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Southern Relics Cozy Mystery #1
Flea Market Magic
A little sweet tea and a whole lot of spells won’t always put out the fire…
Welcome to Jewell, NC, a small strip of land on the Crystal Coast with no stop signs or traffic lights, but it’s got a whole lot of magic. Ruby Mae Jewell helps run the family business of selling antiques and refurbished goods. But with old objects, you never know when one of them possesses more than just dust and cobwebs.
With the help of her family, friends, and vampire boyfriend, Rue helps to keep those items out of human hands at whatever the cost. But when someone dies on her property, maybe the price is too high!
Will her fiery personality and powers be able to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt or will Ruby Mae’s efforts to solve the murder go up in smoke?
Welcome to Jewell, NC, a small strip of land on the Crystal Coast with no stop signs or traffic lights, but it’s got a whole lot of magic. Ruby Mae Jewell helps run the family business of selling antiques and refurbished goods. But with old objects, you never know when one of them possesses more than just dust and cobwebs.
With the help of her family, friends, and vampire boyfriend, Rue helps to keep those items out of human hands at whatever the cost. But when someone dies on her property, maybe the price is too high!
Will her fiery personality and powers be able to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt or will Ruby Mae’s efforts to solve the murder go up in smoke?
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
April 2, 2020
FLEA MARKET MAGIC by Bella Falls is the first book in the Southern Relics Cozy Mysteries series. It is set in Jewell, North Carolina and features Ruby Mae (Rue) Jewell as the protagonist. She helps her father and uncle run the family’s antiques and refurbished goods business. However, old objects may not be what they seem. Sometimes there is real magic associated with them. With witches, vampires and ghosts; this novel gets off to a decent start.
While the internal and external conflicts were well defined, Rue was an annoying main character. She was reckless with not only her safety, but that of others and I did not feel that she grew significantly in depth. She acted immaturely for her age. However, the family dynamics are interesting and the basis for a great series is there. There are several plot twists and turns. The southern dialect was forced and not truly realistic. Themes include family, small towns, magic, murder, southern living and much more.
Overall, this is an enjoyable, but light read. I want to read the next book in the series; hoping that the characters and story line are refined. There are plenty of themes and directions that the next novel could pursue.
While the internal and external conflicts were well defined, Rue was an annoying main character. She was reckless with not only her safety, but that of others and I did not feel that she grew significantly in depth. She acted immaturely for her age. However, the family dynamics are interesting and the basis for a great series is there. There are several plot twists and turns. The southern dialect was forced and not truly realistic. Themes include family, small towns, magic, murder, southern living and much more.
Overall, this is an enjoyable, but light read. I want to read the next book in the series; hoping that the characters and story line are refined. There are plenty of themes and directions that the next novel could pursue.
February 2, 2025
Have to say that it reminds me of True blood. There are definitely differences between the two you have your witches and they are a strange lot but it times very funny as you listen on audible or even from Kendall unlimited you will grow to like them and laugh and well there's just a few spots where you scratch your head
February 2, 2020
Ugh, another know-it-all witch
Yep, once again a witch who thinks she can buck the system to solve a murder nearly gets herself zapped trying to do what she was specifically warned not to do.
Yep, once again a witch who thinks she can buck the system to solve a murder nearly gets herself zapped trying to do what she was specifically warned not to do.
July 8, 2022
Flea Market Magic is book one in the Southern Relics series by Bella Falls. We’re treated too witches, vampires, ghosts, and old objects that may not be what they seem.
Ruby is a fire witch helping her father and uncle run the family antique and refurbishing business. I wasn’t thrilled with our lead (Ruby). She pretty much bucks the system and puts herself, her family, and friends in danger and then wines about it. She acted immaturely for her age and didn't grow as a character. However, I did enjoy the family. I found them interesting and liked they’re dynamics.
The internal and external conflicts are well defined. The mystery is enjoyable and there are several plot twists and turns to keep you engaged.
Flea Market Magic was an ok read. I might read on to see if things improve. The series is in Kindle Unlimited for those that use the service.
Rated: 3 Stars
Ruby is a fire witch helping her father and uncle run the family antique and refurbishing business. I wasn’t thrilled with our lead (Ruby). She pretty much bucks the system and puts herself, her family, and friends in danger and then wines about it. She acted immaturely for her age and didn't grow as a character. However, I did enjoy the family. I found them interesting and liked they’re dynamics.
The internal and external conflicts are well defined. The mystery is enjoyable and there are several plot twists and turns to keep you engaged.
Flea Market Magic was an ok read. I might read on to see if things improve. The series is in Kindle Unlimited for those that use the service.
Rated: 3 Stars
June 28, 2020
Well I read this because I have read another series by the author and I loved it. I didn't love this one that much. There is nothing wrong with it but nothing special yet. I'll continue to read more in case it grows on me. I couldn't connect to the characters and the humor I loved in the other series wasn't here.
February 13, 2025
I thought the main character made some really bad choices, and she frustrated me at times. However, the setting is good and there is a large cast of quirky characters, so this is a good set up to the series.
October 13, 2022
Completed for the Whimsical slot of FALLinLove bingo! Super cute and cozy and there was a vampire boyfriend, unexpectedly!
Read
April 20, 2023Gave it a try for a Bookclub, unfortunately, nothing exciting to say about this one. Not recommended.
October 30, 2019
Maybe knowing all is too high a price?/strong>
The author kindly let me access a copy when I got in touch with her as there is a problem.
A terrific read. Full of magic, witches, ghosts, vampires and murder. A nice plot that will keep you guessing until nearly the end before you twig who, how and why (even if there is more to the why then you expect). Well thought out and different to the author's other reads. The story is very much magical but also more normal and the way the magic is treated makes it seem almost common place. The characters are full and well developed although I must admit that i took a bit of exception to the fact that everyone raged at our heroine but her uncle's loose tongue and drinking was left unremarkable upon.
Take a normal family (well sort of) add a magical crystal ball and mix with murder. Result - the family is suspected of the murder, the local coven leader wants to lay her hands on the crystal ball (as does everyone else) and wants them to join her coven. Can they find out who the killer is and why the crystal ball is so coveted?
The author kindly let me access a copy when I got in touch with her as there is a problem.
A terrific read. Full of magic, witches, ghosts, vampires and murder. A nice plot that will keep you guessing until nearly the end before you twig who, how and why (even if there is more to the why then you expect). Well thought out and different to the author's other reads. The story is very much magical but also more normal and the way the magic is treated makes it seem almost common place. The characters are full and well developed although I must admit that i took a bit of exception to the fact that everyone raged at our heroine but her uncle's loose tongue and drinking was left unremarkable upon.
Take a normal family (well sort of) add a magical crystal ball and mix with murder. Result - the family is suspected of the murder, the local coven leader wants to lay her hands on the crystal ball (as does everyone else) and wants them to join her coven. Can they find out who the killer is and why the crystal ball is so coveted?
April 21, 2023
Unfortunately, I’m reading some pretty heavy hitters in fantasy right now (Naomi Novik, NK Jemisin), so this book just couldn’t stack up next to those authors. It’s cozy and whimsical, a pretty light “beach read,” which isn’t usually my thing. The villain and protagonist leave something to be desired, I just couldn’t connect with the characters well. It definitely reminds me of the True Blood series, and what I imagine the Twilight series is like (never read that), so kind of kitschy. Those books have a place on the shelf, I just usually go for more challenging or darker reads. Interestingly, I thought the protagonist was a teen or tween the way she was initially presented, but then later on they made her sound older, so that is kind of confusing. I think it’s part of a series, but it left me wanting, so I think I’ll move on.
July 18, 2020
About the only good thing I can say about this book is that I didn't spend money on it.
I'm a big fan of the paranormal genre and I'm always on the lookout for a new series to read. I start each new book with hopes it will lead to something wonderful.
What I got in this book were characters that were annoying, a forced dialect that was a cartoonish stereotype, and yet another trashing of one of the oldest genres - vampires - with no explanation.
Sigh.
I'd like to say something positive about the book itself but it's just not there. I am bored with so-called 'strong women' who believe they have the answers for everything or, worse yet, are the answers for everything without listening to anyone else.
I'm a big fan of the paranormal genre and I'm always on the lookout for a new series to read. I start each new book with hopes it will lead to something wonderful.
What I got in this book were characters that were annoying, a forced dialect that was a cartoonish stereotype, and yet another trashing of one of the oldest genres - vampires - with no explanation.
Sigh.
I'd like to say something positive about the book itself but it's just not there. I am bored with so-called 'strong women' who believe they have the answers for everything or, worse yet, are the answers for everything without listening to anyone else.
