Newly Wed and Slightly Dead by Danielle Garrett Series: A Touch of Magic Mysteries #1
Published by Self-published on February 14, 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery
Pages: 160
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Freebie
Buy on Amazon
Rating:
Nothing ruins a rehearsal dinner quite like a passive-aggressive toast from the unhappy mother of the groom. Things go from bad to yikes when she’s found reduced to a pile of ashes and couture and the bride is pegged as the one wielding the wooden stake.
When a vampire marries a human, things are bound to get messy…
After years spent working the birthday party and baby shower circuit, Anastasia Winters finally has a corner office and a host of supernatural clients all begging her to plan their special day. But following a brush of bad luck, she finds herself on the brink of losing it all. With an ultimatum from her boss on the table, her next wedding has to be perfect.
When the vampy mother of the groom is found dead, the bride goes on the run, and Anastasia is forced head-first into the murder investigation if she has any chance of getting the wedding back on track and keeping her job.
Unfortunately, this is one wedding crisis that requires more than a strategically placed bobby pin or double-sided sticky tape.
Can there be a fairy tale ending, or will it be Happily Ever Never?
***
Newly Wed and Slightly Dead is the first novel in a new series of paranormal mysteries by Danielle Garrett. Step inside the magical world of the Seattle Haven and see what happens when the magic and wedding worlds collide! Packed full of laughs, magic, mystery, and a little romance, this series is sure to have something for everyone.
After blasting my way through the Beechwood Harbor Magic and Beechwood Harbor Ghost mysteries, I was thrilled the author had begun another spinoff series featuring Holly (Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries heroine) Boldt’s bestie back in the Seattle Haven, event planner witch, Anastasia Winters.
Newly Wed and Slightly Dead picks up with Anastasia having recently made senior event planner status and working on one of the biggest wedding accounts of the year, a vampire-human wedding for the Vanguard Vampire clan. The groom’s mother has been a beast, but the rest of the wedding plans have gone without a hitch until the future monster in law gets ashed at the rehearsal dinner.
Anastasia has thrown her heart into her career and finally made it to where she wants to be, but her work is her life. She has a premiere condo, a closet full of designer shoes, a fluffy cat companion and a wayward little sister sleeping on her couch, but she doesn’t have a life. So, when the sneering witch she beat out for the job and her own boss put the pressure on, she rises to the occasion until her perfect wedding is in shambles and the bride accused of murder by the supernatural detective hottie who wants to take her out on a date.
It’s an easy quick read, but engaging and fun. Anastasia is easy to like and I enjoyed getting the intro to her world and who will likely be regular series characters. The event business is suspenseful all on its own, but it was fun seeing how the mystery turned out. I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series and can definitely recommend it to current fans of the author and those looking for a light paranormal cozy mystery.
Incidentally, at the time of writing this, the book was free on Amazon. And, if you go to the author’s website, the prequel is free.
About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
I think paranormal cozies can be so fun but I haven’t read one in ages, seems like. This one definitely sounds like it fits the bill though. Plus I love that title. 🙂
Oh yes, her cozies are a hoot, Greg. If you go for it, you might want to start with the Beechwood Harbor Magic mysteries, but its easy enough to jump in here, too.
I actually love reading about weddings and event planning, so I’m really interested in how the paranormal aspect plays into it!
Oh yes, she’s a witch so magic is used in the event planning, but they do weddings for all paranormal races so that’s a fun element with the mystery.
I do like free 🙂 lol
Snag it! It will be a light, fun one for you. 🙂
This really does sound like a fun read. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. 🙂
It will be perfect when you want something light and easy, Suzanne!
I was just going to ask if you could start with this story or do you have to read the Beechwood Harbor Magic mysteries first, but I see you answered that question in your comment to Greg. This sounds like a fun story, so I might give it a go. 🙂
LOL, good catch, Rachel!
Yeah, you can start here without being confused, but I thought the author went lighter on intros to her world in this one like she expected readers to be mostly coming over from her other two series and particularly Holly’s which is the Beechwood Harbor Magic ones (though Scarlett’s Beechwood Harbor Ghost series that came second is where I started and went back from).
This sounds really good and it looks like I already bought it. I may have to bump this one up on the tbr a bit. Great review!
Yeah, its a light and fun one for you Carole.
This sounds like so much fun! I got so excited when I saw it was still a freebie — but only for American customers. Sighs.
Oh what let down! Wish it had been there free for everyone, Verushka, because it was such a fun one. 🙂
I think the best part of that book is the title! Genius and it had me already laughing!
I love the titles on this series, too. Too funny. 🙂
I just went and pick this one up after reading your great review. It sounds so good! Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Woohoo! Hope you have a blast with it, Jenea. 🙂