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The Crones - A Witches of Blackwood Grove Mystery, Book 2 (PAPERBACK)

The Crones - A Witches of Blackwood Grove Mystery, Book 2 (PAPERBACK)

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Dusty Hotte has questions.

Simple ones like, now that she’s agreed to run the family farm, how does one do that? How many years do hot flashes last? Why are her elderly aunts facing off in the kitchen armed with tongs and a cast-iron skillet?

She’s also got other questions that are far more complex.

Why do her magical mistakes from the past keep haunting her? Why does half the town blame her for all that’s been going wrong lately?

And how can she be accused of murder when she’s got a rock-solid alibi?

Dusty needs to prove her innocence, which will also help silence the witch haters in Blackwood Grove. But first she’ll have to decide what she’s willing to give up to make that happen.

 

One part CHARMED, one part THE FACTS OF LIFE, one part THE GOLDEN GIRLS, and a dash of DEXTER! You're going to love THE WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD GROVE!

Read a Sample

Chapter 1
Basil, lemon balm, and chamomile or lavender flower tea. Steep the herbs and drink to relieve headaches.
A teaspoon of a tincture made of ginkgo, gotu kola, rosemary, and peppermint taken three times a day to help with memory issues.
Rosemary and lemon thyme tea to drink for sheer pleasure.
What else could I create with the herbs in our garden? The options were endless, and my notebook was full of ideas for cures, creams, and spells. And with more than a month to go before the first frost did its damage, I still had time to create with the fresh herbs and plants too. Then I would harvest them and hang them from the rafters to dry.
I’d gotten so much done today, I allowed myself to clock out a few minutes early and take the leisurely route to pick up my granddaughter, Cricket, from preschool. This meant a walk along the Mississippi River. Breathing in deep lungsful of fresh air and watching the sunlight glisten off the water as it slowly made its way south was both rejuvenating and relaxing.
When I came to where a set of stairs led down to the river, I stopped to notice a houseboat docked there. The owner, Harriet Wong, told everyone who’d give her five minutes about the boat she was having restored. She saw me up on the road now and gave me a beckoning wave.
“Come on down, Dusty!”
Much as I’d love to see it, I needed to get over to the playground.
“Soon, I promise,” I called back as I gave her a wave. Then I crossed the street to another short flight of stairs that led directly up to my family’s diner. About fifty yards west of there was a large playground that drew children like a magnet. I had yet to see anyone crying or fighting there and suspected some of the town’s witches had cast a spell over it. Life was hard enough, even for children, so I approved of a place where things simply went well.
This was the pickup point. We dropped the kiddos off at Autumn Trainor’s organic flower farm in the morning and picked them up here in the afternoon, where they ended their day burning off a bit of their seemingly endless supply of energy. I envied their stamina.
“Hi, Lola!” Cricket called out the Filipino word for grandma her mother had taught her and waved to me with her whole arm from the top of a forest-green and tan tower. “Can I play more? Please?”
She dragged out the word please for about five seconds.
“Sure. Ten minutes.” I wasn’t in a hurry to get home but did still need to pick some tomatoes before I could call it a day. Cricket could help me with that.
I turned to find someplace to sit and spotted a toddler triumphantly releasing the lock on the strap holding him in his stroller. In a flash, I saw him topple forward and fall on his forehead. Another flash showed me him years older with a jagged scar over his left eyebrow.
I blinked and then reacted, like anyone would; I reached out as though I could stop the fall from happening. Except, I was a witch and, along with being able to see into the future, I could also alter the course of current events by simply reaching out.

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Customer Reviews

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B
Bethia W.

This series keeps getting better and better! I am totally immersed in the reading and want to find out more about this quirky town and family! There is a mystery to be solved in this book, which does get resolved as well as a few other mysteries that are a part of the overall story arc and are slowly being revealed. If you have not read the first book in the series, I highly recommend you do that before reading this one as it refers and builds upon several things from the previous book, and I think it would be quite confusing for a reader if you haven't read the first one. Overall, this is another solid story with great characters and world building! Definitely recommend!!!

J
Jennifer B.

Another great book by Shawn McGuire. I love series because you get to dive right into the story, already knowing a lot of background, instead of reading 20-30% of the book before the story really gets started. Reading Shawn's series are like visiting an old friend again.
In the Blackwood Grove's second book, Dusty starts to settle into her life again, seeming to feel more at home even though the town people still seem to blame her for everything. There seems to be more haters and even some possible threats against all the witches. Another death and again, Dusty is blamed. With all fingers pointing at her about recent events and those from her past, Dusty finds an unexpected person sticking up for her. This surprise seems to give Dusty a chance to move towards forgiving herself but also brings up more questions about the events that lead to her leaving town.
If you enjoyed the first book, the second will not disappoint and will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend this series from one of my favorite authors.

D
Denise J.

This is a terrific read! Finished it in one day. The characters are well thought out and mature, not old, mature. They think like me! Having to care for the family and take over the business is a chore, but so lovely and fulfilling. The story is so full if “who done its” that you can’t put it down. One of her best yet! Thanks Shawn.

S
Sheree I.

Grey witch, Dusty Hotte, is living in what is supposed to be a 'safe town' for witches, where they are allowed to use their magic. Yet something dark and threatening is transpiring in town and Dusty seems to be the target.

Trying to raise her granddaughter, Cricket, on the magical family farm, growing herbs for kitchen and potion use, Dusty is beset with self-doubts about her magic. Working through the growing animosity with the towns 'Ordies', the non-magical residents, is an added challenge to her own doubts.

The Crones was an absorbing and enjoyable read. Dusty is an easily relatable character and I enjoyed her thought processes and interaction with the books other characters. The various herbal plants and their uses mentioned were a bonus incentive to explore more thoroughly. I look forward to reading more of this series.

B
Bhavna

Eagerly waiting for the next one already!!

Loved the atmosphere, the characters and excellent storyline. The characters are different and interesting with lots of little side bits to keep you guessing. Food for the mystery lover in me who is intrigued by witches and magic. Was torn between reading quickly to find all answers and savoring it slowly. It was funny how the pages turned themselves!!