What do you think?
Rate this book
Wizards And Wives' Tales
After living for two years with both his lovers, Sandy and Dillon, Joe is ripped from his happy, sun-filled Colorado and into the dark, foreign lands of Yorkshire, England. His world turned upside down, Joe looks for the comfort of a tabletop Role-Playing Game to help ground him, because Sandy is pregnant, he may or may not be the father, and nothing feels right. Paula, Joe's new Game Master, is immediately smitten and must put her feelings aside to help Joe heal, but it's never that simple. Soon, Joe must learn to work with his new party of wizards, both in Paula's supernatural game, and as his coworkers in the real world. As Joe and Paula become closer friends, Paula's boyfriend begins to drag her away from the hobbies she loves. Will Joe realize his feelings for Paula before it's too late? Explore the stories of the Yorkshire Dales, both as they are, and as Paula reimagines them for her friends. Wizards and Wives Tales combines the magic of role-playing with the emotions of love, joy, and romance.
278 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2020
About the author
Kate Messick
16 books146 followersCurrently living in England, Kate Messick is married with three cats and two degrees in classical music. She enjoys everything clarinet, lifting weights, reading, playing games, and traveling.
From a young age, Kate’s dad read all sorts of fantasy books aloud to his daughters. Eventually, she figured out this reading stuff on her own and found her insatiable hunger for dragons and stories only grew with the years.
Living an exciting life, Kate is never afraid to reach for the stars. She founded the Symphonic Anime Orchestra and traveled with her music all over the US. Over the years, Kate has collected a diverse resume working in education, road construction, spinal technician, data mining, security escort, and more. Her life philosophy: Life is short, never be afraid to spice it up.
From a young age, Kate’s dad read all sorts of fantasy books aloud to his daughters. Eventually, she figured out this reading stuff on her own and found her insatiable hunger for dragons and stories only grew with the years.
Living an exciting life, Kate is never afraid to reach for the stars. She founded the Symphonic Anime Orchestra and traveled with her music all over the US. Over the years, Kate has collected a diverse resume working in education, road construction, spinal technician, data mining, security escort, and more. Her life philosophy: Life is short, never be afraid to spice it up.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 4, 2021
Great blend of fantasy and reality!
This book is a combination of two stories that combine to make one great book. The fantasy world of gaming is mixed with the harsh reality of life where travel, broken relationships and work is at the forefront of all troubles. The book starts with a brief explanation of gaming for anyone not familiar with it but the skill of this author makes it easy for anyone to follow. The story follows a bunch of friends who meet socially for gaming and loose themselves in fantasy role play. Joe joins them after coming over to England hoping to mend his broken heart but ends up in a love triangle with a succession of missed opportunities. You see each character in a different light as they switch from their fantasy mode to reality mode and their true personalities show. Excellently written, this book easily keeps your intetest and I thoroughly enjoyed.
This book is a combination of two stories that combine to make one great book. The fantasy world of gaming is mixed with the harsh reality of life where travel, broken relationships and work is at the forefront of all troubles. The book starts with a brief explanation of gaming for anyone not familiar with it but the skill of this author makes it easy for anyone to follow. The story follows a bunch of friends who meet socially for gaming and loose themselves in fantasy role play. Joe joins them after coming over to England hoping to mend his broken heart but ends up in a love triangle with a succession of missed opportunities. You see each character in a different light as they switch from their fantasy mode to reality mode and their true personalities show. Excellently written, this book easily keeps your intetest and I thoroughly enjoyed.
November 18, 2020
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Joe is certainly missing Sandy and Dillion. Alone in a new country he is trying, he has found a new table-top game, new people to play with, but it is all so different. Used to being the GM he must hand over the reins to Paula, but her style is different, the system unfamiliar. But that's not the only strange territory he is in, if there is one thing he struggles with its relationships. Friends, enemies, even lovers sit around that table, but can he learn to let go of the past and embrace what FATE has put before him, or will he play it safe and miss the opportunity of something great?
Kate Messick's Wizards And Wives' Tales Is a litRPG that flicks between reality and the game world. Having read the first book and really enjoyed it, I have been looking forward to seeing what life has in store for Joe next. Heartbroken and deflated, pining for a woman who will never be his, his mood is as dark and depressing as England's winter weather. There is so much to enjoy about this book, the unique style continues, and I even got to learn about the FATE system, of table-top gaming, which isn't one I was familiar with. It was great how the author gives you all the information you need so smoothly, whilst never info dumping or providing more than is needed. I really enjoyed watching the characters interact and how the group dynamics grow and alter as everyone grows closer. Vivid characters, epic journeys, and subtle manipulations fill the plot of both worlds. An entertaining read from start to finish
Kate Messick's Wizards And Wives' Tales Is a litRPG that flicks between reality and the game world. Having read the first book and really enjoyed it, I have been looking forward to seeing what life has in store for Joe next. Heartbroken and deflated, pining for a woman who will never be his, his mood is as dark and depressing as England's winter weather. There is so much to enjoy about this book, the unique style continues, and I even got to learn about the FATE system, of table-top gaming, which isn't one I was familiar with. It was great how the author gives you all the information you need so smoothly, whilst never info dumping or providing more than is needed. I really enjoyed watching the characters interact and how the group dynamics grow and alter as everyone grows closer. Vivid characters, epic journeys, and subtle manipulations fill the plot of both worlds. An entertaining read from start to finish
February 4, 2021
Book: Wizards and Wive’s Tales: A LitRPG Adventure (Rolling Dice)
(Spoiler Free)
First, I would like to say that I have never played D&D, FATE, or any similar tabletop RPG game. I’ve played plenty of RPG video games, but tabletop games not so much. With that being said, I had zero trouble following everything in the story. The plus side, I feel, is that the author wrote the book and kept it in mind for individuals who have played tabletop games and those who have not. There is even a chapter in the very beginning that explains the overview of the basics. Though throughout the story, they perfectly explain how FATE works.
Regarding the story itself: Joe finds himself in a new country and missing his friends. He has found new friends to play “FATE” with, but it is not all fun and games as he navigates the unknown events going on in his life.
Throughout the story, and multiple points of view- Joe, his past friends, and new friends experience adventure and personal growth both in the actual world and in the game.
This book brings in a few different character points of view. Each section and chapter is perfectly placed and makes it clear which character perception the reader is getting into and if the chapter starts off in the actual world or in the gaming world. World building within FATE and actual life is great. I absolutely loved this writer’s writing voice, story, and overall characters. This is a splendid book for anyone that loves magic, rather you are used to RPG or not. I very much enjoyed this book and will be following this author.
(Spoiler Free)
First, I would like to say that I have never played D&D, FATE, or any similar tabletop RPG game. I’ve played plenty of RPG video games, but tabletop games not so much. With that being said, I had zero trouble following everything in the story. The plus side, I feel, is that the author wrote the book and kept it in mind for individuals who have played tabletop games and those who have not. There is even a chapter in the very beginning that explains the overview of the basics. Though throughout the story, they perfectly explain how FATE works.
Regarding the story itself: Joe finds himself in a new country and missing his friends. He has found new friends to play “FATE” with, but it is not all fun and games as he navigates the unknown events going on in his life.
Throughout the story, and multiple points of view- Joe, his past friends, and new friends experience adventure and personal growth both in the actual world and in the game.
This book brings in a few different character points of view. Each section and chapter is perfectly placed and makes it clear which character perception the reader is getting into and if the chapter starts off in the actual world or in the gaming world. World building within FATE and actual life is great. I absolutely loved this writer’s writing voice, story, and overall characters. This is a splendid book for anyone that loves magic, rather you are used to RPG or not. I very much enjoyed this book and will be following this author.
April 19, 2021
This entertaining read is not what I had expected.
If you’re into D&D-themed role-playing action mixed with contemporary, then you will enjoy this book. Joe is a gamer but a soldier first who is heartbroken over his ex-lovers left-back in the states. Paula is from a prominent business family and demonstrates she can do her job without her family’s influence. She becomes the new game master and runs a game for her work colleagues in the UK.
Together the group role-plays, attempting to beat one another when they need to work together to complete the game when Paula’s new boyfriend tries to come between her and her gaming friends, who happens to be one of the bosses where they all work. Will he ruin their game and fire the work colleague’s out of jealously for being too close to Paula? Can the group complete their game while proving Paula’s boyfriend is breaking the rules and passing the blame onto the employee? An exciting read with great characters, storyline, and world-building.
Recommend
If you’re into D&D-themed role-playing action mixed with contemporary, then you will enjoy this book. Joe is a gamer but a soldier first who is heartbroken over his ex-lovers left-back in the states. Paula is from a prominent business family and demonstrates she can do her job without her family’s influence. She becomes the new game master and runs a game for her work colleagues in the UK.
Together the group role-plays, attempting to beat one another when they need to work together to complete the game when Paula’s new boyfriend tries to come between her and her gaming friends, who happens to be one of the bosses where they all work. Will he ruin their game and fire the work colleague’s out of jealously for being too close to Paula? Can the group complete their game while proving Paula’s boyfriend is breaking the rules and passing the blame onto the employee? An exciting read with great characters, storyline, and world-building.
Recommend
March 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, the setting of the Yorkshire Dales is a place I visit regularly and a lot of the places within the book gave me a comfort of knowing the area. Joe leaves both Sandy and Dillon in the USA for a new life in the Dales where he meets Paula, his new game master, she quickly grows feelings for Joe and struggles separating them. The story builds a good tension between the two of them.
This book takes the reader on really enjoyable journey through both reality and fantasy, The author pulls the two together skilfully and delivers strong relatable characters, I read book two first but it did stand strong as a book in its own right, I would recommend Wizards and Wives Tales for anybody wanting to escape from reality for a while.
This book takes the reader on really enjoyable journey through both reality and fantasy, The author pulls the two together skilfully and delivers strong relatable characters, I read book two first but it did stand strong as a book in its own right, I would recommend Wizards and Wives Tales for anybody wanting to escape from reality for a while.
April 15, 2021
Read this with Kindle Unlimited. This is the second book I have read in this series from the author. It was AMAZING! Reading about Sandy, Dillon, and Joe. Wanting to know more all throughout the story. I love how this is the sequel, and it was easy to follow all throughout the book. My butt was on the edge of my seat all because I was wanting to know what was going to happen to Joe. How Joe deserved to have one happy ending. I am not going to say anything. But I love how drama is mixed right along with fantasy! Loved this, and I recommend this. Read the first book if you have not.
April 16, 2021
This was a super fun read! With a mix of humor, drama, action, and romance, it draws in readers of any genre and interest.
The plot offers a fun RPG timeline alongside the ‘reality’ storyline that really feels like you’re getting two books in one! It has something to offer both experienced role-players and ‘newbies’. Definitely recommended!
The plot offers a fun RPG timeline alongside the ‘reality’ storyline that really feels like you’re getting two books in one! It has something to offer both experienced role-players and ‘newbies’. Definitely recommended!
January 27, 2021
Excellent RPG drama
This is a powerful well-written absorbing narrative with engaging, believable and intriguing characters. A unique style with clashing genres that come together to create an entertaining page-turner
This is a powerful well-written absorbing narrative with engaging, believable and intriguing characters. A unique style with clashing genres that come together to create an entertaining page-turner
March 8, 2021
I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m falling in love with LitRPG. It’s almost like two stories wrapped up into one— the main “real world” story and then the campaign. This litRPG novel is somehow nothing like the others I’ve read, and yet, I love it none the less.
Not only do we have two well-balanced storylines that interweave absolutely seamlessly, we also have two sides to EACH character. Honestly, the level of skill this would take to write blows my mind. Each different POV is written so distinctively that I had absolutely no trouble bouncing from eye to eye, and I enjoyed each and every one of them.
This book has absolutely everything you might want-- romance, action, fantasy, RPG. You name it, this book had it.
https://aejohnsonwrites.wordpress.com...
Not only do we have two well-balanced storylines that interweave absolutely seamlessly, we also have two sides to EACH character. Honestly, the level of skill this would take to write blows my mind. Each different POV is written so distinctively that I had absolutely no trouble bouncing from eye to eye, and I enjoyed each and every one of them.
This book has absolutely everything you might want-- romance, action, fantasy, RPG. You name it, this book had it.
https://aejohnsonwrites.wordpress.com...
July 6, 2021
Absolutely loved it
I've always had an interest in RPG but never tried it myself. I thought this book gives you a great cross section overall. Loved the office cat, being a cat owner I fully understand.
I've always had an interest in RPG but never tried it myself. I thought this book gives you a great cross section overall. Loved the office cat, being a cat owner I fully understand.
October 6, 2021
Did not disappoint - another engaging and intriguing story, still with that interesting structure. Can’t wait to read more from Kate Messick - big thumbs up
December 7, 2020
Before I picked up this novel, I had no idea what RPGs were, so this was a new experience for me. How many times in life have we found ourselves in that uncomfortable position of being summoned to leave the familiar and start from square one? New people, new places, new challenges. The author of this well-written tome has woven this theme flawlessly throughout the pages of WIZARDS AND WIVES TALES. Adventure, romance, passion and humor abound in this escapade, offering a little something for everyone. Believable characters with real flaws make this a great story, and I love reading books in first person. If it's a fun read you are seeking, I definitely recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews