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Samantha Sweet #10.5
Spellbound Sweets
Samantha Sweet Halloween Novella
It’s Halloween, one of the busiest seasons of the year for Samantha Sweet and the crew at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets. After baking a zillion pumpkin cookies, ghostly cupcakes, and an all-black cake for a young witch’s wedding, the gang is looking forward to a gala costume party at the neighborhood bookshop. But when one of the guests is murdered and a rare book vanishes—practically in front of their eyes—the evening takes a whole different turn and Sam finds herself in the midst of another mystery.
BONUS: Includes 10 recipes from the author’s personal collection.
Praise for Spellbound Sweets, from the anthology Midnight Mysteries:
“This was my first time reading Connie Shelton, but it will not be the last. I love her writing style and love her main character, Samantha Sweet, whose series I will be buying. I tend toward more "heavy" mysteries, but this example of the cozy genre makes me want more. This was a real whodunit in the classic sense, with actors, a bakery, an antique book store, and witches to enliven the story.”— Riverlizzie, 5 stars on Amazon
“Connie Shelton’s Spellbound Sweets novella is delightful. Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats. Join the Halloween party at a bookstore where someone dies and a rare book is now missing. This makes me crave another book in this series.” –Joanne K, 5 stars, Amazon
“Connie Shelton created a book full of mystery, perfect from the first page! Don't you think there's always some mystery in the bookshops?” – Maria, 5 stars, Amazon
"Spellbound Sweets"- Delectable yet witchy storyline that never wavered from the bakery aroma for too long! A longer read but worth the extra time for sure. The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars, Amazon
“Spellbound Sweets by Connie Shelton was fun – although I think I gained weight reading about Samantha Sweet and the “crew” at her pastry shop. It is one of a few Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries I’ve read and I’ll find previous stories to catch up.” – GDS, 5 stars, Amazon
It’s Halloween, one of the busiest seasons of the year for Samantha Sweet and the crew at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets. After baking a zillion pumpkin cookies, ghostly cupcakes, and an all-black cake for a young witch’s wedding, the gang is looking forward to a gala costume party at the neighborhood bookshop. But when one of the guests is murdered and a rare book vanishes—practically in front of their eyes—the evening takes a whole different turn and Sam finds herself in the midst of another mystery.
BONUS: Includes 10 recipes from the author’s personal collection.
Praise for Spellbound Sweets, from the anthology Midnight Mysteries:
“This was my first time reading Connie Shelton, but it will not be the last. I love her writing style and love her main character, Samantha Sweet, whose series I will be buying. I tend toward more "heavy" mysteries, but this example of the cozy genre makes me want more. This was a real whodunit in the classic sense, with actors, a bakery, an antique book store, and witches to enliven the story.”— Riverlizzie, 5 stars on Amazon
“Connie Shelton’s Spellbound Sweets novella is delightful. Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats. Join the Halloween party at a bookstore where someone dies and a rare book is now missing. This makes me crave another book in this series.” –Joanne K, 5 stars, Amazon
“Connie Shelton created a book full of mystery, perfect from the first page! Don't you think there's always some mystery in the bookshops?” – Maria, 5 stars, Amazon
"Spellbound Sweets"- Delectable yet witchy storyline that never wavered from the bakery aroma for too long! A longer read but worth the extra time for sure. The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars, Amazon
“Spellbound Sweets by Connie Shelton was fun – although I think I gained weight reading about Samantha Sweet and the “crew” at her pastry shop. It is one of a few Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries I’ve read and I’ll find previous stories to catch up.” – GDS, 5 stars, Amazon
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2017
About the author
Connie Shelton
112 books310 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 16, 2018
A very good novella and a very good addition to the Samantha Sweet series. Set in Taos, New Mexico, during the Halloween season.
October 24, 2021
Sweet's Sweets has been going full out to keep up with the demands for Hallowe'en baked goods. Samantha Sweet and most of her team are looking forward to their just desserts in the form of a costume party at the local bookstore as a reward for their hard work. Will murder and a stolen book put a dampener on the evening?
This was my Hallowe'en treat to myself this year and it was delicious! Connie Shelton teases into the mystic world and also gives fair treatment to Wicca at the same time. It's a hard line to walk, but the author is skilful and strikes a good balance.
Despite being a novella, all the usual characters are presented with a purposefulness so that their attendance isn't lip service but necessity. The mystery itself wasn't a brainteaser but enough herrings were cast to prevent the reader from guessing the doer identity immediately.
I very much enjoyed this read and recommend it as a easy clean Hallowe'en read.
This was my Hallowe'en treat to myself this year and it was delicious! Connie Shelton teases into the mystic world and also gives fair treatment to Wicca at the same time. It's a hard line to walk, but the author is skilful and strikes a good balance.
Despite being a novella, all the usual characters are presented with a purposefulness so that their attendance isn't lip service but necessity. The mystery itself wasn't a brainteaser but enough herrings were cast to prevent the reader from guessing the doer identity immediately.
I very much enjoyed this read and recommend it as a easy clean Hallowe'en read.
October 24, 2017
I absolutely love this series!!
October 20, 2018
First time reading this one. So far so-o good! ;-)
October 26, 2020
A good book to read on a cold fall day in October.
April 23, 2018
Another Sweet Read
I've enjoyed each of the sweet sweets books bad this one's different. This Halloween story let's you get to know more about some of the other characters in the story. The detail with which the cake decorating is described puts a picture of each sweet in your mind. I really hope there will be more books in the series I'm pretty sure Sam and Beau aren't finished yet.
I've enjoyed each of the sweet sweets books bad this one's different. This Halloween story let's you get to know more about some of the other characters in the story. The detail with which the cake decorating is described puts a picture of each sweet in your mind. I really hope there will be more books in the series I'm pretty sure Sam and Beau aren't finished yet.
October 10, 2024
This is part of a series of novellas based on the bakery owned by Samantha Sweet. She has been married for a while to Beau, who is the sheriff for Taco County, Arizona. The story stories close to Halloween and she has a demanding bride to deal with who insists on a black cake. The bride is resisting anything other than black, and doesn't want chocolate which means that they have to be creative and come up with something that can be made black by using food dye.
At first, Sam is unsure how this is going to go, but with help from her staff, they figure it. Then however, there is a party for Halloween night being held in the bookstore next door, and during it, the whole problem of coming up with black cakes loses importance. There is a murder committed during the play that is put on during that party.
Sam has to be involved in the work to uncover who the killer is. There is a connection to witchcraft, the religion of Wikki, and magic related books. All of which have to be determined as to what their contribution to the mystery is. Sam, although she is a baker by profession, turns out to have a bit of expertise with detecting also.
This makes for a very good addition to my mystery for halloween month. I recomend it to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery with a bit of adventure and intrigue involved.
At first, Sam is unsure how this is going to go, but with help from her staff, they figure it. Then however, there is a party for Halloween night being held in the bookstore next door, and during it, the whole problem of coming up with black cakes loses importance. There is a murder committed during the play that is put on during that party.
Sam has to be involved in the work to uncover who the killer is. There is a connection to witchcraft, the religion of Wikki, and magic related books. All of which have to be determined as to what their contribution to the mystery is. Sam, although she is a baker by profession, turns out to have a bit of expertise with detecting also.
This makes for a very good addition to my mystery for halloween month. I recomend it to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery with a bit of adventure and intrigue involved.
October 21, 2017
A cute Halloween story revolving around our favorite baker, Samantha Sweet. Ivan (the bookshop owner) has decided on throwing an adult Halloween party at the bookstore. Rupert (Sam's friend who is a secret author) is putting on a play for the event that showcases an antique spellbook. When a stand-in actor ends up dead, Beau and Sam work together to figure out how it all happened, and of course who done it.
Fair warning, this short story appeared last year in an anthology and is not really a new story this season, although it is the first time it has been offered as a stand alone book I believe.
The Samantha Sweet books are always good clean fun and a temptation to any diet! This one comes with an additional treat-a mini cookbook at the end of the story. Between the story and the cookbook you will want to bake something, because your mouth will be watering! Not only are the books good, I swear I can smell the bakery goods from the author's descriptions!
Fair warning, this short story appeared last year in an anthology and is not really a new story this season, although it is the first time it has been offered as a stand alone book I believe.
The Samantha Sweet books are always good clean fun and a temptation to any diet! This one comes with an additional treat-a mini cookbook at the end of the story. Between the story and the cookbook you will want to bake something, because your mouth will be watering! Not only are the books good, I swear I can smell the bakery goods from the author's descriptions!
October 15, 2017
Sweet Read!
I am a “Sweetacholic”. I am addicted to this series. First, it’s nice to have a main character who is not a 20 something year old, but a mature woman. Next, she & the sheriff work together peacefully, no threats about meddling. In fact the sheriff, who just happens to be her younger husband, deputized her to assist in the investigation. And lastly, most of her investigation is done through good detective work, not running off constantly getting herself in danger, at least for the most part. I also would love to get my hands on her mysterious energy box. It is an absolutely awesome item. Add in some delicious recipes at the end & you have a not to be missed read.
I am a “Sweetacholic”. I am addicted to this series. First, it’s nice to have a main character who is not a 20 something year old, but a mature woman. Next, she & the sheriff work together peacefully, no threats about meddling. In fact the sheriff, who just happens to be her younger husband, deputized her to assist in the investigation. And lastly, most of her investigation is done through good detective work, not running off constantly getting herself in danger, at least for the most part. I also would love to get my hands on her mysterious energy box. It is an absolutely awesome item. Add in some delicious recipes at the end & you have a not to be missed read.
October 12, 2022
Cute little seasonal novella I got free from an author's promotion on BookFunnel. I haven't read any others in this series. Since the main character is a baker, it made me hungry for baked goods while reading it...lol. There are recipes at the end. It's a series, but I am not interested in reading any more from it. It's an okay holiday story. So, if you like holiday cozies, I'm sure you'll like this one.
October 19, 2017
An old rare book, an affair and a murder is the setting for this story. A simple who dun it, with a killer hidden behind a Halloween costume and photos that reveal the truth. A fun story that readers of this series will enjoy.
November 7, 2017
Ready For The Next Treat!
I love the Samantha Sweet stories. The characters are a community of friends. The action is fast paced and interesting. I will be watching for the next book!
I love the Samantha Sweet stories. The characters are a community of friends. The action is fast paced and interesting. I will be watching for the next book!
June 2, 2018
I enjoy the novellas from this series. The action is fast, the mysteries good and the usual cast of characters. A Halloween costume party, lots of Halloween treats from Sweet's Sweets and murder. So much fun!
October 18, 2021
A very good novella and a very good introduction to me of Samantha Sweet. I’ll definitely be looking out for more books in this series. Really liked the cover too. Recommend reading this book. Good story line and likeable characters.
October 15, 2017
I love this series. This is one that is hard to put down when you start to read it. I think all you readers will love it too.
October 30, 2018
2018 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge: A book about or set on Halloween
January 12, 2022
A good mystery series.
Samantha has a murder and a book theft to solve. I like the plot. There are several suspects. The story kept me guessing. Included are 10 recipes.
Samantha has a murder and a book theft to solve. I like the plot. There are several suspects. The story kept me guessing. Included are 10 recipes.
June 5, 2022
A very sweet murder mystery.
September 27, 2022
Cute little Halloween story and lots of great recipes at the end.
January 5, 2023
Cute cozy mystery novella
October 24, 2023
Cute quick Halloween mystery read!
November 3, 2024
A sweet shop a rare book and a murder.
January 18, 2025
fun mystery
I’ve loved this series and really enjoy the writing style of Connie Shelton. I can’t wait to see what Sam the main character gets into next.
I’ve loved this series and really enjoy the writing style of Connie Shelton. I can’t wait to see what Sam the main character gets into next.
October 26, 2025
Fantastic series.
July 8, 2024
2024: 5 stars
It only took two days to finish the book this time. This is a story set on Halloween night. We are introduced to partygoers, a rare book, greed, and a gathering of friends in a bookshop. And someone is murdered.
The story is clever and moves along at a quick pace. But most importantly, it is about friendship, kindness and trust.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
2017: I love this series. It took me a month to finish this short story because of my busy life. Why? I wanted to savor the words…not speed read to just say I completed the book. It was worth my time and full attention.
The characters in this book are people I love to revisit every year. I recommend reading the series in order. Enjoy!
It only took two days to finish the book this time. This is a story set on Halloween night. We are introduced to partygoers, a rare book, greed, and a gathering of friends in a bookshop. And someone is murdered.
The story is clever and moves along at a quick pace. But most importantly, it is about friendship, kindness and trust.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
2017: I love this series. It took me a month to finish this short story because of my busy life. Why? I wanted to savor the words…not speed read to just say I completed the book. It was worth my time and full attention.
The characters in this book are people I love to revisit every year. I recommend reading the series in order. Enjoy!
Read
November 15, 2021iBooks.
This novella is good for those familiar with Samantha's Sweets and those who haven't read any. It's short and quick, but the mystery is there, as are the baked goods. When she and her crew are invited to a Halloween party complete with a play at the bookstore next door, Samantha dons a costume, bakes some delights, and attends. When one of the guests is murdered and an ancient book is stolen, she's deputized again and becomes a sleuth to try to help solve both mysteries, whether related or not.
This novella is good for those familiar with Samantha's Sweets and those who haven't read any. It's short and quick, but the mystery is there, as are the baked goods. When she and her crew are invited to a Halloween party complete with a play at the bookstore next door, Samantha dons a costume, bakes some delights, and attends. When one of the guests is murdered and an ancient book is stolen, she's deputized again and becomes a sleuth to try to help solve both mysteries, whether related or not.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews