Category: Witches and warlock romance,

Review:  Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19) is the finale book of this series by Annabel Chase.  And while it started out great, I think it ran on a bit too long. 

The characters and themes got repetitive and some of their growth was handled poorly. Or halted altogether. 

It ends happily, and there’s an epilogue where we see the characters a couple of years later, and what’s happened in their lives.  That’s satisfying. 

The ending is fine, with some issues. There’s a murder investigation, which is tied to how will the town of Starry Hollow deal with the return of the very much alive Ivy Rose. 

Ivy is the best element here, she’s a sympathetic character and how her situation is resolved is wonderful. 

But the person and people responsible and their actions aren’t well written. It fluctuates from a stand of firmness of position (she’s evil) to immediate change in opinion (my bad, she’s not) in seconds. There’s no reason or real constructive character or foundation for any of this. And it undermines the entire storyline. 

Then it’s let’s say we understand her motivations. Slap on the wrist. Sigh.  It took how many books and this is how Ivy’s story is resolved? 

Way too long. A wedding and done. 

So it’s nice that each book was a quick read but I’m not sure I’d invest my time reading 19 books again with this outcome. It’s a ok read. 

For fans of Annabel Chase I’m sure you’ll be fine. 

Same cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Mutiny (Starry Hollow Witches Book 19)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Ever since the moment her trio of magical cousins whisked her away to Starry Hollow, the town has served as a safe haven for Ember Rose, descendant of the One True Witch. Even the bumps in the roads have smoothed—she’s reconciled with her formidable aunt and is about to marry the love of her life, Sheriff Nash.

All the bumps except the Ivy-shaped one, that is.

Now the entire town is under threat because of a mistake Ember made. Granted, she wasn’t the one who mistreated her ancestor centuries ago, but she was the one who resurrected her.

And now Ivy is ready to exact revenge on the coven that wronged her.

Can Ember stop the mutiny and save her beloved hometown, or will the one-witch rebellion destroy Starry Hollow forever?

Magic & Mutiny is the 19th and final book in the Starry Hollow Witches series, so be sure not to miss how it all ends

Review:  Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18) by Annabel Chase 

Rating:2.75⭐️

Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18) by Annabel Chase is both the penultimate book in the series and one I almost DNF’d. 

Personally, I think it’s a story that can be skipped over as it’s one that almost had me thinking about just stopping here.  

I’ve enjoyed watching Ember journey from a scrappy widow and single mother from New Jersey, ignorant about her magical roots and powers to one embracing her paranormal town and community, including family and fiancé.  But this story is one of constant lies and withholding important information from all those around her, including her fiancé and family. 

Lack of communication in adult characters is a big issue for me in books and by the 18th novel we should be way past this stage but it’s still an enormous element here. 

Also she’s acting like a teenager in some of the most serious and emotional situations. Smelling her armpits and making a wisecrack when presented with a picture of devastating loss.  It’s not believable not the following scene either. 

She’s either grown past actions like this, given the development by Chase or she’s regressing because it’s something the author wants to hear scene wise. It makes her character and any growth that she’s undergone seem diminished. Or just unreal. 

This whole thing is a mess. Yes let’s have a nice Christmas Carol type story, and then try to tie it up with the ongoing drama of the revived witch. 

Doesn’t work.  Ended up flipping pages to get to the end. 

I’ll finish the series. But this was a big disappointment. 

Such cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

It’s Christmastime in Starry Hollow and Ember is not full of good cheer. Instead of indulging in spiked eggnog by a cozy fire, our favorite descendant of the One True Witch is busy helping Aunt Hyacinth contend with three persistent ghosts just like dear Scrooge, along with another, more threatening ghost from the past.

Can Ember save Christmas or will it all go to hell in a one horse open sleigh?

Magic & Mistletoe is the 18th book in the Starry Hollow Witches series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: November 9, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 220 pages
  • Book 18 of 19: Starry Hollow Witches

Review:  Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider is absolutely my favorite and most satisfying read of this terrific series. 

When Betty’s friend, Bronwyn, asks her to investigate why Maya, a woman and close friend who had been seeking a divorce now has an odd personality and is content in her marriage.  Marriage to a male witch known to be problematic and in Bronwyn’s coven. 

Wicked Witch of the Wolf resolves a number of complex conflicts and character issues that have been long standing elements within the series. And it makes the book so compelling, satisfying and fascinating as it moves so many relationships forward.

The personal growth that Betty undergoes is enormous. That’s aligning with the magical power that comes from the knowledge and acceptance that she achieves here.  Betty’s stubbornness or resistance to acknowledge certain truths, a trait she’s been slowly working through, is a main element of her storyline. 

And the characters who have impacted her life in the past , here are the ones who will help her finally move forward. 

There’s so many layers to this book . So many threads, great characters, new and old, fantastic developments, and one or two where I just want to thump Ronan, as he’s still too much “controlling, save the weak women” figure.   Luckily, the women here are quick to tell him to knock it off, and they don’t need saving, and btw, they just saved him.   He, however, is in need of much change or growth. 

That may be coming next book. 

As always the mysterious omnipresent DJ with their on point selection of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s rock music is fabulous. 

I need to know if each book has a complete set list. Awesome. 

Highly recommended and wish I had the next book now. 

Cover design by The Book Brander”

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series :

Strike It Witch #1

Any Which Wolf #2

Wicked Witch of the Wolf #3

The Wolfing Hour #4 – Nov 30,2025

Buy link

        Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3

    

Blurb 

“One thing, though. What was the last straw that made Maya file for divorce?”
“She told me Desmond said he was going to kill her.”

Betty Lennox, earth witch and paranormal investigator, has a whole slew of problems. Her magic is as finicky as a jackrabbit in the desert; the local werewolf alpha lurks around every corner, giving her death threats; and a certain sexy werewolf isn’t returning her calls.

What’s a witch to do? Focus on work.

Betty is hired to investigate a one-eighty personality change in a woman who was going to divorce her husband but suddenly loves him again. That’s suspicious by itself, but the fact that he’s a member of the local coven puts Betty on high alert.

With her team of allies—Ida, her BFF and a retired necromancer; Fennel, a magical cat, and Cecil, a homicidal garden gnome with a penchant for explosives—Betty digs deeper into the case and quickly realizes this deadly plan goes far beyond Maya’s marriage. She finds herself facing off with witches, shifters, and dark, arcane magic.

The good news? Betty finds unexpected new allies to join her crew and help her solve the case. The bad news? Some of them start disappearing. It’s up to Betty and her unreliable magic to find her friends, protect her client, and save Smokethorn as something wicked this way comes…

For fans of urban fantasy with a side of slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: VC Group, LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 302 pages
  • Book 3 of 4: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series

Review:  Magic & Marriage (Starry Hollow Witches Book 15) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Reality tv comes to Starry Hollow and it doesn’t go well. Naturally.

The paranormal version of The Bachelorette’s show, Natural Selection, arrives in Starry Hollow and immediately becomes a nightmare.

Especially as Ember’s hired by the contestant’s grandmother to sabotage the contest. The story turns into a mirror of family images, tightly wrapped expectations, and ridiculously rigid boundaries. 

Again it’s also the lovely side characters and moments that make the story, the small important reflections and conversations that allow Ember to become more self aware and able to make better choices. 

Great storytelling and characters. 

Such cute covers that change ever subtly. 

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Marriage (Starry Hollow Witches Book 15)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow where spells were made to be broken.

When a television show called Natural Selection decides to film in Starry Hollow, the whole town is abuzz. The paranormal version of The Bachelor is the talk of the nation and the ideal vehicle to show off the town’s charm. Everyone is excited—except the chosen bachelor’s grandmother. The wily old woman doesn’t want him to marry any of those gold-digging floozies and hires Ember to join as a bachelorette and disrupt the competition. Ember’s uneasy about the job—and her unease only grows when one of the bachelorettes ends up dead. 

With a television show capturing every move, Sheriff Nash has his work cut out for him, but luckily he has Ember on the inside.

Can Ember and the sheriff find the killer before another bachelorette is eliminated—permanently?

Magic & Marriage is the 15th book in the Starry Hollow Witches humorous paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: February 3, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 234 pages

Review:  Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 5✨🪄⭐️

Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13) hits close to home with Bentley continuing to investigate the cold case murder of Sheriff 

There’s so much to Magic & Misfits, it’s hard to imagine which part is actually more heartwarming or compelling. As Ember and Marley deal with the aftermath of Aunt Hyacinth’s rigid rejection of their relationship due to Ember’s refusal to give up Ivy’s magic, we see the multiple ways this has consequences on their lives. From bullying at school to Ember’s loss of her job, and much more. 

But it allows for the author to demonstrate that Ember and those around her have the ability to make a new path and find new opportunities. Ones that bring Arnold Palmer, the pink fairy armadillo into their lives, sees a change in her romantic relationships, and gives a cold case a fresh perspective and the chance to be solved.

This is definitely one of my favorite stories in the series. Every storyline is beautifully crafted, every character and their role so well written and the narrative flows from humor to real raw pain , through the gamut of emotions scene by scene.

It makes for great storytelling and memorable characters.   Love this!

Starry Hollow Witches series:

Box set 1-10:

Magic & Murder, Book 1

Magic & Mystery, Book 2

Magic & Mischief, Book 3

Magic & Mayhem, Book 4

Magic & Mercy, Book 5

Magic & Madness, Book 6

Magic & Malice, Book 7

Magic & Mythos, Book 8

Magic & Mishaps, Book 9

Magic & Maladies, Book 10

—-

Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)

Magic & Monsters (Book 12)

Magic & Misfits (Book 13)

Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)

Magic & Marriage (Book 15)

Magic & Midnight (Book 16)

Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)

Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)

Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) – finale 

Buy link

        Magic & Misfits (Starry Hollow Witches Book 13)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

Bentley Smith is tired of being the red-headed stepchild in the office of Vox Populi and is determined to prove his mettle by warming up the cold case involving Sheriff Nash’s murdered father. The deeper he digs, however, the more uncomfortable he becomes when the information he unearths implicates one of Starry Hollow’s very own. Meanwhile, Ember is dealing with the fallout from her refusal to give Aunt Hyacinth the power she craves, which has greater consequences than she anticipated. 

Will Ember be able to sustain the fairytale life she’s built in Starry Hollow or will it all finally crumble to dust? 

Magic & Misfits is the thirteenth book in the Starry Hollow Witches paranormal cozy mystery series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: January 7, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 198 pages