This is a 3.5 star review. Overall this is a good start to a new cozy series. Alex has decided to accept an invitation from estranged relatives to visit Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. While there she she helps out in the family herbal apothecary. During her visit she hears all sorts of speculation and rumors about her family and their powers. When one of their customers dies and her aunt is arrested she sets out to solve the crime. I enjoyed the small town setting and the characters. The mystery was good and the solution made sense. However the book does not answer all the questions and I am not a fan of cliff hangers so I will probably read the next book. Enjoy

I really enjoyed this first installment of An Enchanted Bay Mystery cozy mystery series. It's set in a sea-side town in North Carolina called Bellamy Bay - the home of what some call the sea witches or mermaids. I really liked how the author had Aleksandra and the reader discovering some of her childhood lost memories at the same time. And I liked the romantic triangle between Alex, Dylan Wesley (local CFO and water witch) and Jack Frazier (local law enforcement relocated from NYC). This is a fun series I would love to continue reading. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

When a local man, who Alex's aunt despises, is found dead and the aunt is arrested, Alex is bound and determined to prove her aunt's innocence. As things become dangerous, Alex's aunt and cousins share their family history and begin to school her to find her own buried magic.

This was an interesting cozy mystery, full of healing magic, family lore, and quirky characters. I didn't see the twist at the end coming and am curious to see Alex's powers improve as the series continues. I'd would recommend this book to readers who loved the TV series, Charmed.

I'm a sucker for cozies with dogs on the cover. Make it a German Shepherd and throw in some magic, and I really don't stand a chance. So, it probably won't surprise anyone that I didn't think there was nearly enough Athena in the book (the doggo).

Lack of adorable doggo antics aside, I generally enjoyed the story. It was a little slow to get started, and it took me a while to connect with Alex. As the story went on, these things improved, and I have no doubt the next book will be better.

There was an interesting twist on the magical aspect that I wasn't expecting, and though many of the characters and plot devices felt familiar, there was enough uniqueness to keep my attention. Cozy readers will see the ending coming a mile away, though that doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

Just please give us more time with Athena!

I enjoyed this book and the cast of characters. The plot and premise were both very unique and I am interested in continuing on with the series

If there's a magical cozy mystery formula it's this: woman in her mid-twenties discovers she has magical powers; goes home to aunt or great-aunt who knew all along; joins aunt's small business in a small tourist town; spends time with magical cousins/sisters; and then starts dating the local cop. I can think of at least five series off the top of my head that follow this and I'm here to say that I LOVE EVERY PART OF IT AND WANT MORE! This is a worthy addition to the cult of cozy.

A Spell for Trouble is book #1 in the Enchanted Bay mystery series. This is such a fun new series. I loved Alex and her dog Athena. Alex moves to Bellamy Bay to reconnect with extended family after her father dies. While there, Alex discovers some secrets about her family. There were scenes between Alex and her cousin, Minka, that made me laugh. The author did such a great job of throwing in red herrings that I kept going back and forth on who the murderer was. And I still didn’t guess who did it! I will definitely b continuing with this series. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book but unfortunately did not enjoy the second book in the series. This is not a series I would continue to read.

OK, there's the possibility of a love triangle, not my favorite element in a cozy. A lot of things are brought up and not questioned or handled promptly such as Alex's mother's death, Alex's own abilities, the parameters of the witches' abilities, why do some witches chose to live as a mundane particularly the ones in the story, how to keep one's thoughts private (OMG, that would have been right on the top of my list!), why Alex's mother make the decision she did, if she did (hmmm). I realize this is the first book, but they could have been handled economically and added depth to the story and characters.

While Alex is gung ho (except for asking important questions) I would have expected the daughter of a cop and as one who lived in New York to be a bit more savvy. I also would have expected her to team up with Minka, her cousin, due to the fact she's new to town, the suspects and the whole witch thing. For her family to just let her "have at it" solo is just off.

The story did keep me interested and the writing flowed well. I do have the audio version of the second book which I'm going to give a go.

I received my copy of A Spell for Trouble from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, I found myself with a paranormal cozy mystery and while this was an enjoyable story, it was a bit more magic than I prefer. Aleksandra Daniels' family are witches. They can control water, read thoughts and convince people to do things by putting the thought in their mind. She has returned to her place of birth, a place her father did not want her to return to. Her mother drowned in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina, twenty years earlier. When she arrives she is welcomed with open arms by her aunt and cousins. Shortly after she arrives, her aunt is arrested for murder as a customer that she had an altercation with in her shop, an herbal apothecary, has been poisoned. Alex discovers that her own family is at the center of salacious town gossip, and that they are rumored to be magical healers descended from mermaids. Alex may be new in town, but she digs in to follow clues, and ask questions to clear her aunt.

I really liked the setting of Bellamy Bay with its gorgeous beaches and small town feel. The characters are unique, but real. Alex is a risk adjustor and I was surprised at some of the risks she takes. I am wondering if she and Jack will develop more than just a friendly relationship. Minka, her cousin, is fun. I really liked her upbeat attitude and friendly nature. There are several secondary characters that play a role in the story, but they are not all developed yet. There are actually two mysteries in the series, the main one and one involving what happened to Alex's mother. As the story heats up and another murder occurs, Alex is in danger and someone I did not suspect, comes to her rescue. The ending has an interesting twist when the reveal occurs and it ties up the loose ends quite well. We still don't know everything that happened to her mother, but I am sure that will be an overreaching story arc. If you enjoy supernatural cozy mysteries, then pick this one up. It is well done.

This is an interesting being to a new series. The characters are entertaining and fun. As the characters are getting to know one another again, the readers get to know them as well. The mystery is full of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

A Spell For Trouble by Esme Addison is the debut of An Enchanted Bay Mystery series. I enjoyed reading this paranormal cozy mystery. I thought A Spell For Trouble was well-written with developed characters. The author took the time to set the stage as I call it. We are introduced to the characters and the town. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Bellamy Bay. Alex Daniels is a complex woman. She is a little lost when she arrives in town, but Alex soon becomes a strong protagonist. She is a woman that readers will like and will cheer her on. I like that she is proactive in investigating. I enjoyed getting to know Alex and her smart, intuitive canine, Athena. Alex has a kind aunt and friendly cousins. I thought the secondary characters were developed and they round out the cast nicely. They definitely enhanced the story. The mystery was entertaining. I love a complex whodunit that is full of twists and surprises. This was a fun one to solve. There are several themes woven into A Spell For Trouble that include a magical ancestry, family rivalries, a murder, secrets, innuendo, and the importance of family. The magical components are compelling and nicely incorporated into the story. A Spell For Trouble is a great start to this enchanting series. I am eager to read A Hex for Danger. A Spell for Trouble is a magical tale with an instinctive canine, kind cousins, a messy murder, a fervent reporter, a bitter brew, and helpful healers.

This was a great paranormal cozy mystery, the first in a series. I loved the concept of healers descended from mermaids! Can’t wait for the next installment.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book. It was so whimsical and cute. Alex and her family are fun and quirky. The premise of witches who are descended from mermaids is fun. It is an actual polish myth which just adds to the appeal of this story. She left Bellamy Bay when she was a little girl and was unaware of her witchy heritage. Her Aunt is accused of murder and Alex is determined to prove her innocence.

There are many suspects. Some mundane (ordinary humans) and others magical. It gets even more twisted when she finds out the murderer is a magical. How can she prove who it is?

Great read. Very entertaining and easy-to-read.

This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series with a unique protagonist. Alex is a risk management specialist who is recently unemployed and is visiting family in the seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. She hasn't seen them in many years and is reconnecting with them when her aunt is accused of murder. She sets out to prove that her aunt is innocent with some unexpected help. I loved the backstory of Alex's family and all of the Polish references and food descriptions. The characters are unique and interesting and there is much more to learn about them and the town of Bellamy Bay.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It’s no secret that I love reading cozies, but did you know that my favorite sub-genre is paranormal? I absolutely enjoyed this first book in An Enchanted Bay Mystery. The main magical characters are descendants of mermaids giving this story a fun and unique twist!

First off, the setting of Bellamy Bay is fantastic. The descriptions of this coastal town were so charming. Being a fan of essential oils and aromatherapy, I definitely enjoyed the main apothecary shop. A place full of homemade candles, soaps, bath bombs, perfumes, lip balm, etc. The chatter about the scents was right up my alley and I of course loved how they infused them with a hint of magic.

Alex was a wonderful lead. I’m glad she was unaware about her past and we were able to gently learn about her connection to this intriguing folklore and the special talents her family can perform. I also really enjoyed all of the nods towards their Polish heritage too.

The mystery was well paced and captivating. The paranormal twist definitely added an extra challenge on picking out the culprit and deciding who in fact you could trust. I was stumped and surprised when my number one suspect was proven innocent. The big reveal had a shocking twist to it as well that I didn’t see coming.

I’m looking forward to reading the sequel and learning more about these characters. I can’t wait to see Alex embrace her new talents. I’m also intrigued about finding out about who was behind her mother’s death. There’s a love triangle brewing as well and for the first time I’m actually undecided on which guy I’m leaning towards!!

I enjoyed getting to know Alex and her cousins. I also l liked learning about the family’s roots in legend. Something different, and fun! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

Alex Daniels has run into a bit of personal problems including unemployment, so she has accepted the invitation of her aunt to visit Bellamy Bay, NC and reconnect with her mother's family. During her time helping at her Aunt Lidia's herbal shop, Alex learns that she is descended from "mermaids" and is a water witch. When her aunty is arrested for a murder, Alex is determined to use her emerging powers to prove her innocent.

This was a fun story introducing Alex and her family. I can see many happy hours in the future in their company

I simply couldn't get into it. Usually I enjoy this genre but in this particular case it felt too forced and uneven.

Blub from Amazon:

"Aleksandra Daniels hasn't set foot in the quiet seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina in over twenty years. Ever since her mother's tragic death, her father has mysteriously forbidden her from visiting her aunt and cousins. But on a whim, Alex accepts an invitation to visit her estranged relatives and to help them in their family business: an herbal apothecary known for its remarkably potent teas, salves, and folk remedies.

Bellamy Bay doesn't look like trouble, but this is a town that harbors dark secrets. Alex discovers that her own family is at the center of salacious town gossip, and that they are rumored to be magical healers descended from mermaids. She brushes this off as nonsense until a local is poisoned and her aunt Lidia is arrested for the crime. Alex is certain Lidia is being framed, and she resolves to find out why.

Alex's investigation unearths stories that some have gone to desperate lengths to conceal: forbidden affairs, family rivalries, and the truth about Alex's own ancestry. And when the case turns deadly, Alex learns that not only are these secrets worth hiding, but they may even be worth killing for."

I thought this was a solid start to a new series, and a new to me author. The next book in the series comes out in July 2021 and I'm looking forward to revisiting these new friends.