I liked this book better than the last one; in the last one, there was just too much cheese. That being said, while I really loved this series in the beginning, I'm starting to find our heroine obnoxious and on the edge of too-stupid-to-live (TSTL). She's incredibly ham-fisted in her "investigating techniques," which are, essentially, asking the subject incredibly obvious and intrusive questions, like "so what's up with all those insurance policies?" I know a cozy is supposed to be a little fluffy, but if you're going to investigate a murder, a little subtlety should be in order.

Now I'm wondering if all the books have been this way, and I was just in a zone where I could accept it, or if this is a new development. Either way, this may be the last book I read in the series.

Just for fun and exciting reading, let’s combine paranormal witchcraft with a tourist city and a murder mystery. Result: an outstanding book to get lost in!

Katie opened the Honeybee Bakery with her aunt and uncle two years ago. It has been a successful venture and a popular place for locals and tourists alike. After celebrating their bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the Savannah waterfront where they meet Orla, a fortune teller and Aunt Lucy’s friend. The next day Orla is the victim of a pedestrian-car accident but Katie is convinced that it was no accident. She sets out with her boyfriend and other friends to figure out exactly what happened and why.

Katie is learning to trust her magical abilities. She is partially fearful of being unable to control it but realizes that it can help more than it can hurt.

Declan is a firefighter and terrific mate for Katie. He’s sweet and he’s romantic.

I love that the author chose Savannah as the setting for this series. It’s so beautiful and a very romantic city on its own, modern yet historical. The reader gets to explore Savannah as a native and as a tourist, so the town is almost a character of its own.

But, back to the murder, who did it and why and is Katie putting herself in mortal danger by investigating what she is sure is no accident?

This is the 7th in a series but can really be read as a stand alone novel. It takes a talented author to pull that off, yet link all of the stories to the series. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more from Bailey Cates.

Katie is out on the town with her her boyfriend, Declan and her Aunt and Uncle when they run into Orla on the boardwalk. Orla is a fortune teller from an Irish Traveler family. Irish Travelers are similar to the Romani (Gypsies). Orla happens to be a customer at their bakery where they sell baked good with a touch of magic added to them.
When Katie and her Aunt run into Orla the next day, something bad happens. Orla is struck by a car and killed. What made Orla step in front of it? Katie, Declan, her Aunt and Uncle, and the rest of the witchy coven help her figure out if she was under a spell or was it something else that compelled her.
During all this one of the coven members is a real estate agent trying to show Katie and Declan a house for them to move into but Katie doesn't want to leave the home she is in now. There isn't room for them both. Orla had told her she was going to have to sacrifice something did she mean the house or Declan?
This series is a light fun magical mystery. I enjoy the characters and the paranormal element. I hope Katie and Declan continue to move forward in their relationship and maybe they'll be married with children in future books.

It’s been two years since Katie, and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery. They create delicious treats with a special magical twist to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront. They meet Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.

The next day, Orla meets with a tragic accident, but Katie’s intuition tells her it is something more sinister. Alongside her trustworthy coven, her aunt and uncle, and her firefighter boyfriend, they work to figure out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the killer does it again.

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Series: A Magical Bakery Mysteries - Book 7
Author: Bailey Cates
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Bailey Cates is a brilliant writer who is imaginative and original. Potions and Pastries is the 7th book in the Magical Bakery Mysteries Series. It is a tremendously well-written story that compliments the series and creates a desire in the reader for more.

Katie is learning what she is capable of and to trust her instincts. When Aunt Lucy’s friend, Orla is run down in front of her, she senses that it was no accident. It doesn’t take her long to convince her coven, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben, and boyfriend, Declan that she is right and enlist their help in finding the crafty culprit.

The characters in this story, as well as the entire series, have habits and personalities that make them endearing and unforgettable. Katie is still coming to terms with her magic. She is fearful at times that it will get out of her control as she did once before. She is cautious but able to overcome her apprehensions at just the right time.

Declan is an interesting romantic lead as well as a genuinely nice person. Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben are adorable, entertaining and the type of relatives it would be great to have. The other characters are equally interesting and pleasurable.

Savannah is a gorgeous setting for this series. With the historical homes and businesses, Spanish moss and green spaces at every turn, it is romantic and easily lends itself to magical ideas. The riverfront is filled with hustle and bustle, with street vendors hawking their wares, yet retains a semblance of a time long ago.

The use of dragonflies as spiritual guides is a charming addition that is steeped in historical mythology. The reader can imagine them buzzing around leading Katie to her next adventure or clue. Myth has it that dragonflies, signify change, mainly of self-realization; the type of change that gives a person a profound understanding of the meaning of life. Traditionally the Dragonfly’s harried flight while skimming across water represents going beyond what’s on the surface. This is very aptly used in Ms. Cates series.

Readers will find themselves on pins and needles waiting to turn the page and finding all the clues to the identity of the killer. The reveal of the murderer will come as a surprise to many readers. Overall Potions and Pastries is a delightful addition to this series. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys authors such as Heather Graham or Ellery Adams

Katie and her magical bakery are back with a new quest for magical justice. Katie's love life is moving fast, and there are lots of decisions to be made. Just when she thinks that is all she has to deal with, another magical mystery finds itself in her way. She and the book club coven work to uncover secrets of a Traveler family, while still dispensing their daily magical bakery offerings.

The Magical Bakery Mystery series is one of my favorites because it’s got a bakery, witchy-powers, and an adorable familiar named Mungo. I love the characters, and I love the setting. I’ve come to expect a good, solid mystery with a fair amount of character drama, and Potions and Pastries didn’t disappoint.

Katie is still one of my favorite sleuths, because she’s pretty even keel. She doesn’t wildly jump to conclusions, she doesn’t really accuse people, and she follows every lead. Her relationship with Declan continues to grow and mature, and I’m really excited to see what happens in the next book. As for the rest of the cast of characters, I love the spellbook club, and was a little saddened they weren’t bigger players in this one!

As always, the book came with several scrumptious recipes – maybe one of these days I’ll give one a try!