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Mystic Brews #1
Lattes and Spirits
Whipping up cappuccinos is her specialty. But will she stir up trouble when spirits order assistance in solving their deaths?
Barista April Storm longs for more than making a mean macchiato and talking to her ex-boyfriend’s ghost. So when her quirky aunt asks her to help open a hip café in rural Wales, she jumps at the chance to start fresh. But she gets an extra shot of strife when a famous deceased cricketer wants her to spill the coffee beans on his killer.
With her ghostly client unable to remember who did him in, April is forced into the role of supernatural detective. Assisted by her spectral ex, a magical secret agent, and an overcaffeinated talking cat, she finds herself in hot water when the clue trail reveals an escaped demon. And if she can’t get control of her own recently awakened power, the next murder she has to solve may be her own.
Can April serve up justice before a brewing disaster boils over?
Lattes and Spirits is the first book in the delightful Mystic Brews cozy mystery series. If you like sassy heroines, colorful characters, and a side of spells with your cuppa joe, then you’ll love Alyn Troy’s otherworldly adventure.
Buy Lattes and Spirits to froth up some whodunnit fun today!240 pages, Unknown Binding
First published February 3, 2020
857 people are currently reading
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About the author
Alyn Troy
40 books129 followersAlyn Troy is an American from the Midwest (Indiana) who writes The Mystic Brews and Pixie Twist series of Paranormal Cozy Mysteries. In addition to Indiana, he's lived in Southern California, where the Pixie Twist series is set, and has served as a history docent on a notable pier in SoCal. In his past lives, he's been a journalist, a wedding photographer, and an adjunct professor.
Alyn gets assistance from his fuzzy familiar (AKA "Lord Fuzzbutt"). When not helping his human with the writing of paranormal cozy mysteries, Lord Fuzzbutt likes to sit out outside and watch the hummingbirds dart about like pixies. He often yowls at the door, waiting to head to the patio for chipmunk duty. Fortunately, the little rodents are craftier than Fuzzbutt is.
Alyn's beverage of choice is dark roast coffee with a dash of honey, and a splash of half-n-half. In addition to being half-way competent with his home espresso machine, Alyn makes a mean Mai Tai.
Alyn gets assistance from his fuzzy familiar (AKA "Lord Fuzzbutt"). When not helping his human with the writing of paranormal cozy mysteries, Lord Fuzzbutt likes to sit out outside and watch the hummingbirds dart about like pixies. He often yowls at the door, waiting to head to the patio for chipmunk duty. Fortunately, the little rodents are craftier than Fuzzbutt is.
Alyn's beverage of choice is dark roast coffee with a dash of honey, and a splash of half-n-half. In addition to being half-way competent with his home espresso machine, Alyn makes a mean Mai Tai.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 24, 2022
This was heaps of fun to read. I was looking for something light and fluffy for a badly needed change of pace, and what a surprise I got--not just cheerful but downright exuberant, like a book equivalent to what I imagine a day in Disneyland would be like. It's action-packed with lots of laughs and a huge quantity and diversity of supernaturals for such a short novel (only 201 pages in my edition).
Much of the humor is cross-cultural, as April, an experienced American barista who's the first-person narrator, becomes Ebrel when she arrives in Mystic Valley, Wales, just before her 36th birthday. Ebrel is what her aunt Rose decides to call her, and the author's foreword admits it's the Cornish version of her name because readers would probably mispronounce the Welsh version (those exotic consonants), and sure enough April/Ebrel has trouble saying her aunt's Welsh name Rhosyn. There's also a Rhian and a Rhodri for April to practice her Welsh rh on...maybe by book three in the series?
Well, Rose/Rhosyn called on April/Ebrel to help her keep up with the times and expand her tearoom there in Mystic Valley to serve morning espressos as well. April/Ebrel's success with coffee rests on a little secret--she can push magic out of her fingertips and she has zapped every drink she's ever served with a little shot of magic to bring extra joy to the consumer. The new Mystic Brews is a tremendous success, serving two hundred happy customers on its first full day.
Then it's revealed that most of them were really fae of different species in their human guise, all of them recognized the magic in their coffee, this was a test, April/Ebrel passed with flying colors, and she's now certified as fae, coming into her own on her 36th birthday with great celebrations.
She gets a familiar in the form of an orange cat named Punkin, full of attitude and snark because he's really a pwca (okay, just say "pooka") under a hundred-year curse. He reveals that Mystic Valley is really Cwm Tylwyth 'Valley of the Fae'. You kind of see where this is going.
But I forgot to mention that April had another secret back in the States--she can see and talk with ghosts, like the ghost of her ex-boyfriend Jake who shows up on every birthday and now that she's fully fae he won't go away. None of the others have the ghost-talking gift, and April, now Lady Ebrel because she's related to the Queen of the Fae, serves as interpreter for some interesting ghosts, including Sir Reginald, the foremost fae race car driver, who enlists her help to solve his murder.
Yes, it's a murder mystery, with lots of input from a very positive, upbeat murder victim ghost and a vampire couple living on a hill in what looks like a castle but people quickly tell you it's really a fortified manor house. April/Lady Ebrel quickly becomes best friends with their adopted daughter Elain (pronounce at your own risk), who's not a vampire but a highly skilled assassin for MI-13, Britain's supernatural counterpart to MI-5.
Now a fae race car is powered by a demon trapped in a cauldron where a mundane engine would be, and only two days after arriving in Wales, April/Lady Ebrel faces down a 4.6 (very high power) demon who caused Sir Reginald's fatal accident, but who set that up? Ebrel and Elain plow through ghosts and fae to find the answer as Ebrel's magical powers grow quickly and fae racing brings in nice red herrings.
The characters were delightful, even the nasty ones, and those are outnumbered by the friendlies. Ebrel's assistant Nia, who calls a caramel macchiato a carmel tornado, turns out to be three inches high in her true pixie form. But all the fae take human form to interact with the tourists on whom the economy of the valley depends, and the Issue of the Day is whether the town council (humans and fae) will allow mixed fae/human car racing. How the supernaturals stay undetected by humans is the biggest mystery of all in this book!
Much of the humor is cross-cultural, as April, an experienced American barista who's the first-person narrator, becomes Ebrel when she arrives in Mystic Valley, Wales, just before her 36th birthday. Ebrel is what her aunt Rose decides to call her, and the author's foreword admits it's the Cornish version of her name because readers would probably mispronounce the Welsh version (those exotic consonants), and sure enough April/Ebrel has trouble saying her aunt's Welsh name Rhosyn. There's also a Rhian and a Rhodri for April to practice her Welsh rh on...maybe by book three in the series?
Well, Rose/Rhosyn called on April/Ebrel to help her keep up with the times and expand her tearoom there in Mystic Valley to serve morning espressos as well. April/Ebrel's success with coffee rests on a little secret--she can push magic out of her fingertips and she has zapped every drink she's ever served with a little shot of magic to bring extra joy to the consumer. The new Mystic Brews is a tremendous success, serving two hundred happy customers on its first full day.
Then it's revealed that most of them were really fae of different species in their human guise, all of them recognized the magic in their coffee, this was a test, April/Ebrel passed with flying colors, and she's now certified as fae, coming into her own on her 36th birthday with great celebrations.
She gets a familiar in the form of an orange cat named Punkin, full of attitude and snark because he's really a pwca (okay, just say "pooka") under a hundred-year curse. He reveals that Mystic Valley is really Cwm Tylwyth 'Valley of the Fae'. You kind of see where this is going.
But I forgot to mention that April had another secret back in the States--she can see and talk with ghosts, like the ghost of her ex-boyfriend Jake who shows up on every birthday and now that she's fully fae he won't go away. None of the others have the ghost-talking gift, and April, now Lady Ebrel because she's related to the Queen of the Fae, serves as interpreter for some interesting ghosts, including Sir Reginald, the foremost fae race car driver, who enlists her help to solve his murder.
Yes, it's a murder mystery, with lots of input from a very positive, upbeat murder victim ghost and a vampire couple living on a hill in what looks like a castle but people quickly tell you it's really a fortified manor house. April/Lady Ebrel quickly becomes best friends with their adopted daughter Elain (pronounce at your own risk), who's not a vampire but a highly skilled assassin for MI-13, Britain's supernatural counterpart to MI-5.
Now a fae race car is powered by a demon trapped in a cauldron where a mundane engine would be, and only two days after arriving in Wales, April/Lady Ebrel faces down a 4.6 (very high power) demon who caused Sir Reginald's fatal accident, but who set that up? Ebrel and Elain plow through ghosts and fae to find the answer as Ebrel's magical powers grow quickly and fae racing brings in nice red herrings.
The characters were delightful, even the nasty ones, and those are outnumbered by the friendlies. Ebrel's assistant Nia, who calls a caramel macchiato a carmel tornado, turns out to be three inches high in her true pixie form. But all the fae take human form to interact with the tourists on whom the economy of the valley depends, and the Issue of the Day is whether the town council (humans and fae) will allow mixed fae/human car racing. How the supernaturals stay undetected by humans is the biggest mystery of all in this book!
July 27, 2021
I'm big on the cozy mystery with supernatural overtones, but this one left me cold. Too much explanation, mixed with Welsh language lessons and a score of different character types made it overly fussy and not a quiet read for me.
January 26, 2025
I gave this book 3 stars because I genuinely did enjoy the cozy mystery genre. I respect the concept and craft though and the combination of the coffee aspect to it. Gave me kind of Harry Potter meets Tinkerbell vibes with the magic and fae, etc.
Although, I felt that there was something missing and this book can come off a bit busy to most readers, including myself at times. Especially with the language and introductions to all the mystical beings.
Although, I felt that there was something missing and this book can come off a bit busy to most readers, including myself at times. Especially with the language and introductions to all the mystical beings.
July 3, 2020
Did not finish. This book seemed like a submission for a paranormal writing contest judged on how many different paranormal characters could be inserted into the pages! The constant conversations and translation of those conversations to other characters was very distracting. That combined with the overused plot of a new witch or a witch coming into her powers who is immediately drawn into a murder investigation...I just couldn't read it.
November 2, 2024
This is a cute start to a new and magical series. The premise is super cute with April Storm heads to overseas to help her Aunt Rose open a cafe in rules Wales. Suddenly she discovers magical powers within herself and her family linage relating to the mythical fae. But before she can get her new powers under control she finds herself involved in a murder investigation.
February 15, 2020
I've read the 'review copy 'of this book and this is my honest opinion about it :
It's a first in a series that shows a lot of potential :
That was a GOOD read ........finished it in 1 sitting
Action packed , down to earth characters, a not to long , not to short novel
The plot was a surprise ......and well executed . The 'red herrings' are swimming along nicely, not to few and not to much .The world building is NOT clogged with unnecessary information, like what brand of cloths the characters are wearing and / or over detailed info on what a room looks like. It leaves room for YOUR imagination on that part ! The magic world lives side by side with the mundane ( non magic ). The use of the Welsh language is not distracting , nor is the difference between US and UK English !
The pacing is good , not to fast (didn't lose the line of the story ) not to slow ( *ywaaan does something happen any decade soon ? )
The main Character is April ( or Ebrel ) who has a career as a barista in the US but moves to Wales to help out her Aunt rose in her tea house . She comes in het power at her 36 th birthday .Ebrel is surprised to find out she's not the only one who has magic . She has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. What is very helpful is solving the crimes
! Their are 2 murders to solve,but that is not gory or blood dripping from the pages
As for her character : strong , open minded, hard working , not afraid to accept help in learning to controle het magic , and even thou she had some mishaps in her live : not a cry baby !
She gets a snarky , coffee addicted CAT as a familiar .Now that's a story in it's own ;)
Come and take a caramel macchiato, pick up a copy today and join the 'Scooby-Doo gang ' in Wales
This is a clean cozy ( no blood ,no gore , no sex )
It's a first in a series that shows a lot of potential :
That was a GOOD read ........finished it in 1 sitting
Action packed , down to earth characters, a not to long , not to short novel
The plot was a surprise ......and well executed . The 'red herrings' are swimming along nicely, not to few and not to much .The world building is NOT clogged with unnecessary information, like what brand of cloths the characters are wearing and / or over detailed info on what a room looks like. It leaves room for YOUR imagination on that part ! The magic world lives side by side with the mundane ( non magic ). The use of the Welsh language is not distracting , nor is the difference between US and UK English !
The pacing is good , not to fast (didn't lose the line of the story ) not to slow ( *ywaaan does something happen any decade soon ? )
The main Character is April ( or Ebrel ) who has a career as a barista in the US but moves to Wales to help out her Aunt rose in her tea house . She comes in het power at her 36 th birthday .Ebrel is surprised to find out she's not the only one who has magic . She has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. What is very helpful is solving the crimes
! Their are 2 murders to solve,but that is not gory or blood dripping from the pages
As for her character : strong , open minded, hard working , not afraid to accept help in learning to controle het magic , and even thou she had some mishaps in her live : not a cry baby !
She gets a snarky , coffee addicted CAT as a familiar .Now that's a story in it's own ;)
Come and take a caramel macchiato, pick up a copy today and join the 'Scooby-Doo gang ' in Wales
This is a clean cozy ( no blood ,no gore , no sex )
October 20, 2025
Does this book deserve 2 stars? No it’s probably more of a 2.7-3 but when I saw the Goodreads rating was 4.11 I felt the need to balance the scale.
It’s a fun, light hearted read with a zany group of characters set in a Welsh setting. With the title I was expecting more of a coffee shop cosy vibe which I personally didn’t experience though I did enjoy the diverse cast of characters you get in a book like this.
Overall what brought it down was the writing, a bit too tell not show and the ending felt like it was trying to be Scooby Doo, I will get you kids, but was slightly too random.
It’s a fun, light hearted read with a zany group of characters set in a Welsh setting. With the title I was expecting more of a coffee shop cosy vibe which I personally didn’t experience though I did enjoy the diverse cast of characters you get in a book like this.
Overall what brought it down was the writing, a bit too tell not show and the ending felt like it was trying to be Scooby Doo, I will get you kids, but was slightly too random.
February 23, 2020
Murder, mystery and magic!
Thoroughly entertaining murder mystery entwined with magic and with lots of laugh out loud moments. Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series!
Thoroughly entertaining murder mystery entwined with magic and with lots of laugh out loud moments. Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series!
May 30, 2025
DNF 28% in and I can't bring myself to read any more
June 22, 2023
Ebrel's relocation to Wales was prompted by her desire to invest in her aunt's cafe with the thought of bringing espresso to the British Isles. She never realized that there would be so much more to her move.
This reading felt almost interminable. It was challenging to connect with the main character as her thoughts and actions didn't match up with a 36-year-old woman. Ebrel, we are told, uses magic to aid her in rock climbing and has done so for some time. She also is accustomed to seeing her ex-boyfriend even though he's a ghost. Yet, when confronted with the magical creatures of Misty Valley, she adopts a wide-eyed "golly, gee whiz" stance as though she is being asked to accept strange new concepts. I would have expected more of an easy adoption of the unusual circumstances. Her ex-boyfriend's maturity level seemed to be that of a late teen. Since he's only been a ghost for three years, Ebrel had to have either robbed the cradle or dated a man-child. Finally, Ebrel's relationship with her father was just strange. It didn't feel natural.
There was so much expository writing (partly, in fairness, due to this being the first in a series) that occasionally the storyline almost disappeared. It got a bit much. If the author needed to go to the lengths she did to make the story accessible to non-Welsh readers, perhaps a different setting would have been more appropriate. Yes, Wales is a beautiful and mysterious country and makes for a lovely backdrop, but the constant and necessary explanations made the going very slow. The pacing made me want to howl.
Finally, there was a good deal of typecasting woven into the plot. The British people I know aren't married to instant coffee. The concept of teaching "them" to drink good coffee felt condescending. As an English ex-pat, it rankled.
For the above reasons (and a few others), I won't be continuing with this series.
This reading felt almost interminable. It was challenging to connect with the main character as her thoughts and actions didn't match up with a 36-year-old woman. Ebrel, we are told, uses magic to aid her in rock climbing and has done so for some time. She also is accustomed to seeing her ex-boyfriend even though he's a ghost. Yet, when confronted with the magical creatures of Misty Valley, she adopts a wide-eyed "golly, gee whiz" stance as though she is being asked to accept strange new concepts. I would have expected more of an easy adoption of the unusual circumstances. Her ex-boyfriend's maturity level seemed to be that of a late teen. Since he's only been a ghost for three years, Ebrel had to have either robbed the cradle or dated a man-child. Finally, Ebrel's relationship with her father was just strange. It didn't feel natural.
There was so much expository writing (partly, in fairness, due to this being the first in a series) that occasionally the storyline almost disappeared. It got a bit much. If the author needed to go to the lengths she did to make the story accessible to non-Welsh readers, perhaps a different setting would have been more appropriate. Yes, Wales is a beautiful and mysterious country and makes for a lovely backdrop, but the constant and necessary explanations made the going very slow. The pacing made me want to howl.
Finally, there was a good deal of typecasting woven into the plot. The British people I know aren't married to instant coffee. The concept of teaching "them" to drink good coffee felt condescending. As an English ex-pat, it rankled.
For the above reasons (and a few others), I won't be continuing with this series.
October 11, 2022
3 maybe 3.5
Many of the people liked this for the many different species of paranormal and the integration along with the lessons in Welch. Since I felt there was a lot of cross over to other books I've read though there are a few creative uses, like demons fueling the race cars, still even with the few new concepts it didn't pull me. I was wanting more from the main character learning that she was not alone or that there was much more than just seeing ghost but instead it was a total acceptance and OK, a bit of lessons and talking about learning. Along with that we get noble titles and queens and princes, which are quickly explained away and then repeated. Then come the Welch terms and how it is said and the people there so interested in the American terms. Since I've seem this before it wasn't interesting to me and I kept waiting for the story.
The story comes as a murder mystery, we get the ghosts and the one ghost that has been murdered, whom April sees but others don't have this gift. It seems Ebrel or April has many gifts but we only get to the beginning of these as she will have to train. We actually don't go into the ones that the other sensed in her, we only get the ghosts and the start of wands and spells. She helps contain the demon from a car... ok but what kind of magic is that. Hmm...
Before she learns of all the magical creatures she is surrounded by, she goes rock climbing and her dad calls. She is using magic on the climb to hold better to the wall, she also puts magic into her lattes, but these small magics are not explained either. Her dad and she have a contentious relationship as she is in Wales against his better judgment. She is 36 so Dad really doesn't have too much of a say, only she does have a stipend. How that stipend might be controlled by dad is not delved into and we never get to see more of this relationship. Probably will come in future installments. If this had some of this character building, who she is other than a general witch that was raised but a non-witch dad, I might have liked it better. There were no character bonding except maybe a little of her with the vampire's daughter, who is human and an assassin. Actually might have been more interesting that April was but not by much as that is not gone into either.
**sigh** not a favorite cozy paranormal and the lack of any type of romance, which could have helped, only made it mostly plain. There was a little fun with the ghost of her old boyfriend and the other ghost. Her familiar was definitely a characters though as much annoying as fun.
Many of the people liked this for the many different species of paranormal and the integration along with the lessons in Welch. Since I felt there was a lot of cross over to other books I've read though there are a few creative uses, like demons fueling the race cars, still even with the few new concepts it didn't pull me. I was wanting more from the main character learning that she was not alone or that there was much more than just seeing ghost but instead it was a total acceptance and OK, a bit of lessons and talking about learning. Along with that we get noble titles and queens and princes, which are quickly explained away and then repeated. Then come the Welch terms and how it is said and the people there so interested in the American terms. Since I've seem this before it wasn't interesting to me and I kept waiting for the story.
The story comes as a murder mystery, we get the ghosts and the one ghost that has been murdered, whom April sees but others don't have this gift. It seems Ebrel or April has many gifts but we only get to the beginning of these as she will have to train. We actually don't go into the ones that the other sensed in her, we only get the ghosts and the start of wands and spells. She helps contain the demon from a car... ok but what kind of magic is that. Hmm...
Before she learns of all the magical creatures she is surrounded by, she goes rock climbing and her dad calls. She is using magic on the climb to hold better to the wall, she also puts magic into her lattes, but these small magics are not explained either. Her dad and she have a contentious relationship as she is in Wales against his better judgment. She is 36 so Dad really doesn't have too much of a say, only she does have a stipend. How that stipend might be controlled by dad is not delved into and we never get to see more of this relationship. Probably will come in future installments. If this had some of this character building, who she is other than a general witch that was raised but a non-witch dad, I might have liked it better. There were no character bonding except maybe a little of her with the vampire's daughter, who is human and an assassin. Actually might have been more interesting that April was but not by much as that is not gone into either.
**sigh** not a favorite cozy paranormal and the lack of any type of romance, which could have helped, only made it mostly plain. There was a little fun with the ghost of her old boyfriend and the other ghost. Her familiar was definitely a characters though as much annoying as fun.
Read
December 13, 2021I tried, for 2 days I tried to read this book. A book the size and length of which I'd normally read in an evening. And while there were things I liked, like her take on the magical world. Sadly, so far 38% into the story, it seemed that a lot of it was lost to play-by-play breakdowns of her various coffee concoctions, like the infamous "caramel tornado" or descriptions, explanations, translations of the language/ local dialect. Not to mention her over-use of certain words, terms of endearment. Occasionally fine, it can add a nice bit of local flavor. But Rose's, constant, non-stop use of "cariad" made me want to scream 5 pages in...
June 20, 2020
Coffee up!
This is an amazing story. Witches, ghosts & cricket combine with demons & scones (not together though) to send Enbrel into a tizzy after expecting to only partner with her aunt & her tea shop. Hoping to introduce Britain to real coffee, her first day shows her a whole new world & she needs to play catch up fast.
Can’t wait to read Books 2 & 3 and more. Fast paced and a well plotted mystery puts this series on my ‘must read’ list.
This is an amazing story. Witches, ghosts & cricket combine with demons & scones (not together though) to send Enbrel into a tizzy after expecting to only partner with her aunt & her tea shop. Hoping to introduce Britain to real coffee, her first day shows her a whole new world & she needs to play catch up fast.
Can’t wait to read Books 2 & 3 and more. Fast paced and a well plotted mystery puts this series on my ‘must read’ list.
March 31, 2020
Caffeinated magic
Adorable magic, mayhem, family...and Coffee!! filled book that was a sweet little read (little for me, but I read Gone With the Wind in less than 2 days, so don't go by my scale). Your birthday surprise involves Fae, ghost, murder, and magic? Sounds like a great surprise! But will it be? Read the book to find out.
Adorable magic, mayhem, family...and Coffee!! filled book that was a sweet little read (little for me, but I read Gone With the Wind in less than 2 days, so don't go by my scale). Your birthday surprise involves Fae, ghost, murder, and magic? Sounds like a great surprise! But will it be? Read the book to find out.
April 19, 2020
Ghosts, coffee and the Fae? Sign me up!
Very enjoyable! I'm eager to read more in this series. I may need to find a pronunciation guide for some of the names though. I can't wait to meet more of the locals. Wish I could be a tourist there!
Very enjoyable! I'm eager to read more in this series. I may need to find a pronunciation guide for some of the names though. I can't wait to meet more of the locals. Wish I could be a tourist there!
March 23, 2020
Enjoyed
This was the first book in this series that I have read and enjoyed and I am really looking forward to your next book.
This was the first book in this series that I have read and enjoyed and I am really looking forward to your next book.
May 15, 2021
This was an audible book I tried to listen too. There was just to much of the book in Welch. It was very disrupting and irritating. Couldn’t finish it.
February 16, 2020
Ghosts , fae and the Coffee Princess
A great new series that really isn't a cozy in the accepted way. Yes there are murders but it's more about a young woman who suddenly finds her whole life turned upside-down.
A move to England to help her aunt set up selling coffee at her cafe has more shocks then she expected. A town full of fae, pixies, vampires and the news that she's related to the Queen of the Fae. That her magic is immensely powerful and that her gifts are numerous. From seeing ghosts to battling demons. Then there is her barista skills that have the town clamouring for her. A ghost seeking justice, her old boyfriend's ghost and cars powered by demons. Who killed the fae seeking justice and why has another fae been killed. Can she and her fledgling powers be enough?
Nice action although perhaps a bit too much information but now that we have all that the next book should be better. Great plot that i certainly didn't anticipate the ending off and characters that just draw your in.
A great new series that really isn't a cozy in the accepted way. Yes there are murders but it's more about a young woman who suddenly finds her whole life turned upside-down.
A move to England to help her aunt set up selling coffee at her cafe has more shocks then she expected. A town full of fae, pixies, vampires and the news that she's related to the Queen of the Fae. That her magic is immensely powerful and that her gifts are numerous. From seeing ghosts to battling demons. Then there is her barista skills that have the town clamouring for her. A ghost seeking justice, her old boyfriend's ghost and cars powered by demons. Who killed the fae seeking justice and why has another fae been killed. Can she and her fledgling powers be enough?
Nice action although perhaps a bit too much information but now that we have all that the next book should be better. Great plot that i certainly didn't anticipate the ending off and characters that just draw your in.
October 1, 2024
I’m not one to use the phrase “super cute”, but this book is indeed super cute.
All April (Embrl to her Welsh family) wanted was to bring “fru fru” coffee drinks to her Aunt’s bakery and get to know her mother’s side of the family. After all, the majority of Brits were still drinking *gasp in horror* instant coffee. Completely unacceptable!
What she didn’t expect was to be thrown into a world of organized chaos. The owner of the pirate-themed pub next door was an actual pirate, ghost chickens shed all over the place, and the cat is serving a 100 year sentence for hacking up a coffee-coated furball on the Queen’s dress.
Not that Queen but still a queen.
I really enjoyed Alyn’s world, the characters, the sprinkling of the Welsh language, and of course that not so dry British humor. I would, however, like to find an audiobook version where I can hear the proper Welsh pronunciation of character names.
Yes, I am a nerd. Why do you ask?
All April (Embrl to her Welsh family) wanted was to bring “fru fru” coffee drinks to her Aunt’s bakery and get to know her mother’s side of the family. After all, the majority of Brits were still drinking *gasp in horror* instant coffee. Completely unacceptable!
What she didn’t expect was to be thrown into a world of organized chaos. The owner of the pirate-themed pub next door was an actual pirate, ghost chickens shed all over the place, and the cat is serving a 100 year sentence for hacking up a coffee-coated furball on the Queen’s dress.
Not that Queen but still a queen.
I really enjoyed Alyn’s world, the characters, the sprinkling of the Welsh language, and of course that not so dry British humor. I would, however, like to find an audiobook version where I can hear the proper Welsh pronunciation of character names.
Yes, I am a nerd. Why do you ask?
February 7, 2025
Wild and wonderful in Wales
April unexpectedly moves to Wales to partner with her aunt Rose in a coffee shop addition to her aunt’s teahouse and bakery in charming Wales.
April is in her 30’s when she makes the transition from the USA to Wales, and is stunned to find her mothers community is not only her missing side of family but magical to boot and since it basically skipped over her mom (other than the ghost seeing part), April gets a double magical portion of magic.
All of this hits hard and fast on April’s 36th birthday when she comes into her magic majority and suddenly she is making friends, has a familiar and helping solve murders with help from the ghostly realm and lots of help from the family.
It is indeed a wild and wonderful tale in Wales, with charming characters, some sinister villains so well hidden that I couldn’t see coming at all! And an absolutely worthwhile read
April unexpectedly moves to Wales to partner with her aunt Rose in a coffee shop addition to her aunt’s teahouse and bakery in charming Wales.
April is in her 30’s when she makes the transition from the USA to Wales, and is stunned to find her mothers community is not only her missing side of family but magical to boot and since it basically skipped over her mom (other than the ghost seeing part), April gets a double magical portion of magic.
All of this hits hard and fast on April’s 36th birthday when she comes into her magic majority and suddenly she is making friends, has a familiar and helping solve murders with help from the ghostly realm and lots of help from the family.
It is indeed a wild and wonderful tale in Wales, with charming characters, some sinister villains so well hidden that I couldn’t see coming at all! And an absolutely worthwhile read
February 24, 2025
I got this book in a fill your kindle offer and I'm glad it was free as I would regret having spent money on it. The premise was grand, as was the idea of a witch gaining her powers in her 30s (a big improvement from the teens/18/21 we usually see)
The Tweedledee/Tweedledum characteristics of English, Welsh and Australian characters was grating to my nerves. I fully expected a Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep to show up. The constant ooh this instead of this was irritating in the extreme. Which is a shame as the actual story itself wasn't too bad. The overuse of Diolch and Cariad and even the Ebrel bit was weird. I've never known someone to have their name changed like that and have known several people of other nationalities to move to my area and felt zero need to rename them. A pity but I don't think I will read any more of them. In fact, it has put me off reading any of the stuff your kindle book offers.
I did finish it so that's why it gets 2 stars instead of 1.
The Tweedledee/Tweedledum characteristics of English, Welsh and Australian characters was grating to my nerves. I fully expected a Dick Van Dyke chimney sweep to show up. The constant ooh this instead of this was irritating in the extreme. Which is a shame as the actual story itself wasn't too bad. The overuse of Diolch and Cariad and even the Ebrel bit was weird. I've never known someone to have their name changed like that and have known several people of other nationalities to move to my area and felt zero need to rename them. A pity but I don't think I will read any more of them. In fact, it has put me off reading any of the stuff your kindle book offers.
I did finish it so that's why it gets 2 stars instead of 1.
July 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this book - it's fun, quirky and different.
There were a few things that annoyed me - such as the author using words and phrases like 'dearie' (a Welsh person would more likely use 'bach') and 'no worries' for every single character (not everyone uses these phrases, even in Britain!) and a lack of understanding of when you should use 'this person and I' and when it should be 'this person and me', but they didn't detract too much from my enjoyment. I loved the concept, and was as surprised as the main character when the village she'd moved to suddenly turned out to be very different from anything she'd experienced before. I did a real double-take, as anyone would, and had to read that part again.
Short summary - if you don't get too hung up on the wording or several characters sounding very similar, it's a good read.
There were a few things that annoyed me - such as the author using words and phrases like 'dearie' (a Welsh person would more likely use 'bach') and 'no worries' for every single character (not everyone uses these phrases, even in Britain!) and a lack of understanding of when you should use 'this person and I' and when it should be 'this person and me', but they didn't detract too much from my enjoyment. I loved the concept, and was as surprised as the main character when the village she'd moved to suddenly turned out to be very different from anything she'd experienced before. I did a real double-take, as anyone would, and had to read that part again.
Short summary - if you don't get too hung up on the wording or several characters sounding very similar, it's a good read.
June 30, 2024
I probably shouldn't expect much from the free downloads I read on my phone while nursing my kid in the middle of the night. This book had two purposes - giving me something to do other than doom scrolling on social media, and keeping me awake while holding a baby. It did one of those two things well.
(No babies were harmed in the reading of this book, don't worry!)
The story felt disjointed and chaotic, a hodge podge of undeveloped fantasy characters haphazardly dumped into a universe together. The constant translation of Welsh verbiage into American English felt forced and distracting, like the author was too excited to show off her niche knowledge of Welsh culture to consider how to use that knowledge to enrich the reading experience or further the plot.
It was fine enough to pass the time, but not something I was excited to pick up and continue each night.
(No babies were harmed in the reading of this book, don't worry!)
The story felt disjointed and chaotic, a hodge podge of undeveloped fantasy characters haphazardly dumped into a universe together. The constant translation of Welsh verbiage into American English felt forced and distracting, like the author was too excited to show off her niche knowledge of Welsh culture to consider how to use that knowledge to enrich the reading experience or further the plot.
It was fine enough to pass the time, but not something I was excited to pick up and continue each night.
October 31, 2025
Loved It!
This is the first book that I have read by Alyn Troy and it definitely left an impression! April/Ebrel has just moved to Misty Valley, in Wales, to partner in a cafe with her Aunt Rose. Her entire life takes an unexpected turn pretty quickly and the book takes off from there. There is not even one boring moment in this book. I love the variety of the characters, the world building was on point, and the storyline was so good that I never even thought of one of the characters would turn out to be a killer. I am not going to spoil that by saying if the character is a major or minor player. Especially since the author did an incredible job of keeping me guessing! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series
This is the first book that I have read by Alyn Troy and it definitely left an impression! April/Ebrel has just moved to Misty Valley, in Wales, to partner in a cafe with her Aunt Rose. Her entire life takes an unexpected turn pretty quickly and the book takes off from there. There is not even one boring moment in this book. I love the variety of the characters, the world building was on point, and the storyline was so good that I never even thought of one of the characters would turn out to be a killer. I am not going to spoil that by saying if the character is a major or minor player. Especially since the author did an incredible job of keeping me guessing! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series
August 2, 2023
Time of discovery
Good, strong characters. Interesting twists and turns leading to a totally unexpected ending.
I have a particular liking for 'witchy' tales, so I have read quite a few and this one is a story with a difference, unlike any that I have read before.
April, Ebrel, is a lovely girl, totally likeable as the main character. The other characters, her Aunt, her uncle, the ghosts are also good and acceptable. The story did not end the way I thought it would,we were misled all the way until the very end. I almost feel as if I need to reread the book to fit in the ending given.
Go ahead and read, it will keep you entertained.
Good, strong characters. Interesting twists and turns leading to a totally unexpected ending.
I have a particular liking for 'witchy' tales, so I have read quite a few and this one is a story with a difference, unlike any that I have read before.
April, Ebrel, is a lovely girl, totally likeable as the main character. The other characters, her Aunt, her uncle, the ghosts are also good and acceptable. The story did not end the way I thought it would,we were misled all the way until the very end. I almost feel as if I need to reread the book to fit in the ending given.
Go ahead and read, it will keep you entertained.
October 19, 2023
April has an ex-boyfriend who is dead, but she can see his ghost and the ghosts of the chickens that he ran into with his motorcycle. She goes to stay with her aunt to help run her cafe in Wales. Soon she finds out that she can not only hear ghosts, but she comes from a magical family.
The town has lots of fun characters and they are all trying to discover who killed a famous cricket player. April has seen his ghost and he tells her he was murdered.
I liked the interaction between the characters except for April and her familiar. I didn't care for that part of it, but the rest of the story was good.
The town has lots of fun characters and they are all trying to discover who killed a famous cricket player. April has seen his ghost and he tells her he was murdered.
I liked the interaction between the characters except for April and her familiar. I didn't care for that part of it, but the rest of the story was good.
May 9, 2025
Good mystery
I enjoyed the mystery but the Welsh names threw me a little, and the intricacies of the Fae world. April/Ebrel moved to Europe to work with her Aunt as a barista. What she didn't know was her heritage. While navigating living across the pond, learning to use her wand, she gets pulled into a mystery when her ghostly ex introduces her to a newly deceased dude/ghost. Working with her new friends, she'll not only find herself playing moderator, but also solving a murder.
I did have to reread a few sections but the pace was good, the story interesting, and good characters.
I enjoyed the mystery but the Welsh names threw me a little, and the intricacies of the Fae world. April/Ebrel moved to Europe to work with her Aunt as a barista. What she didn't know was her heritage. While navigating living across the pond, learning to use her wand, she gets pulled into a mystery when her ghostly ex introduces her to a newly deceased dude/ghost. Working with her new friends, she'll not only find herself playing moderator, but also solving a murder.
I did have to reread a few sections but the pace was good, the story interesting, and good characters.
June 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I have not read many of these type of books and I found myself wanting to read more of this genre. It was interesting learning that the Welsh language is completely different from English. The characters in this novel were very well developed and interesting. To be able to see and communicate with ghosts would be both exciting and unnerving. I would love to help solve a murder and be worried about alerting the killer. The end of the book was really good too. I am anticipating the next book.
February 20, 2022
Interesting. What if you could see ghosts?
What happens when a magical person and a human have a child and they get divorced? The dad thinks his ex-wife is crazy, so he gets custody and she only gets visitation with a observer present. Makes it hard to tell your daughter she has a magical heritage. Mom's gift was she could see and talk to ghosts. She knew she had magical powers, knew she had to hide them from her dad, but what happens when she meets mom's family? Lots of twists and turns, witches, vampires and fea.
What happens when a magical person and a human have a child and they get divorced? The dad thinks his ex-wife is crazy, so he gets custody and she only gets visitation with a observer present. Makes it hard to tell your daughter she has a magical heritage. Mom's gift was she could see and talk to ghosts. She knew she had magical powers, knew she had to hide them from her dad, but what happens when she meets mom's family? Lots of twists and turns, witches, vampires and fea.
August 8, 2024
Lattes & Spirits is a fun, cozy mystery read. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, because I expected it to be a 2 or 3 star read, but I wanted to give it a chance since I picked it up for one of the Stuff Your Kindle days.
The book covers all of the fantasy bases with witches, Fae, fairies, demons, ghosts, magic and more. The characters get involved with a murder mystery, and I loved that April could communicate with the ghosts, to help with the murder investigation. I also thought it was pretty hilarious that she can see her boyfriend, Jake, who was killed in a motorcycle crash that involved a chicken transport!
I also loved the setting, since April moves from the U.S. to Wales. It was fun to see her meet some of her family and the Fae that live in the area, as she starts her new job as a Barista at her Aunt Rose's cafe. There is also a talking cat familiar, and I loved his snarkiness and the interaction between him and April.
One of my favorite things about the story, was not having a love interest thrust on April as she starts her new life in Wales. Sometimes an author just adds in all of the tropes for a character in a first book, but I loved that we could see April's character development without her immediately falling into a relationship with someone.
Lattes & Spirits is definitely a fast, cute witchy read that would be a perfect book to add to your spooky season reading list.
The book covers all of the fantasy bases with witches, Fae, fairies, demons, ghosts, magic and more. The characters get involved with a murder mystery, and I loved that April could communicate with the ghosts, to help with the murder investigation. I also thought it was pretty hilarious that she can see her boyfriend, Jake, who was killed in a motorcycle crash that involved a chicken transport!
I also loved the setting, since April moves from the U.S. to Wales. It was fun to see her meet some of her family and the Fae that live in the area, as she starts her new job as a Barista at her Aunt Rose's cafe. There is also a talking cat familiar, and I loved his snarkiness and the interaction between him and April.
One of my favorite things about the story, was not having a love interest thrust on April as she starts her new life in Wales. Sometimes an author just adds in all of the tropes for a character in a first book, but I loved that we could see April's character development without her immediately falling into a relationship with someone.
Lattes & Spirits is definitely a fast, cute witchy read that would be a perfect book to add to your spooky season reading list.
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