USA Today Best-selling series. Comprises all 4 books in the Sea Witch Cozy Mystery series. This 4 Book Box Set contains Broom Mates (Novella) and 3 full length novels: Broom With a View, Broom for One More, and, Broomed for Success. Join Goldie Bloom, a thirty something, high flying real estate agent sent out into the wilds of quiet seaside Australia by the boss who broke her heart. She's not expecting to move in with a room mate named Persnickle, discover she is descended from an ancient coven of sea witches, or find herself in the middle of a town with no coffee, but that’s precisely what happens.
USA Today best-selling author Morgana Best survived a childhood of deadly spiders and venomous snakes in the Australian outback. Morgana Best writes cozy mysteries and enjoys thinking of delightful new ways to murder her victims.
These books are HORRIFICALLY bad. HORRIFICALLY. I picked them up because (a) they were free, (b) cosy mysteries are my down-time. This series had the bonus of including a pet wombat - yay!
But oh my god.
Full disclaimer: I read the first two 'books' in this set. The first 'book' was a short story, and while it was awful, I figured I'd give the author a chance to prove herself and read the second. If anything, it just got worse. The editing is awful, the storyline dull and predictable, the characters *incredibly* unlikable, and I honestly find it difficult to believe the author has ever been to, lived in, or read anything about Australia. She may also not have encountered much in the way of the English language before.
I'm going to share some of my Kindle highlights here:
WORD REPETITION 5% - "After quickly towelling myself dry, I put on the skirt and blouse Laura had poked around the door. I quickly applied some makeup and dried my hair. A quick glance in the mirror showed I was almost back to my old self." I'm starting to get the impression the author knows exactly one adverb.
VOICE RECOGNITION GONE WRONG I can only assume the author writes these using voice recognition, because otherwise some of the errors don't make sense. 7% - "When I walked back out, Laura was sitting with the others. “I didn’t hear you coming,” I told her." Come IN
THE AUTHOR FORGETS WHAT SHE'S WRITTEN Our (awful) heroine moves into a house, and gets her bed installed by removalists to replace the lumpy furniture from her uncle. Yet she apparently chooses to sleep in the removed bed anyway: 9% - "I awoke in my new house in Queensland after crashing fully clothed on the lumpy bed"
I CANNOT EVEN WITH INTOLERABLE HOT MEN Okay, okay. We get it. The first man you meet is going to be your love interest, and he's going to be awful, but so good-looking you can't avoid him. He's even going to be morally ambiguous at first, which will allow a love triangle to develop. *Vomit* 11% - "He was insufferable, although his jawline was amazing"
THIS FREAKING SENTENCE 13% - "For a start, the house wasn’t even seaside, although it was technically so, if you didn’t count the fact that there was no surf, only broadwater." = The house wasn't by the sea, but it was. Though something is only a sea if there's waves. Wtf. Also the protag talks about this so much. Why? Does the author have some kind of trauma involving seashores? Is there some kind of disillusionment at play here? Is it that she WANTS her protagonist and her internal monologue to be a bitter and idiotic shrew? Because nothing else makes sense.
FURTHER UNLIKEABILITY In book 2, the protagonist meets a ghost for the first time. She's been told the ghost is not very nice, and so she goes in yelling at her and being unkind. The ghost responds accordingly, having been given no compassion or chance to communicate herself, and yet the protag storms out saying that 14% - “If she wasn’t dead,” I told her, “I’d have killed her myself.” Our protag is a grade-A d*ck.
THE FOOTWEAR Did I mention that all our protagonist wears is stilettos? She has 3", 4", and 5". Her 4" stilettos are the most 'comfortable' height for everyday wear while wandering around an oceanside country town (which is also a suburb of the Gold Coast - what), spying through windows, checking out swamps etc. She also deems silk clothing suitable workwear. Is this some kind of wish fulfilment fantasy? Is this book written for people who dream about being 'glamourous' (by which I mean uncomfortable and in painful corporate wear) while hooking up with obnoxious men and being a b*tch to everyone you meet? Because that is a VERY SPECIFIC kind of wish. 14% - "When I got home, I realised I had nothing for dinner that night, so I pulled on my most comfortable four inch stilettos and went into town." 16% - "I decided to dress down by wearing my three inch stilettos and a tight pencil skirt."
CREEPS AND MISOGYNISTS Example: 15% - "“Well, here’s me,” said Henry, pointing to his car. “I hope to see you around soon. And just so we are clear, Goldie, I never mind when a beautiful woman accosts me with microwavable dinners.”" Eugh, because there's nothing hotter than someone who feels the need to constantly remark on your appearance, right? Also, naturally our protag is both clumsy (how adorkable) and relatable (microwave dinners amirite).
DOES THE PROTAGONIST HAVE DEMENTIA OR IS SHE JUST PAINFULLY DUMB 15% - "I awoke the next morning at six. I knew that because I woke up, looked at the time on my phone, and said aloud to myself, “Wow, it’s six o’clock. I didn’t wake up at five after all. I wonder why?” I soon answered my own question when I realised that my speech was slurred." I also know the time at which I wake up by looking at a clock. I rarely exclaim the time afterwards, but each to their own. Also there's no explanation for why she's thinking about waking up at five until a couple of chapters AFTER this, when the point is raised for the first time. 17% - "I figured I would need to get blockout roller blinds, and dispose of the old curtains that hung across my wide window. Perhaps I should also invest in an Eye Sleep Mask."
Also real-talk, if you are waking up in the morning and you are so drunk that you are SLURRING, you have a serious alcohol problem. Nothing about this is charming. (And why in this world is 'eye sleep mask', aka an 'eye-mask', capitalised? Is this some new technology with which the author's just become acquainted? Does she think it's a brand name, or a proper noun? Mysteries abound.)
AUSTRALIA FACTS 20% - "A bindi was a nasty, low-growing weed that covered most lawns in Australia." Bindis are prickles that grow in some lawns in Australia. I've encountered them in one area in Sydney, but never in my time living in Tasmania, Melbourne, Jindy, or the Whitsundays. I *believe* they would be found in other places, but saying that most lawns in Australia are some kind of violent assault on your feet is wildly inaccurate.
35% - (Speaking of codeine.) "“Until recently, it was available throughout Australia without a prescription. Most people in Australia would have it in their cupboards already.”" Codeine is available over-the-counter in Australia at lower doses, after consultation with a pharmacist. Prescriptions for higher-dose codeine has been in place for at least 15 years IIRC - I used to have to get prescriptions for it for back pain 17 years ago. Also please, people - check the expiry dates on the medicines in your cupboards.
THE SHRIEKING! THE SCREAMING! Characters in this book only seem to be capable of shrieking or screaming, even over innocuous things. I could understand an argument that those at the old people's home were ALL hard-of-hearing (though this is not the case), but EVERYBODY shrieks/shouts. All the time. For no reason.
IS THIS...COMEDY? I don't understand what genre these books are supposed to be, but it's full of uncomfortable moments. E.g. our protag is being slapped on the back by someone who is overly forceful in doing so. Until finally, 33% - "This time she hit me so hard on my back that my head did hit the table." NOBODY REACTS TO THIS. This is ASSAULT. If somebody hits you so hard on the back that your head *hits the table in front of you*, report it to the police! And yet nobody at all reacts to this egregious display, it seems it's used as a 'funny' and 'charming' way to end the chapter.
I did take some more notes but honestly I'm exhausted by how bad this book is. Burn it. Don't buy it. Run from it. It's awful. I would give it minus stars if I could.
This collection includes three previously released books, as well as a new addition to the series. There are well-defined characters, lots of humor, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.
Welcome to East Bucklebury. Where serving and drinking coffee is not legal.
Book 1) Broom Mates (Sea Witch Cozy Mysteries Book 1)
Goldie Bloom moves to the Gold Coast after catching her boyfriend and boss making out with another woman in his office, and also inherited a house from her uncle.
The next morning, after waking up. She stumbles over a body; she later learns she was the intended victim.
This story introduces us to the main characters in the series. In my opinion, it is way too short to be developed properly, and the murderer was announced without any real investigating happening.
Book 2) Broom with a View (Sea Witch Mysteries #2)
Goldie Bloom's second day starts off very much like her first one ended. Her new friend Oleander calls her early in the morning to tell her that the nursing home manager has been murdered, and the police think she is the guilty party because of an argument they had the night before.
Ursula Hackles was a shrew. She enjoyed nothing more than making everyone's life miserable. She would take anything that made the home's residents happy (phones, games, photos. She even put things in the food of the residents that she knew they were medically sensitive to.)
With such a large suspect pool, Goldie has her hands full with trying to clear Oleander's name.
Book 3) Broom for One More
Goldie Bloom takes her pet wombat to the vet to be checked over after he attacks a runner from another country and eats one of his sneakers. The sneaker was orange, the wombat hates anything orange and attacks it on the spot. (I actually think he sees orange and believes it's just a large carrot. His favorite snack.)
When Goldie arrives at the vet's, the business is empty, she walks through an open door and discovers the body of the recently murdered vet.
Because the lead detective believes Goldie to be the main suspect. She, Oleander and Athanasius investigate on their own. Their suspects are the vet's wife, his mistress, his best friend, and his mistresses' husband.
Book 4) Broomed for Success (Sea Witch Mysteries #4)
Goldie Bloom has her first showing for her new real estate business.
When someone shows up early just wanting to see the house, they look through the house and start screaming that there is a dead man in the house.
The murdered man is one of five people who around five decades earlier was part of a gang that robbed a bank, and made off with a large portion of gold.
As Goldie is one of the main suspects, she and her duo of elderly friends set out to solve yet another murder in their once quiet town before Goldie moved in.
This is a really fun series and I am glad to be able to recommend it to others to read.
The only thing I didn't understand was the titles. I know they referred to Goldie being a witch. But after four books beginning with "Broom" in the title. There hasn't been a mention of said broom yet.
About the Books: This 4 Book Box Set contains Broom Mates (Novella) and 3 full length novels: Broom With a View, Broom for One More, and the NEW, never-yet-released book, Broomed for Success.
Join Goldie Bloom, a thirty something, high flying real estate agent sent out into the wilds of quiet seaside Australia by the boss who broke her heart. She's not expecting to move in with a room mate named Persnickle, discover she is descended from an ancient coven of sea witches, or find herself in the middle of a town with no coffee, but that’s precisely what happens.
Review:
If you love a cozy paranormal story rich with diverse characters and well developed characters this box set is for you. Did I mention it is hilarious??? Goldie Bloom is a funny, smart and well rounded , considering she just found out she is a sea witch. She is learning the ropes with help some friends and her familiar Persnickle. If you are a coffee drinker, you will LAUGH out loud at the storyline related to coffee.
The mysteries are great and there is a budding romance, but I am not a spoiler kind of girl. Trust me , you want to read this entire box set! Morgana Best is one of my favorite authors and she does not disappoint with this. This is so well written you will not want to put it down!
This is a super fun series for cozy mystery readers or those new to cozies. I was able to read the series in quick succession and enjoyed each one. I'll recommend this series and this author, who was new to me, to others. I hope there is more to follow!
This was the first I have read from Morgana Best and it won't be the last! The characters were well developed and hilarious! And now I want a Persnickle! Can't wait to read more of the Sea Witch stories! I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this set.
This series is a bit different from other paranormal series but in a fun over-the-top way. Some parts seems so ridiculous but actually make the books quite unique. For instance, Goldie moves to a small town in Australia that has a law against drinking coffee. It's a running joke throughout the series that actually grew on me. The mysteries are very well put together and have lots of unexpected twist and turns.
Morgana has such a lovely, upbeat style of writing that is great for moving the story along. While Goldie, the main character, takes a bit to warm up to, the supporting characters and her wombat familiar are so engaging, you'll keep reading until Goldie's sometimes prickly personality becomes more quirky than anything else.
Entertaining stories. Light, easy read. I had fun with these stories. I love Persnickle, the Wombat. I like the originality of having a Wombat who is important in the story.
A lovely witchy mystery box set. Charming characters, lots of action, magic, mystery, humor, love and romance. I couldn't put the book down, and enjoyed a couple of wonderful reading bliss.
Sea Witch Cozy Mysteries by Morgana Best I am loving this series.
1. Broom mates Goldie Bloom has been sent by her boss -the one that broke her heart- to work in a seaside town in Australia. She also inherited a house near the sea and found out she had a familiar. She knew she is a witch but didn't know what kind of witch. This is a fun novella and makes you want to keep reading the next books in the series.
2. Broom with a View.Sea Witch Cozy Mysteries) (Volume 2) I Loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Goldie and Persnickle, her familiar wombat, find themselves trying to solve a murder because her friend is considered a suspect. Goldie is able to see and talk to Ghosts while Persnickle is with her so they go find the ghost at the local nursing home to help solve the murder. This has been a funny story even if Coffee is prohibited in town but Goldie find the way to her daily cup
3. Broom for one more. Persnickle chases some Dutch runners and eats a runners shoe, so Goldie takes him to the vet only to find him dead in his office. That's how she is considered a suspect as well as others. That's when she and her friends decide to investigate who murdered the veterinarian with a gunshot in the back. This is a funny and fast read and shows humor along the whole book. Ms Best has been able to create a wonderful series and has left me wanting to start reading the next book.
4. Broom for Success Finally Goldie took the opportunity to open her real estate office and has one house listed and the first person interested in looking it finds a dead man in the bedroom. Now Goldie and her friends have to investigate and you will be laughing at every turn of the page. I really saw Goldie being able to achieve what she wanted workwise and at the end of the story you can see her really happy for how things are going.
This is a hilarious and sweet serie you won't want to miss. Go and get the books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a great series and currently a terrific bargain. In this collection we are treated to the never before published BROOMED FOR SUCCESS, book 4 of the series. And what a success it us! Goldie has opened her real estate office, and has her first listing. The house is a fixer-upper, but never mind that because the first nosy neighbor who comes to look finds the body of a dead man in a bedroom. For the sake of potentially selling the house, Goldie jumps right in to investigate, dragging friends Oleander and Athanasius along with her. Persnickel, her wombat familiar, aids Goldie in speaking to the dead man's ghost, and helps save the day a couple of times! Much hilarity ensues as well as illegal coffee drinking. Seriously, illegal coffee and even Julius Caesar keep you laughing and wondering what's next. One novella and three full length novels for a great low price. Better grab a copy fast before they are all gone. This is one series you won't want to miss!
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you. My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it. If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give. Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away. Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
Delightful to have all of the Sea Witch series together! Goldie is a real estate agent in Australia and moves to a very small town because of an inheritance. That's good news, right? The bad news is that it is illegal to have coffee on your premises! The odd news is that she finds out from her new friends who live in a retirement home that she is a Sea Witch! This means that her new pet, Persnickel the wombat, is also her familiar and if he is with her she can talk to ghosts which comes in handy in each book as there are murders! There are problems with law enforcement, love interests, and learning that her moods influence the weather. There are no problems in laughing your way through each book!
I downloaded this through Amazon for free. I enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries as light reading, and usually take advantage of Amazon's free books to indulge.
This series had a lot of potential. While it uses the standard formula (woman discovers and struggles with paranormal abilities while solving crimes while developing a relationship with a local really handsome cop), there are some fun plot elements that could have set it apart.
But I found myself totally unable to care about the characters. They were made of cardboard, with very little to make them stand out one from the other. I kept finding myself asking, for example, "Now, which one is Harriet?"
Goldie's real estate boss / boyfriend dumps her for another employee and ships Goldie off to the Gold Coast office to sell houses there. Fortunately Goldie's uncle died and left her his house, a little money, and a wombat named Persnickle. This is a great four book set that follows Goldie as she adjusts to small town living, making friends, investigating murders, and finding out she's a sea witch. A lovely cast of characters including Persnickle who loves carrots but hates the color orange rounds out a delightful set of cozy mysteries.
I deeply enjoyed this box set. There are murder mysteries, a wombat familiar, friends and magic. A touch of romance and intrigue. Lots of fun. Coffee being illegal adds tension to this small town... Change those old bylaws I tell you! Oh but it does all so much fun and the thrill of being caught with coffee... There are even characters that will make you squirm and be thankful you don't reside there. If you're looking for some light hearted fun, this the box set for you!!
I read the full set, but marked each story individually until the last one, because I couldn't find it in its individual form here on goodreads. I found these to be cute and easy page-turners. I found that there were definitely some writing mistakes and errors. There were also plenty of clichés, but all in all, the stories and characters were fun and enjoyable. I was kind of hoping for more, actually, because I feel like some things were left unresolved. Stuck between staying at a 4 or dropping them all to a three.
I read all 4 of these in less than 2 days! A first by me from this author and I’m hoping there is many more to come! I’m so glad I got them all at the same time as each was an easy and fun read! I’m totally in love with Goldie! I definitely recommend getting the box set! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future! I haven’t read anything like this in so long! I really enjoyed each book!
Goldie Blum is a sea witch but had no idea. When her uncle died, she inherited his house on the Gold Coast of Australia in East Buckleberry. She also inherited a roommate named Persnickle. He’s really a wombat and her familiar. He enables her to see ghosts and speak with them. When the builder dies on her property, Persnickle and the builder’s ghost enable her to identify the killer.
This is a fun series, great characters, and fun to read!
I just got done reading the first half of the four box set and I am loving it!!!!! This is the first time that I have read Morgana Best books and I will be reading more!!! The characters are so funny and you laugh and you will forget the crazy of the world for a little while. You may even laugh out loud a few times. Definitely worth getting!
I enjoyed the story, but found myself floundering for character descriptions. Slowly images were built based on clues here and there; however, I would have liked to be able to visualize the characters from the git go.
There are no words to explain how entertaining, mysterious, funny, and romantic this four book set was to read. Each book kept getting better and better. I want to read more!
This is a great bargain. They are funny with murders to solve. I like all the major character. Goldie is a Sea Witch with an unusual familiar. She may be unhappy with her move at first but she grows to love it.
I found this series fun filled. Imagine finding you you are a sea witch and your familiar is a wombat. You can see and speak to ghosts through you familiar. What's even worse, COFFEE is illegal. Very enjoyable, intriguing and fast paced cozy mystery. A total must read.
I love the Sea Witch series. I am hoping this is not the end of the Persnicklety tale. I have fallen in love with all the characters and their nuances. Say it isn't so!!!!!!