5++ stars for Books and Bribes: A Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery by Lucinda Race #bookreview #cozy
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  • N. N. Light
    • Mar 15, 2023
    • 3 min read

5++ stars for Books and Bribes: A Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery by Lucinda Race #bookreview #cozy



Title: Books and Bribes: A Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery (A Book Store Cozy Mystery 1)

Author: Lucinda Race

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Cozy Mystery


Book Blurb:


Enjoy this clean, paranormal cozy mystery by award winning and bestselling author, Lucinda Race. Welcome to Pembroke Cove, where witches and murders are multiplying... In a small town like Pembroke Cove, Maine, everyone has something to hide. But when bookstore owner Lily Michaels takes a tumble and hits her head, and her cat Milo starts talking to her, she discovers she has something to hide, too. She’s a witch, and Milo is her familiar. And she’s not the only one in town. Lily has been hiding something else, too. Even though she’s always kept Gage Erikson in the friend zone, her feelings for the man Milo calls Detective Cutie go a lot deeper than she’s willing to admit. Gage has a secret too. He’s always had a crush on Lily. But if he gives into his feelings, it might mess up the wonderful friendship they have. With his cowboy boots and cherry red pickup truck and knack for just letting folks talk, people might underestimate just how good a detective Gage actually is. But is he good enough to discover all of Lily’s secrets? Somebody in Pembroke knows a lot about the secrets people are keeping, and isn’t above a little blackmail. While Lily struggles with learning how to be a witch, she works with Gage to uncover the truth, and a new kind of magic develops between them. Will they continue to be just friends, or will they finally admit to the secret love they’ve been hiding? Books and Bribes is the first novel in A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series, although each book can be read as standalone. A sweet and clean cozy mystery with a guarantee the culprit is caught. Happy reading!


My Review:


Where has this cozy mystery series been all my life? I’m a HUGE cozy mystery reader. I know what I like, and this is my dream cozy mystery! It has quirky characters, the victim is a nasty piece of work, the heroine is a puzzle-loving woman who’s just discovered she’s a witch, a snarky cat, plus a small town that’s just delightful. To say I inhaled it is an understatement. I’ve read it twice already and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!


This is Lucinda Race’s first foray into cozy mystery, yet the writing is one of a seasoned pro. The plot unfolds at an easy pace. The mystery itself is expertly written and executed. The author only reveals bit by bit, as Lily stumbles about trying to figure out the mystery. The more she investigates, the bigger the suspect list grows. Yes, the suspects are aplenty but that only increases my enjoyment. There’s also some fun paranormal bits and even a potential romance. Each subplot intersects with the mystery but doesn’t hijack the plot.


The characters are such fun to read. They’re small town, quirky, and easy to connect with. I like Lily the best, though. She’s a smart woman with an inquisitive mind who enjoys puzzles and owns a bookstore. Oh, and she’s just found out she’s a witch. The witch thing is hard to figure out for Lily, but she tries. She makes an excellent sleuth, her and her cat, Milo. Each character has its own distinct voice which I appreciated.


If you are a fan of cozy mysteries with some paranormal elements, you’ll want to dive into Books & Bribes. An unputdownable cozy, curl up with Milo and Lily.


My Rating: 5++ stars


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Author Biography:


Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading mystery and romance novels and getting lost in the fun and hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dreams were to become a writer—a novelist.


As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for the McKenna Family Romance series, it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys she weaves stories about with mystery and happily ever afters.


Lucinda lives with her two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she's not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing mystery, suspense and romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on.


Social Media Links:



Lucinda’s Heart Racers Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/118597305361578


Linked In


Reviewed by: Nancy

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