What do you think?
Rate this book
Wavily Witches #1
Witch Time for Tea
The Hotel Wavily, where the service is to die for.
The pet crocodile and adopted zebra notwithstanding, the family-run Hotel Wavily is pretty much like any other hotel catering to mafia fugitives and criminally-inclined individuals. Everyone has something to hide, including Evian Wavily, who discovers the secret to her family's success: witchcraft. As bad luck would have it, she's inherited blood magic, the most dangerous form of witchery and one that is banned across most of the witching world.
As if that's not inconvenient enough, a high-level mafia guest is murdered in the hotel's health clinic, and Tea Town's only doctor gets arrested for the crime. It's up to Evian, her batty familiar Squeaks, and her best friend Rita to solve the crime, preferably before afternoon tea. But they aren't the only ones interested in the case. As Evian is about to learn, some murders are never meant to be solved.
Witch Time for Tea is the first case file in the Wavily Witches Cozy Mystery series set in Tea Town, Kenya. Welcome to The Hotel Wavily where the guests are wicked, the owners are witches, and the service is to kill for. If you enjoy exotic locations, eccentric characters, and bewitching stories, then download Case 1 to start your spellbinding African holiday today!
The pet crocodile and adopted zebra notwithstanding, the family-run Hotel Wavily is pretty much like any other hotel catering to mafia fugitives and criminally-inclined individuals. Everyone has something to hide, including Evian Wavily, who discovers the secret to her family's success: witchcraft. As bad luck would have it, she's inherited blood magic, the most dangerous form of witchery and one that is banned across most of the witching world.
As if that's not inconvenient enough, a high-level mafia guest is murdered in the hotel's health clinic, and Tea Town's only doctor gets arrested for the crime. It's up to Evian, her batty familiar Squeaks, and her best friend Rita to solve the crime, preferably before afternoon tea. But they aren't the only ones interested in the case. As Evian is about to learn, some murders are never meant to be solved.
Witch Time for Tea is the first case file in the Wavily Witches Cozy Mystery series set in Tea Town, Kenya. Welcome to The Hotel Wavily where the guests are wicked, the owners are witches, and the service is to kill for. If you enjoy exotic locations, eccentric characters, and bewitching stories, then download Case 1 to start your spellbinding African holiday today!
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2020
About the author
Vered Ehsani
112 books314 followersI've been a writer since I could hold pen to paper, which is a lot longer than I care to admit. I live in Kenya with my family and other animals. When I'm not writing, I pretend to work as an environmental consultant.
Visit my world at http://veredehsani.co.za/free-books/ & pick up 3 FREE books about paranormal mysteries set in colonial Africa.
Visit my world at http://veredehsani.co.za/free-books/ & pick up 3 FREE books about paranormal mysteries set in colonial Africa.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 27, 2020
Witty beginning to Ms. Ehsani's latest series
This new series is more to my taste than the Lion Shifter series. It has more humor, more adventure, more of the earlier Africa With a Bite series (Beatrice Knight) about it than does the Lion Shifters. It even has the same manor and estate. I think it is also the same crocodile and Mama Jonas despite the passage of time. The zebra is however a new one.
Evian Wavily is not the tough, competent Beatrice Knight. She is a mess of phobias, confusion and general fear. But as the story moves along she grows, she toughens, she learns. The novel ends with great hope for Evian as a person, a witch and as an entertaining and sympathetic character.
This new series is more to my taste than the Lion Shifter series. It has more humor, more adventure, more of the earlier Africa With a Bite series (Beatrice Knight) about it than does the Lion Shifters. It even has the same manor and estate. I think it is also the same crocodile and Mama Jonas despite the passage of time. The zebra is however a new one.
Evian Wavily is not the tough, competent Beatrice Knight. She is a mess of phobias, confusion and general fear. But as the story moves along she grows, she toughens, she learns. The novel ends with great hope for Evian as a person, a witch and as an entertaining and sympathetic character.
August 24, 2020
I don't leave reviews often, even bad reviews, but I felt I needed to in this case.
I was really looking forward to this book because I'd like to see more diversity in the cozy genre, but the first chapter was so distasteful, I needed to explain why this is so bad.
From Chapter 1: And I mean it. Sure, my best friend slept with my fiancé. And I definitely blamed both of them at first. That’s before I found out my grandmother dropped a potion in his drink that encouraged him to temporarily fall in love with Rita while she was intoxicated.
“Hey, Evi? Are you going to forgive him? Get back together? The whole love potion—”
“No way. I’m not living with a man I can’t fully trust.”
“And me?”
I grab her hand and squeeze. “What’s life without a best friend, a pot of tea and a bar of dark chocolate?”
So, her fiancee was poisoned by her grandmother to rape her best friend while she was drunk, and it's the boyfriend she's mad at? I kept reading for a few more chapters to see if this is somehow explained better or...something, but it doesn't. She doubles down on the fact that the guy was poisoned by the grandma and that she blames him for it and specifically doesn't hold granny responsible, even though granny is pretty terrible. She had lied to Evian her whole life and is still keeping secrets from her and--of yeah--SENT HER BOYFRIEND TO RAPE HER BEST FRIEND! What were the authors even thinking? Of course, people are complex and so on, but Evian--and the others--are not likable enough to keep reading. Such a disappointment.
I was really looking forward to this book because I'd like to see more diversity in the cozy genre, but the first chapter was so distasteful, I needed to explain why this is so bad.
From Chapter 1: And I mean it. Sure, my best friend slept with my fiancé. And I definitely blamed both of them at first. That’s before I found out my grandmother dropped a potion in his drink that encouraged him to temporarily fall in love with Rita while she was intoxicated.
“Hey, Evi? Are you going to forgive him? Get back together? The whole love potion—”
“No way. I’m not living with a man I can’t fully trust.”
“And me?”
I grab her hand and squeeze. “What’s life without a best friend, a pot of tea and a bar of dark chocolate?”
So, her fiancee was poisoned by her grandmother to rape her best friend while she was drunk, and it's the boyfriend she's mad at? I kept reading for a few more chapters to see if this is somehow explained better or...something, but it doesn't. She doubles down on the fact that the guy was poisoned by the grandma and that she blames him for it and specifically doesn't hold granny responsible, even though granny is pretty terrible. She had lied to Evian her whole life and is still keeping secrets from her and--of yeah--SENT HER BOYFRIEND TO RAPE HER BEST FRIEND! What were the authors even thinking? Of course, people are complex and so on, but Evian--and the others--are not likable enough to keep reading. Such a disappointment.
August 12, 2020
Tea, Chocolate and Quirky Characters
As the first book in Amelia Ash and Vered Ehsani's new series, Witch Time for Tea delivers a quirky cast of characters in a unique setting. Although the expected paranormal facet is introduced and explored, this first book really concentrates on developing the main and repeat characters while solving a mystery with a bit of madcap humor and playful snark.
All in all this is a fun read and a very good start to a new series.
Content 411: As with this author's other books, this entertaining read is very clean and suitable for any age reader.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
As the first book in Amelia Ash and Vered Ehsani's new series, Witch Time for Tea delivers a quirky cast of characters in a unique setting. Although the expected paranormal facet is introduced and explored, this first book really concentrates on developing the main and repeat characters while solving a mystery with a bit of madcap humor and playful snark.
All in all this is a fun read and a very good start to a new series.
Content 411: As with this author's other books, this entertaining read is very clean and suitable for any age reader.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
August 16, 2021
Witches and hit men
Nice introductory story with just enough details to make me look forward to further adventures with these characters. Witches, familiars, ghosts, the mafia all intersect in a small town in Kenya.
Nice introductory story with just enough details to make me look forward to further adventures with these characters. Witches, familiars, ghosts, the mafia all intersect in a small town in Kenya.
August 13, 2020
Zany witches with loosey-goosey morals
It took me a few chapters to get into the swing of things, but then I really had fun reading this book. Vered Ehsani is back with a new quirky cozy witch mystery series. It’s a fun time in modern Kenya in the hills and tea plantations outside of Nairobi. The main character, Evian Wavily Fjord, is a mess. She is about 30, just ended her engagement, is still working for her grandmother, and just found out she herself is a witch. Her grandmother runs a hotel that caters to international criminals who want to hide out. Serial killers are not allowed, but assassins and people who only have killed one person are welcome! On top of that, a crime occurs, and Evian is on the case.
