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"ANOTHER WINNER!"
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Bestselling Cleo Coyle

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Running from her past, she finds a killer, a protector, and her faith.

CASTING SPELLS

Casting Spells, November 2008
by Barbara Bretton

Berkley Sensation
Featuring: Chloe Hobbs
320 pages
ISBN: 0425223647
EAN: 9780425223642
Trade Size
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"Many unusual creatures inhabit a village with an ancient secret -- and a unique knitting store."

Fresh Fiction Review

CASTING SPELLS
Barbara Bretton

Reviewed by Kay Quintin
Posted October 15, 2008

Romance Paranormal | Paranormal - Supernatural

Chloe Hobbs, owner of a notorious knitting shop called Sticks & Strings, lives amid vampires, werewolves, elves, faeries and other unusual creatures in the village of Sugar Maple, Vermont. The problem is that Chloe is human, born of a human father and a sorceress mother. Both were killed in a tragic auto accident when Chloe was six. She was raised by her now-deceased surrogate mother, Sorcha, the town healer. A protective charm has been placed over Sugar Maple by Aerynn to protect the residents, and the power is passed to the last direct female descendant. Chloe is that last descendant, albeit with no powers.

A beautiful visitor falls through the ice and dies, which instigates an investigation. Thus arrives homicide detective, Luke MacKenzie, who sets up an office next door to Sticks & Strings. Chloe, being mayor, tries to keep the town secrets from the mere mortal. But each time they touch, electric sparks fly. As Chloe falls in love with Luke, she begins to come into her powers.

While hiding the supernatural powers of all the residents, a battle of power ensues between Chloe and Isadora, a powerful source who's trying to steal the Book of Spells that Chloe needs to fully empower her. The protective spell is weakening and it's now up to Chloe to restore their shield. But Chloe could lose the love of her life if he finds out the truth about her little "Salem."

This is a really cute story filled with flying objects, disappearing characters that reappear without warning and lots of lightning bolts, electricity and flashes. Barbara Bretton has created a very lively and imaginative read with extremely colorful characters you will love. I look forward to more of her stories in this new series. If you have any interest in the supernatural, don't miss this one!

Learn more about CASTING SPELLS

SUMMARY

Sugar Maple looks like any bucolic Vermont town, but when the tourists go home it’s a different storyβ€”inhabited as it is with warlocks, sprites, vampires, witches, and an ancient secret. And I know all about secrets. I'm Chloe Hobbs, owner of Sticks & String, a popular knit shop where your yarn never tangles, you always get gauge . . . and the knitter sitting next to you comes out only after dark. I’m also the sorcerer’s daughterβ€”a single sorcerer’s daughter with Sugar Maple's future in her hands which means the whole town is casting spells meant to help me find Mr. Right. Who’d have guessed I’d find him in Luke MacKenzie, a cop investigating Sugar Maple’s very first murder? Bad news is he’s 100% human which could spell disaster for a normal future with a paranormal woman like meβ€”in love, in danger, and in way over my head.

EXCERPT

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