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Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft
Ten stories by ten authors:
1. AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH by Liv Rancourt
A little harmless magic nearly turns into more than this Wiccan can handle.
2. ALBA by Karen Heard
In a race against the clock, will Sgt. Taylor discover the witch behind the murders at Bindings Wood?
3. BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS by Jonathan Broughton
Hell hath no fury like a witch scorned.
4. THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia
This kitty cat is a lot more than what she seems.
5. THE MAY LADY VANISHES by Pamela Turner
A missing witch may tear this coven apart.
6. HANGING WITCH OF PAINTER MOUNTAIN by Lawrence Barker
On Painter Mountain, your lust for life or death is measured.
7. THIRTEEN STEPS by Debbie Christiana
The past returns, seeking justice.
8. FOUR BONY HANDS by Rayne Hall
Nasty things sometimes come in small packages.
9. MISHMASH MAGICK by Carole Ann Moleti
Surviving in The Bronx requires new ways of doing things.
10. LOVE MAGICK by Debra Dunbar
Sometimes magic will only show you what was there all along.
Some of these stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, anthologies and collections.
1. AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH by Liv Rancourt
A little harmless magic nearly turns into more than this Wiccan can handle.
2. ALBA by Karen Heard
In a race against the clock, will Sgt. Taylor discover the witch behind the murders at Bindings Wood?
3. BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS by Jonathan Broughton
Hell hath no fury like a witch scorned.
4. THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia
This kitty cat is a lot more than what she seems.
5. THE MAY LADY VANISHES by Pamela Turner
A missing witch may tear this coven apart.
6. HANGING WITCH OF PAINTER MOUNTAIN by Lawrence Barker
On Painter Mountain, your lust for life or death is measured.
7. THIRTEEN STEPS by Debbie Christiana
The past returns, seeking justice.
8. FOUR BONY HANDS by Rayne Hall
Nasty things sometimes come in small packages.
9. MISHMASH MAGICK by Carole Ann Moleti
Surviving in The Bronx requires new ways of doing things.
10. LOVE MAGICK by Debra Dunbar
Sometimes magic will only show you what was there all along.
Some of these stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, anthologies and collections.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Rayne Hall
115 books1,437 followersRayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction, some of it quirky, most of it dark. She is the author of over sixty books in different genres and under different pen names, published by twelve publishers in six countries, translated into several languages. Her short stories have been published in magazines, e-zines and anthologies.
After living in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal, she has settled in a small Victorian seaside town in southern England. Rayne holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Over three decades, she has worked in the publishing industry as a trainee, investigative journalist, feature writer, magazine editor, production editor, page designer, concept editor for non-fiction book series, anthology editor, editorial consultant and more. Outside publishing, she worked as a museum guide, apple
picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, trade fair hostess, translator and belly dancer.
Currently, Rayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction and tries to regain the rights to her out-of-print books so she can republish them as e-books.
Her books on the writing craft (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing Dark Stories, Writing About Villains, Writing Short Stories to Promote Your Novel, Writing About Magic, Twitter for Writers) are bestsellers.
Rayne Hall is the editor of the Ten Tales anthologies:
"Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires"
"Scared: Ten Tales of Horror"
"Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts"
"Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates"
"Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft"
"Spells: Ten Tales of Magic"
"Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies"
"Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance"
"Dragon: Ten Tales of Fiery Beasts"
"Cogwheels: Ten Tales of Steampunk"
with more titles coming soon.
The stories in her Six Scary Tales series and the Thirty Scary Tales collection are subtle horror: suspenseful, creepy atmospheric, unsettling. Although they contain little violence and gore, they may not be suitable for young readers. Many of these stories have been previously published in other books or magazines.
British English: All Rayne Hall's books use British words, spellings, grammar and punctuation. If you're allergic to British English, avoid them. ;-)
Mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/boqJzD
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/raynehal...
YouTube "Ten Random Facts about Rayne Hall" (2 minute video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXR4T...
Contact Rayne Hall on Twitter
@RayneHall follows back writers and readers. http://twitter.com/RayneHall
After living in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal, she has settled in a small Victorian seaside town in southern England. Rayne holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Over three decades, she has worked in the publishing industry as a trainee, investigative journalist, feature writer, magazine editor, production editor, page designer, concept editor for non-fiction book series, anthology editor, editorial consultant and more. Outside publishing, she worked as a museum guide, apple
picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, trade fair hostess, translator and belly dancer.
Currently, Rayne Hall writes fantasy and horror fiction and tries to regain the rights to her out-of-print books so she can republish them as e-books.
Her books on the writing craft (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing Dark Stories, Writing About Villains, Writing Short Stories to Promote Your Novel, Writing About Magic, Twitter for Writers) are bestsellers.
Rayne Hall is the editor of the Ten Tales anthologies:
"Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires"
"Scared: Ten Tales of Horror"
"Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts"
"Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates"
"Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft"
"Spells: Ten Tales of Magic"
"Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies"
"Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance"
"Dragon: Ten Tales of Fiery Beasts"
"Cogwheels: Ten Tales of Steampunk"
with more titles coming soon.
The stories in her Six Scary Tales series and the Thirty Scary Tales collection are subtle horror: suspenseful, creepy atmospheric, unsettling. Although they contain little violence and gore, they may not be suitable for young readers. Many of these stories have been previously published in other books or magazines.
British English: All Rayne Hall's books use British words, spellings, grammar and punctuation. If you're allergic to British English, avoid them. ;-)
Mailing list:
http://eepurl.com/boqJzD
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/raynehal...
YouTube "Ten Random Facts about Rayne Hall" (2 minute video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXR4T...
Contact Rayne Hall on Twitter
@RayneHall follows back writers and readers. http://twitter.com/RayneHall
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 15, 2013
I love Halloween and all the fun, creative, scary, and spooky things that are part of the excitement of the night. I always have loved the joy on a child face because they are getting to pretend to be someone who is magical, powerful, mythical, admirable, or awesome to them. One of the most popular costumes through out the ages has been that of the witch. Which witch did you want to be - good or evil? I always wanted to be just like the ones from all the storybooks I read; a crooked nose, big black hat, and laugh that would scare all the grown-ups.
That's why I was thrilled when I received the opportunity to read BELTANE: TEN TALES OF WITCHCRAFT. This great collection of short stories written by the talented authors; Rayne Hall, Jonathan Broughton, Debra Dunbar, Liv Rancourt, Pamela Turner, Lawrence Barker, Mertianna Georgia, Karen Heard, Carole Ann Moleti, and Debbie Christiana had me captivated. The ten authors share their visions of witches and witchcraft, each in a different writing style.
In this book, all the witches are real. They practice different kinds of witchcraft: Traditional, Stregheria, Santeria, Wicca and more. Some are good, some are evil, and others are in between, so beware of jumping to early conclusions.
My Review:
One of the stories that I really enjoyed was ALBA by Karen Heard. As young girls are dyeing seemingly without cause, Sargent Taylor must discover who is behind the murders. He knows that Wiccans are people who worship nature. Could there be a connection with the twig and ice dolls left at the scenes? After the dismissal of Selma did he dare consider the world of witchcraft?
Another must read from the collection is THIRTEEN STEPS By Debbie Christiana. The village of Messina, Sicily hadn’t hung a witch in over three hundred years. But that would change as Isabella, was sentenced to hang until dead for the crime of collaboration with Satan on Friday, October thirteenth.
The Mayor greeted the reporter. It had been 11 years since they had been able to honor Isabella. Bart was on this assignment because of his indiscretions and was now walking down the trail to the ball field to see the secret rituals of the Strega. He had heard the stories and the chants. Now he would learn that repeating the sins of his ancestors would make him part of the ritual. The past returned, seeking justice.
I enjoyed reading all the stories and would recommend this book anyone who is interested in witches and enjoys the unexpected in the stories that they read.
That's why I was thrilled when I received the opportunity to read BELTANE: TEN TALES OF WITCHCRAFT. This great collection of short stories written by the talented authors; Rayne Hall, Jonathan Broughton, Debra Dunbar, Liv Rancourt, Pamela Turner, Lawrence Barker, Mertianna Georgia, Karen Heard, Carole Ann Moleti, and Debbie Christiana had me captivated. The ten authors share their visions of witches and witchcraft, each in a different writing style.
In this book, all the witches are real. They practice different kinds of witchcraft: Traditional, Stregheria, Santeria, Wicca and more. Some are good, some are evil, and others are in between, so beware of jumping to early conclusions.
My Review:
One of the stories that I really enjoyed was ALBA by Karen Heard. As young girls are dyeing seemingly without cause, Sargent Taylor must discover who is behind the murders. He knows that Wiccans are people who worship nature. Could there be a connection with the twig and ice dolls left at the scenes? After the dismissal of Selma did he dare consider the world of witchcraft?
Another must read from the collection is THIRTEEN STEPS By Debbie Christiana. The village of Messina, Sicily hadn’t hung a witch in over three hundred years. But that would change as Isabella, was sentenced to hang until dead for the crime of collaboration with Satan on Friday, October thirteenth.
The Mayor greeted the reporter. It had been 11 years since they had been able to honor Isabella. Bart was on this assignment because of his indiscretions and was now walking down the trail to the ball field to see the secret rituals of the Strega. He had heard the stories and the chants. Now he would learn that repeating the sins of his ancestors would make him part of the ritual. The past returned, seeking justice.
I enjoyed reading all the stories and would recommend this book anyone who is interested in witches and enjoys the unexpected in the stories that they read.
January 27, 2015
This is a compilation book of ten different authors and as such the writing styles and ability vary greatly. I was tempted to stop reading after the first story but I persevered and was rewarded by a wonderful second story. While I didn't like all the stories in this book I've found that I rarely do like all the stories in compilations like this one. This book gives a good introduction to ten different authors, go ahead and give it a chance. You might find a new favorite author.
September 29, 2013
Right away, before delving into each of these fantastic stories, I must give full disclosure of my bias: I’m both Wiccan and a witch. I have a fairly intimate knowledge of the Craft, both through experience and research. I love being part of this belief system, finding like-minded people, and learning all that I can about it, within the decreasing limits of my so-called free time. So finding this anthology, Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, was like coming home to me. I absolutely loved it.
“An Accidental Witch”, by Liv Rancourt
I was completely entranced by this story from the first page. The descriptions, the characters, the setting -- all of it grabbed me right away. In a problem reminiscent of classic sitcoms like ‘Bewitched’, a practitioner of magick approaches her Wiccan friend for a little bragging over her coven’s recent acquisition, and a little help with an awkward situation. Charlotte agrees to help, and succeeds, using her skills in Wicca as well as some quick thinking and a level head. I could see it all so clearly, and the characters all reminded me of people I know and love. Rancourt has provided a fabulous introductory story to the anthology, perfect with a chocolate-covered pastry for nibbles.
“Alba”, by Karen Heard
I was glad to take a break between stories, because I quickly realized there is a change in tone as each tale ends and the next begins. The subtleties and undercurrents of “Alba” were compelling and organic. I love strong subtext, fitting pieces together, and discovering hidden meanings. I love flipping back and forth between sections of a story to uncover what was there all along. Heard did that for me with writing that is breathtakingly beautiful and haunting. Her story strongly reminds me of favourite episodes of ‘The X-Files” and the classic ghost story “Watcher in the Woods”, flavoured with aspects of Snow White and other fairy tales. There is also a twist at the end that I did not see coming, and it was perfect. Read with a good cup of tea.
“By the Pricking of My Thumbs”, by Jonathan Broughton
Ah, vengeance. Justice. Mayhem. Some of Shakespeare’s best works were based on these very themes, these intangible aspects of human nature that both terrify and release. I was floored by this imagining of turn-of-the-century performance of That Scottish Play. Broughton uses incredible detail to skillfully set up a plot that spirals rapidly to its climax. The dramatic irony is intense and juicy. The applause of the audience is definitely well-deserved.
“The Cat Maiden”, by Mertianna Georgia
I have friends who are devout cat-lovers and fans of fantasy fiction who must, absolutely MUST read this story. I’m going to insist on it. (And of course, they will then be compelled to read the rest of the anthology, which is as it should be, because I cannot decide on a favourite here, no more than I could choose a favourite chocolate out of the box.) I adore the sweetness of Georgia’s characters, struggling to be true and strong in a harsh world. Elrick, her protagonist, is fortunate indeed to have been granted two loving guardians with gifts of magick to teach and protect him. I wish I could see this illustrated with watercolours, each picture bordered in gilt.
“The May Lady Vanishes”, by Pamela Turner
I must say, I had my suspicions about a certain character in this story from the very beginning, and I was gratified when I read the solution to the mystery and discovered I’d been right all along. I don’t want to spoil it for you, of course, so won’t go into too much detail. But Turner’s depiction of an occult shop was bang-on. And her visuals brought the story to life immediately. What I liked most about this story, though, is that it really brings home the reality that not all those who practice Wicca and/or witchcraft do so with good intentions. Witches are still human beings, capable of jealousy and poor behaviour. There are consequences for everything. Turner’s characters are entirely three-dimensional in this short mystery.
“The Hanging Witch of Painter Mountain”, by Lawrence Baker
Excellent reading for a warm -- or cool -- fall afternoon. Baker evokes a combination of creepy, sinister, wistful feelings in this look back to the years after the American Civil War. I love the language in this story, and his use of subtext to reveal the magick in the rough mountain community. This story makes me think of something Stephen King might write, actually. It transitions seamlessly from one reality to the next, as gently as a falling leaf, bittersweet and tangy. “The Hanging Witch” is a notable example in that every word is chosen carefully to provide meaning to the reader, and eloquently so.
“Thirteen Steps”, by Debbie Christiana
Another tale of purposeful witchcraft, tinged with horror for those who admire Stephen King. Poor condemned witch Isabella cannot be pitied for long, as she is one of those who cannot be held back even by time. The fate of the antagonist, self-indulgent journalist Bart Santz/Sanzone, is abundantly clear from the moment he is introduced, which makes riding along with him that much more enjoyable. Oh, that moment when he realizes the point of no return has come and gone... Just delicious. Tea and hot apple pie with this one, if you please. Throw a dollop of whipped cream on top. Trust me.
“Four Bony Hands”, by Rayne Hall
A stunning modern adaptation of a classic children’s fairy tale. Estelle is such a sweetheart, a good woman whose qualities I recognize in a number of my close friends. Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished. Perhaps it’s her own karma catching up with her -- Estelle is no innocent, though her minor civic crimes were committed with the intention of protecting life. Certainly, her fate is determined by the impact of ignorance and abuse on others. I like this story so much because Hall not only depicts human beings with great honesty, she doesn’t even hold back with the children. There is a harsh reality to being a child in a story with a witch -- at least a traditional fairy tale, in which witches are inevitably evil hags with a yen for prepubescent flesh -- so in a way, the children’s behaviour is somewhat understandable. If only Estelle had realized her role in their perceived story... I find myself wishing I could read the next chapter, that this one continues on in any one of several directions.
“Mishmash Magick”, by Carole Ann Moleti
Discovering this colourful tale of urban magick was a complete delight. One simply does not expect to encounter witches in the city, let alone builders of magickal circles, crafters of spells, or celebrations of sacred fire festivals in the concrete and pavement landscape. Moleti’s portrayal of the balance between the intangible and the mundane is bang-on. There is a care to the works of the urban witch, a certain way to juggle the Craft without attracting unwanted notice, and she has captured it brilliantly.
“Love Magick”, by Debra Dunbar
Dunbar knows her teenagers, and her facts about Wicca and witchcraft. This story is really and truly lovely, even with its squirmy moments of adolescent awkwardness. The outsider, Blossom, is painfully lonely and accepts an offer from one of her school’s queen bees, Sheila, to work a spell on a boy. Blossom has a good heart, and a strong conscience, and her inner beauty is clearly visible to others even though she doesn’t realize it until her crisis peaks. I wish that real life could resolve itself as well as “Love Magick” does, but that’s why we read -- to learn how to work through problems, and improve how we behave toward each other. And that’s really the heart of magick: achieving balance, for the good of all and harming none.
This anthology is a must-read for lovers of magic/magick, fantasy, romance, horror, mystery, and the paranormal. I’m so glad that I read this book.
“An Accidental Witch”, by Liv Rancourt
I was completely entranced by this story from the first page. The descriptions, the characters, the setting -- all of it grabbed me right away. In a problem reminiscent of classic sitcoms like ‘Bewitched’, a practitioner of magick approaches her Wiccan friend for a little bragging over her coven’s recent acquisition, and a little help with an awkward situation. Charlotte agrees to help, and succeeds, using her skills in Wicca as well as some quick thinking and a level head. I could see it all so clearly, and the characters all reminded me of people I know and love. Rancourt has provided a fabulous introductory story to the anthology, perfect with a chocolate-covered pastry for nibbles.
“Alba”, by Karen Heard
I was glad to take a break between stories, because I quickly realized there is a change in tone as each tale ends and the next begins. The subtleties and undercurrents of “Alba” were compelling and organic. I love strong subtext, fitting pieces together, and discovering hidden meanings. I love flipping back and forth between sections of a story to uncover what was there all along. Heard did that for me with writing that is breathtakingly beautiful and haunting. Her story strongly reminds me of favourite episodes of ‘The X-Files” and the classic ghost story “Watcher in the Woods”, flavoured with aspects of Snow White and other fairy tales. There is also a twist at the end that I did not see coming, and it was perfect. Read with a good cup of tea.
“By the Pricking of My Thumbs”, by Jonathan Broughton
Ah, vengeance. Justice. Mayhem. Some of Shakespeare’s best works were based on these very themes, these intangible aspects of human nature that both terrify and release. I was floored by this imagining of turn-of-the-century performance of That Scottish Play. Broughton uses incredible detail to skillfully set up a plot that spirals rapidly to its climax. The dramatic irony is intense and juicy. The applause of the audience is definitely well-deserved.
“The Cat Maiden”, by Mertianna Georgia
I have friends who are devout cat-lovers and fans of fantasy fiction who must, absolutely MUST read this story. I’m going to insist on it. (And of course, they will then be compelled to read the rest of the anthology, which is as it should be, because I cannot decide on a favourite here, no more than I could choose a favourite chocolate out of the box.) I adore the sweetness of Georgia’s characters, struggling to be true and strong in a harsh world. Elrick, her protagonist, is fortunate indeed to have been granted two loving guardians with gifts of magick to teach and protect him. I wish I could see this illustrated with watercolours, each picture bordered in gilt.
“The May Lady Vanishes”, by Pamela Turner
I must say, I had my suspicions about a certain character in this story from the very beginning, and I was gratified when I read the solution to the mystery and discovered I’d been right all along. I don’t want to spoil it for you, of course, so won’t go into too much detail. But Turner’s depiction of an occult shop was bang-on. And her visuals brought the story to life immediately. What I liked most about this story, though, is that it really brings home the reality that not all those who practice Wicca and/or witchcraft do so with good intentions. Witches are still human beings, capable of jealousy and poor behaviour. There are consequences for everything. Turner’s characters are entirely three-dimensional in this short mystery.
“The Hanging Witch of Painter Mountain”, by Lawrence Baker
Excellent reading for a warm -- or cool -- fall afternoon. Baker evokes a combination of creepy, sinister, wistful feelings in this look back to the years after the American Civil War. I love the language in this story, and his use of subtext to reveal the magick in the rough mountain community. This story makes me think of something Stephen King might write, actually. It transitions seamlessly from one reality to the next, as gently as a falling leaf, bittersweet and tangy. “The Hanging Witch” is a notable example in that every word is chosen carefully to provide meaning to the reader, and eloquently so.
“Thirteen Steps”, by Debbie Christiana
Another tale of purposeful witchcraft, tinged with horror for those who admire Stephen King. Poor condemned witch Isabella cannot be pitied for long, as she is one of those who cannot be held back even by time. The fate of the antagonist, self-indulgent journalist Bart Santz/Sanzone, is abundantly clear from the moment he is introduced, which makes riding along with him that much more enjoyable. Oh, that moment when he realizes the point of no return has come and gone... Just delicious. Tea and hot apple pie with this one, if you please. Throw a dollop of whipped cream on top. Trust me.
“Four Bony Hands”, by Rayne Hall
A stunning modern adaptation of a classic children’s fairy tale. Estelle is such a sweetheart, a good woman whose qualities I recognize in a number of my close friends. Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished. Perhaps it’s her own karma catching up with her -- Estelle is no innocent, though her minor civic crimes were committed with the intention of protecting life. Certainly, her fate is determined by the impact of ignorance and abuse on others. I like this story so much because Hall not only depicts human beings with great honesty, she doesn’t even hold back with the children. There is a harsh reality to being a child in a story with a witch -- at least a traditional fairy tale, in which witches are inevitably evil hags with a yen for prepubescent flesh -- so in a way, the children’s behaviour is somewhat understandable. If only Estelle had realized her role in their perceived story... I find myself wishing I could read the next chapter, that this one continues on in any one of several directions.
“Mishmash Magick”, by Carole Ann Moleti
Discovering this colourful tale of urban magick was a complete delight. One simply does not expect to encounter witches in the city, let alone builders of magickal circles, crafters of spells, or celebrations of sacred fire festivals in the concrete and pavement landscape. Moleti’s portrayal of the balance between the intangible and the mundane is bang-on. There is a care to the works of the urban witch, a certain way to juggle the Craft without attracting unwanted notice, and she has captured it brilliantly.
“Love Magick”, by Debra Dunbar
Dunbar knows her teenagers, and her facts about Wicca and witchcraft. This story is really and truly lovely, even with its squirmy moments of adolescent awkwardness. The outsider, Blossom, is painfully lonely and accepts an offer from one of her school’s queen bees, Sheila, to work a spell on a boy. Blossom has a good heart, and a strong conscience, and her inner beauty is clearly visible to others even though she doesn’t realize it until her crisis peaks. I wish that real life could resolve itself as well as “Love Magick” does, but that’s why we read -- to learn how to work through problems, and improve how we behave toward each other. And that’s really the heart of magick: achieving balance, for the good of all and harming none.
This anthology is a must-read for lovers of magic/magick, fantasy, romance, horror, mystery, and the paranormal. I’m so glad that I read this book.
February 18, 2015
I don't give out a lot of 5 star reviews, but Rayne Hall never disappoints. In this anthology she has chosen stories revolving around Witchcraft. I was a little skeptical going in on this one, I half expected stories of witches living in candy houses being shoved into ovens by children or perhaps offering pretty girls poison apples....
An Accidental Witch - Liv Rancourt
A little harmless magic nearly turns into more than this Wiccan can handle.There was something familiar with this story; the characters and locations felt reminded me of places I have seen and people I have known.
Alba - Karen Heard
In a race against the clock, will Sgt. Taylor discover the witch behind the murders at Bindings Wood? This story had undertones of a Sci-Fi Mystery mixed with Snow White (and probably a few other fairytales I'm drawing a blank on). This was a multi-layered story with a twist.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs - Jonathan Broughton
Hell hath no fury like a witch scorned.
The Cat Maiden - Mertianna Georgia
Elrick, her protagonist, is fortunate indeed to have been granted two loving guardians with gifts of magick to teach and protect him. This kitty cat is a lot more than what she seems.
The May Lady Vanishes - Pamela Turner
I have worked in two metaphysical/new age/witch shoppes and this story just struck a cord with me. A missing witch may tear this coven apart.
The Hanging Witch of Painter Mountain - Lawrence Baker
Magick in the rough mountain community. On Painter Mountain, your lust for life or death is measured.
Thirteen Steps - Debbie Christiana
Another tale of purposeful witchcraft, tinged with horror for those who admire Stephen King.
Four Bony Hands - Rayne Hall
Nasty things sometimes come in small packages. The past returns, seeking justice. A stunning modern adaptation of a classic children’s fairy tale.
Mishmash Magick - Carole Ann Moleti
Surviving in The Bronx requires new ways of doing things. A colourful tale of urban magick.
Love Magick - Debra Dunbar
Sometimes magic will only show you what was there all along.
This anthology is a must-read for lovers of magic/magick, fantasy, romance, horror, mystery, and the paranormal.
I received this book Complimentary for review purposes. My opinions are 100% my own.
An Accidental Witch - Liv Rancourt
A little harmless magic nearly turns into more than this Wiccan can handle.There was something familiar with this story; the characters and locations felt reminded me of places I have seen and people I have known.
Alba - Karen Heard
In a race against the clock, will Sgt. Taylor discover the witch behind the murders at Bindings Wood? This story had undertones of a Sci-Fi Mystery mixed with Snow White (and probably a few other fairytales I'm drawing a blank on). This was a multi-layered story with a twist.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs - Jonathan Broughton
Hell hath no fury like a witch scorned.
The Cat Maiden - Mertianna Georgia
Elrick, her protagonist, is fortunate indeed to have been granted two loving guardians with gifts of magick to teach and protect him. This kitty cat is a lot more than what she seems.
The May Lady Vanishes - Pamela Turner
I have worked in two metaphysical/new age/witch shoppes and this story just struck a cord with me. A missing witch may tear this coven apart.
The Hanging Witch of Painter Mountain - Lawrence Baker
Magick in the rough mountain community. On Painter Mountain, your lust for life or death is measured.
Thirteen Steps - Debbie Christiana
Another tale of purposeful witchcraft, tinged with horror for those who admire Stephen King.
Four Bony Hands - Rayne Hall
Nasty things sometimes come in small packages. The past returns, seeking justice. A stunning modern adaptation of a classic children’s fairy tale.
Mishmash Magick - Carole Ann Moleti
Surviving in The Bronx requires new ways of doing things. A colourful tale of urban magick.
Love Magick - Debra Dunbar
Sometimes magic will only show you what was there all along.
This anthology is a must-read for lovers of magic/magick, fantasy, romance, horror, mystery, and the paranormal.
I received this book Complimentary for review purposes. My opinions are 100% my own.
October 12, 2013
If you are into dark fantasy, it is certainly the perfect time of year for it, you should check out Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, stories by ten authors and edited by Rayne Hall.
I really enjoyed this read as I have always been a fan of and believed in magic and witchcraft. Certainly movies/shows like Bewitched, The Craft, Charmed, Harry Potter, and even The Wizard of Oz have heightened our awareness of such activities and left us wondering… is it fact or fiction?
My absolute favorite story was “Love Magick” by Debra Dunbar. Dunbar is a skilled writer that is well versed in Wicca, witchcraft, and teenagers. I easily and desperately identified with Blossom, an outsider that is devastatingly lonely and accepts a request from one of the school’s popular girls, Sheila, to work a spell on a boy; a boy that they both are interested in. Like most situations that involve the popular and not so popular girl, in high school, this bad situation turns to ugly before there is even a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Blossom has a good heart and strong morals; however, she doesn’t see herself or the inner beauty that she possesses until everything begins to crumble down around her. I loved this story and felt as though I was reading a modern day tale of Cinderella…. If only life always had a happy ending.
As with every compilation that I have read there were a couple of stories that didn’t engage me and I had a difficult time identifying with; however, overall, I definitely recommend this read for anyone looking to delve into a little magic/magick, mystery, horror, fantasy, romance, and most certainly paranormal.
Please check out our FULL review by visiting us at Griffin's Honey http://www.griffinshoney.com/beltane-...
I really enjoyed this read as I have always been a fan of and believed in magic and witchcraft. Certainly movies/shows like Bewitched, The Craft, Charmed, Harry Potter, and even The Wizard of Oz have heightened our awareness of such activities and left us wondering… is it fact or fiction?
My absolute favorite story was “Love Magick” by Debra Dunbar. Dunbar is a skilled writer that is well versed in Wicca, witchcraft, and teenagers. I easily and desperately identified with Blossom, an outsider that is devastatingly lonely and accepts a request from one of the school’s popular girls, Sheila, to work a spell on a boy; a boy that they both are interested in. Like most situations that involve the popular and not so popular girl, in high school, this bad situation turns to ugly before there is even a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Blossom has a good heart and strong morals; however, she doesn’t see herself or the inner beauty that she possesses until everything begins to crumble down around her. I loved this story and felt as though I was reading a modern day tale of Cinderella…. If only life always had a happy ending.
As with every compilation that I have read there were a couple of stories that didn’t engage me and I had a difficult time identifying with; however, overall, I definitely recommend this read for anyone looking to delve into a little magic/magick, mystery, horror, fantasy, romance, and most certainly paranormal.
Please check out our FULL review by visiting us at Griffin's Honey http://www.griffinshoney.com/beltane-...
September 28, 2013
In this really great book of tales, each story has different ideas of what a witch really is. Each tale has a different meaning.
The book also tells the difference between a witch and a wiccan, black and white magic.
The book is great to curl up with on Halloween, a stormy night or even if you're up in a cabin on a mountain or in the woods. The tales will make your skin crawl (and I don't mean that it will literally crawl away).
Even with the past returning, what does it really seek?
"Thirteen Steps" is one of the tales within.
Anyone that loves the stories of a witch, some told by our forefathers, you're bound to love this! I do highly recommend reading when you are alone, it's storming. You'll feel the full blown effect of the tales written in these pages!
- See more at: http://www.bitoeverything.com/2013/09...
The book also tells the difference between a witch and a wiccan, black and white magic.
The book is great to curl up with on Halloween, a stormy night or even if you're up in a cabin on a mountain or in the woods. The tales will make your skin crawl (and I don't mean that it will literally crawl away).
Even with the past returning, what does it really seek?
"Thirteen Steps" is one of the tales within.
Anyone that loves the stories of a witch, some told by our forefathers, you're bound to love this! I do highly recommend reading when you are alone, it's storming. You'll feel the full blown effect of the tales written in these pages!
- See more at: http://www.bitoeverything.com/2013/09...
February 18, 2015
Beltane Ten Tales of Witch craft pulls you in with its first story using wit and humor. But don’t be fooled!
Even in the first tale there is enough creep to raise your neck hairs. All 10 tales have spine tingling moments that make you wish you read this during the day.
From psycho paths genies with hormonal problems to killers with amnesia and deaths better off left alone this book delivers with nightly fury.
Ten Tales of Witch craft takes you back and forth between the States and England. You can not be more happy with the diversity of the plots and locations. The stories take place in small towns, in the past and affect the poor and lost to the the rich and unworthy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who does, is interested in, or just likes to hear stories of Witch craft.
Even in the first tale there is enough creep to raise your neck hairs. All 10 tales have spine tingling moments that make you wish you read this during the day.
From psycho paths genies with hormonal problems to killers with amnesia and deaths better off left alone this book delivers with nightly fury.
Ten Tales of Witch craft takes you back and forth between the States and England. You can not be more happy with the diversity of the plots and locations. The stories take place in small towns, in the past and affect the poor and lost to the the rich and unworthy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who does, is interested in, or just likes to hear stories of Witch craft.
October 5, 2013
I enjoyed reading all of the ten stories and they kept my attention from beginning until end. I also liked that each story and character was totally different. You didn't know what you were going to get next which kept it so interesting to me. I did wish that a few of the stories would of continued a little more, as I felt like I was kind of left hanging.
One of my favorite stories was Alba. It had me totally entralled right from the beginning and I couldn't read it fast enough to see what was going to happen.
It's a great collection of short stories. You'll experience love and hate, good and evil, mystery and intrigue, and more all in one book.
One of my favorite stories was Alba. It had me totally entralled right from the beginning and I couldn't read it fast enough to see what was going to happen.
It's a great collection of short stories. You'll experience love and hate, good and evil, mystery and intrigue, and more all in one book.
November 5, 2013
This is a collection of 10 different stories all about Witchcraft. Each of these authors bring their own element to their story and make it their own. Some stories have a "I've heard something like this before" bit to it, but still have something that the author brings to the story that is different. Some of these are completely new and different and really intriguing to read. I don't recommend this for people who have issues with witchcraft or with anything pagan. I am Christian but I read this for entertainment only. I do not believe or promote witchcraft in anyway.
Want to read
December 12, 2015OVERALL:
AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH by Liv Rancourt
ALBA by Karen Heard
BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS by Jonathan Broughton
THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia
THE MAY LADY VANISHES by Pamela Turner
HANGING WITCH OF PAINTER MOUNTAIN by Lawrence Barker
THIRTEEN STEPS by Debbie Christiana
FOUR BONY HANDS by Rayne Hall
MISHMASH MAGICK by Carole Ann Moleti
LOVE MAGICK by Debra Dunbar
AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH by Liv Rancourt
ALBA by Karen Heard
BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS by Jonathan Broughton
THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia
THE MAY LADY VANISHES by Pamela Turner
HANGING WITCH OF PAINTER MOUNTAIN by Lawrence Barker
THIRTEEN STEPS by Debbie Christiana
FOUR BONY HANDS by Rayne Hall
MISHMASH MAGICK by Carole Ann Moleti
LOVE MAGICK by Debra Dunbar
January 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Of course I liked some stories in it better than others. The last story is a great example about how important ethics are in Wicca. The Cat Maiden remained me in some ways of the fairy tale, beauty and the beast. Four Boney Hands had a Hansel and Gretel feel to it. But it was told from the witch's point of view. A great illustration of don't judge someone on your preconceived notions. You could be reading the situation wrong and the consequences can be severe.
December 17, 2012
I really enjoyed the stories in this collection, although a few of them ended too abruptly for me. My favorite two tales are Love Magick by Debra Dunbar and Four Bony Hands by Rayne Hall. All ten tales were delicious in their own ways, however. This is a great collection to curl up with during a stormy night: guaranteed to give you shivers!
January 14, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. Each of the 10 stories had different elements of witchcraft and magic as told by 10 different authors. My favorite:
# 4. THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia.
I love cats and this story was my favorite out of all of them. It was previously published in Leafkin Anthology however this was the first time I read it.
# 4. THE CAT MAIDEN by Mertianna Georgia.
I love cats and this story was my favorite out of all of them. It was previously published in Leafkin Anthology however this was the first time I read it.
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