Audio Book Review: Playing with Magic

Playing with Magic

By:  Carrie L. Wells

Publish Date:  October 31, 2015, Audiobook Release December 21, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 2 hrs 14 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Midnight Witches series (part of The Witching Hour Collection)

First Impression:  Magic is awakening in her.

Synopsis:
Liza Scott can't be bothered with her obnoxious roommate. She’s far too busy enjoying life in college and playing video games. As a top notch, tournament-level gamer, life seems to be going great despite the questions of her childhood. That’s when she finds herself getting dizzy in the oddest places.
Those spells lead her to even odder situations, both in life and online, and spells of another kind entirely.
Faced with life-altering information about herself medically and metaphysically, and joined by her best friend Felix, Liza faces the changes in her life and her new role as witch royalty. But what she really wants to focus on is the gorgeous Fathom Burke who suddenly seems to know who she is. Maybe it’s coincidence, but maybe, just maybe, it’s magic.

First Sentence:
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The intercom sounded relentlessly, pulling me away from my video game.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Liza is an average college dorm student. She doesn't eat properly, plays video games, and doesn't much care for her roommate. She heads out for a late night snack with her friends, Felix and Darcy, but each time she sees her reflection it looks strange. She sees blue lights, it seems to ripple, or look disconnected, and she feels dizzy. Then, the hot guy on campus, Fathom Burke, knows who Liza is let alone talks to her.

Darcy works at Turn the Page, where she's seen a strange woman come in and sit all day writing in her journal, drinking tea with her own tea bags. Felix decides they can solve the mystery of the woman and Liza joins him on his adventure.

Kristin is the voice of Liza and her friends for us. We get the Boston accent for Fathom and it seeps through for Liza from time to time, when she is shocked or surprised. We get an actual knock when someone knocks on the door. Cool. I am a fan of sound effects.

This is a gentle book. Liza doesn't have a terrible evil that is after her, at least not yet. Liza is learning about who she is and what she can do. The first chapter is spent introducing us to Liza, her roommate Ashley, and her best friend Felix. It was a bit boring as we learn what Liza likes. The story picks up for me with Felix and learning about his special connections. I even enjoyed seeing Fathom with Liza and learning his connection in the world.

There is a charming blend of video gaming and magic. Something that is a little different and interactive for Liza.

I'm curious to see who Liza is in the magical world and how she'll get her powers under control.



*If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you.

Audio Book Review: At the Heart of the Deep

At the Heart of the Deep

By:  Carrie L. Wells

Publish Date:  June 23, 2015, Audiobook Release November 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 3 hrs 20 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Romance Fantasy

Series:  Novella in Falling In Deep Collection

First Impression:  Mer-people & humans share the ocean, can they work together to save it?

Synopsis:
Oceanographer Luke McAllister races to figure out why the ocean depth is changing off Florida's Treasure Coast. But before he and his crew discover what’s transforming the deep, he stumbles upon an even greater mystery. Leagues below the waves, he swear he sees…a mermaid?
Anya isn’t allowed to get close to humans. But when a golden-haired researcher gets too close to her island, she can’t afford to stay away.

Together, this unlikely pair will seek to discover what’s causing shifts in ocean floor. While their new alliance is forbidden, Anya will risk everything to save her beloved ocean. The only problem is, she’s not sure what’s really luring her in, her love of the sea or the tempest Luke has stirred in her heart. Either way, Anya knows that the dangers facing the sea are nothing compared to what will happen to her when her father learns she’s broken the merfolks’ most sacred law.

Can Anya and Luke discover what lurks at the heart of the deep before it's too late?

*Adult novel. Due to steamy scenes, this novel is best suited for mature readers.

First Sentence:
The small ship intrigued me.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author.

Anya watches the handsome blond dive and swim in the ocean near her family's island each day for the last five days. He's human, but comfortable in the water. Luke is surprised by what he saw so near to his boat. It couldn't be. But he knows what he saw. And maybe she has something to do with the changes of the ocean. He knows there is something with the ocean but doesn't know what. Anya's been studying the changes as well, and fears for her island and home with what she's found. Maybe Luke's research with Anya's will help them all.

Kristin's gentle voice easily transitions between the different people, male and female, with different tones and personalities. I love how she brings them to life for us. Kristin even voices an alarm when it sounds, a small sound affect for us.

This story has a mystery for us, with a purpose other than the romance that blooms between Anya and Luke. The ocean is changing. And more. There are light orbs that Luke's crew sees on their research boat. Then Anya knows where it's coming from, but she doesn't know what cased the energy source or why it's there. I'm really curious of the light orbs from the trench in the ocean!

We rotate chapters between Anya and Luke as they investigate the sea for the same reasons. The attraction between Anya and Luke seems to grow at a nice pace through the story, making it feel as they are connecting on more than a physical attraction level. We see each in their own lives and a growing attraction and connection between them as at first they see and think of each other then brought together with their concerns for the world. I found I was worried for the world and Anya's island because of the crack. The thought that Luke could help was wonderful. But then I worried that the truth of mer-people would get out and destroy the peace they have here.

Anya is a mermaid. There is a whole world and system to mer life we start to see unfold here. I really liked that at a moment of weakness Anya admits she had jumped the gun. People do that but she was able to stop before it went to far and pointed out the influences of it. I really liked her for this as she knows what she should do but what she wants too. And sees deeper than the physical separation of human and mer.

Okay. If you don't like cliffhanger endings, I suggest waiting for the next story to come out. This ends with a bang and I WANTED TO KNOW what happens.

I did enjoy the story and I'm curious as to what has happened in the sea and the light orbs. Is it in reference to the old stories Anya's people know or something else completely. I'll be waiting for the next tale, The Soul of the Sea, to come.