I really enjoyed getting to know Tabby and her fraternal twin sister Sage. The girls were so different but despite their bickering and occasional disagreements, they knew family was more important than anything. Tabby took assistant Gerard's being a suspect more seriously than Sage did since she had an unpleasant history with Gerard that she'd wiped from his memory.

It was interesting what all they could do yet weren't considered witches. I liked that their aunt returned and had found a guy who was just like them to keep company with. There was no lack of company to keep for Tabby and Sage either as they and their powers seemed to thrive on a healthy physical relationship with their guys. Lots of times in the book I wasn't quite sure who all to trust. The showdown was super exciting and I was reading as fast as I could and turning those Kindle pages. Talk about good triumphing! And it made for a really satisfying ending with Tabby seeming to get some sort of control over her powers and realizing she could leave them open without getting into trouble. It'll be interesting to see what the sisters get themselves into next time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Snuffed Out, the first book in a new cozy mystery series, proved to be a snuff out. The cover design attracted me to request an Arc and the blurb sounded interesting enough as well but the book failed to engage me at all. After a certain point, I began skipping pages to get to the climax instead of DNFing it. For me to enjoy a book, it needs to have characters that I can like and none of the characters were likeable or relatable in this book. I found the twins, Tabby and Sage to be immature with questionable morals (especially Sage) so it was ironic when they questioned other people's shortcomings. Plus, the explanation of the magic/energy work went completely over my head.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author for the e-Arc of the book. Quite a lot of readers have enjoyed this book but I struggled with it.

The book publishes today!

Rating: ⭐⭐

I was drawn to Snuffed Out by the cover and description. I like candles. As a setting for a cozy mystery, I thought why not to the candle shop idea. A historic street in Savannah is a nice location for the shop. The murder was a complicate mass of hidden motives and agendas. It was well done.
I liked the idea of twins and them having some sort of power - known in this book as energetics.
I liked all the premises for the book better than the execution.
Sage is not a likable person. She is volatile and mean. Her attitude and actions toward Gerard are ample evidence of her character. Tabby is a fairly good main character and she learns to come into her power both as an energetic and as a grown woman.
And really that is another issue for me. Sage and Tabby are 30 years old but are just barely doing adult things in taking over the family candle and book shop. They acted younger than 30, more like early 20s in how they responded to the people around them. I would have expected a bit more maturity.
The twins relationships with men/boyfriends in the book was higher level than cozy mysteries generally take things. The twins were forever running off having sexual encounters during the day or over night. Yes, it was closed door with mention occurring afterward. It was clear they were using it to recharge their “energetics”, which was more using than relationship.
In several way it felt like the author was trying too hard to appeal to groups who are gaining recognition but which isolate from the the people who are likely to be the main audience for a cozy mystery.
Overall, I was disappointed in Snuffed Out. I liked the creativeness of the plot, but the messy peopley bits in the execution left me not feeling cozy toward this addition to the genre.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of the book for review.

What drew me to this new series was not just the cover. The setting of the historic section of Savannah, GA and the Book and Candle shop owned by twin sisters Tabby and Sage were the very definition of a cozy mystery. Add a paranormal theme and I was ready to settle into my comfy chair and play armchair sleuth with Tabby and Sage.
The sisters not only run the Book and Candle shop but they live over the shop meaning they have a whole lot riding on tracking down the killer of one of their most obnoxious customers. Blythe shows up like a hurricane, accusing the sisters of scamming their customers. Seems she had bought a scented candle that was supposed to help banish her headache but didn't do the job. Even though she was told there were no medical promises and they would be happy to refund her money and add some fancy hand cream, she says she will spread the word that the sisters are scammers and she'll ruin them. It takes all of Tabby and Sage's self control to not blast her with their magical abilities. When Blythe vacates the store that isn't the end of things. Blythe is found dead and their employee becomes suspect #1 with Tabby and Sage as runners up. In true cozy fashion the sisters investigate and turn up information that put a bullseye on their backs.
Ad this is the first of a series the pace is on the slow side until almost the halfway point. It takes time to set the scene, give the back story, etc. so I made allowances for the occasional dragging parts. The mystery was well developed with some twists and turns to keep me guessing wrong. With a resident cat and the theme of candle making added, I am ready to put the next book in the series, Luminary of Death, on my TBR list.

This book was just too far out on the woo-woo spectrum for me. I appreciate energy work, empaths and a lot of new agey stuff but I just could not get past the flowery language of harmonizing chakras and processing energy in the first chapter. It's too much to hit the reader over the head with in a few pages. Bummer.

The first book in a new series about twins, Tabby and Sage, who run a candle shop in Savannah. As the cover indicates there is something magical about their family and their shop. When a customer is murdered their assistant, Gerard, is the main suspect and Tabby and Sage begin their own investigation to clear his name.

I enjoyed the characters and the story, especially Tabby's developing relationship with her boyfriend, which holds lots of promise for future books. Sage was occasionally a bit too obnoxious so I hope she warms up as the series progresses.

As the investigation proceeds it turns out that the murder was due to a much bigger political game and this results in a dangerous and dramatic climax. A satisfying ending to a good read.

Snuffed Out is the first book in a new shopfront paranormal cozy series by Valona Jones. Due out 10th Jan 2023 from Crooked Lane, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out third quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

Twin sisters (one of whom has a *past* and refuses to use her psychic powers) co-own a small candle/crystal/new age shop. A thoroughly unlikable customer is found dead. Amateur sleuths Tabby and Sage to the rescue. The small-town cozy vibe and eccentric secondary characters are in full parade. There were some problematic inclusions: an insensitive ethnic slur on page 3 made me sit up straight and think "yowza"... there's also an LGBTQIA+ character so gracelessly rendered as a prop, it made my eyes roll up in my head. 

Three stars. The dialogue is rough and choppy in places and there are a number of over the top plot developments, but it's a cozy and readable story, and a promising start to the series. This would be a good for readers who enjoy paranormal storefront cozies. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

My favorite sub-genre in cozy mysteries is a paranormal mystery, so when I read the synopsis for Snuffed Out by Valona Jones I was excited to try the new Candle Shop Mystery series.

Sometimes the first in a series needs to find its footing and I found this to be the case. Most of the time people come back to a cozy series because of the characters, unfortunately for me the two main characters, Sage and Tabby were a bit lacking. Tabby was very timid with using her powers because of a past mistake. I can see that, but I just couldn’t feel much sympathy for her. And Sage was very unlikable to me. I’m not saying every character in a cozy needs to be sweet, but at least the main character should be. Perhaps Jones is thinking of pitting the sisters against each other in a battle of good versus evil in future books, but that may not be the case, and I don’t know if I’ll be sticking around long enough to find out.

And then there’s the romance department. Both of the twins have partners, but it felt more like a convenience for them and not because they really like the guys. It was another example of the characters just not being what you would find in the usual cozy mystery.

Perhaps this series is marketed wrong and I wouldn’t have these expectations if they were just in the fantasy/paranormal genre. In this genre I could see having a good and evil twin and having their boyfriends being more of a being to enhance their powers.

I did enjoy the location of the mystery being in a candle shop and I am interested to see how the magical aspect plays out. I might give book two a read, but if the characters continue to fall flat for me, I could easily quit the series.

The cover art made me request this book immediately. I loved the witchy/black cat vibes. The book itself was totally entertaining and engaging.

I really appreciate the opportunity to read and review Snuffed Out by Valona Jones. The descriptive copy sounds right up my alley-- cozy mystery, magic, Savannah. But after a few chapters I learned this wasn't a book for me. Nothing at all wrong with it; I'm just a very atmospheric reader and this book didn't resonate with me at this time. As such, I won't be posting this review on Goodreads because I don't think the title deserves a lower starred rating just because it wasn't a book for me.

I gave Snuffed Out by Valona Jones 2.5 stars

30-year-old fraternal twins Tabby and Sage Winslow own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. Sage is hot-headed and impulsive while Tabby is calm and collected, making them the perfect partnership. When one of their customers is found murdered, from a blow to the head, that partnership is put to the test.

Blithe McAdam had been seen in a heated argument with shop clerk Gerard, which immediately makes him suspect number one. The twins are convinced of Gerard’s innocence and start digging into Blithe’s past. But no one is cooperating. The neighbor who found the body isn’t talking, medical examiner Quig won’t give any details about the autopsy, and nasty rumors begin surfacing about the drowning of Blithe’s father years earlier—evidence that could seal Gerard’s fate.

Tabby and Sage dig desperately for the truth. But it’s not only their friend who’s in peril. With the clock ticking, the twins find themselves in the grip of an unseen and deadly energy that has seeped into their midst—and in the sights of a ruthless killer.

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It sounded so good; a book and candle shop, magic and twin sisters.
Too bad I couldn't get into the story or feel anything for the characters. Tabby is the main character in this book and her sister Sage is more of a side character. That was a good choice because I didn't like Sage at all. I almost hated her, actually. She is so selfish and actually a very dangerous person so be around. I want my cozy mystery sleuths to be kind and good people, so this was not for me.

I also had a hard time getting into the story. It was a bit confusing at times and I didn't really care about the mystery either.

Even if this book was not my cup of tea, I am sure there are readers out there who would enjoy it.

This book comes out 10 Jan 2023.

Thank you, Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnCIkrjLnRC/

I have to admit that the cover art for this book is what drew me to the story at first. Very engaging and enchanting cover! Once I started reading, the cover took a back seat to the characters, the story and the premise of twin sisters running a candle shop.

The Basics: Sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow have completely different personalities, but together they do a great job running their business, The Book and Candle Shop. Things are going along magically until a problematic customer is found dead. When a clerk at the shop becomes the number one suspect, the twins find themselves doing some amateur sleuthing to save their business. Can they discover the killer's identity before their candle shop business goes up in smoke?

I enjoyed this story. The characters are quirky and the plot kept my interest. I liked the candle/bookstore subplot. It's been done before by others, but still entertaining.

I will definitely read the next book in this series! Can't wait to find out what happens next for the twins!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own**

The concept and setting for this series debut has a lot of potential but didn’t quite grab and hold my interest in some areas. The energy manipulation aspect of the twins powers was confusing and I wasn’t sure what it was supposed to actually do or how it benefited them and their business. The main characters of Tabby and Sage (Sage in particular) weren’t as likable as you would expect in a cozy. Sage was selfish and often unkind and Tabby was too timid when it came to embracing her power. Their relationships with their ‘love’ interests also seemed too self serving and distant. The book was well written and the storyline was well developed, so I’m hoping that as the series progresses we’ll see more character development and that they’ll become more relatable. All in all, this was a good book that has some growing pains to work through.

This is the debut release in the charming new cozy series "Candle Shop Mystery Series". Thank you to the publisher, the author and Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

I loved this book . The author has all the right cozy elements for a great mystery series. The setting is intriquing mysterious Savannah Georgia . Its the perfect setting for this paranormal mystery. Our protagnist are two twins Tabby and Sage who run a book and candle shop. The two sisters have equally strong paranormal abilities. They are strong and interesting charcters. When a murder occurs of a former disgruntled customer they are on the case to clear their names and save their business. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion. The charcters are delightful and fun to know. I look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author . A enjoyable paranormal cozy read . I look forward to the next in series.

Jones’ debut entry in the Magic Candle Shop Mystery series is a well written cozy with an interesting magical system and complicated characters. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t a good fit for me.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I love cozy mysteries and Amanda Flower is one of my favorite authors. I loved the synopsis of the book but unfortunately didn’t like the characters. The setting felt unique and different from the majority of cozies and I liked the theory of the twin sister sleuthing. It just all comes back to the characters, they weren’t the usual sweet, easy to love ones that I have been so accustomed to in cozies. I’m sure others will love this, especially if they enjoy the Booktown Mystery series as the characters have some similarities, but it wasn’t for me.

A solid start to a series about twin sisters owning and running a book and candle shop! When a costumer is found dead we go on a journey to solving this mystery which had me guessing on a few suspects. Overall, I can see this series taking off with future books!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. But I did enjoy the mystery. I just not sure how I feel about twin sisters solving mysteries. I tend to prefer one amateur sleuth. But I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

Snuffed Out is the first book in a new paranormal cozy series following Tabby and Sage Winslow. The sisters are twins and magical. They have taken over their family's book and candle shop in Savannah Georgia.

After a disgruntled customer ends up dead after making a scene at the shop, their shop manager ends up becoming the prime suspect and the Winslow sisters decide to find the true killer.
They get help from their love interests, a local attorney and the town medical examiner. Their Aunt also returns from retirement to help them out.

I feel like this book had a lot of potential, but I found the description of their magical abilities vague and hard to understand. Perhaps we will get more world building in future books? I also felt like there was a disconnect between the two sisters that made you not warm to Sage easily. Those issues aside, the book was still interesting and I would read another in the series.

Snuffed Out is book 1 in a series that has some major potential. While this one didn't quite capture my attention I feel like as it progresses and we see some more character/relationship development it will improve immensely. Otherwise the idea of the book and I can see it being a hit series.