Wednesday, January 4

Book Review: Sleigh Spells by Bella Falls



Author: Bella Falls
Title: Sleigh Spells
Series: Winter Witches of Holiday Haven #1
Genre: Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Paranormal
Format: ebook
Pages: 252
Published: November 11th 2020
Where I Got It: Amazon

Summary: 
Have yourself a very Merry Witchmas in Holiday Haven, where the magic and mystery of Christmas is snow joke!


Aurora Hart hates everything Christmas, but how could she turn down the opportunity to serve one year of probation in Holiday Haven versus a full sentence for her crimes? Saddled with a talking squirrel roommate, Aurora is doing her best to keep a low profile as she bides her time. Everything is going fine…until Santa’s sleigh gets stolen.

Now, all eyes are on her and the other town Humbugs, and it’s up to Aurora to keep her behind from ending up back in jail. With the help of a very important person from the North Pole, she finds herself hot on the trail of the real culprit. But it will take her having to do something she’s never done before—accepting new friends and their assistance. Only then will Aurora be able to turn not only her own life around but also Christmas for the entire world!

Will Aurora be able to solve the mystery of who stole Santa’s sleigh in time? Or will the culprit get the final sleigh?



Review:
Meant to read this in December, but due to the holidays, I wasn't able to get this done in time. Oh well. Doesn't hurt to say that this is the first book of the year. 

Here we follow Aurora Hart who hates everything to do with Christmas. However, she is offered an opportunity to serve one year of probation in Holiday Haven instead of her full sentence in prison. Taking the chance and the Holiday-induced headache, she accepts the opportunity. She is saddled with a talking squirrel roommate and she will grit her teeth as she keeps a low profile and bides her time. Everything is going fine until Santa's sleigh is stolen. All eyes turn to her and the other Humbugs in town. It's up to Aurora to prove her innocence and find the real thief.

This was fun. I liked Aurora. It's hard not to like her and want to root for her to not only prove she had nothing to do with the crime...but to also find her Xmas joy and reconnect with her witchiness....and find love possibly. I liked her friends and that squirrel. Adorable. 

The mystery was fun and I guessed who it was, but I wasn't sure on the how and why. A sleigh is a HUGE thing so that was stumping me for sure. And what would that character gain from Santa's sleigh? Magic...sure....but why? The big reveal was fun and it all made sense. 

The epilogue did me in. I want to read more. This town sounds like so much fun esp if you like Xmas. Not sure I would want to live there....but I would go there all the time. I am bummed book 2 is about other characters. I'm sure they are fun, but I really did like Aurora. I feel like there is more to tell. Maybe she will make a guest appearance? 

But yes, this was quick and fun for the holidays. For sure a cozy mystery. I do wish we had gotten more backstory. I would've liked to learn more about these characters especially since the next book is not about Aurora. I feel like everyone was a little 2D sometimes and could've been fleshed out more. Maybe we'll get to learn more about them later. 

Overall, a nice cozy mystery to keep you warm during the holidays. A fun mystery and a fun set of characters. I would've liked to see these characters, like Aurora, fleshed out more especially since the book 2 seems to go to others. Rating??? Mmmmm....3 stars I think. 






7 comments:

Mary Kirkland said...

That's a new one to me but it sounds like it was good. I might like this one.

Blodeuedd said...

Perfect holiday read :)

Carole Rae said...

Mary, it was nice :)

B, indeed!

Jen Twimom said...

Sounds cute. I've read some of her other works before and they are fun.

Northwoman said...

I think I picked this one up as a freebie and will read it for HoHoHoRAT next year.


Anne - Books of My Heart

Sophia Rose said...

I scored this one and the rest of the first five in a freebie event. From what I understand, each author wrote one paranormal cozy mystery each year set in this world so you should be able to skip to the next Bella Falls book in the series and get more of your heroine. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Carole Rae said...

Jen, my first one. I'll need to read more.

Anne, I think a few of the series was free. I grabbed a couple of them. Can't wait to see what you think!

Sophia, I think that is when I got them too. And thank you for the head's up!