There are days when I feel especially lucky and the day I won an eCopy of this book by Heather Webber from the wonderful author Tonya Kappes (I am a member of her Street Team Facebook group) was one of those days. This is NOT the first in a series but it is HILARIOUS and I was easily able to jump right in, read it, enjoy it and DEFINITELY want to read all books prior! 

Nina Quinn is a talented landscaper in Freedom, Ohio. A divorcee who has been unofficially renamed the “corpse whisperer” she has seen her fair share of murders and dead bodies (7 books worth in fact!). Two quirky sisters, neighbours that feel like they must have written themselves, they are that giggle worthy, an amazing ex stepson and an ex husband with a badge… Nina has it all… 

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot in this story as it IS #7, but the murder is interesting, the detective work fraught with danger, excitement, and laughs. You fall in love with the characters and just have to see the mystery through. Throw in a mysterious coroner and a baby on the way for good measure. And at the end of the book there are even some landscaping tips! The Root of All Trouble is a must read for a cozy mystery buff like myself!

Heather Webber is also the author of some of my favourite magical books – The Wishcraft Mysteries as Heather Blake! I have yet to get my hands on her newest – The Good, The Bad and the Witchy but Cousin Veronika seemed to enjoy it. The Root of all Trouble, is an excellent addition to the books I have read by this author. I especially love how the romance in the story does not feel forced or have high importance. It is the interaction of Nina with ALL the characters that take center stage! She neither whines about her failed marriage or her single status nor disregards the people around her. Nina is a strong character with an amazing heart and a terrific sense of humour. 

I am already on the look out for the first in this series: A Hoe Lot of Trouble. With spring firmly here I would suggest this book for a rainy afternoon OR a day at the lake in the sun… either way you are going to be thoroughly entertained! Thank you again Tonya Kappes for this amazing gift. Be sure to check out TONYA’s series, especially her Magical Cures Mystery Series! You can find out all about her and her books at her official site HERE.

The Root of All Trouble is a terrific afternoon read be it a rainy day or a sunny afternoon at the lake. If you are a lover of all mysteries cozy and ready for some giggles to book this is the book for you! I would fully recommend not only this book but other series by this author! Check out Heather Webber or Heather Blake and be ready for an awesome read!

The Root of all Trouble

The second book in the Wishcraft series by Heather Blake, A Witch Before Dying is an absolute gem. You join Wishcrafter Darcy Merriweather as she helps her grandmother Ve run As You Wish, a special concierge service whose motto is “No job impossible”. What is a Wishcrafter you may ask? Well in the world of the Wishcraft series all witches have their own craft… Darcy is a wishcraft witch which means she is able to grant wishes, just never for herself or another wishcrafter. 

In  this second installment we learn much more about the craft, the varied types, the rules and the elder that governs everyone. You meet more of the characters in Salem that truly are unique and wonderful. There is so much going on in this story… the planning for Ve’s wedding the the village’s optometrist, the cleaning of a fellow witch’s house… well her MOTHER’S house… and the Roving Stones rock and mineral show.

 I love that Darcy is still learning about herself and the craft but at the same time is strong in personality and mind. She has young Mimi (daughter of the love interest Nick) to guide, her sister Harper across the street (who she raised from birth and who now runs a bookstore). There is a laundry list of people involved in the mysteries and multiple mysteries to solve. If you like a little magic with your mystery, adventure with a touch of romance and a cast of interesting characters… well A Witch Before Dying is for you! Just be sure to read the first book in the series first: It Takes a Witch.

A Witch Before Dying