Series: Family Fortune #2
Format Read: paperback
Source: the publisher in exchange for a honest review
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
Leaving a traumatic police career behind, Clyde Fortune has returned to her seemingly quiet hometown of Crystal Haven, Michigan. In spite of the psychic powers of its residents, there’s no telling what trouble is brewing in this burg…
The highlight of this year's fall festival in Crystal Haven is a bonfire with a witch’s cauldron resting over it. Clyde’s best friend, Diana, leads a ritual to divine the future, but it seems no one foresees that one of their own will drop dead—or that Diana will be a prime suspect.
Clyde already has her hands full with her eccentric family, runaway nephew, and burgeoning secret romance with a hunky homicide detective. But after another coven member is attacked, Clyde suspects there’s a witch hunt afoot and focuses her psychic and sleuthing skills to clear her friend’s name and catch a killer.
Bea's Thoughts:
Paranormal and cozy mysteries don't always work, it's a hard mix to pull off. But I've had my eye on this series since the first book came out, it's on my wishlist in fact, so when the opportunity to read and review this one came up I eagerly signed up. I'm happy to say that Eastman pulls it off.
Before I get into my review, I want to give a shout out to the author. There was a scene early on that really annoyed me and I wrote a cranky goodreads status about it. Ms. Eastman saw it on Twitter (my accounts are linked) and she tweeted me. Now, she could have been rude or snippy or been one of those badly behaving authors that we hear about so often, but she wasn't. She was classy and we had a pleasant, civil twitter chat and I felt much better afterward. So, virtual cookies for Ms. Eastman!
Okay, now the actual review. "Be Careful What You Witch For" (boy, is that a mouthful) is quirky, fun, and entertaining. It's also educational about Wicca and peanut allergies. Clyde is relatable and someone I'd enjoy hanging out with. Her quirky family reminds of Stephanie Plum's family in the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. Clyde though is smarter and more resourceful than Stephanie. It helps that she used to be a police officer so when she gets involved, unofficially since she's now a civilian, she actually knows what she's doing. She makes a few stupid decisions but don't we all? Unlike some heroines you find in cozies, she has a brain and uses it.
There are lots of entertaining characters, some quirky and some not. I liked that it was balanced and didn't try to be too quirky. All of the characters, including Clyde, have some depth and no one is all good or all bad. They're real. The mystery wasn't too complicated but it kept you guessing. I did figure out who the guilty person was but I was wrong about the motivation.It was also interesting to read about a town that lives on the tourist trade, and see it from the other side.
"Be Careful What You Witch For" is fun, enjoyable and a good entry in this new series. It blends paranormal, religion, mystery and romance into a believable brew. I'm ready for more.
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About The Author
Dawn Eastman is the national bestselling author of Pall in the Family, the first book in the Family Fortune Mystery Series. She lived in Michigan for many years in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, daughter, and one extremely bossy small dog.
Find Dawn Online:
www.DawnEastman.com
Twitter – @DawnAEastman
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DawnEastmanAuthor
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6544185.Dawn_Eastman
About The Author
Dawn Eastman is the national bestselling author of Pall in the Family, the first book in the Family Fortune Mystery Series. She lived in Michigan for many years in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, daughter, and one extremely bossy small dog.
Find Dawn Online:
www.DawnEastman.com
Twitter – @DawnAEastman
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DawnEastmanAuthor
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6544185.Dawn_Eastman
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GIVEAWAY
The author is giving away one paperback copy of "Be Careful What You Witch For". US only. Please read my Giveaway Policy. The giveaway ends Thursday July 17th, at 11:59PM EST.
I have the first 2 in this series still to review. I hope I can get to it soon as it looks like a great series.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like it.
DeleteThanks for reading, Yvonne! Hope you like it.
DeleteHi Dawn, Happy Thursday... not going to repeat myself too badly. Love the series, would love to win book 2 for my home library.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteHi again! Good luck :)
DeleteGood review, Bea! I see you liked the book as much as I did. This is a series I'll definitely be following.
ReplyDeleteHi, Dawn! I'll second Bea's virtual cookies plaudit, and add that you were a joy to interview.
I did enjoy it. I'll be on the lookout for more.
DeleteThank you! I enjoyed your interview and can't thank all the bloggers enough for hosting and spreading the word about new books.
DeleteIt was a pleasure interviewing you! :-)
DeleteGreat review which caught my interest. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteI can't wait to read this!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy it when you do read it.
DeleteI'm definitely going to have to get this book! I've added it to my wishlist and will have to get my hands on it ASAP! With both you and Lark loving this one it can't miss!
ReplyDelete:) I hope you like it!
DeleteI love Stephanie Plum! Quirky characters are my fave, they're a wild bunch, you never know what they'll say or do next. Either way, it's always entertaining.
ReplyDeleteQuirky can be a lot of fun but some authors go too far and that's all their book is, is quirky. I liked that this was quirky but didn't go overboard.
DeleteI love Stephanie as well. And her friend Lula. Bea, I'm so pleased you think it's a good balance of quirky (never thought I'd use that phrase) it's always a bit of a juggle to make things funny and not go too far....
DeleteI would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
:)
DeleteThank you, Bea, for the lovely review and hosting me today. Good luck to all the commenters. I hope you enjoy your visit to Crystal Haven.
ReplyDelete~Dawn
Sounds like a great book and look forward to adding it to my TBR stack
ReplyDeleterjprazak6@gmail.com
Becky Prazak
Count me in !!!
ReplyDeleteBea, thanks for reviewing this book and introducing me to a new author!
ReplyDeleteDawn, I can't wait to read the first book in the series! The 2nd one sounds fabulous♥
I'm not entering the giveaway because I want to give others a chance to read this fabulous book. Me? Read both in the series, loved both in the series!
ReplyDeletecongrats to Dawn!!!
ReplyDeletei cannot wait to read this!!!
thank you for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good book. Definitely adding it to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover and the story sounds great! I'm going to add this to my wish list so I can grab it if I don't win. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDelete