Promise of the Witch

Witches of Keating Hollow #13

by Deanna Chase

After ditching her cheating boyfriend, Zya Rossi left Salem and all her meddling ancestors for a fresh start in Keating Hollow. While she managed to lose the boyfriend, unfortunately her ancestors followed her. While her dead aunts are trying to set her up with every eligible bachelor, Zya is just trying to make friends. She’s not interested in dating anyone. But when her best friend shows up on her doorstep with his three-year-old daughter in tow, suddenly she finds herself battling old feelings and trying not to fall in love with the one man she can’t afford to lose.

Brody Saxon spent the last five years in France, using his magic to cultivate award winning grapes for an up and coming winery. Having never been the commitment type, after spending his days in the vineyards, he’d been quite content to spend his nights playing the field. But his carefree lifestyle comes crashing down when he suddenly finds himself the sole guardian of a daughter he hadn’t even known he’d had. Now he’s in Keating Hollow, on Zya’s doorstep, praying his best friend can help him make sense of his new life. And maybe finally face the fact that he’s been in love with her for years. The problem? They’re both runners. Finding a way to trust each other is proving to be more of a challenge than getting his three-year-old to sleep in her own bed.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Friends To Lovers

246 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2023

About the author

Deanna is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn't writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, making glass beads, or out hocking her wares at various bead shows across the country. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her blog at www.deannachase.com.

Reviews

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how this author does this to me in every single book in this series. Yes, romance isn’t my normal favorite genre, yes, I still read this series, and yes, I cried at the end. This is the thirteenth book in the series, and this one is just as good as all the rest. Poor Zya and Brody have been pining after each other for years, and their path to their HEA is fraught with more troubles before they can become a couple. All of the characters are wonderful, and I loved seeing characters from past book. The end with the glimpse of the next couple was a welcome surprise. Can’t wait for the next. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great addition to the Witches of Keating Hollow series. One of my favorite things about this series is there is a little something for everyone to enjoy romance, mystery, and plenty of love and support from friends. There is plenty of heartfelt emotion, a dash of humor, and plenty of love infused in this and other stories in this series. I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

There were some frightening parts in this story, but the plot rushed right along pulling me with it. No way I could put it down. The happy ending was wonderful!

[Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

One of my go to series, Deanna Chase really knows how to keep you coming back for more. Can't wait for book 14.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Each Other Again . . .

Zya Rossi had moved to Keating Hollow back when she needed a place to start over. Now her best friend, Brody Saxon, surprisingly arrives at her home with a 3-year-old daughter he never knew he had. His arrival stirs up old feelings Zya has always had for him and kept hidden. But since Brody is new to town, Zya offers to allow him and his little girl, Winnie, to move in with her until he finds something permanent of his own. Brody has also hidden his old feelings for Zya. But his life is so complicated right now with his selfish controlling parents fighting him for custody – not because they care for Winnie, but it would let them keep him under their thumbs.

To give Brody a better chance at winning custody, Zya is willing to pretend that she is his girlfriend. This also makes them both aware of each other’s feelings and their desire for something more. Before they can take things further, a spell puts Zya in danger as a spirit possesses her and forces her to attack Miss Maple with knitting needles! Brody knew it was his mother who had cast the spell and was causing this. She had arrived in Keating Hollow and told Brody that if he moved back home with Winnie, she would drop the custody agreement. And if he did not comply, Zya would be the one to suffer the consequences. Can they break the spell and stop his mother’s interference? Or will he lose Zya and the chance to make a family of his own choosing?

This author, as always, is amazing! Her story line will pull the reader right in, and the characters she brings to life will become like old friends you can easily care about. Grab your copy and let the love she brings to her stories surround you!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific book. I have enjoyed this series and this book was wonderful. There's one more in the series but I have to wait for more than two months for it!!

Amazon synopsis:
After ditching her cheating boyfriend, Zya Rossi left Salem and all her meddling ancestors for a fresh start in Keating Hollow. While she managed to lose her boyfriend, unfortunately, her ancestors followed her. While her dead aunts are trying to set her up with every eligible bachelor, Zya is just trying to make friends. She’s not interested in dating anyone. But when her best friend shows up on her doorstep with his three-year-old daughter in tow, she suddenly finds herself battling old feelings and trying not to fall in love with the one man she can’t afford to lose.

Brody Saxon spent the last five years in France, using his magic to cultivate award-winning grapes for an up-and-coming winery. Having never been the commitment type, after spending his days in the vineyards, he’d been quite content to spend his nights playing the field. But his carefree lifestyle comes crashing down when he suddenly finds himself the sole guardian of a daughter he hadn’t even known he had. Now he’s in Keating Hollow, on Zya’s doorstep, praying his best friend can help him make sense of his new life. And maybe finally face the fact that he’s been in love with her for years. The problem? They’re both runners. Finding a way to trust each other is proving to be more of a challenge than getting his three-year-old to sleep in her own bed.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh M Gee! This was amazing!

Wow what a story! Deanna did it again another home run. Zya, Brody and Winnie's story was heartwarming and I shed a few tears. I'm not sure how Deanna does it after 12 books in this series she still keeps me saying this was the best book of the series. I say it after each one and I mean it with all of them.

Zya and Brody have known each other for years, a friendship that started in Salem, Massachusetts and a HEA in Keating Hollow. But I'm getting ahead of myself they haven't seen each other for years and Brody brings someone else with him to Keating Hollow. But I'm not going to ruin the book for anyone I'm not like that.

The writing was brilliant, it kept me reading until the next thing I knew the story was finished and I had tears in my eyes. That is what you can count on when you read one of Deanna's books, you won't put it down.

The characters from Keating Hollow are wonderful and they are always there for each other. No matter what is going on in their lives they will help each other out. And they do help Zya, boy does she need the help. I'll say it again and again, if only Keating Hollow was a real town because I want to live there.

I'm not an eloquent reviewer but I do know one thing, I can always count on Deanna for weaving a wonderful story and she did with this one.

Highly recommend this book and the series if you haven't read it. Take a chance and if you don't believe me then read what others have said about Deanna's books.

[ConniW · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare that I fall so deeply for the characters of a book by the third chapter that I am chomping at the bit to tell the world just how wonderful the book is. I wasn't surprised, Deanna Chase has written this most incredible of series with the Keating Hollow Witches and their spinoff in Christmas Grove is no exception, but this one is battling for top billing for me.
I have followed this series since the very first book but there is something about Zya and Brody and precious Winnie that just has me completely enthralled and aching to see much more of them in the future. Be prepared for some serious antics and some equally serious tears and tantrums in this one. I personally love the way that Ms. Chase has yet again taken issues that are part and parcel of reality and daily life and strung a masterpiece together for our enjoyment without minimizing anything, consequences included.
This is definitely a family friendly, fast paced read for those that follow me for that information, it needs no warnings for language or anything else other than although it is the perfect escape from your reality, it is still a very realistic down to earth view from a witching communites perspective. Absolutely collection worthy and shelf worthy!

[Fraxinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, the beginning of the book seemed to be in familiar friends to lovers trope-land, Brody and Zya have been pining for each other, don't want to ruin their friendship, but nooone else matches up either... familiar land, with the added bonus of Brody finding out he fathered a child and the mother is dead and now he must raise this daughter as his own, yadda yadda, disney, cough, cough.... He introduces her to his parents and find out that they are still as horrible as he always thought they were, so he runs to his best friend, Zya and Keating Hollow, yay!

And then, Ms. Chase mentions golf carts and the book takes a sharp veer to the left, drives over the cliffs and insanity and chugs back to some semblance of normalcy by the end of the book. Much like the crazy golf cart racing that dominated the first couple of books in the series and seem to have taken an, err, back seat in the later ones.

This is the kind of book that you start reading, then grab a coffee because you MUST. KNOW. WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I received an advanced copy and am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zya & Brody + Winnie
It seems every book in this series becomes my favorite. This one is for sure (for now). I love this possible family. Best friends are in love with each other but are unwilling to risk that friendship by admitting their feelings. Bring adorable three-year-old Winnie and a future could be amazing.
They have great jobs they love, are making friends in Keating Hollow, and spend time together loving a sweet child he didn't even know he had. Still, neither risk enough to admit the love they've felt for years.
Not everyone is on their side to become a family. Some evil magic is afoot! Is their good magic enough to beat the evil magic?
I love the many characters we've met throughout the series. Their support is touching and hopefully enough. Winnie is sweet, active, loving, and absolutely adorable. I dare you not to fall for the little minx!
The author has outdone herself. She uses one of those with strong good magic and sets up my next "favorite" book in the series.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deanna Chase kept the promise

Another great read ! If you’re looking for an author who keeps her promises to write fantastic and fantastical books repeatedly, look no further. Her stories have love, laughter, heartbreak, kindness ,anger;the whole gamete of emotions. They also have adventure, danger, and interesting uses of ‘magic’ .
Promise’ has all this and more. There’s a newly made family from tragedy, a newly made family from love, an established family that manipulates and tries to prevent a family from becoming what it wishes. There’s community and personal interactions that are unexpected and surprising to the characters. The characters are well ‘fleshed out’ with their own problems, backgrounds, beliefs and connections. The characters are very relatable.
This was book 13 in this series ( pun not intended) and each one is unique and well written. I’m looking forward to the next book ‼️ you will be too🤗

[Stephen R Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Love is not easy

Wrote this title because it is not always easy to find true love even when you’re just friends and don’t want to admit wanting more. But it’s when you finally get to the point where you’re ready for more than just friendship and taking the next step towards more, it’s can get tricky. So do you take the chance of losing a friend or gaining love and friendship ? That’s the question for Brody and Zya will they take the chance and become more than just friends? Or do they just stay friends. But what about Whinney? Does she deserve a complete family, with a loving mother and father who loves her? And what about her dead mother?

All of these questions will be answered by reading this book.
It’s a great read that will make you feel sad, angry and happy for these characters who have known each other for years and years.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to Keating Hollows is always a fun trip and seeing some of my past favorite characters is always nice.
This one follows Zya and Brody. Zya has been living in Keating Hollows when her best friend from childhood moves back and into her life. Zya is a great and loving person and she can’t help herself but try to help Brody out in a difficult position he finds himself in.
The author is great at making these characters feel very real, along with their heartbreak. I had some choice words for Brody’s mom. This one kept me on the edge of my seat while I listened to the amazing Gabra Zachman. Her voice is always pleasant for me.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of magic, first love, and family drama then grab this beauty!

[Janet Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's such a great addition to the Witches of Keating Hollow series. The characters are well-written, and I love friends-to-lovers stories. As always having past characters in the book adds to its greatness. It's like coming home.

I found myself wanting Zya and Brody together from the very beginning and Winnie is such a great character! Sometimes friendship can turn into love without it affecting anything and Zya and Brody are proof of that.

I am not eagerly awaiting Levi and Silas' story. April seems so far away! But I've had it pre-ordered since December so as soon as it comes out it will be delivered to my Kindle.

[Heather Rainwater-Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magically Heartwarming

I’m a sucker for poor kids stuck in the middle and my heart melted with the story of Brody and his daughter and how Zaya & Brody overcome the impossible circumstances their lives have put them in. The plot twists are similar to other ones Chase has written but she still takes you on a wild adventure to see exactly how the journey will get them through it. I was also pleasantly surprised to see more of the LBGTQ side characters step into the spotlight more and I’m interested to see how their stories will find their happily ever afters. Loved this installment to Keating Hollow though!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Promise of the Witch is book 13 of the Witches of Keating Hollow and can be read alone, but reading as a series gives the book a little extra as you come across characters from previous books. Brody comes to his best friend Zya for help when he finds himself sole guardian of the daughter he didn't know he had. I love how well Zya and Brody communicate and work together to make a family for Winnie and themselves. Deanna's books are always so realistic and this one is no exception. You'll laugh, cry, be filled with hope, fury, and love right along with Zya and Brody. Gabra Zackman was awesome with her narrative ❤️ You will love this book just as much as I do!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara loved Brody since they were kids. She never really let herself fall completely with anyone else. So when her fiancé cheated on her, she had no regrets cancelling the wedding and fleeing to Keating Hollow to start over.

Brody didn’t know what to do with a three year old. His daughter. He was still getting used to those words. He knew to whom he could turn though and headed to Keating Hollow seeking out his best friend for help.

I enjoyed learning Zara and Brody’s story. Filled with the typical ups and downs and doubt about how each truly feels about one another. The complications along the way truly show how much they love one another.

[April Mollenkopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series from this author. The 13th book and the stories never get old. I was waiting for Zya’s story and it didn’t disappoint. There was a different scenario for this book that I had not seen in the other books yet (no spoilers but it was awesome).

This is a best friends to lovers story with of course the HEA. It was so good. The teaser at the end was good and I’m definitely looking forward to the next couple’s story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many books in this series, each one being a sweet romance with some kind of drama, but always ending in a HEA.

Zya and Brody's story was no different. Friends forever but never admitting to deeper feelings had both Zya and Brody running whenever any relationship they were in got too hard. In reality, they ran because they weren't with the right person - each other.

Magic, romance, drama, emotion - this installment had it all.

This story also sets up the next in the series (one I've been waiting for) - Silas and Levi's story! I'm so looking forward to that one.

[Brandy Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything you want in a book. It is funny, magical, Romance-y. I couldn't stop laughing at the aunts. I was encouraging them along the way. LOL. Old flames Never died down. I thought Zyq and Brody was very cute together. When you add a sweet little girl this book was epic. But, there has to be Mama drama. I could not believe how Brody's mom acted through the whole thing. I just knew this book was going to have a different ending. It was a nice surprise to see how it ended. I also enjoyed seeing all are old friends. The next book is going to be awesome. Was not expecting that couple.

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about Zya, Brody and Winnie. Zya and Brody have been best friends for many years. Brodie left to live in France and discovered he had a daughter from a one-night-stand when little Winnie's mother was killed in a car crash. So he jumped feet first into fatherhood and moved back home to Salem. That didn't work out so well because of his manipulative parents, so he headed to Keating Hollow. After showing up on Zya's doorstep with his sad tale, she told them to stay with her and spark fly. There's much more to the story but you'll just have to read it to find out.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

for the audio
Promise of the Witch was a sweet story about friends that found each other after years. Zya and Brody were perfectly sweet for each other. And Winny was wonderful. I loved seeing the relatives that were doing meddling from the spirit world and how that went. The story went along harmoniously until everything crashed together at the end. I loved listening to every bit of the story. Gabra Zachman performed spot on with keeping my engaged in the story. I loved her voice for Winny. The promise was definitely delivered.

[Heather Huth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book of the Series!

Have you ever found a book that came into your life at the right moment? It sucks you in and makes you forget about real life for a few hours? This was exactly that book. The story of Zya, Brody and Winnie was loving, heart warming, and intense in moments that left me breathless. A few tears were shed during this book but they were completely worth it. Their friends to lovers story with an adorable little girl, cat, wolf, magic, golf carts, ghosts and attempted murders ranks as my favorite Keating Hollow series book.

[Nikita Gordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

I bought this book because I love this series, and was once again happy I did.
I wasn't sure how this one would turn out, as I didn't 'know' either Zya or Brody as I had most of the other s. I am happy to say, this story is filled with laughs (because Wanda lives here, duh :-) ), love, a little bit of bit your nails intrigue, family angst and a happy ending that leaves me needing more from the magical town of Keating Hollow.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable addition to the Keating Hollow series by Deanna Chase. Zya and Brody are such great characters and their friendship adds so much to their relationship as they begin to explore a romantic relationship. Winnie is adorable and stole every scene when she appeared. Romance, magical mayhem and family relationships that are too toxic for words kept the pace of the book moving quickly. Enjoyable!

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio book review
Wow Deanna did it again another home run . Keating Hollow Series book is fantastic . You will get hooked with the characters and story. Deanna wrote a story with characters that grow , it’s very well written and great description . The story is about
Zya, Brody and Winnie they meet in Salem and meet again in Keating Hollow. It seems that fate brought them together , of course there are twists and turns like all of Deanna stories till the happy ending

[Megan Tedesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of witches!

This book was impossible to put down, just like all of Deanna Chase’s books. There is just something I love about all the people in Keating Hollow that makes you feel apart of the town and family of each character!
I hope we never leave this magical town!

[Penny MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic I loved The story of Aya and Brody two friends who were always there for each other coming together to become a Family with Brody's Newly found Daughter Winnie. This book brought tears and joy. This is a Must read . It will keep you wanting more with the twists and turns this book gives you. .Looking forward to more.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy books by Deanna Chase and this book for me had a slow start but it wound up an excellent reading! The romance part was fine but the mystery part of the story took off after Brody’s parents decided to sue for custody of the granddaughter. What really caught my interest was the whole spirit attack and Levi’s part in the story. I enjoy romance but the mystery adds so much to the story. Add in past loves and you have upped the story level and especially when they are part of the mystery!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read! If you are looking to spend some time back in Keating Hollow and outside of your reality this is the book for you!

Zya and Brody will bring you into their world and make you feel like home.

Recommend reading Promise of the Witch when you don’t have anything to do, because you won’t want to put it down.