Hi. It’s Barb and Liz here today with two releases: the brand new Witch Trial by Cate Conte (Liz) and the wide release of Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door by Barbara Ross.
Witch Trial
Here’s the blurb
In the second installment of Cate Conte’s charming new series featuring crystal shop owner and witch Violet Mooney, the murder of one of her customers launches her into a case that conjures up both supernatural and mortal enemies…
Double, double toil and trouble,
A witch’s life is quite a muddle.
The Full Moon crystal shop in North Harbor, Connecticut, offers healing stones for all sorts of ailments. Unfortunately, there’s nothing among the gems that can help owner Violet Mooney learn how to wield the magick she inherited from both sides of her family—the legendary Ravenstar and Moonstone clans. As if being an apprentice witch weren’t difficult enough, Violet’s tutors are her estranged mother Fiona, a sister she never knew she had named Zoe, and a familiar in the form of a black cat, Xander.
Between learning spells, Violet is being investigated by the Magickal Council. A reporter out to debunk spiritualists was “genied”—her soul imprisoned inside a bottle—in Violet’s shop, and she can’t prove she didn’t do it. Meanwhile, her non-magickal life has become complicated when one of her crystal shop customers, Nicole St. James, goes missing and turns up dead, a victim of murder.
Determined to solve both crimes, Violet taps into powers she doesn’t understand, much less control—and finds herself conjuring up both supernatural and mortal enemies…
Cate says…
I’m so happy this book is finally out! It’s been a while since Witch Hunt debuted, and I’m so excited for this next installment to be out in the world. Violet is knee-deep in both mortal and non-mortal mysteries in this one, and it’s been so much fun to write. I hope you all enjoy!
Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door
The blurb
Jane Darrowfield is using her retirement years to work as a professional busybody, with most of her business coming from her West Cambridge, Massachusetts, community. This time her client is right next door . . .
Megan, who’s purchased the house next to Jane’s, needs some help from her snooping neighbor. Megan’s been having blackouts, hearing voices—and feeling like someone’s following her. Are these symptoms of an illness—or signs that she’s in danger?
Considering the extensive security system in Megan’s house, it seems like she should be safe—yet she soon vanishes into thin air. Some think she’s run away, but would this ambitious young lawyer on the partner track really miss a meeting with an important client? And where’s Megan’s cat?
The mystery is about to deepen when the cat is finally located in a hidden panic room—and as Jane and the police look into Megan’s friends, family, and past, it may be time to sound the alarm . .
Barb says
Jane Darrowfield began the professional busybody phase of her life as a Barnes & Noble exclusive, available only in the U.S. and only in print. I am so excited that Jane will now reach a wider audience. I’ve loved writing these books and hope you enjoy Jane’s adventures.
Readers: Thank you to all the faithful readers of the Wicked Authors. We hope you had a great year in reading. Is there a book you’re particularly excited about digging into in the new year?