The ABCs of Spellcraft Collection, Volume 2

By: Jordan Castillo Price

Narrated by: Nick Hudson

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Pinyin Bay is in peril!

Dixon Penn has done his share of traveling and is ready to settle down in the city where he grew up. Yuri Volnikov has finally found a place he can call home. But their idyllic life together is threatened when a mysterious buyer starts scooping up properties in Pinyin Bay…and not with the intention of sprucing things up. To add insult to injury, the buyer is using Spellcraft to get what they want.

Pinyin Bay might not be a thriving metropolis, but from the ramshackle tenements of Scrivener Village to the crumbling splendor of Shirque Mansion, the city is rich with Spellcraft history. Even more importantly, it’s the place Dixon and Yuri call home.

Yuri’s Spellcraft talent is exceedingly rare. And although Dixon came into his magical potential recently, he’s been training his whole life to wield his quill. The magic is notoriously capricious — but with explosions rattling the shoreline, Spellcraft is the city’s best hope. Can Dixon and Yuri harness the forces of Spellcraft to save Pinyin Bay?

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where M/M 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. This collection contains novellas 5 through 7 of The ABCs of Spellcraft series: Last but Not Lease, Don’t Rock the Boardwalk, and What the Frack?

©2020 Jordan Castillo Price (P)2020 Jordan Castillo Price

Another Delightful Installment of Spellcraft

Dixon and Yuri are back and this time they are racing against time and unknown forces to save Pinyin Bay from destruction. Along the way they go apartment hunting, encountering a wacky bunch of house hunters including Dixon's longtime frienemy, Vano Shirque. They go undercover in an attempt to ferret out the secret of what is happening and why. Dixon tries his hand at being a local history tour guide with hilarious results, while Yuri tolerates tourists all day drawing them as caricatures and keeps his ears open for clues. Over the course of the stories these two lovable characters track down clues like bosses and come face-to-face with their greatest fears.
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What I loved about these stories, in addition to their lighthearted mood and the cozy mystery, is the consideration and kindness Dixon and Yuri unfailingly show for one another. Yuri's understanding and elucidation about the volshebstvo are fascinating and watching his internal journey of self-discovery as the ice around his heart melts has its own way of melting the reader's heart. Through each episode and challenge Yuri and Dixon grow closer and more committed. Speaking of heart melting, this volume ends on the sweetest note.
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Nick's narration and characterizations are the icing on the cake. He voices this cast of wacky characters as individuals, enhancing the traits and quirks that make them who they are. His voicing has continuity from the first volume, making Dixon, Yuri and regulars like Sabina and Uncle Fonzo into old, familiar friends.
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I highly recommend this volume along with the first. Who doesn't need a little mystery, comedy and sweet romance in their life?

In a word: charming

I really enjoyed this. Yuri and Dixon just get more adorable, and the whacky situations they get involved in are hilarious. If you like serious literature then this won't be for you, but if you need some lightness in your life this might be perfect for you. The narrator is one of the best comedic narrators I've ever heard. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

Brill 2nd story arc in this magical rom-com series

Audiobook Review October 2020:
First off, there isn't much I can say that I didn't already mention in my original reviews earlier in the year. Jordan Castillo Price's ABCs of Spellcraft just keeps getting better and better with each adventure Dixon and Yuri find themselves in. They still remind me a bit of the old serials of the 30s and 40s my folks collect, each has it's own storyline but still connected and continued on. There's mystery but always fun. Entertaining from beginning to end.

As for the narration, Nick Hudson has once again brought life to Dixon and Yuri in a way that I can't imagine anyone else doing as great a job. Dixon can be a bit over the top at times but that's part of his charm and in Don't Rock the Boardwalk he has no trouble playing his part and Hudson's narration of the character is spot on. I could see Dixon on the boardwalk playing to the tourists. Once again, listening to the mens' journeys I truly felt like I was listening to one of the old radio shows I collect, I kept expecting Harlow Wilcox to interrupt Dixon and Yuri with the sponsor's ad(and if you don't know what I'm talking about, I highly suggest Googling it because they were a true brilliant form of entertainment).

Whether in ebook or audio, Jordan Castillo Price's ABCs of Spellcraft is a series that bring endless hours of enjoyment and personally I can't wait to see what adventure awaits them next.

Last but Not Lease #5
Original Review April 2020:
Who knew home-hunting could be so . . . magical? Dixon and Yuri are back!!!! I love these two, they are such a mismatched pair on paper but the minute they're together you just know that not only are they perfectly matched, there really is no one else for either. Dixon's peppy-ness and Yuri's stoic-ness should make them run for the hills in opposite directions but they calm each other, balance each other, makes the other stronger. I guess what I'm saying is Jordan Castillo Price knows how to make them work and work they do!

So, in Last but Not Lease, Yuri has lost his home and Dixon's place is cramped, sardines-in-a-pea-pod cramped, so the logical thing is to go home-hunting. But as you can imagine, this pair always seems to find themselves in an intriguing, controlled chaos(and if you don't know what I mean then you haven't been reading the series and need to go back to the beginning-trust me you'll love it!). So I'm not going to give anything away because the magical craziness of this duo is something you need to experience yourself to fully appreciate them and their predicaments.

The best way for me to explain the meshing of humor, magic, mystery, and chemistry is Lucy & Ethel meets Samantha & Darren Stevens meets Nick & Nora Charles. Brilliant characters, great world building, and amazing storytelling make for an all around reading gem that just keeps getting better and better. This is a series that is best read in order as each entry has a little something that is part of a bigger picture as well as following along with Dixon and Yuri as their relationship grows.

The ABCs of Spellcraft was one of my favorite series last year and their new adventures seem to be well on the way to being a fave of 2020 too.

Don't Rock the Boardwalk #6
Original Review June 2020:
This isn't the first time the guys have gone in undercover to discover the "faulty" or misused crafting but there was something about doing so in their own backyard that made Don't Rock the Boardwalk that much more interesting. I hesitate to say "more fun" because the whole series has been fun from the beginning but it does seem to have that something extra special and again for me that was being right their in Pinyin Bay and having come from the Penn family shop.

The whole series has had the perfect blend of romance and humor to label it romantic comedy, for me however it does seem odd to use that genre tag with an equal blend of paranormal and mystery but Jordan Castillo Price makes it work. Don't Rock the Boardwalk is no different. Dixon as a tour guide and Yuri as a street artist is absolutely divine. Let's face it, if you've been reading Dixon and Yuri's adventures you know by now that Dixon has the gift of gab so the tour guide disguise is pure genius, even if some of his facts are of his own creation or embellishment and when Yuri finds himself on the tour one day, I'll just say it may not have been Who's On First? but their timing was as spot on as many classic comedy routines are.

As for Dixon and Yuri on a personal level, they just continue to grow both in their individual crafts and their love for each other. I don't want to say they tackle this case different than others but as they do take on roles that don't work together I think they are apart more in Boardwalk than any other entry in the series. Which in one way is a bit of a disappointment because I love seeing them interact but on the other hand I think it shows just how much they've grown to be able to work apart and still get the job done and still find time for that Dixon/Yuri magic that ABCs of Spellcraft is known for.

If you are wondering about reading order, well The ABCs of Spellcraft needs to be experienced as written. There's a certain level of completion to each novella but there is an overall arc to boys' journey. So far Jordan Castillo Price has two story arcs in the series, #1-4 and #'s 5 & 6 and the upcoming 7: What the Frack?. Trust me, if you enjoy magic, mystery, romance, humor, and heat then Spellcraft is definitely a series for you.

What the Frack? #7
Original Review August 2020:
I want to start by saying there has yet to be a cover in The ABCs of Spellcraft series that isn't brilliant and that Dixon and Yuri don't look Yummy in but there is something about What the Frack? that has that little something extra. Is it the hardhats to give the men that hard-at-work look? Is it Dixon in flannel and bibs to give him a rugged edge? Is it Yuri with the sledgehammer in his hand teetering between work and rest? Or is it that slight tip-of-the-hat that gives them a gentlemen yet blue collar look? I don't think I can narrow in on any one thing, it really captures the characters and gives you an inkling into what their latest "case" will entail. Then of course there is the colors, the purplish, bluish, aquaish blend that draws your attention and an almost graphic novel artistry that tells you no matter how much drama they face, Jordan Castillo Price hasn't lost the comedic slice that help get Dixon and Yuri in AND out of trouble.

And who says a cover is just a cover?😉

So let's get to What the Frack? This is the finale of the second story arc in ABCs of Spellcraft, Dixon and Yuri continue to grow and strengthen their relationship. We get to see some of the ins and outs of Pinyin Bay, and though it may not be New York City, Atlanta, or Chicago in the hustle and bustle part of activity, it's no sleepy little burg either. So as the title suggests, the guys are faced with mining in Pinyin Bay and knowing the way these two get themselves into trouble it won't be welcomed by everyone.

What could go wrong? More like what won't go wrong?😉😉

I don't want to give anything away so I'll end it there and just add that if you are already a reader of JCP's newest series then you know it'll be brilliant, if you have yet to experience The ABCs of Spellcraft, now is the perfect time as the second story arc is finished and we await a new set of adventures for our lads. This is a series that must be read in order but you won't regret it. The blending of magic, mystery, romance, mayhem, and humor is enough to tick all my sub-genre boxes making What the Frack? and The ABCs of Spellcraft as a whole a perfect choice no matter what kind of mood I'm in.

ABCs of Spellcraft

I really have enjoyed this series. Almost as much as her PsyCop series! Keep the good works coming!

Loved it!

I’m a big JC Price fan and I love these fun, romantic little stories. The narration by Nick Hudson is great, he does a wonderful job bringing the quirky spell craft world to life. The Russian accent is a little slippery but overall he really brings the MCs to life.

I love this series!

This is pure comedy and the narrator is perfect with the voices!
The scene where the mime Crouch is introduced made me laugh so hard my eyes were watering. I also really appreciate that they packaged three books in one audiobook. Each book by itself is not very long, but together they make for a really good buy. Looking forward to volume 3.

This series is the BEST!

I love this series, it's the first thing I turn to when I'm having a bad day or my anxiety is taking over. The characters are loveable and the story is so fun. The amazing narrator really brings it to life. I'm dying for the next few books to be made into audio books!

Wonderful and hilarious with Yuri & Dixon

The ABCs of Spellcraft Collection Volume 2 features Last But Not Lease (Book 5), Don’t Rock the Boardwalk (Book 6), and What the Frack? (Book 7) and was hysterically hilarious like volume 1. Volume 2 finds both men more settled into their relationship as they move in together and try to figure out which corporate evil doer is trying to buy up Pinyin Bay and the Boardwalk. Yuri and Dixon are simply adorable with their grumpy/sunshine personalities and are the perfect opposites-attract couple :) Nick Hudson does a wonderful job bringing both men to life and I can’t wait for more spellcraft by JCP! Absolutely brilliant and hilarious series!

Another knock out!

if you loved volume 1 then you'll volume 2, its got more of that sweet heartwarming love, comedy, and magic that really got me interested in Jordan's work in the frist place. Dickson and Yuri are a blast to listion too. If your looking for guy on guy sex give her psycop series a read. if you want a exciting story with two male protagonists thats also safe to listen too at work. (I been) Buy this volume.

Good story. Good narration.

This audio book was as much fun as the first in the series. Listening to Yuri and Dixon interact is entertaining all by themselves, and the weird supernatural puzzles they encounter are equally entertaining.

I like getting to know the people and places of Pinion Bay. I am starting to feel like I might be listening to a grown up version of Scooby Doo with a parrot instead of a dog, and the mystery really is supernatural.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light hearted series of supernatural mysteries with a dash of romance.

Always Entertaining!

I love Dixon & Yuri! Nick Hudson does another amazing job of bringing the second collection of totally fun and sweet Pinyin Bay novellas to life.

Amusing stories

The story and characters  are engaging and the narrator has very distinctive voices for each character, always a plus for me.

Absolutely Blooming Cheerful

I loved the first volume and I love this one just as much. The romance is still going strong and the family are as weird and wonderful as ever. Each adventure is exciting and hilarious. This is 'the grumpy one loves the sunshine one' at it's finest. Excellent narration too. Yuri's voice, OMG.