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The Garden of Magic

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The Garden of Magic

By: Sarah Painter
Narrated by: Tracey Norman
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A magical Pendleford prequel novella from the best-selling author of The Language of Spells, that introduces the world to Iris Harper - the original Harper witch.

Iris Harper has lived in Pendleford for decades. The local witch is mistrusted by the townsfolk, but that doesn't stop some coming to her begging for potions, spells and quick-fixes.

As time has marched on suddenly Iris is aware that her days are beginning to fade. Her sumptuous garden is turning against her, the sweet scent of rot potent and now a young girl has come begging for a solution at her door.

Yet, the problem she brings causes Iris to remember a man from long ago - the man she loved, the man she could never trust...

©2015 Sarah Painter (P)2017 Sarah Painter Anthologies & Short Stories Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magic Magical Realism Romance Short Stories Women's Fiction Witchcraft

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This was a short and sweet story. A little magic but a lot of funny moments and truth bearing. The witch was really a herbalist but also was a member of a family with different talents. Her's was to discern the right thing to give or do for people. The narrator was good and made the story come alive. The story plot was interesting and I am glad that the HEA was included. Becca needed a break. John hung in there until she realized that she could tell him how she felt. I got this ARC via audiobook boom.

Short and Sweet

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Iris is a witch in the town of Pendleford. The witches in her family all have special talents or "afflictions", as they are regarded. Iris's affliction is an overwhelming compulsion for giving. More importantly, she is compelled to give others what they need, even if it makes no sense to her at the time. Now an elderly woman in her 80's, Iris is beginning to feel the effects of her age.

A young woman named Rebecca (Becs) comes to her for help with her employer. After resisting his advances, she is accused of stealing as retribution. The employer turns out to be none other than the son of the man that Iris was once engaged to. This knowledge conjures up old, painful memories for Iris. But will she help?

The Garden of Magic is the prequel novella to The Language of Spells. The story was very entertaining and I really enjoyed it. The narration was wonderfully done. Tracey Norman has the loveliest voice and was such a pleasure to listen to. I would recommend The Garden of Magic.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. This review is my honest opinion.

Entertaining Magical Story

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What made the experience of listening to The Garden of Magic the most enjoyable?

The trials and tribulations of being this particular kind of witch.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Iris because she had managed to deal with her life and all her memories and help others at the same time

Which scene was your favorite?

drinking the spiked wine

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending

Any additional comments?

I received this audio book freely from the author, narrator or publisher and am freely offering my unbiased review.

A WONDERFUL SHORT STORY OF WITCHES AND LOVE

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Iris Harper has the gift, or the curse as her mother called it. She's spent the last 60 years of her life as a hedge witch in Pendleford dispensing wisdom and little bottles of remedies to her neighbors. Iris' lovely garden provides most of her ingredients, but as she ages her garden begins to fall to ruin. One day, a young woman names Bex arrives at her door with a request and a name from Iris' past.

This is the prequel to The Language of Spells, which I haven't read yet. Not having read the first didn't stop me from enjoying this book, the characters are fully fleshed out and there aren't any references to scenes or people that aren't in this book. At almost 3 hours, this didn't feel like a novella at all. The ending was so sweet, it put a smile on my face and gave me goosebumps. The references to magic are subtle and not showy at all, it makes you feel like it could be real.

Tracey Norman did a great job narrating this one, her pace was perfect and her accent lovely. Iris was voiced as a crotchety old woman, but without grating on my nerves, and Bex was voiced as sweet and personable. It was a light and easy way to spend 3 hours. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

A Light and Easy Read

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I have not read the Language of Spells but I'm looking forward to reading it soon. This was a short audiobook Novella that was light and easy to follow. The story kept me interested until the conclusion.

The narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.

If you like supernatural stories with a touch of magic you should give this book a try. It was laid back and a good introduction to this author's writing style. She doesn't spend a lot of time with descriptions of places and people. This book was straight forward and I found it engaging. If you have read her Language of Spells, you will probably enjoy learning about Iris.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Prequel Novella from Language of Spells

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performance that breaks here and there.and characters did not have unique voices. and trying to complete 15 words here.

it had potential

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What made the experience of listening to The Garden of Magic the most enjoyable?

Nice story, read in an magical ,colorful way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked all the characters. The reading matched their feelings and the story .

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I wouldn't choose the tag line of the audiobook.

Any additional comments?

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

Good audiobook

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I enjoyed this short and sweet book. Easy to listen to and it was captivating.,

Short and sweet

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Would you listen to The Garden of Magic again? Why?

yes, because you always miss things the first time around.

Which scene was your favorite?

The confrontation in the Farrier living room.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, short but complete.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

The Truth Serum

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its a very nice and clean story, starting out a bit slowly with all the necessary descriptions, but soon enough you can see and hear the underlying humor of everyday life. This is a very realistic portrayal of a slice of village life, telling of all the bumps, aches, and pains in daily life as one grows older. But, along with the realism comes delightfully sly humor in the telling. The matter of fact portrayal of the reader with the characterizations given each person allow the humor in daily life to sneak up on you. After all, it's better to laugh than to curse or cry when life isn't cooperating with expectations or plans. SPOILER ALERT: I really liked the sly old girl of a witch getting the truth out of the dirty not so old goat, but I think my favorite bit is how Bex has an inspiration which finally helps little Carly relax and give in to the expected on the potty.

A clean story tells life as is, but with humor

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