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Witchcraft Mystery #9
A Magical Match
Witch and vintage store owner Lily Ivory faces her most difficult mystery to date with a case of mistaken identity that hits close to home...
Lily Ivory and her friends are planning a 1950s-themed brunch to benefit the local women's shelter. When a figure from her past shows up unannounced, threatening her unless she returns something that belonged to him, Lily's fiancé, Sailor, steps in to defend her. After the same man is found dead later that day, Sailor is the primary suspect. He swears he's innocent, but multiple witnesses ID him as the perpetrator of the assault. Lily vows to clear his name...only she's not sure where to start with the mounting evidence against him.
When she sees Sailor in the neighborhood despite knowing he's in jail, Lily starts to wonder if there could be a doppelganger in San Francisco. When she's not busy helping customers find matching outfits for the upcoming event, searching for a vintage wedding dress for her own nuptials, and dealing with an ill-timed magical cold, Lily begins to suspect one of her magical foes is targeting her loved ones in an attempt to weaken her.
Lily Ivory and her friends are planning a 1950s-themed brunch to benefit the local women's shelter. When a figure from her past shows up unannounced, threatening her unless she returns something that belonged to him, Lily's fiancé, Sailor, steps in to defend her. After the same man is found dead later that day, Sailor is the primary suspect. He swears he's innocent, but multiple witnesses ID him as the perpetrator of the assault. Lily vows to clear his name...only she's not sure where to start with the mounting evidence against him.
When she sees Sailor in the neighborhood despite knowing he's in jail, Lily starts to wonder if there could be a doppelganger in San Francisco. When she's not busy helping customers find matching outfits for the upcoming event, searching for a vintage wedding dress for her own nuptials, and dealing with an ill-timed magical cold, Lily begins to suspect one of her magical foes is targeting her loved ones in an attempt to weaken her.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 3, 2018
211 people are currently reading
1252 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Blackwell
41 books2,921 followersJuliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orchards.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.
"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.
Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.
Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.
Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.
When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
April 6, 2018
I liked it, but not as much as the previous books. I felt like there was very little actual plot and way too much talking about and planning for Lily’s wedding, which is the least interesting thing about her. (It doesn’t help that I’m not really that big of a fan of Sailor. I find him boring and don’t understand why every female character is so into him.) And the wedding didn’t even happen in this book which means I’ll probably have to suffer through even more wedding drama in the next one. There is so much more to Lily and this series that I’d rather read about. Why are we spending 2-3 books agonizing over this stupid wedding when there has been so much foreshadowing and setup for a giant magical showdown between good and evil? I’m also getting impatient for this big showdown to happen. We’ve been given tiny hints over the course of many books and at the end of every book I’m tantalized for the next one thinking we’re finally going to move forward with it only to lately be given a tiny scrap of dialogue about it in the middle of the book and then a tiny clue at the end. Come on, Blackwell! You’re a fantastic writer! Stop spinning the wheels and start moving forward!
March 18, 2018
Such a wonderful treat to get to read A Magical Match by Juliet Blackwell. This is one of my most favorite paranormal cozy mystery series and one of my favorites so far in the series! Lily has such a great storyline in this book, an unlikely alliance, and a wedding to get ready for, oh and she is hosting a fundraiser in the shop on top of trying to find a murder to get her fiance out of jail. This was a hit the ground running type of cozy, not a stop and smell the roses one. I loved it fast and forward thinking, not a lot of time for self doubt but enough to make you worry for Lily and Oscar!. Out April 3rd I already cannot wait for the next one!
April 18, 2018
It's been almost two years since readers have had a chance to catch up with Lily Ivory and her friends in San Francisco, so I was happy to see the ninth book in the series released. This is one of my favorite paranormal cozy mysteries. Lily Ivory has really grown in her powers and come into her own in helping the police solve crimes with a paranormal element. However, there is still much much more for Lily to learn in order to really master her power and her destiny. Ms. Blackwell has surrounded Lily with a wonderfully diverse cast of humans and those with magical/paranormal abilities, including Oscar her familiar. These characters are fully rounded and developed giving the reader a sense that Lily has finally created the family that she has always wanted. The mystery was well written with a unique paranormal twist that allowed the author to open up the suspect pool for the reader to choose from. I was surprised by the identity of the culprit but it this person did make sense and wasn't on my radar because of the twists and turns the author crafts within her mysteries.
I am looking forward to more books in the series and hope the wait for the next one isn't as long.
I am looking forward to more books in the series and hope the wait for the next one isn't as long.
June 22, 2019
This is a mystery series that has slipped into a comfortable groove, like a marriage that has lasted 30 years. There may not be a lot of surprises, but it's not worn out yet. That's actually not an easy level to maintain at book 9 in a series--a testament to the author's skill and professional standards. So if I wasn't thrilled and transported, I was happy to be home.
The series heroine, Lily Ivory, is a witch who has knocked about the world but has come to roost in San Francisco, where she runs a vintage clothing store and battles supernatural forces. She also suffers from a host of latent family issues, and those are what come to the fore in this book. That emotional center gave this story its power for me, and at the end I found my eyes pricking with tears of envy. The mystery plot, by comparison, was less interesting to me, and I felt it didn't entirely cohere logically. The perp especially felt cardboard, showing a different side as each scene required. Nevertheless, many characters from previous books turned up and I was pleased to set a spell (so to speak) with them. And the overarching story line inched forward a bit.
Speaking of the overarching story line, I think my greatest objection to this book is that it should have been part of a larger one that included the big story payoff instead of just teeing it up. At the end of the previous book I believed this one would have the huge climax, and pushing that climax further out did not increase my suspense.
The series heroine, Lily Ivory, is a witch who has knocked about the world but has come to roost in San Francisco, where she runs a vintage clothing store and battles supernatural forces. She also suffers from a host of latent family issues, and those are what come to the fore in this book. That emotional center gave this story its power for me, and at the end I found my eyes pricking with tears of envy. The mystery plot, by comparison, was less interesting to me, and I felt it didn't entirely cohere logically. The perp especially felt cardboard, showing a different side as each scene required. Nevertheless, many characters from previous books turned up and I was pleased to set a spell (so to speak) with them. And the overarching story line inched forward a bit.
Speaking of the overarching story line, I think my greatest objection to this book is that it should have been part of a larger one that included the big story payoff instead of just teeing it up. At the end of the previous book I believed this one would have the huge climax, and pushing that climax further out did not increase my suspense.
June 27, 2018
I want to give this more than 3 stars, kind of want to give it 4, but there are so many inconsistencies in this story that I just can't do 4 stars. But let's start off with the fact that the author goes back to giving full histories of each and every character, sometimes multiple times, in this book. I was hoping she'd permanently left off that tactic for more honest story-building. It would seem that by book 9, we should have some SOLID clue who a character we've seen in each story from the beginning of the series IS, without having to be fully reintroduced as we are at the very beginning with Bronwyn. All that constant reintroduction takes the reader OUT of the actual story. It's frustrating.
Next, we find out that supposedly Lily is given her crystal ball by Graciella who'd received it as payment for a "job" for a client, where in the first (or, second?) book we're told that one of Graciella's coven-sisters gave it to Lily as a going away gift, and this had been mentioned in a couple of other books as the origins of that crystal ball.
Toward the end of THIS story, we're told that Lily named her store ("Aunt Cora's Closet") after one of her Mother's aunties, when in the first book we're told that the "Aunt Cora" whose closet this is supposed to be is fictional and Lily never had an Aunt Cora.
The red-herring in this book was a bit forced, and the real villain is also rather ham-fisted to the point where one wonders how on earth they manage to figure out how to be a villain at all.
Even though we see more growth out of Lily, see her address her frustrations with both her parents, see her face the occurrences so many years before in Germany, the other factors of the story - the over-introducing, the mis-representing previous story - took me out of the parts I DID enjoy enough that I have to give this only 3 stars. And yet, I DO still look forward to seeing what happens in book 10, as Lily and Sailor marry, and their future exploits.
Next, we find out that supposedly Lily is given her crystal ball by Graciella who'd received it as payment for a "job" for a client, where in the first (or, second?) book we're told that one of Graciella's coven-sisters gave it to Lily as a going away gift, and this had been mentioned in a couple of other books as the origins of that crystal ball.
Toward the end of THIS story, we're told that Lily named her store ("Aunt Cora's Closet") after one of her Mother's aunties, when in the first book we're told that the "Aunt Cora" whose closet this is supposed to be is fictional and Lily never had an Aunt Cora.
The red-herring in this book was a bit forced, and the real villain is also rather ham-fisted to the point where one wonders how on earth they manage to figure out how to be a villain at all.
Even though we see more growth out of Lily, see her address her frustrations with both her parents, see her face the occurrences so many years before in Germany, the other factors of the story - the over-introducing, the mis-representing previous story - took me out of the parts I DID enjoy enough that I have to give this only 3 stars. And yet, I DO still look forward to seeing what happens in book 10, as Lily and Sailor marry, and their future exploits.
April 8, 2018
I had a bit of a time getting into this one. Something just wasn’t working for me, although Im not quite sure exactly what the issue was. Maybe it was that there was a lot going on story-wise (tea party planning, wedding planning, nemesis bakers, missing spirit guides, doppelgängers, mother drama, father backstory drama, and oh yeah, murder). It was if Ms. Blackwell was trying to cram everything into this book to get set-up for the next one. But there ended up being too much, and while she tried to relate it all together, it didn’t work and some of the resolutions were weak at best.
But overall, still a fun read. I still enjoy Lily and her world and I will still pre-order the next book. I just hope the story is a bit more focused and less scattered than this one.
But overall, still a fun read. I still enjoy Lily and her world and I will still pre-order the next book. I just hope the story is a bit more focused and less scattered than this one.
August 26, 2018
Lily Ivory runs a vintage clothing store in San Francisco with a sideline of witchery. While this is one of my favorite series -- cozy with dash of paranormal -- this I'd one of the best entries in the series. She's making plans for her wedding to Sailor, her grandmother and her coven are on the way from Texas, her mother/daughter luncheon is only 4 days away when Sailor gets arrested for murder. He's on camera as being there, but he protests that it wasn't him. This is a solid 4 1/2 ☆s, but I'm rounding up to 5. If this genre is your cup of tea, don't miss this series/book
May 3, 2018
Hard to tolerate
This is book nine in the series and I'm still waiting for the heroine to quit being so bloody stupid. In the beginning with her lack of training so much was understandable. But now, how have we gotten this far and the heroine still hasn't caught on to certain signs? Is she really that oblivious or just that self important that only her own opinion counts?
This is book nine in the series and I'm still waiting for the heroine to quit being so bloody stupid. In the beginning with her lack of training so much was understandable. But now, how have we gotten this far and the heroine still hasn't caught on to certain signs? Is she really that oblivious or just that self important that only her own opinion counts?
October 16, 2024
A MAGICAL MATCH is book 9 in Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series.
This book brought with it a surprising amount of emotion. Book 8 leaves us with Lily and Sailor engaged, Graciela and her coven heading out from TX for the handfasting with Lily's long estranged mother accompanying them, and well aware that there might be some one else in town looking to team up against Lily and Aiden.
I will say that my tears were tears of happiness over a beloved character making a life choice change. My laughter, louder than any previous book, was definitely over Oscar stealing cupcakes Lily had thrown into the dumpster (because she didn't trust they weren't poisoned), only to have them being pot-cupcakes...I think my household will be walking around mumbling "fart goblin" for two days after my reaction to it. Also was thrilled to see two...not quite rivals, but sort of...come together for a much larger and important cause.
The book didn't end as I anticipated. There was a new plot twist that definitely already has me begging for he next book.
If you're not familiar with the series, I really always try to tell people to go back and make sure they read cozy mystery series in order. A book or two in, maybe you can get away with piecing together backstory, but nine books in, you'll get it, but all the little nuances won't quite make sense, and it'll be hard to go read the previous books.
This book brought with it a surprising amount of emotion. Book 8 leaves us with Lily and Sailor engaged, Graciela and her coven heading out from TX for the handfasting with Lily's long estranged mother accompanying them, and well aware that there might be some one else in town looking to team up against Lily and Aiden.
I will say that my tears were tears of happiness over a beloved character making a life choice change. My laughter, louder than any previous book, was definitely over Oscar stealing cupcakes Lily had thrown into the dumpster (because she didn't trust they weren't poisoned), only to have them being pot-cupcakes...I think my household will be walking around mumbling "fart goblin" for two days after my reaction to it. Also was thrilled to see two...not quite rivals, but sort of...come together for a much larger and important cause.
The book didn't end as I anticipated. There was a new plot twist that definitely already has me begging for he next book.
If you're not familiar with the series, I really always try to tell people to go back and make sure they read cozy mystery series in order. A book or two in, maybe you can get away with piecing together backstory, but nine books in, you'll get it, but all the little nuances won't quite make sense, and it'll be hard to go read the previous books.
June 2, 2018
I was so happy to find that a volume #9 was coming out in this favorite series of magic, humor, and murder.
The favorite characters were back in their full glory. The story was filled with revelations of main character, Lily Ivory's past while she is getting ready for her marriage to Sailor, another fascinating character.
We learn some of Lily's past as she frantically tries to free Sailor from a first-degree murder charge for a man from her past.
This was a solid murder mystery with interesting sides of magical mystery. I did miss the humor that I recalled from earlier novels, however, I was satisfied with the ending and the solution to the crimes.
I hope there will be more episodes of this series. Perhaps, following a search for the Mommy Gargoyle of her familiar, a porcine Pot Bellied Vietnamese pig. I look forward to reading more.
The favorite characters were back in their full glory. The story was filled with revelations of main character, Lily Ivory's past while she is getting ready for her marriage to Sailor, another fascinating character.
We learn some of Lily's past as she frantically tries to free Sailor from a first-degree murder charge for a man from her past.
This was a solid murder mystery with interesting sides of magical mystery. I did miss the humor that I recalled from earlier novels, however, I was satisfied with the ending and the solution to the crimes.
I hope there will be more episodes of this series. Perhaps, following a search for the Mommy Gargoyle of her familiar, a porcine Pot Bellied Vietnamese pig. I look forward to reading more.
March 19, 2019
This was a great addition to the series. A good mystery, return of all the favourite characters, and finally we get to meet Lily’s grandmother and mother. I am looking forward to the next one coming out this summer.
October 4, 2018
Another solid entry in the Witchcraft mystery series. Juliet Blackwell always with good solid writing.
February 5, 2024
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Well this one was much better than book #8! I'm glad too, because I was really close to giving up on this series after the last one. This one went back to feeling more 'witchy', which I prefer to just run of the mill murder mystery. I really enjoy reading the scenes with spells, incantations, objects flying, etc.
Pros:
I like that we got some more backstory on Lily, even though she doesn't remember. It was interesting to read about her time in Germany with her father and Aiden.
They finally explained what happened to the mandragora! I've been wondering how that whole thing got resolved.
I'm glad we finally got to meet Graciela!
Cons:
I didn't really understand the whole silverfish thing. That plot reveal did not 'click into place ' for me; it felt silly imo.
I wish there was more scenes with Lily and Sailor that weren't tense and stressful.
I wish there was more scenes with Graciela :( I hope that she'll feature more prominently in the next few books.
Well, I'm back to anticipating the next book now. Hopefully I can find another cozy paranormal series to read while waiting for this one.
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Well this one was much better than book #8! I'm glad too, because I was really close to giving up on this series after the last one. This one went back to feeling more 'witchy', which I prefer to just run of the mill murder mystery. I really enjoy reading the scenes with spells, incantations, objects flying, etc.
Pros:
I like that we got some more backstory on Lily, even though she doesn't remember. It was interesting to read about her time in Germany with her father and Aiden.
They finally explained what happened to the mandragora! I've been wondering how that whole thing got resolved.
I'm glad we finally got to meet Graciela!
Cons:
I didn't really understand the whole silverfish thing. That plot reveal did not 'click into place ' for me; it felt silly imo.
I wish there was more scenes with Lily and Sailor that weren't tense and stressful.
I wish there was more scenes with Graciela :( I hope that she'll feature more prominently in the next few books.
Well, I'm back to anticipating the next book now. Hopefully I can find another cozy paranormal series to read while waiting for this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2018
I love the Lily Ivory series and have read them in order so I know the characters as if they are friends, but….it took me a while to get into this one. There was certainly lots of story – wedding plans, a Sailor body double, mother issues (who doesn’t have them around a wedding) along with the usual murder and mayhem – but….
The connection between Lily and Sailor still isn’t really working for me and some of Lily’s inner dialogue reinforced my own lack of commitment to their upcoming union. With him in jail throughout the book for a murder he didn’t commit, I was totally with Lily as she worked to get to the bottom of the mystery and see justice done but I didn’t really miss Sailor. The rest of the plot twists and turns kept me turning pages, and the uncovering of more mysteries from Lily’s past made me want to know what her future may yet hold for her. But…the enigmatic Sailor needs to heat things up on the home front or make room for a better hero IMHO.
Of course, that means I have to read Book #10 to see if that is exactly what Juliet Blackwell has in mind! Hummmm….
The connection between Lily and Sailor still isn’t really working for me and some of Lily’s inner dialogue reinforced my own lack of commitment to their upcoming union. With him in jail throughout the book for a murder he didn’t commit, I was totally with Lily as she worked to get to the bottom of the mystery and see justice done but I didn’t really miss Sailor. The rest of the plot twists and turns kept me turning pages, and the uncovering of more mysteries from Lily’s past made me want to know what her future may yet hold for her. But…the enigmatic Sailor needs to heat things up on the home front or make room for a better hero IMHO.
Of course, that means I have to read Book #10 to see if that is exactly what Juliet Blackwell has in mind! Hummmm….
July 14, 2018
Lily and friends are planning a mother-daughter brunch, they change it up to be more "inclusive", when someone from Lily's past turns up claiming she stole something of his a few years back and giving her 48-hours to return it. The man is murdered that night and Sailor has been arrested for it. Can Lily find the real killer before their wedding? And what about the "magical cold" she's coming down with......and is there Sailor doppelganger running around San Francisco? Recommend!
June 18, 2018
The was murder most difficult for me. Couldn’t get into it. Nothing flowed. I assume that I had to read the previous 8 books to make anything make any sense to me.
Not a fan. Won’t pick up this author again.
I bought this book with my own money.
Not a fan. Won’t pick up this author again.
I bought this book with my own money.
April 14, 2018
Lily is playing a delicate balancing act as she helps plan a fundraiser for the local women’s shelter and searches for the perfect wedding dress for her upcoming nuptials when a wrench is thrown into her plans. First, a scary man from her past arrives and demands that she return something that she doesn’t remember stealing from him. Then her fiancé, Sailor, is arrested for a murder he says he didn’t commit despite several eye witnesses. Just as she sets off to clear Sailor’s name, she comes down with a cold that appears to be affecting her magical abilities. The more she investigates, the more she suspects that a familiar magical enemy is behind the frame job and the cold that’s dulling her magical senses.
I have been a fan of this series since it first came out, and this installment did not disappoint. I love that Blackwell switches things up a bit as the series goes on to keep us on our toes as she tells her story. Just when Lily was getting comfortable, she has a crazy situation on her hands that requires her to prove that Sailor has a murderous look-a-like living in the same city. We feel the stress that Lily is under as she is forced to stretch herself thin, especially because she’s not at the top of her game.
Just to top things off, the murder victim is the scary man from her past who insists, in life and death, that she stole something from him. It forces her to investigate more into the part of her life that she doesn’t remember. I always love when we learn a bit more about a character’s past, and in this case, it allows Lily to learn what happened during the alarming meeting with her father in Germany many years ago. Plus, she’s forced to team up with characters she doesn’t always get along with, Aiden included. I enjoyed learning a little more about Aiden’s past as well as his first meeting with Lily. I always enjoy when we learn more about various characters that we see throughout a series. In this case, Aiden purposely shrouds himself in mystery, so I always look forward to what new things we learn about him.
It’s also wonderful that we finally meet Lily’s grandmother, Graciela, as well as her coven and Lily’s mother. It was heartwarming to finally meet some of the most important people in Lily’s life, as well as see Lily have a heart to heart with her mother after the rejection she’s felt for much of her life. It was truly exciting to have these characters all appear in the same place and interact with each other. As always, I’m looking forward to the next installment and where Lily’s journey will go next.
I have been a fan of this series since it first came out, and this installment did not disappoint. I love that Blackwell switches things up a bit as the series goes on to keep us on our toes as she tells her story. Just when Lily was getting comfortable, she has a crazy situation on her hands that requires her to prove that Sailor has a murderous look-a-like living in the same city. We feel the stress that Lily is under as she is forced to stretch herself thin, especially because she’s not at the top of her game.
Just to top things off, the murder victim is the scary man from her past who insists, in life and death, that she stole something from him. It forces her to investigate more into the part of her life that she doesn’t remember. I always love when we learn a bit more about a character’s past, and in this case, it allows Lily to learn what happened during the alarming meeting with her father in Germany many years ago. Plus, she’s forced to team up with characters she doesn’t always get along with, Aiden included. I enjoyed learning a little more about Aiden’s past as well as his first meeting with Lily. I always enjoy when we learn more about various characters that we see throughout a series. In this case, Aiden purposely shrouds himself in mystery, so I always look forward to what new things we learn about him.
It’s also wonderful that we finally meet Lily’s grandmother, Graciela, as well as her coven and Lily’s mother. It was heartwarming to finally meet some of the most important people in Lily’s life, as well as see Lily have a heart to heart with her mother after the rejection she’s felt for much of her life. It was truly exciting to have these characters all appear in the same place and interact with each other. As always, I’m looking forward to the next installment and where Lily’s journey will go next.
April 18, 2018
In A Magical Match, Lily has a lot on her plate. She's helping organize a benefit for a local women's shelter while trying to plan her very own wedding to Sailor. All is going as well as can be until a man from Lily's past confronts her about something she allegedly stole from him many years ago. When this same man is found dead later in the day and the last time he was seen alive was with Sailor in his face defending Lily, Sailor becomes the number one suspect. Sailor's guilt is corroborated by several eyewitnesses, including a security camera, but Lily is convinced he didn't commit the crime. Her assumptions are validated when "Sailor" is seen out in public when he is still behind bars. Now Lily has to figure out who in the magical community is to blame, all while continuing on with the benefit, planning her wedding, and preparing to see her mother again after a long absence.
The Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell just keeps getting better and better. I love Lily's character and Oscar's companionship. Lily is simply an amazing and down-to-earth witch. I have enjoyed watching Lily's character grow so much from book 1 until now. She is embracing who she is finally and allowing others into her life without all of the doubt and suspicion, getting more comfortable with her surroundings in each book. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show.
Each story in this series has developed nicely. The reader is taken on a brand new adventure in the world of the paranormal with each book; the content never duplicated or stagnant. The novels are suitable for anyone who wants to read them - teens, adults who don't like sex or swearing, and adults who do like those things but also like the cozy mystery scene, too (like me).
If you're looking for your next cozy series then I highly recommend Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mysteries. They are written well, have great storylines, solid plots, and easy-to-like characters. The dialogue between all characters is smooth and understandable and the novel is an easy, relaxing read. I am waiting patiently for the next book in the series.
I was given a copy of this book to read.
The Witchcraft Mystery series by Juliet Blackwell just keeps getting better and better. I love Lily's character and Oscar's companionship. Lily is simply an amazing and down-to-earth witch. I have enjoyed watching Lily's character grow so much from book 1 until now. She is embracing who she is finally and allowing others into her life without all of the doubt and suspicion, getting more comfortable with her surroundings in each book. She has friends that accept her for who she is and what she does, a very successful resale shop, and a familiar that sometimes just steals the show.
Each story in this series has developed nicely. The reader is taken on a brand new adventure in the world of the paranormal with each book; the content never duplicated or stagnant. The novels are suitable for anyone who wants to read them - teens, adults who don't like sex or swearing, and adults who do like those things but also like the cozy mystery scene, too (like me).
If you're looking for your next cozy series then I highly recommend Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mysteries. They are written well, have great storylines, solid plots, and easy-to-like characters. The dialogue between all characters is smooth and understandable and the novel is an easy, relaxing read. I am waiting patiently for the next book in the series.
I was given a copy of this book to read.
May 21, 2018
Witch and vintage store owner Lily Ivory faces her most difficult mystery to date with a case of mistaken identity that hits close to home...
San Francisco witch Lily Ivory and her friends are planning a 1950s-themed brunch to benefit the local women's shelter. Everything is going great until a man from Lily's past shows up and demands that she return something she took from him. The only thing is, Lily doesn't have any clue what he is talking about.
Later that day a man from Lily's past turns up dead and Lily's fiancé, Sailor, is accused of his murder. He says he's innocent, but many people say they saw him at the scene of the crime. Lily vows to clear his name. At the same time she's preparing for their hand fasting, and dealing with the fact she saw Sailor in his neighborhood, even though he is in jail.
Lily works to put the pieces together and deal with her personal life, including an upcoming visit from her mother and her mother's coven, whom are coming from Texas. She needs to get Sailor out of jail before the ceremony, and find the real killer.
I've read a few books in this series, but I've missed a few, too. But I was not lost in A Magical Match. In fact, I enjoyed visiting Aunt Cora's Closet and the wonderful people who come through its doors. Ms. Blackwell has created a universe where the reader walks through the door and wants to stay. The descriptions are vivid and the characters are unique and entertaining to watch.
There are several themes to this book, including love, family and the mystical world of magic. Ms. Blackwell weaves them all together seamlessly. A Magical Match kept my attention from page one until the end.
When you want to escape into a different world this is the perfect place to visit. Kudos to Ms. Blackwell. I look forward to the next installment in the series.
San Francisco witch Lily Ivory and her friends are planning a 1950s-themed brunch to benefit the local women's shelter. Everything is going great until a man from Lily's past shows up and demands that she return something she took from him. The only thing is, Lily doesn't have any clue what he is talking about.
Later that day a man from Lily's past turns up dead and Lily's fiancé, Sailor, is accused of his murder. He says he's innocent, but many people say they saw him at the scene of the crime. Lily vows to clear his name. At the same time she's preparing for their hand fasting, and dealing with the fact she saw Sailor in his neighborhood, even though he is in jail.
Lily works to put the pieces together and deal with her personal life, including an upcoming visit from her mother and her mother's coven, whom are coming from Texas. She needs to get Sailor out of jail before the ceremony, and find the real killer.
I've read a few books in this series, but I've missed a few, too. But I was not lost in A Magical Match. In fact, I enjoyed visiting Aunt Cora's Closet and the wonderful people who come through its doors. Ms. Blackwell has created a universe where the reader walks through the door and wants to stay. The descriptions are vivid and the characters are unique and entertaining to watch.
There are several themes to this book, including love, family and the mystical world of magic. Ms. Blackwell weaves them all together seamlessly. A Magical Match kept my attention from page one until the end.
When you want to escape into a different world this is the perfect place to visit. Kudos to Ms. Blackwell. I look forward to the next installment in the series.
April 13, 2018
Lily is busy planning not only her own wedding/hand fasting, but also a charitable event called the Magical Match, to raise funds for the women's shelter. But it soon becomes apparent that planning the hand fasting is going to be a little more difficult when her fiance, Sailor, is arrested for murder. And Lily is not exactly feeling up to par, with all signs pointing to her getting a cold, despite the fact that she never gets colds. Can she find out whose magic is involved in framing Sailor for murder, and still successfully pull off this fundraiser. Aiden seems reluctant to help her without getting something in return, and Oscar seems to be a bit out of it all. I love this series and really appreciate how Lily has changed over the course of these books. No longer an isolated stranger, shy and unsure of her powers, she has commanded the respect of the group of women she works with, as well as several "magical" individuals, including her own grandmother's coven. I was happy to see her work out issues with some of her more prickly detractors, and look forward to reading more these relationships, including that with her own estranged mother.
August 10, 2018
Lily Ivory's life is crazier than usual. She's hosting a fundraiser for the local women's shelter. She's planning her wedding to Sailor. She's getting ready for her grandmother's coven to arrive to celebrate and with them is the mother she hasn't seen since a terrible night long ago. She's still running her business and taking care of her friends, while worrying about the coming magical war with the cupcake lady. It's a little more than one person can think about.
Then a man shows up demanding the property she stole from him when she was in Germany. She knows him, but she doesn't remember stealing anything. As terrible as the night with her mother was, the time she spent in Germany with her father was apparently so awful she has wiped it from her mind. Sailor is there when the man makes his demands and offers to help, but Lily tells him not to worry.
Later that day, the unthinkable happens and Sailor is accused of a crime and arrested. Now Lily has to solve this too.
The mythology in this series is rich and it continues to grow and expand as new characters come and go. Lily has evolved since the first book and it looks like she will continue to. I love all the characters in this series. I look forward to many more.
Then a man shows up demanding the property she stole from him when she was in Germany. She knows him, but she doesn't remember stealing anything. As terrible as the night with her mother was, the time she spent in Germany with her father was apparently so awful she has wiped it from her mind. Sailor is there when the man makes his demands and offers to help, but Lily tells him not to worry.
Later that day, the unthinkable happens and Sailor is accused of a crime and arrested. Now Lily has to solve this too.
The mythology in this series is rich and it continues to grow and expand as new characters come and go. Lily has evolved since the first book and it looks like she will continue to. I love all the characters in this series. I look forward to many more.
April 20, 2020
I love this series, and I’m never quite sure why. I’m not usually into cutsie reads, nor romance (although the romance content isn’t overboard), but there’s just something about this witch, her gobgoyle familiar, and her bunch of friends that makes me smile every time, and I really needed that, as we all find ways to cope during this pandemic.
Plus, I love San Francisco! I sometimes forget that these guys are fictional and I think that maybe next time I’m in the city I might actually run into them on Haigt. Lol
Anyways, another great installment to this series that is very quickly coming to an end, only one more to go :(
Plus, I love San Francisco! I sometimes forget that these guys are fictional and I think that maybe next time I’m in the city I might actually run into them on Haigt. Lol
Anyways, another great installment to this series that is very quickly coming to an end, only one more to go :(
May 4, 2021
This novel in the witch mystery saga has a lot of issue that our witch needs to deal with. Can get a bit confusing to decipher the next part in this murder mystery. Though it still has it fun loving Oscar. The ever charming Adian which again shows his cards that he has always been a little more interested in Lily then he has let on?
Gets some details about her parents & Adian past. Waiting for the 13 coven to arrive to help with the wedding.
One of those people is her mother who she has not seen since she threw her out in Texas.
Oh yes, try to catch a murderer to get the falsely accursed Sailor her fiancé out of Jail.
Lily Ivory, trying to plan her wedding to Sailor. Setting up & helping customers find matching outfits for a 50's Magical Match Tea party where proceeds to to the women's shelter.
A past foe comes & threatens her. He has given Lily 48 hrs. to return an item that she has stolen from him 15 yrs. ago in Germany. Problem is that Lily didn't steal anything? Well, during this threat Sailor comes to her rescue & informs this man that he will come after him if anything happens to his fiancé.
Unfortunately, those threats come true, when the man is found murdered in his hotel. With surveillance footage showing Sailor leaving the hotel covered in blood. Could Sailor really have murdered for love? He is arrested. SFPD Carlos finds this case hinky? He doesn't believe that Sailor is guilty of these charges. Does Sailor have an Evil Twin? Lily is determined to find the real murderer to get the charges dropped. And get back to planning their wedding that is suppose to occur in 2 weeks.
This chaos would start the moment her ill-timed magical cold occurred. Lily's denial of this cold is costing her ability's to focus, spells not working & distracting her from incidents that are happening to her friends & Selena the young teen age witch she is mentoring.
This instincts believes her foe Renee Baker has something to do with all the chaos. especially when she talks with her messenger of evil Jaime.
If Lily wants to keep he wedding on track. Once again she needs to start sleuthing to figure out this mystery. catch the murderer to get Sailor out of jail.
Lily's learns more about her father & Adian's past. She gets Adian to open up about his younger days when he was a Wizard in training by her father.
Renee- more of her true colors come to light, when she sends a mince pie, that makes Lily sick.
Lily catches a cold, which distracts & distort her powers. come out.
Renee is determined to win & take control of the witches powers and take over supernatural strength, it will lead to a big showdown with demons in a future book.
Between her Grandma Graceila & 13 other coven witches to arrive to help with Lily's wedding. Selena the teenage witch she needs to train to control her powers. Then plan for the upcoming event at Aunt Cora's Closet- " Magical match tea." Thank goodness she has such good friends, co workers to take a lot of the slack in the store and the planning for the MM event.
Gets some details about her parents & Adian past. Waiting for the 13 coven to arrive to help with the wedding.
One of those people is her mother who she has not seen since she threw her out in Texas.
Oh yes, try to catch a murderer to get the falsely accursed Sailor her fiancé out of Jail.
Lily Ivory, trying to plan her wedding to Sailor. Setting up & helping customers find matching outfits for a 50's Magical Match Tea party where proceeds to to the women's shelter.
A past foe comes & threatens her. He has given Lily 48 hrs. to return an item that she has stolen from him 15 yrs. ago in Germany. Problem is that Lily didn't steal anything? Well, during this threat Sailor comes to her rescue & informs this man that he will come after him if anything happens to his fiancé.
Unfortunately, those threats come true, when the man is found murdered in his hotel. With surveillance footage showing Sailor leaving the hotel covered in blood. Could Sailor really have murdered for love? He is arrested. SFPD Carlos finds this case hinky? He doesn't believe that Sailor is guilty of these charges. Does Sailor have an Evil Twin? Lily is determined to find the real murderer to get the charges dropped. And get back to planning their wedding that is suppose to occur in 2 weeks.
This chaos would start the moment her ill-timed magical cold occurred. Lily's denial of this cold is costing her ability's to focus, spells not working & distracting her from incidents that are happening to her friends & Selena the young teen age witch she is mentoring.
This instincts believes her foe Renee Baker has something to do with all the chaos. especially when she talks with her messenger of evil Jaime.
If Lily wants to keep he wedding on track. Once again she needs to start sleuthing to figure out this mystery. catch the murderer to get Sailor out of jail.
Lily's learns more about her father & Adian's past. She gets Adian to open up about his younger days when he was a Wizard in training by her father.
Renee- more of her true colors come to light, when she sends a mince pie, that makes Lily sick.
Lily catches a cold, which distracts & distort her powers. come out.
Renee is determined to win & take control of the witches powers and take over supernatural strength, it will lead to a big showdown with demons in a future book.
Between her Grandma Graceila & 13 other coven witches to arrive to help with Lily's wedding. Selena the teenage witch she needs to train to control her powers. Then plan for the upcoming event at Aunt Cora's Closet- " Magical match tea." Thank goodness she has such good friends, co workers to take a lot of the slack in the store and the planning for the MM event.
April 11, 2018
I love this series. There is nothing deep or pretentious or challenging about it, just a delightful story about a witch in San Francisco who owns a vintage clothing store and gets up to witchy shenanigans.
June 26, 2018
I really enjoy this series and this installment was no exception. I was a little disappointed that a certain event hasn't taken place yet, but this installment was still very enjoyable and I look forward to reading the next one. Definitely one of my favorite series over the last few years.
April 30, 2020
I do love this series and getting some insights into Lily's past was a treat in this book. I thought the whole story/solution was incredibly creative. Now I'm ready for the next one, and hoping there are many more to come.....
April 4, 2018
Another great addition to this series. Looking forward to the next book.
November 11, 2018
I love Juliet Blackwell. Her stories always delight me. This one does not disappoint. Lily and Sailor are a spectacular couple. Cannot wait for the next in this series!
April 19, 2019
It was a really good book.
June 9, 2020
It gets a 4 because I'm choosing to interpret "gender is fluid" as "trans rights"
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