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Witchery #1
The Witches of Dixie
Meet the Witches of Dixie. Savannah Monroe's life is sliding toward disaster no matter how hard she works or how many spells she casts. Maylene Whitmire thinks she is disappearing. Mirabella Middleton's successful art career begins to crumble in a flat economy, while Ravena Riley's husband sinks toward the angry depths of a midlife crisis. Four Southern Witches whose lives suddenly turn widdershins as they scramble to understand what's happening. Almost every chapter in this award-winning novel contains a real spell, chant, or ritual. You'll also find information on feral cat rescue, holistic healing, perimenopause, how to shrink uterine fibroids naturally, magickal prosperity principles, and much, much more!
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 16, 2008
I devoured this book in one evening, enjoying it as I would a fine chocolate with a filling both light and rich that tantalizes and fulfills, yet leaves you wanting more. The author's mastery of simile, metaphor, personification and other literary devices make the stories of the four women flow like poetry with a beauty that creates a feeling of peace and well-being within the reader. The common theme of the Wiccan faith is woven through all four character studies, but one need not be a Witch to appreciate the truths expressed therein. Indeed, every woman can relate to the struggles the ladies face: doubt, fear, loss of confidence, health concerns, money worries and a desire to be in touch with the truest, deepest part of herself through a personal relationship with her Deity. Even though I was unfamiliar with a few of the terms relating to the Craft, the context made the meaning clear and I was able to discern what the author wanted me to know. Her voice was clear throughout, and her own journey was visible in the experiences of the four women, especially those of Mirabella. Anyone needing a break from from the frenetic pace of daily life, anyone who needs a simple but deep read guaranteed to calm and inspire, and anyone wanting the assurance that there is more to life than worry, stress, dissent and pain, should buy this book, read it, and keep it nearby for quick fixes of refreshing truths.
July 1, 2008
A very powerful and uplifting read. "The Witches of Dixie" by Laura Stamps is actually 4 stories in one book. We meet Savannah, Maylene, Mirabella, and Ravena as each is facing a crisis in her life. Each of the women is at a different point in her life and depicts a different type of struggle be it daring to live your dreams, dealing with the uncertainty of a career, realizing the fullness of your life, and wrestling with marriage decisions. I pictured each woman at the different ages where these concerns become paramount in our lives. The length of the stories also varied. The (in my mind) younger women's stories were shorter almost signifying how we let these concerns take over our lives at those ages. The story that spoke the deepest to me was that of Mirabella. Her story details her journey away from a life based on material riches and toward a life based on more spiritual rewards which resulted in both spiritual and material gain. It also descrribes how this journey changed her inner-self, her outer-self, and her inward and outward interactions with others. Ravena's story is heart-wrenching as she is facing the possible breakdown of her marriage. But rather than throw away 24 years of togetherness, she searches her own self to find the time and patience to overcome the rough patches that all relationships face. Her choice, her decision.
While each of the women in this book is a practitioner of Wicca, the ideas and attitudes echo those of varying beliefs. It's about dealing with success as well as adversity, or maybe turning adversity into success. But mostly, I think this book is about taking control of your life, regardless of age and status, and choosing to empower yourself as a woman instead of letting others choose your path and dictate your actions.
While each of the women in this book is a practitioner of Wicca, the ideas and attitudes echo those of varying beliefs. It's about dealing with success as well as adversity, or maybe turning adversity into success. But mostly, I think this book is about taking control of your life, regardless of age and status, and choosing to empower yourself as a woman instead of letting others choose your path and dictate your actions.
July 25, 2024
"The Witches of Dixie" is divided into four parts. Every part tells the story or rather an episode out of the life of four women who are witches and are living in South Carolina.
Savannah the first witch is at a loss. She designs bags which are suddenly not selling anymore. Furthermore her Book of Shadows disappears, the tarot cards tell her of imminent disaster and frustrated she finally relents and asks her goddess Bast for help...
If I should summarize this episode in three words I´d say the message is "Balance your life!"
The second episode is about Maylene who starts to think she´s invisible to other people. Her friends forget her birthday, her boss can´t find her payment check, someone crashes into her car. Finally at a ceremony beneath the Blue Moon the goddess Artemis takes things into her hands...
My three word synopsis of this episode would be "Live your dream!"
Mirabella is an artist who sees herself living beyond her body as a spirit walking the earth. Her artist´s career stagnates poeple are cancelling orders for her pictures, galleries stop to promote her artwork and Mirabella starts to despair. After a revelation sent by her goddess which opens her eyes and changes her view she starts practicing to see herself as a spirit experiencing life in a body.
The magical three words are in this case: "Honor your body experience" (okay its four words – I can count should someone wonder).
Ravena works with the help of her fairies in the garden, creates organic catnip toys for cats and has a wonderful relationship with her husband Odell. Everything seems to be perfect till the day Odell starts to change and being angry and snappish all the time. To consider her next steps in her marriage and life she leaves to have some time and space for herself...
My synopsis would be " Life is change" or "Change is life"
Admittedly my three word summarizations are the essence of what I thought to be important for myself and what I learned from the stories. Other people may find other aspects important and Laura may have had entirely something else in her mind when writing the episodes. Sometimes I was convinced Mirabella must have rummanged through my mind so familiar where many of her thoughts and fears to me. Exact observations of the natural surroundings, descriptions of spells and ceremonies of all kinds are a further bonus of this book. I actually found myself more than once scribbling down many of the incantations used by the characters for my own purpose. What an inspiration!
My four important messages in the book
"Balance your life!"
"Live your dream!"
"Honor your body experience"
"Life is change!"
could be summarized either to one sentence:
There´s ALWAYS help and guidance in your life – you just have to open your mind and read the signs given to you constantly by your goddess, angels, God, Universe or whatever you believe in!
I was enchanted by this magical book and can only recommend it – this book reminds me that there´s magic everywhere around and I just have to open my eyes and see...
Savannah the first witch is at a loss. She designs bags which are suddenly not selling anymore. Furthermore her Book of Shadows disappears, the tarot cards tell her of imminent disaster and frustrated she finally relents and asks her goddess Bast for help...
If I should summarize this episode in three words I´d say the message is "Balance your life!"
The second episode is about Maylene who starts to think she´s invisible to other people. Her friends forget her birthday, her boss can´t find her payment check, someone crashes into her car. Finally at a ceremony beneath the Blue Moon the goddess Artemis takes things into her hands...
My three word synopsis of this episode would be "Live your dream!"
Mirabella is an artist who sees herself living beyond her body as a spirit walking the earth. Her artist´s career stagnates poeple are cancelling orders for her pictures, galleries stop to promote her artwork and Mirabella starts to despair. After a revelation sent by her goddess which opens her eyes and changes her view she starts practicing to see herself as a spirit experiencing life in a body.
The magical three words are in this case: "Honor your body experience" (okay its four words – I can count should someone wonder).
Ravena works with the help of her fairies in the garden, creates organic catnip toys for cats and has a wonderful relationship with her husband Odell. Everything seems to be perfect till the day Odell starts to change and being angry and snappish all the time. To consider her next steps in her marriage and life she leaves to have some time and space for herself...
My synopsis would be " Life is change" or "Change is life"
Admittedly my three word summarizations are the essence of what I thought to be important for myself and what I learned from the stories. Other people may find other aspects important and Laura may have had entirely something else in her mind when writing the episodes. Sometimes I was convinced Mirabella must have rummanged through my mind so familiar where many of her thoughts and fears to me. Exact observations of the natural surroundings, descriptions of spells and ceremonies of all kinds are a further bonus of this book. I actually found myself more than once scribbling down many of the incantations used by the characters for my own purpose. What an inspiration!
My four important messages in the book
"Balance your life!"
"Live your dream!"
"Honor your body experience"
"Life is change!"
could be summarized either to one sentence:
There´s ALWAYS help and guidance in your life – you just have to open your mind and read the signs given to you constantly by your goddess, angels, God, Universe or whatever you believe in!
I was enchanted by this magical book and can only recommend it – this book reminds me that there´s magic everywhere around and I just have to open my eyes and see...
March 29, 2009
4 seperate but intertwining stories of 4 witches. Beautifully written and with descriptive, informative styling. Although it did take me a while to read, I have never really read anything about Wicca at all, so if I did find something that I did not quite understand, I would run to the computer to Google and find out more
Just wonderful stories of everyday life, trials and tribulations. Laura, I enjoyed your book very much and I cannot wait till I can get the other one.
Just wonderful stories of everyday life, trials and tribulations. Laura, I enjoyed your book very much and I cannot wait till I can get the other one.
March 28, 2010
I review using the CASSL system. Character(s), Author, Setting, Story, and overall likability. It is usually easy to rate books based on this system and sometimes not.
4.5 of 5
That is why it took a while to review The Witches of Dixie. The characters did not seem like works of fiction 2-d. They seemed to come to life and it was like taking a page from a diary and viewing it on TV. Very real emotions and images to bring a whole new level of understanding to plot and character development.
Laura Stamps is a personal friend. Her characters are so diverse it is a testament to the talent of her imagination. I can hardly say I would have read Witches of Dixie if not for the personal touch given by the author. The characters and setting will live with you long after the last page is turned. I look forward to BOOK TWO: What Witches Want and you should too.
4.5 of 5
That is why it took a while to review The Witches of Dixie. The characters did not seem like works of fiction 2-d. They seemed to come to life and it was like taking a page from a diary and viewing it on TV. Very real emotions and images to bring a whole new level of understanding to plot and character development.
Laura Stamps is a personal friend. Her characters are so diverse it is a testament to the talent of her imagination. I can hardly say I would have read Witches of Dixie if not for the personal touch given by the author. The characters and setting will live with you long after the last page is turned. I look forward to BOOK TWO: What Witches Want and you should too.
Read
April 28, 2008This book is about four women and their lives. There are very positive messages that come across in this book. It is written in an easy to read style. I also enjoyed the information given on taking care of some everyday life problems.
August 6, 2009
This book has several short stories about witches who have had something bad happen in their lives. In each story you get to learn about the witches and their troubles and then see how each of them deals with their dilemmas.
Full review link coming soon.
Full review link coming soon.
October 29, 2007
"The Witches of Dixie" draws you in from the very first page with it's "feel-good" imagery and strong character development.
Powerfully descriptive, this fictional novel tells the story of four women, each of them Wiccan, and each of them with a particular problem in their life, a personal hurdle to overcome. Problems that women of any belief system can identify with.
These four women are very likeable characters that are easy to relate to. Stamps' writing talent presents them in a very real, empathetic, and sometimes amusing way.
The growth and faith of these four women is exhibited through their belief in magick and spells, through the spiritual practices of modern day White Witches.
And the book is written in way that the reader doesn't become lost in Wiccan terminology....something I thought I might have to look out for, but was pleasantly surprised.
It's actually a fantastic book if you're new to the Wiccan/Pagan path or just wanting to learn more about it.
Sprinkled throughout the book are poetic spells and chants along with references to the "heavenlies", faeries, various Goddesses and the blessings of Mother Nature.
I read this book in one sitting, and have already began re-reading it. It's definitely one of those "can't put it down" books, that leaves you with an overall sense of satisfaction and faith that things can and do work out!
Powerfully descriptive, this fictional novel tells the story of four women, each of them Wiccan, and each of them with a particular problem in their life, a personal hurdle to overcome. Problems that women of any belief system can identify with.
These four women are very likeable characters that are easy to relate to. Stamps' writing talent presents them in a very real, empathetic, and sometimes amusing way.
The growth and faith of these four women is exhibited through their belief in magick and spells, through the spiritual practices of modern day White Witches.
And the book is written in way that the reader doesn't become lost in Wiccan terminology....something I thought I might have to look out for, but was pleasantly surprised.
It's actually a fantastic book if you're new to the Wiccan/Pagan path or just wanting to learn more about it.
Sprinkled throughout the book are poetic spells and chants along with references to the "heavenlies", faeries, various Goddesses and the blessings of Mother Nature.
I read this book in one sitting, and have already began re-reading it. It's definitely one of those "can't put it down" books, that leaves you with an overall sense of satisfaction and faith that things can and do work out!
September 4, 2009
Even if Laura is my friend, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, because I knew Laura mostly as a romance/erotica author, two genres I hate deeply. But I felt drawn by the excerpts in her blog and specially the amazing Wiccan spells (I had even tried one that worked wonderfully)so I decided to give it a try.
I couldn't be more wrong. This book is about the lives of four modern-day Witches, their spiritual search and their way of facing life and problems.It's a richly spiritual book, in which these four middle-aged women make choices about their lives listening to their heart and to their call, and looking at life and at nature with the eyes of the spirit. being myself a middle-aged Wiccan woman going through a moment of choices, I felt this book had come at the right moment for me, and it has given me great comfort. It is one of the most spiritual books in the Wiccan line that I have read, more than many nonfiction works on Wiccan spirituality.
Besides, it is packed with amazingly lovely spells and prayers and very practical advice about natural healthcare and petcare.
Any Wiccan woman (and many non-Wiccan ones) would love this book. I know I did.
I couldn't be more wrong. This book is about the lives of four modern-day Witches, their spiritual search and their way of facing life and problems.It's a richly spiritual book, in which these four middle-aged women make choices about their lives listening to their heart and to their call, and looking at life and at nature with the eyes of the spirit. being myself a middle-aged Wiccan woman going through a moment of choices, I felt this book had come at the right moment for me, and it has given me great comfort. It is one of the most spiritual books in the Wiccan line that I have read, more than many nonfiction works on Wiccan spirituality.
Besides, it is packed with amazingly lovely spells and prayers and very practical advice about natural healthcare and petcare.
Any Wiccan woman (and many non-Wiccan ones) would love this book. I know I did.
November 14, 2011
This book was OK. I enjoyed it, but it doesn't get better than that, for me, even though I would have really wanted to report that I loved it.
The stories would have come to me better if they had been presented in sequence, as an anthology of four independent stories with a common theme. The hopping from one to another and back again was rather distracting.
I liked the spells, and the effects that they had on the lives of the four witches.
Because the author is Laura Satmps, I was expecting much more sex, but maybe that is my fault for setting my own expectations incorrectly.
Yes, it is a fairly good book, and I would recommend it to those of you who are interested in the effects that practicing witchcraft can have on a witches life.
The stories would have come to me better if they had been presented in sequence, as an anthology of four independent stories with a common theme. The hopping from one to another and back again was rather distracting.
I liked the spells, and the effects that they had on the lives of the four witches.
Because the author is Laura Satmps, I was expecting much more sex, but maybe that is my fault for setting my own expectations incorrectly.
Yes, it is a fairly good book, and I would recommend it to those of you who are interested in the effects that practicing witchcraft can have on a witches life.
October 27, 2007
tHIS IS A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK
Describing nature and it's connection to human beings and animals the prose reminiscent sometimes of Sufi poetry.
It also deals with womens fears in an unconventional way
I would reccomend it to anyone but mostly women animal nature lovers wiccan lovers magic lovers and perhaps those who are depressed
Well done Laura and you deserve the awards you recieve
Describing nature and it's connection to human beings and animals the prose reminiscent sometimes of Sufi poetry.
It also deals with womens fears in an unconventional way
I would reccomend it to anyone but mostly women animal nature lovers wiccan lovers magic lovers and perhaps those who are depressed
Well done Laura and you deserve the awards you recieve
June 27, 2008
This book is something you will want to read.
It reads differently than others, with lots of poetic verse and words used to decribe things.
It is an empoering book worth the open eyes you will have when done with it.
It reads differently than others, with lots of poetic verse and words used to decribe things.
It is an empoering book worth the open eyes you will have when done with it.
September 7, 2012
“The Witches Of Dixie” By Laura Stamps
Four southern witches come from completely different backgrounds, and all seem to be experiencing some kind of difficulty in their lives. What these four witches need to figure out, is how they can solve their problems, and restore the inner balance within themselves.
Take Savannah Monroe, she runs a very successful handbag business and has been running her business for over ten years now. It all started when Savannah made her own handbag and then added her own personal touches to the bag. All of sudden, women were stopping and asking Savannah where she bought her awesome handbag from. Savannah told the inquisitive women that she made and designed her handbag herself. Before Savannah knew it, she was taking orders from women all across the nation. Savannah's handbags started turning up in stores all across America and the demand for her handbags started to take off. Now ten years later, Savannah is noticing that sales have been slow. She even received a call from one of her long time buyers, who has been doing business with Savannah for seven years, asking to cancel their monthly orders permanently. Slow sales is what they said. Before Savannah can digest what just happened, she gets another round of bad news from another big buyer of her handbags saying that they wish not to do business anymore because sales are just not coming in. Savannah is wondering where all this bad luck is coming from and why her handbag business is just not producing sales like it use to. Will Savannah realize what is going on an and maybe try a different approach of towards her business? Will Savannah's sales of her handbags pick up, will she ever pick up any new buyers?
Maylene Whitmire has being feeling like she is the invisible women around everyone she knows lately. She made plans with one of her good girlfriends only to find out that she totally forgot they were to get together. Then, Maylene's boss forgets to write Maylene her weekly pay cheque, but not for all of her co-workers. Then, there is Maylene's car accident. Some women, not paying attention, rear ends poor Maylene on the way home from work. Well, at-least Maylene does not feel invisible online with her new blog.
Maylene has lately been dreaming of starting her own business. She can catalog all of the pagan businesses out there, and feature their products in her catalog so shoppers don't have search all over the Internet. All Maylene would need to do, is stock up on her inventory and mail out items that shoppers have purchased. Maylene just needs to realize that this dream can become a reality, and not something that is invisible to her. Will Maylene start up her own wiccan catalog business and pursue her dreams, or will she just keep dreaming of it, and let it pass by her?
Mirabella Middleton is a very successful artist. Her art work is sold in art gallerys all across the country, and is featured in all the best art magazines. Mirabella is always in demand for her artwork and has a constant stream of commissions coming in. So why all of sudden are clients that Mirabella has been dealing with calling her and telling her that they are no longer going to be showcasing her artwork? Mirabella knows that the economy is playing a huge part in the sales of her artwork, but it has never been this bad. Mirabella is hoping her one major buyer will help sales of her artwork will rebound by placing three full page ads in the biggest art magazine. Mirabella soon finds out that the ads in the art magazine did not help to increase her sales one bit. Now her buyer is also canceling orders on Mirabella's paintings. The economy is really starting to impact Mirabella's art business and she is wondering if she should even continue her business anymore. Luckily for Mirabella her good friend comes up with a good idea that just may help Mirabella.
Ravena Riley has been wondering what has been going on with her husband lately. Ravena's husband has been acting very stand-offish towards her and is now constantly complaining about his job. He has been cranky and snappy with Ravena and that is just not like him. Ravena has always had a happy marriage and is wondering if this could be a possible mid-life crisis? Sometimes Ravena's husband can be so sweet to her, but then the following day he just acts like a completely different person. Ravena decides that she needs to get away and think about her marriage and her life. Ravena decides that she is going to take a mini vacation to her favorite city and reflect on all aspects of her life and what is important to her. Ravena knows that her marriage has always been solid and that it take a effort to make a good marriage work no matter what. Can Ravena get past the anger that her husband has towards her? Only Ravena knows what she wants and she must decide what she wants in life. Will Ravena leave her husband and be flying solo with her three cats?
You will love reading and learning how each Witch overcomes the obstacles that are interfering with their lives in each of Laura Stamp's four wonderfully written stories. Laura also includes ways of helping to heal your furry feline companions with spells and remedies for certain illnesses. I really loved this book, and I actually did learn how to heal one of my furry felines following the advise in this book! Thank you Laura, I really loved reading your book.
Reviewed by: ParanormalRomance.ca
5 Lips out of 5
Click Here to Visit ParanormalRomance.ca
Four southern witches come from completely different backgrounds, and all seem to be experiencing some kind of difficulty in their lives. What these four witches need to figure out, is how they can solve their problems, and restore the inner balance within themselves.
Take Savannah Monroe, she runs a very successful handbag business and has been running her business for over ten years now. It all started when Savannah made her own handbag and then added her own personal touches to the bag. All of sudden, women were stopping and asking Savannah where she bought her awesome handbag from. Savannah told the inquisitive women that she made and designed her handbag herself. Before Savannah knew it, she was taking orders from women all across the nation. Savannah's handbags started turning up in stores all across America and the demand for her handbags started to take off. Now ten years later, Savannah is noticing that sales have been slow. She even received a call from one of her long time buyers, who has been doing business with Savannah for seven years, asking to cancel their monthly orders permanently. Slow sales is what they said. Before Savannah can digest what just happened, she gets another round of bad news from another big buyer of her handbags saying that they wish not to do business anymore because sales are just not coming in. Savannah is wondering where all this bad luck is coming from and why her handbag business is just not producing sales like it use to. Will Savannah realize what is going on an and maybe try a different approach of towards her business? Will Savannah's sales of her handbags pick up, will she ever pick up any new buyers?
Maylene Whitmire has being feeling like she is the invisible women around everyone she knows lately. She made plans with one of her good girlfriends only to find out that she totally forgot they were to get together. Then, Maylene's boss forgets to write Maylene her weekly pay cheque, but not for all of her co-workers. Then, there is Maylene's car accident. Some women, not paying attention, rear ends poor Maylene on the way home from work. Well, at-least Maylene does not feel invisible online with her new blog.
Maylene has lately been dreaming of starting her own business. She can catalog all of the pagan businesses out there, and feature their products in her catalog so shoppers don't have search all over the Internet. All Maylene would need to do, is stock up on her inventory and mail out items that shoppers have purchased. Maylene just needs to realize that this dream can become a reality, and not something that is invisible to her. Will Maylene start up her own wiccan catalog business and pursue her dreams, or will she just keep dreaming of it, and let it pass by her?
Mirabella Middleton is a very successful artist. Her art work is sold in art gallerys all across the country, and is featured in all the best art magazines. Mirabella is always in demand for her artwork and has a constant stream of commissions coming in. So why all of sudden are clients that Mirabella has been dealing with calling her and telling her that they are no longer going to be showcasing her artwork? Mirabella knows that the economy is playing a huge part in the sales of her artwork, but it has never been this bad. Mirabella is hoping her one major buyer will help sales of her artwork will rebound by placing three full page ads in the biggest art magazine. Mirabella soon finds out that the ads in the art magazine did not help to increase her sales one bit. Now her buyer is also canceling orders on Mirabella's paintings. The economy is really starting to impact Mirabella's art business and she is wondering if she should even continue her business anymore. Luckily for Mirabella her good friend comes up with a good idea that just may help Mirabella.
Ravena Riley has been wondering what has been going on with her husband lately. Ravena's husband has been acting very stand-offish towards her and is now constantly complaining about his job. He has been cranky and snappy with Ravena and that is just not like him. Ravena has always had a happy marriage and is wondering if this could be a possible mid-life crisis? Sometimes Ravena's husband can be so sweet to her, but then the following day he just acts like a completely different person. Ravena decides that she needs to get away and think about her marriage and her life. Ravena decides that she is going to take a mini vacation to her favorite city and reflect on all aspects of her life and what is important to her. Ravena knows that her marriage has always been solid and that it take a effort to make a good marriage work no matter what. Can Ravena get past the anger that her husband has towards her? Only Ravena knows what she wants and she must decide what she wants in life. Will Ravena leave her husband and be flying solo with her three cats?
You will love reading and learning how each Witch overcomes the obstacles that are interfering with their lives in each of Laura Stamp's four wonderfully written stories. Laura also includes ways of helping to heal your furry feline companions with spells and remedies for certain illnesses. I really loved this book, and I actually did learn how to heal one of my furry felines following the advise in this book! Thank you Laura, I really loved reading your book.
Reviewed by: ParanormalRomance.ca
5 Lips out of 5
Click Here to Visit ParanormalRomance.ca 
December 2, 2007
I read this book because of my link to Laura Stamps' Friends List on this site. I'm so very glad I did. I wouldn't have picked this on my own, and sometimes I just has to accept the gifts that arrive. I haven't read anything so positive and uplifting in a very long time. Having finished "Drawing Down the Moon", it was fascinating to see the Wiccan principles applied in every day life, and to see how women in a variety of circumstances live with their beliefs and struggles. The book brought me to an understanding that this is "faith" every possible sense of that word; a miraculous initiation into the mysteries. Laura's writing sings off the pages. I am particularly taken with her descriptions of the natural world. And her love of cats--this came at a time when my own dear one was quite ill, and I'm convinced the positive vibes of this book helped me help her. Reading this book has prompted me to try and find my own path, as her characters have, and to try to eliminate some of the negative energy that has been informing my life. Thanks, Laura. I can't wait for Book Two.
September 7, 2009
The book in my opinion should have be named “A Witches’ View on Life” for the 4 separate but intertwining stores of the 4 witches by any other name is in fact the author. These stories are not totally fiction but in reality the interests and loves of the author, Laura Stamps. After reading her LiveJournal blog for so long and then finally getting around to reading her first book, which she recommended long ago (sorry it took so long – L.). It was as if I were reading yet another facet of her quite interesting life. This book is not so much an urban fantasy as it says on the back cover; but in my view more a collection of thoughts, and inspirational messages. I found several spells, chants, and rituals that I liked and plan to tweak them to my needs.
The only down side to the book is that the first two sections were written in 3rd person view point; and for some reason that grated on me and I had to push myself to read past that and finish the book.
The only down side to the book is that the first two sections were written in 3rd person view point; and for some reason that grated on me and I had to push myself to read past that and finish the book.
November 30, 2007
Laura Stamps has a gift. She uses words like notes in a melody that celebrates the simplicity and beauty of life and nature. In this book she explores the lives and growth thru crisis of four women with a hand that is delicate and an eye that is observing. If one is looking for violent confrontation this is not the volume to read. Instead Laura takes the ordinary and crafts an extraordinary vision of the world of Wiccan philosophy in the modern world. If I can fault this it is only that my favorite of her charactors, Maylene-her story could have been longer.
In all this is a collection of stories that should be comfortably read with one's favorite cat-or dog curled up along side.
~Frank
In all this is a collection of stories that should be comfortably read with one's favorite cat-or dog curled up along side.
~Frank
March 7, 2011
I didn't care for this book. I was expecting a novel with the characters to be more intertwined. Instead, it is 4 novellas with rather flat characters that are difficult to relate to as the stories jump around in their timing and pacing. I think there is a lot of potential and beautiful writing but the common thread - beyond the Pagan aspect - was missing. The inclusion of Paganism/Wicca concepts in all the novellas was *not* enough of a common thread to hold these novellas together. In the end, I found this thread to be moot to the stories as the events could have been expressed without the Paganism.
February 3, 2009
I really, REALLY didn't care for this book. From the descriptions I thought it was a story, but it is really an anthology. You never really have a chance to connect with the characters and there is no resolution to most of the stories. The holistic healing was interesting, but sadly - that is the best I could say for this book.
May 9, 2012
It took me a while to read this - only because I had it downloaded onto the kindle app on my phone. Anyway - I really enjoyed this. Beautifully written, and found it very calming to read. The words managed to create beautiful pictures in my head! It has definately inspired me to find out more about wicca and nature and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
December 4, 2014
This was a very entertaining read! I loved that there were real spells included in the story. The characters were very likable & the writing superb. I would recommend for fans of witches.
I will be reading books 2 soon.
I will be reading books 2 soon.
Read
November 4, 2011Eh...
Want to read
October 12, 2007I just ordered this one and am excited to read it!
August 28, 2008
This book is a balm for the spirit.
B
B
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews