To Rescue a Witch

by Lisa A. Traugott

It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft is defended by a man married to an actual witch.
William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from her tormentors in Virginia colony and deliver her to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.

Their journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s “Devil marks” trigger suspicion. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.

To Rescue a Witch navigates a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2024

About the author

Lisa A. Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award-winning author. Her memoir, "She’s Losing It!" led to her being cast on John Cena’s reality-TV show "American Grit" and managed to last five episodes. Other books include "The S.L.I. Method" and "Mind Your Manners Minnie Monster", which she also illustrated. Her debut historical fiction, "To Rescue A Witch" will be released in March 2024.

A World Championship of Public Speaking semi-finalist, she lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, kids, and English bulldog, Bruno. If you’re looking for fun content head over to her websites LisaTraugott.com and ShesLosingIt.com or say hi on Instagram at @lisa__traugott.

Reviews

[Sydney Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO RESCUE A WITCH, by Lisa A. Traugott, is one of those swash-buckling adventures that is fun to read as we cheer on the hero and the little witch. Annaliese really is one of those children born to sorrow and tossed about, but somehow scrappy and determined to survive. And it's all a test of survival for her, from page one. Thank goodness there's William MacLeod, as romantic a Scottish character as they come, especially since he's determined to right a wrong and do what is right, no matter the cost to him.

I love that the cover shows the ship, for the heart of the book takes place as they are sailing back to the old world, as Mac and Annaliese get to know each other, and help get each other out of trouble. It's a fresh take on the adventure trope, especially with the witch trial that takes place, letting us see Mac's mind at work, even as his ward's fingers won't give it a rest. (Forgive me for calling him that, but I had a grandfather with that nickname. For some big tall, Scottish dudes, it's what they must be called). Of course, things are quite complicated for him, especially considering his witchy wife and how she won't give up the old ways. And how the old ways won't stop interfering in a Scottish family's desire to just live their lives. Lots of problems coming to a good boil in this page-turner.

CONTENT WARNING NOTE: In the first chapter, Annaliese survives something truly harsh, showing how very much she does need rescuing. But although other hardships are in store for her, the main thrust of the book is her relationship with MacLeod and how he opens up to become the hero he needs to be, until the time that Annaliese can care for herself. It is a hard opening, but not a view of what you'll get in the book, just an underlying reason for it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flawed heroes, mysterious wise women, and religious fervor abound in Lisa A. Traugott’s historical epic, To Rescue A Witch.

The gorgeous cover drew me in immediately, but the compelling characters and thrilling plot kept me reading. As someone who suffered abuse as a child, I’ll be the first to tell you this isn’t an easy book to read. What some characters do and others endure in the case of our heroine, Annaliese, is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re willing to be brave, this historical fiction is well worth the discomfort.

Traugott makes you root for Annaliese, her rescuer, William MacLeod, and his witchy wife, Fiona. While the book is told from a couple other points of view, you’ll be eager to circle back to these three. In the beginning, I had trouble picturing William as a hero. He’s fallen far away from his roots and family in pursuit of wealth and power from the even more powerful (and despicable). But when his benefactor, Lord George, learns his mistress and bastard daughter are in danger, William is dispatched from London to the Colonies.

There is so much to unpack and days after finishing, I keep ruminating how much to reveal here. To Rescue A Witch is so well woven a story, you really need to experience the journey for yourself. While there are dark themes like abuse, slavery, and rape, there are also moments of light. Annaliese is the candle or lighthouse in the dark for our characters but especially William. And through her, he is given someone to save, avenge, and most of all a mirror to face the man he has become.

What I loved most, more than the fantastic attention to detail and startling moments of humor, is the question Traugott poses. Who will you choose to be? William asks Annaliese this question when she must choose between carrying the legacy of her abuse, or leaving it behind to forge a new identity for herself. But William is also forced to choose, so the reader (if you’re me at least) may reflect. There are no perfect heroes, and the villains are truly constructs of the cruel times they live in. But they have a choice just as we do, today. And without spoilers, I’m confident you will be more than satisfied with the ending.

Give To Rescue A Witch a chance if you love found family, dark tales of hope, and a world that offers second chances. And may you be just as encouraged as I’ve been to chase the light.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical novels teach us so much about how people acted, the places they lived, and what the landscape looked like at that time. In this novel, we experience 1730s London, Scotland, and the American Colonies. We also see this time through the eyes of several characters - Annaliese, MacLeod, Fiona, and Margaret. 

This story is filled with lies, deceit, remorse, redemption, and love. While most characters experience some of these emotions, they don't necessarily experience them all. It is quite intriguing to watch the scheming of some characters end in disaster while others become victorious. 

While we see this story through several different eyes, Annaliese is the main character that the story surrounds, and she has quite the tale to tell. She may only be nine but has endured much in those few years. It takes a lot for her to learn to trust others, but watching her grow is beautiful. I'm not saying she is perfect by the end of the book, but she comes quite a long way from the beginning. My heart hurt for the abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather. He is not a nice man, but then, many men in this century took women for granted and expected little or nothing from them. I appreciated the strength of these women and seeking something better for themselves and their families.

William MacLeod seems to have lost his way in prioritizing what is really important to him. There are a few incidents that lead up to this moment, but reflection and conversations help him to realize where he needs to be in this world. I liked that he was able to reflect on his past and change the trajectory of his future.

There are quite a few different threads in this book, but all are woven together to create a story with many facets that create a world we can feel a part of by the end of the book. Anyone who reads this book might root for different characters and will be satisfied with the conclusion. Although, I would have liked it to go on just a little longer.

We enjoyed this story, the setting, the characters, and the various outcomes and give the book 5 paws up.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Rescue a Witch is the story of Annaliese, a bastard child who has only known abuse. She has plenty of physical and emotional scars that help convey her plight to the people she meets. This obviously makes for a very tough read at times. This is an adult book with adult themes. Trigger warnings should definitely be checked. Grim elements aside, this is a book full of hope and second chances despite its darker aspects.

The story is told from multiple perspectives including Annaliese, her new caretaker, and several people involved in some major, secret plots. After a childhood full of abuse, nine year old Annaliese has her life turned completely around. However, her rough upbringing causes her to stick out in big ways, making her an outcast when placed into different social loops than she's used to.

Annaliese was my favorite character, easily. Her struggles and emotional turmoil are very engaging because they're so grim and realistically approached. She shies away from people, believes she'll keep receiving pain, and has a hard time believing anything she is told by the new people in her life. It was so worthwhile to see her grow as the story went on.

I also enjoyed the societal drama subplots that enveloped the life of Annaliese's actual family and new companions. They made for a gripping story and I was wondering how everything would play out by the end. I liked the broader setting as Annaliese began her new life. She went on a journey both physically and emotionally that was engrossing. Also included are some points that take the story even further back into the past. I haven't read a historical fiction book quite like this one, and even with its dark elements, it's a very immersive story with a lot to enjoy. I give To Rescue a Witch a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯ stars.

[Charla Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Macleod, a lawyer works for a wealthy man doing his dirty work. William is sent to the colonies from England to rescue his bosses mistress and bastard daughter. The mistress is suspected of being a witch and William is actually married to a witch. Upon finding the daughter he discovers that her life has been a living hell at the hands of her mother’s husband. While in Virginia, Williams family back home in Edinburgh are struggling because of a plot of his wealthy bosses wife who is angry that her husband’s mistress and bastard child are on their way to England. Meanwhile, the child Annalise is being accused of being a witch while on the ship, and a terrible storm is raging.

[Shannon Burl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Traugott takes us along an emotional rollercoaster of pain, fear, hatred, love, pride, jealousy, envy, and hope in her historical fiction, To Save a Witch. Young Annalise knows the hardships of poverty and abuse, experiences how the truth is twisted for the empowerment of a few, and how knowledge, communication, and love can provide justice.
In the beginning the Scottish dialect caused me to slow my reading, but it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the novel. I could hear the accents in my head as I read. Traugott’s ability to switch from present to past while guiding us along Annalise’s journey through the eyes of all involved kept me from putting the book down.
In a time of indentured servants and slaves where power and wealth determined societal truths,
and women were seen and not heard, I would much prefer to be a Witch.

[Meg Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lisa Traugott’s debut novel, she takes you back to the 18th century when men were authority, but women cunningly manipulated outcomes in the background. We follow protagonist William MacLeod as he sails from Scotland to the colonies to retrieve and deliver an abused bastard child to an English aristocrat in London, while also handling the delicate situation of his wife being accused of witchcraft.
Navigating the politics of the new colonies was tough enough, but handling a feral abused child proved to be even tougher, even for the formidable MacLeod.
Lisa’s ability to switch between timelines and perspective makes the book a fast paced read, making it hard to put down as you wait for the next twist.
There is betrayal, seduction, and aristocratic games along with a fast paced ending all which makes this and easy fun read.

[Fiona Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt all the emotions in this one. Annaliese is a child who has known nothing but poverty and abuse in her short life. William McLeod is a Scottish lawyer, a good man who has been forced to make many compromises. McLeod’s wife, Fiona, is a woman with powers that might be a blessing or a curse. The setting is 18th century Britain and America and the ocean between them.

McLeod is charged with bringing Annaliese to her natural father, who happens to be his manipulative employer. Fatherhood is an unexpected theme in this story. Annaliese’s natural father (Lord Halliwell) doesn’t know she exists for the first nine years of her life; her stepfather (Pa Birch) is an abusive monster; McLeod, who has no biological or legal connection to her, proves to be the truest father of them all.

Recommended for anyone who likes historical fiction that isn’t afraid to confront the brutal realities of the past (includes child abuse, rape, and slavery) but has an overall message of hope.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on to your hat as this ship leaves port and the characters are taken on an exciting adventure when Annaliese and William MacLeod set out to sail back to London, inviting the reader to come along.

When we meet Annaliese for the first time, she’s chained to the porch of a shack in rural Virginia Colony, suffering horrible abuse from her step-father. The author doesn’t gloss over that abuse. Or the cruelty shown to slaves and indentured servants. Those sections are hard to read, especially if your gut wrenches at any kind of cruelty. But that’s how some people behaved at the time of this story, and the reader needs to know that in order to begin an understanding of the characters

Those scenes helps the reader realize why Annaliese suffers from those nightmares and acts like a willful, disobedient child. She is a child who was conditioned to abuse and brutality, and it takes much of the story for her to finally soften. MacLeod spends much of the story battling his growing love for this fragile child. Not physically fragile, but fragile in her mind, much like people today who suffer from PTSD.

That is a great thread of tension that underlies the main plot lines of the book.

The chapters are told from the POV of the different characters in the story, some of them endearing, like the young girl and the swoonable MacLeod. His wife, back in Scotland, is also a wonderful character, who has special ways with healing and is known to cast a spell or two. Many people think Fiona is a witch, MacLeod included, but he doesn’t care. His love for her is so evident, especially in the ways he’s supported her at times when the shadow of a real danger of being arrested looms over her. He could turn away from her when rumors start to rumble, intensifying that danger, but he doesn’t.

The hate-able characters include the man who starved, chained, and abused Annaliese, and a member of London Royalty. Lady Margaret has many lovers and developed intricate plots to entice them to kill her husband. She is a cold, ugly to her soul, woman, and I wish I’d only met her once, but her plans are integral to one thread of the plot, so she needed to stay until that wonderful ending.

There is an underlying theme of redemption, as well as justice in To Rescue A Witch. While Annaliese works through some of her PTSD and learns to act like a proper young lady, MacLeod has a change of heart over how he has treated one of his sons, and vows to right that wrong if they make it safely back to his home.

And oh, do the dark characters get their comeuppance! No spoilers here, but it’s worth reading the book to find out if MacLeod and Annaliese survive the arduous journey and what happens to her step father and to Lady Margaret.

The story is set in 1739, and the historical elements were well presented. I enjoyed getting glimpses of what life was like in the early colonization of Virginia, as well as how royalty in England lived and were intertwined. It was a harsh time to live, no matter where, and people had beliefs that stagger our sense of right. Ms. Traugott presents that all with great characterizations, wonderful dialogue, and descriptions that set the scenes perfectly.

To Rescue A Witch is a terrific read from page one until the end, and I enjoyed every page.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing tale of treachery, betrayal, secrets kept and long overdue to be revealed.

To Rescue a Witch by Lisa A. Traugott is an absorbing tale set in 1730s England and America’s Virginia colony, with treachery, betrayal, and revenge all in play because of an aristocrat’s young illegitimate daughter. Scottish attorney William MacLeod travels from England to Virginia and back again as he seeks to take the girl to her biological father, Lord George Hallewell, her origins and existence steeped in secrets, some of which William himself is responsible.

The story is fast-paced, urged along from multiple points of view, with the main plot narrated through the eyes of William and the traumatized and abused child, Annaliese. The story is often brutal, with repeated incidents of sexual assault and other physical abuses of the young girl. The story is historical fiction about the weak, vulnerable, and powerless at its grittiest. Annaliese is viewed as chattel, no different than livestock, and she grows up knowing only the pain and abuse meted out by her stepfather and his creditors. She is ignorant of how to live in society, struggling with proper language, comportment, or even how to dress herself in the accepted clothing of the day.

William’s wife, Fiona, is home in Scotland, keeping their family and the estate together. She’s a skilled wise woman who works secretly, having promised her husband to refrain from practicing the more magical aspects of her knowledge because witchcraft is illegal. She struggles with visions of the future that are sometimes unclear but always true in the end.

William has his own struggles. He has a dark capacity for violence lurking just under the surface that he’s released on several occasions at the behest of his old friend and employer, Lord Hallewell. He’s trained as an attorney and is normally a kind and generous man. These bouts of brutality are constantly at odds with his true nature.

However, William is not the villain of the piece. Besides, Annaliese’s horrible stepfather is Lady Margaret Hallewell, the wife of Lord George. I found her to be a fascinating and despicable character, scheming and manipulative, using every womanly wile available to gain the advantage over the men in her life, and she’ll stop at nothing for her revenge, including destroying her husband, William, Fiona, and a little nine-and-a-half-year-old girl.

The story contains vivid descriptions and details of life on land and at sea during this time. To modern eyes, it is dirty, dangerous, and brutal in many ways, but there are glimpses of unimaginable splendor and wealth in the aristocratic circles. The lack of autonomy, freedom, and power is shown in frightening detail with respect to the indentured, enslaved, and married women.

I recommend TO RESCUE A WITCH to readers of historical fiction who like action and adventure and are interested in stories of witchcraft and witch trials.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annaliese Birch is the bastard daughter of an English lord. Her mother was sent to the American colonies as an indentured servant for theft, and Annaliese was born into that same servitude. The man she called “Pa” was no father, but a harsh, abusive brute of a man, interested only in what Annaliese could do to bring in income. The trauma she suffered was horrific, and she has known little else in her young life.
William MacLeod is the Scottish barrister sent to the colonies to retrieve Annaliese at the behest of her natural father. He has no idea what this journey holds for him, and often despairs of many things along the way – that Annaliese will ever trust him, that she’ll ever learn to keep her mouth shut, that she can ever move past the damage life has inflicted to move in more polite society. But the greatest despair he will face is the accusation of witchcraft against Annaliese. He must defend a girl who is decidedly not a witch while also protecting his wife Fiona who is a witch.

Wow, Lisa Traugott gives us a compelling story here! She touches on dark topics – child abuse, slavery, rape – but she does so in a way that presents an accurate picture of the historical period in which the story is set. None of the violence and pain is gratuitous, and if you can stick with the story, it unfolds to paint a beautiful picture of reconciliation, redemption, and hope.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but Annaliese and MacLeod are the characters who have the most to show us. MacLeod isn’t always the straight-up hero of the piece. There are times he struggles to do what’s really best for Annaliese, and as he learns about her experience, he realizes he may have some things to atone for with his own son. And Annaliese. Oh, how I love her. I alternated between wanting to hug her, laugh at the wildly inappropriate things she sometimes came out with (due to lack of knowing what was expected of her, not because she was a bad kid), and heave a sigh of exasperation. She and MacLeod were similar in their stubbornness, their reluctance to open up and share their thoughts, and that particular trait nearly cost them a very high price indeed.

There are characters you will root for and characters you will loathe. There’s pain and misery and betrayal aplenty, but there’s also love of family, doing the right thing, and standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. The historical detail is spot on, and I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends when I read the last page.

If you love well-written historical fiction and a story that will have you alternately raging, laughing, holding your breath, and cheering, grab yourself a copy of To Rescue a Witch.

[Ariel Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from Lone Star Literary in exchange for my honest review.

To Rescue a Witch by Lisa A. Traugott is a compelling historical fiction novel. The book is based in the Virginia Colony in the 1700s. The book takes us on the journey through the life of a barrister, William MacLeod, as he sets out on a voyage to retrieve Annaliese, the daughter of an aristocrat in London. During his travels, William encounters fights, a choppy sea, a rambunctious nine-year-old, and pushback from members on the voyage with him. In London, secrets start to unravel as the wife of the aristocrat starts digging for information and Fiona, William's wife, awaits her husband's return. You can't trust everyone. Will William make it home to his wife and family, or die trying to deliver the girl?

Lisa A Traugott did a fantastic job with the writing of To Rescue a Witch. The book starts with the perspective of Annaliese at her current home with her Pa and brother. The book then transitions to William serving justice on a ship practicing illegal activities. We then see Lord Hallewell ask William to retrieve his daughter Annaliese and former mistress Eleanor and bring them to London. William agrees and starts work to begin his long journey. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of William, Annaliese, Lady Margaret, Lord Percy, and Fiona. Each chapter allows the reader to view each character's story told from their perspective. The author does a phenomenal job with the language, character development, research, and building of the plot. To Rescue a Witch is filled with drama, action, secrets, family, relationships, and a lot of shocking twists. There was a point in this novel my jaw was dropped open in shock because of the plot turns. The emotional connection, and the reactions I felt to each character enhanced my reading experiences as the plot thickened and the story continued to develop.

Overall, this is one of the best historical fictions I have read. As a history major, I loved the details and the time the author spent researching to ensure accuracy. I also loved the variety of the text styles between different narrators, perspectives, and the journal entries. I read this book in one sitting because it was so captivating, I could not put it down.

I recommend this book for adults who are interested in a thoroughly-researched and well-developed historical fiction novel.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa A. Traugott's new novel To Rescue a Witch is brilliant and powerful, telling the story of three different women (one is really a little girl) and one Scotsman in alternating points of view. It's very much a portrait of the social strictures of the period – it's set in 1739 - but it's also, by turns, an action-adventure, a vigilante tale, a romance, a courtroom saga, and a redemption story. Add witchcraft, a shipwreck, and intense family drama to the mix, and this book has something for everyone.
At the center is William McLeod, a kindhearted lawyer who needs significant nudging from his wife, Fiona, in order to heed the better angels of his nature. Author Traugott has done a masterful job depicting him has a flawed human being who is sometimes too quick to act but is trying to curb his baser instincts.
Surrounding McLeod are three women, whose stories are told in alternating chapters. Fiona, McLeod's wife is a devoted mother, a loving spouse, and an actual witch who makes protective charms and has portentous dreams. Lady Margaret is the epitome of a fairytale villainous queen translated to the real world of eighteenth century Scotland. And then there's Annaliese. If McLeod is the central male figure of this novel, Fiery, feisty, nine-and-a-half-year-old Annaliese is the central female figure. Raised in filth and brutality by her stepfather, it's really amazing that she's alive at all, let alone serving as a protector to her younger half-brother. Like Fiona, she also has portentous dreams, but as a child doesn't know how to filter what she shares.
While the novel has moments of lightness and humor, the opening chapters, especially, are brutal and visceral, with mentions of sexual abuse of children and violence toward children, women, and men.
Overall, To Rescue a Witch is a compelling story, with equal measures of explicit physical situations, poignant emotional scenes, and high-seas adventure, blended with a healthy dose of witch trials and the politics of the period. The characters are dimensional, each with their own failings and graces, and the dialogue is a rich blend of early American English, Scots English, and British English.
It's a worthy read, and one that is not soon forgotten.
Goes well with: baked salmon and mashed potatoes, followed by a healthy shot of whisky.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies, deceit and manipulation shape this gripping story. I read it in one sitting. Why? Because I couldn’t find a place to stop. I had to know what happened.
I enjoyed the way the author dedicated each chapter to a single POV. By doing this, she gave me a glimpse inside the mind of all the major characters. Turns out they all have secrets and hidden agendas.
While I fell in love with some characters, I hated others, another mark of a talented writer.
William McLeod is a Scotsman who has become quite the well-known barrister for the wealthiest in London. He’s let his desire for security and fame take him away from his core beliefs and desires in life.
Fiona McLeod is a lovely woman who lives William fiercely, and she has supernatural powers. She’s even faced trial as a witch.
But the child, Annaliese, stole my heart. What she’s suffered is unimaginable.
So when William is tasked with sailing to the Virginia Colony in America to bring the child and her mother back to London, he cannot know all the tragedies that he’ll face. Nor, can he imagine the horrors that haunt this child, but he must do Lord Hollewell’s bidding as his barrister. And the lord wants his mistress back. So, McLeod sails away despite Fiona’s warnings.
William McLeod has a heart and wants to see justice served. In fact, Justice is the name of the sword he carries. Let’s just say he gets to mete out a fair share before leaving the colonies. The thing I loved about this story was the way McLeod is forced to face his own shortcomings. The child acts as a mirror of sorts. The journey back to England is rife with one horrific tragedy after another. At times I was sure neither McLeod nor the child would survive to ever see England. And while he’s gone, evil men seek to destroy everything he’s worked to build.
This story starts at a fast pace and never lets up. Each separate piece of the story is woven together masterfully, and it all culminates in a satisfying ending.
I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the 1700 time period, high seas adventure, and exposure to the rawest and basest of human acts toward another.
It’s a story I won’t soon forget! And I also have to add the book cover is outstanding. I would buy the book on that alone.

[Rox Burkey]

Lisa A Traugott pushes readers into the harsh realities of the 1700s, combining English society, Scottish determination, and outliers in the struggling Virginia colony. The people's details and behaviors are based on their societal circumstances, greed, and even love. Aristocrats, men or women, use their positions and power to get what they want regardless of the consequences.

Each character’s perspective is framed against a timeline of life events to make this a well-rounded story. Four characters stood out: Fiona, a real witch with second sight and the wife to William MacLeod; MacLeod, a Scottish attorney, works for his once close friend, now employer, Lord Hallewell. (MacLeod’s role in protecting Hallewell expedites situations when they get out of hand). Lord Hallewell is a wealthy, married womanizer who loved one of his conquests and sired a daughter, Annaliese. And Annaliese.

Annaliese was born in Virginia and raised by a man who abused her physically and mentally, yet her survival instinct kept her alive after her mother died. As a scrappy young girl, she did her best with no good examples of behavior or loving guidance. MacLeod travels to find and bring her to her father. Realistic dialogue exchanges bring depth to each scene. One particular exchange between MacLeod and Annaliese is timeless. She asked, “How come the truth’s so confusing?” He responded, “Because people are complex and flawed.”

As the story's synergistic threads unfold, the connections between characters and activities become a tapestry of lives driven by secrets, greed, heartache, love, regrets, power, and choices etched in time. It is an emotion-filled read, not for the faint of heart. Fans of historical women and Scottish fiction will appreciate the attention to detail Ms. Traugott delivers in this heart-wrenching tale, To Rescue a Witch.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual-POV, 3rd person historical fiction is set primarily in the 1730s and filled with adventure, mystery, betrayal, revenge and redemption. Characters you hate and grow to love (or hate even more), every one of them with a unique problem that they must face; a young girl, Annalise, who has gone to hell and back and slowly discovers her true self; a Scottish man, MacLeod, who battles with his guilt and allegiances; MacLeod’s wife, Fiona, a witch who is left to care for her children while her husband has been sent away on a mission; and Lord Halleway, an English aristocrat who is a victim to schemes created by those he believes he can trust.

I had fun reading this book. You can tell the author really knows her stuff. It started off kind of slow and I was struggling with the language/Scottish sayings but it didn’t take too long for me to start picking it up. The story between Annalise and MacLeod was incredible to read. I loved their relationship and the development between them. I started off really not liking MacLeod, but by the end he stole my heart. And Annalise… my sweet summer child. There were characters I loved and others who I loathed (you know who you are…) I’m usually not someone who enjoys seafaring tales, but that wasn’t the case here.

It has also been a long time since I have cried at the end of a book, not due to sadness but of joy. It wraps up really well in most areas. I’m looking forward to the next book, To Condemn a Witch.

There are extremely dark themes in here, primarily child abuse, rape and violence/gore. There is spice, but not romantasy levels of spice where it gets super steamy and detailed. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction with a splash of magic, witches, found family, second chances, secrets and schemes, and reluctant heroes.

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Rescue a Witch by Lisa Traugott
Published:
Publisher:
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages
Available:
Violence: 😱😱😱 somewhat graphic
Sex: 💔 not graphic
Warning: child sexual abuse, child abuse
The Short Story: 18th century tale of survival, intrigue, deception and forgiveness
William MacLeod must leave his wife Fiona and family and sail to Virginia in search of another man’s mistress and their child. What and who he finds changes the course of his life forever.
Told in four points of view the story shifts from William, his wife, Lady Margaret Hallewell, his employer’s wife, and the child Annaliese. Annaliese, age nine and her younger brother live with her abusive stepfather, her mother having died some years earlier. It’s a brutal life, full of the horrors no child should suffer. Her story is not easy to read; Annaliese is physically abused, tortured and sexually abused.
William arrives and takes charge of this all but feral child. Their voyage to England is a trial of endurance for both, but they forge a strong bond, one that is tested when Annelise is charged with witchcraft. More trouble awaits them in England and Lady Margaret Hallewell is determined to destroy William and his wife.
There is a lot to like about this book. I loved the historical setting. Anything set in the American Colonies is a plus for me. I really enjoyed the descriptions of witchcraft as practiced by Fiona. Lady Margaret is as bad an apple as they get; evil comes in many forms, even dressed in red silk gowns.
I would caution readers who might be disturbed by the level of violence and the child abuse content.

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of a Scot sent to rescue an abused child in colonial Virginia is complex, with several points of view, each character revealing some aspect of the secrets and motivations that drive the plot. I admired how author Lisa Traugott skillfully manages multiple characters, giving each with their own distinctive voice. The “actual witch” in the story is Fiona, wife of the Scot William MacLeod, but her visions and the result of her spells might be magic or might just be coincidence. A scheming, potentially psychopathic noblewoman drives much of the actions taken by others.

The first two or three chapters perplexed me a little, as many of these characters were introduced with a violence that initially seemed to come out of nowhere, but it all becomes clear over succeeding chapters as secrets - and their consequences - are revealed, and there was never a point at which I lost interest. In fact, I looked forward to getting back to the book each time I set it down.

Traugott doesn’t gloss over the brutality of the era, including child abuse and the cruel treatment of indentured servants and enslaved people. In an era when trauma-induced behavioral issues weren’t recognized as such, the child, Anneliese, is blamed and feared because of the very abuse she suffered, which brings a gritty quality to this historical fiction novel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diana Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy via The Niche Reader
Annaliese is the illegitimate daughter of a Lord sent with her mother to the colonies. There they meet Rob Birch, a most despicable man.
MacLeod is sent to the colonies to find her and her mother. He finds Annaliese. Her mother is dead. Now it is a long boat trip back to London.
Annaliese is 9yrs old. The sexual and physical abuse she endured is graphic. There is no romanticizing anything of this time period. She is actually sold by a 14yr old boy whom she thought "loved" her. No 9 year old should know what a "cock" nor what can be done with it. This was a sad reality (and still today) and it is not glossed over.
She has nightly nightmares due to the abuse. Everyone on the ship assumes this is because of witchcraft and an event occurs which puts her on trial. That people could believe a burn or a welt was due to being a witch!
Back in England there is Lady Margaret scheming and whoring. Lord Percy scheming. MacLeod's wife Fiona battling her own nightmares.
Excellent story of the time period

[Amie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of independent characters deeply intertwined and of cause and effect when people share a common superstitious belief system. Traugott weaves a connected narrative spanning countries, culture, and the power of love showing how all people are flawed but can make choices to better themselves. Set in 18th century Scotland, England, and the American colonies she brings to light a litany of issues through her text, especially the worth and consideration of women. As the story moves through history into the present day she ultimately helps her characters find a resolution, some more peaceful than others. If you enjoy a narrative sprinkled with witchcraft, faith, action, and at times (harsh) redemption, give this book a try!

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

To rescue a witch is set in the 1700’s between Britain and America in a time where slaves were still common and convicts from Britain were shipped off to America to serve their time.
Macloud is a lawyer from the Scottish Highlands, in the employ of his old friend an English Lord. He is sent to America to return with his Lords mistress - long thought ran away - and his bastard daughter whom he didn’t know existed.
Arriving in America Macloud soon discovers the mistress had died some years before leaving behind her children with her husband.
Annaelise - the bastard child - was tortured by her step father since the age of 5, uneducated and appeared “wild” to Macloud who takes her into his protection in order to take her home to her English father.
We learn a lot about her tortured upbringing and soon learn why she behaves in the ways she does, unfortunately to others her behaviour is accused of witch like and Macloud repeatedly finds himself having to defend her.
During the voyage home a witch trial is called, will she escape the threat of hanging.
The book is beautifully written it’s heartwarming to see the relationship develop between the hard Scotsman and the wild girl.
Quickly became my favourite read so far of 2024.

[Lisa]

I tried but I just couldn't get past the violence, abject cruelty, and sexual assault, most of which was aimed at women and children. I understand that it was a cruel world in the 18th century and I wanted to support this local author but it was just too much for me. I find that as I've grown older, my tolerance level for reading about the suffering of women, children, or animals is extremely low. After 1/3 of the book, I called it quits.

[Robin Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved this book. I think my favorite part about it was how the story was so intricately woven from all of the different points of view - something that is normally bothersome to me. It was not difficult to keep up with the different characters, as they were introduced well and brought in organically. The characterizations were perfect. I could not wait to see the villains receive their comeuppance. And man, was the resolution to this story satisfying. The way the story progresses through time but via varying perspectives is extremely well executed. The story itself is very interesting, which kept me engaged the whole way through. Super excited to read more by this author.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through the gamut of emotions reading this story. It is well written and grounded in historical research of the period in which it is set. Like life itself, there’s intrigue, revenge, betrayal, superstition, narrow-mindedness, greed, cruelty, infidelity, as well as fidelity, kindness, loyalty, patience, and love…and definitely frustration.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received a copy from Goodreads giveaway.

Was a little slow to get into.
I will say I think it is a good story and that I was moody and not feeling the genre or topics at the time I read this. Will go back and try read because it was interesting and deserves the time to enjoy.

[Bobbie Gonyaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heart mending

Although a part of my soul broke reading this young girls story, it mended through the journey she took. I loved the characters, settings, and the teeniest details that made this story come alive for me.
I would highly recommend!

[Lesa Hearon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really need book 3

It was different than I expected. The first book had more magic but the lack made sense for the narrative and historical context. But I did miss Aunt Matlida's role.

[Dennis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Supernatural Thriller. It is a mixture of historical fiction, but with a supernatural element. No spoilers. Just read it to the end!

[Lone Star Literary Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.75.

[Brooke Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a huge historical fiction lover but this book was surprisingly really good