Welcome to Sugar MapleSugar Maple may look like your postcard-perfect Vermont town but that’s where the similarity ends. Our librarian is a beautiful Norwegian troll. The funeral parlor is run by a family of vampires. The Sugar Maple Inn is owned by Fae while the werewolves keep our hardware store well-stocked. For centuries we have been home to house sprites, witches, selkies, spirits, … spirits, shapeshifters, and elves.
And who could forget Forbes, our lovable Mountain Giant?
I’m Chloe Hobbs, the half-human/half-magick owner of Sticks & String, the most popular knit shop in New England, where your yarn never tangles, you always get gauge, and the knitter sitting next to you only comes out after dark. And did I mention that I’m almost thirty, single, and with no prospects in sight? My friends and neighbors have been casting spells to help me find Mr. Right but so far their efforts have been all wrong.
Who’d have guessed I’d find my soulmate in Luke MacKenzie, a cop investigating Sugar Maple’s very first murder? Bad news is he’s 100% human which could spell disaster for a normal future with a paranormal woman like me–in love, in danger, and in way over my head.
Romantic Times Book Club – 4.5 stars – TOP PICK
Bretton launches her new series of magic and murder with an enchanting, lyrical masterpiece that should make its way to the bestseller list in no time. Brilliantly weaving the town of Sugar Maple with that of its inhabitants into one living, breathing entity, this novel captivates readers from the first page. With vibrant, multidimensional characters, including the town itself, Bretton pens a memorable romance that combines knitting, love, magic, and self-discovery.
Publishers Weekly
Tongue-in-cheek humor lifts this weird but fun hybrid, part knitting cozy, part paranormal romance, from romance veteran Bretton (Just Desserts). After a classy female tourist drowns mysteriously in an icy lake in remote Sugar Maple, Vt., the Montpelier authorities ask Boston homicide cop Luke MacKenzie to investigate. As Sugar Maple’s temporary police chief, Luke soon notices the village’s odd ambience. Originally a haven for witches who fled the Salem witchcraft trials three centuries earlier, Sugar Maple is now home to witches, vampires, fairies and trolls. Luke is also attracted to Chloe Hobbs, the half-human owner of the knitting shop Sticks & Strings, who must find Mr. Right if she’s to preserve the spell that sustains the town’s unusual residents. As sparks literally fly between the two, Chloe’s “magickal” side stirs into life. Bretton charmingly depicts how love empowers Chloe and awakens Luke to some major surprises.
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“4 out of 5 stars. The story was written in a diary kinda form from both Luke and Chloe’s sides. It kept me rapt in what was going on and I couldn’t put it down!”
Read more of this review here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-lets-find-way-to-bring-back-days.html
Casting Spells is book one in the Sugar Maple series by Barbara Bretton.
I went into this one think it was a cozy mystery, but it focused on the romance more then the mystery and so this is a paranormal cozy mystery romance. It had a verity of paranormal elements with a dash of mystery and spark of magic.
I liked the portal the author did on the picture-perfect town. It’s a sleepy New England town, but everyone who lives in it is magical – supernatural. It’s a haven for supernaturals. A place for them to live protected from the outside world.
Chloe is the last of her line. Her family cast a spell to protect the village a long time ago and as long as their is a female descendant inhabiting the village the town is protected.
I enjoyed the story. I liked Chloe’s backstory and her knitting shop, but I was surprised with the towns people. They where all against her, blame her for something she has no control over at least at this point in her life, but what really got to me was her friends. They kept telling her that the man she has sparks with isn’t the one for her, even though she clearly has magical sparks with him. It was sad to see her friends not support her and it was upsetting to see the town not have faith in her.
The side mystery on who killed one of the visitors to the town and who is out to get Chloe was ok. I I had a feeling on who the evil villain would be.
As for reading on in the series I’m not sure I will. I read the blurb for Book 2, Laced with Magic, and I am not a fan of ex’s returning whether their ex-wife or ex-girlfriend. That trope is a turn off for me and irks me.
Rated: 3 Stars
August 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love the town, the “people” and their quirks, and the romance! The mystery and intrigue keep things interesting, but I really enjoyed all the knitspeak!
DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING!!!
Title: Casting Spells
Series: The Sugar Maple Chronicles
Author: Barbara Bretton
Designation: Book One of Series, Full-Length, Can Be Read As Standalone, No Cliffhanger, Happy For Now Ending #paranormal #supernatural #fantasy #romance #magick #fae #shapeshifters #vampires #sorcerers #trolls #selkies
My Rating: Three Entertaining Stars***
Growing up, I was fascinated by my mother’s ability to sew, knit and crochet. I even watched my grandmother and great grandmother use spinning wheels to spin wool into yarn. And yes, I’m that old! Through my eyes as a child, it seemed magical watching them create their colorful masterpieces. I remember asking my mom if it was magic and she would always reply: ‘In a way, I guess it is magic, but it’s the kind that can be done by anyone who’s willing to make the effort and put their heart into it.’ Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit her talent, but I admire anyone possessing the ability and patience to make such beautiful creations. And believe me, I discovered quickly that knitting is a craft requiring years of hard work, skill, and countless hours of practice. Barbara Bretton is a new-to-me author, so I had no idea what to expect, but the knitting aspect of this story immediately snagged my interest. I did my due diligence by reading the blurb and several of the reviews, then made my purchase and dove in. And color me very pleasantly surprised. I found myself instantly drawn into the story and the town of Sugar Maple, Vermont. Casting Spells is a delightful cross between a sweet, clean paranormal romance, a delightful comedic whodunit, and an edge of your seat cozy mystery infused with a large cast of fascinating characters, an intriguing premise, an engaging storyline, a generous splash of suspense, a sprinkle of humor, and lots and lots of magic. The narrative was written in the first person with clearly defined his and her perspectives. The dialogue was smart, snappy, and flowed effortlessly. I was immediately smitten with the two protagonists, shop owner and Sugar Maple honorary mayor Chloe Hobbs and Boston police detective Luke McKenzie. I was spellbound by the interaction and chemistry between Chloe and Luke. When these two meet, attraction ignites, sparks fly, and passion explodes! And I do mean literally! I love stories in which the hearts of the hero and heroine know instantly what it wants, even if it does take their brain a while to catch up. Seeing them struggle to recognize their feelings is always the best part of the story, although I will admit, I did have my doubts about the outcome of the future for Chloe and Luke. When that happens, you know the writer has done their job exceptionally well, and Bretton certainly did because by the end, I was sniffling, snuffling, and angrily wiping tears, truly believing there could be no happy ending for our unlikely lovers. But thankfully, fate refuses to be denied and love always wins, at least that’s what my heart chooses to believe. So, did I like this book! Yes, I did, very much! So why only three stars? I’m not trying to be a negative nelly but there were quite a few typos and several inconsistencies, one of which completely disrupted the flow of the story. The most noticeable was an important part of a scene missing in my book that should have occurred in Chapter 10 during Luke and Chloe’s first dinner date/official business meeting to discuss the case. There were continued references throughout the story about Luke meeting Gunnar at the restaurant and a glass of wine which mysteriously(magically) flew across the table and ended up in Luke’s lap – but it never happened, at least not in my copy. Gunnar nor the glass of wine were ever in the scene. And I searched-several times. It kinda broke my heart because I really liked this book. I was very disappointed. This story could have been so much better with a professional proofread and a little more attention to detail from the author. Would I recommend it? Yes, and I am for anyone age 14 and above. It’s clean, sweet, and there is romance but no explicit sex. It does contain mild violence, but it’s not gory or graphic, however the story is based on a murder mystery. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! This may have been my first time reading the work of Barbara Bretton, but it certainly won’t be my last! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! If you enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries generously seasoned with romance, I’d give this book a whirl, especially if you enjoy a little humor and a lot of knitting!