In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

Brynn Warren was raised by her two aunts (and hypothetically an uncle though he doesn't factor into a lot of this story.) Her family has been living in their town, Evenfall, for over 400 years. In all of that time, the Warrens have been very quietly helping the town using their magic. But Brynn has a secret. Ever since her husband died, her magic hasn't been quite the same. She just doesn't know how to talk to her aunts about it. 

Right now, she's just hoping they can make it through the current guest at their B&B. Constance is a menace with a bell. Brynn's aunt Izzy seems to be doing okay but her aunt Nora is another story. In fact, Nora is discussing ways that she could kill Constance when she is discovered dead. And it ends up that Nora is now going to be a main suspect even though Constance's family has some deep levels of hatred for the woman.

This first book in the series is just as much about Brynn coming back to her heritage as it is about solving Constance's death but it was a fun listen and easy to get through.

Four stars

This book came out October 19, 2021

Followed by When the Crow's Away

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Haunted Hayride with Murder by Auralee Wallace

Autumn is a great time of year for Erica Bloom. At least it is this year. Otter Lake Security (OLS) has a job with a family that Erica used to babysit for, her... friendship... with Sheriff Grady Forrester is going well, and, well, Halloween is just a good time all around.
Too bad local legend, the Apple Witch, rumored to haunt the apple orchard Erica and Freddie are supposed to be guarding, seems to be rearing her ugly head. When OLS is rousting some local teens, a boot is discovered. One with a bony foot still inside. And it seems to belong to a former Romeo who was supposedly out filming a reality show about ghosts.

Four stars
This book came out September 25
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Down the Aisle with Murder by Auralee Wallace

A return to the Wallace that I enjoy reading.
The book opens with Erica Bloom attending Candace's bachelorette party. Is it weird to celebrate the wedding of the woman who dated Erica's one true love? Not in a small town. The big hit of the party though is the maid of honor, Lyssa. That would be the same Lyssa who turns up dead the next day.
Erica and Freddie would normally insert themselves into the case but Freddie is acting strangely; in fact, he has told Erica that they need to have a break.
And there are a lot of strange things going on at Otter Lake. Erica's mom has brought in a new guru, Zaki, and there is... something strange about his seminar. Like, the fact that it's for singles but Erica's mom isn't forcing her to go. Grady, Erica's erstwhile love of her life, is taking a vacation; something he's never done before. Sheriff Bigly is there in his place and she's not amused by Erica and Freddie.
I liked this book so much better than the last one. Yes, Erica is still a little immature but she seems to be getting better. I wish that the murder victim had been better fleshed out.

Four stars
This book comes out May 1
Follows Ring In the Year with Murder
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Ring In the Year with Murder by Auralee Wallace

Erica and Freddie are back in another madcap adventure. The story starts with a hangover and then resets at New Year's Eve. Our first person narrator, Erica, and her BFF Freddie are working with Rhonda Cooke to get Otter Lake Security off the ground. They're having trouble though since Rhonda's PI license hasn't come through yet. Erica is trying to be upbeat declaring her theme of the year to be The Year of The Adult., even it means spending New Year's Eve with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. And Rhonda's cousin who she keeps threatening to set up with Erica's flame/crush/could-have-been, Matthew. Something happens during the night but Erica's memory is rather... spotty.
This is a back and forth between "present" and the night before. I've never really connected with this series. My biggest problem is the fact that Erica doesn't seem to be growing as an investigator or as a person. Freddie either. Four books in and you'd think that there would be some change. People who have enjoyed the other books in this series may enjoy this one as well those with frustrations... this book doesn't change any of those.

This book comes out October 31
Three stars
Followed by Down the Aisle with Murder
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Snowed In with Murder by Auralee Wallace

Erica Bloom is back. Back at Otter Lake and trying to get back with her ex. But her plans for a romantic weekend at what is supposed to be her mother's deserted cabin. Unfortunately, she walks into what is supposed to be the next big reality show being filmed. There's a trophy wife, her hunter daughter, a wealthy man who claims that he is the victim of attempted murder, and his grandson. Also there, is his illegitimate child, a fourteen-year-old who no one seems to like. Also on the way? The storm of the century. And during a power outage, the family patriarch is murdered with his own cyanide. And then, madness ensues.
I read the first book but skipped the second. I'll probably give the fourth a try but really hope that Erica is a little more competent, less madcap, and gets the love triangle figured out. The mystery itself was fine but Erica was just a wee bit too inept for the story to be really enjoyable.

Three stars
This book comes out February 7

Skinny Dipping with Murder by Auralee Wallace

This was certainly a... frenetic book. Frustrating at times, but mostly enjoyable.
When Erica Bloom visits her hometown, Otter Lake, for the first time in eight years, she's not there because she wants to be back. Rather, her mother is perpetrating insurance fraud and she wants Erica to help. Never mind that Erica had a hideously embarrassing episode eight years ago. One that comes up even as the book opens. Then there is a death. And an attempted murder. And then the police department (one, a former friend-ish-type person who may or may not believe Erica is guilty, and the Sherriff, her high school crush and possibly one of the perpetrators of the prank that the townspeople are still talking about) seems to believe that she's a viable suspect.
Dealing with a town full of people that all seem obsessed with the past, a mother who doesn't seem to exist on this plane, a former crush who is still Ken-doll-perfect, and a group of women who are sticking around just to play amateur detective with her means Erica has her hands full.
I didn't love the love-interest's first attempt at reconciliation , nor his second for that matter, but it was an okay book and I'm excited to read the next one in the series.