Book 87, 2019

[chez_jae]

Bewitched and Betrothed by Juliet Blackwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I finished reading Bewitched and Betrothed last night. It's the tenth book in Juliet Blackwell's "Witchcraft" mystery series, featuring witch and vintage clothing connoisseur, Lily Ivory.

Lily has been busy running her vintage clothing shop, Aunt Cora's Closet, as well as preparing for her handfasting ceremony with her fiance, Sailor. These mundane things get put on the back burner, however, when Lily's assistant, Maya, brings in some vintage clothing that includes a prisoner's uniform from Alcatraz. Lily doesn't like the malevolent vibe coming off of the garment, but Maya has promised it to Alcatraz. When one of the park rangers, who also happens to be the cousin of SFPD inspector Carlos, is kidnapped after picking up the shirt, Lily is in a race to find the woman and rescue her. Her search leads her to the sobering realization that a demonic force is at work in San Francisco, and it's a demon she's familiar with. Now it's up to Lily to rally her allies for an epic showdown between good and evil...which will be staged under a full moon on Alcatraz.

There was a lot going on in this story, what with Lily being pulled in so many different directions. I enjoyed reading about her grandmother, Graciela, and her coven, and I liked that there was plenty of spellcasting involved in the story. Lily is maturing as a witch and coming into her own, impressive powers, and she hopes it will be enough to sway the battle in their favor.

Favorite lines:
♦ One never knew when running from a demon or murderer might be required.
♦ "Hotter than a stolen tamale, as my mother would say."
♦ DEMONIC SACRIFICE! DO NOT EAT!

Very good book, as with the others in the series.