Member Reviews
After reading and loving the first book in this series, “Pawsitively Poisonous”, I was so thrilled to get an arc of the sequel from Netgalley. I went into this book with high hopes and was not disappointed. Amber is trying to solve a mystery of her past, namely the death of her parents. When a cursed witch from the Penhallow clan surfaces and is coming for her, she is convinced there was more to her parent’s death than people have been telling her.
In this book we get to follow Amber as she delves into her own past. We get to see her backstory and the reasons behind why her life is the way it is. I definitely recommend reading the first book before going into this, even though they are supposedly fine to read as standalones. After reading the first book I was very curious to learn more about Amber’s past and her magic abilities, which is probably a big reason as to why I loved this book. Because the second book does not have the murder mystery of the first one, it is more character-driven.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because it kept re-telling everything that happened in the first book, which I found extremely annoying. It also straight-up revealed the answers to all the mysteries of the first book, which, if you hadn’t already read the book, would ruin it. I also think, for people who haven’t read the first book, all the name-dropping of characters who are wholly irrelevant to the story in this book would make people lose their focus. At least I know it would have for me. So, definitely read book 1 first!
This book has everything I want from a fun, witchy read. It has magic, different areas of witchcraft, romance, mystery, family and a curse that could ruin it all. I really liked how character-driven this book was, and how we got to see Amber growing a bit more and starting the journey out of her safe shell. I am really excited for book 3, and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be getting it!! If you’re looking for a cozy mystery, laden with witchcraft and cats, then start reading this series! I recommend starting with book 1: Pawsitively Poisonous.
Princess Fuzzypants here: Amber has been trying very hard to keep her witchcraft a secret while making magical toys, helping people and solving murders. At the end of the first book, it looked like her secret might be out in the form of the Police Chief who already has suspicions about her. She has never felt confident about her magic. Her parents died in a mysterious fire before they had the chance to help her explore her talents. Now there is a chance that she may never get the chance.
An evil warlock from a cursed witch family is threatening all she holds dear. He has killed an innocent woman to make a point and it is possible that he may have killed her parents. Thankfully she has her aunt and sister to bolster her and an unexpected ally in the Chief to whom she tells her secret. He takes it pretty well but he is not the only one who may learn her secrets. That is if everyone can stay alive long enough.
The first book was full of promise and this one delivers lots of suspense and danger and a show down with a nasty vengeful powerhouse. Can Amber save herself and her town? And will her love life survive?
Mew will just have to read the book because I will never tell. Four purrs and two paws up.
I could not put this book down! It was so good! Book #1 was amazing, but this one brought everything up to the next level.
Amber went from fearing and hiding her powers at all costs, to embracing them. She still had insecurities, but throughout this story, she became stronger and more confident. I loved the addition of Willow and Aunt Gretchen! It was really fun to see how Amber interacted with her family and other witches, and also to see what other witches are capable of. We didn’t get to see as much of Chief Brown as we did in the last book which was a little disappointing – I did end up liking that guy. But the tension with him that showed up at the end of book #1 was resolved. That was a huge relief! Ugh and Jack. At first, I thought he was sweet, but by the end, he was such a wimp. Poor Amber. I really hope she gets her happy ending.
The plot was thrilling and the villain’s ability to change faces was so intriguing and nerve-wracking. For a while, I had this theory that Jack was a Penhollow and that Amber and him would fall in love and break the curse. Honestly, though, I’m glad it didn’t end up that way. Which brings us to… You guessed it! The ending. It was epic and satisfying but left enough room for development. There are so many directions book #3 could go!
Image result for cat silhouetteLastly, this was mostly a clean read, but there was some language.
Altogether, I am super excited for book #3! I loved #1 and #2 and I can’t wait to see where Jackson will lead Amber next.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Continuing on from the first book, we get much more of Amber's background and the Pennhallow clan in this book and how it plays into the mystery of her parent's death. Full of witchy goodness and quirkiness that draws you in yet again to this series.
Pawsitively Cursed is the second book in the A Witch of Edgehill Mystery series.We deep dive into Amber’s background and the mystery of her parent’s death. Both Amber’s sister Willow and her Aunt Gretchen factor heavily in this novel and we get to learn more about the magical world and their family’s own power. We are also introduced to the Penhallow clan as they return to Edgehill, we se how they affected Amber's parent’s death and the remaining family’s use of magic. I also am enjoying how Amber’s relationship with the Police Chief is evolving.
You get a lot more depth then the typical cozy, this series feels more edgy and modern.
It holds your attention and keeps you turning the pages,I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Something wicked this way comes and it isn't just wickedly cool teen fashions and Olaf Betzen. Amber, our worrisome witch (you would be too if a cursed Penhallow witch was after you) is determined to solve the mystery of her parents' death. Thankfully she is able to work with local law enforcement . Aunt Gretchen and sister Willow show up unannounced and much earlier than expected to team up with Amber to save not only themselves but the whole town as well. In addition to taking chances with a cursed face-changing witch, Amber thinks she might be ready to take a chance with her heart. Will it be Connor the reporter or Jack the baker and will she need a spell to not only ward her home but also her heart. Great story and I enjoyed how the sisters supported each other. This book also introduces Aunt Gretchen who to be one tough old witch as well, even though she drives Amber crazy with her secrets. Lastly, you get to meet the only other Henbane, cousin Edgar who lives like a hermit who just wants to be left along but is also a crucial part of the mystery surrounding the death of Bella and Theo Blackwood. I pawsitively enjoyed this one just as much as the first and cannot wait to read what is in store for Amber and her blossoming powers.
Pawsitively Cursed by Melissa Erin Jackson is the 2nd book in Witch of Edgehill series, and another good addition. This book is a fun paranormal book, full of witchy goodness. Amber Blackwood is a witch who lives in Edgehill, Oregon. Amber is determined to keep her identity of being a witch a secret. Amber's parents were killed in a fire, but she has no other detail, and she's determined to find the truth. I recommend this book for paranormal fans.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.
While this is the second book in the Witch of Edgehill series, it worked well as a standalone novel. The author gives enough of a backstory that the reader isn’t lost. I highly recommend you read the first in the series though because it’s an excellent read.
In a town full of quirky residents Amber stands out as the odd recluse who can’t move on from her painful past. In this book, we see Amber coming out of her shell and growing relationships with those around her, not just her sister and aunt. She also finally gets the answers to the family secrets and her parents' death. There is also a little hint of a romance starting.
This isn’t just a cosy mystery, it delves deeper than that, into family dynamics, what it's like to be different, and how greed and power can corrupt. Ultimately it’s a story about redemption and the power of letting go.
This is an entertaining, well-written story with intriguing characters and an incredible plot that is heartwarming, delightful and bittersweet at times. I highly recommend you give this series a look. You won't be disappointed.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Amber Blackwood, Edgehill's resident witch, has been haunted by the memory of her parents’ tragic deaths when she and her sister teenagers. Amber has always suspected that the fire that killed her parents was set deliberately by a witch from the cursed Penhallow clan. No one has heard anything from them since the night her parents died. Amber is shocked when her Aunt Gretchen shows up unexpectedly, claiming the Penhallows have resurfaced and that one of them is heading for Edgehill and Amber is in danger. When Amber's sister Willow comes to town also, the three witches join forces to find out what the Penhallows are after and get rid of them once and for all.
I love this series. I am a huge fan of fantasy and supernatural fiction and these are among my favorites. It is a fun mystery...... a light read that is perfect for mystery lovers and fantasy/supernatural fans alike. I highly recommend it.
Amber Blackwood is a witch living in an apartment above her shop, the Quirky Whisker, in Edgehill, OR, with her two cats, Tom and Alley. Her Aunt Gretchen shows up unexpectedly from Portland, claiming she’s not feeling well, quickly followed by Amber’s sister, Willow, also a witch. Turns out, Aunt Gretchen senses a rogue witch clan, the Penhallows, have resurfaced and one of them wants Amber.
Since Amber’s apartment is small, Aunt Gretchen checks into the Manx Hotel. While attending a birthday celebration for a friend at the Sippin’ Siamese, word reaches Amber that someone at the Manx is dead. Rushing to check on their aunt, the sisters discover the maid in their aunt’s room has been murdered. The three women determine “the Penhallow” is already in Edgehill.
The death of Amber’s parents, in a house fire thought to be an accident, is now identified as murder in a fire set by a Penhallow seeking a spell that Amber’s mother created. As it turns out, the history surrounding the clans -- Henbanes (Amber’s mother), Penhallows and Blackwoods (Amber’s father) -- plays an integral part of current developments.
Melissa Erin Jackson writes a spellbinding paranormal cozy filled with fascinating characters and intriguing twists. Her ability to weave a sense of magic throughout the narrative is testament to Ms. Jackson’s skill as a wordsmith. Feels like Ms. Jackson may possess the ability to bewitch.
Thank you @netgalley for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This is book 2 in the Witch of Edgehill series.
I really enjoyed the first book in this fun paranormal cozy. This sequel was fantastic from start to finish. It captured my attention immediately and had me quickly flipping the pages for more. Amber thought enchanted toys and the local police chief would be the worst of her problems, but boy was she wrong. Her aunt, Gretchen, and sister, Willow, show up in town along with some shocking news about their family’s past. Fourteen years ago, Amber and Willow’s parents were killed in a bizarre house fire. Little did they know it wasn’t an accident, but the cruel vengeance of a cursed witch seeking a certain spell in a hidden grimoire.
This book was action packed and full of intrigue. I loved slowly learning a bit more about the past through Amber’s flashbacks of her parents. It reminded me of how Dumbledore used the pensieve to view certain important memories to help the people in the presence work through a problem. The addition of Amber and Willow were perfect. It was fun seeing them use magic both in a fun way and against the villain. Love the dynamic with the police chief and how he reacted to the actions he witnessed at the end of book one.
The light romance was an added bonus. I adore the interaction between Amber and her love interest. Their chemistry and nervousness around one another was so darn sweet. I was crushed with the ending, but will be curious to see how they react around one another as the story progresses. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 3, Pawsitively Secretive. It was set up perfectly with another town member realizing that strange things seem to occur around the Blackwood family.
It's the second book I read in this series that is becoming one of my favorite.
It's a great paranormal cozy with a darker twist and some sadness. This mix makes it really enjoyable and makes you crave for more.
The world building is interesting, I love the description of the town full of references to the feline world.
The cast of characters is likeable, realistic and well written.
The plot is full of twists and turns and fast paced.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
This is the first book in this series that I have read. I enjoyed the book and it can be read as a standalone because the author does a good job of recapping book 1. The story was well written and this is just a fun, witchy cozy.
Amber is a witch. She owns a shop in Edgehill which sells clever moving toys which customers think are engineered, but which are really enchanted. Some power hungry witches want a grimoire which they are convinced Amber is hiding, and ostensibly will go to any length to obtain. I liked this well-crafted paranormal adventure, especially the way the author introduced the novel by telling us the backstory of Amber, her sister, and the death of their parents. Recommended for anyone who enjoys an exciting paranormal.
I really wish this book and the previous one of the series, were available in paper format- I could hand sell these in a flash! Entertaining and fun. Enjoyed the characters and the growth from first book to this one. Looking forward to more!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Ringtail Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series, and while you can read it as a stand alone, I think it best to read them in order. This was for me just ok. I felt it was really slow, it felt like nothing was happening. I did feel bad for Amber. So it does engage you. I am not sure where this series is headed. I rate this a 3.
From the opening where our protagonist Amber is chasing a bewitched toy lion who in turn is chasing Amber's orange and white cat (aptly named Tom) to the naming of town shops (Purrfectly Scrumptions, The Catty Melt), streets (Russian Blue Avenue, Catnip and Scritch Boulevards), and the yearly festival (Here and Meow) it is just utterly adorable. If someone had tried to describe all of that to me I'd probably have rolled my eyes and said 'pass' but it all somehow works here.
While Pawsitively Cursed has a cute side it also has a well developed supernatural side. The story knows what it wants to be and doesn't try to be what it's not.
It is also very well written with good pacing and a well developed and interesting plot. The characters and their interactions feel well lived in and are likeable.
This is the second book in a series but thanks to a short prologue that outlines the events of the first book a new reader can dive right in without missing a meow. There will be more books in the series but all the important plot points of this book are wrapped up by the end. No having to wait for the next and the next...and the next to answer your questions. I appreciate that so so much.
This is a fun concept and a fun book that is handled very well by the author and is definitely worth reading.
I was sent this book by NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review .
I read the first book in this series, so I was glad to read the second because I liked the first so much. I dived right in, and I enjoyed this second one more than the first. There were so many revelations and secrets coming to light, and I loved seeing Amber work with Willow and her aunt Gretchen. I hope they stick around for more books. I was very sad at the end of the book, and I really didn’t want it to end that way. I can’t say much as it’s a major spoiler, but I’m hoping something different will happen. Besides the end, this was a fun-filled, well-written cozy paranormal, and I’m looking forward to more. I do recommend this book! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
We finally learn all about Amber and Willow's past when it comes to the death of their parents. There's a hint of romance, a murder and a whole lot of evil floating around. I was happy to see Amber and the Sheriff's relationship become stronger and positive after she finally came clean to him. Looking forward to the next chapter in Amber's life now that her past has been put to rest.
PAWSITIVELY CURSED by Melissa Erin Jackson is a well-written supernatural cozy mystery. While this is the second book in the Witch of Edgehill series, it worked well as a standalone novel.
The story takes place in the fictional town of Edgehill, Oregon where witch Amber Blackwood has resided all of her life. She is considered reclusive and a bit odd by the townspeople and runs a shop called the Quirky Whisker that has her small studio apartment above it. She makes and sells magically infused toys that people believe are mechanical.
Fourteen years ago her parents were killed in a fire and Amber believes they were killed by a witch from the cursed Penhallow clan. Amber’s aunt Gretchen and sister Willow show up unexpectedly early for a town event. With this scenario the story is off and running.
The book had a protagonist that was appealing, supporting characters that were delightful or antagonistic and scenes that were bittersweet, suspenseful, engaging and/or heartbreaking.
While this novel has some quirky characters and a murder that you might expect to read in a cozy mystery, it also has some underlying themes that are explored. They include secrets, family dynamics, isolation due to being different and the inability of so many to accept those that are not quite like them. These extra themes are what pushed the rating to a 5 star rating for me.
While this is the first book I have read by Melissa Erin Jackson, I look forward to reading more of her suspenseful, thought-provoking and enjoyable novels. Overall, I was immediately drawn into the story and highly entertained.
Many thanks to Ringtail Press / Xpresso Book Tours, Melissa Erin Jackson and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.