Spells and Spooks

Witch Haven #1

by K.E. O'Connor

Welcome to Witch Haven. Where nothing is what it seems.

I’m back in the last place I should be. A place where my magic went rogue.

I have no friends, no family, and not even a witch’s familiar to keep me on the right path.

I’m drained of power, but hoping I can sneak into Witch Haven, sort the mess my stepmother left behind, and get out alive.

If the villagers find me here, they’ll hunt me. If the Magic Council catch me using anything more than a light spell, I’ll go back to jail. And if my guilt doesn’t choke me, the gnomes will.

But I have nothing to lose, so why not take a risk?

***

Meet failed witch, Indigo Ash, in the first book of the Witch Haven cozy paranormal mystery series. How will she find peace and solve her troubling history before her past catches up with her?

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

265 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2022

About the author

K.E. O’Connor is the author of the Witch Haven mystery series, the Crypt Witch cozy mysteries, the Lorna Shadow ghost mysteries, the Holly Holmes baking mysteries, the Zee Town paranormal cozy series, and the Old Sarum mystery series, along with other titles available if you cast the right spell. She can imagine dragons, taste cookies when they aren’t even there, and hear the crack of a witch’s broom at a hundred paces.

K.E. (the K stands for Karen) lives in the United Kingdom (it isn’t very united, but that’s a mystery for another time) among the mystical stones and fairy creatures of Somerset. She graduated from the Universities of Southampton and Reading, where she received degrees in Archaeology and Cognitive Evolution (both highly entertaining to take part in, but with the career options of a ground witch’s toe bone.)

If you’re of the curious persuasion and want to know more, visit her website at www.keoconnor.com for enlightening knowledge on all things cozy mystery, book news, and a peek into the magical world of a writer who believes animals talk and magic is just a finger click away.

To contact her, visit her Facebook page – www.facebook/keoconnorauthor, join her email list, or dust off that haunted mirror in your cellar and speak the ancient magical words to transport yourself into her lounge. There may be tea and cookies waiting, or there may be giants – it depends on her mood.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I’m allergic to cosy fiction.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spells and Spooks was definitely not what I expected, and it was a good break from the very light paranormal / fantasy + murder mix of most of the paranormal cozy mystery genre.

There's a whole magic world here, and though I think some things about this world are lacking, especially in comparison to the Cursed Candy Mysteries (probably my favorite cozy mystery series to date), I love how integrated the world is in the story.

I also enjoyed the inclusion of familiars in the story, especially in the way they aided Indigo in her magic. I've been taking a history of magic class (one of the perks of being a college senior and needing a few extra classes to have enough credits - I can learn interesting and totally irrelevant stuff) and I'm fascinated by the idea of familiars, so seeing them in action in a more traditional way was really interesting. Indigo herself was likable as well. She's a fresh break from the overconfident cozy mystery women who insist they know more than the cops or people in charge. I appreciated her ups and downs. At the same time, she did seem to change her stance too quickly without much explanation sometimes.

The backstory (or at least what we get in this first installment) is a little bit lacking, but I imagine more may come out in the next few books. As for the mystery itself, it did change up a little bit too much for my taste, and the pacing was a little odd, but not bad enough to ruin the plot as a whole.

I'm definitely reading the second book soon, but I don't know yet if I'll continue with the ones after that.

[Heart DeCoupeville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghostbusters with witches and familiars.

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what you expect.

This is certainly not a fun cozy. There is a lot of darkness to this book. It held my attention and made me want to finish it. But it is not a fun cozy.

[bookswithanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

War ein bisschen gelangweilt irgendwie 😄

[Barrie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional

Wonderful storyline, great characters well written. It's difficult to say much without massive spoilers but I'll try. After being imprisoned along with her stepmother for using dark magic to kill sixty-six people in their small magical town our heroine is instructed by the magic council to clear their home and sell everything to clear the outstanding taxes and move on after her stepmother dies in prison. But something is wrong with the village and some of the people, doubts begin to emerge were she and her stepmom actually guilty of the crimes they were jailed for? Highly recommended a must read, Baz.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off dark Indigo is returning to Witch Haven Village, where she hasn't been in many years. She was there last time and caused the murder of many but doesn't know why. She is an elemental witch specializing in fire magic. She came back to clear and sell her old home now that her stepmother had passed.

She has some interesting conversations with her stepmother's familiars. As this story progresses, she gets into more trouble but also discovers she has some friends.

The story does end happily, but then it gets strange with a new adventure to go on.

This book was filled with adventure, magic, and a lot of problems to solve. I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I would say it was a mystery story, but it did contain lots of action and adventure as she journeys back to her old life and must save her friend and solve some of her own issues. I love the addition of the three talking animals as familiars and her confidence growing as she went thru the story. The author set this book up to lead the next story, and the characters are interesting enough to read it. This book is all about witches, good and bad, ghosts, and lots of magic. I did enjoy this story.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indigo is back in Witch Haven to finalize her step-moms house and she needs to get in and out before the citizens of Witch Haven and the Magic Council knows she is there. But when her best friend Luna ask for her help getting rid of a ghost she has to help her if she can. Most of her magic was taken from the Magic Council when she was thrown out of town. She has no family or friends so the least she can do is help. But why is this ghost attacking Luna and who is it. When I first started reading this book I thought it was a little slow but then I couldn't put it down and I loved the ending. I love a book that makes me want to immediately go read the next book. I love the characters and especially her animals that protect her. Good read.

[Vicky Coughlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If looking at the cutesy cover art of this book made you think this was going to be a fluffy tale, you’ve got a surprise coming! This book is dark in places and I loved it. What I was not so keen about was the cliffhanger… I hate cliffhangers! And now, I’m in two minds. Read book 2 and find out what’s going on or not read it… and this will feel like cutting off my nose to spite my face… Why oh why do these authors nowadays are all doing cliffhangers? It’s h a cheat way to make us readers buy your books. Not nice! Still, great story so the 4 stars. Should’ve been 3 because of the cliffhanger…

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Author and Series for me again. Spells and Spooks book #1 of the A Witch Haven Paranormal Mystery Series will have you cheering Indigo Ash all the way until the last page. Indigo Ash just wanted to be left alone to take care of her late Aunts house to get it ready for sale, but things don't go as planned.. Before she could start she faces off with her probation officer and is told repeatedly to clean out the house and leave. But Indigo has a lot of things stacked against her, from getting out of prison to having spy's who are waiting to throw her back into prison. Indigo is one he'll of a fighter and now that she has three familiars to look after and a home to get ready to live in.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning really pulled me as Indigo stated that she was coming back to her magical hometown after her killing 66 people. That really grabbed my attention and I wanted to know more. It was a very interesting setup. It was a quick, magical read full of ghosts and magic as well as a mystery while Indigo came to terms of coming to terms with her powers. It did get repetitive at times with her struggles within herself of her powers. It took up a good chunk of the book too. I loved the three familiars. They added humor as well as support to Indigo, which I really liked. It was a very promising start to a series.

[Rae Franco-Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book was really different. I wanted to read something for Halloween. It is about a town called Witch Haven. This witch comes back to take care of her late step-mom's house. She has not been back to the town in years. Then she has her best friend who needs help, but it becomes very difficult. The story goes on and on and seems repeative for me. I do not think I will choose a Hallween book again, as I learned it is not my type of reading. Maybe for some people would enjoy this book. I think I will stick to my favorite genres.

[Don Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spells and Spooks written by K.E. O’Connor. Wow what a great book it grabbed me from the start till the end. This book is well written, there is a lot of ghosts and a few familiar’s, & lots of mystery in this book. There is good spirits and bad ones. Indigo was banished from her home but she returned to help a friend. Will Indigo find Luna and help her? You will have to get this exciting book to find out what happened. I do own this book and I highly recommend you read it. Can’t wait to get book 2 of this series.

Written by
Edith L 🐈🐈‍⬛

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing new series!
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love the characters in this book! I can’t wait to get to know them better as the series progresses. The mystery is well written and kept me turning pages. I look forward to reading more about Indigo and friends and visiting Witch Haven again. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful ,charming, passionate well written new witchy para series starting with the homecoming of a once tainted young witch. Full of intrigue, mayhem, magic and of course mystery.,with an array of characters such as witches goblins,ghosts and a collection of families. A tale that draws you in and keeps you enthralled turning page after page while time passes by until K.E. O'Connor's tale has come to a close Acquire " Spells and Spooks " today to enjoy hours of entertainment. 😔😏😂🙂Kat

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining urban fantasy adventure series

This is an entertaining supernatural urban fantasy series. A great cast of characters and a entertaining storyline. A young witch I got twisted up in a bit of dark magic as a team with her stepmother mini years later comes back to the town with all began. Redone and see what kind of adventure she gets into. Is your past really her stepmother‘s fault or is it something else. An entertaining journey to find out.

[Robin Siota Breeding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good opening book for the series.

This was a good read for the opening of the series. I love Hilda and the other familiars. The story had plenty of parts missing and before starting the book I thought there would be a chapter about the day everything went wrong. I hope that’s coming. I felt a big part was missing when no information was given from the witch spirit. Hoping for more in book two.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

It's a Good book... filled with mystery and fun, witches and ghosts. The personality of the witches familiars becomes very close to human as you can get. I have heard of a cat familiar but a spider? Knowing this will be an ongoing series the main plot is completed but you are left leaning toward the "next book".
Today I needed light reading and this story filled the bill!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different witch story which starts with a witch who has lost her powers rather than the standard plot of a new witch. the plot was very good and the characters were intriguing Looking forward to reading the next one.


Amazon synopsis:
Welcome to the magical world of Witch Haven, where nothing is what it seems, spells are currency, and mystery is just around the corner.

I’m back in the last place I want to be. A place where my magic went rogue. Witch Haven should be a haven for all spell casters, but I messed that up.

I’m drained of power, but hoping I can sneak in, sort the mess my stepmother left behind when she died, and get out alive.

If the villagers find me here, they’ll hunt me. If the Magic Council catches me using anything more than a light spell, I’ll go back to jail. And if my guilt doesn’t choke me, the gnomes will.

All I need to do is stay focused. But as soon as I return to the home I was raised in, the memories whack me over the head like an enchanted witch's broomstick. I left everything here: my best friends, my familiars, my heart. Can I really walk away again?

I have nothing to lose, so why not take a risk?

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story. I didn't much like that it did not end up with things nicely wrapped up...not exactly a cliff hanger but a "you need to buy the next book to see how this story ends". Meh. Not my favorite type of plot device. The book is well-written. The characters and the concept have potential that I hope to see developing as the series extends.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treachery is afoot and evil spirits are reeking havoc. This paranormal community has its problems and tragedies and they all seem to revolve around Indigo Ash. This fast-paced story continues to surprise the reader at every opportunity and will keep you interested to the very last page. Exciting Read!!!!

[BonusMom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over the top

A bit too cozy for me. The story line is good but the delivery is lacking in so many ways. The main characters is damaged, granted, but there is so much repetition about it that the writing comes across as very juvenile, elementary level as opposed to young adult. And there is a cliff hanger. An editor is required.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch problems

The characters are compelling in this story especially the familiars. Indigo has many things to overcome some of which are her own thinking. Her friend Luna is in grave trouble and only Indigo can help. The story is exciting and sad as well as happy .I can't wait for the next book.

[Ash N LeLeux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a cute spooktacular start to the series

I can not wait to continue Indigo's adventure back in her hometown of Witch Haven. And is there more to Olympus Duke than meets the eye? And what about Luna? What secrets is she hiding? Is there truly an evil coven waiting to take control?

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars Spells and Spooks Book 1

Delightful cozy witch mystery series. Love the familiars: Hilda, Russel, and Nugget. Great snarky personalities, but Hilda is the sweetest in spite of 8 legs.
Our witch is young and has been victimized by unfair scandals and horrible punishment by the Witch Council. Lots of good reasons to read this series.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to say that I'm neutral on this one. I made it about halfway through before deciding this simply wasn't for me. It's well-written, so I have no complaint about that. It just wasn't a book that thrilled me. I've read other books by this author, but this might not be the series for me. However, if you like darker witch cozies, this might just be what you're missing!

[Judy Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a banded witch who comes home to save her friend and find her magic powers again. Lots of unsolved questions about her stepmother and the town. You'll have to read more of this new series to get the answers.

[Mist Willingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and fun

When I started this book I couldn’t imagine how the protagonist could ever work her way through her troubles. A wonderful take on magical cozies. I definitely recommend.

[Lyssa F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story

I enjoyed this book. Quick read. Surprising familiars. I liked the story line and the characters. I really don't enjoy a book like this that ends with a cliff hanger but this book is worth reading either way.

[Karla Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

Started reading and immediately knew there would be trouble that would not let you stop reading. Just as I thought things were finished something would take place and I would think, just a few more pages. Kept me reading right to the end.