#BookReview ~ Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery #CozyMystery

Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

4th in Series Setting - Georgia

Publisher: Muddle House (February 11, 2025)

Print length: ‎ 290 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0DT2GB9BD

Purchase Link: Amazon

About Candle With Care:

Amateur sleuth and candle maker Tabby Winslow and her twin sister, Sage, are finally making a go of The Book and Candle Shop. It seems like the only heat they’ll feel this June is from the strong sunshine in Savannah, Georgia. Then their acquaintance Detective Sharmila Belfor is gravely injured in a vehicular assault and is in a coma. Cops turn the city upside down searching for the offender, keying in on the detective’s boyfriend Herbert R Ellis, her felon cousin, and her case files. Fearing the police are looking at the wrong people, Herbert begs Tabby to investigate. He knows what most don’t, that Tabby has psychic abilities that allow her to home in on emotions and motives. Since he’s a lifelong friend of Dr. Quig Quigsly, Tabby’s fiancé, she agrees. But before she finds answers, Sage’s former coworker is murdered, and her twin pleads with Tabby to find the killer. With dead ends at every turn, Tabby fears the city’s troubles are paranormal in origin. By investigating the crimes, she risks exposure of the way her family manipulates energy and uses other psychic talents. Keeping a low profile is essential. Meanwhile, Quig’s parents are throwing them a black-tie engagement party in two weeks, and Tabby is burning the candle at both ends. Can Tabby end the crime wave and protect her loved ones before she is quenched?

My Review:

Candle with Care is the fourth wonderful book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Tabby and Sage are running The Book and Candle Shop. Sage is also running a farmer's market type event in front of their store to sell plants. "Sage of Plants" has been a huge hit. Amid their success though, is a town fraught with danger. One of their detectives is a assaulted in a what appears to be attempted vehicular homicide and a dear friend of Sage's is murdered.

I love the characters in this series. I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, as well as Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex. This series is amazing.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones #CozyMystery #ParanormalCozyMystery

Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones

Snuffed Out (Magic Candle Shop Mystery)

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Setting: Savannah, GA

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publish Date: January 10, 2023

Hardcover: 304 Pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1639102051

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1639102051

Digital ASIN: ‎ B09XM5PKP7

Purchase Link: Amazon

About Snuffed Out:

Twin sisters Tabby and Sage co-own a candle shop, but will it all go up in flames in Valona Jones’ series debut, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Bailey Cates.

30-year-old fraternal twins Tabby and Sage Winslow own The Book and Candle Shop in Savannah. Sage is hot-headed and impulsive while Tabby is calm and collected, making them the perfect partnership. When one of their customers is found murdered, from a blow to the head, that partnership is put to the test.

Blithe McAdam had been seen in a heated argument with shop clerk Gerard, which immediately makes him suspect number one. The twins are convinced of Gerard’s innocence and start digging into Blithe’s past. But no one is cooperating. The neighbor who found the body isn’t talking, medical examiner Quig won’t give any details about the autopsy, and nasty rumors begin surfacing about the drowning of Blithe’s father years earlier—evidence that could seal Gerard’s fate.

Tabby and Sage dig desperately for the truth. But it’s not only their friend who’s in peril. With the clock ticking, the twins find themselves in the grip of an unseen and deadly energy that has seeped into their midst—and in the sights of a ruthless killer.

My Review:

Snuffed Out is the first book in a new cozy mystery series, Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Sage and Tabby Winslow are twins who co-own The Book and Candle Shop. They are exact opposites, which tends to happen with siblings, twins or not. When a difficult customer is found dead after an altercation with one of their employees, he becomes suspect number one. Tabby and Sage start digging into the case because they know their employee didn't commit the crime.

I had a hard time connecting with Sage at first because of her quick fuse, but she eventually grew on me. Tabby was easier to get to know and understand, although, she is bit more timid. As the story progressed and the characters were developed, I found I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, along with the rest of the characters.

The story was enjoyable, and both the cover and the blurb brought me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.