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Life in the Land
Ancestral magic buried deep in the land is the key to Bobby's life, love and happiness... oh, and chatty carrots
The ancestral magic of the Sawyer family comes straight from the land. But Bobby's expected superpowers, ones where he can hear the crops talking and make plants do his bidding, don’t become a reality until he kisses his best friend, Mike Slate. That kiss moves the earth--literally.
Joining other members of his family to help fight crime means moving to the city, and leaving Mike behind. He’s on a mission when a bomb explodes, leaving him seriously injured, forcing him to return to the family farm to recuperate, and recharge at the source of his power.
Now all he has to do is persuade Mike that the magic still flows between them.
Book will be available as free download via sign up to author's newsletter
A urban fantasy story with a whole lot of magical realism mixed in.
The ancestral magic of the Sawyer family comes straight from the land. But Bobby's expected superpowers, ones where he can hear the crops talking and make plants do his bidding, don’t become a reality until he kisses his best friend, Mike Slate. That kiss moves the earth--literally.
Joining other members of his family to help fight crime means moving to the city, and leaving Mike behind. He’s on a mission when a bomb explodes, leaving him seriously injured, forcing him to return to the family farm to recuperate, and recharge at the source of his power.
Now all he has to do is persuade Mike that the magic still flows between them.
Book will be available as free download via sign up to author's newsletter
A urban fantasy story with a whole lot of magical realism mixed in.
72 pages, ebook
First published August 20, 2013
About the author
Rebecca Cohen
44 books212 followersREBECCA COHEN spends her days dreaming of living in a Tudor manor house, or a Georgian mansion. Alas, the closest she comes to this is through her characters in her historical romance novels. She also dreams of intergalactic adventures and fantasy realms, but because she’s not yet got her space or dimensional travel plans finalised, she lives happily in leafy Hertfordshire, England, with her husband and young son. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and sloe gin with lemon tonic in the other.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 29, 2013
The 40% sale came and I browsed and I saw this one and threw it in the cart like nobody's business. I really hope it's awesomesauce.
3.35*
I'm a little torn about how to rate this story.
The idea behind it and the talents and gifts that Bobby and his family have and how they use them is very cool.
I loved hearing how all the plants and vegetables talked and argued and had personalities. I enjoyed the unusual way they used their powers for saving people and being superheroes.
Although I wish that had been a bit more delved into, I only saw the one example of how Bobby saved those people and I would have loved to see the whole family in action together.
The romance or love story..that didn't work quite as well for me.
The story is told in 5 parts and each is a short scene and introduction of what is happening in Bobby's life at the time. The jump between scenes can be years, even a decade between the first and second one.
I missed seeing the relationship happen or develop, not even the memories that Bobby had really showed me their feelings for each other.
So as a different and unusual story, I absolutely liked it, it was original, and really wish that it had been longer and I could have seen Bobby and Co in all their superhero glory, the romance, well I guess the same goes for that, I needed more of them together to even see the attraction and love.
3.35*
I'm a little torn about how to rate this story.
The idea behind it and the talents and gifts that Bobby and his family have and how they use them is very cool.
I loved hearing how all the plants and vegetables talked and argued and had personalities. I enjoyed the unusual way they used their powers for saving people and being superheroes.
Although I wish that had been a bit more delved into, I only saw the one example of how Bobby saved those people and I would have loved to see the whole family in action together.
The romance or love story..that didn't work quite as well for me.
The story is told in 5 parts and each is a short scene and introduction of what is happening in Bobby's life at the time. The jump between scenes can be years, even a decade between the first and second one.
I missed seeing the relationship happen or develop, not even the memories that Bobby had really showed me their feelings for each other.
So as a different and unusual story, I absolutely liked it, it was original, and really wish that it had been longer and I could have seen Bobby and Co in all their superhero glory, the romance, well I guess the same goes for that, I needed more of them together to even see the attraction and love.
August 25, 2013
Only a shortie, but a very effective one.
I love the magic Rebecca Cohen has invented for us here - the system actually makes sense.
If you're concerned about the environment, this book will give you cause for hope.
What? It's not real? Well, it makes so much sense it damned well ought to be!
The characters are also real, very nicely fleshed out for a novella.
Although it ends quite soon *sniff* it does so without leaving you thinking it should have been longer (except that you want more, but that's just greed). The craft of the author in getting the length just right is something quite a few get wrong, but Rebecca does it perfectly here.
And yes, there's a happy ending, so the hopeful growing shoot on the cover applies as much to the romance as to the plant life.
Talking of the cover, I really like it. Such a simple concept that sums up the whole; like the writing it's not overblown, but is mightily satisfying. :D
I love the magic Rebecca Cohen has invented for us here - the system actually makes sense.
If you're concerned about the environment, this book will give you cause for hope.
What? It's not real? Well, it makes so much sense it damned well ought to be!
The characters are also real, very nicely fleshed out for a novella.
Although it ends quite soon *sniff* it does so without leaving you thinking it should have been longer (except that you want more, but that's just greed). The craft of the author in getting the length just right is something quite a few get wrong, but Rebecca does it perfectly here.
And yes, there's a happy ending, so the hopeful growing shoot on the cover applies as much to the romance as to the plant life.
Talking of the cover, I really like it. Such a simple concept that sums up the whole; like the writing it's not overblown, but is mightily satisfying. :D
June 29, 2024
A short story about the power of nature and how it can help you heal if you connect with it.
September 8, 2013
This was an absolutely wonderful and creative story, quite unlike any I’ve read before. The sheer imagination here made me laugh and gasp. Saving people with agricultural superhero powers, and obscene, foul-mouthed carrots. Brilliant stuff!
Bobby’s whole family lineage is about their connection with the land. The gifts are individual. Bobby doesn’t have his until he shares a kiss with his best friend, Mike. Wanting to stand on his own two feet, however, Bobby leaves Mike behind to make a new life, working in a garden center. But when a superhero task goes horribly wrong, leaving Bobby injured and powerless, he has to go back home to the farm—where Mike still remains. But this time Mike doesn’t trust Bobby’s motives for wanting to get back together.
From the tentative first kiss onward, these two boys are simply meant to be. I liked the way Ms. Cohen wrote them, showing their friendship with a few chosen memories from their childhood, giving them depth and breathing life into their personalities. Their romance is sweet and fragile, like flowers.
And these powers to revitalize the earth? This was such an innovative piece of writing, how the plants hum and wave and get chatty with their caretakers, even wolf-whistling at them. It was pure delight to read about plants getting all uppity with other plants, like rude hedgerows making fun of sprouts, or plants huffing indignant when threatened by, quote, Bobby’s fat arse squashing them, unquote.
Whoever said a short story couldn’t have amazing depth of characters, an actual plot, and soul-shattering emotions, should read this story—and be proven wrong. Highly recommended.
Bobby’s whole family lineage is about their connection with the land. The gifts are individual. Bobby doesn’t have his until he shares a kiss with his best friend, Mike. Wanting to stand on his own two feet, however, Bobby leaves Mike behind to make a new life, working in a garden center. But when a superhero task goes horribly wrong, leaving Bobby injured and powerless, he has to go back home to the farm—where Mike still remains. But this time Mike doesn’t trust Bobby’s motives for wanting to get back together.
From the tentative first kiss onward, these two boys are simply meant to be. I liked the way Ms. Cohen wrote them, showing their friendship with a few chosen memories from their childhood, giving them depth and breathing life into their personalities. Their romance is sweet and fragile, like flowers.
And these powers to revitalize the earth? This was such an innovative piece of writing, how the plants hum and wave and get chatty with their caretakers, even wolf-whistling at them. It was pure delight to read about plants getting all uppity with other plants, like rude hedgerows making fun of sprouts, or plants huffing indignant when threatened by, quote, Bobby’s fat arse squashing them, unquote.
Whoever said a short story couldn’t have amazing depth of characters, an actual plot, and soul-shattering emotions, should read this story—and be proven wrong. Highly recommended.
August 29, 2013
The phrase ‘when he kissed me, the earth moved’ takes on a whole new meaning in this short story!
Bobby is a superhero of sorts with his power coming from nature. He tried for a long time to unlock his power, but it wasn’t until his first love, Mike, kissed him that he fully developed his gifts. Several years later Bobby has moved on to a new town and a new life when a hate crime rocks his world, quite literally. Back home on the family farm to rejuvenate Bobby comes to realize that he still loves Mike and sets out to prove it and get him back.
I liked the concept of Bobby and his family of superhero’s getting their power from nature, even if the execution was a little cheesy. The part where Bobby wraps himself and Mike up in the grass made me sigh with contentment. I think if the author would have attempted a more serious avenue with the context of this story, it would have failed miserably. As it was I enjoyed the light-heartedness of this story. If you’re looking for something kinda cute, kinda cheesy, kinda sexy, then give this one a go.
Bobby is a superhero of sorts with his power coming from nature. He tried for a long time to unlock his power, but it wasn’t until his first love, Mike, kissed him that he fully developed his gifts. Several years later Bobby has moved on to a new town and a new life when a hate crime rocks his world, quite literally. Back home on the family farm to rejuvenate Bobby comes to realize that he still loves Mike and sets out to prove it and get him back.
I liked the concept of Bobby and his family of superhero’s getting their power from nature, even if the execution was a little cheesy. The part where Bobby wraps himself and Mike up in the grass made me sigh with contentment. I think if the author would have attempted a more serious avenue with the context of this story, it would have failed miserably. As it was I enjoyed the light-heartedness of this story. If you’re looking for something kinda cute, kinda cheesy, kinda sexy, then give this one a go.
September 28, 2013
A sweet novella with an interesting twist on the superhero theme. Bobby’s whole family has powers and they all contribute. His father runs the farm that is the main source of their powers and where all of them return to recharge and heal.
Bobby and Mike were very cute and sweet together and I enjoyed their story. They were both good men who had allowed time and life to separate them. While Bobby had left for the city there was nothing that prevented Mike from pursuing him and slapping some sense into him. I was glad that the author didn’t create a lot of unnecessary drama and angst.
A story of how one man went out into the world and realized that he'd left his heart and hope for happiness behind. And how he goes about convincing that love to give him another chance. A fun and quick read that will have you smiling.
Reviewed by Nina
Bobby and Mike were very cute and sweet together and I enjoyed their story. They were both good men who had allowed time and life to separate them. While Bobby had left for the city there was nothing that prevented Mike from pursuing him and slapping some sense into him. I was glad that the author didn’t create a lot of unnecessary drama and angst.
A story of how one man went out into the world and realized that he'd left his heart and hope for happiness behind. And how he goes about convincing that love to give him another chance. A fun and quick read that will have you smiling.
Reviewed by Nina
June 21, 2022
Freebie received for signing up for the author’s newsletter.
A cute story. The writing was just okay, and I felt the relationship moved far too quickly at the start. Very little build up, which is my favourite part of romance reads.
A cute story. The writing was just okay, and I felt the relationship moved far too quickly at the start. Very little build up, which is my favourite part of romance reads.
September 16, 2013
My biggest complaint: It was too short! I wanted to read much more about what the veggies were saying in this magical world. :D
August 3, 2016
I won a copy of Rebecca Cohen’s Life in the Land and really enjoyed the novella. It combines coming of age, a timeless love, superheroes, fantasy, and contemporary for a fun mix. I especially liked how the characters’ superpowers derived from the land and were renewed by it as well. I actually learned something about plantlife reading the story! I would have read a full-length novel set in the author’s creative world. A good read, but too short, hence the four stars instead of five.
March 25, 2014
In this fun short story, Ms Cohen takes the healing properties of living things and creates earth magic. Not a new belief but when you tie in super powers and a hot boyfriend you come up with the ingredients for an enchanting story.
September 1, 2013
This was quirky and cute. Loved the superpowers and reading about the complaining vegetables! I wish the relationship was a bit more of the focus and it didn't jump so much. Still, this was a cute short read.
August 25, 2013
1.75 stars
August 28, 2013
3.5 stars
August 30, 2013
1 point for the cover and 1 point for the idea of the story.
See Mandy's review.
See Mandy's review.
September 18, 2013
3.5 Stars
Short and sweet. I wish the author wrote something in between the times instead of jumping forward.
Short and sweet. I wish the author wrote something in between the times instead of jumping forward.
April 14, 2017
I hadn't re-read the blurb before finally picking this one out of my tbr list, and it made for a fascinating reading experience. The superpowers completely took me by surprise, and were great fun.
It's a shame it wasn't better edited, as there were words that were incorrectly used and became distracting.
Favorite Quote:
"It's been a long day."
"I get you, hun. Some days need vodka and pretty boys in hot pants."
It's a shame it wasn't better edited, as there were words that were incorrectly used and became distracting.
Favorite Quote:
"It's been a long day."
"I get you, hun. Some days need vodka and pretty boys in hot pants."
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews