Soul of the Witch

Witches of Keating Hollow, Volume 1

By: Deanna Chase

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Welcome to Keating Hollow, the village full of love, magic, and cupcakes, where nothing is more important than family.  

At age 18, after a spell tragically backfired, Abby Townsend left Keating Hollow and her magic behind to find redemption. Twelve years later, after being summoned by her family, she’s back. 

As soon as she drives into town, she’s already plotting her inevitable exit, but she can’t quite escape the pull of the tightly knit magical community or the soulful gaze of the one man she’s never forgotten. And when a nine-year old witch not only leads her back to her magic, but also steals her heart, Abby’s about to learn what it means to embrace the soul of a witch.  

©2018 Deanna Chase (P)2018 Deanna Chase

Critic Reviews

"Soul of the Witch feels like it maybe got touched by just a little bit of Witch Central’s DNA." (Debora Geary, best-selling author of A Modern Witch) 

Fun and fast read!

This story was great, and surprisingly not only about witches, but so much more! I loved the family dynamic in this book, and the bond of sisterhood. This story really had something for everyone. It includes magic, family, friendship, redemption, love, drama, and tragedy! I would absolutely recommend this books to my girlfriends. I could see this series and character developing and continuing for years to come. I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

Witches of Keating Hollow Series

These are super cute books, albeit short and pretty quick reads. The narrator is pretty good and the stories flow pretty well. I am a litle disappointed that the witch angle is not really integral to the plot... they are more mundane stories that happen to involve witches than stories driven by paranormal drama. And, as someone with some "witch" friends, there are a few inaccuracies (few real wtiches celebrate Christmas... it's Yule they celebrate, and no witch in her right mind calls them VooDoo dolls... they're poppets), but the stories were still cute and I am planning on reading the next one as well as the Christmas ones. If you want an "Awww" book to read and aren't too upset with the lack of paranormal drama, then you will enjoy these books.

Heart warming beginning to a series

I enjoyed listening to every word of this audiobook! It hooked me in line & sinker. And I am so ready to listen to the next book!

nice little slice of witch life!

The overall story was alittle tame, but the story was endearing and cute. the plot line was very straight forward and the main character achieves some decent personal growth.

Enjoyable but shallow

I like the premise but the book doesn't give much scope to the world outside of the main clutch of characters. lots of questions are left only vaguely answered. Is magic all over the world, part of things, how much so. the romance was to quick to sudden there was no building. The plot line, while mildly intriguing, was more suited for a side plot. even taking into account that this book was likely a jumping point into deeper story waters it was rushed and thin. Character and relationship growth and development is jumpy at best racing and then stagnant. A pleasant enough read, with a very pleasant voice actor ( though the change from character to character can be a bit minimal) but not enough to entice me into the rest of the series.

Heartwarming

I loved every second of this story! Abby and Clay’s chemistry is off the charts. Deanna Chase has me going through every emotion that the characters are feeling, and the complexity of each character, including the supporting ones, was refreshing. Abby carried the guilt and loss of her friend for 10 long years, and returning to Keating Hollow she begins her rebirth. When she finds her full magic again, my heart was so full love. Olive and Clay’s story is heartbreaking and I loved the end of the story when they both find happiness. Beautifully narrated!

Just the right amount of romance and suspense

Abbie must face her fears and insecurities in order to save her magic and her future

Contemporary Romance - Yet Witchy

This was my first book experience with Deanna Chase and have to say I was pleased. Because I was short on reading time, I chose the audio version. The narrator was commendable though I would say she has a soothing voice so I had to work harder to listen and not doze off. Her characters are very relatable although they are in a paranormal witch world which make them captivating. There isn’t anything that stood out to me about them, yet her storytelling made them well-liked. I didn’t know anything about the story when I began, so I was surprised when I finished that it ended up being more of a contemporary romance, with witches. I kept expecting them to face some form of a villain or adversity, but the only adversity they face is themselves and their own intra-personal relationships. It’s refreshing; yet I usually enjoy books with a bit more action than this, so it ends up being a bit underwhelming. Since there is no outstanding villain or issue, I would personally say the book could be read as a stand-alone and you would be satisfied with the ending. I will have to say though that the ending made me bawl like a baby. Flat out ugly cried. It was heartwarming, but man did it ever hit home with me. After a short break for some other more thrilling books, I’ll probably pick up the series again just to see what happens in the next chapters of these characters lives.

Okay book and barely okay narration..

Hmm.. Not sure how I felt about this. Logan was an unnecessary character. He was only mentioned when Abby was breaking up with him, on the phone, in an email and then in person when he showed up where she lived.

And one reviewer on Amazon gave it one star because it was so sad. I have no idea where she got that from. Abby's dad had cancer and was sick a couple of times but overall he was a great character.

I liked Abby and Clay, and Clay’s daughter Olive, as well as Abby’s 3 sisters and her dad. BUT there just seemed to be a lot of rambling going on but nothing was really happening. I won’t be reading anything else by this author.

No sex, no swearing. Not much of anything, really. Definitely a G-rated book.

As to the narration: Gabra Zackman was barely okay for me. Through the entire book, no matter what she was reading about, it sounded soft and romantic. Even when Abby was talking to her therapist it sounded romantic. No different tones in her voice.

WOW

What a great romance/life story! I was completely immersed in it from the beginning. Gabra Zackman did a wonderful job with the narration, making you feel like you were right there in the town, with the characters. Deanna did such a wonderful job, that I felt Abby and Clay's pain, frustrations, happiness, joy and love. An excellent beginning to the Keating Hollow series and I am looking forward to starting the next book!

Magic and Family

Very light, sweet, PNR. Enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

Great story!

Loved this book! I even cried a few happy tears at the end...which doesn’t often happen! Well written modern day paranormal romance story with relatable troubles from modern life. The characters are likable and believable. The narrator did a fantastic job! I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Highly recommended

Follow this story as Abbie has to face the ghosts of her past. A page turner, with sadness, humour and laughter. Highly recommended

Absolutely loved it

I've read quite a few of Deanna's books and had kind of expected this to be similar to the rest, but I was wrong. The only demons present in this story were the internal ones of the main character - that in itself can be a bit refreshing sometimes! This was a simply nice and very easy to listen to story about a witch and her internal struggle with her perceived guilt and her inability to leave the past where it belongs to the point where it has affected her ability to use her magic effectively.

I loved the story and can't wait to read/listen to more.

Fantastic second chance PNR

Love it!! Clay and Abby are both back home in the town they grew up in. Abby is trying to overcome her past and be there for her father and family after moving away 10 years ago. Clay is home with his daughter after a divorce. Absolutely amazing story!!

Soul of a great listen

Book 1 in a series. First that I listened to from the author . Deanna Chase the author wrote a story that will have you listing till the end . She wrote a strong heroine, that in some instances will make your heart break, you will want to cheer her on and tell the heroine not to give up .
Heroine is Abby. Hero is Clay .
Abby knows she needs to run and start somewhere new other then Keating Hollow. Her powers are playing tricks with her , what I mean by that is they are getting weak and acting up . Her family is at Keating Hollow and so is the love of her life , Clay .
So goes to New Orleans and settles there . But she still wishes she’s back home. Abby has a chance to go back home when she gets an emergency call about her dad . She wonders if Clay is still in the village or did life pull him away also . Will Abbys powers get strong like they are suppose to . Is Clay and Abby get together. Grab it and see .
Gabra Zackman performance was great . Her voice is strong smooth and clear . The tones for the characters were spot on