Water witch Evian Brooks has plenty of problems — and a margarita-loving toad is the least of them. Her scooter is on the fritz, her radio show has three listeners per week (including her mother) and there’s a beauty pageant in town threatening to kill her with boredom. However, the promise of death becomes all too real when Evian finds herself accidentally off-roading into a crime scene where Marilyn Johnson — famed beauty queen — is dead in the water.
When Marilyn’s death is ruled a homicide, Evian starts asking questions. After all, if she can’t drive ratings for her show, she’ll be next on the chopping block. Meanwhile, the medical examiner is covering up evidence, the beauty contestants are brimming with secrets and a slew of wannabe karaoke stars are lying through their vocal cords.
Evian’s not sure who to trust, but with grudging help from her toad and annoying input from a coven of elders, she’s determined to unmask Eternal Springs’s murderer — before she’s next.
This book can be read as a standalone. It is book 4 in a 4 book series.
For more information on the author, please visit ginalamanna.com.
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Gina LaManna has also called Italy and Los Angeles home. After studying numbers and equations in college, she realized multiple choice tests were “just not for her” and began writing books instead. She loves cappuccino foam and whipped cream and would subsist solely on sprinkles if possible. She currently lives in St. Paul with her wonderful husband and family.
Although the setup is pretty good, I think there's something about the combination of witches and cozy mysteries that hasn't quite gotten to me the right way.
At least, not yet.
I don't know why, but I'll keep trying.
In this case, I think the story was just kind of boring, with too much focus on benign beauty pageant stuff, and there being no real reason for why Evian is a witch, until the very end when she confronts the murderer. Still though, the entire time she was "investigating" (and being a big buttinsky in the process), I kept trying to think about why she was getting involved in the first place, because she literally had no stakes in the murder that took place. Like...yeah, the police are lackadaisical and don't do much and no one seems too interested in doing much, but why does that designate her to do something? Because she wants more stuff for her radio show that no one listens to?
Also, what the heckity is calypso music?! <--believe it or not, that's the biggest question that I actually cared about for the answer, and I will now head off to YouTube to search it up and find out for myself.
There was no continuity across the books. Each of the 4 books was based on a specific character. Great. But the men each became involved w disappeared There was this big secret about the school burning down when they were students. Intriguing plot line, but there was no detail, no info on what happened, no detail about this catastrophic event that shaped their entire lives The books end w no hea for anyone. What was the point? Wasted time spent reading this series. While I like the individual authors, this combined effort missed the mark.
The 4th book in the Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs series can be read as a stand alone, but the series is fun! This book centers on Evian Brooks a water witch who has a snarky toad familiar named Paul who is a hoot. Evian owns a radio station where she is a DJ, but she is bored and wants something to entice her. There is a huge beauty pageant in town and the favorite to win, Marilyn also know as Mary is looking for her 60th pageant win. Evian rides her run-down scooter to work and while riding to work in the rain, the scooter goes out of control and goes through a fence into a yard where the pageant girls are staying. Not only does she run through the fence, but she stops before the pool and in the pool is the body of Marilyn. So begins the mystery when she decides to look into the death herself, maybe she could even be an investigative reporter on the radio, now that would interest her. She is also in competition with Skye a newspaper reporter for the story and with the strange coverup of information by the medical examiner and with so many potential suspects including a love interest, can she solve this mystery before anything else happens? Will the murderer go after Evian? So many twists and turns and red-herring, just when you think you figured out the puzzle, you are given a surprise at the end! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Cute cozy mystery, the fourth in a combined series of 4 authors. I am a big fan of Gina LaManna so I had to read this one, even when cozies are not really my thing (anymore).
Evian Brooks is a water witch and lives in Eternal Springs. She is a radio DJ (even when she only has a couple of listeners) and her familiar is a toad named Paul (!). When she drives her scooter through a hedge she finds the body of a beauty pageant queen and decides to investigate.
The storyline is the same as lots of cozies, but Gina always adds something special.
The entire cozy witch mystery genre can be a bit silly and generally goes for light hearted. This was slower than some, but my more recent reads had been action oriented books and I may still be coming down from that.
This little cozy mystery is a two for one. There's the main focused on murder, but there is also a mystery in the magical part of this world. This series features 4 witches that had caused some issues many years ago, and were forced to remain on the island of Eternal Springs, to keep the 'portal' into the magic world protected. I admit, I haven't read the previous three books, (this is book four and I assume the final book in the series,) and I had no trouble following, although there was some stuff mentioned briefly in this book, that I have to assume was played out or at least given more detail about in the other books. For example, what exactly the 4 witches did to cause them this punishment. The setting for this book is in a 'real' place and not a magical world, but the humans do not know about the four girls being witches. And as far as I could tell from this book, there were no other supernatural beings there... with the exception of the Protagonist's familiar.. a toad named Paul. As far as the mystery itself goes, there are plenty of suspects. There isn't much of the police involvement, as you often see in cozies, when the amateur sleuth goes sticking their nose in the investigation. It wasn't a very complex crime, but finding motives and alibi's is primarily what the heroine was looking for. There is also a bit of romance, though it was really nothing much. (It is a totally clean and safe read.) The characters are interesting. Some a little more quirky than others. The book itself was well written, but I will admit, its not my favorite by this author. It wasn't bad or anything, but there was something missing, that I just can't pin point. Of course since I hadn't read the other books in the series first, I may be missing out on something.
Any book by Gina LaManna is worth picking up and reading, all of her books are fantastic! This is book#4 in the new Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs Series written by 4 different authors. Each author writes about one of the 4 witches that are bound to live on the island of Eternal Springs forever due to a magical accident that happened 13 years ago when they were still in school. This book is about water witch Evian Brooks. Evian Brooks owns/operates and is a DJ at the local radio station Hex 66.6. Unfortunately due to magical glitches, the radio station is stuck on calypso music when the talk shows aren't on and even when they are no one listens. Adding to her problems is her familiar Paul who is a Toad and her scooter that is on the fritz. On her way to work she gets into an accident and stumbles onto the cottage property where all the beauty pageant contestants are staying while they're in town. As she tries to gather herself after the crash, she notices that Paul is staring into the pool. Unfortunately one of the beauty contestants is face first in the pool. As much as she tries to stay put of it, she gets involved to get justice for the contestant and maybe she just might get a boost in her ratings. Oh, by the way something is eating her lawn & garden so she'll have to figure that out too before it spreads to the whole town. Pick up your copy today to see how it all plays out.
This is a great book; this is the fourth book in the Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs series written by Gina Lamanna. Water witch Evian Brooks has plenty of problems — and a margarita-loving toad is the least of them. Her scooter is on the fritz, her radio show has three listeners per week (including her mother) and there’s a beauty pageant in town threatening to kill her with boredom. However, the promise of death becomes all too real when Evian finds herself accidentally off-roading into a crime scene where Marilyn Johnson — famed beauty queen — is dead in the water. When Marilyn’s death is ruled a homicide, Evian starts asking questions. After all, if she can’t drive ratings for her show, she’ll be next on the chopping block. Meanwhile, the medical examiner is covering up evidence, the beauty contestants are brimming with secrets and a slew of wannabe karaoke stars are lying through their vocal cords. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book with humor and mystery, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author.
Evian is shocked when her adored Vespa goes on the fritz and crashes through private property - discovering a dead body in a pool. Even worse, the dead body belongs to the local pageant queen Mary, on the verge of her 60th pageant show win.
As the most popular of contestants and truly a beloved Miss Congeniality type of personality, Mary was adored by all. The town and all the contestants are shocked by this turn of events, while Evian is determined to discover the killer.
Simultaneously a supernatural threat is nature gone wild kingdom and on the verge of outing the four witches and magic to everyone! Even with the help of her sister witches Kenna, Zola and Skye - it will take them all and full moon magic to solve the murder AND put a supernatural threat back through the portal before it overtakes the town and destroys it!
A well written story, engaging characters, a promising love interest for Evian with Mason, and an absolutely worthwhile read
Another great read in the series. She is a water witch and works at the local radio station. Running late is nothing new but having an accident which leads to discovering a dead body is. Especially as the body turns up to be the favourite in the upcoming beauty pageant and had been murdered. Her boss wants her to look into the death and her own curiosity drives her to. Finding answers from people is harder than it looks and she's also got a gardening problem. One that has turned her whole garden into a mud bath. With her margarita swimming toad (love when he dresses up in a yellow slicker etc) they must find the answers or a killer will get off scot free and the island will turn into a place of desolation. Plus the hunk that she's aways had a soft spot for is actually asking her out. Can she take a chance on him? A great little plot with light relief from the toad.
Spell or High Water is Book 4 in the Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs Series. In this last book in the Series, we get to spend some time with water witch, Evian Brooks and boy does she have her hands full. Firstly, I absolutely love her familiar Paul, who happens to be a toad! There is a beauty pageant in town and the contender to win,her 60th win at that, winds up face down in a pool murdered, discovered by Evian who crashes her always broken down scooter into the body!
There are so many suspects, including a potential love interest. She doesn't know who to trust, including the Medical Examiner, who is also covering up evidence.
I was guessing who the murderer is until the very end. I definitely didn't see that one coming! I enjoyed this book so much, as much as the first 3 in the series. I am hoping there will be more stories coming out of Eternal Springs!
A fun, easy read. I love Gina LaManna's books and have read almost everything she has written. Spell or High Water can be read as a stand alone. Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs is a series written by 4 different authors. Each author writes a story about the witches bound to a magical island due to magical mishap that happened when they were still in school.
This book follows Evian Brooks as she sorts through the murder of a beauty pageant contestant on the brink of her 60th win. Evian is local radio owner/DJ. As all good witches, Evian has a familiar, but her familial is a high maintenance toad named Paul. Evian battles the weather, her scooter, and an unforeseen monster to try and catch a murderer. Along the way she might even find love interest.
This book was much better than the third book in the series. It was a fun read. My only real complaint is that the author doesn't seem to have communicated much with the other authors contributing to the series. For example, in the other books Kenna wasn't any better of a singer than the other witches and could only be convinced to sing karaoke if she was drunk or to get Skye to agree to do something. In this book, Kenna suddenly has a decent voice and forces the other witches to sing with her. Minor things, I know, but inconsistencies in continuity always detract from my enjoyment of a series
Solid fourth story to the elemental witches series.
Murder is a sucky way to end a sucky commute…and yet, there it is.
With a wrecked Vespa to add to the unhappiness
A sexy mechanic, angry technology, a dead beauty, suspicious people everywhere and stories that don’t quite make sense or provide clear alibis to the many people who could have killed Mary from New Jersey.
Evian and Paul the toad have a lot of work to do to find the killer and still defend against the dark things that come from the other side.
With luck and help from her friends, she endeavors onward and we join her quests
A water witch, her toad, a hot mechanic, an island of beauty queens, and a murderer
A water witch named Evian Brooks and her toad familiar Paul...solving mystical mysteries as well as human ones. A cozy little murder mystery. Friends, or are they enemies, who grudgingly help with the mystical side of things. A little love interest. Definitely worth the time to check it out. Now I need to read the 3 prior books set on Eternal Springs bookiverse. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Decent story and overall good read. Some annoying spots an editor should have caught. I like the Eternal Springs world and look forward to future books.
I always like to comment on the familiars and have to say Paul was my least favorite. Also no real mentions of the others familiars. No Tut which I also missed. I like that Paul likes Margaritas. Still think Zola's familiar Clover may be my favorite but I did like Kenna's Gerald also.
Evian's neighbour might be murdered if she were mine but....
A fun and entertaining story with a great cast of characters. Look for in a series of four separate books written by four separate author verse each writing about a separate which character on a small island off of New Jersey. Each book can be read individually but all are intertwined with their characters in location and timeline. Each author also writes many other which he cozy mystery series and has joined together on this one to create an outstanding group of stories. Check them all out
An enjoyable conclusion to this fun crossover series! I liked Evian and appreciated that Mason was up front about his interest. I do wish this series as a whole had a bit more romance or that the men from previous installments showed up later as well. As with the other books, the mystery was great. I will say that Paul was not my favorite familiar out of the group. I also found myself skimming a little towards the end with the Bob and Bertha thing. Overall though an enjoyable story and series!
Water witch Evian Brooks, is the owner of the radio station Hex 66.6. There is a beauty pageant on the island of Eternal Springs and Evian needs the beauty pageant girls to interview on the radio. Paul, her margarita loving familiar toad swears he saw a giant slug in the back yard. Her scooter is on the fritz, a dead beauty pageant girl in the pool. Evian needs help and fast. Read and enjoy!
Gina LaManna does a great job of rounding out the collaboration series with Evian the water wish of the group. Evian has her turn at the wheel at eliminating a monster and of course she finds a body and has to find who done it. Love her story and her familiar is to die for. Enjoy the reading! I do hope they will come back with story where the ladies work together and become friends.
This wasn’t my favorite in the series.. it seemed like the author didn’t even consult the other 3 during the process... or maybe this book was suppose to be sooner in the line up. Kenna acting crazy about her asking questions when she just did the same exact thing the book before.. those little details were annoying but all in all the series was pretty good..
Loved this book! Loved the idea of the 4-book series by 4 different authors. Ms. LaManna has such a great, wacky imagination, which makes her books intriguing and funny! I would recommend all 4 books in this series, but especially this one. If you like funny paranormal with surprise endings, then you’ll love Ms. LaManna’s books!
I read this book as the 4th one in this series but it can be read as a stand-alone. I just love Gina’s writing and this book kept me turning the pages. The mystery had me on edge and guessing the culprit all the way to the end. Would love to read more about these 4 girls and what really happened 13years ago.
If you have read the first 3 books in this series you will be familiar with Evian. If you haven't then do so, theyvvare just as cute as this one. Evian Brook is a water witch, yep! the authour actually went there. With her toad familiar Paul, Evian sets about finding who killed a beauty pagent contestant, while trying to put Bob back into thed portal.
Eternal Springs is a fun series about four witches left on an island to defend the town from beasts who cross through a portal they caused to open. Not a lot of crossover between books, so they are rather stand-alone stories.
I was hoping for a finale where the witches would learn to work together, but they stick to the Cozy Mystery formula and stay light-hearted.
This is by far the best of the series; however, there is something to note: Each writer takes on a POV of the Elemental witches -- and they seem to interpret them differently. For example -- the character Kenna seems to be very different in this book (as a side character) than she is in 'her' book. I'm not sure what to say other than this series does not mesh well.
Evian is a water witch on a mission to solve a murder, a tall order for the local deejay. But someone's gotta step up since the Eternal Springs PD wants to write off the death. A good story but I still don't know full details of the "event" that got the ladies left behind. Somebody dropped the ball but we still don't know who. Prequel story coming?
A frog, witch, mechanic and monster appear in the story. A bit slow to start, but had a wonderful ending.
Unfortunately this is currently the last book in the series. I was hoping for more explanation on the big event and an up date on the witches and the new relationships but neither were included.
Not a bad read but was my least favoured in the series.
Great series ,fun one water witch is main character in this one with her toad frog paul..beauty pageant dead plants monster and lots of storms . actually really fun good who don't it great mystery with so many who could have been the murder.
The story itself was good, very readable, but it seemed to be set in a completely different place to the other books in the short series. The personalities of the characters don't match at all.
Good as a standalone book but just doesn't fit with the previous three books.