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Even after publishing Love's Magic I found myself unable to let go of Colin and Joshua. This dynamic couple insisted that they had more to say and they simply refused to be denied. I followed their voices and the result was this novella of short stories which follow Colin and Joshua from the time Love's Magic begins through its emotional and dramatic climax.

Magic Spells is a novella of twelve short stories featuring charismatic, freedom-loving Irish police Sergeant, Colin Campbell and quiet, Jewish psychologist, Joshua Abrams. It is a smoking hot glimpse into Colin and Joshua's romance, following their story from the time they first meet to the time of Love's Magic's dramatic climax. In this book you get an intimate and deeply personal glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of two intensely passionate and single-mindedly devoted men.

We watch them as their relationships grows, taking them from friendship to the ardent lovers they become by Love's Magic's end. I hope that the many readers who fell in love with this hot, sexy, amazing couple will appreciate having all their stories under one cover.

The stories in this book contain mature content including explicit sexual relations between Colin and Joshua. + 18 years of age

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2018

3 people are currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

Janice Jarrell

24 books78 followers
My name is Jan Jarrell. I am a retired grandmother who lives in Seattle, WA. I’ve been writing gay romance since I was twelve years old, only back then it wasn’t called ‘gay romance’. In fact, it had no name at all. It was the fifty’s, and it was worth your life to admit to being gay, let alone confess to being a girl who constantly fantasized about relationships between gay men. Hell, I didn’t even know what a homosexual was. I lived on a farm out in the sticks in a tiny Michigan village and I’d never, to my knowledge, even heard the word. I just knew I loved the thought of boy on boy romance. I just knew that there was something hot going on between Tom Corbett and his Space Cadets and all those guys on ‘Combat’.

I wrote slash fanfiction for 30 years, writing over 337 stories, some as short as 100 words (a drabble) some as long as a series which was over 119,012 words. I enjoy writing my stories. I enjoyed the feedback I received from my readers. It was a creative release I’d been searching for my entire life and I blessed the Internet for leading me to this artistic oasis for my spirit.

Love’s Magic was my very first step into writing my own characters. I will always be grateful the slash fanfiction community for nurturing the budding author until she was ready to blossom into a fully realized novelist. It’s been an amazing thing to watch the gay community’s growth over these past twenty years. My own journey has echoed theirs in many ways, and I’m grateful to all those gay activists who fought to give the gay community the rights and privileges they always deserved.

I’m also grateful to the gay romance community, readers, authors, publishers and promoters, who are making these, my retirement years, the most creative ones of my life.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,090 reviews66 followers
January 21, 2019
I've loved the other books in this series (recommend to read in order) Colin and Joshua are great in this one too. But god I wished I could've kicked Colin's butt for Joshua. Neither one is willing to say what they feel well with the exception of Colin he's a bit slow to catch up lol. Their humour is still there in this one with the banter between them was great. A great added little novella added.
The Irish Sergeant Colin has to deal with a spate of attacks on campus which Joshua helps with the victims as part of his job on campus.
Profile Image for Karolina Cebula.
434 reviews5 followers
December 7, 2018
Review in English and Polish || Recenzja po angielsku i polsku

What do we get when we combine a stubborn cop of Irish origin, who's afraid of love like a devil of holy water and a gentle and full of warmth Title IX consultant who's madly in love with the said police officer? How long and how fiercely one can defend oneself against the feeling that blooms in them? And when one would finally allow the heart to speak, how deep the love between two people perfect for each other could be?

"Magic Spells" is a collection of short short stories that complement and to some extent develop "Love's Magic", the first volume of the "Revolutionary Heart" series. Largely, they contain what was missing in the first part of the series, because they focus on the interaction between Colin and Josh, on their relations and relationship, as well as on the emotions connected with all of it. A great advantage of this short collection is undoubtedly the fact that Janice Jarrell in each of her short stories goes deeply into the thoughts and feelings of her characters. Thus, while reading "Magic Spells" the readers don't look at the two main characters from the perspective of the events taking place here, but look into their souls, get to know them "from the inside", and all of this makes Colin and Josh closer to the audience than ever before. It is also worth adding that the author managed to present it all in such a way that each of the stories speaks directly to our feelings and emotions. This collection is therefore a key – for us to better understanding of the characters and for Colin and Josh to our hearts.

