(Previously published as “Witch Chocolate Bites”)Magical chocolates, missing jewels and murder… newfound magic powers to clear his name.
Sleuthing isn’t simple, however, with so many strangers arriving at her grandmother’s enchanted chocolate shop: there’s the secretive village tenant with creepy Goth tastes, the inscrutable new butler at Huntingdon Manor – and a charming Frenchman keen to win Caitlyn’s heart. And that’s before she has to master the art of making the perfect chocolate soufflé or deal with a Levitation spell gone horribly wrong! Still, at least she has the help of her naughty kitten, Nibs, not to mention all the village gossips!
Then a wild goose chase leads to an unexpected discovery and Caitlyn realises that she’s missed a clue under her nose all along. Can she solve the mystery–and maybe even discover Lord James Fitzroy’s real feelings for her? Or will she succumb to a vampire’s fatal bite?
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Genre: humorous paranormal cozy mysteries / cat cozy mystery series / women amateur sleuth / British cozy mystery
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“Witch Chocolate Bites” earns 5+/5 Pots of Decadent Chocolate Soufflé!
Lord Fitzroy is passionate about proving to the Tillyhenge citizens that he has their best interest at heart. They were reticent when he became Lord of Huntingdon Manor that he might introduce too many modern ideas effecting their heritage and traditions. But everyone seems thrilled with the new Tillyhenge Open-Air Cinema presented on the manicured lawn of the estate. Caitlyn Le Fey has only been a member of the community for a few months, but so much has happened during that time: discovering a long lost family, learning she is a witch, friending a guardian ‘vampire,’ and solving a few suspicious deaths. The horror spoof movie showing at tonight’s premier has made her cringe; she finds herself becoming very sensitive to the jokes and stereotypes many villagers expound on magic, witches, and vampires, but it’s just a movie. Until a curious man seemingly out of place winds up dead, puncture wounds in his throat, and her guardian ‘vampire’ Viktor Dracul, who had argued about the insult to vampires in the movie poster, pronounced himself a vampire, and was found covered in a suspicious red liquid—is arrested. Tillyhenge is becoming less quaint and relaxing and more dark and secretive. Cool!
This is in my Top Five of all-time favorite series…
In the fourth book of H.Y. Hanna’s Bewitched by Chocolate series, we are treated to an exciting and engaging continuation of Caitlyn’s journey of self discovery, magical apprenticeship, and murder investigations along with, as we are warned, a few “Hahaha-s.” In between Hanna’s mouthwatering descriptions of Widow Mag’s delectable chocolate soufflé and other chocolate delights, the story unfolds with her signature twists and turns: an odd Goth tenant, a real British butler, friends visiting from London, a very enticing Frenchman; all have their own perspectives, suspicions, and tales to tell. This leads to an “Oh, my…” ending that makes one wanting more. I greatly enjoyed following Caitlyn’s personal growth and slow and steady magical awareness and her ‘big sister’ style attitude toward her newly discovered cousin Evie. Evie isn’t as astute at casting spells which always adds a wonderful comic relief to the dangers that keep interfering with quaint village life. Fans of the paranormal will find fascinating some of Hanna’s theories about ‘vampires.’ Viktor is a fun, centuries-old vampire taking seriously his charge to protect Caitlyn, but he isn’t your typical ‘blood-sucking’ menace. He is a ‘fruitarian’ who morphs into a fruit bat and loves ‘wild raspberries.’ I highly recommend starting at the beginning with “Dark, Witch & Creamy” and read each of the next three books in order. Although, this story has much of the characteristics of a standalone because the murder mystery concludes, there are issues that weave through the series that make it much more satisfying to read the books in order…you won’t be disappointed.
Audio Version (4/24/19)
Book title was changed from “Witch Chocolate Bites”)
This is in my Top Five of all-time favorite series…H.Y. Hanna’s Bewitched by Chocolate series. I am very engaged with an exciting and engaging continuation of Caitlyn’s journey of self discovery, magical apprenticeship, murder investigations, and in between, mouthwatering descriptions of Widow Mag’s delectable chocolate soufflé and other chocolate delights. The story unfolds with Hanna’s signature twists and turns to the murder that illustrates karma intervention and an “Oh, my…” ending. I greatly enjoyed following Caitlyn’s personal growth and slow and steady magical awareness and her ‘big sister’ style attitude toward her newly discovered cousin Evie, whose lack of skill casting spells always adds a wonderful comic relief to the dangers that keep interfering with quaint village life. Fans of the paranormal will find fascinating some of Hanna’s theories about ‘vampires.’ He isn’t your typical ‘blood-sucking’ menace; he is a ‘fruitarian’ who morphs into a fruit bat and loves ‘wild raspberries.’
You can enjoy H.Y. Hanna’s story in print and eBook formats, but I enjoy revisiting the story with the audio version brilliantly narrated by Pearl Hewitt. She enriches Hanna’s story with her excellent voice artistry performing various British dialects, the American English accent for Pamona and the East European of Viktor, and doing well with the male voices often a challenge for female narrators. The best part of Pearl’s talent is in the way she delivers tone and emotion to illustrate personality: the cranky, “nothing bothers” Widow Mags, the young and naive Evie, the stoic, yet amiable Lord Fitzroy, and then there’s nastiness, antagonism, and annoying and overpowering manners of many of the Tillyhenge residents. Oh, this is the perfect way to enjoy this entertaining story.
Ms. Hanna has done it again; this book is another total hit. Love this series!!! Caitlyn and James are still trying to figure out what the future holds for them. All while the ‘end of times’ almost comes to pass. How much can one woman handle at a time. This was a wild ride, so much was packed into the story and it was a fast paced reading experience. Totally, totally recommend this book your will enjoy reading it. Cannot say enough about the talent of this author, really love her work.