Spellbooks and Stakings: Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery

Zoe Clarke was new to the paranormal town of Moon Grove, and new to magic. But through her newly discovered telepathic abilities, Zoe was able to put the killer behind bars for the rest of their life. Now she’s invited to attend Veilside Academy of Magic to become even more proficient with her skills. But explaining this on the phone to Grandma Elle is not as easy as she had hoped. Just the part of telling her she is a witch did not go well. Encouraging Grandma to visit her -- if the Council of witches and warlocks approves it -- also did not calm Grandma down. Maybe this phone call had been a bad idea? Beau arrived to walk her to the school. She was a bundle of nerves. Raina Woods, Headmistress of the Academy and Zoe’s magical mentor, met her and took her to meet Delia Frost, Professor of Kinesis — and vampire witch. Raina told her that each of the five branches of witchcraft has a tower dedicated to its study: Alchemy to the southwest, Divination to the northwest, Transmutation to the northeast, Kinesis to the southeast and Aether study (healers and necromancers) takes place in the central tower since the magic of life is at the center of all witchcraft. With Zoe having a strong specialty in Kinesis, Raina wanted her to see the common room and meet the professor. Delia was kind and helpful. Zoe even made a friend in class, Mallory, who walked her to her next class and made arrangements to take her to buy a wand. But not everyone was kind and she would have to watch her back! As roll call was being taken in the next class, a piercing scream was heard! The hallway was in chaos as people ran screaming. Zoe remembered Delia was meeting with a troublesome, angry student, so she and Mallory ran out into the hallway and headed for Delia’s office. Phoebe hurtled out of the door spouting nonsense, and ran into Zoe, taking them both to the floor. Zoe untangled herself and ran into the office. She found a heap of ash smoking on top of a pile of powder-blue robes, which she recognized as Delia’s! Someone had murdered her! She picked up a journal off the floor thinking it may have been the journal Delia confiscated from Seth in class. It contained apparently blank pages, but Zoe put it in her bag anyway. Delia’s assistant, Phoebe, was still on the floor making gibberish sounds. Raina had arrived by then and recognized that Phoebe had been cursed! Zoe was deep into another murder mystery! Would she be able to solve this one? Had she just put herself into terrible danger by getting involved? This is the second book in a new series that has thoroughly hooked me! Zoe Clarke, the main character and a witch, is a strong woman who can deal with surprises and still come up smiling. The characters we meet are amazing and intriguing. The story line is filled with a combination of danger, laughter, fun, suspense and mystery. As in Book 1, the twists and turns will keep the reader excitedly invested in this enjoyable and well-written book! Grab your copy and watch Zoe in action!

Zoe Clarke has embarked on the next stage of her life as a witch and began her training at the university. It seems as if Zoe has settled into her new life well as she has started the idioms that many other witches are using. This story was filled more suspense that the first in the series. I'm not sure how the next book will top this. The many questions that were left lingering from the first book were answered, but yet we have more that we need answers to. Hopefully the 3rd book will provide the answers that are needed. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Trouble just shows up wherever Zoe happens to be. It is like a magnetic attraction for her to find dead bodies. The second book in the series carries on with Zoe still getting use to living in Moon Grove. and getting to know the residents. You will meet new characters like Mallory, Aurelia, Seth, Profs. Grimm and Hallewell just to name a few new faces. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.