Visions of Magic (Awakening, #1)

Feb 20, 2011 Catherine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-vixen-reviews, first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, challenge-task-contest, contemporary, crime-police-mystery-private-invest, fantasy-paranormal-sci-fi, fated-mate, gods, magic-mystical-ability, on-the-run, read-2011, romance, series

I really, really like the world setup that the author created. I have a bit of a thing for the Salem trials, so seeing a modern day world modeled after that was a big hit with me. Can you just imagine living like that? The author clearly shows that even just being seen talking with someone suspected of witchcraft can lead to you being snatched up too. There really are witches and magic, but a lot of innocent people are accused for no reason because the hysterical public has led to an act-first-a...more I really, really like the world setup that the author created. I have a bit of a thing for the Salem trials, so seeing a modern day world modeled after that was a big hit with me. Can you just imagine living like that? The author clearly shows that even just being seen talking with someone suspected of witchcraft can lead to you being snatched up too. There really are witches and magic, but a lot of innocent people are accused for no reason because the hysterical public has led to an act-first-ask-questions-later police force.

I loved the setup for Torin and Shea’s romance. I’m not big into reincarnation in books but I really liked it here. I don’t think quite enough time was spent dwelling on how awful the life of the Eternals has been throughout the years, but it was at least acknowledged enough that it didn’t bother me too much. When I first thought about their relationship it seemed really romantic. The thought of a man loving you so much that he finds you again and again through the ages is beautiful. But then I thought more about it and realized it was rather tragic. He finds her again and again, but each time he loses her. He has to watch her die and wait for years to be able to find her again. That’s very sad for Torin.

Even though I did like the idea of the romance, the actual execution was a little lacking. Torin was a very shallow character. He didn’t really have a personality other than his longing and impatience to be with Shea. I think he was supposed to be cast as “alpha” because of his pushy behavior in the beginning, but he needed more personality for that to work for me. I wish we could have actually had some relationship development instead of using their history together as a crutch. Especially when seeing actual flashbacks left me disbelieving their connection.

The story was all about Shea and her awakening and acceptance of her magic and Torin. I really enjoyed the story in the beginning—learning about the witches and the hunt for them and their weaknesses and treatment after being caught. But toward the end as we had more focus on Torin and Shea I lost interest. They just weren’t that interesting to follow. There was no struggle in their relationship other than Shea’s atonement and the fated mate thing is not a favorite of mine. Too often it’s used as an excuse to not develop a convincing relationship.

Shea really had some TSTL moments. I don’t know why, but she kept putting herself into danger and then being surprised that it found her. Even when Torin told her that she hadn’t changed she never really internalized the criticism and fixed herself. It was frustrating.

Sex scenes are not a huge draw for me in Romances, but I can’t help but comment on them when they stand out in one way or another. These scenes caught my notice, but not because they were great. They were so over the top and dramatic that it was kind of irritating. I would have rather had stale, mechanical scenes than that. They actually made me giggle as I read them.

I know that this is the beginning of a series, but did we have to have so many side plots that were introduced but never resolved? I thought they would have a purpose other than just to set up the next book.

I was going to give this one a 3.5 but after writing this I realized that I didn’t enjoy it enough to do that so I had to give it a 3.

Favorite Quote:

She ran because she had to.

Because the haunting memories overtaking her were too much to handle.

Not just of the last few days, when she'd found out what it was to be locked down and helpless...but the memories of the past--of lives she'd lived and died. Memories of dark magic and chanting voices.

And Torin.

Always Torin.

Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
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Oct 05, 2012 Laura Wright rated it 5 of 5 stars

With Torin on one side and Rune on the other, I'd be a very happy girl! Stunning start to a great new series!!

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May 23, 2011 Mariya rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: magic-users, urban-fantasy, huge-disappointment

Don't you just love UF/PNR books that have the soulmates thing. In some UF/PNR it can work, in others not so much. VISON OF MAGIC is a perfect example of a book where the soulmates thing didn't do it for me.

First off the Prologue and chapter 1 is done very well that it keeps you interested, but it goes downhill from there. I just don't think this book had very much orginality in the Urban Fantasy and soulmates department. Other books I have read were so much better. I admit I wanted to quit aft...more Don't you just love UF/PNR books that have the soulmates thing. In some UF/PNR it can work, in others not so much. VISON OF MAGIC is a perfect example of a book where the soulmates thing didn't do it for me.

First off the Prologue and chapter 1 is done very well that it keeps you interested, but it goes downhill from there. I just don't think this book had very much orginality in the Urban Fantasy and soulmates department. Other books I have read were so much better. I admit I wanted to quit after chapter 7 and I tried to push through more, but nothing was happening to keep my attention very much.

Shea, the heroine of this story started out accused as a witch and is saved by her eternal, Torin. I didn't have much of an impression of her until I made it further into the book and when I did I thought, This heroine is so dumb. It amazes me how stupid she is. I was just mad that she was in a completely safe house and knowing that people are after her because she is a witch..She exactly makes in 2 second before someone captures her after she left Torin's property. I'm sorry, but she really does not appeal to me in way my other favorite heroines have including, Cat(NIGHT HUNTRESS) and Kate(KATE DANIELS). It is o course hard to compare to those two, but I have to draw a line at dumb heroines.

Torin as I said is Shea's eternal and I thought perhaps he might make an impression on my when I first read the description of this book, but apparently I was wrong. I felt like Torin was a little too dominate. I know Barrons(FEVER) cant compare, but there have a bit of the same attitude and I just didn't even see any emotion in Torin. He seemed more concerned with what he wanted. Shea doesn't remember him at all and he just wants to push himself on her and force her to remember because he has been waiting forever.

I really wanted to like this book because of the whole soulmates thing, but I couldn't. The characters were very under developed and the plot was weak. The reviews seem to be all over the place, so I would try it if the soulmates concept interests you.

More of my reviews at Mystifying Paranormal Reviews
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Jun 21, 2012 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-lists, paranormal-romance

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The promise of a modern world where witches are very real and hunted by the government had me foaming at the mouth for this 2011 debut. The Salem witch hunts look tame next to the world Hastings has built—clearly a world worthy of Urban Fantasy. Once any woman is suspected of being a witch she’s either monitored or simply caught and imprisoned. No one checks to see if the prisoner is a witch, the woman is just out of luck if someone starts chanting, “Witch-witch, you’re...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Marquetta (LoveToReadForFun) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Visions of Magic is the first book in a new series about witches. Shea has been on the run ever since her aunt was burned at the stake. Shea doesn't stay in one location for long because she fears that she will be accused of being a witch. Shea is living her life as a 6th grade teacher when she accidentally sets a man on fire. Shea has had visions of fire. She's in denial about herself and her powers. Enters Torin who rescues Shea from a mob of witch haters and the Magic Police. He claims to be...more Visions of Magic is the first book in a new series about witches. Shea has been on the run ever since her aunt was burned at the stake. Shea doesn't stay in one location for long because she fears that she will be accused of being a witch. Shea is living her life as a 6th grade teacher when she accidentally sets a man on fire. Shea has had visions of fire. She's in denial about herself and her powers. Enters Torin who rescues Shea from a mob of witch haters and the Magic Police. He claims to be her Eternal; her mate. The Eternal's power compliments the witch's power. He was watched over Shea through each incarnation of her life, waiting for her powers to awaken. Now that he's found her, he's horny and ready to mate.

It was difficult to like Shea in the beginning. I understand that finding out that you're a witch is a shock, especially when witches (innocents who are accused witches and actual witches) are being hunted, imprisoned and persecuted. I couldn't believe how much she was in denial when she's had inklings that she may be a witch. She has spent her life on the run, not staying in one location for more than a couple of years, so that she could live her life in anonymity. She had to suspect that there was a possibility that she's a witch. Shea did have some TSTL (too stupid to live) moments that ended up getting her caught and jailed by the Magic Police. Luckily, that incident seemed to finally knock some sense into her. She's ready to embrace being a witch and ready to do whatever it takes to prevent history from repeating itself.

Visions of Magic is also a very sexy read. In order for Shea's powers to Awaken, she must have sex with her Eternal. That means lots and lots of sex. Through the mating ritual, Torin and Shea both develop a tattoo that grows until the mating is complete. The more you mate with your Eternal, the more you want it. If that's the case, how are you supposed to save the world if you're sexing it up all the time? At one point, the mating did become redundant and seem to take over the plot.

We are introduced to another Eternal, Rune, which I think is supposed to set up the second book. Rune was kinda meh in Visions of Magic. Hopefully, he'll have more spice and personality in his own book. The story wraps up neatly but does not answer all the questions. The biggest question I have is what's up with The President of the United States? She's the first female President and her agenda is to stop the persecution of witches. But I think there is more to her story and look forward to reading about it in future books.

Visions of Magic is a great start to a new series. I love how the story takes place in a modern day Salem Witch trial. The world-building is fantastic. The first half of the book kept me engrossed and I could not put it down. The second half kind of lagged and the plot stalls. But all in all, it was a great read and I am looking forward to reading Book 2.
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Jan 28, 2012 Felicia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

Received for review from the Author
Release date 2/1/11

What I Loved: This is such a richly woven story that spans time, generations, and even worlds. Regan has set up a series that can only expand and become more encompassing over time. I am not usually a fan of the first novels in a series but this one gives you enough information without having the story lag in order to accomplish it. You are quickly drawn in to the plights of the Witches, their Eternals, and the innocents caught up in the madn...more Received for review from the Author
Release date 2/1/11

What I Loved: This is such a richly woven story that spans time, generations, and even worlds. Regan has set up a series that can only expand and become more encompassing over time. I am not usually a fan of the first novels in a series but this one gives you enough information without having the story lag in order to accomplish it. You are quickly drawn in to the plights of the Witches, their Eternals, and the innocents caught up in the madness. You are given glimpses into the future of the series, some teasers, and some things that you can guess are going to happen. Personally, I can't wait till my friends read this book so we can discuss 2 things that may or may not happen down the line. Shea and Torin had an amazing love story that made me cry happy tears.

What I Liked: The amount of detail in this book was amazing. The descriptions of the magic, of the camps, of the series of networks setup for witches, and the view you get into the other side are really well done. They enhance the story so much that at times you can imagine living in that alternate universe because it is not all that different from ours. This book also makes you think about prejudices and what exactly would you do if you were a citizen in this world.

Complaints: The next one won't be out for awhile!

Why I gave it a 5: I really did not expect to like the book as much as I did. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It was engaging, thought provoking, and at the heart such a wonderful love story that it was hard not to fall in love with it. I laughed, cried, and even wanted to throw the book a few times when Shea was being stubborn. Anytime I have extreme reactions that means the book did what it was supposed to do!

Who I would recommend it too: PNR readers and UF readers that don't mind that there is an actual HEA. This book has all the elements of a perfect launch to a new series. Think JR Ward and Lara Adrian if they women were the magicked and the men were the mates.

Author Website: http://www.reganhastings.com/
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Feb 25, 2011 Rebecca McKinnon added it

Shelves: couldn-t-finish

I was really excited about this book. Great premise: ten years ago witches were outed. The world is in a panic, rounding up known and suspected witches and placing them in camps/prisons to await legal execution without a trial. A magical underground flourishes, trying to save as many women as they can. A group of witches from a coven who made a terrible mistake was forced to live reincarnated lives without magic until now, when they must atone for their pasts. The story follows one of these witc...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Beth Dawkins rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

In a world where witches are sent to camps and burned at the stake, only one coven can stop it! Only the coven has to wait for the witches to awaken. Shea is the first. Running to her car after work a man tries to mug her, and she sets him on fire. This proves to herself, and the public who saw it that she is a Witch. She is shortly whisked away by a pillar of fire.

That pillar of fire just happens to be Torin, Shea’s Eternal. I had a huge problem liking Torin. His character was extremely hard t...more In a world where witches are sent to camps and burned at the stake, only one coven can stop it! Only the coven has to wait for the witches to awaken. Shea is the first. Running to her car after work a man tries to mug her, and she sets him on fire. This proves to herself, and the public who saw it that she is a Witch. She is shortly whisked away by a pillar of fire.

That pillar of fire just happens to be Torin, Shea’s Eternal. I had a huge problem liking Torin. His character was extremely hard to like. Started to wonder what is wrong with Shea for being attracted to him. Eternals are immortal men who were given’ish?’ to witches. The mythology behind everything was never really clear. Anyway, the Eternal waits around until his Witch is reborn and awakens. Then it is time for a quest and lots of mating to make up for being naughty witches.

The witches long ago unlocked something bad. Because of this they have to go through Atonement which is a quest and lots of sex. It will make the Eternal have a beating heart, and make the Witch immortal. Shea of course has to unlock her memories to even know what she is looking for. At one point Torin tells her he doesn’t know about the quest and she will find out when her memories release. A couple chapters later he tells her what they are going to find. This drove me nuts, but she doesn’t seem to catch on, maybe it’s all that sex?

It is safe to say that I was frustrated with Torin as a character. He is domineering at the start which I couldn’t stand. Later we are reminded of his devotion, his loyalty, his etc... I understand he has waited eight hundred some years for Shea. I get that it is most likely frustrating, but he threw me out of the story once or twice. I was not invested in the two of them as a couple. I liked Shea without Torin.

The Witchy world is really cool. I thought it was strange that in a world where all these women are accused of Witchcraft, most who are not Witches, the president is a woman. On top of that she seems to be a single mother. I want to know where this is going.

I enjoyed Shea, and her world, but I could have done with a different male lead. He seems flat. This could be because he isn’t human. There is a lot of information, and mythology behind the story that wasn’t explained. I also want to know where the world itself is going.

I just thought of something, more of a question. Once Shea is able to use her magical power she can do anything from conjuring the hottest designer clothes, to shooting fire out of her fingertips. If I was Shea, and I had to go up against another magical critter I thought was more powerful, would it really matter who was more powerful? With the versatility of her magic wouldn’t the winner always go to whoever was more creative?

Happy Reading!
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Feb 01, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Visions of Magic by Regan Hastings
Paranormal Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4 stars

Visions of Magic is a fresh debut to a new paranormal series. In this 1st book, we are introduced to Shea Jameson. Shea is a descendant of witches, but being a witch is dangerous for they are feared. Since her aunt was burned for witchcraft, Shea has been on the run and has finally settled down as a boring school teacher. But she is soon discovered and when assaulted, she unconsciously defends herself with deadly flames....more Visions of Magic by Regan Hastings
Paranormal Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4 stars

Visions of Magic is a fresh debut to a new paranormal series. In this 1st book, we are introduced to Shea Jameson. Shea is a descendant of witches, but being a witch is dangerous for they are feared. Since her aunt was burned for witchcraft, Shea has been on the run and has finally settled down as a boring school teacher. But she is soon discovered and when assaulted, she unconsciously defends herself with deadly flames. Revealed as a witch, the mob beings to attack her but she is suddenly whisked away by a mysterious and handsome man who claims to be her Eternal.

Torin has waited for Shea for hundreds of years, he is her guardian and she is his other half. He is her Eternal. But he has to wait until his witch has awakened to her powers. But will those powers be for good or evil?

This is a solid and brisk read. I love the different magic each witch possesses. The history behind Shea’s past and her Eternal are also fascinating. The only thing that bothered me is that Shea keeps trying to run away from Torin even though he has only been kind to her. And each time she tries to escape, she keeps getting into trouble. Over and over. I wish she had trusted Torin sooner and that the story progressed from that point instead of reading about her making mistake after mistake. Even though these plot devices add more tension to story, after a while, I just got frustrated with Shea. I couldn’t believe she wouldn’t listen to Torin after he keeps proving himself. On the other hand, I enjoyed Torin and his devotion to Shea in her new incarnation and deeply felt the pain and longing he must have endured being apart from her until she was ‘awakened.’ Apart from Torin and Shea, there are also other characters that add richness to the story. I am interested to know what happens to the other awakened witch named Kellyn, who is pure evil and very cunning. Plus, the author leaves tantalizing glimpses of other Eternals and their long wait for their witches.

Fascinating new series that is sure to capture the imagination and keep readers wanting more!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Jul 20, 2011 Cindy (eclecticfirefly) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-to-read, alpha-male, pnr, witch-wizard

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Shea was confused in the beginning. Her memories of her past incarnations are beginning to break thru, but she doesn't realize what is happening. Her aunt Maira was burned as a witch 10 years previously, and Shea has been watched by the government to see if she has the same abilities. She doesn't trust anyone, and although she does not believe herself to be a witch, she uproots herself and moves whenever she begins to feel threatened.

Torin is Shea's Eternal. A war...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Nikki Brandyberry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Visions Of Magic is the first book in the “Awakening” series for Regan Hastings. I enjoyed this book a lot. It combined my love for the paranormal, mystery and hot men..which is always awesome for me to find when I pick up a book.

Shea is a woman who has been fighting her past for some time. She has denied the surges of witchcraft running through her body and tried to stop the inevitable. With hunters on the loose trying to destroy all witches, Shea just wants a normal life as a school teacher. B...more Visions Of Magic is the first book in the “Awakening” series for Regan Hastings. I enjoyed this book a lot. It combined my love for the paranormal, mystery and hot men..which is always awesome for me to find when I pick up a book.

Shea is a woman who has been fighting her past for some time. She has denied the surges of witchcraft running through her body and tried to stop the inevitable. With hunters on the loose trying to destroy all witches, Shea just wants a normal life as a school teacher. But people are quick to point fingers and with Sheas family tree already containing those burned at the stake she is constantly on the run. When she is attacked and her magic leaks out, she is cornered by those that want to see her dead.

Torin has been watching his witch through incarnation after incarnation for centuries. He certainly isn’t going to stand around now while she is being cornered. Being the hero is something that has been ingrained in the soul that she alone can set on fire. Shea doesn’t want to trust this stranger that says he is her soul mate, but when he jailbreaks her she doesn’t have much of a choice.

The Awakening of the witches is upon them. They must find and contain an artifact hundreds of years old if they have any chance of saving this world they doomed so long ago.

This book had me from page one to the last sentence. It’s filled with pulse pounding action and a story line to keep you coming back for more. Torin is a smoking hot Eternal who only has eyes for Shea. Seriously, how romantic to wait centuries for your soul mate. Until the one lifetime when she remembers her past and touches you once more. *le sigh*.

The villain in the book leads me to believe there are more people involved then what we were shown in this book. This book is just a taste of the battle that will ensue I’m sure. However, a power hungry witch is never a good thing. Especially one so strong. I would have liked more on the President of The United States position. We are given a brief glimpse into the bigger picture, so I can only assume that will be delved into more fully in future books.

The underlying theme of difference really made the book for me. The human race is fickle and we tend to shy away from difference. What would you do if witches were real? Would you turn your neighbor in? Your best friend? Out of fear of the unknown? Or would you stand and fight for those you love? Books that make me think always win in the end.(less)

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May 04, 2011 Jackie Uhrmacher rated it 5 of 5 stars

My feelings for Visions of Magic by Regan Hastings are a mixed bag. On the positive side, the plot and worldbuilding are extremely original. So often in paranormal books, witches are either hiding in society or accepted as a different species living among the humans. Not so in Visions of Magic. The persecution and deep-seated fear are palpable and, even better, believable. I can see people reacting this way if a person were to step forward and say, “Hey, so I can do magic. What do you think?” Th...more

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May 28, 2011 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regan-hastings

Shea Jameson & Torin . . .

She - the first awakened witch. Torin - her Eternal.

This is the first of a series. Being that this is my first witch book, it took me a while to get into it. It was okay. Not bad.

The love story was just too fast for me. There was no build up. Before I knew it, Shea was in love with Torin. Okaaaay . . .

Overall, 3 stars . . .

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Nov 06, 2011 Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favorite-books

Magic returns and women are hunted for it. It is like the Salem witch trials but this time it has gone global. Now is the time of The Awakening in which a great coven of witches will emerge to complete a task from long ago and ultimately, save the world.

Shea Jameson discovers not only is she a witch, like her aunt, but she is part of the last great coven of witches. She is the first witch to be awakened. This is her journey to deal with the past, discover her true self, and make things right fo...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Coucher de soleil rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-read, godawful-past-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ugh, but I didn't like this one. It was pretty godawful, actually. Cheesetastic would also be an accurate term here.

Beware of spoilers (not that I would recommend this novel, but just out of politeness)...
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All right.

Good points: There were some interesting and somewhat well-done elements with regards to the world-building such as the fear and political climate surrounding witchcraft. The backstory regarding the origins of the 'awakening' of witches referred to in the title was also not...more

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Apr 28, 2013 MissM rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-borrow, read-2013

What a sad book. The concept was interesting but the book was just so painfully cheesy that it was an eye-roll fest throughout. There were so many cut-and-paste sex scenes with the most repetitive descriptions, you'd think she took writing instruction from Laurell K. Hamilton. All the while, it was awkward and childish.

I don't know how many times she had to use the word "mating;" the mating, mating sex, etc. Or "brand;" Yes, we GET that she has a flame mating brand starting at her left nipple. P...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Mandi Schreiner rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr

Shea Jameson has been on the run. Her aunt was literally burned at the stake, accused of being a witch, and now the Magic Police (or MP) have been keeping a close eye on Shea. If any shred of doubt is placed upon you for being a witch, you are arrested and taken away – and usually burned to death. Shea’s time is up though. After an attempted mugging, she tries to escape and she somehow shoots flames out of her fingers and burns the criminal, while a crowd watches. They immediately start chanting...more Shea Jameson has been on the run. Her aunt was literally burned at the stake, accused of being a witch, and now the Magic Police (or MP) have been keeping a close eye on Shea. If any shred of doubt is placed upon you for being a witch, you are arrested and taken away – and usually burned to death. Shea’s time is up though. After an attempted mugging, she tries to escape and she somehow shoots flames out of her fingers and burns the criminal, while a crowd watches. They immediately start chanting witch, but before she can be arrested by the MP, a man swoops in and saves her.

Torin is her Eternal. Eternals were created from the sun god, and Torin has flames that surround him. He is immortal and has been with Shea for centuries although Shea has no idea who he is. (Although her soul recognizes him). He has found her in each lifetime, and although has had sex with her in the past, has never completed the mating ritual – but this is the lifetime for that.

In a prophecy foretold long ago, a coven of witches cast a spell of atonement, in which each witch would have to live centuries without magic until this year. Each witch will have a task to complete, within the 30 days they are awakened. The Awakening has come upon Shea and she is the first one. Torin tells her one witch will awake every 30 days until the atonement is complete. As she awakens, her memories of Torin will come back to her along with her ever increasing power. Shea first refuses to believe this – but soon, she can’t deny the power building up within her, nor the lust she feels for this man. They now have 30 days to complete the mating ritual, all while Shea is being hunted.

Visions of Magic is the first in a new paranormal series about witches. A modern day twist on the Salem Witch Trials with the mass hysteria – except in this case, witches are real. The process of the hero and heroine coming together in this one does not provide a lot of conflict. From page one their souls are set for mating, and it doesn’t take long for Shea to understand that. So if you like the pre-destined mate idea, than this romance will probably work for you.

The first half of the book is good and really caught my attention. I like the witch premise and the fear of being hunted and burned. I also enjoyed the history of the witches and why they all must come together to atone for a past sin. The idea of Torin, covered in flames coming to Shea’s rescue is exciting and I found his readiness to mate amusing.

Let’s face it – Torin is horny. I mean – he has been waiting a long damn time to be with Shea and he knows sex must happen not only to start their mating process but to kick her memories and powers to the surface. He basically meets her, tells her to rest for a few hours and then he is ready for the sexy time. I found the “we must have sex to awaken your powers” more funny than romantic unfortunately. The actual sex scenes are so dramatic, and over the top. With lines like “We become one with the other halves of our souls. We stop merely existing and begin to live.” And then he licks her nipple. I felt like the scenes were trying to be too grandiose.

Shea got on my nerves a few times with running straight into danger - yes, a TSTL (too stupid to live) moment. She gets this sudden urge to leave her secure hotel room while Torin is gone for a few minutes to get food and says “She had no doubt what Torin’s opinion would have been. But this was her choice. Her decision. She wasn’t being reckless. She was being proactive.” Two pages later, after being caught by a bad guy she says “…she risked her own safety by coming into the night alone. She should have waited for Torin, she told herself. But it was too late now for regrets.” Come on, she could have waited for ten minutes for him to return, she knows how much danger she is in. It was a very predictable scene that didn’t cast the heroine in the best light.

We also meet Rune, another Eternal who fell a little flat for me. I assume he is being set up for the next book, maybe? Rune just kind of is there, with no personality.

Like I said, the beginning of the book was fun and I do like the idea of witches in this world. However, the second half of the book was lacking and the romance didn’t do a lot for me.

Rating: C(less)

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Jan 29, 2011 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publisher-author

Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...

I gave it a 3.5/5

I liked it but I didn't love it. I liked the whole concept of the story, The witch was naughty a long time ago and gave up her power for a really long time and is now awakening to herself again. Her eternal is there for her in everything as she completes a task of atonement. There is some awesome world building, everything comes off as realistic as it can be with all the detail Regan Hastings has put into it. I had no problem i...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, reviews

Imagine if the witch hysteria of old came back into practice and the witch hunting was an everyday thing and it was global.....

In Shea Jameson's world magic and witches are not fun and it's not something you dabble or flaunt. Shea lives in fear. Always running, always hiding. For 10 years this has been her way of life. Ever since her aunt was burned at the stake for being a witch. Now Shea learns that she has powers and is forced to run again. In that moment, the warrior Torin walks in, changing...more

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May 24, 2011 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-books, pnr, witches-mage-magic

Shea Jameson is a woman on the run. Her aunt was accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. Just being related has meant that Shea has to live her life on the run because the MP or magic police have been keeping a close eye on her waiting for magic to appear. Then one day a man attempts to mug her and while trying to escape she shoots flames out of her fingers and burns the mugger. Of course a crowd has gathered around panics and accuses of her of being a witch. (I know I know on the edge...more Shea Jameson is a woman on the run. Her aunt was accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. Just being related has meant that Shea has to live her life on the run because the MP or magic police have been keeping a close eye on her waiting for magic to appear. Then one day a man attempts to mug her and while trying to escape she shoots flames out of her fingers and burns the mugger. Of course a crowd has gathered around panics and accuses of her of being a witch. (I know I know on the edge of your seat right) Then right before she is arrested a man swoops in and saves her (YES!!). That man happens to be Torin, an eternal. This man just happens to eternally be in love with Shea. You see they have had relationships over the years err centuries and each time Shea juts wants him for sex not as a mate. This time things will be different and they will complete the mating ritual.

So when I brought this book I thought of this will be awesome a modern day book with Salem witch trials, this is going to be great. Well turns out not so much. I think a lot of it rests with Shea, at many many points in the book she is just too stupid to live. For example a man swoops you out of danger and takes you to a safe place and the first thing you think is “ohh my life is better on the street, I am out of here” really why would you do that? You have no idea what is going on but you choose to leave uninformed. Then there was another instance where she is being hunted daily and Torin says stay inside, I will return soon and Shea thinks oh I cannot stay the moon calls to me”. As if the moon may not be up when Torin gets back in 30 minutes or less. Then she goes on to think I could been seen or murdered but that is ok. Really?? The next think that irked me was the sex. There is sex to bond, to restore powers, to energize; sex is like the miracle cure in this book. Then at times the sex is over the top, never I just want to shag but “allow me to enter you and make us one”. Personally it was a bit over the top. Final complaint was the over abundance of side plots that even at the end of the book I am thinking why bother?

Having said all of that I think the world was really interesting. I liked the idea that people have mass panic with the idea of witches. Including those who are innocent of magic are still hunted because of the suspicion. I also liked the premise into reincarnated love, how the eternals are forced to live and watch their witches die after rejecting them only hoping the next time will be different. You know real tragic love stuff he finds to love her yet each time he has lost her due to rejection. The issue for me is the execution did not go off so well. I think flash backs of happier times or times between the witches would have made me see Torin as a possessive horn dog.

I will read the next one because despite my grips Regan Hastings is a good writer. She does the whole switching POV really well and it did keep the storyline moving. I hope my issues with this book are just from being the first in a series.
2.5 Stars
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Dec 06, 2010 Susan Mallery rated it 5 of 5 stars

VISIONS OF MAGIC was written by a friend of mine who's writing under a different name, Regan Hastings. I've been sworn to secrecy about her (or his) true identity, but I can tell you that she (or he) has appeared on the USA TODAY bestsellers list. :) I absolutely loved this book!

Shea discovers unexpectedly that she is a witch... not a good thing to be in a 21st century world where witches are hunted by the Federal Bureau of Witchcraft and burned at the stake. The only place she feels safe is in...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I just finished reading Visions of Magic and I am amazed at the author's sheer talent. In a short few pages, Ms. Hastings made me feel entrenched in Shea's world. I did feel, at times, that some aspects of the plot were hurried along to make room for the (very hot) sex scenes. But as they were an intricate part of the story, I didn't feel as if they detracted from the book at all. I found myself getting very angry about the way that the witches and accused human women were treated by the everyda...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Charity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, paranormal-n-romance, print-i-own, urban-fantasy-mythical

See My Review at:
http://www.nocturnereads.com/Visions-...

Visions of Magic is book one in a series called Awakening. The series itself will follow witches of one coven who have been reincarnated in hopes of preventing the destruction of the world. This book follows Shea as her powers awaken. Warning: Sexual content is Erotica.

Shea starts out in complete denial. As her character progresses she has flashbacks from past lives. I like this heroin, but I find that she acts entirely too stupid for her...more

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Feb 23, 2011 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, paranormal-romance

Please note, this was a goodreads giveaway book. I read the short summary and hoped to win this book. I was very pleased to receive it and started to read it immediately. The author also thoughtfully sent me two additional books and signed them. THANK YOU!

It is with great regret that I'm rating this with only 2 stars. I truly wanted to love this book. Ms. Hastings world of witches/immortals and Lucifer sounded so good. I enjoy both PNR and UF greatly. It has taken me several days to write and r...more

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Mar 07, 2011 Ruby rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, witches

This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

One of the most well-used tropes in Paranormal Romance is the idea of soulmates, of fated partners. Like everything, it's been done well, and it's been done poorly. I'm sorry to say that Visions of Magic falls into the latter category. It tells the story of Shea Jameson, a witch on the cusp of Awakening, and her soulmate and Eternal, Torin. According to Hastings' world, each of the witches in the Awakening has an Eternal, an immortal war...more This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com.

One of the most well-used tropes in Paranormal Romance is the idea of soulmates, of fated partners. Like everything, it's been done well, and it's been done poorly. I'm sorry to say that Visions of Magic falls into the latter category. It tells the story of Shea Jameson, a witch on the cusp of Awakening, and her soulmate and Eternal, Torin. According to Hastings' world, each of the witches in the Awakening has an Eternal, an immortal warrior whose purpose is to protect her. The Eternal is also the witch's fated mate. Hastings falls into the trap that the soulmates idea so temptingly dangles before authors. It's this: if two people are fated for each other, then why should they bother with the getting-to-know you crap? Why bother with the non-sexual side of the relationship at all? It doesn't matter if the hero and heroine like each other. They're soulmates, not friends. Shea and Torin connect on a purely physical plane. They spend most of their time together having sex when they should be running from their pursuers. Some protector Torin is, given his inability to keep it in his pants long enough to get "his witch" to safety.
While I admit to being less than thrilled with the romance aspect of the novel (Shea and Torin have so many sex scenes, I started scanning them), I was intrigued by Shea and Torin's world. It takes place in a United States where witches are both real and reviled. Women are sent to internment camps on the merest suspicion of being a witch. I could've really gotten into all that, but the execution of the world-building wasn't entirely successful. There's a scene in the book where a sort of "homegrown" anti-witch group meets to plot the capture of Shea and Torin. There's nothing new or interesting about the group leader's zealotry. What should have been a new spin on an old concept fell flat. There were a few inconsequential villains that felt like filler for Shea and Torin until they finally have their confrontation with the Major Villain.
My other quibble with this novel was the attention paid to the mating brands. You can see Shea's on the cover model. It starts in the, er, front and curls around her back. Torin has a matching brand, as do each witch and her Eternal. I'm not opposed to mates have marks that identify them as belonging to each other, but this one went over the top. Especially the part where Awakened witches wear gowns specially made to show the whole brand. As in, the front. To be honest, I prefer a hero who would object to his mate exposing that particular part of her anatomy to all and sundry. Just saying.
Though I didn't feel that Visions of Magic was a successful first entry in a series, there were a couple of potential elements that intrigued me. The main one is the issue of Kellyn and her Eternal, Egan. I can't more about it without spoiling, but I admit to curiosity as to how that turns out. And I'm also curious about the motives of the female president in Hastings' world. My guess is that her daughter is going to be one of the Awakened, though I gleefully admit to having no basis for my guess. Sadly, though, I don't think I would be willing to weed through another story like Shea and Torin's. My only hope would be for the next one to be vastly different.
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Dec 26, 2010 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, paranormal

Regan Hastings delivers a magical and passion filled story in the first book of her Awakening series.

Witches are being hunted in the 21st Century. Magic has been outed to the world and everyone is in an uproar. The government has created special agencies such as BOW (Bureau of Witches) and the magic police to capture these special individuals. Shea Jameson is living in fear. Her aunt was the first woman to be punished for her special abilities. Fearing that she might be a witch herself, she has...more Regan Hastings delivers a magical and passion filled story in the first book of her Awakening series.

Witches are being hunted in the 21st Century. Magic has been outed to the world and everyone is in an uproar. The government has created special agencies such as BOW (Bureau of Witches) and the magic police to capture these special individuals. Shea Jameson is living in fear. Her aunt was the first woman to be punished for her special abilities. Fearing that she might be a witch herself, she has gone into hiding.

Shea thinks she finally escaped her nightmares but her peace of mind is short lived when she sets a man on fire in front of everyone. A man appears and rescues her from the angry mob of people. His name is Torin and he claims to be her mate, an Eternal whose sole purpose is to protect her and enhance her powers. Torin is frustrated. He has watched his mate for several centuries, waiting for the Awakening to occur and for him to take his place by her side.

The problem is that Shea doesn’t remember Torin or their passionate past together. She thinks he is insane and rightly so. She doesn’t believe she is a witch or that she is ready for her Awakening (when a witch’s powers are awakened inside her) to come. But she is forced to remember her past and Torin. She has to find a piece of an artifact that her and her fellow witches destroyed and hid. She is the first witch to have awakened and she has to complete her task or else the world will be the destroyed. The battle to accept her place beside him as she fights to save the world is the hardest part.

What a wonderful spin the author creates with the Eternals! Torin really struggles with his nature to protect Shea. He has to hold back his pride and emotions to give her the space and independency she needs. There is a sincerity that comes across from Torin’s words and actions. He is a true alpha male and somehow playing a side position to Shea didn’t emasculate him. In fact, the way he was able to treat her as an equal makes him more secure in himself and her love.

My problem with this book is that it drags in certain places. At times there is so much action and then nothing occurs for pages except Shea struggling to remember who she is. There is a lot of world building in this book and I applaud the fact that the author creates a magical and exciting world with a modern twist. However, there are some questions unanswered and other details are not explained as much. I would have liked to learn more about the Eternals. Besides being the mates of the witches, I would have liked to learn what powers they possessed and where they originated from. There is much to explore with them and I hope the author dabbles more in their history in the future books.

The love scenes are hot and well written. There’s a particular shower scene that has to be read twice. Though Torin has to prove himself to Shea, he has no problems bringing the heat. As the mating process between them start, the more explosive the love scenes get.

If you are a fan of dark and sexy paranormal reads, then Visions of Magic is the perfect book. I’m eager to learn more the witches and their Eternals.

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Mar 06, 2011 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

I was drawn to this book for a couple of reasons; the guess her identity contest (I love a good mystery) & the cover is fantastic “Attention Grabbing Red.” I admit that I am often swayed by the marketing (especially if it’s an author I haven’t previously read).

I was completely wrong when I tried to guess her identity but, I was rewarded with the first chapter of this book anyway. I was hooked and prayed that the mail included my copy.

I was electrified by the emotions, like I was there exper...more

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Apr 20, 2011 KarenF rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, paranormal, romance

I thought that the world building in this book was excellent, it was the best part of the book and I really liked the beginning. I also liked the political intrigue throughout the book.

But I did think that the middle dragged and I was forcing myself to get through it. I didn't dislike Shea or Torin but I didn't really connect with them either. At one point I was more interested in the side story of the sanctuaries than with the main couple. All that said, it did pick up at the end and the climax...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Tina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fantasy

2.5 Stars - It started off good, but about half way it sizzled out.

Yeahs ::

* I'm not going to recap the plot description, but it was very interesting and drew me in. Good original concept. I liked how it was a modern day Salem witch trials. (Sadly this wasn't as focused on as I would have like.)

* Quite a bit of romantic scenes. Done very tasteful and passionate without any crazy descriptive words.

Nays ::

* The interest in the storyline only took me about half way. The rest dragged. When I look ba...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: magical

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Visions of Magic (The Awakening #1)

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