THE "NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER
An enthralling tale of modern witch Bess Hawksmith, a fiercely
independent woman desperate to escape her cursed history who must
confront the evil which has haunted her for centuries
"My name is Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, and my age is three
hundred and eighty-four years. If you will listen, I will tell you
a tale of witches. A tale of magic and love and loss. A story of
how simple ignorance breeds fear, and how deadly that fear can be.
Let me tell you what it means to be a witch. "
In the spring of 1628, the Witchfinder of Wessex finds himself a
true Witch. As Bess Hawksmith watches her mother swing from the
Hanging Tree she knows that only one man can save her from the same
fate: the Warlock Gideon Masters. Secluded at his cottage, Gideon
instructs Bess, awakening formidable powers she didn't know she
had. She couldn't have foreseen that even now, centuries later, he
would be hunting her across time, determined to claim payment for
saving her life.
In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life. She
has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place,
surviving plagues, wars, and the heartbreak that comes with
immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is
befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better
judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching
her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But will she be able to stand
against Gideon--who will stop at nothing to reclaim her soul--in
order to protect the girl who has become the daughter she never
had?
Praise for "The Witch's Daughter"
"Lushly written with a fascinating premise and an enthralling
heroine, "The Witch's Daughter" will linger long in memory after
the last page has been savored. Highly recommended." --Sara Poole,
author of "The Borgia Betrayal"
"A beautifully written, brilliantly crafted page-turner that
completely invests you in the lives and loves of the witch's
daughter. A true reading event." --Melissa Senate, author of "The
Love Goddess' Cooking School"
"A lyrical and spell-binding time travel fantasy featuring an
immortal witch who must summon all her powers to defeat the evil
hounding her through the centuries." -Mary Sharratt, author of
"Daughters of the Witching Hill"
"With her first novel, author Paula Brackston conjures up a
riveting tale of sorcery and time travel. By mixing feminine
heroism with masculine might, Brackston successfully captivates
readers with characters Bess, an immortal witch, and sinister dark
lord, Gideon.... It's almost impossible not to root for the
underdog in this magical twist on the classic David vs. Goliath
tale. Plus, the skill with which Brackston weaves her characters
through time makes this book a fascinating take on global history."
-"Marie Claire"
"Brackston's first novel offers well-crafted characters in an
absorbing plot and an altogether delicious blend of historical
fiction and fantasy." --"Booklist
""This pleasantly romantic historical fantasy debut flips lightly
between the past experiences of ageless witch Elizabeth Anne
Hawksmith and her present-day life in Matravers, England... Bess's
adventures are fascinating." --"Publishers Weekly
""Stretching her tale over several centuries, British-based
Brackston brings energy as well as commercial savvy to her saga of
innocence and the dark arts.... History, time travel and fantasy
combine in a solidly readable entertainment." --"Kirkus"
"An engaging, well-written novel that will appeal to fans of
historical fiction and fantasy alike." --"Portland Book Review"
"Part historical romance, part modern fantasy, "The Witch's
Daughter" is a fresh, compelling take on the magical, yet dangerous
world of witches. Readers will long remember the fiercely
independent heroine who survives plagues, wars, and the heartbreak
of immortality to stay true to herself, and protect the protege she
comes to love." --NightOwlReviews.com
""The Witch's Daughter" is a wonderful combination of historical
fiction and paranormal. Brackston's story alternates between past
and present as she mixes tales of Elizabeth's early life with the
present day, tying in historical events including Jack the Ripper
and the horrors of WWI... Overall, a really enjoyable read."
--BookBitch.com
"Readers who enjoy historical fantasy built around an epic struggle
between good and evil should enjoy this original take on the
theme." --HistoricalNovels.info
"An enjoyable read." --Genre Go Round Reviews
"This tale spans centuries and walks the line between good and
the darker side of magic. Magic and those who possess it have been
feared and persecuted throughout most of human history. Find out
what it is like to live for hundreds of years, mostly in solitude,
and have to struggle with having the power to help people, but
being afraid to use that power." --Affaire de Coeur
"Women will certainly love the independent, feisty female
characters, but the narrative is wonderfully imaginative and the
plot fast-moving and filled with action. This novel is highly
recommended for witches and warlocks alike." -Historical Novel
Society
"The combination of stories from the past and the present meld
nicely, and the author adds some clever twists so the reader never
knows exactly from whom the next Gideon apparition will arise.
Perhaps the best twist is the ending--leaving an opening for
another book, but at the same time furnishing the reader with quite
a satisfactory ending." --The National Examiner (UK)
"Ambitious and thought-provoking, this book will lure you into
vivid, visceral worlds where evil lurks at every turn. The
beautifully crafted BOOK OF SHADOWS will be etched on my mind for a
long time. What an action-packed, emotionally powerful film it
would make too." Sally Spedding, author of STRANGERS WAITING
"An unforgettable story by a highly original new writer."
--Rebecca Tope, author of the Cotswold crime series