Tuesday 10 July 2012

Blog Tour: Witchstruck By Victoria Lamb plus International GIVEAWAY


Name: Witchstruck
Author: Victoria Lamb
Publisher: Random House
Release date: July 2012

Summary: Meg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practise the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake.
Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg's existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witchfinder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret.
Thrilling and fast-paced, this is the first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series.

Review:
On hearing the summary of this novel it immediately had me desperate for a copy.
I have always truly loved the Tudors-dating back to my school days I really enjoyed studying it.
So for a series to be based on that time I was in awe.
The imagery and description of 'Witchstruck' has you on the edge of your seat.
It made me feel like a Tudor girl, minus the corset.
It's also made me long for a beautiful dress, that would be so tight I'd hardly breathe.
In meeting Meg I instantly loved her.
She's loveable, yet naïve and she also does the best she can for those she cares about.
The tension between Meg and witchfinder Marcus Dent is intense and hauntingly terrifying.
He's a horrible excuse of a man and poor Meg suffers so much at his hands.
Bereavement, betrayal, near-death and abuse are just a few things she suffers thanks to Dent.
At the beginning I thought Princess Elizabeth was a bit stuck-up.
But as the story went on the bond between her and Meg intensified. 
Then as a reader I started feeling differently about her.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat.
I nearly missed my stop on the bus and could've overdone my lunch break.
You'd be hooked and eager to find out what was next.
The tension between Meg and the young Spanish priest, Alejandro was intense, confusing and lustful.
The sexual tension between the pair is apparent from their very first encounter.
What I truly loved about 'Witchstruck' was how intense and compelling it was.
Such an awesome way to start a thrilling new series, I am eager for more.

So today the fabulous Witchstruck blog tour stops here with us at Dark Readers.
Witchstruck is Victoria's first YA series and I must say this is a very good start.

Meg's journal

Take what you will into the circle to work magick. It matters not if an object be of iron or wood or stone, so long as you may work well with it. Whatever does not work should be thanked and laid aside. You are not yet ready for it. From Hecate's Book

*
Stay within the circle when the powers press hard against you. The circle can be a safe haven between worlds, but its strength comes from you. If the magick will not be worked that night, respectfully dispel the circle and withdraw. No magick except the dark can be forced to come. From Aunt Jane's Book of Shadows.

*
At summer's end, lay down a holly branch for the sun god and mourn his passing. Light a red candle at sunset. Call on Gog and Magog to guard the seeds that sleep in winter. The old gods should not be neglected. From Hecate's Book.

*
Aunt Jane told me this once: A new witch should use an old cauldron, and better one that is also used for cooking. Not only will it hide your craft from those who watch, but its loyalty is strengthened with every meal it makes for you.

*
Never sleep under a hawthorn bush, for the spirits that dwell there may steal your soul and leave your body empty. Yet never cause a hawthorn to be felled. The death of a hawthorn brings bad luck, twelve times twelve. From Aunt Jane's Book of Shadows.

*
To call down rain, use an iron vessel. For sun, a golden or wooden bowl. Take these to a high place. For rain, pour water over a white stone and leave to steep while the Moon passes through the constellations of Cancer or Pisces. For sun, burn a pinch or three of dried oak bark and yew needles while the Moon is in Aries or Leo.Works best with dried yew needles.

*
To turn an enemy to friendship, say their name over a blue flower or candle within the circle and open your heart to them under its protection. Wear blue in their presence. Speak to them three times in kindness. If this does not draw them to you, beware and protect yourself. I have tried this. It did not work. 

Now are you excited for Witchstruck? It is available now.
For your chance to win a copy of the fantastic Tudor based Witch series just tell us why you should win?
Can you please leave us your email address with your comment so we can contact the lucky winner.
This competition is INTERNATIONAL, so get commenting.

Victoria is on Twitter @VictoriaLamb1
Here official website is http://www.victorialambbooks.com 


10 comments:

erin said...

Thanks for a fabulous review! This is the first I've heard of this book and it sounds fantastic! I love magic, especially worked into stories about real people. :)

Thanks for the giveaway!

efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

Christina Kit. said...

LOVE the sound of this! Especially the era:)

Great little excerpts:)

Thanks so much:)

ccfioriole at gmail dot com

april_hunter24 said...

This book sounds awesome ! It looks like it would be a really good read. Absoulutely love the cover, it's so pretty. Thanks for the giveaway !

april_hunter96@hotmail.co.uk

Stephanie27 said...

I try to get my hands on anything written about this era. I love to read about the things that happened back then and this one has an extra twist. I am hooked.

Stephanie27

drinkshrunkentears at gmail dot com

mary ann g. said...

I love reading books about witchcraft and in different era compare to other books every reader could read right now.

Thanks for the good review and the extra giveaway!

maryanngacayan at yahoo dot com

Jeff Rivera said...

This looks like an amazing young adult novel. Great book for older children. I think I am going to enjoy reading it too. Great review.

Shane @ItchingforBooks said...

Awesome stop! I like the plot and of course the setting.

gingesmissus said...

I always love hearing about authors I haven't discovered yet, you've introduced me to a few already! I'd like the chance to read this book now I've read your review :-)

gingesmissus at hotmail dot com

Thanks!

gingesmissus said...

I love the chance to read new authors I haven't discovered yet - you guys have already introduced me to a few! I'd like the chance to read this book now I've read your review :-)

gingesmissus at hotmail dot com

Thanks!

Na said...

I'm completely intrigued by witches in this time period. Thank you for the giveaway!

Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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