Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairings found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.
Seven Secret Spellcasters
A Kitchen Witch Mystery
Lynn Cahoon
Kensington Cozies
Welcome to Mystic Falls, a beautiful and cozy town located in Idaho that is home to a variety of interestingly magical characters such as Mina Malone, who is a kitchen witch who makes magic in the kitchen, plus her magic is used to create harmony and balance in our world. Not only does the town have magical beings but Mia's home complete with commercial kitchen, a renovated school, is magical and haunted and warded against those who wish her ill. It is as if the school is alive. Reminds me a little of the casita from Encanto, but without the singing. But with regards to her cooking, those recipes that are shared in each Kitchen Witch Book are amazing. Other characters include Mia's boyfriend, Trent Majors, who comes from a magical family as well, but he chose to transfer his abilities over to his younger brother, Levi. and yet, the Goddess gifted him a hellhound protector that resembles a Maltese pup, named Cerby. No one is really supposed to know about Cerby, or Cerby's little friend, an adolescent purple dragon named Buddy. So many secrets can be found in this story, in fact it is like a great big secret society, and I don't mean the local coven either. Mia's Gran is not always forthcoming with details but maybe she is distracted what with an upcoming wedding. One is never too old for romance. But who has time for romance when there is a Lodge job that has a new and slightly demanding boss. At least Blake is a witch, just not a local one and she insists that she needs to stay under the radar and away from coven members. So, what is she hiding??? The newest member of this merry band is Finn, a waif-like girl who can hear Gloria the kitchen witch doll that hangs (literally) in the kitchen, with her melodic giggle. Poor Finn, she knows nothing about the world of witches and yet she comes down with dragon pox, not to mention that the library seems to like her.
In addition to a bevy of witches, a sketchy boss, a hellhound, a half leprechaun, an incubus, not to mention a dragon, OH MY. Just another day in Magic Springs and poor Mark Baldwin, married to a witch, newish dad to a witch, completely human guy who has been assisted by Mia to solve magical murders with Mia. That almost sounds like a show title with drama. Magic Springs has plenty of drama, from pushy coven members who get even pushier when Mia tests out at a level three (gasp) as that is supposed to be unheard of, especially for a kitchen witch. I actually felt annoyed on Mia's behalf to both the pandering and the skepticism. This series just pulls you in one page at a time until you find yourself at the end of the book, wondering how you didn't catch on the killer sooner, and why do you have to wait until next year to get the next book. The overall story arc has been really good, and the character development of secondary characters is one of the best.
To sum this review up, this is not only a paranormal cozy, but also a culinary cozy, which makes it doubly good. The romance and friendship aspects are as sweet as the peach cobbler recipe found at the back of the book. I know because how could I not make a recipe that looked so baker friendly and tasty at the same time. I cannot wait for the next installment as things were definitely left with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger...
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