📖 Blog Tour ~ The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

 

Boldwood
30 September 2024

Thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random resources for the book
and invitation to the blog tour

‘There are a lot of shadows at Ravenswood, so you will need to be strong…’

The year is 1885 and a young woman is on the run, knowing if she’s caught, she’ll be hanged for murder. Moments from a safe haven, she collides with a gruff stranger, falling and breaking her ankle.

To her surprise, the man – Marcus Greybourne – convinces the local constable that she is his reclusive wife of ten years, Luna. He carries her back to the neglected and crumbling Ravenswood Hall, promising if she agrees to maintain this charade, he will keep her safe until her injuries have healed.

But the house is haunted by shadows and secrets. What’s more, the real Luna Greybourne is missing, without trace. Scratches and marks made by her around the house suggest witchcraft; and indeed Luna is known locally as the Ravenswood Witch; her reputation in tatters, like the wallpapers of the padlocked rooms she’d destroyed.

As strange happenings in the house continue, outside the screech of a raven echoes across oppressive woods that seem alive with dark magic. And the woman who is now pretending to be Luna can’t help but fear she’s escaped the noose for a far more terrible fate…

📖 My Review...

This is a dark and sinister gothic novel which introduces us to Ravenswood and the story of a young woman, rescued from harm, who is prepared to enter into an odd arrangement with Marcus Greybourne who is the enigmatic owner of the house. In agreeing to pretend to be Luna Greybourne, his estranged wife, this, as yet, unnamed young woman receives a place of safety and even though the dark and shadowy corners reverberate with menace, she is prepared to stay at Ravenswood as her own secrets, if revealed, would place her grave danger.

There are lots of spooky moments in this gothic mystery and there were definitely times when I found myself, particularly when reading at night, jumping at shadows. The author has captured the menacing atmosphere of Ravenswood well and brings to life a cast of characters who are all flawed and some are just downright evil. I especially enjoyed the company of Bran, the raven, who brings an interesting element and shows the intelligence of Corvids. With a couple of unexpected twists which I didn’t see coming The Ravenswood Witch is nicely spooky and with a chilling, atmospheric presence throughout, I think it would make a perfect read for Halloween.

About the Author

Jenni Keer is the well-reviewed author of historical romances, often with a mystery at their heart. Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year.

Social Media

Facebook: @JenniKeerAuthor

Twitter: @JenniKeer #TheRavenswoodWitch

Instagram: @JenniKeer

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JenniKeerNews

Bookbub profile: @jennikeer

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National Poetry Day 2024 ~ Landmark news from Candlestick Press !

 

** A MILLION PAMPHLETS SOLD **

Candlestick Press
October 2024

Candlestick Press, the Nottingham-based independent publisher of mini-anthologies in the Ten Poems about series, is celebrating the achievement of its millionth pamphlet sale – a major landmark that reflects recent expansion into overseas territories such as Australia and New Zealand and a fast-growing domestic network encompassing everything from garden centres to art galleries. 

Candlestick is marking this milestone with a number of celebrations, including Ten Poems of Light – a pamphlet publishing in October (cover illustration by Rebecca Vincent) which contains the winning poems in a recent competition, alongside a special commission by poet Carole Bromley. A donation from each sale of Ten Poems of Light will be made to Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Indeed, Candlestick makes regular donations to a large number of charities, each chosen to reflect a pamphlet’s particular theme. Over £320,000 has been donated to date, to organisations ranging from Our Dementia Choir to Surfers Against Sewage, and from Friends of the Elderly to Woodland Trust.

Publisher Di Slaney reflects on Candlestick’s 16-year journey:

“Selling one million pamphlets means that at least ten million poems have been read – something that makes us very happy. If we have an overall mission, it’s to bring poetry to people who might not otherwise read it. Our themed selections are designed to appeal to popular enthusiasms – everything from baking to gardening and trains to bees. Our aim is to be as inclusive as possible and to offer something that works equally well as a gift and as a replacement for a greetings card.”

Candlestick’s current range comprises over 120 titles, featuring poems by more than 750 poets from all over the world and showcasing the work of a large number of contemporary artists and printmakers.

For Candlestick Press and the uniquely appealing ‘instead of a card’ format, the future is certainly very bright indeed.

About Candlestick

Candlestick is an independent press publishing sumptuously produced poetry pamphlets that serve as a wonderful alternative to a greetings card, with matching envelopes and bookmarks left blank for a personal message. Their subjects include Mountains, Clouds, Walking, Birds, Wine and Happiness.

Our pamphlets are stocked by chain and independent bookshops, galleries, museums and garden centres nationwide and are available to order online.

We’ve been publishing poetry pamphlets since 2008 not only for people who already love poetry, but also for those who will love it but perhaps don’t know that yet. Our ‘instead of a card’ pamphlets make an ideal alternative to a mainstream greetings card and are a small gift in their own right. They have matching envelopes and bookmarks left blank for your message, and are excellent companions on journeys or for a bedtime read. By supporting us, you help an independent press and our supported charities at the same time as treating yourselves, your friends and family to some wonderful poems.

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Jaffareadstoo has been extremely privileged to have been given the opportunity to read and review a variety of these beautiful poetry pamphlets. 

On National Poetry Day 2024, we send Candlestick Press our warmest congratulations on this amazing achievement. Here’s to the next million pamphlets being sold.

📖 Featured Book of the Month ~ The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

Doubleday
10 October 2024

Thanks to the publisher for the copy of the book

Eris, an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day.

Once home to Vanessa. A famous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago.

Now home to Grace. A solitary creature of the tides, content in her own isolation.

But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, a visitor comes calling.

And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge . . .

📖 My Review..

Eris is a tiny, isolated island off the Scottish coast and for years it was home to the enigmatic artist, Vanessa Chapman. Now it is the solitary home to her companion and carer, Grace and whilst it has become a place of sanctuary, it is also filled with shadows from the past. With memories of her time with Vanessa constantly on her mind Grace must face her greatest challenge namely that of protecting Vanessa’s legacy and the secrets she took with her to the grave. With Vanessa’s artistic collection finding recognition, it also opens her private life to scrutiny and when a shocking discovery is made concerning one of her more memorable artistic pieces, there are suddenly serious questions to be answered.

The story takes a while to gain its pace which I think is entirely in keeping with the disquieting nature of the plot, the place and the people. It takes a while to warm to the characters particularly Vanessa whose distinctive voice we hear in snippets from her letters and diary entries. Grace also is a strange character to like although there were times when I felt sorry for her and I think that’s the strength of the novel in that unlikeable people become the pivotal focus. I enjoyed getting to know Becker, his obsession with Vanessa’s work really helps to bring the art to life and I was sorry I couldn’t actually see the paintings and ceramics which help to form such a vivid backdrop.

The Blue Hour is well crafted, quite sparse in places and as mercurial as the tides which crash upon the wild shores of Eris. It brings into focus a life of willful obsession and of those people who would do anything to protect Vanessa's memory. I have a feeling that this may well be something of a marmite book but I enjoyed it’s slow and measured pace and the brooding atmosphere brought it all together in a convincing way and so for that reason I’m happy to make it my Featured Book of the Month for October.

About the Author

Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide. Published in over fifty languages, it has been a Number 1 bestseller around( the world and was a box office hit film starring Emily Blunt.

Paula's thrillers, Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning, were also instant Number 1 bestsellers.