Curses and Consequences

Midlife is Magic #2

by Clare Lockhart

A crumpled note with a plea for help. Untamed magical powers that may mean murder. These were supposed to be the free and easy years! Life is pretty sweet for Addie Keane now that she’s moved to Whalesback Cove to live on her sailboat and develop her body care product line. She’s even getting used to her new “retro” psychic visions, giving her remarkable glimpses into people’s pasts. And then a stranger tosses her a crumpled note with a plea for help. Addie steps up, but her helping hand backfires when one of her customers ends up murdered. Furthermore, she’s visited by a long-lost aunt who’s come to help Addie with the “transition.” What transition? Turning fifty means Addie has come into magical powers, and if that isn’t life-altering enough, a family curse means her magic has some unusual limitations. With her customers experiencing bizarre reactions to her products, Addie is desperate to kick these wayward enchantments to the curb. If only she knew how. Because something is seriously wrong. With the sheriff questioning her motives, an intimidating warlock accusing her of harming humans, and a thieving cat dropping loot at her feet, she’s determined to make sense of it all. Having dedicated her professional life to helping people, Addie's got high hopes for her new talent, but she may never get the chance to do good if she doesn’t prove herself innocent—all around—and get her burgeoning powers under control. But can she trust the uncanny visitors who may hold the secrets to her past and her future? If you like small town, paranormal cozy mysteries, a resilient woman coming into magical powers during midlife, a quirky aunt with an unusual history, and a zealous feline with sticky (fingers) paws, scroll up to get Curses and Consequences , a paranormal, witch cozy mystery in ebook, paperback, or read in Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Witches, Cozy, Fantasy, Paranormal

206 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2023

About the author

Clare Lockhart writes light-hearted, paranormal, cozy mysteries featuring middle-aged sleuths who are going through a few changes. Some are welcome (freedom to live the dream) and some not so much (supernatural abilities and a rash of murders).

If you like reading about best friends who find themselves in the odd pickle, twisty murder plots, and cheeky, paranormal visitors, then you’re in the right place.

Clare lives in a small town, a stone’s throw from Lake Ontario, in Canada, and has recently taken up sailing with her partner John. Sailing has to be one of her most challenging and rewarding life experiences. She loves to read, of course, travel and is a bit of a foodie.

Clare comes by her interest in the paranormal honestly. Her dad loved this stuff, so it was natural for her to believe there was more to our world than we perceive. Therefore, you may find a ghost, a psychic witch, and even a parallel universe in her stories.

She also writes time travel romance under the pen name Sharon Clare.

Reviews

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
I actually enjoyed this bit of fluff, and if the universe were to see fit to drop all of the rest in Clare Lockhart’s Midlife is Magic series freely into my lap at some point, I’d read them.

ESPECIALLY if I had the chance to read them whilst sea- or poolside.

Alas, no library to which I have access seems to have them. And while I am not a complete idiot and realize that the purpose of the various “Stuff Your Kindle” days is to get you to get hooked on a series and then subscribe to Kindle Unlimited exactly so that you can continue reading it, there are just too many other really good books out there that I don’t have to pay for to make that a good budgeting choice for me.

Right now, at least.

Also, like I told my husband yesterday, the more I read this sort of cotton candy for the brain, the more I crave it. Like sugary soft drinks. Need to limit the intake!

[rhoda schlesinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’ve read many paranormal stories, this one really was fun to read! Addie, as her understanding of her magic grows, will become quite the strong and confident witch. I’m curious to see where her relationship will lead her with Fiona, and it appears that she may be having to love interests. I am also excited to read about her relationship with her brother and his daughters. Also curious to know if her mother is really dead. Sometimes, in some of these books, one of the parents or both of the parents who have been presumed dead seem to come back in another Book. It would be fun to get to know her mother.
I was able to guess the murderer, but it did not spoil my enjoyment of the book.

[Kathy Wortham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long lost family, unknown abilities, and a ginger cat

Eddie is on her own except for her friends and step mom. Her Dad and uncle have passed, her Mom abandoned the family when she was young. Suddenly amid odd things happening her Aunt Fiona appears. It seems that at the age of 50 Cross women gain their ability. Only without her Mom's guidance Fiona knows nothing about it. When the hunky Killian accuses her of using witchcraft to hurt humans just after Addie is suspect in a murder it's do or else! Between the town sheriff and the consequences if Killian turns in a bad report Addie could lose everything she values. Three days to find a killer and prove she's harmless.

[Michelle Mclearran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curses and Consequences a cozy mystery midlife is magic series #2

This book was awesome. To learn how things changed for Addie after turning 50 was something else . I probably would’ve reacted the way she did. And on top of all that a murder happens and her and her friends were off to solve it . Also the sheriff mentioned that there was a file on her mother that she knew nothing about oh my there so many questions but very little answers so I’m off to read book 3 this book gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun paranormal cozy

Ok, that tends to be 5he description of a lot of the books I review. Can't help it. I love cozies. I love urban fantasy. This type of book marries the two. Eddie has left her job as a psychotherapist and moved to the small seaside town where she was born. At 50, she is reinventing herself. Creating skincare she sells from a friend's shop. But something weird is going on with her products. The journey to discover what is complex. And are her products the reason a local grocer was murdered?

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This cozy mystery about Adelaide, a woman who came into her magic powers as a witch when she turned fifty, is filled with pleasant characters and is set in a charming coastal village in the Carolinas. Adelaide has a lot to learn, from managing her magic abilities to learning to live on and take care of the sailboat she’s inherited. I look forward to reading more books about her and her quests.

[Ashleigh Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute cozy mystery. A woman, in her midlife crisis (?). moves onto a boat and moves locations. In the process, weird things begin to happen around her. Including a death. She finds out she has magic, but did she cause the death or was it purely coincidence? And who is the man that’s claiming she has to get control right now or she’ll lose the powers she didn’t know she had? I like the multiple levels in this book. I’d read more in the series.

[Priscilla King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addie's female-line relatives inherit magical powers that develop around age 50, then fade away as the next witch in the line develops her powers. This gives Addie a short time to learn about her new abilities and use them. Two attractive men are watching her, unfortunately not the way she'd prefer, as she tries to solve a murder case. It's as much a comedy as a mystery or romance; I smiled, repeatedly.

[Joanne H]

It's a cute and exciting cozy mystery. Addie received a note "help me" from? Having moved to a small town to retire and sell a small amount of face and body creme, life was good.
A murder occurred, and she had some green skin from Addie's creme, but why. The sheriff wants her to quit investigating, but why the green skin and Addie might be the supect.
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious

Hmmm who to trust, who to believe? Quite a twisty mystery. I enjoyed it very much. Interesting characters, a different kind of magic and awesome location. Lots of elements to consider. I highly recommend.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a good start to a new series. It was fun and interesting, I had no idea who the villain was. Addie and her friends are great characters and am looking forward to reading more about them. Recommend reading.

[Kathy Laweryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midlife is Magic Series

I really liked this book! The budding magic of Addie, her mysterious cat, secrets in her family, the small town and its sweet characters combined to make this story a good mystery as well as heartwarming. I look forward to reading more of this series!

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing addition

Book two is an amazing addition to the Midlife is Magic series. Captivated from the start and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to get started on the next book in the series. Highly recommend reading this.

[Bobbi Jo Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm & friendly, small town vibe

This was a cute and cozy story. I did not catch on to who the killer was until almost the very end. I definitely would read more of this mystery set to follow how the FMC copes with her newly found magic.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sudden change in life

Facing changes in her life along with a move and a family member she has never met showing up Addie has a lot to figure out. Getting involved in a murder investigation was never even a thought.

[Alida Werter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just a mystery. It is also funny. I can relate to Addie's thoughts and feelings. The solving of the crime seems to me the least important aspect of this mystery.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

I loved this book. I have only read this book in the series and didn't feel completely lost. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.

[Lorraine O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Starting mid-life as a witch. Sounds fun, right. Might be if you knew it was going to happen. Fun beach read. Enjoy!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addie seems to be doing fine now that she’s moved back to Whales Back Bay. She definitely didn’t expect the mystery and secrets. Easy, well written to make you never want to leave.

[Lynne Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Coming into powers at 50 is tough. Enjoyed this book and all the characters. They are different in every way
Liked them all

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

The author has created an amazing and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down

[LINDA M. BERG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I liked it and have downloaded the next one.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch

The book was great. I enjoyed reading about the different characters. The plot was well written. I will read more from this author.