This novel is told in Evian's first person perspective in present tense. This choice of perspective works well. The book is suitable for teens and adults. There is a brief description of a bloody scene. This novel is a fun little mystery. I recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal cozy mysteries and/or humorous mysteries and to all fans of Vered Ehsani. It is a fun start to a great new series.
It took me a few chapters to get into the swing of things, but then I really had fun reading this book. Vered Ehsani is back with a new quirky cozy witch mystery series. It’s a fun time in modern Kenya in the hills and tea plantations outside of Nairobi. The main character, Evian Wavily Fjord, is a mess. She is about 30, just ended her engagement, is still working for her grandmother, and just found out she herself is a witch. Her grandmother runs a hotel that caters to international criminals who want to hide out. Serial killers are not allowed, but assassins and people who only have killed one person are welcome! On top of that, a crime occurs, and Evian is on the case.
This novel is told in Evian's first person perspective in present tense. This choice of perspective works well. The book is suitable for teens and adults. There is a brief description of a bloody scene. This novel is a fun little mystery. I recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal cozy mysteries and/or humorous mysteries and to all fans of Vered Ehsani. It is a fun start to a great new series.
January 19, 2021
I really enjoyed the location. It's nice to read a mystery that takes place somewhere other than a paranormal bookshop, yarn shop, or diner. The characters are not entirely likable but not annoying enough to drive me away. I'll keep reading the series to see how Evian handles the mess of a family situation she has to deal with.
June 3, 2021
DNF (Did Not Finish)
There’s not too many books that I don’t finish, even when they don’t interest me, just cannot hold my attention, have an exceptional amount of really poor grammar or typos, or are just straight up too confusing with no plot.
As much as I wanted to, and as many attempts as I struck out on, I’m disappointed to say this is one of those going on the DNF shelf.
I barely made it through 25% of the book before I finally laid it down for good. Quite a few times it seemed as if it was just about to become interesting, grab me, and finally develop a plot. But within the next page or two, it quickly deteriorated back to the point it was before.
I can’t even say what specifically about it stood out for me to struggle with it. At best, it was just too juvenile with no meat on its bones. I can’t even believe it’s ended up over 4 stars in reviews on GoodRead.
Sometimes life is too short to read bad novels, even free, or when borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.
There’s not too many books that I don’t finish, even when they don’t interest me, just cannot hold my attention, have an exceptional amount of really poor grammar or typos, or are just straight up too confusing with no plot.
As much as I wanted to, and as many attempts as I struck out on, I’m disappointed to say this is one of those going on the DNF shelf.
I barely made it through 25% of the book before I finally laid it down for good. Quite a few times it seemed as if it was just about to become interesting, grab me, and finally develop a plot. But within the next page or two, it quickly deteriorated back to the point it was before.
I can’t even say what specifically about it stood out for me to struggle with it. At best, it was just too juvenile with no meat on its bones. I can’t even believe it’s ended up over 4 stars in reviews on GoodRead.
Sometimes life is too short to read bad novels, even free, or when borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.
May 28, 2022
This book made me laugh from the time Evian found her familiar till the end. Evian finds out she is a blood witch, and she wants to learn how to do spells,but Granny refuses to teach her. Granny runs a hotel which hides criminals, which includes mafia and anybody hiding from the police. So while someone is hiding there, a murder occurs and Evian decides she is going to solve the crime, because she doesn't trust the police to do it. Her aunt decides she is going to teach her magic but first she needs to find her familiar and she finds one, a snarky bat. And that is when Evian's adventures begins. Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Thank you
October 6, 2020
Exotic locale and charming characters. Typical family friction. Typical intrepid (and somewhat phobic) heroine and typical best friend. Typical cozy plot. I enjoyed the story. I did feel as if there was a lot that had gone on before: What's the back story for the best friend? What's the deal with this treasure hunt thing that was frequently mentioned? My curiosity was to the point that I thought that this was, perhaps, a spin-off from another series, but I cannot find that to be the case.
August 15, 2020
Witch Time for Tea is the start to a fun new paranormal mystery. Full of snark, fun and best friends the story is fast paced and full of quirky characters. Evian and Rita have the potential to get into lots more trouble. And when you add an unusual and snarky familiar the possibilities are endless. The other characters add their own spice and flair to the story. I am eagerly awaiting the next story.
August 20, 2020
Fun Read
Really loved the imaginative environment and upbeat fun characters of this story. Was surprised to learn that two main protagonists were about 30 years old. Their dialogue seemed more like 16 year olds - flippant and filled with sarcasm - but it was fast and generally upbeat with no profanity or gross violence. This would be an enjoyable read with ones pre-teen daughter.
Really loved the imaginative environment and upbeat fun characters of this story. Was surprised to learn that two main protagonists were about 30 years old. Their dialogue seemed more like 16 year olds - flippant and filled with sarcasm - but it was fast and generally upbeat with no profanity or gross violence. This would be an enjoyable read with ones pre-teen daughter.
August 25, 2020
I was so excited to read another book by Vered Ehsani. This one wan't what I expected. I found that the banter between the two girls was distracting. if I had a friend like Evian's I would would kick her out the back door. There is a difference between confused by what is happening to you and being totally clueless. I realize this story was setting up a new series so all the characters needed to be introduced. I just felt no empathy for any of them. Probably won't read any more in this series.
Read
October 6, 2020Excellent start to new humorous paranormal mystery series
I was not sure what to expect when I started this book but I was pleasantly impressed by the creative and unique setting and characters. There is excellent dialogue that's smart yet humorous. I loved the exotic location with the small town setting that could be anywhere from America to England yet is Kenya. I'm excited to read more in this series. Wow, this book was great!
I was not sure what to expect when I started this book but I was pleasantly impressed by the creative and unique setting and characters. There is excellent dialogue that's smart yet humorous. I loved the exotic location with the small town setting that could be anywhere from America to England yet is Kenya. I'm excited to read more in this series. Wow, this book was great!
September 7, 2023
I forced myself to keep reading this in spite of the repetitious writing, shallow characters as I hoped to find a story set in Kenya which would be vibrant in its location. The narrator/"heroine" is just too stupid and her list od phobias became extremely tedious. The familiar, a bat, wasn't funny or useful. I doubt I'll read another
January 16, 2024
Fun and unique
I absolutely loved the setting, characters, and the plot. This was original and unique and a fun read. The characters really stand out, Evian is relatable, and Rita and Granny are both formidable and they all have a great dynamic. It absolutely left me wanting to read more.
I absolutely loved the setting, characters, and the plot. This was original and unique and a fun read. The characters really stand out, Evian is relatable, and Rita and Granny are both formidable and they all have a great dynamic. It absolutely left me wanting to read more.
September 14, 2020
I don't normally say anything if I don't like a book, but I have to. I just could not get into this one. I read it halfway and could not concentrate on it. Something is lacking and not being an author I don't know what that something is.
January 4, 2021
Family and familiar
Evian is not a water witch like the rest of her family but a blood witch. That is news to her since she just learned she was a witch. And the first thing she needs to do is find a familiar. It finds her first......
Evian is not a water witch like the rest of her family but a blood witch. That is news to her since she just learned she was a witch. And the first thing she needs to do is find a familiar. It finds her first......
April 21, 2021
Little jumpy and chaotic
For a witch she is a little jumpy and chaotic, but since the fact has been withheld from her all her life, I don't suppose that would be a surprise. I enjoyed the story, and look forward to the next book.
For a witch she is a little jumpy and chaotic, but since the fact has been withheld from her all her life, I don't suppose that would be a surprise. I enjoyed the story, and look forward to the next book.
August 18, 2020
Charming story
The sweet story of Evian her bff Rita and an ensemble of quirky, eccentric people and creatures. No animals were harmed in this story lol.
The sweet story of Evian her bff Rita and an ensemble of quirky, eccentric people and creatures. No animals were harmed in this story lol.
September 28, 2020
Not ok
This book was not my cup of tea I did not like the story line.I am more into the mystery.
This book was not my cup of tea I did not like the story line.I am more into the mystery.
March 22, 2021
Rounded up to a three. Interesting, not quite my cup of tea, but set in Kenya which is definitely different and interesting!
October 23, 2021
2.5 stars
April 18, 2022
Cute story, even though the snark got a little tiresome. Will definitely try the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews