Dark, Witch & Creamy

Bewitched by Chocolate Mysteries, Book 1

By: H.Y. Hanna

Narrated by: Pearl Hewitt

Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

Caitlyn's world changes when she learns that she was found as an abandoned baby and adopted by her American family. Now, her search for answers takes her to a tiny English village where a man has been murdered - and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the "local witch"....

Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy...not to mention discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins! 

When she's dragged into the murder investigation and realises that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

©2017 H.Y. Hanna (P)2018 H.Y. Hanna

Earns 5/5 Chocolate-Covered Pearls...Excellent!

Some books are worth revisiting, and when Pearl Hewitt is the one to read it to you, it is entertainment X 10! H. Y. Hanna penned a marvelous introductory to her Bewitched by Chocolate series that earned from me a 5/5 rating and a nod as a Top Ten all-time favorite series. Caitlyn Le Fey is shocked to discover she is adopted learning she had been born in the Cotswold village of Tillyhenge. Curiosity wins over the pleas for caution from her cousin, and she decides to visit and explore her roots, but the revelations about her family and background are more than she could ever imagine…a witch? Then there's the mysterious death, ancient stone circle, vampire bodyguard, handsome Lord of the Manor, and everything mouthwatering chocolate.

I am so deliciously in love with this book (and the series): descriptive third-person narrative, entertaining banter, engaging characters (some quirky), and a mysterious secret that begins to develop. And listening to it with the artistic talent of my favorite narrator Pearl Hewitt, Hanna’s vision now has audio! Emotions, tone, and personalities all come alive. Pearl has always entertained me with her ability to perform various British dialects along with American, and here she is at the top of her game with Hanna’s various characters from the villagers to the Manor household, from female to male, young or old, good or bad, and even a couple of “fur” friends, too. Everyone seemed different and very entertaining! It was Caitlyn’s vampire protector Uncle Viktor’s East European accent, however, that I was eager to hear…she nailed it! Audiobooks are not just a convenient way to multi-task with your favorite book, narrators take your favorite book and bring it to life! Pearl Hewitt has breathed life into H. Y. Hanna’s marvelous stories…a partnership that I get to enjoy.

"Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."

The Harry Potter of Cozy Mysteries!

If you love H.Y. hanna’s other work then you will adore this series! The story begins in the tea shop, so there is a bit of story line cross over which was neat. The narrator is also the same, which I loved. It’s not over the top supernatural & it’s not scary at all. It’s cute & lighthearted with little bits & pieces of magic and enchantment. Think Harry Potter mixed with a cozy mystery. Lots of fun!

Dark, Witch, & Creamy

Wonderful,& different! Fast paced funny! Some intrigue small town caring. Murder, witchery, & loving! Also very british.

2 and a half

I bought this book because I enjoy Hanna's Oxford Tea Room series. I was disappointed. The characters and writing are juvenile and boring. I won't get the next one.

Don’t believe the book cover

I would have given this book 5 stars but can’t because of the false book cover. Beware - there are no cat participants in this story. Good story but I was expecting some cats to be involved in the mystery detection. Not so. No cats! Booo!

Cute New Series

I've love H.Y. Hanna's other books. This was a fun diversion. I will read another in the series.

Light Story, Fun Locale, Mean Bullies,Horid Cousin

The story was a light easy listen, pulled me in enough to get through the book within a few days. The narrator was generally lovely but oh my goodness the main character's young "sassy" American cousin Pamona -_- Could not handle and considered fast forwarding through her dialogue. I understand she is meant to be young use the word "like" a lot but the way the narrator does young American is pretty grating. The mean girls (older women actually) of the village are more than adequately mean to have the listener wanting to stand up for the other characters and the pacing is good. I feel like I only had flashes of this world and a large cast of characters that I don't feel like a fully know yet but this is the first in the series. I am definitely planning to listen to the second volume. Overall a decent beginning with some concepts that intrigue me, and a setting and cast of characters that intrigue me enough to want to continue for the time being.

Enjoyable

I like the setting of the story and the characters the mystery was good also

Bewitching mystery

I really enjoy H.Y. Hanna Oxford tea room mysteries, so when I saw she had a second series I thought I would give it a go. I have read the odd super natural book but am more into murder mysteries, so wasn't too sure if this was my sort of book or not. I am so glad I gave it ago. I really enjoyed the book and found the whole idea of witches being able to control chocolate to be fun and original.
It was a fun read with quirky characters, that you find like able. It was a nice mix of magic and murder and I only worked out who the murder was at the same time as the heroine. Will definitely be giving the next book in the series ago.
The narrator was good but it took a while to get use the the main character and her cousin's American voices.

Fun and entertaining

Loved this fun story, without gore. it moved quickly and the narrator has the perfect tone and cadence.

Fluffy

The story is quite childish but ok for a change if you’ve been reading a lot of murder books!! I would suggest you sample the book before you purchase it, as I really struggled with the babyish voice! It appeals to a lot of listeners but it grated on my nerves!! If I ever read another of H Y Hannas books, I think I’ll get it on kindle. Sorry Pearl Hewitt 😉

Deliciousness!

A delightfully delicious first book in a new series. I enjoyed it immensely and immediately bought book two.

Dark Witch && cream and

Bit disappointed with this book found it slow and a little monotamous STory was good but could of done with more action and Mrs meat on. Bones left me feeling like it was a really good first tfy? Well done

Great listen x

Very enjoyable listening experience. Looking out for book 2. Not sure if I'm going to read or listen!

such a comfortable listen.

Some books you struggle to get to grips with. This on the other hand is s such an easy listen. No difficulty in getting into the story. Well written and well read.

edge of the seat story.

edge of the seat story. As usual excellently written and read. Look forward to the next

Wonderful story

This book was so cute! I adore the characters, and the narrator was really good at doing the different voices. I loved it!

Just not my thing

I found the story dragged. The story had too much description about movements and thoughts of the characters, and felt laboured. The story didn't flow for me. I started to get annoyed with the endless narration of actions, I just wanted the story to get moving, everything was described to with in an inch of its life.
I stopped half way through as I realised I didn't care about any of the characters or what was going to happen in the story.
I also found the narrator's voice babyish and annoying.
It felt like a children's book rather than a book for adults.
Sorry, I guess we all have different tastes, but it just wasn't my thing at all.

mediocre on every score

wow this was hard to listen. amateur performance mediocre story. would not recommend this to anyone.

Not for the story

I was really looking forward to working on an embroidery and listening to this story.

The One star is because it downloaded. Turn on story - a whole 93 seconds of it before my hearing gets blasted with very loud and continuous beeping. Turn it off, try again from beginning. Result, the same, 5 times. So, I do not and cannot give a favourable rating for this audio book. The fault is in the audio set up and not in the book, of which I am sure is excellent.I

So, if you like having your hearing damaged, go ahead. If not, avoid like the black plague.