Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti: A Magical Bakery Mystery

She managed to create such a cozy world for me toImagine, I loved this book I thought it was so adorable and fun to read. I just got the second and third I want to keep reading! Definitely more of a nice leisurely and relaxing read.

I like that the witchcraft is more coherent in this book. It is obvious that more research went into this books magic. I expect a bit of creative license in a book but the last one pretty much threw in everything you've ever heard about witchcraft in it, this one was much more coherent magically. There are more clues in this one, and the killer was not hand fed to you at the end with the most pertinent info held back like in the last one. I had almost given up partway through book one but I'm glad I stuck with it and am now looking forward to reading book 3. The romance has improved as well. The characters are also much more rounded and fleshed out in this one. You get a better idea about who Steve is. Declan is less in this one but you knew about him already in the first book. Kate also seems more interesting in this book. It always seems like in these book series you are subjected to a hot mess for the first couple of books, it may just be a symptom of the genre but its sometimes annoying as a reader. Having her not jumping from Declan to Steve and back but actually thinking a bit about relationships is kinda refreshing even if its still a love triangle. At least she not in love with the detective and using their romantic involvement for clues.

In the second book of the magical bakery, Katie Lightfoot can not be any happier. The Honeybee is thriving, her studies in hedgewitchery is going along smoothly, and her relationship with the local firefigher Declan seems to be growing, and All Hollows' eve is right around the corner. However on a bright sunny day during a breakfast picnic, Katie and Declan discover a dead man under the bushes. The local police consider it an assault on a drifter, until Katie points out some obvious clues to the contrary and notices an unusual tatoo. Calling on her "book club" she discovers that the man is more than he seems, a druid of a local sect who is very "traditional" in their way of thinking (think all boys club). Also throw in a detective fresh from New York who is also more than he appears to be who snoops around the local book club as well. But when another member of the sect asks for her help thanks to the other man in her life, Steve the reporter, she will need to use all her cunning, instinct, and magic to not only locate a killer but to stop the summoning of an ancient evil that can not be controlled.Despite my reviewer name, I do enjoy a lot of reading and enjoy magical mysteries from authors like Madeline Alt and Shirley Daamsgard (though i do wish they would finish the next books of their series). This book is a little slower in the start than the last, but when the mystery kicks in it is non stop until the end. Also a decision will be made that will have a long term effect on her relationships. The author definately did her homework, not only about the baking, but also about magic and herbalism. A good read and should not be missed.

I love Bailey Cates’s Magical Bakery Series. I’ve really enjoyed every book. It’s been fun following Katie Lightfoot and her Spellbook Club, and each member’s familiars, and all the baked goods, and all their fun adventures. The books are very well-written whodunnits with a magical twist. This is my fav cozy mysteries series and if you like cozies you will really enjoy these, they never disappoint.1. Brownies and Broomsticks2. Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti3. Charms and Chocolate Chips4. Some Enchanted Eclair5. Magic and Macaroons6. Spells and Scones7. Potions and Pastries8. Cookies and Clairvoyance9. Witches and Wedding Cake10. Spirits and Sourdough

Since I enjoyed the first Magical Bakery Mystery, I decided to read the next one to see if I would still enjoy the characters and setting. I love coming "home" to books that have a continuation of characters, locations and even themes. I find it comforting. So much so that I just want to sink in and stay there awhile.Katie is back with another mystery to solve and so are all the characters from Bailey Cates' first novel. This time we are given the opportunity to really get to know more about the guys in the book and why one of them shares a special kinship with Katie.Now it's not like Katie has to solve anything, but if she didn't there would be no book. Move of her heritage is discovered and just a bit more of her parents is revealed.So while Katie is learning more about who she is and how to deal with it, she has to figure out what's going on and pretty fast before things get out of hand.She will have help from her two male friends as well as her newly adopted coven and of course her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben. And let's not forget about Mungo! I wish I had a dog like him!The author wasted no time in getting right to it and somethings I like that while others I do not. In terms of a mystery though, you need to get there pretty quickly, otherwise you'll lose the audience. Let's remember one thing though, not every book will be for every person. So while there are some readers out there that won't like this, there will be others that will. These types of mysteries are meant to be fun, cheeky and a stress reliever from life.

This is my favorite book of the series. You definitely get to know more about the characters past in this book. The mystery had me guessing until the end and Katy's magic abilities become much stronger in this book.

Having read other titles I wanted something light to read whilst on holiday. Enjoyed this although by the end I did keep on wanting to eat cakes!

A fun quick read