What do you think?
Rate this book
Hillcrest Witch Mysteries #1
The Case of the Power Spell
What’s your biggest fear? For amateur witch Penny Banks, it’s failure.
Business is slow for Penny, the only PI in a small box-canyon town nestled in the mountains of Colorado. When the town mayor offers Penny a case, she can’t turn it down.
While Penny struggles to unravel the case, she also has to figure out if she’s really capable of working magic. An ancient book told Penny that it was her destiny to become a witch, but if that’s true wouldn’t she be better at it?
It’s a good thing Penny’s knitting circle is willing to lend a hand!
A hunky vampire, a blue-haired rival witch, and a high-maintenance Chihuahua named Blueberry Muffin help (and hinder!) Penny along the way.
Business is slow for Penny, the only PI in a small box-canyon town nestled in the mountains of Colorado. When the town mayor offers Penny a case, she can’t turn it down.
While Penny struggles to unravel the case, she also has to figure out if she’s really capable of working magic. An ancient book told Penny that it was her destiny to become a witch, but if that’s true wouldn’t she be better at it?
It’s a good thing Penny’s knitting circle is willing to lend a hand!
A hunky vampire, a blue-haired rival witch, and a high-maintenance Chihuahua named Blueberry Muffin help (and hinder!) Penny along the way.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2018
476 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
January 6, 2022
Just loved this book. Much easier to read than digital. I didn't want to put it down. It's always interesting and intriguing what 'trouble' Penny will get into and what case(s) she undertake an help the Hillcrest Police Department solve. I highly recommend it. Amorette Anderson is an excellent author. Will read again and have.
September 23, 2019
Failure isn't an option
Small towns aren't always as cozy as you think. I loved this I'm sure the rest of the series is going to be great, poor Penny seems to just be struggling with well everything. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own, as I voluntarily choose to reveiw.
Small towns aren't always as cozy as you think. I loved this I'm sure the rest of the series is going to be great, poor Penny seems to just be struggling with well everything. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own, as I voluntarily choose to reveiw.
January 6, 2019
Cute ,fun read.
This is an easy read Penny and her three zany friend are studying to become witches. Penny has an offlice in a supply closet for her private eye buiness, a cat named Turkey, and boyfriend named Chris. The characters work well ltogether .
This is an easy read Penny and her three zany friend are studying to become witches. Penny has an offlice in a supply closet for her private eye buiness, a cat named Turkey, and boyfriend named Chris. The characters work well ltogether .
October 18, 2018
This one is a hard one for me to rate. There are parts of this book I liked and then parts I didn't. I personally think that a woman who is 27 years old should have grown up a lot more then Penny has in this book. In my mind she still acts like she's 18. The other thing that annoyed me was how little she knew about PI as she been doing it for 5 years now. I do like the whole witch part. I also like Max way better then Chris. I did like that Penny believed something was wrong with Joe's death even when no one else would. Penny does try in her own way to solve her case. I am hoping that the more Penny gets use to being a witch and more time passes the books will get better. I will continue to read this series to see where it goes.
*I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
*I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
January 19, 2022
Very Good Mystery
It starts off a little slow, but picks up about 20% into the book. That's not unusual with a first in series book as character building takes place. Once we get into investigating the mystery, the book is very good. Just FYI, I already started book 2, and it starts off fast, right I to the mystery. I have not gotten far into it yet.
It starts off a little slow, but picks up about 20% into the book. That's not unusual with a first in series book as character building takes place. Once we get into investigating the mystery, the book is very good. Just FYI, I already started book 2, and it starts off fast, right I to the mystery. I have not gotten far into it yet.
January 6, 2022
Excellent book. I love it has an animal and it is clean. Suspenseful and a page turner. God Bless Amorette Anderson for the laughter she brings out in her books.
I highly recommend it. Will read again.
I highly recommend it. Will read again.
March 28, 2019
👽🛸📚🎩👑 5 stars ✨
A Hillcrest Witch Mystery Collection Books 1-5
By Amorette Anderson
Including: The Case of the Power Spell
Read on: iBooks, KyBook (1, & 3), SmashWords, Kobo, Good Reads, and others as I find them. Box set presented for an ARC review.
Started: 15 Mars 2019.
Finished: 22 Mars 2019.
Amazon: ?
Title:
The world of a witchy Private Investigatory Service ....
ExpressTravel.com
http://expresstravel.com/
Even the travel agency seems appropriate -until you look it up and find that it s available- just contact the “Uniregistry Corp.” Then again, I can t think of an easier way to join the Hillcrest community (quietly and in the background to start with), emerging out into the community when you get settled.
Back to the case at hand: It s always nice to have an ongoing case lined up so you can appear to be busy with important work. When in actuality, you re really just killing time. Even better is to name it: “The Case of the Cat Doodles”.
Her boyfriend seems to have an awfully high rank for a 5 person department (including the chief), and as small as Hillcrest is described to be.
On the plus side of things, and her boyfriend does sort of appreciate her fledgling entrepreneurial business of being the only Private Investigator in town. He gives her an item that every PI needs.
Even though this is just a sub section of this book, I m sure you can guess what happened during the instructions on how to use it! You ll have to get this book to read it yourself!
No, Penelope your heart is trying to guide you. You were right: if he wanted you, why was he spending years -not a few dates, but years- dating someone else? Listen to your heart, it ll lead you to what s really right for you.
If following the grownup path in life is what Penelope is trying to do, she needs to lose some of her: {“Penelope sounds like the kid who seen a sign that read: “I ve tried that ‘GrownUp’ thing, and I really don t think that it ll work for me!”} and be ready to fly.
After seeing the town s antiquities dealer, only one question comes to mind: “How does she run a business with that lousy of a memory?”
And on to her other meeting where she learns of the Nipponese art of “Shinrin-yoku” (Forest Bathing) one of the best things that you can do to help heal yourself and help keep your sanity when you re surrounded by a “sea” of other people. And finds out that even pets can benefit from doing it for at least two hours each and every day. For Terrans, being out in nature can be therapeutic and ground you. The fact that she has this as a job can be an added bonus to her PI work -2 hours per day to think through her case(es), certainly can be a great way to see how things could ve happened, allowing for you to figure out what actually did happen.
Well the case is solved. You ll have to buy the book to get the laughs and see all the good stuff.
A Hillcrest Witch Mystery Collection Books 1-5
By Amorette Anderson
Including: The Case of the Power Spell
Read on: iBooks, KyBook (1, & 3), SmashWords, Kobo, Good Reads, and others as I find them. Box set presented for an ARC review.
Started: 15 Mars 2019.
Finished: 22 Mars 2019.
Amazon: ?
Title:
The world of a witchy Private Investigatory Service ....
ExpressTravel.com
http://expresstravel.com/
Even the travel agency seems appropriate -until you look it up and find that it s available- just contact the “Uniregistry Corp.” Then again, I can t think of an easier way to join the Hillcrest community (quietly and in the background to start with), emerging out into the community when you get settled.
Back to the case at hand: It s always nice to have an ongoing case lined up so you can appear to be busy with important work. When in actuality, you re really just killing time. Even better is to name it: “The Case of the Cat Doodles”.
Her boyfriend seems to have an awfully high rank for a 5 person department (including the chief), and as small as Hillcrest is described to be.
On the plus side of things, and her boyfriend does sort of appreciate her fledgling entrepreneurial business of being the only Private Investigator in town. He gives her an item that every PI needs.
Even though this is just a sub section of this book, I m sure you can guess what happened during the instructions on how to use it! You ll have to get this book to read it yourself!
No, Penelope your heart is trying to guide you. You were right: if he wanted you, why was he spending years -not a few dates, but years- dating someone else? Listen to your heart, it ll lead you to what s really right for you.
If following the grownup path in life is what Penelope is trying to do, she needs to lose some of her: {“Penelope sounds like the kid who seen a sign that read: “I ve tried that ‘GrownUp’ thing, and I really don t think that it ll work for me!”} and be ready to fly.
After seeing the town s antiquities dealer, only one question comes to mind: “How does she run a business with that lousy of a memory?”
And on to her other meeting where she learns of the Nipponese art of “Shinrin-yoku” (Forest Bathing) one of the best things that you can do to help heal yourself and help keep your sanity when you re surrounded by a “sea” of other people. And finds out that even pets can benefit from doing it for at least two hours each and every day. For Terrans, being out in nature can be therapeutic and ground you. The fact that she has this as a job can be an added bonus to her PI work -2 hours per day to think through her case(es), certainly can be a great way to see how things could ve happened, allowing for you to figure out what actually did happen.
Well the case is solved. You ll have to buy the book to get the laughs and see all the good stuff.
November 15, 2019
Very good cozy witch mystery! I bought this book on Amazon for .99 and then the boxed set (books 1-5) came out so I bought that too. :) I had been planning on reading them but just never got around to it. Until one day I was checking out posts on FaceBook and Amorette herself was having a "chat" so I checked in. She was very nice and friendly so I joined in the next 2 weeks. But then I felt a bit guilty cause I didn't know what the books were about and I didn't want her to know that I hadn't read any of her books yet. (And now my secret is out because I'm pretty sure she checks her reviews. :) )
So I opened the first book and it didn't take me long to get interested in Penny and Turkey! :) I will say that I thought right from the beginning that Penny's boyfriend, Chris, was a jerk and just not right for her! I won't say if I was proven right or wrong about him because the reader should read the book and find out. :)
In this book, the mayor of Hillcrest believes that something is up with his wife and he asks Penny who's a private investigator to snoop around and give him the scoop. As always happens in Cozy Mysteries, someone is murdered and this time the corpse is left in a walk-in freezer.
Now Penny not only has a book of spells that she and her friend/coven members are trying to figure out and use but she also has a familiar which is a cat that she called "Turkey". Turkey is a bit strange even by familiar standards. Penny's boyfriend, Chris, is a hot mess and when you add in a real witch who knows what's she doing as an enemy and a 500-year-old vampire who wants to be more than just friends with Penny...you have the beginning of a series that could get very interesting.
If you like quirky characters, great writing, witches, and murder then you have got to read this book and hopefully all the rest of the series too.
So I opened the first book and it didn't take me long to get interested in Penny and Turkey! :) I will say that I thought right from the beginning that Penny's boyfriend, Chris, was a jerk and just not right for her! I won't say if I was proven right or wrong about him because the reader should read the book and find out. :)
In this book, the mayor of Hillcrest believes that something is up with his wife and he asks Penny who's a private investigator to snoop around and give him the scoop. As always happens in Cozy Mysteries, someone is murdered and this time the corpse is left in a walk-in freezer.
Now Penny not only has a book of spells that she and her friend/coven members are trying to figure out and use but she also has a familiar which is a cat that she called "Turkey". Turkey is a bit strange even by familiar standards. Penny's boyfriend, Chris, is a hot mess and when you add in a real witch who knows what's she doing as an enemy and a 500-year-old vampire who wants to be more than just friends with Penny...you have the beginning of a series that could get very interesting.
If you like quirky characters, great writing, witches, and murder then you have got to read this book and hopefully all the rest of the series too.
January 23, 2019
Penny and her friends are studying to become witches, based on the teachings of a book that was given to Penny. They have been tasked with guarding the portal between worlds that is just outside of their small hometown of Hillcrest. Now that Penny is studying witchcraft, she can communicate telepathically with her cat. Turkey was a fun character, in and of himself. Her PI business isn't going so well, until the mayor hires her to keep an eye on his wife. It seems that Melanie had booked a one-way ticket to Hawaii, that she never used, and now she's been crying non-stop for two weeks. Penny takes the case, and she wonders if Melanie's malcontent stems from the fact that an employee of her husband's restaurant was found dead in their walk-in freezer. However, the more Penny delves into her case, the more she begins to speculate that Joe's death was no accident.
In the meantime, her relationship with Chris is becoming strained. He broke her heart once before, and Penny is afraid of going all-in with him again. She still has bills to pay, which is why she takes on a sideline job of dogsitting a hyper Chihuahua named Blueberry Muffin. Factor in the sexy vampire in town, along with Penny's enemy Azure, who is an accomplished witch (and bitch!), and it's no wonder Penny is being pulled in so many different directions.
The story was cute and lively. Characters could have been fleshed out a bit better. It pained me that the author indicates that Turkey is a male cat, and calico. While male calicos are not unheard of, they are extremely rare, and it just sort of...threw me.
Fun story, and a good, light read. However, there was nothing remarkable about it, which earns it an average score.
In the meantime, her relationship with Chris is becoming strained. He broke her heart once before, and Penny is afraid of going all-in with him again. She still has bills to pay, which is why she takes on a sideline job of dogsitting a hyper Chihuahua named Blueberry Muffin. Factor in the sexy vampire in town, along with Penny's enemy Azure, who is an accomplished witch (and bitch!), and it's no wonder Penny is being pulled in so many different directions.
The story was cute and lively. Characters could have been fleshed out a bit better. It pained me that the author indicates that Turkey is a male cat, and calico. While male calicos are not unheard of, they are extremely rare, and it just sort of...threw me.
Fun story, and a good, light read. However, there was nothing remarkable about it, which earns it an average score.
March 20, 2019
Penny is a PI though not everyone takes her practice seriously. After flunking out of the local police academy, Penny set out on her new career as a PI. She has been at it for five years, but isn’t quite as successful as she’d like others to believe.
She does have an office. Of course it used to be a supply closet for another business. There isn’t much crime in town so her clients are often few and far between. Most of her office hours are spent knitting. In fact the only thing Penny is always on time for is her weekly knitting circle.
Her fellow knitters are also her coven. A year ago, when a local woman died, Penny inherited an interesting book, The Art and Science of Becoming a Witch, better known in the coven as ASBW. Penny shared the book with her closest friends, her knitting circle, and the ladies began to pursue their new avocation.
With her office, the knitting circle, and her boyfriend, Chris, Penny has a full plate. But when the mayor comes to her asking that she discover the reason behind a secret his wife is keeping, and her unusually sad behavior lately, Penny’s curious mind leads her to a murder investigation of a death the police called accidental.
How can a murder have the answers to the mayor’s questions? Follow penny’s circular trail and find out.
She does have an office. Of course it used to be a supply closet for another business. There isn’t much crime in town so her clients are often few and far between. Most of her office hours are spent knitting. In fact the only thing Penny is always on time for is her weekly knitting circle.
Her fellow knitters are also her coven. A year ago, when a local woman died, Penny inherited an interesting book, The Art and Science of Becoming a Witch, better known in the coven as ASBW. Penny shared the book with her closest friends, her knitting circle, and the ladies began to pursue their new avocation.
With her office, the knitting circle, and her boyfriend, Chris, Penny has a full plate. But when the mayor comes to her asking that she discover the reason behind a secret his wife is keeping, and her unusually sad behavior lately, Penny’s curious mind leads her to a murder investigation of a death the police called accidental.
How can a murder have the answers to the mayor’s questions? Follow penny’s circular trail and find out.
March 3, 2021
I read the first few chapters of the book and I felt like I was coming into the story late. I checked it was the first in the series it was so I kept on reading but the feeling grew I was definitely missing something. This time I did a bit more digging. This was not the first book in the series, yes it’s book #1 it says so on the cover. Yet there is a book #0 which I’m guessing will clue you up on all that is ‘missing’ from your knowledge of how things happened.
As it was I felt like I was reading one type of cozy then thrust with no warning into another type. Which I was sort of pleased about as I had been expecting a paranormal cozy, rather than a standard cozy. It was just rather jarring the way it happened.
I do like that we’re joining the coven just as they come into their gifts but this really should be book 2 or come with a ‘previously on’ section.
That said much as there was to love about the characters in the book, I found Penny to be far to dense. A PI that took most of the book to put things together that should have been obvious to most amateur sleuths from the start.
Maybe it’s me, my partner say I read and watch far to many of these things I can work out most before the ending so maybe I am being to harsh.
It is lighthearted and an easy read that will appeal to many.
As it was I felt like I was reading one type of cozy then thrust with no warning into another type. Which I was sort of pleased about as I had been expecting a paranormal cozy, rather than a standard cozy. It was just rather jarring the way it happened.
I do like that we’re joining the coven just as they come into their gifts but this really should be book 2 or come with a ‘previously on’ section.
That said much as there was to love about the characters in the book, I found Penny to be far to dense. A PI that took most of the book to put things together that should have been obvious to most amateur sleuths from the start.
Maybe it’s me, my partner say I read and watch far to many of these things I can work out most before the ending so maybe I am being to harsh.
It is lighthearted and an easy read that will appeal to many.
October 17, 2018
Business for Penny was slow, so slow that all she had on her desk was her knitting and the possibility of starting yet another knitting project. But that was before the mayor walked in and asked Penny to help him with a case. When he offered her $300 (the exact amount she needed for her office rent) it was a no brainer. The Mayor found a one way ticket that his wife had booked, to Hawaii and when he asked her about it, she refused to explain and started crying. He was baffled and wanted Penny to find out what was going on.
But things, as usual, were never quite as straight forward as it looks; although a one-way ticket, for Mrs Mayor alone, did not look too good either. The more Penny dug into the case, the worse it looked and the closer she got herself into danger. And then there were the rest of her witch friends, her handsome boyfriend who she could hardly keep her hands off and dreamy hot Dr Max Shire, who she could hardly keep her hands off...… hey, wait a minute! umm, no that was not a typo!
Another brilliant offering from the pen of Amorette Anderson, much enjoyed, with some great laugh out loud moments, exciting clues and fun storyline. Can hardly wait for the next book. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
But things, as usual, were never quite as straight forward as it looks; although a one-way ticket, for Mrs Mayor alone, did not look too good either. The more Penny dug into the case, the worse it looked and the closer she got herself into danger. And then there were the rest of her witch friends, her handsome boyfriend who she could hardly keep her hands off and dreamy hot Dr Max Shire, who she could hardly keep her hands off...… hey, wait a minute! umm, no that was not a typo!
Another brilliant offering from the pen of Amorette Anderson, much enjoyed, with some great laugh out loud moments, exciting clues and fun storyline. Can hardly wait for the next book. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
October 19, 2018
If you’re looking for a light, fun read to help brighten your day, this may be the book for you! It helps to read the previous book, The Case of the Love Spell, before this one, but things are somewhat explained in case you haven’t been introduced to the characters yet. I really like the main characters – it makes me wish I had my own knitting, witchy group of women to hang out with. They’re all likable sorts, and getting to see them growing into their new witch powers and learn more about themselves just makes you smile. All the characters in the series so far are a wide range of colorful and/or fun and even include a hot vampire and a chihuahua named Blueberry Muffin. Penny, our lead, is able to speak to her cat through telepathy in this book, and that itself is a trip. Even though there is a short list of suspects, it’s not entirely obvious who the murderer was until the end, so you’re left guessing about various ones through the story. I can’t wait for more books to come out so we can see what the author is going to throw Penny and her coven into.
