Cover Image: Four Charming Spells

Four Charming Spells

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Member Reviews

Mia and the rest of the crew are back in the latest installment in the Kitchen Witch series. Someone is targeting single witches and Mia’s grandmother is at risk. In this book, Mia has to protect her home and business from ghosts, while also considering a new career opportunity, dealing with a de-aging senior citizen, and solving magical mysteries.

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A magical cozy mystery, with a clever plot. I love the characters.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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⭐⭐⭐

Four Charming Spells by Lynn Cahoon is a book that takes readers on a supernatural journey in the quaint town of Magic Springs, Idaho. Mia Malone, a budding caterer and cooking school owner, finds her life taking an unexpected turn when she becomes involved with Time for a Cuppa, a charming new tea shop. This connection leads her to Mahogany Medford, the tea shop owner and member of the local coven, who insists on delving into a perplexing mystery that seems unsolvable without some special assistance.

While still grieving over her mother’s recent death and suspecting foul play, Mia is urged by Mahogany to uncover the truth. However, as she digs deeper into the investigation at her establishment, Mia realizes that old secrets may resurface to haunt her. Armed with Gran’s protective stone and supported by a close-knit circle of confidants, Mia must unravel the identity of Ms. Medford’s killer while facing another deadly surprise.

The cover design of this book is eye-catching and enticing. However, I found Four Charming Spells to be just average in terms of my overall enjoyment. Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book in this series, I felt let down by this installment. As someone who didn’t have the opportunity to read books two through this one due to being passed over by the publisher, I felt confused throughout significant portions of this story. Unlike its predecessor, this book seemed to lack the charm that initially drew me in. Additionally, I found myself unimpressed with both the mystery aspect and the explanation behind it.

Overall, Four Charming Spells has its merits but fell short of my expectations. It may appeal more to readers who have followed the entire series closely rather than those approaching it as a standalone cozy mystery novel.

**ATC Via NetGalley**

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This story was charming and enchanting...truthfully! I was embraced by the characters and the plot while traveling through such a cute setting. Lynn Cahoon crafted a few charming spells of her own in this novel and I commend her for this with this 4 star review!

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Four Charming Spells was a very enjoyable, and quick, read. I found that I simply couldn't put it down. The murder mystery completely stumped me until the big reveal. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Mia is a wonderful character who uses her cooking skills and magic to weave a spell that unveils a killer. Mia’s Morsels is one of those types of places most food lovers would want to visit. Add in the wonderful new tea shop and its owner, murder and conjuring the past, and you are left with a cozy mystery that will have readers smiling and cheering. Murder by old age, a house that is cursed, and ghosts who aren’t very helpful make this an interesting read.

The characters in this book are funny, intelligent, magical, and always entertaining. The locations are easy to envision; Mia’s Morsels and Time for a Cuppa are places I could easily find myself spending several hours. I love the magic aspects of this series and am all too happy to see more conjuring of ghosts, spirits, killers, and the past. The killer, once discovered, is easy to unearth, but the motive may take a bit for readers to understand. There is plenty of spellcasting throughout the story, and more than enough intrigue. With the age-old saying “nothing is ever what it seems” firmly in mind, readers will get a kick out of Four Charming Spells.

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Four Charming Spells by Lynn Cahoon is the fourth full length book in the paranormal cozy Kitchen Witch Mysteries series. The Kitchen Witch Mysteries also have three novellas in the series along with the three full length novels which include a prequel to open the whole series. As with most cozy mysteries though each of these books does contain it’s own mystery that will be fully solved within the book so they can be read as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. There is character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.

In the prequel novella in the series readers were introduced to Mia Malone who had traveled back to her hometown of Magic Springs, Idaho at the urging of her grandmother who Mia fondly calls Grans. Magic Springs is a place where magic is out in the open and Mia’s family is far from normal with Mia inheriting her Grans magical abilities and she now uses that witchcraft to create her tasty culinary treats.

Since that trip back to Magic Springs though Mia’s world had fallen apart with Mia finding herself single when her boyfriend left her and also became unemployed. Mia decided that the best thing to do was to return to Magic Springs for good where she could use her magic in a gourmet dinner delivery business. Now Mia’s catering business is booming even with hiring a new enchanting cake decorator. However, Mia is asked by Mahogany Medford to help solve a seemingly impossible of just what happened to Mahogany’s mother and whether her death was murder.

Anyone following my reviews may have noticed that I’m a huge fan of Lynn Cahoon’s cozy mysteries. I follow several of her other series and have read the Kitchen Witch Mysteries from the beginning too. I was happy to jump back into this paranormal cozy series and loved returning to Magic Springs with these characters I’ve grown to love too. There’s plenty of laughs that I’ve come to expect from this writer’s cozies and always a fun mystery to solve so again after finishing this fourth installment I’ll be waiting my chance to return with the next in the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Having read Lynn Cahoon's début novel (book one) in her Kitchen Witch mystery series and 'Two Wicked Desserts', the second full instalment, as well as her short novella, 'Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas', and 'Three Tainted Teas', the third full instalment, I grabbed the chance to read this, Four Charming Spells.

Mia Malone, a kitchen witch, is the owner of Mia's Morsels. All of the characters are amusing, relatable, and many have a good rapport with one other. In Magic Springs, Idaho, ghosts, warlocks and the paranormal are welcomed. I really enjoyed this compelling story and I continue to find Mia endearing and caring. Mia's boyfriend, Trent, is also a witch though he is non-practicing. The writing is smooth, the plot strong and comfortably paced, and the puzzling mystery kept me guessing. All in all, a fabulous instalment with a few possibilities and the characters added humour and variety. I will certainly be returning to Palm Springs to see what Mia and her mates are getting up to next time.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

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One of my favorite sequence of books, the Kitchen Witch series has me hooked. The characters are well developed and I love the relationships that continue to develop. Lots of mystery and intrigue flow through the pages. Mia is once again pulled into the murder mystery and her grandmother’s antics will have you chuckling. Can’t wait to experience another adventure with the crowd in Magic Springs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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I really enjoy the kitchen witch series. The mysteries are fun to figure out and the characters are enjoyable.

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If you like some paranormal mixed in with a cozy mystery, you may like this book, #4 in the Kitchen Witch series. Mia is trying to grow her catering/meal-provider business and has added wedding planning to her list of services (after stepping in to help last-minute with a wedding in the previous book in this series). The schoolhouse which houses both her business and her living quarters is still dealing with ghost issues, and two women, both witches, have recently died under suspicious circumstances.

I enjoyed the main characters, Mia, her boyfriend Trent, her assistant Christina (a non-magical person). Christina’s boyfriend Levi (who is also Trent’s brother), plus Mia’s grandmother and Trent and Levi’s mother, Abigail. I love that this takes place in a town in Idaho, somewhere between Boise and Twin Falls. Sun Valley is also fairly nearby, apparently. It’s a location that’s not written about that much.

I’ve only read one other book in this series, but that gave me some background. Without that, it might be difficult to come into this as a standalone. Eventually, you’ll figure out who is who and what’s going on, of course.

The story left a bit to be desired, unfortunately, especially the whodunit aspect, and the “why” was a let-down. Given that there are quite a few really wonderful cozy mystery series out there, I’m not sure I’ll try another in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I’m a bit late to it. All opinions are my own.

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I really enjoyed the interactions between the characters in this installment of the kitchen witch series. You can definitely see growth here as tough decisions have to be made by Mia and Christine. I enjoyed the wards and the complications there plus the secondary plotline. It all came together in a nice cozy mystery you just can't seem to get enough of.

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I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

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Omg the grandmother might be my favorite character out of the characters that's in this book, she had me laughing as well as smiling.

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Number four is indeed, a Charming cozy featuring Mia Malone, Mystic Springs’ very own kitchen witch.

I have read the previous books, but you don’t have to in order to enjoy this stand alone. There is plenty of back story explanation for each character, including poor Mr. Darcy who is stuck sharing his furry little body with a ghost. I am not sure how Mia does it all. In addition to keeping up with meal delivery, catering, and event planning Mia is asked to look into yet another mysterious death. How can she continue to keep up with everything? Thankfully she has an awesome group of friends, a super supportive boyfriend, and a sassy grandmother with gifts. The sort of gifts that can come in handy when there is a paranormal mystery about. In an effort to understand a spell that was concealing the age of a deceased witch. Mia’s grandmother does a little experimenting and manages to recapture a bit of her youthful glow, and then her daughter’s youthful glow, followed by her granddaughter’s glow. Hmmm, not only does her face become youthful, so does her attitude and boy does she have that in spades! Attitude might be just what is needed to solve this mystery with multiple murders, ghosts in the school yard, wards that may or may not hold, and another “special” wedding to be organized. Clues are good and suspects are many, I figured out part but not all, which makes it all the more fun for me. While the mystery may be solved by the end of the story, Mia is still left with questions. Can her fledgling business survive if she takes a job with the Lodge? Will the wards continue to work, and what is the real backstory for the school that no one seems to want to share…

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Excellent addition to the Kitchen Witch Mystery series. I was kept thoroughly entertained throughout the whole book. I love spending time with kitchen witch Mia and her crew as they cater events, solve mysteries, and spread a little magic.

Many thanks to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

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I love Mia and Co. SO MUCH! A very twisted murder where the police don't even believe a murder has occurred plus ghosts and drama from Gran, Christina, and worries about her catering business have Mia running all over and losing sleep. I love the foursome of Mia, Trent, Christina and Levi. Throw in Gran, Mr. Darcy/Dorian, coven doings, and there a lot to keep up with in this series. But I love this little world so much!

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In this 4th installment of the Kitchen Witch Mystery Series, Mia Malone continues to grow her magical catering business in Magic springs, Idaho

While planning a wedding, the couple insists on having their wedding and reception at the old schoolhouse where Mia has established her business. This would be a great idea if she could get the ghosts to vacate her property. She succeeds with the help of new friends.

Mia is planning the wedding while trying to solve the murder of two local widows. First she needs to convince the police that they are murders . Again, she has help from new family and friends and is able to solve the murders.

I usually don't read books about magic, but this one has nice characters and a sweet story.

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This series is really starting to grow on me and I really liked this latest installment. I mean ending on a cliffhanger??? Like what am I supposed to do now? I guess I'll just try to be patient and wait for book 5. But I've loved the growth in this series, especially with Christina. I'm excited to see what the future holds for these characters, especially since Mia is going to be working at the lodge.

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Business at Mia’s Morsels is doing so well that owner Mia Malone is thinking of hiring extra help. Complications soon arise when her contact with Magic Springs’ premier destination resort gives her the heads up that they’re looking to hire a full time catering manager. At the moment, the Lodge is happy to throw smaller jobs her way. Once they start to lean more heavily into events, however, they would definitely cut into, if not end outright, the lucrative catering revenue stream her company relies on to thrive.

As she wrestles with what to do, she still has to work on the events she has on her calendar, including a wedding in the former school that houses Mia’s Morsels. A kitchen witch herself, Mia has long been tapped into her town’s mystical properties, and is well aware of the presence of restless ghosts in her building. She’s thus pretty reluctant to host the wedding there, despite the bridal party having their hearts set on the location. In an effort to win her over, the groom assures her that he can get his Great-uncle Alphonse to come back and strengthen the wards that keep unfriendly spirits from harming the living. Since Alphonse was one of the people who originally put up the wards several decades ago, Mia figures that going ahead with the groom’s plans will be a win-win.

She’s somewhat surprised to discover that Alphonse still looks as young as he did when he first helped safeguard the building. She’s completely taken aback, however, to discover that her own grandmother has also been the recent beneficiary of reverse aging spells. Grams claims that she’s been researching spells that may have affected a member of her coven, Hetty Medford, who apparently died of old age despite only being in her fifties. Mia would never try to stop Grams from helping a friend – especially since Hetty’s daughter Mahogany has also asked Mia to look into the issue – but she is concerned that the reverse aging spell seems to have changed Grams’ personality for the worse.

Mia is further alarmed to discover that Mahogany has also fallen under an aging spell, and that Hetty may not have been the only person cursed to a premature death. Will she be able to stop anyone else from being murdered by forces unseen, or will a crafty killer take her out before she can put an end to their sinister schemes?

Series fans will really enjoy catching up with Mia and crew – her interactions with Christina, her forever sister, are so heart-warming – as they navigate this chaotic point in their lives. With coven shenanigans, references to the werewolf clans encountered in previous books and plenty of non-magical drama, a lot of story is packed into these pages. I fear that this would all be overwhelming for anyone not already familiar with the series, so strongly recommend that new readers start from the beginning, or at least one book back.

Four Charming Spells includes one recipe for a healthy and filling pasta dish:

QUOTE
Christina's Veggie Lasagna

Heat oven to 350. Lightly spray oil a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.

In a large pot, boil water, add salt and 12 lasagna noodles. Cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

In a large deep skillet, add the following and sauté for five minutes:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup (140 grams) chopped onion

Then add the following and cook until veggies are soft:

1 tablespoon minced garlic, 3 to 4 cloves
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
2 medium chopped zucchini
2 medium chopped yellow squash
8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste

Then add the following and cook until the sauce starts to thicken:

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Generous handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the following:

One (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
2 large eggs
½ tsp salt

In another bowl, gently mix the following:

⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups of shredded mozzarella

To assemble the lasagna:

Spoon 1 cup vegetable mixture into the baking dish to lightly cover the bottom. Set a layer of noodles, then a layer of veggies, a layer of ricotta (half), and a layer of cheese (⅓). Then repeat the layers starting with the noodles. The third layer only had noodles and the remaining vegetable sauce, finishing with the remaining cheese sprinkled over the top.

Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes, then bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let set for 15 minutes.

Serve with garlic bread and a green salad.
END QUOTE

As a person who defaults to carnivorous eating when given the option, I have to say that this is one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever tasted, vegetarian or otherwise! It’s also that much easier to make because you don’t have to worry about cooking any meat, with the mushrooms adding a nice umami flavor for those concerned that this might not taste as hearty as a non-vegetarian dish. The fresh basil and red pepper are key – I was generous when adding both – in making this a standout baked entree. Definitely recommended for anyone wanting a meatless alternative to the traditional lasagna.

Next week, we travel to the midwest to bake up a different kind of vegetarian dish while investigating the death of a smoothie sipper. Do join me!

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