Nora Roberts is a highly acclaimed author known for her gripping and suspenseful novels, and "Dark Witch" is no exception. This book, which is the first installment in the Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, delves deep into the world of magic and love. Set in the picturesque countryside of Ireland, "Dark Witch" introduces readers to Iona Sheehan, a young American woman who decides to leave behind her unsatisfying life in America to chase her roots in Ireland. Drawn to her ancestor's homeland, Iona seeks to uncover her family's history and discover her own magical abilities. As she settles into her new life, Iona meets her distant cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer, who embrace her with open arms. Together, the three cousins learn to embrace their magical gifts and form a powerful bond.
I am so weird on this. For me, stories arrive in my head because the characters already exist. It’s like they’re floating around in the ether looking for a writer to tell their story. When they find me, it’s like they whisper in my ear: “Hi, I’m so and so. These are my friends and this is our tale, and you’re going to tell it.” Sometimes I have to dig for the names of supporting cast members, but most names just pop into my head with a fully-formed character attached.
Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire and her sister fall into enemy hands. Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire and her sister fall into enemy hands.
Together, the three cousins learn to embrace their magical gifts and form a powerful bond. Their connection is further reinforced when they realize that the ancient evil that once plagued their ancestors is resurfacing, threatening their lives and the lives of those they love. Nora Roberts effortlessly weaves elements of magic, romance, and family bonds throughout the story, drawing readers into the captivating world she has created.
[Blog Tour] The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks, Q&A With the Author of This Beautifully Icy Fantasy!
A beautifully written fantasy, iced over with complex magic systems, dangerous undercurrents, and an enemies to lovers romance. It’s full of villages, witch magic and god knives, ancient customs and feasts, and frost stealing across the earth. I also absolutely adored that it has disability rep, with Raina unable to speak verbally and instead using fantasy-sign-language!! More of this in fantasy please 😍🙌🏻 This is definitely not a book to miss if you love thrilling romantic fantasy adventures with complex subplots. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Also head over to my instagram for the INTL giveaway! And see my interview with the author below 🤗✨
Title:The Witch Collector (Book 1)
Author: Charissa Weaks
Publication Date:November 2nd, 2021
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Purchase a copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into our valley and leads one of us to the home of the immortal Frost King, to remain forever.
Today is that day—Collecting Day.
But he will not come for me. I, Raina Bloodgood, have lived in this village for twenty-four years, and for twenty-four years he has passed me by. His mistake.
Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister.
Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands. But the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she imagined. What is she to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who’s stealing her heart?
The Witch Collector is book one in a thrilling romantic fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, Sarah J. Maas, and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Hi Charissa! Thanks for chatting with me today about your novel, The Witch Collector! Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey and how your book went from idea to finished novel?
Hi there! Thanks for having me 🙂 I’ve been writing forever, but haven’t pursued publishing my work until the last five years. Back in 2017, I decided to put together an anthology based around the Wheel of the Year/pagan festivals. The old ways are very interesting to me. The first anthology’s theme was vampires and was set around the Winter Solstice. That book published in December of 2018 and contained short stories, novelettes, and novellas from all genres and many talented authors. I knew that the 2019 volume would center around Mabon/Autumnal Equinox and witchcraft/witches. So the seeds for The Witch Collector were born then. Once I wrote the novella though, I could see the larger story. I published The Witch Collector in the 2019 anthology and later contracted all three novellas with City Owl Press. The plan was to expand The Witch Collector a little and keep all three novellas around 45K words each. At the time, novellas seemed like all I could manage. I was a caregiver to my father, and the time and mental energy to turn the tale into a trilogy of full-length novels didn’t exist. My father passed in 2020, and I had to postpone the novella’s release. In the months after my dad’s death, I poured myself into Raina Bloodgood’s world to help busy my mind as I coped with the loss, and before I knew it, I had a 400-page novel on my hands. Thankfully, my publisher was cool about this and now here we are.
What’s your favourite thing about writing fantasy?
I love creating worlds for readers to slip into. For myself, as a reader and writer, fantasy is an escape. When I’m writing, I get caught up in the story I’m developing. I can’t imagine not having these lush worlds to lose myself inside.
Creating worlds is honestly the best ✨😍 Do you have a favourite moment from your publishing journey so far?
There have been several. It’s tough to choose between getting my first gushy reader review and holding the hardback. I am so thankful for everything that has happened during the unexpected journey of this story.
That first moment of holding your own book 😭👌🏻 So special. How did you choose your character names? Do they ever change as you write?
I am so weird on this. For me, stories arrive in my head because the characters already exist. It’s like they’re floating around in the ether looking for a writer to tell their story. When they find me, it’s like they whisper in my ear: “Hi, I’m so and so. These are my friends and this is our tale, and you’re going to tell it.” Sometimes I have to dig for the names of supporting cast members, but most names just pop into my head with a fully-formed character attached.
That is very very helpful of your characters to do that 😂 So tell us your favourite thing about Raina Bloodgood!
I adore Raina. I suppose my favorite thing is that she is so fierce. She loves and hates with the fire of a thousand suns. She can provide warmth and light or she can burn you to ash. Literally.
It’s impossible not to adore Raina. I loved her from the first page ahhh. Now lastly! Was any chocolate harmed in the making of this novel? 😌
HAHA. Sadly, SO MUCH chocolate was sacrificed to the Writing Gods. You have no idea. But my waistline does 😉
Is it possible to write without chocolate anyway 😪👌🏻 That’s the real question. Thank you so much for the super fun interview, Charissa!! And congrats again on your beautiful novel 🤗.
About Charissa Weaks
Charissa Weaks is an author of historical fantasy and speculative fiction. She crafts stories with magic, time travel, romance, fantasy, and history, and the occasional apocalyptic quest. Her favorite books span genres, from Outlander, The Nightingale, and All The Light We Cannot See, to Dark Matter, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Bridges of Madison County, and The Humans. She also loves the short stories of Kelly Link and Helen Maryles Shankman. When she’s not writing, you can find Charissa digging through four-hundred-year-old texts for research or lost inside a book. Charissa lives just south of Nashville with her husband, children, two wrinkly English Bulldogs, and the sweetest German Shepherd in existence. Website | Instagram | Twitter
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The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique struggles and strengths. Iona, in particular, undergoes a tremendous transformation as she discovers her own power and confronts her past. The book's pacing is excellent, keeping readers engrossed as they navigate the twists and turns of the plot. The vivid descriptions of the Irish countryside paint a beautiful backdrop for the story, immersing readers in the enchanting atmosphere of Ireland. One of the standout elements of "Dark Witch" is Roberts' ability to seamlessly blend the supernatural with real-life emotions and relationships. The romantic subplot between Iona and Boyle, a charismatic local stable owner with his own secrets, adds depth and intensity to the story, highlighting the power of love and partnership in overcoming challenges. Overall, "Dark Witch" is a captivating and spellbinding read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installments in the Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy. Nora Roberts' expert storytelling and strong character development make this book a must-read for fans of her work and anyone who enjoys a thrilling blend of fantasy and romance..
Reviews for "The Influence of Irish Folklore in Nora Roberts' Dark Witch"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Nora Roberts Dark Witch". The story was predictable and lacked any depth or originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The romance felt forced and clichéd, and the dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic. Overall, I found the book to be dull and unengaging.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "Nora Roberts Dark Witch" was a complete waste of time. The writing style was amateurish and the plot was incredibly weak. The supernatural elements were poorly executed and didn't add anything interesting to the story. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and their actions and motivations were often confusing or illogical. I was hoping for an exciting and suspenseful read, but instead, I was left bored and unimpressed. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Jane - 2/5 - I didn't find "Nora Roberts Dark Witch" to be as captivating as I had hoped. The pacing was slow, and it took too long for anything significant to happen. The world-building felt lackluster and underdeveloped, and I struggled to visualize the settings and magical elements. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I found the book to be a mediocre read that failed to hold my interest.