March 31, 2021
3.5 stars
Enjoyable story and quite interesting concept. I swept through this book very easily. It felt much shorter than it was, somehow. A very smooth storytelling made it easy to just be carried away.
My only real complaint was the heavy use of the words "my boyfriend". Like, hey, I get it. You have A BOYFRIEND, Ruby Mae. I understood it the first 20 times. Yeeeeez.
And no, the variation "my vampire boyfriend" was just as silly and repetitive.
Other than that I found it great addition to my growing "collection" of cosy mysteries. Will definitely keep going.
Enjoyable story and quite interesting concept. I swept through this book very easily. It felt much shorter than it was, somehow. A very smooth storytelling made it easy to just be carried away.
My only real complaint was the heavy use of the words "my boyfriend". Like, hey, I get it. You have A BOYFRIEND, Ruby Mae. I understood it the first 20 times. Yeeeeez.
And no, the variation "my vampire boyfriend" was just as silly and repetitive.
Other than that I found it great addition to my growing "collection" of cosy mysteries. Will definitely keep going.
May 30, 2022
This main character sucked! She thoughtlessly puts her friends in danger, then cries and whines about it, all while plotting to do the next thing she’s been explicitly told NOT TO DO because it’s dangerous. Then she does it, because, she knows best of course 😒🙄🙄🤬🤬🤬 I swear, she is so unlikeable, the pig in the book was more likable than her.
Also, she has a boyfriend, we get it, but how many times do we have to be told “my vampire boyfriend.. my vampire boyfriend 🙄🙄”
This was definitely not charming or cozy, just bratty.
Also, she has a boyfriend, we get it, but how many times do we have to be told “my vampire boyfriend.. my vampire boyfriend 🙄🙄”
This was definitely not charming or cozy, just bratty.
August 23, 2022
Tveksam story. En död man hittas i familjens lagerlokal och man undrar hur han kom dit, inte att man oroar sig över vem som hade ihjäl honom och hur DEN personen tog sig dit och därifrån. Ger många cowboy-vibbar.
January 4, 2025
Nope! Main character is whinny and manipulative know it all. Not just a trite book but also made me mad at how it romanticized repercussions from horrible decisions. Ugh just pissed me off. Book not cozy just stupid.
July 4, 2020
First time author, for me.
I really like the cozy mysteries. This series, has a magical family, ghosts and a vampire. Plus normal law enforcement, trying to solve a murder.
I really like the cozy mysteries. This series, has a magical family, ghosts and a vampire. Plus normal law enforcement, trying to solve a murder.
October 7, 2020
Great start
This is a great start to the Southern Relics series by Bella Falls. I cant wait to read the next book.
This is a great start to the Southern Relics series by Bella Falls. I cant wait to read the next book.
November 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!
This was a lot of fun. It helps if you believe in, or appreciate, magic, though. It is very well written, too
This was a lot of fun. It helps if you believe in, or appreciate, magic, though. It is very well written, too
December 7, 2022
Loved it! Loved the vampire boyfriend, ghost grandma, the mystery of the magical object and the quirky town!
November 16, 2023
Pros:
The narrator is perfect for Southern charm. I think she read a previous series by this author and the Sookie Stackhouse books.
I enjoy continuing the same world but different small town and characters from this author.
Cons:
I still feel like Luke was a character in the other series and was a wolf but here is a vampire. No it isn’t an uncommon name but it has now been driving me a little crazy.
The narrator is perfect for Southern charm. I think she read a previous series by this author and the Sookie Stackhouse books.
I enjoy continuing the same world but different small town and characters from this author.
Cons:
I still feel like Luke was a character in the other series and was a wolf but here is a vampire. No it isn’t an uncommon name but it has now been driving me a little crazy.
November 18, 2023
DNF, everyone else’s fault but mcs for stupid decisions that puts herself and her friends in mortal peril—her mother, her personality; no one listens to her ideas even though she’s been warned it’s a bad idea by family, SO and outsiders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2024
1.5
There was nothing harmful about it but overall very boring...
I enjoyed some aspects but definitely could have been a lot more
There was nothing harmful about it but overall very boring...
I enjoyed some aspects but definitely could have been a lot more
May 8, 2025
Just not my cup of tea. The writing was good and the storyline fairly good also, but the MC? Nope. Childish, selfish, stupid. Unfortunately, I won't be continuing this series.
