La escritura de Hester surge de su experiencia en museos y arqueología histórica. Su ficción se deleita en lo gótico, lo sórdido y lo oscuro, pero siempre está imbuida de una resolución esperanzadora. Aunque todavía no ha encontrado ninguna presencia espectral, mantiene una actitud optimista. Sus narrativas a menudo exploran la interacción entre la historia y el presente, descubriendo verdades ocultas y adentrándose en las profundidades de la psique humana.
This debut recalls Georgette Heyer, with extra spookiness' The Times Beautifully written... The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader' Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me
Exploring the intertwined lives of two women, the narrative delves into the rich history of witchcraft and its implications for female empowerment. It highlights the enduring strength and resilience of women through the ages, showcasing how their stories resonate with themes of defiance and unity. The book weaves together historical context and personal journeys, emphasizing the significance of female power that transcends time.
"With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she's descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home. The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own. Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey's previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library's mysteries in order to reclaim her own story--before it vanishes forever"-- Provided by publisher
An Enchanting Tale of Two Sisters Connected by Magic
"Combining history, the occult, human greed, and a touch of feminism, this is a fine addition to the gothic genre." --ALA's Booklist on The Last Heir to Blackwood Library In the midst of the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of the floriography craze in Europe, two sisters separated at birth are bound together by a secret language of flowers passed down to them by the mother they never knew. When Cornelia leaves her cruel uncle's home to join Napoleon's army as a traveling naturalist, her ability to heal any wound and bring soldiers back from the brink of death earns her praise--and exposes her to those who would exploit her powers for themselves. Meanwhile, Lijsbeth lives in indentured servitude, her only respite her time spent flower arranging. When she meets a young English soldier and falls in love, Lisjbeth must decide whether to flee the clashing of two great armies at Waterloo or risk everything by staying. As the English and French armies collide in Waterloo, the sisters finally cross paths on opposite sides of the war. With the sisters reunited on the battlefield, they must work together to solve the mystery of their mother's death, while surviving the war raging around them.
Set to release in June 2025, this novel promises a captivating blend of magic and mystery. The story unfolds in a richly imagined world, where characters navigate the complexities of their intertwined fates against a backdrop of enchanting elements. Themes of resilience and the struggle for identity are woven throughout, hinting at a narrative that explores both personal and supernatural challenges. Readers can anticipate an immersive experience filled with intrigue and emotional depth.