In this New York Times bestselling mystery series, witch Katie Lightfoot bakes enchanted treats—and faces more than her fair share of toil and trouble…. It’s been exactly two years since Katie and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery, where they serve delicious—and bespelled—treats to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a … anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront and meet Aunt Lucy’s friend Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
The next day, Orla meets with what seems like a terrible accident, but Katie’s witchy intuition tells her it was something more sinister. Together with her trustworthy coven and her firefighter boyfriend, she’ll race to find out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the piping hot trail goes cold….
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Potions & Pastries Is Pure Magic
I have wanted to read Bailey Cates’ Magical Bakery Mystery Series for such a long time. I’m a fan of her Enchanted Garden Mystery Series and I just knew this one would be amazing as well. And I was not disappointed.
Potions and Pastries is the seventh book in the series that follows the adventures of Katie Lightfoot, her aunt and uncle, and the Honeybee Bakery. Sit down, relax, and prepare to stay awhile because once you pick up Potions and Pastries, you won’t want to put it down!
Here are my top reasons to read this book.
You’ll Wish the Honeybee Bakery Was a Real Place
I found myself wishing I could hop in the car and make a run to the Honeybee for some coffee and yummy treats. I love that the bakery has bookshelves stacked with books that patrons are free to take and read. What a great idea for a bakery / coffeehouse!
The Magic
The magical elements in this book are downright entertaining. They are a lot more essential to the storyline than they are in the author’s Enchanted Garden Mystery Series. They added a fun and humorous element to the story and also to the dimension of each of the characters.
Characters You’ll Want to Come Back For
I always think it’s an excellent testament to a book and series when I finish a book and I’m already craving the next installment. By the final pages the residents of Savannah’s magical community had me hooked. I can’t wait to go back and visit them again soon.
Potions and Pastries is sure to leave you under a spell!
If you are a fan of Heather Blake’s Wishcraft Mystery Series, you’ll love Bailey Cates’ Magical Bakery. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Originally published at:
https://cozyexperience.com/potions-pastries-pure-magic/
I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this series so far!
Good book for those day when you want a light entertaining mystery
I have read all of her prior mysteries but this one doesn’t seem quite as good. Maybe, the theme of a white witch that owes a bakery and solves mysteries is getting repetitive to me.
Great recipes at the end!
I enjoy the Magical Bakery Series and find that the author, in spite of the four nom de plumes—one for each genre of mystery she writes—is not formulaic or predictable in this series; I have read none of her other three series. Her characters are unique and intriguing; the murders are different; and their individual subplots transcend from one story to the next. I also think having Savannah as this series’ setting is important to the plots, and plays a factor in my decision to read this series. I can easily envision where Katie and friends are based upon the author’s accurate descriptions. I also think this kind of magic works in an old city like Savannah. I’m not familiar with or even know of Poppyville, California, so I’m not motivated enough to read the author’s Enchanted Garden Mystery series.
The murder was intriguing, allowed the author to highlight different minor characters, kept all the characters we’ve come to enjoy throughout the series, and answered some questions we’ve had about Katie. We can also relate to interpretations and misinterpretations of events, understand and sympathize with “ugly cry,” and the baking—Oh My! This recipe is excellent, and I have to agree with the “secret”’ingredient makes all the difference. I love trying all the recipes included within the series, which is why I always buy a hard copy. Looking forward to the next installment.
Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates is the seventh story in A Magical Bakery Mystery series. Katie Lightfoot along with her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben own the Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, Georgia. They provide baked goods that have a magical boost. Ben, Lucy, Katie, and her fiancé, Declan are out walking along the riverfront and see friend Orla Black telling fortunes. Orla has a message for Katie that she takes as a warning–sacrifice. What will Katie have to sacrifice? The next day Katie sees Orla nearby and wishes to get more information from her. Unfortunately, Orla walks in front of a car and is struck dead before Katie can speak with her. It looks like an accident, but Katie’s magical awareness tells her something sinister is afoot. Katie, Declan and the spellbook club work together to find out what happened to Orla. But what happens when Katie gets close to uncovering the truth?
Potions and Pastries is best enjoyed if you have read the other books in A Magical Bakery Mystery series. It can be a little confusing (especially in the beginning) when all the various spellbook club members are introduced. I found this story to be well-written and engaging. I was drawn into the story and I liked the magical elements. Potions and Pastries has great characters that you will enjoy visiting in each new installment in the series. The only downfall for me was the mystery. I identified the guilty party before the Orla was struck by the car. I did appreciate the author use of misdirection to lead readers on a merry chase. Potions and Pastries is a light cozy mystery with magic, humor, family, friends, pets and luscious baked goods. I am giving Potions and Pastries 4 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading the next novel in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.
The two year anniversary of the opening of the Honeybee Bakery has arrived. After having a celebratory meal everyone decides to take a walk by the waterfront to relax and just enjoy the day. When they come upon Orla, Aunt Lucy’s friend, she inadvertently gives Katie a reading that was truly unexpected. Katie is taken aback by what she is told and begins to worry about just what the fortune means for her future. She is supposed to meet Orla the next day so she can finish the reading but Orla is killed in what seems to be an accident. Katie witnessed part of the accident and isn’t quite so sure it really was one. With the help of her fiancee and the coven she starts looking into what could have really happened that day. As she investigates things get weird with Orla’s family, they had several insurance polices out on Orla, and their way of living has Katie worried that she won’t be able to find the answers that she is so desperately looking for. Could one of Orla’s family have killed her for the money? Did she give out a fortune that someone couldn’t deal with? She was taking up a major spot on the waterfront, could that have gotten her killed? Will Katie be able to answer these questions and more before she ends up just like Orla? Follow along and find out. This is such a fun and original series and I love that everyone in the Coven has a different type of familiar, there are quite a few originals that even I wouldn’t have picked for my own. So take a few moments and you will be transported to a wonderful southern town full of fun happenings, and there is always a great mystery to be had.
It’s been two years since Katie, and her aunt and uncle opened the Honeybee Bakery. They create delicious treats with a special magical twist to the good people of Savannah. After a dinner celebrating the bakery’s anniversary, they all take a stroll along the waterfront. They meet Orla, a colorful character who has been telling the fortunes of locals and tourists alike for years.
The next day, Orla meets with a tragic accident, but Katie’s intuition tells her it is something more sinister. Alongside her trustworthy coven, her aunt and uncle, and her firefighter boyfriend, they work to figure out what happened to the unfortunate fortune-teller before the killer does it again.
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Series: A Magical Bakery Mysteries – Book 7
Author: Bailey Cates
Genre: Witch/Paranormal Cozy
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Bailey Cates is a brilliant writer who is imaginative and original. Potions and Pastries, is the 7th book in the Magical Bakery Mysteries Series. It is a tremendously well-written story that compliments the series and creates a desire in the reader for more.
Katie is learning what she is capable of and to trust her instincts. When Aunt Lucy’s friend, Orla is run down in front of her, she senses that it was no accident. It doesn’t take her long to convince her coven, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben, and boyfriend, Declan that she is right and enlist their help in finding the crafty culprit.
The characters in this story, as well as the entire series, have habits and personalities that make them endearing and unforgettable. Katie is still coming to terms with her magic. She is fearful at times that it will get out of her control as she did once before. She is cautious but able to overcome her apprehensions at just the right time.
Declan is an interesting romantic lead as well as a genuinely nice person. Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben are adorable, entertaining and the type of relatives it would be great to have. The other characters are equally interesting and pleasurable.
Savannah is a gorgeous setting for this series. With the historical homes and businesses, Spanish moss and green spaces at every turn, it is romantic and easily lends itself to magical ideas. The riverfront is filled with hustle and bustle, with street vendors hawking their wares, yet retains a semblance of a time long ago.
The use of dragonflies as spiritual guides is a charming addition that is steeped in historical mythology. The reader can imagine them buzzing around leading Katie to her next adventure or clue. Myth has it that dragonflies, signify change, mainly of self-realization; the type of change that gives a person a profound understanding of the meaning of life. Traditionally the Dragonfly’s harried flight while skimming across water represents going beyond what’s on the surface. This is very aptly used in Ms. Cates series.
Readers will find themselves on pins and needles waiting to turn the page and finding all the clues to the identity of the killer. The reveal of the murderer will come as a surprise to many readers. Overall Potions and Pastries is a delightful addition to this series. It is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys authors such as Heather Graham or Ellery Adams