iWitch | Diana Orgain

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter One

From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter One Maeve   The opening night crowd at Maeve’s café, Listen: It’s Old Fashioned, buzzed in a loud continuous noisy cadence that made Maeve’s heart sing. A few short weeks ago, searching for some normalcy and a new way of life, she’d blasted out of Hollywood and found Wisteria Pines. The café had only been a dream. Now business was popping, and she’d run dangerously low on pastries. Donnie, her only employee, was in the back attempting to follow a muffin recipe, which left her waiting tables and appeasing the hungry crowd. “Okay, we got two double shot espressos and a scotch,” Gracie called out from behind the counter. Thank God for Gracie, Maeve thought with a smile. Gracie, Maeve’s friend and landlord, had volunteered to help out for opening night. At first, Maeve had refused the offer thinking the opening would be slow, but now she was glad Gracie had been so insistent. Maeve swept up the drinks and sashayed to a corner booth where Bobby Farley chatted with his suited companions. Maeve feared she hadn’t exactly made a great first impression with him, what with her accusing him of murder a few weeks ago. But the man had actually turned out to be a decent human being. “All righty boys, drink up,” Maeve said, putting a hand on Bobby’s shoulder. “Thanks for dragging your buddies away from your regular bar for a night to come out and support me, Bobby.” Bobby smiled. “Hey, darling, I’m always ready to support the local businesses. And, if you continue to serve...

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter Three Continued . . .

Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? Did you miss part one of Chapter Three? From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter Three Continued . . . She entered the main area of the café and almost fell over in shock at the crowd. There were rows of cars in the parking lot, and the line was out the door. “Oh dear,” she said to herself, realizing she’d given anyone within a mile of the café a serious coffee craving. I’m going to have to tell Gracie to watch where she sprays her perfume, Maeve thought and got right to work. Maeve and Donnie made a great team. He worked the register and was actually much more of a people person than Maeve had expected. He was kind to everyone, working fast while also asking politely how so-and-so was doing–holding friendly conversations with each patron. Maeve worked rapidly at preparing complicated drink orders and occasionally slipping into the back to check on whatever muffin or snack cake they had baking in the oven. For the next two hours, Maeve and Donnie both remained on their feet before the crowd slowly dispersed. A few stragglers remained behind to sit and enjoy their coffee, but she and Donnie were about ready to collapse come eleven o’clock. “How about a coffee on me?” Maeve offered. “I’m impressed, Donnie. You didn’t let that crazy rush trip you up at all.” He smiled. “Thanks. And I would love some coffee … and maybe just a minute to sit in the back and get off my feet? I think I’m...

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter Three

Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter Three MAEVE Maeve arrived at the café the next morning, surprised to see five people standing in line in anticipation of its morning opening. Maybe I should open earlier, she thought to herself as she jumped out of her purple Volkswagen. “Morning, everyone!” she called to the small line. “Just give me a few minutes to get the café ready, and then I’ll be able to open!” The group nodded approvingly as Maeve slipped inside her café, mentally ticking through her opening tasks. First take down the chairs, she told herself. That way those people out there can come in and sit down while they wait for me to get the machines started up. As she entered, however, she saw that this task had already been done. “What in the world?” she questioned out loud, but before the words could finish leaving her lips, she spotted Gracie stepping out of the back kitchen. “Morning, sunshine!” Gracie sang. She was dressed in a canary yellow dress with matching strappy sandals. “You look like a blast of sunshine yourself,” Maeve said. Gracie smiled. “Uh … but Gracie?” Maeve questioned. “How did you get in here?” “You didn’t change the locks. This was my grandfather’s old knick‐ knack shop, remember?” Maeve grabbed a flowered apron off a peg and handed it to Gracie. “You need to cover up if you’re going to bake in that outfit.” Gracie slipped the apron over her dress. “Right! I need to careful after last night. I don’t...

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter Two Continued…

Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss part one of Chapter Two? From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter Two Continued . . . Her eyes open wide, and her pupils dilate. Oh, yeah, good ol’ Chuck knows how to keep a lady on her toes! She yanks her hand away, and I keep my smile and confidence. “Magic?” she questions. “I can’t say that I believe in magic, Mr. Lowry.” “Oh, but I do,” I say, leaning forward. Her entire face is red, the slight pinkish look no longer subtle. She’s swooning, I think. Yeah, totally, that’s what’s happening. “And I definitely feel it in this café. You’ve put … put your magic touch on this place, haven’t you? And you, darling, have definitely cast a spell on me,” I say, enunciating the words as clearly as I can. Then I lock my eyes on hers and say, “And if it’s not too much trouble, I’d love for you to cast another-” And then the pain starts. This horrible, shooting pain goes up and down my left arm all the way to my chest. I step back and grip my chest with my good arm. “Mr. Lowry? Are you all right?” Maeve asks, stepping toward me with a concerned gaze. Oh my God, I’m having a heart attack! “I … I …” I stutter. I’m a little out of breath. I’m way too young to be having a heart attack! I eat right, I exer‐ cise–got to stay looking good for the camera, you know? Why is this happening? I’m about to tell her to...

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter Two

Did you miss Chapter One? From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter Two CHUCK I’ve been looking for someone–no one in particular–just someone … anyone, who could reverse the curse. And I found her. Call it luck or call it fate, but I found her. I sit in the corner of her café, watching her as she happily darts back and forth from customer to customer. It is opening night of Listen: It’s Old Fashioned, and half of the town is excitedly filling up the joint. That’s my girl. For the past month, I’ve been living as this woman’s pet. Her cutesy little doggie, Wanda. Not tonight, baby! I’m all man, tonight. No fur, no doggie drool, no panting, no dog breath, no fleas, no ticks, no strange and unrelenting desire for someone to scratch me behind the ears! Not tonight, folks! I am me once more. Penny, the young niece of one of my darling Maeve’s friends, sits in the window seat near my table. She keeps whispering to that stupid cat of hers and occasionally glancing my way and giggling. I smile. Making nice. The girl thinks I’m a hero for bringing her cat up here to the café. I suppose it’s nice to be adored even by a little fan, so for now I’ll smile and wave whenever she glances over. The cat, whom I unaffectionately call Fuzzball, hops out of the little girl’s lap and comes over to my table. “So what are you going to do, Wanda?” Fuzzball asks me, hopping up into the chair across from me. I grumble to myself...

I Wanda put a Spell on You (An iWitch Mystery Series: Book Two) Sneak Peek – Chapter One Continued…

Did you miss part one of Chapter One? From I Wanda put a Spell on you Chapter One Continued . . . Maeve took a moment to observe her work. The café was popping, and she could feel the incredible energy vibrating through her veins. Suddenly the sultry voice of Nina Simone filled the café, and Maeve felt electricity jolt her upright. The song, Feeling Good, played through the music system, and Maeve relaxed. Yes, that’s exactly how she felt: Good The atmosphere in the café was exactly as she’d imagined it. The crowd settled into their booths and tables, people were chatting and actually listening to each other and to the music. She took a deep breath, giving herself a moment to soak it all in. It was hard to believe that her work and effort had at last paid off. Things were looking great for the first time in a long time for Maeve, and that soothed her nerves. The door to the café opened, and a group of young men entered. There were four men, all with their hair buzzed short in proper mili‐ tary style. One of them, the one coming straight up to the counter, seemed very familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him. “Maeve O’Dare?” he asked with a charming smile as his buddies fought to find seating. “Yes?” she asked. He put out his hand, and Maeve shook it. “Nathan Whittaker,” he said. “Did you say Whittaker?” she questioned. “I did,” he said, resting his elbows on the counter across from her. “You’re Nadine’s brother?” she asked. “I saw your picture on...