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The Benevolence Tales #1
One Solstice Night
Librarian's Note: this book has been reissued under another pen name. For purchase and reviews, please see Under Her Spell by Bridget Essex.
Isabella Fox, mediocre witch for hire, has just moved to the charming little town of Benevolence. As the new village magicmaker, she's expected to cast only one spell a year in the sleepy village--something not even she could mess up. Or so she hopes!
As the Winter Solstice celebration draws near, Benevolence flurries with the magic and wonder of the holiday season. But not all are welcome to partake in the town’s festivities. Outcast shapeshifter, Emily, lives alone in the mountains. She is a mystery to Isabella, until they happen upon each other by chance in the snowy wood, like magic.
On the night of the Winter Solstice, love begins to grow between the two women, despite the chill of the winter and the foreboding
possibility that not all is well in Benevolence.
The novella "One Solstice Night" is a magical lesbian love story, and the first in THE BENEVOLENCE TALES series.
Isabella Fox, mediocre witch for hire, has just moved to the charming little town of Benevolence. As the new village magicmaker, she's expected to cast only one spell a year in the sleepy village--something not even she could mess up. Or so she hopes!
As the Winter Solstice celebration draws near, Benevolence flurries with the magic and wonder of the holiday season. But not all are welcome to partake in the town’s festivities. Outcast shapeshifter, Emily, lives alone in the mountains. She is a mystery to Isabella, until they happen upon each other by chance in the snowy wood, like magic.
On the night of the Winter Solstice, love begins to grow between the two women, despite the chill of the winter and the foreboding
possibility that not all is well in Benevolence.
The novella "One Solstice Night" is a magical lesbian love story, and the first in THE BENEVOLENCE TALES series.
First published November 11, 2011
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About the author
Elora Bishop
11 books171 followersElora Bishop is a queer author of magical lesbian love stories. You will often find her wearing soft skirts, curled up in a sunny window (much like a cat), Austen in hand, cup of tea (two cream, one sugar) nearby, always piping hot. She is bewitched by all beautiful things–but, most of all, by her beloved wife. She writes lesbian YA as Sarah Diemer.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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May 29, 2025you know the f/fs are starved when this is getting 5-star reviews.........
it's a two for me but then I got sad looking at the author's website (some three or so pen names later) with her very sweet and regular photos of her and her sweet and regular wife, so star rating withheld. may their real-life happily ever after be just as blessedly, peacefully boring and ongoing as the one suggested by this novella's ending, and may I be strong enough not to fall down a parasocial rabbit hole to find out
it's a two for me but then I got sad looking at the author's website (some three or so pen names later) with her very sweet and regular photos of her and her sweet and regular wife, so star rating withheld. may their real-life happily ever after be just as blessedly, peacefully boring and ongoing as the one suggested by this novella's ending, and may I be strong enough not to fall down a parasocial rabbit hole to find out
September 5, 2016
For some reason, I never got round to reading the two books which follow this one, so I’ve reread this one now. It’s a very short novella — shorter, I think, than the two which follow — and so it was a very quick read. Some of the novelty has worn off from Elora Bishop’s work to me; there was a magic the first time I read this in it being some of the first unrepentant lesbian romance I read, and I think I liked it more for that. Bishop’s introduction about the lack of queer people in the books I read as a child ran true; the only ones I remember were all evil, or died.
One Solstice Night is, by contrast, a little delicate sugary confection. Isabella is a mediocre witch who has slipped up a few too many times, and has in fact been chased out of towns by a screaming mob (but this is dealt with fairly lightly). She comes to the small town of Benevolence hoping for a new start, and attracted by the fact that she only has to do one spell each year. And there she meets an outcast woman, shunned because of an ancestor’s doings, and befriends her.
Naturally, things come to a head and the spell doesn’t go right, the villagers aren’t pleased by the love fest between their witch and their outcast, but love prevails. I’m quite interested to see if the other books go into more of the background: what exactly the Wolf was, why Emily’s ancestor damaged the protective spell, etc. The lack of explanation of a motive behind that is what made this feel rather shallow on the second read.
Originally posted here.
One Solstice Night is, by contrast, a little delicate sugary confection. Isabella is a mediocre witch who has slipped up a few too many times, and has in fact been chased out of towns by a screaming mob (but this is dealt with fairly lightly). She comes to the small town of Benevolence hoping for a new start, and attracted by the fact that she only has to do one spell each year. And there she meets an outcast woman, shunned because of an ancestor’s doings, and befriends her.
Naturally, things come to a head and the spell doesn’t go right, the villagers aren’t pleased by the love fest between their witch and their outcast, but love prevails. I’m quite interested to see if the other books go into more of the background: what exactly the Wolf was, why Emily’s ancestor damaged the protective spell, etc. The lack of explanation of a motive behind that is what made this feel rather shallow on the second read.
Originally posted here.
March 18, 2012
A little bit of spun-sugar sweetness for the day my girlfriend went home after a visit. It's a quick read, and the love story is really cute. Predictable, perhaps, but lovely, and it made me smile a lot. And there's a talking cat! Win all round. And, of course, there's a happy ending, despite a touch of danger in the middle.
August 27, 2025
“One Solstice Night” is a charming fairy-tale which draws heavily on traditional stories.
Isabella Fox is a witch with something akin to attention deficit disorder.
As a result her spells tend to result in chaos more often than not.
Having just been run out of town by pitchfork-wielding yokels, she finds the perfect job in the remote mountain town of Benevolence.
She only has to do one simple spell a year - how could it possibly go wrong?
The problem, she finds, is that the town is incomplete and so, too, is the defensive spell that is supposed to prevent the monstrous Wolf of Winter from destroying the town.
To say any more would definitely be too much.
I really liked it - it is a simple tale, simply told.
4 Stars.
Isabella Fox is a witch with something akin to attention deficit disorder.
As a result her spells tend to result in chaos more often than not.
Having just been run out of town by pitchfork-wielding yokels, she finds the perfect job in the remote mountain town of Benevolence.
She only has to do one simple spell a year - how could it possibly go wrong?
The problem, she finds, is that the town is incomplete and so, too, is the defensive spell that is supposed to prevent the monstrous Wolf of Winter from destroying the town.
To say any more would definitely be too much.
I really liked it - it is a simple tale, simply told.
4 Stars.
November 21, 2016
Magickal...
December 8, 2011
(From my Wordpress blog, Word Vagabond: Supporting Independent and Small Press Authors)
Isabella Fox is used to being run out of town. A mediocre witch-for-hire, eventually her spells always seem to go wrong. After getting run out of town for the third time by an angry mob, she takes a post in the sleepy mountain town of Benevolence, vowing that this time she will get it right. And since the townsfolk only need her to do one spell a year, how could she possibly go wrong?
This is a beautifully told story. The author paints her scenes with a sure brush, combining the innocence of a fairy tale with a mature writing style. The result is enchanting. Visual details bring the characters effortlessly to life; the spirit of Isabella’s love interest Emily is embodied by her deer form, reclusive and gentle but with a hidden courage.
Isabella is an instantly likeable protagonist. She has a generous heart, but she’s also a daydreamer with a romantic streak. A strong sense of justice propels her through the story and makes her a bit of a rebel as well. My favorite character, though, is Alice, the young witch’s talking familiar. She acts as the voice of reason and a source of sharp wit throughout the story. And what fairytale is complete without a talking cat?
Isabella Fox is used to being run out of town. A mediocre witch-for-hire, eventually her spells always seem to go wrong. After getting run out of town for the third time by an angry mob, she takes a post in the sleepy mountain town of Benevolence, vowing that this time she will get it right. And since the townsfolk only need her to do one spell a year, how could she possibly go wrong?
This is a beautifully told story. The author paints her scenes with a sure brush, combining the innocence of a fairy tale with a mature writing style. The result is enchanting. Visual details bring the characters effortlessly to life; the spirit of Isabella’s love interest Emily is embodied by her deer form, reclusive and gentle but with a hidden courage.
Isabella is an instantly likeable protagonist. She has a generous heart, but she’s also a daydreamer with a romantic streak. A strong sense of justice propels her through the story and makes her a bit of a rebel as well. My favorite character, though, is Alice, the young witch’s talking familiar. She acts as the voice of reason and a source of sharp wit throughout the story. And what fairytale is complete without a talking cat?
December 16, 2012
Now this is more like it! This is the third book I've read so far written by Sarah Diemer/Elora Bishop, and it has a really similar feel to her book Sugar Moon (written as Sarah Diemer). However, where Sugar Moon felt a little rushed, One Solstice Night feels just right.
Isabella is a mediocre-at-best witch who keeps getting run out of the towns the hire her--with torches and pitchforks, the whole she-bang. When she hears that the sleepy town of Benevolence only needs one spell a year from their resident witch, she signs up immediately! However, Benevolence turns out to be less, well, benevolent that she had hoped, and Isabella finds herself sympathizing with the local outcast, Emily. And if her hearts' flutterings are any indication, the feelings go much deeper than sympathy.
This was a perfect little solstice tale of togetherness, love, and new beginnings. Isabella was a great protagonist; true-hearted and determined, even if she lacks some in skills and dedication. There were a few minor plot points I wasn't quite satisfied with, and some grammatical choices I took stylistic issue with, but overall it was a really great read!
Isabella is a mediocre-at-best witch who keeps getting run out of the towns the hire her--with torches and pitchforks, the whole she-bang. When she hears that the sleepy town of Benevolence only needs one spell a year from their resident witch, she signs up immediately! However, Benevolence turns out to be less, well, benevolent that she had hoped, and Isabella finds herself sympathizing with the local outcast, Emily. And if her hearts' flutterings are any indication, the feelings go much deeper than sympathy.
This was a perfect little solstice tale of togetherness, love, and new beginnings. Isabella was a great protagonist; true-hearted and determined, even if she lacks some in skills and dedication. There were a few minor plot points I wasn't quite satisfied with, and some grammatical choices I took stylistic issue with, but overall it was a really great read!
January 15, 2013
I read One Solstice Night by Elora Bishop back just before the solstice. It was such a lovely, fun read. If you read my Q&A with Sarah Diemer (http://ainesrealm.blogspot.com/2012/1...), then you saw that she and Elora Bishop are the same person. While One Solstice Night is not a YA book, it's perfectly fine for teen readers.
Young witch, Isabella, is run out of town because of her failure at being a witch. When she finds an add for a job as the town witch for Benevolence, she snatches it up. And when she finds out that her only job is performing one spell, at the winter solstice, she knows she can succeed with that. It's just one simple spell. Isbella isn't in Benevolence long before she starts finding trouble. She falls for a young woman who is an outcast who is not allowed in town due to mistakes made by her ancestors. You'll root for Isabella and Emily right from the start.
This was such a beautiful, wintery tale. You'll want to snatch it up right now to read snuggled up by the fire.
Young witch, Isabella, is run out of town because of her failure at being a witch. When she finds an add for a job as the town witch for Benevolence, she snatches it up. And when she finds out that her only job is performing one spell, at the winter solstice, she knows she can succeed with that. It's just one simple spell. Isbella isn't in Benevolence long before she starts finding trouble. She falls for a young woman who is an outcast who is not allowed in town due to mistakes made by her ancestors. You'll root for Isabella and Emily right from the start.
This was such a beautiful, wintery tale. You'll want to snatch it up right now to read snuggled up by the fire.
October 2, 2013
“What bound two people together? Was it a shared memory, like a poem, memorized and always on the tongue, ready to live again and be said aloud? Was it a moment the two had possessed together, if only for that moment, or was it a connection that spanned from one heart to the other, an invisible thread, unending?”
I loved everything about this book. This book felt like magic. The way the author described the town of Benevolence especially during the time of year it is set (winter solstice) felt like I was actually in a winter wonderland.
But overall this book is a book of love and healing. A truly beautiful story, one that I would love an illustrated version of!
I loved everything about this book. This book felt like magic. The way the author described the town of Benevolence especially during the time of year it is set (winter solstice) felt like I was actually in a winter wonderland.
But overall this book is a book of love and healing. A truly beautiful story, one that I would love an illustrated version of!
December 29, 2013
I read One Solstice Night after looking for something light to read while traveling during my winter holiday vacation. I wanted something wintry and festive without all the heavy overtones of Christmas. This was perfect.
The love story is sweet and kept me reading the rest of the Benevolence Tales. Sometimes I wish it could have been longer, with stronger plot development, but really, it hits its mark. This series as a whole is good and to be honest love how non hetero-normative everything about the world Bishop creates is. Really (light) and lovely read.
The love story is sweet and kept me reading the rest of the Benevolence Tales. Sometimes I wish it could have been longer, with stronger plot development, but really, it hits its mark. This series as a whole is good and to be honest love how non hetero-normative everything about the world Bishop creates is. Really (light) and lovely read.
February 29, 2012
I actually found this story to be charming, interesting, and relatively well-written. Unfortunately, the length was problematic. Somewhere between a short story and a novella, this story wasn't long enough to create a compelling story with the tension necessary to a fairy tale and/or fantasy. There simply wasn't enough room to fully develop the characters or the plot, which was disappointing from a writer and a work that showed so much promise.
August 8, 2012
This book is lovely. Anyone who is fascinated with the idea of a witch for hire should read this novel. The descriptive imagery itself will mesmerize the reader. This written work captures the reader's attention as a novel approach to pagan literature. This book is about movement, hope, and metamorphosis.
November 17, 2012
I was making the rounds, reading all of Elora's works in March-April and this was another I'd somehow never gotten to before. It was so smooth and sweet, I was in love with the main character, the towns people, the way it all neatly knitted together at the end, even pulling a few tears from me on the way to getting there.
February 3, 2016
For me this author's work has been a bit of a hit and miss, but this was one of the ones that warmed my cold, cynical heart. Some of the other stories I've read by Elora Bishop/Sarah Diemer have felt too rushed, but this was closer to the steady, lingering pace of The Witch Sea (which I loved, at its best her writing is powerful).
November 10, 2011
Lighthearted and fun, this is a tale for anyone with a warm and open heart.
January 26, 2012
Review soon @thefaeryromanticlibrarian.blogspot.com
September 3, 2012
Charming story about a mediocre witch. A story about love and hope.
February 2, 2014
Sweet, but ever so short.
December 12, 2016
so cute! a sweet, fun, fluffy read, with cats and tea and witches and animal shapeshifting and a cozy wintery holiday vibe. i love it <3
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews