Hi there! I’m excited to share a review for a New Adult contemporary romance that features some real, live witches! THE CUPCAKE WITCH, a novella by Piper Lawless, is a sweet read with an innocent story and a beginning love.

About the book:
Julie
Buttercream. Vanilla. Fondant. Dark chocolate. Brown sugar. Molasses. Baking has always been my true love, but it wasn’t until my mother’s death, and the unexpected inheritance of Serendipity Gardens, that my bliss called me. Bittersweet. But Serendipity Gardens has more to offer than just a potential shopfront. An unusual recipe box left to me by a distant relative might be the key to unlocking my dreams.

Too bad the most powerful family in Chancellor has plans that could turn those dreams to ruins—literally.

Too bad the son of that powerful family is just the kind of guy I’ve been looking for.

Horatio
I suppose being heir to the Hunter family’s Blushing Grape Winery should make me happy, but nothing could be further from the truth. With my mother gone, my father has taken me under his wing, and I despise everything about the way he does business. Sour grapes, indeed. Instead of raising money for charitable causes, my true passion, I’m chasing my father’s manifest destiny.

Too bad his dream includes paving paradise.

Too bad the property owner is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.

They say the course of true love never runs smooth.

But that’s nothing a magical cupcake can’t solve.

My Review:
This is the second book in a series and can be fully enjoyed as a standalone.

Julie and Horatio are two people on opposing sides of a land dispute. Well, Horatio’s father wants the property that Julie just inherited, and Julie’s unwilling to sell once she visits Serendipity Gardens. Though Julie’s only a college junior–following her mother’s directive to go to dental school no matter what, dang it!–and she knows her life is off-course. He mother died suddenly in August, and all those admonishments to give up her silly baking dreams are withering in the face of Julie feeling life is too short. Julie enjoys baking, and is good at it, and this lovely cottage she just inherited, with a cafe and professional kitchen (circa 1950), is the perfect place for Julie to test her skills.

Well, if she can keep the Hunters off her back. Horatio Hunter is part owner in his family’s winery, and it’s killing him to have his overbearing father as his boss. Horatio and his sister were far closer to their mother, who also died recently. When confronting Julie, however, Horatio learns that his father’s will is not the only way, and he stands up for himself–and Julie in the process.

While their fledgling connection grows, Julie continues to make tasty treats from her ancestor’s (enchanted) recipe box. It’s all to the good, and Julie turns out to be a mighty deft hand in the kitchen. One could call her skills…magical. (Okay, okay–the book’s title is NOT metaphor! That’s fact, not a spoiler…)

I liked how this turned out. I liked both Julie and Horatio. It’s all a bit fast–the fates were clearly aligned–and there’s some subtle magical elements that build up momentum throughout. This is also a squeaky-clean romance with nary a curse word, sex scene and only a few kisses upon which to build a love. *shrugs* So, engaging voice, quick courtship, true hearts magically aligned, all packed into a novella safe for any age reader. The book ends with a clear hint that the next romance features a sexy beekeeper–and a sensible restauranteur.

Interested? You can find THE CUPCAKE WITCH on Goodreads and Amazon.

****GIVEAWAY****

Click on this Rafflecopter giveaway link for your chance to win a cool cupcake giveaway pack!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!

About the Author
Romance author. Cupcake connoisseur. Certified herbalist. Beach bum. Fan of all things Starbucks. Holistic healing advocate. Surfer girl wanna-be. Lost guru. Maker of dandelion wine. Counselor. Paranormal buff. Etsy addict. Secretly Jedi. So not a geek girl. Gifted in sarcasm. Hot wife. Ninja mom. And now, I’m ready to share a whole head full of witty, mouthy, smart, lovely, heart-warming, and hot characters with the world. Are you ready?

Poppy Lawless is the author of the forthcoming series Love & Chocolate releasing in 2015 and The Glass Mermaid. Poppy holds degrees in English and Psychology. She is a counselor in the field of mental health and is a trained herbalist. Poppy’s new series blends the best of romance with a Practical Magic or contemporary Bewitched appeal.

Catch up with Poppy on her website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook.