Reviews by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to win an ebook copy of Chili Cauldron Curse, and a print copy of One Poison Pie, and links to purchase them.
Kitchen Witch is Magically Delicious! One Poison Pie with Prequel Chili Cauldron Curse
Lynn Cahoon has entered the world of witches and
magic with her Kitchen Witch Mystery series. Combining
novellas and full-length novels like her Tourist Trap and Farm-to-Fork
mysteries, she began her new series with the novella Chili Cauldron Curse, released in August last year.
The story is a fun and informative prequel providing an introduction to the
various characters, with or without magical tendencies, and their connections
and relationships, and offering a springboard to Mia’s new life. In late
January, Lynn released the first full-length cozy, One Poison Pie, continuing the journey
focusing on Mia Malone and residents of Magic Springs, Idaho. The second
novella, Murder 101, releasing in
late April, can be preordered HERE, and the second novel, Two Wicked Desserts, can be preordered HERE in advance of a late July
release. The series is also produced as audiobooks with the talented narration of
Angie Hickman with the first two adventures available now.
Image Source Kensington |
Mia Malone may be the head caterer for a popular restaurant in Boise, Idaho, but she is also a witch, a kitchen witch, and like her Grans, Mary Alice Carpenter, who recently hit the big seven-o, she doesn’t use her magical skill selfishly or out of malice. Grans lives in Magic Springs, a small mountain community, and has asked for Mia’s help in cleaning up, organizing, and devising a plan of action for the local food bank. It’s a big job and the reopening is only a few days away, but no big deal. She has Kev and his local volunteers, all of the same ilk, coming in to help under the guise of being a “gaming group,” and they are quite good at hiding their abilities in plain sight and keeping their magic “under wraps.” Her boyfriend’s sister is non-magical, but primed to help, and since her parents are disappointed by her decision to not attend college, being away from them is a no brainer. So, all is set...well, that’s what Mia thinks. The local coven is in the midst of a power struggle and debate over the future of the coven and its role in the community. Mia isn’t keen about getting involved, but it gets more complicated when the current leader and warlock and Mia’s grandmother’s beau, Dorian Alexander, is found murdered, and Grans is a suspect.
Good “Goddess”! This novella was marvelous! Easily enjoyed in one sitting. Lynn Cahoon has created a lovely mountain community of magical and non-magical residents in the aptly named Magic Springs. The characters, led by the delightful Mia Malone, are varied in manner, personality, responses, and reactions, and the conflicts Mia has with her boyfriend not believing in her special abilities and, on the other hand, her efforts to hide it from his sister and other “muggles” in town added to the enjoyment. The magic element is not juvenile hocus-pocus, and although there are stuck spirits, feline familiars, and potions brewing in the tub, it is presented in a way that adds realism and avoids creating caricatures of black-hatted crones with brooms. I sense that if the magic element were removed, one would still have a clever drama, cozy mystery, and enjoyable characters. Quite exciting!
What’s in a kitchen? Well, there’s, of course, a witch, but recipes, too! In this prequel novella, there is a Chili Cook-off, and despite Lynn’s limited experience with chili, she gives readers an easy-to-follow recipe for Woodstove Chili. She suggests serving a big bowl with fresh cornbread, but no “knead” to make it from scratch. I personally enjoy the ease of “Krusteaz Southern Cornbread & Muffin Mix.” Enjoy!
Image Source Kensington |
Circumstances have closed one door and opportunity
has opened another, and through it Mia has walked into her new life as a
full-time resident of Magic Springs and owner/chef of Mia’s Morsels, a catering
and pre-prepared meal destination as well as a cooking school. Hers wasn’t the
only bid made on the property, but her plan to maintain the building’s
integrity and not tearing it down and replacing it with a shopping center was a
major factor in her getting the property. John Louis, the losing bidder, was
not happy, and his disappointment is less sour grapes and more poison apples.
Her business won’t be opening for a bit since she still has lots of renovating
to do, however she does land her first catering client. Adele Simpson, known by
many as “meanest woman in Magic Springs,” is Grans’s best friend, and she is
throwing herself a birthday party. The publicity might do well for her new
venture and getting her supplies helps to establish a professional relationship
with local vendors, but at what cost. Adele’s reputation preceded her, so Mia
shouldn’t have been surprised by the last minute changes to the guest list and
menu...but hold your tongue, it’s business. Except, Adele has been served a big
can of “karma” making Mia’s dream a nightmare!
Brilliant! Lynn has expanded on her prequel novella with an exciting, sometimes nail-biting, cozy mystery, new and revamped characters, and more insights into Mia’s background, her type of magic, and the town of Magic Springs itself. So much is going on that Mia may regret having left Boise. There are threats, physical assaults, and serious peril from some obvious to surprising directions, and along with ghosts, old stories, and loyalties seriously tested, the final reveal of more than one bad actor made this truly a fun read. Cahoon’s writing style is entertaining and her continued use of a third-person narrative gives readers an outsider’s view along with descriptive language to create a lovely mountain area, several buildings and the Lodge, images of varied characters, and mouthwatering hints to Mia’s culinary treats. The dialogue offers clues, information, and fun banter, but also provides insights into the various characters. I really like the length of this novel which gives Lynn the opportunity to go beyond the cozy crime. Relationships are explored between Mia and Grans, Mia and Christina (oddly her ex’s sister), Mia and James (a fellow chef), Mia and Trent (the hunky local grocer), and Mia and Gloria (her Kitchen Witch familiar). All of this makes Magic Springs and its good and bad residents fun to follow. Oh, don’t skip anything, read it all! The ghostly hints of an evil approaching meant to balance the good heralds trouble in Magic Springs. What a series!
Need a Kitchen Witch? We are not all lucky to have a kitchen witch, but Lynn gives us a vicarious thrill and...a recipe. Enjoy birthday girl Adele’s requested dessert: Magic Springs’s Easy Apple Pie. The suggestion is to serve “at room temperature with ice cream” (I like most French vanillas), or “warm with a slice of cheddar cheese.” I also suggest a drizzle of caramel sauce. Yum!
Be a Big Lynn Cahoon Fan!
First, a big shout out to this fellow spud, Lynn Cahoon! Along with this new Kitchen Witch Mystery series, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Lynn Cahoon pens another series set in Idaho: five-novels and two-novellas in her Farm-to-Fork Mystery series. She takes readers to South Cove, California, in her twelve-book Tourist Trap Mystery series with six novellas highlighting a particularly fun holiday or season, and in the six-book Cat Latimer series to the small town of Aspen Hills, Colorado. All of her series have engaging mysteries and a delightful set of characters and meet any reading preference the books are available in print, eBook, and as audiobooks.
Website—Lynn
Cahoon Be sure to sign up for her newsletter.
To enter to win an ebook copy of Chili Cauldron Curse, and a print copy of One Poison Pie, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "kitchen witch,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 13, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. BE AWARE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN SHIPPING THE WINNING BOOK. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.
You can use these links to purchase these books. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Two books! What a bonus! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteThese look like easy and delicious rads for a cold winter's night!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Not sure how to enter giveaway. However, I love the book cover and excerpt. Love books like this. Would love to read and review the author's books in print format.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me
Hope I Win
The details are toward the end of the post. But you commented so that is one way to enter :)
DeleteSounds like a great new series from Lynn Cahoon. Can't wait to read the books.
ReplyDeleteExcellent author. I'm excited to read these.
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I’d love to read this. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletesign me up .. love cozy mysteries
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read these books. Thank you for this chance!! pgenest57 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteLove the cover! Thanks for the chance! JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com
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