If you’ve read A Wish Too Late, you probably think Patience O’Reilly is the real star of the show. Sure, she’s the white witch with the kind heart and the mysterious sparkle, but let’s not forget who’s been trotting beside her through every twist, turn, and suspicious teacup. That’s right—me. Lucky. Faithful familiar, crime-sniffing genius, and occasional crumb thief. When Patience says she “sensed” something off about a suspect, what she really means is I growled at their ankles first.
This story started like all the good ones do—someone made a wish. Trouble is, wishes are rarely as simple as they seem. Humans always wish for what they want, not what they need. That’s where Patience comes in, digging deeper, peeling back layers, and trying to untangle the mess of hearts and half-truths people hide behind. Me? I stick close, listen hard, and make sure she doesn’t accidentally trip over the truth—or her own good intentions. There’s a fine line between helping and meddling, but let’s just say I have four paws planted firmly on the meddling side.
There were moments during this mystery when even I wasn’t sure we’d get through it. The secrets, the sorrow, the way forgiveness hovered just out of reach. But then Patience does what she always does—finds the light tucked beneath the heartbreak. She says magic is about love, hope, and timing. I say it’s about trust… and having someone who’ll follow you into the dark, tail wagging all the way.
Now that the case is solved and peace has (temporarily) settled over Willow Gardens, I’m back to my usual duties: quality control for baked goods, squirrel surveillance, and offering unsolicited commentary on human behavior. But between us? I think A Wish Too Late changed Patience—and me, too. Because even a clever familiar can learn that some wishes are worth the risk, especially the ones that bring a little more love into our strange, wonderful world.
A WISH TOO LATE – A “Witches And Wishes” Cozy Mystery, Book 3
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2025
Format: Digital, Print
Purchase Link
One desperate wish. One buried secret. One white witch caught in the middle.
Patience O’Reilly doesn’t grant just any wish—only the ones that truly matter. But when the beloved chef of Willow Gardens Retirement Community calls for help, the magic tugs harder than usual. Marie’s wish is tangled in fear, regret… and something far darker than Patience expected.
With her snarky terrier familiar Lucky by her side, Patience must navigate old wounds, community gossip, and a suspicious crime that threatens to unravel everything. Because in Willow Gardens, wishes always come with a cost—and this one may be deadly.
About the author
C. A. Phipps is a USA Today best-selling author from beautiful New Zealand. An empty-nester, Cheryl lives in a small town with her wonderful husband, ‘himself’. Her extended family keeps her busy and when she’s not writing, there is just enough space for a crazy mixed breed dog who stole her heart! She enjoys family times, baking, and her quest for the perfect latte.