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The ABCs of Spellcraft #1
Quill Me Now
The ABCs of Spellcraft, #1; Bad Valentine, #2.
What if the words you wrote came true?
Quill Me Now is part of the lighthearted Bad Valentine collection, along with Love Magic by Jesi Lea Ryan, Hidden Hearts by Clare London, and Temporary Dad by Dev Bentham.
What if the words you wrote came true?
Spellcraft isn’t exactly a respectable business, but it does pay the bills. At least, it should. Unfortunately, Dixon Penn failed his Spellcraft initiation. Instead of working in his family’s shop, he’s stuck delivering takeout orders in his uncle’s beat-up Buick.
Winning a Valentine’s Day contest at the largest greeting card company in the tri-state area would be just the thing to get his life back on track—but something at Precious Greetings just doesn’t add up. And despite numerous warnings to quit pestering them about his contest entry, he just can’t stop himself from coming back again and again.
It doesn’t hurt that the head of security is such a hottie. If Dixon had any common sense, he’d be scared of the big, mysterious, tattooed Russian.
To be fair, no one ever accused him of being too smart….
Quill Me Now is part of the lighthearted Bad Valentine collection, along with Love Magic by Jesi Lea Ryan, Hidden Hearts by Clare London, and Temporary Dad by Dev Bentham.
82 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 2019
350 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
138 books2,133 followersAuthor and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the Midwest, from inner city Chicago, to various cities across southern Wisconsin. She’s settled in a 1910 Cape Cod near Lake Michigan with tons of character and a plethora of bizarre spiders. Any disembodied noises, she’s decided, will be blamed on the ice maker.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
August 14, 2019
I really like Jordan Castillo Price, and I've read a ton of her stuff, so I was expecting greatness from Quill Me Now. I didn't quite get that.
Quill Me Now had a great concept and a lot of ideas, but I can't fathom why JCP felt the need to cram it all in just 82 pages. I mean, why?? It felt very rushed.
I was so intrigued by her magical concepts. I mean, the calligraphy and mages concept really hooked me, and I felt some great chemistry between the MCs. However, none of the ideas got enough page-time to really feel fleshed out. I know there will be more to the series, but I left this book feeling a bit dissatisfied.
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Quill Me Now had a great concept and a lot of ideas, but I can't fathom why JCP felt the need to cram it all in just 82 pages. I mean, why?? It felt very rushed.
I was so intrigued by her magical concepts. I mean, the calligraphy and mages concept really hooked me, and I felt some great chemistry between the MCs. However, none of the ideas got enough page-time to really feel fleshed out. I know there will be more to the series, but I left this book feeling a bit dissatisfied.
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March 6, 2020
This was a little quirky and a lotta fun.
Merely just the beginning but I'll admit, your mission was successful...you certainly have my attention JCP!
I found myself easily drawn into their magical world and can't wait to see what trouble they get into next. Thanks for the freebie!
*3.5 I'm-yours stars*
Merely just the beginning but I'll admit, your mission was successful...you certainly have my attention JCP!
I found myself easily drawn into their magical world and can't wait to see what trouble they get into next. Thanks for the freebie!
*3.5 I'm-yours stars*
September 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
I’m just gonna repeat what everyone else has basically said.
For sure this is one of the more unique setups for a magical world and its rules on how said magic works and is created.
This novella started off quite slow but definitely picked up speed. To really tell too much more would most likely ruin the reveals to come.
I’m admittedly intrigued, as this was oh so clever which coming from JCP shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. There’s a greater story arc unfolding with plenty more exploration and answers that are sure to come!
I’m just gonna repeat what everyone else has basically said.
For sure this is one of the more unique setups for a magical world and its rules on how said magic works and is created.
This novella started off quite slow but definitely picked up speed. To really tell too much more would most likely ruin the reveals to come.
I’m admittedly intrigued, as this was oh so clever which coming from JCP shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. There’s a greater story arc unfolding with plenty more exploration and answers that are sure to come!
October 14, 2020
Audio - 4.25 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
Story - 3 Stars
February 22, 2019
I wish this is a novel instead of a novella because it has such an interesting plot and an intricate world building. ❤️ That being said, I’d admit that it was difficult to follow what’s what in the beginning. I mean I felt like I was thrown into some magical world without any proper knowledge. But once I got the hang of it, I loved it. 😌 Dixon and Yuri are an adorable pair and spellcrafting stuff really intrigued me. I would have loved to see an epilogue but I’m happy with how everything turned out in the end. These two definitely deserves all the happiness in the world.
3.75 it’s a match made in heaven (literally!) stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
3.75 it’s a match made in heaven (literally!) stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
February 6, 2019
While the writing was good (it’s JCP, what else is new?) and I liked the characters and the plot, I would have liked this better as a full-length novel than as a short story, for two main reasons:
a) it took me some time to fully grasp how magic worked in the story’s world and, when I finally did, the book was practically over, leaving me very little plot to enjoy;
b) the relationship between Dixon and Yuri would have been great, if it had had the proper time to develop. As it was, it came very close to insta-love, .
You could consider this novella a sort of prequel for a series, since JCP says at the end to “stay tuned for more Spellcrafting adventures from Dixon and Yuri”, but I still expect a prequel to be satisfying in its own right and this one fell a little short.
a) it took me some time to fully grasp how magic worked in the story’s world and, when I finally did, the book was practically over, leaving me very little plot to enjoy;
b) the relationship between Dixon and Yuri would have been great, if it had had the proper time to develop. As it was, it came very close to insta-love, .
You could consider this novella a sort of prequel for a series, since JCP says at the end to “stay tuned for more Spellcrafting adventures from Dixon and Yuri”, but I still expect a prequel to be satisfying in its own right and this one fell a little short.
March 4, 2021
I should have known from the pun in the title to stay away from this, but it's on KU now and I currently have a free trial, so figured I'd check it out. The tone is completely off from what I expected from that title and that cover. I was expecting whimsy and maybe even snark, possibly something zany. None of those things applied. Dixon is our main POV character, with just a couple of chapters from Yuri's POV, but they're both dull as dish water after all the soap bubbles dissolved.
I'm baffled why this is a short story and not longer. It's just too rushed to really accomplish anything. I sort of know Dixon pretty well by the end of this, but we know next to nothing about Yuri except that he's from Russia and has tattoos, apparently all over, which Dixon somehow knows upon first meeting him even though the guy is fully dressed and wearing gloves. The MCs have zero chemistry, but they're apparently hot for each other. *shrugs* And their first time together was a bit on the icky side.
The magic system was the best thing about this and even that didn't get the full attention it needed.
I don't really feel any need to check out the next book.
I'm baffled why this is a short story and not longer. It's just too rushed to really accomplish anything. I sort of know Dixon pretty well by the end of this, but we know next to nothing about Yuri except that he's from Russia and has tattoos, apparently all over, which Dixon somehow knows upon first meeting him even though the guy is fully dressed and wearing gloves. The MCs have zero chemistry, but they're apparently hot for each other. *shrugs* And their first time together was a bit on the icky side.
The magic system was the best thing about this and even that didn't get the full attention it needed.
I don't really feel any need to check out the next book.
May 16, 2019
With the title and cover being so cute, I was afraid this might be too saccharine, but since I've really enjoyed a number of Price's book's and they were certainly not cutesy I went ahead and got it. It is short but definitely less fluffy than it sounds. The magical system is interesting and I liked Dixon and his cousin Sabina am looking forward meeting the rest of the family (where were they throughout this story, anyway? Why are the two youngest the only ones who seem to be trying to make ends meet?)
I think this would have been a 4-star read for me had it been longer.
My copy came with a free download link for 1.5 All That Glitters so I will read that now.
I think this would have been a 4-star read for me had it been longer.
My copy came with a free download link for 1.5 All That Glitters so I will read that now.
February 3, 2019
This Valentine's short piece had amazing world-building throughout the story. The author also did an exceptional job of creating two main characters that I fell for rather quickly. An Awesome Valentine Short!
May 22, 2019
I honestly don't think there is anything I won't read if JCP writes it. Fun, sweet, sexy and a great springboard for this new magical 'verse of stories.
DEFINITELY going to put the next one on the TBR.
DEFINITELY going to put the next one on the TBR.
February 8, 2019
2.5 stars
It should be a nice read -- but I read this scrunching my head because I didn't really grasp the scrivener and the seer and how the magic worked. It was all confusing for me, and I didn't at all enjoy the reading experience, despite liking Dixon as a character *shrugs*
It should be a nice read -- but I read this scrunching my head because I didn't really grasp the scrivener and the seer and how the magic worked. It was all confusing for me, and I didn't at all enjoy the reading experience, despite liking Dixon as a character *shrugs*
April 23, 2023
I love everything about this story . . . other than the fact that it could have been 300 pages longer. JCP is the queen of "always leave them wanting more."
February 18, 2021
A shame, I really liked the characters and the world had potential - but we're not drawn in, on finishing I'm still confused about how the magic works, the rules of the verse. Also too many questions around the main couple's families, where were they? if they have means why were they letting their son struggle? The mystery twist has no impact because I couldn't understand the significance or reasoning. The relationship if it can be called that moves too fast for the forever vibe at the end. Also the 'pounding' was off page.
Lots of potential, much likeable, overall unsatisfying.
Lots of potential, much likeable, overall unsatisfying.
December 28, 2019
This hit the spot :)
February 14, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Quill Me Now is part of the four-book Bad Valentine collection, a set of standalone stories by different authors that are all built around the same opening line (for more details on the collection, check out this post). What really sold this story for me is the creative world building. I loved the idea of magic as a two-part process between the Scrivener who writes the words and the Seer who draws the accompanying image. In this world, magic is a wily thing and the magical message must be carefully worded to avoid unintended consequences (such as the restaurant where the Spellcraft made it so inviting, they can’t get their customers to ever leave). There is just a great sense of cleverness here and I love how the story plays with words, as well as how Dixon uses them so perfectly to get himself out of tricky situations. For a shorter story, I think the world is well developed and it presents a really unique take on magic. The lead up here takes a little long to set the stage, but overall it’s a really fun story with a bit of mystery and suspense along the way.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Quill Me Now is part of the four-book Bad Valentine collection, a set of standalone stories by different authors that are all built around the same opening line (for more details on the collection, check out this post). What really sold this story for me is the creative world building. I loved the idea of magic as a two-part process between the Scrivener who writes the words and the Seer who draws the accompanying image. In this world, magic is a wily thing and the magical message must be carefully worded to avoid unintended consequences (such as the restaurant where the Spellcraft made it so inviting, they can’t get their customers to ever leave). There is just a great sense of cleverness here and I love how the story plays with words, as well as how Dixon uses them so perfectly to get himself out of tricky situations. For a shorter story, I think the world is well developed and it presents a really unique take on magic. The lead up here takes a little long to set the stage, but overall it’s a really fun story with a bit of mystery and suspense along the way.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
August 9, 2019
Very interesting start to this series. Lots of world building and getting to know Dixon and Yuri. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes!
May 2, 2021
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2019/02/14/...
Rating: 4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away
Rating: 4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away
July 22, 2021
As always, this author has managed to create a really fascinating world and system of magic in a way that doesn't feel too confusing and that definitely makes me want to read more. Also, as always, the author for some reason has decided to write a very short story instead of a full length novel, which doesn't quite give the story/world enough room to settle and ultimately left me feeling a little disappointed. I'm not quite sure why this author so strongly favors writing these magical novels in such a short serial format, as it just, in my opinion, isn't the best way to showcase their writing/these worlds. I liked the characters/romance well enough, though it felt a little too insta-love for me, which I think would have very easily been rectified if the book was twice as long and there was actually space to develop the relationship out. It's a shame, because if this was a series of longer books I'd probably continue reading, but I'm just not interested in the shorter format, so I'm probably going to give the rest of the series a pass.
February 2, 2019
*arc given freely with the request for a posted review*
4 stars.
I liked this, but I didn't love it? The world and the magic is really cool. The romance was secondary to everything which I wasn't expecting in a Valentine's story. I loved both the characters and the outcome for the villain 😂 and I look forward to seeing how the story and their relationship grows. I hope we get to see more about Dixon's family too. JCP's world building, as always, is superb.
4 stars.
I liked this, but I didn't love it? The world and the magic is really cool. The romance was secondary to everything which I wasn't expecting in a Valentine's story. I loved both the characters and the outcome for the villain 😂 and I look forward to seeing how the story and their relationship grows. I hope we get to see more about Dixon's family too. JCP's world building, as always, is superb.
July 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this.
April 18, 2023
I liked both Dixon and Yuri as characters but there were too many things that just didn't work for me. It took me a long time to understand how the magic in this universe worked and by the time I did the book was over. Also why were the two youngest in the family trying so hard to make ends meet - had their family abandoned them and if so why? This was also a big time case of instant love - they knew each other for 2 days at most and although they never said the I love you's it was definitely implied that they were in it for the long haul. I'm normally a fan of this author but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
February 1, 2019
This is my first Price book, but it won't be my last. I loved the world-building of this story and the romance was sexy. The secondary hero wasn't fully developed, because this is a short and from the first person of the other guy, and apparently the start of a series. I will definitely look forward to it and getting to know more about spellcrafting.
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May 24, 2022DNF at 58% or 41 pages, no rating. I tried but I still don't know what's going on, I know it's early in the book but given that there are only 30p left I don't see it improving. The magic system has not been explained enough so I'm lost and uninterested on that front. It is tagged as a romance but the "MCs" have met twice and maybe said 10 words to each other and there was no chemistry.
February 3, 2019
3.5 stars
I liked this but didn't love it. The world is super cool. I didn't really feel any connection between the MC's. It says at the back of the books there will be another story about these two. I'll definitely read that.
I liked this but didn't love it. The world is super cool. I didn't really feel any connection between the MC's. It says at the back of the books there will be another story about these two. I'll definitely read that.
December 15, 2024
An amazing new world from JCP! I'm so glad that there's more to come about Dixon and Yuri!
February 11, 2019
Not my favorite JCP story, but enjoyable none the less. By the time I was fully invested in this world of magic, it was over. I do hope we see more of these two.
June 6, 2019
Quill Me Now (Bad Valentine)
Jordan Castillo Price
JCPbooks, 2019
Five stars
This novella has the distinction of being the part of a small series called Bad Valentine created by several different authors; AND being the first in Jordan Castillo Price’s Spellcrafting series. I’d been resisting reading it because novellas move too fast for me, but when I saw the THIRD of the Spellcrafting series announced, I bought the second and pre-ordered the third. Three novellas make a nice big book. And that’s how my mind works.
I am a fan of Price’s crisp, smart writing, but have not seen her softer side (the Psycop books are great, but hardly sweet). Quill Me Now could easily rank as a romantic comedy, but for the darker side of the story. It is set in a contemporary, mostly-recognizable world where magic is an accepted (but oft mistrusted) skill. People who carry magic are of two sorts: Scriveners and Seers. Scriveners craft the spells with words, and the skill is genetic. Much rarer is the Seer, who paints a picture, without which no magic is made. Everyone else is referred to as Handless. There is an echo of Jordan L. Hawk’s Hexworld, and of course good old Mr. Potter, but Price has made this fantasy her own.
Dixon Penn is a typical millennial, but lives under the shadow of having failed to receive his quill. He seems to be the stunted branch of a distinguished family tree. Without his planned career as a Scrivener, he is barely making ends meet by delivering food to people who don’t tip enough. Dixon meets Yuri (whose surname we never learn) when he enters a contest at a greeting card company. Yuri is a huge, brooding tattooed Russian, with secrets he can’t tell. Dixon and Yuri narrate the story from their alternating viewpoints.
Quill Me Now is darker and more edgy than the second of the series, Trouble in Taco Town. I liked it for that reason. But I know I am a fan of the series already, and will follow it avidly.
Jordan Castillo Price
JCPbooks, 2019
Five stars
This novella has the distinction of being the part of a small series called Bad Valentine created by several different authors; AND being the first in Jordan Castillo Price’s Spellcrafting series. I’d been resisting reading it because novellas move too fast for me, but when I saw the THIRD of the Spellcrafting series announced, I bought the second and pre-ordered the third. Three novellas make a nice big book. And that’s how my mind works.
I am a fan of Price’s crisp, smart writing, but have not seen her softer side (the Psycop books are great, but hardly sweet). Quill Me Now could easily rank as a romantic comedy, but for the darker side of the story. It is set in a contemporary, mostly-recognizable world where magic is an accepted (but oft mistrusted) skill. People who carry magic are of two sorts: Scriveners and Seers. Scriveners craft the spells with words, and the skill is genetic. Much rarer is the Seer, who paints a picture, without which no magic is made. Everyone else is referred to as Handless. There is an echo of Jordan L. Hawk’s Hexworld, and of course good old Mr. Potter, but Price has made this fantasy her own.
Dixon Penn is a typical millennial, but lives under the shadow of having failed to receive his quill. He seems to be the stunted branch of a distinguished family tree. Without his planned career as a Scrivener, he is barely making ends meet by delivering food to people who don’t tip enough. Dixon meets Yuri (whose surname we never learn) when he enters a contest at a greeting card company. Yuri is a huge, brooding tattooed Russian, with secrets he can’t tell. Dixon and Yuri narrate the story from their alternating viewpoints.
Quill Me Now is darker and more edgy than the second of the series, Trouble in Taco Town. I liked it for that reason. But I know I am a fan of the series already, and will follow it avidly.
August 5, 2023
Love & Spellcraft
This was a quick but fun story. It seems like the beginning to a good series and I can't wait to read more.
This was a quick but fun story. It seems like the beginning to a good series and I can't wait to read more.
February 2, 2019
Really enjoyed this. It was in parts creepy, funny and cute (as much as JCP does cute). It's also just the beginning for Dixon and Yuri (autocorrect keeps changing this to Tutu!), because more books are coming.
February 4, 2023
3.5 stars. I was so excited to learn this series was available on kindle unlimited. I love this author’s writing in the Psycop series. I think this had all the makings of a great story but not sure why it had to be a novella. The author has compressed the hell out of this story and even though the underlying plot was decent, it left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews