Hocus Pocus [Paperback]

Teresa Roblin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2007

Shy and quiet Amanda Santorelli is unhappy watching the world go by around her. When her well-meaning but wacky aunt casts an assertiveness spell on her, Amanda's orderly world is turned upside down. Unable to control herself, Amanda blurts out whatever is on her mind every time someone asks her a question. Trying to outwit the spell only makes matters worse. With no control over her own mouth, it's only a matter of time before someone discovers the object of her secret obsession. Mark Abbott is happy with the way his unassuming assistant runs his office. But all of a sudden she's become a new person - both in attitude and apearance - and he's not sure he likes the effect on his orderly work routine. With each passing day, he finds himself waiting to see what will come out of her mouth next. Before long, he can no longer deny the truth - the new Amanda is seriously making him reconsider is vow never to mix business with pleasure. Mark doesn't know if it's love - or if he's just a victim of Hocus Pocus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Cerridwen Press (January 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419955527
• ISBN-13: 978-1419955525
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,404,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Teresa has a tendency to daydream in class. She should pay more attention."

That's what one of my elementary teachers wrote on my report card. I'm an adult now and I haven't changed a bit.

In 2000, I started writing my first book, Hocus Pocus, and within seven months it was completed. My second book, Now You See It . . . , a year later. Naïve daydreamer that I am, I thought this is it, I'm going to get published. Optimistic, I entered my first book in a contest and placed last in the paranormal category.

So what did I do? I joined RWA, my local chapter, took writing courses, on-line workshops, talked to other writers and joined a critique group. By 2004, I was finally placing second and third in contests.

Now, everyone can read my books and share in my daydreams and understand why I usually walk around with a grin on my face.

Happy reading.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a light and breezy read, with plenty of humor providing several laugh out loud moments, April 23, 2008

By 

Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hocus Pocus (Paperback)

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Amanda Santorelli is a mousy young woman who hides her personality behind clothes that are too big. She barely says two words, rarely voicing her true opinion but saying what she thinks people want to hear. All of her nights are spent dreaming about Mark Abbott, her playboy boss she can't get out of her mind.

When Amanda's quirky Aunt Lilly finds an book of spells, she takes it upon herself to cast a spell on Amanda to make her more outspoken. Now Amanda can't stop her runaway mouth and blurts out every thought that crosses her mind. The spell won't be broken until Amanda finds her perfect mate. However, the new Amanda intrigues Mark and he decides his assistant is more his type of woman than he ever imagined.

Hocus Pocus is a book that was given to me and I probably never would have decided to pick it up on my own if I saw it in the store. I am quite happy though it was given to me since this was such an enjoyable read. This was a light and breezy read, with plenty of humor providing several laugh out loud moments. The story is an original one and bound to keep you reading to see what antics they'll be up to next.

I love Amanda who has a lot of spunk though she always kept it hidden. Once the spell was cast and she comes out of her shell, by her own devices or not, she really perked things up and finally got the attention she deserved. Amanda is also highly intelligent and she finally lets that show when the new Amanda arrives on the scene. I liked Mark as well, though he didn't especially stand out in any way for me.

I enjoyed my visit with Amanda and company in Hocus Pocus. I was pleasantly surprised to see there is a sequel available, Now You See It, featuring Sarah Santorelli and of course the loveably wacky Aunt Lilly. I think I'm going to have to go get me a copy of that one also.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2008. All rights reserved.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Much better choices for the $, July 5, 2007

By 

LJB "LJB" (MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hocus Pocus (Paperback)

I thought this book would be either better or longer (i.e. using standard type size) given the expense, but it was just a larger font. While it was OK - it was only OK. The characters were not very well developed, and there was a LOT of repetition. Not terrible but not good - just fair - and at 40% more, go with a different book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hocus Pocus, July 14, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hocus Pocus (Paperback)

Shy, nearly to the point of being invisible Amanda is obsessed with her boss Mark. Her sister Sarah suggests Amanda might dress more suggestively for the office, but she demurs. Then their Aunt Lilly discovers a dusty spell book in the attic and decides to put it to good use, with Amanda as her guinea pig. Her chosen spell is intended to bring Amanda the man of her dreams. Amanda is concerned that her aunt will, as usual, mess it up, but Sarah demurs, saying magic doesn't even exist.

Immediately following the spell, once the three put out the flames from overturning candles, Amanda finds herself speaking her mind-always unintentionally. At work, she finally begins to stand up for herself rather than let coworkers continue to treat her with doormat status. The most amazed person, besides herself, is her boss, Mark. Eventually she doesn't know what to do, except to escape the situation and go away by herself to heal. But Mark has other plans, now that he's seen this new side of Amanda.

This concept makes for an interesting story with well-drawn characters in Hocus Pocus. The reader will find herself turning the pages to get to the ending to learn how it all turns out. Aunt Lilly is a marvel, and Amanda and her sister Sarah are realistic women. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Amanda's boss Mark is a hunk.

Annie

reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed