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Spells & Caramels #7
Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts
A hostile town. A mountaintop mission. Will their magic save the day or spoil the pudding?
Imogen thought escaping the king's wrath would give her everything she wanted. But her relationship with Prince Hank is tougher than an overcooked flan and the welcome they get on Badlands Island is far less than friendly. Accused of kidnapping, Imogen proposes they prove their worth by traveling through a deadly forest to retrieve a magical herb at the top of a mountain…
Forced to take her baking skills on the road, Imogen and her friends must navigate monsters, secrets, and a possible traitor. And the little matter of the impending typhoon is seriously compressing their timeline…
With the storm and creatures closing in, can Imogen complete the quest or will her next meal be her last?
Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts in the seventh book in the Spells & Caramels series of paranormal cozy mysteries. If you like amateur witch sleuths, unbreakable friendships, and fascinating magical creatures, then you'll love Erin Johnson's page-turning adventure.
Imogen thought escaping the king's wrath would give her everything she wanted. But her relationship with Prince Hank is tougher than an overcooked flan and the welcome they get on Badlands Island is far less than friendly. Accused of kidnapping, Imogen proposes they prove their worth by traveling through a deadly forest to retrieve a magical herb at the top of a mountain…
Forced to take her baking skills on the road, Imogen and her friends must navigate monsters, secrets, and a possible traitor. And the little matter of the impending typhoon is seriously compressing their timeline…
With the storm and creatures closing in, can Imogen complete the quest or will her next meal be her last?
Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts in the seventh book in the Spells & Caramels series of paranormal cozy mysteries. If you like amateur witch sleuths, unbreakable friendships, and fascinating magical creatures, then you'll love Erin Johnson's page-turning adventure.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2018
397 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Erin Johnson
90 books716 followersA native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 12, 2022
When you find a book series you love, it's hard not to jump on the opportunity to read the latest release. Author Erin Johnson is a fantastic marketer and has kept me interested with each new launch. Her latest in the Spells & Caramels 'A Cozy Witch Mystery' series, is called Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts (in keeping with the 3 names in the title). If you're new to the series, Imogen Banks was a normal everyday American chef until something weird happened and she was transported to a world of magic where she became a royal baker... now she's solving crimes, battling evil witches and beasts, and trying to figure out just exactly what kind of magic she's capable of!
Johnson's imagination is amazing. I'm not a fantasy reader, but I do like stories about magic and witches, so this series ultimately matches well to my reading style and favorite genres. In this new installment, Imogen finally transports through the magic mirror into the Badlands after a particularly horrific fight with the former king who almost killed her boyfriend. She unfortunately finds herself (and all their friends) in a place where another cruel group of people might just want to kill her, too. In time, she proves she's not one of the evil beasts or royal family who helped unleash them... but wow... it takes a long time to convince them (rightfully so).
I really enjoyed this book. Some of the scenes were elaborate and quite powerful. The recurring characters were fantastic, but I wanted to see more of them. We met a whole new group of island people which were interesting, but they took over much of the book and left me missing some of my faves from prior ones. I'm sure they'll be back tho, I'm not worried. In this one, after an epic battle, everything calms down, but I can already tell by Johnson's creativity and brilliance, she's gearing up for something huge in the next book. I can't wait to read it.
Johnson's imagination is amazing. I'm not a fantasy reader, but I do like stories about magic and witches, so this series ultimately matches well to my reading style and favorite genres. In this new installment, Imogen finally transports through the magic mirror into the Badlands after a particularly horrific fight with the former king who almost killed her boyfriend. She unfortunately finds herself (and all their friends) in a place where another cruel group of people might just want to kill her, too. In time, she proves she's not one of the evil beasts or royal family who helped unleash them... but wow... it takes a long time to convince them (rightfully so).
I really enjoyed this book. Some of the scenes were elaborate and quite powerful. The recurring characters were fantastic, but I wanted to see more of them. We met a whole new group of island people which were interesting, but they took over much of the book and left me missing some of my faves from prior ones. I'm sure they'll be back tho, I'm not worried. In this one, after an epic battle, everything calms down, but I can already tell by Johnson's creativity and brilliance, she's gearing up for something huge in the next book. I can't wait to read it.
January 4, 2023
I didn't like this installment.
I found the action slow, boring and wasn't that interested n the setting.
I hated the cringey and manufactured romance elements.
I'm gonna finish this series but I'm liking it less and less.
I found the action slow, boring and wasn't that interested n the setting.
I hated the cringey and manufactured romance elements.
I'm gonna finish this series but I'm liking it less and less.
December 19, 2019
I listened to the audiobook of this.
Really fantastic. I loved the book, but the audiobook really made it come to life.
Well written and well narrated.
Really fantastic. I loved the book, but the audiobook really made it come to life.
Well written and well narrated.
January 25, 2019
After the way book 6 ended with a big reveal and twist I was excited to see how this book would handle things. While I love this series, sadly this book feel a bit flat for me. There is a lot of walking, not talking, no magic and the mystery wasn't engaging either. I was curious to learn more about the badlands and while partly we got that, it wasn't as much as I had hoped.
Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts starts off right after book 6, but instead of dealing with the fallout of the ending of book 6 we're thrown into a new mystery. Imogen and her friends are strangers on this island and immediately suspected of having something to do with the disappearance of the captain of the guard (which seemed like a bit of a leap to me, but hey). To prove themselves they have to go on a dangerous quest. Which involved danger, monsters, and lots of walking. And little sleeping. I almost got tired just from reading this book.
While it has all the ingredients these books normally have, something about this book failed to fully pull me in. This probably also has something to do with my weird mood lately. I just thought this book was less fun than the previous books and the reason I picked this up was because I wanted something fun.
The character don't have their magic for a big part of the book, which limits the paranormal part and it just felt a bit weird and overpowered how these people had a potion to take their magic away. And it lasts a long time too. The character interactions are less fun and less common due to the way the story is set up and the mystery didn't capture my attention. My wrong expectations probably also had something to do with this, I had expected the plot to more focus and continue the storylines from the previous books. There is almost nothing about Horace and his army even tough it takes place at the Badlands.
I liked how we finally get to see and learn more about the monsters and the badlands and what is actually going on there. Although it still felt a bit limited, I wanted this place to come alive more and see how these people lived and dealt with the monsters. And why do the monsters stay here? It was great to see more of the variety of monsters and get a better feel of what the monsters really are and aren't.
The author set this book in Japan, I think. It's never explicitly mentioned, but all the descriptions about clothes, culture and such made me come to that conclusion. I liked how the author tried to give it a bit of a Japanese culture feel, but as I've read books that did that better it's hard not to compare the two. It's fun how each place they visit and each kingdom has a different vibe.
There are some new side characters in this book which were interesting enough to read about and it's always fun to see more of the world and new locations. I also enjoyed Iggy as usual, although I would've liked to see more fun Iggy moments. There are some romantic troubles between Imogen and Hank too, which I didn't really care for, although at the end I could understand it. I just think I didn't like how Hank handled it. The scene at the end between them was great and have me hope that the next book will be better again for the romance.
To summarize: this book just didn't fully work for me. Partly due to my weird mood, wrong expectations and this book being less fun in my opinion. Instead of continuing some plot lines where book 6 ended with some big reveals, this story mostly follow a new plot lines. It does tie in the rest of the plot, but doesn't focus on it as much as I had hoped. It's a new setting with a new mystery and some new side characters. There is a lot of walking, them not having their magic and less time for fun character interactions. It just didn't feel as fun to me as the previous books. Iggy was great again and I did like learning more about the monsters and this place. All in all this book was a bit of a miss for me, but the series as a whole is great.
Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts starts off right after book 6, but instead of dealing with the fallout of the ending of book 6 we're thrown into a new mystery. Imogen and her friends are strangers on this island and immediately suspected of having something to do with the disappearance of the captain of the guard (which seemed like a bit of a leap to me, but hey). To prove themselves they have to go on a dangerous quest. Which involved danger, monsters, and lots of walking. And little sleeping. I almost got tired just from reading this book.
While it has all the ingredients these books normally have, something about this book failed to fully pull me in. This probably also has something to do with my weird mood lately. I just thought this book was less fun than the previous books and the reason I picked this up was because I wanted something fun.
The character don't have their magic for a big part of the book, which limits the paranormal part and it just felt a bit weird and overpowered how these people had a potion to take their magic away. And it lasts a long time too. The character interactions are less fun and less common due to the way the story is set up and the mystery didn't capture my attention. My wrong expectations probably also had something to do with this, I had expected the plot to more focus and continue the storylines from the previous books. There is almost nothing about Horace and his army even tough it takes place at the Badlands.
I liked how we finally get to see and learn more about the monsters and the badlands and what is actually going on there. Although it still felt a bit limited, I wanted this place to come alive more and see how these people lived and dealt with the monsters. And why do the monsters stay here? It was great to see more of the variety of monsters and get a better feel of what the monsters really are and aren't.
The author set this book in Japan, I think. It's never explicitly mentioned, but all the descriptions about clothes, culture and such made me come to that conclusion. I liked how the author tried to give it a bit of a Japanese culture feel, but as I've read books that did that better it's hard not to compare the two. It's fun how each place they visit and each kingdom has a different vibe.
There are some new side characters in this book which were interesting enough to read about and it's always fun to see more of the world and new locations. I also enjoyed Iggy as usual, although I would've liked to see more fun Iggy moments. There are some romantic troubles between Imogen and Hank too, which I didn't really care for, although at the end I could understand it. I just think I didn't like how Hank handled it. The scene at the end between them was great and have me hope that the next book will be better again for the romance.
To summarize: this book just didn't fully work for me. Partly due to my weird mood, wrong expectations and this book being less fun in my opinion. Instead of continuing some plot lines where book 6 ended with some big reveals, this story mostly follow a new plot lines. It does tie in the rest of the plot, but doesn't focus on it as much as I had hoped. It's a new setting with a new mystery and some new side characters. There is a lot of walking, them not having their magic and less time for fun character interactions. It just didn't feel as fun to me as the previous books. Iggy was great again and I did like learning more about the monsters and this place. All in all this book was a bit of a miss for me, but the series as a whole is great.
October 13, 2018
Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts by Erin Johnson is seventh tale in the Spells & Caramels series. Imogen Banks and her friends have been transported via Horace’s mirror portal to the Badlands. After revealing King Roch’s wrongdoings, they barely escaped with their lives. Prince Hank was injured and, thankfully, Horace healed him before departing. The group is now surrounded by soldier’s and accused of orchestrating the disappearance of a Captain Kenta. All of them have been hit with darts that stripped them of their magic, and they are forced to march through a forest full of monsters to Kusuri to go before the council. They must prove their worth by obtaining a much needed herb within three days or they will be banished into the forest (with the monsters). To make matters worse, a typhoon is on the way and Hank is not talking to Imogen. They must navigate an unknown territory full of unusual, deadly creatures without their magic. When things start to go wrong on the journey, it is obvious a traitor is in their midst. Can they complete their quest in time and will they all make it back in one piece?
Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts is an entertaining story. I like Erin Johnson’s conversational writing style. The story is well-written with a fast pace. There is plenty of action that will keep you riveted. All our favorite characters are back for another adventure in a new land. Horace has left them (once again) in a sticky situation in a strange land. The Badlands are not quite what our group imagined. Hank is unconscious, and Francis is left in an unusual state without his powers (poor Rhoda must carry him). Erin Johnson has a creative imagination. She has created some unique worlds, magic and unusual creatures (her take on a unicorn had me laughing). While our favorite characters are present, I missed the normal interactions between them (while they are baking, enjoying the sights of a new kingdom). Sam stepped up to the plate in this story and showed his value as a shapeshifter. I appreciate the humor sprinkled throughout the story. I found myself giggling several times (Francis’ predicament for instance). The mystery was interesting and sad (the poor monsters). While identifying the bad guys is a snap, I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to our bakers next. I am giving Due East, Beats and Campfire Feasts 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts is not a standalone book. Each book in this series builds upon the previous one (so read them in order). Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts has delightful yet quirky characters, a strange land, magic, scary monsters and a mystery rolled into one engaging story. I cannot wait for the next installment in the Spells and Caramels series.
Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts is an entertaining story. I like Erin Johnson’s conversational writing style. The story is well-written with a fast pace. There is plenty of action that will keep you riveted. All our favorite characters are back for another adventure in a new land. Horace has left them (once again) in a sticky situation in a strange land. The Badlands are not quite what our group imagined. Hank is unconscious, and Francis is left in an unusual state without his powers (poor Rhoda must carry him). Erin Johnson has a creative imagination. She has created some unique worlds, magic and unusual creatures (her take on a unicorn had me laughing). While our favorite characters are present, I missed the normal interactions between them (while they are baking, enjoying the sights of a new kingdom). Sam stepped up to the plate in this story and showed his value as a shapeshifter. I appreciate the humor sprinkled throughout the story. I found myself giggling several times (Francis’ predicament for instance). The mystery was interesting and sad (the poor monsters). While identifying the bad guys is a snap, I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen to our bakers next. I am giving Due East, Beats and Campfire Feasts 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts is not a standalone book. Each book in this series builds upon the previous one (so read them in order). Due East, Beasts and Campfire Feasts has delightful yet quirky characters, a strange land, magic, scary monsters and a mystery rolled into one engaging story. I cannot wait for the next installment in the Spells and Caramels series.
December 13, 2023
I love this series and I’ve accepted that the usual format of murder mystery had to change after the revelations in the last couple of books. In this book we’re in the Badlands finally and it’s totally different than anyone could have imagined. I did find this location pretty interesting but I wasn’t as into the overall story as I was with the first few books in the series. I think part of it was moody Hank. I’m not a fan of moody Hank because we lose a bit of his flavor. Granted if you read the previous book you completely understand why he is the way he is in this one.
Even though I wasn’t as enthused with this story as the previous ones I did enjoy it still and I overall love this series. It just didn’t feel as strong as some of the others. I did find the people inhabiting the Badlands interesting and I’m interested to learn more about them and this place in the next book. I’m glad I read this one but it has the least murder mystery aspect to it which is one of my favorite things about these books. I’m hoping we get a little more murder mystery before the final book in the series. I get that there’s an overarching story that’s been unfolding since the beginning and it seems to have taken precedent over the murder mystery aspect in the last two books.
I still highly recommend this book to read especially if you’ve made it this far in the series. This series has been a fun read as a whole and I absolutely love all the characters. The new characters in the particular book were interesting too but there wasn’t enough time to really get to know them. I do hope we get to see some of these characters again and Imogen and team bring justice for Hank and all the bad his father has done to the lands.
Even though I wasn’t as enthused with this story as the previous ones I did enjoy it still and I overall love this series. It just didn’t feel as strong as some of the others. I did find the people inhabiting the Badlands interesting and I’m interested to learn more about them and this place in the next book. I’m glad I read this one but it has the least murder mystery aspect to it which is one of my favorite things about these books. I’m hoping we get a little more murder mystery before the final book in the series. I get that there’s an overarching story that’s been unfolding since the beginning and it seems to have taken precedent over the murder mystery aspect in the last two books.
I still highly recommend this book to read especially if you’ve made it this far in the series. This series has been a fun read as a whole and I absolutely love all the characters. The new characters in the particular book were interesting too but there wasn’t enough time to really get to know them. I do hope we get to see some of these characters again and Imogen and team bring justice for Hank and all the bad his father has done to the lands.
November 20, 2020
I really liked this one. I liked how the island was a monster dump. Some of the monsters sounded really cool. I loved that it was actually Cat who saved the day and we seem to have some new friends. I didn't like the way she was almost mad at Hank because he didn't want to talk to her after finding out Horace was her brother and she didn't tell her. It's a shame that I'm running out of books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
This has to be a one of a kind title! It's also #7 in Erin Johnson's Spells & Caramels Series, cozy paranormal mystery fantasies featuring baker Imogen and her crew of d friends. Traveling to a magical mountain devoted forest, of course trouble immediately befall them. Can they magic their way out? This calls for ingenuity!
October 2, 2018
Great Series, Great Story! Jumping through a magic mirror into the Garlands that is full of dangerous Monsters they are captured and their magic is taken away so they have no protection. It only gets better from here.
I was lucky enough to receive a Arc copy to give my honest review about.
I was lucky enough to receive a Arc copy to give my honest review about.
October 15, 2018
(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for Imogen and her Scooby Gang bakers (and Hank) as they escape Hank's father trying to kill them and land up in the bandlands where the inhabitants aren't particularly happy to see them.
The head guard is looking for her missing captain and figures this lot may know something or have something to do with it. She marches them back to her town and the town council (not too thrilled to see a bunch of 'them' show up) send the guard and the Scooby gang back out where the monsters hang to gather up some necessary plants.
Oh and did I mention that the Scooby Gang's magic has been temporarily excised? Yeah. Trying to fight monsters (and they are some scary MFs) without one's powers is very daunting despite assurances that the guards will protect them.
I can tell you that I really enjoyed this book and ended up getting to bed waaaay past my bedtime because I really got caught up with the story.
And I think you will too.
I give this book a solid 4.5 paws -- and I am so looking forward to the next one!
It's out of the frying pan and into the fire for Imogen and her Scooby Gang bakers (and Hank) as they escape Hank's father trying to kill them and land up in the bandlands where the inhabitants aren't particularly happy to see them.
The head guard is looking for her missing captain and figures this lot may know something or have something to do with it. She marches them back to her town and the town council (not too thrilled to see a bunch of 'them' show up) send the guard and the Scooby gang back out where the monsters hang to gather up some necessary plants.
Oh and did I mention that the Scooby Gang's magic has been temporarily excised? Yeah. Trying to fight monsters (and they are some scary MFs) without one's powers is very daunting despite assurances that the guards will protect them.
I can tell you that I really enjoyed this book and ended up getting to bed waaaay past my bedtime because I really got caught up with the story.
And I think you will too.
I give this book a solid 4.5 paws -- and I am so looking forward to the next one!
May 11, 2022
After following Horace through a portal from the palace as Imogen and her friends were about to be arrested and Hank suffers a near fatal wound that Horace heals, Horace disappears and the group is captured by people not of the Bad Lands Army. Their magic is immobilized and they agree to go on a trek to recover a herb with healing properties to help the village and find sanctuary for a while. However, the forest they are in is full of magical beasts and people who are duplicitous at best and vile at their worst! Betrayals abound and two of their guards are killed and Imogen and Sam are taken prisoner . However, Maple’s pet ,Cat, is also captured and between them all are able to turn the tide against the bad guys.
Once again Erin has written a story timeless in its appeal about how we should treat others who are different than we are. It’s too bad the leaders of the countries ca’t see that for themselves and alter their way of thinking but if we can treat others as we would like to be treated ( Golden Rule) perhaps we can make our own part of the world a little brighter!
I recommend this series as one everyone should read whether young or old! The bonds of love and trust are stretched to the limit between Hank and Imogen after her not sharing what happened in the Fire Kingdom with Hank but that bond does bring them back together in the end.
Why not really enjoy a book and series you’ll want to
read again and again. The entire series is out now in a complete box set which I bought to read and it’s so
convenient to just turn the page and viola there is the next book in the series just waiting to be read!
Do yourself a big favor and get this box set today! You’ll be glad you did as you too will be rooting for Imogen and her friends to come out victorious against those who want to stop them.
I look forward to the final book in the series where I
believe they will all receive full pardons and once again can live back home free and unencumbered!
I invite you to read along with me as we continue on this wonderful journey with our friends to that sought after conclusion!
Once again Erin has written a story timeless in its appeal about how we should treat others who are different than we are. It’s too bad the leaders of the countries ca’t see that for themselves and alter their way of thinking but if we can treat others as we would like to be treated ( Golden Rule) perhaps we can make our own part of the world a little brighter!
I recommend this series as one everyone should read whether young or old! The bonds of love and trust are stretched to the limit between Hank and Imogen after her not sharing what happened in the Fire Kingdom with Hank but that bond does bring them back together in the end.
Why not really enjoy a book and series you’ll want to
read again and again. The entire series is out now in a complete box set which I bought to read and it’s so
convenient to just turn the page and viola there is the next book in the series just waiting to be read!
Do yourself a big favor and get this box set today! You’ll be glad you did as you too will be rooting for Imogen and her friends to come out victorious against those who want to stop them.
I look forward to the final book in the series where I
believe they will all receive full pardons and once again can live back home free and unencumbered!
I invite you to read along with me as we continue on this wonderful journey with our friends to that sought after conclusion!
October 31, 2018
Due East, Beasts, and Campfire Feasts begins exactly where book 6 ended. Imogen, Hank, Iggy, and the rest of the group fled to Badlands Island to escape the king. Hank is severely injured but recovering, albeit slowly and spends much of the beginning of the book unconscious. Before the group is able to collect their thoughts and formulate a plan, they are surrounded by soldiers and accused of dispatching their captain. Dragged into the town of Kursuri to face the council, to prove their worth, they must go on a dangerous trek up a mountain for a medicinal herb needed by the townsfolk. During this time, Hank finally comes to but is so overcome with emotions regarding Imogen, his father, almost dying, and the secrets and lies, Hank gives Imogen the cold shoulder. Hank’s attitude gave this book an entirely different feel than the previous six books. I really didn’t like Hank all that much after he woke up.
I have really enjoyed this series. Seven books in and the author keeps things fresh and interesting. Imogene, Hank, Maple, and Sam, along with all the others, are well developed characters. They aren't flawless characters but that's what helps give them, and the story, so much charm. The continued world building describes scenes very well and helps the reader develop deeper connections with the characters.
Imogen's character is fun and caring with a bit of emotional baggage making her a very realistic, likable, and interesting character. She has embraced the magic she was born into and she's continually trying to harness and use the magic. She’s tested in that capacity in this book. Imogene and Maple are wonderful and I love their friendship. Iggy the flame is the best! He's mouthy but Iggy and Imogen have a great relationship. I look forward to more of their antics in the next book.
I have really enjoyed this series. Seven books in and the author keeps things fresh and interesting. Imogene, Hank, Maple, and Sam, along with all the others, are well developed characters. They aren't flawless characters but that's what helps give them, and the story, so much charm. The continued world building describes scenes very well and helps the reader develop deeper connections with the characters.
Imogen's character is fun and caring with a bit of emotional baggage making her a very realistic, likable, and interesting character. She has embraced the magic she was born into and she's continually trying to harness and use the magic. She’s tested in that capacity in this book. Imogene and Maple are wonderful and I love their friendship. Iggy the flame is the best! He's mouthy but Iggy and Imogen have a great relationship. I look forward to more of their antics in the next book.
March 19, 2020
Oh wow. I enjoyed this book so much!!! This book continues from where the last book ended and I would recommend that you listen to that one first, actually I would recommend you start with book one because it is such a great series and each book is somehow better than the last. I love the characters both old ones and new ones, they are so much fun and you end up chuckling because you know what each one is likely to say or do, before it happens, the author writes about them so well they feel like very old colourful friends. This book is like one big adventure, although there is a mystery to solve it is not that obvious, which I really liked because it just unfolded with the story. Off to start the next book in this excellent series.
Imogen and the gang escaped one deadly situation only to land straight in another. The captain of the guards in the strange land that they landed on has gone missing, the same time they appeared. Is this a coincidence? The village elders don't think so and want to banish them from there town and leave there fate in the hands of the beasts that roam the island and with no magic to help. The only way to prove there innocence is to travel though a storm in a deadly forest and pick a flower that only blooms once a year, proving they come in peace. Accompanied by a select group of guards, Imogen and her friends head out to face the wild beasts of the bad lands. But things are not what they seem, beast traps are empty and there is still the problem of the missing guard.
I liked the narrator and the sound effect were fun. Not sure my dog liked the sudden roar every now and again though.
Imogen and the gang escaped one deadly situation only to land straight in another. The captain of the guards in the strange land that they landed on has gone missing, the same time they appeared. Is this a coincidence? The village elders don't think so and want to banish them from there town and leave there fate in the hands of the beasts that roam the island and with no magic to help. The only way to prove there innocence is to travel though a storm in a deadly forest and pick a flower that only blooms once a year, proving they come in peace. Accompanied by a select group of guards, Imogen and her friends head out to face the wild beasts of the bad lands. But things are not what they seem, beast traps are empty and there is still the problem of the missing guard.
I liked the narrator and the sound effect were fun. Not sure my dog liked the sudden roar every now and again though.
March 30, 2022
Badlands Break
King Roch is on the warpath and calls the bakery team into a meeting. Arriving to find themselves surrounded by soldiers and with the entire royal family plus a few seated like jury members Roch lays out the case against Imogen and her friends including his own son Hank.
Whilst he rages against them apparently having had the low down from Francis the bakers feel betrayed but there's something else going on with the apoplectic King. He orders Francis to attend to Hank from now on and then unleashes his anger and disowns him believing that it will cause Hank to lose his swallow powers that are so much stronger than his own. The outcome is unexpected.
But then Horace appears along with the strange man he saved from Cauclaustra and the cruelty Roch caused to the other kingdoms and his own son is announced for all to hear including the determined reporter Madeline.
Roch sets the guards upon them determined to kill Imogen but Horace once again has a reflective way out but not before one of them receives a death blow and Francis reveals that his bond to serve Roch has been severed.
So now they are in the Badlands, and it's truly not what they expected, but where did Horace escape to when they were caught by the ninja? And will Hank ever forgive Imogen for hiding the truth from him?
King Roch is on the warpath and calls the bakery team into a meeting. Arriving to find themselves surrounded by soldiers and with the entire royal family plus a few seated like jury members Roch lays out the case against Imogen and her friends including his own son Hank.
Whilst he rages against them apparently having had the low down from Francis the bakers feel betrayed but there's something else going on with the apoplectic King. He orders Francis to attend to Hank from now on and then unleashes his anger and disowns him believing that it will cause Hank to lose his swallow powers that are so much stronger than his own. The outcome is unexpected.
But then Horace appears along with the strange man he saved from Cauclaustra and the cruelty Roch caused to the other kingdoms and his own son is announced for all to hear including the determined reporter Madeline.
Roch sets the guards upon them determined to kill Imogen but Horace once again has a reflective way out but not before one of them receives a death blow and Francis reveals that his bond to serve Roch has been severed.
So now they are in the Badlands, and it's truly not what they expected, but where did Horace escape to when they were caught by the ninja? And will Hank ever forgive Imogen for hiding the truth from him?
November 3, 2018
You definitely have to have read previous books in the series to keep up with all that is happening in this edition, the seventh book of this fantastical series. It begins immediately as the group is plunged through a dimensional portal. Horace, the man with the mirrors that make travel possible, who is also Imogen's brother, is nowhere to be found.
They know this is the land to which the monsters have been banished but before they must face that threat they are captured and their magic invalidated.
The people who have captured them are searching for one of their own who disappeared while checking monster traps. They seem not to trust any strangers and are concerned Imogen's group had something to do with their Captain's disappearance.
Excellent world building and fast action create a very tense and unpredictable adventure.
This is good vs evil as well as deception and attraction and greed and inhumanity.
Did they leave one prisoner situation only to be captured again?
As the bakers try to prove themselves as trustworthy, someone is sabotaging the mission.
What is this person's motive? Why is Hank behaving so withdrawn and sullen? Does Sam have more to fear than the others? Who will survive?
This book may cause you nightmares!
They know this is the land to which the monsters have been banished but before they must face that threat they are captured and their magic invalidated.
The people who have captured them are searching for one of their own who disappeared while checking monster traps. They seem not to trust any strangers and are concerned Imogen's group had something to do with their Captain's disappearance.
Excellent world building and fast action create a very tense and unpredictable adventure.
This is good vs evil as well as deception and attraction and greed and inhumanity.
Did they leave one prisoner situation only to be captured again?
As the bakers try to prove themselves as trustworthy, someone is sabotaging the mission.
What is this person's motive? Why is Hank behaving so withdrawn and sullen? Does Sam have more to fear than the others? Who will survive?
This book may cause you nightmares!
December 17, 2020
Spirited away to the Badlands by her brother, along with most of her friends, in order to save their lives, Imogen finds that life in exile isn’t the best. The baker crew find themselves facing storms and monsters, and fighting for their lives. Even worse, Prince Hank and she are having problems. Can they work it out? Will they survive all that they’re facing in this strange and unfriendly environment?
I love this book. No surprise, I love the six that came before it. This is a remarkable series. The author has built a world that’s believable and one that keeps you interested. The writing is spectacular. The characters are ones you might like to have for friends; I know I do.
Hannah Somerville does a fabulous job narrating this book, as she has with the earlier ones in this series. Each character has a distinct voice, and she tells the story so that you feel like you are living it.
I received a code from the author for this book. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
I love this book. No surprise, I love the six that came before it. This is a remarkable series. The author has built a world that’s believable and one that keeps you interested. The writing is spectacular. The characters are ones you might like to have for friends; I know I do.
Hannah Somerville does a fabulous job narrating this book, as she has with the earlier ones in this series. Each character has a distinct voice, and she tells the story so that you feel like you are living it.
I received a code from the author for this book. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
December 9, 2025
Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts Book #7 of Spells & Caramels series.
Imogen Banks, one of the Royal Bakers of the Water Kingdom and her friends are now in the Badlands, a territory that is filled with monsters thanks to her brother! He uses his agenda for his purposes, which enlightens all in the room at the time to hidden facts, but also leaves them stranded in a forested wilderness! To add insult to injury, when they are surrounded by unknowns he deserts them to fend for themselves.
Imogen is struggling and only has her friends to rely on. They are in a situation where monsters are not only the animal kind, but unfortunately the inhumane 2-legged kind as well!
Can Imogen and the search party find the herbal medicine and get back before the impending typhoon storm??? Will she and Hank put their relationship back on track??? Will she save CAT and can CAT save them???
Come follow Imogen in the Badlands! Will they be accepted and prove their worth??? Can they survive all the monsters???
This is a cozy paranormal mystery for 13+ with no cussing, no racy scenes, mythical, mystical, and magical characters, murder, mystery, and romance! Oh, and of course baking! ! !
Imogen Banks, one of the Royal Bakers of the Water Kingdom and her friends are now in the Badlands, a territory that is filled with monsters thanks to her brother! He uses his agenda for his purposes, which enlightens all in the room at the time to hidden facts, but also leaves them stranded in a forested wilderness! To add insult to injury, when they are surrounded by unknowns he deserts them to fend for themselves.
Imogen is struggling and only has her friends to rely on. They are in a situation where monsters are not only the animal kind, but unfortunately the inhumane 2-legged kind as well!
Can Imogen and the search party find the herbal medicine and get back before the impending typhoon storm??? Will she and Hank put their relationship back on track??? Will she save CAT and can CAT save them???
Come follow Imogen in the Badlands! Will they be accepted and prove their worth??? Can they survive all the monsters???
This is a cozy paranormal mystery for 13+ with no cussing, no racy scenes, mythical, mystical, and magical characters, murder, mystery, and romance! Oh, and of course baking! ! !
October 7, 2018
To borrow some of the author's own succinct summarization, this story was about transportation via magic mirror to the Badlands, a quest for a magic herb on behalf of the townspeople so they would allow Imogen and group to stay there under their protection, monster cage fights for a dramatic finale and plenty of relationship angst between Imogen and Hank along the way.
I have totally enjoyed the previous books in the series, but this one was not my favorite. While the action is non-stop and suspenseful making for a fast-paced read, I found myself missing the whimsy, imagination, entertaining fun and magical feeling from the previous books that had totally captured my interest- this one was darker and more nitty-gritty, and the whole monster cage fights thing was too descriptive for my reading pleasure. I find that I can't rate it as high as I have the previous books in the series.
Note: I did receive an ARC of this book from the author but my review is voluntary and my opinion only.
I have totally enjoyed the previous books in the series, but this one was not my favorite. While the action is non-stop and suspenseful making for a fast-paced read, I found myself missing the whimsy, imagination, entertaining fun and magical feeling from the previous books that had totally captured my interest- this one was darker and more nitty-gritty, and the whole monster cage fights thing was too descriptive for my reading pleasure. I find that I can't rate it as high as I have the previous books in the series.
Note: I did receive an ARC of this book from the author but my review is voluntary and my opinion only.
November 16, 2018
Erin Johnson keeps doing it again, and again and again! I'm going to say it again, Erin Johnson just blew my witch-loving little mind! I seriously LOVE this series and can't get enough! I tell you, this series for me is up there with my Harry Potter books...I keep reading them over and over, because I just can't get enough of the worlds that Erin Johnson creates as well as the characters! The character development in this series is so well done and the characters just keep getting stronger and more defined - and wonderfully more in depth and unexpected. This book was so well crafted and full or angst and heart-wrenching scenes. I yelled, I cried and I fell in love with the characters just a little more. Imogen and Hank just make me swoon! I loved all of the new characters introduced and the storyline just keeps getting richer and richer. I could go on all day about how good this series is, but really you need to read it for yourself! I hate getting to the end of every book because it means I have to wait until the next one, luckily Erin keeps bringing us greats books pretty quickly!
November 18, 2019
Trapped in the Badlands. No way to get back to the Kingdoms. A hurricane on its way. A quest to complete within 3 days or if the monsters don't get you, the hurricane probably will. And a boyfriend who nearly died and isn't speaking to her. Imogen has a lot on her plate in this installment! The action in this book is non-stop. From the time the Royal Bakery crew - and Hank, Francis and Rhonda - land in the Badlands the book takes off and moves you from the little town of Kusuri, into the monster filled island that they call the Badlands. It's beautiful and lush and filled with monsters who are both terrifying and murderous. There's death in this book, but it's more of a sidenote and really it works. I feel like this was a great book to focus on not a murder. So many other things going on for the crew. And they have to go through all this with no magic! Super installment. Off to read the next!
October 24, 2018
This book follows Imogen and her friends as they have escaped the King's wrath only to find themselves in a worse scenario the Bad Lands. There they get brought to an area where people reside and Imogen has to prove they haven't done what they have been accused of and the only thing Imogen can think of is to go on a wild goose chase for an herb for medicine for people back into the depth of the Bad Lands and hope that they get what they are looking for and arrive home to prove their worth. Will they survive or will a possible typhoon impend their travel?
This book has so much going on including continuing exactly where they left off. Of course they have their issues going on especially between Hank and Imogen. Watching to see how everyone will succeed or not was captivating. Definitely a fabulous series for all those witch mystery lovers.
This book has so much going on including continuing exactly where they left off. Of course they have their issues going on especially between Hank and Imogen. Watching to see how everyone will succeed or not was captivating. Definitely a fabulous series for all those witch mystery lovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Another incredible installment to this fantastic magical series. We pick up right where the last book ended after they all went through the mirror portal. Hank is unconscious and the rest are quickly taken pretty much prisoners by the surprise inhabitants of the island. What follows is some amazing world building that really brings the story to life as we keep up with everything going on all the way to the end that leaves us wanting the next book now. I personally want to smack Hank for most of the book, but Imogen, and kidnap Iggy for myself. Magic, mystery, and some intriguing romance what more can you want? I loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Another incredible installment to this fantastic magical series. We pick up right where the last book ended after they all went through the mirror portal. Hank is unconscious and the rest are quickly taken pretty much prisoners by the surprise inhabitants of the island. What follows is some amazing world building that really brings the story to life as we keep up with everything going on all the way to the end that leaves us wanting the next book now. I personally want to smack Hank for most of the book, but Imogen, and kidnap Iggy for myself. Magic, mystery, and some intriguing romance what more can you want? I loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
March 27, 2024
I am loving this series! I bought the series because I felt like I got more books for my audible credit and a lot of times when I drive I cannot give a book my full attention. So I thought the whole series of nothing really difficult to follow would be great. These have been way beyond what I thought. Clever and warm and engaging. Also, a lot of times when you read a series it gets repetitive. I read a series a few years ago where I had to stop on book 5, because every page the main character would “sigh”. I couldn’t stand her saying that she side. I hated it and it ruined everything about the series. Plus, it got too complicated which is usually what happens with a series they start to throw things in to keep people engaged. This has not been like that.
October 16, 2025
After the absolute banger that was the previous book, this one was a bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good book and I enjoyed it, but because it takes place in a different location and with many different characters, it felt a bit disconnected from the other books. There's also a lot of walking and long periods without any magic which made this a bit dull. This is often the case with books that take place while traveling from A to B. Overall this book just felt a bit detached from the rest of the series and because of that it just fell a bit flat. I hope the next few books in the series will be a blast again.
October 18, 2018
Another sweet treat
In Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts, we get to follow Imogen and crew into the Badlands. Here she has to deal with an upset Hank, get captured by guards of a town they didn't know existed, and go on a quest to prove her and her crew are not on the island for nefarious purposes. Did I mention all the monsters? Oh and we get to learn a little bit about Cat. This was definitely a fun and sweet read. I'm excited to see what's next and what kind of trouble Imogen will get into next.
In Due East, Beasts & Campfire Feasts, we get to follow Imogen and crew into the Badlands. Here she has to deal with an upset Hank, get captured by guards of a town they didn't know existed, and go on a quest to prove her and her crew are not on the island for nefarious purposes. Did I mention all the monsters? Oh and we get to learn a little bit about Cat. This was definitely a fun and sweet read. I'm excited to see what's next and what kind of trouble Imogen will get into next.
June 11, 2024
This is a series about Imogen who burns down her all her hopes of opening her own bakery. She enters a bakery contest on an island just off the coast of France with her last dollar. Once she arrives she soon realizes that everything on the island is not as it appears especially at night. Then she realizes that not only is it different there but she is different also. She soon realizes that she has the gift of magic and has to learn how to contain it to help her solve so many of the mysteries that begin to show up.
June 6, 2025
What an enthralling five-star read. This one has so much drama, there has always been a really fun element to these stories but this one has something else as well, the monster hunt, made me feel so sorry for them, and that surprised me, I do wonder if by the end we will completely see the ghosts as different to who they appear at the start of the story, we have seen that with one that Sam was able to communicate with earlier in the series, but I am ever hopeful. The ned really warmed me, especially for Sam, he just has that extra sssspecial ssssomething.
October 13, 2018
Another fantastic adventure! These books are so well laid out, I love each one of them more. In this book we get more character development, & over arcing storyline growth plus another mystery for the gang to solve. I am so not Team Hank, honestly I think Imogen should drop him like a bad habit. But for the sake of fairy tale love, I will cut him some slack. :p Can't wait for the next installment! This is 100% my favorite cozy mystery series ever. It's a must buy!!
December 22, 2019
Imogen and her friends are now Badlands Island. They barely made it here alive after the truth about Hank’s father was revealed in Bijou Mer. But now they need to prove themselves to the people living in the Island and they will show again how important is to work as a team, and they help each other fight monster, discover a traitor and find a los tres man. And they will prove themselves again. The audiobook is awesome. Hannah really makes an amazing job with Erin’s amazing story.
June 8, 2022
What has Horace gotten Imogen into NOW?!
This is so entertaining! The author has already gifted us with the Bijou Mer world-building; now she's decided to double down on the imagination in the Badlands! Fascinating society and creatures, loathsome villains, engaging mystery and peril, an unexpected hero, another surprise hero/ally, and even a couple of relationship woes...this story has it all!
This is so entertaining! The author has already gifted us with the Bijou Mer world-building; now she's decided to double down on the imagination in the Badlands! Fascinating society and creatures, loathsome villains, engaging mystery and peril, an unexpected hero, another surprise hero/ally, and even a couple of relationship woes...this story has it all!
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