March 19, 2021
I saw this book on an Amazon book club page. I really enjoyed it. Very folksy feeling. I live in NC so it felt comfortable. Rue is a smart lady with a hot boyfriend. Flea marketing is how her family makes a living. However, when she finds a crystal ball, things go off the rails. The ending was a surprise. Right now it's a free book on Kindle Unlimited. Give it a read!
July 8, 2022
plot hole a mile wide
I could understand being worried someone you love is going to be arrested but why would she use it for that… I personally think she should have asked it how to fix her cousin but that’s just me… 1 - someone gets arrested for a little bit of time and then it’s proven it wasn’t that person or 2 SPOILER her cousins mine is over come by what he has been turned into… personally I think that person spending some time in jail over a person potentially losing their mind is short-sided and someone should have slapped her before or after she pulled her stunt.
I could understand being worried someone you love is going to be arrested but why would she use it for that… I personally think she should have asked it how to fix her cousin but that’s just me… 1 - someone gets arrested for a little bit of time and then it’s proven it wasn’t that person or 2 SPOILER her cousins mine is over come by what he has been turned into… personally I think that person spending some time in jail over a person potentially losing their mind is short-sided and someone should have slapped her before or after she pulled her stunt.
January 5, 2021
This book was alright....if you can get over the weird Southern voice the author tried to give the characters. Being a Southerner, it insults me when I see things like this. We don't all talk like that with the ya'll's and ain'ts and bad grammar. Matter of fact, I've never said either one of those words in my life and I'm from Louisiana, the deep South.
Other than that, the book started out strong. There I was reading along and enjoying myself when suddenly the MC careened off into crazy land.
She went from a quirky and likable character to a selfish know-it-all who had no regard for the safety of others or herself. I really didn't understand what was going on with her and why the author changed her personality. Did she forget the character she was writing about? Did she lose her voice?
There were several threads that were dropped in the story. Characters who popped up and interacted with the MC and then were never heard from again. What was the point? Was it a failed attempt at a red herring? The mystery was weak. How did the thing get in the ball? What was the thing? How was she able to destroy it, was she in the ball or not? None of it was really explained.
It also bothered me that she had a ready made boyfriend who was barely in the book. It felt like we are supposed to care about him and them together but the author made that impossible. The wicked coven leader got more face time than the boyfriend! Luke seemed like a great character, just wish the author had developed him more and let the readers get to know him.
I don't know if I will read the next one in this series.
3-stars because the book has potential and I did like her family and group of friends.
Other than that, the book started out strong. There I was reading along and enjoying myself when suddenly the MC careened off into crazy land.
She went from a quirky and likable character to a selfish know-it-all who had no regard for the safety of others or herself. I really didn't understand what was going on with her and why the author changed her personality. Did she forget the character she was writing about? Did she lose her voice?
There were several threads that were dropped in the story. Characters who popped up and interacted with the MC and then were never heard from again. What was the point? Was it a failed attempt at a red herring? The mystery was weak. How did the thing get in the ball? What was the thing? How was she able to destroy it, was she in the ball or not? None of it was really explained.
It also bothered me that she had a ready made boyfriend who was barely in the book. It felt like we are supposed to care about him and them together but the author made that impossible. The wicked coven leader got more face time than the boyfriend! Luke seemed like a great character, just wish the author had developed him more and let the readers get to know him.
I don't know if I will read the next one in this series.
3-stars because the book has potential and I did like her family and group of friends.
June 3, 2020
Fantastic book about witches, vampires, and Magic
Ruby Mae is a witch who has a temper leading her into troubles, but she has a good heart filled with kindness. Family of witches consists of a father, ghosts that have not moved on, uncle 's family, a dog with a nose seeking magic, and Deacon who has been turned into a pig. Their whole family are independent witches who hunts for flea market trash to turn into treasures while keeping an eye out for magical hex objects (good or evil). Ruby Mae find a soul draining crystal ball. A man named Croy is killed in their barn looking for the crystal ball. Can Ruby Mae along with her vampire boyfriend defeat the crystal ball evil?
The characters are weird unique, feisty, and magical personalities that is a fast paced mystery. Not until the near the end of the story does the reader find the killer and the makes a fascinating mystery enjoyable. I personally going to get the next book in the series. Maybe the author Will answer puzzling questions such as: Does Deacon turns back to human? How does Ruby Mae cope with the coven? etc. There are a few chuckles along the mysteries to keep the read engrossed and entertained. Highly recommended.
bookwormsuzy
Ruby Mae is a witch who has a temper leading her into troubles, but she has a good heart filled with kindness. Family of witches consists of a father, ghosts that have not moved on, uncle 's family, a dog with a nose seeking magic, and Deacon who has been turned into a pig. Their whole family are independent witches who hunts for flea market trash to turn into treasures while keeping an eye out for magical hex objects (good or evil). Ruby Mae find a soul draining crystal ball. A man named Croy is killed in their barn looking for the crystal ball. Can Ruby Mae along with her vampire boyfriend defeat the crystal ball evil?
The characters are weird unique, feisty, and magical personalities that is a fast paced mystery. Not until the near the end of the story does the reader find the killer and the makes a fascinating mystery enjoyable. I personally going to get the next book in the series. Maybe the author Will answer puzzling questions such as: Does Deacon turns back to human? How does Ruby Mae cope with the coven? etc. There are a few chuckles along the mysteries to keep the read engrossed and entertained. Highly recommended.
bookwormsuzy
September 4, 2020
I had been listening to the Southern Charms Mysteries and thought I would try this series. I made it through about two chapters but the narrator (who is absolutely lovely) is the same and there wasn’t much difference in the voice of either the narrator or the series so I switched to Kindle Unlimited.
This first book is a set up for Ruby Mae Jewell. Even from the beginning we know that she is being set up for a knock to the ego as she first takes down an arrogant flea market seller and then the grandson of another seller who had accidentally gotten ahold of a magical object that allowed her to channel magic. The prediction Ruby Mae get says that she needs to be ready for a fall.
I have to say that, especially after the Southern Charms Mysteries, Ruby was fairly unlikable. She has literally every other "good guy" character in the book telling her not to use the crystal ball but she defies them all and uses it anyway because she is just smarter (and more stubborn) than anyone else. I had hoped that after she was proven wrong she might mellow out a bit but it doesn't seem like it. I will probably give this series one more chance just to see if she changes but I have a feeling she's not going to.
This first book is a set up for Ruby Mae Jewell. Even from the beginning we know that she is being set up for a knock to the ego as she first takes down an arrogant flea market seller and then the grandson of another seller who had accidentally gotten ahold of a magical object that allowed her to channel magic. The prediction Ruby Mae get says that she needs to be ready for a fall.
I have to say that, especially after the Southern Charms Mysteries, Ruby was fairly unlikable. She has literally every other "good guy" character in the book telling her not to use the crystal ball but she defies them all and uses it anyway because she is just smarter (and more stubborn) than anyone else. I had hoped that after she was proven wrong she might mellow out a bit but it doesn't seem like it. I will probably give this series one more chance just to see if she changes but I have a feeling she's not going to.
December 24, 2020
Ruby Mae and Her Uncle are off to the flea market to look for items for their business. Things take strange turn when a person Ruby knows has a magical item. Ruby purchases the item from the woman. The woman's grandson tried to get it back.
Ruby Mae finds out the grandson was killed on their property, they will have more problems than just the murder. Her uncle is the prime suspect. Ruby and her family will try to find out who committed the crime. Nothing will be straight forward for them. Her family also makes a deal with the coven leader that asks to much. Ruby will rush into danger in order to save those she loves
This was an interesting book. It is set in the south, so you have the southern charm. Ruby Mae is a little head strong that she can annoy you at times. She will grow on you as you go along. The other characters are just as fun. There are plenty of twist and turns in this story that will keep you reading. This is light hearted read is the perfect book to get away for awhile
Ruby Mae finds out the grandson was killed on their property, they will have more problems than just the murder. Her uncle is the prime suspect. Ruby and her family will try to find out who committed the crime. Nothing will be straight forward for them. Her family also makes a deal with the coven leader that asks to much. Ruby will rush into danger in order to save those she loves
This was an interesting book. It is set in the south, so you have the southern charm. Ruby Mae is a little head strong that she can annoy you at times. She will grow on you as you go along. The other characters are just as fun. There are plenty of twist and turns in this story that will keep you reading. This is light hearted read is the perfect book to get away for awhile
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews