Book Review: The Witch's Knight by Paula and Trevor Brackston

 Book Review

The Witch’s Knight

The White Shadow Trilogy, Book One

Paula and Trevor Brackston

 

Book Description:

New York Times bestselling author of 'The Witch's Daughter', Paula Brackston, in collaboration with her brother Trevor, presents an epic tale of magic, courage and a love that spans a thousand years.

A girl destined to become Queen Witch.
A knight sworn to protect her throughout time.
A supernatural battle between good and evil.

In Book One of the White Shadow Trilogy, the story moves between 11th century Wales and present day London. Gwen is born to a noble family in the Welsh mountains, unaware of her true magical identity. When her village is attacked by Norman soldiers her life is forever changed and she must accept her new role to save those she loves. It is as she embraces her place among the witches of the White Shadow that she meets the man who will risk everything to protect her.

In dangerous modern times, Tudor's life is threatened when his own destiny unfolds. It is only as the world shifts towards darkness that the true extent of his purpose, and his connection to the past, is revealed.

In a love story that survives the centuries, the two must put duty first. The Shifting would see evil take hold, and all that is good will be lost. The witch and her knight stand on the tipping point of that balance.

 

Historical Fantasy

Release Date: April 19, 2022

Preorder now on Amazon:

Kindle

Paperback releasing on April 19^th.

 

My Five-Star Review:

Young Gwen lives in 11^th century Wales, the only daughter in a noble family. Her life has always been safe, although she yearns for more than to be a fine lady and marry well. Her village is suddenly attacked by Norman soldiers and she and a small group of people flee to the mountains for their lives. While hiding out, she learns the truth of her magical heritage and is trained to become the leader she is destined to be. It is then that she meets the man who swears to protect her, and she must make a decision that will follow her throughout time.

This novel is an exceptional dual-timeline story. We meet the lovely Gwen who falls in love with a knight—a man who swears to protect her until the end of time. In modern days, we meet Tudor, a man who protects people for a living, constantly placing his own life in danger. Gwen has waited centuries to be with her one true love again while Tudor, having lived many lives, has yet to know his true destiny. Magic, witches, forever love, and protecting the world. What more does a fantasy novel need? Paula and her brother, Trevor, have woven an amazing story that keeps you enthralled to the very last page. And the best part—this is a trilogy!

If you’ve enjoyed Paula’s magical books, or if you just love stories about witches and everlasting love, with a lot of action included, you’re going to enjoy this novel. I have enjoyed everything Paula has written, and this novel is no exception. I highly recommend.

 

About the Authors:

 

Paula Brackston lives in the historic city of Hereford on the Welsh border. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and has been a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, a script reader, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

In 2007 Paula was shortlisted in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was shortlisted for the Mind Book Award. The following year she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme. 'The Witch's Daughter' became a New York Times bestseller. Her books are translated into five languages and sold around the world.

 

Trevor Brackston grew up in the Black Mountains of Wales above the village of Cwmdu. It was the perfect environment to spark a wild imagination. After retiring from a career as a pilot, Trevor retrained to become a Police Officer and later worked as a Private Investigator. He also fulfilled an ambition to live on a sailboat and it was during this time that he worked together with Paula on ‘The Witch’s Knight’.

Read More Reviews of Paula's Books

The Witch's Daughter

The Return of the Witch

The Little Shop of Found Things

Secrets of the Chocolate House

The Garden of Promises and Lies

City of Time and Magic

Book Review: Scarlet Carnation by Laila Ibrahim

 Book Review

Scarlet Carnation

Laila Ibrahim

 

Book Description:

In an early twentieth-century America roiling with racial injustice, class divides, and WWI, two women fight for their dreams in a galvanizing novel by the bestselling author of Golden Poppies.

1915. May and Naomi are extended family, their grandmothers’ lives inseparably entwined on a Virginia plantation in the volatile time leading up to the Civil War. For both women, the twentieth century promises social transformation and equal opportunity.

May, a young white woman, is on the brink of achieving the independent life she’s dreamed of since childhood. Naomi, a nurse, mother, and leader of the NAACP, has fulfilled her own dearest desire: buying a home for her family. But they both are about to learn that dreams can be destroyed in an instant. May’s future is upended, and she is forced to rely once again on her mother. Meanwhile, the white-majority neighborhood into which Naomi has moved is organizing against her while her sons are away fighting for their country.

In the tumult of a changing nation, these two women—whose grandmothers survived the Civil War—support each other’s quest for liberation and dignity. Both find the strength to confront injustice and the faith to thrive on their chosen paths.

 

Lake Union Publishing

Publish Date: April 1, 2022

Buy Now on Amazon

 

My 5-Star Review:

In 1915, two women of different racial backgrounds are striving to fulfil their dreams of a successful life. May, a young white woman, dreams of independence and finding an honorable man while Naomi, a middle-aged black woman, strives to create a better life for her family. These two women, bonded together by the past relationship of their grandmothers, wish for equality and opportunity. But both are derailed by forces beyond their control and must fight for what is right.

 

Scarlet Carnation by Laila Ibrahim is a powerful story about oppression, injustice, and working toward a better future. But most of all, it is a story about the power of family, and the bonds a family shares over the generations. I’ve read several of Laila’s novels and they are always powerfully written and well-researched, and this novel is no exception. She’s an amazing storyteller who can keep you reading long into the night. I highly recommend this novel, as well as all of her novels.

 

 

About the Author:

Laila Ibrahim is the bestselling author of Golden Poppies, Paper Wife, Mustard Seed, and Yellow Crocus. She spent much of her career as a preschool director, a birth doula, and a religious educator. That work, coupled with her education in developmental psychology and attachment theory, provided ample fodder for her novels.

She’s a devout Unitarian Universalist, determined to do her part to add a little more love and justice to our beautiful and painful world. She lives with her wonderful wife, Rinda, and two other families in a small cohousing community in Berkeley, California. Her young adult children are her pride and joy.

Laila is blessed to be working full-time as a novelist. When she isn’t writing, she likes to take walks with friends, do jigsaw puzzles, play games, work in the garden, travel, cook, and eat all kinds of delicious food. Visit the author at www.lailaibrahim.com

 

Read my review of Laila Ibrahim’s novel, YELLOW CROCUS.