It’s been two years since Katie, and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery. They create delicious treats with a special magical twist to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront. They meet Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.

The next day, Orla meets with a tragic accident, but Katie’s intuition tells her it is something more sinister. Alongside her trustworthy coven, her aunt and uncle, and her firefighter boyfriend, they work to figure out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the killer does it again.

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Series: A Magical Bakery Mysteries - Book 7
Author: Bailey Cates
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Bailey Cates is a brilliant writer who is imaginative and original. Potions and Pastries is the 7th book in the Magical Bakery Mysteries Series. It is a tremendously well-written story that compliments the series and creates a desire in the reader for more.

Katie is learning what she is capable of and to trust her instincts. When Aunt Lucy’s friend, Orla is run down in front of her, she senses that it was no accident. It doesn’t take her long to convince her coven, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben, and boyfriend, Declan that she is right and enlist their help in finding the crafty culprit.

The characters in this story, as well as the entire series, have habits and personalities that make them endearing and unforgettable. Katie is still coming to terms with her magic. She is fearful at times that it will get out of her control as she did once before. She is cautious but able to overcome her apprehensions at just the right time.

Declan is an interesting romantic lead as well as a genuinely nice person. Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben are adorable, entertaining and the type of relatives it would be great to have. The other characters are equally interesting and pleasurable.

Savannah is a gorgeous setting for this series. With the historical homes and businesses, Spanish moss and green spaces at every turn, it is romantic and easily lends itself to magical ideas. The riverfront is filled with hustle and bustle, with street vendors hawking their wares, yet retains a semblance of a time long ago.

The use of dragonflies as spiritual guides is a charming addition that is steeped in historical mythology. The reader can imagine them buzzing around leading Katie to her next adventure or clue. Myth has it that dragonflies, signify change, mainly of self-realization; the type of change that gives a person a profound understanding of the meaning of life. Traditionally the Dragonfly’s harried flight while skimming across water represents going beyond what’s on the surface. This is very aptly used in Ms. Cates series.

Readers will find themselves on pins and needles waiting to turn the page and finding all the clues to the identity of the killer. The reveal of the murderer will come as a surprise to many readers. Overall Potions and Pastries is a delightful addition to this series. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys authors such as Heather Graham or Ellery Adams

Katie and her magical bakery are back with a new quest for magical justice. Katie's love life is moving fast, and there are lots of decisions to be made. Just when she thinks that is all she has to deal with, another magical mystery finds itself in her way. She and the book club coven work to uncover secrets of a Traveler family, while still dispensing their daily magical bakery offerings.

The Magical Bakery Mystery series is one of my favorites because it’s got a bakery, witchy-powers, and an adorable familiar named Mungo. I love the characters, and I love the setting. I’ve come to expect a good, solid mystery with a fair amount of character drama, and Potions and Pastries didn’t disappoint.

Katie is still one of my favorite sleuths, because she’s pretty even keel. She doesn’t wildly jump to conclusions, she doesn’t really accuse people, and she follows every lead. Her relationship with Declan continues to grow and mature, and I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book. As for the rest of the cast of characters, I love the spellbook club, and was a little saddened they weren’t bigger players in this one!

As always, the book came with several scrumptious recipes – maybe one of these days I’ll give one a try!