White Witch

Texas Druids #0.5

by Lyn Horner

Action, terror and a heroine with second sight! You'll find all of that and more in White Witch. This novella opens Lyn Horner's award-winning Texas Devlins series.

Jessie Devlin is what her Irish ancestors might call a "white witch." She has a disturbing ability to glimpse the future. When she foresees Chicago on fire, it's a soul-searing experience. Far worse is the terrible night in 1871 when she and her family and thousands of Chicagoans run for their lives from the towering flames. Worst of all are the horrific nightmares Jessie suffers for months after the destruction.

However, when Jessie’s dreams suddenly begin showing her a strange man with gentle, loving eyes who saves her from a fiery death, she becomes convinced they are destined to meet and fall in love. But will her father give her time to find her dream hero or will he force her into marriage with the wrong man? How can she save herself from such a fate?

Genres: Historical

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Lyn Horner resides in Fort Worth, Texas – “Where the West Begins” – with her husband and several very spoiled cats. Trained in the visual arts, Lyn worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor before she took up writing. She loves crafting passionate love stories, both historical and contemporary. Lyn also enjoys reading, genealogy, gardening, visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-footed children.

The author’s Texas Devlins series blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and paranormal elements. This series has earned multiple awards and nominations, including Crowned Heart reviews and a Rone Award nomination from InD’Tale Magazine.

Lyn is a contributor to Rawhide ʼn Roses, a Western Romance Anthology. This book was a finalist in the 2015 RONE Awards anthology category. Lyn is also part of the bestselling western Christmas anthology Silver Belles and Stetsons.

Jumping from the American Old West into present time, Lyn has completed her 8-book romantic suspense series, Romancing the Guardians. These books combine her trademark flashes of psychic phenomena with Irish folklore and a chilling apocalyptic sub-theme. Along the way, readers are treated to thunderous action, terrifying suspense and sizzling romance.

Reviews

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea for this novella and series - Irish druids/sensitives, beginning with the Great Chicago fire, and ending in the Old West.

I received a free copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

But there isn't really a STORY here, with a beginning, middle, and an end. Jessie has visions of the fire, and tells her father, who blows her off. Despite this, she, her father, and her brother Tye escape the fire anyway. In the winter following the fire, hardships ensue. Tye (who is supposed to be an empath) and Jessie, who has touches of precognition. decide to pursue their own goals which are contrary to their father's, but there's not a lot of angst or struggle there.

I didn't hate either Jessie or Tye, but I wasn't enthralled by them, either, and I had hoped to see much more in terms of psychic powers/gifts from both characters. The sections about the fire are excellent and graphic.

[Masquerade Crew · Rating 4 out of 5]

WALKI'S REVIEW

3.5 STARS

Jessie has visions of the future, her older brother Ty is a sensitive. Prequel to se series featuring the Devlins siblings, 'White Witch' is a historical and paranormal short story for young adults focussing on Jessie. It is about her prediction of the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871, and the unrelenting need of his father to marry her as soon as possible now that she is old enough. It is well written and engaging, with vivid images of the events in a time when the West was no place for an unmarried woman. People have come a long way since the 19th century.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyn Horner weaves a tantalizing tale of a young girl beset by visions, trying to figure out what it all means.

Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical romance with a paranormal twist. The world building uses the backdrop of the Great Chicago Fire. The characters are Irish-Americans. I really liked this back story to the series. The fire scenes were really well written and I liked the future MCs. I want to read more from this series.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Devlin has visions of a fire, and when her warning is disregarded, the city of Chicago goes up in flames. This novella is not a stand-alone read, but serves as an introduction to Jessie Devlin and her family while setting the stage for the rest of the series. The first half of the book is a riveting escape from the fire. The second half introduces a new vision – that of a man with kind eyes who rescues her from another fire. The novella ends with new plans for Jessie and her brother, propelling the reader into the next story.

The writing is clean and the novella is well-paced. I enjoyed getting to know Jessie and her family and found them all believable, well-rounded characters. Told from Jessie’s point of view, the readers gets to know her inner world and she’s a strong female protagonist with an independent streak and will of her own. The dialect of this family of immigrants is strongly written and integrates well into the nineteenth-century setting.

Lots of action in this start to the series with hints of romance to come. The paranormal element of Jessie’s clairvoyance adds to the enjoyment. Recommended to YA and adult fans of romance and historical fiction.

[Judy Esposito · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Witch: Book 1

Really enjoyed this short story introducing this series, Texas Devlins. Just finished Book 2, Darlin' Irish. Now reading Book three, Dashing Irish. A very happy reader. Gave a 4 star rating being a very short book. JudyE

[Debbie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story

Lyn Horner knows how to grab the reader. Her depiction of the tragic Chicago fire was riveting and terrifying. A successful melding of actual historical events with an engaging fictional heroine.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very short story to set the theme for a series. A vision of the Chicago Fire and the survival of a family.

[carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Witch is the prequel to Lyn Horner's Darlin' Druid; it sets the background and introduces the characters of Jessie and Tye, children of Irish immigrants to the USA in 1871. A short story that is extremely well written, the historically accurate events of the Chicago Fire of October that year. What Lyn has done is placed her characters, the father and adult children and brought to life, realistically and empathetically, through story, the reenactment of witnessing and fleeing an immense fire that destroyed the then City of Chicago. The perfect combination of fuel...the tinder dry wood, oxygen and heat from that hot August wind, that in turn fanned and spread this devastating fire and it's aftermath are all here from the grabbing of their few belongings to fear of their horse as they try to get to safety. I had wondered when I saw the title White Witch what the paranormal content might be, but in this it refers to uncannily accurate realistic premonitions. It is all reasonably plausible. It even considers the symptoms and effects of the then unknown Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that people would have had no choice but to cope with in those days. Standard of English is generally very good...my most constructively critical comment would be slight overuse of And/But conjunctions some of which could be avoided. That said it's a very good prequel and just hits the 5 stars in my opinion. I look forward to reading more of Lyn Horner's Druid series.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing more and nothing less than a teaser to introduce Jessie and brother Tye who both have psychic gifts, hers that of visions of the future and his the ability to feel emotions that other people are feeling. Both abilities are a gift or curse depending on what they reveal to the siblings. Their story is short and explains the basics while it leads the way into the next phase of their history which is Jessie's tale.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella gives you an introduction to Jessie and Ty and Jessie's premonition that shows her the Great Fire of Chicago and how it affects their lives. It is very well written and certainly describes in detail the fire and the effect. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the Druid series.

[Alison E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable introduction to the series. The descriptions of the Chicago fire were excellent. They put you right in the moment. I highly recommend White Witch to anyone who has read - or better still about to read - Lyn Horner's Texas Druid series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little preview to Darlin Druid

[Mgray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short. Has 2 elements I like. Chicago fire and magic. Liked the POV with out the real history behind the fire.