The Biscuit Witch

It's been way too long since readers have been treated to the unique voice of Deborah Smith, one of my all-time favorite authors. The Biscuit Witch only whets my appetite for more. While it brims with colorful characters, Southern humor and a sweet romance, there is so much set up required for the rest of the planned trilogy of novellas that the love story at times seems a bit rushed. Tal and Doug are fine characters but with only 100+ pages to play with, something has to go and in this case it's a bit of depth. Doug has come to Crossroads Cove after his wife left him and he descended into a drunken stupor, but by the time Tal meets him he is cleaned up, ready to fall in love at first sight, and darned near perfect (he loves animals! and children! and he has a darling brogue!). Tal is on the run with her young daughter from her rich, famous ex-boyfriend but it's obvious that his hired goons don't stand a chance against the loyal if slightly crazy residents of Crossroads Cove, so even that suspense is slightly muted. Even with those minor complaints, I loved the novella and read it twice in a row - once to quickly reach the HEA and once to savor every delicious word.

I'm looking forward to more fireworks for Tal's sister Gabby and the man who seems destined to challenge her (unlike Tal, who as a baker has a sweet personality, Gabby is known as the Pickle Queen and is full of vinegar). The plot line for Tal's brother Gus also seems to foreshadow lots of tortured angst. I can't wait. Meanwhile I'm off to re-read The Crossroads Cafe. Welcome back Ms. Smith!