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Magic Island #1
Beached & Bewitched
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Book your ticket to Magic Island, where the potions are brewed fresh daily, the beaches are perfect for creature-watching, and the fangs and fur are on full display.
Wren Winters is utterly, painfully ordinary. The most boring job on the planet? Check. A boyfriend of eight years who still hasn’t put a ring on it? Double check. A squirrel that can’t stop gorging itself on her tomato plants? Make that a triple. But on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Wren can’t shake the feeling that things are about to change.
And they are. Just not in the way she planned.
After a series of unexplainable events makes her question her sanity, a strange little man arrives to deliver an even stranger message: Wren isn’t so ordinary after all. She’s a witch, and in order to claim her powers, she must leave everything behind and journey to a place she never even knew existed.
Suddenly, Wren is thrust into a fantasy world come to life, where taxis sprout wings and take to the skies, merwomen teach sold-out water aerobics classes, and scent-challenged ogres panhandle on street corners for unusual delicacies. Add in a new job, a hunky coworker, and a full schedule of magical lessons, and Wren’s formerly boring life is nothing but a distant memory.
But before she’s able to even test out her training wand, Wren is confronted with a murder she feels compelled to solve, a list of suspects with plenty to hide, and a mysterious man in black who seems to be tracking her every move.
Turns out even fantasy worlds have their dark sides.
Book your ticket to Magic Island, where the potions are brewed fresh daily, the beaches are perfect for creature-watching, and the fangs and fur are on full display.
Wren Winters is utterly, painfully ordinary. The most boring job on the planet? Check. A boyfriend of eight years who still hasn’t put a ring on it? Double check. A squirrel that can’t stop gorging itself on her tomato plants? Make that a triple. But on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Wren can’t shake the feeling that things are about to change.
And they are. Just not in the way she planned.
After a series of unexplainable events makes her question her sanity, a strange little man arrives to deliver an even stranger message: Wren isn’t so ordinary after all. She’s a witch, and in order to claim her powers, she must leave everything behind and journey to a place she never even knew existed.
Suddenly, Wren is thrust into a fantasy world come to life, where taxis sprout wings and take to the skies, merwomen teach sold-out water aerobics classes, and scent-challenged ogres panhandle on street corners for unusual delicacies. Add in a new job, a hunky coworker, and a full schedule of magical lessons, and Wren’s formerly boring life is nothing but a distant memory.
But before she’s able to even test out her training wand, Wren is confronted with a murder she feels compelled to solve, a list of suspects with plenty to hide, and a mysterious man in black who seems to be tracking her every move.
Turns out even fantasy worlds have their dark sides.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2018
768 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
December 10, 2019
A paranormal cozy mystery that seemed a bit familiar. A woman discovers she is a witch and is sent to a place for supernaturals so that she can learn to be a witch. The mystery was much more interesting and I appreciated that the mystery was solved without magic. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
August 15, 2024
This was a reread for me. I am going to keep my rating the same.
It kept my attention, and I finished it in one sitting. Even though I already know who did it, 😉 it didn't keep me from enjoying the read.
I had a good laugh at the cast of characters, especially the shrunken head.
There were some fun little twists that I am looking forward to reading more about in the other books.
It kept my attention, and I finished it in one sitting. Even though I already know who did it, 😉 it didn't keep me from enjoying the read.
I had a good laugh at the cast of characters, especially the shrunken head.
There were some fun little twists that I am looking forward to reading more about in the other books.
August 23, 2021
Not too much investigation
If I set aside the disrurbing facts of leaving a life behind without any notice, and concentrate on the murder mystery, I can only say that there was no real investigation. No real character development either.
If I set aside the disrurbing facts of leaving a life behind without any notice, and concentrate on the murder mystery, I can only say that there was no real investigation. No real character development either.
September 12, 2020
Ok, it goes a bit into the silly rather than crime solving.
December 2, 2020
Meh
At first I was intrigued by the book being both about magic and mystery, but when I read it, I realized it failed at both.
At first I was intrigued by the book being both about magic and mystery, but when I read it, I realized it failed at both.
dnf-not-for-me
April 25, 20221/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.
September 16, 2018
A magic island, a newbie witch and a murder!
A good start to a new series that promises to be worth reading. She had been brought up in an orphanage and now just hours away from her 30th birthday expects her boyfriend to propose. Only to find that not only is he dumping her but she is a witch and has to be on the ferry t inept magic island tomorrow. She has no intention of doing so but somehow finds herself making the ferry. Now she is enrolled into the school and has a new job. Gossip reporter - that is until she finds the body of the missing previous reporter. Feeling that the woman needs justice, she begs to investigate. Lessons are an eye opener as are the inhabitants. But who is the man in black that only she seems to see? Can. She bumble her way to the killer with only minor fledgling powers? A good plot with humour mixed in. Whilst the characters come to life as you read about them.
A good start to a new series that promises to be worth reading. She had been brought up in an orphanage and now just hours away from her 30th birthday expects her boyfriend to propose. Only to find that not only is he dumping her but she is a witch and has to be on the ferry t inept magic island tomorrow. She has no intention of doing so but somehow finds herself making the ferry. Now she is enrolled into the school and has a new job. Gossip reporter - that is until she finds the body of the missing previous reporter. Feeling that the woman needs justice, she begs to investigate. Lessons are an eye opener as are the inhabitants. But who is the man in black that only she seems to see? Can. She bumble her way to the killer with only minor fledgling powers? A good plot with humour mixed in. Whilst the characters come to life as you read about them.
January 4, 2022
I have not read this author before and the title and front cover intrigued me.
At the start it makes it sound like this island is a paradise yet every single thing you do has consequences that either get you exiled or executed all to keep magic a secret, it's all very extreme. Then the fact they want to keep magic a secret but those born in the human world they leave on the off chance they don't develop magic, surely you would want to bring them to the island just incase because they could accidentally reveal magic when their powers come out?
I did find Wren likeable and fun, with great support characters like Glenn and Garnet. I am intrigued by Lord Macon, already making guesses about what his problem is, and the man in black.
A great adventure that did not take long to read, I would definitely recommend and I would happily continue the series.
At the start it makes it sound like this island is a paradise yet every single thing you do has consequences that either get you exiled or executed all to keep magic a secret, it's all very extreme. Then the fact they want to keep magic a secret but those born in the human world they leave on the off chance they don't develop magic, surely you would want to bring them to the island just incase because they could accidentally reveal magic when their powers come out?
I did find Wren likeable and fun, with great support characters like Glenn and Garnet. I am intrigued by Lord Macon, already making guesses about what his problem is, and the man in black.
A great adventure that did not take long to read, I would definitely recommend and I would happily continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 14, 2022About 4.3 stars. Great start to series and FREE on Kindle (not KU) and that stupid Apple iBooks app.
You will like this if:
You like Gina Lamanna or Cate Lawley or Kristen Painter [that cosy mystery plus paranormal but with the potential for romance style, you know (where it's considered clean by most people's standards but not advertised as clean because it's not religious, purposely prude or sanctimonious?)... It's of a similar vein].
This was a: oh is free so why not read it choice. I would not have seen it otherwise. It is not part of KU. I did buy the next one. Go figure. It's fun and light and a beach read. I didn't guess the murderer - and I liked the world building.
Not rating because imho it's not a 5 star book but since there are no half stars or quarter stars (shakes fist at goodreads) I don't want to bring the rating down. Give it a try!
You will like this if:
You like Gina Lamanna or Cate Lawley or Kristen Painter [that cosy mystery plus paranormal but with the potential for romance style, you know (where it's considered clean by most people's standards but not advertised as clean because it's not religious, purposely prude or sanctimonious?)... It's of a similar vein].
This was a: oh is free so why not read it choice. I would not have seen it otherwise. It is not part of KU. I did buy the next one. Go figure. It's fun and light and a beach read. I didn't guess the murderer - and I liked the world building.
Not rating because imho it's not a 5 star book but since there are no half stars or quarter stars (shakes fist at goodreads) I don't want to bring the rating down. Give it a try!
December 6, 2019
Needs work, but still enjoyable.
This has an interesting premise and some potentially fun characters, however it wasn’t fleshed out enough for me. The boyfriend scene at the beginning was wasted as it didn’t really add much to the plot (unless it’s addressed in future books) which was a shame because there was a lot of potential drama in an encounter like that.
The island itself seems fun, but once again, there was not a huge amount of world building, so it felt a little boring at times - which seems odd considering the diverse supernatural creatures encountered.
Still, I liked it enough and will pick up the next book in the hopes that my concerns were just first book hiccups.
3 stars ⭐️
This has an interesting premise and some potentially fun characters, however it wasn’t fleshed out enough for me. The boyfriend scene at the beginning was wasted as it didn’t really add much to the plot (unless it’s addressed in future books) which was a shame because there was a lot of potential drama in an encounter like that.
The island itself seems fun, but once again, there was not a huge amount of world building, so it felt a little boring at times - which seems odd considering the diverse supernatural creatures encountered.
Still, I liked it enough and will pick up the next book in the hopes that my concerns were just first book hiccups.
3 stars ⭐️
September 29, 2020
A promising start to the series
This is a fun premiere for the "Magic Island" series, full of paranormal creatures and mystery. A bizarre sequence of events may have led well-intentioned misfit Wren to her proper place— unless sinister Lord Macon has other ideas! The pacing is quick, the characters present a wide range of personalities, and there's a scattering of humor throughout. Although no clue to solving the murder is offered until the end, which I always consider a cheat, it is diverting to follow as Wren, Garnet, and Sebastian try (although Sebastian may be trying something more!). And I look forward to discovering more about the intriguing man in black...
This is a fun premiere for the "Magic Island" series, full of paranormal creatures and mystery. A bizarre sequence of events may have led well-intentioned misfit Wren to her proper place— unless sinister Lord Macon has other ideas! The pacing is quick, the characters present a wide range of personalities, and there's a scattering of humor throughout. Although no clue to solving the murder is offered until the end, which I always consider a cheat, it is diverting to follow as Wren, Garnet, and Sebastian try (although Sebastian may be trying something more!). And I look forward to discovering more about the intriguing man in black...
February 8, 2021
A lightweight intro into what could be an interesting world. There is lots of potential here, unfortunately the author glosses over most of it for an uninteresting murder mystery. The details of how magic works, why or even how it is accomplished is as much a mystery at the conclusion as at the beginning. Also, this is not really a whole novel. The story abruptly ends with lots more to tell. This is really just the first half (third?) of a novel. It's too bad, this could have been an interesting read had the author made the effort to flesh out the characters beyond the stereotypes presented and given us a more detailed picture of this world and now things work there.
March 9, 2023
When Wren makes a garden gnome do her bidding the day before she turns 30, she launches herself into the immersive world of magic. She is ferried to Magic Island by a Potioneer named Glenn and finds a dead body on her first day of work.
This was a cute cozy mystery filled with magic. We get introduced to the Magic Island society without there being a pages long info dump, and it was interesting to learn of all the different types of magical creatures residing on the island.
It is a short novel, easy reading, and the only thing that made me give it 5 stars is that the mystery part of the plot didn't seem 100% fleshed out.
This was a cute cozy mystery filled with magic. We get introduced to the Magic Island society without there being a pages long info dump, and it was interesting to learn of all the different types of magical creatures residing on the island.
It is a short novel, easy reading, and the only thing that made me give it 5 stars is that the mystery part of the plot didn't seem 100% fleshed out.
March 10, 2021
Somewhat predictable, but a good deal better than the "just found my powers and I break every rule in the book because I don't know anything" sort. Enough confusion to be amusing, enough magic to be Harry Potter, enough non-magic to make the reader go "huh"?*
Wren breaks a "no forgiveness, no excuses" rule near the end of the story. Obviously, she's granted an exception, or there'd be no follow-on books, but I'm not intrigued enough to follow the foregone story.
*Seriously - she opened Lazar's joke shop with a credit card, and it had no security enchantments?
Wren breaks a "no forgiveness, no excuses" rule near the end of the story. Obviously, she's granted an exception, or there'd be no follow-on books, but I'm not intrigued enough to follow the foregone story.
*Seriously - she opened Lazar's joke shop with a credit card, and it had no security enchantments?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
From being a nobody to being a witch with a job as a gossip columnist on a hidden island newspaper researching the death of her predecessor. The book seems to me to be written in it's simplicity for a younger audience than myself. It starts out with a disappointment for Wren when she is jilted by her long term boyfriend then she almost doesn't make the cut as a witch but is reprieved by her garden gnome's testimony. The island doesn't sound so nice a place, wiping out cruise ships and sentencing humans to death for knowing about it but rules is rules.
February 8, 2022
Cute Start to the Series
If you accept the speed with which our protagonist, Wren, accepts the traumatic changes in her life, then the rest of the story’s premise is relatively easy to accept. There is a lot of world building in the book. It’s almost overwhelmed the main story arc.
There is quite a cast of characters that are integral to the story. Other than Wren, it felt like some of them were not much more than caricatures. This will hopefully improve as the series progresses.
The murder mystery has some interesting twists and turns. Overall, it was enjoyable to read.
If you accept the speed with which our protagonist, Wren, accepts the traumatic changes in her life, then the rest of the story’s premise is relatively easy to accept. There is a lot of world building in the book. It’s almost overwhelmed the main story arc.
There is quite a cast of characters that are integral to the story. Other than Wren, it felt like some of them were not much more than caricatures. This will hopefully improve as the series progresses.
The murder mystery has some interesting twists and turns. Overall, it was enjoyable to read.
March 7, 2024
A delightful story. The cover of this book attracted me because of the dragon…..I love books with witches, dragons, Magick, and mysteries to solve. This has all of those things and charming (if somewhat silly) characters. It’s a delightful book for curling up in a comfy chair in front of the fireplace with a nice cup of tea on a snowy day.
Apparently, while the author has written quite a few other books in this series, I am having difficulty finding them. But…….I am a stubborn old woman and am determined to find the ones that come next.
Apparently, while the author has written quite a few other books in this series, I am having difficulty finding them. But…….I am a stubborn old woman and am determined to find the ones that come next.
March 18, 2019
Enjoyable and entertaining
Emery Belle is an excellent author with imagination and creativity. Wren finds herself on a Magic Island guided by a wizard named Glenn. Just getting to the island is an experience of unique creativity. I've never read anything like it and the rest of the book was just as unique. She ends up as a reporter and investigating a death. Excellent cozy mystery.
Emery Belle is an excellent author with imagination and creativity. Wren finds herself on a Magic Island guided by a wizard named Glenn. Just getting to the island is an experience of unique creativity. I've never read anything like it and the rest of the book was just as unique. She ends up as a reporter and investigating a death. Excellent cozy mystery.
January 20, 2022
Hello! I'm about to be 30 & you say what?
Wren is excited when her boyfriend of 8 years wants to talk one evening. It turns into the absolute worst evening, here she thought he was going to propose; he dumps her instead! All of a sudden Wren realizes she has smoke & steam coming from her head & nose... What on earth is going on? If you want to know, you'll have to read the book for a funny, interesting story about adult hatchlings.
Wren is excited when her boyfriend of 8 years wants to talk one evening. It turns into the absolute worst evening, here she thought he was going to propose; he dumps her instead! All of a sudden Wren realizes she has smoke & steam coming from her head & nose... What on earth is going on? If you want to know, you'll have to read the book for a funny, interesting story about adult hatchlings.
January 23, 2022
Finding out about your heritage at the age of 30 must take some getting used to. Wren Winters didn't know she was a witch until her 30th birthday, where she travels to a magic island. And, becomes a gossip reporter and investigates the death of the previous reporter. Little does Wren realize is the killer is closer than she realizes. And, it will take a mystery man to save her from dying. This is a fun series that makes you laugh out loud with the quirkiness of the characters.
August 22, 2022
Belle owes almost too much to J.K. Rowling, but she manages to work in a pretty good murder mystery for all the "magickal" goings on. Wren Winters learns that she is a hatchling witch and is whisked away to a secret island to begin her training. Part of her responsibilities is to have a part-time job, and she soon finds that her predecessor in that job has not only disappeared, but is quite, quite dead. Can Wren find the killer before s/he strikes again?
November 26, 2022
Wren is in for a big life change.
I thought this book started off a little dull but it didn't take long for it to change. When Wren finds out she is a witch, her whole world changes literally. She also lands a dream job she has always wanted but it brings her much more than she was expecting. However, it ends on a cliffhanger and I couldn't find and links that worked for this author so I wrote to her to see where I can find the next book in this series.
I thought this book started off a little dull but it didn't take long for it to change. When Wren finds out she is a witch, her whole world changes literally. She also lands a dream job she has always wanted but it brings her much more than she was expecting. However, it ends on a cliffhanger and I couldn't find and links that worked for this author so I wrote to her to see where I can find the next book in this series.
November 29, 2018
Potential
Magic island is quite a masterful creation and the characters, though light, are well drawn.
The plot, as such, was so light as to be non existent, yet this often the case with these frothy tales.
Sadly the story did not end satisfactorily, a few too many mysteries have been left for further episodes.
Magic island is quite a masterful creation and the characters, though light, are well drawn.
The plot, as such, was so light as to be non existent, yet this often the case with these frothy tales.
Sadly the story did not end satisfactorily, a few too many mysteries have been left for further episodes.
March 4, 2019
Cute, clean cozy mystery
Magic and murder, a fun read. Good intro to a new world. I didn't find world building overwhelming for a first book. Book was clean and fun. Light mystery with developing friendships. No romance in this one. This was a light, fun read with likeable characters and enough to keep me engaged and ready to move to next book.
Magic and murder, a fun read. Good intro to a new world. I didn't find world building overwhelming for a first book. Book was clean and fun. Light mystery with developing friendships. No romance in this one. This was a light, fun read with likeable characters and enough to keep me engaged and ready to move to next book.
March 5, 2019
Cute..
It was a good start to a new series, yes I hate when answers aren’t explained by the end of the book, it’s not like I wouldn’t go to the next book anyways.. it just irks me. I still don’t know why she thought she could solve a story in a town she knew nothing about.. she got lucky or unlucky...
It was a good start to a new series, yes I hate when answers aren’t explained by the end of the book, it’s not like I wouldn’t go to the next book anyways.. it just irks me. I still don’t know why she thought she could solve a story in a town she knew nothing about.. she got lucky or unlucky...
September 2, 2019
Finding out your a witch is very exciting.
Turning thirty is bad enough but also losing your boyfriend of eight years and finding out your a witch is a triple whammy. Imagine starting school like a kindergartener and moving to a foreign country all alone. Makes for a very exciting time. Throw in a new job and a murder, life is becoming a challenge.
Turning thirty is bad enough but also losing your boyfriend of eight years and finding out your a witch is a triple whammy. Imagine starting school like a kindergartener and moving to a foreign country all alone. Makes for a very exciting time. Throw in a new job and a murder, life is becoming a challenge.
November 19, 2019
I enjoyed this magical cozy mystery. Wren is surprised to find out she is a witch minutes before her 30th birthday. She is taken to a magical island where she starts to learn how to be a witch. I enjoyed the characters and plot. Also that she didn’t find the killer. He found her. A good start to a series.
December 1, 2019
A witchy mystery
I don't know why I didn't like this more. From the formerly inanimate garden gnome saluting, to the mysterious scarred man in black coming to the rescue, there was mystery enough. To the side story of the too smooth coworker. The story just didn't come together for me.
I don't know why I didn't like this more. From the formerly inanimate garden gnome saluting, to the mysterious scarred man in black coming to the rescue, there was mystery enough. To the side story of the too smooth coworker. The story just didn't come together for me.
December 2, 2019
Very charming,engaging read
Emery had my attention from the first page, you could feel Wren's hopes and Dreams .Excellent read for young adults & young at heart . Maybe a picture *(pencil or photograph of puppy ?) Emery leaves the book door open to see if Wren finds her parents, why certain folks on the island don't like her. And a dropper of romance ?
Emery had my attention from the first page, you could feel Wren's hopes and Dreams .Excellent read for young adults & young at heart . Maybe a picture *(pencil or photograph of puppy ?) Emery leaves the book door open to see if Wren finds her parents, why certain folks on the island don't like her. And a dropper of romance ?
March 16, 2020
Surprise
Unknown birth parents, always feeling out of place, and suddenly finding out you're a witch about to go into training. This whole story takes place in a week's timeframe, with lots of questions and very few answers. Makes you want to read the rest of the series in a single sitting.
Unknown birth parents, always feeling out of place, and suddenly finding out you're a witch about to go into training. This whole story takes place in a week's timeframe, with lots of questions and very few answers. Makes you want to read the rest of the series in a single sitting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews