Miss Spell's Hotel

Miss Spell’s Hotel is a fun start to a new series. It’s set in the same world as the Maggie MacKay, Magical Tracker series (a highly recommended series), but this new series is set several decades before Maggie. Elle Spell is a witch that runs the No Spell Hotel on the Other Side, which exists in a parallel dimension to Earth. About six months ago, her coven unjustly stripped her of her powers after she acted in self-defense and killed a vampire hotel guest who attacked her. Since then, her hotel is falling in disrepair and her guest list is dwindling. Meanwhile, she’s trying to hide the fact that she’s lost her magic in order to keep some of the nefarious magical entities from taking over her hotel. A mysterious stranger makes her an offer to buy the hotel, but Elle is unwilling to sell since it’s been in her family for ages. Soon after, weird things start happening. Elle starts forgetting to do things like go to a healer or eat and there are customers listed in the hotel ledger she doesn’t remember. Elle, her coworker Ajax and her new apprentice Precious team up to understand what is going on.The story was pretty enjoyable, I liked Elle, Ajax and Precious, all characters were interesting and well developed. In addition, there are a couple of fun cameos and a shout out to characters from the Maggie series. One of which I really enjoyed, but I won’t say much more since I don’t want to give it away. I recommend reading this book, it’s a good start to a new series and I’m looking forward to see where it goes.

Lovers of Maggie will recognize the world, but you don’t have to have read those books at all to “get” this one. Miss Elle Spell dispatches a vampire from her hotel, to the dismay of her coven who do not buy her claims of self defense. They put her on magic time out for a year, which leaves her and her trusty dwarf sidekick Ajax vulnerable to goblins and a mysterious stranger, “John Doe”. Cleaner language than Maggie (for those who object to that sort of thing), but no fewer antics. Thank goodness. A little mystery, a little humor, a little magic, a few good friends, and you have what I hope is the start of a new series.

The book seems fairly good but is missing some descriptions. I find myself even trying to guess the age of the main character. Though from her angle it appears there is some description missing on things. What does the hotel look like... I get a jumble of strange rooms. What does the dwarf look like. I mean I am assuming short. We know there is someone with a certain type of hair that may be a warlock and prim and proper head of the mages but what era is this book in? Are the dresses long or is this a modern type dimension of earth? I don't even know what color hair our main character has.. did I miss?In summary I would appreciate a slight slowing down to have more description but like other parts of the book. Will I read more? Maybe.

This book offered a great read, easy to pick up anytime, anywhere. The drama is light and the laughs are plenty. It's one of those books you read between heavy sagas to catch your breath and feel refreshed about reading again. Love the main character and her polite and clever witticisms.. and her butt kicking skills. I love that the author doesn't drone on with unnecessary details. She keeps the story flowing with no downtime. I am looking forward to book two in the series!

Miss Elle Spell is a witch who has been unfairly stripped of her powers by her coven. Her No Spell Hotel is located on the Other Side, in the same universe as Maggie MacKay. The Hotel is famed for providing housing for all types of magical creatures. In addition to being stripped of her powers, a warlock is attempting to buy her hotel.Characterization and plotting are excellent.