Contemporary Authors

• Bell, Book & Candlemas (A Wiccan Wheel Mystery) - 2016 Kensington, https://smile.amazon.com/Bell-Candlemas-Wiccan-Wheel-Mystery/dp/1496704940/ref=la_B01EPF23IC_1_1_twi_mas_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523748971&sr=1-1
• Yuletide Homicide (A Wiccan Wheel Mystery) - 2017 Kensington, https://smile.amazon.com/Yuletide-Homicide-Wiccan-Wheel-Mystery/dp/1496704967/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1523748921&sr=8-1-fkmr0
• Samhain Secrets (A Wiccan Wheel Mystery) - 2018 Kensington, https://smile.amazon.com/Samhain-Secrets-Wiccan-Wheel-Mystery/dp/1496717716/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523748921&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=hesse%2C+jennifer+davis

• Jennifer David Hesse - http://www.jenniferdavidhesse.com/about-jennifer.html

  About Jennifer
  Picture
  Jennifer David Hesse is the author of the Wiccan Wheel Mysteries, a cozy mystery series published by Kensington Books.

  Like her main character, Jennifer is also a lawyer, an English major, and a vegetarian. Unlike Keli, Jennifer is not a twenty-nine-year old single lady, and she does not practice family law. (Jennifer's legal focus is environmental law.)

  As a nature-loving, mystery-reading, magic-seeking, daydreaming kinda gal, Jennifer is thrilled to be able to write fun, lighthearted whodunits ~ with a touch of romance & a hint of magic. Midsummer Night's Mischief is her debut novel. Jennifer is represented by Rachel Brooks of BookEnds Literary Agency.

  Born and raised in Central Illinois, Jennifer now makes her home in Chicago with her husband, jazz guitarist Scott Hesse, and their daughter, Sage. When she’s not working or writing, Jennifer enjoys yoga, hiking, and movie & pizza night with her family.
  Contact Jennifer
  To contact Jennifer, feel free to send an email to Jennifer@JenniferDavidHesse.com. You can also reach Jennifer through Facebook and Twitter.

• Fresh Fiction - http://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=40620

  Read some great books in April...you'll be blooming!

  Pursued by a dangerous terrorist, U.S. Deputy Marshal Casey Sloane, along with two other Marshals, put their lives on the line to deliver a federal witness to the FBI.

  Slideshow image

  Jennifer David Hesse

  Jennifer David Hesse is an environmental attorney by day and author by night. Midsummer Night's Mischief is her debut book in the new Wiccan Wheel series. Born and raised in Central Illinois, Jennifer now makes her home in Chicago with her husband, guitarist Scott Hesse, and their daughter, Sage. When she's not writing, Jennifer enjoys yoga, hiking, and movie night with her family.

  Series
  Wiccan Wheel
  Books:
  Yuletide Homicide, October 2017
  A Wiccan Wheel Mystery #3
  Mass Market Paperback
  Bell, Book & Candlemas, January 2017
  A Wiccan Wheel Mystery #2
  Mass Market Paperback
  Midsummer Night's Mischief, August 2016
  Wiccan Wheel
  Paperback

Hesse, Jennifer David: YULETIDE HOMICIDE
Kirkus Reviews.
(Aug. 1, 2017): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Hesse, Jennifer David YULETIDE HOMICIDE Kensington (Adult Fiction) $7.99 9, 26 ISBN: 978-1-4967-0496-2
An Illinois lawyer turns detective when her boss asks her to do some sleuthing against a romance-infused Yule backdrop.Determined to do anything to make partner at Olsen, Sykes, and Rafferty, Keli Milanni knows she has to go above and beyond in her next assignment. Her supervisor, Beverly, has assigned Keli and Crenshaw, Keli's rival at work, an unusual case. Instead of a family law matter, the two are instructed to get to the bottom of the blackmailing of Edgar Harrison, one of Edindale's most esteemed residents. Though both Keli and Crenshaw are wary of Beverly's orders, both are game to do what they can to help her, especially since she seems particularly solicitous of Edgar's well-being. Interesting. Meanwhile, Keli must also deal with the unwanted attentions of Mick, the former college flame come to town to win her back. Mick seems to have little chance: he doesn't even know that Keli's a vegan, and he's not the only one who appears smitten by her. There's also Zeke, who does IT work for Edgar and insists that at 25, he's old enough for Keli. Keli lacks the time or attention for a love triangle now that she's finally come out as a practicing Wiccan to her boyfriend, Wes, and looks forward to celebrating Yuletide rituals with him for the first time. All that changes with a murder that puts Keli in danger, as she gets in way over her head and her pay grade. Hesse (Bell, Book & Candlemas, 2016, etc.) easily balances murder and romance in this holiday tale that's so cozy even its high stakes feel like low stakes.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Hesse, Jennifer David: YULETIDE HOMICIDE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2017. Book Review
Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499572712/GPS?u=schlager&sid=GPS& xid=a0dc3516. Accessed 14 Apr. 2018.
1 of 3 4/14/18, 6:32 PM
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Gale Document Number: GALE|A499572712
2 of 3 4/14/18, 6:32 PM

http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MA...
Hesse, Jennifer David: BELL, BOOK & CANDLEMAS
Kirkus Reviews.
(Nov. 1, 2016): From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Hesse, Jennifer David BELL, BOOK & CANDLEMAS Kensington (Adult Fiction) $7.99 12, 27 ISBN: 978-1-4967-0494-8
Practicing attorney and Wiccan Keli Milanni (Midsummer Night's Mischief, 2016) investigates threats against the local magic shop at her own peril.Small-town Illinois isn't always a comfortable place for New Age spirituality, as Keli is sharply reminded when Moonstone Treasures is vandalized. Edindale's small businesses have suffered a spate of recent burglaries, and the shop's owner, Mila Douglas, had been receiving threatening notes for weeks. Keli hesitates to get involved. She isn't ready to be publicly known for her witchcraft, and besides, she'd prefer to focus on her on-again, off-again flirtation with handsome photographer Wes Callahan. But called by a mystical revelation, Keli goes into full detective mode with her gal pal and sleuthing sidekick, Farrah. The threats might be a way to push Mila out through a real estate deal, or they might be coming from the local Bible-thumping preacher. When a lovable old man is found dead in the occult shop, Wes joins the investigation. Keli and Farrah uncover a network of tunnels dating back to Prohibition that might link all the burglaries and the murder to a freshly renovated Edwardian mansion operating as a luxurious bed-and-breakfast. The tunnels lead Keli to new information--and to danger. Half mystery, half chick lit, with a filigree of paganism, this is a cabin read: as lightly enjoyable yet forgettable as one of those beach reads, but in a wintry, woodsy setting.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Hesse, Jennifer David: BELL, BOOK & CANDLEMAS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Nov. 2016. Book
Review Index Plus, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A468389171/GPS?u=schlager& sid=GPS&xid=56c38014. Accessed 14 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A468389171
3 of 3 4/14/18, 6:32 PM

• Qwillery
  http://qwillery.blogspot.com/2016/07/interview-with-jennifer-david-hesse.html
  Word count: 1350

  Interview with Jennifer David Hesse, author of Midsummer Night's Mischief

  Please welcome Jennifer David Hesse to The Qwillery as part of the 2016 Debut Author Challenge Interviews. Midsummer Night's Mischief will be published on July 26th by Kensington.

  TQ: Welcome to The Qwillery. When and why did you start writing?

  Jennifer: Thank you for having me! I think I’ve been writing on and off my whole life, whether for school or fun or just to get my thoughts on paper. I’ve filled diaries, posted blogs, and written a few fiction pieces. But it wasn’t until I turned forty that I decided to get serious and write a book for publication. I guess the “why” is that I felt called to do it. No matter how many other priorities vied for my attention, I always came back to this desire to write for an audience other than myself.

  TQ: Are you a plotter, a pantser or a hybrid?

  Jennifer: I’m a hybrid. I start out with a rough outline and a general sense as to where the story will end up. Then I start writing, and additional ideas pour out. It’s always fun to look back at something I just wrote and think: Wow, I had no idea that was going to happen.

  TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

  Jennifer: Making the time to sit down and do it. I know lack of time is a convenient excuse, but it’s a real challenge. I have a day job and a family, as well as normal day-to-day responsibilities like everyone has. Still, I’m a firm believer that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

  TQ: What has influenced / influences your writing?

  Jennifer: What hasn’t? :) Everything influences me, from the people around me and things happening in popular culture, to books I’ve read. I read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction. It would be hard to identify a single influence.

  TQ: Describe Midsummer Night's Mischief in 140 characters or less.

  Jennifer: A closet Wiccan, Keli casts a spell to find love. When a client’s rare book disappears, she needs more than magic to catch the thief.

  (Incidentally, this is the tweet that caught the attention of my literary agent, Rachel Brooks, in a #PitMad Twitter contest.)

  TQ: Tell us something about Midsummer Night's Mischief that is not found in the book description.

  Jennifer: There’s a secondary mystery that runs throughout the series. Keli has an aunt who ran off to join a commune in the early 1970s, and later disappeared. Yet she still sends postcards every few years. This idea of a mystery within a mystery is also related to one of the themes of the series, which is the inherent mystery in life itself. There is mystery in nature, in the interconnectedness of all things, in the unexplainable coincidences that happen all the time. Since Keli is Wiccan, she embraces this mystery as part of the Divine.

  TQ: What inspired you to write Midsummer Night's Mischief? What appeals to you about writing cozy mysteries?

  Jennifer: Basically, I set out to write the book I wanted to read. I’ve always enjoyed and sought out mystery novels with strong, smart female detectives, from Nancy Drew to Amanda Cross’s Kate Fansler and Nancy Pickard's Jenny Cain. I like cozies because of their lighter tone and more fun reading experience. There’s enough depressing real-life news around the world, so I didn’t want to include a lot of violence. I also wanted to write something that’s easy to read. Serious, literary works have their place, but my intent was to write something entertaining and engaging. To me, the best mysteries have an interesting puzzle to unravel, some suspense and intrigue, as well as some human interest (usually in the form of a touch of romance). The best cozies have all of those elements.

  TQ: What sort of research did you do for Midsummer Night's Mischief?

  Jennifer: I did a lot of internet research about various topics featured in the book, including Shakespeare’s First Folio (which is the stolen book that launches the mystery) and about the religion of Wicca. I wanted to make sure I got my facts and details right—and I especially wanted to portray Wicca in a realistic and respectful way.

  TQ: In Midsummer Night's Mischief who was the easiest character to write and why? The hardest and why?

  Jennifer: Hmm. I suppose the main character, Keli, might fall into both of those categories. In some ways, she was the easiest to write, because she’s a sympathetic character and because she shares some of the same sensibilities as myself. (For example, we’re both vegetarians. However, with Keli, I took it a step further and made her vegan.) On the other hand, I wanted to make sure that she was NOT me, or some glamorized version of myself. It was my challenge to flesh her out and make sure she behaved and made decisions based on the unique experiences I wrote for her.

  TQ: Why have you chosen to include or not chosen to include social issues in Midsummer Night's Mischief?

  Jennifer: This book doesn't overtly address social issues, but the context naturally implicates a few. There’s religious freedom: Keli doesn’t come out as a Wiccan, because she’s afraid she’ll be judged and discriminated against. She’s also environmentally conscious and leads a healthy lifestyle. (I like to think of her as a heroine for the 21st century.) There are one or two other social issues that come up, but I can’t mention them without giving a spoiler alert. So, I won’t! …Oh, and I guess the reason for indirectly including social problems is that the book is meant to be a reflection of real life, even while keeping the tone and story consistent with what’s expected for genre fiction.

  TQ: Which question about Midsummer Night's Mischief do you wish someone would ask? Ask it and answer it!

  Jennifer: “What is a Wiccan Wheel?”

  I’m not sure if this is self-evident, but the “Wiccan Wheel” in the series title (Wiccan Wheel Mysteries) refers to the Wheel of the Year. This is a seasonal calendar followed by many modern Pagan traditions, including Wicca. The Wheel of the Year is made up of eight sabbats, or holidays, that track the path of the sun and the corresponding mythological journey of the God and Goddess along the ever-repeating cycle of life. To me, honoring the sabbats seems like such an interesting and beautiful way to be present and attune yourself to the rhythms of nature. So, each book in this series takes place around one of the sabbats, the first being Midsummer (also known as Litha), which occurs at the summer solstice.

  TQ: Give us one or two of your favorite non-spoilery quotes from Midsummer Night's Mischief.

  Jennifer:

  “Shakespeare may have written about hags, but he wrote about fairies, too. It’s all magic, don’t you think?”

  “Up ahead we could see firelight flickering behind a wall of trees and hear the rise and fall of spirited voices. All at once, I knew what it was.”

  TQ: What's next?

  Jennifer: Next, I continue to work on creating and promoting the rest of the books in this series. The second title, Bell, Book and Candlemas, is slated to be released at the end of this year. And I’m currently drafting the third book, which takes place around Yule at the winter solstice.

  TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

  Jennifer: It’s been a pleasure!

• Omni Mystery Review
  http://www.omnimysterynews.com/2016/08/a-conversation-with-mystery-author-jennifer-david-hesse-5fd84c30.html
  Word count: 1184

  A Conversation with Mystery Author Jennifer David Hesse
  Lance Wright 8/01/2016 08:00:00 AM No Comments

  Omnimystery News: Author Interview with Jennifer David Hesse

  We are delighted to welcome author Jennifer David Hesse to Omnimystery News today, courtesy of Great Escapes Book Tours, which is coordinating her current book tour. We encourage you to visit all of the participating host sites; you can find her schedule here.

  Jennifer begins a new series with Midsummer Night's Mischief (Kensington; July 2016 mass market paperback and ebook formats) and we recently had the chance to catch up with her to talk more about it.

  — ♦ —

  Omnimystery News: Introduce us to your new series lead character.

  Jennifer David Hesse
  Photo provided courtesy of
  Jennifer David Hesse

  Jennifer David Hesse: Keli Milanni is a twenty-nine-year-old lawyer in a small general practice law firm. She's a modern woman — single, independent, and health-conscious. (She follows a vegan diet.) She's also secretly a Wiccan. Wicca is such an unconventional and often misunderstood religion that Keli is afraid to let anyone know about this aspect of herself. Of course, that brings up some internal conflict which makes for an interesting character to write.

  OMN: How would you tweet a summary of Midsummer Night's Mischief?

  JDH: This is actually an easy question, because I landed my agent (Rachel Brooks of L. Perkins Agency) through a Twitter contest called #PitMad. Here's the tweet that garnered me an invitation to submit a query letter: "A closet Wiccan, Keli casts a spell to find love. When a client's rare book disappears, she needs more than magic to catch the thief."

  OMN: Tell us a more about the setting for the book. How important is it to the series?

  JDH: Edindale is a fictional town in Southern Illinois. I picked this region for two reasons: First, I've spent most of my life in Illinois, so I have first-hand knowledge about this part of the country. Second, and more importantly, Southern Illinois is geologically interesting and lends a great atmosphere for mystery stories. Unlike the flat farmlands of Central Illinois, where I grew up, and the urban metropolis of Chicago, where I live now, Southern Illinois has a more intriguing landscape. With its rolling hills, vast forests, caves, canyons, and swamps, it's an ideal place for hiding secrets and hunting clues.

  OMN: Was Midsummer Night's Mischief your working title for the book?

  JDH: No — It was actually Magic on a Midsummer's Night. It was my agent, Rachel, who suggested I brainstorm other ideas to come up with something that better fit the cozy genre. We wanted to keep the reference to Midsummer Night, since the book takes place around the Wiccan holiday Midsummer, and also because the mystery revolves around the theft of Shakespeare's First Folio. But we also wanted to make sure it sounded like a mystery book. I think the final title is much better than the working title!

  OMN: How involved were you with the cover design?

  JDH: My editor asked me to send him ideas for the cover. He told me it would be illustrated, but beyond that he was very open as to what we would feature. He asked me to send him specific images or scenes I thought might make for a good cover. My top choice was to feature shadowy figures dancing around a bonfire in the forest, which is pretty much how it ended up. I love the end result!

  OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young? And do you think any of these influenced how and what you write today?

  JDH: Yes, absolutely. I read a lot of mysteries as a child, including every Nancy Drew book I could get my hands on. (In fact, I pretty much wanted to be Nancy Drew!) As I grew up, and continuing on into adulthood, I read many different kinds of books, but I always came back to mysteries. Mysteries are so fun and engaging. Perhaps it was inevitable that I would become a mystery writer.

  OMN: What's next for you?

  JDH: Right now, the Wiccan Wheel Mysteries are my main focus. I'm promoting Book #1, awaiting the page proofs for Book #2, and drafting Book #3. I do have ideas for future book projects, but this series is really just getting started. So, I'm hoping Keli will stick around for a while!

  — ♦ —

  Jennifer David Hesse Book Tour

  Like her main character, Jennifer David Hesse is also a lawyer, an English major, and a vegetarian. Unlike Keli, Jennifer is not a twenty-nine-year old single lady, and she does not practice family law. (Jennifer's legal focus is environmental law.) As a nature-loving, mystery-reading, magic-seeking, daydreaming kinda gal, Jennifer is thrilled to be able to write fun, lighthearted whodunits ~ with a touch of romance & a hint of magic. Born and raised in Central Illinois, Jennifer now makes her home in Chicago with her husband, jazz guitarist Scott Hesse, and their daughter, Sage. When she's not working or writing, Jennifer enjoys yoga, hiking, and movie and pizza night with her family.

  For more information about the author, please visit her website at JenniferDavidHesse.com and her author page on Goodreads, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

  — ♦ —

  Midsummer Night's Mischief by Jennifer David Hesse

  Midsummer Night's Mischief by Jennifer David Hesse

  A Wiccan Wheel Mystery

  Publisher: Kensington

  Amazon.com Print/Kindle Format(s)BN.com Print/Nook Format(s)iTunes iBook FormatKobo eBook Format

  As the Summer Solstice approaches in idyllic Edindale, Illinois, attorney Keli Milanni isn't feeling the magic. She's about to land in a cauldron of hot water at work. Good thing she has her private practice to fall back on — as a Wiccan. She'll just have to summon her inner Goddess and set the world to rights …

  Midsummer Eve is meant for gratitude and celebration, but Keli is not in her typically upbeat mood. The family of a recently deceased client is blaming her for the loss of a Shakespearean heirloom worth millions, and Keli's career may be on the line. With both a Renaissance Faire and a literary convention in town, Edindale is rife with suspicious characters, and the intrepid attorney decides to tap into her unique skills to crack the case …

  But Keli weaves a tangled web when her investigation brings her up-close and personal with her suspects — including sexy Wes Callahan, her client's grandson. The tattooed bartender could be the man she's been looking for in more ways than one. As the sun sets on the mystical holiday, Keli will need just a touch of the divine to ferret out the real villain and return Edindale, and her heart, to a state of perfect harmony …

  — Midsummer Night's Mischief by Jennifer David Hesse

• Blog Critics
  https://blogcritics.org/book-review-midsummer-nights-mischief-a-wiccan-wheel-mystery-by-jennifer-david-hesse/
  Word count: 722

  Book Review: ‘Midsummer Night’s Mischief’ (A Wiccan Wheel Mystery) by Jennifer David Hesse

  Suzanne Brazil August 1, 2016 Comments Off on Book Review: ‘Midsummer Night’s Mischief’ (A Wiccan Wheel Mystery) by Jennifer David Hesse 86 Views
  Related Articles
  The Hate U Give kindle cover
  Book Review: ‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas

  4 days ago
  Interview: Lynda Shrager, Author of ‘Age In Place: A Guide to Modifying, Organizing, and Decluttering Mom and Dad’s Home’

  6 days ago
  Book Review: ‘The Italian Party’ by Christina Lynch

  6 days ago

  Midsummer Night's Mischief CoverIn Midsummer Night’s Mischief, Jennifer David Hesse, an environmental law attorney, weaves an engaging tale of romance, magic, and shenanigans involving Keli and her BFF Farrah, coworkers Crenshaw and Pammy, formidable boss Beverly, and a cast of possible love interests, suspects, and residents available to help or hamper Keli and her amateur sleuthing attempts.

  Who says a single woman should rely on her wits and intelligence alone when she’s got the Goddess at her disposal? Keli Milanni has a big secret. In addition to practicing law, she is a practicing Wiccan in bucolic Edindale, IL. She’s got her eye on the new hottie in town, Wes Callahan, but is too busy trying to save her job, deflect the unexpected attentions of a coworker, and track down a priceless work of literature to concentrate solely on love spells.

  Excerpt: Shielded by two overgrown lilac bushes on either side of the back stoop, the intruder paused for a moment to remove the gloves and stick them in the pockets of a hoodie. How could the old woman be so careless? She hadn’t deserved to own this book, anyway. Maybe no one person should own it. But somebody would want it badly enough to pay big, big money.

  The first in a planned series, “Midsummer Night” is one of several events unfolding in the college town where Keli earned her law degree. With the Renaissance Fair and the 12th Annual Literary Convention occurring simultaneously, tracking down the stolen Shakespeare volume for the family of her now deceased client becomes a carnival of mishaps. Keli is a lawyer after all, not an investigator.

  As Keli gets closer and closer to the truth, she’ll need to answer several questions. Did her elderly client die of natural causes? Is it possible that someone in her own office is involved? Will she and her firm be held accountable for the value of the priceless artifact? Who is responsible for the ominous warnings she’s been receiving?

  And, maybe most importantly, what if the guy she has her heart set on turns out to be the culprit?

  Hesse creates a likeable heroine chock full of flaws and charm. She is successful at managing client cases and using herbs and candles to create spells, but makes plenty of mistakes along the way. The magical element isn’t the main focus in this first outing, and the author leaves plenty of room for a heavier dose of it in Keli’s next adventure. The author’s small town of Edindale pulls the reader in, and there are plenty of quirky secondary players to pique our interest in the future.

  Avid readers who love books about books will appreciate the focus of Hesse’s amateur investigator in her first big case. For mystery readers, especially cozy lovers, Hesse’s first in the Wiccan Wheel series offers a fresh and spirited take on the form. An entertaining read, with good pacing and a sprinkle of humor, Midsummer Night’s Mischief is a perfect companion for any day of the year.

  To learn more about this series, check out the author’s website.

  Tags Book Review Cozy debut novel Jennifer David Hesse Midsummer Night's Mischief Mystery wiccan
  About Suzanne Brazil
  Suzanne M. Brazil is a freelance writer and editor living in a recently empty nest in the suburbs of Chicago. Her work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Writer's Digest, The Chicago Daily Herald and many other publications. She is a frequent blog contributor and is working on her first novel.

• Kings River Life
  http://kingsriverlife.com/01/07/bell-book-candlemas-by-jennifer-david-hesse/
  Word count: 848

  Bell, Book, & Candlemas By Jennifer David Hesse

  IN THE January 7 ISSUE

  FROM THE 2017 Articles,
  andFantasy & Fangs,
  andKathleen Costa,
  andMysteryrat's Maze SECTIONS

  by Kathleen Costa

  Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Bell, Book, & Candlemas, and a link to purchase it from Amazon and an indie bookstore.

  Keli Milanni, family law attorney and borderline yuppie, has a secret even her BFF doesn’t know. She is also a Pagan…a “Solitary Wiccan” practicing her faith in private not with a coven. She guards her secret from public scrutiny, since her Wiccan faith could be misconstrued by her associates and friends, and possible derail the budding relationship she has with artist/photographer Wesley Callahan. However, the recent rash of burgled businesses, vandalizing of a Wiccan shop, revelation of cryptic notes vilifying the Wiccan community, and an oddly staged book burning stunt has Keli suspecting her private life could become a public casualty.

  bookFirst, there is Mila Douglas, owner of Moonstone Treasures, upset by being twice vandalized and receiving cryptic notes with biblical references to Old Testament style punishments for psychics, fortune tellers, and witches. Then, there is Reverend Nathanial ‘Natty’ Schmidt, leader of the First Church of the New Believers, very vocal with his congregate expounding on the evils of the new age practices, alcohol, and the like. Next, there is the local realtor, Yvette Prime, eager to persuade Mila to sell her property, and Trish Holiday, tourism director, hoping to create a certain image for the town to attract upscale visitors. Last, there are the thieves and vandals plaguing certain local businesses, and the body…yes, a body has been discovered.

  Keli and Farrah, her BFF, join together to find clues to all that is happening in Edindale, Illinois by participating in a murder mystery dinner theater, discreetly asking questions of the various guests, discovering a possible pattern with the robberies, putting into action “Operation Alley Cat,” and getting a palm reading at the scene of the crime. All this while Keli deals with a nosy reporter, searches for a murderer, untangles the clues behind the robberies, and tries to find time for romance. Lots is going on, but could it put Keli or her friends in danger?

  This second book in the Wiccan Wheel Mystery series is engaging and entertaining…I loved it! It shares a realistic, not fanciful, view of the Wiccan faith where celebrations and spells for protection and strength are ritual, not hocus pocus. Keli is a down-to-earth young woman who enjoys her work, cares for her friends, and is devout in her faith, and the romance with Wes is fun to see evolve. I enjoyed the unfolding mystery—robberies and murder, the characters—some quirky, some boisterous, some suspicious, and pondering the conflicts many face whose faith is said to be outside the norm. I was so intrigued that I went on my own journey of exploration—the history behind the Wiccan faith and its current practitioners. It is rich with deep spiritualism, respect of nature, and sense of community. This is a not to miss reading adventure.

  Bell, Book, & Candlemas earns 5/5 Amethyst Crystals and Aromatic Herbs!

  Be a Fan!
  Facebook – Author Jennifer David Hesse
  Website – Author Jennifer David Hesse
  Goodreads – Author Jennifer David Hesse
  Amazon – Author Jennifer David Hesse
  Twitter – Jennifer Hesse

  To enter to win a copy of Bell, Book & Candlemas, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “bell,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 14, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

  Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

  Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
  Bell, Book & Candlemas

  You can use this link to purchase this book from Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

  Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.

  Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

  Tagged as: & Candlemas, Bell, book, fantasy, Jennifer David Hesse, magic, mystery, Wiccan

• Kings River Life
  http://kingsriverlife.com/12/09/more-christmas-mysteries-for-your-holidays/
  Word count: 505

  Yuletide Homicide: A Wiccan Wheel Mystery by Jennifer David Hesse
  Review by Cynthia Chow

  One would not expect a family law attorney to be a practicing Wiccan in Edindale, Illinois, so it shouldn’t be surprising that this is a secret Keli Milanni shares only with a trusted few. Being outed as a witch would probably not help her aspirations to make law partner, especially when she’s competing against her pompous and frequently annoying colleague, Crenshaw Davenport III. They’re going to have to get along when their boss Beverly Olen sends them to work undercover at the office of Harrison Properties, where they will attempt to discover a blackmailer. Beverly is adamant that the claims of financial impropriety against mayor candidate Edgar Harrison are false, but it’s also possible that she may be biased in his favor.

  bookWhen tragedy ends the festivities at Harrison Hotel’s renowned holiday ball, Beverly insists that they also end their investigation. Curious Keli has her doubts that the death was anything but accident, especially after being given an ominous warning through a vision by a Wiccan friend. Keli may be a solo practitioner who prefers to abstain from joining a coven, but she trusts the insight of the Wiccans who have proven to be eerily accurate. Although the magic comes mostly from intent and belief, an herbal supplement to coax a witness’s statement has hilarious results when a guilt-ridden Keli consumes the serum as well. It will take multiple chants and spell casting to unravel the tangled mix of corporate infighting, charming suspects, and financial shenanigans.

  Legal investigation is boosted by a few Wiccan spells in this charming third of the Wiccan Wheel Mystery series. Keli is possibly the most practical and grounded Wiccans one would ever expect to meet, using her altar to grant confidence, wisdom, and security. That’s not to say that a few visions won’t give her guidance as well, but it is the trail of financial records and legal documents that truly solve the crime. Keli herself faces the realization that photographer Wesley Callahan will soon become her longest-ever boyfriend, a relationship helped in no small part by their sharing her Wiccan secret. A blast from her past annoys more than inhibits her current status, but it does help her ongoing quest to discover the fate of her mysterious Aunt Josephine O’Malley. The Yuletide has a far different meaning for these Wiccans, with shortest day of the year marking a renewal and turning point in life. Wiccans and non-Wiccans alike will thoroughly enjoy this holiday-infused mystery, as it emphasizes the meaning of friendships and faith. This is a wonderfully unique series with just the right blend of humor, magic, and mystery.

  Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

• Reviewing the Evidence
  http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/review.html?id=11012
  Word count: 562

  YULETIDE HOMICIDE
  by Jennifer David Hesse
  Kensington, October 2017
  307 pages
  $7.99
  ISBN: 1496704967

  Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

  Keli and her sometime friend, sometime rival lawyer Crenshaw Davenport III are assigned do to some undercover investigating while ostensibly doing a legal audit for a friend of their boss. Beverly's friend is running for mayor in Edindale and is being blackmailed. Beverly insists that Edgar Harrison can't possibly be guilty of anything. She will however, concede that Edgar may have done a thing or two that might not look legal to one not versed in legal issues. While Keli and Crenshaw are at Harrison's office, they are invited to his annual Christmas Ball.

  Concurrently, Keli is waiting for her boyfriend, photographer Wes, to return from Seattle. She is unsure where their relationship is headed, and has high hopes. The sudden and unexpected reappearance of a college boyfriend, Mick, into her life is not anything Keli wants. The flirtatious admiration of Zeke, the new IT guy in Harrison's company is amusing and, Keli is pretty sure, not to be taken seriously. Then there is the matter of her good friend Mila becoming the designated leader of a local coven. All these things, combined with seasonal travel to family, mean that Keli has a lot going on.

  After the Ball, Mick lures Keli back to the hotel with the promise of returning something of hers that he kept all those years ago. When Keli, with Wes, returns to the hotel, she is the unfortunate person who discovers Edgar's body under one of the Christmas trees. He is quite dead. The initial theory is that he fell over a balcony due to his inebriated state, certainly a likely and possible scenario. Keli doesn't buy it. There are too many questions left unanswered and Keli is a persistent person. Somebody was blackmailing Edgar. Who? Why? Does any of this have anything to do with the feeling that she is being watched, followed? Keli is not going to let this go.

  Keli uses her religion, Wicca, in several ways during the course of the novel. She uses it to focus her mind, to guard her against evil, to seek truth from various people. It is a central part of her personality without being a distraction or a facile plot device. The blizzard at the end, on the other hand, is as old as mystery fiction - and works as well as Hesse can make it work. The romance between Keli and Wes continues apace; he is not distracted by Mick or Zeke and seems to trust Keli an awful lot (which is a good thing). This is well-plotted and amusing, keeping this reader interested on a cold and snowy afternoon. One hopes the third entry in the series continues to be as entertaining as this second story.

  § I have been reading and reviewing mystery fiction for over a quarter of a century and read broadly within just about all genres and sub-genres. I have been a preliminary judge for the Malice Domestic/St. Martin’s Press Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Contest for at least 25 years. I live in Northern lower Michigan with my spousal unit, one large cat, and 2 fairly small dogs.

  Reviewed by PJ Coldren, November 2017

• Janis' Journal
  https://janisjournalreviews.com/2016/07/24/book-review-midsummer-nights-mischief-by-jennifer-d-hesse/
  Word count: 592

  I would like to thank Kensington Books for allowing me a free ARC of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an open and honest review.

  What a great new idea for a cosy crime series! Now, it could be because I am a Pagan myself (not wiccan) and so could associate a lot with Keli being “in the broom closet”. It could be because my vegan leanings (still an omnivore). It was more likely because I’m such a huge fan of the cosy crime/ mystery genre… I don’t know – but I just clicked with this book and loved it.

  It is the first book in a series called ‘A Wiccan Wheel Mystery’ and so I am going to guess here that the adventures are going to all occur at specific points of the wheel of the year – pagan speak for the equinoxes, solstices and other memorable points we follow. But please, please, PLEASE don’t let all the paganism put you off enjoying the story! If you are afraid of books that contain people of non-Christian faiths being the protagonist, please don’t be afraid of this book as it’s not all pagan/wiccan nor is it going to try and convert you a witty, sharp intrigue at a time – cute rock star looking boyfriends or not.

  The cosy/ mystery side far outweighs ANY religious connotations and to avoid this book for having a whiff of paganism means you are missing out on a great new mystery series.

  Hmmm, I really hope that’s not scared too many people off. I won’t even go into the yummy vegan side in case it does. 😉

  Okay, back to the actual book… it is well paced – slow in a few spots, but not too bad. The characters are likable, easy to connect with and fun to follow. Their sleuthing skills are believable and the storyline is well mapped out and contains a good balance of personal life, crime solving and hotties.

  Something I really loved about ‘Midsummer Night’s Mischief’ is there was barely a ‘first book in the series jitters’ to be seen. Which was great, and shows Ms Hesse is a talented writer and knows what she’s doing when it comes to creating a new series to entertain and enthral her readers. Yes I guessed the whodunit fairly early on, but there is rarely a book I don’t do that to. However, it’s only the great books I then finish reading to see the why as well as the who!

  Would I recommend this book to others?
  Yes I would. Totally enjoyable, easy to get lost in and fun to follow story. Lovers of cosy crime/ mysteries will enjoy this any day. It is the perfect combination of mystery, personality, love interest and friendship that make modern cosies what they are.

  Would I buy this book for myself?
  Yes I would. Totally my kind of cosy and just try and stop me! I will definitely be looking out for further books in this series and hope Kensington think of me when it’s time to review them!

  In summary – great start to a new mystery series, contains the balance of things to make a perfect cosy and has the right pace to keep you wanting to know more until it’s all over. Highly recommend.

  Until next time,

  Janis.