TO RESCUE A WITCH

 

by

 

Lisa A. Traugott

 

 

Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Witch Trials

Page Count: 398 pages

Publication Date: March 1, 2024

 

 

 

 

It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.

William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.

Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained “Devil marks” trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.

To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Historical novels teach us so much about how people acted, the places they lived, and what the landscape looked like at that time. In this novel, we experience 1730s London, Scotland, and the American Colonies. We also see this time through the eyes of several characters – Annaliese, MacLeod, Fiona, and Margaret.

This story is filled with lies, deceit, remorse, redemption, and love. While most characters experience some of these emotions, they don’t necessarily experience them all. It is quite intriguing to watch the scheming of some characters end in disaster while others become victorious.

While we see this story through several different eyes, Annaliese is the main character that the story surrounds, and she has quite the tale to tell. She may only be nine but has endured much in those few years. It takes a lot for her to learn to trust others, but watching her grow is beautiful. I’m not saying she is perfect by the end of the book, but she comes quite a long way from the beginning. My heart hurt for the abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather. He is not a nice man, but then, many men in this century took women for granted and expected little or nothing from them. I appreciated the strength of these women and seeking something better for themselves and their families.

William MacLeod seems to have lost his way in prioritizing what is really important to him. There are a few incidents that lead up to this moment, but reflection and conversations help him to realize where he needs to be in this world. I liked that he was able to reflect on his past and change the trajectory of his future.

There are quite a few different threads in this book, but all are woven together to create a story with many facets that create a world we can feel a part of by the end of the book. Anyone who reads this book might root for different characters and will be satisfied with the conclusion. Although, I would have liked it to go on just a little longer.

We enjoyed this story, the setting, the characters, and the various outcomes and give the book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist — who also spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.

 

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TO RESCUE A WITCH

 

By LISA A. TRAUGOTT

 

 

 

Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Fantasy

Coming March 1, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.

William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.

Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained “Devil marks” trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.

To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist — who also spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.

 

 Website ◆ Blog ◆ Instagram

 

Facebook ◆ Amazon ◆ BookBub

 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

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Synopsis

 

Resa Stone is one of the first humans to set foot on a foreign world. But ever since arriving on planet Wandelsta, the introverted teen witch can’t sleep. Visions of a mysterious jeweled forest haunt her dreams. Who is the ghostly shrouded girl who emerges from those woods? And what is the meaning of the ominous message she delivers: You are the one?

And when the unearthly messenger appears in her waking life and leads her to a mystical glowing gem, Resa learns of an ancient legend that suggests the stone may be a remnant from a crystalline paradise called Gemja and harbors great power. On a quest to discover the significance of the stone, Resa is transformed by love, betrayal, magic, and hidden secrets. And when danger befalls her, she must summon the courage to journey into her dream realm to confront the ghost for answers…

Only to discover that deciphering the message reveals a painful truth…

One that may cost Resa her life.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

“Grams, have you heard of Gemja?”

She shook her head. “No, what is that?” She pulled me toward her so that my back was leaning against her.

“A magical crystal planet where only peace and love exist,” I said, not doing the legend justice. “Maybe it’s where we’ll all meet again one day.” I didn’t want to leave her. I rested my head on her shoulder.

“Ah, then it must be a wonderful place,” she said, stroking my hair. “If I can go to this Gemja, I will,” she reassured me. “I’ll wait for you there.”

“Promise?”

“Of course,” she said, “but you had better make me wait a very long time. There is so much for you to do in your realm. Come now. It’s time.” She patted my arm as a signal for me to stand. “You have to go meet Nitika before it’s too late. I fear the white creature will come for you unless we stay one step ahead of it.” She held out the single filament. “It’s time. Help me sever it.”

I dug into my bag, feeling for something that could snap the filament. I pulled out a pair of wire cutters.

“That’s my girl,” she said. “Always prepared.” She held out the filament for me to cut, but I hesitated. “It’s all right now,” she said, laughing. “You’re giving me life. What better gift could there be?”

I had to see her one last time, so I turned on the flashlight. When I looked into her eyes, there was no fear in them. No uncertainty. They were shining brightly with hope.

I opened the cutters around the filament and paused. I wished that she could have closed them herself, but the angle was all wrong. “Still want to be the lone red daisy?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Her answer startled me. “I would have it no other way,” she said. “And I’m hardly alone. I have you. Both of us were chosen…to do something wonderful, I imagine. The universe doesn’t give you more than you can handle, so you must embrace being red.” She put her hand to my face. “No tears. This is not the end. You’re giving me life. Remember to tell your grandfather.”

“I will, I promise.” I didn’t want to leave her. I had so much to ask her. So much to tell her. I had just said hello, and now it was already time for goodbye?

“Hurry, you must turn off the flashlight,” she said. “Do it now. Both our lives depend on it.”

“I love you, Grams,” I said.

“And I you, my darling. It’s time. I’m ready to go.”

I wasn’t ready. Still, I forced my hand shut. The cord snapped. And my grandmother floated upward, transforming into a beautiful barn owl before flying out of sight, leaving one lone feather and a sparkling trail of violet stardust in her wake.

 

 

Praise

 

“An edge-of-your-seat adventure…sweeps to a cliffhanger climax. A rousing introduction to a promising new series.” –  Booklife Reviews by Publishers Weekly

“A fast-paced tale with richly drawn characters that revels in mythical worldbuilding…It blends fantasy and SF elements, along with witchcraft and teenage romance, with a degree of skill that’s likely to satisfy fans of all these genres.”  – Kirkus

“Gemja: The Message offers a compelling blend of witchcraft and magic and establishes an immersive fantasy realm. Protagonist Resa is an alluring and relatable teen witch. Readers will eagerly engage with her as she attempts to unravel the mystery behind her visions of a ghostly figure.” – Critic’s Report: The Booklife Prize

“Messina blends witchcraft, prophesies, aliens and interplanetary tensions into a highly enjoyable young adult drama…set to be a captivating and popular series.” (Starred Review, Notable Book – Blueink Review

“Climactic moments and powerful revelations are plentiful. Worlds of unexpected wonder and danger abound.” – Clarion

“A wonderfully, well-written read. 5 stars.”  – Readers Favorite

 

 

About the Author

 

K.M. Messina is an earth and space science teacher, a dog mom, and a lover of all things mystical. Her black German shepherd Luna is the star of her award-winning picture book, IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR DOG ONE QUESTION, which won the Best Independent Book Award (BIBA) and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for best picture book for all ages. She lives on the rocky coast of Long Island, New York, where she enjoys feeding wild turkeys, moon gazing, and adding to her ever-growing collection of stones and crystals.

 

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Synopsis

 

After the most amazing date of his life, Cousin Lewis falls in love. Unfortunately, the witch boy just happens to be smitten with Nikki Remi, a witch hunter whose family has been hunting witches even longer than the Galloways have been hunting “deer”. But does Nikki have the same feelings or is she just using Lewis to get at a 500-year-old book in the Galloway Hunting Lodge and an ancient witch-hunting weapon? When the star-crossed lovers fall afoul of the local witch covens, the resulting chaos threatens to destroy the cousins and the biggest college campus in South Jersey.

So grab your silver dagger, stock up on holy water, and be careful who you swipe right on because this Halloween, your date from Hell might literally be taking you there.

 

 

Amazon

 

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The Series

Book 1 – My Cousin, the Piney

Book 2 – Witch Piney are You?

Book 3 – The Third Grade Piney

Book 4 – Feud of the Pineys

Book 5 – Jersey Shore Piney

Book 6 – The Highwayman Piney

Book 7 – The Paradox Piney

Book 8 – Roadkill Piney

 

 

About the Author

Tony DiGerolamo is a New Jersey screenwriter, novelist, comic book writer, game designer, and comedian. He is best known for his work on The Simpsons and Bart Simpson comic books. He has also been a joke writer for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, a scriptwriter for Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, and a blogger for Comedy Central’s Indecision website. He has written screenplays including Mafioso: The Father, The Son starring Leo Rossi. His novels, Fix in Overtime and The Undercover Dragon are available through Padwolf Publishing. After publishing his own comic books (Jersey Devil, The Travelers, and The Fix) with SJRP, he eventually got a publishing deal with Kenzer & Company. Kenzer published The Travelers. Tony also wrote Everknights (another Kenzer comic book), as well as the Hacklopedia of Beasts (Volumes 1 thru 8) and Slaughterhouse Indigo (an adventure for the Hackmaster RPG). He also adapted Mark Twain’s Personal Reflections of Joan of Arc for Campfire.  Performing in the Philly comedy scene for over ten years, Tony performed and directed such improv groups as Next Line Improv, The Cabal, The Ninjas, and Bulletproof Giraffe.

Besides writing for various comedy websites, he had a long-running comics review column in Knights of the Dinner Table magazine. He was the marketing director for comics publisher, Silent Devil. He is the creator of Tony DiGerolamo’s Complete Mafia for d20, creator/biographer for the online webcomic, Super Frat, the co-creator of the Webcomic Factory, and writer for the over two dozen webcomics on the Webcomic Factory site including Lester Crenshaw is Still Dead, Pandamodium and Tales of Pizza.  He is the writer for F*ck You, I’m Italian: Why We Italians Are Awesome, from Ulysses Press.  His current project is a comedy/horror novella series about the hunters of the kin of the Jersey Devil called The Pineys.  You can find all his ebooks and books on Amazon and his thoughts on writing and politics on his YouTube, Bitchute, Odysee, and Rumble Channels with his cohost, his dog, Joan of Arc.

 

Tony’s Amazon Page * ThePineys.com * YouTube * Odysee

 

Rumble * Bitchute * Twitter * The Webcomic Factory

 

Super Frat * Gab * Truth Social * Gettr * Minds * Parler * MeWe

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A new quirky young adult horror fantasy novel from the author of James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams.

Sixteen-year-old Chase Addams just had the worst birthday of his entire life. He was terrorized at school by a death god, spent the evening in a haunted house, and even faced off with an urban legend in the flesh. If this wasn’t enough to ruin the average person’s day, it ended with his best friend and girlfriend, Asra Saitou, being dragged off into the abyss by a mysterious arm wreathed in flames. Chase soon discovers this kidnapping is part of a hidden war between the lands of the living and the lands of the dead. What’s even worse for the self-described uncoordinated, sarcastic, smartass is everyone thinks he’s something called a guardian —one of the heroic spirits who are summoned to not only fight in the war but keep the conflict from spilling out into the different realms of existence.

Now, Chase must come to terms with what it means to be a hero, avoid the terrors prowling in the lands of the dead, maneuver the politics of an interplanar war, and of course try to find Asra. All of this before a lurking darkness consumes both worlds. However, in this cosmic conflict, nothing is quite what it seems.

 

 

Amazon

 

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Review

 

This book is billed as a quirky YA horror fantasy novel and I would have to agree 100%.

The town of Witchland harbors all sorts of creatures and no one seems to think twice about it until Chase’s girlfriend is kidnapped and he discovers he may be a Guardian which helps protect these creatures (or some of them anyway) and he sets off on a quest to find his girlfriend and rescue her from whoever is holding her. He runs into all sorts of creatures/beings on this journey and learns a lot about himself in the process.

I chuckled at different scenes as he is learning how to use his powers, especially his new “weapon” which is a ring. I found that the various creatures/beings that they encountered could be quite frightening or your new best friend.

This book is not short on action either and for only being 16, Chase manages to get himself out of many scrapes that could have turned out worse for him.

While billed as horror, I didn’t find it frightening (like Stephen King) but I can see how it has a horror twist to the story with the different species Chase encounters and what they might do to him.

While not my normal genre, this was a fun read and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

A new quirky young adult horror fantasy novel from the author of James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams.

Sixteen-year-old Chase Addams just had the worst birthday of his entire life. He was terrorized at school by a death god, spent the evening in a haunted house, and even faced off with an urban legend in the flesh. If this wasn’t enough to ruin the average person’s day, it ended with his best friend and girlfriend, Asra Saitou, being dragged off into the abyss by a mysterious arm wreathed in flames. Chase soon discovers this kidnapping is part of a hidden war between the lands of the living and the lands of the dead. What’s even worse for the self-described uncoordinated, sarcastic, smartass is everyone thinks he’s something called a guardian —one of the heroic spirits who are summoned to not only fight in the war but keep the conflict from spilling out into the different realms of existence.

Now, Chase must come to terms with what it means to be a hero, avoid the terrors prowling in the lands of the dead, maneuver the politics of an interplanar war, and of course try to find Asra. All of this before a lurking darkness consumes both worlds. However, in this cosmic conflict, nothing is quite what it seems.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

About the Author

 

David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.

 

Twitter

 

 

Synopsis

 

A magic mirror to an enchanted world… A mysterious ghost… A hilarious, perpetually annoyed witch… A brave, sassy cat… Two unexplained deaths and a mysterious community filled with secrets… Can Hayden and the people of Destiny Falls solve the mystery and return the community to its peaceful, enchanted existence?

Hayden’s adventures in Destiny Falls continue in book four of the Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic series. Starting with a strange old woman at a cave and her father’s mysterious ferry journey, there are secrets to be unwound.

The enchantments in Destiny Falls are showing cracks, and Hayden suspects that it is tied directly to her family, which has a history that’s more complex than she realized. When two bodies are found floating in the bay it’s clear that the mysteries surrounding Gladstone and the ferry are more dangerous than people realize. And then . . . those spiders.

Luckily, Hayden and her sassy sidekick, Latifa have developed a group of family and friends in this enchanted place who are all ready and willing to help solve the mystery, and release Destiny Falls to resume its normal, amazing, enchanted existence.

Hayden’s many adventures in Destiny Falls will keep you guessing with each book in this intriguing series.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

This has been a fun series to read and in each book, we learn more and more about Hayden’s family, their magical abilities, and watching familial relationships continue to build and blossom. I think what I have enjoyed about it so far is learning about Hayden’s family and Destiny Falls. Sure the mystery part is intriguing and trying to figure out the killer doesn’t always happen, but the story of how Destiny Falls came to exist, along with Gladstone, is intriguing. Gasper really adds flavor as the ghost that can’t answer questions but can tell you a story with a lot of clues peppered within the pages.

The cats crack me up and Lola, the newest one, seems to be finding her voice. I could just imagine how she would sound. And when Hayden takes them for a ride in the convertible? I just chuckled at their antics and wardrobe.

While we have known who the old woman in the cave was, or at least suspected, it was nice to see it confirmed and slowly more information about the past is revealed and there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end that has me on pins and needles waiting to read the next book in this series.

I adore the budding relationship between Hayden and Han. It is nice to see them both finding someone that gets them and understands the magical aspect of Hayden’s life.

This is a series that all paranormal and magical fans will adore. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents. Her books have been published in over twenty languages. She lives near Seattle and is the mother of four and nana to one.

 

NoCrySolution​.com | Facebook | Pinterest

 

Instagram |  Website | Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

The Blind Switch (A Rosedale Investigations Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (January 12, 2021)
Paperback: 230 pages

 

Synopsis

 

The first book in the Rosedale Investigations series finds Wayne Nichols, our doggedly determined Detective, and his sassy and irreverent partner, Dory Clarkson, starting new jobs as private investigators. Their first client, Cara Summerfield, comes with what appears to be a missing person’s case. Cara got pregnant in high school and baby Danny was adopted. Her husband, Grant, an up-and-coming politician has never been told about the pregnancy. Their only clue is an unreadable return address on a letter sent to Cara from Danny’s girlfriend. Danny is now a racehorse trainer and has been assaulted for non-payment of gambling debts. Cara charges Rosedale Investigations to find Danny and keep his existence completely confidential. When Danny is found, he’s in the ICU and not expected to live. When he passes away, it appears to the pathologist to be natural causes, but Detective Nichols doesn’t buy it. It looks like murder to him.

 

 

Amazon – B&N – Kobo

 

 

Guest Post

 

Making up new characters is one of the most fun and creative parts of writing fiction. For the Rosedale Investigations series, I needed a young person. The older partners in the firm were PD Pascoe, in his mid-seventies, Dory Clarkson, age a well-kept secret but approaching seventy, and Wayne Nichols, sixty years old. Obviously, if the stories were to appeal to a younger audience, I needed a young character. Thus the invention of Billy Jo Bradley who is twenty-one.

I gave Billy Jo a semi-tragic family background. Her mother dies of ovarian cancer when Billy Jo is seventeen. Her mother never told her who her father was, and he has never been in the picture. The mother’s father, Billy Jo’s grandfather, (Hector Bradley) is an important person in her life, but he dies only two years after her mother. Hector had a military background and served in Viet Nam where he met PD Pascoe and they became best friends. When Hector dies of emphysema, he asks PD to watch out for Billy Jo. It’s a good thing he did because by then Billy Jo was waiting table, going to community college at night, and living in her car. She’s taught herself computer skills and has become proficient in using the computer to ferret out the backgrounds of PD’s clients who often withhold information about themselves.

 

 

 

Billy Jo is ambitious and hard-working, but she’s also a kid. She loves music and particularly opera which she listens to when she’s struggling with a problem. Although she knows no Italian, the sound seems to help her come up with ideas. In “The Blind Switch” Billy Jo gets a date to the opera and spends a small fortune on a purple evening gown. She learns a difficult lesson when PD refuses to pay for the dress and she has to make payments to the business for a year.

 

 

Billy Jo needs parenting, and luckily Dory Clarkson steps in as a clothes and make-up consultant. She’s made a difference because initially, Billy Jo wasn’t wearing shoes in the office and meeting clients in off-the-shoulder shirts with black bras, and high-top sneakers. Wayne Nichols becomes a father figure for Billy Jo. She’s often ignored in staff meetings and Wayne makes sure her input is noted. He is also very protective of her. In “The Blind Split” when she is asked to copy a client’s emails and is seen leaving the house, a gunman shoots at her. Wayne is the person who makes her report the incident to the Sheriff. He also makes sure she isn’t alone at night and Dory offers her a guest room until the shooter is in custody. PD is Billy Jo’s adopted grandfather, and he’s the person who sets high standards for her. She badly wants to be made a partner in the firm of Rosedale Investigations, and PD is not ready to allow that. She had to prove herself for his approval. None of the senior team has children.

When Billy Jo meets Mark Schneider, a computer whiz who works for law enforcement, they are instantly attracted to each other. They begin a relationship and are caught in semi-compromising positions by Wayne Nichols who sends Mark packing. Dory teases Wayne, saying he’s not Billy Jo’s father, and horrifies him by hinting if the relationship endures, that Billy Jo will get a little dragon tattooed on her bottom.  Mark has a tattoo of a dragon on his back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lynda J. Farquhar (penname Lyn Farrell) holds a master’s degree in English and a Ph.D. in Higher Education/Administration from Michigan State University. Prior to her retirement from MSU, she was a professor in the College of Human Medicine where she worked for 30+ years. When she retired, she returned to her first love, writing, and self-published a YA Trilogy, “Tales of the Skygrass Kingdom.” Subsequently, she and her daughter, Lisa Fitzsimmons, wrote a 7-book mystery series, “The Mae December Mysteries,” published by Camel Press under their joint penname, Lia Farrell. Marketing efforts for the Mae December mysteries, as well as much work by Camel on subsidiary rights, deal with Harlequin, have resulted in sales of 22,000+ (to date) for the series. She is now writing a new mystery series, “Rosedale Investigations.” The first is titled, “The Blind Switch” and was released in January 2021.

 

Website & Blog * Facebook * Newsletter

 

 

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Bait and Witch – A Witch Way Librarian Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (December 29, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities—and a killer on the loose—she’s leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble . . .

 

Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon’s new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn’t as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods . . .

Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she’s descended from a long line of witches—and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie’s thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library—and her life . . .

 

 

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

 

 

Guest Post

 

Writing a novel is loaded with little pleasures, and for me one of the greatest is creating the town where the story takes place. In Bait and Witch, librarian Josie escapes Washington, D.C. for tiny Wilfred, snug against Oregon’s coastal mountain range. I had a lot of fun building Wilfred, a failing timber town on the verge of reinvention, from scratch, and a big part of the fun was naming people and places.

First on my list was the library. Sure, I could put the library in some municipal building, or, Wilfred being a small town, the back of the post office. But wouldn’t it be more fun to have the library in an old house? Say, a Victorian mansion? Yes! My heroine Josie would live in the top floor’s former servants’ quarters. I’d place the home on a bluff overlooking the—hmm, my friend’s Chihuahua has a cute name—Kirby River.

Following the pet theme, I named one character’s grandchildren after another friend’s Dachshunds, Buffy, and Thor. A good friend, Lalena Dolby, became the town’s trailer park psychic, and I included a role for her terrier mutt Sailor.

And then there’s Bait and Witch’s most significant animal role, that of Josie’s cat Rodney. While I don’t know any animals named Rodney, people who’ve met my black cat Bitsy la Mouche will note some striking similarities.

The best part is that there’s still room for the town to grow! I hope you’ll pick up Bait and Witch and come visit Wilfred in its pages. Josie, her cat Rodney, and her fellow Wilfredians look forward to welcoming you.

 

 

About the Author

 

Angela M. Sanders writes the Amazon bestselling Joanna Hayworth Vintage Clothing Mysteries and The Booster Club Capers. Under the pen name Clover Tate, she’s the author of the Kite Shop Mysteries (Berkley), which Romantic Times praised for their “well written wit and intrigue.” Angela’s articles on food, personalities, and perfume have appeared in a variety of magazines, and her monthly newsletters have nearly 2,000 subscribers. She interacts with readers on Facebook and Instagram and is a prominent blogger for Now Smell This, which garners 1.5 million monthly page views. Angela has two cats—one of whom is black of course—a witch’s freckle in her left eye and learned to read tarot cards from a pagan priestess.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter

 

 

 

Giveaway

 

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Synopsis

 

The eternal dance of attraction, lust and love has been going on since time immemorial.

 

The divine apsara Menaka descends to Earth at Indra’s behest to distract the sage Vishwamitra from the penance that would bring him unimaginable powers. Menaka succeeds in bewitching Vishwamitra, but her actions are destined to have dire consequences for both.

Eons later, their story is set to repeat itself.

Poorva has always played by society’s rules and ideas of decorum. But what happens when her own loved ones betray her in the worst way imaginable? Does she still have to remain bound by their rules?

Rudra plays with power and people like they are pieces on a chessboard. He has no qualms about indulging his desires, be it money or women, but is determined not to be bound by either.

What happens when these two diametrically opposite souls are brought together by fate?

In the game of power, lust, greed and betrayal, some win and some lose. But are there any winners or losers in the game of love?

Like Menaka and Vishwamitra, are Poorva and Rudra too destined to see their story end in tragedy? Or will the divine power prevail?

 

A standalone novel from the author of #Bestseller ‘The Bodyguard’ – Undercover Series #1

 

 

 

 

Amazon India * Amazon US

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

The seat had remained vacant, and it reminded her of the premiere night and Samar’s friend… no, Rudra Pratap Maurya.

Well, he was something. Full of confidence and a little too forward, which normally was the result of being born with a silver spoon. Who would know that better than she? But she wasn’t brash, quite the opposite. Would she be meeting him again today? She might. The thought incited a flutter in her heart.

Twice during her performance in the last month, she had experienced the same kind of flutter and was reminded of him. Why? She shouldn’t be thinking about another man. She had no right.

A loud noise in the living room brought her out of her troubled thoughts. Mansi was bustling around in the suite and must have dropped something. She would be busy packing their things. They had been living here for more than a month and it was almost like shifting house.

With a stifled yawn, Poorva got out of bed. Mansi was ready with her morning cup of tea when she came out of her bedroom.

“He is a womanizer, and from a gangster family to boot!” Mansi declared.

Poorva frowned and picked up the cup. “Who?”

“Rudra Pratap Maurya, or RPM as he is called in his circles. I googled him. His grandfather was rumored to be a don in Mumbai, involved in arms, drugs, and the like.”

“Rumored?”

“And this man RPM… though he doesn’t have anything illegal under his name,” Mansi went on as if she hadn’t heard her, “…last year he had hooked up with three different women.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“He is after you.”

“Mansi, come on!” Poorva sat in the balcony chair and yawned again.

“I saw him at the party and then yesterday, he was spinning a yarn about being there at the parking lot just like that. He must have been at the show last night. He has this glint in his eyes, full of lust when he looks at you.”

“Lust! Only?” She laughed at Mansi’s dramatic exaggeration, “Thank you. I’ll be on my guard if I meet him again.”

“If? You are meeting him in an hour.”

Amused, Poorva looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“I’ll not take this month’s salary if he is not present at today’s brunch.”

Poorva’s phone pinged bringing the bizarre conversation to an end.

 

 

About the Author

 

Author of Amazon Bestseller Romantic Thriller ‘The Bodyguard’, Ruchi Singh is an IT Professional & Novelist, writing stories under Romance & Suspense Genre. She is a bilingual author and writes in both English & Hindi.

Winner of TOI WriteIndia Season 1, Ruchi also publishes romantic short reads under ‘Hearts & Hots’ collection, besides being a contributing author to many anthologies.

A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is ‘romantic thriller’. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.

 

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