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The ABCs of Spellcraft #8
Present Tense
Christmas is a festive time of year, one filled with food, family and tradition—Dixon Penn’s ideal holiday. Too bad Spellcrafters don’t celebrate Christmas.
Dixon’s parents have always been strict about their no-present rule, reluctant to entrap anyone in an “endless cycle of reciprocal obligation.”
Yuri Volnikov was not raised in the Craft, but Dixon has made sure he understands that for Spellcrafters, Christmas presents are verboten.
No gifts. None. Nada. And everyone is on the same page in regards to presents….
Or are they?
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.
This holiday short is set after What the Frack? and contains series spoilers.
Dixon’s parents have always been strict about their no-present rule, reluctant to entrap anyone in an “endless cycle of reciprocal obligation.”
Yuri Volnikov was not raised in the Craft, but Dixon has made sure he understands that for Spellcrafters, Christmas presents are verboten.
No gifts. None. Nada. And everyone is on the same page in regards to presents….
Or are they?
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.
This holiday short is set after What the Frack? and contains series spoilers.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2020
22 people are currently reading
83 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 - 29 of 37 reviews
August 17, 2022
There's not much to say about this, but it was a good, touching little Christmas story in the series! I love Dixon and Yuri's relationship. Especially from Yuri's POV.
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, 2, or 3.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // 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
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, 2, or 3.
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2022 // 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
November 28, 2021
Present Tense (ABCs of Spellcraft 8 short story)
By Jordan Castillo Price
JCP Books 2020
Four stars
Jordan Castillo Price knows how to pack all the best of her storytelling into the short format, and this Christmastime short is funny, satisfying, and filled with the weirdness that the Spellcraft series has brought us to expect.
The particular charm of this story is that it opens a window for the reader into the customs of the Craft community, and specifically the Penn family. The different notions of gift-giving and its meaning gets all tied up with Dixon’s year-long relationship with Yuri, added to which is the theme of the Magi—both the three wise men who visited the natal manger in Bethlehem, and the heartbreaking O. Henry short story “The Gift of the Magi.”
It is poignant, amusing, and offers a lovely focus on the broader, secular meaning of the Christmas season.
By Jordan Castillo Price
JCP Books 2020
Four stars
Jordan Castillo Price knows how to pack all the best of her storytelling into the short format, and this Christmastime short is funny, satisfying, and filled with the weirdness that the Spellcraft series has brought us to expect.
The particular charm of this story is that it opens a window for the reader into the customs of the Craft community, and specifically the Penn family. The different notions of gift-giving and its meaning gets all tied up with Dixon’s year-long relationship with Yuri, added to which is the theme of the Magi—both the three wise men who visited the natal manger in Bethlehem, and the heartbreaking O. Henry short story “The Gift of the Magi.”
It is poignant, amusing, and offers a lovely focus on the broader, secular meaning of the Christmas season.
April 26, 2021
Great!
Everything I expected from a holiday short in this world! I love Dixon and Yuri. This was funny and sweet.
Everything I expected from a holiday short in this world! I love Dixon and Yuri. This was funny and sweet.
January 28, 2021
Oh my gosh, Dixon Penn at Christmas? Talk about a character that was made for the holiday. In the world of magic you'd think conjuring up the perfect Christmas gift would be easy peasy but then again when did Dixon and Yuri ever do anything easy and without a few mishaps?
Present Tense is short, sweet, adorable, funny, and the way both Dixon and Yuri are left scrambling to come up with last minute gifts for the other is priceless. I don't want to say "predictable" because let's face it, when you are dealing with Dixon and Yuri(especially Dixon) nothing is predictable, nothing is certain other than their love for each other but you know Present Tense is going to end in HEA for the pair, so in that regard I know some might use the term but not me. As so often with great stories, the fun isn't in the ending but how they get there and this Christmas short is no different.
If you've been reading ABCs of Spellcraft as it's been written than you'll definitely want to read this holiday gem, if not . . . well what are you waiting for? Short, long, in-between, this series is brilliant and the characters are just so darn loveable you can't help but smile.
Present Tense is short, sweet, adorable, funny, and the way both Dixon and Yuri are left scrambling to come up with last minute gifts for the other is priceless. I don't want to say "predictable" because let's face it, when you are dealing with Dixon and Yuri(especially Dixon) nothing is predictable, nothing is certain other than their love for each other but you know Present Tense is going to end in HEA for the pair, so in that regard I know some might use the term but not me. As so often with great stories, the fun isn't in the ending but how they get there and this Christmas short is no different.
If you've been reading ABCs of Spellcraft as it's been written than you'll definitely want to read this holiday gem, if not . . . well what are you waiting for? Short, long, in-between, this series is brilliant and the characters are just so darn loveable you can't help but smile.
March 13, 2024
a perfectly written gem of a story no matter what season
Rating:5🌈
Yuri and Dixon and the rest of their family are back in this absolutely adorable, perfect short story by Jordan Castillo Price.
The ABC’s of Spellcraft is a series that just gets better with each new chapter in Yuri and Dixon’s lives. Here they are scrambling to get each other’s gifts at Christmas, with all the glorious events you might imagine, including drama and the magic!
It ends appropriately with another move forward in their relationship and a HFN. And the realization for me that this is a series for every season for the excellent writing and fabulous characters.
I’m recommending this and the series. It’s magical ride! Binge read for your pleasure!
The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:
- [x] Quill Me Now #1
- [x] Trouble in Taco Town #2
- [x] Something Stinks at the Spa #3
- [x] Dead Man’s Quill #4
- [x] Last But Not Lease #5
- [x] Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6
- [x] What The Frack? #7
- [x] 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:5🌈
Yuri and Dixon and the rest of their family are back in this absolutely adorable, perfect short story by Jordan Castillo Price.
The ABC’s of Spellcraft is a series that just gets better with each new chapter in Yuri and Dixon’s lives. Here they are scrambling to get each other’s gifts at Christmas, with all the glorious events you might imagine, including drama and the magic!
It ends appropriately with another move forward in their relationship and a HFN. And the realization for me that this is a series for every season for the excellent writing and fabulous characters.
I’m recommending this and the series. It’s magical ride! Binge read for your pleasure!
The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:
- [x] Quill Me Now #1
- [x] Trouble in Taco Town #2
- [x] Something Stinks at the Spa #3
- [x] Dead Man’s Quill #4
- [x] Last But Not Lease #5
- [x] Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6
- [x] What The Frack? #7
- [x] 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
March 6, 2021
I love JCP's The ABCs of Spellcraft series and can't get enough! I'm looking forward to the next story arc featuring Yuri and Dixon. In the meantime, Present Tense was a fun and sweet Christmas novella with Dixon and Yuri celebrating their first holiday together as a couple. Yuri is relieved to learn from Dixon that presents aren't given in the Penn family household and they're not a tradition for Spellcrafters. After spending some time with Dixon's parents, both men discover with horror that they're wrong. Apparently there's a tradition for Seers/Scriveners to give their love interest a first Christmas present to start their relationship the right way. Both men scramble frantically to find a present for the other. Of course there's a HEA, a few surprises, and hilarious moments with these men :)
December 15, 2020
This is the best Christmas story that I have read so far...and I have read many. Short and perfect. You have to know Yuri and Dixon and the rest of his clan to get the full effect of the story, but you can limp by if you want n order to get the love and sweetness of the story. Yuri needs a Christmas present for Dixon as it is tradition to give your love interest a gift for your first Christmas and Dixon needs one too. The extremes these two go through to give a gift of love is just too sweet. The author, as usual, has given the readers a rare gift of a superb imagination. This whole series is delightful, has some danger in it and two men who bumble their way through life while loving each other unconditionally. Excellent book...excellent series.
November 4, 2022
Back to one of my favourite series and favourite couples, and an unexpectedly early Christmas read.
With such a long break from the last book to this, it is surprising how easy it was for me to jump back in and get reacquainted with Yuri and Dixon like the old friends they feel like, and without missing a beat. I never realised how much I missed them and their humour and quirks.
This was a holiday short, and it was fast and easy to breeze through, but in that short span, I was once again transported to Pinyin Bay, and could feel the holiday mood in the air and smell and hear the surroundings. Kudos of course goes to the author.
On to the next one! I really hope the author keeps this series going for as long as she possibly can.
With such a long break from the last book to this, it is surprising how easy it was for me to jump back in and get reacquainted with Yuri and Dixon like the old friends they feel like, and without missing a beat. I never realised how much I missed them and their humour and quirks.
This was a holiday short, and it was fast and easy to breeze through, but in that short span, I was once again transported to Pinyin Bay, and could feel the holiday mood in the air and smell and hear the surroundings. Kudos of course goes to the author.
On to the next one! I really hope the author keeps this series going for as long as she possibly can.
December 27, 2020
Paying homage to O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi, MCs Dixon and Yuri bring their own special brand/touch of gift-giving in this latest title of the second arc of Price's Spellcraft series. Yuri with his determined opportunistic stoicism and Dixon exhibiting his usual zany 'under the pump' creative flair. Festive season backstories for each MC (mostly Dixon's actually) are provided via humorous interactions with Dixon's parents and cousin Sabina. 3.5 stars for a smile-inducing addition to the season-specific M-M reading.
March 22, 2021
The absolute perfect Christmas story for Yuri and Dixon! As always there was some ridiculous humour (of course that was Dixon's Santa experience), some sweet relationship moments, and a bit of family time. It was great how there was this frantic last minute quest for the perfect gift, when the thing that is truly perfect always ends up being something so unexpected.
July 15, 2021
I think JCP is brilliant, full stop. If ever an author "got me" and knew exactly what I like to read, it's JCP. But anyway, this little novella was adorable. It's rare I have such soft and cuddly feelings about a fictional couple, but these two just fill my heart with joy. My only complaint: how is this short little novella considered book 8!? I feel cheated out of a novel length book 8... lol!
December 15, 2020
So sweet
I love these books because they low angst, good stories and plenty of feels. Perfect Christmas story for this series as the characters only thought of wanting to make the other happy.
Highly recommend.
I love these books because they low angst, good stories and plenty of feels. Perfect Christmas story for this series as the characters only thought of wanting to make the other happy.
Highly recommend.
December 18, 2020
I am a huge fan of the ABC's series and this lovely little book was my idea of a Christmas gift. Yuri and Dixon set out to give a holiday gift to the other. Of course, things go sideways as they usually do for the guys, only to end in perfection.
Highly recommended author and series
Highly recommended author and series
December 24, 2020
Aww, that was just too adorable! Fate has a way of making even the most complicated situation simple... if you just let "fate" do its job! As always, Dixon and Yuri are perfect for each other... as were their presents!
Wonderful little non-Christmas Christmas story!
Wonderful little non-Christmas Christmas story!
December 26, 2020
Kobo epub 9781944779177 48 pages
Christmas short - in which Yuri and Dixon need to find each other an emergency token present after the shops shut on Christmas Eve... with entirely predictable results.
Christmas short - in which Yuri and Dixon need to find each other an emergency token present after the shops shut on Christmas Eve... with entirely predictable results.
July 2, 2021
Short and too cute
Even though the stories in this series are short, they are incredibly poignant and well worth the time to read. Extremely memorable, sweet, funny, and original! Love them all, can't wait for more!
Even though the stories in this series are short, they are incredibly poignant and well worth the time to read. Extremely memorable, sweet, funny, and original! Love them all, can't wait for more!
May 1, 2023
Ahh, this was a sweet little Christmas adventure with Dixon & Yuri.
QUICK THOUGHTS
• Holiday/Christmas
• Paranormal/Magic
• Really quick read
• Established couple
• A very small mystery
• Sweet
• Made me laugh
• Satisfying ending
• NOT a stand-alone
December 14, 2020
A sweet holiday addition to a great series
A sweet holiday mini story that ties in everything that is so perfect about Dixon and Yuri.
Great little uplifting read.
A sweet holiday mini story that ties in everything that is so perfect about Dixon and Yuri.
Great little uplifting read.
December 14, 2020
Awww
Present Tense is a short and sweet story with the ever adorable pair of Yuri and Dixon. I love Yuri and Dixon - they're just too precious for words.
Present Tense is a short and sweet story with the ever adorable pair of Yuri and Dixon. I love Yuri and Dixon - they're just too precious for words.
December 14, 2020
So cute!! I loved it!!
December 14, 2020
Great fun
Loved the story and the romance. The world building in even a short story shows this authors skill and imagination.
Loved the story and the romance. The world building in even a short story shows this authors skill and imagination.
December 15, 2020
"... and cancel Christmas..."
What a wonderful short story about giving and receiving and gratefulness and love!
What a wonderful short story about giving and receiving and gratefulness and love!
December 16, 2020
Adorable
This was such a cute snippet to add to this universe! I love these guys and of course they would find the perfect things for each other.
This was such a cute snippet to add to this universe! I love these guys and of course they would find the perfect things for each other.
December 27, 2020
A perfect Christmas/holiday story with Yuri and Dixon being their own perfect selves in regards to gifting presents to each other.
January 2, 2021
Adorable!
This was a cute diversion with a giant message -- we are the gifts to each other, not the things we think we should give at Christmas time.
This was a cute diversion with a giant message -- we are the gifts to each other, not the things we think we should give at Christmas time.
March 6, 2021
Awwwwwww
Happiest of Holidays to Dixon and Yuri. A short story that encompasses the crazy love that these two characters share. So adorable! Highly recommended
Happiest of Holidays to Dixon and Yuri. A short story that encompasses the crazy love that these two characters share. So adorable! Highly recommended
March 15, 2021
storyline: ***
main characters: ****
side characters: ***
world building: ***
editing: ****
main characters: ****
side characters: ***
world building: ***
editing: ****
April 13, 2021
A short romp through the world of Pinyon Bay. I missed the narration, but could still hear Yuri’s voice in my head. Loved it.
Freebie from author.
Freebie from author.
August 30, 2021
Why was this so short? It was packed with sweetness though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 37 reviews