Blog Tour-Helen Hollick-Sea Witch:Voyage One and Giveaway

I am so excited to be a part of Helen Hollick's 2011 Blog Tour. As many of you know Ms. Hollick is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I have read and reviewed many of her novels, most recently, The Forever Queen and The Chosen King. When I was offered the opportunity to be included on of this Blog Tour introducing my readers to her Pirate Trilogy, (series will continue after the third voyage) I couldn't resist.  Read on to see how you can enter to win your choice of one of the three books in her series.

Today I will have a review for you on Sea Witch, The First Voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne. On July 22nd, Helen will join me as a guest to talk about England, her home.  Take a moment to glimpse at the trailer.  Perhaps you too will become bewitched by the allure of Ms. Hollick's special craft.  Prepare to be beguiled.

Review by Wisteria

SEA WITCH 
The First Voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne
 
Helen Hollick
Silverwood Books (June 20, 2011)
978-1906236601
$16.99, Paperback
316 pages

 




Of course we all know that pirates are not ordinarily as charismatic as the movies would lead us to believe. But what if they were?  Johnny Depp has certainly proved his box office value, irresistible heart tug and memorable character in his Pirates of the Caribbean Series. “Savvy”?  Now Helen Hollick introduces adult readers to Jesamiah Acorne an alluring revile for your affections, perhaps even more memorable than any fictionalized pirate in history so far.

Jesamiah Acorne grows up brutally bullied by his half brother Phillipe Moreno who, disgusted by their father’s past, seeks revenge through Jesamiah’s life.  Jesamiah finds freedom and the start of a new life as a bold buccaneer taking to the ocean and living on a ship.  One day, Jesamiah’s band of pirates fail in the quest to plunder a British vessel. As their plan backfires, Jesamiah peers through his telescope and his eyes rest on the stern of the ship. In the small circle view he spies a figure. He is surprised to see a young girl, a woman, but that can’t be.  He experiences an enchantment, unaware that he is bewitched by the white witch, Triola Oldstagh.  What he doesn’t realize is that they will meet again, but Triola is well aware of their destiny for she has “the craft.”  Triola is not the only woman to seek Jesamiah for herself. Tethys, lives in the ocean deep and is a supernatural spirit of seduction who wants to claim Jesamiah for herself with the passion of the Greek Sirens from mythology. Only Tethys does not want Jesamiah alive.

Helen Hollick takes the reader on a journey of high sea adventures, uniquely envisioned characters and romantic dazzlement. The predestination of the love match between Jesamiah and Triola is always just beyond reach, as Jesamiah is tugged back to the ocean forcing him to choose between his desire for freedom on his ship or his love for Triola.  The Sea Witch is a suspenseful romance with sudden surprises, twists and turns and exciting drama that will ride a tide to the end. Jesamiah has that magnetic charm that will raise a twinkle in your eye and captivate your heart with a bold spirit of adventure.

Sea Witch takes place around 1716 in the oceans between Africa and the Caribbean.
Could Triola and Jesamiah be a new love match to live on in historical fiction literature, or will the sultry waves of the wraith Tethys win the spoils?   Sea Witch contains a pirate’s treasure of pleasure, highly recommended.

Voyage Two: Pirate Code
Voyage Three: Bring it Close
Voyage Four: Ripples in the Sand (To be released 2011/2012)

http://www.helenhollick.net/

Please join me on July 22nd when Helen Hollick will be my guest as she talks about England, her home.

Contest Rules

• Leave a comment on today's post, or any of the next two tour posts, July 22nd and July 31st. Make sure you leave an encrypted email address if you are the winner. In your comment please let me know which book you would like to win if chosen. 
• If you comment on the three different posts you will have three chances.
• 6 additional chances: become a follower of my blog
• 10 additional chances: become a follower on my Facebook Network Blog
• This contest is open Internationally
• Contest ends on August 5th....so don't wait. 

Good Luck to Everyone....I hope you enjoy all the voyages!!!

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Daughters of the Witching Hill, by Mary Sharratt

Daughters of the Witching Hill
by Mary Sharratt
978-0-547-069678
352 pages
April 7, 2010
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt


They call her Demdike, her name is Elizabeth Southerns, Bess to some, and she lives in Pendle Forest in Malkin Tower. She is a poor woman known to many as a healer, a blesser, but to others she is feared as a witch. In concert with her familiar spirit Tibbs, she uses her folk magic to heal the sick, both man and beast. She can foresee the future.

One day her best friend Anne, pleads with her to share her charms to use against a man who has taken advantage of her daughter. Reluctantly, Bess agrees, realizing only too late that her friend has harnessed the power for nefarious plans. She soon recognizes that her friend is “unstoppable.


Over the years, Bess tries to pass her healing craft along to her granddaughter Alizon, a reluctant recipient. Ironically, as Alizon takes a walk one day she encounters a peddler on the road. She intends to purchase pins from him in order to mend her threadbare clothes. She becomes incensed when he refuses her, and calls her a beggar and thief. Brandishing threatening words of malice, she lashes out in anger declaring, “The Devil take your mean heart.” As the peddler proceeds along, he is felled by a stroke causing Alizon to freeze in disbelief. Could she really be the instrument of his malady?

A local official eager to bring the coven of witches to justice proceeds to investigate this incident leading to his discovery of many other unexplained happenings in Pendle Forest. Through countless interviews and clever manipulation of friends and relatives, Roger Nowelle seeks to bring the accused to the hangman’s noose.

Daughters of the Witching Hill, provides an historical fiction account of the actual Lancaster witch trials of 1612. The main characters and the story are taken from the actual records filed by the court clerk, Thomas Potts in 1613.

In her novel, Mary Sharratt has uncovered an alarming tale from this pre-Reformation period England. A story of powerfully strong women, friendship, betrayal and forgiveness, it unfolds like a magnet of intrigue shedding light on how easily the lines can become blurred between Christianity and folkcraft/witchcraft, leaving the innocent to suffer with pending death. An elegiac story, historically rich and hauntingly memorable.

Sunday Salon--Book Raffles Ending Tomorrow!!

Happy Sunday Salon to everyone and thanks to all who have sent their words of encouragement to me. I am making slow progress where I can now read again. Yippee!!!
Although, I tire very easily. I'm optimistic and looking forward---not backward so all your messages mean sooooo much to me. You are all very special to me. Thank you for being my blogger friends. Wisteria

Hachette Group Giveaways

Don't forget the two contests that are ending on May 25th. Good luck to all who enter.


Testimony-5 Winners will be chosen.

Made in the USA-5 Winners will be chosen.

Book Review

This is a review of the book Daddy's Little Spy that was originally published in Historical Novels Online. Check out the author Pamela Strange on this site that will connect you to a short bio, her website, youtube video and more.

DADDY’S LITTLE SPY--ISABELLA

Isabella Rose, Upfront Publishing, 2007, $18.50, pb, 286pp, 9781844264728

It is unimaginable, unthinkable, unrealistic, and impossible to fathom how any mother could instill the painful abuse and verbal threats of harm to her daughter. Yet, in Daddy’s Little Spy-Isabella, that is exactly what happened to Isabella. Classified a novel, it is based on the true story of one girl’s survival during World War II in England. Her mother practices witchcraft and takes great pleasure devising clever new ways to inflict pain on her daughter and then covering up her demonic deeds. Isabella called her mother Mummy Witch, and hated her too, but in a twisted way really just wants to be loved. Her mummy offers Isabella as a child sacrifice at the tender age of six. Fortunately, the warlock of the coven sends her away until she reaches the age of nine.
Her father, at first an ally, comes back from the war a changed man. Isabella can't wait for her father’s return but when he does, he will not save her. She wonders why he has changed and why is he protecting the Mummy Witch? Isabella is tragically alone and made to look like a child with problems. Her only solace is from her Angel Feebee and her Nana who are not always there to protect her. Always on guard, forced to keep the family secret, living with the pain of bruised and battered bones and frequent bloody injuries, Isabella must learn to live with her evil Mummy Witch or she will certainly die.
The story takes place between 1939 and 1949, a time when witchcraft is against the law and the treadle sewing machine is the rage. Otherwise, this is a timeless, horrifying tale of despicable acts of hatred and evil that will keep you awake. Short, abrupt sentence structure mimics the speech of a child talking, which can be bothersome at times. It’s difficult to believe someone is capable of such acts; this book will shock even the strongest of hearts.

1/2