like character, with a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Not only does she have to keep the coffee shop running, but she is also the witch responsible for keeping the peace between humans and paranormals, which is never an easy task. Add in trying to solve a murder of one of her human customers, and having her grieving husband accuse the coffee shop of being involved....and it all adds up to a fast-paced ride.
You'll find elements of fantasy, paranormal, mystery, suspense, humor, and romance in this story, and will have a tough time putting it down once you start reading. I can hardly wait to get to know the characters better, and to find out about Claudia's secret.
**I received an early review copy of this book with no expectation of a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
April 17, 2017
Over the weekend I read the most wonderful paranormal cozy mystery by CC Dragon, Pick your Potion. I loved this story. This was a great mystery, with larger then life characters and the main character you can not help but love. Claudia, a witch raised by her Wiccan Aunt, Gypsy Uncle and alongside her Gypsy twin cousins, now is a 25 year old coffee shop owner who employees Vampires and cares for werewolves and vampires and in this story even someone who hunts them. The shop is called A Witches Brew, so fab! I loved everything about this story from the cover, to the characters to the wonderfully cozy way it ended. This is a great start to what I hope will be a long running series. CC Dragon really gets this one right!
October 4, 2024
Fun and easy to read
July 3, 2017
I always love books written by C.C.Dragon and this new series is no different. The main character, Claudia is a witch. Her character is very well written, confident, strong yet she can laugh at herself when she is suddenly found in an unpredictable situation..and in this book she will.!!! .lol, I mean if meeting a strong, handsome and wealthy aristocrat wearing a suit in the middle of the night, while she is wearing fuzzy froggie pajama pants and her uncombed hair isn't unpredictable and funny..well then this book is just not for you!! All of the character's play such an important part in the book. This is a fun read, with some really unusual and interesting characters,,,like the hunter locked up in the coffee shop cellar,lol Another hit for this author and I cant wait to continue on this adventure.!
September 17, 2017
Ultimate Reading Challenge 2017. A book published in 2017.
Rather short for a cozy mystery. A bit of everything thrown in: vampires, werewolves, witches, gypsies, hunter, and humans. I hope the author does have in mind what the secret about Claudia is and won't make readers wait through 7+ books to find out. WHY would one twin know, but not the other? I also hope there is an explanation for why ONE powerful family would include witches, vampires, and werewolves. I was rather disturbed by what I felt were extremely light sentences meted out for murder. I suspect we will eventually learn more about Claudia's parents. An interesting start for a series.
Rather short for a cozy mystery. A bit of everything thrown in: vampires, werewolves, witches, gypsies, hunter, and humans. I hope the author does have in mind what the secret about Claudia is and won't make readers wait through 7+ books to find out. WHY would one twin know, but not the other? I also hope there is an explanation for why ONE powerful family would include witches, vampires, and werewolves. I was rather disturbed by what I felt were extremely light sentences meted out for murder. I suspect we will eventually learn more about Claudia's parents. An interesting start for a series.
February 22, 2017
I love CC Dragon's book and this one is no exception. It reminds me of the Deanna Oscar mysteries I have come to love so much. It makes my heart happy because the mystery itself gets tied up in a bow for me at the end, but the characters leave open-ended so they can continue in the next book with their life. I love how she seamlessly weaves that together to make for an unforgettable reading experience. It is just the right length, well written and with a great story arc. I have a new series to add to my TBR list now. I can't wait for the next one to see what is going to happen to her next.
February 26, 2017
“p l.p.Brewing Coffee, Romance, and Justice
I like the wonderful characters and story. Claudia is a powerful witch who is compassionate and protects the innocent. Bran is a powerful wizard who has taken an interest in her. Her power may benefit from the association. What secret about her is her family trying to hide? I hope here will be a sequel
I like the wonderful characters and story. Claudia is a powerful witch who is compassionate and protects the innocent. Bran is a powerful wizard who has taken an interest in her. Her power may benefit from the association. What secret about her is her family trying to hide? I hope here will be a sequel
September 19, 2018
Magic and mystery
Really enjoyed this story it had a bit of everything like paranormal, mystery and a touch of romance. When one of Claudia's customers dies and the husband blames her coffee shop for killing his wife. She decides to find out for her self if she was indeed murdered and who might have done it.
Really enjoyed this story it had a bit of everything like paranormal, mystery and a touch of romance. When one of Claudia's customers dies and the husband blames her coffee shop for killing his wife. She decides to find out for her self if she was indeed murdered and who might have done it.
March 3, 2017
Weres, Vamps, and Witches, Oh My!
“Pick Your Potion” by CC Dragon is an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery that hooked me at the title and kept the pages turning. Would recommend to readers who are looking for a little magical fun in their mystery reading!
“Pick Your Potion” by CC Dragon is an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery that hooked me at the title and kept the pages turning. Would recommend to readers who are looking for a little magical fun in their mystery reading!
May 10, 2017
Good story,a bit slow
The storyline was interesting, but the lack of build up for the characters just don't make you interested enough to want to read another of the authors stories.
The storyline was interesting, but the lack of build up for the characters just don't make you interested enough to want to read another of the authors stories.
May 6, 2019
No real highs or lows, but a quick and fun read. Makes witchcraft very everyday and I love it! So many witch stories are all about the magic. This has the normal thrown in and it's pretty great. Who doesn't want to go to a witch run coffee shop??
September 4, 2017
3⭐️ It kept me interested mostly. Not sure if I'll be reading the next.
September 30, 2018
Awesome, fast paced read good characters and storyline
April 23, 2019
The first book in this series has you wanting to go on to the next. The main character is some one that's easy to like. The mystery is good. I will be reading more in this series.
November 7, 2019
Great story!
March 21, 2017
Loved this mystery
This mystery had you guessing plus I loved all the, witch,gypsy,vampire and were culture thrown in. Can't wait to see what happens with Claudia next.
This mystery had you guessing plus I loved all the, witch,gypsy,vampire and were culture thrown in. Can't wait to see what happens with Claudia next.
March 18, 2017
How we can live in harmony
I cannot remember if I paid for this book or not, but if not, I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it. Wonderfully written. Loved how all the vamps, weres, and humans interacted.
I cannot remember if I paid for this book or not, but if not, I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it. Wonderfully written. Loved how all the vamps, weres, and humans interacted.
March 1, 2017
Witch's Brew
CC Dragon has given us an interesting new venue where Claudia, a Witch of strong abilities, is owner of the Witch's Brew, a coffee house. She and her relatives are trying to make the world a safe place for weres, vamps, and witches to coexist with the human population. She provides places for weres to stay during the full moon so that they don't go on killing sprees and provides expired blood from blood banks for the vamps so that they don't drain humans.
Two things destroy the equanimity of Claudia's day. One is when her uncle brings an injured hunter into her basement area for healing. Claudia knows that there is something off about him but can't quite figure it out. The other is when one of her regular customers dies and her husband is convinced that Claudia or someone from her business had something to do with the death.
Claudia decides to try to investigate herself. Along the way her mentor starts bugging her about getting married and continuing the Witch line. Esmeralda arranges for Claudia to meet Bran Killean a rich and powerful wizard who is also good looking.
The characters and story were very good. However, I read this book in ebook format and a lot of words were dropped and I found that very annoying. Does nobody proofread any more?
CC Dragon has given us an interesting new venue where Claudia, a Witch of strong abilities, is owner of the Witch's Brew, a coffee house. She and her relatives are trying to make the world a safe place for weres, vamps, and witches to coexist with the human population. She provides places for weres to stay during the full moon so that they don't go on killing sprees and provides expired blood from blood banks for the vamps so that they don't drain humans.
Two things destroy the equanimity of Claudia's day. One is when her uncle brings an injured hunter into her basement area for healing. Claudia knows that there is something off about him but can't quite figure it out. The other is when one of her regular customers dies and her husband is convinced that Claudia or someone from her business had something to do with the death.
Claudia decides to try to investigate herself. Along the way her mentor starts bugging her about getting married and continuing the Witch line. Esmeralda arranges for Claudia to meet Bran Killean a rich and powerful wizard who is also good looking.
The characters and story were very good. However, I read this book in ebook format and a lot of words were dropped and I found that very annoying. Does nobody proofread any more?
March 11, 2017
Nice Cozy Mystery
I gave this book 4 stars because it was exactly what it said it would be, a witchy cozy mystery. It was a fun read with a great cast of characters, some could have been a bit more "fleshed out", but hopefully there will be more books to come.
I gave this book 4 stars because it was exactly what it said it would be, a witchy cozy mystery. It was a fun read with a great cast of characters, some could have been a bit more "fleshed out", but hopefully there will be more books to come.
March 18, 2017
Cute.
A decent book, but way too many typos. The author needs a better editor. Overall a fun snowy Sunday read.
A decent book, but way too many typos. The author needs a better editor. Overall a fun snowy Sunday read.
March 6, 2017
Coffee potions
A very interesting beginning to a new series. A strong witch who assists weres and vamps yet still has a lot of time for humans. Throw in a murder or two, a handsome male witch and a gypsy family, you can imagine the fun and trouble that can be made.
A very interesting beginning to a new series. A strong witch who assists weres and vamps yet still has a lot of time for humans. Throw in a murder or two, a handsome male witch and a gypsy family, you can imagine the fun and trouble that can be made.
March 26, 2017
Good book
I really enjoy the writing of the author. Humor comes out naturally and the characters are interesting. The storyline well developed
I really enjoy the writing of the author. Humor comes out naturally and the characters are interesting. The storyline well developed
February 23, 2017
typical
I love CC Dragon books. All CC Dragon books. This one is no different. I was pulled in and never lost the fun or interest. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the supernatural with their mystery.
I love CC Dragon books. All CC Dragon books. This one is no different. I was pulled in and never lost the fun or interest. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the supernatural with their mystery.
February 22, 2017
Magical Whodunit!
This was a totally fun read!! It's a brand new paranormal mystery by one of my favorite authors. It has an intriguing plot with multiple threads involving humans, witches, vampires, werewolves, & hunters. I couldn't help but be drawn in. I am definitely looking forward to book 2 in this series.
This was a totally fun read!! It's a brand new paranormal mystery by one of my favorite authors. It has an intriguing plot with multiple threads involving humans, witches, vampires, werewolves, & hunters. I couldn't help but be drawn in. I am definitely looking forward to book 2 in this series.
February 21, 2017
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April 5, 2017
So witchy cozy mysteries are my absolute fav when it comes to picking a new book to read. Having read some of the author’s previous work I was beyond excited when I purchased the ebook to read. Let me tell you Ms Dragon did not disappoint!
You can find the rest of my review here- https://eatingbetweenthelinesinc.word...
You can find the rest of my review here- https://eatingbetweenthelinesinc.word...
April 21, 2017
Pick Your Potion: A Witch's Brew Cozy Mystery
Author: CC Dragon
Publisher: Independently Published
Powerful witch Claudia Crestwood and her friends protect vampires, werewolves, witches and other paranormal beings in Hartford, Connecticut. Like Salem, there were witch trials in Hartford long ago. Witches and paranormals were hunted and executed. With the help of people like Claudia and her family, paranormal and humans live in peace most of the time. When a human customer dies after an incident at the coffee shop, Claudia digs into the case to protect her business and her friends. Threats were made to the customer before she died and the police are looking at Claudia and her employees as possible suspects. To make matters worse, they are hiding a wounded hunter from the police, protecting him from humans who would not understand who or what he is. A powerful wizard shows up just when Claudia needs help to find out if the customer died of natural causes, or had a helping hand from someone close to her.
--
This story is not your usual paranormal book. There is all manner of creatures each with their own set of issues, and needs. A coffee shop is the perfect setting for Claudia and her family to help conceal their family of Vampires, Witches and other beings that populate their world. Hunters are a necessity of life as not all Vampires and Werewolves want to live with humans in harmony. Some like to kill, and hunters are the only ones that stand between humans and paranormals.
Claudia was raised by her aunt and uncle and was the only real family she has, but when Ryan, a hunter who has killed humans in the pursuit of a Werewolf is injured, her life takes a bit of an unexpected twist. The hunter is egotistical and untrustworthy, and he is placing her family in danger. She wants to get him out of the coffee house basement, and their lives but can’t risk the police finding out he is there.
Bran is an excellent addition to the cast of characters, he comes from a very powerful and old family, and he seems interested in Claudia for more than her coffee. He comes to her rescue on several occasions and begins to thaw her heart. Mandy and Esme are intelligent and a big part of everything that goes on in the coffee shop and adds interest to the story.
CC Dragon is a good writer with unique ideas and characters. Although the main character is a bit hard to like, she comes off as bossy, unhappy and a know it all, whether, by design or accident, it makes the reader a little less likely to enjoy getting to know her. Overall the story is consistent but slightly drawn out. Claudia is purported to be an incredibly powerful witch, yet magic is only used intermittently. There is little violence or sexual content in this story, and the romance is not heavy. The second installment may fair better than the first, and hopefully, the writer will develop the characters in more depth. Recommended for those who enjoy their vampires bloodless, and their witches practical.
Author: CC Dragon
Publisher: Independently Published
Powerful witch Claudia Crestwood and her friends protect vampires, werewolves, witches and other paranormal beings in Hartford, Connecticut. Like Salem, there were witch trials in Hartford long ago. Witches and paranormals were hunted and executed. With the help of people like Claudia and her family, paranormal and humans live in peace most of the time. When a human customer dies after an incident at the coffee shop, Claudia digs into the case to protect her business and her friends. Threats were made to the customer before she died and the police are looking at Claudia and her employees as possible suspects. To make matters worse, they are hiding a wounded hunter from the police, protecting him from humans who would not understand who or what he is. A powerful wizard shows up just when Claudia needs help to find out if the customer died of natural causes, or had a helping hand from someone close to her.
--
This story is not your usual paranormal book. There is all manner of creatures each with their own set of issues, and needs. A coffee shop is the perfect setting for Claudia and her family to help conceal their family of Vampires, Witches and other beings that populate their world. Hunters are a necessity of life as not all Vampires and Werewolves want to live with humans in harmony. Some like to kill, and hunters are the only ones that stand between humans and paranormals.
Claudia was raised by her aunt and uncle and was the only real family she has, but when Ryan, a hunter who has killed humans in the pursuit of a Werewolf is injured, her life takes a bit of an unexpected twist. The hunter is egotistical and untrustworthy, and he is placing her family in danger. She wants to get him out of the coffee house basement, and their lives but can’t risk the police finding out he is there.
Bran is an excellent addition to the cast of characters, he comes from a very powerful and old family, and he seems interested in Claudia for more than her coffee. He comes to her rescue on several occasions and begins to thaw her heart. Mandy and Esme are intelligent and a big part of everything that goes on in the coffee shop and adds interest to the story.
CC Dragon is a good writer with unique ideas and characters. Although the main character is a bit hard to like, she comes off as bossy, unhappy and a know it all, whether, by design or accident, it makes the reader a little less likely to enjoy getting to know her. Overall the story is consistent but slightly drawn out. Claudia is purported to be an incredibly powerful witch, yet magic is only used intermittently. There is little violence or sexual content in this story, and the romance is not heavy. The second installment may fair better than the first, and hopefully, the writer will develop the characters in more depth. Recommended for those who enjoy their vampires bloodless, and their witches practical.
May 2, 2017
I really liked this cozy mystery!
Paranormal coexists with humans in this story.
There's always that one bitchy customer that everyone hates. Claudia Crestwood's coffee shop is no exception to that retail rule.
But when that bitchy customer dies, Claudia Crestwood, coven leader and business woman isn't sure the causes are entirely human, shall we say?
And of course that's the case. But between the arrogant new witch in town and the cocksure werewolf hunter, and the deceased customer's spurs it's nothing but headaches.
Like I said I liked this cozy mystery where Claudia didn't shirk responsibility.
Paranormal coexists with humans in this story.
There's always that one bitchy customer that everyone hates. Claudia Crestwood's coffee shop is no exception to that retail rule.
But when that bitchy customer dies, Claudia Crestwood, coven leader and business woman isn't sure the causes are entirely human, shall we say?
And of course that's the case. But between the arrogant new witch in town and the cocksure werewolf hunter, and the deceased customer's spurs it's nothing but headaches.
Like I said I liked this cozy mystery where Claudia didn't shirk responsibility.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews