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Tropical Witch #1

Mojitos & Murder

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Was that a shark?
Clownfish Cay is Starla Shadowend's worst nightmare. She'll have to deal with sun, surf, and tourists. (gross) Oh, and a dead body turns up right as she's getting acquainted with the island.

Starla will have to clear her name and steer clear of a grumpy Clownfish Cay Police officer who has already decided that she's as guilty as sin.
This is book 1 in the Wicked Witches of Clownfish Cay series.

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2017

157 people are currently reading
189 people want to read

About the author

Sara Bourgeois

233 books342 followers
Sara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)

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5 stars
141 (47%)
4 stars
89 (29%)
3 stars
49 (16%)
2 stars
13 (4%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,917 reviews9 followers
January 1, 2018
This was such a fun quirky read! I really enjoyed both the plot and the way the story line unfolded. Since this is the first book in a newseries by a writer whose work I already love, I knew I would probably like this new series but was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Can a witch set up a colony on an island populated by normals? Well mostly populated by normals with the occasional alien and mermaid thrown in for good measure. Grab a book, get comfy, and find out for yourself.

I received an arc of this book and have voluntarily provided a review.
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,106 reviews33 followers
February 24, 2018
Welcome to Clownfish Cray! When Starla learns that her coven is "transferring" her to Clownfish Cray let's just say that she's far from happy about it. She's having to leave behind her beautiful home, that suits her just fine, but the decision has been made. Starla is heading to sandy beaches, surf beaches and lots of sunny days. Seeing as she's used to wearing all black, all the time with just a splash of red lipstick things are going to take a bit of adjusting. Good news is that she's already set up thanks to the Coven with a new house, job and she can take her familiar Presto. What Starla doesn't expect is that she's there for a week and then someone ends up dead. Things aren't looking too good because since she had an "altercation" with the victim, the Sheriff is eyeing her pretty hard. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be the new resident on the island.
Mojitos & Murder by Sara Bourgeois is the first book in her Tropical Witch Mystery series. In this book, we are introduced to Starla Shadowend. Starla is moving from the Midwest to a small tourist centered island. She's told that this move will be good for her and the Coven but quickly learns this particular move was orchestrated...by her cat. Turns out Presto isn't just any ordinary cat. He's a powerful wizard who has been cursed into the body of a cat and is several hundred years old. He believes he has found an artifact that will help him become a human once more, but of course, he needs Starla's help.
Starla is a fun character, who despite the fact that she hates leaving her home, seems to begin adjusting pretty well to her new home. I like that this story is written in the first person. I feel that it engages me more into the story and makes it more enjoyable. There is some light humor sprinkled throughout that I absolutely love. It keeps the story light without crossing over into being overly silly. Of course, there are quite a few questions that arise, and some get answered by the end of the story, while others remain. I honestly couldn't help but feel bad and giggle that trouble seems to follow Starla around. We all know it's not her fault, but what can you do really?
There honestly isn't much that I don't like about this book. I wish that more of the unanswered questions had been answered, but I'm hoping they get answered in the next book to come. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries then I definitely recommend this book. I believe that you'll enjoy it and look forward to the next book as well.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Fun, some unexpected twists and surprises that will keep you engaged throughout.
3,062 reviews13 followers
July 8, 2023
"My entire lifestyle revolved around being dark and brooding. It was in my name. Starla Shadowend does not live on a tropical island."
So, when she's tasked with re-establishing a magical community on Clownfish Cay, she's not happy.
On arrival she finds that she is mostly cut off from her magic and, just as worrying, very susceptible to sunburn.
She starts work in a dive bar, The Blue Saloon, and on her first shift cuts off local drunk Becky - who promptly get murdered just outside. It won't be the last killing.
There's also aliens, a talking cat, Presto, who is actually a powerful wizard trapped in a feline body, and several attractive men who spark Starla's interest.
"Mojitas & Murder" is the sort of book that would pass the time nicely while taking in the sunshine. It's nicely done and, while not doing anything particularly memorable, ticks most of the cosy boxes.
It doesn't end so much as just stop ... to be continued!
3 Stars.
Profile Image for Rick Bylina.
Author 10 books17 followers
May 8, 2018
Tried a witch cozy, “Mojitos & Murder,” just for the heck of it. That won’t happen again soon. While the writing is fine, the depth of the story and the characters just isn’t there. I suppose that is okay if you have an hour to waste, but I like my cozies, with a bit more heft than what was presented here. Okay, she’s an out-of-place witch, a suspect in a murder, and assisted by an alien (really?). The story just pops along so much so that it is hard to deal with the jumps. And why is it up to her to solve the mystery? What was the sheriff doing all this time? And did they or did they not help the cat out? He seemed to get lost in the plot line along the way. And in the end…no, I won’t give that a way. It’s silly fluff, and sometimes that’s all someone needs or wants, but it had a lot of room for improvement even as silly fluff. An average read, a three.
1,187 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2020
Starla has been given the assignment to go to a small tropical island to assess its suitability for a witch community. She resists going but does not have a choice. She has a lot to content with, the heat, loss of her magic and a murder. What a way to start a new life.

This is the first book in the paranormal cozy mystery series, A Tropical Witch Mystery Series. It is filled with creative, interesting and engaging characters with some quirky qualities. The story is told from Starla’s point of view allowing access to her feelings, thoughts, motivations and actions. The scenery is well described allowing for visualization of the scenery. The storyline runs smoothly and at a good pace. The mystery is filled with interesting suspects, subtle clues, misdirection, surprises, danger and suspense. If you like witchy cozy mysteries, you will enjoy this one.
Profile Image for Susan Foulkes.
995 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2017
3.5* posted as 4*

This is an easy read with a slight but entertaining story.

The setting is tropical, Starla is a convincing character, there are plenty of suspects when a woman is murdered, and there are two men vying for Starla's attention.

What more could you ask for?
A talking cat for starters!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. It was a good way to spend a couple of hours in the lull between Christmas and New Year.
1,024 reviews19 followers
January 1, 2018
This story was a quick read. Really enjoyed the characters in the book. But left with some questions about background and why Starla was the way she was. Hopefully, there will be a future book that will explain all the questions that were left when the story ended. The setting and plot were fun. You will enjoy the story. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see how thing progress.
Profile Image for Rissa.
2,251 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2025
New author to me, new backlist! :)

3.5 really because it was interesting until the end which was a cliffhanger, boo, and I felt was rushed a bit.

I like Starla and this book left so many things unanswered and I was actually, IS SHE FOR REAL, when Blossom was all, I'm an . I was all, ok, it's a paranormal book, right?

LOL

But I did enjoy it so I hope to continue on!
609 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2017
I loved how Presto was right in saying Starla is a pill. Starla can't seem to catch a break in her new town until she stumbles across Blossom and her zaniness. The indecision regarding Kane and Holden is sure to inspire hilarity in the coming books.

'I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.'
102 reviews
July 14, 2019
Full of surprises

This is an interesting plus enjoyable story. Has a great plot with the twists and who done it. The characters are fresh and live like that they could live next door to you. This is a great read they you can get caught up into and not stop until you reach the end!!
Profile Image for nancy elsesser.
31 reviews
January 24, 2018
Love it

Finally a witch book that doesn't involve the witch solving the murder. This book is nice an clean if that makes sense. I enjoyed this book an hopefully starlet doesn't hook up with any guy for a while.
Profile Image for Shannon.
503 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2018
Cute and Quick

Delightfully easy read with a nice mix of characters. Not too many to start out with, but enough to build on. Taking off a star for repetitive use of the wrong your/you're and some typos.
3 reviews
July 26, 2018
Good Read

This is a good read. I’m looking forward to the next book. This one was over before I realized it. It definitely kept me enthralled throughout the whole book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal mysteries.
62 reviews
November 20, 2021
Very cute

This is a very cute story and a great start to the series, I can't wait to read more. It did seem like the end was a little rush but then again there's another book by so it's not really an end.
Profile Image for Christine.
10.7k reviews33 followers
December 29, 2017
Arc review For honest review. Starla is a witch that has a cat and is transferred to a new island that has no magic. a murder she wants to solve. awesome story
Profile Image for Nickie.
94 reviews
January 10, 2018
Omg,luv it

This story was great. Starla is my new bff. The story has suspense, comedy, and romance. Dosnt get much better than that lol. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Christina Hrvatin.
20 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2018
Very quick read

A lot of potential, but the story lacked depth and moved very quickly. There was no development within the characters or relationships.
836 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2018
Fun!

I picked this book up on a recommendation from a friend. It’s a quick, fun read. A little quirky, but I enjoyed it. This series has a lot of promise.
54 reviews
November 26, 2018
Tropical fun

Good cozy mystery. I enjoyed the different characters and the storyline. A few minor errors. I would definitely read the next book.
Profile Image for Melanie Sherfey.
12 reviews
February 1, 2021
Can't wait to find out what happens next will she choose Holden or Kane? Will she solve the mystery of the clownfish cay?
482 reviews16 followers
April 23, 2023
cute story and delightful whacky characters

Typos really bug me, I am reading on a device that doesn’t support reporting them. The story is worth correcting!
1,504 reviews16 followers
January 4, 2024
Starla always thought of herself as a brooding, gloomy witch, lurking in the dark so when she was asked to leave her coven and relocate to sunny Clownfish Cay, it might as well be a death sentence, but the elders in her coven were adamant that she went there to re-establish the magic and start a new coven. However, when she did arrive there, it was not as bad as she thought, in fact in time, she actually grew to like it, make friends and even began to fit in, never mind the handsome hulk who manages the local hotel or the grumpy but totally hot police officer. That was until a dead body turns up on her watch....

A new series from an author that I already enjoy. Fun read but also quite unput-down-able. I received an ARC and have given my honest opinion. Looking forward to the next one, Sara!
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews54 followers
July 4, 2018
A Goth witch, a tropical island, aliens all add up to murder

A good read, not up to the author's norm but still relatively good. Having cultivated a dark, gloomy persona the last thing she expects is to be relocated on a sunny tropical island. Having a death occur just hours after her arrival puts her at logger heads with the local police force. Add in the dampener effects that the island has on all magic, the demands of her cat (a wizard trapped in a cat's body) and aliens from another dimension and you have a slightly zany plot that should have made for a terrific read. However it didn't quite live up to it. Possibly due to the main character. Nothing I can pin down but she was lacking real substance. Maybe as the series continues this will be addressed. Nevertheless a good read.
715 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2018
Full of surprises! Loved it!

Sweet and simple, this cute story was cleverly written. I hope that there is a sequel, as there are several unresolved issues. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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