Once in the enchanted town of Blackwick, a dark witch reigned with an iron fist. Rumored to have summoned dark spirits from the depths of the underworld, she used her powers to control the unsuspecting townspeople. Fear and despair filled the air, as no one could escape the clutches of her dark magic. However, destiny works in mysterious ways, and the winds of change were about to sweep through Blackwick. A courageous young witch named Luna had long heard the cries of the townspeople and could no longer stand idly by. Determined to rid Blackwick of the malevolent presence, Luna embarked on an arduous journey to uncover the secrets that held the dark witch's powers.
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Additionally, since the book is self-published by an author who only has two other books, buying a copy of the novel is a way to support a small creator who is following her passion to write, and the money goes directly to her. Having grown up poor, Billie is shocked to find out that Martha had a will with a bookstore and an apartment in a small town that she never heard of, Blackwick Falls.
Determined to rid Blackwick of the malevolent presence, Luna embarked on an arduous journey to uncover the secrets that held the dark witch's powers. Guided by her inner strength and the light of her spirit, Luna ventured into the heart of Blackwick's forbidden forest. Ancient trees whispered tales of forgotten sorcery, and mystical creatures kept watch, silently aiding Luna in her quest.
Caffeinated Reviewer
With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits. Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…
I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts and love her tales involving a little paranormal woo-woo. Dark Witch is the first book in her new Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, and I was eager to read it. I preordered this puppy and devoured it in a single day. Set in Ireland, with witches, curses, and evil this paranormal romance offers the perfect read for a cold fall night by the fire. Mini review: Magical, suspenseful with interesting characters and lore that draw you in and make you scream, “More!”
The book begins in the middle ages where we meet the Dark Witch and her three children. We also face the evil sorcerer who pursues her. Spells are cast, fate is set and then we are brought to present day Ireland to the day Iona Sheehan arrives in County Mayo. A blonde haired American and horse lover she has sold all of her possessions to move to the place of her ancestors. As a young child, her Nan shared the family history and spoke of the lush country side. The tale that unfolds draws together those from the legend. Iona begins to feel happy and at home for the first time, but evil draws near, and battle will soon begin.
From the beginning, I liked Iona, and as we got to know her I began to adore this feisty, warm-hearted, smart and fierce woman. A horse lover and one who just says what she thinks, I loved her snark, honesty and got caught up in her enthusiasm for life. She meets her cousins Branna and Conner, and they are all descendants of the Dark Witch. Each possesses power and Iona begins to harness hers. I liked them both. Branna is sort of the leader/mother figure and is hard and demanding of herself. She is probably the most complex character, and I look forward to seeing her revealed. Conner is sweet, even tempered and loyal to his friends and family. He was cute, and I am anxious to see what he is made of. Iona meets Boyle McGarth, who manages a stable. He is tall, broad, true and strong. Words don’t come easy to him, and I enjoyed watching them interact. Every time she looks at him she gets butterflies in her stomach. Boyle’s world is turned upside down by this pixie of a woman, and I loved the banter that develops. While the romance was nice it wasn’t my favorite. Thankfully it is served as a side dish to the overall arc. We also meet Fin; he owns the stables Boyle manages and may I just say oh-la-la. He is a key player in the overall arc, and you will have to discover why for yourself. We also meet Branna’s best friend and fellow stable worker Meara. These folks quickly become an intricate part of Iona’s life and will all play a role in battling the evil. Roberts did a lovely job of introduces them all, and I find myself connected and eager to learn more about them.
In Dark Witch, Nora Roberts weaves legends and magic against the beautiful landscape of Ireland with a story that grabbed me from the onset. Each book will share a romance with one of the cousins and bring us closer to destroying evil. I loved all the supernatural elements, and the spells. Each witch is tied to an animal, and I loved this element. This is a romantic mystery, and has powerful friendships which drawn on each other, and enhanced the tale. Fans of the Sign of Seven Trilogy and Gallaghers of Ardmore will immediately feel at home. While this is a stronger tale then Signs of Seven, it still has a predictable feeling, and was my only complaint. The romance had a little insta-love feel, but Robert’s slowed things down and made it believable. She has a gift for taking magic, legends, and supernatural elements and making them feel very real and powerful.
Fans of paranormal romance, witches, mysteries and Irish settings will enjoy Dark Witch. This was an exciting start to the trilogy. Shadow Spell the second book is due out in May of 2014 and will feature Conner. Blood Magick,the third book,will be Branna’s story and is due out in the fall.
Three and half cups of Irish coffee out of five
It’s suspected throughout the story, but Billie herself doesn’t find out until relatively close to the end of the novel, which means that the parts about witchcraft feel somewhat rushed. Myers tries to fit in a story arc about the witchcraft in too short of a page count, which led to it not feeling fully fleshed out.
She encountered numerous challenges along the way, testing her resolve and forcing her to tap into her untapped potential. After days of tireless searching, Luna stumbled upon a hidden chamber buried deep within the forest. It emanated an eerie energy, signaling that the end of her journey was near. As she cautiously entered the chamber, she was confronted by a dark figure cloaked in shadows – the dark witch herself. A battle of wills ensued as Luna engaged in a fierce magical duel with the dark witch. The air crackled with power and the forest trembled beneath their collective might. But Luna, fueled by her righteous mission, tapped into a wellspring of magic deep within her soul. Surging with newfound strength, she cast spells of pure light, chipping away at the dark witch's defenses. Finally, in a dazzling display of brilliance, Luna launched her final blow, severing the dark witch from her source of power. As the dark magic dissipated, Blackwick was bathed in a warm glow, its residents freed from the clutches of the malevolent presence. With the dark witch defeated, peace was restored to the once desolate town. Luna's victory marked the beginning of a new era in Blackwick – a time of healing and rebuilding. The townspeople, eternally grateful for Luna's bravery, praised her as a hero. Luna, however, remained humble, recognizing that it was the power of unity and the strength of light that ultimately triumphed over darkness. In the aftermath of the dark witch's fall, Blackwick thrived under Luna's leadership. Kindness and compassion flourished, replacing fear and despair. Together, they transformed Blackwick into a beacon of hope, reminding all who passed through its borders of the incredible power that lies within the human spirit. The tale of the dark witch falling in Blackwick serves as a timeless reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. It reminds us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, we have the power to rise above darkness, shining a light that can vanquish even the most malevolent of forces..
Reviews for "Blackwick's Dark Magic Rituals: A Forbidden Practice"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The dark witch falls in blackwick". The story felt very rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their motives. The writing style was also quite heavy-handed, with excessive descriptions that distracted from the plot. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and uninspired, making it difficult to feel invested in the interactions between the characters. Overall, I found the book lacking depth and cohesion, and it failed to engage me from start to finish.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - While "The dark witch falls in blackwick" had an interesting premise, I personally couldn't connect with the characters. They felt one-dimensional and lacked the emotional depth necessary to truly engage the reader. Furthermore, the pacing of the story was uneven, with long stretches of slow development followed by rushed and confusing plot points. The writing style was also not to my taste, as I found it overly descriptive and unnecessarily flowery, making the story drag at times. Overall, it had potential but failed to fully captivate me.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The dark witch falls in blackwick", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building felt shallow and inconsistent, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical system and the history of the setting. The pacing was very slow, and the story lacked tension and suspense, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, I found the main character to be unrelatable and poorly developed, which further hindered my enjoyment of the book. Overall, it had interesting elements but failed to deliver a compelling and cohesive narrative.
4. Emily - 2/5 - "The dark witch falls in blackwick" left me feeling unsatisfied. The plot lacked originality and felt predictable, with clichés and tropes that made it feel like a generic fantasy novel. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking in descriptive language and failing to evoke any sense of ambiance or atmosphere. I found myself losing interest in the story and struggling to stay engaged until the end. While it had potential, I was ultimately disappointed with the execution and would not recommend it to others looking for a gripping fantasy read.