Flirting with Magick

Flirting with Magick #1

by Leigh Bennett

Chick Lit / Contemporary Women's Fiction with mild sex scenes. Contains swearing and mild drug use.

There is nothing like a love spell to help Abby Williams get over her broken heart. She is stuck in love rut and needs an out. A gorgeous rocker as a casual fling, a cute colleague who’s a little too mysterious, and a very apologetic ex–boyfriend are brought into her life and the spell appears to have worked a little too well... until it all falls apart.

Emotions run high, secrets are exposed, and Abby is left wondering if she should have been flirting with magick all along.



Buy now on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BF3EGRY

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2013

About the author

Leigh Bennett is an Australian author who lives in Melbourne’s hilly and rugged outer east with her husband, three sons and daughter, a beagle x cavalier dog and five chickens.

Currently a stay at home mother, she has worked in the public service, education, road and music industries.

She enjoys reading, cooking and writing stories full of fun, drama, love and always with a happy ever after.

Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LeighBennett...

Reviews

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby is in a rut – her career is going nowhere and her long standing boyfriend has upped and left her. She tries a Wiccan spell and instantly gets a new job. Buoyed by her success, she attempts a love spell and awaits the results.

This story is quite pleasantly simplistic. There’s no billionaire in a penthouse, no pulsating intense steamy romance – Abby is just a girl about town, going to pubs and clubs with her best friend, crushing on her cousin’s local rock band and hoping to snag herself a new boyfriend.

Luke, her cousin, introduces her to the rest of the guys in the band and, after falling flat on her face at the feet of Scott, the bassist, and suffering the humiliation of a tampon AND a condom rolling out of her bag, they share an instant attraction and slowly beginning a casual relationship meeting up a couple of times for sex.

Abby’s spell has worked a little too well as one of the guys from her new office starts showing an interest and the low-life ex returns and starts sniffing around again too. Scott is my favourite out of all of her paramours. His rock band is on the verge of making it big and, despite all this, he’s fairly low on ego. He’s kind of understated, unassuming but he and Abby really do not communicate well. Despite growing feelings on both of their sides, neither of them admit to it and they really don’t talk and misunderstandings abound and they separate and move on without each other.

I felt sure that they were meant to be together but had no idea which way the author was going to eventually take us and started biting my nails willing for them to reconcile. This is part of an ongoing series but this works perfectly well as a standalone novel.

3.5 stars – sweet and fun contemporary romance

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[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flirting with Magick is a great read! I liked it from the first page, and it only got better and better, I was enthralled! I adventured along with the main character, Abby, as she wove her way through life, searching for that one thing that all human beings desire. Leighta wrote a superb supporting cast in this story, the minor characters had wonderful personalities of their own, as seen through Abby's eyes, and helped bring the story to life. I found myself wanting to hang out with them all, to be a part of Abby's story. I experienced Abby's emotions; her heartaches, her happiness.

Another stand out character (for me) is the musician, Scott. Ladies, you'll want to meet Scott!

This book is definitely worth reading to go on this ride!

[Rachel Tsoumbakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, I read this eBook on my phone and couldn't work out how to makes notes - which means this review will be short and sweet.

Firstly, I can't remember the last time I read chick-lit or a romance novel. My genres of choice are horror, dark fantasy, paranormal and dystopia. The only reason I picked this book up is because of the title - any book that spells magic with a 'k' at the end has my vote!

I am so thankful I took the risk. The author has created these delicious characters that at times are so wonderfully flawed it's like sitting in a pub and watching real life unfold. I fell instantly in love with the main character who is insecure and completely unlucky in love - but keeps diving right in and trying again and again.

If you've never given this genre a go, then this book is an excellent starting place. Thanks to Leigh Bennett, I will be checking out more novels of this kind while I wait for her next novel!

[Amanda Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Leigh Bennett's first novel; light, funny, and quite touching in places, I found myself laughing out loud quite often and shedding a tear occasionally too. Engaging and well rounded characters sucked me to the story - I think I have a bit of a crush on Scott - and the dialogue was a particular high point. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

[Rosa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review is being done as a guest review for Sugar and Spice Book Reviews


First off I would love to thank the Sugar and Spice girls. Truly amazing gals for giving me the opportunity to help out some great ladies. That's my shout out! Deal with it.

Now on to what you guys came here for, to see me in my undies. I'm just kidding, well for the most part. I received Flirting with Magick and when I read the blurb I though okay rocker and cute co-worker. I love angst so lets see if I can overdose. I wish I overdosed on some kind of emotion. ANY kind of emotion would have worked. Instead right off the bat I was extremely bored. It saddened me that this was the first book I got to introduce to the many fans of Sugar and Spice. I was talking to a goodreads friend and she said something that totally rocked for me. She said I read to get emotionally high, not emotionally bored. Could not agree more.
This is how I thought the book was going to go; girl is heart broken by asshole commitmentphob ex. Girl meets sexy musician. Girl and sexy musician have amazing, mind blowing, earth shattering sex. Something breaks them apart. Girl realizes that sexy musician is the only one for her and makes big declaration of love. Girl and sexy musician live happily ever after.
This is how it went. Annoying girl is heartbroken from ex. Immature girl has sex with freaky looking goth musician, I think they have sex. Dumb girl wants more from goth guy but is too immature to tell him so she breaks up with him. Girl then sleeps with her co-worker who looks like that famous painting of the guy with a bowler hat and some sort of fruit as a face. Co-worker is an assholion so girl finally sees it and breaks it off. Dumb ass girl gets back with desperate ex. Dumb shit ex's secret comes out and even dumber shit girl breaks up with him. Moronic girl goes back to goth musician and I guess they live happily ever after. The end.
Lets start off with Abby, our main heroine. How to describe her? Immature, annoying, self-esteem issues, shallow, pretty much clueless. Don't ask me what she looks like cuz I seriously have no idea. I think her hair might be brown and I think she thought she was chubby. I think I honestly don't know. She made the poorest decisions and not only that she comes off über slutty. I mean this book takes place in like 6 months and she sleeps with 3 different guys. That's a bit much.
Speaking of guys, I've never felt more indifferent about characters in all my life. The author does the poorest job describing all her characters. The most you get is eye and hair color that's it. Have you guys seen America's got Talent? Last season there was this goth kid named Andrew DeLeon on, he was an amazing opera singer until his nevers got the best of him. That's who I pictured as Scott the whole book. Go ahead I'll wait while you google him. And it's not that he is unattractive, it's just I don't think he is attractive. And this goes for every character in the book. It isn't until she sleeps with Sean that I even figure out he has a beard. And I didn't even know Josh had one until Nathan said he did. Abby goes from Josh to Scott to Sean back to Josh and then back to Scott again. And the WHOLE BOOK would have been avoided if she was a grown up and just told Scott how she felt. And the sex! Holy crap the worst sex scenes EVER!! I got nothing nothing at all from them. And considering she is a slut and has sex with several guys during this whole god awfully boring book, you would think that at least the sex scenes would be Mediocre at best. Dear Buddha, watching paint dry would be more entertaining then this book. Seriously direct quote here so brace yourselves.
"He smiled as his fingers found the wasteband of my new underwear and pulled them down.
It wasn't long until my whole body shook with climatic waves and I slowly returned to consciousness." And end scene. I'm not sure even how he got her off. By taking off her new undies? Somewhere my grandma is overheating from all the excitement.
Seriously guys I'm so disappointed that this was my first book I got to share with the girls wonderful fans. But fear not it will not be my last and hopefully it will just get better. And just so everyone knows I make hooker jokes in almost all of my reviews. So to say that this book didn't bore me to tears is like saying a hooker wouldn't wear a tiny skirt that her muffin top spills out of. It would be just so untrue.

[Norlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was the beta reader for Flirting with Magick and I must say the book pulled me in right from the start! If you're hoping for some super sexy loved up scenes, then you can forget about it. This book isn't about that. It's more about Abby, the main character of the book, looking for love and probably in all the wrong places? Or should I say all the convenient places.

Having broken up with her boyfriend, Josh of 3 years, Abby's aim is to start a new life, with a new job, new outlook in life and yes, a spell that could hopefully find her a new love of her life. The chemistry between Abby and Scott the hot musician is undeniable, as their attraction and ease with each other. You would think they were made for each other, well, if only Scott was the type to commit.

Then there's Sean, her colleague who is cute, sauve and knows how to pull all the right moves. While she feels comfortable with Sean, there are however other factors that make this relationship not work too.

What about Josh? Her ex? He does come back into the scene. Will he be "the one" for Abby having gone through 2 different - and I mean very different - guys during that break-up?

I can't say who she ends up with in the end or what happens with each guy or I'll spoil the whole book for you. But, this book is more about Abby's exploration and discovery about herself. Where she grows into her own instead of being someone who conforms to what the guy wants. Because really, to love someone else or be able to be loved by someone else is really to discover oneself first isn't it?

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Abby is a young woman broken hearted and left after years of being in a relationship. She gives up on men, but does a love spell and finds Scott, a hot rocker to fill her bed with lots of steamy sex.

This book is a fun read that caught my attention and kept me intrigued (to the point of a really late night up reading) because I wanted to know who Abby would end up with.

I was hesitant going into this book because I thought it would be more magic related but it really isn't and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of the book was a romance story and with a HOT rocker, so major points there.

Definitely give this read a try if you are looking for a fun, engaging read with a bit of a twist. :)

By: Michelle with First Class Books.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and adorable read. I'd highly recommend this to my friends.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
With the title, Flirting with Magick, I thought I was in for a paranormal read, and I was really surprised when that turned out not to be the case at all. While the book gives a glimpse into the spells of a Wiccan, and a love spell being the premise of the story, that aspect of the story seemed to be glossed over and forgotten as I continued diving into Abby's love life in my reading.

Abby Williams finds herself in an endless job that she hates and has just been dumped by her boyfriend of three years. She quickly finds a new job and decides it's time for a little adventure in the area of her love life, so she casts a spell to bring true love to her. What she gets is a commitment phobic rock star, Scott, in her cousin's band and the spell seems to have worked for her friend, Kate, instead of for herself. Making lemonade from lemons, Abby decides to go with the fun aspect of being with someone and just use Scott for a weekly sex fix, since neither of them want to enter into a relationship. With the pressure off both of them, they are more relaxed and able to be themselves until Abby discovers she really does have feelings for Scott, placing a fear in her that she will be hurt again. To protect her heart from his history as a womanizer, Abby soon dumps Scott and moves on to her co-worker Sean and then back to Josh, all the while still feeling something for Scott. Abby goes through men like men go through socks, all while she waits and wonders if her love spell is ever going to work for her.

Scott is the bassist in the band, Reckless Choice, and is not looking to develop feelings or enter into a relationship with anyone. When he meets Abby one night at a gig he is playing, they immediately hit it off and one thing leads to another in the form of a one-night stand...then a two-night stand...then a weekly standing appointment. Scott constantly wears a stoic expression and we don't actually get his thoughts and feelings, but the author leads the reader to believe that Scott also has feelings for Abby. Although Scott and Abby don't know how to put a label on what they have other than friends with benefits, the band members and their friends automatically put them in the "relationship" category as boyfriend and girlfriend...complete with compassion and apologies for Scott and Abby when things don't work out.

Flirting with Magick took me by surprise when I thought there would be more focus on the "magic" aspect of the story and there wasn't. In fact, I was really looking forward to the magic aspect, since I hadn't had my paranormal fix in a while. At first, I had a hard time relating to the book and the characters, and unfortunately, that didn't change as I read on. While I still have a hard time relating to some of the characters, the story did start to grow on me and I did enjoy where it took Abby and Scott in the end. Now, while I wound up enjoying parts of the story and the ending, there are a couple of things that I have issue with and feel need mention. First, I would have liked more detail in describing Abby and Scott's time together. When they first had their one night stand after meeting, I had to do a double take to make sure I really had missed it. The scene jumped from Scott pulling down her underwear to Abby's whole body shaking in climactic waves before they had even done the deed. This was all the foreplay, and when the deed was done, the deed was done...no fireworks...no balloons...no pomp and circumstance...no heat...no detail. Second, there is a scene in which they are smoking pot and getting high. I just felt this to be a bit pretentious or stereotypical of the rock star life maybe? I didn't feel it really had a purpose or place in the story, when the same outcome could have been accomplished in one of the many scenes in which they had drinks together. I'm not sure and could be missing the point of this scene while said point could be staring me in the face. I really wanted to like this story more and always feel bad when I write a review like this, but I have to be honest and say that this particular book just wasn't for me. I will say that there are several great reviews out there for Flirting with Magick, so there are some that the book seemed to fit better than me. I'll let you be your own judge.

A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Flirting was the first of my two reads this week that I had to give this rating too. Unfortunately I just couldn't connect. The story had the potential to be a fun quick read with some light "love triangle" drama, for me it just fell short.

I was really excited to have my hands on another musician story AND I LOVED that the hero was NOT the lead singer of the band. It was cool seeing the other members of the band get their spotlight. Outside the main characters I loved Luke, Kate and Nate! I honestly wanted more Kate and Nate, I just really enjoyed their chemistry and relationship.

I felt the story started out well and interesting, but then as we got to know the characters and the story progressed I started to become less connected and lost interest in the outcome. This was mainly due to the constant back and forth between the characters and their lack of communication and understanding. I love "love triangles," but this one left me with a what the f**k feeling, there were one too many guys and gals involved. Abby hopped between 3 men in such a short period of time (so I didn't feel or believe that she had strong feelings for Scott and was acting out because she was afraid of being hurt). Scott also juggled a couple girls.

I think that if Leigh had removed all the extras except maybe one of the guys or gals) and built stronger character development and chemistry between Abby and Scott then the story would of worked much better for me. Unfortunately in it's current form that didn't happen. Why? Because the heroine just didn't do it for me, too many times I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake the hell up. No one likes a slutty girl. I wanted her to communicate better with Scott and not make rash decisions that just didn't make sense to me. Abby seemed kinda lost.

I did however like Scott and felt with the lack of communication he got the short end of the stick. He was such fun and totally flirty. I adored how easy going he was, except for the "fight scene". I wanted something more for him. A different heroine perhaps, I don't know but, I felt like he got jipped.

At the point in the book where they had their big fight I totally didn't get it. I didn't really understand what the whole issue was about and definitely not enough for them to breakup and let it all spiral out of control. Both ended up sleeping with multiple people (over a misunderstanding and hurt feelings) before finding their way back to each other. When I am reading a romance novel especially with a "love triangle", I want to feel that the characters actually want each other. Neither of them fought for the other. They were so in love and attracted, yet they broke up and just moved on to a variety of others? Nope, sorry not believable for me nor does that work. If I am to believe the premises of love, then I need to feel it and see it...not just be told. I want to see them in emotional pain with out each other and doing whatever it takes to get them back.

Thank you Leigh for providing me with a copy of Flirting with Magick in exchange for my honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's a girl to do when her love life is in a rut? Create a love spell, of course!

Twenty-five year old Abby Williams is brokenhearted after her longtime boyfriend Josh dumps her. With the help of a little Wiccan love spell, Abby gets a much needed spark in the romance department.

Abby's cousin Luke introduces her to his bandmate Scott, a super hot bassist, and they begin a casual sexual relationship until Abby starts to have stronger feelings for him. Scott is known to be a womanizer, so Abby protects herself from getting hurt again by dumping Scott for her co-worker Sean, and if that isn't enough, her love life gets even more complicated when her ex-boyfriend Josh wants her back!

It seems like this love spell has worked a little bit too well as Abby finds herself in the middle of a love triangle and has to make a choice of which guy is the right one for her.

Flirting With Magick is a light, fun and flirty tale about the ups and downs of relationships. Author Leigh Bennett weaves an entertaining tale mixed with romance and humor written in the first person narrative that follows the trials and tribulations of Abby Williams as she navigates her way to find true love.

I really enjoyed reading this story, it can easily be read in one sitting. I couldn't help but become captivated by Abby's journey, it was full of surprising twists and turns that kept me enthralled. The characters are realistic, flawed and easy to relate to, they leap off the pages with their witty dialogue and humorous interactions. The sexy male characters are intriguing, each of them had me grinning, I couldn't decide which one I liked the most! This sassy storyline realistically portrays the ups and downs in relationships, it has a nice mixture of sweet romance, emotions and a tantalizing bit of naughty sex scenes that keeps you wanting more.

Flirting With Magick is a thoroughly entertaining story with a fun romantic/chick lit twist!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Sara Canny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby's love life is a crazy mess, and that makes for a great story. She is a typical person, who has decided to make some changes in her life. Beginning a new job, going out with friends, changing up her views on relationships, just taking out a new lease on life. However with change comes uncertainty that is, the men, her ex who broke her heart, the rocker who might have stolen her heart, and the sweet boy next door co-worker.

I really enjoyed that Abby showed uncertainty and fear in moving too fast. It wasn't instant love. She gave everyone a chance, either to be nice or because it would be simple. That was great because that's what people do, you slip in to a comfortable relationship because you know them and its easy. Choosing someone new is scary and unpredictable. I loved how this book showed that.

All in all a wonderful book and I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Samantha March · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh Bennett is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Flirting with Magick.

This is a book that is just too hard to put down! Bennett did a fabulous job at making her characters jump right off the pages and into my world. They were so realistic and relatable, and that pull was what kept me drawn into the story from the first page to the last. I love a little magic twist in my books, and this one wasn’t quite as super-natural or voodoo-y as one might expect, but that made me like it just a tad more. A mix between chick lit and romance, I thought the two genres were blended together well and that this is a book you should check out!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abby is a loony, neurotic character. She buys a book of spells and starts playing around with “magic” (Of course, she’s not a real witch.) Naturally, she tries a love spell. She’s just messing with this stuff and has no idea what she’s doing. To her, it’s just harmless fun.

Filled with tawdry humor and a flaccid plot, this story is okay if you’re into all that frilly, fruity Wicca stuff. The stuff concerning the band was kind of boring and there were too many characters. Personally, I wouldn’t have fallen for Scotty’s Goth look.

Overall, this was a flagrant attempt to mimic the tone of Bridget Jone’s Diary, and it failed.

[Morgan *~devourer of words~* · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book had its moments, I just can't get over the fact that more than half of the book could have been avoided if the main character would have just spoken to her love interest.

I get that a lot of it had to do with Abby maturing over the course of the book, to get to a point where she and Scott could have a real relationship...but sheesh. It all just felt like one giant detour to me.

Especially since Abby knew that she wanted the relationship, and then purposely went out of her way to sabotage it several times over.

It wasn't a horrible book, it just wasn't my thing. *shrugs*

[Lela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a light read over the last 2 evenings before bed. The main character in this book is a girl down on love. She has is looking for a little bit of luck in her life and finds a book with simple, everyday spells she will enhance her future. Will it work or won't it? Read it and see!

Also, while there was mild adult language and an occasional sex scene without many details, I did not feel this too much of a book that someone should avoid just because it says "mild-sex scenes or mild-adult language/content". Do not let that stop you, you'll regret it!

[Caroline Fardig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby has definitely had her share of man troubles, and the author kept me guessing until the end as to who she'd finally end up with. It was fun to watch her bumble through relationship after relationship and still have the courage to try it again. The cast of characters was great--I especially liked the brooding musician Scott and all of the catty women who gave Abby trouble throughout.

It was a quick and easy read, one I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys chick-lit. It was funny, romantic, sexy, and charming!

[Nicole Dudek Dievert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of this book is not the one that I have. To be honest, it was the cover and the title that drew me to the book. This was a great read. It was so refreshing to read about an average girl, trying to find the right guy, while dabbling with a little witchcraft. There was no unrealistic stuff like kidnapping, or stalking or crazy sex scenes (not always bad lol). I was glad that Abby ended up with who she did ( I won't spoil it) I enjoyed going through the emotions with her.

[Roxanne Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from start to finish. From the title I thought the story would mostly be based on magic but I was wrong. This was a fab story of a typical woman wanting to find love and having to overcome obstacles to finally find the right man for her. There are some funny bits as well and overall a brilliant read.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Flirting With Magick' was a good read. I enjoyed the storyline. At times it seemed slow, but overall it was a good romance story. The characters were good. I wasn't sure how it would end, so I was pleasantly surprised with the 'happily ever after'. A good add to your tbr list.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feast or Famine? The heartbroken Abby is still trying to get over her love when she has two other prospects.

Read full review in the 2015 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really sure what to say

Overall, a cute story. Main character was pretty loose with multiple bounce around relationships. Found myself skipping forward...not how I enjoy reading. Guess I was curious to see who she would end up with. Not very impressed with this author....

[Paula Võ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too adult, though I laughed and it made me laugh.

[Jennifer Erwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. Definitely in the chick lit category. There's really not any "magick" in it, in my opinion, but that didn't really detract from the story.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book to read forever and ever since the heart of a great book to read

[Claire Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this 3 stars because I read it 4 months ago and I can't remember a thing about it.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Wow

And I thought my emotions were crazy. This book kept me guessing up to the very end. Great book. Thank you.

[Cheryl Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little magic involved. Just one twenty-something with dating issues. Not sure why every boyfriend cheated on her.

[Donna Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting and beautifully written narrative with unexpected turns.

[Miranda Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Review coming soon]