Uplifting midlife magic

Overall: Narration by Xe Sands takes this charming story of midlife magic to the next level.  A light and lovely audiobook perfect for fans of paranormal women’s fiction.
 
Performance: Xe Sands brings this story to life with narration filled with nuance, verve, and charm.  I’m a fan of her work, and she’s always excellent, but what she brings to Silver Spells is an intimacy of storytelling that really draws you in.  It’s like having your best friend tell you the story over a glass of wine.  Xe knows how to deliver a gripping scene just as well as a humorous or romantic one.
 
Story: The story itself is an uplifting tale of the power of friendship, love, and believing in yourself.  Luella, the empty-nester protagonist, discovers that she has not only magical powers but an adorable magic dog to go with them.  The mystery of the origin of those powers unfolds over the course of the book along with a sweetly romantic subplot with a man from her past.  Subsequent books will follow the adventures of Luella’s two closest friends, Rose and Pepper.  I’ve read quite a few of the new paranormal women’s fiction books, and although this one is firmly in the genre, it’s definitely a bit of a different take.  It’s lighter, brighter, and all in all focused on magic, love, and joy, with its own uplifting, unique spin on magical women’s fiction.

7 people found this helpful

Crisis, Romance, and Magic at Midlife

Midlife just got magical and weird for an empty-nester divorcee who just lost her job and boyfriend, but discovered a new affinity for animals no one else could see. Paranormal women’s fiction is a fairly new to me genre mash up that I am coming to really enjoy so I was tickled to try a new to me author and series narrated by a stellar storyteller.

Luella has been working at the same company since high school and anticipated working there until retirement when she suddenly and inexplicably was let go from the marketing staff. Divorced for many years and with a daughter away at college, Luella has to find a new job and soon. Meanwhile, a bizarre change of circumstances has the rest of her attention. The sight of a silvery ghost-like dog in the office and a rush of wind that only she and her best friends can see is the beginning of a mysterious magic she seems to possess. As other animals appear under odd circumstances and gifts as well, she knows she needs to figure out what is going on quickly. But, where to start? Her quest involves her two besties, an old high school crush and her quirky biker mama.

Silver Spells was an engaging introduction to a new series and I enjoyed meeting Luella and her friends. I found the inclusion of her ex who is not the cliché, a daughter with food health issues, her full figure just being her and nothing to dent her confidence, good times with her gal pals, flirty meet cute with Raphael, and her very mature approach to life a refreshing set of circumstances that added up to a right cozy situation.

Silver Spells is definitely on the easy going side and doesn’t introduce more to the plot than getting to know the setting, characters, and Luella’s new circumstances. Perhaps it gets more intense as the series progresses or maybe it stays gentle like a cozy mystery. Either way, I liked what I got and would definitely keep going with more of the series.

Xe Sands is a narrator that I’m long familiar with and I was able to settle into her narration work with no effort. I thought she matched up with the style of the writing and tone of the book and she had the character voices down pat. I hope she has the narration of the whole series. She made this high quality production even better.

All in all, this first in series is off to a satisfying start and I was well entertained. I can recommend it to those who enjoy stories focused on fun female friendships, a paranormal element, a bit of mystery and pinch of romance sprinkled in for good measure.

3 people found this helpful

different....but needs something more....

After being fired from her job, Luella Campbell starts to have weird and unexplained things happen to her. A mysterious dog (no one else can see) then the sudden gift of wild and windy magical powers occur -

With the help of her ex high school crush, her BFF's and her mother, Luella finds a way to unlock the mysteries of her newfound magic.

While this story IMO was cute, there was very little mystery or plot to the story - for me the storyline didn't "gel." Ironically I don't even know why the book was called Silver Spells?

2 people found this helpful

A wonderful journey into magic

A really heartwarming journey into love and magic. Luella’s life seems to be falling apart, and at the same time, the oddest things are happening around her. Strange, mystical dogs that she and her 2 best friends can only see, as well as other animal encounters. As she tries to figure out what’s happening, she and her friends Rose and Pepper lean on their friendship, while a very sweet, adorable flirtation with a blast from her past, help navigate her to the answers.

This is an interesting story. There isn’t really a “big bad”, it truly is just a story about this woman and finding her magic. Despite any overarching, extreme drama, it is still a compelling and interesting story. The narration is well done, a very well suited voice for Luella, capturing all the emotion she is dealing with. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to more in this series.

1 person found this helpful

No story, bland narration.

This novel spends too much time on building the base for a series(?), and not enough on an actual plot. (What plot?) Although a fan of PWF, I found this book lacked action and the writing and narration too flat to keep the premise interesting. Everything that happens is presented as ordinary, and thus bland. For example, during the first day, several fantastic/paranormal events take place in the heroine’s life and the author doesn’t have the characters express any reactions. This continues throughout most of the book. Little anger/happiness/excitement etc. is expressed. The characters themselves are monotone, and thus the story.
Xe Sands narration does not help to make this story better. Though a pleasant voice, Ms. Sands intonation is too soft and flat for the majority of the fantastical events. Her voice could have made the book a little more lively, but that was a fail, too. Ms. Sands added no additional excitement to her voice even when extremely non-normal things happened: the heroine gets wings (wings!) and neither the writing or narration made it seem like more than getting a new nail color.
I won’t be buying the next book, if there is one.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful Story and Gifted Narrator

Loved this book! The characters were so believable I was fairly sure I knew them. This is paranormal, but the story is well-written and I found myself drawn completely in. I binged this book. Looking for the next in series!

Meh…

Cute but no depth to the characters at all. Overall feeling is that the book is just….bland. Narration is superb so at least that’s something. Check out K.F. Breene’s Leveling Up Series instead!

A Fun, Easy Read

If you are looking for an easy read (listen) this is perfect! We follow a 40-something-year-old woman navigate a rough patch in her work life with the help of her friends when fate hands her the silver bullet. I can't wait to see what Kate Moseman has up her sleeve in the rest of this series for these fun characters.

Magic Beginnings

I loved the storyline and the narrator brought the it to life for me. I believe others will love this story of magical beginnings and love too.

AWESOME!!!!! can't wait to listen to the next book

I love reading Over 40 women's Magical books But yours was a heck of a twist I loved it can't wait to listen to the next 1Thanks right faster!!!!! l