Book Tour: Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery #1) by Joyce Lavene Review, Guest Post + Giveaway

Spell Booked (Retired Witches Mystery #1) by Joyce Lavene

Published  December 2nd 2014 by Berkley

Paperback, 304 pages

Series: Retired Witches Mystery

Genre: Cozy-Mystery

Source:  I got a copy of this book from the publisher  in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads

The national bestselling authors of the Missing Pieces Mysteries summon up the first Retired Witches Mystery in a brand new supernatural series...

Once upon a time in Wilmington, North Carolina, three witches ran a curio shop named Smuggler’s Arcane. But as the years passed, their magical powers started to fade—leaving them no choice but to conjure up a retirement package…  

Before they could blink their eyes or twitch their noses, Molly, Elsie, and Olivia somehow became eligible for AARP. But they can’t fly off to Boca Raton just yet. First they must give up their magic, recruit and train three new witches, and pass on their cherished spellbook.

They’ve barely begun to consider potential practitioners when Olivia winds up dead and their spellbook is stolen. To honor their friend and reclaim their spells, Molly and Elsie are about to go wand-to-wand with a dangerous young witch more powerful than the trio was in their prime. And this time they’re going to need more than magic up their sleeves…

Witches, magic and mischief! Oh how excited. All tied up into one cozy mystery that was simply enchanting. Olivia, Elsie and Molly have been best friends for a really long time. A trio of elemental type witches that own their own store as a cover up in order to practice their magic and keep the big secret from their families - who are not allowed to know by witches laws. When Olivia ends up dead, Elsie and Molly fear that the cops are not going to be able to find and apprehend the witch responsible for this, especially since they are mortal. Joe, Molly's husband is a detective working on this case and they have never butted heads so badly before, but the last thing Molly want's is to put her husband in danger. Not to mention the time for the witches to retire and lose their magic is near, they must find three other witches to replace them and there is a very powerful rogue witch on the loose.

Oh what a fun story, and great story-telling! I really enjoy cozy mysteries that are a bit whimsical and magical, especially filled with witches. I enjoyed the way Molly and Elsie used their magic to try and find who is responsible for their best friends murder, despite the fact that their magic grows weak. I was a little thrown by that, as I always imagined witches magic only growing stronger as they age, but in this book the witches actually lose their magic. Wasn't sure how I feel about it, but their misfires trying to use their weakened magic did add entertainment to the book. I was a little confused by why some witches did retain their magic (I guess if you are on the Grand council?) and most lost it.

I thought the mystery was exciting and kept me guessing till the very end. I liked Molly and I liked Elsie. The new girl Dorothy, I struggled a bit with. She was suppose to be a librarian new comer witch to replace Olivia eventually, but her character felt a little immature for me. I would have never guessed that she is suppose to be well over 20 years in age, because I did not feel she acted like it through most of the book.

Outside of that, Spell Booked is a great start to a new series and I am so looking forward to more of this fun adventure and writing from these authors.

What’s a male witch to do?

By Jim Lavene - Spell Booked

I’m Brian Fuller – part-time student – full-time witch.

That’s right. Not a warlock. We don’t like to be called that. I’m a male witch.

I’ve never ridden a broomstick but I have attended a few Sabbats or witch holidays. I don’t have a black pointy hat or a cape. I do have a wand because I’m an air witch and that’s my tool.

So I’m going through my life, enjoying everything as the grandson of a powerful member of the Grand Council of Witches. My parents give me anything as long as I stay out of their way. It’s been like that for years. I don’t mind.

Then I meet this crazy bunch of old witches. Olivia was nice. Elegant and sexy. We went out on a date and she was found dead the next morning. For some reason, her friends thought I had something to do with it. Me! I’ve never killed anyone in my life. I don’t even like squashing bugs.

This one older chick, Molly, was really obnoxious. So I warned her off. She went into hyper-protective mode, worried about her family. She’s chasing me around Wilmington, trying to prove I murdered Olivia. She even put a summoning spell on me to get me where she wanted me. I fought that off but we came to a truce of sorts. She wouldn’t bother me anymore. I wouldn’t bother her. I even admitted that I owed her one.

What’s the first thing she does? Summon me in a big cauldron full of hot water. It’s sitting over a huge fire in a cave under her shop by the river, and I’m in my underwear. She says she needs me to prove who killed Olivia. As long as she’s not looking at me, I’m okay with that.

Too bad Cassandra, the herald to the council of witches, sees me there. She’s bound to tell my parents and my grandfather. They won’t like it.

But I kind of like the new witch, Dorothy, that is joining their coven. She’s a librarian, of all things. She’s funny and sassy. She’s just learning magic (at her age) but that doesn’t bother me. She still thinks magic is fun and exciting. I like being around her.

Not enough to join the crazy old witch coven with her friends, but I figure I can hang with Dorothy without joining up. The three of them (even Olivia’s ghost) are like a family. I’ve never needed that in my life, but I admire it. And I sure admire Dorothy, you know? She is sweet!

Now for the giveaway. Rules are simple. Must live in the US, sorry publisher rules. Must be 13+ year old in order to enter. Has 24 hours to claim their prize.

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