I LOVE this series! Ash and Watt have done such a fabulous job crafting a world that is clever and fun and that feels wholly original even in a genre that is crowded to near overflowing with cozy world-within-the-world series books... I love the characters, who offer a delicious blend of tropes and personalities that are engaging and entertaining and continue to develop in ways that feel organic and relatable. The plots are mayhem-filled yet still plausible (within the confines of their universe, anyway) and involve complex scenarios that hold your attention without requiring so much attention to detail that you find yourself lost in it.

I am dying to find out Ruiner's secret and love that each book teases at its edges but never reveals anything - yet does it in a way that I find intriguing instead of frustrating. It's a difficult thing, leaving readers on the edge of their seats without frustrating them by repeatedly leading up but never revealing anything, and the women do a fabulous job with it. I already can't wait to see where this book's cliffhanging ending will go!

I've loved all of the previous books in this series, but this one is my favourite so far.
The characters and their relationships are developing more with each instalment, and I am warming to them more and more. Even Ruiner, a bit.
The villains and the festival setting are so vividly written I felt as though I could see them. The masks are eerie , but believable in a way. The way people react to them is exaggerated for dramatic affect, but it's an exaggerated version of how people might really behave in real life.
The story is scary and suspenseful, but the final emphasis on friendship makes is comforting as well. The writers somehow manage to make it hilarious as well, which is wonderful!
I can't wait to read more and to find out more about the mystery of who is behind all the mischief that's been happening to Morgan and Ruiner over the previous few books.

Morgan and co. have yet another mystery to solve. This time the town is celebrating its winter solstice, a grand affair accompanied with extravagant masks and cocktail parties. Unfortunately, the masks seem to be ever so slightly possessed and making the townsfolk do weird and wonderful things. Not to mention, if you wear them too long , they become facehuggers and removing them is impossible.

This series has become a long standing favourite. This book however just didn’t quite do it for me. I didn’t find the mystery as intriguing as previous books and the villain was quite easy to spot. Whereas books prior had me guessing until the end. Some of my favourite side characters were out of action due to the masks, so they featured either very little or completely out of character as a side effect. We also didn’t seem to progress any further in the main plot ie. getting Ruiner back into his human form (although I do adore fluffy Ruiner). I do worry at this rate poor Ruiner is never going to be a ‘real boy’ again. That being said, the series still retains all the quirks and whimsy that make Hollowbeck a fantastic series as a whole.

I've really been enjoying this series. It's silly and cozy and has great world building. However, this was probably my least favorite installment. It could just be the case of reading it at the wrong time, but I kept getting really frustrated with the characters and the plot. It seemed like a lot of the same thing just kept happening on repeat and that there was a simple solution to all of the problems that were being caused. Still, I did love visiting the characters and the world, and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

I was looking for a witchy cozy book. This one has an intriguing blurb and a fabulous cover. I mean, that gorgeous cat! Even though the story is fun and quirky, it didn't have this extra something to reel me in. Maybe I should have started with book one instead?

Once again, I find myself reading a book that is part of a series, but does that really surprise anyone? I think I’m more surprised when I am lucky enough to start a new series at the beginning. Anyway, that is not why you are here. You are here for a review, more specifically, my thoughts on the book. If you are looking for spoilers, they are not my thing.

Now, have you read the synopsis? Great! Let’s get into it.

Now, there is a table of contents. While I appreciate it, do yourself a favor and skip it. The element of surprise for each chapter is worth it.

This is the first book I’ve read by these two others. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining but more in the way of an older, slapstick comedy kind of way. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and I have to admit, the beginning of the book was entertaining and even had me chuckling. A ghost for a mayor? The general escapades going on? Those I was hoping for.

As I continued on with the book, the fourth in this series, I guess I was just getting frustrated that the female main character, who is supposed to be the “town witch”, still doubts herself so much. Most everyone has imposter syndrome now and again, but it would be nice to see her gaining some confidence.

I was also sad for her when she compared her shop to a “proper witch” supplier at the event. From what I can tell, she seemed surprised that her shop carried some of the things that she saw in the tent. It seems like she has had a busy few months, but I would think familiarizing herself with inventory, instead of complaining about the dust would be kind of important.

I am sure that merging two writing styles can be a learning experience.

Now, the world building itself is rich and there is no shortage of characters or their idiosyncrasies. I found it funny that the four women in the town who had a certain air about them, well let’s just say their neighborhood was definitely unique.

I hope the FMC finds her confidence, her brother finds an anti-curse and the whole town can survive their mother visiting.
I would like to thank the authors, Sterling & Stone Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is voluntary and all opinions are my own. As always, happy reading!

Thank the authors, the publisher Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is voluntary and as always all opinions are my own. Happy Reading!

I adored the first and second book in this series, but then sort of stalled out several times on book three, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this fourth installment. Thankfully, Amelia Ash is BACK and better than ever! And okay, yes, I saw who the bad guy is coming from miles and miles away (why can Morgan not see these things?!) but it was still quite the ride. There were moments where I was questioning if it was TOO obvious, so maybe it was on purpose - who knows! And still - what is up with Grace?!

This is the fourth book in The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries series, and I highly recommend reading this series in order.

An enchanting little mystery that is part of a series. A fun read. The author has a knack for storytelling using a motley group of characters.
I would definitely recommend this as a pleasurable diversion to a busy day.

You don’t need to have read the previous books in this series but I am now going to go and do exactly that as I really enjoyed this. The characters are what make it so engaging and the author makes the fantasy elements so perfectly aligned with their personalities that it is very credible. Yes, I would agree it can be classified as cozy but for me it was more aligned with those books which focus on character development and interaction. Charlaine Harris comes to mind as a useful comparison.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

This is the fourth book of the series, and I need book five already!
Every book has an even more ominous feel to it, and I love it.

A perfect paranormal cozy. Book #4 in the series finds the community of Hollowbeck planning their annual solstice masked party. But since it's Hollowbeck, we know nothing is going to go the way it's planned. This community is full of old friends that Amelia Ash and Kim M Watt have developed into true characters who just happen to have a little magic. Cozy is the perfect description for this series. Not only do you read each book with enjoyment, you look forward to the next book when we visit again.

I enjoyed this latest visit to Hollowbeck. Trouble just seems to follow Morgan and Ruiner and the citizens of this magical little village. As a relatively new citizen, this is Morgan’s first Solstice celebration and it’s a bit….odd. Almost everyone is very caught up in the festivities. As trouble brews, Morgan doesn’t know who she can trust. This is a fun series and I liked this book.

Thankyou to Net galley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This has been my first foray into this authors work and unfortunately I wasn't able to jive with the story at all. The plot whilst humorous and intriguing in parts throughout the story also dragged a fair bit for me and as a result took me out of the story and failed to retain my full attention as a reader.

"Witchfest (The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries #4)" by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt is set at the Winter Solstice. Hollowbeck is celebrating the end of the long nights of darkness and returning of the light with a Midwinter Festival and a couple of parties. One being the annual Masquerade Ball that everyone gets a special mask for.

Unfortunately, things seem to go extra odd with the masks and everyone is taking their mask personas too seriously. Morgan gets forced into solving this one pretty much on her own and starts to work out a little bit of her magic in the process. In the end they're still no closer to figuring out how to reverse the cat curse on her bother but Morgan may be more confident in her own abilities.

I started this one having only read the one before, but since that one was just great without the books before it, it seemed fine. While it seems like this one has more information, it was still fine to read without the ones before. Morgan finds herself in a pickle when solstice masks seem to change everyone with some kind of magic, and she needs the help of everyone who can resist them. Too bad it seems no one can resist for long. This one could have been pared down a little, but other than that, it was a wild and interesting ride to the end…oh, and that ending. LOL! Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

I have enjoyed this series for quite a while, but lately I find that it’s hard to read the stories as I had in the beginning. They seem to drag on more. I love the characters, especially Ruiner, but gosh, it takes too much effort these days.

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading from the author. I didn't like the characters in the book or enjoy the pacing of it. But the world the author built was very imaginative. Which is why I gave its rating. There was nothing wrong with the writing either.

Morgan, her friends and snarky Ruiner are back to solve a crime. I love this paranormal town Hollowbeck and it's magical inhabitants. To be honest I enjoyed this book a little less than the previous ones but it still is a good story. I recommend this series. If you like magical/paranormal things then you'll enjoy it.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Sterling & Stone and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was different from what I normally read. Lighthearted and amusing story. Gave it 2 starswould read more by author

Morgan, Ruiner, and the entire magical crew return for yet another adventure! Yep, he is still a cat, snarky as ever as the town begins their solstice festival and things aren't quite as expected! Are they ever? Mystery and fun,and will she get together with Ben? A fun series that doesn't disappoint.