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A Chocolate Magic Cozy #1
The Chocolate Magic Café
Create your own magical moment! Grab a coffee and maybe some chocolate while you dive into this cozy mystery!
Magda Caraganic already is a successful chocolatier. When she inherits an old stable from her aunt, she decides to convert it into a chocolate shop and café. The best contractor to help with the conversion is the man she has argued with since she was fifteen.
The work sparks off spirit activity marked by the appearance of a mysterious ghost cat. Magda’s beautiful Birman cat, Crystal, starts to act strangely. What can it all mean?
This is a story of friendship, friendly ghosts, cats, chocolate and true love.
Magda Caraganic already is a successful chocolatier. When she inherits an old stable from her aunt, she decides to convert it into a chocolate shop and café. The best contractor to help with the conversion is the man she has argued with since she was fifteen.
The work sparks off spirit activity marked by the appearance of a mysterious ghost cat. Magda’s beautiful Birman cat, Crystal, starts to act strangely. What can it all mean?
This is a story of friendship, friendly ghosts, cats, chocolate and true love.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2018
About the author
Olivia Swift
25 books62 followersOlivia Swift loves writing cozy mysteries! Her stories are inspired by her varied interests…gardening, spirits, crystals and so much more. Of course, there must be a romance or two in her books and a happily-ever-after ending!
Growing up in a small English village, Olivia is only too familiar with the various characters that make up a community. There is always an event, drama, or mystery amongst the village folk.
Only a few years ago, Olivia and her husband chose to take an early retirement and moved to the Aquitaine region of France. There, in her sun-filled study, she is able to sit and write her books. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the window overlooks her lovely French country garden.
Growing up in a small English village, Olivia is only too familiar with the various characters that make up a community. There is always an event, drama, or mystery amongst the village folk.
Only a few years ago, Olivia and her husband chose to take an early retirement and moved to the Aquitaine region of France. There, in her sun-filled study, she is able to sit and write her books. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the window overlooks her lovely French country garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 6, 2020
When Magda Caraganic decided what she would do with the inheritance of an old stable from Aunt Gertie, she knew the decision to turn it into a chocolate café was the right one. Magda was a highly sought-after chocolatier and with her friends, including contractor Sam Barnes, they worked on plans and ideas, until finally the work could begin. As Magda watched her new chocolate café take shape, she also noticed some spiritual activity. Needing to learn the history of the old stable, Magda and her friends unearthed some quite startling secrets. Would everything come together in a satisfying manner by the time the Chocolate Magic Café was due to open?
The Chocolate Magic Café is the 1st in A Chocolate Magic Cozy series by Olivia Swift and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Light, entertaining and a quick read, the author’s writing felt right. The mystery surrounded the friendly ghosts and the characters’ love of cats. Great fun – highly recommended.
The Chocolate Magic Café is the 1st in A Chocolate Magic Cozy series by Olivia Swift and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Light, entertaining and a quick read, the author’s writing felt right. The mystery surrounded the friendly ghosts and the characters’ love of cats. Great fun – highly recommended.
December 31, 2018
converting an inherited stable into a chocolate cafe might not be easy, but can you think of anything yummier?
hmm... perhaps the contractor!
past loves and present challenges and future opportunities!
throw in some spirit activity, and magic - personal and maybe otherwise.... a winning combination!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
hmm... perhaps the contractor!
past loves and present challenges and future opportunities!
throw in some spirit activity, and magic - personal and maybe otherwise.... a winning combination!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2023
This was a cute romance with a little bit of magic. I would not classify it as a cozy mystery.
Magda inherits her late aunt Gertie’s ramshackle barn. She decides to turn it into a chocolate shop with the help of a man she hated growing up, but is now building a romance with. You really have to give it creative license in the fact that the love interest, a successful contractor came in and was able to start renovating right away.
Otherwise it was a cute read and the chocolate descriptions left me drooling.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for an ARC of this book.
Magda inherits her late aunt Gertie’s ramshackle barn. She decides to turn it into a chocolate shop with the help of a man she hated growing up, but is now building a romance with. You really have to give it creative license in the fact that the love interest, a successful contractor came in and was able to start renovating right away.
Otherwise it was a cute read and the chocolate descriptions left me drooling.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for an ARC of this book.
May 29, 2019
Cute but predictable
This is a cute little story. However, it was also full of plot holes and an utterly predictable romance and ending. It would be good for a summer book where the reader doesn’t have to, or want to think.
This is a cute little story. However, it was also full of plot holes and an utterly predictable romance and ending. It would be good for a summer book where the reader doesn’t have to, or want to think.
April 27, 2020
The Chocolate Magic Cafe - by Olivia Swift.
My thoughts:
This is a nice romance story. It was sweet but predictable. Some interesting secondary characters that keep the story flowing. I am not sure i would classify this as a cozy mystery story, more of a romance story with ghosts and a psychic cat in the story line. I found the time line to be a bit odd. There was a renovation of a derelict stable block into a state of the art Cafe/chocolate products making commercial kitchen without any mention of planning/building permits or building /health inspector visits and the speed with which this construction/renovation took place was astonishing. Not to mention all the trades like electricians & plumbers etc. and supplies like all the shop fittings & custom made gates to the entrance of the alley, were available/made on such short notice. The whole project took a couple of weeks? to complete from when they first saw the property to opening of the cafe. Odd, it would have made more sense to spread this out over a longer period of time. This is book 1 in a series, so this book sets up the back story and introduces the friends and relationships etc. Nice read. Would have made the story more engaging if told in first person point of view. Won't bother with the rest of the series as this did not keep my attention enough to find out what happens next. 2 stars.
My thoughts:
This is a nice romance story. It was sweet but predictable. Some interesting secondary characters that keep the story flowing. I am not sure i would classify this as a cozy mystery story, more of a romance story with ghosts and a psychic cat in the story line. I found the time line to be a bit odd. There was a renovation of a derelict stable block into a state of the art Cafe/chocolate products making commercial kitchen without any mention of planning/building permits or building /health inspector visits and the speed with which this construction/renovation took place was astonishing. Not to mention all the trades like electricians & plumbers etc. and supplies like all the shop fittings & custom made gates to the entrance of the alley, were available/made on such short notice. The whole project took a couple of weeks? to complete from when they first saw the property to opening of the cafe. Odd, it would have made more sense to spread this out over a longer period of time. This is book 1 in a series, so this book sets up the back story and introduces the friends and relationships etc. Nice read. Would have made the story more engaging if told in first person point of view. Won't bother with the rest of the series as this did not keep my attention enough to find out what happens next. 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
This book put the nail in the coffin for "cozy" mysteries for me. I'm still not sure what mystery was in the book - it was all painfully straightforward. (Plot summary below). What really stood out was the language. I was getting bored and wanted to finish quickly in order to cancel my Kindle Unlimited membership (I have a problem not finishing books I start) so I turned on Word Runner. At that point it became painfully obviously how simplistic the language was. Maybe 2nd or 3rd grade reading level? Struggled to finish.
September 2, 2020
A sweet read, in both story and chocolate
A sweet read, in both story and chocolate. Start with a big mixing bowl, add a dash of truffles, a pinch of cats, two characters who don't think they're in love, and a touch of the supernatural and you get a recipe for a cozy cafe. This book had a neat concept and I liked all the contents and characters, however the writing is very stiff and formal. It is hard to read the story when the language doesn't flow easily in your head. Additionally, the book needed breaks, key spaces or asterisks indicating time skips or the like. The lack of breaks made reading it confusing and hard to tell at what point during the day things were happening. Hopefully the author can work on the writing a bit, because her stories and concepts are interesting, the writing just needs some improvement. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
A sweet read, in both story and chocolate. Start with a big mixing bowl, add a dash of truffles, a pinch of cats, two characters who don't think they're in love, and a touch of the supernatural and you get a recipe for a cozy cafe. This book had a neat concept and I liked all the contents and characters, however the writing is very stiff and formal. It is hard to read the story when the language doesn't flow easily in your head. Additionally, the book needed breaks, key spaces or asterisks indicating time skips or the like. The lack of breaks made reading it confusing and hard to tell at what point during the day things were happening. Hopefully the author can work on the writing a bit, because her stories and concepts are interesting, the writing just needs some improvement. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.
July 7, 2020
Puurfectly chocolatey
A great starter, chocolate, mayhem, ghosts, kittens, family secrets, reunited love, a business to build from scratch and a troublemaking tart.
A great starter, chocolate, mayhem, ghosts, kittens, family secrets, reunited love, a business to build from scratch and a troublemaking tart.
December 23, 2018
This is book one in what promises to be a fun that keeps you turning pages until the end! I love Magda's love of cats and how much of a wonderful chocolatier she is working to realize her dream of opening her own chocolate shop. Combine that with a high school "friend" who she always fought with and refused to date, but now becomes her incredible architect/contractor. Add to that Crystal, one of her cars starts acting "clairvoyant" and there are ghosts in the barn she has inherited from her Aunt to turn into her shop. Then she has her best friend, best friend's mother, her new helper and her cousin added to the mix. Will Magda be able to realize her dream of opening her own chocolate shop? Or will the ghosts take over? Why are they there? What relationship do they have to her family? Can she hold her tongue with her high school nemesis contractor? Is one of her two Birman cats, Crystal, clairvoyant? All these threads are so deftly woven that you must read this book in one sitting-you just can't put it down! I can't wait for the next book in the series to see what surprises the author has in store for us. I received and ARC but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
December 29, 2018
Love makes everything better
A good read. It was a mystery but a lot of cozy readers might find it different to the norm. It is a story of a past injustice rather than a crime. The characters are just slightly too sweet for me and needed more (like the wannabe girlfriend) to balance out.
She has made chocolate truffles and treats but now that she has inherited the land she wants to know if it could be turned into a shop. The stable that forms part of it should be easy to convert especially with the help of Sam, although she has always had a love / hate relationship with him. What they don't expect is to see a ghost of a cat walking through the wall. As she, Sam and the others investigate further they also start seeing the ghost of her Great Aunt. Why is she haunting the place? The more they investigate the more of the past is uncovered, her relationship with Sam changes and her new business starts taking shape. Will they find out why the ghost is there? Will the business go ahead? What will happen to her and Sam?
A good read. It was a mystery but a lot of cozy readers might find it different to the norm. It is a story of a past injustice rather than a crime. The characters are just slightly too sweet for me and needed more (like the wannabe girlfriend) to balance out.
She has made chocolate truffles and treats but now that she has inherited the land she wants to know if it could be turned into a shop. The stable that forms part of it should be easy to convert especially with the help of Sam, although she has always had a love / hate relationship with him. What they don't expect is to see a ghost of a cat walking through the wall. As she, Sam and the others investigate further they also start seeing the ghost of her Great Aunt. Why is she haunting the place? The more they investigate the more of the past is uncovered, her relationship with Sam changes and her new business starts taking shape. Will they find out why the ghost is there? Will the business go ahead? What will happen to her and Sam?
May 17, 2019
"The Chocolate Magic Café" earns 5/5 Truffles...Entertaining!
Ok, it's chocolate! Who wouldn't be excited about this first book in the Chocolate Magic Cozy series?! Olivia Swift, an author I enjoy following, uses a third-person narrative (not my favorite perspective, but done well) to introduce Magda Caraganic, a successful chocolatier, who decides to refurbish the stable she inherited into a chocolate shop and café. Unfortunately, the contractor is one with whom she has a love/hate relationship and...are those ghosts? The mystery about the stable she inherited is clever with vivid description (some mouthwatering), entertaining dialogue, and wonderful characters. I enjoyed this book and am eager for the series to continue. However, it's chocolate! Where is the recipe for Raspberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake or Brandy Pralines or Chocolate Magic Truffles?
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from Booksprout. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
Ok, it's chocolate! Who wouldn't be excited about this first book in the Chocolate Magic Cozy series?! Olivia Swift, an author I enjoy following, uses a third-person narrative (not my favorite perspective, but done well) to introduce Magda Caraganic, a successful chocolatier, who decides to refurbish the stable she inherited into a chocolate shop and café. Unfortunately, the contractor is one with whom she has a love/hate relationship and...are those ghosts? The mystery about the stable she inherited is clever with vivid description (some mouthwatering), entertaining dialogue, and wonderful characters. I enjoyed this book and am eager for the series to continue. However, it's chocolate! Where is the recipe for Raspberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake or Brandy Pralines or Chocolate Magic Truffles?
"Disclosure: I received an ARC from Booksprout. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."
December 19, 2018
Magda's dream of owning her own chocolate shop is coming true, when she inherits and old stable from her aunt. Having been a chocolatier and developed her own special flavours and designs, she could hardly wait to be able to sell them in her own shop. Her cousin and friends were well supportive of her and helps her develop ideas and designs as to how her new shop should look. But what they did not bargain for was the fact that Magda inherited a haunted piece of real estate, haunted by a ghost cat as well as a ghostly lady.
Olivia Swift's books are always an easy and relaxing read. They make you smile and are often heart warming happy stories, full of love and friendship. I enjoyed this, her latest, very much and look forward to more from her. I was given an ARC and this is my honest opinion
Olivia Swift's books are always an easy and relaxing read. They make you smile and are often heart warming happy stories, full of love and friendship. I enjoyed this, her latest, very much and look forward to more from her. I was given an ARC and this is my honest opinion
January 2, 2019
thanks to lirios publishing for the pdf download of the chocolate magic café by Olivia swift I voluntarily reviewed this story it was about Magda Caraganic who inherits an old stable from her aunt and asks Sam Barnes to help turn it into a chocolate café . with the help of her cousin Branston her friend Rula and her mom Melissa , Declan , merle, and Katie they slove the mystery behind the stables and have some fun along the way with some omance this was just as good as her other book's I love how everyone tells everyone everything in this story real whodunit with a lot of twistand turns along the way they trust each other so much in this story a great mystery with a good amount of pages not to much but not to little an overall good story I would recommend this story to my friends and family LAURA8759.
August 18, 2019
“The Chocolate Magic Cafe- Chocolate Magic Cozy Mysteries Book 1 “ by Olivia Swift is a tale of one Magda Caraganic whose Aunt Gertie left her a stable that Magda desired to be a cafe ....and Sam Barnes ..a local architect who assisted her to realize all of her dreams. However the remodeling awakened troubled spirits ...one of a sad lady...and one of a frightened feline...but the work continued and at last ... the breezes that that wafted thru the newly opened cafe carried the mixed scents of chocolate and lavender....So settle into your table and order up your chosen truffle and favorite beverage and begin to read...this especially delightful magical novel.....Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended!!! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
August 16, 2022
Has Potential but Feels Like Rough Draft
Parents- PG
Language- none that I remember
Violence- none
Sexual Content- PG - heavy kissing and the couple walking to the bed room but it's kept very clean
This felt very much like a first draft. The speech is very stiff, simple, and robotic - uses some contractions but not often which doesn't help. The story is a fun mix of paranormal, genealogy, cats, and romance that is made for the Hallmark movie fan.
Narrator- listen to the sample- her tone is very "matter of fact" and robotic at times when trying to deliver emotions. I listened at 1.25 times speed
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents- PG
Language- none that I remember
Violence- none
Sexual Content- PG - heavy kissing and the couple walking to the bed room but it's kept very clean
This felt very much like a first draft. The speech is very stiff, simple, and robotic - uses some contractions but not often which doesn't help. The story is a fun mix of paranormal, genealogy, cats, and romance that is made for the Hallmark movie fan.
Narrator- listen to the sample- her tone is very "matter of fact" and robotic at times when trying to deliver emotions. I listened at 1.25 times speed
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 30, 2018
This the first book by this author which I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it. Magda's aunt left her a property in her will, knowing that Magda wanted to expand her small chocolate making business and open a cafe - making chocolate on the premises. The renovation was interesting. There was a guy who had wanted to date her when she was fifteen and with whom she had done nothing but argue with since (he is the builder); her best friend's mother is hit by a car; a ghost or two; and the local flirt stopping the men working by making advances on them. Nothing is ever simple.
January 20, 2021
This story was a bit odd but captivating. I read it straight through one evening! I definitely will read the next book in the series.
Amazon synopsis:
Magda Caraganic already is a successful chocolatier. When she inherits an old stable from her aunt, she decides to convert it into a chocolate shop and café. The best contractor to help with the conversion is the man she has argued with since she was fifteen.
The work sparks off spirit activity marked by the appearance of a mysterious ghost cat. Magda’s beautiful Birman cat, Crystal, starts to act strangely. What can it all mean?
This is a story of friendship, friendly ghosts, cats, chocolate, and true love.
Amazon synopsis:
Magda Caraganic already is a successful chocolatier. When she inherits an old stable from her aunt, she decides to convert it into a chocolate shop and café. The best contractor to help with the conversion is the man she has argued with since she was fifteen.
The work sparks off spirit activity marked by the appearance of a mysterious ghost cat. Magda’s beautiful Birman cat, Crystal, starts to act strangely. What can it all mean?
This is a story of friendship, friendly ghosts, cats, chocolate, and true love.
April 17, 2023
What to do with an inherited stable? Turn it into a chocolate shop, of course. The only problem is that Sam, the contractor, is a man Magda loves to hate. Well, okay, that problem didn't last very long. I would have liked to see them work a bit harder to go from enemies to romantic interests. It seemed to happen too easily for me.
Okay, so the real problem is the ghosts — cat and human. Will their appearances scare everyone off, or can Magda figure out what the ghosts want before the grand opening?
I'd call the story more of a sweet, light-hearted romance than a cozy mystery. It was a fun story, narrated by Sarah K Lynn, who did a good job with all the voices.
Okay, so the real problem is the ghosts — cat and human. Will their appearances scare everyone off, or can Magda figure out what the ghosts want before the grand opening?
I'd call the story more of a sweet, light-hearted romance than a cozy mystery. It was a fun story, narrated by Sarah K Lynn, who did a good job with all the voices.
December 29, 2018
A really fun and entertaining book. What do you get when you mix ghosts, chocolate, and a lot of unknown history in your family? You get a great story. The characters were well defined and felt very familiar. The setting of the Chocolate Magic Café was a small town that you felt comfortable in right away. A touch of romance added to the stories appeal. Of course the cats stole the show whenever they could. Both the real cats and the ghost cat were very interesting. Want to read the next adventure to see what happens next to Magda and Sam and their friends.
December 29, 2018
Beautiful story. The author has chosen some really unusual names that made this story unique in its own way. Everything I love was in this story. It had a great storyline, a beautiful love story that came to life as you read. A spirit cat and a lady in a long dress and, of course, a mean damsel to add to the mystery. Oh, and Chocolate. I wish the Chocolate Magic Café was real. What a treat that would be.
January 2, 2019
The course of true love never runs smoothly and that is certainly the case here but the author gives such colorful descriptions in her scenes you feel like you are right there with all of the characters and the smell of warm chocolate leaps off of the page and into your nose! Loved this book and would like to read more about some of the secondary characters in it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2019
Call me shallow, but I am initially attracted to a book by its cover - and the cover art on this one is stunning and made me immediately want to read it! This is the second book by this author that I have read and the writing style is definitely different and something it took me a while to get used to. The storyline was entertaining and I liked the characters - will be reading the second one I'm sure.
November 7, 2019
Sweet and Cheerful
I like the characters in this story. There are the chocolate maker, her friends, and helpers, cats, and ghosts. Each has personality.
I like the romance in the story. It is sweet, clean, and not too full of anxiety. My imagination had something to do in filling any blanks.
In short it was a nice change from some books. There was no blood, no murder, no explicit sex, and no swearing! Refreshing!♥️🦃🍁😇♥️
I like the characters in this story. There are the chocolate maker, her friends, and helpers, cats, and ghosts. Each has personality.
I like the romance in the story. It is sweet, clean, and not too full of anxiety. My imagination had something to do in filling any blanks.
In short it was a nice change from some books. There was no blood, no murder, no explicit sex, and no swearing! Refreshing!♥️🦃🍁😇♥️
February 29, 2020
Chocolate everywhere
Who knew that opening a chocolate shop could be such a big job. Magda is opening a chocolate shop in an old stone stable. Helping her are several old friends. There is a ghost cat that seems to appear whenever Magda enters the building. Slowly the mystery of who the cat is and why it is there is discovered.
Enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Who knew that opening a chocolate shop could be such a big job. Magda is opening a chocolate shop in an old stone stable. Helping her are several old friends. There is a ghost cat that seems to appear whenever Magda enters the building. Slowly the mystery of who the cat is and why it is there is discovered.
Enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 27, 2021
OMG! What a Beautiful Story!
Sam has loved Magda since they were teens. They seemed to argue all the time and never dated. Now he was remodeling the old stable building she had inherited and was turning into a chocolate shop and cafe. First they see the ghost of a cat, then the ghost of a lady from several generations past. The story is very emotional, both laughter and tears. A very heartwarming read. Highly recommend.
Sam has loved Magda since they were teens. They seemed to argue all the time and never dated. Now he was remodeling the old stable building she had inherited and was turning into a chocolate shop and cafe. First they see the ghost of a cat, then the ghost of a lady from several generations past. The story is very emotional, both laughter and tears. A very heartwarming read. Highly recommend.
June 14, 2022
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The story featured a chocolatier named Magda, who inherited an old building when her aunt died. While Magda was visiting the place, she thinks she sees a cat that can walk through walls. The story was creative and amusing. Sarah K. Lynn's narration was fine, although she mispronounced a couple of words. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
December 26, 2018
This is the first book I’ve read from this author. I really enjoyed this book! It had romance, mystery and wonderful characters! Magda opened a chocolate cafe and solved mysteries of her family’s past! I recommend this book and this author! I look forward to reading more books from this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2018
The Chocolate Magic Café is a very enjoyable book. I loved Magda, Crystal (her cat), and all her friends and family. The ghost cat appears in chapter one. The chocolate cafe sounds fantastic. The plot is well developed. This is a wonderful beginning for Olivia Swift's new series. I could not put the book down. I look forward to the next book!
December 28, 2018
The Chocolate Magic Café is a very enjoyable book. I loved Magda, Crystal (her cat), and all her friends and family. The ghost cat appears in chapter one. The chocolate cafe sounds fantastic. The plot is well developed. This is a wonderful beginning for Olivia Swift's new series. I could not put the book down. I look forward to the next book!
December 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book! While not usually a fan of romances, this one contains enough paranormal mystery to make it fun. Magda inherits a small piece of property and plans to open her own chocolate shop. The story is skillfully written with a tight plot and believable characters. I received a free copy of this book and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews