I am definitely persuaded that witchcraft exists and is a real phenomenon. While many may dismiss it as fiction or superstition, there is ample evidence to support its existence. Throughout history, there have been countless accounts and testimonies of individuals practicing witchcraft and experiencing its effects. One of the primary reasons why I believe in the reality of witchcraft is the sheer number of historical accounts and cultural traditions that revolve around the practice. Across different cultures and time periods, there is a consistent belief in the power of witches to cast spells, communicate with spirits, and manipulate the natural world. These accounts cannot be simply dismissed as mere folklore or legend, as they are deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of various societies.
What is this? Why is William backpedaling? Why is he saying that he’s Christ’s enemy?
When Caleb dies and Katherine blames Thomasin, he follows her outside and holds her while talking about how he could have planted the harvest better, how if he had just done whatever , everything would have been okay. He s also got some unsettling family drama in the form of his father trying to force Titus and his sister to bond with their pregnant new stepmother.
These accounts cannot be simply dismissed as mere folklore or legend, as they are deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of various societies. Furthermore, modern-day witchcraft and neopagan practices have gained considerable popularity in recent years. Many people identify as witches and actively engage in rituals and spellcasting.
Rom-Com Reviews: WITCH PLEASE and A SPOT OF TROUBLE
Happy Friday everyone! Today is the start of a long holiday weekend here and I, for one, cannot wait to have a few days off to relax. Life has been pretty intense lately, so I’m all the more grateful for cute reads like the two I’m sharing my thoughts on today to distract me from real-life problems.
Witch Please (Fix-It Witches, #1) Goodreads
Author: Ann Aguirre
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to Ann Aguirre’s new witchy rom-com Witch Please as soon as I saw it being compared to Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls. Add to that comparison, a witch who has sworn off men, a man who is looking for true love but is pretty sure he’s cursed, and a meddling, matchmaking grandmother and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a very entertaining read.
Witch Please follows Danica Waterhouse, a modern witch whose magic centers around electricity and technology. Danica and her cousin Clem, also a witch and also a technomancer, use their magic to run their technical repair shop, Fix-It Witches. Both Danica and Clem have had bad luck in the love department and have made a pact to swear off serious relationships with men. Flings are great, but that’s it. This of course does not please their grandmother, who has made it her mission in life to find Danica a suitable magical husband. Needless to say, things get awkward every time grandma shows up.
Titus Winnaker is the handsome owner of Sugar Daddy’s bakery. Titus feels like he has been looking for love forever but every time he starts to get serious with a woman, she inexplicably dumps him. This has gone on for so long that not only is Titus still a virgin, but he has become convinced that he is literally cursed. He has no idea that when one of his ovens goes on the fritz and seeks service from the Fix-It Witches, that his life is about to change.
I really adored both Danica and Titus. Danica is feisty and passionate, and she’s also very witty. I also felt tremendous sympathy for her with respect to the tension with her grandmother. Titus is a sweetheart too. He’s a bit awkward but he’s so sincere about wanting to find someone to spend the rest of his life with that you can’t help but cheer him on. He’s also got some unsettling family drama in the form of his father trying to force Titus and his sister to bond with their pregnant new stepmother. Considering he was never around for his first family, Titus and his sister aren’t overly interested in bonding with family number 2.
Looking at everything these two had going on in their lives, I immediately wanted them to find each other. It was clear from the first moment they met that they had off the charts chemistry. The banter between them was both cute and hilarious and I immediately wanted more. It’s a wild ride watching Danica and Titus get to know each other though because per her pact with Clem, all Danica wants is a one-night stand, whereas Titus is smitten with Danica from that first moment and knows she’s the one. There’s a real push and pull between them as they both give in to and yet constantly fight their attraction to each other.
I did get a little bogged down along the way a few times. There are some details that feel like loose ends or pieces of a puzzle and it took almost the entire story for those pieces to finally click into place and make sense. I wanted the cute and sexy so I felt like my brain was having to work too hard to piece those elements together, haha! There was also one character that shows up that just feels out of place and unnecessary. It turns out that there’s going to be a second book and I think he’ll feature in that one, but for this one, I was just like ‘Why are you here? There’s already enough drama without you.”
Even with those couple of issues, I still quite enjoyed Witch Please. If you’re looking for a super cute witchy rom-com to ease you into the spooky season, this is a great pick! 3.5 STARS
A Spot of Trouble Goodreads
Author: Teri Wilson
Publication Date: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I had no idea until I read the author’s note that A Spot Of Trouble is actually a loose retelling of the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians. I just saw that adorable cover and that it’s written by Teri Wilson, whose books I enjoy, and I knew I had to read it. Having this turn out to be a fresh take on one of my favorite Disney films just made it all the more appealing to me.
You guys, this one is so cute and so funny! Here’s a quick run down of the highlights. It has a smalltown setting with a very close knit community, the kind where everyone knows everyone else’s business. There’s also a major rivalry between the local firefighters and police officers, which comes to a head every year during the Guns and Hoses baseball tournament. There’s also a mischievous trio of old ladies who fancy themselves matchmakers and call themselves Charlie’s Angels. Last but not least, the stars of the story are Violet Marsh, a bubbly cupcake baker/yoga instructor who owns an out-of-control goofy dalmatian named Sprinkles, and Sam Nash, a grumpy firefighter who is new to town and who also owns a dalmatian, Cinder, who has been trained to near perfection. Add all of these ingredients together and it’s a recipe for nonstop laughs!
The sparks flew between Violet and Sam from their very first meeting when Violet accuses Sam of dognapping Sprinkles and sends the police after him. As the daughter of the police chief, she is firmly on the Guns side of the Guns and Hoses rivalry and declares Sam her nemesis even though the two of them are clearly attracted to each other. Hilarity ensues when the “Charlie’s Angels” also see the attraction and start hatching various zany plans to try to force Violet and Sam together. I loved seeing what these ladies would come up with and how well their plans really did work in terms of making Violet and Sam look past the silly rivalry and really see one another and how good they could be for each other.
I don’t want to give anything else away, but if you’re in the mood for a fun read that delivers laugh after laugh and that features an opposites-attract romance, and of course two adorable dalmatians, A Spot of Trouble should be on your reading list. 4 STARS
Real quick recap: Caleb is the elder son of William and Katherine, who are exiled from the “plantation,” their colony. He’s a sweet boy entering puberty and equal parts terrified that his missing infant brother is going to hell because he was not Baptized and also wanting girls. The Witch, we are led to believe, shifts shapes into a stupid hot woman in a red cloak in the woods. She seduces him. In the middle of the night, Caleb shows up back at the house naked and delirious. After the family nurses him through his fever, scratches show up on him, and he starts choking on a whole apple. After William pries it (and several teeth) from his mouth, Caleb panics aloud that the Witch is upon him. The family circles around him, holding hands, and recites the Lord’s prayer until he comes out of his panic by saying the last line with them. He seems to come out of the spell, but then he talks about seeing Jesus, whom the others do not see, and then he dies.
This resurgence in witchcraft demonstrates that it continues to hold significance in contemporary society, indicating that there must be some truth to its existence. Moreover, there have been numerous cases of witchcraft-related crimes and accusations throughout history. From the infamous Salem witch trials to witch hunts in Europe, people have been persecuted and executed based on the belief that they were practicing witchcraft. These events suggest that there was a widespread fear and recognition of witchcraft as a genuine threat. Scientific studies and academic research have also explored the phenomenon of witchcraft. Anthropologists have documented rituals, beliefs, and practices of various cultures that involve witchcraft. Additionally, there have been attempts to measure the effectiveness of witchcraft through experimentation and observation. While these studies may not provide conclusive evidence, they add another layer of credibility to the existence of witchcraft. In conclusion, the evidence for the existence of witchcraft is compelling. Historical accounts, cultural traditions, contemporary practices, legal cases, and academic research all point towards the reality of witchcraft. While it may be tempting to dismiss.
Reviews for "Witchcraft and the occult: exploring the supernatural"
1. Lucy - 1 star - I found "I am definitely persuaded that witch" to be incredibly dull and poorly written. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot felt predictable and slow-moving. The author seemed to rely heavily on clichés and stereotypes, and I was left feeling like I had wasted my time reading this book. Overall, I was very disappointed and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I was hopeful when I started reading "I am definitely persuaded that witch," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story had potential, but the execution was lacking. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing climactic moments. While the concept was intriguing, I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "I am definitely persuaded that witch" based on the intriguing synopsis, but I ultimately found the book to be underwhelming. The writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, making it challenging to stay engaged. I also had trouble connecting with the characters, as they seemed one-dimensional and lacked depth. The plot meandered at times, and the story felt unnecessarily long. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a compelling witch-themed read.