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Spells & Caramels #3
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins
Murder at a Mermaid Nightclub
The enchanted village of Bijou Mer’s on high alert, with the villainous Horace on the loose. Imogen’s excited to escape the tension with a trip to the underwater Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the young mermaid queen’s engagement to the pirate king.
But when the mermaids turn out to be less French Riviera and more Jersey shore, the bakers are wrapped up in their world of clubbing in sea caves and fighting off seals for the best tanning spots, and are embroiled in a pirate smuggling scandal. It gets worse when a member of the mermaid court is found dead in a fishing net, and one of Imogen and Maple’s baked goods seems to be the murder weapon.
Imogen tries to fish out the real murderer to clear their names, while struggling with her romantic feelings for Hank. At the same time, she’s working with him to learn to control her magic and investigate Horace’s riddle and her own mysterious past.
As the mermaid court’s freewheeling lifestyle rubs off on the bakers, the gang lets loose and passions rise to the surface. But with a giant octopus crawling the ocean floor, the mermaid court filled with simmering secrets and scandals, and the ever present threat of the Badlands Army, Imogen must solve the murder before she ends up fish food herself.
The enchanted village of Bijou Mer’s on high alert, with the villainous Horace on the loose. Imogen’s excited to escape the tension with a trip to the underwater Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the young mermaid queen’s engagement to the pirate king.
But when the mermaids turn out to be less French Riviera and more Jersey shore, the bakers are wrapped up in their world of clubbing in sea caves and fighting off seals for the best tanning spots, and are embroiled in a pirate smuggling scandal. It gets worse when a member of the mermaid court is found dead in a fishing net, and one of Imogen and Maple’s baked goods seems to be the murder weapon.
Imogen tries to fish out the real murderer to clear their names, while struggling with her romantic feelings for Hank. At the same time, she’s working with him to learn to control her magic and investigate Horace’s riddle and her own mysterious past.
As the mermaid court’s freewheeling lifestyle rubs off on the bakers, the gang lets loose and passions rise to the surface. But with a giant octopus crawling the ocean floor, the mermaid court filled with simmering secrets and scandals, and the ever present threat of the Badlands Army, Imogen must solve the murder before she ends up fish food herself.
286 pages, ebook
First published November 21, 2017
604 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Erin Johnson
90 books715 followersA native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
March 14, 2020
After I read the first book in this series by Erin Johnson, I had to download the second and third, Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins. I read both in the last week so I could stay current on a few series, as there are so many I want to catch up on; however, when it's about cooking, witches, pirates and set in cozy Europe, who can resist!
Cozy readers have so many options today... every possible setting, background, character, locations (okay, not everything, but a large breadth of choices). I've always enjoyed the ones with a unique setting and something to do with baking. In this release, Imogen visits the mermaid and pirate kingdoms to bake for a wedding. When she arrives, it's no royal palace! As she gets to know the ins-and-outs of the very young queen, her aging grandmother and the staff supporting them, something is fishy among the fins. By embracing her magic skills, dancing the night away in an underground club, and learning about secret monsters and liquor/drugs, she's fully embroiled in quite a little mystery and unfamiliar environment.
The tone of the book took a slight turn in this book -- it got a little more saucy than usual. I liked it, no complaints here -- lighthearted, humorous and tasteful. The story was good, but it wasn't as strong in the middle as I was expecting (needed more understanding of the mermaid world, how the whole place fits together with each kingdom, how many people lived there, et al); however, by the end, it came full circle, added in a few surprises and balanced out the book well.
I finally learned more about Imogen's biological family, as well as her connection to witchcraft in the past. For those reasons, I definitely gave this one 4 stars -- the drama and intrigue have been set. Most kick-off events in cozy mystery novels occur around the 17% to 20% mark, allowing just enough time to get to know the characters, then BOOM - a murder. In these books, it's happening around the 40% mark. In some ways, it makes the mystery a tad too light for me, but in others, it builds a world with a bunch of side stories that keep your interest. The author balances the main story with everything else quite adeptly.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes as there is a lot of potential within the world being created. It's holding my interest and I will download/buy the 4th book this month as it's just been published. Hope you enjoy the new series if you take it on.
Cozy readers have so many options today... every possible setting, background, character, locations (okay, not everything, but a large breadth of choices). I've always enjoyed the ones with a unique setting and something to do with baking. In this release, Imogen visits the mermaid and pirate kingdoms to bake for a wedding. When she arrives, it's no royal palace! As she gets to know the ins-and-outs of the very young queen, her aging grandmother and the staff supporting them, something is fishy among the fins. By embracing her magic skills, dancing the night away in an underground club, and learning about secret monsters and liquor/drugs, she's fully embroiled in quite a little mystery and unfamiliar environment.
The tone of the book took a slight turn in this book -- it got a little more saucy than usual. I liked it, no complaints here -- lighthearted, humorous and tasteful. The story was good, but it wasn't as strong in the middle as I was expecting (needed more understanding of the mermaid world, how the whole place fits together with each kingdom, how many people lived there, et al); however, by the end, it came full circle, added in a few surprises and balanced out the book well.
I finally learned more about Imogen's biological family, as well as her connection to witchcraft in the past. For those reasons, I definitely gave this one 4 stars -- the drama and intrigue have been set. Most kick-off events in cozy mystery novels occur around the 17% to 20% mark, allowing just enough time to get to know the characters, then BOOM - a murder. In these books, it's happening around the 40% mark. In some ways, it makes the mystery a tad too light for me, but in others, it builds a world with a bunch of side stories that keep your interest. The author balances the main story with everything else quite adeptly.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes as there is a lot of potential within the world being created. It's holding my interest and I will download/buy the 4th book this month as it's just been published. Hope you enjoy the new series if you take it on.
October 24, 2021
Imogen, along with the whole royal baking team, were heading for the mermaid Queen’s underwater domain to cater for the upcoming lavish wedding. Passing through the special gate was disorienting, and when a bubble was ingested, Imogen and the others dived into the ocean, converting to mermaids. Their kitchen was inside an old wreck, which was encased in a magical bubble so the inside was dry, and the stove could be used, plus they could revert once more to human form. But there was danger looming in the pirate clan, as well as the queen’s royal court, and when one of her mermaids was murdered, Imogen and her team, including Prince Hank, knew it was up to them to find the culprit.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins is the 3rd in the Spells & Caramels series by Erin Johnson and it was lots of fun! A murder mystery to solve, plenty of magic and romance plus underwater creatures both good and bad made the third novel in the series very readable. Recommended.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins is the 3rd in the Spells & Caramels series by Erin Johnson and it was lots of fun! A murder mystery to solve, plenty of magic and romance plus underwater creatures both good and bad made the third novel in the series very readable. Recommended.
January 1, 2023
The main story was delightful, including a diverse and fun cast of magical characters.
We find out more about Imogen or Red Bull🤣😭 birth family.
My problem????
This includes rather medieval-esque harmful stereotypes regarding the Roma folks.
I think the author is from the USA and perhaps is ignorant about the brutal and oppressive ongoing history of the Roma folks across Europe.
Either way it's uncomfortable, unnecessary and frankly ruined an otherwise fun novel.
We find out more about Imogen or Red Bull🤣😭 birth family.
My problem????
This includes rather medieval-esque harmful stereotypes regarding the Roma folks.
I think the author is from the USA and perhaps is ignorant about the brutal and oppressive ongoing history of the Roma folks across Europe.
Either way it's uncomfortable, unnecessary and frankly ruined an otherwise fun novel.
April 17, 2020
Imogene just thought things were getting wild with her newfound magical skills, then she and the baking crew are summoned to the Mermaid Kingdom to bake for a royal wedding and things take a turn for the royally weird. Turns out the mermaid court is full of jersey girl types and frenemies abound. When someone offs one of the royal court, the bakers are in the hot seat as the likely suspects so once again it's up to Imogene and crew to uncover the truth. If you are looking for a fun, paranormal read then this one is just right for you! The characters are delightful and the plot is well written with twists and turns and multi-layered storylines to keep you entertained. While the writer delivers a wonderful well-written book, the narrator of the audio book really breathes a bit of extra life into the characters. Very entertaining and I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!
December 19, 2017
I am really enjoying this series so far and it has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins is another great book in this series. In this book Imogen and her friends travel to the mermaid kingdom to bake there. I liked the new setting for this book and it also gave the opportunity for Imogen and Hank to discover what was between them without the whole water kingdom watching.
The mystery takes a while to start and I thought the mystery was a bit less intriguing than in previous books, but it's still a decent mystery. I did predicted who the murderer was, even with few clues in that direction. I wouldn't have minded a few more clues and hints regarding the mystery. But even tough I suspected this person, I wasn't sure of the motive, so it was interesting when that came to the surface.
This was another fun book in this series. Besides the mystery there's a lot of other things going on, Maple and Willy clash again, Imogen learns more about her magic, there's the riddle they got at the end of the previous book and there's a bit of romance. I like seeing how Imogen learns a bit more magic in each book, but I also appreciate that she is still so new to this and doesn't learn everything at once. She masters a few spells in this book, but also struggles with some other aspects of her magic. It was well done. It also was neat to see the plot line about the Badlands Army advance a bit.
It's always fun to spend some time with Imogen and the other bakers and side characters. I like seeing them interact and how the dynamics shift a bit in each book. There's also more Iggy again, I really like his character. And I was happy with how the romance progressed a bit in this book. It's been very slow building and I felt like this book marked a big step in their relationship. There are some great Imogen and Hank scenes.
I liked the underwater setting and learning more about the mermaids and pirates. Although the mermaids were a bit over the top flirty at times, they got drunk a lot and flirted and joked. But I also kinda liked how the author gave her own twist to the mermaids, it sure didn't feel cliché. I didn't like queen Winnie at first, but there were some scenes where I did appreciate what she did and stood up for what she believed in. While this isn't my favorite of the book of the series so far there was still a lot to like and I enjoyed reading this book
To summarize: This was another fun read! I like the mix of paranormal and mystery elements. In this book we get to visit the mermaid kingdom and learn more about the mermaids and pirates. The new setting was fun and we meet a bunch of new characters as well. I did predict who the murderer was, but couldn't figure out the motive, so it was nice to see how everything tied together in the end. There is a bit of romance as well, which I liked. And Imogen learns more about her magic, a bit about her family and the plot line about the Badlands Army advances. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
The mystery takes a while to start and I thought the mystery was a bit less intriguing than in previous books, but it's still a decent mystery. I did predicted who the murderer was, even with few clues in that direction. I wouldn't have minded a few more clues and hints regarding the mystery. But even tough I suspected this person, I wasn't sure of the motive, so it was interesting when that came to the surface.
This was another fun book in this series. Besides the mystery there's a lot of other things going on, Maple and Willy clash again, Imogen learns more about her magic, there's the riddle they got at the end of the previous book and there's a bit of romance. I like seeing how Imogen learns a bit more magic in each book, but I also appreciate that she is still so new to this and doesn't learn everything at once. She masters a few spells in this book, but also struggles with some other aspects of her magic. It was well done. It also was neat to see the plot line about the Badlands Army advance a bit.
It's always fun to spend some time with Imogen and the other bakers and side characters. I like seeing them interact and how the dynamics shift a bit in each book. There's also more Iggy again, I really like his character. And I was happy with how the romance progressed a bit in this book. It's been very slow building and I felt like this book marked a big step in their relationship. There are some great Imogen and Hank scenes.
I liked the underwater setting and learning more about the mermaids and pirates. Although the mermaids were a bit over the top flirty at times, they got drunk a lot and flirted and joked. But I also kinda liked how the author gave her own twist to the mermaids, it sure didn't feel cliché. I didn't like queen Winnie at first, but there were some scenes where I did appreciate what she did and stood up for what she believed in. While this isn't my favorite of the book of the series so far there was still a lot to like and I enjoyed reading this book
To summarize: This was another fun read! I like the mix of paranormal and mystery elements. In this book we get to visit the mermaid kingdom and learn more about the mermaids and pirates. The new setting was fun and we meet a bunch of new characters as well. I did predict who the murderer was, but couldn't figure out the motive, so it was nice to see how everything tied together in the end. There is a bit of romance as well, which I liked. And Imogen learns more about her magic, a bit about her family and the plot line about the Badlands Army advances. I am looking forward to the next book in this series!
December 28, 2017
This has become one of my new favorite series. Part Cozy Mystery, part fantastical paranormal land with witches, mermaids & more. The characters are so much fun & the main character, Imogene is adorable. Her cooking flame, Iggy is a hoot! Looking forward to more Books in this series.
August 8, 2019
I absolutely love this whole series, the books were brilliant, and the audio equally so.
brilliant narrator that does the characters justice.
A pleasure to listen to.
can't wait to start the next in the series.
brilliant narrator that does the characters justice.
A pleasure to listen to.
can't wait to start the next in the series.
October 30, 2024
Vulgar and crude. However, since I have the entire set, but especially since I enjoyed the first one so much, I’ll at least start the next one. However, if the downward trend continues I won’t be finishing it.
December 15, 2017
I love mermaids and cozy mysteries, so to get my hands on Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson was quite the treat.
Imogene is a Swallow. No, it is not an erotic thing, but a magical power and hunky Hank, the Prince is teaching her how to use it.
A trip to the Mermaid Kingdom and a murder will have Imogene, Hank and her band of merry bakers working the investigation.
I love all the magical creatures, some new to me, and we even have some rambunctious pirates. I love Iggy, but ya gotta be careful because ya might get burned.
How would you like to be able to swallow a sea bubble, grow fins and gills, changing into a mermaid and swimming the ocean blue? Oh man, I sure would.
The fabulous world building leads to an adventure I am so glad I didn’t miss. This light, humorous mystery is full of characters to laugh with, love with, and fear for. Even in this world of beauty, someone must die to create an undersea mystery of a fresh kind.
This is Book III, but I had no trouble following the mystery, and even though not all questions will be answered, this particular mystery is solved and it left me wanting to read more. I call that…a job well done.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson.
See more at fundinmental
Imogene is a Swallow. No, it is not an erotic thing, but a magical power and hunky Hank, the Prince is teaching her how to use it.
A trip to the Mermaid Kingdom and a murder will have Imogene, Hank and her band of merry bakers working the investigation.
I love all the magical creatures, some new to me, and we even have some rambunctious pirates. I love Iggy, but ya gotta be careful because ya might get burned.
How would you like to be able to swallow a sea bubble, grow fins and gills, changing into a mermaid and swimming the ocean blue? Oh man, I sure would.
The fabulous world building leads to an adventure I am so glad I didn’t miss. This light, humorous mystery is full of characters to laugh with, love with, and fear for. Even in this world of beauty, someone must die to create an undersea mystery of a fresh kind.
This is Book III, but I had no trouble following the mystery, and even though not all questions will be answered, this particular mystery is solved and it left me wanting to read more. I call that…a job well done.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson.
See more at fundinmental
June 29, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up.
I am absolutely enamored with this series. I love the characters, the settings, the plots, everything. This latest installment didn't disappoint.
In this installment, many of our characters experience growth and changes in their lives. This is always great to continue to see in a series. When characters start to stagnate, it can spell the end of the series, so I'm thrilled to continue to see growth among the characters.
This installment took us away from the castle and into the Mermaid world. It's a great change in scenery and offers new locations for Imogen and her friends to utilize in their investigation.
The plot line moves along smoothly and at a steady speed. It's not so slow that you get bored, but it's not so fast that you can't keep up with the changes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the changes in various relationships and the characters themselves. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't elaborate on those changes.
Overall, while there's not that little extra pizzazz that's needed to push it up to a 5-star rating, it is a very solid 4.5 and I really enjoyed it. If you're just starting with the series, I do suggest you start with the first book, Seashells, Spells, & Caramels as there is important back story that you will need to understand things in the second and third installments.
I am absolutely enamored with this series. I love the characters, the settings, the plots, everything. This latest installment didn't disappoint.
In this installment, many of our characters experience growth and changes in their lives. This is always great to continue to see in a series. When characters start to stagnate, it can spell the end of the series, so I'm thrilled to continue to see growth among the characters.
This installment took us away from the castle and into the Mermaid world. It's a great change in scenery and offers new locations for Imogen and her friends to utilize in their investigation.
The plot line moves along smoothly and at a steady speed. It's not so slow that you get bored, but it's not so fast that you can't keep up with the changes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the changes in various relationships and the characters themselves. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't elaborate on those changes.
Overall, while there's not that little extra pizzazz that's needed to push it up to a 5-star rating, it is a very solid 4.5 and I really enjoyed it. If you're just starting with the series, I do suggest you start with the first book, Seashells, Spells, & Caramels as there is important back story that you will need to understand things in the second and third installments.
November 23, 2017
Fun and interesting
September 24, 2019
This was an sweet and seaful continuation of the series! Imogen goes to the Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the Queen’s engagement party, but as usual, things go wrong and someone turns belly up. Between clubbing, smuggling, secrets, a pirate scandal, and emotions running high and wild, Imogen and her crew are in for another crazy mystery. I liked that the heat level slightly increased in this book and romance had a larger role than the previous books. Hank and Imogen’s relationship continues to grow and so does her control over her powers. Some of her biological past comes to light and we get to learn some more about her witch heritage. The mermaids weren’t your typical ones you’d find in other books- they live to drink, flirt, and party. Erin continues to blow me away with her world building, characters, and creatures.
Hannah did another great job with this narration! I love the different voices that she gives each character and how she can bring the magic, sweets, and story to life.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Hannah did another great job with this narration! I love the different voices that she gives each character and how she can bring the magic, sweets, and story to life.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 1, 2018
This time the crew is sent to bake for the wedding of the Queen of the Mermaids to the Pirate King.
What I enjoyed:
* The baking crew are great. They've formed their own little family.
* Oscar, the squid?
* That magic can let you have spaces underwater that are water free and you can do a spell to have a mermaid fin or legs.
* Finding out more about Imogen's background
What could have been better:
* The easy way out the author took
* The mermaid queen
* the whole drug thing
What I enjoyed:
* The baking crew are great. They've formed their own little family.
* Oscar, the squid?
* That magic can let you have spaces underwater that are water free and you can do a spell to have a mermaid fin or legs.
* Finding out more about Imogen's background
What could have been better:
* The easy way out the author took
* The mermaid queen
* the whole drug thing
August 1, 2020
Well this is another great installment. i liked the look at the mermaid world. I liked the magic used to get them there. The pirates were funny and I liked watching these two world collide. The mystery was a little predictable. I'm liking that Imogen is finally allowing Hank to get closer and that she's learning magic. I wonder who gave her to her adopted parents? It seems like the group is getting tighter and thats good as they all really help with the mysteries now.
May 4, 2020
Getting better
This series is getting better. Many secrets are coming it and love is definitely in the air or is it over the ocean. LOL Now the ending has left a sort cliffhanger and I'm curious as to who and why. I won't say what I mean so as not give anything away.
This series is getting better. Many secrets are coming it and love is definitely in the air or is it over the ocean. LOL Now the ending has left a sort cliffhanger and I'm curious as to who and why. I won't say what I mean so as not give anything away.
January 2, 2023
Everyone is way too immature for this not to be a YA novel. All about drinking and partying the night away. So not my thing.
December 4, 2017
This is such a fun series - despite my three stars here, don't think I didn't enjoy this one and that the series isn't one to pick up. My issues this time were probably not entirely a product of the book itself, so much as of the mindset I was in when I read it. You see, I started this one just after finishing Mira Grant's newest - Into the Drowning Deep - and its tale of mermaids (which are NOT fun and friendly to say the very least) most likely colored my read of this tale of mermaids (which basically are). So my apologies to Erin Johnson for any unfortunate bleed-over... :)
In this third book, the indomitable Imogen finds herself embroiled in a world of mermaids and, of course, more secrets... The Water Kingdom's royal baking team has been requested to serve up a feast for the marriage of the Mermaid Queen and the Pirate King. Of course, since this is Imogen's world, there's WAY more to it than that - and the hijinks, secrets, and tension are thick on the ground (er, in the water), as per usual in this delightful series.
Frankly, I found the mermaids a little, well, irritating. I suspect that was on purpose. They spoke an amalgamation of regular English and just-off English (wrong verb tenses, mixtures of plural and singular) that was consistent and even throughout, but that I found off-putting for some reason. The flighty and inconsistent nature of the mermaids was a style choice; my lukewarm feelings toward them were (as I mentioned in the opening) probably based at least somewhat in contrast to the other mermaids I'd recently encountered - whatever the reason though, I found the bits of story that featured mermaid conversation and attitudes less able to hold my interest.
I still found Imogen (and her compatriots) to be fun and highly entertaining. There is always at least one reveal in these books that catches me completely off guard - that is no small accomplishment, as I read rather a lot. It's what will keep me coming back to this series regardless of how I feel about a particular plot line or character. Johnson has a great ability to spin a tall tale that feels somehow still plausible and never over-done or overly reliant on tropes (which are probably getting increasingly difficult to avoid in the supernatural genre, given the number of books published each year). I can't wait to see where Imogen's continuing journey to discover her background and the limits of her magic take her - book four is due out soon, and I look forward to seeing where she goes next!
My review copy was generously provided by the author. That provision in no way affected my review.
In this third book, the indomitable Imogen finds herself embroiled in a world of mermaids and, of course, more secrets... The Water Kingdom's royal baking team has been requested to serve up a feast for the marriage of the Mermaid Queen and the Pirate King. Of course, since this is Imogen's world, there's WAY more to it than that - and the hijinks, secrets, and tension are thick on the ground (er, in the water), as per usual in this delightful series.
Frankly, I found the mermaids a little, well, irritating. I suspect that was on purpose. They spoke an amalgamation of regular English and just-off English (wrong verb tenses, mixtures of plural and singular) that was consistent and even throughout, but that I found off-putting for some reason. The flighty and inconsistent nature of the mermaids was a style choice; my lukewarm feelings toward them were (as I mentioned in the opening) probably based at least somewhat in contrast to the other mermaids I'd recently encountered - whatever the reason though, I found the bits of story that featured mermaid conversation and attitudes less able to hold my interest.
I still found Imogen (and her compatriots) to be fun and highly entertaining. There is always at least one reveal in these books that catches me completely off guard - that is no small accomplishment, as I read rather a lot. It's what will keep me coming back to this series regardless of how I feel about a particular plot line or character. Johnson has a great ability to spin a tall tale that feels somehow still plausible and never over-done or overly reliant on tropes (which are probably getting increasingly difficult to avoid in the supernatural genre, given the number of books published each year). I can't wait to see where Imogen's continuing journey to discover her background and the limits of her magic take her - book four is due out soon, and I look forward to seeing where she goes next!
My review copy was generously provided by the author. That provision in no way affected my review.
December 17, 2017
Another hit in this magical cozy mystery series.
The gang from the Water Kingdom travels to the Mermaid Kingdom to make the pastries and such for the wedding of the Mermaid Queen (Winnie) to the Pirate King (Chuck). To do this, Imogen and the others have to transform into merpeople to be able to get around their world since most of it is under water. It is a new twist for Imogen, as she is still getting used to having magical powers. While there they come across a mermaid that was murdered and Imogen has to solve the crime. I will have to admit that I never guessed who killed Bubbles and the reason why was quite fascinating. So much history between many characters. And there is some interesting twists when it comes to Imogen and Hank and their attraction to each other. Oh and we do learn a little bit more about Imogen’s past and how she didn’t know she was magical. There is still a lot more to come with that aspect, but what we discover is quite shocking – or at least to me it was!
I still can’t explain why I really like this series. Maybe it is the creativity in the characters, worlds and magic; maybe it is the humorous situations; maybe it is the burgeoning love between Imogen and Hank; or maybe it is just the right book at the right time. But whatever reason, this is a must read series for me and I can’t wait for book four that will be out sometime this month.
The gang from the Water Kingdom travels to the Mermaid Kingdom to make the pastries and such for the wedding of the Mermaid Queen (Winnie) to the Pirate King (Chuck). To do this, Imogen and the others have to transform into merpeople to be able to get around their world since most of it is under water. It is a new twist for Imogen, as she is still getting used to having magical powers. While there they come across a mermaid that was murdered and Imogen has to solve the crime. I will have to admit that I never guessed who killed Bubbles and the reason why was quite fascinating. So much history between many characters. And there is some interesting twists when it comes to Imogen and Hank and their attraction to each other. Oh and we do learn a little bit more about Imogen’s past and how she didn’t know she was magical. There is still a lot more to come with that aspect, but what we discover is quite shocking – or at least to me it was!
I still can’t explain why I really like this series. Maybe it is the creativity in the characters, worlds and magic; maybe it is the humorous situations; maybe it is the burgeoning love between Imogen and Hank; or maybe it is just the right book at the right time. But whatever reason, this is a must read series for me and I can’t wait for book four that will be out sometime this month.
December 17, 2017
The Mermaid Kingdom has requested the royal bakers to create all food wedding-related and everyone is reluctant to go but Imogen and Wiley. They, of course, have never attended anything below the surface of the water and are looking forward to it. All is not what they thought, though, especially when Imogen and friends are embroiled in another murder mystery. A member of the queen's court is fished up in a net onto the Pirate King's ship with a distinctly bruised neck. When the police enchant the body and a dessert prepared the night before by Imogen and Maple dislodges, all signs point to them.
Fortunately, if that's how you want to look at things, there are several other shady members of the mermaid court and the pirates that have motive whereas Maple and Imogen do not. Putting herself in danger, again, Imogen is determined to figure out who wanted a member of the royal court dead and why. As outsiders to the mermaid and pirate kingdoms, however, Imogen realizes that sleuthing isn't going to be easy.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins has really interesting plot points that kept me engaged in the story - from the talk Imogen has with Princess Shaday before leaving for the Mermaid Kingdom, to the method of sending humans and other 2 legged air breathing creatures to the depths of the sea to hobnob with merfolk. The development of the mystery was steady and unfolded smoothly. The true culprit was masked well and hidden among all of the suspects without providing any clues to heighten the reader's awareness of who was actually to blame.
Imogen is a fun, caring, and interesting character. She has embraced the magic she was born into and she's continually trying to harness and use the magic. Her skills are much better in Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins. I'm intrigued by her past, which we do learn more about in this installment of the series. Maple is acclimating to the role of head baker much better and is working out ways to straighten up the problem assistants. Imogene and Maple are wonderful and I love their friendship. I love the dynamics between Imogene and Prince Harry. They are cute together and things really heat up in this installment. Iggy the flame is the best! He's mouthy but Iggy and Imogen have a great relationship. He is able to travel to the underwater kingdom, as well, and provides some of the best comic relief, even if he doesn't necessarily mean to.
I enjoyed the third book in this cozy mystery series and found the setting and characters to be interesting, and at times, exciting. The character development continues in this book and I enjoyed getting to know everyone better. The world building gets a bit more interesting with the underwater aspect and I found myself completely engaged in the story. There were some twists and turns in the quest to catch the killer. There are multiple threads woven through Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins and I was surprised by a couple of them. The book was fast paced and easy to follow. I'm really rooting for Imogen and Hank and hope that the author finds a way they can be together that isn't quite like what Princess Shaday has in mind. Can't wait for book 4!!!
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
Fortunately, if that's how you want to look at things, there are several other shady members of the mermaid court and the pirates that have motive whereas Maple and Imogen do not. Putting herself in danger, again, Imogen is determined to figure out who wanted a member of the royal court dead and why. As outsiders to the mermaid and pirate kingdoms, however, Imogen realizes that sleuthing isn't going to be easy.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins has really interesting plot points that kept me engaged in the story - from the talk Imogen has with Princess Shaday before leaving for the Mermaid Kingdom, to the method of sending humans and other 2 legged air breathing creatures to the depths of the sea to hobnob with merfolk. The development of the mystery was steady and unfolded smoothly. The true culprit was masked well and hidden among all of the suspects without providing any clues to heighten the reader's awareness of who was actually to blame.
Imogen is a fun, caring, and interesting character. She has embraced the magic she was born into and she's continually trying to harness and use the magic. Her skills are much better in Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins. I'm intrigued by her past, which we do learn more about in this installment of the series. Maple is acclimating to the role of head baker much better and is working out ways to straighten up the problem assistants. Imogene and Maple are wonderful and I love their friendship. I love the dynamics between Imogene and Prince Harry. They are cute together and things really heat up in this installment. Iggy the flame is the best! He's mouthy but Iggy and Imogen have a great relationship. He is able to travel to the underwater kingdom, as well, and provides some of the best comic relief, even if he doesn't necessarily mean to.
I enjoyed the third book in this cozy mystery series and found the setting and characters to be interesting, and at times, exciting. The character development continues in this book and I enjoyed getting to know everyone better. The world building gets a bit more interesting with the underwater aspect and I found myself completely engaged in the story. There were some twists and turns in the quest to catch the killer. There are multiple threads woven through Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins and I was surprised by a couple of them. The book was fast paced and easy to follow. I'm really rooting for Imogen and Hank and hope that the author finds a way they can be together that isn't quite like what Princess Shaday has in mind. Can't wait for book 4!!!
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
November 18, 2017
Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson is the third book in Caramels and Spells series. Imogen Banks has been practicing her magic work with Prince Harry (Hank) since Horace escaped while trying to kidnap her from Bijou Mer. Extra precautions have been put in place to ensure that Horace, leader of the Badlands Army, cannot get onto the grounds of castle. Now, though, the staff of the Royal Bakery are off to the Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the engagement party of Queen Aerwyna (known as Winnie the Finnie) and her fiancé, Captain Charles Walker, the pirate king (known as Good Time Chuck). The first evening the bakers are invited to the Club (a pirate nightclub) and instructed by Bubbles, a close friend of Queen Aerwyna’s, to make brandy balls with a very special pirate brandy. After a long night of drinking and dancing, all Imogen wants to do is sleep the next day. Unfortunately, Queen Aerwyna wants to find out more about humans and summons Imogen. Imogen ends up witnessing the discovery of Bubbles in a ship’s fishing net and becomes embroiled in another murder investigation. Imogen, Prince Harry, Maple, Iggy and their fellow bakers dive into the case and cast their nets to capture a killer.
Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins (that’s a mouthful) is a delightful and entertaining cozy mystery. I do recommend reading the prior two books in the series before embarking on Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins. The series has great characters that develop and improve with each installment in the series. I am a fan of Iggy, the magical flame, and his witty dialogue. I am especially glad that we are finally getting more details on Imogen’s biological family. The mystery had several elements to it and it was creative (the brandy sounded disgusting). I did identify the killer (and victim) before the crime, but I still wanted to continue reading the story to see how it would unfold. I found the magical elements refreshing and intriguing. The story is nicely written and has a good pace which makes it easy to read and delight in. There are wonderful descriptions of the Mermaid Kingdom, mermaids, pirate ships, unique contraband, sea creatures, the Water Kingdom library and so much more. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story with unique analogies (and innuendo). I did find the romance a little too prominent for my taste. I am happy to see Prince Harry and Imogen’s relationship progress. I am eager to read the next installment in the Spells and Caramels series which will be Cookie Dough, Snow and Wands Aglow.
Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins (that’s a mouthful) is a delightful and entertaining cozy mystery. I do recommend reading the prior two books in the series before embarking on Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins. The series has great characters that develop and improve with each installment in the series. I am a fan of Iggy, the magical flame, and his witty dialogue. I am especially glad that we are finally getting more details on Imogen’s biological family. The mystery had several elements to it and it was creative (the brandy sounded disgusting). I did identify the killer (and victim) before the crime, but I still wanted to continue reading the story to see how it would unfold. I found the magical elements refreshing and intriguing. The story is nicely written and has a good pace which makes it easy to read and delight in. There are wonderful descriptions of the Mermaid Kingdom, mermaids, pirate ships, unique contraband, sea creatures, the Water Kingdom library and so much more. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story with unique analogies (and innuendo). I did find the romance a little too prominent for my taste. I am happy to see Prince Harry and Imogen’s relationship progress. I am eager to read the next installment in the Spells and Caramels series which will be Cookie Dough, Snow and Wands Aglow.
December 5, 2017
This is my favorite in the series so far. The story was so intriguing. It just drew me in and I couldn't put it down until I had read every last word. I am pleased with where things are headed in the storyline. I look forward to book 4 very much.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
November 21, 2017
Murder and mayhem follow Imogen Banks everywhere she goes. Still trying to learn to control her witch powers, under the tutelage of Prince Hank, and worrying about Horace and his minions of the Badlands Army, she sees a trip to the Mermaid Kingdom to cater the wedding party of the Mermaid queen and the Pirate king as a welcome diversion. But, when a member of the mermaid court is found murdered and entangled in a pirate’s net, and a confection from their kitchen is thought to be the murder weapon, Imogen must find the real murderer before she and her friends become fish food.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson is book three in the Spells and Caramels series, and it builds on the previous two books, but with a refreshing difference. As Imogen and her cohort has to deal with the licentious behavior and secret scandals of the mermaid court, smuggling of illicit substances, and a deadly octopus; while Imogen struggles with her romantic feelings for Hank, who is betrothed to another, and their susceptibility to an intoxicating monster’s brew, this story will hook you from the opening pages until you get to the startling conclusion, when Imogen discovers more secrets from her own past.
This story makes a shift from the relative innocence of the first two volumes, as intimate relationships are explored in a more explicit manner, raising the series from one that appeals to fantasy lovers of all ages to one that is aimed at a more mature audience.
I was attracted to this series from the beginning, but am now irrevocably hooked. I received a free copy of this book.
It promises a lot from the opening, and delivers on every page.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson is book three in the Spells and Caramels series, and it builds on the previous two books, but with a refreshing difference. As Imogen and her cohort has to deal with the licentious behavior and secret scandals of the mermaid court, smuggling of illicit substances, and a deadly octopus; while Imogen struggles with her romantic feelings for Hank, who is betrothed to another, and their susceptibility to an intoxicating monster’s brew, this story will hook you from the opening pages until you get to the startling conclusion, when Imogen discovers more secrets from her own past.
This story makes a shift from the relative innocence of the first two volumes, as intimate relationships are explored in a more explicit manner, raising the series from one that appeals to fantasy lovers of all ages to one that is aimed at a more mature audience.
I was attracted to this series from the beginning, but am now irrevocably hooked. I received a free copy of this book.
It promises a lot from the opening, and delivers on every page.
June 10, 2018
kindle unlimited, was giving out 5's but after seeing the same problems and not getting better only worse, dropped the 5's to 4 because sorta unusual but it's dragging out with all sorts of side trips, just a hint, barely, here and there of what things keep getting bought in but just for second, and not that I expected things to be resolved in one or even 2 books but jeezus give the will she/he won't he/she etc etc blah blah yuck a break and get on with the real parts of a story, didn't ask for a 'magical' version of 90210. Since those were already 4's makes this one a 3.
Murder at a Mermaid Nightclub. The enchanted village of Bijou Mer’s on high alert, with the villainous Horace on the loose. Imogen’s excited to escape the tension with a trip to the underwater Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the young mermaid queen’s engagement to the pirate king. But when the mermaids turn out to be less French Riviera and more Jersey shore, the bakers are wrapped up in their world of clubbing in sea caves and fighting off seals for the best tanning spots, and are embroiled in a pirate smuggling scandal. It gets worse when a member of the mermaid court is found dead in a fishing net, and one of Imogen and Maple’s baked goods seems to be the murder weapon.
Imogen tries to fish out the real murderer to clear their names, while struggling with her romantic feelings for Hank. At the same time, she’s working with him to learn to control her magic and investigate Horace’s riddle and her own mysterious past. As the mermaid court’s freewheeling lifestyle rubs off on the bakers, the gang lets loose and passions rise to the surface. But with a giant octopus crawling the ocean floor, the mermaid court filled with simmering secrets and scandals, and the ever present threat of the Badlands Army, Imogen must solve the murder before she ends up fish food herself. (less)
Seashells, Spells & Caramels: A Cozy Witch Mystery
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts
Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins
Book 4 {Dec}
Murder at a Mermaid Nightclub. The enchanted village of Bijou Mer’s on high alert, with the villainous Horace on the loose. Imogen’s excited to escape the tension with a trip to the underwater Mermaid Kingdom to bake for the young mermaid queen’s engagement to the pirate king. But when the mermaids turn out to be less French Riviera and more Jersey shore, the bakers are wrapped up in their world of clubbing in sea caves and fighting off seals for the best tanning spots, and are embroiled in a pirate smuggling scandal. It gets worse when a member of the mermaid court is found dead in a fishing net, and one of Imogen and Maple’s baked goods seems to be the murder weapon.
Imogen tries to fish out the real murderer to clear their names, while struggling with her romantic feelings for Hank. At the same time, she’s working with him to learn to control her magic and investigate Horace’s riddle and her own mysterious past. As the mermaid court’s freewheeling lifestyle rubs off on the bakers, the gang lets loose and passions rise to the surface. But with a giant octopus crawling the ocean floor, the mermaid court filled with simmering secrets and scandals, and the ever present threat of the Badlands Army, Imogen must solve the murder before she ends up fish food herself. (less)
Seashells, Spells & Caramels: A Cozy Witch Mystery
Black Arts, Tarts & Gypsy Carts
Mermaid Fins, Winds and Rolling Pins
Book 4 {Dec}
December 20, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...
April 7, 2019
I would like to thank the author Erin Johnson for gifting me with a free electronic copy of this book. She has done after hearing that I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I can assure you this is still my own open and honest opinion and not something I’ve been paid (or bartered a book) to say.
Okay, ‘Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins’ is the third book in Ms Johnson’s ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. And, although still enjoyable, it wasn’t my favourite in the series (and I’m now up to book 8!)
Don’t get me wrong, I still found it an enjoyable book and definitely an important part of the series (as we learn more about Imogen, what she can do and what she and Hank can do together *insert leery wink here*) ;-)
But I just don’t think I enjoyed the setting that much. Quite frankly the mermaids annoyed the heck out of me and I found a lot of the “underwater magic” implausible, even for magic. Weird I KNOW!
Yup, it got too close to my dislike to the “we can do anything with magic” that irritates me in Harry Potter. And I really am NOT a fan of “we can do anything” style of magic. I much prefer the weights and balances, cause and effect type that is usually used in the ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. This book pushed the boundaries of my enjoyment when it comes to magic… made it a little too Disney, too childish. Practical magic is more believable to me.
Oh and I GET why the mermaids were such uneducated airheads… it was to help dispel the myth over them being these wonderful, beautiful, flawless, mythical creatures. It reminded me of the saying attributed to Lincoln about it being better to remain silent and thought a fool, rather than open ones mouth and remove all doubt. THAT is what I thought of with the mermaids… and that part of it was well done. Nothing like adding some grating realism to prove they’re not all that flawless after all. It was just…. They WERE grating and got annoying. Oh, how picky am I? :-D
Other than these minor issues (which is more my fault than Ms Johnson’s) I felt it an okay read. The same regular cast of characters were present, we got to know them all a little more and the series progressed well, including an amazing show of friendship and love along the way.
So what if it wasn’t my favourite… it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book OR the series. It… was just not my favourite. These things happen, it’s not the end of the world and I will say this book had me wonder if there should be some type of AA meeting just for pirates, mermaids and those who hang out with them a lot. ;-)
Book nerd side of things – ‘Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins’ was perfectly formatted for Kindle, no major copy editing flaws and all in all well done.
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes I would, but only really to those who have read the first two books in the ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. As, if you just jump in and read this one on its own you’re doing yourself a serious disservice. And you are insulting Ms Johnson. Read the first two books first – they are reasonably priced, well worth it and you can just thank me later.
Would I buy this book for myself?
If it hadn’t been sent to me as a gift, I think I would have. I mean, I was sent the first five books in this series by Ms Johnson and I’ve been buying the rest of them myself ever since… So I feel I can honestly say that yes I would have bought it if needed. This is me – putting my money where my mouth is!
In summary: Not my favourite in this series, but still a good read and fabulous series.
Okay, ‘Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins’ is the third book in Ms Johnson’s ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. And, although still enjoyable, it wasn’t my favourite in the series (and I’m now up to book 8!)
Don’t get me wrong, I still found it an enjoyable book and definitely an important part of the series (as we learn more about Imogen, what she can do and what she and Hank can do together *insert leery wink here*) ;-)
But I just don’t think I enjoyed the setting that much. Quite frankly the mermaids annoyed the heck out of me and I found a lot of the “underwater magic” implausible, even for magic. Weird I KNOW!
Yup, it got too close to my dislike to the “we can do anything with magic” that irritates me in Harry Potter. And I really am NOT a fan of “we can do anything” style of magic. I much prefer the weights and balances, cause and effect type that is usually used in the ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. This book pushed the boundaries of my enjoyment when it comes to magic… made it a little too Disney, too childish. Practical magic is more believable to me.
Oh and I GET why the mermaids were such uneducated airheads… it was to help dispel the myth over them being these wonderful, beautiful, flawless, mythical creatures. It reminded me of the saying attributed to Lincoln about it being better to remain silent and thought a fool, rather than open ones mouth and remove all doubt. THAT is what I thought of with the mermaids… and that part of it was well done. Nothing like adding some grating realism to prove they’re not all that flawless after all. It was just…. They WERE grating and got annoying. Oh, how picky am I? :-D
Other than these minor issues (which is more my fault than Ms Johnson’s) I felt it an okay read. The same regular cast of characters were present, we got to know them all a little more and the series progressed well, including an amazing show of friendship and love along the way.
So what if it wasn’t my favourite… it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book OR the series. It… was just not my favourite. These things happen, it’s not the end of the world and I will say this book had me wonder if there should be some type of AA meeting just for pirates, mermaids and those who hang out with them a lot. ;-)
Book nerd side of things – ‘Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins’ was perfectly formatted for Kindle, no major copy editing flaws and all in all well done.
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes I would, but only really to those who have read the first two books in the ‘Spells & Caramels’ series. As, if you just jump in and read this one on its own you’re doing yourself a serious disservice. And you are insulting Ms Johnson. Read the first two books first – they are reasonably priced, well worth it and you can just thank me later.
Would I buy this book for myself?
If it hadn’t been sent to me as a gift, I think I would have. I mean, I was sent the first five books in this series by Ms Johnson and I’ve been buying the rest of them myself ever since… So I feel I can honestly say that yes I would have bought it if needed. This is me – putting my money where my mouth is!
In summary: Not my favourite in this series, but still a good read and fabulous series.
December 31, 2022
The third book in the witchy baker murder mystery series was a fun ride, but it has been my least favorite of the series thus far. We see Imogen developing her magical powers more and finally allowing Prince Harry to teach her. And we also see a lot of potential relationships progress, friendly and romantic. But, the main plot and murder are set in the mermaid kingdom where the Mermaid Queen is marrying the Pirate King, and the mermaids are some of the most annoying characters I've read about in this world. They're essentially the Valley Girls of the magic world.
Imogen and the other bakers are sent to the underwater mermaid kingdom to bake for the Mermaid Queen and Pirate King's engagement party. These two are royal partiers, and on the first night underwater, the entire baking crew is invited to the exclusive pirate club called The Cove. Everyone has a wild time, and Imogen makes quick friends with the Mermaid Queen by mentioning she grew up in the human lands. Unfortunately, the next morning, the Mermaid Queen's best friend is discovered dead on the Pirate King's ship. She just so happened to have choked on a brandy ball that Imogen and the Royal Baker in charge, Maple, baked for her the night before. Imogen is once again involved in uncovering a murder to prove her innocence.
In the last book, there was a lot of avoidance that continues a little bit in this book. But, as the story unfolds, Imogen and Maple become more open with their feelings for the men they're interested in. The clubbing and alcohol help loosen them both up too. There were a lot of cute and romantic moments in this book that I really enjoyed. And a lot of baking crew bonding moments too. It was fun to read about the bakers outside of their working element and more in their leisure element. This freedom of the bakers happened mainly due to the wildness of the mermaids and pirates who were a bit more on the immature side.
While the mermaids and pirates brought the fun, they also brought the ridiculousness. I couldn't take any of those characters seriously, and I would choose to avoid them in real life. The mermaids weren't the magical and mysterious creatures of lore, they were more like the popular mean girls in school. The pirates were more true to form but still ridiculous by proxy. The romance between the Mermaid Queen and Pirate King was both toxic and sickening at times. The underwater world was cool, but I didn't enjoy the characters as much as in the previous two books.
Even though I rated this book less than the other two, I still really enjoyed it. There are quite a few pieces of Imogen's story that progress and we get to find out more about her past. I'm excited to read more of this series and learn more about where Imogen came from. This series has been so great to read and it's super easy to get through. I'm planning to jump straight into the next book right after this one.
Imogen and the other bakers are sent to the underwater mermaid kingdom to bake for the Mermaid Queen and Pirate King's engagement party. These two are royal partiers, and on the first night underwater, the entire baking crew is invited to the exclusive pirate club called The Cove. Everyone has a wild time, and Imogen makes quick friends with the Mermaid Queen by mentioning she grew up in the human lands. Unfortunately, the next morning, the Mermaid Queen's best friend is discovered dead on the Pirate King's ship. She just so happened to have choked on a brandy ball that Imogen and the Royal Baker in charge, Maple, baked for her the night before. Imogen is once again involved in uncovering a murder to prove her innocence.
In the last book, there was a lot of avoidance that continues a little bit in this book. But, as the story unfolds, Imogen and Maple become more open with their feelings for the men they're interested in. The clubbing and alcohol help loosen them both up too. There were a lot of cute and romantic moments in this book that I really enjoyed. And a lot of baking crew bonding moments too. It was fun to read about the bakers outside of their working element and more in their leisure element. This freedom of the bakers happened mainly due to the wildness of the mermaids and pirates who were a bit more on the immature side.
While the mermaids and pirates brought the fun, they also brought the ridiculousness. I couldn't take any of those characters seriously, and I would choose to avoid them in real life. The mermaids weren't the magical and mysterious creatures of lore, they were more like the popular mean girls in school. The pirates were more true to form but still ridiculous by proxy. The romance between the Mermaid Queen and Pirate King was both toxic and sickening at times. The underwater world was cool, but I didn't enjoy the characters as much as in the previous two books.
Even though I rated this book less than the other two, I still really enjoyed it. There are quite a few pieces of Imogen's story that progress and we get to find out more about her past. I'm excited to read more of this series and learn more about where Imogen came from. This series has been so great to read and it's super easy to get through. I'm planning to jump straight into the next book right after this one.
September 19, 2019
Imogen and some of the other Royal bakers go under the sea to the Mermaid World. They do this at the request of the royal family, to assist with the mermaid queen’s wedding to the pirate king. Imogen is excited to experience new magical experiences. She even figures out a way to bring Iggy, her flame, along. Imogen and the other bakers settle into their temporary kitchen in a shipwreck. Prince Harry is along on this adventure, so Imogen is going to meet temptation at every turn.
One of the queen’s handmaidens/friends comes to Imogen and gives her a bottle of brandy. She tells Imogen to use it to make brandy balls. Imogen and Maple get to work and do just that. Later, the handmaiden is found dead with one of those brandy balls stuck in her throat. A murder investigation follows. It’s up to Imogen to try to figure out what happened and who’s responsible, and she must do it before a rift forms between the Water and the Mermaid realms.
As Imogen does her sleuthing, she’s often joined by Hank, aka Prince Harry. Their closeness is making her life uncomfortable, but he’s determined to keep her safe. Imogen also spends a good amount of time with the mermaid queen. The queen sounds like she’s from the Jersey Shore; she’s funny and spoiled, and she and Imogen come to like each other. Imogene even talks to her adoptive mother and finds out some details about her origins. I won't spoil things, but will say that the ending was very satisfying.
I enjoyed this audio book. As with the first two books in this series, it’s entertaining, humorous, and interesting. The narration is well-performed and kept my attention. The narrator offers a wide range of distinct voices and imbues the words with the perfect intonation and emotion. I look forward to listing to the other books in this series.
A slight warning for those who might be sensitive to such things: this book includes more innuendo and crude language than the earlier books in the series. I don’t think it was over the top, and most of it fit the story and the characters, but it is there. It didn’t have a negative impact on my listening experience.
I was given a free copy of this audio book by the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on my review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to listening to this audio book.
One of the queen’s handmaidens/friends comes to Imogen and gives her a bottle of brandy. She tells Imogen to use it to make brandy balls. Imogen and Maple get to work and do just that. Later, the handmaiden is found dead with one of those brandy balls stuck in her throat. A murder investigation follows. It’s up to Imogen to try to figure out what happened and who’s responsible, and she must do it before a rift forms between the Water and the Mermaid realms.
As Imogen does her sleuthing, she’s often joined by Hank, aka Prince Harry. Their closeness is making her life uncomfortable, but he’s determined to keep her safe. Imogen also spends a good amount of time with the mermaid queen. The queen sounds like she’s from the Jersey Shore; she’s funny and spoiled, and she and Imogen come to like each other. Imogene even talks to her adoptive mother and finds out some details about her origins. I won't spoil things, but will say that the ending was very satisfying.
I enjoyed this audio book. As with the first two books in this series, it’s entertaining, humorous, and interesting. The narration is well-performed and kept my attention. The narrator offers a wide range of distinct voices and imbues the words with the perfect intonation and emotion. I look forward to listing to the other books in this series.
A slight warning for those who might be sensitive to such things: this book includes more innuendo and crude language than the earlier books in the series. I don’t think it was over the top, and most of it fit the story and the characters, but it is there. It didn’t have a negative impact on my listening experience.
I was given a free copy of this audio book by the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on my review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to listening to this audio book.
May 7, 2022
This third mystery finds that even under the water murders still happen and once again Imogene is a prime suspect!
The royal bakers are tasked with going to the mermaid kingdom to prepare for the wedding between the mermaid queen and the pirate king but
a mermaid dies and a dessert made by Imogene and Maple is found inside her. Now once again Imogene needs to find out who really did it to clear her name!
There are secrets that will be revealed in this book and one in particular that Imogene’s adoptive parents have kept from her since she was a baby. Hank is there with them and Imogene finally lets him know how she really feels towards him.
These stories are really so much fun to read! There is intrigue, humor, mystery and just a great time in store for the reader who is transported to a place where magic is all around and Imogene, who has always felt like she doesn’t belong anywhere, has finally found friends and a place she can call home!
I recommend you not only get this book but that you get the entire ten book set like I have so you’ll have all these books in one place to read them again and again and relive the fun and suspense that are contained therein! Erin weaves a magical spell over you as you’re reading her books and your problems seem to just be suspended while you bask in her creative imagination! These are people you’ll call friends and you will want to read about all their adventures! I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than reading about my friends and what happens to them as Imogene once again needs to call upon her untested powers within to save herself and Iggy this time and try to save her other friends as well!
You’ll be so glad you picked up this book and this series! It speaks to our hearts to keep on trying regardless of what circumstances we find ourselves in! How many books can you read that leave you with that feeling! You not only enjoy what you’ve read but you feel better for doing so!
I hope you’ll get the entire box set collection like I have so you’ll be able to enjoy these stories again and again as you’ll have found in Imogene a person you can really relate to!
The royal bakers are tasked with going to the mermaid kingdom to prepare for the wedding between the mermaid queen and the pirate king but
a mermaid dies and a dessert made by Imogene and Maple is found inside her. Now once again Imogene needs to find out who really did it to clear her name!
There are secrets that will be revealed in this book and one in particular that Imogene’s adoptive parents have kept from her since she was a baby. Hank is there with them and Imogene finally lets him know how she really feels towards him.
These stories are really so much fun to read! There is intrigue, humor, mystery and just a great time in store for the reader who is transported to a place where magic is all around and Imogene, who has always felt like she doesn’t belong anywhere, has finally found friends and a place she can call home!
I recommend you not only get this book but that you get the entire ten book set like I have so you’ll have all these books in one place to read them again and again and relive the fun and suspense that are contained therein! Erin weaves a magical spell over you as you’re reading her books and your problems seem to just be suspended while you bask in her creative imagination! These are people you’ll call friends and you will want to read about all their adventures! I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than reading about my friends and what happens to them as Imogene once again needs to call upon her untested powers within to save herself and Iggy this time and try to save her other friends as well!
You’ll be so glad you picked up this book and this series! It speaks to our hearts to keep on trying regardless of what circumstances we find ourselves in! How many books can you read that leave you with that feeling! You not only enjoy what you’ve read but you feel better for doing so!
I hope you’ll get the entire box set collection like I have so you’ll be able to enjoy these stories again and again as you’ll have found in Imogene a person you can really relate to!
April 2, 2018
A mermaid queen is marrying a pirate king?
Imogen and her friends are back again in Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson. In this book, it has been about a week since the carnival left and things are going well for everyone. Or at least as well as anyone can expect with the murders happening around them.
What I like about this book:
• We finally get to see another kingdom. Or well kingdoms. Along with MERPEOPLE! It’s very exciting and they are different.
• We learn that Shaday is actually a nice person. Especially to Imogen.
• Imogen is learning more about her magic and it’s refreshing to see that she doesn’t have full control over it.
• We see Hank and Imogen together more in this book which is nice.
• We also learn a bit about Imogen’s history and I can’t wait for more on that.
What I didn’t like about this book:
What I didn’t like was that the young queen mermaid was very flip-floppy with her emotions. I also didn’t like how the gates were used against Imogen. The last thing I didn’t like was how Imogen’s adopted parents handled her situation with her powers. All of these things I don’t like since it’s obvious how bad that hurt is when you read the book.
What I am curious about:
• Is Imogen’s family apart of the Badlands Army?
• Is Horace just using Imogen?
• What actually happened at Monsters Rise?
Five Stars
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson is another great book despite taking me a bit longer than I did last time. The author did a different take on the mermaids which is fun to read about. This book was a bit saucy and different from the others which are good. I think everything about this book is great and leaves me wanting more. Especially about Imogen and her past. This book is five stars and I hope Erin Johnson continues on writing more wonderful books. I so didn’t want to put it down for any reason but I had to so that I could take the dog for a walk.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one please go to baronessbooktrove.com
Imogen and her friends are back again in Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson. In this book, it has been about a week since the carnival left and things are going well for everyone. Or at least as well as anyone can expect with the murders happening around them.
What I like about this book:
• We finally get to see another kingdom. Or well kingdoms. Along with MERPEOPLE! It’s very exciting and they are different.
• We learn that Shaday is actually a nice person. Especially to Imogen.
• Imogen is learning more about her magic and it’s refreshing to see that she doesn’t have full control over it.
• We see Hank and Imogen together more in this book which is nice.
• We also learn a bit about Imogen’s history and I can’t wait for more on that.
What I didn’t like about this book:
What I didn’t like was that the young queen mermaid was very flip-floppy with her emotions. I also didn’t like how the gates were used against Imogen. The last thing I didn’t like was how Imogen’s adopted parents handled her situation with her powers. All of these things I don’t like since it’s obvious how bad that hurt is when you read the book.
What I am curious about:
• Is Imogen’s family apart of the Badlands Army?
• Is Horace just using Imogen?
• What actually happened at Monsters Rise?
Five Stars
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins by Erin Johnson is another great book despite taking me a bit longer than I did last time. The author did a different take on the mermaids which is fun to read about. This book was a bit saucy and different from the others which are good. I think everything about this book is great and leaves me wanting more. Especially about Imogen and her past. This book is five stars and I hope Erin Johnson continues on writing more wonderful books. I so didn’t want to put it down for any reason but I had to so that I could take the dog for a walk.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
Baroness’ Book Trove.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one please go to baronessbooktrove.com
July 30, 2019
How do I love this series? Let me count the ways! On par with book 1 & 2, book 3 (Mermaid Fins, Winds, & Rolling Pins) is witty, imaginative, magical and fun. I recommend reading the books in order.
When the Queen of Mermaids announces her engagement to the Pirate King, Prince Hank’s baking team is requested as the wedding bakers. Since the carnival murder disaster, Imogen has been working with Hank in their shared magic powers, and boy have things been progressing - magically and emotionally. When Queen Shaday’s best friend is hauled up dead in a pirate fishing net, accusations start flying. Of course, detectives are summoned, cake is destroyed and grandmothers are implicated...along with Imogen. When a loose-lipped pirate that’s befriended Imogen & company reveals the pirates’ illicit business practices, it’s only a matter of time before Imogen is dragged takes it upon herself to help save the day. I mean, who else is going to do it?!?
One thing I really like about this series is all of Imogen’s faults. She’s NOT amazing at magic, and we get to see her struggle with it. She is NOT infallible - she is constantly finding herself in problems that she either caused or couldn’t avoided. Hank is NOT entitled, he’s a humble prince that wants the beat for his people. Hank wants to protect Imogen but in the end trusts her to do the right thing. There are a lot of characters who have depth to them - even with these being shorter, quick reads/listens.
These books just keep staying funny and sweet. I love light-hearted mysteries that make me laugh. The narrator, Hannah Somerville, does an amazingly consistent job just like she did in books 1 & 2.
This book was given to me by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
When the Queen of Mermaids announces her engagement to the Pirate King, Prince Hank’s baking team is requested as the wedding bakers. Since the carnival murder disaster, Imogen has been working with Hank in their shared magic powers, and boy have things been progressing - magically and emotionally. When Queen Shaday’s best friend is hauled up dead in a pirate fishing net, accusations start flying. Of course, detectives are summoned, cake is destroyed and grandmothers are implicated...along with Imogen. When a loose-lipped pirate that’s befriended Imogen & company reveals the pirates’ illicit business practices, it’s only a matter of time before Imogen is dragged takes it upon herself to help save the day. I mean, who else is going to do it?!?
One thing I really like about this series is all of Imogen’s faults. She’s NOT amazing at magic, and we get to see her struggle with it. She is NOT infallible - she is constantly finding herself in problems that she either caused or couldn’t avoided. Hank is NOT entitled, he’s a humble prince that wants the beat for his people. Hank wants to protect Imogen but in the end trusts her to do the right thing. There are a lot of characters who have depth to them - even with these being shorter, quick reads/listens.
These books just keep staying funny and sweet. I love light-hearted mysteries that make me laugh. The narrator, Hannah Somerville, does an amazingly consistent job just like she did in books 1 & 2.
This book was given to me by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
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