Channel Your Inner Wizard at a Magical Pride Party

Dear Friends, I hope this letter finds you in the best of spirits. I am writing to share some exciting news with you all. As some of you may already know, my birthday is coming up soon, and this year, I have decided to throw a magical pride party to celebrate. I wanted to create an event that combines two of my greatest passions: magic and pride. The party will be held in the beautiful gardens of my house, which will be transformed into a magical wonderland. There will be colorful decorations, sparkling lights, and enchanting music playing throughout the evening.

Elena Collins is the pen name of Judy Leigh. Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens, A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Character wise The Witch s Tree is onto a winner too as the development is paced smoothly, nothing forced, perfectly drip-fed allowing Grace and Selena to develop naturally. In 2013, Wayne s memoir, Baseball Diaries Confessions of a Cold War Youth, was published by Submarine Publishing in paperback and as a Kindle title, where it enjoys a 5-star rating on Amazon.

There will be colorful decorations, sparkling lights, and enchanting music playing throughout the evening. I want everyone to feel like they have stepped into a different world, a world where anything is possible. To make the evening even more magical, I have invited a professional magician who will entertain us with mind-blowing tricks and illusions.

Books Unfold

The Witch's Tree is a tale of the deliverance of two women from the heartbreak caused by betrayal and loss. It is written by Judy Leigh under the pen name Elena Collins, the name of her grandmother whom Leigh described as a great storyteller. Leigh is a prolific writer from Somerset in South West England who writes heartwarming stories about older women and second chances. She also loves digging into history and incorporating historical details in her stories. In the Witch's Tree, Collins gives us a picture of the lives of farmworkers in Somerset in the 17th century and how they were shaped by their beliefs in superstition and the supernatural.

Selena's world shattered to pieces after her boyfriend left her in the mud. Determined to heal her heart and soul, she found herself in a Sloe Cottage in Somerset village. The place was exquisite, perfect for healing and creative endeavors. The longer she stayed in the house, the more it revealed its secrets.

More than three hundred years ago, Grace Cotter resided in the same house, the Sloe Cottage, living a simple life, working on a farm, taking care of her father, and learning from her loving grandmother. There's one wish that she held close to her heart, to marry the man of her dreams. When she got a chance to be with the man she loved, she gave her all, a decision that turned her fate into a dangerous turn.

Despite being born hundreds of years apart, their paths crossed, imbuing them with their own power to find healing and closure.

‘There are all sorts of myths surrounding the blackthorn, from way back to the time of the Celts. Death, misfortune – some people call it the witches’ tree – it has a long association with witchcraft. It’s about opposites too: spring and autumn, blossom and berry. '

‘Accusations of witchcraft were the go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days. Women were persecuted for being too young, too old, too attractive, too lonely, a little bit different – one whisper of a problem in a community and people were calling some poor unfortunate woman a witch.’

• The title made me expect to read about witchcraft and magick but I was surprised to find out that it's more about revealing the truth about witchery. Witches were women who were victims of stories fabricated by those who wanted to blame them for sudden death, illness, or misfortune in the community. It's an eye-opening story. Although it's not a story about witchcraft in general, the petrifying scenes are haunting.
• Grace's character is likable. She served her father and others with full of love. She was gentle not only with people but also with animals. Her sad story stemmed from her sincerity and competence mistaken for witchery.
• Collin packed the novel with historical details that bring readers to the 1600s. The voice of each character is distinct; the houses, farms, and places of work are described vividly.

• The story is slow because some parts provide too much information about the setting or the feelings of a character. At one point, I felt like giving up reading because my anticipation of the more exciting parts was gradually waning. Grace's story was my redeeming factor.
• There are parts that could be omitted to sustain the general emotional charge that the whole chapter is expressing. There's an argument between two characters that is very emotional but ended on a silly note, making the scene funny.
• The romantic story of Selena is not that convincing. I was surprised that they became an item towards the end of the story. This part of the story wasn't able to release butterflies in my stomach.

Elena Collins' The Witch's Tree intertwines two heartbreaking stories of women separated by time but connected by their search for justice and healing. It explores the veracity of the tales of witches and atrocities against women who were victims of hearsay and false accusations in the 17th century. While the story is laden with heavy themes, the intensity of the emotions conveyed is not overwhelming.

The two worlds Collins created are realistic and appropriate. The language, clothing, and people's interactions are cohesive to the setting and time, making the reading experience pleasant. The modern setting works but the 17th-century timeline is more interesting.

Even though the story is slow and the highest point is less mind-blowing, it opens the eyes of the readers to see that allegations of witchcraft are what Collins called "go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days". Grace's story is reflective of the lives of women who were used as scapegoats for the ill luck in the community. Justice was already out of reach after hundreds of years but the acknowledgment of her existence and history in the present brought healing.

This book is great for those who are looking for a light historical novel about love, betrayal, loss, and deliverance.

Thank you, Elena Collins, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.

• Get link
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Email
• Other Apps

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

How to Buy eBooks From Amazon Kindle Store Using GCash

Amazon Kindle is a great source of eBooks ranging from recently published books to classical books. Reading has become more convenient and affordable as Amazon Kindle offers deals as low as $0.99 per eBook every day. What’s even more amazing is that thousands of free eBooks are also available at your fingertips! You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy reading. If you are living in the Philippines and you want to start your reading life, you can buy interesting fiction and nonfiction books on Amazon Kindle using Globe’s digital wallet, GCash, through American Express.

Book Review: Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ A single TikTok video blasted off Stone Maidens from an unknown mystery-thriller novel to a bestselling book in February 2023. The video has 55.2 million views as of this writing. Out of love and respect for his father's endeavor to write his debut novel for 14 years, Marguerite Richards created a 16-second video showing his father, Lloyd Devereux Richards, sitting at his writing table, going through some papers, the song "Beautiful Boy" is playing in the background, and text on the screen is displaying the number of years it took him to write his debut novel and its commercial failure after publication. Support from people accelerated as they were in awe of Richards' dedication to his craft, pushing Stone Maidens to bestseller status. Lloyd Devereux Richards is a father, an author, a lawyer, and a globetrotter. He was born in New York City but worked as a lawyer in Vermont where he also looked after his three children. He gained experience in the l

A Book Review: The Last of the Moon Girls

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Part mystery, part drama, part romance, and part paranormal, The Last of the Moons Girls by Barbara Davis tells the story of Elzibeth Moon who stayed away from her family for eight years to escape from the murder controversy involving her grandmother, and from the path fashioned by her ancestors, the path of magick.

When we meet Grace we learn how hard her life has been, helping her father while working the fields trying to edge out an existence. Her life is a simple one.. eat, sleep, repeat but you can see how content she is with her lot in life.. although things are about to change drastically.

I promise you will be left in awe and wonder. Of course, the party wouldn't be complete without food and drinks. We will have a wide variety of delicious snacks, tasty drinks, and a mouthwatering cake. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, including vegetarian and vegan options. Additionally, there will be a bar serving a wide assortment of beverages to quench your thirst. I encourage all attendees to dress up in their most magical and pride-inspired attire. Whether you want to be a fairy, a wizard, a unicorn, or simply wear the colors of the rainbow, the choice is yours. Let's make this party a visual spectacle to remember! Furthermore, I would like to highlight that this event is open to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, or identity. The purpose of this party is to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. I want everyone to feel safe and comfortable at the event, and I kindly request all attendees to respect each other and embrace the spirit of inclusivity. Lastly, I kindly request you to RSVP as soon as possible, so I can make the necessary arrangements for the party. If you have any dietary restrictions or special requests, please let me know so that I can accommodate them. Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you all at the magical pride party! With love and magic, [Your Name].

Reviews for "Spark Your Imagination at a Magical Pride Party"

1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - "Magical Pride Party was a major disappointment for me. The performances lacked energy and creativity, and the organizers did not put much effort into decorating the venue. It felt like a half-hearted attempt at celebrating pride, and I expected so much more. The ticket prices were also quite high for what was offered. Overall, I would not recommend attending this event if you're looking for a truly magical and memorable Pride celebration."

2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 stars - "I had high expectations for the Magical Pride Party, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The entertainment was lackluster, and the atmosphere was dull. The organizers seemed more focused on making money rather than creating an inclusive and joyful event. The lack of diverse performers was also disappointing. Save your money and find another Pride event that truly embraces the spirit of celebration and acceptance."

3. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 stars - "Magical Pride Party fell short of its promise. The venue was crowded, making it difficult to fully enjoy the performances and connect with fellow attendees. The sound quality was poor, making it hard to hear the music and performers. Additionally, the food and drink options were limited and overpriced. Overall, this event did not live up to the hype and left me feeling underwhelmed. I would recommend looking for other Pride events with better organization and more attention to detail."

Celebrate Love and Equality at a Magical Pride Party