Wow was that improper sentence structure or what?? But I couldn’t resist sitting down, rereading and then reading all that are currently available in Heather Blake’s Wishcraft Mystery series. My Cousin Veronika totally got me hooked on these before I had left for Minnesota. In fact, I read her copy of the first book in the series and loved it enough to purchase the second (and apparently NEVER go back and get the first book, unless it is hiding in some corner of some random Rubbermaid tub I have yet to properly sort… could happen!). This time round I requested #1 and 3-6 from my local library (I so love my library card!) and got to work reading them all.

First off… for those interested, a list of the books in order! I wish more books would have the number they are in a series on the binding. It makes life so much simpler. Anyway…

1. It Takes a Witch
2. A Witch Before Dying
3. The Good, the Bad and the Witchy
4. The Goodbye Witch
5. Some Like It Witchy
6. Gone with the Witch

Instead of reviewing each book individually I think I will just give my overall opinion. THOUGH if you want to read a previous review for the second book (A Witch Before Dying) feel free to check it out A Witch Before Dying.

Heather Blake has a real gift for creating a world that you cannot help but enjoy and immerse yourself into. The entire series begins with a set of sisters… Darcy and Harper who are unaware that they come from a line of witches who can grant wishes. Their mother passed away when Harper was born and their father recently died which has left the sisters at loose ends.

The Enchanted Village is all things enchanting with a mix of witches and mortals and a few in between. What I love about this series is that the characters are so well developed, the entire village is full of interconnected souls that you just want to know more about. From Aunt Ve, to young Mimi (the daughter of Darcy’s love interest), to a rather unique parrot named Archie who is WAY more than he seems.

The mysteries are a cross of magic and mortal and the who done its are interesting unto themselves. I did find that the main “nemesis” of Darcy’s was instantly on my do not like list (as I think the author intended). We shall see if there is a redemption there, BUT I don’t want to give away anything or lead you down a path.

Another wonderful aspect in this series is that there are various extended mysteries that run through multiple (if not all of the current) books. In retrospect I now see how if I was REALLY intending to figure it out there are clues here and there but am actually rather thankful that I was not able or focused on sussing them out. The reveals to these intriguing mysteries were as wonderful as the journey to the solutions were.

I think if you enjoy some magic with your mystery and a little love to boot this could be the series for you! I know I am looking forward to book #7!

So this year we had FIVE homemade costumes… I don’t think we have ever had so many to make! Ken and I each had some part in an aspect of each costume. Be it crochet or sewing. I think they turned out rather well and all were done the day BEFORE Halloween!!!

We did a costume try on on Friday in the backyard with out amazing leaves. I was so pleased to see that everything fit well and that the kids were all happy with their costumes.

We have a tiny witch…

Rapunzel…

A triceratops…

An ice wizard…

And a fire wizard…

Ken even made the staffs from the limbs of trees Baba cut down last month.

The hats were all made from the witch’s pattern on crochetspot.com. I have a toddler version up for sale on my Etsy store if anyone is interested HERE.

I used another crochetspot.com pattern for Trinity’s flowers. We sewed those to a fabric headband and then tied ribbons to the back which were braided into her hair.

Ken was 100% in charge of the cloaks! Didn’t he do a great job?

For our resident dinosaur I found a great pattern for a Triceratops hat thanks to Ida Rott HERE. And then Ken made the tail and the gloves with claws. (his overalls outfit thing and Trinity’s dress were lucky Goodwill finds as was Echo’s broom)

I, myself even gave dressing up a go and went as a gamer girl… Ken had to have a photograph… the shirt said Do Not Disturb I am Playing Video Games… I think he just wanted a visual record of the fact I was actually wearing jeans and socks. Men.

We did our yearly traditional trick or treat with the Novaks and then hang out after. This year we came early and had pizza. The kids had a blast and we came home with WAY TOO MUCH candy!

Jacob and Echo

We did not do a full on Halloween unit this year… what with the printer being mean and refusing to allow the ink to last (we think there may be a leak… devastating for a homeschool family…) and the busy busy life we have had I simply did not have the time. However, we did do some great print outs from Activity Village HERE, and read some amazing books… oh and watched a couple films! So I will share that info below!

Free hot chocolate!

Movies:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• The Haunted History of Halloween (The History Channel) I have also included a link that has information all about Halloween thanks to the History Channel HERE

Books:

• Halloween by Natalie M. Rosinsky HERE
• Halloween by Mari C. Schuh HERE
• Halloween and the Day of the Dead Traditions Around the World by Joan Axelrod-Contrada HERE
• The Story of Halloween by Carol Greene HERE
• John Pig’s Halloween by Jan L. Waldron HERE
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson HERE
• Trick or Treat, It’s Halloween by Linda Lowery and Richard Keep HERE
• H is for Haunted House by Tanya Lee Stone HERE
• Skeleton Shake by Liz Conrad HERE
• Halloween Is… by Gail Gibbons HERE

Gavin chose to do a quick fact list on Mummies so he used to following two books for that:

• Ancient Egyptian People by Sarah McNeill HERE
• Mummies & Their Mysteries by Charlotte Wilcox HERE

Echo and Zombie Alex

Kids with their Halloween treats from Gammie and their popsicle stick and yarn spider webs

Pizza!

I have been all over the map with my books lately. Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She’s Dead by Christiana Miller is a hilarious paranormal story about a contemporary witch trying to find her place in her faith and stay true to her needs and yet keep up and on the good side of main stream society. After an eviction notice from her beloved apartment the death of Aunt Tillie is an answer to a witchy prayer… well spell… though not the results she was hoping for.

As the sole heir to Tillie’s estate, Mara is on her way out of Beverly Hills to a whole new life in small town no where. The tarot cards say she is in the middle of the worst month of her life, and with her friend back in Beverly Hills, a toad as her new familiar and a ghost out to stop her from staying… Mara is in for a bumpy ride.

This first installment in the Toad Witch Series has humour, a touch of romance, good friends… crazy neighbours and a cottage that is out to protect itself! I will share the Amazon caution notice:

CAUTION: This is a story about witchcraft, friendship, loyalty, betrayal and obsession. While it has a lot of humor, it also has colorful language, demonic sex and controversial viewpoints. It’s really not suitable for children or readers who are easily offended.

I came across this series when I read a crossover book with Barbra Annino called A Tale of 3 Witches. You can read my review for that HERE. I did have some sections I kind of glossed over (re the demonic sex) but there is a reason behind it all… for the most part. I am definitely interested to see how this series plays out. The love interest was not overly central for a large portion of the book but the best friend, Gus is an absolute gem and the local very… local… If you are willing to keep a bit of an open mind and mind the caution above this just could be the book for you!

Christiana Miller