Business at Mia’s Morsels is doing so well that owner Mia Malone is thinking of hiring extra help. Complications soon arise when her contact with Magic Springs’ premier destination resort gives her the heads up that they’re looking to hire a full time catering manager. At the moment, the Lodge is happy to throw smaller jobs her way. Once they start to lean more heavily into events, however, they would definitely cut into, if not end outright, the lucrative catering revenue stream her company relies on to thrive.

As she wrestles with what to do, she still has to work on the events she has on her calendar, including a wedding in the former school that houses Mia’s Morsels. A kitchen witch herself, Mia has long been tapped into her town’s mystical properties, and is well aware of the presence of restless ghosts in her building. She’s thus pretty reluctant to host the wedding there, despite the bridal party having their hearts set on the location. In an effort to win her over, the groom assures her that he can get his Great-uncle Alphonse to come back and strengthen the wards that keep unfriendly spirits from harming the living. Since Alphonse was one of the people who originally put up the wards several decades ago, Mia figures that going ahead with the groom’s plans will be a win-win.

She’s somewhat surprised to discover that Alphonse still looks as young as he did when he first helped safeguard the building. She’s completely taken aback, however, to discover that her own grandmother has also been the recent beneficiary of reverse aging spells. Grams claims that she’s been researching spells that may have affected a member of her coven, Hetty Medford, who apparently died of old age despite only being in her fifties. Mia would never try to stop Grams from helping a friend – especially since Hetty’s daughter Mahogany has also asked Mia to look into the issue – but she is concerned that the reverse aging spell seems to have changed Grams’ personality for the worse.

Mia is further alarmed to discover that Mahogany has also fallen under an aging spell, and that Hetty may not have been the only person cursed to a premature death. Will she be able to stop anyone else from being murdered by forces unseen, or will a crafty killer take her out before she can put an end to their sinister schemes?

Series fans will really enjoy catching up with Mia and crew – her interactions with Christina, her forever sister, are so heart-warming – as they navigate this chaotic point in their lives. With coven shenanigans, references to the werewolf clans encountered in previous books and plenty of non-magical drama, a lot of story is packed into these pages. I fear that this would all be overwhelming for anyone not already familiar with the series, so strongly recommend that new readers start from the beginning, or at least one book back.

Four Charming Spells includes one recipe for a healthy and filling pasta dish:

QUOTE
Christina's Veggie Lasagna

Heat oven to 350. Lightly spray oil a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.

In a large pot, boil water, add salt and 12 lasagna noodles. Cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

In a large deep skillet, add the following and sauté for five minutes:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup (140 grams) chopped onion

Then add the following and cook until veggies are soft:

1 tablespoon minced garlic, 3 to 4 cloves
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more to taste
2 medium chopped zucchini
2 medium chopped yellow squash
8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste

Then add the following and cook until the sauce starts to thicken:

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Generous handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the following:

One (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
2 large eggs
½ tsp salt

In another bowl, gently mix the following:

⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups of shredded mozzarella

To assemble the lasagna:

Spoon 1 cup vegetable mixture into the baking dish to lightly cover the bottom. Set a layer of noodles, then a layer of veggies, a layer of ricotta (half), and a layer of cheese (⅓). Then repeat the layers starting with the noodles. The third layer only had noodles and the remaining vegetable sauce, finishing with the remaining cheese sprinkled over the top.

Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes, then bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let set for 15 minutes.

Serve with garlic bread and a green salad.
END QUOTE

As a person who defaults to carnivorous eating when given the option, I have to say that this is one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever tasted, vegetarian or otherwise! It’s also that much easier to make because you don’t have to worry about cooking any meat, with the mushrooms adding a nice umami flavor for those concerned that this might not taste as hearty as a non-vegetarian dish. The fresh basil and red pepper are key – I was generous when adding both – in making this a standout baked entree. Definitely recommended for anyone wanting a meatless alternative to the traditional lasagna.

Next week, we travel to the midwest to bake up a different kind of vegetarian dish while investigating the death of a smoothie sipper. Do join me!

Another charming entry in this paranormal cozy about kitchen witch, Mia Malone, who runs a catering business out of an old schoolhouse ghosts and strange things keep happening. While it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend starting at the beginning to get the full flavor of all the characters and their development. Enjoyable and fast paced read.

This is a fun series to read. The characters are entertaining and interesting. The mystery of who is behind the mysterious aging and death of a resident is a unique spin on an investigation. They mystery and the secondary story of the relationships are well written. The mystery is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

This is the 4th in series. The Kitchen Witch Mystery series is a favorite paranormal cozy series of mine. I have enjoyed all of the previous books in the series. This was a exciting addtion with much going on to delight the reader. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. I read this next in series cover to cover. Lynn Cahoon has a talent for building suspense, great charcters and excitment in each of her series.

We return to Magic Springs, Idaho with Mia Malone who owns a catering and cooking school. She also caters local events. She is part of a local coven of witches. In this next in series Mia is catering a funeral of one of the coven members. The sadness of the event is overshadowed by another funeral event. and a murder. Mia is soon involved in a mystery with her coven and her boyfriend. Many different paranormal elements are featured in this series and throughout this next in series. Most of the charcters are magical and even Mr. Darcy the cat has magic in him.

This was a fun addtion to the series with great charcters, a exciting conclusion and a wonderful well crafted sleuth . I look forward to the next in series.

This was another great book in the Kitchen Witch series. The "paranormal" elements are light but cozy and tie into the plot very well. The mystery was well paced, and I did not figure it out until the end. The relationships between the characters are realistic and endearing. I enjoyed learning more about witch culture in this town, and I look forward to finding out more. Highly recommend!

Princess Fuzzypants here: Things are going so well with Mia’s Morsels she is thinking of expanding. Of course, just when things are going well, that is when things often fall apart. There have been two mysterious deaths in the witch community where women who were middle aged supposedly died of old age. The daughter of one of them asks for Mia’s help in discovering what happened and who is behind it. She enlists the help of her grandmother who is having her own age crisis. She is growing younger, alarmingly younger, and she is enjoying it so much so that Mia thinks she is looking in a mirror when she sees her grandmother.

The good news is Mia always had her boyfriend Trent to help her and his mother, Abigail, has become a very integral part of her team. The two are trying to help her with her ghostly issues at the school she has repurposed and they bring in outside expertise to help solve the problems. But one problem that is almost insurmountable is the likelihood that her business will lose all the catering business she does at the Lodge if she does not apply for the new position of catering manager at the Lodge. She has a quandary. How can she juggle her own growing business with the responsibilities of a paid position.

She does figure out all the mysteries and puzzles. The villain is revealed before his evil plans come to fruition. And Gloria, Mia’s kitchen witch, just giggles. It is always a charming story with lots of magic and intrigues. Four purrs and two paws up.

Mia's business is doing well and she is looking forward to working with her new hire that will be doing all their cakes for events. While catering an event that celebrates the life of a coven member has passed Mia learns a bit more about how the coven works. When local coven member Mahogany Medford asks Mia for her help she is happy to do so. She believes her mother was murdered and wants Mia to look into what happened and who.could have been behind it. Meanwhile Mahogany herself seems to be aging at an extreme pace. Mia is looking into the cause and wonders if it has anything to do with the death she is investigating. Follow along to see where the clues lead Mia, will she be able to put all the clues together and catch a killer? This is a charming series filled with loads of magic and a fun mystery to solve.

This delightfully entertaining and well written paranormal cozy is the perfect series to disappear into for a few hours to escape from the real world with. Who knew murder could be so much fun?? The characters are so well fleshed out that they feel real in spite of some of them having "extra" abilities. The mystery was totally a fun one and the red herrings were really perfect to throw you in the wrong direction a time or two or more. If you love a good cozy, with good food, good friendships, good mystery, good plot and a lot of good fun then this is the book or rather series you should grab! Although, I might be biased a bit since I am a former resident of Idaho and it still has a strong hold in my heart. Many of the real towns mentioned in the book are very familiar to me and I love getting to visit the area when I am with the characters of this series!

Dollycas's Thoughts 

In this fourth full-length Kitchen Witch Mystery, the business at Mia's Morsels is booming. More than Mia and Christine can handle so Mia has hired Trent and Levi's mom Abigail to handle cakes and deserts and hires Hailey Berger to help with an upcoming wedding to see how she fits in with everyone. Gran usually helps too but she has some problems of her own she is trying to handle.

In addition to her business, Mia is approached by the owner of Magic Spring's new tea shop, Time for a Cuppa's owner Mahogany Medford. A member of the local coven, who has some questions about her mother's death and some other strange happenings. There are also some more strange happenings at the school where Mia lives and has her business. Happenings that need to be addressed before the big wedding she was pressed to hold at the school.

Mia is going to need all the protections available and everyone's help as she tries to get answers for Mahogany and handle everything else going on in her life. Who knew catering a wake for a witch would conjure up so much trouble?

______

The characters Ms. Cahoon created for this series get stronger in every book. Mia still has a lot to learn but she is surrounded by a great group of witches and mortals. The ease she has with Christina is just wonderful. Both she and Christina's relationship with the Majors brothers are in a good place. Gran has some craziness going on that had me laughing out loud. Dorian/Mr. Darcy are still working through their issues but we learn some new things in this story. The addition of Abigail and her husband Thomas is a perfect fit with some comical moments as he adjusts to having a wife who works outside the home. All of these characters are so cleverly drawn and engaging. They are some of my favorites.

The author has put forth a complex mystery with a lot of moving parts along with some real-life drama for Mia. All the plots entwine together effortlessly giving the book a really nice flow. With several twists and connections revealed I was totally into the story when we learned who was behind everything but then the story abruptly ended with something to set up the next book in the series I assume. It felt like the author had reached her page limit and left us readers hanging. I seriously flipped back into the book looking for missing pages or missing chapters. I guess I really wanted to know how that big event went after everything that had happened.

Four Charming Spells was a charming captivating cozy right up to the final pages. After reading many books by this author I am sure she will make everything right in the next book. So I am excited to see what magical mystery she has in store for Book #5. The teaser was a great one.

Four Charming Spells is the latest book of the Kitchen Witch series. However, I had not read any of the previous books - and that didn't affect my enjoyment of this story.
The characters are understandable and seem to follow true to form throughout this story of magic and murder. It was fun to meet the characters and see how they interact. Mia is a great protagonist as a "new" witch who is only just beginning to learn how to use her powers. Her strength is in knowing how to call on others for help and guidance. She is a strong woman character who isn't afraid to have help.
The mystery involves a spell that was cast causing confusion with the police investigation of the murdered woman. However, her daughter is sure that she was murdered and asks Mia to help her find her mother's killer and get justice. Of course, that always brings a risk of personal danger, but Mia plunges in anyway.

The story resolution was quite satisfying. Yes, there were a few plot points that were not resolved, but they were not points that will worry you too much as no one is left in imminent danger.

This was a good solid cozy mystery. I would be happy to read any other books in this series.

3.5, rounded up. I have settled in with this series and the magic system in place and I enjoy it. It's a sweet community and good characters, and while this tiptoes on the line of characters acting prematurely elderly, it's still well told.

This mystery definitely kept me guessing on all mysteries involved. Mia was asked to help a friend figure out what her mom really died of...six months ago. Magic was suspected and a recent death was thought to be linked to all this somehow. Meanwhile, Christina finally broke ties with her home and moved to Magic Springs to the school building.

How were some crazy ghosts and two possible murders connected? You'll have to read and see and hold on, it's gonna be a bumpy ride! But a good one as always!

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

There are four books and two novellas in this delightful series and it is, IMO, best read in order. This one ends with loose ends and I'm eager to read #5. Mia lives in Magic Springs, Idaho and has bought an old school house. The first floor is her business, Mia's Morels. She caters, delivers meals and teaches cooking classes. She has an apartment upstairs and is working on renovating the remaining classrooms. Ghosts included.
Mia becomes involved with two mysteries, one being the death of her friend Mahogany's mother. With a cast of witches and mortals, (and Mr. Darcy the cat) some more likable than others, Mia has her hands full. Add some humor and a bit of romance, this is a series that has earned a spot on my reading list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with just a touch of magic, this is for you. This series is fun and engaging with amazing characters. The character dynamic is on point. I really enjoy the relationships of the cast. Grans is such a character and I love Mr. Darcy/Dorion.

I had the suspicion of the culprits early on, but it didn't take away from the story at all. Lynn combines the criminal and magical elements seamlessly.

I am so glad to have started this series when it was first released, and I look forward to more in the series.

I highly recommend Lynn Cahoon in general. She has many series out there and you won't be disappointed by any of them. Bonus, she is a great person!

Four Charming Spells (Kitchen Witch 4)
Lynn Cahoon



We return to Magic Springs, Idaho with Mia Malone of Mia’s Morsels. She is putting on a repast for the Coven at The Lodge. The Lodge is the premier restaurant in the area. Mia is close friends with James the chef and director of catering. It’s thanks to his recommendation that she is involved.

This book technically began in Three Tainted Teas, the third Kitchen Witch book. Mahogany, owner of the new teahouse, met Mia, when she and the gang visited. She spoke with Mia about her suspicions that her mother, Mrs. Medford, was murdered. Mia agrees to look into the situation. We open to coven member, Theresa Holly’s passing. Which Mahogany believes has eerie similarities to her mothers passing.

With her assistant Christina, Mr. Darcy (Dorian), and the rest of the gang by her side Mia sets out to find the connection. Getting a secretive ice cream man, new assistant, and a rude, too young granny to behave….Suddenly solving a murder or two along the way is nothing for Mia!

5*****


Main Recurring Characters
Mia Malone – Owner of Mia’s Morsels a catering, events, & meal delivery service. She is dating Trent. Owns a haunted home, formerly a school.
Trent Majors – Eldest son of Abigail, manager of the family store, and Mia’s boyfriend
Christina Adams – Isaac, Mia’s ex-fiances younger sister
Levi Majors – Younger brother of Trent, coven member, and Christina's boyfriend.
Abigail Majors – Mother of Levi & Trent. Contracted to Mia’s Morsels for specialty cakes.
Mary Alice (aka Granny) – Accidentally sent her murdered boyfriend Dorian’s soul into Mia’s cat.
Mr. Darcy (Dorian) Mia’s cat, possessed accidentally by Granny’s boyfriend Dorian.
James – Chef at The Lodge, friend of Mia’s.
Mark Baldwin – Detective and magic non-believer.

What a treat to visit Mia and Magic Springs, Idaho in the 4th series addition, Four Charming Spells by Lynn Cahoon--one of my favorite paranormal authors! My favorite kitchen witch is pressed deep into the magical realm when she caters a funeral where the deceased has died under very suspicious circumstances, Charged with solving the mystery, Mia and those close to her are bombarded with the supernatural influences, There are spirits in the school and the graveyard next door; how to keep them satisfied and help them move on keeps Mia and Trent on their toes. In the meantime, business is better, causing Mia and Christine to welcome a new part time-employee.
Though the mystery of who killed Mahogany's mom is tense, the humorous situation with Mia's grandmother keeps the tale from being dark.
Spells and such are not my top genre, but the closeness of the characters and the small community feels--- combined with the delicious food descriptions and recipes--- always gives me a lasting cozy warmth. This series gets better with every addition!
I enjoy spending time in Mia's world and was so excited to be allowed to read and review an advanced e-copy. Until next time: Thank you so much, #NetGalley, #KensingtonCozies, and #LynnCahoon!
#FourCharmingSpells #KitchenWitchMysteries

Mia Malone’s catering/event business “Mia Morsels” is starting to grow, but as fate would have it, the place she caters most events is looking to hire an inhouse event person which will not help with her grown. And then there are the issues with the school house that she lives and works, as it was build on a cemetery it seems like not all dearly departed where moved, which really becomes an issue as a couple wants to use the school as their wedding venue. On top of that there is the mystery of how her friend Mahogany’s mother died, she died ‘old’ but wasn’t.
Lovely paranormal cozy.

This is a paranormal cozy, it’s the fourth in the series. I’m not usually a big paranormal fan but this series is just fun! I love the author’s writing style and she’s so good about making interesting characters with entertaining mysteries. I highly recommend any book by this author but especially this series if you’re looking for paranormal.

I did not finish this book. I love a good cozy mystery, and I had high hopes for this one. But the witch/ other spirit world was just too much for me. Maybe if I had read the previous books in the series, it would have helped.

Four Charming Spells is book #4 in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries series by Lynn Cahoon.

Mia’s catering business is booming, as well as her reputation for investing murders. Something odd is going on and Mahogany Medford is convinced her mother was murdered. Will Mia be able to find solve the mystery?

This series gets better with each book. The characters are wonderful - Mia, Christine, Grans, Trent, Levi, Abigail, James, Dorian/Mr. Darcy. The support they have for each other is amazing. This was an interesting mystery with trying to figure out who to trust. I can’t wait to see the results of Mia’s decisions.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.