Brownies and Broomsticks: A Magical Bakery Mystery

For a first mystery in the series it is okay. Some of the witch practices seem poorly researched but the mystery itself was pretty good. The witchcraft was kind of all over the place. The four stars reflect the quality of the mystery (5) instead of the quality of the witch aspect (3). (My daughter recommended the series to me but hadn’t read the first one and said future books are much better about the witchcraft aspect). The Katie’s over the top reaction to finding a knife in her trunk purchase was extremely odd considering it was not bloody or related to a murder. Considering knives are in constant use in a kitchen and she went to chef school, I find that reaction completely bazaar. Considering this is a witch series and she’s a hedge witch and a baker that’s about like a carpenter with a fear and dislike of hammers. I only mention this because I found her reaction so strange, over the top and out of character for both a chef and a witch. Her budding romance for the town firefighter and steamy obsession with local reporter added some romance to the drama as well.

Love this author

I loved the Savannah setting and the idea of a bakery with some magic thrown in. Katie and her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben are opening a new bakery called the Honeybee Bakery. I loved all of the descriptions of what they were making and all of the interesting characters included in the story. Especially the magical elements thrown in throughout the story. Katie was very persistent and I like that in an amateur sleuth. This story kept me interested and the mystery had many suspects. I can't wait to read more of this series.

I normally read Urban Fantasy but have been needing something light and breezy of late and discovered this genre of cozy mysteries. I picked up several first books for a few series to try things out and read this one first. I have always enjoyed supernatural/magic in stories and this one was lovely. The use of the main character being new to her powers allows the reader to learn the way of this fictional world. The side characters are engaging and I want to learn more about them in the later books in this series. I appreciated that the main character also seemed to make realistic responses and decisions. Some of the cozies I've listened to on audible I am having extreme eye rolls of the insane decisions of some of the main characters to put themselves in ludicrous situations with little provocation. The romantic love triangle of two suitors is sprinkled in but just when it's about to be too much the author backs off.The one thing that left me wanting was the lack of being rooted in a place. I feel rooted in the characters but not really the surroundings. Normally this wouldn't throw me, I love character focused pieces, but the author mentions at the beginning and then again at the end this takes place in Savannah. By the end of the book I was caught off guard when the author mentioned it. Using a real town I realized I want to know what is special about this location. I felt like there is nothing that makes this take place in Savannah. This could have easily just been written off as a fictional Somewhereville, but the fact that she placed it in Savannah I wished more of the location would have shined through.A great first book, I found myself looking forward to jump back into the story and buzzing quickly through it wanting to know more about the characters. The main character feels realistic and the rest of the cast of characters engaging and leaving you wanting more. A small hook at the end of the book definitely helps the reader to want to grab volume two.

Why a Five Star rating right from the beginning? Well, let me see if I can convince you to pick up a copy and rate it likewise.Location is Savannah, Georgia. Many reputable persons consider Savannah to be one of the most, if not the most, haunted locations in Northern United States of America. This story is Titled "Brownies and Broomsticks." Also, Savannah is famous for its delicious and mind numbing foods and a valid Sweet Tea contender. So, That makes it a five star site. Oh, and the going business is a Bakery and that has to be a five star business.Characters are the next consideration. Well, we have a lovely new sleuth, Katie Lightfoot, a transplant to her Aunt and Uncle's Bakery from a learning job in Ohio. Katie is very likable as a witch who didn't know why she never felt like she fitted in 'back home.' Katie's parents are also witches that were hidden from their own children. Katie has a personality that attracts all ages and sexes of persons to her kindnesses. Katie is also a strong young woman who has survived a dreadful relationship in Ohio.Surrounding Katie, are new friends and even some witches. We have Aunt Lucy, Uncle Ben, Mimsey, Bianca, Jaida, Cookie, Steve, and Declan, not to mention, Detective Quinn. Believe me these persons rate a five individually as well as in a pack!Murder most cozy? As I said to my husband, upon the demise of the corpse, Well...certainly had it coming! Was it a cozy though? Oh yes, with nary a tendril of hair out of place. The murder mystery portion was a definite five star event and nasty perpetrators to boot.Yes, I truly rate this book a five star and after I finish eating the Scones (Cheddar and Sage- recipe in the rear of the book,) I will write a review stating this fact!

Katie Lightfoot has just left a less than satisfying life in Ohio and moved down to Savannah to open the Honeybee Bakery with her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben. As she and Lucy begin working on recipes for the bakery, Katie notices her aunt's habit of adding herbs to the mixtures and muttering and soon discovers these additions aren't just tasty...they're magical! But when a rude customer is found murdered out front and Ben becomes the prime suspect, Katie will draw on her magical heritage and, with the help of a handsome journalist and charming firefighter, try to solve the case herself!This is the first book in the new Magical Bakery Mysteries and one that I shamelessly picked up based on the gorgeous cover. I ended up really enjoying the story and it has been a long time since I've read a cozy mystery with this many twists and turns. I couldn't figure out the murderer's identity but when it was revealed it all made perfect sense which is the best kind of cozy, at least in my opinion.The book is set in Savannah and there are a few descriptions of the town through the eyes of it's newest resident Katie. The pacing is great, balancing revelations and world building with dramatic twists. The writing is gorgeous and this is packed with mouthwatering descriptions of food and various bakery treats. This is a world I'd be happy to live in! I loved how realistic the witchcraft was, as well as the delicate way it was introduced to the storyline. There's also a variety of practices described so it'll be interesting to see how these play out later in the series.I really liked Katie. At first I thought she seemed a little stereotypical - starting a new business, just out of a messy long-term relationship, but she soon blossoms on the page. The only thing that bothered me about her was how little she slept, although I have the feeling this may be important in future installments. Katie works hard to build her business and to clear her Uncle's name, while somehow balancing two potential love interests in Steve and Declan. Steve really irritated me by constantly calling her "Katie-girl" and honestly they seem to have very little in common. It's almost as though he has been put there as the 'doesn't care you're a witch' option, although Declan is incredible. The romance doesn't detract from the storyline though - it just enhances it.At the end recipes for Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies and Cheddar-Sage Scones (both featured in the book) are included. These sound really yummy and I can't wait to try them out!All in all this was a great read and I'm looking forward to  Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti .Plot: 10/10Characters: 8/10Ending: 10/10Enjoyment: 9/10Cover: 10/10Overall: 47/50 Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti

Came across this series of books and am now a fan! Well written & well paced. Loved it.

A fun cozy with someone discovering that they can channel magic (as well as being a top notch baker!), looking forward to reading the next in the series

Witty book and nice to know there's more to read

A real non-event. Nothing wrong with it - but it had thin characterisation and the broadest of predictable character types.