I did receive an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
I did receive an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 23, 2018
“Always remember the three p’s: Patience, Precision, and Playfulness.”
It’s a quiet life of a P.I. for Penny Banks. In this second Hillcrest Witch Mystery, Mayor Haywater wants to have Penny look into things surrounding his wife’s outside “activities”. Problem is, Penny is finding things she’s not so sure Clay and Melanie want public. Does Clay have a clue what was on the horizon, or he so wrapped up in his duties as Mayor and owner of OP: Hillcrest’s bar and grill.
Clay’s already dealing with the death of his former cook at The Place- his old restaurant in town, who was found frozen to death in the restaurant’s walk-in. This “stuff” doesn’t seem to be connected, but give Penny and her “gang” a while...they’ll find the tie in....through not-so-regular channels, but they will.
All wrapped up in Chris and Thomas/Turkey- the cat, Penny’s also finding her own way...as a witch, as a PI, and as a grown up. All rolled together into a fun cosy mystery. Thank you Amorette Anderson for another helping of fun. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it ]
It’s a quiet life of a P.I. for Penny Banks. In this second Hillcrest Witch Mystery, Mayor Haywater wants to have Penny look into things surrounding his wife’s outside “activities”. Problem is, Penny is finding things she’s not so sure Clay and Melanie want public. Does Clay have a clue what was on the horizon, or he so wrapped up in his duties as Mayor and owner of OP: Hillcrest’s bar and grill.
Clay’s already dealing with the death of his former cook at The Place- his old restaurant in town, who was found frozen to death in the restaurant’s walk-in. This “stuff” doesn’t seem to be connected, but give Penny and her “gang” a while...they’ll find the tie in....through not-so-regular channels, but they will.
All wrapped up in Chris and Thomas/Turkey- the cat, Penny’s also finding her own way...as a witch, as a PI, and as a grown up. All rolled together into a fun cosy mystery. Thank you Amorette Anderson for another helping of fun. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it ]
November 5, 2018
The mystery of the ticket
Another light fun read. The girls are trying to get more power and become real witches, although it feels as if they are failing half the time.
She's broke, so when the mayor comes to her asking her to investigate his wife, she agrees. Especially as he is going to pay handsomely. Why has his wife spent the last few weeks crying and why did she purchase a one way ticket to Hawaii but never used it? The more she thinks about it the more she is certain that this had something to do with the death of the head chef as her husband's restaurant. Especially as it was the day when he was going to choose who he would sell it too. Was the marriage as happy as the mayor thought? Now several days later the wife is missing, the mayor wants his money back and the spell that they have done to increase their powers still hasn't activated. Plus Chris is putting pressure on her to move the relationship to the next level. Will she find the killer? Will she find the wife? Will the spell work? Will she find the money to pay back the mayor? Will she choose the hunky human cop or the delectable vampire?
Another light fun read. The girls are trying to get more power and become real witches, although it feels as if they are failing half the time.
She's broke, so when the mayor comes to her asking her to investigate his wife, she agrees. Especially as he is going to pay handsomely. Why has his wife spent the last few weeks crying and why did she purchase a one way ticket to Hawaii but never used it? The more she thinks about it the more she is certain that this had something to do with the death of the head chef as her husband's restaurant. Especially as it was the day when he was going to choose who he would sell it too. Was the marriage as happy as the mayor thought? Now several days later the wife is missing, the mayor wants his money back and the spell that they have done to increase their powers still hasn't activated. Plus Chris is putting pressure on her to move the relationship to the next level. Will she find the killer? Will she find the wife? Will the spell work? Will she find the money to pay back the mayor? Will she choose the hunky human cop or the delectable vampire?
December 19, 2018
I received this book as an ARC from the author and have promised to write an honest review which is following.
Well Penny does it again. Seems to be out of control then along comes her familiar, Turkey, has a good reasoning chat with Penny just to focus her mind on the important issues instead of the mix she was thinking. Like the other Hillcrest Witch Cozy Mystery stories you have to let your mind go and enjoy the rhythm of the tale, believe there could be witches somewhere, how do you know there isn't??
The story is interesting and Penny has her challenges with her friends, who all believe in each other and have a close friendly circle watching each others back. The obvious tales takes turns in other directions and so just when you feel you have it at all sorted a curve ball comes out and you have to rethink the plot/s. A new issue in this one and guess we will have to wait for the next Tale to find out, has Penny found her mate and love, we will just have to wait and see.
I enjoyed this as much as the first books and look forward to the next one/s.
Thanks Amorette.
Well Penny does it again. Seems to be out of control then along comes her familiar, Turkey, has a good reasoning chat with Penny just to focus her mind on the important issues instead of the mix she was thinking. Like the other Hillcrest Witch Cozy Mystery stories you have to let your mind go and enjoy the rhythm of the tale, believe there could be witches somewhere, how do you know there isn't??
The story is interesting and Penny has her challenges with her friends, who all believe in each other and have a close friendly circle watching each others back. The obvious tales takes turns in other directions and so just when you feel you have it at all sorted a curve ball comes out and you have to rethink the plot/s. A new issue in this one and guess we will have to wait for the next Tale to find out, has Penny found her mate and love, we will just have to wait and see.
I enjoyed this as much as the first books and look forward to the next one/s.
Thanks Amorette.
July 26, 2019
Penny & her coven continue working their way through The Book, as they study to become witches. The 2nd spell in the book (this being Book 2) is the Power Spell. Penny seems to be better at learning witchcraft than being a PI, which she's been doing for 5 years. Even if such a small town does not often have need of a PI, she should still have developed a better feel for how things should be done, & to be better prepared than going in before getting her story straight & fumbling around. It would have made better sence if she'd only been doing the work for less that a year, & was only 20. The town mayor visits her office & asked her to find out why his wife bought a 1-way ticket to Hawaii, & did not use it. Did it have anything to do with the death of the head chef at her husband's restaurant? Will Penny be able to look at the mayor & tell him the truth? Will each member of the coven find the piece they need to perform the Power Spell? How does Max Spear fit into Penny's new life? How does Chris fit in? The series is enchanting & hard to put down. Just one more page.
November 6, 2018
Penny is still trying to prove herself as a PI and finds business pretty slow. She is shocked and happily surprised when the mayor decides to hire her to find out what is causing his wife to be in despair. While Penny hunts down a few clues, she discovers a recent death that may not have been an accident but murder. When she’s not being a PI and solving a new murder case, Penny is a witch in training along with her knitting group. When they mix up their new spell, they must discover what gives them their power as a witch.
This book is filled with lots of madcap adventure, quirky characters, and tons of twists and turns. You can’t go wrong with a familiar cat named Turkey, a high-maintenance Chihuahua called Blueberry Muffin, a vampire that is both hunky and mysterious, and of course the rival blue-haired witch that just moved into the same apartment complex.
This is the start of a very entertaining new cozy mystery series!
This book is filled with lots of madcap adventure, quirky characters, and tons of twists and turns. You can’t go wrong with a familiar cat named Turkey, a high-maintenance Chihuahua called Blueberry Muffin, a vampire that is both hunky and mysterious, and of course the rival blue-haired witch that just moved into the same apartment complex.
This is the start of a very entertaining new cozy mystery series!
October 18, 2018
This is a great follow up to the prequel Love Spell, and actually I enjoyed it even more. Some editing issues that kept me from giving it 5 stars (which the story deserves), and since I was reading an ARC copy perhaps they will be corrected. The H is a bit goofy, but she always powers through to save the day. It is nice to have an H who isn't automatically a kickass warrior, but a regular everyday person. I especially like the way she perceives that murder has been done, when the cops and everyone else see accidental death. Looking forward to following her development as a witch, and I enjoyed the thought that witchy powers could be born through reading a magical book. You will enjoy this book, but I do recommend reading Love Spell first for background. And here's hoping she hangs on to boyfriend Chris, in spite of the changes she is going through.
October 20, 2018
This story was so much fun! I have a huge soft spot for Penny now, she is like my spirit character. Penny us asked by the Mayor to help him discover what is going on with his wife. As Penny investigates, the reader is thrown into such antics, fun dialogue, and witty characters. This story is the perfect balance of funny and mystery. I loved how Penny gas good intentions, but sometimes finds herself in the middle of the action. I also love her eternal dialogue. She is just a fun character.
If you are looking for a safe and clean romance with some mystery then this is the book, and series for you. It is also a great palette cleansers for those who need a change of pace in their reading. If you get the chance also check out The Case of the Love Spell, it is the introduction story to this series and amazing as well. I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
If you are looking for a safe and clean romance with some mystery then this is the book, and series for you. It is also a great palette cleansers for those who need a change of pace in their reading. If you get the chance also check out The Case of the Love Spell, it is the introduction story to this series and amazing as well. I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
October 28, 2018
This seems like a good series, with a great cast of characters. It's both light-hearted and warm-hearted, and a bit inspiring too!
Penny's very proud of her online PI qualification, but she seems to rely more on her instincts, which I suppose is quite appropriate for an aspiring witch. I like the way her witchy powers are developing slowly.
I was so pleased to read about shinrin-yoku; I'd heard about it for the first time a few days earlier! Mind you, I don't think Penny did it right. And I enjoyed meeting the chihuahua: I truly admire them - so tiny, yet so feisty! Also Penny's familiar, Turkey (as he hates to be called), continues to be a hoot.
And here's a tip for murderers: if you've practically gotten away with murder, don't try to kill the first person who accuses you. It looks suspicious, and murder is hard. Go with outraged innocence: it's much more respectable.
Penny's very proud of her online PI qualification, but she seems to rely more on her instincts, which I suppose is quite appropriate for an aspiring witch. I like the way her witchy powers are developing slowly.
I was so pleased to read about shinrin-yoku; I'd heard about it for the first time a few days earlier! Mind you, I don't think Penny did it right. And I enjoyed meeting the chihuahua: I truly admire them - so tiny, yet so feisty! Also Penny's familiar, Turkey (as he hates to be called), continues to be a hoot.
And here's a tip for murderers: if you've practically gotten away with murder, don't try to kill the first person who accuses you. It looks suspicious, and murder is hard. Go with outraged innocence: it's much more respectable.
October 28, 2018
Heaps of fun!
Penny continues to be so super endearing! She’s real and not this incredible sort of superwoman who is also incredibly unbelievable and unrelatable. Naïve, yes. Tactless, yes. Blunt, oh yes! But also funny and adorable! I’ve really grown quite fond of her.
And I loooove Turkey, oh no, Thomas I mean. Whoops, sorry Thomas! ;)
A light-hearted cozy. Heaps, and I do mean HEAPS, of fun!
The book is written in first person, present tense, and normally that is not my favorite style, but here it is done in such a way I didn’t even notice at first! Hm, this is a keeper. It’s been a bit hit and miss with the books that I’ve been reading lately, but this one was most definitely a hit!
I received a complimentary early copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Penny continues to be so super endearing! She’s real and not this incredible sort of superwoman who is also incredibly unbelievable and unrelatable. Naïve, yes. Tactless, yes. Blunt, oh yes! But also funny and adorable! I’ve really grown quite fond of her.
And I loooove Turkey, oh no, Thomas I mean. Whoops, sorry Thomas! ;)
A light-hearted cozy. Heaps, and I do mean HEAPS, of fun!
The book is written in first person, present tense, and normally that is not my favorite style, but here it is done in such a way I didn’t even notice at first! Hm, this is a keeper. It’s been a bit hit and miss with the books that I’ve been reading lately, but this one was most definitely a hit!
I received a complimentary early copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 29, 2018
Penny Banks has a problem, or two. She's a Private Investigator who has just found out she's also a witch, but what Penny really needs is a case to work on, one that pays the rent. The mayor offers her a job checking out a death that has been ruled a suicide. Penny isn't sure she wants the job, but there are bills to be paid. Learning to be a witch is more work than Penny ever expected and some of those spells are harder to master than others, and then there's the Power Spell. The Case of the Power Spell is a well-written tale with characters you can love and a story that is just too much fun to put down. There's a second book due out shortly so you will want to read this one right away. This is a book to curl up with and read from start to finish. You won't want to put it down. I really, really loved it and I am sure you will too!!
November 4, 2018
An awesome quick easy read. If you like witch cozy mysteries then this is the series for you!!
Penny Banks, who is a PI, accepts a case from the mayor of all people. His wife is acting strange and bought herself a one way ticket to Hawaii. Who was she planning on going with if anyone? And why hadn’t she told her husband? He knows he’s a workaholic what being mayor and running a restaurant so he hires Penny to look into it.
Thankfully Penny has her knitting circle and her newly found book about becoming a witch to help her out especially when an accident turns out to be murder. If you haven’t read the prequel I would definitely recommend reading it first but this book is so well written that you don’t have to read it to follow this book.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Penny Banks, who is a PI, accepts a case from the mayor of all people. His wife is acting strange and bought herself a one way ticket to Hawaii. Who was she planning on going with if anyone? And why hadn’t she told her husband? He knows he’s a workaholic what being mayor and running a restaurant so he hires Penny to look into it.
Thankfully Penny has her knitting circle and her newly found book about becoming a witch to help her out especially when an accident turns out to be murder. If you haven’t read the prequel I would definitely recommend reading it first but this book is so well written that you don’t have to read it to follow this book.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 25, 2019
Penny has been trying to hold off on paying rent for her Yoga closet and the next customer might be her hope.
The Mayor would like to know why his wife had a one way ticket to Hawaii. What is she holding back?
The coven has been working on the next spell. With Turkey and dog sitting for the new lawyer’s chihuahua, Blueberry Muffin, they have some fun times trying to figure out what is going on with Marrianne and this ticket.
Max has moved near her and this can complicate things with Chris.
Another great read in this series. Penny does her best and it works 90% of the time. The coven is leanring more spells which can be funny all in itself.
Characters are great and the mysteries are good.
The Mayor would like to know why his wife had a one way ticket to Hawaii. What is she holding back?
The coven has been working on the next spell. With Turkey and dog sitting for the new lawyer’s chihuahua, Blueberry Muffin, they have some fun times trying to figure out what is going on with Marrianne and this ticket.
Max has moved near her and this can complicate things with Chris.
Another great read in this series. Penny does her best and it works 90% of the time. The coven is leanring more spells which can be funny all in itself.
Characters are great and the mysteries are good.
July 8, 2023
4 1/2 stars
This is book one of this series there is book 0.5 . You don’t have to read it first but it does give you a lot of information about the characters and town.
This book isn’t as good as .5 was, as it did have some slow moments. But the parts that stayed on the story and moved it along was great! It was fun to see if I could figure out the mystery before Penny did. Snd to see if the police were going to get involved at all. The relationships between the characters are wonderful writing beautifully so you know exactly their personalities and their closeness (or not) of the other people. And the interactions of the animals was a plus as well.
Overall a very good “clean” mystery/romance/drama/friendship story
This is book one of this series there is book 0.5 . You don’t have to read it first but it does give you a lot of information about the characters and town.
This book isn’t as good as .5 was, as it did have some slow moments. But the parts that stayed on the story and moved it along was great! It was fun to see if I could figure out the mystery before Penny did. Snd to see if the police were going to get involved at all. The relationships between the characters are wonderful writing beautifully so you know exactly their personalities and their closeness (or not) of the other people. And the interactions of the animals was a plus as well.
Overall a very good “clean” mystery/romance/drama/friendship story
October 27, 2018
Penny is a Private Detective for five years. A member of a knitting circle. A policeman girlfriend. A starting out witch with a cat familiar named Turkey. She and her knitting group are also a starting out coven of witches who found a book about being witches and are following the instructions. They are on the "Power Spell Section".
Penny gets a visit in her P.I. Office from the mayor of the town with a case for her. His wife booked a one way flight to Hawaii and did not tell him. She did not go. She also won't stop crying. The mayor would like Penny to find out why.
She has many problems solving this case, including being fired. She has boyfriend problems when he pulls out a "box". She has problems with a flirtatious vampire. She also has problems with Turkey and nature walks. The ending to all these problems and more will surprise you and intrigue you.
Enjoy getting to know the many sides of Penny. I received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Penny gets a visit in her P.I. Office from the mayor of the town with a case for her. His wife booked a one way flight to Hawaii and did not tell him. She did not go. She also won't stop crying. The mayor would like Penny to find out why.
She has many problems solving this case, including being fired. She has boyfriend problems when he pulls out a "box". She has problems with a flirtatious vampire. She also has problems with Turkey and nature walks. The ending to all these problems and more will surprise you and intrigue you.
Enjoy getting to know the many sides of Penny. I received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Amorette has a way in this delightful book to make anyone smile. Some situations really are funny and I can see those things happening.
Kudos again to this wonderful author who writes in such a easy to read style. It certainly leaves me anticipating the further adventures of Penny and her friends.
I urge you to start reading this series. I am sure you’ll be as hooked as I am. With all the negative news and the doom and gloom of the media this is such a refreshing uplifting charge to our psyche to weather the constant bad news they keep bombarding us with. Who knows you may even recognize someone like Penny in your own life!
Kudos again to this wonderful author who writes in such a easy to read style. It certainly leaves me anticipating the further adventures of Penny and her friends.
I urge you to start reading this series. I am sure you’ll be as hooked as I am. With all the negative news and the doom and gloom of the media this is such a refreshing uplifting charge to our psyche to weather the constant bad news they keep bombarding us with. Who knows you may even recognize someone like Penny in your own life!
October 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this second book in the series. Penny and her friends are learning to be witches and have just completed the Power Spell, which is the second one in the book. As a Private Investigator, Penny has just taken on a new case for the Mayor. He found something worrying about his wife and wants Penny to check it out. Her investigation turns up what looks like a murder, even though it had been ruled an accident. Meanwhile she and her boyfriend are having trouble viewing their relationship in the same way. As she needs extra money, Penny also takes on an unusual babysitting job. Things are never simple in Penny's world.
December 18, 2018
I am really starting to get into this series. I enjoy the fun characters and especially the cat, Turkey. I literally laughed out loud during the handcuff debacle. My husband probably thinks I am nuts. LOL! The mystery wasn't too difficult but I did figure it out slightly before Penny did. I think one of my favorite things in this series is the build up to becoming a witch. She didn't just decide to be one and instantly know how to perform magic. No, this group of women are learning it as they go and it doesn't come naturally. It is a learning process. Overall, it is a pleasant read and I am looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews