Title: Magic & Mischief
Author: Annabel Chase
First published October 3, 2017
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.46
Overview
Welcome to the enchanting world of Starry Hollow, where magic is a way of life. Ember Rose, a descendant of the One True Witch and a single mother from New Jersey, has finally found a place to call home.
But her peace is short-lived when the town’s most eligible bachelors start turning into frogs – starting with her own cousin! With the help of her quirky Aunt Hyacinth and the handsome Sheriff Nash, Ember sets out to catch the culprit behind the spell. But as she digs deeper, she realizes that there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye.
Will Ember be able to break the spell and save the young princes of Starry Hollow, or will they be doomed to hop around as frogs forever? Get ready for a magical adventure filled with humor, heart, and a touch of romance in Annabel Chase’s “Magic & Mystery”.
About the Author
Meet Annabel Chase, the creative mind behind an array of urban fantasy and cozy mystery novels. Imagine a world where magic exists and shopping for the perfect outfit is a breeze at Ready-to-Were.
Where flirting with hot angels and vampires is the norm, and cooking gourmet meals requires minimal effort. You can connect with Annabel on her Facebook page or check out her website at www.annabelchase.com.
Editoral Review
Magic & Mischief by Annabel Chase is a delightful addition to the magical cozy mystery genre. Chase, a USA Today bestselling author, has already established herself as a master of this genre with her popular Spellbound series, and this standalone novel is a testament to her skills as a writer.
As with most books in this genre, Magic & Mischief has a light and whimsical tone, with a touch of humor and romance thrown in for good measure. However, Chase manages to keep the story grounded by exploring deeper themes of family, loyalty, and self-acceptance.
The story follows the adventures of Solstice Daye, a witch who has just inherited an old antiques shop from her grandmother. Solstice soon discovers that the shop is not just an ordinary store, but a portal to other realms where magical creatures dwell.
As she navigates these new worlds, she must also contend with a rival shop owner, a mysterious and dangerous stranger, and her own inner demons. Chases writing is polished and engaging, with well-drawn characters and vivid descriptions of the magical realms.
The pacing is just right, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged, but not so many that the story becomes convoluted. While some aspects of the plot may be predictable, the overall experience is still thoroughly enjoyable.
One of the strengths of this book is the character development. Solstice may start off as a somewhat timid and unsure character, but over the course of the story, she grows in confidence and learns to embrace her magical abilities.
Her relationship with her grandmother, who appears to her in visions, is also well-handled and adds an emotional depth to the story. However, there are a few areas where Magic & Mischief falls short.
The romance, while sweet, can feel somewhat rushed and underdeveloped. Additionally, some of the supporting characters, particularly the villains, are a bit one-dimensional and could have benefited from more fleshing out.
Overall, Magic & Mischief is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of the cozy mystery and paranormal romance genres. It may not break any new ground, but it is a well-crafted story that offers a satisfying escape from reality.
I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light and entertaining read with a touch of magic. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
