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The ABCs of Spellcraft #3
Something Stinks at the Spa
Mineral spas are so calm and relaxing...unless they smell like a derrière at a bean-lover's convention, that is!
Dixon and Yuri have a hot tip that Uncle Fonzo is taking the waters at Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa. Not only is the spring stinky enough to make your eyes water—but the foul odor reaches peak level just as the resort is gearing up for a visit from an important critic that will make or break its reputation.
Normally, this wouldn't be Dixon’s problem...except it appears that a piece of his uncle's Spellcraft might be responsible. He can't be entirely sure, though, since that particular slip of paper managed to go through the shredder.
Dixon and Yuri pitch in to help the spa's owner appease a jilted bride, an obnoxious businessman, and the world's most boring critic while they scramble to reconstruct the shredded Spellcraft. Can they fix the wonky spell before it does any permanent damage? Or will all their efforts at saving the spa end up swirling down the drain?
The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you'd expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2019
89 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
138 books2,134 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 92 reviews
June 19, 2019
And the misadventures of Yuri and Dixon continue!!! 😁 So after the last book “Trouble in Taco town”, you are going to think how Jordan Castillo Price is going to top the awkward and strange magic-go-wrong incidents of Taco Town. And boy, you will be pleasantly surprised how witty and mischievous our Miss Jordan can be. 😏 Let me give you a few hints! 😂
A hotel with stinky natural springs, a jilted bride, a stuffy critic, a pretentious businessman and lastly, a stray dog with a sweet tooth and matter fur. 🤣 You can’t think of a stranger and more preposterous combination!!! 😁👏 And better, Yuri and Dixon are now undercover as Spa aestheticians at the hotel which is going under because of surprise, surprise, surprise, uncle Fonzo’s scrivening go wrong. 😁 And we will be seeing a lot of made-up, ridiculous Russian spa customs and sauna etiquettes. It’s as always just preposterous, hilarious, witty, funny and oh-so-entertaining. 😂👏 And that ending!!! 😱 Oh, the goop of it all!!! 😳 I need the next book in series like now!!! 😭 What kind of funny and awkward adventures will our heroes encounter soon? I simply can’t wait! 😳 I have been thoroughly enjoying this whole series from the very beginning. These are very different, geeky, nerdy and funny JCP books and I’d highly recommend these to anyone who likes their magic with a dose of sarcasm, snark and humor. 😉
4.25 Yuri is always so butch in my eyes stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Disclaimer: An review copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
A hotel with stinky natural springs, a jilted bride, a stuffy critic, a pretentious businessman and lastly, a stray dog with a sweet tooth and matter fur. 🤣 You can’t think of a stranger and more preposterous combination!!! 😁👏 And better, Yuri and Dixon are now undercover as Spa aestheticians at the hotel which is going under because of surprise, surprise, surprise, uncle Fonzo’s scrivening go wrong. 😁 And we will be seeing a lot of made-up, ridiculous Russian spa customs and sauna etiquettes. It’s as always just preposterous, hilarious, witty, funny and oh-so-entertaining. 😂👏 And that ending!!! 😱 Oh, the goop of it all!!! 😳 I need the next book in series like now!!! 😭 What kind of funny and awkward adventures will our heroes encounter soon? I simply can’t wait! 😳 I have been thoroughly enjoying this whole series from the very beginning. These are very different, geeky, nerdy and funny JCP books and I’d highly recommend these to anyone who likes their magic with a dose of sarcasm, snark and humor. 😉
4.25 Yuri is always so butch in my eyes stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Disclaimer: An review copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
June 20, 2019
The author totally took things up a large notch with this third book of the series... the laugh-out-loud moments in this book were just awesome and numerous! Of course I love love love Dixon and Yuri to death (not literally of course, I mean seriously they are not real people). Their growing relationship has be such a pleasure to follow and I can't wait till the next installment to see where it and they go next. Just DLed "All That Glitters" since I missed it before! If you have not yet tried this series out DO SO!
August 16, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
Something Stinks at the Spa is the third full book in Jordan Castillo Price’s ABCs of Spellcraft series. The overarching story continues across the series, so while I think you could pretty easily follow the plot here, some of the world building details might be confusing if you haven’t read at least the first book. Where I think this series excels is the interplay between Yuri and Dixon. Yuri is a stoic Russian who has no real interest in interacting with others. But Yuri loves Dixon and would do anything for his cheery, friendly boyfriend — even if that means figuring out how to give a grumpy critic a spa treatment. Yuri may be tough and scare most people off, but he is putty in Dixon’s hands and I find them such a sweet and charming couple. The series also has a lot of humor as the guys get themselves into all kind of crazy situations, and this story continues in much the same style with a playful silliness to the books.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
Something Stinks at the Spa is the third full book in Jordan Castillo Price’s ABCs of Spellcraft series. The overarching story continues across the series, so while I think you could pretty easily follow the plot here, some of the world building details might be confusing if you haven’t read at least the first book. Where I think this series excels is the interplay between Yuri and Dixon. Yuri is a stoic Russian who has no real interest in interacting with others. But Yuri loves Dixon and would do anything for his cheery, friendly boyfriend — even if that means figuring out how to give a grumpy critic a spa treatment. Yuri may be tough and scare most people off, but he is putty in Dixon’s hands and I find them such a sweet and charming couple. The series also has a lot of humor as the guys get themselves into all kind of crazy situations, and this story continues in much the same style with a playful silliness to the books.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 7, 2020
Even funnier than the last one. Those spa-treatment scenarios had me literally LOLing. I love it when Dixon ropes Yuri into his crazy; it seems to be rubbing off on the more serious of the two and makes for interesting character development. Also, I craved bacon the entire time I was reading this installment.
Seriously, I would love an entire series of this couple just traveling to out-of-the way towns and fixing their wayward magic, with all of the crazy hi-jinks that would entail...but it seems like maybe they are headed home now. And that's probably a good thing since too many zany adventures could get old. (I doubt it, but still.)
And as I get ready for my family's yearly road-trip, I think that when things don't always go as planned I will try to look at the mistakes and less favorable circumstances that inevitably arise with a less jaundiced eye. If anything, Dixon & Yuri's travels will make me appreciate the journey and find the humor in those situations. (I'd still want a discount when the motel toilets don't flush, though...which actually happened last year.)
Seriously, I would love an entire series of this couple just traveling to out-of-the way towns and fixing their wayward magic, with all of the crazy hi-jinks that would entail...but it seems like maybe they are headed home now. And that's probably a good thing since too many zany adventures could get old. (I doubt it, but still.)
And as I get ready for my family's yearly road-trip, I think that when things don't always go as planned I will try to look at the mistakes and less favorable circumstances that inevitably arise with a less jaundiced eye. If anything, Dixon & Yuri's travels will make me appreciate the journey and find the humor in those situations. (I'd still want a discount when the motel toilets don't flush, though...which actually happened last year.)
June 30, 2019
Humour's an uncertain thing. To me, this reads as if JCP simply strung together one wacky incident after another, as they popped into her head. The relationship between the MCs isn't changing, the overarching "Where's Wally?" plot is in the same place as Book 2. Overall, the book's not unpleasant, but it isn't very satisfying either.
August 9, 2020
Series Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/01/28/...
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
October 8, 2020
3.5 Stars
Review:
This one ratcheted up the ridiculousness to new heights and was maybe a bit much at times, but I tried to just roll with it and enjoy it for the fun, light novella that it was. These books are kinda like a sitcom with their humor and silly shenanigans. I did chuckle some, and I enjoyed the cuteness of the relationship deepening. I liked seeing how the two men see each other from their POVs.
I enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Nick Hudson. Further thoughts on the audio can be found in my review for Book 1 or The ABCs of Spellcraft Collection Volume 1.
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Fans of previous books in Jordan Castillo Price's The ABCs of Spellcraft series. Anyone who likes sweet m/m romance, unique magic systems, and silly, sitcom-esque stories that aren't meant to be taken too seriously.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
This one ratcheted up the ridiculousness to new heights and was maybe a bit much at times, but I tried to just roll with it and enjoy it for the fun, light novella that it was. These books are kinda like a sitcom with their humor and silly shenanigans. I did chuckle some, and I enjoyed the cuteness of the relationship deepening. I liked seeing how the two men see each other from their POVs.
I enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Nick Hudson. Further thoughts on the audio can be found in my review for Book 1 or The ABCs of Spellcraft Collection Volume 1.
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Fans of previous books in Jordan Castillo Price's The ABCs of Spellcraft series. Anyone who likes sweet m/m romance, unique magic systems, and silly, sitcom-esque stories that aren't meant to be taken too seriously.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
October 25, 2019
3.5 stars
June 8, 2019
Something Stinks at the Spa (Spellcraft 3)
By Jordan Castillo Price
JCPbooks, Inc, 2019
Four stars
“Clearly, love had made me a fool. But at least I was no longer alone.”
The third book tracing the adventures of Dixon and Yuri establishes for good the rhythm and atmosphere of this lighthearted series with its more thoughtful underpinnings. Something Stinks at the Spa carries on the slapstick Lucy-and-Ethel style established in the second book of the series, Trouble in Taco Town. It also continues the more discreet – and important – building of the emotional and magical relationship between the flighty scion of the notorious Penn family of Scriveners and the taciturn, tattooed Russian émigré Yuri Volikov.
The surface is pure farce – a generations-old mineral water spa on the verge of collapse, either because of or in spite of a Crafting left by Dixon’s uncle Fonzo Penn. Yuri and Dixon, who narrate the book across alternating chapters, have to figure out the mystery even as they do their best to help the spa’s determined young owner keep up appearances for the few guests who are actually checked in.
The constant contrast presented in the narrative is between Dixon’s oblivious emotionality and Yuri’s brooding misanthropy. The core contrast is cultural – being gay in America with a loving supportive family, versus being gay in Russia with an oppressive political culture; but embracing that is the more delicate conversation about how Yuri and Dixon’s contrasting personalities and styles are linked to their separate-but-symbiotic magical gifts. Dixon is light; Yuri is dark. Dixon is words while Yuri is pictures. Dixon is neither as dumb nor as unthinking as he seems, while Yuri comes to realize that his own personality is as much a barrier to his happiness as the magic that bound him as a slave in the opening book of the series. It is a very cleverly crafted contrast and gives our young heroes emotional heft far beyond the intentional lightness of the plotline.
The story ends on a sort of abrupt mini-cliffhanger, which provides the perfect set-up for the fourth book. I can’t wait.
By Jordan Castillo Price
JCPbooks, Inc, 2019
Four stars
“Clearly, love had made me a fool. But at least I was no longer alone.”
The third book tracing the adventures of Dixon and Yuri establishes for good the rhythm and atmosphere of this lighthearted series with its more thoughtful underpinnings. Something Stinks at the Spa carries on the slapstick Lucy-and-Ethel style established in the second book of the series, Trouble in Taco Town. It also continues the more discreet – and important – building of the emotional and magical relationship between the flighty scion of the notorious Penn family of Scriveners and the taciturn, tattooed Russian émigré Yuri Volikov.
The surface is pure farce – a generations-old mineral water spa on the verge of collapse, either because of or in spite of a Crafting left by Dixon’s uncle Fonzo Penn. Yuri and Dixon, who narrate the book across alternating chapters, have to figure out the mystery even as they do their best to help the spa’s determined young owner keep up appearances for the few guests who are actually checked in.
The constant contrast presented in the narrative is between Dixon’s oblivious emotionality and Yuri’s brooding misanthropy. The core contrast is cultural – being gay in America with a loving supportive family, versus being gay in Russia with an oppressive political culture; but embracing that is the more delicate conversation about how Yuri and Dixon’s contrasting personalities and styles are linked to their separate-but-symbiotic magical gifts. Dixon is light; Yuri is dark. Dixon is words while Yuri is pictures. Dixon is neither as dumb nor as unthinking as he seems, while Yuri comes to realize that his own personality is as much a barrier to his happiness as the magic that bound him as a slave in the opening book of the series. It is a very cleverly crafted contrast and gives our young heroes emotional heft far beyond the intentional lightness of the plotline.
The story ends on a sort of abrupt mini-cliffhanger, which provides the perfect set-up for the fourth book. I can’t wait.
June 2, 2023
I didn't find this quite as charming as the previous installments, although I'm not sure why. Maybe it was jut my mood?
September 30, 2020
The adventurous hunt for Uncle Fonzo continues in this, and it's every bit as fun, funny and rife with bad jokes and precarious situations as the previous entry, and I am still pretty much enamoured with it all.
I am glad that Yuri's back story is explored just that little bit more here, and that the relationship between him and Dixon is getting more and more well established at this point. The ease and chemistry between them two, and the way they play off of, and affect each other is just as palpable. Only grouse is the blacking out of the sexy times between them was quite a disappointment, what with them being in a spa resort and all that.
Nothing more to say about the writing and the plot, because as usual the story is woven together quite well, and the way everything is explained and described was quite a delight. The almost insane situations, the twists and turns and the cast of secondary characters worked their magic to really bring the story alive and made it every bit the page turner it was, in spite of the length of it.
If sleep were irrelevant, I would have devoured the rest of the books in one go, but I would just have to settle on spreading it out and savour it slowly like I really should.
I am glad that Yuri's back story is explored just that little bit more here, and that the relationship between him and Dixon is getting more and more well established at this point. The ease and chemistry between them two, and the way they play off of, and affect each other is just as palpable. Only grouse is the blacking out of the sexy times between them was quite a disappointment, what with them being in a spa resort and all that.
Nothing more to say about the writing and the plot, because as usual the story is woven together quite well, and the way everything is explained and described was quite a delight. The almost insane situations, the twists and turns and the cast of secondary characters worked their magic to really bring the story alive and made it every bit the page turner it was, in spite of the length of it.
If sleep were irrelevant, I would have devoured the rest of the books in one go, but I would just have to settle on spreading it out and savour it slowly like I really should.
March 3, 2021
I love this series and Something Stinks at the Spa is another hilarious addition to JCP's The ABCs of Spellcraft series. This picks up as Yuri and Dixon are once again on the road chasing Uncle Fonzo to the next town after Dixon's cousin, Sabina, received yet another postcard from her father. What should have been a nice spa break for Yuri and Dixon turns into a ripe new adventure. The mineral waters should have been calm, relaxing, and nice instead of stinking of sulfur. Both men have to figure out undo the Spellcraft at the Spa to salvage this family run business thanks to Uncle Fonzo. I love how each book alternates between Dixon and Yuri's POV. What's a Seer and Scrivener to do while masquerading as a masseuse and spa beautician? More hilarious moments as both men fall deeper into love and it was lovely seeing Yuri's stoic exterior melting a little bit more thanks to Dixon :) Opposites really do attract as Yuri and Dixon prove over and over again.
July 7, 2019
As Dixon and Yuri continue their search for Uncle Fonzo, they find themselves at a Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, where the spring is so stinky it makes your eyes water. The owner is preparing for a visit from a critic and it appears Uncle Fonzo may be to blame for the odor. With most of the staff gone, Dixon and Yuri stay to help appease a jilted bride, an obnoxious businessman as well as the boring critic.
Once again, I enjoyed this tale with its humor and unique plot. Yuri was incredible with his ability to do what was needed. More than a few chuckles will burst forth as you read and enjoy this tale. I am sure it is not done as yet and I cannot wait for more.
Once again, I enjoyed this tale with its humor and unique plot. Yuri was incredible with his ability to do what was needed. More than a few chuckles will burst forth as you read and enjoy this tale. I am sure it is not done as yet and I cannot wait for more.
March 8, 2020
Wooo
This one would have made me nuts lol. I'm surprised Yuri didn't snap at all the crap going on lol. But with how much he loves Dixon, you can tell he would do anything for him. But my nerves were shit after one customer not counting the others snots in the spa. Shew. I envy the patience of Dixon and his upbeat attitude, because I would have went crazy and would have been hiding with the dog. But this series is so fun lol.
This one would have made me nuts lol. I'm surprised Yuri didn't snap at all the crap going on lol. But with how much he loves Dixon, you can tell he would do anything for him. But my nerves were shit after one customer not counting the others snots in the spa. Shew. I envy the patience of Dixon and his upbeat attitude, because I would have went crazy and would have been hiding with the dog. But this series is so fun lol.
Read
June 17, 2019Love this series. Yuri and Dixon are adorable :)
July 19, 2020
Another entertaining story.
Still loving these two and I'm eager to follow them on their next adventure
Still loving these two and I'm eager to follow them on their next adventure
September 26, 2019
3.5 stars
Funny, stinky, silly. Quinn and Yuri both have good hearts though and I like that they tried their darnedest to make poor Lisa, the jilted bride, and the homeless dog named Twinkle, happy in the end.
Funny, stinky, silly. Quinn and Yuri both have good hearts though and I like that they tried their darnedest to make poor Lisa, the jilted bride, and the homeless dog named Twinkle, happy in the end.
June 15, 2021
The road trip continues. Yuri and Dixon stop at a spa where they pretend to be a masseuse and esthetician, and it made me very uncomfortable for a bunch of reasons chief among them the fact they were working on clients who assumed these men were professionals, trained and qualified for that kind of work, when they were absolutely none of those things. Not as much fun as the last book due to the rampant consent issues.
Contains: ableist language ("imbecile"); public nudity and voyeurism; body-shaming (in thoughts, not expressed); toilet humor.
Contains: ableist language ("imbecile"); public nudity and voyeurism; body-shaming (in thoughts, not expressed); toilet humor.
August 29, 2019
This one did not work for me at all, it felt too contrived, the humour was fake and the relationship between the two MCs, which sparkled in the previous books, felt flat and uninspired with the exception of one scene. I don't understand what happened, the other books in the series were perfectly enjoyable but I had trouble even finishing this one. I'm hesitant now to even start book 4.
December 11, 2019
I really liked the first novel in this series. The following two are still very well written and funny, but I seem to have a growing dislike for Dixon, one of the MCs. I don't think it is the same person as in the first novel. There, he was nice, kind, optimistic. In the following two books he is the same - but to an extent which bothers me.
March 9, 2020
This was too cute! Plus, there is a dog, that actually plays a part so, I kind of had to love it. Plus I loved that the jilted bride ends up with ... well, that would be a spoiler. Each of these are getting better as they go. Plus, Yuri is just the best.
April 10, 2023
"I’ve been a big fan of the male form ever since I could remember, but the third limb Mr. Woodrow was hauling around with him went beyond impressive and into the realm of grotesque"
forget about the bacon!
forget about the bacon!
March 24, 2020
Yeah, that cover really worked for me... and the story was ok, also! *grin*
July 28, 2019
Honestly I didn't think the author could make the adventures, or should I say misadventures, of Dixon and Yuri any more fun and zany than they were in Trouble in Taco Town. Boy was I wrong!
We see Dixon and Yuri continue their quest to find Dixon's Uncle Fonzo and this time they find themselves in a not-so-sweet spa in this entry so aptly titled, Something Stinks at the Spa. I won't go into details because it really is an adventure you need to experience to grasp the full effect of what these boys face. What started out as a find-the-lost-relative quest has become multiple stops on the find-him-and-clean-up-his-mess map. Trust me what the boys find themselves in may be one zany spell after another but it will grab you and not let go till they discover the next clue to Uncle Fonzo's trail.
As for the romance part of this series, well Dixon and Yuri really shouldn't mesh but they do and perhaps their relationship isn't growing by leaps and bounds from one entry to the next, it is deepening. I don't think anyone who has been reading this series doubts the connection between the two and even when their love story takes a backseat to fixing Fonzo's spells, it is still there and getting stronger with each page.
They say comedy is the hardest thing to write and I can certainly see how that can be true well, Jordan Castillo Price has not only written a novella series that is ripe with adventure and romance but is chock full of humor. I for one can't wait to see where Uncle Fonzo's spells lead Dixon and Yuri next.
So much goodness packed into so few pages that make The ABCs of Spellcraft a must read but it is most definitely a series that needs to be read in order. I realize that a short story series that has an ongoing plot isn't for everyone or that some might think the author should put them into one book instead of "spread out in small increments", perhaps some authors should. HOWEVER, for me these kinds of short story connected series bring to the table a bit of nostalgia for the old movie serials of the 30s and 40s that got the population through the Great Depression and World War 2. For that feeling of nostalgia(to be honest they were way before my time but my parents collect them on DVD/Blu-Ray so I've watched & enjoyed the simplicity of the genre) alone I salute Jordan Castillo Price for telling Dixon and Yuri's journey in this manner.
We see Dixon and Yuri continue their quest to find Dixon's Uncle Fonzo and this time they find themselves in a not-so-sweet spa in this entry so aptly titled, Something Stinks at the Spa. I won't go into details because it really is an adventure you need to experience to grasp the full effect of what these boys face. What started out as a find-the-lost-relative quest has become multiple stops on the find-him-and-clean-up-his-mess map. Trust me what the boys find themselves in may be one zany spell after another but it will grab you and not let go till they discover the next clue to Uncle Fonzo's trail.
As for the romance part of this series, well Dixon and Yuri really shouldn't mesh but they do and perhaps their relationship isn't growing by leaps and bounds from one entry to the next, it is deepening. I don't think anyone who has been reading this series doubts the connection between the two and even when their love story takes a backseat to fixing Fonzo's spells, it is still there and getting stronger with each page.
They say comedy is the hardest thing to write and I can certainly see how that can be true well, Jordan Castillo Price has not only written a novella series that is ripe with adventure and romance but is chock full of humor. I for one can't wait to see where Uncle Fonzo's spells lead Dixon and Yuri next.
So much goodness packed into so few pages that make The ABCs of Spellcraft a must read but it is most definitely a series that needs to be read in order. I realize that a short story series that has an ongoing plot isn't for everyone or that some might think the author should put them into one book instead of "spread out in small increments", perhaps some authors should. HOWEVER, for me these kinds of short story connected series bring to the table a bit of nostalgia for the old movie serials of the 30s and 40s that got the population through the Great Depression and World War 2. For that feeling of nostalgia(to be honest they were way before my time but my parents collect them on DVD/Blu-Ray so I've watched & enjoyed the simplicity of the genre) alone I salute Jordan Castillo Price for telling Dixon and Yuri's journey in this manner.
June 7, 2019
This is #3 (4 if you get the short story 'All That Glitters') in the author's absolutely joyful 'ABC's of Spellcraft' series. These stories are a joy (IMO) to read. And although I adoooore my daaark reads, these are such a burst of light, some tantalizing mystery, some magical suspense, quirky, cute & downright ODD secondary characters, but most of all what I take from these stories is LOVE.
It IS a joy for me to see how Yuri, so physically intimating, tattooed, muscled & strong, so internally so nervous & distrusting, so used to being unloved, so used to being afraid to release happy emotions based on his hard & difficult life before the U.S. & Dixon, has found his Light: Dixon.
And Dixon, who is the emotional opposite of Yuri, happy, trusting, eager, helpful & empathetic, is an irresistible force Yuri is drawn to more & more as their relationship grows & Yuri begins to feel things he's never felt free to feel before. And Dixon so obviously adores his stern, closed off, frighteningly intimidating Russian Seer.
This story has our heroes chasing Uncle Fonzo (& just missing him AGAIN) to a spa that is having serious & extremely odiferous issues after a 'traveling vulcanologist' passed through. And now our heroes need to clean up Uncle Fonzo's mess to prevent disaster for the Spa's third generation owner.
The secondary characters are cute &/or quirky, the things Dixon & Yuri volunteer for, or get roped into, are delightfully funny (the fact that only Yuri speaks Russian comes in VERY handy) & problems of several types & kinds are addressed with the hope of solving them.
And I thought what happened to Uncle Fonzo's crafting & how Dixon & Yuri tracked it down was genius. I love how original the author is regarding the Spellcrafting, how she describes how Dixon & Yuri feel about writing, painting, pens, paper (I can spend a loooong time in the pen & paper aisles at a store myself) is beautifully evocative, at least to me.
If you want an story that has excellent writing, endearing sweet & loving heroes, deft touches of humor that bring a chuckle & smile, original magic & just the right amount of mystery & kookiness: look NO further. I myself, cannot wait for the next book in this wonderfully entertaining & enjoyable series.
It IS a joy for me to see how Yuri, so physically intimating, tattooed, muscled & strong, so internally so nervous & distrusting, so used to being unloved, so used to being afraid to release happy emotions based on his hard & difficult life before the U.S. & Dixon, has found his Light: Dixon.
And Dixon, who is the emotional opposite of Yuri, happy, trusting, eager, helpful & empathetic, is an irresistible force Yuri is drawn to more & more as their relationship grows & Yuri begins to feel things he's never felt free to feel before. And Dixon so obviously adores his stern, closed off, frighteningly intimidating Russian Seer.
This story has our heroes chasing Uncle Fonzo (& just missing him AGAIN) to a spa that is having serious & extremely odiferous issues after a 'traveling vulcanologist' passed through. And now our heroes need to clean up Uncle Fonzo's mess to prevent disaster for the Spa's third generation owner.
The secondary characters are cute &/or quirky, the things Dixon & Yuri volunteer for, or get roped into, are delightfully funny (the fact that only Yuri speaks Russian comes in VERY handy) & problems of several types & kinds are addressed with the hope of solving them.
And I thought what happened to Uncle Fonzo's crafting & how Dixon & Yuri tracked it down was genius. I love how original the author is regarding the Spellcrafting, how she describes how Dixon & Yuri feel about writing, painting, pens, paper (I can spend a loooong time in the pen & paper aisles at a store myself) is beautifully evocative, at least to me.
If you want an story that has excellent writing, endearing sweet & loving heroes, deft touches of humor that bring a chuckle & smile, original magic & just the right amount of mystery & kookiness: look NO further. I myself, cannot wait for the next book in this wonderfully entertaining & enjoyable series.
June 22, 2019
Review by Gloria Lakritz Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild
5***** Stars
Novella: Something Stinks at the Spa
Series : The A B C’S of Spellcraft Bk #3
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Publisher: JCP Publications LLC
Release date: June 6, 2019
Pages: 120
Genre: LGBTQ action adventure
Rated: Mature
Yuri and Dixon are the ‘stars’ of this fun paranormal, mystical series which began this past February in a small anthology Jordan Castillo Price joined. It became Quill Me Now and her fans couldn’t be happier.
In this world there are Seers and Scrivners. Our Dixon went to take his quill test and failed as a Scrivner. It was quite unexpected. He now lives in the attic with his cousin in the house his Uncle Fonzo owned and works as a food delivery man……
Uncle Fonzo has disappeared so Dixon has gone to a Greeting Card Company looking for a better paying job. It is here he meets the ‘fixer’ for the greeting card company president. This would be Yuri.
Exact opposites, Dixon is a wide eyed optimist, believing in the good in everyone. Yuri from Russia has had a difficult life. Yuri is not used to being out, he is a big, tattooed, muscle man that trusts no one…
From their experiences in book one, their relationship has heated and we see Dixon mesmerizing this tough young man……this is listed as Book #3….. BUT if you are good at searching you can find ALL THAT GLITTERS B00k 1.5 also in the series. Here, is when Yuri meets Dixons Mom and Dad…Don’t miss it!!
We have left Taco Town hot on the heels of Uncle Fonzo who has been seen in Spring Falls , Hot Springs Falls last.He has left the Spa owner almost bankrupt. The Odor at the Springs is sulpher, so strong it permeates EVERYTHING…Think rotten eggs
This newest is the best set up for a slapstick, fun comedy. Having Dixon and Yuri trying to fix what Uncle Fonzo hath done. I had tears running down my face laughing so hard. With how difficult life is right now, thank you Jordan for allowing humor to help lighten our lives……
5***** Stars
Novella: Something Stinks at the Spa
Series : The A B C’S of Spellcraft Bk #3
Author: Jordan Castillo Price
Publisher: JCP Publications LLC
Release date: June 6, 2019
Pages: 120
Genre: LGBTQ action adventure
Rated: Mature
Yuri and Dixon are the ‘stars’ of this fun paranormal, mystical series which began this past February in a small anthology Jordan Castillo Price joined. It became Quill Me Now and her fans couldn’t be happier.
In this world there are Seers and Scrivners. Our Dixon went to take his quill test and failed as a Scrivner. It was quite unexpected. He now lives in the attic with his cousin in the house his Uncle Fonzo owned and works as a food delivery man……
Uncle Fonzo has disappeared so Dixon has gone to a Greeting Card Company looking for a better paying job. It is here he meets the ‘fixer’ for the greeting card company president. This would be Yuri.
Exact opposites, Dixon is a wide eyed optimist, believing in the good in everyone. Yuri from Russia has had a difficult life. Yuri is not used to being out, he is a big, tattooed, muscle man that trusts no one…
From their experiences in book one, their relationship has heated and we see Dixon mesmerizing this tough young man……this is listed as Book #3….. BUT if you are good at searching you can find ALL THAT GLITTERS B00k 1.5 also in the series. Here, is when Yuri meets Dixons Mom and Dad…Don’t miss it!!
We have left Taco Town hot on the heels of Uncle Fonzo who has been seen in Spring Falls , Hot Springs Falls last.He has left the Spa owner almost bankrupt. The Odor at the Springs is sulpher, so strong it permeates EVERYTHING…Think rotten eggs
This newest is the best set up for a slapstick, fun comedy. Having Dixon and Yuri trying to fix what Uncle Fonzo hath done. I had tears running down my face laughing so hard. With how difficult life is right now, thank you Jordan for allowing humor to help lighten our lives……
April 8, 2023
just keeps getting better, absolutely recommend
Rating: 4.5🌈:
In Book 3 of The ABC’s of Spellcraft series by Jordan Castillo Price, Something Stinks at the Spa, our main couple, Dixon and Yuri , are continuing their search for Dixon’s magical wayward Uncle Fonzo.
A seemingly focus of chaos wherever he lands, Uncle Fonzo is yet to be revealed as either a villain or a hero. Or something interestingly in between.
Here he’s been traced to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, so Dixon and Yuri speed over from their last town to see if they can catch him.
Magical hijinks, more couple bonding, and lots of humor follow! Both men continue to grow further into their roles as Scriveners and Seers. Apart and as partners. Each story finds them exploring new possibilities for their magical abilities and the mysteries manage to challenge the pair , strengthening their skills as they finish each event.
Next up, maybe Uncle Fonzo!
I’m recommending this and the highly entertaining series.
The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:
- [x] Quill Me Now #1
- [x] Trouble in Taco Town #2
- [x] Something Stinks at the Spa #3
- [ ] Dead Man’s Quill #4
- [ ] Last But Not Lease #5
- [ ] Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6
- [ ] What The Frack? #7
- [ ] Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8
- [ ] Brownie Points #9
- [ ] Forging Ahead #10
- [ ] Mayor May Not #11
- [ ] Bucket List #12
- [ ] Comic Sans #13
- [ ] It’s All Relative #14
Rating: 4.5🌈:
In Book 3 of The ABC’s of Spellcraft series by Jordan Castillo Price, Something Stinks at the Spa, our main couple, Dixon and Yuri , are continuing their search for Dixon’s magical wayward Uncle Fonzo.
A seemingly focus of chaos wherever he lands, Uncle Fonzo is yet to be revealed as either a villain or a hero. Or something interestingly in between.
Here he’s been traced to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, so Dixon and Yuri speed over from their last town to see if they can catch him.
Magical hijinks, more couple bonding, and lots of humor follow! Both men continue to grow further into their roles as Scriveners and Seers. Apart and as partners. Each story finds them exploring new possibilities for their magical abilities and the mysteries manage to challenge the pair , strengthening their skills as they finish each event.
Next up, maybe Uncle Fonzo!
I’m recommending this and the highly entertaining series.
The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:
- [x] Quill Me Now #1
- [x] Trouble in Taco Town #2
- [x] Something Stinks at the Spa #3
- [ ] Dead Man’s Quill #4
- [ ] Last But Not Lease #5
- [ ] Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6
- [ ] What The Frack? #7
- [ ] Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8
- [ ] Brownie Points #9
- [ ] Forging Ahead #10
- [ ] Mayor May Not #11
- [ ] Bucket List #12
- [ ] Comic Sans #13
- [ ] It’s All Relative #14
July 6, 2019
Following Uncle Fonzo has now lead Dixon and Yuri to a spa that more damaged spellcraft has been reeked upon, once again leaving the two to fix what seems unfixable.
It's great to see how Yuri is getting to realize more about his freedom and more about Dixon's true nature. Yuri is becoming more comfortable with being open about his sexuality and about his relationship with Dixon. It is freeing, but also continual; always coming out again and again to new people. Freedom has both advantages and drawback and it is still something he is adjusting to. In all of this he sees how Dixon reacts to each new circumstance and continues to be optimistic. Yuri is seeing how this isn't ignorance or naivete, but a stubborn insistence to see the best in the world and to continue to work towards that silver lining.
Dixon is still so hopeful about family and believing in Uncle Fonzo but this spa starts to erode his confidence and faith in his ever missing uncle. The continued unusual spells, not to mention the results from them, have him wondering if Uncle Fonzo actually has some malicious intent. At the same time he can't help but remain hopeful and having Yuri join in to keep his optimism keeps him going. Even with the spellcrafting circumstances a spa vacation was just what these two needed and hopefully refreshes them for the next trial to come!
It's great to see how Yuri is getting to realize more about his freedom and more about Dixon's true nature. Yuri is becoming more comfortable with being open about his sexuality and about his relationship with Dixon. It is freeing, but also continual; always coming out again and again to new people. Freedom has both advantages and drawback and it is still something he is adjusting to. In all of this he sees how Dixon reacts to each new circumstance and continues to be optimistic. Yuri is seeing how this isn't ignorance or naivete, but a stubborn insistence to see the best in the world and to continue to work towards that silver lining.
Dixon is still so hopeful about family and believing in Uncle Fonzo but this spa starts to erode his confidence and faith in his ever missing uncle. The continued unusual spells, not to mention the results from them, have him wondering if Uncle Fonzo actually has some malicious intent. At the same time he can't help but remain hopeful and having Yuri join in to keep his optimism keeps him going. Even with the spellcrafting circumstances a spa vacation was just what these two needed and hopefully refreshes them for the next trial to come!
June 10, 2019
4.5 stars
A stranded bride, a prickly critic, a pompous businessman, a collapsing spa, an abandoned dog… Can Yuri and Dixon fix everything that is wrong? They will certainly try…
In their crazy road trip in search of uncle Fonzo, Dixon and Yuri arrive to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, the last place Uncle Fonzo has tried to help… originating an enormous disaster. It takes effort, and thorough searching, to be able to reconstruct Fonzo’s spellcraft and try to mend a broken heart while doing so. A bit of luck, a lot of perseverance, and a pinch of magic will help them solve the problem….
I really like this series. Yuri and Dixon dynamics as a couple are certainly original, and their adventures and the crazy mismatch assortment of characters their find in their way are hilarious. I would say this is my favourite adventure so far, but every single one of their adventures becomes a favourite. I really enjoyed Yuri here, the more I know about him, the more I like him. He is a curious mixture of pragmatism and tenderness that I find completely irresistible. His mysterious past is as interesting as his expedite massage techniques…
I am enjoying myself so much with these two. I am looking forward to read some more!
A stranded bride, a prickly critic, a pompous businessman, a collapsing spa, an abandoned dog… Can Yuri and Dixon fix everything that is wrong? They will certainly try…
In their crazy road trip in search of uncle Fonzo, Dixon and Yuri arrive to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, the last place Uncle Fonzo has tried to help… originating an enormous disaster. It takes effort, and thorough searching, to be able to reconstruct Fonzo’s spellcraft and try to mend a broken heart while doing so. A bit of luck, a lot of perseverance, and a pinch of magic will help them solve the problem….
I really like this series. Yuri and Dixon dynamics as a couple are certainly original, and their adventures and the crazy mismatch assortment of characters their find in their way are hilarious. I would say this is my favourite adventure so far, but every single one of their adventures becomes a favourite. I really enjoyed Yuri here, the more I know about him, the more I like him. He is a curious mixture of pragmatism and tenderness that I find completely irresistible. His mysterious past is as interesting as his expedite massage techniques…
I am enjoying myself so much with these two. I am looking forward to read some more!
June 5, 2019
I love this addition to the ABC’s of Spellcraft series! Dixon Penn is here in all his scattered and excitable glory. And, of course, faithful Yuri is right there helping him to figure out how to undo the magical chaos they always seem to find. This book had me giggling while reading. It is by far the lightest and funniest of this series yet. The visual images painted by Jordan Castillo Price’s words were fantastic and hilarious. It was also great to see the magic change and grow as their relationship matures. This is part of a series and should be read in order. There is so much you will miss out on if you haven’t read the others. Plus they are so good, why wouldn’t you want to? One of my favorite parts of Price’s work is the way she plays with words and meanings. The spell in this book was particularly clever in its effects. And the final sentence was the perfect tease to make me want the next book now please. Do yourself a favor and always read the author notes in these books. The extra information in these is so much fun and in this one I learned about the language of the sneeze. Who knew that was a thing? This is definitely a book you need in your library.
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