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Witch Mountain Series #1
Esmeralda
Widow Glory Sinclair and her daughter are living a quiet life on the mountain homestead her family settled nearly three hundred years ago. Then, on a crisp autumn morning, a fractured shriek echoes across the hollow, and Glory’s temperamental handyman claims her prized statue carved from a tree trunk attacked him. Could a wooden likeness of a witch who died centuries before take life? Glory doesn’t think so. Still, mouthwatering sheriff and bachelor William Moore’s decision to hang around and get to the bottom of the increasingly frequent strange occurrences provides her a degree of comfort. Her growing desires to find comfort in his bed…not so much.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
20 people want to read
About the author
Judith Leger
5 books69 followersFor all my life, I've daydreamed. Hero meets heroine, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. The problems that occur in their relationship are over come, melding their hearts together.
My writing tries to capture their essences.
If you love romance with magic, fantasy and memorable characters then you and I have a lot in common.
My writing tries to capture their essences.
If you love romance with magic, fantasy and memorable characters then you and I have a lot in common.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 20, 2013
Esmeralda by Judith Leger Review
Glory has been raising her daughter alone since the loss of her husband in the war. Thankfully she owns the farm where her and Cassie, her daughter, live. Mr. Lanter is her hired hand and while Glory doesn't particularly like him, he does his job. Not many would live this far from town so she is happy he continues to work for her. Sheriff Will Moore, an old friend of both Glory and her deceased husband, stops by to check on her.
Cassie's best friend Esmeralda has been watching over Glory's family for as long as she can remember. Many people claim that Esmeralda has magical powers or that she is a witch but Glory knows better. Esmeralda is just an old weather beaten wooden statue that is slowly rotting away to nothingness.
When a scream pierces the mountain air, all that Glory knows or thinks she knows, is about to change.
A creepy short story very reminiscent of what was once upon a time found in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents collection. The storyteller pulls you in and keeps you focused until the hair raising end. Well worth the read!
I received my copy through the author in exchange for my honest review.
Glory has been raising her daughter alone since the loss of her husband in the war. Thankfully she owns the farm where her and Cassie, her daughter, live. Mr. Lanter is her hired hand and while Glory doesn't particularly like him, he does his job. Not many would live this far from town so she is happy he continues to work for her. Sheriff Will Moore, an old friend of both Glory and her deceased husband, stops by to check on her.
Cassie's best friend Esmeralda has been watching over Glory's family for as long as she can remember. Many people claim that Esmeralda has magical powers or that she is a witch but Glory knows better. Esmeralda is just an old weather beaten wooden statue that is slowly rotting away to nothingness.
When a scream pierces the mountain air, all that Glory knows or thinks she knows, is about to change.
A creepy short story very reminiscent of what was once upon a time found in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents collection. The storyteller pulls you in and keeps you focused until the hair raising end. Well worth the read!
I received my copy through the author in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2013
A lonely home in the mountains, a mad caretaker, and a haunted, life-size woodcarving. This historical paranormal romance has plenty of twists for a novella-length story.
A widow named Glory and her daughter live together on haunted Witch Mountain. Glory owns a family heirloom, a life-size carving of a female ancestor, which is kept in the shed where it slowly deteriorates. When her daughter claims the carving moves, Glory chalks it up to childish imagination. When her caretaker claims it attacked him, she suspects he’s mad or drunk. But when she sees the statue move, she begins to wonder just how safe her childhood home remains.
Add to this a tangled romance with her late husband’s best friend, and this makes quite a nice little ghost story.
If you like romance and a bit of paranormal creep, you’ll enjoy Esmerelda.
A widow named Glory and her daughter live together on haunted Witch Mountain. Glory owns a family heirloom, a life-size carving of a female ancestor, which is kept in the shed where it slowly deteriorates. When her daughter claims the carving moves, Glory chalks it up to childish imagination. When her caretaker claims it attacked him, she suspects he’s mad or drunk. But when she sees the statue move, she begins to wonder just how safe her childhood home remains.
Add to this a tangled romance with her late husband’s best friend, and this makes quite a nice little ghost story.
If you like romance and a bit of paranormal creep, you’ll enjoy Esmerelda.
March 15, 2013
She's made out of wood. The carved statue of a woman. Life sized. So old that the details of the face have mostly flaked away. Her name is Esmeralda, and young Cassie takes it for granted that this wooden statue is alive.
Glory remembers her father's stories about Esmeralda, but has never put any stock in them. Until now.
Will, the local sheriff, doesn't like the idea of them living up on Witch Mountain, even with the dubious protection of Tommy, the workman. Glory employs him to do the heavier chores, since her husband went off to war a few years ago. Her husband never came back, and Glory still carries her grief, and the memory of him, close to her.
The author paints a simple and beautiful portrait of rural American life, a nostalgic idyll in many ways, but with an edge of currency and reality that is totally captivating.
And yes, this is a "romance". I almost walked away from this story because it is a romance. Guys aren't supposed to read romances, or to want to. Pretend this never happened. Walk away. But I couldn't, and I'm glad I didn't. Something grabbed me from the moment I read the description, and I needed to know what happened.
Yes, it's a love story, but the crux of the tale, for me, was the woodshed, and what was inside it.
** I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review **
Glory remembers her father's stories about Esmeralda, but has never put any stock in them. Until now.
Will, the local sheriff, doesn't like the idea of them living up on Witch Mountain, even with the dubious protection of Tommy, the workman. Glory employs him to do the heavier chores, since her husband went off to war a few years ago. Her husband never came back, and Glory still carries her grief, and the memory of him, close to her.
The author paints a simple and beautiful portrait of rural American life, a nostalgic idyll in many ways, but with an edge of currency and reality that is totally captivating.
And yes, this is a "romance". I almost walked away from this story because it is a romance. Guys aren't supposed to read romances, or to want to. Pretend this never happened. Walk away. But I couldn't, and I'm glad I didn't. Something grabbed me from the moment I read the description, and I needed to know what happened.
Yes, it's a love story, but the crux of the tale, for me, was the woodshed, and what was inside it.
** I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review **
January 31, 2013
This story was definitely one of a kind. I don’t think that I’ve ever read anything that comes quite close to the storyline of this short story. It was very refreshing in that way.
The writing style that the author employs flows well from one section to another and from one place to another. I found the writing style to be slightly simplistic based on the type of story that the author was telling, but she made it work well. The story itself however was a bit stiff. I found myself spending as much time trying to fill in the blanks as I did enjoying the story.
I know that it is very difficult to fit details into a short story, making it even more difficult to choose a topic of writing. I found that with this story the tale of Esmerelda was mingling with the budding love story. Because of this all we know about the characters is their names. Even with this being a short story, they should have had some substance. Perhaps had the author written about one or the other I would have been able to immerse myself more fully into the story.
The writing style that the author employs flows well from one section to another and from one place to another. I found the writing style to be slightly simplistic based on the type of story that the author was telling, but she made it work well. The story itself however was a bit stiff. I found myself spending as much time trying to fill in the blanks as I did enjoying the story.
I know that it is very difficult to fit details into a short story, making it even more difficult to choose a topic of writing. I found that with this story the tale of Esmerelda was mingling with the budding love story. Because of this all we know about the characters is their names. Even with this being a short story, they should have had some substance. Perhaps had the author written about one or the other I would have been able to immerse myself more fully into the story.
February 8, 2013
**DISCLAIMER** I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It seems I am on a short story kick as of late and as far as short stories go, this one had me mesmerized and kept me guessing page after page. The story started off a bit odd, for the first few moments of reading, then I was able to settle in and immerse myself in this wonderful short story. The idea of a guardian angel that protects a woman and her child was a new idea and a lot of fun to read.
I was able to relate to Grace as a mother and as a woman living outside of a populated city, he fears of something going on were well conveyed as well as her apprehension of a woman coming alive and protecting her and her child; ok, so that’s never happened to me, yet.
Judith’s delicate balance of romance, mystery, twists and turns and a strong female character was refreshing; Grace was a great compliment to William’s strength and sense of duty and honor.
It seems I am on a short story kick as of late and as far as short stories go, this one had me mesmerized and kept me guessing page after page. The story started off a bit odd, for the first few moments of reading, then I was able to settle in and immerse myself in this wonderful short story. The idea of a guardian angel that protects a woman and her child was a new idea and a lot of fun to read.
I was able to relate to Grace as a mother and as a woman living outside of a populated city, he fears of something going on were well conveyed as well as her apprehension of a woman coming alive and protecting her and her child; ok, so that’s never happened to me, yet.
Judith’s delicate balance of romance, mystery, twists and turns and a strong female character was refreshing; Grace was a great compliment to William’s strength and sense of duty and honor.
March 23, 2013
I don't normally enjoy "paranormal" stories, but have been trying to expand my thinking (I love a good classic or mystery best!) and reading. This book kept me hooked. Maybe it's my ignorance of the genre, but I found it unique and fresh. It would be a perfect YA book without the steamy sex scene, and indeed, I think the author should seriously consider that field. Her writing style is clear, concise, creative (oh dear, i didn't mean to be alliterative) and charming. I doubt she's ever actually made pancakes, and I wondered at the luxury of rooms and why the canned goods stored under the house didn't freeze in the winter. My pdf appeared to have a word missing here and there, but overall, I'm glad I read this story. Well done, Ms. Leger.
** I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review **
** I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review **
June 12, 2013
This was a suspenseful and sweet short story. I enjoyed the story although I do admit that I wish it was a bit longer. I felt like I had just become involved with the characters and it was over. I loved the idea behind the story though and I still feel that there is a lot of potential here if the author chooses to move forward with Esmeralda. It would be interesting to learn how she came to be and what her future holds.
****I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
****I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2013
I love the way Judith Leger weaves a story full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, interesting characters with a little romance to top it off. If you are looking for a story that will capture your attention and keep you on the edge of your seat, then this is the book for you.
June 17, 2013
I enjoyed the story although I do admit i wish it had a lot more action, the story itself was nice and written well, it had suspense and love, nice charecters and a place with magic.
it was a little to short, but i loved it!
it was a little to short, but i loved it!
June 9, 2013
This was a good read, I honestly enjoyed it although there were times when the author was overly descriptive and I ended up skipping those areas. All in all, it was good.
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March 17, 2008Fallen Angel Reviews - Reviewed by: Linda L. gave the story a five angel review at http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/200...
The Witch Within is a spellbinding read. The story is so well told that it held me glued to the pages. I could almost sense every sensation that spun with the mountain and Esmeralda. I thought the way Glory wanted Will so much, yet still held the memory of her husband, was touching. I found the characters so amazing that it was really hard to put this page-turner down. Judith Leger whips up an extraordinary tale that is exhilarating and top-notch. She makes me want much more. I love the eerie feeling that surrounds the story not to mention the ambiance of the whole setting. This suspenseful read is one that leaves a lasting impression with this reader.
The Witch Within is a spellbinding read. The story is so well told that it held me glued to the pages. I could almost sense every sensation that spun with the mountain and Esmeralda. I thought the way Glory wanted Will so much, yet still held the memory of her husband, was touching. I found the characters so amazing that it was really hard to put this page-turner down. Judith Leger whips up an extraordinary tale that is exhilarating and top-notch. She makes me want much more. I love the eerie feeling that surrounds the story not to mention the ambiance of the whole setting. This suspenseful read is one that leaves a lasting impression with this reader.
July 7, 2013
I was sent a copy of this story to review and was looking forward to reading it based upon the description. However, sad to say I was disappointed in what I read. This felt more like an assignment given to a high school student in creative writing. The storyline was predictable, the characters never fully developed and I once it was ended I knew the book would easily be forgotten. Ms Leger does show promise but I think should take more time in creating a world where the characters come to life and you feel as if you have entered into their world.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews