Mind Games

Cassie Scot, Book 3

De: Christine Amsden

Narrado por: Melissa Reizian Frank

Beware your heart and soul...

Evan broke Cassie's heart two months ago, and she still doesn't know why. She throws herself into family, friends, and her new job at the sheriff's department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows her to heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie finds him... irresistible.

Matthew may also be the only one who can help keep the non-magical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a beloved pastor's wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands, with tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze. Book 3 in the Cassie Scot series.

©2014 Christine Amsden (P)2014 Christine Amsden

Love This Series!

Just when you think you can't love a series anymore the author writes so perfectly that you binge read/listen until all hours of the night. I am completely invested in Cassie and cannot wait to see where her journey leads next. The narrator makes this an easy listen with on point pacing and easy to understand character voices. Bring on Book 4!

This book kept me up until the wee hours..........

I made the mistake of starting Mind Games, the third entry in this series featuring Cassie Scot, later in the evening, and I was so enthralled that I stayed up until the middle of the night to finish it. However, the lack of sleep was well worth it. The book begins right were book two ended, with Evan leaving Cassie with a broken heart and an endless amount of questions about him, her parents, and the state of unrest in the magical world. Cassie quickly meets and begins to date Matthew Blair, a state senator and a secret mind mage. Of course, Evan comes back into the picture, and the battle for Cassie's affection begins. I am not a fan of the romantic love triangle theme, but Amsden handled it with her usual finesse, and it wasn't long before I knew something NOT-normal was happening to Cassie.

Throughout this romantic back and forth, push and pull, Cassie is investigating rapidly accelerating tensions between the magical and the non-magical, and it is only with her usual determination and cunning mind that she discovers what is actually happening. As always, if you want an exciting and intriguing mystery with plenty of action and a very slow burn romance, you can't make a better choice than this book and the entire series.

The narration by Frank is as wonderful as always. She narrates all the books in this series, and I cannot imagine a better choice to portray Cassie. She differentiates well between characters, handles male and female voices with ease, and her delivery is flawless. Between Amsden's beautiful prose and Frank's skillful narration, this book is the perfect use of an Audible credit.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

Another Great Cassie Scot Tale!

What made the experience of listening to Mind Games the most enjoyable?

I loved "coming home" to Cassie and her life after enjoying the first two books in the series narrated by the same actor, Melissa Reisian Frank. It's difficult to keep the second, third or fourth book in a series as fresh and interesting as the first book, but in this case, Ms. Amsden has done a wonderful job. It was fun to see Cassie's role in the community and politics expanding, to meet more community members, and to see that she is indeed, capable of being "almost" taken advantage of by a mind mage. Seeing her vulnerability made her more endearing. I do not know this imaginary world of magic except through Ms. Amsden's books (I read mysteries and thrillers aside from this) but she has made it a very real world. I find myself accepting the outlandish with a sage nod, because it is handled so well in this series. I also continue to want to "slap both main characters upside the head" as they say, because they drive me crazy with their blind focus. What is wrong with Evan? Why wouldn't he want to relinquish that which isn't his if he loves her? (no spoilers here) And why can't Cassie see he loves her? He has shown her in all but one way. She is really still very young, however, and that's the answer. They're both kids, in their early twenties, and this is not surprising behavior for this age group. So again, very realistic in that sense. My favorite part of the story was when Cassie discovered a big secret about her past and started brewing her own concoctions. Although I was a little confused that her mother could still infuse magic into them even though she was originally a "drained" woman who had lost all her magic. (It may have been because she was currently pregnant with magical twins.) I also loved the scene where she found her own strength and stood up to the horrible men who claimed to be Christian but who were veritable monsters in disguise. Great scene, perfect for the temperament of the series.

What other book might you compare Mind Games to and why?

Both Cassie Scot books - Cassie Scot: Paranormal Detective, and Secrets and Lies are great companion books. I do recommend reading/listening to them in order!

What about Melissa Reizian Frank’s performance did you like?

Ms. Frank's voices are consistent from book to book which is nice, again, like "coming home" to a world you know and have missed. I enjoy her unique voices for all of the characters.

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

When Cassie warned Evan of the upcoming danger, and where he told her he loved her in spite of the fact that she despised him.

Any additional comments?

The triangle of Matt, Cassie, and Evan was most interesting - great angles here. And I loved the "surprise" in the Sheriff's office staff - no spoilers, but it was a nice twist!

Great Story!

I'm really enthralled into the Cassie Scot series. I think Christine Amsdendid a great job with writing this series. I just hope in book 4 we get more answers and light shed on a few things. If it's not finished after this last audio then I'll scream. I don't care for reading so I must know how it turns out.

The narrator did a good job but not a great job. I actually thought she was better in the other books than this one. I'm still going to rate it 5 stars because it wasn't so bad I couldn't listen to it. She needs some improvement in her male voices but other than that you could still listen to it without wanting to throw it in a wall. I highly recommend this series.

More please!

Another great book in this series! I love how the author picks up right where we left off in the last book with this series. I hate having a chunk of time unaccounted for between books. New situations do come up, and they move the story forward quite well, but also the old ones get resolved. I can't ask for more than that!

*I requested this book and am voluntarily leaving this review