New Release | Weddings and Wands by Lucinda Race #paranormalcozymystery #cozymystery #newrelease #bookboost
- N. N. Light
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Title Weddings & Wands, book 12
Author Lucinda Race
Genre Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb
Enjoy this witty, small-town paranormal, cozy mystery by award-winning and bestselling author Lucinda Race.
In less than a week, wedding bells will ring for Gage Erikson—a.k.a. Detective Cutie—and bookstore owner and witch Lily Michaels. Lily’s to-do list is already a mile long. Adding “solve a murder” wasn’t part of the plan. But they have little choice when Lily discovers a dead Elemental witch across the street, revealing a grudge that threatens to upend not just their big day, but the entire Pembroke Cove coven.
Long ago, the Elementals had grown jealous of the power wielded by the witches in the Pembroke Cove coven, vowing to return and take their rightful place within the coven council…triggered by a leadership change. Meanwhile, Lily learns her wedding will be the catalyst and wishes she’d actually read the entire witch’s handbook.
Gage is determined to keep his puzzle-loving fiancé out of the case this time—no murder board. No sleuthing. The only thing he wants to discuss with her is their wedding. However, not even the elements of earth, wind, water, or fire will stop Lily’s investigation. But will they stop the wedding? It will take all of Lily and Gage’s witchy friends, family, and Lily’s familiar—the talking cat, Milo—to solve a murder and pull off the long-awaited wedding. It’s a good thing Lily and Gage have the most potent magic in the universe on their side—love.
***
Visit Pembroke Cove in this charming supernatural tale where bookshops meet broomsticks and Lily and Gage will need more than magical abilities to make it to “I do.”
Wands & Weddings is the twelfth novel in the A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series; although each book can be read as a standalone, it is best to read them in order. It is a humorous, small town, cozy mystery that guarantees the culprit is caught. Happy reading!
Excerpt
Nikki entered the kitchen and discovered me sitting with a brown paper bag cupped in my hands, blowing into it. Milo’s paw was on my shoulder. “Breathe in. Breathe out.”
She dropped to her knees. “Lily, what’s wrong?”
I gazed into her worried eyes. “The wedding is in less than a week.” I thrust a scroll of paper in her direction. “Just look at this.”
It trailed from her hands to the floor. She looked at me, her eyes wide. “Is this your to-do list?”
I nodded and blew into the bag again.
She snapped her fingers and, holding a fragrant cup of chamomile tea, slipped an arm around my shoulders. “Drink this. It’s your mom’s blend.”
“Nikki, it’s a good thing you’re here. My dear witch has been like this for half an hour.”
I flashed Milo a grateful smile. “And my handsome familiar hasn’t left my side.”
She eased the bag from my fingers. “You have an army of people ready to help you prepare for the wedding.” Scanning the list, she said, “I’m going to call our moms and pass off most of this to them. They’ll be thrilled to help. Your aunt has the bookstore covered, so we’re free today to drive into Drakes Bay and pick up our dresses.”
“Maybe we should fly. We’d get there quicker.”
With a shake of her head, Nikki pulled me to my feet. “Not a chance. We’re going to stop or lunch and enjoy our girls’ day.” Giving me a little push toward my bedroom, she gave me a pointed look. “Get dressed while I make some calls.”
“How come your wedding was so much easier to organize?”
She laughed. “How quickly you forget. A murderer destroyed my gown, treasure hunters were dressed as leprechauns, and a dead man was in my bathtub at the inn. It was anything but a breeze, but you took care of everything just like I’m going to do for you.”
Milo said, “You can start by feeding me breakfast before I starve.”
Instead of going down the hall, I whirled around and kissed him on the head. “Coming right up.”
Nikki twirled me around. “I’ll take care of Milo. Now go.”
I saw the rerolled scroll sitting on the table; her smile couldn’t mask the steely glint in her eyes that told me I didn’t have a choice.
She pointed to my room. “Go. Today’s going to be so much fun.”
I gave her a quick hug. “You’re right. It’s a perfect August morning, and I’m marrying the most amazing man in six days.”
The back door opened, and my handsome fiancé strode in. Gage held a bouquet of wildflowers. “Hello there.” His eyebrows wiggled, and mischief hovered in his eyes. “I thought you ladies would be almost out the door by now.”
Milo yawned. “We would have been if a certain witch hadn’t melted down before breakfast.”
Gage glanced at Nikki. “Care to translate?”
As a non-magical, Gage couldn’t understand familiar speak. I scooped Milo up. “All he said was we’re running late. I’ll be right back.”
Leaving Nikki and Gage, I carried him down the hall and whispered in his ear, “I didn’t have a total meltdown, just normal bride stuff.”
He tapped my cheek. “If you say so, but in all the years we’ve lived together, that was the first, and hopefully last, time I saw you blowing into a bag. You don’t do that when you find a dead body. What is it about weddings that make people get so uptight?”
“I’m worried that everything won’t be perfect. I’ve waited a long time to marry Gage and for us to live under the same roof as a family.”
I felt Milo’s body relax. “Perfection is overrated, and it won’t matter what happens if the ice melts too fast or we run out of food.” He held up a paw. “Which we won’t; we have too many witches at the reception for anything to go wrong. In the end, all that matters is you and Detective Cutie. And, of course, the most important familiar at the event.”
I chuckled. My heart was lighter than it had been just moments ago. “I love you, Milo.”
He wriggled from my arms and dropped to the floor. “Don’t get all mushy on me.” He stalked from the room. I wrapped my arms around my waist and sighed. How that little gray fur ball took away my worries with a few sentences was beyond me, but he was the best familiar a witch could have.
I dashed through the shower, slipping into cropped linen slacks and a pale pink sweater set. Not bad. I tousled my short, sun-streaked hair. Since it was a girls’ day, I added a swish of mascara, a quick flick of blush, and bronze eyeshadow. Now, I felt more like a bride-to-be.
When I entered the kitchen, Gage stopped talking, his mouth slightly agape. He crossed the room in three long strides and took my hands, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “You’re beautiful.”
I felt the blush creep up my neck to my hairline. “Thank you.”
Milo was perched on a chair eating breakfast and Nikki sat at the table.
She grinned. “Now you look like you’re ready for an adventure. Gage, we’re going to shop until we drop.”
He kissed my lips. “Steve and I are moving some of my stuff over today. I thought it’d be good timing with you and Nikki out and about. Also, I’ll wait for the living room furniture delivery this morning. Any specific instructions?”
I placed my hands on his cheeks and pulled his face to mine. “This is your home, too. Arrange everything as you want, and if I don’t like it, we’ll chat later, but I’m sure it will be perfect, just like our future.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure if perfect is the best word, but our life won’t be dull.”
“You two should settle for no murders before the wedding and call that perfection.”
I laughed. “We have had our share, and nothing will mar our special day.” Giving Gage a quick kiss, I said, “Ready to hit the road, Nik?”
Milo stretched out. “I’m going to stay here and supervise.”
Gage grinned when Milo grumbled and lay down. “I have a boss?”
“More like a guard.” My fingers trailed down his rugged jawline. A shiver of concern raced down my spine. “Be careful today.” I held up my hand. “Wait there.” I hurried down the hall into my office and spied the velvet pouch on the desk. I picked it up, kissed it, and softly said, “Protect this man that I love from the moment our hands fit like a glove. This is my wish on behalf of our family, by blood or by choice, and so it shall be.”
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Author Biography
Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is an avid fan of fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading cozy mystery and romance novels and getting lost in the fun and hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dream was to become an expert at crafting a captivating novel.
As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to return to her true passion. After developing the storylines for the McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series, she decided it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys. She weaves paranormal cozy mystery stories and romance with guaranteed 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 immersed in her fictional worlds, writing mystery, suspense, or romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on.
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