Tarnished and Torn

Witchcraft Mystery #5

by Juliet Blackwell

As the owner of a popular vintage clothing store, Lily Ivory can enjoy a day of antique jewelry shopping and still call it work. But as one of San Francisco’s resident witches, searching for hidden treasures can sometimes lead to dangerous discoveries…

When Lily arrives at an antique jewelry fair, her bargain sensors go off left and right—but she also picks up a faint vibration of magic. Could the hard-bargaining merchant Griselda be a fellow practitioner? It certainly seems that way when a sudden fire sends panic through the crowd, and Lily discovers Griselda murdered in a way that nods to an old-fashioned witch hunt…

A crime that hits close to home turns into an unwelcome flash from the past when the police bring in their lead suspect—Lily’s estranged father. Though he may not deserve her help, Lily is determined to clear her father’s name and solve a murder that’s anything but crystal clear.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Witches, Magic, Fiction

Audiobook

First published July 2, 2013

About the author

Juliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) started out life in Palo Alto, California, born of a Texan mother and a Yankee father. The family soon moved to what were, at the time, the sticks of Cupertino, an hour south of San Francisco. Walking to and from kindergarten every day she would indulge in her earliest larcenous activity: stealing walnuts and apricots from surrounding orchards.

By the time she graduated middle school, the orchards were disappearing and the valley at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay had become the cradle of the silicon semi-conductor. A man named Steve Jobs was working in his garage in Cupertino, just down the street. Juliet's father advised his daughters to enter the lucrative and soon-to-flourish field of computers.

"Bah" said Juliet, as she went on to major in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (they had, by far, the best parties of any department). Rather than making scads of money in computers, she read, painted, learned Spanish and a little French and Vietnamese, lived in Spain and traveled through Europe, Mexico, and Central America. She had a very good time.

Juliet pursued graduate degrees in Anthropology and Social Work at the State University of New York at Albany, where she published several non-fiction articles on immigration as well as one book-length translation. Fascinated with other cultural systems, she studied the religions, folklore and medical beliefs of peoples around the world, especially in Latin America. Juliet taught the anthropology of health and health care at SUNY-Albany, and worked as an elementary school social worker in upstate New York. She also did field projects in Mexico and Cuba, studied in Spain, Italy, and France, worked on a BBC production in the Philippines, taught English as a second language in San Jose, and learned how to faux finish walls in Princeton, New Jersey. After having a son, moving back to California, and abandoning her half-written dissertation in cultural anthropology, Juliet started painting murals and portraits for a living. She has run her own mural/faux finish design studio in Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, for more than a decade. She specializes in the aesthetic renovation of historic homes.

Finally, to round out her tour of lucrative careers, Juliet turned to writing. Under the pseudonym of Hailey Lind, Juliet penned the Art Lover's Mystery Series with her sister Carolyn, about an ex-art forger trying to go straight by working as a muralist and faux finisher in San Francisco. The first of these, Feint of Art, was nominated for an Agatha Award; Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death were both IMBA bestsellers, and Arsenic and Old Paint is now available from Perseverance Press.

Juliet's Witchcraft Mystery series, about a witch who finally finds a place to fit in when she opens a vintage clothes shop on Haight Street in San Francisco, allows Juliet to indulge yet another interest—the world of witchcraft and the supernatural. Ever since her favorite aunt taught her about reading cards and tea leaves, Juliet has been fascinated with seers, conjurers, and covens from many different cultures and historic traditions. As an anthropologist, the author studied and taught about systems of spirituality, magic, and medicine throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Halloween is by far her favorite holiday.

When not writing, painting, or haranguing her funny but cynical teenaged son, Juliet spends a lot of time restoring her happily haunted house and gardening with Oscar the cat, who ostensibly belongs to the neighbors but won't leave her alone. He started hanging around when Juliet started writing about witches...funny coincidence.

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining witch listening 🎶🔰

This is a kindle e-book from the local library.

Lily is at the Cow Palace in Sam Francisco for a jewelry sale with her two girl 👧 friends. She finds some jewelry for her store. Then fires 🔥start and a woman 🚺 dies and the fun begins. She is being followed by two men and demons looking for a jewel with powers. Three men friends help with the investigation leading to the conclusion.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fantasy witch adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Christy Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished and once again, Juliet Blackwell does not disappoint!! I adore this book series, and this one is just as good as the others.

First, let me say how much I enjoy her style of writing. I'll admit to being a person, when reading, that skips "details." Do I need to know about the town's history? Or what the heroine is wearing? No, I skip that and move onto the meat of the story. However, I do not skip a thing in these books. She makes the town of San Francisco come alive (and I have been fortunate enough to visit there). The history she includes, and the details of what is there today, make for not only entertaining but interesting reading. And I am drawn to the story associated with potions, herbs, medicinal and natural remedies...everything that Lilly works to "make" I find so interesting.

At any rate, I digress. I don't really like doing reviews that give away anything about the storyline. Fans of the series will enjoy this one and it has been worth the wait.

And might I add, I think I am now falling in love with Sailor? Oh yea.

On a final note, the book will be released on July 2. If you love mysteries, and you love books with of a paranormal type genre, you will LOVE this series. So you have enough time to find the first four books in this series and start on them, and if you read pretty quickly, you will be done with them just in time for the release of Tarnished and Torn. All these books are well worth your money and time.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Jessica (a GREAT read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliet Blackwell's Tarnished and Torn was yet another delightful mystery coupled with a good healthy dose of paranormal! In this one, Lily finds herself yet again in the thick of another crime, a murder...which seems to be the usual kind.

Ever since Lily moved to San Francisco, things haven't been exactly peachy for her. True, she has her shop and business is going great...it's been all put back together after it was torn apart a few weeks back. She has great friends and life is going pretty well for her. Although, she is tormented with the knowledge that Sailor is gone, banished by Aiden.

The story opens up with Lily and her friends going to a Gem Expo where basically a variety of people/sellers hawk their wares of jewelry and jewelry bits. Looking to add flair to their shop Lily and her friends go. But the event ends in catastrophe! Not only was there a bout of chaos when Oscar in his pig form came in looking for Lily, but one of the jewelry sellers Lily had been talking to and bought a big ol box of mystery junk from, was killed. Pressed to death. An entirely brutal one way to go and one that was used a torture method for witches way back when. Is this the start of hate crimes against witches? Was Griselda even a witch? Too many questions for Lily to answer without doing a little investigating.

But the murder mystery is only the beginning of Lily's problems. She's also being hounded by two goons who seem intent that Lily has something that they want. Possibly something that she bought from Griselda in the box? Then there's also the knowledge that there might be another magic user in town, one who isn't on the nice side of things and Maya happens to be in the line of sight. There happens to be a group of fire-dancers in the park and might be the reason why has Maya been acting strangely lately, but there is something decidedly eerie about these fire-dancers that Lily can't quite put her finger on.

And to make Lily's day just a big ol' bucket of fun, her estranged father is in town.

This was quite the mystery and I truly did enjoy every minute of it! There were so many questions as to what was going on that I was itching for answers. Particularly the reason why Lily's father suddenly appears when the last time Lily saw him in Germany when she was seventeen he practically told her to get lost. Maybe not exactly in that way, but the meaning was clear that her father wanted her nowhere near him.

And while her father was in the "pages", I still didn't quite get a feel for his character. I was still under the impression that he was a bit of a douche, but I think there might be something more to his character. I can't be sure if any redeeming qualities will arise but only time and future novels will tell!

I was also very happy to see that while Sailor was banished, he did make an appearance about 2/3 through the book. I knew he couldn't stay off the page for long. His character still confuses me at times, but only in the sense that I can never tell if he really cares for Lily. He's a bit moody, but I guess that's just his character and there are plenty of times that we see that he does in fact, care for Lily! Yay!

Honestly, the who-done-it totally took me by surprise! I didn't suspect this character at all for some reason. And yet, that was only half the answer as well! There's still a lingering question about the second part to the murder and it's really unclear as to the correct answer. Perhaps Lily will figure that out next time around!

There was a good deal amount of Mexican culture woven into this one that I found particularly intriguing! I like mythology and legends...you know, the basis of where my favorite genre tends to stem from. And in here, we get a nice smattering of that in regards to opals, fire opals in particular. It was a nice little history lesson in some sense! And it was woven into the story wonderfully in a way that wasn't at all lecturing like.

Overall, this was yet another delightful mystery! I must urge again how incredible these kinds of reads are, because they are in heart a mystery series coupled with paranormal elements! Lily is sort of an odd witch, but she's a good, kind-hearted person and I have grown to love her character. I look forward to seeing what other mysteries fall in her lap and of course see how she manages to have Sailor as a boyfriend and figure out the impossible Aiden.


Overall Rating 5/5 stars

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the whole witchcraft concept and I also liked the San Francisco setting even though we didn't get much of the ambience for it in this book. I don't care for Sailor at all and looking ahead at later books , it appears she'll get engaged to him. I'm hoping not. I like Aiden or Carlos better.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dense and an idiot. That's my latest description of Lily. She spent 80% of this book running around interrogating people without going anywhere and the last 20% berating herself about Sailor's absence. In the end he miraculously showed up, said a couple of gruff words, kissed her and she forgave him for leaving. Aidan, as usual, helped her from the beginning and she broke into his office as a reward. Wow.
I have to admit I liked Sailor a lot but that last stunt of leaving without saying a word really took most of his charm for me. Aidan, however, seems to be growing on me. He may not be always forthcoming with information but he has been protecting her for a very long time without any actual rewards from her. And I gotta say I kinda like his way. He's always a surprise. Either quick to temper or mellow as a kitten. We can't really predict anything with him. Maybe Lily should find out once and for all if he's trustworthy. I'd like to see them together. I think he would be able to quench her thirst for trouble without actually restrain her. Besides he always seems to be quite cheerful with her and she seems to need it. She's very balanced but tends to be gloomy when things get tough. It's annoying as hell. He also never did anything for her to be so hard on him. Her father's an idiot and she gave him a chance. Now that's dumb! I wouldn't trust him with my plants! Not that I actually have plants but you get my drift...

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Blackwell’s paranormal mystery novel, Lily Ivory, owner of Cora’s Closet of vintage clothing, visits the gem fair with all its antique jewelry and rare stones, only to have her “witchy” senses pick up a faint trace of magic in the air. Suspecting another practitioner was at the fair, she’s taken by surprise when fires ignite and panic flares. When all is said and done, one of the merchants is found dead—murdered in such a way that it could have been history repeating the witch hunts.

With a crime that hits close to home, Lily turns only to find herself facing her long-gone father—and the police’s prime suspect. Regardless of their painful past, Lily is determined to clear his name and solve the murder.

An extraordinarily entertaining read and smashing addition to the A Witchcraft Mystery series.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Juliet Blackwell’s books but found this one a little disappointing. There was only one possible villain, the return of old Dad was a letdown, and there was absolutely no explanation for Sailor dropping off the face of the earth for a period of time. And why does Aidan always act so mysterious?

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I enjoyed this series! I think one of my favorite aspects is that Lily is able to pick up vibes and information from textiles. She runs a vintage clothing store in San Francisco and has found herself enmeshed in a fair share of homicide cases, having only been in the Bay Area for a couple months. In this one, she is enjoying a trip to an antique jewelry fair, when she recognizes Griselda, a jewelry vendor as a fellow witch. She purchases some items from Griselda, and is shocked when she later finds Griselda dead. This book felt like it had some pivotal moments in it, with the introduction of Lily's dad, and the return of both Aidan and Sailor. Lily learns that there is powerful demon running around San Francisco, reeking havoc and attempting to kill witches all around the city. Lily works with Detective Ramirez to track down the killer.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Lily , the main character is involved in a mystery about an opal ring that has strong powers. She is not sure of what she is looking for or where to look and especially who to trust. The story is set in San Francisco. The book was an easy read.

[Swan Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love these characters, magic, motivations, integrity and mysteries in this series. already looking forward to reading another

[Amy lifewiththe_williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg the end of this one was the best ever 😍

[Andrea Gerdes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Not my favorite in the series but still good!

[Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. The ending felt a bit rushed and some things were resolved "off story" even though most things always get explained in the last chapter in these books, which always serves as an semi-epilogue.

Maybe these books have a set amount of pages allotted for each volume?

[IslandRiverScribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Witchcraft Mystery series, following “In a Witch’s Wardrobe.” Like the previous novels in the series, this is not a standalone. Too much has happened with the major characters who have been present since the beginning novel for a reader to start with this book, hoping to understand and enjoy its plot.

We begin this story about one month following the events of the previous novel. Sailor is still AWOL, having been banished from San Francisco by an egotistical and jealous Aidan. Aidan, the quintessential coward, is himself AWOL, hiding from who knows who, but especially hiding from Lily. And Lily’s estranged father has failed to show, even though she was warned, at the end of the previous novel, that he was on his way to San Francisco.

Lily and her shop assistants are at the Gem Faire that is being held at the Cow Palace, hoping to purchase vintage jewelry for Lily’s shop. Not long after they arrive, Lily meets a vendor, purchases some items from her, and summarily finds her murdered after a fire breaks out in the venue. The manner of death is the act of pressing, an ancient torture used to slowly crush and asphyxiate suspected witches into confessions of evil intent.

Before long, other witches are attacked, non-witches seem to be demon-possessed and Lily’s life is in danger. And thus the mystery part of the story begins.

The sub-theme of the book revolves around the issue of abandonment – Lily abandoned by her father as an infant, rejected again by him when she was a teenager and now his sudden reappearance. Add to that Sailor’s disappearance, without a word and with all possessions gone, and Aidan’s refusal to aid her against the very demon that scarred him, and we have a very intense emotional miasma. The author does not belabor the point with extended internal monologues nor does she let things go too far toward self-pity. Instead, Blackwell keeps having Lily put one foot in front of the other, even as she occasionally stumbles through self-doubt and confusion. Lily’s life, both emotionally and physically, depends upon it.

As important as the issue of her father’s abandonment is to Lily – and has been prominently featured as backstory in five novels – the author is very circumspect with the father’s character. He only appears physically in three scenes in the entire book, but the import of those scenes is well crafted by Blackwell.

As we reach the last pages of this novel, it also feels as if we have reached the end of the series. All the major sub-plot threads feel neatly tied up. The major threads revolving around home, friends and love feel neatly contained. And, unlike the previous books, there is no set-up for a new mystery or a new murder. However, a little birdie tells me (also known as the author’s website) that a new book will be forthcoming in June of 2014. I look forward to it.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Ivory goes to a Antique Jewelry Fair one morning looking for some baubles to sell in her vintage clothing store. She meets Griselda, who sells her a box of "junk" and is shortly found dead. What has Lily bothered is how she was killed. Griselda died from an ancient method of interrogating witches, "pressing" between boards adding weight gradually, right there at the fair. Now Lily has two men following her. Did Griselda slip her something that the others and willing to kill to get their hands on? Then there is Lily's estranged father who seems involved. Once again, there is a powerful paranormal enemy to fight, an Aztec fire demon, and Lily needs to get her game on. While this can be read as a stand alone, knowing the running storyline will enhance the experience.

Lily Ivory is trying to adjust to having friends, and a business, and a broken heart. She is dealing with her sorrows by focusing on the clothing store rather than running, which is progress for Lily. Oscar is still the crazy comic relief Goblin-Gargoyle mix. Aidan's character is revealed a bit more, showing he may be more trustworthy than he lets on. Lily's father, Declan, makes a few cameo appearances, but not enough to really deal with that subject. Perhaps more in following books will settle the remaining questions there. Sailor does finally make an appearance and you won't want to miss the few pages he does get, because they are important to the storyline. Inspector Carlos Romaro is becoming a favorite that I hope gets more attention as the series continues.

I always enjoy the San Francisco setting. It is obvious the author knows the city and its very heartbeat well as it flavors the story. The plot and enemy are gradually revealed, which keeps the tension high. The pacing of the story was maintained through out with the main storyline and the continuing subplots as well as danger to her friend Maya. The climax seemed a bit scaled back and not as heart-pounding as previous books, although still clever and good. The wrap-up seemed a little rushed and some unanswered questions with Declan and Sailor were left hanging.

Another solid entry in the Witchcraft series, advancing the personal themes while tackling a murder mystery. This series never disappoints and draws the reader into Lily's life instantly.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Join me at Mysteries and My Musings book blog
http://www.mysterysuspence.blogspot.com

[Text Addict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take a close look at that cover. Okay? Good.

I promise you, this series is not about using magic to perfect one's shopping techniques.

Actually I've been mulling over exactly how to categorize this series (and similar ones) and have finally hit upon something that makes sense to me: urban fantasy lite. See, they have the elements typical of urban fantasy as it's currently practiced - magic, supernatural critters, a touch of romance, and something mystery-like going on - without the grim-and-gritty tone.

And apparently, somebody in Obsidian's marketing Department decided that if it isn't grim and gritty, it must be fluffy and frilly and girly - so there's gotta be smiles and glitter on the book covers!

Umm, no.

Don't get me wrong, I like this series, though it isn't one of my favorites. There are dangerous things happening (murders, children being stolen by evil spirits, demons, and so forth), and she's had a difficult life that hasn't really prepared her for normal social interactions. One of Lily's long-term projects is to help the street kid who hangs around outside her store get off drugs. Now, she definitely has her happy moments, so it's not like smiles are totally out of place, but seriously? This lady came across a Hand of Glory in an earlier adventure and still uses it sometimes. Magic does not involve pink glitter in these stories (though I do have to admit there was a rainbow light show involved in this one).

Surely there's some middle marketing ground between gritty urban fantasy and pink glitter?

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the 5th in the series about the witch Lily Ivory, who was raised mostly by her adoptive grandmother Graciela. In this tale, we see how old magic affects the modern world, bringing ancient dangers into our reality.

That is one of the strengths of this series: it enables us to glimpse a part of what makes other belief systems so powerful. Another strength is that, even though there is romance, the sex angle is not a predominant part of the story. It is important but not a critical point.

I love the characters in these stories, with all their faults, and enjoy reading about them, with one single exception: Aidan. I dislike him, even though we don’t see much of him, simply because he is arrogant and overbearing, telling people how to behave without giving reasons for certain actions.

On that note, that is one of Lily’s faults - she turns to the men for help. A powerful witch should be able to accept help, but not seek out another practitioner every time she encounters something strange. This is especially true in Lily’s case, as she was raised separately and has had little to do with most magic users over her lifetime. The other magic users (especially the men) ought to be secondary, or brought in incidentally, not be a lifeline.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I look forward to Juliet Blackwell's new additions to her Witchcraft Mystery series. She blends humor, suspense, and witch lore to tell interesting stories about Lily Ivory. This newest book brings Lily face to face with her past: her father is in San Francisco. It was Lily's grandmother who taught her what she knows of her witch abilities; but Lily knows that her father has abilities too. When she first went to him, many years ago, he sent her away. But, when he's implicated in a murder, Lily wants to help him. There are anti-witch forces at work and a demon. Lily must rely on her strengths and her friends to resolve this mystery (as always).
Lily is a fully fleshed out character and every book we learn more about her. Her familiar spends most of his time as her pet pig; but he was a gift from Aidan Rhodes, a strong male witch in San Francisco who used to work with her father. Lily suspects Oscar (her familiar)spies on her for Aidan.
I would recommend this series for those who like light entertaining reading with interesting characters, a little romance, and witchcraft.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After counting down the days to the release date of 2nd July 2013 I was disappointed to learn that the Kindle edition still wasn't available to Australian fans. Ms Blackwell herself answered my plea and advised that according to her editor the delay was due to international release policies. I impatiently waited until 2nd September 2013 when I gave up waiting and borrowed a friends book instead.

Once again I found myself transported to San Francisco to meet up with my, by now, old friend Lily Ivory and her lovable familiar Oscar, The author easily integrates modern day witchcraft within her mysteries and this book doesn't disappoint. Demons, hypnotic fire dancers, a mysterious father, a rather delicious love interest - all bound up neatly in one story. I did find it a little predictable towards the end but am such a fan of this series that it didn't impact on my overall enjoyment of the book.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and I will definitely be buying the Kindle edition when it eventually lands in Australia.

[Elizabeth Arrowood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I'll ever be capable of giving a book in this series less than 5 stars. I love this series sooooo much- the characters, the setting, the mystery. I don't think Lily really earned the solving of the mystery in this one (kind of like an epiphany that we, the audience, were not privy to). There was one character in particular that I dying for, and I had to wait until I read like 75% of the book for him to show. And, it kind of disappointed me. I wanted more passion, but he was there and it was sweet and that makes me happy. Like all of the Witchcraft Mysteries, I was sad when it ended and wanted to read more- and the book was perfectly long enough. That really tells me all I need to know. I just love, love, love Juliet Blackwell.

[MLL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is becoming tedious. The heroine has developed a "hero" complex. She thinks she alone can solve all problems and save everybody. She doesn't confide in her friends and ask for help even if they themselves are in danger. (If Harry Potter had her attitude there would still be 5 horcruxes left.) She doen't feel laws apply to her. She only ever accepts help from handsome guys. Unfortunately they end up nearly letting her die in the basement while they fight over her 2 floors above so perhaps she shouldn't really depend on them. Her familiar is the best help, when he is in the mood. Her growing arrogance, incompetence, sercretiveness and busybody ways make this series less and less palatable. And the romantic aspects of this series are unreliable and unsatisfying.

[Gennielc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable! I adore all the characters!

[Litcky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily is a magic character.
She is so human though being a witch. A well written book. I was enthralled.

[K Whatsherface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's be real. I read this one as fast as I did because I wanted to know what happened with sailor after the last book.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a little easier to follow than the earlier book I read, perhaps because I had read the earlier book. Not all of it makes sense.
A lady who runs a secondhand clothing shop in San Francisco goes to a giant sale of goods in an exhibition hall. I see no reason why she stops to take particular note of a jewellery stand, since she has said she is not interested in jewellery and all the clothes are awaiting her at other stands. While there our protagonist observes and listens to a few people and even buys a big cardboard box of assorted junk jewellery, although now she is burdened by it and she doesn't want jewellery.
A fire alarm goes off and during the mad scramble to leave, the protagonist observes that a lady she was just speaking to, is now dead in a way that must have taken a considerable amount of time to arrange physically and could not fail to be observed, especially as the lady would have been screaming and struggling.
After that the tale starts to be more coherent. Our sleuth is gifted with witch powers, which she naturally wants to use for good but tries to conceal. She is irked to find rowan twigs adorning a house, damping her powers, and worried that someone may be trying to summon a demon - as explanation for the unseasonably hot weather and spate of fires. Anyone specific she wants to ask for help is both absent and a man (that's annoying).
As a mystery it's fun and an interesting read.

This is an unbiased review.

[Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series so far, enjoyed reading about Lily's adventures in San Francisco and using the city as a backdrop for the stories. This one read more like a pity party of Lily's life in Texas and then her issues with her father. After the tenth mention of how sad her life was growing up I had enough. The story just seemed to go on and on with really no investigation into finding the killer but instead to find the demon. It veered a little too much into that and not the cozy mystery I was expecting from this series.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Binge-read the first few books during time of duress--macbook off at the spa getting physical therapy and hip replacement surgery, so to speak. Great fun. I'm giving them all 4.5 rounded up!

I may come back and give more details but not now. I mean I already spent a half-hour writing some and then lost them so not doing it over right now.

Xe Sands does a terrific job of narration, too.

[Kellene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in the series. Starting the next immediately...

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed this week, a smart paranormal cozy-ish installment in a favorite series read by a favorite narrator Xe Sands