Review - A Vision in Velvet

This is another series I have been a fan of since its debut.  Read my reviews of the prior books:  #1 Secondhand Spirits (click here), #2 Cast Off Coven (click here),  #3 Hexes and Hemlines (click here), #4 In a Witch's Wardrobe (click here), and #5 Tarnished and Torn (click here).  I also interviewed the author twice: interview #2 (click here), and interview #1 (click here).  Lily finds herself in the middle of mayhem yet again, she is gifted that way.

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Copyright: July 2014 (NAL) 336 pgs

Series: 6th in Witchcraft Mystery series

Sensuality: kissing

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Lily Ivory, powerful natural witch and owner of vintage clothing store

Setting: Current day San Francisco

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Lily buys an ancient trunk full of decaying old clothes from Sebastian Crowley. Not because she can sell any of it, but because of the gold velvet cape at the bottom that is calling to her.  Later, when she tries on the cape, she gets a vivid vision of an old witch trial. And when Sebastian, the junk dealer who sold her the cape, is killed, Lily suspects something wicked this way comes.

Then Lily’s familiar, Oscar the potbellied pig, disappears when visiting the tree in the park where Sebastian was found dead.  Lily is frantic to figure out why the killer is and get Oscar back safely.  She will take some big chances, even risk Aidan's wrath to get Oscar back.

Lily is growing from the loner she once was to realizing she needs people in her life. Oscar's disappearance helps her to understand how her life has changed and won't just let go.  Graciela, her grandmother, gets to play a role in this story.  Oscar, Lily's Goblin-Gargoyle mix familar shows how much he really cares for her.  Sailor is back and I love the developments between Lily and him.  Bartholmew Woolsey is the old man who originally owned the trunk and clothes. He begs Lily to break a curse placed on his family from several generations back.  The California Academy of Sciences gives several scientists in minor roles that are an interesting touch.  Will Chambers, the professor of religious studies, is a friend of old Bart who provides some history to the puzzle for Lily.

San Francisco is always a delight in this series, but we get the addition of Golden Gate Park this time around.  I love the descriptions of the city and neighborhoods.  The plot was engrossing and pulled me right in. The pacing kept my interest from the beginning and didn't let go until the last page.  The climatic showdown had Lily giving it her all and I don't know how Ms. Blackwell can follow this up.  The wrap-up gave a tantalizing hint of a connection between Lily and an ancient witch.

Ms. Blackwell has written another gripping and delightful story, sheer entertainment with all the ingredients: murder, danger, high stakes, love, plenty of suspects, tight-rope walk with Aidan, a tense showdown, and of course, crazy Oscar.  But did Lily pass her GED exam?

Ratings: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Review - Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti

Savannah Georgia is the setting for this new series.  I had not read the first book in the Magical Bakery Mystery series, so I am jumping in on the second book.  I could not wait until October to read some of these.  This series is noted for being true-to-life in its portrayal of the Wiccan tradition.  See if this is to your taste.

Author: Bailey Cates

Copyright: December 2012 (Signet) 336 pgs

Series: 2nd in Magical Bakery Mystery series

Sensuality:  Some passionate kissing

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy paranormal

Main Characters: Katie Lightfoot, owner of the Honeybee Bakery

Setting: Modern day, Savannah GA

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Katie Lightfoot recently found that she is a witch like her aunt Lucy.  She is learning from the Spellbook Club, the name of the all women coven. Each member is lending their knowledge to her witchy education. She receives instruction from Jaida on the tarot, Bianca on moon magick, Cookie on Voodoo topics, Mimsey on crystal ball plus color & flower magic, and from aunt Lucy on hedgewitchery (plants).  She is still a beginner in harnessing her power, but she is a quick study. 

One morning after a breakfast picnic in the park with Declan, a local fireman, she discovers a dead body showing from under the bushes.  The man has a distinctive tattoo that means he is a member of the secret druid society.  Apparently the victim had an object of supernatural importance that has gone missing and the group desperately needs it back.  Membership to this secret druid group is hereditary and there are some surprises for Katie as to who are members. One of the members approaches the Spellbook Club and enlists their aid in finding the killer.

Katie is still discovering her powers, settling into her life in Savannah, and torn between two men.  She is an good main character who has a passion for baking and a cool head in dangerous situations.  One of the potential boyfriends is Declan, a firefighter.  Declan doesn't get but a few short scenes so I can't gather much about him, but the fact that he isn't interested in magic makes me wonder about his compatibility with Katie.  Alternately, there is magic oriented Steve Dawes, the journalist.  Steve gets more page-time in this entry.  He is self-assured and a little cocky.  He has some tough decisions and they will impact his potential future with Katie.  Steve's dad, Heinrich Dawes, is introduced in this book as a dark and powerful man who easily intimidates others.  The Spellbook Club members (Jaida, Bianca, Cookie, Mimsey, and aunt Lucy) are great cozy characters that give good variety to the town.  uncle Ben, the retired Fire Chief, is interesting along with Margie Coopersmith, Katie's neighbor.  The new Detective Franklin Taite from New York is a surprise character that can really add to future stories.

The setting is Savannah GA.  I am still going through a spell of burn-out with small southern town settings and I must say that this book did not utilize the colorful or diverse Savannah much.  It was pretty much an "any small southern town" setting until the cemetery, and even then it wasn't very distinctive as Savannah. 

It was a little slow in getting going, but that didn't last long.  The pacing was kept up with the sub-plots, particularly the love-triangle.  The full plot is hidden as the questioning and investigating occurs, which worked well for generating some suspense. 

The climax and killer confrontation take place in a cemetery and was atmospheric.  During the killer confrontation a hint of Katie's magical power is manifested that tells of her witchy destiny, which entices the reader to see how she progresses in the next book. 

This is a fun cozy featuring strong witchcraft elements, good mix of interesting characters, nice plotting and pacing for a entertaining cozy mystery.

Ratings: Good - A fun read, put this author on your watch list if you enjoy paranormal mysteries.

There is a wonderful Coke Cola Cake recipe in the book, but here is a diet version just for a change.

Diet Coke Cake Recipe from Healthy Recipe Ideas

Ingredients 
1     box instant chocolate or devil's food cake mix
12     oz diet coke or coke zero
 
Directions
Pour 1 box chocolate instant cake mix into a bowl.  Stir in 12 oz of Diet Coke of Coke Zero.  Batter can be put into one pan for rectangular cake, round cake, or can be poured into muffin pan for cup cakes.  Bake at approx 350 degrees for approx 35 - 40 mins.  Nuts can be added as desired, will affect nutritional value.

Calories 170 per serving

Review - A Cast-Off Coven

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This is an enjoyable new series.  You can read the review I did on the first book (Secondhand Spirits) in the series here.  Also read the interview with the author here.  This is an advance review since the book isn't released until June 1.

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Copyright: June 1, 2010 (Signet); 342 pgs.

Series: #2 in Witchcraft Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery sub-genre: Cozy + Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Main Character: Lily Ivory, powerful natural witch and owner of vintage clothing store

Setting: Current day San Francisco

Obtained book through: Publisher for an honest review

At the local art school things are getting out of hand and an apparent ghost is raising the tensions so the student body is fighting and arguing. Lily is asked to look into this paranormal activity...and discovers a body at the bottom of the reportedly haunted staircase where a few decades prior a student supposedly had committed suicide. The body is of Jerry Becker, a wealthy owner of beauty salons and various investments who is found to have been tied to the historic suicide in the same location.

Lily is surprised when local power broker witch Aidan leaves her no alternative but to deal with whatever is going wrong no matter how her newly blossoming romance with Max, who dislikes her involvement with anything paranormal, could blow up. Lily believes there is a bigger problem than the suicide (probable murder) from decades ago, she is more concerned about the apparent demonic activity that she believes traces back to when the building had been a convent.  Lily also believes Jerry Becker was killed by a very real person.

For a cozy / urban fantasy hybrid mystery this series is an enjoyable read, more positive and "light" than strictly urban fantasies and the cozy factor is still there.  Enjoyable supporting cast of Bronwyn, Maya and Lily's familiar Oscar keep the tone lighter to counter the demon fighting.  Lily's building a romance with Max, the "I hate anything remotely paranormal or psychic" reporter.  Aidan mentions that it is Darrin and Samantha in Bewitched, but I disagree - Darrin at least acknowledged Samantha was a witch whereas Max just insists Lily is naive or delusional.  I continue to find Max tedious, there must be a better relationship for Lily out there!

I moved to the center of the hallway and stood still, arms outstretched, trying to discern what in the world - or beyond this world - we were dealing with.

The breath became a low moan, bouncing off the corridor walls, growing in intensity, surging and swirling until it felt as though it were inside my head.  The walls began to seethe with the sound, swelling and waning as though they were made of pliable membrane rather than stucco and stone.  Everything vibrated with sensations of anger, despair, and fierce jealousy.

"This is crazy!" Kevin sprang to his feet. "Let's go!"

He grabbed Maya's hand and yanked her down the hall, Ginny close on their heals.

"Run, Lily!" Ginny yelled.  "Come on!"

The moaning became a roar, filling the hallway until it screamed like a runaway freight train.  And just as suddenly it stopped.

I opened my eyes, turned tail, and ran.

I may be a witch, but I'm no fool.

The mystery element is multi-faceted between the other-worldly and the physical world.  It kept my interest but the reader does seem to be ahead of Lily.  You know it is about the recently opened closet room before she gets it etc.  The resolution to the story held no surprises but was handled well.  Probably the most surprising twist in the story is the police detective coming to talk to Lily about the ghostly happenings and asking for help.  The ending promises more on that front.

For this genre the characters are well done and remind me of an old pair of jeans, they are comfortable and feel good.  This is what you want in a cozy series and I think it is successful at it.

For your convenience you may purchase your copy here.

A little something extra for you:

Review: Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

Lily Ivory feels that she can finally fit in somewhere and conceal her "witchiness" in San Francisco. It is in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of the Bay area that she opens her vintage clothing shop named Aunt Cora’s Closet, outfitting customers both spiritually and stylistically. She has not been in town long when the dark and dangerous Aidan Rhodes, leader in the local magical community, greets her with a housewarming present. Her powerful heriditary witchcraft has been noticed.  Lily is not happy to have the attention, even though Aidan is as handsome as he seems dangerous.

An elderly client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area. Lily has a good idea that the legendary spirit La Llorona is behind it. Lily starts snooping around to confirm her suspicion. She also tries to help Max Carmichael, a myth buster attempting to expose ghost-hunter scam artists. He does not understand her at all, yet she keeps saving him from dangerous situations.

Lily Ivory is a very powerful witch, but in this story she may be up against something more powerful than her considerable talent and skill. Even though she is resistant to seeking help, will she reach out to her employee’s women’s circle for help…or even Aidan?

To our right, I noticed a red sedan coming down the steep hill.  It seemed to be picking up speed, so I hurried a bit to get across the street and urged Maya to do the same. 

The car sped up.

We increased our pace and reached the curb on the other side.

Suddently the vehicle swerved to toward us.

I grasped Maya by the arm to get her attention.  We broke into a run and leaped over the sidewalk.

The car was still headed straight towards us.

Racing up the short driveway, we ducked into a small alley between the house and its neighbor.  A barred metal security gate kept us from going back farther than a few feet.   Maya and I plastered ourselves to the wall, huddling in the farthest corner.

The car careened into the metal garage cans, sending the heavy missiles sailing towards us.

A fraction of a second later we heard the terrible screech of steel on concrete as the car itself crashed into the buildings.  The force of the impact shook the ground.  Part of the nose of the car jutted through the opening between the two houses, coming to a stop a mere two feet from us.

Everything seemed to freeze for a moment...All I could hear was my own ragged breathing, and that of Maya.  We were clutching each other, squeezing our eyes shut.

Finally we looked up.  The grille of the car was close to us, far too close, trapping us between the walls of the houses and the metal gate at our backs.

We stood, still shaky, to peer inside the car.

There was no driver.  No one in the car at all.

I classify this new series as paranormal that is a cozy. It is too light and funny for an urban fantasy but has a strong spirits and witches element. There is plenty of humor and Lily is easy to like as she attempts to make real friends and let people into her otherwise isolated life.

Both Aidan and Max are potential love interests for the series and her employees and fellow shop owners In Haight are colorful characters. I felt the story had a strong ending with good drama as Lily and La Llorona face off. The author took a Spanish traditional legend and gave us a sinister evil. San Francisco comes alive, particularly the neighborhood where the children are disappearing. Good pacing, the story kept my interest and I did not want to stop reading it. This was an excellent first book in an exciting new series and I recommend it, and not just for a halloween read. The second installment, The Cast-Off Coven, is scheduled for June 2010 release and I am looking forward to it.

Obtained book through: Personal Purchase


For your convenience you may purchase a copy here.

Check back in on Monday for another Musings and until then I wish you many mysterious moments.