Friday, January 11, 2019

Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws by Erin Johnson: Review & Giveaway

Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws

(A Spells & Caramels Cozy Witch Mystery)
By Erin Johnson

About the Book

 

Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Self Published (December 29, 2018)
Paperback: 332 pages
ISBN-10: 1792728727
ISBN-13: 978-1792728723
Digital ASIN: B07LB49VBR
Sandy slaughter. An enchanting suspect. Can a magical baker protect her friends from a dangerous paradise?

Stranded on Badlands Island, Imogen Banks is driving herself crazy looking for her brother. So when the spell-casting baker's friends suggest they escape for a luxurious dragon spa treatment, she doesn't need a second invitation. But her hopes for coastal romance with Hank fall flat when a resort guest turns up roasted in the sand.

Suspecting murder, Imogen zeroes in on the town's rumored "black widow" as a possible culprit. But when her friend falls for the beautiful woman despite the deadly track record, Imogen fears he'll be the next victim to stay buried.Can Imogen sift through the clues before the killer gives her one final treatment?

Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is the eighth book in the Spells and Caramels delightful paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like endearing heroines, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s magical whodunit.  Buy Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws to massage a new mystery today!

About the Author


Erin Johnson is a native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh. In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).


My Thoughts


Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws by Erin Johnson is the eighth Spells & Caramels novel.  Imogen Banks and her friends are still residing in Kusuri on Badlands Island.  They are living in Jiji’s guesthouse and earn their keep by helping the guards with their duties and other chores around the house.  The group is getting an opportunity to go to the beach with the guards for the manta monster migration festival at Umiru.  While the guards will be protecting the fisherman, the bakers will get to enjoy the spa treatments offered by the oriental town. After indulging in the dragon spa treatment at Doragon Spa, there is an uproar when a client is found dead in the sand.  Imogen wonders if their hostess, Miss Sara who is referred to by locals as the “black widow” could be the culprit since she was arguing with the victim prior to his death.  Things are further complicated when Yann, a fellow baker, falls head over heels for Miss Sara.  They do not want Yann to become the next man ensnared in Miss Sara’s web.  Imogen and her fellow bakers set out to uncover the truth and get their vacation back on track. 
Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is another entertaining installment in the Spells & Caramels series.  I do suggest reading the books in the Spells & Caramels series in order.  Each book builds upon the previous one.  Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is a creative cozy mystery with magical elements.  Erin Johnson has a vivid imagination.  She has created whimsical worlds with quirky characters and plenty of humor.  I found Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws easy to read thanks to the author conversational writing style (It has an ease to it).  The story progresses along at a steady pace with vibrant descriptions of the forests, the monsters, and the distinctive spa town of Umiru.  It is nice to see the various characters pairing up, but they are still maintaining their close friendships.  We get to find out more about Imogen’s brother, Horace.  I was quite surprised by his revelations.  Iggy provides levity with his one-liners (I enjoy his droll commentary).  The book has a special ending that will please fans of the series.  The mystery is not complex, but I had a good time following the clues and zeroing in on the killer. My rating for Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  I am eager to find out what happens next with our band of bakers in the next Spells & Caramels tale.
Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is available on Amazon.  In honor of the tour, Erin Johnson is giving one of you an e-book (Kindle) copy of Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws.  To enter, please follow my blog (several options available--email, Twitter, Google+) and leave a comment with your email address (I need to be able to contact you if you win).  The giveaway will end on January 15 at 11:59 p.m.  Good Luck!  For other opportunities to win, visit the other stops on the tour (schedule below).  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am going to share my review of Be Our Ghost by Kate Kingsbury.  The third story in A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery series (I was unable to share this with you when it came out).  May you have an enchanting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 8 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW
January 8 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
January 9 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW
January 9 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 10 – Sapphyria's Books – REVIEW
January 10 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
January 11 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
January 12 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW
January 12 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW
January 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 14 – Carla Loves To Read - REVIEW
January 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
January 15 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 16 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
January 16 – Celticlady's Reviews  - SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT  
January 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

1 comment:

  1. Hi Kris! Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog and for the great review. I'm glad you enjoyed Iggy's usual snark and the ending :)

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