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A 40-year-old Witch with a New Career
A Gargoyle Sheriff Raising a Teenaged Daughter
And an Enchanted Island Full of Secrets
When game warden, Shayla Loci, and her cousin, Serena Spellburn, stumble upon a wounded dragon guarding gold coins, they have no idea it would lead to a clue about how Serena's dad, Mac, really died nearly thirty years before. But that's exactly what happened. Now Shayla and Sheriff Alex Stone must determine if Mac died of suspicious causes, and, if so, who caused his death and why. Between digging for thirty-year-old clues among supposed friends and experiencing a near-death fatality, Shayla is sure Mac's death was planned. But can she prove it? With the help of Needles her flying porcupine, Shayla is unwavering in her pursuit to find Uncle Mac's killer. But when things come to a head, and innocent people are in the way, will everyone come out unscathed? Or will Shayla have to make the ultimate sacrifice? If you like paranormal cozy mysteries and midlife main characters, then this series is for you!

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2021

508 people are currently reading
121 people want to read

About the author

Jenna St. James

135 books275 followers
Jenna writes in the genre of traditional cozy, paranormal cozy, and romantic comedy. Her humorous characters and stories revolve around over-the-top family members, creative murders, and there's always a positive element of the military in her stories. Jenna currently lives in Missouri with her fiancé, step-daughter, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever dog, Brownie, and her tuxedo-cat, Whiskey. She is a former court reporter turned educator turned full-time writer. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education and an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She also spent twelve years in full-time ministry.
When she’s not writing, Jenna likes to attend beer and wine tastings, go antiquing, visit craft festivals, and spend time with her family and friends. You can friend request her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjennas... or catch her on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/authorjennas.... Check out her website at http://www.jennastjames.com/. Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with the latest releases!

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5 stars
1,257 (63%)
4 stars
516 (26%)
3 stars
176 (8%)
2 stars
19 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,783 reviews154 followers
April 14, 2021
Deadly Coins is Book 2 in the Witch in the Woods Series by Jenna St. James.
This is a fantastic paranormal cozy mystery series which I absolutely LOVE!

When Shayla Loci, and her cousin, Serena Spellburn, find a very badly injured dragon standing guard on gold coins, it opens up an investigation that leads to a piece of information about how Serena's father died over 30 years ago.

Shayla and the handsome shifter Sheriff Alex are investigating what happened and how the gold coins come into play. Of course Needles, Shayla's porcupine that flies is involved and is one of the best written animal characters I have read.

This story is suspenseful, well written with great complex fleshed out characters that will leave you believing in magic and flying porcupines.

I LOVE this series and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Profile Image for JoAn.
2,462 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2021
I am really enjoying the paranormal cozy mystery series set on Enchanted Island. The main character,Shayla, is very likable and working with Sheriff Stone on each case allows you to get to know the other quirky residents of the island. With this quickly paced plot, limited suspects and a 30 year old cold case that hits close home for Shayla, Sheriff Stone and Shayla have their work cut out for them to solve the mystery.
1,428 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2023
3.5 stars. Not quite as good a story as the last book, but I’m enjoying the characters. Really quick 4 hr audiobook.
Profile Image for Federica De dominicis.
362 reviews6 followers
February 29, 2024
Brilliant!

How to inhale a book part one: start a Jenna St. James' "a witch in the woods" book.
The cast of characters keeps growing with more amazing supernaturals, while our usual suspects get more depth and details add. Definitely recommended!
1,344 reviews8 followers
October 16, 2024
Loving this series with Agent Shayla Loci and Sheriff Alex Stone and his daughter Zoie. So fun and exciting to read.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
August 30, 2023
entertaining Paranormal cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. If you can cast of characters in an entertaining storyline. Sheila low-key is a woman nearing 40. She grew up on a supernatural island off the west coast of the United States. Her mother is a witch and her father is a Loki who is king of the black forest which rules over the island that they live on. He is the magic behind the island here and lives in the black forest as a giant tree connected to the earth the air and the wildlife. Sheila left at the age of 20 and went off to become a Paranormal Federal agent and then retired and moved back to the island. She now lives in the castle her father built for her mother and is now the islands wildlife ranger. She met the new sheriff and his daughter and ended up helping him solve a crime and as a Basically wildlife enforcement officer she helps him we needed to solve crimes and issues. She has family on the island and lives out near the black forest. The whole island is inhabited by other supernaturals and many different types. It’s a unique twist and very entertaining stories to read. Read on and follow the ventures of Sheila And her friends.
2,009 reviews
July 18, 2021
Second book in the series and I enjoyed it as much as the first book. More mysteries and more development of the characters, Shayla Loci is the games warden and she and her cousin, Serena Spellburn, find a wonder dragon guarding gold coins. They help rescue the dragon so it can get help in the deep woods but don't realize that this will lead to a clue about how Serena's dad, Mc, really died 30 years ago.

Shayla and Sheriff Alex Stone are trying to discover if Mac died of suspicious causes, and, if so, who caused his death and why. Shayla is sure Mac's death was planned. But now she has to prove it. With the help of Needles her flying porcupine, Shayla pushes to get answers and puts herself and others in danger.
Profile Image for Got My Book.
145 reviews38 followers
July 11, 2023
I received this Audiobook for free. My opinions are my own.

I am really enjoying this series. It is a standard cozy paranormal with a cast & community that I am liking (I do hope that they don't have all new side characters every time, I would like to revisit some of them.) I was concerned that her grandmother and "animal sidekick" might become too much, but so far they are fine (I have a low tolerance for annoying characters).

Contents: Very similar to the last one + A joke that an attempt to remove the MCs shirt (for a legitimate reason) is a "10th date" activity

Narration: I like the voices & emoting / But it's very slow, I had to speed it up more than usual
2,856 reviews3 followers
December 10, 2025
Another satisfying story and slow burn romance.

Rating: 4⭐️

Deadly Coins is the second in the Witch in the Woods series by Jenna St. James. It’s another terrific mystery that brings further insight into the some of the otherworldliness of the island and the creatures that live there, and the history of its inhabitants.

In this story, it’s all about a cold case that hit close to home for one of Shayla’s closest friends. There’s an investigation, suspicion that falls on an older group of people, and a dramatic twist.

Another satisfying story and slow burn romance.

I’m here for it. Plus a grumpy magical flying porcupine !

Really enjoying the series.
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,858 reviews20 followers
May 10, 2021
Good

Second book in the series, and is set shortly after the first book.

Shayla Loci is getting used to her job as the Game Warden for Enchanted Island, but when she and her cousin run across an injured magical creature, they discover that the cause could be very personal for them.

This series is a sweet one, with lots of enchanting, magical beings, and a mystery or two to prevent it from being too sweet! 😉
With a flying porcupine, a mysterious woodland spirit, gargoyles and witches galore, it’s a series any lover of fantasy and paranormal mysteries will enjoy!
Profile Image for Catherine.
487 reviews
July 9, 2022
More than treasure

How can you not love a story with a dragon? Though Shayla and Alex find Randor severely injuref, they also find treasure. But not the dragon's treasure. Instead, this treasure may be connected with the disappearance of Serena's father at sea. Mac Spellburn was though lost in a storm while on his boat 30 years ago. Shayla suspects Uncle Mac may have been murdered. Digging into the past will be painful but she's
99 reviews1 follower
April 20, 2021
Great

Each book just gets better . The storyline is interesting and has elements of either the intriguing and quirky characters or the islands histor The writing holds the readers interest so much you're at the end before you know it. Each book leads into the next so should be read in order. Can't wait for the next in the series.
958 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2021
Shayla and Alex have a old mystery to solve the disappearance of Serena's father. Shayla and Serena find a cave hidden by glamour and inside is a wounded dragon. The dragon has several gold coins. What happened to her father, the gold and who is trying to kill Shayla? A good story and interesting characters
Profile Image for Mary Willard.
326 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2021
Wonderful premise, an island where almost everyone is magical. Every book has a murder to be solved and every book has people with different interesting magical talents. The characters are believable and although they are stand-alone books, there is a romantic thread running through them. Can’t wait for the next one. Well done!
1,499 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2022
Good read

Enchanted Island is just that - enchanted with a multitude of enchanted characters. Two cousin witches and their law-enforcement boyfriends, along with a lot of quirky characters are involved in solving murders. There's humor, mystery, murder, and a little romance. Written very well, it really holds your interest. Highly recommend.
688 reviews
February 4, 2022
Deadly Coins

What does a gold coin and the disappearance of Mac Spellburn have in common?
30 years ago Serena's Dad disappearance while he was out fishing, he was perfume to have been lost at sea.
Now, new evidence suggests something different.
Follow Shayla, Serena and the gang in is exciting new tale
404 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2022
A solid mystery

I admit its still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Shayla's father is basically the essence of the island and its surrounding wilderness but the other characters truly make the story. This one was a good solid mystery into the mysterious disappearance of Shayla's uncle thirty years before and finally finding the answers. Onto the next installment!
122 reviews
October 19, 2022
Another fun and interesting read

I really enjoy this series so far. So many different, interesting creatures and situations. The characters are so likeable, except the bad guys, of course. Ms St. James has quite the imagination and story telling ability. I am curious to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Larry.
3,063 reviews18 followers
October 24, 2023
This was a very good quick read! The main characters are very interesting and have quickly become endearing, the plot i roundabout, but easily followed, and the premise is my favorite, helping others. I love the family feel to these stories, and each book is better than the last. I most definitely recommend this book.
848 reviews4 followers
November 3, 2023
Deadly Coins: book 2

Love this series! Just unique enough to keep challenging your imagination so you can keep up with all the action. Wonderful bonds of love between family members as well as watching out for all islanders. Book 1 was a great intro to all the wonderful characters but I didn't take time to write a review: just started reading this book. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Carrie Garza.
805 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2023
Need a quick, entertaining read? We have Shayla, a gamewarden on an enchanted island. She has been gone many years and returns just before her 40th birthday. ( she's a witch). She joins the new sheriff, Alex. (He is a gargoyle)They are tasked with the safety of all the paranormal beings on the island. In this installment they solve a 30 year old murder involving dragons. Cute cozy mystery.
167 reviews
February 17, 2024
Just gets better and better

So book two, I had in the back of my mind that there's a possibility it could go in a "way-out-there" direction, being so many paranormals around; but not at all. Great story, fantastic characters, really really enjoyed it. Another excellent job Jenna.
507 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2021
Fun series

Fun series on a paranormal island. The characters are well developed and the conversations flow naturally. The plot and subplots move quickly, making it hard to put the book down. I can't wait for the next book!
90 reviews
June 6, 2021
Cute

Another fun read in this 2nd book by Jenna St. James! I definitely recommend it! I can’t afford to get the 3rd book, so, I’ll have to wait til it comes up on Kindle Unlimited. Something to look forward to.
Profile Image for Monica.
1,111 reviews
June 21, 2021
Fast paced and I couldn't put it down. Wonderful characters in a wonderful setting. Love learning their backgrounds and seeing what magical powers they have. Love how they work as a team to solve a 30 year old mystery and get some closure. Glad I have the next book on hand.
168 reviews
August 27, 2021
Love this series

This series has it all. Paranormals, A flying porcupine and a tree for the father of the main character. You know that you should suspend reality when you go into a series like this but the tree and porcupine are both characters I've never seen. This is too cute.
Profile Image for Neena Christianson Martin.
1,185 reviews11 followers
September 5, 2021
A twenty eight year old mystery.

Shayla and Serena have stumbled upon a dragons lair and find a wounded ancestor of Serenas late father. When Alex and Shayla start investigating, they learn that it wasn't a storm that killed Serena's dad, he was murdered.
Profile Image for Dragonfly.
106 reviews
October 4, 2021
Book 2 is great! I am binge reading the series and this story moved quickly. The characters are strongly written and developed more in each book with new characters added. Jenna St. James is a great writer!
204 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2021
A secret lair, gold coins,an old case

Out for a picnic one day, Serena suddenly feels a pull of pain. Shayla reaches out and also feels the pull. A long kept secret, an old murder case, and gold coins make this a fun mystery to read.
55 reviews
July 21, 2022
Good ending

I had a pretty good idea who the culprit was. The books are good "who done it" and are short enough to enjoy without a lot of junk information. Very good story line. I plan to read all 10 of the books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews

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