Thursday, January 18, 2018

Blog Tour - Deadly Sweet


Deadly Sweet
Lola Dodge
(Spellwork Syndicate #1)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: January 16th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

For fans of Hex Hall, The Magicians, Practical Magic, and Food Wars!
Anise Wise loves three things: baking, potion making, and reading her spellbooks inblissful silence. She might not be the most powerful witch, but enchantment is a rare skill, and her ability to bake with magic is even rarer. Too bad one wants witchcraft on their campus. Anise’s dream of attending pastry school crumbles with rejection letter after rejection letter.
Desperate to escape her dead-end future, Anise contacts the long-lost relative she’snot supposed to know about. Great Aunt Agatha owns the only magic bakery in the US, and she suddenly needs a new apprentice. Anise is so excited she books it to New Mexico without thinking to ask what happened to the last girl.
The Spellwork Syndicate rules the local witches in Taos, but as “accidents” turn into full-out attacks on Anise’s life, their promises to keep her safe are less and less reassuring. Her cranky bodyguard is doing his best, but it’s hard to fight back when she has no idea who’s the enemy. Or why she became their target.
If Anise can’t find and stop whoever wants her dead, she’ll be more toasted than a crème brûlée.

Who knew baking cakes could be so life or death?

MY THOUGHTS:  This is a cover that grows on me each and every time I see it.  I may not have initially been a fan but once I took in all the details, especially the pentagram and skull details, I sort of fell in love. 

At first, the MC Anise, took some time to get used to.  She lacks confidence and is not very outgoing.  However, as her witchery skills develop, so does her character.    Dodge creates some interesting characters, especially in Wynn, whom I found to be adorable.  The mystery was kind of easy to figure out, but interesting enough to hold my attention.  While this book may not be for everyone, anyone interested in witchcraft or baking would be amiss not to pick it up.  I hope that the future installments focus more on the magical elements and if that is the case, the series will only get stronger as it progresses.

Also, be sure you have plenty of sugary snacks available while reading one because this book really set off the cravings.

I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4 Icing-covered Paws





Author Bio:
Lola Dodge is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University–and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.

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15 comments:

  1. I am so enamoured of this cover, I really am! And I think it sounds wonderful, and I appreciate that as Anise's power evolve, so does she.

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    1. Yea, that was one of the best aspects in my opinion.

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  2. Thanks for being on the tour, Barb! This sounds like a yummy read! :)

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    1. You're quite welcome and yes, definitely makes you crave sugar!

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  3. I wanted to request this ARC just because of the cover! I still need to get into cozy mysteries. I should make it a bookish resolution :)

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    1. You should give one a try. Just look for ones with paranormal aspects. You might enjoy them more.

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  4. This sounds like fun, and I really do love the cover. Witchcraft and baking seem like a good combo😁

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    1. Yes, they are a combo that works. I know several cozy series that incorporate them both.

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  5. No! I missed this one from Xpresso!? I'm so sad. Sounds like it will be right up my alley. I agree with the cover. At first it's almost off putting but then you look closer and it's adorable. If skulls and pentagrams can be adorable, which I think they can! I definitely need to pick this one up!

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    1. Yes, you should give it a go. I've got quite a few Xpresso book tours coming up in February. Lots of good books coming out.

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  6. That cover is calling to me but I'm trying to cut back on the sugar and my willpower is not good. I may have to wait . . .

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    1. Then skip this book. It did make me hungry.

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  7. I keep looking at this cover...and now I want cake. Who am I kidding I always want cake. I am happy to hear that the story was well done because I might have to add this to my never ending tbr pile.

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    1. I had cake last night. Didn't look like this but it was great nonetheless.

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  8. I’m glad you liked this one! I love that cover and now I definitely want some cake. Lol

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