Title Artifacts & Amulets A Bookstore Cozy Mystery
Author Lucinda Race
Genre Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb
Enjoy this clean, paranormal cozy mystery by award-winning and bestselling author Lucinda Race.
Welcome to Pembroke Cove, where witches and murders are multiplying...
Artifacts & Amulets
In a small New England town, Lily Michaels is reveling in a tranquil day in her happy place—her bookstore. Contentment evaporates when two archeologists burst through the door on a mission. They're searching for books about amulets—precisely, the cursed Heart of the Soul, on display at the Olde Town Library in Pembroke Cove. Lily’s familiar, Milo, hops onto the counter and the conversation halts Milo’s tail mid-swish. After the out-of-towners leave with the same frenzy as they entered, Milo reveals a secret that could change the coven of the Michaels witches forever.
Later that night, Lily and her fiancé, Detective Gage Erikson, are enjoying a moonlit stroll on the beach. They stumble upon the lifeless body of Petra Addington, one of the archeologists from the bookstore, clutching the Heart of the Soul amulet. Questions tumble through Lily’s brain: How did Petra steal it, and why did she end up on the beach, dead? Could the reported curse from the Heart of the Soul have claimed a new victim?
With the clock ticking, Lily must uncover the amulet's secrets and protect those she loves. As she investigates the murder and Milo’s past, the very foundation of Lily's life may change forever. Will her determination and skill as a witch be strong enough to solve the murder before there are more victims—including her beloved familiar?
Artifacts and Amulets is the 8th novel in A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series, although each book can be read as standalone. It is a sweet and clean, cozy mystery with a guarantee that the culprit is caught. Happy reading!
Excerpt
The door to the Cozy Nook Bookshop opened with a sharp bang. A man, about fifty, with streaks of gray in his hair and mustache, scowled at me. He wore a crisp brown suit with a white shirt and orange tie that reminded me of a pumpkin. The woman was a bit younger, wearing a dark skirt, matching jacket, and a pale blue blouse, making her deep blue eyes more pronounced, and three-inch heels. Her hair was coiffed in a short, no-nonsense style that complimented her face. She closed the door and glanced around, her face expressionless.
“Welcome to my bookstore. I’m Lily. If there is anything I can help you find, please ask.”
The man gave a curt nod of acknowledgment as the woman stepped to the counter. I was perched on a wooden stool and put aside my family’s book on magic, Practical Beginnings, that I had been reading.
“Is there a specific book you’re looking for today?”
She glanced at the man and back at me. “I am. A book on amulets. Do you have anything in stock?”
I gave her a wide smile. “Yes.” I stood and headed down the aisle close to where my familiar, Milo, was snoozing on the window seat. The sun streamed in the large plate glass windows, bathing his gray fur in warmth. He lifted his head and looked at the customer through slits in his eyes before he bolted to an upright position.
I smiled at the couple. “Did you know there is an exhibit at the Olde Town Library with artifacts that include several amulets? Their history is reported to be quite interesting.”
The man said, “Why do you think we’re in town? We forgot our reference books in the city, so show us what you have and stop jaw-jacking.”
I didn’t appreciate his cantankerous tone, but the old saying the customer is always right had me tamping down a sharp retort. I gestured to the shelf in front of them as if we were on a game show and I was the hostess showing off the gifts. “Here you go. As you can see, there are several. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
The woman tipped her head. “Thank you.”
She turned her back to me as if I shouldn’t see what book she picked up first. I took the hint that I was dismissed and took my time going back to the counter. The couple didn’t seem to be enjoying their day, and I found this curious. Outside, the sun was bright; temperatures were pleasant for a June day, and from what I had heard, the exhibit at the library was fascinating. I caught Milo staring at me, and I gave him a wink. If he wanted to talk to me, he could, non-magicals would only hear him meow. He hopped to the floor, leaving one of his favorite napping spots, and trotted behind me. I picked him up and set him on the counter.
While Milo and I waited, the woman’s voice was laced with agitation. “I must see the Heart of the Soul amulet. It is imperative my proposal is accepted.”
Nodding in their direction, I whispered, “What do you think their problem is?”
In a deep kitty growl, Milo said, “Be careful. I’ll explain later.”
I was surprised to see him continue to stare in the customers’ direction. He was engrossed by their conversation. I arched a brow in his direction, but he ignored me and swished his tail in a jerky side-to-side motion.
After several long minutes, the couple carried a stack of books to the desk. The woman sorted through the titles, handing five to the man and placing one on the table behind them. With a thud, he set them on the counter next to Milo. “We’ll take these.”
“If you need directions to the library, it’s on the corner of Doenut Drive and Route 1 on the right, at the end. But if you’d prefer to walk, you can cut through the town square and get there in a few minutes.”
“Good to know.”
I rang up the books and gave him the total, but the woman handed me her credit card. I glanced at the name as the transaction was being processed. “Petra. That’s a beautiful name.”
“Dr. Addington.” She wrenched the card from my hands. “Can I sign for the purchase please?”
My eyes widened at her rudeness, but she wouldn’t be the last customer with an attitude when they entered my shop. As I slipped her books into a brown paper bag, I looked past her to see what the man was doing.
He was reading the back jacket of the book Petra had set aside.
“Simon. The bag.” Without so much as a thank you, she turned in her pumps and strode to the door, her heels clacking against the wood floor.
The man, who I now knew as Simon, shrugged. “The boss,” and he trailed after her, looking more like a sad puppy than a grown man.
The door closed with much less force than when it was opened, and I watched Petra and Simon get into a heated exchange. Petra’s arms were flailing about, and she repeatedly jabbed him in the middle of his chest. He stepped back while she advanced on him, still carrying on. I wished the windows were open to hear what they were saying.
“You know, my dear witch, if you hadn’t been slacking on your studies, you might have discovered the spell for eavesdropping. Typically, it’s frowned upon in our coven. However, there are circumstances in which rules could be interpreted that it was warranted, especially when it’s easy to see she is extremely agitated.” He tipped his head back and watched me, watching the action outside.
“What do you know about the Heart of the Soul? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s an amulet.” He quickly jumped to the floor and trotted into the back room.
That short answer wasn’t like Milo. “Where are you going?”
“Out.” He pushed on the kitty door and left it swinging in his wake.
I crossed my arms over my chest and then looked at the sidewalk. Petra and Simon were gone. If I hadn’t been distracted, I could have seen in which direction they went. Glancing at the desk calendar, I was pleased to realize the library was open late tonight. With a quick text to my fiancé, Detective Gage Erikson of the Pembroke Police Department, I let him know I’d be stopping at the library after I closed the store. I smiled at the idea of spending time at the library in spite of Milo’s rude departure.
What was it today with rudeness? I sank to the stool. My eyes were drawn to the kitty door. Where had he gone?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/artifacts-and-amulets-lucinda-race/1145338649?ean=2940186109976
Author Biography
Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a avid fan of fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading cozy mystery and romance novels and getting lost in the fun and hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dream was to become an expert at crafting a captivating novel.
As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for the McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series, it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys.
She weaves paranormal cozy mystery stories and romance with guaranteed happily ever afters.
Lucinda lives with her two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she's not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing mystery, suspense or romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on.
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