Hedge Witchery Books

2011-08-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Guy's,

You may have noticed that the Incantation Summer 2011 edition is... well missing!

SORRY, but don't worry, we ain't going anywhere!

Hedge Witchery Books is undergoing a move in premises, and playing havoc with our scheduel, but ~~normal service~~ a bigger and better verison will be landing in the winter... around the same time as some awesome new titles.

You can of course keep an eye on all the goings on with the 'Incantation Daily' via our site page.

Hedge Witchery Books is approaching it's first birthday as a fully fledged publishing company, and I'd like to say a great big "THANK YOU" to all the writers, bloggers and general friendly supporters that have got us to this milestone. Couldn't have done it without you all!

Lily x

Review of Elemental Guided Meditation

2011-08-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

"Lily's voice is smooth and flowing, taking the listener on a tranquil journey into themselves, which is easy to follow and conjures a variety of peaceful imagery. This mediation adopts a unique blend of background sounds which, while subtle, aids the listener in attaining a relaxed state through which they may glide into the visualisation that Lily presents.

This particular guided meditation track is very suitable for those who have only a short time in the day to devote to their spiritual peace, as well as those who are just taking their first steps into meditative exercises. I certainly hope that she produces further exercises that progress from this one."

~ Luthaneal, Pagan Author

Out Now!

2011-07-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

OUT NOW!

Elemental Guided Meditation

Lily Oak

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Emusic, iTunes & many more online retailers.

Coming Soon....

2011-06-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

... The first MP3 by Lily Oak, author of 'Witchery'. This Guided meditation is designed to relax you and help you get in touch with natural elemantal energies.

Introducing Dan Verseau

2011-02-16T04:56:00.000-08:00

Dan Verseau has established himself over a number of years as an authentic holistic insight professional. Over the coming few months he will be releasing a series of guided meditations as MP3 downloads with us. You can stay up to date with him via twitter.

GIVE AWAY ALERT!!!

If you follow Dan on twitter before midnight ending Friday 25th February, we will be picking a follower at random to recieve his first guided meditation release free, as soon as it's released.

www.danverseau.com

The Magick Of Vanilla Chai Tea With A Pinch Of Damiana, by Theresa Newbill & Kurt Newton

2011-02-09T01:46:00.000-08:00

This small collection of poems, verses and flash fiction scenes, make a literary scrap book documenting the true story of two writers who meet online and fall in love. It is honest and raw but at the same time delicate and filled with beauty.

"I think I may have cast a spell. I can feel
him close, like never before. He’s smiling,
my twin flame; his legs are crossed, his
face is clean-shaven, and there’s an olivewood
smell that surrounds him."

Available now from Amazon Kindle store.

Hope Ocean - Now avaiable on Kindle

2011-02-05T03:48:00.000-08:00

'Hope Ocean' has finally made it into Kindle format!

Incatation Winter 2011

2011-01-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

Out now! First issue in new online format.

Looking for Reviewers

2011-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Hello, and let me start by wishing everyone a happy new year!

Ok this is a short and sweet post, basically I'm putting out the call for book reviewers! If you have a blog, site or write for Helium/Hubpages/etc and would be interested in recieving ebook copies of any of our books to review, or if you would like a guest blog or interview from any of the authors we publish please get in touch either by commenting, or via the website contact form.

The Wytches Child

2010-10-25T05:56:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to my post as part of the 13 Days of Halloween Blog Tour! You've probably just joined me from Psyche Soul Goddess and I would like to share with you a poem called 'The Wytches' Child' by Teresa C Newbill. This poem is taken from Teresa's soon to be released book of poem and prose called 'Open Diary of a Witch'.

To celebrate to release of this book I will be selecting one person who comments on this blog to recieve a free copy of the book once it is released on 31st Oct 2010.

The Wytches' Child by Theresa C Newbill
from 'Open Diray of a Witch'

The wytches' child possesses a silver pentagram, it hangs amidst the green-white phosphorous lights where somnambulists channel souls from the oasis of stellar-electric blasts that carousel the brown chestnuts of old oak trees. Here, she dances sky clad among the white-silken mists and apple blossoms that nearly caress the night sky.
Always indiscriminately, she pours her heart out to shadowy figures most would find grotesque, if not for the fragility of a flower, bruised, with strewn petals.
Small animals, wild for carrot taking, stop to stare at a cricket waving his antennae in a field of grassy knoll opposite the witches' cottage, where Spirit begins to scatter droplets of rainwater from the twigs of bushes, darkened by a Midsummer's wind.
Often, beneath the waves of a sparrow's wing, undertowed sunlight gathers with mustard glow over the rattling of tarantulas' feet. The witches' child, smells of eucalyptus and burnt necklaces made of shell, made of bone. Every foe is her friend, and she laughs as she builds a world of snow.
Silvery tinges of sparkles remain collected, protected, in the magick of her moment. Violet hues radiate through clear glass swellings. Between the idea, between the reality of conception and creation, there is motion. The casual are less aware, but every now and then she remembers to shake the bubble and dream!

Don't forget to check out the next fantastic stop on the tour, Kayleigh Jamison.

2010-10-11T02:33:00.000-07:00

Click here to read preview of the fantastic, soon to be released,

Abigail Cottage

by Margaret West

Abigail Cottage Cover Give-away

2010-09-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

Margaret West's fabulous new paranormal-romantic-horror 'Abigail Cottage' will be released 1st December 2010. And we want to get your opinions on the cover!

After receiving an inheritance of a Cottage in Ireland and discovering she is adopted, Abbey Newlands goes in search of her real family. But before she arrives at the cottage, a chain of events and a whirlwind romance leaves her deeply in love with Shaun O’Donnell. When Shaun’s mother, Aveline, reveals a dark twist of fate that mean they can never be together, Abbey flees to the cottage alone, pregnant and unaware that it is cursed by two demons who reside there. One who will love her, and one who wants her dead. Only Shaun has the power to save them both and lock the demons away behind hells door. With the help of Rosa a gypsy who can summon the dead, they battle the dark forces. But as they fight for survival, they have forgotten about their immortal souls. Who will save them from the demons?

Ok,now here's the thing we need to know what you think should go on the cover. How dark/creepy should it be? Do you think any of the characters should go on cover? Do you think the cottage should go on cover? What sort of covers make you pick up a book in a shop?

Leave a comment and well select one comment at random to receive a free copy of 'Abigail Cottage' as soon as it is released!

(please note some of the below comments where left when we had some mock-ups of covers on here, we took them off to try and get a different type of feed back ~ Lily)

Guest Post: Alysa Braceau

2010-09-13T03:55:00.000-07:00

Bio: Alysa Braceau, Dreamshield
I live in the Netherlands (Europe) and I’m a mother of a 6-year old daughter. I've studied
social work and the last ten years I am a (freelance) journalist and publisher. Besides that I
have a healing practice and I give workshops about the Art of Dreaming.
The Sorcerer’s Dream is my first book. The theme of the passed years have been the sorcerers
tradition and mastering conscious dreaming. I have carefully recorded my personal
experiences which has finally led to this first book.

This autobiographical adventure is about a journalist who meets the enigmatic sorcerer,
Running Deer, and her initiation into the sorcerer's world and mastering conscious dreaming.
This book, that follows in the traditions of Carlos Castaneda and others, takes the reader
through the magic realms of the unknown and gives a new approach to the traditional training
of women sorcerers. It takes place not in some fantasy world, but in a contemporary society,
and addresses the things we face on a daily basis in our everyday lives.

For all witchy friends I would like to share an excerpt about my meeting with one
of the witches somewhere in the beginning of my initiation into the sorcerer’s world. The
witches helped me to bring my ability to consciously dream on full capacity and made
me aware of the connection between dreaming and sexual energy.
The following excerpt is a conversation I had with my dreaming teacher Vidar, which
gives you an impression about the link between the two, in part two which you can read
on my website www.dreamshield.nl where I explain more about this topic.

“I am busy taking notes and muster the courage to share the next dream. As I build up my
courage, I tell him about my meeting with the woman with long black hair and the cream
colored skin who guided me to the northern dwelling place. In a bold state of mind, I traveled
once more with the eagle to the north and ask the frail being to teach me more about
dreaming. She asked me to come along to a cave and as soon as we got inside she delicately
and almost carelessly pressed her finger on my vagina. Bewildered I looked at her and she
gave me the innocent glance of a newborn lamb. The first thing I thought was how on earth
will I tell Vidar. As she pressed on my vagina I even heard a click, as though a switch had
been turned on.
Quasi-casual I laugh away my embarrassment and excuse myself by saying: “It’s even
becoming pornographic.”
But I am no longer amused. Conflicting with my less than unrestrained nature I have sold
my soul and now one of my ancestors forces the issue. It should not be like this, it is plain
inappropriate to discuss such things among teacher and apprentice, I complained, as I
reluctantly wrote down the dream, banging on the table.
I resist strenuously, but I tell him about the bizarre incident because he should not miss
any clue toward totality. Vidar is not impressed, at least so it seems, he treats the dream like
any other dream and I am relieved.
“The woman encourages you to work on your sexual capacity, and shows you there is no
taboo in that field.” Nonetheless, I feel betrayed by her. “It suggests you activate the first two
spiritual senses.” Vidar stops me from contemplating. “They correspond to life energy and
sexuality and are closely connected. The first spiritual sense is connected to the primal force,
which is life’s energy force itself, absorbed by the earth energy and the second sense is
connected to sexual energy.” He continues: “You can’t speak about life energy without
speaking about sexual energy and vice versa. In our line of knowledge we make use of the
primal force, the traditional way of bringing the sexual energy upwards.”
Without a trace of irony he says: “A few centuries ago a group of women lived together,
taking ‘it’ whenever they felt like it. The men came in very useful for that purpose only. In
every other way the women took care of themselves.”
He casually folds his arms and looks at me “those are your ancestors.”
Good heavens, where is this leading? I will be given a lecture on sex education shortly.
“I am no longer a man,” he says as he gets up to dim the lights in the front room.
I look worried and wonder if he can’t have sex anymore, something I have trouble
imagining in his case. Nevertheless, I am afraid to ask.
For me, there is no way back. Vidar closely follows the lead my ancestor gave and says
he will open up my second spiritual sense. As a gentle lamb I walk toward the deerskin which
Vidar pushed back to the front room. I lie down as he suggests and I try to do this as elegantly
as possible. Vidar dims the light a bit more, takes the didgeridoo and lovingly places a
cushion underneath my head. He presses the end of the five feet-long blowpipe nearly on my
abdomen and starts to blow. The ancient sound of the didge vibrates and loosens my spiritual
senses and when I hear a dog bark, I feel giggles coming up from deep down. My dream body
is laughing uncontrollably.
I travel to Australia to the sound of the didge where the heat rises up in hazy columns of
smoke from the red brown earth. An old Aboriginal woman sits together with her two
grandchildren in front of a mud hut with a thatched roof. Her long grey hair falls loosely
down on her tanned shoulders. She picks up a crawling snake by it’s throat and lets it spit its
poison on the earth. The ancient sounds remain in the red desert, as though they are being
sucked away from the continent they come from. Waves of sexual energy flow through my
body as though a jammed part is vibrated loose and activated.
I get up and blow away the extra heat.
“Where did the barking come from?” is the first thing I ask.
“That’s the spirit dog,” he answers followed by the beautiful words: “He lends his
healing and transforming primal sound to the ritual.”

Guest Post: Lorrie Unites-Struiff

2010-07-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Lily,

It’s so nice to be featured on your blog. I appreciate the invitation and thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and novella with your readers.
I’d like to write about escapism today. And don’t we all need it?
How do you unwind, or find that much needed alone time? That precious time is what I call escapism.
I’m a writer and my ideal escapism—in my imagination—is an isolated cabin in the woods. No phones, no TV, no disruptions of any sort. And most of all, I’d have no pressure to muddle my overcrowded brain.
Alas, I have, like people in all walks of life, constant decisions to make. Do I get my hubby’s prescriptions filled today? Maybe I should get the wash done, clean the house, plan meals for the next three days, or go grocery shopping, etc. Hmm. Should I answer emails, follow blogs, write or concentrate on the outline for my next story?
Wow, my real life is filled with a lot of pressure. I’m sure you know the feeling. At times, it’s too much to bear. Some cope better than others, but I’m the type that still needs that quiet time alone to soothe the jangly nerves. To do a balancing act and find some mini-escapism time to regroup.
Personally, I have found the best escapism, for me, is in books. When all is finally quiet in the house, all family members in bed, I open a book. Be it thriller, paranormal, romance, historical fiction, or sci-fi, I forget real life for a little while and escape into another world. I breathe deep, snuggle back in my tilt-back chair, and sink into the world the author has built, whether the novel takes place in the present, past or future time period.
In all the novels, be it thrills, chills, sweet romance, or adventure, I’ve escaped into them all. I was the characters facing Cujo and walking along with Odd Thomas speaking to spirits. I accompanied John Corey as he battled the evil men on Plum Island. I’ve been a member of the Camel Club helping to keep a good eye on what is happening in Washington.
I’ve flown the galaxy to different planets with Jean Luc Picard and visited DS-9 to meet aliens. I watched Odo sink into his bucket to catch a nap. I’ve also been a member of a Tac Team with the strong characters who fell so deeply in love while in the midst of a dangerous mission. I’ve sailed on wooden ships flying the Jolly Roger. I’ve accompanied courtesans into the palaces of great monarchs. I even went with James Bond on all his spy missions. What a thrill.
Now, you know I’m talking years and years of escapism, or reading the once upon a time favorites.
What better type of escapism than to live another’s life for a while? Leave your headaches behind and enjoy stepping into another world for a few hours of alone time and getting your mind off your real life problems.
In my novella, I will take you into Rita’s world. One filled with Roma mysticism and clan folklore. Rita wears a magic crystal amulet that has been handed down through her maternal bloodline. But, will the amulet be enough to help her to face the battle with her police task force to stop a serial killer?

Join me for a bit of escapism. Come along on the wild ride of danger, heated romance, and the unexpected twists in Gypsy Crystal. Rita Moldova’s best-kept secret, a crystal amulet that shows her the last image a victim had seen when they died and has helped propel her career as a homicide detective – until prostitutes start dropping.

A ritual killer dubbed the Ripper by the media is terrorizing her town and it’s Rita’s job to help end his killing spree. The problem – Rita’s mystical amulet, passed down through her Roma bloodline, has failed for the first time in memory to do its job – and it’s making it a real bitch for Rita to do hers.
To make matters worse, the FBI has sent in hunky agent, Matt Boulet, to lead the case – and Rita finds herself attracted to him.
When Rita visits her mother – a gifted seer in her own right – and her uncle to glean what she can about the history of the amulet and the lore of their clan, she learns much more than she bargained for, and the truth is too much for her to swallow. As the investigation continues, Rita learns she can’t deny the lore of the ancients, or her growing feelings for Matt Boulet.

A piercing scream echoed from the alley between Red’s Bar and The Totem Pole. Adrenaline shot through her veins. Jesus, it’s the Ripper! Rita yelled for Sully, folded her fingers around the Glock in her purse, and headed toward the mouth of the dark alleyway. She bent low near the entrance, then eased around the corner. A cat yowled, then leaped to the ledge above her head. Rita jerked and flattened her back against the cold bricks of the building. Tiny feet scurried across her shoe. She gasped and kicked out her foot. The glare of headlights behind her swept the overflowing garbage cans, creating a macabre dance of shadow and light against the walls. Brakes squealed. A car door opened. She didn’t turn to look, instead she hugged the rough bricks and slid further into the alley’s depth hoping to spot the Ripper. Quickly, she hunkered down behind a trashcan, the rancid smell of old grease turned her stomach.
“I’m here,” Sully said, crouching behind his open door, the car’s headlights left on. “Wait, Rita. Boulet told us not to go it alone.” Sully tipped a flashlight beam around his door to sweep over the trashcans, the brick walls, and then his light flashed on the green dumpster twenty feet ahead on the left. He lowered the beam to the cement. A woman’s bare legs protruded from behind the large green bin.
Rita’s eyes darted from side to side, watching for any slight movement in the shadows. Nothing. Every nerve in her body strung tight, she bent low to approach the dumpster. Tires skidded behind Sully’s car. A door opened, and running footsteps approached her. A firm hand folded over her pistol while the other held her arm in a vice-like grip. She yanked away, spun, and looked up into heated eyes. “Don’t ever hold onto my gun arm like that again.”
“Then next time follow orders,” said Matt.

I live in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Many of the locations I wrote about in Gypsy are copied from the areas around me. I used false names of course, but if anyone from my county reads the book, I’m sure they’ll recognize a few spots. The quaint old century mall I used is now torn down to the foundation. The river road is real and just as scary as in the book. Not for the faint of heart. For more details, excerpts, and to read some fab reviews, visit my website at http://struiff.wordpress.com/ Gypsy Crystal is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.

Book Review: Gypsy Crystal by Lorrie Unites-Struiff

2010-06-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

When a serial killer starts targeting local prostitutes, standard police investigations may not be enough. The autopsies don’t make sense, and girls are disappearing by the day.
Rita is your standard tough girl cop, hardened by years of teasing and ridicule of her Roma heritage. A heritage that has given her a gift she shares with few.
When the police investigations start to flounder, Matt Boulet rolls up to the precinct.

Click here to read full review...

Hope Ocean, we did it!

2010-06-06T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hope Ocean got finished late last night (within just 7 days!!!)

Copies are available from Lulu or Hedge Witchery Books directly, all details are on the Book Shop Page.

Another huge thank you to everyone who got involved!

Guest Post: Author Focus on Ami Blackwelder

2010-06-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

Teacher. Writer. Blogger. BA in English. Lived in Asia for 8 years. Love Thailand. Love storytelling.

I write historical and paranormal romances that focus on the forbidden aspects of passionate love where class, culture, religion, time, death, and species differences are all obstacles.

Ami recently released 'The Hunted of 2060', but has several titles published...

You can find out more about Ami and read excerpts of her writing on her website www.amiblackwelder.com

Hope Ocean

2010-06-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

Well, we're at it again... another charity book on a crazy deadline, this time in aid of the wildlife charities struggling against the tide of destruction brought about by the BP Oil Spill.

Hope Ocean will be a mystical, magical, slightly occult anthology of poems, short stories, and a few interesting articles themed around the ocean.

We are accepting articles to be considered for submission up until 12 noon (GMT) Friday. The book will be on sale Saturday afternoon (GMT).

You can send submissions to hedge-witchery.com@hotmail.com if you have website or blog please forward url if you would like this included.

Guest Post: You Can't Keep A Good Vampire Down By Susan Hanniford Crowley

2010-05-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

SHC: "With me today is my guest, Vampire David Hilliard, from my book THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS." Tall, handsome, and dark-haired David takes a seat opposite me. He's wearing that dark blue Armani suit I love that really bring out his dark fathomless eyes.
"David, the topic today is good vampires versus bad vampires. Do you have an opinion?"
He grins flashing pearly white fangs. Somehow they do not detract from his attractiveness.
DH: Well, Susan. (His baritone chuckle is very seductive.) It all depends on perspective. Some bad vampires are very, very good. (He winks.)
SHC: Since you brought it up, how are vampires in the romance department?
DH: (laughs) Vampires vary just as human males do in their devotion to the female sex. But by and large, we do benefit from centuries of experience, a willingness to explore, and limitless stamina.
SHC: Limitless? (I need a minute to recover.) On that note, how can our female viewers distinguish between a vampire who is the hero type as opposed to someone who just wants to drink their blood?
DH: Hmm. That's difficult. If he wants to get you alone right away, he probably only sees you as food. If he wants to get to know you , he'll take his time. Unless of course, a demon is after you. Then he might rush you a bit to save your life.
SHC: That's like what happened in A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS. That ebook reveals a secret vampire society in Manhattan. In that you're an Arnhem Knight, dedicated to helping supernaturals in trouble, and you help another Arnhem Knight.
DH: I was called in to assist Trevor who was a having some difficulty protecting the woman of his dreams.
SHC: He was having trouble talking to her too. I thought all vampires were suave.
DH: It's always hard when you meet your lifemate. She messes you up emotionally. The intensity of her presence is overwhelming.
SHC: How can you tell if you've met you lifemate?
DH: There's a variety of ways, but the most prominent is that a human touching a vampire should feel cold. Lifemates feel heat from each other.
SHC: I want to know more about the secret vampire society in New York.
DH: The Arnhem Society. The goal of the Arnhem Society is to civilize the vampires in New York City. We want to coexist with humanity. The Arnhem Knights are charged with preventing human deaths by vampires in addition to helping other supernaturals.
SHC: Where is the Arnhem Society?
DH: Tsk, tsk, Susan. Let's talk about something else. I want to talk about the Vampires in Manhattan series. It's a riveting collection that will only grow with stories about the vampires and the other supernaturals that live in the Big Apple. It's full of passion and adventure.
WHEN LOVE SURVIVES is about two supernaturals who find love during their rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. I love the heroism in that story. http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenlovesurvives-362921-143.html
THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS is how I met my lifemate and how we were torn apart by dark forces who covet my beloved's amazing powers. http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html
A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS is about Vampire Trevor Stenwood who found a woman marked for death because of her rare supernatural gift. http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-avampireforchristmas-387184-139.html
Her ebooks are available at all fine ebooks stores.I have a question for you, Susan. Are there more in the series?
SHC: I'm working on edits from my editor right now on a new one. I cannot say more. I laugh. He's turned the tables on me again.
SHC: Thank you, David. And thank you, Lily for having us.

For more information on Susan Hanniford Crowley, visit:
http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/SHCrowley
She's Susan Hanniford Crowley on Facebook

Author Interview: Margaret West - UK Paranormal Romance Writer

2010-05-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

Margaret West is a paranormal romance author from Kent, England. She is also a Spiritual Medium, a Crystal Therapist, and a Psychic Development Tutor. I recently caught up with her to chat about how she started writing and what she’s up to.

I was surprised to learn Margaret’s passion for writing actually came to light on a film set.

“I used to work for the James Bond movie makers and after watching the script writers at work, I decided I wanted to write. My first novel was born from that day.”

Unfortunately, her early writing career was hit by a disaster any writer would find it hard to recover from.

"I did have 6 books on sale but my publisher folded and my books died with them. I was terribly upset. My books were on the shelves, I was selling out at book signs, I was on local radio shows, and suddenly it all disappeared. I retained the rights to my books, but no other publishers will touch them. I am in the process of revamping a few now as it happens. I stopped writing for about a year. I was very despondent. Then I received an acceptance for a short story I'd submitted about a year before and it was nominated for a literary award, that's what spurred me on to write again. I began with teaching modules, which I sell online now, then more short stories, poems and eventually back to novels”

As Margaret also has a spiritual blog, I couldn’t resist the urge to ask her more about this.

“I've always been able to see spirit people from a very young age. I'm now a working medium. I have been for over 20 years. I teach psychic development, crystal therapy and much more.”

Margaret revealed that this is a side of her we may be seeing more of in her literary works.

“I have 2 new books that I'm editing. Both are paranormals.”

Like most writers one of the ways she likes to relax is to curl up with a good book.

“I like historical books, some paranormals, but more on the spirit side of life, rather than werewolves etc”

Margaret currently has two books available “Two Faces, One Live” and “The Heart of A Warrior”. If you would like to find out more about Margaret you can catch up with her via her Book Blog and her Spiritual Blog.

Hedge Witchery Books

2010-05-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen it yet?

That's right the new Hedge Witchery Books website went live last weekend! I you havn't checked it out yet, do it now, it'll be well worth your while as the wonderful Jo Lynne Valerie is giving away a signed copy of Phoenix Rising to celebrate.

Psst!: Don't forget to check out Jo Lynne's online release party.

Guest Post: Denise Verrico, Immortyl Revolution

2010-05-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

Mia Disantini is a vampire who wants to walk again in the sun. Enslaved by her charismatic master, Ethan and plunged into the unenlightened Immortyl culture, Mia struggles for freedom. Trained as Ethan’s “Bird of Prey”, she becomes the pawn of their enigmatic elder, Brovik, in his intrigues concerning the forbidden science. Cast out by Ethan, Mia joins forces with Kurt, and together the lovers steal their master’s secrets and deliver them to Genpath Laboratories. Duped and imprisoned by CEO, Lee Brooks, Mia calls upon the aid of neuroscientist, Dr. Joe Ansari. But Mia and Kurt are hunted for their crime and time is running out.

Vampires fascinate me because I find them to be a wonderful metaphor for many subjects. For me, it’s all about man’s inhumanity to man. If you look at history, there have never been any “good old days”. The history of humankind is fraught with bloodshed and exploitation. My vampires often reflect their era or culture. I depart from the warm and fuzzy vampire. Most in my vampire culture are territorial and violent. Parts of Cara Mia are very bloody. Some of my vampires are more idealistic and humane, but they are still violent by nature.

Vampires have always been a passion for me. As a kid, I loved watching Dark Shadows on TV. Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, was an early sympathetic vampire. I devoured Anne Rice novels and read a lot of vampire lore. Interview with a Vampire is my favorite. I love the Frank Langella version of Dracula. In college, I sat in the balcony of the Pittsburgh Playhouse with my girlfriends and yelled, “Open the window!” to Kate Nelligan. I also like the Lugosi classic a lot.

I follow a lot of vampire traditions in my writing, like avoiding the sun and drinking only human blood, but I give these a scientific reason. In the nineties, I read a lot about biotechnology. I’ve always loved science. The task I set out for myself was to create a plausible cause for vampirism and the subsequent immortality. The sci fi vampire story, I Am Legend is another favorite of mine.

I’m a sucker for a story about the little guy or gal fighting the forces of evil. My heroine and hero are underdogs, slaves chosen for their youth and sexual attractiveness. Mia and Kurt find they’re in sympathy because they find the strictures and cruelty of their society too much to bear. They become outlaws who rebel against their masters and give the secrets of immortality to science. Mia and Kurt may look like teenagers, but they’re both over sixty when they become lovers. They’ve known a lot of pain. Kurt leads a slave rebellion in the second in the series, Twilight of the Gods, which will be out this fall.

Mia’s narrative reflects her irreverent humor and spunk. Her kinsman, Philip exercises his wit at every opportunity. I like to laugh and I always say, when I start to hear too many violins playing, it’s time to wisecrack. My background is in theatre, so I pepper the story with theatrical and Shakespearean references.

The eroticism of the vampire appeals to me. Since my Immortyl culture is based on ancient societies, I’ve gone as far to create vampire courtesans. Cedric MacKinnon, one of these adepts of the ancient arts, is part of the Chief Elder’s household and the POV character in my third novel, Fearful Symmetry. Technically, an adept is a temple artist in a tantric cult of Kali, but they’re treated as political pawns. I love that court intrigue.

You can read excerpts from Cara Mia and Twilight of the Gods at: http://www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com/. Friend me on Facebook at my fan page Immortyl Revolution. You can also follow me on Twitter and my new blog, http://www.immortylrevolution.blogspot.com/.

Incantation

2010-05-16T00:43:00.000-07:00

Incantation is a new e-zine that brings you a delicious concoction of pagan, paranormal and occult articles sprinkled with creative writing.

With the first issue due for release on the 1st of July 2010 there's not long to wait!

Guest Post: When I Began Writing... by Margaret West

2010-04-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

BIO Margaret West resides in England and lives in the Kent countryside. A part from being a Spiritual medium, she is also a Crystal Therapist, Psychic Development tutor and Parapsychologist. She started writing at around 20years of age and has carried on her passion including romance and paranormal themes into her writing. She finds it a cathartic process as well as creative.

When I began writing

When I wrote my first ever chapter I was working on a switchboard. Not just any switch board. Some of you might remember the cord board. Where plugs were on the end of a coloured cord and you thrust them into the buzzing light on the switch board main frame. We had a telex machine for sending messages to other places. No computers then. The most exciting thing was the electric typewriter. When I first got mine I thought it was the best thing ever. Even though I got through a ton of the ‘white stuff’ LOL You know, the dreaded tippex!
I bashed out my first chapter in about three weeks, in between answering the switchboard. From then onwards, as I wrote, the first home computers were available at an extortionate price. My hubby decided we should have one. Of course, there was no Internet for us ‘lower’ mortals then. But doing away with the tippex was such a relief.
I still have that ms today. It went from typewriter, to computer (all retyped) there were no scanners we could afford then LOL onto a floppy and now is on a disc. Of course it’s appalling. I had no idea ‘how’ to write back in those days. I just wrote as I felt. But I still read it occasionally, just to remind myself where I started off and where I am today. I’ve come far with my writing and it’s been worth the sweat and tears. Even if I didn’t think so at the time.

My Latest releases are

The Heart of a Warrior

A romance that highlights the cultural differences that can come between a couple. Falling in love is easy, fighting a tradition and culture that dates back over 200 years is another thing altogether.
Yuma is a Navajo Native American chief. The last of his bloodline. Belinda is a nurse from the UK. When they come together neither is ready for the huge backlash that follows. Can love conquer all? Not always. I’ll leave you to find out if Yuma and Belinda do.

Excerpt

Belinda stood up and took the small earthenware bowl from him.
“Thank you. But I’m only accepting it because I don’t want Niyol to
Think I’m ungrateful. I can’t offer you a chair. As you can see I live very
Simply.”
Yuma had the feeling he was being dismissed and suddenly he
Became the stubborn one. “I’ll take the edge of the bed then,” he said and
Sat down before she could say no.
Belinda’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Suit yourself.” She edged
Past him and picked up her handbag. Making sure she sat at the farthest
Edge of the bed from him, Belinda began to dig through her bag. She
Pulled out a white plastic spoon and then glared at Yuma. “Well, did
You expect me to eat with my fingers?”
Yuma tried to disregard her barbed comments. After all he had
Caused her bad humour. But it was very hard not to yank her across his
Knee and spank her belligerent backside “Thanks for my gift. It
Was…um…”
“Not deserved,” Belinda said, finishing off his sentence.
“Not expected,” he corrected. “It’s a fine stallion.”
“Yes, well, it reminded me of you. I was in a good mood at the time,”
She added.
“So you think I look like a horse?”
Belinda almost choked on her spoonful of stew. Her face went pink as
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I thought he looked strong and
Proud. But I take it all back now. I should have got a donkey, because
you’re an ass.”
Yuma suppressed a chuckle. Belinda was really mad, but her eyes
Told him she was mostly hurt. “I prefer the stallion,” he said, hating
Himself for making her so unhappy.
Belinda dripped her spoon in the stew and paused. “Tell me, Yuma,
Do you always growl at people, or is it just me you hate?”
Yuma stared at Belinda and frowned. How could she ever think he
Hated her? Sure, they argued—a lot. But he had nothing but respect for
Her. “I don’t always growl at people and I could never hate you.”
“Ha, and I’m supposed to believe that. Am I?” Belinda chewed on a
Mouthful of stew and swallowed. “Maybe I just bring out the worst in
You. You certainly bring out the worst in me, even when I’m trying to be
Nice.”
“So you’re saying that you’re not stubborn, argumentative, arrogant,
Reckless and a hell cat?”
Belinda gave him a long hard stare. “I am what you make me.”
Yuma threw his head back and laughed. “No way. You go out of
your way to make me angry. I think you enjoy it.”
“If I do it’s only because you have a ‘do this, do that’ attitude” she
said, putting the half empty bowl onto the floor. “In fact, all you’ve done
since I’ve arrived is order me around.”
“And I suppose you’ve been all meek and mild? Have you forgotten
that you’re the one who came here and turned everything upside
down—expecting me to accommodate you?”

Two Faces One Life

A short story with a big impact. Ted and Sarah meet in a park. Nothing strange about that? But both of them have a serious disability. Ted needs all his powers of persuasion to make Sarah see that life is worth living, even if she thinks hers isn’t.
It’s been called inspirational. A story that’ll melt your heart. I’ll leave you to be the judge of that.

Margarets books can also be purchased direct from her publisher Eternal Press.

You can find out more about Margaret from her website. She is also on Facebook under 'Margaret West' and Twitter under 'mw1962'.

Things to come...

2010-04-18T02:36:00.000-07:00

Ok as you may know Hedge Witchery Books came about via the Book Shop on my main site www.hedge-witchery.com It's has grown and grown mainly because of my own love on occult, paranormal and generally highly atmospheric fiction, as well as good written resources on witchcraft.
With this in mind and with all the fantastic writers I've come to meet I've come to the discision that in the next few months I will be launching a seperate, dedicated site. As well as writers being able to publish with HWB's, writers with other publishers, or who wish to keep the majority of their work as on line content will also be able to join the site. It will be a place to promote thier work and help make it more availible to a wider range of people. There will NOT be any charge to the writers, they will also NOT forfeit any copyrights on their own work. I will ask them to provide pieces of writing, articles, poetry or book exerpts for collective projects once maybe twice a year. And, I may from time to time ask them to open their personal blogs/sites for virtual book tours, etc.
All writers will get their own dedicated page on the site to feature... well pretty much whatever they want!
Obviously I'd like to lauch with a few writers already on board. If you would like to be involved contact me via main site keeping in touch page or leave comment.