In "Magic Spells" I really liked the fact that the author presented love in a full and extremely extensive way. In her short collection of short stories, she presented not only feelings connected with love, emotions, sexual interest, fascination, but also the need to support and help a beloved person. What is extremely interesting, she also managed to show and perfectly explain the motives that guide a person in love who is doing a housework. Let's be honest, often preparing meals is perceived as an unpleasant duty devoid of any significance, and its only purpose is to meet the needs of the human body and nothing more. However, Janice Jarrell shows her readers that even something as basic as preparing a meal can be a proof of love. I admit that she enchanted me with this affectionate combination of the routine of everyday life with pure, sincere love.

Since our characters are healthy, adult, homosexual men, physical love plays an important role in their lives and I would like to write a few words about it. However, I am not going to dwell on how detailed or hot the descriptions of intimate scenes between Josh and Colin are, although I admit that the author has really managed to fully show the passion and sexual tension between them. What I consider to be the most important in this case are the feelings that accompany the lovemaking. In one of the final stories Colin speaks about it, but the reader feels it with their whole body much earlier. Let's be honest, writing the sex scene is easy. Writing a good sex scene is much harder. But the truth is that something so mundane does not apply to Janice Jarrell, who in "Magic Spells" showed her true brilliance. I'm not sure if I can fully explain to you what she managed to do, but I will try and I hope that you will understand what I mean. Regardless of your beliefs, let us assume that a man really consists of a body and a soul. Most writers describe sexual intercourse focusing mainly on this first element, especially on the erogenous zones. Janice Jarrell is definitely far from it, as she fully engages both a body and a soul while presenting a sexual activity of two people who are in love with each other. Her characters really experience every intimate moment with each cell of their bodies, which goes with strong emotions, feelings, love. It is almost a spiritual experience for them. Importantly, the author shows it in such a clear and perfect manner that reading "Magic Spells" the reader really feels it, as if they were in the middle of some electrical discharges that lift every hair on their body.

Finally, I would like to add that in "Magic Spells" a typical human factor was somewhat connected with the abstraction which is love, which I consider very interesting and noteworthy. On the one hand, we see feelings and emotions related purely to love, on the other, there are some small human vices and problems that to some extent affect the other person and their feelings. In the case of Josh, we see it primarily in a short story entitled "The Test", where the said interaction between the human element and love is shown by emphasizing his insecurity and moments of doubt which are rooted in his past. Regarding Colin, the author presented the human factor in the story "Three-Way", where it manifests itself in his reckless words. I think that this is extremely important because it shows that a man is not perfect, so love goes with the acceptance of the other person and the need and willingness to change oneself.

In summary, "Magic Spells" is a small collection of short stories which is overflowing with content and meaning. This is a wonderful complement to "Love's Magic" and a book that you really need to read. In this short collection, feelings and emotions of our two favorite characters fill each page. Believe me, if you want to find out what love really is, reach for this little piece of art!

___________________________

Co wyjdzie z połączenia upartego gliny o irlandzkich korzeniach, który boi się miłości jak diabeł święconej wody oraz zakochanego do szaleństwa, łagodnego i pełnego ciepła koordynatora Tytułu IX? Jak długo i jak zaciekle człowiek może bronić się przed uczuciem, które w nim kwitnie? A kiedy w końcu dopuści się do głosu serce, jak głęboką miłością może darzyć się dwoje wprost stworzonych dla siebie ludzi?

„Magic Spells” to zbiór niewielkich opowiadań, które stanowią dopełnienie i niejako rozwinięcie „Love’s Magic”, pierwszego tomu serii „Revolutionary Heart”. W dużej mierze zawierają w sobie to, czego brakowało w pierwszej części, bowiem skupiają się na interakcji między Colinem i Joshem, na ich znajomości oraz związku, a także emocjach jakie temu towarzyszą. Ogromną zaletą tego niewielkiego zbioru jest niewątpliwie fakt, iż Janice Jarrell w każdym ze swoich opowiadań wchodzi niezwykle głęboko w myśli i uczucia swoich bohaterów. Tym samym podczas lektury „Magic Spells” czytelnik nie patrzy na dwójkę głównych postaci z perspektywy wydarzeń, jakie mają tu miejsce, ale zagląda do ich dusz, poznaje ich „od środka”, dzięki czemu Colin i Josh stają się mu bliżsi, niż kiedykolwiek wcześniej. Warto również dodać, że autorka zdołała przedstawić to wszystko w taki sposób, że każde z opowiadań przemawia bezpośrednio do naszych uczuć i emocji. Zbiór ten jest więc swoistym kluczem – dla nas do lepszego poznania bohaterów, jak i dla Colina i Josha, którzy dzięki niemu mogą dotknąć naszych serc.

W „Magic Spells” bardzo spodobał mi się fakt, iż autorka przedstawiła miłość w sposób pełny i niezwykle rozległy. W swoim krótkim zbiorze opowiadań zdołała zawrzeć nie tylko związane z miłością podstawowe uczucia i emocje, seksualne zainteresowanie, fascynację, ale także chęć wspierania i pomocy ukochanej osobie. Co niezwykle interesujące, udało jej się również ukazać i doskonale wyjaśnić motywy kierujące zakochanym człowiekiem podczas wykonywania obowiązków domowych. Bądźmy szczerzy, zazwyczaj przygotowywanie posiłków odbiera się jako przykry obowiązek pozbawiony większego znaczenia, nakierowany czysto na zaspokojenie potrzeb ludzkiego organizmu i nic więcej. Jednak Janice Jarrell pokazuje swoim czytelnikom, że nawet coś tak podstawowego jak przygotowywanie posiłku potrafi być dowodem miłości. Przyznaję, że oczarowała mnie tym pełnym uczucia połączeniem rutyny życia codziennego z czystą, szczerą miłością.

Jako że nasi bohaterowie są zdrowymi, dorosłymi, homoseksualnymi mężczyznami, miłość fizyczna odgrywa w ich życiu istotną rolę i właśnie na ten temat chciałabym napisać kilka słów. Nie zamierzam jednak rozwodzić się nad tym, jak szczegółowe czy gorące są opisy intymnych zbliżeń Josha i Colina, chociaż przyznaję, że autorka naprawdę zdołała w pełni oddać pasję i seksualne napięcie między nimi. To, co w tym wypadku uważam za niepodważalnie najważniejsze to uczucia, jakie towarzyszą uprawieniu miłości. W jednym z końcowych opowiadań odnosi się do tego Colin, jednak czytelnik czuje to całym sobą już dużo wcześniej. Bądźmy szczerzy, przedstawić scenę seksu jest łatwo. Przedstawić dobrą scenę seksu jest już trudniej. Prawda jest jednak taka, że coś tak przyziemnego nie dotyczy Janice Jarrell, która w „Magic Spells” wykazała się prawdziwym mistrzostwem. Nie wiem, czy zdołam w pełni wyjaśnić Wam, czego dokonała, jednak spróbuję i mam nadzieję, że będzie to dla Was zrozumiałe. Niezależnie od Waszych wierzeń, przyjmijmy, że człowiek naprawdę składa się z ciała i duszy. Większość pisarzy przedstawiając stosunek płciowy skupia się na tym pierwszym elemencie, a w szczególności na strefach erogennych. Janice Jarrell zdecydowanie od tego odchodzi, jako że przedstawiając aktywność seksualną dwojga kochających się osób angażuje w pełni zarówno ciało, jak i duszę. Jej bohaterowie naprawdę przeżywają intymne zbliżenie każdą komórką ciała, czemu towarzyszą silne emocje, uczucia, miłość. Jest to dla nich doznanie niemal duchowe. Co istotne, autorka ukazuje to w sposób tak wyraźny i perfekcyjny, że czytelnik czytając „Magic Spells” naprawdę to czuje, zupełnie jakby wokół nas dochodziło do wyładowań elektrycznych, które unoszą włoski na naszym ciele.

Na koniec chciałabym jeszcze dodać, że w „Magic Spells” niejako połączony został czynnik typowo ludzki z abstrakcją, jaką jest miłość, co uważam za bardzo interesujące i godne uwagi. Z jednej strony widzimy bowiem uczucia i emocje związane czysto z miłością, z drugiej zaś pojawiają się drobne ludzkie przywary i problemy, które w pewnym stopniu oddziałują na drugą osobę oraz to, co czuje. W przypadku Josha dostrzegamy to przede wszystkim w opowiadaniu zatytułowanym „The Test”, gdzie wspomniana interakcja między czynnikiem ludzkim a miłością zostaje oddana poprzez podkreślenie jego niepewności i chwil zwątpienia mających swoje korzenie w przeszłości. Z kolei w przypadku Colina autorka przedstawiła czynnik ludzki w opowiadaniu „Three-Way”, gdzie przejawia się on w jego nieprzemyślanych słowach. Uważam, że jest to niezwykle istotne, ponieważ pokazuje, że człowiek nie jest idealny, toteż miłość wiąże się z akceptacją drugiej osoby oraz potrzebą i chęcią zmiany samego siebie.

Podsumowując, „Magic Spells” to niewielki zbiór opowiadań, w którym kryje się ogrom treści i znaczenia. To cudowne dopełnienie „Love’s Magic” i pozycja, którą naprawdę trzeba przeczytać. W tej krótkiej książce uczucia i emocje dwójki naszych ulubionych bohaterów wypełniają każdą stronę. Wierzcie mi, jeśli chcecie dowiedzieć się czym tak naprawdę jest miłość, sięgnijcie po to małe cudeńko!
Profile Image for ButtonsMom2003.
3,807 reviews38 followers
April 6, 2021
Audiobook review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5

I love this series so much!

I got hooked on Janice Jarrell’s books about the two couples, Nate and David, and Colin and Josh, when I listened to Love’s Magic, Revolutionary Heart book one. I was amazed that a book that complex, was a debut novel. I also got hooked on Walker Williams performance of Janice’s work. To me, the voices he does for the 4 characters is perfect.

Magic Spells is a compilation of twelve short stories about Colin and Josh but Nate and David are in the stories, too. I thoroughly enjoyed these additional glimpses into life with Colin and Josh. Because they are short stories it’s hard to say much about each individual one. I found one of them particularly touching. Colin says something that really embarrasses Josh and causes Josh to leave the table where they are sitting with David and Nate. After David and Nate challenge Colin on his behavior, he realizes that what he said wasn’t OK and he apologizes to Josh. I just loved how that whole scene played out.

If you’ve read any of the other books about Colin and Josh you don’t want to miss this one and I think experiencing it as an audiobook was perfect.

A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Profile Image for Sue Milkovich.
1,739 reviews17 followers
December 9, 2018
THE BEAUTY AND STRUGGLE FOR TRUE LOVE

This is a beautiful behind the scenes look at where it all began for Colin and Josh. From the first time Josh, snagged his attention with his shy smile but direct chocolate brown eyes to compassionate understanding. Josh was floored by the big, striking Captain of Campus Police. The cocky Irish Cop and the unassuming Title IX support agent have started on a path that will change their lives forever. This short story is a combination of scenes that for whatever reason didn't make the final cut of the first book. Hot. Steamy. Smouldering. Yeah, that good!! Janice Jarrell has a magnificent, unique writing style that I LOVE. The characters from Love's Magic, David and Nate are a Fantastic Couple. But once I met Colin and Josh, I can't get enough of the love they're nurturing and building. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
Profile Image for Patricia Hoffstaetter.
3,160 reviews40 followers
December 16, 2018
This MM novella will immediately draw you in and you will be totally captivated until the last page.
It is well-written, intriguing & fascinating to read. The characters continue to develop throughout the story & are realistic with their emotional feelings of fear, needs & desires.
It is about: the beginning of where it all began for an Irish policeman (Colin) & a psychologist (Joshua) & the trials & tribulations they go through on their journey to love & happiness.
It is filled with fantasies, twists & turns, some action, some violence, friends, friendship, memories, secrets, emotional turmoil, grief, verbal conflict, confusion, denial, determination, romance, passion, love & steamy scenes.
I enjoyed reading this MM romance & really would recommend it to people who enjoy reading this genre.

Profile Image for Reed.
1,206 reviews21 followers
April 8, 2021
I’m reviewing the audio version. I advise the series should be read in order for the timeline of Colin and Josh’s story. Most of all I love listening to Walker Williams. He brings a story to life as few narrator’s can. I also love revisiting these characters. Their conversations are so intense. Their lives as so active. The relationship is so once in a lifetime. The fore play, middle play and the rest of their play makes me laugh and sigh. The whole collection of stories held my attention from beginning to end. My only issue is the author doesn’t write fast enough.
644 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2025
I've read what Ms. Jarrell has called this, #1.1, which goes into more detail about some of the things that happened in book #1. I really like the way Ms. Jarrell writes and enjoyed more indepth looks at the two couples. I have enjoyed books #0.5, #1, and #1.1 and will be reading book #2 next. Thanks Ms. Jarrell!!!
Profile Image for Alexis.
837 reviews63 followers
February 1, 2019
Amazing book i love it i couldnt put it down 5 stars for sure and i hope others will love it or like it
started it last year lost track where i was so i reread it and it kept me inside the book
i couldnt put it down at all that is how good it is
1,014 reviews5 followers
February 25, 2019
Wanted to give this more and would have if it was not for the quantum leap change from closed up Colin and mad in love Joshua to living together. There seemed to be a bit too many similarities to Nate and David story. However I like the author so it got 3.75 from me
178 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2018
Thank you!

I love Colin and Josh's stories!!
Your writing is something that capture's
me full force and I just hang on for
the ride !! More please!!💗💗💗💗
Profile Image for Tina Marie.
492 reviews5 followers
October 21, 2020
What fun

A great group of short stories that show off Colin and Josh. These two characters are ... simply put, perfect for each other.
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