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Cindy Eller #0.5
How (Not) to Play With Magic
A Cindy Eller Short story.
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker. She is making a name for herself in the world of desserts with her new and unique flavor profiles.
But juggling her weird family and trying to keep her magic a secret from her roommates is a daily challenge.
And her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye won't hesitate to bring the trouble right to her door.
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker. She is making a name for herself in the world of desserts with her new and unique flavor profiles.
But juggling her weird family and trying to keep her magic a secret from her roommates is a daily challenge.
And her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye won't hesitate to bring the trouble right to her door.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2013
52 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 28, 2016
Cindy may not be gifted with lots of magic but she is talented when it comes to baking with her magic. When her younger twin sisters show up at her door with a border collie that they say is their step-father she knows she’s got a big mess to fix. After trying everything to turn him back she’s forced to head to work to think over the problem. However as soon as she starts baking she’s lost in her brownie recipe and forgets her problems at home. Will she be able to fix the spell the twins created? Will she get the brownie recipe just right? Will she be able to keep her magic away from her roommates?
I like Cindy a lot she’s a witch who uses her magic to bake what’s not to love. While it’s a short story we are only given a peek into Cindy’s world it’s just enough to have me curious to check out the series. I’m curious to see how the series will go plus she’s got some great friends and I see more trouble from the twins.
How (Not) to Play With Magic is a short story with just enough action to keep you interested and wanting more. I like the concept a lot of a witch who uses her magic to bake it’s very interesting. I admit I kind of want to make brownies now after reading about Cindy’s that she created. I love the authors writing style it flows smoothly and it’s beautifully done. The author has created a perfect short story that captures the imagination and leaves the reader wanting more. I can’t wait to dive into the first Cindy Eller story it’s already on my kindle impatiently waiting.
I like Cindy a lot she’s a witch who uses her magic to bake what’s not to love. While it’s a short story we are only given a peek into Cindy’s world it’s just enough to have me curious to check out the series. I’m curious to see how the series will go plus she’s got some great friends and I see more trouble from the twins.
How (Not) to Play With Magic is a short story with just enough action to keep you interested and wanting more. I like the concept a lot of a witch who uses her magic to bake it’s very interesting. I admit I kind of want to make brownies now after reading about Cindy’s that she created. I love the authors writing style it flows smoothly and it’s beautifully done. The author has created a perfect short story that captures the imagination and leaves the reader wanting more. I can’t wait to dive into the first Cindy Eller story it’s already on my kindle impatiently waiting.
September 29, 2013
I LOVED this book! What a wonderful story! I read the whole story (its a shorty)in just a little bit and enjoyed it sooo much! I had the first one as well already and started it right away and decided to get the second one...ITS THAT GOOD! This author is just a fabulous story teller! I just love this whole storyline...especially all the descriptive flavors of ice creams and the bakery flavors. I am really glad i read this story first so i know the whole story to begin with as i read thru the rest of this series! THANK YOU to Ms Reeves for providing wonderful clean entertaining reading! I am so excited and cant wait to read the whole series!
September 7, 2014
This is a pretty cute introduction to the Cindy Eller universe. It gives the reader insight into how they first got involved with SweetDreams Ice Cream, something integral to the first book of the series. It also shows us more of Cindy's family and how funny they can be. We also get to see Cindy perfect her famous brownie from the first book here, and we got to see a little of her thought processes regarding the creation. It was a quick beach read that I'm adding to my Keeper shelf!
August 17, 2023
Food can do a lot of things, but it can’t reverse a spell.
This short story had a gentle, goofy sense of humour that I adored. Cindy’s sisters were very good at getting into mischief despite being old enough to know better, so I was glad to see the main character be so patient with her family even as she shook her head and tried to fix their problem. There was a slice of life aspect to their troubles that made me smile.
It would have been helpful to have more plot and character development in this piece. So much time was spent describing stuff like what the characters were eating that there wasn’t enough space left in these twenty-five pages to keep the rest of it moving at a good pace. As much as I wanted to choose a higher rating, I don’t want my readers to walk into this without a clear understanding of what they’re getting into and how it was paced. This can be a positive thing for readers who are craving something lighthearted and leisurely, but it might be less fun for those of us who prefer more action.
On a positive note, the food descriptions made me hungry. I enjoy books that talk about what the characters are eating and drinking. That makes it just a little easier to imagine what it would be like to sit down at a kitchen table with them and share a meal, and it also gave me some insight into Cindy’s personality and interests due to her love of sweets and high standards for what she wanted to eat.
How (Not) to Play With Magic is a good choice for anyone who is looking for kind fiction.
This short story had a gentle, goofy sense of humour that I adored. Cindy’s sisters were very good at getting into mischief despite being old enough to know better, so I was glad to see the main character be so patient with her family even as she shook her head and tried to fix their problem. There was a slice of life aspect to their troubles that made me smile.
It would have been helpful to have more plot and character development in this piece. So much time was spent describing stuff like what the characters were eating that there wasn’t enough space left in these twenty-five pages to keep the rest of it moving at a good pace. As much as I wanted to choose a higher rating, I don’t want my readers to walk into this without a clear understanding of what they’re getting into and how it was paced. This can be a positive thing for readers who are craving something lighthearted and leisurely, but it might be less fun for those of us who prefer more action.
On a positive note, the food descriptions made me hungry. I enjoy books that talk about what the characters are eating and drinking. That makes it just a little easier to imagine what it would be like to sit down at a kitchen table with them and share a meal, and it also gave me some insight into Cindy’s personality and interests due to her love of sweets and high standards for what she wanted to eat.
How (Not) to Play With Magic is a good choice for anyone who is looking for kind fiction.
June 24, 2020
So while the writing in this book was a little all-over the place, it was generally good, and the story was cute and fun. I was a little miffed at the whole toad-thing. I understand the author wanting to add some mystery to a short, so the reader might want to pick up the series, but you have to actually give a hint at the answer to said mystery for it to work. The way it was now, it was just annoying, and made me not want to read on.
I probably won't be reading the rest of the series anyway. I don't mind a bit of cozy mystery every now and again, but I've found it's hard for me to get invested in longer books of said genre.
I probably won't be reading the rest of the series anyway. I don't mind a bit of cozy mystery every now and again, but I've found it's hard for me to get invested in longer books of said genre.
July 17, 2023
cute
This was short and cute, a prequel to the series. A magical baker with mischievous sisters and a mom who goes through husbands like toilet paper ( if you read the book you’ll understand 😂😂😂)
This was short and cute, a prequel to the series. A magical baker with mischievous sisters and a mom who goes through husbands like toilet paper ( if you read the book you’ll understand 😂😂😂)
September 8, 2022
This is another short story from an author I have read in the past. This is another fairy tale-type story that lends itself to adults. It is a fun read that has a lot of humor built into the serious themes within the story. This is Cinderella but no wicked stepsisters.
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker who is making a name for herself in the world of desserts with her new and unique flavors. But juggling her weird family and trying to keep her secret from her roommate is a challenge. Her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye never hesitate to bring trouble to her door.
I hope the series stays as entertaining as this first short intro and I will be very happy.
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker who is making a name for herself in the world of desserts with her new and unique flavors. But juggling her weird family and trying to keep her secret from her roommate is a challenge. Her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye never hesitate to bring trouble to her door.
I hope the series stays as entertaining as this first short intro and I will be very happy.
October 23, 2014
Was originally posted on Paranormal Sisters:
How (Not) to Play with Magic is the perfect taste of the Cindy Eller world Mrs. Reeves has created. In just a few pages you get to see the adventurous life Cindy lives and sometimes the most fun is caused by trouble.
In the middle of the night her twin half-sister's pop into her apartment she shares with two mortal women, her friends, and as her sisters drag her into their latest disaster Cindy tries so badly to hide it from her roommates. To her surprise, later on, she's not doing a very good job after all haha.
Overall, this was a fun short that completely hooked me! Got me craving for How (Not) to Kiss a Toad and for Cindy's other bakery creations. I've got such a major sweet tooth and when a book centers around the subject of desserts I can't help but get drawn into it. Witchy adventures is just the cherry on the top! Cindy is spunky and doesn't mind speaking her mind and I can't wait to read more about her. With her curse I so badly hope she'll be able to break it because I'm such a hopeless romantic and not being able to be in love in fear of turning the guy into a toad is heart breaking! How (Not) to Kiss a Toad is definitely going on my wish list! And the ending of this one was absolutely brilliant! Had me laughing haha.
February 15, 2014
We were eating ice cream and talking about bacon. � Cindy Eller
Ice cream and bacon? Hey, two of my favorite things! Having just raved over the three (and a short story) Goldie Locke books by Elizabeth A. Reeves, I dove into my first Cindy Eller story. Only a 25 page short story, we meet Cindy � who has a rather irritating problem � any male she kisses turns into a toad. Wow. Bummer, huh?
Cindy is a magical baker, and when we first meet her, she is serving up brownie sundaes with real whipped cream to her twin magical sisters in the middle of the night.
Yum. Worth the short story for that image in my head! (Now, where is my chocolate?)
It really sucks when your twin half-sisters turned your mom’s latest husband into a dog. Sigh. Well, at least he is a Border Collie! (Hey, so the twins like animals better than people � so do I! You go, Girls!)
The girls (whom I had met in Goldie’s story line) are a hoot, and I desperately want to taste Cindy’s brownies . . . and some of the Dark Chocolate Mango Ice Cream!
Ice cream and bacon? Hey, two of my favorite things! Having just raved over the three (and a short story) Goldie Locke books by Elizabeth A. Reeves, I dove into my first Cindy Eller story. Only a 25 page short story, we meet Cindy � who has a rather irritating problem � any male she kisses turns into a toad. Wow. Bummer, huh?
Cindy is a magical baker, and when we first meet her, she is serving up brownie sundaes with real whipped cream to her twin magical sisters in the middle of the night.
Yum. Worth the short story for that image in my head! (Now, where is my chocolate?)
It really sucks when your twin half-sisters turned your mom’s latest husband into a dog. Sigh. Well, at least he is a Border Collie! (Hey, so the twins like animals better than people � so do I! You go, Girls!)
The girls (whom I had met in Goldie’s story line) are a hoot, and I desperately want to taste Cindy’s brownies . . . and some of the Dark Chocolate Mango Ice Cream!
May 8, 2013
What?! You can't end like that!!!!! I enjoyed this one more than the first, and it was a little predictable but oh so cute and lovely and I couldn't contain my joy while reading! It covered a lot of holes from the first book and created new threads to follow. It was a quick and utterly satisfying read and book 3 needs to come out ASAP!
August 25, 2013
If you love fairy tales you must read this series. Elizabeth creates a cast of characters that you will totally fall in love with. Tip: Read this prequel 1st....it give great background info that prepares you for the rest of the series. Its a short book that you can devour quickly and it leaves you hungry for more. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Cindy and her family!
December 25, 2013
Loved it
it was one of the best books I have ever read. I love the short stories because they are so funny and imaginative. I don't know how she comes up with these awesome stories and I can't wait t to read more.
it was one of the best books I have ever read. I love the short stories because they are so funny and imaginative. I don't know how she comes up with these awesome stories and I can't wait t to read more.
May 2, 2013
enjoyed but wanted more it was far too short
October 20, 2014
I love this!
Perfect short introduction to the Cindy Eller series. Read this one first! The longer books are better, but as an intro it's perfect.
Perfect short introduction to the Cindy Eller series. Read this one first! The longer books are better, but as an intro it's perfect.
April 21, 2014
How Cindy Eller´s roommates "learned" that Cindy is a witch.
June 19, 2014
Note 2.
I got this book because I read Baehrly Breathing and fell in love with those characters. This book is another fun book and I ended up buying all the books in both series :)
I got this book because I read Baehrly Breathing and fell in love with those characters. This book is another fun book and I ended up buying all the books in both series :)
February 21, 2015
Good Read!
A nice an short read! excellent an entertaining a story with the right amount of comedy to relax too an enjoy .
A nice an short read! excellent an entertaining a story with the right amount of comedy to relax too an enjoy .
July 23, 2015
I really enjoyed but as it was really just a sample, there wasn't that much to "sink my teeth into". I'll have to try one of her full length novels.
August 21, 2015
Cute short story into to the series
This is cute, interesting story to Cindy Eller series , however I would like another series about the twin witches!
[email protected]
This is cute, interesting story to Cindy Eller series , however I would like another series about the twin witches!
[email protected]
September 15, 2020
This is an enticing little story that puts the Cinderella story in a very different light. I have younger sisters. I am so glad that my sisters do not have access to magic, since I do not think I could have greeted my sisters with the same degree of relative calmness that Cindy showed when her sisters presented her with their problem. (By that, I mean that I would have had full-blown hysterics.) Cindy's sisters deserve all the punishment that Cindy and her mom might inflict on them, even the dreaded green-bean diet!! The author definitely has me rooting for Cindy in her trials and anticipating what could possible happen to her next.
August 28, 2020
My review of How (NOT) to Play with Magic by Sandy Lowrey
Cindy the baker has two younger twin sisters and trying not to let the world know they're witches is quite a task, especially when a few of them are quite powerful. But when Cindy thinks that they have turned their step father into a dog, she tries to find a way to help them. This was just a quick but fun read, and I really enjoyed it.!!
Cindy the baker has two younger twin sisters and trying not to let the world know they're witches is quite a task, especially when a few of them are quite powerful. But when Cindy thinks that they have turned their step father into a dog, she tries to find a way to help them. This was just a quick but fun read, and I really enjoyed it.!!
April 4, 2024
A 25-page novella for Cindy Eller series.
Summary:
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker. She is trying to make a name for herself in the bakers world with her unique flavors. She is also trying to keep her family secret of magic from her roommates every day. But her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye, keep bringing trouble to her door.
Review:
It's a cute and funny novella. I love baking and magic, so this was perfect for me. I will be picking up the series later this year.
Summary:
Cindy Eller is a witch and a baker. She is trying to make a name for herself in the bakers world with her unique flavors. She is also trying to keep her family secret of magic from her roommates every day. But her twin sisters, Starrie and Rainey Skye, keep bringing trouble to her door.
Review:
It's a cute and funny novella. I love baking and magic, so this was perfect for me. I will be picking up the series later this year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2020
Very promising!
I loved it! It was witty, light-hearted and I was immediately pulled in. Fun, and with an ending I hadn’t expected! I would like to see more magic. But still, very very promising! A lovely short story that leaves me wanting more, so after submitting this I’m going to see what other books this author has to offer!
I loved it! It was witty, light-hearted and I was immediately pulled in. Fun, and with an ending I hadn’t expected! I would like to see more magic. But still, very very promising! A lovely short story that leaves me wanting more, so after submitting this I’m going to see what other books this author has to offer!
November 9, 2017
A kitchen witch's dream.
This story was absolutely sweet. As a big sister to a few brothers and a sister, I can completely understand Cindy's problem. I bake myself and I have been bugged a few times for treats. Great short story.
This story was absolutely sweet. As a big sister to a few brothers and a sister, I can completely understand Cindy's problem. I bake myself and I have been bugged a few times for treats. Great short story.
December 31, 2021
Meh. Cute, but just a taste of something, not really enough to decide on the series as a whole. I liked Cindy fine, but really disliked the twins. I didn't find them impish and cute, just selfish and arrogant.
September 6, 2017
Great Book
Wonderful story line! Kept me reading for hours on end. Couldn't put the book down it was so well written and engaging.
Wonderful story line! Kept me reading for hours on end. Couldn't put the book down it was so well written and engaging.
November 18, 2019
Brilliant
May 14, 2024
So I read this after reading books 1 & 2 but it was really funny reading how Cindy's roommates found out she has magic.
October 15, 2016
I wish it was longer, but happy with this intro. Do hope there are more out there. Characters are there but they need developing
September 7, 2020
Good
Funny, although I think, I would have been madder at the twins. Especially after no sleep because of them and wow at 11.
Funny, although I think, I would have been madder at the twins. Especially after no sleep because of them and wow at 11.
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