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erinsca's review against another edition
1.0
This was an overly formulaic, stupid book. I wouldn't read anything by this author again. Her excessive use of pop-culture references were obnoxious and they made me feel like writing was truly, just a job for her and that she didn't plan on her books to have a shelf life of more than five years. Aside from the 3 hours of entertainment you'll get from this book, it's pretty worthless.
sherrill's review against another edition
4.0
It is amazing how much the town of Sugar Maple, VT, reminds me of the very small town of Port Gamble, WA. Well, I haven't seen any denture-wearing vampires or glitter left behind by fae, but the town it self would fit into this book, even with the beautiful blonde fiber shop owner.
A read I recommend, especially if you are a fiber-fanatic!
A read I recommend, especially if you are a fiber-fanatic!
mayag's review against another edition
2.0
a knitting, witch/vampire/etc., murder mystery, romance novel turns out to be a little bit too much for me. I guess when you have the library send you a bunch of novels with "knitting" in the subject category, sight-unseen, they aren't all going to be wonderful.
angels_gp17's review against another edition
3.0
Casting Spells is book one in the Sugar Maple series by Barbara Bretton.
I went into this one think it was a cozy mystery, but it focused on the romance more then the mystery and so this is a paranormal cozy mystery romance. It had a verity of paranormal elements with a dash of mystery and spark of magic.
I liked the portal the author did on the picture-perfect town. It’s a sleepy New England town, but everyone who lives in it is magical - supernatural. It’s a haven for supernaturals. A place for them to live protected from the outside world.
Chloe is the last of her line. Her family cast a spell to protect the village a long time ago and as long as their is a female descendant inhabiting the village the town is protected.
I enjoyed the story. I liked Chloe’s backstory and her knitting shop, but I was surprised with the towns people. They where all against her, blame her for something she has no control over at least at this point in her life, but what really got to me was her friends. They kept telling her that the man she has sparks with isn’t the one for her, even though she clearly has magical sparks with him. It was sad to see her friends not support her and it was upsetting to see the town not have faith in her.
The side mystery on who killed one of the visitors to the town and who is out to get Chloe was ok. I I had a feeling on who the evil villain would be.
As for reading on in the series I’m not sure I will. I read the blurb for Book 2, Laced with Magic, and I am not a fan of ex’s returning whether their ex-wife or ex-girlfriend. That trope is a turn off for me and irks me.
Rated: 3 Stars
I went into this one think it was a cozy mystery, but it focused on the romance more then the mystery and so this is a paranormal cozy mystery romance. It had a verity of paranormal elements with a dash of mystery and spark of magic.
I liked the portal the author did on the picture-perfect town. It’s a sleepy New England town, but everyone who lives in it is magical - supernatural. It’s a haven for supernaturals. A place for them to live protected from the outside world.
Chloe is the last of her line. Her family cast a spell to protect the village a long time ago and as long as their is a female descendant inhabiting the village the town is protected.
I enjoyed the story. I liked Chloe’s backstory and her knitting shop, but I was surprised with the towns people. They where all against her, blame her for something she has no control over at least at this point in her life, but what really got to me was her friends. They kept telling her that the man she has sparks with isn’t the one for her, even though she clearly has magical sparks with him. It was sad to see her friends not support her and it was upsetting to see the town not have faith in her.
The side mystery on who killed one of the visitors to the town and who is out to get Chloe was ok. I I had a feeling on who the evil villain would be.
As for reading on in the series I’m not sure I will. I read the blurb for Book 2, Laced with Magic, and I am not a fan of ex’s returning whether their ex-wife or ex-girlfriend. That trope is a turn off for me and irks me.
Rated: 3 Stars
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
4.0
While the plot was often predictable, I loved the characters, the setting, and the idea of the novel. Very romantic setup. I want to visit Sugar Maple!
jennutley's review against another edition
3.0
Another book from the voting table at the library. Loved the cover and the premise. And it was fun--a heroine lives in a New England village inhabited by witches and fairies and werewolves waiting for her own magic to kick in. But then, it becomes a romance novel. Her powers kick in as soon as she falls in love with the detective visiting to solve the mystery. Not enough magic. Not enough about the supporting characters. Just a quick diversion.